Guyana Chronicle E-paper 3-01-2019

FRIDAY 1st March, 2019

No.105563

Malicious, deceitful and bewildering

– Harmon condemns PAGE Jagdeo’s 03 fraud claims

Interim stay 04 denied PAGE

–– judge says no need for urgency exists

–– oral arguments on conservatory order, stay on no-confidence cases set for March 15

No looming 12 constitutional – maintains crisis attorney general PAGE

Cinema, homes destroyed in separate fires 09&11 PAGES

The ‘Countryside’ Cinema and home at Number 64 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne that were destroyed by fire on Thursday

Unions picket RUSAL-BCGI 07 office PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Malicious, deceitful and bewildering –– Harmon condemns Jagdeo’s fraud claims

THE Government of Guyana has firmly rejected and condemned as “malicious and deceitful” statements made by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, at his press conference on Thursday, accusing the President and his administration of fraud.

The claims were made in relation to the issuance of two separate letters to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which spoke to preparations for elections and elections consultations.

In a letter dated February 25, 2019, the President wrote to GECOM Chair, retired Justice James Patterson, acknowledging the time-related and financial constraints preventing the commission from hosting new General and Regional Elections within the threemonth timeframe.

While not setting a date for elections, he urged the commission to commence elections preparations, stating that he has intentions to go to the National Assembly to secure the necessary funds for such.

His correspondence came as Patterson had written to the President making clear that the commission cannot

deliver credible elections within three months and, as a constitutional agency, would require an appropriation of funds.

In a letter also dated February 25, 2019, the President wrote again to GECOM Chair requesting a meeting regarding the readiness of the commission to conduct General and Regional Elections in 2019.

However, according to commissioners, the second letter was not received by the commission until the close of their statutory meeting on February 26, 2019, unbeknownst to everyone at the time.

However, the first letter was provided to GECOM’s six commissioners on February 26, 2019, while the second letter provided to them on February 28, 2019 at the following statutory meeting.

At his press conference on Thursday, the opposition leader used the fact that two letters were sent by the President to suggest that some fraudulent activity occurred with the doctoring of the first letter to produce a second.

However, on Thursday evening in a release to the media, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, stated that the opposition leader has

descended to a new level of disrespect for the Office of the President and the government by maligning the good character of the President and his office.

In recounting the events which took place, the release stated that the President received Justice Patterson’s letter on Monday, hours before he departed for medical treatment in Cuba.

The President then responded promptly in his first letter, noting his receipt of chairman’s letter; the commission’s inability to deliver credible elections within the three-month timeframe and the need for additional funds, appropriated by the National Assembly, to be provided.

JAGDEO has turned down an offer to meet with the President next week, citing two letters which were sent to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by President David Granger as the major reason for avoiding the meeting.

On Thursday, at a press briefing at the Office of the Opposition Leader on Church Street, Georgetown, Jagdeo repeatedly claimed that the letters were the same and that one was fraudulently altered.

He later acknowledged that the letters were two different correspondences and this was supported later in the day by GECOM commissioners, including

those representing the Peoples’ Progressive Party on the commission.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, in a statement released late on Thursday evening, refuted Jagdeo’s claims.

Harmon noted that Jagdeo, as Leader of the Opposition, has not chosen to respond to the President’s invitation to meet with him as protocol dictates.

“A letter of invitation was sent to the Leader of the Opposition for a meeting with the President on March 6 at 11:00hrs.

We made that public after the letter was sent to the Leader of the Opposition.

One would expect that under normal decency and by virtue of democratic be-

haviour, the Leader of the Opposition would respond to the President indicating whether he would attend that meeting or not, but not to hear in the media that he has said that he is not attending,” he said.

Minister Harmon believes that there is enough time before the March 6 meeting for the Opposition Leader to reconsider his decision to accept the President’s invitation.

“We have always said that the President is prepared to engage with the Leader of the Opposition on any matter of national interest. We consider this to be one such matter and, therefore, that is why the President invited him. So it is our hope that after

ASSURANCE In the letter, the President also assured that financial resources and enough time to conduct credible elections would be provided.

In the second letter, the President began by writing “Dear Chairman, I wrote you earlier acknowledging receipt of your letter dated 2019.02.21 and the documents enclosed…” in which he also called for the initiation of consultations on the

readiness of GECOM for the conduct of General and Regional Elections in 2019.

With this in mind, the media release underlined: “The second letter refers to the need to consult because the chairman of GECOM raised issues of time and the lack of financial resources. It was aimed at finding out the amount of money needed to conduct credible elections.

The first letter was not doctored.”

Meanwhile, Harmon stated: “There are two letters. The first letter is an acknowledgement of the chairman of GECOM’s letter. The second letter refers to the first letter.

So how could you now say that this is something that is doctored when you, the author of the letter, acknowledges that you sent one and this is the second one I am sending?”

APPALLED The minister of state said that he is appalled by the allegation against the Head of State and the attack on his religion by Jagdeo, who questioned the President’s Christian character at his press conference.

“I have never heard any-

one level such an accusation against President David Arthur Granger, a Christian man, who espouses and practices Christian values; who understands the Bible,” Harmon said.

He also indicated that at no time has the President, or any member of his government, stooped to the level of disrespect demonstrated by the opposition leader and his actions must therefore be condemned.

“This is something that not only the government will take very seriously but all Christians; all people of religion across the world must recognise that this is an attack on the religion of the President; an attack on order and good governance and he must be condemned in the strongest possible terms for this level to which he has sunk in this press conference. I am also calling on all right-thinking Guyanese to condemn the leader of the opposition for this level to which he has sunk and for which he is trying to take the society, into the pit to which he has descended,” the minister of state asserted.

He added that although Jagdeo stated that he would be engaging the international community and other organ-

Jagdeo refuses to meet to address national issues mature consideration, the Leader of the Opposition will change that stance which he has taken today and attend the meeting,” Minister Harmon added.

As he elaborated on the letters and set the tone of his press conference on the fraud claims, Jagdeo told reporters on Thursday that he will not be meeting with the Head of State unless a date for elections is on the agenda.

He was repeatedly reasoned by members of the press that the two correspondences were different given the tone. “Yea, yea, ok,” he said when journalists in the room, whom he provided with copies of the letters, indicated that there were two different

letters. “So if there is two separate letters, which one is the one we will use,” he questioned.

Jagdeo told reporters that he planned to write the President on conditions for the meeting prior to his “discovery” of the letters being different.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon isations on the matter, the government can stand up to scrutiny.

Harmon concluded: “I cannot be responsible for Mr. Jagdeo’s comprehension of simple chronology and simple English language. If he takes the time enough to read, he would be able to understand. So, take it to the international community; take it wherever you want to take it; you would only be embarrassing yourself because people would be able to read and understand exactly what the President is saying.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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Interim stay denied

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

–– judge says no need for urgency exists

–– oral arguments on conservatory order, stay on no-confidence cases set for March 15

By Svetlana Marshall COURT of Appeal Judge Rishi Persaud said at this stage, there is no urgent need for an interim stay to be granted to halt the decision of the High Court in the no-confidence motion matter.

At the time, Justice Persaud was responding to Attorney General Basil Williams, who during a case management session at the Appellate Court on Thursday, indicated on a point of record that he had applied for an interim stay to freeze

the decision of Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, that the no-confidence motion against the government was validly passed, and a conservatory order to preserve the status quo of the Cabinet. In defending his application, the attorney general pointed out that in 2016, the Court of Appeal had granted an interim stay of execution in the Desmond Morian Case, which resulted in Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, being allowed to sit as Members of

Parliament (MPs) until the case was heard fully. The then Chancellor, Justice Carl Singh, had presided over the matter.

But in response, Justice Persaud said: “I don’t see the need… the absolute urgency for the stay at this time.” The appellate judge had moments ago set strict timelines for submissions of arguments on the stay of executions and conservatory orders being sought in three separate cases to halt the January 31 decision of See page 5

Attorney General Basil Williams and Attorney Anil Nandlall speaking outside of the Court of Appeal on Thursday in the company of other attorneys after the timelines were set

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Interim stay ...

From page 4

Justice George-Wiltshire, and to preserve status quo of Cabinet and the government. According to the timelines, oral arguments in the cases – The Attorney General v Christopher Ram and Leader of the Opposition; The Attorney General v Speaker of the National Assembly, The Leader of the Opposition, and Joseph Harmon; and Compton Reid v The Speaker, Charrandass Persaud, the Attorney General, the Opposition Leader and Joseph Harmon – will be heard on Friday, March 15, 2019. Between March 4 and March 14, 2019, the parties in all the cases will submit written arguments.

“Having regarded the strict time limits that I have just set, I am not minded to do that, grant a stay…I am not minded to do that at this stage because we are still well within the time,” Justice Persaud told the attorney general.

The attorney general appeared on Thursday in association with the Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, and Attorneys-at-Law Maxwell Edwards and Mayo Robertson. The Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, was represented by Attorney-at-Law

Anil Nandlall, while the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland was represented by Senior Counsel, Rafiq Khan. In the case Compton Reid v The Speaker, Charrandass Persaud, the Attorney General, the Opposition Leader and Joseph Harmon, Reid was represented by Legal Counsel, Robert Corbin while Charrandass Persaud was represented by Sanjeev Datadin, and Roysdale Forde appearing on behalf of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

In the Affidavit in support of the summons in the case of the Attorney General v The Speaker and Leader of the Opposition, State Counsel, Raeanna Clarke, swore to the affidavit.

Clarke said based on

the advice of her lawyers, she believes that the chief justice erred and misdirected herself in law when she ruled that the motion of no-confidence upon a division vote of 33:32 Members of the National Assembly was validly passed as the requisite majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly pursuant to Article 106 (6) of the Constitution.

The State counsel stated that the chief justice miscalculated the majority of all elected members of the National Assembly as required under Article 106(6) of the Constitution, for the government to be defeated on a vote of no-confidence. “In order for the government to be defeated on a vote of no-confidence, 34 or more

votes of all the elected members in favour of the motion was required instead of 33,” she contended. According to her, an absolute majority is calculated as half plus one and where, mathematically, half of all the elected members of the Parliament would result in a fraction, the method of calculation of the absolute majority is that the fraction is rounded to the next whole number and one added to result in a number greater than half.

Clarke put forward similar arguments in her affidavit in the case of Christopher Ram v the Attorney General and Opposition Leader.

“It is contended that the effect of the ruling of the Chief Justice, that Cabinet ceased with immediate effect on the night of the no-confidence motion on 21st December 2018, will

mean that the government will be unable to introduce any financial bills for passage because, in accordance with Article 171 of the Constitution, these bills require the recommendation and or consent of the Cabinet signified by a minister.

In these circumstances, the government will be unable to fund the preparation and holding of elections by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) if the effect of the ruling of the chief justice is not stayed as prayed for herein,” Clarke stated.

She said it is contended that the status quo ante is that the President, Cabinet and government will continue in their role and functions until the hearing and determination of the appeal herein.

State counsel said she believes that the Conser-

vatory Order is necessary to preserve the status quo ante, as the period for the hearing and determination of the matter may expire before that time prescribed in Article 106 (7) of the Constitution which requires that the President and government remain in office and hold elections within three months.

Reid, through his attorneys Rex McKay, S.C, Neil Boston, S.C and Robert Corbin, has applied for a Conservatory Order and stay of executions on similar grounds.

Reid had challenged the validity of Charrandass Persaud’s vote in the National Assembly on the basis that he breached the Constitution by having dual citizenship while being a Member of Parliament.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

FRANKLY speaking, this society has been stumbling in social grace.

Good conduct and good manners, which are learnt behaviours for children, usually start in the home. Where the home is lacking, children are exposed to other influences, such as schools, religious communities, public officials, entertainment and sports personalities, who, by their role in society are seen as surrogates.There was a time when clichés such as ‘what comes out the mouth defiles a person’, ‘show me your company and I’ll tell you who you are’, and ‘manners maketh Man’ were not only teaching tools to ensure the cultivation of attitudes befitting social grace, but admonishment when one falls out of grace, or a warning on whom to shun. These are becoming blurred each day, given the conduct of those from whom it is least expected.

Understandably, this is not the Victorian Age. But values such as ‘thank you’ after being served, respecting each other in things

said, and how we treat with the other are ageless. The cliché ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ transcends time, is still relevant, and remains applicable today.

Where the slipping and sliding began, those who want to point fingers, continuing the blame game and the ‘I am innocent’ syndrome characteristic of our culture will do nothing about addressing the malaise, which needs fixing ASAP. The young learn from their seniors, and will, in turn, treat others based on what they have learnt. Approximately 65 per cent of the population is 40 years and younger. It is not unfair or unreasonable to require that positive tones and standards be set for them to emulate.

This demographic will tomorrow be the majority in leadership; and unless a behavioural revolution takes place, the young will continue, and bequeath to their offspring, the debasement and degeneracy they have learnt and come to accept as normal behaviour.

Where leaders are calling others names, disrespecting those older than themselves, thinking the young must ‘wait their turn,’ shirking their responsibilities, expecting the society to accept the ‘do as I say and not as I do’ rationale, such behaviours identify a serious breakdown in standards in society.

Public officials, government, business and those who rely on the public for their relevance and/or income ought to be mindful of their attitude. In societies that value public opinion, where persons have acted out of line or offended the public, they would change what they did, apologise, or remove themselves from the spheres of influence they occupy. Unfortunately, in our society, such courtesies are treated as inconsequential, with the message invariably being sent that “I don’t care what others think.”

There is also little or no regard for customer service in the public and private sectors. Members of the public are often made to feel they are being granted a favour rather

than paying for a service. As the society grows in age, likewise must opinion shapers and leaders, public and business officials, and leaders in civil society be ever mindful of how they treat citizens and each other.

Persons can share ideas and information, hold different views, outright disagree with another without having to be dishonest and disagreeable. Frighteningly so, there is a prevailing tendency these days to accept or reject a point of view, based on who is the messenger rather than the content of the message. This carries consequences, in that the truth may never be acted upon, or a wrong decision can continue.

This nation has to reset the button on propriety and decorum. Each and every one has the responsibility to make it happen for us and country.

There was a time in Guyana’s evolution when Guyanese were seen as the beacons of social grace, and it is possible to reclaim that pinnacle.

I have devoted the greater part of my working life supporting the PNCR Dear Editor,

DR. Mark Devonish has written an epistle, taking up a page-and-a-half of your newspaper, asking whether Guyanese overseas be excluded from commenting on local politics, and sets out to justify that they should be. He, erroneously, names me, amongst others, as being opposed to non-resident Guyanese taking up valuable space in our newspapers pronouncing on our politics.

But then, Dr. Devonish, in his writings, is not wedded to the facts.

In fact, I have no quarrel with Dr. Devonish’s right to write letters for publication in a friendly newspaper in Guyana, though I feel reasonably certain that the newspaper where he comfortably lives in the UK, would not give him the time of day, even with all of the letters he publishes after his signature to emphasise his self-importance.

He also argues, I think speciously and foolishly, that the fact that he does not pay

taxes in Guyana bears no relationship to his right to pontificate on how our country is, or is not, governed. Frankly, I care less whether he pays taxes in Guyana.

I do, however, have a problem that Guyanese like Dr. Devonish, who, by the very fact that they live and work overseas, take no responsibility for any action or result which might flow from the political opinions they advance in our media at home, and, more particularly, when they personally attack those of us who live here.

The fact is that Dr. Devonish and others like him and their families in the diaspora, bear no consequences for the positions they advocate. They do not live here. They do not work here. They are not subject to the trials and tribulations of life here. They have no intimate experience of everyday life here. They are far away and protected from any threat or pushback for the opinions which they so freely express.

For instance, as is now highly probable,

from the actions of our government and, in this case, to a much lesser extent, the reactions of the political opposition, Guyana, within 90 days of the passing of the no-confidence motion, has an illegal government foisted upon its people. Dr. Devonish and his ilk will not suffer the consequences.

Dr. Devonish happily labels me as antigovernment, but he knows little or nothing about me, who I am, what I have stood for, or what I advocate politically. Yet, he presumes to label me.

In fact, he has it all wrong when he labels me and others who disagree with the government’s refusal to respect the Constitution and uphold the law as anti-government and pro-opposition. I, in fact, have devoted the greater part of my working life to supporting the senior party in the coalition government.

The fact, however, that I am absolutely opposed to that party putting our country at risk by playing fast and loose with our Constitution has nothing to do with my political

preference as to who ultimately is qualified to properly run the country. It has everything to do, however, with my being able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong.

Dr. Devonish clearly counts himself, amongst what he describes as the “smartest and brightest of Guyanese living outside of Guyana” and is highly qualified in his profession, judging from the long list of degrees he publishes after his signature. If he cares so deeply and passionately about the welfare and development of our country, then let him come home, give us every day in Guyana the benefit of his learning and skills; prove himself a genuine Guyanese facing every day the challenges of living here and make a genuine contribution.

Or, if not, just shut up.

Regards Kit Nascimento

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Unions picket RUSAL-BCGI office

THE trade union movement in Guyana held their first in a series of picketing exercises outside of the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) Foreshaw Street office on Thursday.

The unions are protesting not only this company’s current treatment toward its employees, but what they contend is a worrying trend of foreign businesses disregard for local labour laws.

Bearing placards with statements such as “Respect workers hard won rights” and “RUSAL must operate within Guyana’s laws”, trade union officials and supporters braved the morning sun to continue to put pressure on BCGI to reinstate the some 90 workers it has fired, and to recognise the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) as the workers’ bargaining agent.

The picketing exercise was a joint exercise between umbrella trade union bodies, the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). The picketing is expected to continue today along with another

protest at the company’s Upper-Berbice Aroaima operations.

In a joint statement, the two bodies cited similar labour breaches by Malaysian-owned Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL), Canadian-owned Guyana Goldfields Inc., and oil and gas sector company, El Dorado Offshores.

“BCGI’s action is not an isolated incident but rather seems to be a reflex action by foreign enterprises operating locally,” said FITUG Treasurer Seepaul Narine.

He added: “DTL in 2016 had moved to dismiss a number of workers after they took part in a protest action; that was subsequently settled after the interventions of the court. Since then the company has been refusing to engage the recognised bargaining agent, the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU).

In 2017, the National Mine Workers Union (NMWU) called to attention breaches by Guyana Goldfields Inc.” Narine said the multinational companies often carry out similar actions in other third world countries, but Guyana needs to take a stand against it.

Union representatives on the picket line on Thursday Suggested solutions to the endemic include more forceful enforcement of the law, an updating of labour legislation and stronger collaboration with the Department of Labour and trade unions when foreign businesses set up shop in Guyana.

“It is a worrying thing that while you want investment in the country, we have to protect the workers. We have to strengthen our different laws, see where there are weaknesses. We have to be able to get the companies to provide their accounts for scrutiny by the workers unions. For some of these

things you have to amend you legislation, enact new legislation,” suggested FITUG executive, Komal Chand On the current BCGI issue, government has since come out backing the country’s workers and demanding their reinstatement so that proper negotiations can take place.

GBGWU is calling for the situation to go to compulsory arbitration.

BCGI on February 18 terminated some 61 work-

ers for going on strike from February 15. Last week, several RUSAL executives held meetings with the Department of Labour and with several government ministers. At the end of those meetings, it was expected that the workers would be reinstated.

However, in a shocking turn of events, another 30 employees on Monday, February 25th, received letters that they were being laid off.

Oddly, even as the company is firing employees, it is looking to hire new employees with executives indicating in a meeting last Wednesday that they were looking to begin a hiring exercise from today.

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally in her meeting with RUSAL executives on Tuesday reaffirmed that government will be going the “full length” to see the reinstatement of the fired workers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Police Force explores establishing aviation wing

THE Guyana Police Force held talks with American Aviation giant MIDAS Aviation Service Inc., as it explored the possibility of establishing an aviation wing.

The meeting took place on Thursday between Commissioner of Police Leslie James and his administrative team and representatives of American Aviation giant MIDAS Aviation Service Inc, of Beach Airpark Florida, USA.

During the engagement, the discussion was focused on the formation of the Guyana Police Force’s Aviation Wing, where matters such as having appropriate response capabilities, training, maintenance and sourcing of the most suitable aircraft were addressed.

The establishment of aerial support will improve the Guyana Police Force’s response capabilities as well as build public confidence, gather real time intelligence, and

reduce crime and the fear of crime,” the force said in a statement.

According to the force, the engagement was detailed and comprehensive and will aid in the administration’s focus on the way forward as it aims to launch its aviation infrastructure.

The team consisted of former members of the Guyana Defence Force, namely Budhan, Glen and Farley. The new administration of the Force has listed infrastructure as one of three primary areas in its reformation process.

Last month, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had disclosed that the Guyana Police Force was in the process of

making arrangements to commence training of ranks, which will serve in a newly-formed aviation unit. He said that the aviation unit will be further developed with resources that will emerge from the oil and gas sector but would focus on tackling piracy, amongst other crimes that are associated with oil production.

The Guyana Police Force is currently depending on the Guyana Defence Force for assistance from its aviation wing and it was successful in tackling piracy in the Corentyne area, which saw a rapid decline.

The aviation unit will also address human trafficking, which has seen some level of reduction.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Rehabilitation and not incarceration

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–– Ramjattan says programme coming on stream for drug offenders

By Alva Solomon

A DRUG treatment programme, which can see repeat offenders such as drug addicts being treated rather than going to jail, is expected to come on stream.

The programme, which would see the establishment of drug treatment courts, was touted at the

non-custodial penalty for those involved,” he said, adding that persons in question may not necessarily be first-time offenders.

“It a new approach to the criminal justice system,” he said.

During his address to the participants, Ramjattan noted that the jail may not be the best place for treat-

that cost much.

Ramjattan said the cost of maintaining prisoners would be impacted by the programme as he noted that the average cost is around $380,000 per person and he posited that the figure may be higher.

COMMUNITY -ORIENTED

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan shares a light moment with Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire (ag) (right) and Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards (ag) during the workshop on Wednesday (Samuel Maughn photo) Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal during a training course on Wednesday on treatment alternative to incarceration.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who is performing the duties of prime minister, said the consent of the magistrate, lawyer/s for an offender and the prosecutor will determine if the defendant would be inducted into the programme.

He told reporters that a magistrate’s court will be used as a pilot and will be extended to other areas across the country. He said in areas where the prevalence of drug abuse is high, a second court could be established.

“We want to make

ment for drug addicts.

He said as a prosecutor, defence counsel and now minister, he realised that jail does not necessarily rehabilitate the offender, but rather makes them “graduate into bigger things”. He said they learnt the tricks of trade in prison while serving their three years for narcotics possession and then return to the society.

He said the programme would be a “benefit “for the offender since it would, hopefully, cultivate a better attitude in the offenders. The minister noted that the report on the Camp Street fire in 2016 indicated that the prison is stacked with drug offenders and the overpopulation creates its own disaster

Minister Ramjattan also said more community-oriented resources would be required to support the programme.

He said it is important the programme is promoted since it can gain buy-in by all stakeholders.

“For too long we have maintained the tradition that the criminal justice process is simply investigate –prosecute ,” he said, adding that there is now a transformational move ongoing where the juvenile justice regime has changed.

“So we don’t want to necessarily jail our juveniles or make this a jailhouse nation,” he said as he noted that diversionary measures are necessary.

Ramjattan told the

gathering that there are many fundamentals which have to be established before the programme can be successful. He said the marriage of treatment services with the court, will give rise to the need for skilled workers such as psychiatrists, who would have to be united with the judicial process.

He said, too, that a new culture has to be established in which the legal system would not be necessarily aggressive to the offender to the extent that he/she would be jailed but where decisions could be reached by consensus.

“We have to also get this fundamental right,” he said.

He said other initiatives such as random testing of persons in the programme will also be a necessity while there would be need for inter-disciplinary training of persons such as the magistrates.

They would have to be familiar with medicine which, he noted, is relevant to the treatment process. Ramjattan also noted that the community’s involvement in the programme would prove vital.

US Charge d’ Affairs , Terry Steers-Gonzalez, told the gathering that he is heartened that Guyana is tackling issues regarding drug abuse, incarceration and related changes in the justice sector.

He said that drug abuse is a growing problem for many nations and for Guyana the issue is further complicated since this country is a transhipment point for illegal narcotics.

Steers-Gonzalez said he is pleased that Guyana continues to develop and fine-tune its Drug Strategy Master plan.

He also lauded several other initiatives taken by the government in its fight in addressing narcotics-related matters.

Sophia fire leaves family of five homeless KURT Nedd, his wife and their three children were all rendered homeless Wednesday when fire razed their ‘D Field Reserve’ residence in Sophia.

Reports are that the fire occurred early Wednesday morning while Nedd was away at sea and the rest of the family out on business.

Nedd told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that he’d only returned on Tuesday, and had had

to go out early on Wednesday morning to collect his portion of fish and to help the crew take the boat to Parika when he learnt that his house was on fire.

The man said that on hearing the news, he hurried home as quickly as he could, only to find that the house, in which he’d lived for about eight years, and all their belongings were reduced to ashes.

And even though the family lost all their belongings, from clothes

to household appliances, birth certificates and other important documents, he’s thankful that at the time of the fire, his children, aged nine, eight and four were all at school.

What is curious, however, is that even though he is claiming that the house was powered by a generator, police sources and those within the fire department are contending that the fire might have been caused by an illegal power connection.

Public security minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who is performing the duties of prime minister, addressing the gathering on Wednesday (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Fire flattens Corentyne cinema, home THE Guyana Fire Service came in for heavy criticism as a two buildings were gutted in a mid-afternoon fire Thursday, leaving millions in losses.

Residents are contending that the fire service vehicle passed the blaze, which initially started in the Countryside Cinema Building, in search for water, and returned some 15 minutes later without any.

By then, the inferno was uncontrollable and had spread to an unoccupied house nearby.

Residents, speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, said they heard explosions around 13:45hrs and upon investigating, they saw flames emanating from the

engulfed in flames, destroying two cars parked under it.

As the threat of a third building loomed, the residents formed a bucket brigade and soaked the vulnerable home, extinguishing pockets of fire on it.

During this period, the fire men were still trying to access water but they encountered difficulties with their pumps. However, two other fire tenders responded and were able to get the fire under control but it was too late as the damage was already done to the two buildings.

Owner of the Countryside Cinema, Dave Subnauth, said the building was fully furnished and

The cinema and unoccupied home destroyed by fire three-storey building which housed the Countryside Cinema, a hardware store, a restaurant and a cellphone and accessories shop at Number 64 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne.

After an alarm was raised, the fire tender attached to the Skeldon Fire Station was heard approaching promptly but to the bewilderment of residents, the truck sped past the fire scene and went to a canal in search of water.

The blaze then stared to spread quickly as combustible materials from the restaurant and hardware store, which were closed for over a year, fuelled the flames. The fire moved quickly, spreading to the unoccupied wooden and concrete two-storey house to the east.

Efforts by residents to quell the fire proved futile as the building was quickly

stocked and even though he was unable to put a figure to his losses, he believes it amounts to millions of dollars.

The property was redone a few years ago and a modern cinema was put in place, replacing the old one that was out of commission for years.

In addition, a restaurant was housed on the second floor while the lower flat was converted into a hardware store. The family closed the businesses and had put the property up for sale, while they rented a spot to a cellular phone vendor.

The owner of the phone shop was not available for comment but his losses were estimated to be in the millions as well since it was fully stocked.

The Guyana Fire Service has launched an investigation into the blaze.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

No looming constitutional crisis – attorney general maintains

By Svetlana Marshall THERE is no “drop dead date” after the expiration of the 90-day timeframe for the holding of General and Regional Elections that would plunge Guyana into a constitutional crisis, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams said as he poured cold water on arguments

put forward by the opposition and its allies.

Christopher Ram, an Attorney-at-Law, has accused President David Granger of “pushing Guyana towards the worst constitutional crisis in its history.” The parliamentary opposition – the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in a similar vein, has argued that if the March 21 constitutional deadline for the holding of

General and Regional Elections is not met or extended by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, the government will be throwing the country into a severe constitutional crisis. But the attorney general rubbished the arguments put forward while fielding questions from reporters outside of the Court of Appeal on Thursday.

Maintaining that the Pres-

ident and his government will remain in office to govern the country until a new president is sworn in, the attorney general said Article 106 (7) of the Constitution provides for that. That article states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by no less than two-thirds of the votes of all elected members of the National

Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

He pointed to the fact that the Constitution provides two options – election within three months or an extension by a two-thirds majority.

With the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) indicating that it cannot facilitate elections by March 21, 2019, President Granger has activated the second provision outlined in Article 106 (7) by inviting the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo to a meeting to discuss a possible extension. That meeting will take place on March 6, and according to the attorney general, it is a process that should be followed.

“It means that the section contemplates that after three months without an election, you move to the stage where the two parties talk to get a two-thirds majority, that has to be a process,” Williams said.

But if a stay is not granted to freeze the decision of the High Court or the President and opposition leader do not strike a compromise which would result in an extension of the constitutional deadline, “nothing happens,” according to the attorney general.

“There would be no constitutional crisis because there is a government,” he maintained while again referencing to Article 106 (7) which states that the government remains in office until a new President is sworn in. He noted too that it is GECOM that conducts elections and not the President or his government.

“I want you to understand that the nation was being unduly alarmed with these doom matter,” he said while maintaining that the government remains until.

Former Leader of the People’s National Congress, and Attorney-at-Law, Robert Corbin, like the attorney general, said Guyana is not in a constitutional crisis.

“The constitutional crisis exists in the minds of those who would like to see a crisis exist. The courts have a responsibility to ensure that there is peace, order and good governance of Guyana, just like the Executive and

the Legislature,” Corbin told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday.

He said the current situation is “good for Guyana” and is an evolution of the country’s political system.

“What is happening now is that for the first time, certain aspects and principles which are enshrined in our Constitution are being examined,” he said while noting that by putting forward legal challenges, the parties in the cases are seeking to establish certainty in the interpretation of the Constitution of Guyana. This, he posited, is good for posterity.

“So I think that it is healthy for Guyana to have this kind of exercise and I think that it is a little disappointing that one would not allow the courts to do their job,” he said.

In moving pass March 21, Corbin said the court will have to decide. “The court will have to take into account that what happens on the 21st March, 2019 would only be a crisis if the courts take certain positions on the matter, but I am sure that is a factor which the court must take into account in terms of what happens to Guyana. So I am not worried at this point in time,” he said.

Another attorney, Roysdale Forde echoed similar sentiments. He like Corbin and the attorney general, said there is no constitutional crisis, and the country is not likely to fall into one after March 21.

“I don’t believe that we will be heading into any constitutional crisis in the manner described by the persons who are articulating that view,” he posited. Citing Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, Forde said while it outlines a process, it does not state what should be done in the event the two-thirds majority is not acquired. “…There is nothing in the Constitution that says if that vote is not carried on the 22nd day or the 91st day that the government ceases to exist. There will always be a Government of Guyana who will be in office,” he said.

Declaring that the government remains, Forde said it was in the past that the country experienced a constitutional crisis.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Opposition-nominated commissioners walk out GECOM meeting

COMMISSIONERS of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) clashed on Thursday when differing opinions were expressed on how the Commission should continue following the President’s urge to commence preparations for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.

This eventually led to a walk-out of the Opposition-nominated commissioners from the meeting some 30 minutes after it began.

On February 25, 2019, President David Granger had corresponded with GECOM Chair, retired Justice James Patterson, urging the commission to commence elections preparations and stating the Government’s commitment to providing funding for such.

“The Government of Guyana is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the commission is provided with the financial resources and has sufficient time to conduct credible elections. I urge the commission, therefore, to commence preparations for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.

The government will initiate measures to provide the funds required and to seek the approval of the National Assembly to ensure that an agreement can be reached, given both the Constitutional requirements and GECOM’s capability,” the President wrote.

The call came even as the commission had agreed over a week ago to continue with its 2019 work programme which includes the conduction of house-tohouse registration budgeted for with $3B in the 2019 Budget.

In previous correspondence with the President on February 21, 2019, Patterson had also indicated that preparations for elections can be done simultaneously with the 2019 work programme.

“If we were to continue in our current state, more time will elapse and no meaningful work will be done,” he explained, referring to the election debates which have been ongoing since the start of the year.

He later added: “Given the elapsed time, our secretariat is to produce a new work schedule for approval which should be geared to deliver the same outcomes in the shortest possible time.

Kindly note that preparations for elections can be done simultaneously with this work programme if the

requisite financial resources are made available to us.”

However, when Opposition-appointed Commissioner Bibi Shadick arrived at the meeting on Thursday, she promptly requested from the secretariat a plan to prepare for elections with or without continuous registration.

Shadick was displeased when this was not provided which eventually led to the walkout of the three Opposition-appointed commissioners as the meeting continued without them.

While leaving the building, she told the media that when she made the request, other commissioners stressed the importance of the inclusion of house-tohouse registration while the GECOM chair indicated that there can be no “credible” elections, as emphasised by the President, without such.

However, Commissioner Shadick rebutted: “What I’m not prepared to discuss now, in light of the President’s letter, is normal work plans for GECOM because I think we’re in a place where we’re heading to a constitutional crisis and it is incumbent on us to take action.”

Commissioner Alexander, who came out later, relayed his account of the meeting, stating that the commissioners came to the meeting regurgitating the “script” of the Opposition Leader’s press conference which concluded moments before the statutory meeting and refused to move forward.

“We did not have a meeting where people we’re objectively addressing their minds; we had a meeting where people came with a script so that-- for example-Jagdeo said he will not meet the president if an election date is not on the table and as we sought to discuss today the implementation of the 2019 programme which does not conflict with elections preparations, their position was ‘unless you’re talking about [an] election date at this meeting then we won’t participate’,” he recounted.

Alexander stated that GECOM has already made the decision to continue with its 2019 work programme even as he and his fellow commissioners have indicated their position that every effort should be made to complete house-to-house registration within 2019, so that elections can be held the same year.

Expounding further on the President’s call to “commence preparations

for the conduct of elections, the commissioner said that while funding for such does not yet exist, certain aspects of preparation can begin.

These listed were acquiring materials; determining the number of temporary staff along with other routine operations.

However, he noted

that there are more crucial prerequisites for conducting General and Regional Elections which, without a known date, the Commission cannot move forward in planning.

“Elections also require orders that have to be issued; for example, without a known election date, somethings GECOM cannot

finalise. A known election date would then tell you what should be the date by which nominations should be submitted. The date by which nominations should be submitted and a known election date tells you by which [time] you can proceed to print your ballot papers. So, once some statutory things are not done, GECOM cannot move on those things and those things are the things which are critical aspects of the elections,” Alexander explained.

Referring to the Pres-

ident’s second letter to the Commission inviting the initiation of consultations on the readiness of GECOM to conduct elections, Alexander said that this suggests that the President is desirous of receiving this information prior to deciding on an election date.

Nonetheless, the Opposition-appointed commissions are now pushing for the President to put forward an elections date before April 30, 2019, when the current list will expire.

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Vehicle bursts into flames at workshop

A VEHICLE burst into flames on Wednesday night at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara while at a mechanic shop.

According to the owner of the workshop, Trevor Balram, he was not at home when the vehicle exploded.

The man indicated that he had been tending the vehicle, but left to go to the shop and shortly after, he received a call that there was a fire in the yard and that a vehicle was on fire.

He said that when he returned, he observed that the vehicle which he was working on earlier in the day, was on fire and that the fire service had already been there putting out the blaze.

We were told that the vehicle was taken to the shop for overheating and suspension problems. The overheating problems were

The car that caught fire at the workshop fixed but it was just the suspension issues which had to be fixed on Thursday.

The fire also damaged two other vehicles which were parked in the yard and said

to be owned by Balram.

He said that based on what he has gathered from the assessment after the blaze, the fire started from within the vehicle.

The man said that in overheating issues, a fire would only start in the bonnet of the vehicle.

The man also stressed that the ignition of the vehicle was not on as was being suggested by the fire department, as the battery of the vehicle still had current. Had the ignition been left on, the vehicle’s battery would have been dead.

This is the fourth vehicle to burst into flames for the month of February in various parts of the country.

There were claims that the fires are associated with the gasoline being sold by State-owned GuyOil, but those have since been debunked by Company executives.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Hit-and-run driver kills tyre shop employee THE police are in search of the driver of a white 212 Toyota motorcar who was involved in a hit-and-run on Wednesday evening at a tyre shop at Lot 106 Zeeburg Public Road.

Reports are that sometime after 19:00hrs on the night in question, the employee, whose name has been given as Bruce, was about to change a tyre on a minibus when a car came out of nowhere and knocked him down, and the driver just kept going.

Sources say that the young man, who hails from the hinterland, had been working at the tyre shop since last year, after coming out to the coastland in search of a job.

The wife of the owner of the tyre shop said that since the lad lived there, he had proven himself to be a very great help and also acted like an older brother to her children.

The woman is asking that anyone who may have information on the car that struck down the man, to immediately inform the police.

Police traffic investigators and detectives from the police ‘D’ Division have

The late tyre shop apprentice, Bruce been taking statements and also obtained a video footage of the accident.

Unfortunately though, the registration plate of the car was not entirely visible, but the police are expected to enhance the video footage so that they can determine the plate number and go after the driver.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the workshop on Thursday, the workers had a flag fluttering from a post at the business premises.

The police were also present, taking statements from persons who were around at the time the accident took place.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

Akeem Yorrick murder trial…

North Sophia murder ...

Final witnesses to take stand today

Mother disputes reports suspect was ‘stalking’ daughter THE post-mortem of Nadina Kalamadeen, the 34-year-old mother of five who was murdered Wednesday night in North Sophia, not far from where she lived by a man she knew well, is set for today.

It is not clear, however, whether her husband knows what has befallen her, as according to her mother, he is way up in the ‘interior’.

The mother, whose name we didn’t get, also told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday from the family’s North Sophia home, that she was not aware that the suspect, whose name has been given as ‘Raymond’, was seeing her daughter nor stalking her, because, as far as she knew, they were friends.

She said that she regularly saw her daughter in the man’s company, but that they’d usually be drinking or

enjoying a smoke at a corner a short distance from where the deceased lived.

She said that had the man been indeed stalking her daughter, she would have known, as Nadina never hid anything from her.

The woman said she was at home when she heard someone scream, but did not take any heed, not knowing that it was her daughter, as she thought it was someone else in the community and their man having a misunderstanding.

She said it was not until someone came to the house and told her that she knew that Nadina had been stabbed.

Said the grieving woman, “I run downstairs without money and borrow a thousand from my neighbour to take my child to the hospital, but by then, her brother had already called a taxi and

Dead: Nadina Kalamadeen taken her to the hospital himself.”

Reports are that after the suspect stabbed the woman on Wednesday evening, he attempted to flee the scene, but was thwarted by a resident who chased after him on a bicycle and apprehended him and handed him over to the police.

Nadina Kalamadeen is survived by her five children, the eldest of whom is 20 and the youngest four.

Police investigations into this matter are ongoing.

THE final two witnesses in the 2015 murder of Akeem Yorrick are expected to take the stand today before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court.

On trial for the indictment is Kevin Francis, who is accused of killing Yorrick on August 5, 2015, at Sparendaam Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara.

Accused: Kevin Francis

Francis is being represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay. The state prosecutors are Tuanna Hardy and Teriq Mohammed.

On Thursday, retired Police Inspector Eon Jackson (the ballistic expert); Frank Yorrick, the father of the deceased; and Prosecutor Sargeant Ayesha Gibbons, all gave evidence.

Prosecutor Hardy told the court that two more witnesses were expected to be called while McKay disclosed that his client would also be calling a witness.

According to reports, on August 5, 2015, Yorrick was shot when a group of residents attempted to make a citizen’s arrest on Francis, whom they suspected of being involved in an armed robbery, at his home at the Sparendaam Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara.

DEAD: Akeem Yorrick During the ensuing altercation, it is alleged that Francis discharged a round into the group and fatally wounded Yorrick, 23, of Prince William Street, Plaisance, and escaped.

Yorrick was shot once in his abdomen and died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Hospital.

Francis was arrested months later, after police got a tip off that he was in Ithaca, Berbice.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 1, 2019

GMSA commends partnership with government

THE Private/Public Partnership between the government and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) as well as several measures contained in the Budget 2019, came in for praise when the GMSA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday.

Outgoing GSMA President Shyam Nokta complimented the government’s collaboration with the GSMA, particularly in the form of the Ministerial Roundtable Discussions and the hosting of the successful Agro-processors expo “Uncapped Marketplace”.

“We have put in place a Joint Technical Committee between the government of Guyana and the GMSA which meets bi-monthly with a programme of work to ad-

dress critical issues affecting the agro-processing sector, from policy-related matters right through to project initiatives. This mechanism has proven useful in helping to advance collaborative actions and has helped to foster a functional working relationship between the private sector and the government of Guyana,” Nokta said of the Ministerial Roundtable Discussions.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in a prepared speech published in the GMSA 2018 Annual Report, noted the government’s eagerness to collaborate with the GMSA, given the importance of the sector in developing the economy.

“The government continues to engage the manufacturing and services sector, cognisant of the critical role it would play in the expansion

and development of the wider economy. Our consultation with the GMSA remains robust with heightened collaboration in the GMSA-GCRG Inter-Ministerial Roundtable and at the national budget consultations,” Jordan said He went on to point out that the government took into consideration several recommendations from the GMSA and incorporated them into Budget 2019.

“Budget 2019 did contain provisions that can prove helpful to the manufacturing sector… such as the reduction of the manufacturing and non-commercial rate to 25 per cent; reduction of income and corporate tax rates to 25 per cent on taxable profits;[and] reduction in excise tax on indigenous wines and locally manufactured beverages,” Nokta said.

During his remarks, he

also touched on several critical issues concerning the GMSA, including performance of the economy, challenges the manufacturing sector faced in 2018, initiatives the GMSA embarked on and strategic positioning and the future economy for oil and gas, among others.

Nokta also noted that during his tenure as GMSA president, the association was able to continue along a progressive path.

The GMSA consolidated and expanded its membership, improved governance and administration; improved information and communication with members and facilitate and address members’ issues.

Inter-American Development Bank Country Representative, Sophia Makonnen, reminded that quality is very important in the manufactur-

GMSA President Shyam Nokta speaks at the annual general meeting ing industry, particularly if companies are to break into the international market. She also gave encouraging words to businesses persevering through struggles.

“Make sure [you] provide goods and services that meet international

standards; if you do not make those standards, you won’t make it. Network and reach out, don’t wait for opportunity, create it and remember, failure is not the opposite of success, it is part of success, embrace it,” she said

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

Mark Batson stuns Jamaica

A

FTER an electrifying performance in Jamaica, the country has not stopped talking about ‘the Guyanese reggae artiste’, Mark Batson, so much; he has had to extend his stay.

The 34-year-old artiste was invited to perform at the Dennis Brown tribute concert in Jamaica, last Sunday, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in reggae history; `Mutabaruka’, `Luciano’, `Freddy McGregor’, `Lloyd Parks’, `George Nooks’, `Ken Boothe’, `Big Youth’, and many others.

Last week, Batson told `The Buzz’, that he was teeming with excitement, and although excited, he said that he was nervous, since it will be his first time going to

Jamaica, and in addition to that, he will be amongst some of the greatest legends of reggae music.

Sharing the stage with those big names did not dull Batson’s shine, as he was well received by the Jamaican audience and commended across the country and social media, about his magnificent performance, and exceptional vocals.

He was schedule to return home since Wednesday (February 27), but more opportunities presented itself, causing him to extend his stay until next month.

Thus far, he has been on several radio and television stations across Jamaica, speaking about his music career and sharing some of his music produced here, in Guyana.

He was also featured in one of the most popular newspaper in the country, the Jamaican Gleaner.

In a telephone interview, Batson told ‘The Buzz’ that has had some of the most amazing experiences in the last few days. He said that the struggle of the music industry in Guyana caused him to give up on his career a few years ago, but his love for music, could not see him giving up entirely.

This experience, his said, has definitely opened new doors for him, and he hopes to be catapulted on a new level in his career as a Guyanese artiste.

“I have been getting a lot of exposure, meeting with

For Culture,

Gods & Kings EP

launch set for Saturday

O

N Saturday, March 2, get ready for a mix of Hip Hop, drinks and just chill vibes as local Hip Hop sensation, Franale Holder, launches her new EP – ‘For Culture, Gods & Kings’.

You already know her; Franale’s a local favourite in both the Hip Hop and catering business. Now, she’s going to push local Hip Hop to another level: Egyptology, with the launch of For Culture, Gods & Kings.

The launch will be at the Cloud Lounge, located at 95 Fifth Avenue Subryanville.

Holder told `The Buzz’ that

she’s pretty “optimistic and excited” about this set of music because it features a bit of Egyptology- something she’s really into and perhaps not well-known in the local industry. Of course this just means that her work is a product of the unique blend of Egyptology and Hip Hop- and ‘old with the new’ blend.

Fuelling the Hip Hop vibe will be live performances from Kareem Kush Lewis; the Pyramid models; alongside Mapendo and Lee from the Guyana’s young Hip Hop Dance sensation, Euphoria Dance Crew (EDC). And of course, her DJs: Mix Master

Tony and DJ Reality will ensure that the ambience is just right.

On the list of things to look forward to, Franale shared that it is a must for her to perform. Aside from that main attraction, she intends on showing the love to her supporters. She’s giving away autographed photos of herself, there will be a setup to take photos and Campari will be doing cocktails all night.

Tickets cost only $2,000 and on entrance, every person will get a free autographed hard copy of Franale’s EP or a soft copy can be transferred to your device.

different artistes, engaging in different media interviews across the country… Guyana doesn’t have this much strive in the music industry. It has just been the best few days of my life in music. I waited 23 years for an experience like this, and I hope to make the best of it, for further upliftment for the future,” Batson said.

Batson also said that this opportunity came at the most relevant time in his musical career, since he has released an album titled `Music without Borders’ and he has been using the occasion to share his album with the people and promote it in the country.

His road manager, Chenille Bowen, said that she witnessed the reception he received, and it was phenomenal.

She added that they attended the Reggae Gold Awards on Wednesday, and as soon as he entered, the media flocked him for interviews on spot.

Batson was on Hype TV, Full House Friday, and many other popular shows in the country promoting himself and his music.

The rising Reggae star will also be performing next Tuesday at the JARIA Awards, being held at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica Campus.

Batson’s trip was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, the Department of Culture, and his management, Vizion Sounds.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

F

OR the next four nights, beginning tonight, the National Cultural Centre is about to be rocked with laughter when the KFC Link Show 34 goes down, with one of the biggest cast the satirical review has seen since is first got started over three decades ago.

“We’re on schedule and we’re ready to open tonight,” informed the show’s producer Gem Nascimento.

This year, the cast will see Link show regulars like Michael Ignatius and Mark Luke-Edwards, mixed in with a few cyclical actors and a number of newcomers, while the jokes of course are expected to be well laced with the politics of the day; and it’s all under the direction of veteran director, Ron Robinson.

Robinson himself has written most of the show’s skits, with assistance from Nascimento, while a few of the actors have contributed a skit or two.

Creole ‘Rock’ musician Gavin Mendonca is also set to make his debut performance at the show. He’s going to be performing the closing song, which was written by Soca singer Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson.

Edmondson was supposed to be a part of the show but had to opt out due to conflicts with his schedule.

“I don’t think we had so many people. I think this easily could be the first time that we have so many [actors in

Link Show starts tonight with large cast

A scene from a previous Link Show

the cast] we’re having about 36 to 37, for the first Link we had a very big cast for that, but I don’t think we had so many people. ,” commented Nascimento.

The inclusion of a lot of newcomers to the show is part of the producers’ strategic plan to ensure a sustained supply of actors for the show.

“Normally we would have 20 – 22 [in the cast] but we decided to start grooming a lot more newcomers in it and people who haven’t been around the Link for a while, or who have never.

It’s always good to continuously have new people by grooming new blood, that’s always necessary,” Nascimento noted.

The show is expected to run nightly from 20:00hrs, and last no longer than three hours. Nascimento has assured that it will not disappoint those hungry to see its return.

“The environment is just so ripe that you can’t help it, but think that a Link Show should be on,” Nascimento had earlier told `The Buzz’, while adding “people are thinking about what is happening now in the country and you can’t help but satirise these, so those issues will dominate the show, because they are current and they’re very topical. It’s what everybody is talking about. So they can expect different angles hitting at that. They’ll be lots of laughter and satirical stuff.”

ERC’s ‘I Am Us’ to help quell election tensions

The one-of-a-kind Guyanese play is to feature a mixed cast of almost a dozen characters.

A scene from ‘I am Us’ to be staged at the NCC.

S

USPICIONS and mistrust whenever an election period comes around, is all too common in Guyana, even among persons of different races, who otherwise enjoyed good relationships for many years.

It is with this in mind that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has organised a two-night show called “This is Us” at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) with a basic message of preserving tolerance and peace, despite the challenges that elections can bring.

The show is being directed by ERC Commissioner Neaz Subhan and tickets, already exhausted, were obtained from the NCC for free.

The gala opening is on Saturday March 9, with one more show on Sunday March 10. The one-of-a- kind Guyanese play, with a mixed cast of almost a dozen characters, represents the hurdles faced by two neighbouring families of the two major ethnic groups.

Members of both families display qualities of trust and togetherness in everyday life but their relationship changes

during the elections period.

The play has its share of humour which the Guyanese audience would welcome, however, according to the ERC. “Questions often avoided are brought into the open; what we perceive of each other and how we overcome the historical divisiveness of elections, while converting our strengths and weaknesses to achieve togetherness as one nation,” the ERC has expressed concerning the show.”

The Commission believes that several messages in the play are relevant and challenges every Guyanese to ponder their sense of purpose for a united Guyana, noting “the premise of the play is that we cannot speak of coming together without speaking to each other, while addressing inherent issues that lead to the harbouring of suspicions, stereotypes, mistrust and divisiveness. It is frank and honest in this much needed discourse, helping to carve that challenging path to the infusion of harmony and unity.”

Through its honest portrayal of the historical divisiveness of elections, it is intended to highlight hypocrisy and foster

and support efforts to promote harmony, through direct examination of related basic societal factors which believably contribute to suspicion and a sense of mistrust among Guyanese.

“Relevant questions, and which are often avoided, are what we perceive of each other; how we relate to each other; how do we overcome the historical divisiveness of elections and how our inter-dependency and commonalities are assets for togetherness? Its underlying theme is why Guyanese cannot afford to be disunited and the redounding benefits for current and future generations,” the ERC further said.

The show which will climax in enthusiastic celebrations in keeping with patriotism and togetherness, offers crucial impetus for the realisation of the spirit of the national motto, the Commission expressed.

The play forms part of the ERC’s efforts to promote harmony and good relations, while at the same time allowing the opportunity to address inhibiting factors. The Commission believes that especially in the current context, the messages therein are pertinent and timely.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

‘Magnum Xplosion’ returns to Guyana A FTER the exciting Easter experience last year, the Magnum Xplosion mega concert has returned to Guyana’s soil, and is expected to be bigger and better than last year.

Brand Manager, Edison Jefford, told ‘The Buzz’ that this year the concert will feature some of the biggest names in Dancehall, and it will also provide a platform for local acts to showcase their stuff.

Named after ‘Magnum tonic wine’, Jefford said that Magnum Xplosion was a brand initiative, to promote the wine across the Caribbean. It started in Jamaica and rippled across many different Caribbean countries, and landed in Guyana last year.

It will be held on April 21 (Easter Sunday), at the National Park, after the kite flying activities have concluded.

“The mega concert initiative was geared at promoting Magnum tonic wine, using the dancehall platform. Our intention is to promote the wine in Guyana, as the leading brand for dancehall,” he said.

The success of last year caused the return this year, with an even more attractive line up and other exciting events leading up to the show.

Last year, at the National Stadium, the mega concert featured some of the biggest names in dancehall and Soca, including Aidonia, Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons and Ding Dong.

This year, Jefford said, has seen the confirmation of Ding Dong and Spice thus far. “And we will continue to add acts, both local and international,” he added.

However, leading up to show night, there are other at-

tractions, catering for people all across the length and breadth of Guyana.

“This year we have added very exciting things leading up to the show. We have six big road shows covering all the towns in Guyana, with magnum ambassadors, vixens and girls, as well as some of the best DJ’s in Guyana,” Jefford disclosed.

Adding that “The DJ’s will have a DJ competition on the road shows, which will climax with us choosing two winners, receiving monetary prizes in total of $3000 US. The winner gets $2000US and runner up gets $1000US. So we have some very exciting things happening this year.”

The launch party of Magnum Xplosion will be held today in the compound of HJ studio, featuring some of the local acts.

Jeremiah Williams to launch Gospel album today

By Dillon Goring

U

PCOMING Gospel artiste Jeremiah Williams will today release his first single album entitled ‘Right Now’ at the Love and Faith World Outreach Ministries, from 19:00hrs.

Born to Miriam and Kenneth Williams, the 19-year-old started singing at the age of 5 years old in nursery school – Precious Jewels Nursery to be specific.

The fourth of five children and the third boy in the family, Jeremiah has never done a recording before, hence this will be his first

time at recording a single.

Williams attributed the success of his music to the Holy Spirit, his Pastors Claude and Carole Brooks, his late grandmother Cheryl Greaves, and his mother, all of whom he says are his inspirations.

Jeremiah also credits his success to his strong faith in God through his trials, struggles and issues.

Jeremiah says hope in Christ is integral, and his expression of his talent has inspired a lot of young people.

The budding gospel singing advocates for the advancement of skill training to be taught in schools and the education systems.

Jeremiah Williams

“With the advent of technology, you can learn on the internet, young people can become involved in training and teaching themselves a skill, but do not just place yourself in a box or limitation,” the 19-year-old noted.

According to Jeremy, “there are so many ways that young people can be involved in the skill training world and make an impact in society, all it takes is a devotion of one’s self to your purpose and calling.

All that is needed is to exploration of your gifts and talents and the ability to nurture them in such a way that are able to serve you.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

Living with Intention Youth Forum on today at Theatre Guild

“March is here, and the emphasis is on the impressionable mind to start the celebration for Women’s month,” popular fashion designer Sonia Noel has expressed.

As such, her ‘Living with Intention Youth Forum’ is scheduled for today (Friday) at the Theatre Guild, where over 300 young ladies will be enjoying a growth atmosphere, as about five of them will share their inspiring journeys that motivated them to be the best they could be.

“This is the first time for this event and admission is free. The line-up of presenters includes some of the dynamic speakers who are here for ‘Inspire You,’” Noel told `The Buzz’ on Thursday.

Cloyette Harris- Stoute, for instance, is a strong believer that girls need great role models from whom they can draw inspiration. A self-professed “techie,” she created an online platform in 2012, to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of Guyanese women across the Globe, and launched the Guyanese Girls Rock Empowerment Blog.

Other speakers are Joan Jackie Butcher, an educator, who believes in intentional living; and Captain Sherry Ann Wilson, who stands proudly,

pioneering in a male-dominated field, as one of the first female graduating Marine Captains in Guyana, and among an esteemed few in the Caribbean.

She earned this title, when she graduated in 2017, as second best graduating female in her batch.

Bestselling author Hilda Bournes from Mississippi, who participated in ‘Inspire You’ from the beginning, travels to multiple locations encouraging women who’ve experienced some form of trauma to ‘Dream’ again.

Thandi McAllister is an Attorney-at-law attached to the Maritime Administration Department (MAD) and a politician who is aiming for the highest political office. Her story of that little girl from the country who was determined to overcome, will resonate with many young girls.

The National Schools of Dance will be presenting an allgirls presentation and Jacobs Ariel will be singing two of his original songs. The talented Renata Burnette will also be expressing herself through spoken words.

Meanwhile, the exhibitors are ready for Women in Business Expo on March 2 and 3, at the Pegasus Hotel, and

admission is free.

Dr. Safeeya Mohammed will be handling the last session for ‘Inspire You’ on Sunday. She firmly believes that the greatest medicine of all is to teach people how not to need it, part of a quote initially shared by Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine.

She is a well-known keynote speaker, having shared impacting deliveries globally and locally, with her emphasis being on Work-Life Blend, Workplace Wellness, Positive Mindset and Resilient Behaviour Strategies. She first presented on “The Wellness Concept”© in 2015 at CARAIFA Congress; the feature speaker at AMCHAM, “Winning with Wellness” in 2017 and several corporate and academic entities over the past five years.

In March 2018, she led a team of dynamic women that delivered the panel, “TIME to catalyse change” at the United Nations, Commission on the Status of Women.

“The ‘Inspire You’ event which will motivate you to give the world the best version of you, is scheduled for March 3 at the Pegasus Hotel. Tickets are available at Pegasus and Oasis Café,” Noel informed.

Kandhiya Dance Troupe to perform

Prem Leela 2 this weekend

A glimpse of Prince Saleem and Princess Swaragini

LEADING dance troupe in Region Two, Kandhiya, is all set to perform at the “Prem Leela 2” show on March 2, at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School auditorium.

According to dance teacher and owner of the dance troupe, Ravindra Deowattie, the night is all about dances and drama titled ‘Piya Moore.’

Speaking about the play story, he said the Prem Leela 2 is based on a Hindu and Muslim village Mohinjo Daro that was having a religious conflict.

After years of fighting, Prince Saleem and Princess Swaragini, took up the challenge to bring peace within the villages. They wanted to see Muslim and Hindus live in harmony and peace.

During the struggle, the Prince and Princess met where they fell in love and fought to be together, despite the village conflict and religious background.

They were also married in the end and ruled the three kingdoms where they unite the people.

Show time is slated for 18:30 hours and tickets are adults $800 and children $400. The play has 41 scenes and 20 dances, including include folk, classical and Bollywood.

Safeeya Mohammed

Thandi McAllister

Mackeson to roll out ‘Move Di Crowd’ DJ competition

A

NSA MCAL under their Mackeson stout brand, will today, launch their ‘Move Di Cround’ DJ competition, where the company will be giving away $1M in cash and prizes to the top performer.

Audition, according to the company, is set for April 27, where DJ’s will be screened and the best will move on to the bar promotion rounds.

After facing off at popular bars across the country, there will be a grand final where the crowd will decide the winner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

All roads lead to Linden for Mashramani and J’ouvert this weekend

By Vanessa Braithwaite

T

HE mining town of Linden is expected to come alive and be transformed into a virtual party arena this weekend, with an array of iridescent colours dunned by revellers, spectators and floats, and feting to Soca music throughout the streets of Mackenzie and Wismar.

Known as the birth place of Mashramani, Lindeners will be celebrating this national cultural event on Sunday.

The procession is expected to leave the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office, Republic Avenue, Mackenzie

and will culminate at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground.

Spectators can catch a glimpse of the very creative and colourful floats on the Independence Avenue, the Washerpond Road and the Winifred Gaskin Highway.

Participating in this year’s activity is the Ministry of Social Protection with its 100-strong contingent, the RDC, Region 10, the Linden Technical Institute (LTI), the Community Development Council (CDC) floats and the Region 10 Department of Education. Accompanying the revellers and o stir up the party spirit of Lindeners, will be two party trucks as well.

Where it all started! Linden will hold this ‘Mash’ celebration on March 2

Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Maylene Stephens, who has responsibility for commemoration, stressed that this year Mashramani will be bigger and better, with more participants and better organised floats.

She also alluded to the J’ouvert celebration on Saturday, which is also expected

to be a hit this weekend. The event will take place on the Linden/Georgetown bus park and will be hosted by World Access Entertainment. Performances are expected by the reigning Soca monarch king, Brandon Harding, a born and bred Lindener, and other soca monarch finalists.

The celebration of Mash-

ramani has its origin in the township of Linden and, was organised by the Jaycees. It was deemed an Independent Carnival since 1966 and in 1970, it was held on February 23rd, in Mackenzie.

The festival was an enormous success, attracting people drawn from every nook and cranny.

IT’S time for the weekend again people, and it’s a bit of a quiet one with things tapering down since the Mash activities have concluded. That however in no way means that’s it’s going to be an empty weekend.

There are quite a few interesting sports- related events this weekend, and few parties you could go to. So don’t stay cooped up at home.

Today

Set for Live Entertainment and Endless Promotional Group presents “Trending” at District Ultra Lounge. Music and vibes by Gully Ras and Diamond alongside DJ Country Boy. Lampy and Quincy (Blacka) presents Soesdyke-Mash Jouvert Part 3” at A1 Club Ground. Music by Celebrity Family, Selector Delwin and DJ Quinton, and Black Stone. Free jello shots for ladies all night.

The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Latin Night”.

Get two Desperados Tequila Beers for $1000

Tomorrow

Team Progress presents the Ultimate All Black Event called “Rich Forever: Black Edition” at City Vibes. Music by Father Moey and DJ Darry. Doors open 11pm.

The Women in Business Expo returns to Pegasus Hotel. Bring out the entire family! Come see our women and their products and services. Admission FREE!!!

It’s on like Donkey Kong! Spain’s collide for another El Clasico – Real Madrid vs Barcelona and you can catch the game live at Giftland’s Boardroom 313 from 3.45pm.

Aura Sky Lounge presents Seductive Saturdays! Doors open at 8pm!

Sunday

GMR&SC presents National Race of Champions art the South Dakota Circuit. Admission: $1000 (adults), $500 (children) The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Dinner with 70s ad 80s music. Sundays were meant for 70’s & 80’s!

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

GFF/STAG Beer hand ...

FROM PAGE 27

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haul, with the wicket of Marquino Mindley before Permaul brought an end to the innings.

Jaguars then made a nervous start to their innings, losing the wicket of Chandrapaul Hemraj, bowled by Cummins for nine, at 12-1. However, the left-handed pair of Chanderpaul and Singh then negotiated, with defence being their primary focus.

The duo rotated the strike and by tea they took Jaguars to 56-1. However, upon resumption, the home team suffered a mini-collapse, losing four wickets for ten runs.

Chanderpaul (19), Singh (33), Leon Johnson (1) and Barnwell (2) were the batsmen to go during that period.

Anthony Bramble and Rutherford were the other two batsmen dismissed but thereafter Reifer and Shepherd batted confidently until the close.

Jaguars omitted left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and batsman Akshaya Persaud from the 13-man squad.

Play resumes at 10:00hrs today and admission to the venue is free.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

Barbados Pride routed for 76 as 17 wickets tumble on day one

By Rajiv Bisnauth

FOUR-time defending champions, Guyana Jaguars, were slightly the happier side at the close of play on day one of their ninth round Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-day encounter against Barbados Pride at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday.

Seventeen wickets fell on a remarkable day and by stumps Jaguars had built on a dominant bowling effort to reach 162-7, a lead of 86 runs with three wickets in hand.

The Jaguars’ top order put up yet another disappointing batting display, with Raymon Reifer unbeaten on 33, Vishaul Singh hitting 33, Anthony Bramble (23), Tagenarine Chanderpaul (19) and Sherfane Rutherford 15.

Earlier, the left-arm seamer Reifer led the demolition of the Barbadians with a five-wicket haul as the tourists were dismissed for 76 in just 29.1 overs in an extended first session but they staged an incredible fightback with the ball in the afternoon session to reduce the hosts’ dominance.

That was the only period in the day the Barbadians appeared to be holding any sort of initiative, as seamers Jonathan Carter (3-45) and Miquel Cummins (2-39) posed significant challenges.

The 27-year-old Reifer, who was particularly impressive, decimated Pride’s top order to render the contest in the hosts’ favour with four of the first five wickets, to set the platform for the must-win game for Jaguars.

Fellow-seamers Christopher Barnwell (2-26), Romario Shepherd (1-17), and Rutherford (1-10), complemented Reifer’s figures of five for 20 off ten overs while left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul chipped in with the final wicket.

The Jaguars’ bowling was good throughout. The Barbadian

batting, for the most part, was ordinary. The wicket had some grass but in no way was it overly hazardous for batting.

No one would dare claim that Pride have the strongest batting unit in the game, but surely the likes of Shamarh Brooks, Carter and Rashidi Boucher are capable of doing better. They are the ones tasked with getting the bulk of the runs for their team, yet they never did.

However, only Chaim Holder (22) and Boucher (17) managed double-figures which told the story of an irresponsible approach by an inexperienced batting line-up.

On a pitch offering considerable assistance to the pacers on both sides, Reifer and Shepherd triggered a Pride top-order slide, which saw the visiting team lose their first five wickets for 30 run in the first hour of play.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the pressure was on the openers to deliver the goods. However, Boucher started with impressive assurance, hitting boundaries from his first three scoring shots off Shepherd, but at the other end, fellow-opener Shayne Moseley, was less notable.

Reifer was right on target and reaped immediate rewards, to set the rout in motion by claiming both Moseley and Boucher, leg-before to probing full-length balls, before Shepherd had Brooks caught behind.

The Barbadian Reifer, who plies his trade with Jaguars, then bowled Carter before he had Aaron Jones caught in the slips.

A double change from both ends also reaped rewards for the hosts with Barnwell, who replaced Reifer from the Media Centre end, taking Shamar Springer at the wicket. Rutherford removed Jomel Warrican in similar fashion without scoring.

Reifer returned and completed his sixth five-wicket

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SCOREBOARD

BARBADOS Pride 1st innings S. Moseley lbw b Reifer 2 R. Boucher lbw b Reifer 17 S. Brooks c Bramble b Shepherd 1 J. Carter b Reifer 1 A. Jones c Lewis b Reifer 4 S. Springer c Bramble b Barnwell 8 T. Walcott c Barnwell b 8 J. Warrican c Bramble b Rutherford 0 M. Cummins not out 4 M. Mindley c Singh b Reifer 5 C. Holder b Permaul 22 Extras: (lb-2, nb-2) 4 Total: (all out, 29.1 overs) 76 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-21, 3-23, 4-23, 5-28, 6-39, 7-44, 8-44, 9-50.

Bowling: Shepherd 8-3-17-1, Reifer 10-5-20-5, Rutherford 4-1-10-1, Barnwell 6-2-26-2, Lewis 1-0-1-0, Permaul 0.1-0-0-1.

GUYANA JAGUARS 1st innings T. Chanderpaul c Walcott b Carter 19 C. Hemraj b Cummins 9 V. Singh c Walcott b Carter 33 L. Johnson c Walcott b Cummins 1 C. Barnwell c Warrican b Carter 2 A. Bramble lbw b Mindley 23 R. Reifer not out 33 S. Rutherford c Carter b Springer 15 R. Shepherd not out 7 Extras: (lb-9, nb-6) 15 Total: (for seven wickets; 60 overs) 162 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-68, 3-73, 4-76, 5-78, 6-104, 7-140.

Bowling: Cummins 12-0-39-2, Mindley 9-1-26-1, Springer 8-5-11-1, Carter 18-3-45-3, Warrican 8-2-16-0, Holder 5-1-11-0.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

Wagner leads Black Caps recovery after Tamim century NEW Zealand recovered from a poor start on day one to get into a good position in the first Test against Bangladesh in Hamilton.

Tamim Iqbal (126) put the Black Caps on the back foot after the hosts chose to bowl on a green wicket at Seddon Park yesterday.

But Bangladesh were unable to capitalise on the opener’s fine innings, Neil Wagner (5-47) starring as they were bowled out for 234.

New Zealand made the most of Wagner ’s performance, Jeet Raval (51) and Tom Latham (35) guiding them to 86-0 at stumps – trailing by just 148 runs.

Such a position looked unlikely as Tamim punished some uncharacteristically poor bowling from Tim Southee (3-76) and Trent Boult (1-62).

Boult got one to move away late to bowl Shadman Islam (24) with the score on 57, but Tamim continued at a rapid rate.

Colin de Grandhomme (1-39) gave Tamim a life on 65, unable to hold onto a catchable return chance.

The left-hander produced a flurry of boundaries in the opening session and at one stage looked capable of becoming just the seventh player in history to get to a century before lunch on day one.

However, Wagner slowed the tourists down and landed a blow before lunch, Mominul Haque (12) gloving a short ball through to BJ Watling.

Tamim brought up a wonderful ninth Test century off 100 balls by pulling Wagner to the boundary – his 18th of the innings – in the second session.

But he would get limited support as Wagner’s short-ball plan worked, Mohammad Mithun (8) falling before Southee got Soumya Sarkar (1).

Tamim’s superb innings was nded with a poor shot, picking out Kane Williamson at gully off de Grandhomme.

Liton Das (29) and Mahmudullah (22) added some lower-order runs, but Wagner’s sixth five-wicket Test

haul saw Bangladesh bowled for 234 as they lost 113-9.

With momentum already on New Zealand’s side, Bangladesh let an opportunity to change that slip, in just the second over with the ball.

Debutant Ebadat Hossain

(0-26) had Latham edge to second slip, but the chance was put down.

That would be the only slight worry for Raval or Latham, who eased to stumps to put the Black Caps on top.

Opener Tamim Iqbal scored a 128-ball 126 - his first century in New Zealand - but Bangladesh were bowled out for a paltry 234 in their first innings.

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH 1st innings Tamim Iqbal c Kane Williamson b Colin de Grandhomme 126 Shadman Islam b Trent Boult

24 Mominul Haque c BJ Watling b Neil Wagner 12 Mohammad Mithun c Tom Latham b Neil Wagner

8 Soumya Sarkar c BJ Watling b Tim Southee 1 Mahmudullah c Trent Boult b Neil Wagner 22 Liton Das c Trent Boult b Neil Wagner 29 Mehedi Hasan c Henry Nicholls b Neil Wagner

10 Abu Jayed c BJ Watling b Tim Southee

2 Khaled Ahmed b Tim Southee

0 Extras:

0 Total: (all out, 59.2 overs) 234 Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-121, 3-147, 4-149, 5-180, 6-207, 7-217, 8-226, 9-234.

Bowling: Trent Boult 13-1-62-1, Tim Southee 14-2-76-3, Colin de Grandhomme 11-0-39-1, Neil Wagner 16.2-4-47-5, Todd Astle 5-1-10-0.

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings Jeet Raval not out 51 Tom Latham not out 35 Extras: 0 Total: (no loss, 28.0 overs)

86 Bowling: Abu Jayed 8-1-15-0, Ebadat Hossain 8-3-26-0, Khaled Ahmed 6-3-6-0, Soumya Sarkar 1-0-8-0, Mehedi Hasan 5-0- 31-0.

Afghanistan beat Ireland in ODI opener in India AFGHANISTAN beat Ireland by five wickets in the first of five one-day internationals in India. Paul Stirling’s 89 helped Ireland to a modest 161 with Mujeeb Ur Rahman taking 3-14 in Dehradun.

Gulbadin Naib hit 46 and opener Mohammed Shahzab 43 as Afghanistan won with 8.1 overs to spare despite Boyd Rankin’s 2-48.

Afghanistan whitewashed Ireland 3-0 in the Twenty20 series this month.

Ireland never recovered from slipping to 14-3, although Stirling added 78 for the seventh wicket with George Dockrell, who made 37.

But the loss of three wickets for one run ended their hopes of a competitive total and Stirling was the last man out with four balls remaining.

Dawlat Zadran finished with 3-25 and Gulbadin took 2-20 before top-scoring with 46 in Afghanistan’s chase.

The second ODI takes place at the same venue today. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division Hockey League

GCC Vintage, Bounty register latest wins

Vintage Johnny Phang challenges Supernova’s Meshach Sargeant for possession.

THERE were wins for GCC Vintage and Bounty GCC as the annual Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division League’s first round continued last weekend at the GCC club, Bourda.

GCC Vintage lined up opposite Supernova in the first match of the double-header and the former seemed to benefit from the use of their home grounds in the early minutes of play.

It was the Vintage penalty corners that would make the biggest difference in the match, something veteran striker and former national, Orson Ferguson, took advantage of in the fourth minutes.

Supernova were by no

means interested in taking that sitting down, with midfielder Hilmar Chester capitalising on a defence error to tie the score at 1-1.

Vintage playmaker and former national, Orson Semple, however, not only showed his dominance in midfield, but dominated the score sheet in the second half by completing two penalty corners to leave the final score at 3-1 for Vintage.

The powerful Bounty GCC took to the field next to face off against a rebuilding Old Fort side.

GCC dominated the play but the youthful Old Fort team held firm until the 24th minute.

out on the first tournament held early last month. Other gyms expected to participate are Forgotten Youth Foundation, Pocket Rocket, Rose Hall Jammers, Young Achievers, Sophia Boxing Gym and Harpy Eagles.

According to GBA, Cuban coach Francisci Roldan

ICC chairman Shashank Manohar might feel Test cricket is dying, but David Richardson, the global cricket body’s chief executive, says he has numbers to show that view is incorrect.

According to Richardson, based on a survey the ICC carried out last year, Test cricket has a strong and committed fan base of about 700 million, which is close to 68% of the global fan pool of over a billion.

Nandlall Persaud controls the ball for Supernova against Lennox Carroll of Vintage

National midfielder Meshach Sargeant produced one of his typical moments of skill to eliminate the last two Old Fort defenders and hammer his shot into the net.

With Old Fort only down by one goal at the half, spectators were keen to see whether they could withstand another half of the immense pressure being applied by GCC. The Bourda boys, however, opened the floodgates just two minutes into the second half through an Alan Fernandes shot.

Mark Sargeant, Kareem McKenzie, Kevin Spencer, Devin Hooper and Meshach Sargeant all scored goals

GBA Pepsi/Mike Parris U-16 Championship set for tomorrow THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will stage its second Pepsi/Mike Parris U-16 competition for the year, tomorrow, at the Andrew Lewis Gym in Albouystown.

The competition will see the return of the Vergenoegen Gym, (formerly Essequibo Boxing Gym) after they missed

Wrong to say Test cricket is dying - David Richardson

will be on hand to assess the young fighters. The competition begins at 13:00hrs.

At the first Pepsi/Mike Parris U-16 competition, Richard Howard was named ‘Best Boxer’ while Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) picked up the ‘Best Gym’ accolade.

in the second half to add to GCC’s two goal tally. The match therefore ended with an overwhelming score of 7-0 for Bounty GCC. Matches are being played at the St Stanislaus College ground and will run every Saturday and Sunday until May 20.

FULL SCORES ARE: GCC Vintage defeated Supernova by 3-1.

Orland Semple 2, Orson Ferguson 1 Supernova – Hilmar Chester 1 Bounty GCC defeated Old Fort 7-0 Meshach Sargeant 2, Alan Fernandes 1, Mark Sargeant 1, Kareem McKenzie 1, Kevin Spencer 1, Devin Hooper 1

Without countering his boss, Richardson said Manohar was only suggesting that Test cricket, with the exponential growth of T20, was dying for a context, and the forthcoming World Test Championship would provide that context.

“We are trying to see whether Test championship can generate interest,” Manohar had said during his visit to Bangladesh earlier this month. “Because Test cricket is actually dying to be honest.”

Manohar also said fans were finding it difficult to find “five days” to go and watch Test cricket at a venue; instead they preferred three-and-a-half-

Leaders Liverpool face derby test as title race heats up

By Simon Evans

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Premier League leaders Liverpool will need to maintain their excellent recent record against Everton in Sunday’s Merseyside derby if they are to hold their advantage over second-placed Manchester City.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp

FLASHBACK! Referee Paulette Nurse raises the hand of FYF member Richard Howard following his victory over Travis Inverary. He was later named ‘Best Boxer’ of the tournament.

ICC chief executive David Richardson

hours of T20 cricket, a format that has also generated a strong interest from the broadcasters based on the peaking television rating points (TRP).

M a n o h a r ’s c o m m e n t s seemed a bit misplaced considering Test cricket was in the middle of a period full of thrilling contests and significant results.

First there was India’s historic Test series win in Australia. Then came West Indies’ shock 2-1 win at home against a fancied England side, and most recently Sri Lanka became the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa.

Still, according to Richardson, the format lacks the kind of context that could make audiences sit up and take notice of matches not involving their teams - context that the WTC could provide.

“What he (Manohar) was meaning to say is Test cricket was calling out for more context,” Richardson told ESPNcricinfo in London recently, during the 100-day countdown for the World Cup. “Yes, there are some iconic contests that take place from time to time, but really, unless you are a part of or a fan of the participating teams that particular series had no real interest (to fans globally).

“And with the introduction of the World Test Championship, that adds interest and helps to promote the Test game worldwide no matter who is playing. That is what he was saying: Test cricket needed just that added boost, it needed to be promoted and the World Test Championship hopefully is the answer to that.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

Liverpool are unbeaten in 18 matches against their neighbours separated only by a park - since a defeat in October 2018, and the current 33-point gap tells its own story.

Juergen Klopp’s side has laboured and drawn too many games of late, allowing City to come within one point, but the Reds were back to their devastating best on Wednesday, crushing Watford 5-0 at Anfield.

“The win gives us more confidence,” said Senegalese striker Sadio Mane who scored twice.

“We know playing against Everton is never easy. But we are a great team and we are used to playing this kind of game.”

Everton ended a run of three defeats with a 3-0 victory at Cardiff City on Tuesday, but Marco Silva’s side will need the performance of their season to create an upset at Goodison Park.

Liverpool’s single point lead may have vanished by then after Manchester City’s trip to Bournemouth tomorrow.

Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne says it is vital Pep Guardiola’s side, who won the League Cup on Sunday and are still in the FA Cup and Champions League, do not over-think their workload.

“The schedule is so tough. We are there in every competition and playing well and winning so we just need to keep going,” he said. “If you come here and don’t enjoy the pressure it’s better to leave.”

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth are without a win in four games.

LONDON AWAITS DERBY TOO The North London derby may not have title implications, after Tottenham’s defeats to Burnley and Chelsea left them nine points off top, but with fourth-placed Arsenal just

four points behind Mauricio Pochettino’s side there is plenty at stake.

“It’s never easy to be positive after a defeat ... it will be tough but we need to move on quickly and try to be ready to compete on Saturday (tomorrow),” said the Argentine manager.

“It’s always important and the fixture is so tough for us but we need to be sure we are going to be ready to compete at our best,” he said.

Arsenal have won their last three games including Wednesday’s 5-1 crushing of Bournemouth.

Injury-hit Manchester United host lowly Southampton at Old Trafford after maintaining their unbeaten league record under caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

With a number of absentees, the Norwegian could give a start to 17-year-old James Garner who made his debut with a substitute appearance at Selhurst Park.

“We’ve been waiting for that chance. Of course, now with Nemanja (Matic) and Ander (Herrera) injured, there’ll be more chances for Jimmy. We might even see him tomorrow against Southampton again,” he said.

New Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers will take charge of the Foxes for the first time on Sunday at his former club Watford.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

Cyclists gearing up for historic race in Bartica on March 16 … GCF teams up with MTC THE Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), in association with the Mayor and Town Council (MTC) of Bartica, will run off what would be the first major road race in the town next Saturday, March 16.

GCF president Horace Burrowes

The best of the nation’s cyclists, including seniors, juniors and veterans, will all be heading to Bartica to ensure their names are

carved in the history books for what is anticipated to be an exciting day of action.

Over $400 000 in cash along with other incentives will be at stake, with the top six seniors, top three juniors and masters to receive prizes. There will also be 20 sprint prizes up for the taking.

According to the organisers, there would also be BMX races for youths of Bartica in the 6-9 years and 9-12 years categories while the senior citizens would also have the opportunity to roll back the years as they too would be involved.

The proposed race route is as follows; Start at corner of First and Third Avenue, south along First Avenue, right into Sixth Street, left into Fourth Avenue, left into Eight Street, left into Second Avenue, finishing at Second Avenue and Third Street.

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, has expressed delight at being able to work with GCF to bring off such an event that is long overdue.

“We, at the level of the Town Council, are very excited for what we know would be a memorable day of cycling, where our youths and even the not-so-young would have an opportunity

who is now the Windies team manager.

The pair had been previously honoured with the

(REUTERS) - In-form batsman Glenn Maxwell hopes Australia can carry the momentum from their Twenty20 series win in India into the 50-over format as they look to build towards this year’s World Cup in England.

Maxwell became Australia’s first player to score three T20 centuries on Wednesday with an unbeaten 55-ball knock of 113 in the seven-wicket win over Virat Kohli’s team in Bengaluru.

The 2-0 series win was Australia’s first limited-overs series victory since February last year, when stand-in captain David Warner led the team to a T20 tri-series title in New Zealand.

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall

to see Guyana’s best cyclists in action on our roads.

“We are really working towards pushing sports and getting our youths to appreciate and get involved, so this we are hoping would stimulate a new desire to get our people more active and focus more on their health.”

Marshall noted that plans for the historical event is well underway and the town is ready to welcome Guyana’s best, come March 16.

“This also provides an opportunity for our youths and not so young riders to be a part of the day’s action as we have ensured that races would be put on for them. This I know would provide lots of excitement

for members of the Bartica community and who knows, it might very well just be the start of a local national champion being born.”

GCF president Horace Burrowes applauded the efforts of the MTC of Bartica for agreeing to partner with the federation for the event which, he noted, would be satisfying for all and sundry.

“This would be a momentous occasion for the sport and for the MTC of Bartica to have its first major road race. I think it is has been a long time in coming but it’s finally here so I am urging all our cyclists to be there and to bring their A-games to the race, so that the community will enjoy a fantastic day of competitive action.”

Main pavilion at Grenada Stadium named after Devon Smith ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Devon Smith, the most prolific batsman in regional first-class history, has been recognised for his contributions to the game, by having the main pavilion at the Grenada National Stadium named in his honour.

The stocky left-hander, who has been a stalwart in Grenada and Windward Islands cricket for close to two decades, was present for the official unveiling on Wednesday, during the lunch break of the fourth One-Day International against England here.

Also being saluted were fellow Grenada players Junior Murray, the former wicket-keeper batsman, and Rawl Lewis, the leg-spinning all-rounder,

Maxwell hopes Australia can bring T20 form into ODIs

Grand Stand named in honour of their contribution to cricket on the island.

“We stand here today to

Prolific left-hander Devon Smith

recognise the contribution of other Grenadian cricketers, such as Junior Murray and Rawl Lewis and now Devon Smith,” said Prime Minister Keith Mitchell.

“All three are outstanding sons of this proud nation and have made a great contribution to cricket in this beautiful country of ours.”

The 37-year-old Smith, who hails from the rural parish of St Patrick, has played 43 Tests and 47 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies and earned a recall as recently as last year due to his heavy domestic scoring.

In all first-class cricket, he has so far played 207 matches with 13 954 runs at an average of 39.75. He has scored 39 centuries.

Glenn Maxwell

“We haven’t had a lot of success over the last nine-10 months,” said Maxwell, who also scored an important half-century in the first win in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

“It’s a tough place to come ... they’re different conditions to back home.

“Winning momentum is really good momentum, so if we can keep that going towards a World Cup it’s only going to hold us in good stead.”

Australia and India start a five-match ODI series in Hyderabad tomorrow, with both teams eager to fine-tune their plans for the May 30 to July 14 World Cup. Maxwell, one of Australia’s top performers during their 2015 World Cup win on home soil, has had patchy form in the 50-overs game over the past year and batted seventh in the order in the recent ODI series against India on home soil.

Batting at number four in the T20s, Maxwell shelved his usual flamboyance in the Bengaluru innings, having got himself out slogging in the series-opener.

“I was actually quite calm for most of it,” he said.

“The pleasing thing was I don’t feel like I took too many ridiculous risks ... I had a really good read of the game.”

Once the top dogs of one-day cricket, Australia have slumped to sixth in the world rankings, losing their last six ODI series in succession in a dismal two-year period since defeating Pakistan at home in January 2017.

“We’ve been on a journey for the last 10-11 months building up towards a World Cup and there has been a little bit of pain during that period,” limited overs captain Aaron Finch said.

“We’ve taken our fair share of knocks along the way but as long as we keep improving and peak at the right time that’s all you can ask.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, March 1, 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: 36 ODIs (WI: 13) Roy Fredericks-105 (WI vs ENG, The Oval, 1973)

(1)

(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: Which Englishman has scored most ODI runs against the WI without recording a hundred?

Who were the players cracking centuries in the first ODI of the current WI/ENG series?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, March 1, 2019

Demerara, Berbice to clash in GCB U-15 50-over final

King, Blackwood prop up Scorpions after Miller’s fireworks

Devon Thomas

Thaddeus Lovell is given out lbw by Gladwin Henry at the Everest Cricket Club ground. (Adrian Narine photo)

THE final of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U-15 50over tournament ,which is sponsored by Dave’s West Indian Imports, will be contested between Demerara and Berbice after they beat their respective opponents in their semi-final encounters yesterday.

Demerara played Essequibo at the Everest Cricket Club ground and thrashed them by 9 wickets following exceptional bowling performances from Omari Lalbachan and Thaddeus Lovell.

Batting first, Essequibo struggled to a paltry 82 all out in 46.3 overs with Lalbachan and Lovell being the architects of destruction for Demerara.

Only Aryan Doodnauth who made 21 and Justin Meghu with 10 reached double figures for the Essequibians.

Bowling for Demerara, Lalbachan claimed 4 wickets for just 15 runs in 6.3 overs while Joash Charles snared 2 wickets for 16 runs in his 10 overs and Lovell captured 2 for 12 off of six overs.

Chasiing 83 for victory, opener Jadan Campbell stroked an unbeaten 40 which featured six fours while Mavindra Dindyal

was also not out on 22 (4x3), Demerara reached their target in just 14.3 overs for the loss of one wicket, opener Lovell lbw by Gladwin Henry for 16.

Meanwhile, Berbice faced President’s XI at Lusignan and won by 47 runs, defending a modest total of 135. The winners took first strike and struggled to 135 all-out from 47.2 overs with Tameshwar Mahadeo (30), Ravishkar Sobhya (27) and Isia Thorne (34) being the main contributors.

The leading wicket-takers for the President’s XI were Sachin Balgobin (3-23) and Nityaram Mathure with 3 for 27 off his allotted 10 overs.

Needing 136 for victory, President’s XI limped to 88 all out in 44.3 overs; Matthew Pottaya was the hero with the ball claiming four wickets for a miserly 20 runs off 10 overs.

He received valuable support from Isia Thorne who had figures of 2 for 29 (4 overs) and Salim Khan with 2 wickets for just 9 runs from his 10 overs.

Berbice will now face Demerara tomorrow in the final at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – The in-form pair of Brandon King and Jermaine Blackwood produced yet another half-century partnership to pull Jamaica Scorpions out of trouble against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, on the opening day of their ninth round match here Thursday.

Responding to the visitors’ 210 at Sabina Park after leftarm spinner Nikita Miller had snatched a seven-wicket haul, Scorpions were floundering on 23 for two before recovering through the efforts of King and Blackwood, who saw their side to 77 without further loss at the close.

King was unbeaten on 35 from 67 balls with four fours while Blackwood was naturally attacking in 31 not out off 40 deliveries, also with four boundaries. The partnership has so far yielded an invaluable 54 for the third wicket.

In the last round, the pair combined in an unbroken 143run, third wicket stand to propel Scorpions to an eight-wicket win over four-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars.

Devon Thomas had earlier top-scored with 65, his 20th first class half-century, to keep Hurricanes afloat after Miller, who missed the last several rounds, hurt the innings with seven for 50.

Wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton struck 43, in-form opener Montcin Hodge got 35 while prolific all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall chipped in with 21.

Hurricanes started shakily despite Hodge’s efforts to be 60 for three before Thomas and Hamilton came together in a 96-run, fourth wicket stand to revive the innings.

Thomas’s knock was an up tempo one, belting six fours and two sixes off 89 deliveries while Hamilton exuded patience in 119 balls at the crease, counting four fours.

Once Thomas fell, however, Hurricanes lost their last seven wickets for 54 runs.

Khan, Pierre rescue Red Force after Lewis triggers collapse KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) – All-rounder Imran Khan stroked his second half-century in as many outings while tailender Khary Pierre struck his second first-class fifty, as they rescued Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in an unbroken century stand, on the opening day of their ninth round encounter against Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Opting to bat first here Thursday, Red Force made a terrific recovery following a nightmare start, to end the day at the Arnos Vale Stadium on 254 for six.

Their innings lay in ruins at 114 for six after lunch

but Pierre carved out an unbeaten 80 and Imran Khan finished on 71 not out, to guide the visitors to safety.

The pair have so far posted 140 for the partnership which frustrated Volcanoes after Test seamer Sherman Lewis had gotten through

Imran Khan struck an unbeaten 71.

the middle order with three for 54.

There was no sign of the collapse to come when Jeremy Solozano (24) and Joshua Da Silva (14) put on 32 for the opening wicket.

But seamer Ray Jordan trapped Da Silva lbw in the seventh over before newball seamer Josh Thomas accounted for Tion Webster (3) cheaply in the next over, to leave Red Force on 35 for two.

Yannic Cariah, who made 36, then tried to repair the innings in a 28-run, third-wicket partnership with Solozano, who struck two fours in a 49-ball before becoming one of three

wickets to tumble for four runs in the space of 15 deliveries.

In a devastating burst, Lewis claimed Solozano hit wicket and then bowled Jason Mohammed two balls later without scoring, before knocking over captain Denesh Ramdin also without scoring in his next over as Red Force crashed to 67 for five.

Still in danger on 85 for five at lunch, Red Force were revived in a 47-run, sixth-wicket stand between Imran Khan and Cariah, which kept Volcanoes without immediate further success.

Left-arm spinner Ka-

vem Hodge then got the breakthrough when he had Cariah caught at short leg, after the left-hander had faced 79 deliveries and counted two fours and a six.

Any thoughts Volcanoes harboured of wrapping up Red Force innings cheaply were then dashed as Imran Khan, unbeaten on 38 at tea with Pierre on 36, carried their side safely to 173 for six at the second interval, before dominating the final session.

Pierre faced 185 deliveries and cracked seven fours and three sixes while Imran Khan stroked three boundaries in his 201-ball innings.

Barbados Pride routed for 76 as 17 wickets tumble on day one … Jaguars struggle to 162-7 at stumps

Aaron Jones makes his way back to the pavilion after he was removed by Raymon Reifer who finished with figures of 5-20.

GFF/STAG Beer hand over ‘Super 16’ Year-End tournament prizes

Winners Den Amstel and other top finishers of the GFF/STAG Beer ‘Super 16’ tournament receive their spoils from STAG Beer Brand Manager Nigel Worrell.

THE top four clubs of the GFF-STAG ‘Super 16’ Year-End Tournament – Den Amstel FC, Buxton United FC, Fruta Conquerors FC and Western Tigers FC – were presented with their prizes for their respective first, second, third and fourth placements in the tournament.

In a short and simple ceremony at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Boardroom last Wednesday, Den Amstel walked away with $2M, a trophy and equipment; Buxton United with $1M, trophy and equipment; Fruta Conquerors with $500 000, trophy and equipment and Western Tigers with a trophy and equipment.

In brief remarks, Brand Manager of STAG Beer, Nigel Worrell, said the company looks forward to the partnership every year and he emphasised Ansa McAl’s commitment to football stakeholders and the sport.

“Partnerships like these help to build the foundation for football and generally for any sport. The fact that we saw a somewhat underdog team win the championship is testimony to what football is all about, for what the contribution of partnerships like these can actually result in.

“Our contribution over the years to football and, sport in general, is

testimony to Ansa McAl’s commitment to the people and, of course, the sport as a whole,” Worrell said.

GFF president Wayne Forde, in acknowledging the enduring partnership between GFF and Ansa McAl, expressed gratitude for same. He noted that progress has been observed.

Forde related that “this is the second version of the GFF annual yearend competition and what is clear is that there has been progression from Year One to Year Two and I think that’s the evidence business people look at when making decisions and planning for the future.

“There’s a lot to take away from the competition. Every year we see evidence of growth, including more community participation and hopefully, the prize packages can grow incrementally with some of the other changes which will be made.”

The GFF-STAG ‘Super 16’ year-end tournament featured thethen top eight Elite teams, two teams from Regional Member Associations - Berbice FA and Essequibo-Pomeroon FA - as well as invited clubs including Police FC, Soesdyke Falcons, Eagles FC, Santos FC, Buxton Stars and Rivers View.

Jonathan Carter bowled with great control and has so far claimed 3-45.

Veteran cricket writer Tony Becca dead at 78 TONY Becca, the veteran Jamaican sportswriter and member of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), died yesterday from complications brought on by dengue. He was 78.

Reports said Becca died at The St. Andrew’s Hospital in Kingston shortly before 05:00hts.

He was admitted to hospital suffering from dengue fever.

Becca had also been battling a series of illnesses over the past decade.

Gleaner Sports Editor Andre Lowe was saddened by the news.

“From a personal perspective, I am deeply saddened by Mr Becca’s passing.

“I have tremendous respect for him as a person and as a professional. He was always willing and available to offer a word of encouragement and advice and he certainly made his mark, not only as an icon where cricket and sports journalism,

in general, is concerned but as an exceptional human being, who was never too proud to help others.

“He’s an example for the rest of us and the world of cricket journalism has lost a true giant,” Lowe said in a statement to Sportsmax.

TV. Known for covering more than 100 Test matches during his illustrious career, which began in the 1950s, Becca watched his first Test match in 1953.

Following his retirement from the Gleaner, he continued to write a weekly column for the paper until the time of his passing.

His final column published on February 24, 2019, addressed the upcoming Jamaica Cricket Association elections in which Mark Neita, a fellow member of the MCC, is challenging the incumbent Billy Heaven.

The election was due to be held last night. (Sportsmax)

Tony Becca covered more than 100 Test matches in a career that spanned more than six decades.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019