Guyana Chronicle E-paper 03-23-2019

SATURDAY 23rd March, 2019

GOV’T NOT OUT No.105585

… Court of Appeal invalidates no-confidence vote

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… says PPP needed 34 votes for absolute majority

Attorney General, Basil Williams SC, answers questions from members of the media outside of the Appeal Court following the hearing (Adrian Narine photo)

‘Total team effort’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

... AG praises legal team for Court of Appeal victory

… says ruling means business as usual for government

By Alva Solomon ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, has deemed the outcome of Friday’s Court of Appeal ruling on the confidence vote a “team effort,” as the government will go about with business as usual follow-

believed that the absolute majority is stronger than the simple majority, the major grounds on which the ruling was made. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice Dawn Gregory both ruled that an absolute majority, rather than a simple majority,

Justice Rishi Persaud, the third Appeal Court Judge, ruled that 33 votes were needed for the majority.

Outside the courtroom on Friday, the attorney general told reporters that, “the proper principle was applied to the computation and calculation of the vote.” He said the ruling of the court means

Opposition MP Anil Nandlall speaking to the media about the ruling (Adrian Narine photos) ing the ruling.

Noting that his legal team stretched the extremities of the law, the AG told reporters outside the Court of Appeal in Kingston that he always

was needed to carry the no-confidence motion which was passed in the National Assembly last December. In their ruling, this meant that 34 rather than 33 votes were needed for the Bharrat Jagdeo-tabled motion to be passed, effectively overturning the ruling made in January this year

by Chief Justice , Roxane George –Wiltshire.

that it is business as usual for the government. As regards the way forward, Williams said President David Granger and other members of the government will decide on when elections will be held.

“The court’s decision now prevails,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl

Senior Counsel Neil Boston addresses reporters B Greenidge, who is performing the duties of President in a statement issued on March 22nd 2019 assured Guyanese that the Government is pleased with the decision made by the Court of Appeal regarding the No Confidence Motion. Vice President Greenidge made the point that Government is legal and remains in office. He indicated that that democracy in Guyana remains robust, while urging Guyanese everywhere to respect the ruling of the Courts. Greenidge also made the point that Parliament will conduct its business unhindered and will reconvene soonest.

For his part Opposition lawyer and former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, said that he is disappointed for he felt that 33 always constituted a majority in the National Assembly. Asked about the way forward, he said it was always an accepted fact by all sides that the case will go to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as he noted the importance of the matter.

Nandlall said the effect of the decision will see the party dealing with the consequences of the ruling.

Senior Counsel Neil

Boston , who was among a battery of lawyers in the case, told media operatives that when the matter goes to the CCJ it cannot be held within a matter of days, as asserted by Nandlall.” They will take one case of the CCJ, that is, the Attorney General against Bharrat Jagdeo,” he clarified.

He said that he is”certainly” confident that the CCJ will rule in the government’s favour whenever the case is called up in that court. Meanwhile, the ruling on Friday afternoon saw many Guyanese being gravitated to newsfeeds on social media platform Facebook for news on the outcome of the appeal. In some instances, persons were unaware of the complexity of the rulings, as many were of the opinion that one judge was expected to deliver a decision on the matter.

As the hours stretched and seconds ticked, commentators under news feeds made the necessary clarifications for the manin-the street and opinions were put to the fore, as the decisions by the judges were made. While there was no crowd at the Court of Appeal, a few supporters of the opposition sat around the environs of the

court as the rulings were made by the three judges.

Later, as night stepped in, a few dejected looks and some smiling faces emerged and stood outside the court after the court session ended. Former Member of Parliament of the People’s National Congress Reform, James McAllister, in reacting to the news, declared: ”The Social Coup D’etat has failed. The PSC, the Stabroek News, the Bar Association and Civil Society have been exposed.”

McAllister said it is time for the nation to do an introspection, because these events stripped us of supposed voices of reason that would normally be needed in times of political conflict. “On this occasion they abdicated their responsibility and adopted a partisan posture to turf out a legally elected government. They did their best to prevent the court from doing its work,” Mc Allister said.

He added: “However, this is not time for gloating, harassing or otherwise hostile [behaviour]. We went through a traumatic period as a nation. Now is the time for healing.

There is no one more suited than President David Granger to lead this effort.”

Gov’t Not Out

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

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... Court of Appeal invalidates no-confidence vote

… majority ruling says 34 votes required to topple government

By Svetlana Marshall THE Court of Appeal on Friday ruled that the No-Confidence Motion was not validly passed in the National Assembly, thereby overturning the High Court’s decision of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

Before a packed courtroom, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory ruled that the Opposition needed 34 votes to defeat the Government and not 33. Justice Rishi Persaud, however, had a dissenting opinion. The decision was arrived at in the appeal cases of ‘The Attorney General v Christopher Ram and others,’ and ‘The Attorney General v The Speaker of the National Assembly and others’ brought by the Government through the Attorney General, Basil Williams.

In handing down her decision, the Chancellor noted that all parties in the two cases agreed that in order to pass a no-confidence motion against a Government, an absolute majority is required and not a simple majority.

In total agreement with the oral submissions made

by Grenada Queen’s Counsel, Dr. Francis Alexis, the Chancellor ruled that in order to arrive at an absolute majority in a National Assembly with an uneven number of elected members, the half plus one formula must be utilised and the resulting fraction must be rounded up.

“To have one over all rivals, one could approach it this way – half of 65 is 32.5, if you are to have one over all rivals, and you add one to that, that takes you to 33.5, and because of the principle of rounding up, and there being no half voter, that 33.5 when you round it up, gives a figure of 34,” she explained.

Justice Cummings-Edwards explained that if the

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards simple calculation of ‘one over your rivals’ is applied or simple mathematics, the ratio of 33:32 is arrived at, and such, amounts to a simple majority.

“Given the importance of the procedure of the No-Confidence Motion, the corresponding effect of that vote and the principles as argued in relation to a stable government, an absolute majority is in keeping with the provisions of Article 106,” the Chancellor stated, while emphasising that the vote for an absolute majority is more than one over all rivals combined or a greater number. This simple mathematical calculation, which was submitted

by Anil Nandlall – the attorney who represented the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, would only lead to a simple majority, she reiterated.

The Chancellor noted that Chief Justice George-Wiltshire “did not see the need to apply the principle of rounding up’ as discussed in the case of Hughes v Rogers (Anguilla). “In her view the absolute majority would have effectively applied without the necessity for the fraction and rounding up but as mentioned before in an odd number Parliament the fraction will

Justice Dawn Gregory result whenever half of that number is sought to be achieved,” Justice Cummings-Edwards said.

Citing the case of Hughes v Rogers, she said Justice Adrian Saunders as he then was, in interpreting what constituted a quorum in a 11-member Assembly, said the arising fraction cannot be rounded down but rather up. “So applying the principles discussed in the particular case at hand, I am of the view that the majority as found by the learned Chief Justice, applies to the case of a simple majority but in relation to a case of an absolute majority, the figure to be arrived at, is that of 34 votes,” As stated by the Attorney General, Basil Williams SC in his oral submissions, the Chancellor said a purposive approach was required in the interpretation of the Constitution.

Justice Gregory, in arriving on her decision, also alluded to the submissions of Queen’s Counsel Alexis. The Justice of Appeal said while Nandlall argued that the word ‘majority’ was unambiguous, all the attorneys in the matter underscored the importance of having an absolute majority.

Citing the case Kilman v Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu,

Justice, Rishi Persaud Justice Gregory said the whole is divided into two, and one added as was done in the Court of Appeal. In that case, the 52-Member Parliament was divided into half, and one added resulting in 27 – the “outright majority.”

“If the same process is applied to an odd number, in this case the 65, dividing 65 by 2 would lead to a fraction of 32.5, and when the plus one factor is applied, the result is a majority of 33.5. When 33.5 is rounded down to 33 it produces a simple majority of 65, that is 33:32, however, to produce an absolute majority of 65, 32.5 must be rounded up after the plus one factor is applied and that yields a majority of 34 in keeping with the jurisprudence on the treatment of fractions as we saw in Hughes and Rogers,” Justice Gregory explained.

The Justice of Appeal said the two-stage process as submitted to the court gives true effect to the requirement of Article 106 (6) that a no-confidence motion must obtain a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly. “By passing the two stage process and treating only with 33 as the greater number of 65 renders in my view a result that is anomalous, in that

the same figure 33 when we examine it, 33 is a simple majority of 64 using the two stage process of dividing in half and adding one, so 33 is a simple majority of 64, likewise 33 is an absolute majority of 64 because it is an even number assembly…Continuing on with this assessment 33 will also be a simple majority of 65, as well as an absolute majority of 65, so to my mind, therein lies a flaw,” Justice Gregory reasoned.

According to her, 33 as an absolute majority is flawed and untenable, falls short of the requirement of Article 106 (6).

In Guyana, she said, a No-Confidence Motion requires an absolute majority and not a simple majority. On that basis, Justice Gregory also ruled that the No-Confidence Motion against the Government was not carried.

DISSENTING OPINION Justice Persaud, however, disagreed with conclusions drawn by the Chancellor and Justice Gregory. Justice Persaud supported the views of the Chief Justice that the greater number in the National Assembly constituted a majority. According to him, the Article was clear and unambiguous.

“The majority contemplated by Article 106 (6) with reference to an uneven number of all members,

simply means to my mind the greater number which is 33. It must be noted here that this meaning has informed the practice of our National Assembly of many years, as such base the declaration of the Speaker and accepted by all at the time. Article 106 (6) does not remotely provide for a mathematical formula for the determination of the majority - none will be read into the article. The clear meaning of the word must prevail as the drafters intended,” Justice Persaud stated.

He said with all due respect to Queen’s Counsel Alexis, the two-stage formula first dividing by one-half and then rounding up to the nearest whole plus one has no application in Guyana. But with him being the lone dissenting voice in the panel of three, the views of the majority ruling was asserted and the appeals brought by the Attorney General were allowed, and the No-Confidence Motion overturned.

This means the Government will remain in office for its constitutional fiveyear-term.

All plans for elections this year will more than likely be cancelled. Senior Counsel, Rafiq Khan who represented Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland says he will abide by the ruling.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

Trump says he is withdrawing earlier North Korea-related sanctions WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he was ordering the withdrawal of recently announced North Korea-related sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department.

“It was announced today by the U.S. Treasury that additional large-scale Sanctions would be added to those already existing Sanctions on North Korea,” Trump said on Twitter. “I have today ordered the withdrawal of those additional Sanctions!”

It was not immediately

The sanctions on the Chinese shippers were the first since the second U.S.North Korea summit broke down last month. Hours after the sanctions announcement, North Korea on Friday pulled out of a liaison office with the South, a major setback for Seoul. North Korea said it was quitting the joint liaison office set up in September in the border city of Kaesong after a historic summit between leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in early last year.

clear what sanctions Trump was referring to. There were no new U.S. sanctions on North Korea announced on Friday but on Thursday the United States blacklisted two Chinese shipping companies that it said helped North Korea evade sanctions over its nuclear weapons program.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders did not specify which sanctions Trump spoke of but said: “President Trump likes Chairman Kim (Jong Un) and he doesn’t think these sanctions will be necessary.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands before their one-on-one chat during the second U.S.-North Korea summit at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam February 27, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

‘Court ruling establishes Gov’t is legal’ ….VP Greenidge says steps to be taken to reconvene Parliament

The Government of Guyana is pleased with the decision of the Court of Appeal regarding the no confidence motion and steps will be taken to reconvene Parliament soonest, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge who is performing the functions of President has said.

During a televised broadcast on Friday night, Greenidge said that the decision of the court “settles the matter” which had been discussed within the public domain for months. He said the decision also brought about some level of certainty.

Greenidge said that “the majority decision established that the coalition government is legal and lawful and constitutionally remains in office without hindrance. “ He said

the decision reaffirms and underscores that democracy in Guyana remains robust and strong and that the Guyanese society is making significant strides as regards its approach to “complex and difficult problems, in a mature and responsible manner.”

He said to that the decision also underscores respect for the judiciary and the separation of powers even as he appealed to the citizenry to respect the court’s decision. Greenidge said that should there be additional legal challenges at the Caribbean Court of Justice, the citizenry should remain calm as that process is completed.

“I urge all Guyanese to continue to conduct their business and go about their daily activities with the full confidence that their safety and well-being are assured,

Some 75,000 Guyanese tapped potable water in last three years AS Guyana joined with the rest of the world on the 22nd March, 2019 to observe World Water Day under the theme, “Leaving no one behind,” it was proclaimed that approximately 75,000 Guyanese gained access to potable water from 2015 to present.

Managing-Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles

This proclamation was made by Managing-Director of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles at a symposium hosted by the company on Friday at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Hall in Linden, Region 10, the company said in a release.

The managing-director also strongly believes that GWI will attain Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which speaks to “Clean Water for all” by 2025-five years early. He was at the time addressing an audience of regional officials, representatives of international organisations, GWI staff, students and teachers.

This, he explained, will be made possible with the commitment of GWI’s staff and policy guidance from the government.

Even as he spoke with confidence of future achievements, Dr. Van-West Charles also took the opportunity to highlight that the utility has since 2016 immensely improved its water-quality testing and analysis.

The capacity building of its staff and the establishment of

a number of mini laboratories across the country were noted as the factors responsible for these improvements. GWI has also increased the inventory of transmission and distribution mains by more than 10 per cent (10%).

Dr. Van-West Charles said that the theme of World Water Day 2019 calls on all stakeholders to examine why persons are left behind and places emphasis on how access to water, sanitation and sustainable water management can be the drivers for change. According to him, access to knowledge, coupled with the attainment of understanding is needed in this regard.

This year’s theme draws focus to the importance of freshwater and its sustainable management. In Guyana, freshwater sources are in the form of Watersheds, with the Dakoura Creek Watershed in Linden being the most researched and documented watershed in Guyana.

This Watershed is the source of water for some 10,000 residents of Linden.

The managing director therefore took the opportunity to stress that this therefore means that protecting and safeguarding the watershed is critical. Additionally, he called on citizens of Linden to set the tone for the organisational policy and programmatic focus of watershed management Dr. Van-West Charles said that focus must also be placed on the nexus between the contamination of freshwater and groundwater resources as attention is being placed on those persons without access to potable water.

He also took the opportunity to urge Guyanese to care for GWI’s infrastructure which is utilised for water production and distribution, failing which,

“he said. Greenidge said that arrangements will be made for Parliament to meet and conduct its business unhindered. He said that there are no barriers to the President and Cabinet moving forward as they see fit.

Greenidge said that he had discussions with representatives of the diplomatic community and in addition to explaining that there was no crisis, he assured that there exists a mechanism for problems to be resolved. He elaborated that the problem that “people were trying to turn into a crisis” turned into the willingness and ability of the political leaders to find a date for elections based upon the recommendations of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). “So there was never a crisis, in the sense that there was a problem

-GWI Managing-Director persons who do not have access will be affected. He underscored the important roles played by the regional democratic councils, government ministries, customers and multilateral agencies in ensuring water for all.

Meanwhile, Linden Mayor, Ms. Waneka Arrindell, congratulated GWI’s Linden team for their efforts in ensuring that no citizen of Linden is left behind.

She also took the opportunity to stress that as Linden moves towards adapting the Sustainable Development goals, the sustainable use of freshwater sources is very important. She said that persons must be cognisant of how they utilise water and how it affects others and work towards protecting and preserving, rather than wasting water resources. Ms. Arrindell assured that the Linden Mayor and Town Council is willing to play the necessary roles.

According to her, the council together with the Ministry of Communities is embarking on a stringent programme to clear all waste from the environs of the Dakoura Creek Watershed in an effort to protect the watershed. Vice-chairman of Region 10, Mr. Delroy Adolf in his remarks stressed the importance of water as he urged residents to conserve the valuable resource. He stressed that the only way to leave no one behind is to conserve water so that others can have.

In addition to the symposium hosted on the occasion of World Water Day, a panel discussion, tour to the Dakoura Creek Watershed and essay and poster competitions were hosted, with emphasis being placed on watersheds. Results of those competitions will be announced shortly.

and no mechanism was available,” he added.

He said the court has concluded that the motion for the confidence vote did not meet the requirements and therefore, he said the international community, which many have sought to question the government, has no option to recognize that there was a vote which “give rise to problems.”

He said the courts have made its decision and as such the relationship of the admin-

Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

istration with the international community “does not have to be under a shadow.”

The Acting President said that the international agencies and those in the region were being apprised by the government of the situation.

Greenidge said that Parliament has powers and the body acting upon the decision of the courts, can act as soon as it wishes, and he said the government can pass its bills while the government can go about its business.

On Friday afternoon the Court of Appeal overturned the outcome of last December’s no confidence vote in the National Assembly. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Appeal Judge Dawn Gregory both ruled that 34 votes were necessary for an absolute majority as opposed to 33 votes.

Justice Rishi Persaud ruled that the majority should be 33 votes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

Housing: A necessity for the Good Life

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AST Thursday, a new vista in governance by the coalition government, A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) was opened when its Ministry of Community’s Department of Housing, in conjunction with the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA), extended its services to People with Disabilities (PWD).

At a packed Guyana Society for the Blind hall, a reported 150 persons with disabilities had their dreams fulfilled when Minister responsible for Housing, Valerie Adams-Yearwood along with a team of officials had the gathering complete the necessary documentation that will enable processing for their acquisition of lots for house construction. It was the first time in the national housing programme’s history that this category of Guyanese had been given this very special attention.

Of all of life’s material requirements for sustenance and comfortable living, home ownership ranks as the most coveted.

It means, in common language, having a roof over one’s head, a situation that engenders a feeling of achievement, particularly of one’s culmination of hard work and sacrifice. And this can be seen as a crowning moment, not only as a life security for oneself, but also for family, as is the case with almost every applicant. But home ownership is also about adding vital value to one’s material stock that can be multiplied for those who will succeed as heirs and beneficiaries. It also makes for better objective planning for the future, again, when there is a family.

Since 2015, it has been the clear policy of the APNU+AFC coalition government to make housing a priority on its national programme of socio-economic development, in which housing must be acquired at reasonable cost. This initiative also ensures that those who would have applied since in the 1990s and were never responded to be given alternatives to acquire a home of their own. This new initiative, in progress since 2015, has already resulted in hundreds acquiring not only the new duplex and ‘condo’ types of homes, but also others being given lots for constructing their specific type of dream home.

This means that thei long wait and neglect suffered during the former PPP/C administration has ended.

In a society in which it has always been traditional to forget the disabled, or perceive them as not having the same needs for life’s comforts/security as their better physically-abled counterparts, last week’s initiative by the minister and her team can be said to have dispelled such a negative trend that has existed for so long. And one can well understand this enlightened approach and important human right being taken by the current government, given its commitment to providing the Good Life for all Guyanese. In fact, Minister Adams– Yearwood, who had been a member of the Society for the Blind, in addition to being a Committee Chairperson for welfare matters on the Region Ten Democratic Council, in addressing this very special gathering at the Society for the Blind, reminded them, “I have been associated with many

organisations and many people who I consider disadvantaged because, for some reason or the other, you’re never placed on the front burner of any activities. Sometimes it appears as though you’re forgotten people, so today you are the front burner.”

Such a statement amplifies government’s understanding that every citizen, or category of citizen, regardless of physical condition/status, has the right to access social amenities for better and improved living standards, as every other. Further, as in the example illustrated above, that it is its social duty as a government to make such assistance possible for realisation of the desired amenity, especially where such a special category of citizens exists.

This can be extended to also include the immediate relief that the coalition has also commenced for those persons, many of whom said that they had applied for lots years ago, but have been left homeless as a result of the recent fire in Broad Street, Charlestown. In a combined relief effort with Food for the Poor, a multi-million dollar building programme will facilitate the housing of at least 20 families by June. For both groups of citizens, though of differing circumstances but having the same important need of housing, government’s intervention is as timely as it is critical and necessary, in making their goal of a home a very special realisation. Of course, they all have the right to a good life.

Freddie again distorts with intent to suffice his fringe readership Dear Editor,

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NYONE who read my letter (Guyana Chronicle March 12, or on March 17, 2019 in Kaieteur News ‘The ethnic security dilemma from a personal experience’ in response to Baytoram Ramharack’s letter on February 18 in the Stabroek News, would ponder on the references to that letter by Freddie Kissoon in his column on March 18, in Kaieteur.

His article was not enhanced by distorting, misrepresenting and with intent falsifying content that I had possibly written over time in several articles, each time with historical references, and not my imagination, because I suffer from no mental aberrations.

I declared that from all records between the PPP and the PNC ethnic constituencies that the Afro-Guyanese had more to fear from the PPP in power than Indo-Guyanese from the PNC in power with respect to the ethnic security dilemma. The text is available to all, as are the arguments to support what I said.

However, I should reiterate, with further clarifications, because this kind of debate will not be diminished unless conversation is conducted to eliminate the ‘political stock arsenal of falsifications and part truths’ as I used in my letter concerning the 1973 election incident.

I am not trained in politics; instead I am trained enough in research and cross- research towards the verification of facts, which include understanding influences of cultural and religious platforms and political manipulation of the same. During the 60s, I lived with my God-parents at Mahaica. I can recall neighbours across ethnic groups in that area coming together to keep watch against intruders who were from either ethnic group entering their space. I and other male children kept watch near to the food, and read comic books by lamplight, as no electricity existed in the area. To us, it was a manly adventure.

When a relative came from ‘town’ to take me to ‘safety’, I was allowed to make my choice, and I refused. My godfather

was a plumber, and I recalled the quiet conversations on the ‘specs’ for ‘pipe guns’ with bucket handle triggers in response to the high-powered weapons smuggled up the Mahaicony Creek from the Caribbean by a certain political party, and what happened at Mahaicony. I knew where the impetus of the Ethnic Security Dilemma lay. Now, I will extract from one of numerous public records to verify my conclusion on matters in the 1960s, pg 108 Guyana Democracy Betrayed, by Jai Narine Singh “Jagan had by now lost his main militant supporters, and had himself become a kind of dictator governing the affairs of Guyana as lord and master of it all. He organised protest demonstrations in several parts of the country in the course of which Afro-Guyanese were killed and murdered. This resulted in a chain reaction, organised by the PNC and their supporters, that led to mass killings, lootings and burnings and migration.

Indo-Guyanese moved away from the villages where they were the minority, and the Afro-Guyanese moved away from those where they were the minority. And to a second reference in the same book pg 221 as follows: “There is a voluntary segregation now taking place in many areas throughout the country. There is widespread lawlessness, and an almost complete breakdown of law and order. The group responsible for starting the events leading up to a breakdown of law and order is the Peoples Progressive Party.” [Incidentally, Jai Narine Singh is the father of Robin Singh, the opposition leader’s apprentice].

The recent years, from 1992 onwards, speak for itself in murders, drug addiction and the criminalisation of the Sstate as the ‘DOSSIER’ demonstrates. I respect your adding to the public conversation the terminology of ‘Ideological Racism’ and providing evidence of its mechanisms; you even provided in your column evidence of early post-1992 sabotage directed at the Afro-Guyanese UG hierarchy.

In your court testimony, you said, “From historical data, Afro-Guyanese, he said, maintained an existence with administration of the State, including State activities, education, the Arts and related activities. With this, Kissoon said, came

Afro-Guyanese power, authority and influence, while the more land and property- based Indo-Guyanese derived their power from their physical possessions and wealth.” You continued with a convincing argument of a callous usurpation of the said ‘Plural model’ this “fundamental shift was pregnant with disastrous possibilities.” So, am I wrong to say that the PPP poses more of a threat to Afro-Guyanese than the PNC to Indo-Guyanese? I will not deal with aspects of the ‘Plural model’ that I have reservations about, but I would implore you to explain how could you produce such grounded evidence then agree with the same Bharrat Jagdeo on denying the proponents of the Afro-based Arts the human right of Copyright? The facts are that as long as political columnists fail to recognise the dishonesty in the management of the expertise that must be developed into earnings, we will not evolve with mutual respect and absence of suspicion. For example, the contempt that the opposition leader treats the sugar workers with as current political cannon fodder, after knowing their fate since 2004, misusing monies received in their interest and shamelessly blaming the current administration and talking about theories alien to his nature like the Constitution and morality? The writers who conspire to feed from the tainted no-confidence motion must come to terms with the fact that one cannot corrupt the law of perception and call it right. Here, my brother, is where the gauntlet rests. Our problem before Independence was ‘Bread & Butter’; and it still is. We do not manage our expertise well.

I did not see the advocates of the Ethnic Security Dilemma step forward to raise a regiment to be deployed on our western border, nor on our eastern border when Suriname and Venezuela were breathing heavily against us. No, they slithered back into their safe crevices. And I heard not a whisper. Did you?

Regards Barrington Braithwaite

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

May the church roll on and take the lead in reforming the nation Dear Editor,

Anger is not an evil feeling --but the consequences of anger matter

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Dear Editor,

T IS disheartening to read horrific stories of ending another’s life through violence. The fundamental question is: Why do people use violence against each other?

I would like to hail the ‘warrior genes’ theory by scientist Prof. Jim Fallon who came to the conclusion after an extensive experiment with psychopaths from behind bars. The violent criminals and the psychopaths have or inherit “warrior genes” at birth. They are unique people with some little impulsive disorder.

These warrior genes take priority in their lives. Their genes feed on the abuses and bad experience from their childhood. And they grow up to be violent, having nourished their warrior genes. This triggers their brain to act in a different manner. They don’t feel, but they think. Any feeling is the same feeling for this, whether it’s murder, or a table, it’s the same. This is an extraordinary problem, which leads them to act violently, even to the extreme of killing other fellow humans. If at all they had been treated well in their childhood, they would have turned out to be good people. In the case of marines, these warrior genes are trained and

motivated so that they would be able to combat the opponents without fear. This may be the case with sports. The team must be trained to possess these genes to fight against the opposite team.

If not managed in time, anger can lead to rage. Anger is not an evil feeling, but the consequences of anger matter.

The consequences of anger can be detrimental. Much ink has been expended on this topic. Each one needs to have tools to manage anger. If not managed, anger can control us, and it can be disastrous. Like any other emotion, anger can blank our reason, hence causing us to act, not on reason, but on emotion. Our emotions must be reasonable and for this to happen, we must be ble to discern and not decide. It is better to be slow than sorry. ‘Child is the father of Man’.

Children learn from imitating their parents and adults. It is imperative that the child has a safe environment where one cannot inherit or breed these warrior genes. In any case, if a child learns to be violent, it is important to nip in the bud.

Regards Jerri Dias

Stop misleading the people Dear editor,

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AM very concerned and upset at the behaviour of the leader of the opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, although it’s not surprising at all. I think tht by now, people that are right-thinking understand why the man is behaving like this. Many mothers will always say that when a man doesn’t want a woman, they can’t think straight.

The opposition leader seems to believe that Guyanese are fools, and what he says that is what has to happen, no

matter what. This man needs to think, then speak, because he talks nonsense most, or all of the time.

He advises the PPP to protest after March 21, because he says that the government will be “illegal”, and therefore there will be no President and ministers of Guyana. The Constitution says differently.

So, I have a few questions for this dictator opposition leader.

If the President and Government are illegal, as you say, after March 21, who will call the elections?

Will the opposition leader

adhere to the ‘illegal President’s date for elections because? How can an “illegal President” set a legal elections date? How can public servants be paid by an “illegal government”? How is it that he and the PPP are calling for the “illegal government and President” to ensure no hindrances to public servants salaries? Why are you calling on an “illegal President” to set the elections date?

I can go on but won’t. So, the saying by Bharrat Jadgeo that the government is “illegal” is total nonsense. I think the

only “illegal” thing that is happening right now in the political arena is the PPP’s fake-degree Presidential Candidate, and Bharrat Jagdeo.

The PPP’s supporters need to “chase out” this man’s nonsense from their minds.

Regards Abel Seetaram

A

FEW weeks ago, several churches in Mahaica officially presented washroom facilities (for both males and females), complete with a concrete walkway lined with flowers and a rail, to the Mahaica Post Office in a simple ceremony. This project is intended to benefit the many pensioners who visit the Post Office on a monthly basis to transact their business, and who often must endure several hours of waiting.

The washroom facilities are welcomed additions to a comfortable Waiting Area that was earlier presented by a few concerned residents of the community, also for the comfort of the pensioners.

Please permit me to commend the initiators and the efforts of all others who contributed and provided their labour (gratis). Gratitude is also extended to the Post Mistress,Ms. Joy Neptune, who gave her unstinting support at every step of the way. This deed of love exhibited by the churches from different denominations demonstrated that ecumenism is alive, but more importantly, the community will recognise Christians by their love. May the church roll on and take the lead in reforming the nation.

Regards Bernel L.H Wickham (Convener of the Church project)

New Zealand PM leading by example Dear Editor

T

HE Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, might not be tall, but she certainly stood tall for her country, and particularly the Muslim community, following the recent horrific terrorist attacks on two mosques in that country.

She led from the front on how a country can be one by her many acts of caring, sharing and commisserating with her nation, thus unifying a nation and people during this difficult time. Her swift and decisive actions in reforming and revamping gun laws must be seen, and go down, as her shining moment, and one of the hallmarks of her tenure. Now, in a further act of unity, the Muslim call to prayer was broadcast live on Friday, the day of the one-week anniversary of the attacks.

There are many lessons to be garnered from the simple but important acts on how to band together in the face of adversity.

Regards Shamshun Mohamed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

Caribbean sugar body says CSME not working for industry

THE Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) says the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is simply not working for the regional sugar industry when the need is most critical.

In a release SAC says with the challenges facing CARICOM regional sugar producers, it has been gathering market intelligence across the region. Findings from that investigation have prompted SAC to urge the CARICOM Secretariat to take definitive and immediate action through the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to address the valid concerns that Member States are failing to apply the Common External Tariff (CET) on sugar imports.

According to the release, SAC market research indicates

that more than two-thirds of CARICOM sugar demand is currently being supplied by extra regional sugar imports, despite the fact that CARICOM producers annually produce more sugar than the total regional demand. Additionally, this sugar is permitted to enter the CARICOM market—duty-free— under waiver or suspensions from CET. Furthermore, SAC has consistently advocated for changes to the current CET policy in order to mitigate this practice, which has displaced CARICOM regional sugar producers, who are forced to export their sugar elsewhere.

Equally disturbing, SAC market research indicates that the current CET policy is affecting the sale of CARICOMproduced brown sugar. It has become evident, in recent

months, that the brown sugar market opportunity—value and quantity—in CARICOM is rapidly shrinking. This is mainly attributable to imports of extra-regional brown sugar at pricing levels that SAC believes could not be supporting payment of the full CET. The blatant disregard for CET rules is now a distinct challenge to the survival of the CARICOM sugar industry, which supports the livelihood of more than 400 thousand CARICOM citizens.

SAC will continue to press the CARICOM Secretariat to act with urgency in safeguarding the viability of the CARICOM sugar industry. SAC believes that anything less would amount to an abrogation of responsibility regarding the principles and functionality of the CSME.

A man, who was arrested by police at Bourda Market allegedly with three grams of cocaine in his

Dexter Klass made his appearance before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magis-

town, had three grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Pro s ecu tor, Sanj Singh, objected to Klass being released on

No bail for man allegedly nabbed with cocaine possession was, on Friday, March 22, 2019, remanded to prison, when he appeared in court.

trates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge alleged that Klass, on March 19, 2019, at Bourda Market, George-

bail since the drugs were found in his pants pocket when he was searched by the police at Bourda Market. Magistrate Daly remanded Klass to prison until April 12, 2019.

Owen Street man gets three years for drug trafficking A man was on Friday sentenced to three years imprisonment after pleading guilty to a drug trafficking charge, while his friend was remanded to prison for the same indictment.

Navindra Harrichan and Arthur Ishmael appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, jointly charged.

Particulars of the charge alleged that, on March 20,

2019, at Owen Street, Kitty, the duo had 140.1 grams of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. Harrichan pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to three years imprisonment along with a fine of $30,000. However, Ishmael pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to prison until April 20, 2019.

According to the police evidence presented in court by prosecutor Sanj Singh,

on the day in question, ranks raided Harrichan Owen Street, Kitty home and the two defendants were found inside.

The house was searched and the suspected cannabis was found stashed on top of a wardrobe in a bedroom. Under caution, Singh said, Harrichan admitted ownership of the drug while Ishmael denied knowledge and control over the substance.

Three years for trafficking ganja

SENIOR Magistrate Leron Daly, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, on Friday, March 22, 2019, sentenced a man to serve three years behind bars for trafficking over eight grams of cannabis.

Michael O’Brian confessed that, on March 20, 2019, at Kitty, he had 8.69 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor, Sanj Singh, on March 20, 2019, at about 10:30hrs, ranks of a mobile patrol observed O’Brian walking and acting in a suspicious manner. The ranks then contacted O’Brian and conducted a search on him.

Singh explained that five small zip lock packets containing leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, were found. In court, O’Brian begged the magistrate for clemency saying he did not want to waste the court’s time. Magistrate Daly sentenced O’Brian to serve three years imprisonment along with a fine of $30,000.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

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New monitoring equipment to boost accurate weather reports

GUYANA’S ability to forecast weather patterns and become self-reliant in taking proactive measures to protect it’s people and assets, was enhanced with the acquisition of 21 pieces of climate-monitoring equipment on Friday, as this country joined the rest of the world in observing World Water Day. WWD is celebrated on March 22 every year, and focuses on promoting sustainable water management and sanitation. At a symposium held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in observance of the occasion, recently accredited United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch, handed over one of the climate-monitoring equipment to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder; Ambassador Lynch noted that the event represents an important step in strengthening climate science networks that are necessary to protect this country’s vast assets from national hazards, and signals the enduring partnership the U.S. Government has with the government and people of Guyana.

The SAID, through its work with the regional institution, the Caribbean Community

zone management , tourism and health sectors.

As an example, farmers will be able to access updated information which they can use to select and plan their planting cycles with greater certainty, the ambassador noted.

“As we endure the increasingly varied weather patterns annually, it is important for regional and local practitioners to reflect on the lessons learned from each weather event. What were the predictions and how did a particular event compare? What improvements can be made to a country’s approach? Continuous updating of systems based on new information will ultimately reduce the risks of damage, most importantly including lives saved, as well as using fewer scarce resources to recover from events,” she added, and wished much success in use of the equipment. Minister Holder in delivering the feature address, underscored the sentiments of the previous speakers and reminded of the significance of water and the need to promote sustainability for water-resources management.

He acknowledged the partnership with the U.S. Government and their continued support

Ron Deonandan, an electrical engineer attached to the Hydromet Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, explains the how the equipment operates to Ambassador Lynch, Mr Cushing and Dr Trotz. (Photos by Delano Williams) Climate Change Centre, referred to as the 5Cs, lent its support in building the Region’s adaptive capacity. The 21 automatic weather stations, as well as a computer and two hand-held scanners, will be used by the Hydrometeorological Department to gather data and analyse climate-related events. They were purchased under a U.S. Government’s three-year Climate Change Adaptation Projects, to which US$10M is dedicated to create an integrated system for the development and financing of adaptation measures to counter the impact of climate variability, she told the gathering.

According to Ambassador Lynch, the project will build the capacity of regional, national and local partners to generate and use climate data for decision-making in government and other sectors. This involves the procurement across the region of critical equipment , including things such as a coral reef early warning system, a “Light Image and Detection and Ranging “ or LIDAR system, and automatic weather stations and related data-storage equipment.

Alluding to Guyana as having a huge land mass with significant tropical forests and natural resources to protect , the ambassador reiterated that use of the systems will increase the capability of the country to anticipate and manage inputs of changing weather patterns. She added that with the additional equipment, the expansion of the existing data-generation network will significantly close the gap in nationwide coverage, thus providing scientists and users with new and more reliable data.

Such information is important because weather forecasts are more credible based on data collected over long periods and the data produced will be used to make predictions about future weather events, which will be important for planning across all sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture, water resources, coastal

through the USAID programme, specifically to the climate change adaptation project and the regional 5Cs institution (Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre).

He said the stations will be placed throughout the country in every administrative region where they will be monitored and will add to the 26 existing automatic hydro-meteorological stations, 54 hydrological stations and 196 meteorological rainfall stations currently in operation. They will significantly boost the service capacity to serve the country with measuring and compiling of data and importantly aid in the planning and development in the agricultural sector. In this regard the Hydro-meteorological Service is playing a supportive role in the advancement and development of the agricultural sector in Guyana..

He made mention of the Sustainable Development Goal Number Six, which speaks of ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Minister Holder said, it specifically highlights the pivotal role that the availability and quality of water represents for sustainable development.

In a world where it is estimated that by 2050 at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortage, the sustainability management of this resource is key to the achievement of all of the related goals, he noted. Other speakers at the forum chaired by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Delma Nedd, and which was preceded by a mini exhibition, were: Chief Hydrometeorological Officer (ag) Dr. Gavin Cummings and Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs), Dr Ultric Trotz.

A panel discussion followed the handing-over ceremony.

At the handing over of the climate-monitoring equipment on Friday are, from left, Dr Garvin Cummings, Chief Hydrometeorological Officer (ag); Head of the Office of Climate Change, Ms Janelle Christian; Mr Christopher Cushing, USAID Mission Director; newly-accredited US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, and Dr Ultric Trotz, 5Cs Deputy Executive Director

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Minister Trotman, new U.S. ambassador hold talks

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

CARICOM accredits new envoy from Kazakhstan THE Republic of Kazakhstan on Wednesday signalled its intention to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as a new envoy of the Central Asian country was accredited.

Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM Secretary-General, received the letter of credence of His Excellency Andrian Yelemessov at the headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana on March 20, 2019 in a brief ceremony.

According to a release by the secretariat, Secretary-General LaRocque expressed the Community’s appreciation for Kazakhstan in the area of water resource management. In acknowledging Kazakhstan’s support for sustainable development in Small Island and low-lying coastal Developing States (SIDS) such as those in CARICOM, the secretary-general informed the ambassador of the Community’s efforts towards becoming a climate resilient Region.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and U.S. Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch.

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on Friday met with the U.S. Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, H.E. Sarah-Ann Lynch.

The minister and ambassador discussed a wide range of issues including, Guyana’s development as an oil-producing and mining nation, and the constitutional and legal challenges facing the nation.

Minister Trotman and Ambassador

Lynch also took time to celebrate their alma mater, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, from which they both graduated.

As a welcoming gift, Hon. Raphael G.C. Trotman presented the new US Ambassador with a copy of his book ‘Parliament in the Republic of Guyana’, which he recommended as a source document to understanding current and past political personalities and events.

CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque (R), accepts the letter of credence of His Excellency Andrian Yelemessov (L), new envoy of Kazakhstan to CARICOM

No bail for armed robbery accused SENIOR Magistrate Leron Daly, on Friday, March 22, 2019, remanded a man to prison on an armed robbery charge.

James Allen made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that, Allen, on March 14, 2019, at Waterloo Street, Georgetown, while being armed with a knife, robbed Timothy Roach of a $23,000 gold chain and a cell phone

valued $10,000.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Sanj Singh told the court that Allen had similar charges before the court and should be remanded to prison.

Singh further told the court that when Allen was being arrested by the police, he attacked the rank and tried to escape.

The Magistrate, after listening to the prosecutor’s objections, remanded Allen to prison until April 12, 2019.

$35M multi-purpose centre for Parfaite Harmonie THE sprawling La Parfaite Harmonie community, located on the West Bank of Demerara, in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), will be gifted with a multi-purpose centre by year-end.

The community which continues to develop has been identified by the Region Three, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Jennifer Ferreira Dougall, as the area to benefit from the project.

The senior regional official related that, each of the country’s 10 administrative regions has been allocated $35M, which will be used on a project of its choice to be executed within the respective region.

According to her, Parfaite Harmonie was chosen for the construction of a multi-purpose centre because the community continues to develop and there are no recreational facilities for the youths. “This area has been developing tremendously but what I have observed is that there are no recreational

facilities where the youth can go to keep themselves occupied, so we are going to put a facility in place to occupy them from becoming engaged in the wrong activity,” she said.

The REO added that she has visited the community and while she has identified a suitable area, there is need to engage the Central Housing and Planning Authority for utilisation of the plot, so that there would be no hiccups later. She said the launch of a committee which will comprise of representatives from all areas, including sports, is planned for March 28, to discuss and move the project forward.

Each region is required to complete its project, complete with a plaque and a flag pole, before the end of December 2019.

The idea is to have each region conduct its flag-raising activity for Mash 2020 at the project site, so as to showcase its completed project

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

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Chinese embassy donates US$7,000 in equipment to disability community

THE Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Georgetown has made a significant donation to the disability community here, which, like theirs back home in China, is just as huge.

Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy Chen Xilai gave the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) equipment worth about US$7,000 that will prove to be of invaluable assistance to the disability community.

Xilai made the presentation, inclusive of wheelchairs, white canes for the blind, walkers, and radios, at the Guyana Society for the Blind, on High Street, Georgetown.

The GCOPD is the umbrella body which represents all disability organisations in Guyana. The donation, therefore, will be distributed to the member agencies for them to in turn give to their members.

Executive member of the society, Ganesh Singh, said it was a significant donation by the embassy and explained that the

GCOPD will contact all disability organisations so that they can submit a list of names of persons in need. “We would not just send it and then they wouldn’t use it, so based on their need, that’s how we’ll distribute.”

The President of GCOPD approached Xilai last year and revealed the difficulties that are plaguing those in the disability community. “As a country with over 18 million people who are disabled, we have the same kind of feeling. In China, we say that we have to make everybody enjoy the benefits of modernisation and urbanisation and of development. So the Chinese Government has provided a lot of assistance to those persons,” Xilai told this publication at the society. He recalled that China and Guyana established diplomatic relations in 1972 and have maintained good relations.

China has since contributed in Guyana with respect to infrastructure, trade, and public health. Cooperation also exists between the two countries in other sectors, such as with the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana

University of Guyana receives gift of microscopes from University of Toronto MORE than 140 students of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) of the University of Guyana (UG), involved in the petroleum, mining, geology and engineering programmes will benefit from new microscopes donated by the University of Toronto.

The 23 Leitz Polarizing Microscopes valued $31M (US$150,000) were gifted to FET at the University’s Turkeyen Campus where Vice Chancellor and 10th Principal of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, cited the importance of partnerships for the development of the university. “We have the wonderful

number of graduates from the Departments of Geological Engineering and Petroleum, recently began using improved quality microscopes. Niossi Alsopp, a student of the FET’s Geological Engineering Programme, noted that this would mean that students graduating from the university must be better equipped and adequately trained in the use of the microscopes to be able to function well in the professional environment. In this regard, she further noted that such would now be possible through the gift by the University of Toronto.

The handing over ceremony was held at

One of the microscopes being handed over to Professor Ivelaw Griffith opportunity at our university of strengthening what we do and how we do it, but we also know that that opportunity presents occasions for partnerships, partnerships that are tangible demonstrations of the interest in the university, in the interest of our nation.”

Noting the department’s gratitude for the equipment, Head of the Department of Geology, Dr. Andrew Chater, stated that it will be used for the junior students attached to the programmes. “I think this is the way to go because we do need microscopes that we can use… this is good for the petroleum engineers, and it’s good for mining engineers.

So, it will have a long-term use; it is a basic microscope that we can use in junior years.”

It was disclosed that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), a government agency that employs a large

the Faculty of Engineering and Technology’s New Lecture Room. It saw the attendance of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Paloma Mohamed and Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Elena Trim, along with Professor Daniel Schulze from the University of Toronto.

The GGMC, as a long-standing partner of the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Technology, had made available a grant valued at $100M for the 2017-2018 academic year.

The grant was meant to provide the Faculty of Technology with much-needed equipment for its geology laboratories and with envelopes earmarked for curriculum development, training, outreach and field research.

A portion of the grant was used to cover transportation and other costs associated with securing the microscopes. (DPI)

Chen Xilai (second from right) making the presentation to members of the disability community on Friday.

Defence Force. expressed.

“The population size of disabled persons It is for this reason that when the in Guyana is very large compared to its pop- GCOPD President requested help, the ulation. It is very important for the persons embassy did not hesitate to respond, and to gain access to education; and we wanted Xilai said more help will be forthcoming to help them build up their confidence, in future. June Herod from the Ministry so they can enjoy the development of the of Education, Unit for the Blind and Vicountry as oil and gas is [sic] coming. So sually impaired, was also present at the they should get prepared for that,” Xilai presentation ceremony.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

New energy efficiency building standards – CROSQ released

THE International Code Council, ASHRAE, the CARICOM Secretariat Energy Unit and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) announced, on Friday, the release of new standards for energy efficient buildings for its Member States.

The 2018 CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC), which will cover both commercial and residential construction, is a joint effort by the CROSQ, the Code Council and ASHRAE. “These standards for energy efficient buildings reflect the unique energy requirements of tropical environments and will ultimately increase adoption rates of more effectual technologies for renewable energy and energy conservation,” commented the CEO of CROSQ, Mr. Deryck Omar. “The adoption of these codes will go a long way toward allowing our members to mitigate the impact of a changing climate. It also demonstrates the importance of bringing quality measures into the region’s energy sector and the potential benefits that can accrue when that happens.”

The CREEBC, which was developed through collaboration between the CROSQ and the Energy Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat, is meant to meet the specific needs of nations in the Caribbean and other countries with tropical climates. It establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings, including the building envelope, cooling system, ventilation, pumping, lighting and the service water- heating systems.

Head of the Energy Unit at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Devon Gardner, said, “The CREEBC is envisioned

to lead to an era of better quality building designs within the Caribbean Community, noting that the ability of buildings to minimize the energy requirements for the services for which they were intended would reduce the exposure to climate and disaster risks.” He stated, as an example, that “Energy efficient measures and systems, such as daytime lighting and improvements in ventilation, can facilitate the comfort of occupants in buildings even during periods of natural disaster-related stress on the electricity grids.”

“We were pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues at the CROSQ to help adapt the Code Council’s latest energy standards to help their members improve the efficiency and sustainability of their buildings,” said Code Council CEO Dominic Sims, CBO. “Our codes are not one-size- fits-all.

They are a starting point for developing standards that meet the individual needs of regions around the world.”

“Improving energy efficiency is a global challenge, with buildings professionals serving as a crucial contributor toward the establishment of standards that affect building systems operations,” said 2018- 2019 ASHRAE President, Sheila J. Hayter, P.E. “The CREEBC and ASHRAE’s collaboration with partnering organizations represent our long-standing dedication to global sustainability and leadership in use of integrated building design resources.”

The development of the CREEBC is part of the on-going implementation of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERM), a CARICOM programme aimed at increasing political will

and private sector input for the adoption of more effective technologies for renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency.

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Small miners empowered

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

–– several receive mining land at GGMC lottery

SMALL miners were empowered with mining lands during a lottery

which was conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources, through

the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Friday.

Minister of Natural Resources (first from right) and GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison (second from right) along with other officials, look on as a miner partakes in the lottery exercise (Adrian Narine photo) Miners who benefited from the exercise were those who had applied for land and were awaiting the allocation. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said lands were not being issued fast enough so, in an effort to fast track the process, he had written to GGMC requesting a lottery be held.

“We have been working on it since the beginning of this year…I met persons who asked for access to mining lands all the time and I made a commitment to get it to them,” said the minister during the lottery exercise at the Girl Guides’ pavillion on Friday.

Despite the political environment, he said, the ministry will not deny anyone access to lands but will instead empower persons through mining lands. “This is our commitment to you, to empower persons…this is just the Georgetown leg.

We will go into all six mining districts and distribute lands,” said Trotman.

Although the lands which were distributed have good mining prospects, he said there was no guarantee that they will find lots of gold, but the miners must be hopeful.

The lottery process was intended to be fair, so persons, who had an interest in one or more of the six mining districts, were asked to pull their blocks from a box.

Among the mining areas are Berbice, Mazaruni, Cayuni, North West, Potaro and the Rupununi. Per-

sons who pulled blocks had signaled their interest in a particular block through a prior application. Participants were asked to complete a registration form and pay a participation, non-refundable, fee of $5,000.

Miners who benefited from the lottery were privy to special conditions which would apply to their block. Some of the participants questioned whether access roads to the mining lands would be provided or were available.

In response, Commissioner of the GGMC, Newell Dennison, said there was no guarantee that there would be access roads but, he urged miners to develop their own access ways once they receive the blocks. Most of the areas, which were included in the lottery, were cancelled properties and as such Dennison said in some cases there might be access ways.

He said the objective of the process was to help miners to develop their capacity and enrich themselves with opportunities.

“We are trying to make sure that what has been done should not lead to you confronting each other…we want to create access to lands so that you could do your own enterprise…take full charge of that,” said Dennison.

Despite the questions and enquiries, miners were clearly satisfied with the process because some of them have been waiting for years to get access to mining lands.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

Kumaka ‘waterfront’ vendors to occupy new tarmac VENDORS plying their trade at the Kumaka waterfront, in Mabaruma (Region One), can begin occupying a new tarmac as early as March month-end. This is a pioneer project of the new Mabaruma Town Council.

The project, which began in 2017, saw the construction of 21 stalls by the Ministry of Communities. The Mayor and Town Council also built 24 additional smaller stalls. Open spaces were made available for private persons to construct their own stalls.

Catching up on some projects of the Ministry of Communities on Wednesday, Council’s Superintendent of Works, Egbert Dubra, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the stalls have already been

rented to the vendors, who are expected to start vending at the end of March.

He explained that while the stands were already completed, there were some concerns about the walkway, which he noted has been concreted. “So, there are the pioneer stalls and other small stalls that they [vendors] can occupy. People can now drive in and do their shopping.

It is in a better position for people to take the challenge,” Dubra told the DPI. By the end of the new week, the sanitary block will also be completed, the works engineer said, making the marketing tarmac 100 per cent complete for month-end. The 267-feet waterfront is set to see a transformation with a new boardwalk. (DPI)

A section of the stalls built by the Ministry of Communities

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

22 local health facilities licensed for 2019 – paving way for better services at health centres

THE Ministry of Public Health has granted certified licences to approximately 22 health facilities in Guyana. This was done at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) on Friday, March 22, 2019.

Present were Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, members of Central Board of Health (CBH) and practitioners from health facilities in different regions.

This initiative applies to both public and private facilities recommended by the CBH in 2018. Prior to certificates being awarded, practitioners were required to undergo inspections to determine whether they met the requirements cited by the CBH. Currently, inspections are being done on the 26 other health facilities that are also awaiting licences.

The inspection is being conducted in areas such as sanitation, waste management, records maintenance, competency

A representative of one of the health facilities receives the licence from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud training of workers and quality management. The licensed facilities include optical centres, dialysis centres, public and private hospitals, resident homes, medical centres, surgery centres, therapy centres and radiation centres.

According to Dr. Persaud, a licensing act is now in place, which provides for practitioners in the medical field, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and dentists, among other assistant professionals to be licensed.

These licences need to be renewed in the first month of every year. “For the past two years, the compliance has been quite adequate by both the private and public health systems. Some complex challenges are to make

sure we have the capacity to deal with major issues such as radio-therapy� he stressed.

He also noted that the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO) has aided with specialised directives in the areas of these technical services to ensure adequacy and conformity.

In his charge to the practitioners, he emphasised the need to improve and sustain acceptable standards of health. He mentioned the dilemma that the health system faces to meet the needs of such an immense population.

Dr. Persaud also told the gathering that most facilities come with a list of services that they offer and he wishes to see these institutions comply with the minimum standards set out by the administration.

It was underlined that not all the facilities are licensed to offer every service. One health service provider may be licensed

to provide services that another may not be licensed to offer. Facilities are also expected to comply with the act for termination of pregnancies among women. It was also stated that it is illegal for pregnancies above a certain gestational age to be terminated; and facilities which provide these services also have to be certified.

The CMO congratulated the practitioners and highlighted the need for further collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Among those currently licensed are: the Industry Health Centre; the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA); Mercy Hospital and Resident Home; the Balwant Singh Hospital; the Victoria Health Centre; Woodlands Hospital; Mon Repos Health Centre; Lusignan Health Centre; Unity Health Centre: Mahaica Health Centre and the Ithaca Health Centre

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

Diabetes federation hosting regional confab

THE International Diabetes Federation–North America and the Caribbe-

an -is currently hosting its Regional meeting in Guyana, at the Marriott Hotel.

This conference, which opened on Friday will conclude on Sunday. The repre-

sentatives of member states will review work done previously, in efforts to tackle

age of premature deaths in Guyana and by extension the world. Referring to the Presidential Commission on NCDs, it was noted that this is a clear example of the collaboration which must be fostered for the government, private sectors and civil society to have a firm grip in prevention and control of

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD), diabetes.

Further, projections will be made for partnerships to progress in the fight against diabetes effectively. Representatives from Barbados, Belize, The British Virgin Islands, Mexico and Guyana are participating in this exercise.

Minister of Public

President of the Guyana Diabetic Association and Chairperson of the International Diabetes Federation North America and Caribbean Region, Glynis Beaton Health, Volda Lawrence, was invited to open the discussions which will be facilitated over the threeday period. Taking into consideration statistics and facts concerning diabetes, the minister concluded that it is strong leadership and effective partnerships which will result in success in these endeavours of preventing or even controlling diabetes.

“I want to say to you that you cannot do it without the political will, and I am saying it from the place in which I stand as the Minister of Public Health…I believe that as a politician it is my right, having sworn to protect the people to ensure that I do it in all spheres… it takes strong leadership and strong leadership is not only at the political level, but I see strong leaders in this room.”

She tied the scourge of diabetes with at least one other NCD, cancer, which accounts for a large percent-

PAHO/WHO’s representative in Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Krow all NCDs. PAHO/WHO’s representative in Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Krow, advised the gathering not to be satisfied with marginal decreases in deaths caused

by Diabetes. Instead, he underlined the importance of the meeting and outlined data which proves that there is still work to be done.

“Diabetes was the fourth leading cause of death in 2014. We just finished a review of the mortality data and in 2016 it’s falling to the sixth place. However, when it was fourth in 2014, it had about 8.3 per cent of all the deaths but in 2016 it contributed to 9.3 per cent of all the deaths, so for us it is still an important issue,” Dr. Adu-Krow said.

Diabetes remains a major health issue in the world as more than 400 million persons are affected by the disease. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, especially type-two diabetes.

Glynis Beaton, President of the Guyana Diabetic Association and Chairperson of the International Diabetes Federation North America and Caribbean Region, is spearheading the meeting in Guyana.

She remarked, “after this meeting, we will take away what you have and implement in your countries and we hope you can take away what we have and implement in your country to help fight this dangerous and hard disease since I have been living with it for 29 years.” (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 23, 2019

ERC urges tolerance

THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) said it remains cognisant of the current political situation in Guyana and is urging maturity and tolerance during this period.

“As we traverse this period, the commission, like all Guyanese, desires the prevailing calm to remain a hallmark in a demonstration of our ability as a people to resolve our challenges in a mature way. This would ensure that the welfare of our dear nation and all Guyanese be placed foremost,” the ERC said in release.

The commission “therefore takes this opportunity to remind all involved of the need to exercise utmost care to not exacerbate tensions and incite; to be tolerant of our differences and the right to amicably disagree, and to demonstrate mutual respect for each other when making public utterances keeping in mind the impact of influence. Importantly, this sense of being thoroughly responsible must not be confined to meetings and the traditional media outlets, but be extended to social media as well,” the ERC said. The commission has reminded that its Monitoring Department will continue to stringently monitor pronouncements captured through the various outlets alluded to.

“Mindful of the need for maturity even in disagreement, the commission remains optimistic that time will reveal, that, as a nation, these challenges will be resolved through our common goals for peace and unity for Guyana, and Guyanese deserve nothing less.”

Saturday, March, 23, 2019 –– 05:30 hrs to 07:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

Neymar charged for ‘insulting acts against a match official’

(BBC) - PARIS Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been charged with making “insulting acts against a match official”, following his comments on social media about the Champions League tie with Manchester United.

The 27-year-old called the decision to award United a 94th-minute penalty in the match on March 7 “a disgrace”.

Marcus Rashford scored to ensure a 3-1 win and the Premier League side went through to the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

The penalty was awarded through VAR after referee Damir Skomina had initially given United a corner when Diogo Dalot’s shot struck Presnel Kimpembe and went over the crossbar.

Skomina received a signal to check for a possible handball in the box and subsequently changed his decision.

Neymar missed both legs of the tie through injury but wrote in an Instagram post that the penalty “doesn’t exist”.

He added: “Four guys who know nothing about football watch a slow-motion replay in front of the television.”

A hearing date is yet to be confirmed.

Neymar (left) in photo, charged for ‘insulting acts against a match official’

Ramdin says Red Force ‘a force in the future’ (CMC) – CAPTAIN Denesh Ramdin reckons Trinidad and Tobago Red Force can be a force in the future once they keep the young core of the current side together.

Left-handed opener Jeremy Solozano

Red Force ended the season on a high when they trounced Jamaica Scorpions in their final game of the season at Brian Lara Stadium, to end in fourth spot on 112 points.

“I don’t want to change and use 30-40 players in a season. We want (about) 20 players and we’ll give them more experience, exposure and chances to

win games,” the former West Indies Test skipper told the Newsday.

“Hopefully we can (stick with) these guys going forward and next year would be a better season for us. I don’t think we need anything (new). We have all the power we need, we have pacers, we have spinners, we have batsmen. It’s just for us to be consistent.”

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This season, Red Force boasted several emerging players like pace bowler Anderson Phillip, batsman Joshua Da Silva and opener Jeremy Solozano.

Red Force lost their two opening games of the season before beating Scorpions in Kingston to register their first victory of the campaign.

Overall, they finished with four wins and five defeats, once again remaining outside of the top three in the competition after a disappointing bottom-place finish last year.

Describing the season as an “up-and-down” campaign, Ramdin said there were two defeats which Red Force could have avoided.

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absent for (in the second round), I think those were the two games we could have (done better),” he pointed out.

“Having said that, (I feel) the guys have shown progress, which is very important from last to fourth.

It’s something to look forward to, going into the 2019-2020 season.”

Despite the long break until the next first class season, Ramdin said the side would try to continue their preparation.

“We have a break (but) we’re going to still stay together as a team, try to train two days a week. Most of us are still on contract and the guys have their weekend cricket to play.”

Guyana Jaguars won their fifth straight title when they racked up 154.2 points.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

Finch century helps Australia past Pakistan (REUTERS) - AUSTRALIA captain Aaron Finch scored a century as they beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the opening one-day international at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Chasing 281 to win, the tourists reached their target with an over to spare and took a 1-0 lead in the fivematch series with Finch making 116 and Shaun Marsh unbeaten on 91.

Unbeaten Haris Sohail’s maiden ODI ton had helped Pakistan reach 280 for five in 50 overs after skipper Shoaib Malik, standing in for the rested Sarfraz Ahmed, won the toss and elected to bat.

Sohail, who scored his first Test century against Australia in October, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 101 off 115 balls including six fours and a six before late fireworks by Imad Wasim ensured they would defend a challenging

total.

The victory was Australia’s fourth in a row in the format and follows their 3-2 series triumph in India.

Finch and Marsh put on a 172-run stand after Usman Khawaja was dismissed for 24. The pair paced their innings perfectly on a wicket that improved under lights before Finch was dismissed by debutant pace bowler Mohammad Abbas in the 43rd over.

The captain hit eight fours and four sixes en route to his 12th century.

Peter Handscomb ensured Australia crossed the finish line without any problems, scoring an unbeaten 30.

Earlier, Pakistan openers started sluggishly, with Imam-ul-Haq scoring 17 before being dismissed by spinner Nathan Lyon while debutant Shan Masood was castled by paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile for a 62-ball

40.

Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja laid another solid foundation. (Getty Images)

Sohail and Umar Akmal combined for a 98run partnership before the latter, dropped by Peter Handscomb in the 27th over, was caught at mid-off just short of his half-century as he looked to increase the scoring rate.

Malik was bowled by Glenn Maxwell for 11 shortly afterwards and was replaced in the middle

by Faheem Ashraf, who helped steady the innings with a handy 28.

Sohail, playing in his first ODI in over four months, edged closer to his century before completing it with a single off Coulter-Nile in the final over of the innings.

Pakistan scored 55 runs in the last five overs thanks to all-rounder Wasim, who made an unbeaten 28 from 13 balls to boost the total.

The second game takes place at the same venue tomorrow.

Hendricks, van der Dussen seal T20 series for Proteas (REUTERS) - REEZA Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen impressed with the bat as a much-changed South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 16 runs to seal the Twenty20 International series at Centurion Park yesterday.

Sri Lanka sent their hosts in to bat but battled to contain the home side as Hendricks

(65) and van der Dussen (64) put on 116 in 76 balls for the second wicket with South Africa making 180 for three in their 20 overs.

The two batsmen are likely fighting over one position in South Africa’s 15man squad for the Cricket World Cup in England and Wales that starts on May 30, with the less experienced van

der Dussen’s ability to clear the boundary potentially giving him the edge.

Sri Lanka looked down and out in their reply at 83 for seven, but a masterclass in hitting from all-rounder Isuru Udana (84 not out from 48 balls) kept them in the match until the final over before they were restricted to 164 for nine.

The home side have won Rassie van der Dussen goes for a pull. (Getty Images)

all seven limited overs matches on Sri Lanka’s tour, and sealed the Twenty20 series 2-0 with the third and final fixture to be played in Johannesburg tomorrow.

South Africa rested a number of key players, including captain Faf du Plessis, in-form batsman Quinton de Kock and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, and handed a debut to 20-yearold wicketkeeper Sinethemba Qeshile.

Banks Beer rides with Jumbo Jet Triple Crown 2nd leg

BEVERAGE Giant Banks DIH rode alongside the Jumbo Jet team for the Triple Crown event, set for tomorrow at the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) in West Coast Berbice.

The duo held a simple but significant press briefing at Banks DIH head office at Thirst Park, renewing their support by backing the second leg of the event.

Present at the ceremony were Chairman of the race meet’s organising committee; Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr and Outdoor Events Manager of Banks DIH Mortimer Stewart, along with other representatives of the company.

Mohamed expressed gratitude on behalf of the organisers, noting that good relationships with sponsors are needed as the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) looks to develop horse racing in Guyana significantly in the not-so-distant future.

Tomorrow’s Triple Crown second leg will see the invasion of jockeys from Trinidad & Tobago as well as a commentator from the Twin-island Republic and the return of ‘Vera’s Finally’ that is undefeated at the RSTC. In addition, during an invited comment yesterday, Mohamed stated that the 2018 threeyear-old horse-of-the-year, Not This Time, from Sophia, will be back in action.

Almost 70 horses have been registered and it was disclosed by Mohamed Jr that the track is in good condition and it will maintain its standard once good weather prevails.

Over $20M in cash and prizes are up grabs over the three legs of the Triple Crown event with the grand finale scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 21, at the Port Mourant Turf Club.

Tomorrow’s feature race will attract a prize purse of almost $2M with the winner of that ‘C’ Class and Lower contest pocketing $1M. The winner of the three-year-old Guyana-bred race will pocket $400 000, ‘F’ Class winner $350 000, ‘H’ Class $300 000, ‘I’ Class $250 000, ‘J’ Class $230 000, ‘K’ Class $220 000, ‘L’ Class $200 000, ‘L’ Class and Lower $140 000.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

Callum Harriott to suit-up for Guyana tonight!

CPL 2019 Draft set for May

… Golden Jaguars to tackle Belize at Leonora in historic encounter THE Golden Jaguars received a boost with the addition of former England U-19 and Reading FC talisman Callum Harriott, who was given all clearance by football’s world governing body FIFA, to represent the ‘Land of Many Waters’ in today’s historic clash against Belize at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Today marks the final CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier game for both sides, where a win for Guyana will see them emulate the women’s national team, who qualified for the Gold Cup in 2010, while for Belize, a victory will see them return to the biennial tournament for the first time since 2013.

Harriott, who plays for Reading FC in the English Football League (ELF) Cham-

pionship, said he felt that this was “an opportunity that I had to grasp and I’m excited to get going. I hope to bring a lot of goals, playing good football and getting the right results.”

Harriott, 25, is an exciting attacking player who recently caught the eye in Reading’s third-round F.A. Cup tie against English Premier League giants Manchester United. He is eligible to play for Guyana through his maternal grandparents.

“To have somebody of Callum’s calibre involved in the international set-up is a massive boost for Guyana, the players and the staff,” said Golden Jaguars head coach Michael Johnson. “This player comes highly recommended from Reading and has the ability to go past opponents and score goals.”

The charismatic winger started his career at Charlton Athletic before joining Championship side Reading in 2016.

The Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Technical Director Ian Greenwood, related that “Callum brings a tremendous attacking threat and a new dimension in the final third, but what stands out the most are his character and desire to represent Guyana.”

Faizal Khan, the GFF Head of Recruitment said, “Callum is the type of player that can take and keep the Guyana national men’s team at the very top of regional international football. Knowing Callum’s ability and personality, I foresee him becoming a fans’ favourite here in Guyana.”

Kick-off time is 18:30hrs.

South American Beach Football championship

Guyana beat Venezuela 4-3 to finish ninth

GUYANA Men’s Beach Football team ended their campaign at the South American Beach Football championship on a winning note with a 4-3 win against Venezuela.

They finished ninth in the ten-team championship yesterday at the Rosario Beach Football venue.

Guyana were led with goals from Jamal Haynes who scored a double, his brother Shane Haynes and Kennard Simon; the latter two scoring single strikes.

Head coach Abdulla Hamid said after the game, “The players were able to play better; earlier the conditions were not conducive to the players. They were more aggressive in this final game.”

Coach Hamid said, “The World Cup Qualifiers are next for the Guyana team and he hopes that the game would spread across Guyana and particularly those players who live in the riverine areas would be involved.”

Looking at what can help to improve the game Hamid said players chosen from close to the Brazilian border should be given a chance to get involved in the game.

He feels this would impact the level of play as a wider scope of players would be exposed and be given a chance to represent Guyana.

In the tournament, Guyana went down 11-4 to Peru and in the first two games lost 7-2 to Colombia on Wednesday and Thursday morning lost to host nation Argentina 9-0.

This year’s South American Beach Football competition was contested by Chile, Brazil, Peru, Guyana, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and host nation Argentina.

Today the final will be played between Argentina who beat Paraguay 5-3 and Brazil who defeated Colombia 7-4. (Joe Chapman)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, March 29, 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: Rajasthan Royals (2008) Chennai Super Kings

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: Who was Man of the Match in the 2008 IPL final?

Who was Man of the Series in the IPL 2008?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Ali Khan with the CPL trophy, Guyana Amazon Warriors v Trinbago Knight Riders, CPL Final 2018, Tarouba, September 16, 2018. (Getty Images)

THE Hero Caribbean Premier League’s players’ draft will take place on Wednesday May 22, 2019 at the Gfinity eSports Arena in London. The stateof-the-art production facility will allow CPL fans from around the globe to follow the action which will be hosted by a worldclass panel of pundits.

Full details of where the draft will be broadcast will be confirmed nearer the date of the event.

Each of the teams will have the option to retain a maximum of six players.

The players that they can potentially retain are as follows - although there is no obligation to retain any players from the 2018 squads: Three West Indian players, one overseas player, the team’s mar-

quee player from 2018 and the team’s ICC Americas player from 2018.

As well as the maximum of six retentions teams are also allowed one ‘Right to Match’ option in rounds 7-17. This means that if a team selects a player who is a national from another team’s franchise territory that team can match the offer and draft the player ahead of the team who selected them originally.

The marquee players may be signed before the draft and will sit in the second spot on the draft list. In the past, players who were selected in this spot included the likes of Chris Lynn, Kieron Pollard, Shoaib Malik, Evin Lewis, AB de Villiers and Steve Smith.

Each team can draft a

maximum of five overseas players but only four of these players will be allowed in each starting XI. The ICC Americas player does not count in this overseas category.

Speaking about the upcoming draft, Michael Hall, CPL’s Tournament Operations director said: “This year’s player draft promises to be even better than previous editions.

We made the decision to stage the draft 2 months later than usual to ensure that all of our franchises have a clearer picture about the international commitments of the overseas players they may be eyeing up. We want to make sure that we provide teams and the fans with the best possible playing talent.”

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GMR&SC Drag Championship

Last chance for competitors to test and tune TODAY is the last day for prospective competitors of round one of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) National Drag Race Championship.

A full-timing system is expected to be in operation today for official testing which commences just after noon.

Competitors will have a chance to test their cars and bikes on the full quarter-mile stretch with timings available.

The confirmation of the Dutch competitors will add to the excitement of tomorrow’s meet but the headline with be Team Mohamed’s and their pair of Nissan GTR cars.

Cars were seen testing on the venue on Thursday and yesterday, ahead of tomorrow’s meet, and the feedback on the traction was one of general satisfaction.

Ticket prices for fans desirous of witnessing the action will be $1 000 for adults, $500 for children, while there are VIP seats available at $4 000.

The sponsors for the event include Mohamed’s Enterprise, BM Soat Auto Sales, Motor Trend Service Centre, Delco Ice Factory, Trans-Pacific Motor Spares, Supreme Ventures, Air Services Limited, PowerLine Auto, Cyril’s Taxi, Omega Brokers, E-Networks, Prem’s Electrical, Miracle Optical, Choke Gas Station and Super Bet, R. Kissoon Contracting Services, Hand-in-Hand Insurance and Top Brandz Distributors.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

BCB/RHTYSC/GBTI Inter-Secondary School Cricket Tournament

Berbice High, Port Mourant Secondary advance PLAY in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-organised Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC)/ Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Region 6 Inter-Secondary School cricket tournament continued recently with several schools advancing to the next round.

The tournament is being played between 17 secondary schools in the region and forms part of the BCB’s well-structured developmental programme for youth cricketers.

The RHTY&SC is also using the tournament to promote its highly successful ‘Say No to Drugs, Suicide, Crime, Alcohol and Tobacco’ message to schools.

The RHTY&SC/GBTI Inter-Secondary School tournament started five years ago but was limited to teams in the Lower/Central Corentyne area.

This year, the tournament will include all Secondary Schools in Region 6 and hopefully in 2020 would add schools in Region 5.

SCORES FROM MATCHES PLAYED: Berbice High defeated Lower Corentyne Secondary by six wickets. Lower Corentyne scored 85 for 6 in 20 overs with Leon Cecil 12, Tameshwar Mahadeo 20, Neil Tilkaram 12. Rajendra Beharry bagged 3 for 13. Berbice High, in

response, reached 86 for 4 in 17.5 overs with Zeymul Ramsammy 23, Abdul Ramsammy 25. Leon Cecil got 2 for 16.

At Port Mourant ground, Corentyne Comprehensive thrashed Black Bush Secondary by 153 runs. Corentyne Comprehensive made 211 for 4 in 20 overs with Gourav Ramesh top-scoring with 71 and Tyrese Sealey adding 57. Latchman Chandradeo snatched 2 for 33. In response, Black Bush crumbled for 58 all out in 12 overs thanks to Sealey’s 4 for 13 and Ramesh’s 4 for 9.

In the other game there, Port Mourant created a huge upset by defeating Corentyne Comprehensive by 4 wickets.

Corentyne Comprehensive made 100 all out in 18.2 overs thanks to Mahendra Gopilall, 22, and Hemendra Gurdyal 18. Matthew Pottaya’s 3 for 18 and Rampertab Ramnauth 2 for 1 led the home side’s bowling. In response, Port Mourant got to 101 for 6 in 17.3 overs with Ramnauth’s unbeaten 50, Jai Tika’s 24 and Naresh Veerasammy’s 12 not out.

At Albion ground, Lower Corentyne Secondary defeated Winifred Gaskin Secondary by 112 runs. Lower Corentyne piled on 178 for 4 in 20 overs with Leon Cecil 50, G. Harris 23 and Neil Tilkaram 23.

Winifred Gaskin were all out for 56 in 12.4 overs, with Dwayne Matheson 21 and D. Hunte 10. Cecil’s 3 for 18 and Vijay Gopilall 2 for 14, along with Neil Tilkaram 3 for 18, destroyed Winifred Gaskin Secondary.

Zeeburg finish atop Zone B in Amreith Rai Memorial T20 tournament

THE Zeeburg Bomb Squad finished at the top of Zone B in the Amreith Rai Memorial T20 tournament, following a victory over Rising Stars A team in an encounter earlier this week at the Tuschen ground.

Both teams were unbeaten and the match was expected to be a close one, but Bomb Squad set the charges early and ended up registering an easy eight-wicket victory.

As Zeeburg, Rising Stars A have also qualified for the

semi-finals of the 14-team competition.

In their last preliminary game, Rising Stars won the toss and batted first, but their batsmen never settled and they struggled to put 80 runs on the board before they were bowled out in 18.2 overs.

Medium pacer Ricardo Poloram led the attack for Zeeburg after snarling 3-9 from 3.4 overs, while off-spinner Yutesh Dhanpaul took 2-14 from four overs and pacer Reon Kingston 2-15

from his three.

In reply, Zeeburg raced to 86-2 in 10 overs. Opener Balbinder Shivpersaud led the attack with four fours in a top score of 27, while R. Dookie added an unbeaten 18 (1x4, 1x6).

Z e e b u r g re g i s t e re d five consecutive wins in the preliminary round of the competition. Prior to their latest clash, they won against Players Sports Club, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Windsor Forest and Sawpit.

From left, Balbinder Shivpersaud, Ricardo Poloram and Yutesh Dhanpaul were instrumental in the victory.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, March 23, 2019

Several companies to sponsor school tickets for Golden Jags game tonight

HM of Covent Garden Primary School, Stacey Gonsalves-Abrahim receives the tickets from GFF/EBFA TDO, Devnon Winter.

Diamond Secondary School HM, Lesline Collins accepts the tickets from GFF/EBFA TDO, Devnon Winter in the presence of students.

Physical Education Teacher of St. John’s College and some of the students that will be attending today’s match show off their ticket.

Youths from the Kingston and Tiger Bay community receive their Concacaf Nations League Guyana vs. Belize tickets at Digicel’s Head office in Kingston

SEVERAL corporate companies have extended their generosity to several schools across the country to allow students to watch this evening’s match of the CONCACAF Nations League between Guyana’s Golden Jaguars and the Belize Jaguars.

A number of students and teachers of Covent Garden Primary would be viewing the match, thanks to the largesse of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. through its Managing Director, Harold Hopkinson.

The businessman acquiesced to a request by the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) to purchase tickets for some of the students and teachers of Covent Garden Primary School to attend this evening’s match.

Mr Hopkinson in accepting the request said that while it is part of his company’s social responsibility to give back to society, he was happy for the fact that students would be able to be a part of history and be able to roar with the Golden Jaguars to victory.

“My company has always been giving back to sports and when we were approached to be a part of this event we had no hesitation in supporting, especially with youths being involved. Our company would like to wish the team and Guyana the best in their quest to create history on Saturday night.”

HM of Covent Garden Primary, Ms Gonsalves-Ibrahim expressed sincere thanks to Mr Hopkinson, Secure Innovations and Concepts and EBFA for affording her students and teachers the opportunity to be a part of today’s huge match.

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SUPPLIES ALSO ON BOARD Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. of 226 Camp Street, North Cummingsburg has ensured that students and teachers from Diamond Secondary and St John’s College attend the match this evening to rally around their Golden Jaguars.

Ye s t e r d a y, Te c h n i c a l D e v e l o p m e n t O f f i c e r of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) attached to the East Bank Football Association (EBFA), Devnon Winter handed over 15 tickets to Head Mistress of Diamond Secondary School, Ms Lesline Collins.

EBFA president Franklin Wilson, in brief remarks during the school’s assembly, informed the students and teachers of the

importance of today’s match, citing the historical nature of same.

Wilson encouraged all the students, even those who will not be there to rally around the G u y a n e s e t e a m a n d p r o p e l t h e m t o v i c t o r y.

St John’s College was also the recipient of a similar number of tickets and they too, through their HM expressed gratitude for the gesture of the sponsor to have them as one of the school to benefit.

Manager of Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Hemant Narine, said that his company was very pleased to partner with GFF to ensure that students and some teachers can attend today’s match and support Golden Jaguars to whom he extended best of luck on behalf of his staff.

DIGICEL JOINS THE PARTY Meanwhile, Digicel Guyana handed over a quantity of tickets to some youths of Kingston Football Development Academy Camp.

Mr Junior Forrester who is very instrumental in reviving the ‘Kingston Community Football Development Academy’ assured that this will be an opportunity of a lifetime for some of the children. “They love football so this will be very exciting for them to witness a game of this magnitude first hand”.

Forrester noted that this experience will go a long way for the young ones.

Digicel believes in imparting positive experiences that will impact youths in communities across Guyana. At the simple handing-over it was noted by Vidya Sanichara that “Kingston is very special to Digicel and opportunities such as these are never taken for granted. Since this is a significant game for the Jaguars, we are delighted to be able to provide the opportunity to these young ones”.

Guyana are 90 minutes from creating history in the 117th year of their existence by qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Standing in their path are Belize who are also chasing down a spot at the Gold Cup; but Jaguars are confident of getting past this final hurdle and with the support of the students, teachers and the thousands of other Guyanese, expected to invade Leonora, victory will be accomplished easier.

MILO Schools Football tournament

Round-of-16 matches commence today

CHARLESTOWN Secondary and Golden Grove Secondary will open the Round-of-16 phase of the current Milo Schools Football tournament today.

Set for 11:00hrs at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue, the double-header will also feature Cummings Lodge taking on Bishops’ High School.

On Sunday, four matches are carded with the opening game featuring East Coast’s Annandale Secondary and East Bank’s Friendship Secondary.

Christianburg Wismar Secondary are up next at 13:00hrs as they play Canje Secondary for a spot in the round-of-eight.

St Cuthbert’s Mission and Vergenoegen meet at 15:00hrs while the last game of the day will pit President’s College against Queen’s College at 17:00hrs.

On Monday at 15:30hrs St John’s College will take on St Stanislaus College while from 17:30hrs Lodge Secondary will clash with Tucville.

Callum Harriott to 29 suit-up for Guyana tonight!

Callum Harriott

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‌ Golden Jaguars to tackle Belize at Leonora in historic encounter

MILO Schools Football tournament

Round-of-16 matches commence today Page

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The Round-of-16 action in the MILO schools football tournament begins today at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Banks Beer rides with Jumbo Jet Triple Crown 2nd leg 28 Page

GMR&SC Drag Championship

Last chance for competitors to test and tune Page

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Rondel Daby tests his Toyota Supra.

(GTRidez photo)

Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr (second right), alongside Mortimer Stewart of Banks (right), poses with the championship trophy during the presentation earlier in the week.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2019