Guyana Chronicle E-paper 03-26-2019

TUESDAY 26th March, 2019

No.105588

SEE INSIDE FOR NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE WORKED EXAMPLES

HOUSE WILL SIT

…Gov't chief whip says PPP boycott of Parliament will not hinder work …PSC, other bodies urge respect for court ruling 03 PAGE

City Mayor feels being ‘shoved around’ …says council refusing to employ chauffeur of his choice

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Sophia man

gets 80 years

…for murder of Chateau Margot businessman

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RUSAL workers back on the job

SEE PAGE 11

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, interacts with students on Monday, during a forum dubbed the ‘Travelling Symposium’ at the Carmel Secondary School (Samuel Maughn photo) SEE PAGE 08

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

PARLIAMENT WILL GO ON …Gov’t chief whip says PPP boycott will not hinder work …PSC, other bodies urge respect for court ruling GOVERNMENT’S Chief Whip Amna Ally said the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C’s) decision not to attend the National Assembly will not hinder the work of the Parliament.

In a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Ally said PPP/C is known for boycotting the National Assembly. “It is not the first time that the PPP will boycott Parliament, so it is not a strange thing for them not come to Parliament. But what I must say, business will be as usual.

We are going ahead with the business of the country,” the Social Protection Minister told this newspaper.

The Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, who was once demanding that the High Court’s decision be respected following what is now considered as the “failed no-confidence motion,” is refusing to accept the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The Appellate Court ruled that the no-confidence motion brought against the government last December by the PPP/C was not validly passed on the grounds that

the opposition needed 34 votes to acquire an absolute majority and not 33.

Over the weekend, Jagdeo said the party will not be attending sittings of the National Assembly while the appeal of the no-confidence motion is pending at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The PPP/C’s decision to boycott the National Assembly during the period means that they will not be able to make representation on behalf of the Guyanese that elected them to National Assembly.

However, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, during a televised broadcast on Friday night, 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 further added that 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,” 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

Government, Chief Whip and Minister of Social protection, Amna Ally

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 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 but to recognise that there was a vote which “gave rise to problems.”

He said the courts have made its decision and as such the relationship of the administration with the international community “does not have to be under a shadow.” 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.

RESPECT THE RULING The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is among organisations that have called for political parties and civil society to respect the Appellate Court’s ruling on the no-confidence motion.

“The commission, as a consequence of the ruling of the Appellate Court, calls upon all of the political parties and their supporters and, indeed, the entire country, to respect the decision of the court,” the PSC said on Saturday.

In the meantime, the PSC urged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to

continue its preparations for the holding of general and regional elections whenever they become constitutionally due.

Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation, Haji Roshan Khan shared similar views, noting that the rule of law must be respected even if persons agree with it or disagree.

“It is the law we believe in and we will have to accept it whether people disagree with the interpretation of the law,” said Khan.

He said the interpreters of the law must be respected and the verdict must be accepted although one of the Appellate judges gave a dissenting ruling. “This is the system we subscribe to and we must respect the rule of law…good behaviour and acceptance must prevail…those who disagree can move to the Caribbean Court of Justice,” said Khan. In the High Court, Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire had ruled that the no-confidence motion was validly passed but on Friday last the Court of Appeal overturned her decision by a 2-1 ratio.

Funding available to boost creative arts

Ministry slams –– application forms can be accessed online false reports on dispossession of mining lands

Financial support is now available to artisans in the creative arts field through the Guyana Fund for Cultural and Creative Industries (GFCCI).

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain said the grant will be given to those who have ongoing projects and require assistance for completion. “This grant is there so that persons can submit a proposal for funding and based on whether their proposal meets the criteria set out, it will be determined whether they are successful to be given financial support. Numerous persons operate creative businesses or have an idea for an economic venture and even a cultural activity that would be a benefit to the community,” she explained.

Boatswain stressed that this initiative will open doors for the creative minds of

the country, and while the requirements for the grant are complex, they are necessary for the success of future projects. “One of the requirements listed for the grant is that it must be a viable project which means the individual must have some investment in the project since we would not be funding the project entirely, so it is suggested that they put in some work into it. It must also have an impact on society so there must be some positive outcomes from the project,” Boatswain explained.

It was also highlighted that a well-thought-out budget is required. This includes marketing and distribution concept and marketing plans, evidence of the person’s competency to perform the task, sustainability concept and sustainability plan among others. The Culture Director explained that the grant allows for one person or one group per project

Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain

and two-character references must be submitted. All successful applicants are required to sign an award contract to cover the disbursement and output schedules; marketing and branding; sustainability and termination or completion requirements.

Boatswain noted that the department can also decline to make any awards

should the quality of the entries prove to be low. Applications can be found on the department's website which can be submitted either electronically to socialcohesion.pr@gmail.com or prcoordinator@gmail.com or by hand to the public relations department. The grant forms part of the Department Culture, Youth and Sport’s effort to foster and promote the creative industries and to provide platforms for the sector’s growth and development.

It was highlighted during the Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton’s 2019 Budget presentation, that this $20M initiative aims to not only improve the livelihoods of persons engaged in the cultural and creative industries but to promote new cultural products and to facilitate the market of the local industry. (DPI)

The Ministry of Natural Resources has rejected reports that it has been dispossessing and withholding of mining lands for small miners in favour of Syndicates.

In a statement Monday night the ministry said it has taken note of the reports in circulation.

“The Ministry strives to ensure equal access to mining lands, and in fact, has instituted a deliberate policy of righting the imbalance where small miners did not have sufficient access to lands,” the statement read. It added that a recent demonstration of this was the distribution of mining lands via lottery held just Friday last.

“This exercise will continue across the individual mining districts over a period of three months to ensure pre-qualified citizens are guaranteed a minimum of one mining block each. It is the belief and policy of the Ministry that the nation's patrimony belongs to all of its citizens and should be accessed equally by all. Hence any defamatory allegations imputing otherwise should be ignored,” the statement concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

LIAT pilots reject call for salary cuts ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Mar 25, CMC –Pilots of the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, has rejected

a call from them to take a salary cut as the Antigua-based airline seeks to reverse its financial situation.

President of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIAPA), Carl Burke, said his members are very reluctant to accept the call for a salary cut at

this time. “Looking at the situation as it is right now, if we are to go forward doing the things that we are doing now, if we do not look at the scheduling, if we do not look at how we are going to generate the revenue going forward, we can give up 10 per cent now and we have no idea when the company will rebound for us to recoup that investment or even for them to start paying the staff back,” Burke said on Observer Radio here.

He said the pilots could also be in a position “where

next year they come asking for an additional five per cent. We just do not have the confidence in the team”.

Earlier this month, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said progress had been made regarding the future direction of the regional airline, following a more than four hour meeting in Barbados. The Barbados meeting was held against the move by the shareholders to get Caribbean countries to contribute a total of US$5.4 million in emergency fund-

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 09;00hrs.-10:30hrs.

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ing need to keep the airline in the sky. At the same time, 11 destinations had been given until March 15, to respond to the airline’s minimal revenue guarantee (MRG) proposals. Under and MRG model, it is likely that a few flights may be cut if the government is not prepared to fund them with a guarantee, Gonsalves said, adding that theoretically, several countries have no quarrel with the MRG. Gonsalves had given the impression following the Barbados meeting that the major shareholders – Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – were close to securing buy-in from labour into the plan, even though it would call for some sacrifice on their part.

The workers were represented by the LIALPA and the Barbados Workers’ Union, whose representatives declined to comment until they would have first reported to their members.

However, Gonsalves said the extent to which workers would be expected to sacrifice is still to be determined.

“The extent of what is to be borne we will know in a couple of days when they [the unions] talk to their members, but we had a very positive response,” he said.

During her budget presentation last week, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said that the re-

structuring of the airline is expected to dramatically cut the airline’s cost to the taxpayer. “Although our goal is to eliminate the need for capital contributions to the airline altogether, our fiscal year 2019 budget includes a small subsidy assumption for minimum revenue guarantee agreements on specific flight arrivals to BGI. The exact cost will depend on ticket fares and how full the planes are, but, needless to say, we think it makes sense to guarantee specific flights given the taxes and benefits to the broader economy that accompany arrivals,” she said.

Burke told radio listeners that while the members had rejected the call for the salary cut, they were not closing the door entirely on the company. “Of course we would have laid down some conditions which must be looked at before we could consider making such a huge investment at this time. “As you know it took us some time to get us to where we are. We haven’t signed a contract with LIAT since 1996 and from 1996 to 2010 when we went to arbitration, the pilots had foregone at least five years of wage freeze,” he added. The Caribbean media Corporation (CMC) has been reliably informed that workers in all the 15 destination served by airline have also rejected a salary cut.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

Trump lashes out after Russia probe, cites ‘treasonous’ and ‘evil’ acts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump lashed out at unnamed enemies on Monday, accusing them of evil actions and treason, a day after his attorney general released a summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s findings clearing the president’s campaign of conspiring with Russia in the 2016 U.S. election.

“We’re glad it’s over. It’s 100 percent the way it should have been,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“I wish it could have gone a lot sooner, a lot quicker.

“There are a lot of people out there that have done some very, very evil things, very bad things, I would say treasonous things against our country,” Trump added without mentioning anyone by name or citing specific actions.

Attorney General William Barr, the top U.S. law enforcement official, on Sunday released a four-page summary of the findings of Mueller’s 22-month investigation that detailed Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, but said the special counsel had concluded that Trump’s campaign did not conspire with Moscow. A fierce fight was brewing on Monday over how much of Mueller’s Russia investigation findings should be made public. Democrats are demanding a full release but a lawyer for the president said key information - such as Trump’s written responses in the inquiry - must be withheld.

Trump indicated that he wants new investigations, although he did not specify who would conduct them or who should be targeted.

Trump in the past has called for investigations of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate he defeated in 2016.

Advertisement “Those people will certainly be looked at. I’ve been looking at them for a long time,” he said in the Oval Office while sitting alongside visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “And I’m saying, why haven’t they been looked at?

They lied to Congress. Many of them. And you know who they are.

“We can never let this happen to another president again.”

The Mueller investigation had cast a cloud over the Republican Trump’s presidency but he has declared himself fully exonerated by Barr’s summary. Trump had repeatedly accused Mueller, a former FBI director, of running a “witch hunt” with a team of “thugs” and having conflicts of interest. But when asked on Monday if Mueller had acted honorably, Trump said, “Yes.”

GRAHAM ALSO WANTS INVESTIGATION Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a Trump ally, said he would ask Barr to appoint a special counsel to look into the origins of the Russia probe, which was first handled by the FBI and then by Mueller after the president fired the agency’s director, James Comey. Graham said it was time to look at the Clinton campaign and the origins of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant for former Trump adviser Carter Page, which was based in part on information in a dossier compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer who co-founded a private intelligence firm. Republicans said the FBI failed to disclose that Steele was hired by a firm funded by Democrats to do opposition research on Trump’s business dealings.

Mueller, who submitted his confidential report on his findings to Barr on Friday, neither accused Trump of obstruction of justice in trying to impede the investigation nor exonerated him of obstruction, according to the summary. Barr said he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, concluded the investigation’s evidence “is not sufficient to establish that the president committed

US President, Donald Trump

an obstruction-of-justice offense.”

The end of the Mueller inquiry and Barr’s summary handed Trump a political victory ahead of his 2020 re-election effort, but did not end the investigative pressure on the president. Democrats gave no indication of easing up on their multiple congressional investigations into Trump’s business and personal dealings. Mueller informed top Justice Department officials three weeks ago he would not reach a conclusion on the obstruction question - an unexpected move, a department official said.

Democrats, who control the U.S. House of Representatives, have called for Mueller’s complete findings to be released to Congress and the public and vowed to call Barr - a Trump appointee who before taking the job had criticized Mueller’s obstruction investigation - to appear before lawmakers to answer questions.

‘PUNISHABLE

BY DEATH’ In an appearance earlier in the day on NBC’s “Today” program, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said, “The media and Democrats have called

the president an agent of a foreign government. That is an action equal to treason, which is punishable by death in this country.”

Asked if Trump owed Mueller an apology, Sanders said, “I think Democrats and the liberal media owe the president and they owe the American people an apology.

They wasted two years and created a massive disruption and distraction from things that ... impact everyone’s day-to-day lives.”

Sanders, in remarks to reporters, also urged congressional hearings to investigate a number of prominent Trump critics including former U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey and other FBI figures.

Justice Department regulations give Barr broad authority to determine how much of the Mueller report to release. Democrats have threatened to go to court to win its release, if necessary.

While Trump last week said he would not mind if the whole report were disclosed, one of his lawyers, Jay Sekulow, on Monday said at least part should be withheld. Sekulow said it “would be very inappropriate” to release the president’s written answers to questions posed by the special counsel, calling the responses provided in November confidential.

After lengthy negotiations, Trump reversed his previous stance that he would be willing to submit to an in-person

interview with the Mueller team, ultimately agreeing only to provide written answers. Sanders said there had been “no discussion that I’m aware of” about pardons for former campaign chairman Paul Manafort or any others who have been convicted or pleaded guilty in Mueller’s investigation.

Mueller, in previous legal filings, described in elaborate detail a Russian campaign to interfere in the election through hacking and propaganda to sow discord in the United States, harm Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and boost Trump. Mueller charged 12 Russian intelligence officers, 13 other Russians accused of taking part in a disinformation campaign and three Russian companies in the meddling. Several Trump advisers and associates also were among the 34 people charged in Mueller’s investigation including his former national security adviser and personal lawyer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

What does Skerritt’s win mean for Guyana’s cricket?

ON Sunday, Ricky Skerritt pulled off a landslide victory against incumbent Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron to become the new President of Cricket West Indies (formerly West Indies Cricket Board). After much campaigning, speculation, lobbying, discussion and debate, the margin of victory was a convincing 8 to 4 (the six territorial boards each has two votes in the elections).

Skerritt contested on a ticket with Dr. Kishore Shallow, the youthful President of the St Vincent Cricket Association. Shallow also won his bid for the Vice-Presidency by a similar margin.

It is believed that Skerritt’s eight votes came from the Leeward Islands Cricket Association (2 votes), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (2 votes), Jamaica Cricket Association (2 votes), Guyana Cricket Board (1 vote) and Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (1 vote).

Cameron’s meagre and insufficient four votes would therefore have come from the Barbados Cricket Association (2 votes), Guyana Cricket Board (1 vote) and Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (1 vote).

While the victory by the former Kittitian Minister of Tourism and former West Indies Team Manager did not entirely come as a surprise, the margin of victory did.

When Cameron was elected over then incumbent Julian Hunte in 2013, it was by a narrower margin of 7-5.

For a fourth term at the helm, Cameron had been counting on both votes from Barbados, Guyana and the Windwards. He appears to have only gotten both votes from Barbados. In the case of Guyana, what Cameron did not seem to know was that Skerritt had a team of agents working in Guyana to lobby and persuade one of the Guyanese delegates to cast his vote for Skerritt. The

two voting delegates representing the GCB were Rayon Griffith and Fizul Bacchus.

This would come as a shock to GCB Secretary and de facto leader Anand Sanasie, a widely-known Cameron backer, who had assured the Jamaican incumbent of Guyana’s two votes. Skerritt’s secret team working in Guyana included former players, former team officials, administrators and board employees. The other dissenting vote in favour of Skerritt seems to have come from Dwain Gill of Grenada who represented the WICBC. What does this all mean for Guyana’s cricket?

In exchange for Sanasie’s unwavering support, Cameron offered protection to the embattled GCB Secretary with regard to the GCB executive’s legitimacy. Questions have been raised, and are constantly circulating regarding whether CWI should accept the two directors nominated by the GCB, Sanasie

and Anand Kalladeen, to the CWI Board. This is on the basis that the GCB has not held elections since 2012, and the status of the executive has been the subject of several court proceedings.

Cameron turned a blind eye to this. The history of GCB’s troubles began under the PPP administration, when there was an attempt by a faction led by Bissoondyal Singh of the East Coast Cricket Board, in conjunction with the Georgetown Cricket Association, to unseat Sanasie and his executive. The matter took on national political implications when the PPP government sided with Bissoondyal Singh in an effort to oust Sanasie. A bitter, nasty and vicious battle ensued.

Sanasie and the current GCB administration, however, could run into major difficulties with the new CWI Board, since they are likely to seek to determine the legal standing of the GCB’s executive. Certainly, the GCB

not having held elections for several years will raise red flags with the Skerritt administration. The blind eye that Cameron turned to governance matters of the GCB is not likely to continue with Skerritt.

What this means is that the GCB will need to begin moving into election mode.

But before this happens, the issues surrounding the legitimacy of the Demerara Cricket Board, and also unresolved matters relating to the Berbice Cricket Board, would need to be addressed. Both the Sanasie faction and the Bissoondyal faction are likely to begin considering options for a consensus candidate for the GCB presidency, so as to ensure that GCB’s place at the CWI table is not vacant.

To have a functioning CWI Board without the presence of Guyana would be perilous for this nation’s cricket. Matters relating to the allocation of tours, series, tournaments,

resources etc are deliberated on at the board level, and every territorial board relies heavily on representation at this level.

Guyana’s cricket, therefore, has entered a period of uncertainty and fragility with the Skerritt Presidency. It more than likely is for the better. However, as the untenable situation of the GCB not having elections for over half-adecade cannot continue indefinitely. The Skerritt Presidency, therefore, may mean some difficult days in the immediate future for Guyana’s cricket, but it will likely lead to the settling of old, protracted differences, and an end to the bitter fight for control of Guyana’s cricket. Governance, a sore matter in Guyana’s cricket, in the not too distant future, is likely to improve leaps and bounds with Skerritt at the helm of the regional body.

Several issues on the no-confidence motion are settled among those who are informed and objective Dear Editor, STABROEK News’ editorial of March 25, captioned, “The Court of Appeal ruling and its aftermath”, was poorly informed and reasoned in key places.

For brevity, I will dwell on just two of its flaws. First, it is flawed and groundless to conclude that the Appeal Court’s definition of an absolute majority (half + 1)

now applies to every instance where formally-constituted bodies have to make decisions of high importance.

Many in the blogosphere and now SN (with its example of a three-judge panel) have brushed up their high-school math to show how the half +1 formula produces strange results if applied to other numbers.

That the Appeal Court ruled on a specific matter in a

specific context in a specific document has been ignored by our maths geniuses. SN and others evidently believe that an edict should now be issued to all organisations countrywide, instructing that henceforth, every important decision they make requires an absolute majority, regardless of what is written in their own rulebooks or Constitutions. SN should know better not to engage

in this thoughtlessness that the Appeal Court’s ruling on Article 106 (6) now somehow applies outside the text and context in which the ruling was made.

SN’s second flaw lurks in its statement, “It remains the case that those who have argued for 34 as a majority have inserted the word ‘absolute’ into their pleadings where this term is not present in the Article in question, and

is hardly implied in the rest of the Constitution.” But both legal teams did agree that an absolute majority is required for the passage of the no-confidence motion. The debate centred on how to compute it.

But even so, does SN not understand the legal concept of levels of entrenchment? Does SN not know that to sometimes understand the text of a legal provision, its context and intent matter? Moreover,

that a Constitution must be interpreted in its entirety to discern its scheme?

Differences of opinion will forever remain on the no-confidence motion among reasonable people.

But several of its issues are settled and straightforward among those who care to be objective and informed.

Regards Sherwood Lowe

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

Jagdeo’s decision to boycott Parliament Dear Editor,

IN much the same way as the government is not only responsible and accountable to its supporters, so too is the opposition not only accountable and responsible to its supporters.

Both the government and opposition have a broader responsibility to the country as a whole. The government must govern in the collective interest of all Guyanese, and the opposition must ensure that it does so.

The no-confidence motion has produced much disquiet, the bulk of which was generated by the PPP, its supporters and its sympathisers.

The government’s hesitation to call elections within three months of the presumed passage of the no-confidence motion has manifested in seemingly incessant shouts of constitutional crisis. Senior legal and political commen-

tators joined in this chorus.

Even the Bar Association, quite curiously, I must say, joined in the call for adherence to the Constitution and respect for the judiciary.

The Honourable Chief Justice (CJ)’s decision validating the passage of the motion naturally gave cause for celebration to the PPP, its supporters and its sympathisers. The CJ was hailed as a brave woman; a beacon of judicial independence and a hero. There were widespread invitations to abide by her decision, and hold the Constitution as paramount. And this, even though all stakeholders were reminded that the CJ’s decision was only the first tier of the judicial ladder. The Court of Appeal (CA)was expected, and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) anticipated. The chief advocate for adherence to the Constitution and respect for the CJ’S decision was the Leader of the Opposition

himself. He also led the choir in the singing of the constitutional crisis chorus. The CJ’s decision was overturned by a majority of the jurists in the CA; and it has settled, for now, that the government had not transgressed the Constitution. The opposition, as expected, has signalled its intention to appeal to the CCJ, the said course of action that the government would have taken had it again been defeated.

Promptly upon the delivery of the CA’s decision, the PPP, its supporters and its sympathisers have revoked their confidence in the judiciary. The chants for respect for the democratic process and our Constitution have quieted into historic silence.

The constitutional crisis has now morphed into a judicial crisis. There is the suggestion that the two Justices are pro-government; they are pawns, and they have been promised substantive posts.

Jagdeo is reported to have said, either in form or in effect, that every right-minded person (or Guyanese) know that 33 is a majority of 65.

The inference is, I dare say, that the two Justices who have overturned the CJ’s decision are not right-minded. It is unfortunate that we resort to articulating our disagreement in these terms.

Another usual commentator who, too, played a leading role in the call for the government to demit office and in the choir of the constitutional crisis has even branded one of the judges as lackluster, and credits the judge with descending upon him a sleeping spell. The goodly gentleman had invoked, under one of my posts, a recitation of actions of PNC thugs in 1998.

When I asked kindly that this reference be contextualised and justified, I was referred by him to a collection of reports from 1998 and 2001, none of which clarified for

A victory for Guyana and democracy Dear Editor, MAY I seize this opportunity to congratulate the Government on winning the No- Confidence Motion case in the Appeal Court. This should be seen as a victory for all Guyanese, whether supporters of the PPP or the Government. A victory for Guyana and democracy; A victory to celebrate the independence of the Judiciary and the executive.

May I remind the Government that this victory should not be viewed as the end of the legal matter since it is likely to be taken to the CCJ. Mr. Editor, I do not wish to be critical, but I cannot help but remind readers that the very PPP that was trying to deny the Government their day in court with regards to this court matter are now requesting their day in court.

What hypocrisy. The PSC, Guyana Bar Association, Civic Society, Freddie Kissoon, Stabroek News, the jack-of-all-trades and master of none, Christopher Ram, Ralph “3433” Ramkarran and many others were saying the Government has a frivolous case, and they were buying time to delay elections. I am convinced that the CCJ will uphold the Appeal Court ruling. If there is anything to learn from this legal matter is that

these characters who were denying the Government their rights in court had an ulterior motive. It is likely that their objectivity was blurred by crude oil.

I, as an individual who is not legally trained, could have seen that what they were pontificating made no legal sense. I said as much, and Ralph “34-33” Ramkarran did what he does best: Argumentum ad hominem attacks. Called me a lunatic. He continues to change his position, and is better served by changing the SC after his name from Senior Council to Senior Contradictor”.

Christopher Ram can be excused since, in his seventies, he is still a junior lawyer and should recognise his status when pronouncing on legal matters. The PSC (The Private Sector Clowns) are just that, and I say no more about them. The Guyana Bar Association is a collection of LLBs and a few LLMs who think they are legal scholars because they have won a few cases against much more mediocre lawyers. Put these mediocre LLBs in front of descent lawyers and their limitations are made painfully obvious. Stabroek News, I would never comprehend what they have done. PPP literally paralysed that newspaper company by removing State advertisements. I spent in ex-

cess of $1000US to keep them afloat.

Many others did because we recognised the importance of a free media. Now that we have fed them back to life, they’ve turned around to bite us. Sometimes difficult circumstances make adversaries remove their sheep cloak, and you are shocked to find out that all along they were a pack of wolves. In Europe, there is the popular sport called wolves hunting.

May we have such in Guyana and rid the country of all the treacherous and dangerous wolves.

I would wish to remind the Government that they have just completed two-thirds of the legal battle.

If they win at the CCJ, which I’m confident they will, then I would humbly suggest that they go and meet the poor suffering Guyanese.

Don’t worry. They will not chase you out. Most Guyanese recognised that Bharrat Jagdeo is Blah Blah Jagdeo. Nobody listens to him. Go listen to what they have to say. Try to make things right. Learn from the prior mistakes. I know PPP would say that is buying votes.

That’s Okay, PPP! They learnt that from you. Be quiet. You are in the opposition. Stay in your corner.

Regards, Dr Mark Devonish

me the point he was making.

He then concluded that the reports and his comments testify to the likelihood of a repetition of disruptive actions by government supporters had the CA upheld the CJ’s decision. This, too, is unfortunate, as it is nothing shy of a logical fallacy and a brutally unsubstantiated conclusion. These random tossing about of slanted reports and statistics by those of us who have appropriated to ourselves public voices are the ingredients of disruption to the fabric of our society.

Jagdeo has announced that his party is withholding its participation from the National Assembly until the CCJ determines the no-confidence motion case. I have been steady in my criticisms and critiques of the then opposition (now government) when it was leader of the pageantry of walking out of, or abstaining from, parliament. The people have

elected and selected you both to conduct their business.

Get on with it. This practice of amplifying one’s schoolboy ego and jilted lover’s emotions is improper for the governance of this country, be your role the governing party or the opposition. Our democracy cannot be a garment we put on today and take off tomorrow. Our judiciary cannot be the saintly guardian of our democracy and our Constitution only on the days it does not bruise our egos.

There is absolutely no reason why the business of the Guyanese people should be stymied while we all wait with our breathing suspended for the CCJ to determine this matter. If we are urging respect for the judicial and democratic process, then let us lead by example.

Regards Ronald J. Daniels

GPF responds to Guyana Times article

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Police Force is responding to an article in the Guyana Times Newspaper dated March 23, 2019, on page 8 under the caption, “Eyewitness Defending...the status quo”.

Please be informed that the Force has taken umbrage that either it was deliberate or self-serving, and considering that the comments which were placed in the last paragraph, seemed sinister.

The GPF is a professional organisation. As such, there was no threat to any particular group or organisation, and wishes to urge that in the future, if there is any doubt, clarification can be sought before making such disclosure.

For the record’s purpose, the full text of the Commissioner’s press release is hereby resent: “1. A happy and joyous Holi greetings to all my Hindu Brothers and Sisters in Guyana and within the Diaspora. As Commissioner of Police, I wish to take this opportunity to implore that the current calm, peace and tranquility should remain throughout the Nation as the decision of the Court of Appeal is pending.

The leadership and members of the Guyana Police Force have noted on Social Media notions of a seeming intention to disrupt the current calm in our society.

May I warn that anyone found in breach of the law will be dealt with in a condign manner. The Force’s membership, throughout the ten (10) Administrative Regions is on high alert, and endeavours to prevent and respond to any eventuality.

2. I would also wish to inform the General Public that contrary to what was recently reported in sections of the Press that the Guyana Police Force has been renamed, the Guyana Police Service, this is not so. It should be noted that the name change was proposed only at the meeting of the Police Reform Change Board (PRCB).

Such name change will require, among other things, wider consultations and legislative amendments.”

Regards Jairam Ramlakhan Superintendent of Police Public Relations and Press Officer Guyana Police Force

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

Gov’t to give financial support to 71 Region 9 entrepreneurs

….after completing training under the HEYS programme TWENTY-four-year-old Darius Fernandes from Hiawa Village is the proud owner of a pig rearing business. His road to business success was not an easy one.

When he was 14-yearold, Fernandes dropped out of school because his parents could not afford to send him.

He was soon earning an income to assist his family.

However, he never let his circumstances hindered his dream of making a prosperous future for himself. When the opportunity presented itself, he enrolled and participated in the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme.

Through the initiative, he received training in leadership and business management.

Fernandes, who was also elected as a councillor in his village in 2018, started his business venture with seven pigs; utilising the startup funds he received at the end of the one-year training course. Today, Fernandes, along with his sister, are rearing 27 pigs which they sell to residents in and around his village.

“I was lost, no idea of what I wanted to do, but then came the HEYS. This programme really helped me a lot and I would like to thank the government for this opportunity for the young Indigenous peoples,” Fernandes said. He is one of 71

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Permanent Secretary, Alfred King along with the young entrepreneurs of Region 9

young entrepreneurs from the Upper Takatu-Upper-Essequibo Region, who received the first disbursement of the Stimulus Grants under the HEYS programme at the St. Ignatius Village Benab on Monday.

With the funding he received, Fernandes will be able to expand his business.

The young people drawn from 10 villages in South Central, Central and North Rupununi received $50,000 each to support their businesses. The young entrepreneurs successfully completed training under the HEYS programme and would have established businesses ranging from cattle and chicken

rearing, grocery shops, canteen, honey production and ICT centres and stationery shops.

Marline McDonald of Parishara Village, also a school dropout, said when the opportunity was presented to her to learn a skill, she quickly seized it. With the funding provided under HEYS, McDonald was able to construct a shop where she sells groceries and provides seamstress services for the villagers. “I want to touch every field in business, sometimes you will me see at my shop and you will see me at the sports ground selling snacks and then you will see me on my sewing machine.

The programme has helped me a lot, and I would just like to thank the government for bringing this programme to us,” she told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Delivering the feature address at the event, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock noted that these two endorsements are evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen of this country is given the opportunity to develop themselves. “The opposition has no confidence in our giving the young people an opportunity for a livelihood, today your testimony is proven differently. You were given the opportunity,

some of you didn’t finish school, but with our support, you now have a job and support your family. This is what we as a government would like to do.”

According to Minister Allicock, a total of $400,000 was invested in young people who completed the programme, and many and are now business owners. To ensure that these businesses grew in strength and flourished, this year, $100M was approved for monitoring and mentoring, along with additional monetary support. “So, we didn’t just leave you, we recognise that you need that encouragement and so we are here to deliver,” Minister

Allicock said.

He reminded that the programme forms part of President David Granger’s 10-point plan for hinterland development, and therefore, “it is something that is now bearing fruit”.

Launched in October 2015, the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) initiative is a flagship programme that provided training for 4,000 hinterland youths and would lead to the creation of almost 2,000 small businesses. In addition to the $30,000 monthly stipend which the participants received during the one-year programme, a $50,000 startup grant was given to students who are desirous of creating their own businesses. Some of the youth opted to further their studies at the higher institute of learning on the coast. Through this programme, the APNU+AFC Government has, over the last three years, invested more than $2Billion in hinterland youth empowerment. In 2016, close to $1Billion was budgeted for the project, which was piloted in Paramatakoi, Mountain Foot, Bamboo Creek, Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng and Tarukain in Region 8, Potaro-Siparuni.

A further $991M was allocated in 2017 and $982M in 2018.

All teachers must become proficient in ICT HEAD of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) unit at the Ministry of Education (MoE), Dr. Marcia Thomas has emphasised that all teachers must become proficient in ICT as the government seeks to ensure that youths garner knowledge in this sector.

“One of the things we [at the MoE] want to move away from is having ICT teachers; every teacher must be proficient in ICT,” Dr. Thomas told a gathering of schoolchildren at the Carmel Secondary School on Monday. Furthermore, she said: “We [at the MoE] want all our teachers coming out of the [Cyril Potter College of Education] to be proficient in ICT and then move onto specialised training

like programming and so.”

The Head of the ICT unit was, at the time, interacting with the students as part of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT)’s Travelling Symposium.

According to her, ICT must become a “tool” that students can harness to better equip them with the technological skills needed in the developing world. And as such, she indicated that the telecommunications and education ministries are working in conjunction to ensure that Guyanese youth are better equipped with these skills.

Part of this mandate, however, requires the teachers themselves to first have a grasp of ICT. But all teachers must be proficient in ICT; it’s no lon-

- Head of MoE ICT unit ger just that one teacher in a school that knows how to operate a projector. So the specialising comes when [in ways] where you’re not able to integrate ICT from Grade One all the way to Grade Nine -- but beyond that “All teachers must have ICT skills to be able to teach,” Thomas said, and explained that teachers be tasked with integrating ICT into the classrooms from Grade One all the way to Grade Nine. Beyond that, she indicated that there will be “specialised” teachers- trained in areas such as programming.

This year, the MoE already has plans in place to introduce robotics in all sec-

ondary schools, as the ministry continues with its drive of promoting ICT. Already, there have been the introduction of ‘Smart’ classrooms in some schools which use enhanced audio-visual components to make learning more fun.

In similar vein, the telecommunications ministry has provided schools and public buildings with free internet access, while creating ICT hubs in various communities.

“One of the things we have to understand, is that we have to move away from the traditional ways of teaching- from the chalk and talk,” Thomas told the gathering, and said instead that teachers must be able to use technology to engage chil-

dren through various avenues for learning.

And, she posited: “Education is not limited to the formal classroom and the formal setting; we have to guide you to use ICT.” The symposium, which was also held at the Charlestown Secondary later that day, focused on illustrating the array of jobs available within the ICT sector also. Here, professionals from few ICT companies shared with the students the different types of work that can be done- from data entry to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Addressing the gathering also, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes related that by 2025, 75 percent of the world is going to require skills in ICT. Cognisant of this, she urged

that the youths take advantage of opportunities to equip themselves in this and further, eek out entrepreneurial ventures. “What we tried to share with you today is the possibilities that you have within yourselves to create your own employment opportunities,” she said.

This symposium will be held at five other junior secondary school across Georgetown. Following the engagements, one student from each of the five targeted schools will be selected to participate in a paid Internship at one of five Guyanese IT companies, during the August vacation. They will be joined by five participants from the MoPT’s 2018 “Guyanese Girls Code” training programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

City Mayor feels being ‘shoved around’ …says council refusing to employ chauffeur of his choice

TEMPERS flared on Monday between Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine and Acting Town Clerk Sharon Harry when the former said he felt his life was in danger because he was being forced to work with a chauffeur that he was not comfortable with.

The setting was the fortnightly statutory meeting at City Hall. Harry explained that the City Council already had two chauffeurs who cannot simply be put out of employment. Furthermore, she said Narine’s current chauffeur had been in the Council’s employ since 1994.

“When I was elected mayor, I had an organisation

Acting Town Clerk Sharon Harry

second my driver but I kept asking and asking for his employment as chauffeur because I don’t need both a driver and chauffeur; that would cost the council,” the

Mayor Ubraj Narine

mayor expressed in an invited comment to this newspaper.

Because of the amount of work that he was doing in the City at the moment, Narine

said he preferred to be with someone with whom he was comfortable. He said while many may not be aware, he is in the streets late at nights and even on the weekends.

Narine recalled that at the last statutory meeting, a decision was taken for the driver of his choice to be employed as his chauffeur as of last March 1. “I am surprised that wasn’t done. Today it was said to me by the Town Clerk that it is not in the law to employ someone as a chauffeur when we already have two in our employ. I was asking what the two chauffeurs are doing but couldn’t get a positive response.”

The mayor said he is of the understanding that former mayors were allowed to bring along their chauffeurs.

“So why am I given this kind of hard time at the council administration where the person who drives me is not employed as a chauffeur? I made contact with the Local

9

Government Commission which has indicated to me that the chauffeur can be on a contract and when I leave, he will leave.”

Narine said he raised this matter with Harry since last January and feels like he is being ‘shoved’ around by the administration. “I am comfortable with my person who takes me around to do my business in the city. I am not comfortable at the moment and I feel my life can be threatened like that if I have someone who I am not pleased with or have that confidence in.”

The mayor said other issues that he takes to the administration are dealt with similarly and that he sees it as a vindictive act on his office.

UG judged best in the Caribbean –– at debating CCJ law moot this year STUDENTS of the University of Guyana (UG) outshone several other teams

from across the Caribbean to emerge the Best Academic Institution at the

Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)’s Law Moot competition.

The students, all of the Faculty of Law, were Reon Miller,Senior Counsel; Cassandra Jaikaran, Junior Counsel; and Shameza David, Researcher. Former Chancellor

of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh was the team’s adviser.

“It’s the first time in the competition's 11 years that UG has won Best Academic Institution,” Miller told the

Guyana Chronicle. In an emotional social media post, he explained that for about 10 long weeks, the team worked to TURN TO PAGE 15 ►

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

SASOD to seek discrimination-free public transport ON Wednesday, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) will convene a stakeholder consultation meeting with government and non-government agencies regarding discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) persons in accessing public transportation in Guyana.

According to SASOD Managing-Director, Joel Simpson, among those invited are Transport and Harbour Department officials; the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Chief; head of the Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission; representatives of the United Minibus Association and the Guyana Taxi Service Association (GTSA).

Also to attend are representatives of the United

Nations (UN) and representatives of the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) project on stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ persons.

The meeting is expected to be held at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s boardroom. Telling of what caused the need for the meeting; Simpson said that for years LGBTQ persons in Guyana have been discriminated against by both public transportation operators and passengers while simply seeking transport.

Even after the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJs) November 2018 ruling that the criminalisation of cross-dressing in Guyana is “unconstitutional”, Simpson said that challenges have not lessened for LGBTQs in the transport sector.

Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Managing-Director Joel Simpson

He noted a recent case whereby the President of the Guyana Trans United (GTU) faced discrimination while

travelling home which resulted in the individual being put out of the minibus.

The matter was reported to the police and eventually reached the courts whereby the minibus operator was fined.

“We said we needed to take it a step further with something on the prevention side,” Simpson explained.

“We don’t just want to be on the responsive side every time something happens then we run to the court. [We are assessing] what we can do to prevent it from happening in the first place.”

He said that when SASOD got word that a Minibus Code of Conduct was being drafted, the body was hopeful of being included in the process but with the crossdressing matter then still at the CCJ, they were unsuccessful.

The body intends to try to air their concerns once again through the upcoming stakeholders’ meeting.

They have met with the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Transport and Harbours Department on two occasions and the UMU recently through which the engagement was agreed upon.

SASOD hopes that the meeting will bring about awareness to minibus operators and produce solutions moving forward.

“Some stakeholders just don’t know that LGBT persons – especially transgender and gender non-confirming persons – face this issue. It often times happens with minibus operators, but sometimes even when it is not an [act] of the conductors, its the passengers themselves and sometimes there’s a failure

of the minibus operators to intervene,” Simpson said.

“These are cases where people just go into a bus, [are] sitting down quietly and people are attacking them; don’t want them to be in the same bus with them; comments like… ‘they will crass yuh bus and make it crash’.”

He added that SASOD wants to see preventative solutions come out of the meeting through the existing Code of Conduct and the country’s laws.

“Now that everybody is clear that the [law criminalising crossdressing] no longer exists. There’s no legal impediment for addressing the violence and discrimination in accessing public transportation,” he said.

Man jailed for 12 years after retrial in murder case

…was previously sentenced to 57 years

THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Ravindra Paremdass was on Monday, March 25, 2019, sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for the 2012 killing of Roopram Jagdeo, called ‘Lil Baby’, at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The sentence was handed down by Justice James Bovell-Drakes in the High Court, following a probation report on Paremdass. Originally charged with murder, Paremdass called ‘Munesh’ opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The indictment read that between December 20-21, 2012 at Providence, East Bank Demerara, Paremdass killed Jagdeo. Paremdass was represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay while the state was represented by prosecutors Tameika Clarke and Tiffni Lyken.

Before sentencing, the report was read in court by a probation officer and it revealed that Paremdass was sorry for killing Jagdeo and begged the court and the deceased’s family for forgiveness. The probation officer said that, while Paremdass was imprisoned, he received a certificate and medal after completing a tailoring course.

It was also revealed that Paremdass had been relocated to the Lusignan Prison and works in the kitchen. The probation officer said that Paremdass was described as an alcoholic by his former workmates and several residents from the village where

Ravindra Paremdass called ‘Munesh’

he had lived.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s wife, explained that Jagdeo was the sole breadwinner for the family and his death severely impacted them.

She stressed that she was forced to seek employment as a domestic worker. However she became ill and the family is now being sustained by her eldest daughter. Justice Bovell-Drakes told Paremdass “I would imagine that your experience in the system would be a wake-up call.”

The Judge explained that the abuse of alcohol causes persons to do things that they would not normally do. He also pointed out that young people, when they are agitated, often take steps that they would have to reflect on, and in this case it caused the death of someone.

Justice Bovell-Drakes, in his ruling explained that based upon Paremdass’ approach to the court and his statement to the deceased’s family he was committing him to 12 years imprisonment.

In 2015, Paremdass went on trial before High Court

Judge Navindra Singh, who had imposed a 57-year jail term after a 12- member jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

However, in 2018, Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin successfully appealed the conviction and sentence on behalf of Paremdass. Datadin had argued that Justice Singh failed to adequately put his client’s case of self-defence to the jury for consideration.

Hearing the appeal was Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory. The Court of Appeal had set aside the conviction and sentence and ordered a retrial for Paremdass.

The state’s case is that the accused and Jagdeo were involved in an altercation that resulted in the latter’s death.

The altercation between the men stemmed from a row over a bicycle. According to reports, Paremdass killed Jagdeo by dealing him several blows to the head with a piece of wood.

Paremdass had admitted during his first trial that the incident resulted from a fight, which Jagdeo started.

He had claimed that Jagdeo threatened to kill him with a piece of wood after he refused to lend his bicycle.

Additionally, Paremdass explained that during the confrontation, he sustained injuries to the head. Consequently, Paremdass said he went into Jagdeo’s yard and dealt him several lashes with another piece of wood, resulting in Jagdeo sustaining the fatal blow to the head.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

RUSAL workers back on the job

RE-INSTATED workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) have reported that they are back on the job and everything has returned to normalcy.

To celebrate this achievement, they are preparing to host a national thanksgiving service to express gratitude to God and all those who played a pivotal role in their reinstatement. RUSAL employee, Ephraim Velloza related, “So far the process is smooth, everything is going okay so far, everything is going according to plan.”

Some workers were afraid that they would have been targeted for suspecting to have instigated the strike, but Velloza said that had not happened. The workers, who participated in the five week strike, also did not discriminate against those that did not

and were part of the skeleton staff that manned the operations, during this period.

Velloza said that the workers are eagerly awaiting the commencement of continuous negotiations between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the company. Top on the agenda, he said, was standard payment packages that are mandatory by law.

This includes double rates on holidays and Sundays and out-of-town allowances since they are working from an interior location. Workers are also looking forward to negotiations on the management of their health and safety which should be followed by a visit from officers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He said that currently, the security officers do not have a lavatory

to use and have to relieve themselves in the open.

He is hoping this is corrected earliest. “We are not fighting for ourselves but for the security and everyone else that plays a role,” he posited. Relative to the provision of meals, which the company contracts persons to do, Velloza said that the service of a dietician is needed which will enable these persons to supply them with healthy, balanced diets.

The union is expected soon to engage the company on additional bargaining.

One worker has threatened that if the company does not respond favorably to the union, the strike will reconvene and the river will be blocked again.

Following the signing of the Terms of Resumption (ToR) last week, in a state-

ment GB&GWU said the move brought an end to a nine-year long industrial dispute between the two parties. “Both parties have further agreed to recognise the sovereignty, Constitution and Laws of Guyana and neither shall act in contravention thereof; promised to uphold the spirit and goodwill to which the ToR was negotiated and signed and will do nothing to circumvent same”, the statement stressed. The workers and the union would have expressed immense gratitude to the Ministry of Social Protection, more particularly Minister Amna Ally who brought a seriousness and intolerance to the violation of the Laws of Guyana and Guyanese workers.

Lindeners mull exploitation of bauxite overburden THE manufacturing of products using the top soil, commonly called overburden, that is discarded during bauxite mining, is up for serious discussion by the Linden Economic Development Committee.

The most common product that is processed from the overburden is clay bricks.

While discussions were held and proposals were made, the initiative seemed more of a reality following the recent visit of a South African delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources of South Africa, Godfrey Oliphant.

Oliphant, after visiting the East Montgomery mines, controlled by Bosai Minerals Group Guyana, encouraged the local officials to get more out of bauxite mining by adding value to the overburden.

He observed that the soil has a greater percentage of overburden and clay, compared to bauxite. In South Africa, this is exploited for building houses with clay bricks. Chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC), Lawrence Simon, said that the committee is currently producing a plan for both short and long term exploitation of the resources. Diversification in the various sectors, he said, is paramount for the development of Linden and with the availability of this resource,

Chairman of the Linden Economic Development Committee Lawrence Simon

many job opportunities can be created.

“Indeed we are heading in that direction. We would have highlighted areas of interest that have clay deposits around Linden and in Region 10, which we also want to explore,” Simon related. To make this possible, the council will be investing in several business ventures independently through public private partnerships. “At the end of the day, it is to create employment, to improve our services being offered…what the minister would have said, would have just strengthened our decision, because that is the direction that we were heading,” he posited. Simon noted that the committee will be looking to invest in various machines that can manufacture various types of clay

bricks. The committee would have also sent pieces of correspondence to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to outline areas in the municipality with mineral resources so that these can be better monitored.

Two private groups would have already sent proposals to the Ministry of Social Protection to become involved in brick making. Currently, there is one company in Linden, Linden Bricks, that undertook this business venture and has been receiving contracts from ministries and other government agencies.

Proprietor, Robert Cameron, noted that because the bricks automatically interlock, houses are built faster while cutting up to 20 per cent of the cost, since most of the other material is not needed to plaster the blocks. The houses are also cooler since the bricks are very dense, thus heat takes a longer time to penetrate them. They are also sound-and bullet-proof.

There is also no need to paint the bricks since they already have a natural artistic look, which is also a means of economising.

On Sunday, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, in an invited comment, said that a team from Guyana should be visiting South Africa later in the year. He said there is a high possibility that some-

one from Linden will be on that trip to get a first-hand experience of how South Africa exploits these kinds of material. “We will see if we can get somebody from the region on that trip to see how we can mobilise, because it is what we call waste material, but it is actually a valuable resource,” he said.

Sophia man gets 80 years …for murder of Chateau Margot businessman

Victor Babb

VICTOR Babb, who was charged with the murder of Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara businessman, Dennis Ramah, was on Monday jailed for 80 years by High Court Judge, Navindra Singh.

Babb, 35 of “B” Field, Pattensen, East Coast Demerara, was found guilty of the charge by a 12-member mixed jury after almost two hours of deliberation at the completion of the trial.

The charge against Babb alleges that, on November 16, 2010, at Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara, in the East Magisterial District, he murdered 64-year-old Ramah.

Bobb was represented by attorney-at-law Latoya Roberts while, the state was represented by prosecutors Abigail Gibbs, Tuanna Hardy, and Teriq Mohammed. Roberts, in her plea of mitigation for

Babb, asked the court to consider that he is young and has his whole life ahead of him while pleading with the court to be lenient. Babb however, maintained that he was innocent of the crime.

Justice Singh before handing down the sentence considered that a gun was used during the commission of the crime; that Ramah was shot during an armed robbery at his business place and the fact that another person was also injured during the ordeal.

According to reports, on November 16, 2010, about 09:30 hours, a group of men entered the business premises of the L & D Supermarket at Second Street, Chateau Margot, which was owned by Ramah. The men reportedly ordered the employees of the supermarket to lie on the ground. It is alleged that Babb, who was armed with a gun, shot and killed Ramah, who had raised an alarm and armed himself with a cutlass.

He managed to wound one of the perpetrators, but was shot twice in his chest. The bandits subsequently ran out of the house.

The wounded businessman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) but later succumbed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Some minibus operators following Code of Conduct FOLLOWING the implementation of the Minibus Code of Conduct by the Ministry of Business, United Minibus Union (UMU) President Eon Andrews says that some progress is being made by operators to get themselves uniformed.

While the behavioural aspect of many operators still leaves much to be desired, Andrews believes that “as the loop tightens,” and with the help of law enforcement, operators will eventually be pulled in line. “Bartica has

embraced it about two to three weeks ago and I want to feel by this month-end they will be partially reformed,” Andrews said.

“They have identification cards which should be with them by this weekend [and] they have a warden also and they’ve gone as far as to say that you cannot join their route unless you’re vetted.”

Meanwhile, the UMU President updated that the Sophia route bus operators are in the process of collecting monies from their mem-

bers to purchase uniforms which will match the color of their vehicular zone. The Route 42 and 45 minibus operators are also making efforts towards having uniformed members but Andrews says that the general process towards having all minibus operators on board is only gradually progressing.

“I know change is not easily accepted, especially in a society like Guyana where you would have been allowed to be undisciplined for so many years where you

start taking indiscipline as if it’s a badge to be worn,” Andrews said. “The society in general is extremely undisciplined and the training that is going to be coming through the police, the Ministry of Business’ Consumer Affairs Department [and] us will obviously enhance the progress of the direction that we intend to go.”

A section in the code of conduct allows for training by the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department, especial-

ly for persons entering the field for the first time.

While commending the leadership of the Traffic Department, Andrews noted that some members of the police force will also have to be retrained to be better able to perform their functions in this regard. “It’s not going to be something that’s going to happen overnight but we’re going to get there and there’s going to be no turning back,” Andrews asserted.

To continue the UMU’s

encouragement of proper garbage disposal among minibus operators and their passengers, the union handed over a number of garbage receptacles to operators at Bartica, while several other route operators in central Georgetown have received the same. In addition, just last week, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, met with members of the Tuschen Organised Hire Car Service where he listened to their concerns.

The Code of Conduct for minibus operators and other personnel was launched in February, 2019; published and disseminated within the public. Operators have been given approximately two months to comply with the code after which the stakeholders involved will move forward as it deems necessary.

Sister sues State for $50M …after brother dies from alleged injuries while in custody

The sister of Kallicharran Sawack called “Danny” is suing the state for $50M after her brother allegedly succumbed to injuries he sustained while in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station.

Sawack, of Lot 3 LBI, East Coast Demerara (ECD) died on January 28, 2019 while a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). It is alleged that the 39-year-old LBI resident was beaten in the lock-ups.

Shivani Sawack, through her attorney Anil Nandlall, is seeking damages for death and injuries sustained to the now deceased while in the custody of the Guyana Police Force, negligence, breach of statutory duty to the now deceased under the Police Act and violation of the now deceased’s fundamental rights guaranteed in Article 141 in the Constitution.

According to the court document, on January 17, 2019, Sawack, whilst under the influence of alcohol, verbally abused his mother and as a result the claimant and her mother, Ramdai Sawack, lodged a report with police officers at the Beterverwagting (BV) Police Station. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Beterverwagting Police Station.

Shortly after, police escorted

Dead: Kallicharran Sawack

him to the Sparendaam Police Station where he was placed in the police ‘lockups’ at that station. The court document noted that at the time that Kallicharran was arrested and taken into police custody, he was healthy and bore no injuries or marks of violence anywhere about his body.

Further, Shivani Sawack, the claimant, was informed by police officers at the Beterverwagting Police Station that Kallicharran would have been taken to court on January 21, 2019. From January 17 to January 21, 2019, the claimant delivered meals to her brother while he was in police custody; however, neither the claimant nor any of the other persons who delivered the meals saw the deceased in person.

On January 21, 2019, the claimant attended the

Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court with the expectation that Kallicharran would be brought before the presiding magistrate but, this did not occur and the claimant was eventually informed by the magistrate that the case involving the her brother would be adjourned to the following day because the deceased was in the hospital.

Shivani Sawack then visited the Sparendaam Police Station to enquire about the whereabouts of her brother and was informed by a police officer that her brother was in the Georgetown Public Hospital suffering from a mental problem.

The claimant immediately explained to the officer that as far as she was aware, her brother had no mental problems or a history of any mental disorder, whatsoever. Shivani Sawack and her mother immediately visited the Georgetown Public Hospital where they observed that the man was bleeding through his eyes, ears, mouth and nose, the court document alleged. His face was swollen and his body also bore stab wounds.

Kallicharran Sawack was never discharged from the hospital, and he died on January 28, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Primary school being built for migrants

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…robust vetting of persons claiming to be family members Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven). “Taking into account the vast increases in the school system, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is working with the Ministry of Education

Venezuelan migrants flocked the MV Barima as it prepared to depart from the Mabaruma sub-region for Georgetown last week

A primary school is being built for Venezuelan migrants and government will conduct robust vetting of persons who are claiming to be relatives to avoid them being exploited.

Since the arrival of 140 documented Venezuelan migrants to Georgetown last Wednesday, 70 have been released in the care of relatives or acquaintances while arrangements are being made to find housing for 45 more.

This assistance is being undertaken by the Department of Citizenship in collaboration with its international partners and other government agencies. Last week the Ministry of Citizenship revealed that the group of migrants arrived in Georgetown at 05:00hrs on the MV Barima, which departed from Kumaka in the Barima-Waini (Region One).

They were all taken to the Guyana Police Force’s Headquarters, documented and immunised. Apart from the 70 released, others had remained at the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, where they were being provided with meals, medical attention and other services.

In a release from the Ministry on Monday, it said that the 45 now to be housed include 34 males and 11 females who have no family connections on the coast. In addition, housing arrangements are still being worked out for 26 persons squatting along the Non Pareil foreshore.

“In an effort to protect the migrants from possible

exploitation, the Immigration Department has established a protocol to vet persons claiming to be family members,” the release stated.

“At [Monday’s] meeting of the National Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Committee, Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix informed that a special committee is being set up to explore the option of transforming the Papaya Centre, located in the Barima-Waini Region One, into a facility for migrants; noting that ‘the greater the inflow of migrants, the more pressed we will be to find space’.”

Migrants have been trickling through Guyana’s western borders from Venezuela as the neighbouring country experiences significant socio-economic and political crises which have been ongoing for years. The Ministry stated that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will soon be seeking permission from relevant authorities to renovate an abandoned hostel at Kumaka in Region One to house migrants, where the inflow is greater. The release added: “The Committee was also informed that a primary school is being constructed at Eteringbang, which will accommodate about 60 migrant children. As a result of the influx of Venezuelans, the regional health and education systems have been spread very thinly to cater to the needs of migrants.”

It was noted that there has been an additional 50 students at Paruima in the

to roll out a project that will see Guyanese teachers being trained to teach English as a second language to Spanish-speaking students,” the document outlined.

Meanwhile, technolo-

gy is also being utilised to better manage the influx of migrants. The IOM’s soon-to-be-launched mobile application, ‘MIGAP’, is set to make all pertinent information regarding mi-

grant support in Guyana more accessible. In keeping with the current estimates, the release highlighted that a total of 5,863 documented Venezuelan migrants now reside in the country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

PAHO/WHO looking to implement ‘Global Hearts Initiative’ here

By Telesha Ramnarine THE Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) is pushing for the implementation of the

‘Global Hearts Initiative’, in Guyana to help reduce the significant number of deaths that result from cardiovascular diseases.

PAHO/WHO collaborated with the Chronic Disease

Unit of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to introduce the ‘Hearts Programme’, with a two-day workshop on multi drug therapy and counselling in the management of cardiovascular diseases.

The workshop opened on Monday March 25, at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown targeting doctors from all across Guyana .

PAHO consultants Professor Donald DiPette from the University of South Carolina and Dr. Kenneth Connell from the University of the West Indies are conducting the training session.

Through the ‘Global Hearts Initiative,’ WHO is supporting governments to scale up efforts on cardiovascular disease prevention and control through implementation of three technical

S is for systems monitoring.”

He said the workshop aims to introduce the HEARTS package and other modalities to spur interest so that Guyana may begin considering its implementation.

“This workshop is just to start the discussion and we are hoping that it will stick, so that we can come back for more serious discussions and hopefully, implementation”, he added.

Specialist, Health System Services at PAHO Dr. Paul Edwards explained that in the quest to reduce mortality from cardiovascular diseases,

those individuals who live in high income countries. As a result, many of these persons are detected late and die younger from these diseases,” Dr. Edwards pointed out.

According to him, the five leading causes of death in Guyana are hypertension, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and cancers, most of which are interrelated.

“Guyana is not immune to the effects of globalization as western lifestyles have infiltrated our culture causing unhealthy modifications to our diet. We now consume

From left are: Specialist, Health System Services at PAHO Paul Edwards, PAHO consultants Donald DiPette from the University of South Carolina and Kenneth Connell from the University of the West Indies.

The two-day workshop targets doctors from all across Guyana.

packages; (EMPOWER for tobacco control, SHAKE for salt reduction, and HEARTS for the strengthening of cardiovascular diseases management in primary health care).

Launched in September 2016, the HEARTS initiative has been rolled out in several countries with health workers being trained to better deliver tested and affordable measures to protect people from the disease, and help them to recover following a heart attack or stroke.

Professor DiPette told this newspaper that, “because of the increasing devastating impact of cardiovascular disease, the WHO several years ago embarked upon packages for individual countries to utilize as support for the disease.” As for the acronym HEART, he explained, “H is for healthy lifestyles, E is evidence based protocols, A is for access to medication, R is for risk factors of the disease, T is for team based care and

and strengthen the overall health sector response for treatment, prevention and control of such diseases, support was requested from PAHO/WHO to boost health care providers’ capacity in primary care to adequately manage the disease.

LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH Dr. Edwards noted cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of death with an estimated 17.9 million people dying from it in 2016, representing 31 percent of all global deaths. Of these, 85 percent was due to heart attacks and stroke, and three quarters of these deaths occurred in low and middle income countries.

“This phenomenon occurs because people in these countries do not have the benefit of integrated primary health care programmes for early detection and treatment of risk factors compared to

more foods high in transfats and salt, sit in front of a computer or television for hours at a time, and consume high levels of alcohol”, he observed.

Most cardiovascular diseases, he said, can be prevented by addressing behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, obesity and limiting the use of alcohol. Furthermore, cost effective introductions have been identified by WHO for prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases which include population-wide and individual intervention. These include comprehensive tobacco control policies, taxation to reduce the intake of foods high in fat, sugar and salt; strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and providing healthy school meals to children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Churches, social spaces should become skills-training centres –– TVET head HEAD of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Floyd Scott has said that churches can become ‘training grounds’ to help equip persons with the requisite skills needed to prepare them for the workforce, particularly with the advent of oil.

Speaking to a gathering of Albouystown residents at the Heavenly Light World Outreach Centre on Saturday, Scott explained: “The church can be what we consider a training organisation so that its constituents can be trained in all technical areas that are required.”

And with this in mind, he encouraged the church, and all other similar social spaces, to approach the council so that it (the Council) can streamline the process of setting up programmes to facilitate the initiative. According to him, both the oil and gas sector and the spinoff sectors associated with the advent of this will create job opportunities. But these opportunities will require Guyanese to have the requisite training and certification.

“The foreigners will not come to you because you just look good, but because you have the skills,” he posited.

“There [are], currently in the regional occupational standards, 265 occupational standards which translate to 250 skills,” the head explained.

However, throughout the local TVET institutions, there are only about 17 occupational skills that are being taught.

As such, if there is a need for skills outside of those, he indicated that “foreigners” will be the ones to engage in them.

And, he also indicated that there are persons who might have the requisite skills, but might not have the requisite formal training. “We want to ensure that our workers and in our work space, we have people who are fit to fill the workspace,” Scott indicated.

MINDSET Aside from the need for technical skills, training and certification, Scott also indicated that “soft skills” are of critical importance too.

“The skills that will be necessary within the new dispensation would be more so of our changing mindest and behaviour- which is lacking in our current society. And the church can help with that,” he affirmed. “We have to

UG judged best ...

FROM PAGE 9

Representing UG at the CCJ Law moot competition was Reon Miller, Senior Counsel; Cassandra Jaikaran, Junior Counsel; and Shameza David, Researcher

prove to the Caribbean Community that UG is no “back alley institution”.

“From the 14-hour-long practice sessions and the constant feeling like our argument wasn’t good enough, two second and a first-year student beat the odds,” he shared.

In addition to copping the best academic institution spot, UG took the runners-up spot for the moot competi-

tion, losing only to this year’s winners: The Hugh Wooding Law School.

The Guyanese contingent competed against eight teams from different schools across the Caribbean: Hugh Wooding Law School (Trinidad & Tobago); Norman Manley Law School (Jamaica); Faculty of Law of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname; Faculty of Law of the University of the Baha-

condition our minds that we have to market our skills and market it in such a way that people will want it.”

Through the efforts of the TVET council, and the government by extension, he highlighted that the goal is to “educate for employment”.

However, he also shared that the mind must be transformed too. “We are losing ground because of our values. [but] it is important that we consider those as critical needs for any change in society, and more so the workspace,” Scott said.

Adding to his sentiments was Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe.

“If we are to look upon this new resource and feel that somehow we are entitled and get a paycheck every month, we are going down wrongly.

Training education and capacity building are all elements that we have to embrace since last year,” Bynoe emphasised.

With 12 discoveries made so far, in the Stabroek Block alone, which translates to an excess of 5.5B barrels of oil, Bynoe said that this sector has the potential to bring tremendous revenues from the sale of oil alone. “Things will be great, but we also have to position ourselves because what we cannot use, we will misuse,” he said. mas; Faculty of Law of the University of Technology (Jamaica); Faculty of Law of the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill); Faculty of Law of the University of the West Indies (Mona); and the Faculty of Law of the University of the West Indies (St Augustine).

Each of the teams was pitted against the other for one round, and Guyana faced the UWI Mona- Faculty of Law, where it emerged victorious. “...The Law Moot presents an opportunity for students from regional law schools and faculties to have hands-on courtroom experience at the CCJ,” the CCJ’s President, Justice Adrian Saunders explained to Nation News (Barbados).

“This allows them an opportunity to develop and present their arguments in front of a panel of CCJ judges, and to use our court management system (Curia). The Moot also promotes greater familiarity with the CARICOM Treaty and the Original Jurisdiction of the Court,” he explained further.

He also cautioned that while it is important to seek out training opportunities, persons must be mindful that not every institution that ‘pops up’ is an accredited one.

Head of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Floyd Scott

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Complaints stack up against GPL, GTT …PUC says awarded over $11M in phone credits to mobile customers

By Svetlana Marshall A TOTAL of 563 complaints were filed to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2018 against public utility companies for inefficient services, PUC Chairman Delma Britton has disclosed.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle recently, Britton detailed that, of the total number of complaints filed by consumers, 248 were made against the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), 239 against the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), and 69 against the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). Only seven complaints were filed against Digicel Guyana in 2018. It was explained that complaints ranged from poor services to billing issues and internet quality.

In cases where it was found that the utility companies were at fault, credits were awarded to the aggrieved customers. In 2018, Britton further disclosed that a total of $11M in credit was awarded to customers across the country, as she applauded the work of the complaints department.

While the complaints vary from year to year, Britton said PUC continues to work with the four primary utility companies to ensure the rights of customers are respected. This, she said, is in keeping with PUC’s mission to ensure that regulated utilities offer efficient services to consumers at a reasonable cost. Acknowledging that there is a backlog of cases, the PUC chairman said all hands are on deck to bring the numbers down.

“I can tell you that we have a good working relationship with both utilities (GPL and GTT) and we have been, really and truly, collab-

office in place and a report has been submitted. Once the project gets the nod of the commission, the office will be established, Britton assured.

“That office largely will deal with the monitoring of the utilities in terms of the economic impact of the utilities and their practices on the consumer, on the utility of itself and it would cause us here at PUC to really Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Delma Britton (Photo by Delano Williams)

orating on reducing the backlog and we have been able to sort of clear the bottlenecks that would have marred us getting these complaints from the first application to resolution in an efficient manner,” the PUC chairman explained.

In an effort to reach more consumers, the PUC is conducting a number of outreaches to far-flung communities.

“We intend to go to other parts of Guyana because we have recognised that our consumers can’t come to us. We have also recognised that some people don’t know about the public utility commission,” she explained.

According to Britton, eight to 10 outreaches will be conducted this year, and already the first was held in Linden where scores of Lindeners had the opportunity to register their concerns. Based on the favourable response from Lindeners, the PUC has signaled its intention to return to the mining town where the primary concerns were on the quality or lack of service provided by GWI, and the internet quality in Linden.

COMPLAINTS In explaining the process when a complaint is lodged, Britton said, this along with a letter from the PUC will

be sent to the utility provider which often has two weeks to respond. The time may be truncated depending on the severity of the matter.

The commission is then contacted with the response from the utility, if not favourable, the utility is asked to re-examine the complaint.

If it is found that the utility is at fault, the PUC will commence advocating for the consumer. If the utility accepts fault, then it would compensate the consumer by credit on their next bill. No cash will be returned.

Aside from receiving complaints, the PUC also educates citizens on the functions of the commission, its plans, and ongoing programmes. Britton said it is important for consumers to understand their rights as well as their responsibilities.

PUC services are free and the commission can be reached via their website - PUC.org.gy.org or at its office located at 106 New Garden Street Queenstown, Georgetown or on telephone numbers 227-3204 and 2267042.

During the course of 2019, the PUC will be establishing an Office of Economic Research. Britton explained that a consultant has conducted a study on the pros and cons of having the

Men charged for bicycle theft TWO men appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for robbing a man of his bicycle.

Wayne Blair of First Avenue Bartica and Ezra Evans of 57 West Front Road, Georgetown, both denied the charge which was read to them. It was alleged that, on March 21, 2019, at Evans Street,

Charlestown, they robbed James Walter of a pedal-cycle valued $20,000, after which they made good their escape.

According to prosecutor Quinn Harris, on the day in question, the duo was subsequently caught by public-spirited citizens who turned them over to the police.

Bail was refused, and they were remanded to prison until April 8. 2019.

and truly develop and administer questionnaires and other tools to help us in our deliberations during public hearings,” Britton explained.

By law, the PUC is mandated to conduct public hearings not only on complaints but on operational standards as well. It is also obligated to advise the Ministry of Public Telecommunications on related issues.

The PUC was estab-

lished on October 1, 1990 under the Public Utilities Commission ACT of 1990.

This act was passed to regulate the telecommunications sector in Guyana.

The act was later repealed to include the regulating of the electricity sector in 1999 and further amended to regulate the water and sewage sector in 2003.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

UK signs new trade pact with Caribbean countries The United Kingdom (UK) and Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) have reached an agreement on trade continuity which will benefit Guyana and other Caribbean countries through development and economic growth.

The UK-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) agreement to-

wards such was signed on Friday, March 22, 2019 by Trade Policy Minister George Hollingbery along with Ministers and representatives from Barbados, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I am delighted to sign

this agreement today as it will allow businesses to continue trading like they do today after we leave the European Union. It will help to support jobs in the UK and throughout the Caribbean, as well as ensuring that the British supermarkets’ shelves continue to be stocked with the best Caribbean produce such as bananas, sugar and

rum,” Hollingbery commented.

According to a release from the British High Commission in Georgetown, the news was welcomed by businesses and business groups including the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), one of the oldest private sector trade associations in the Caribbean.

WIRSPA represents some brands well known to UK consumers including Appleton, Angostura, El Dorado, and Mount Gay Rum. “The agreement will allow these businesses and many others across the Caribbean to trade like they do now, without any additional barriers or tariffs. It eliminates all tariffs on all goods imported from the signing countries into the UK, while those Caribbean states will continue gradually to cut import tariffs on most of the region’s imports from the UK,” the release stated.

The UK remains an important export market for the Caribbean with 81 per cent of Guyanese and 64 per cent Jamaican sugar cane exports going to the UK in 2017.

In addition, the UK bought 100 per cent of Saint Lucia’s banana exports, as well as 69 per cent of Belize’s banana exports in the same year.

“We have a long-standing commitment to reduce poverty through trade and this agreement will support jobs in key Commonwealth countries, such as Saint Lucia, Belize, Grenada, Domi-

nica, Barbados and Guyana for whom the UK currently accounts for more than a quarter of their trade in goods with the EU,” Hollingbery added.

Meanwhile, WIRSPA Chairman Komal Samaroo told the gathering: “We’re extremely happy to see the culmination of this agreement which both sides have worked hard to achieve. The UK is a major export destination for our rums and we are pleased that the trade provisions will maintain our continued access to that market.”

The release noted that in 2017, the total trade between the UK and the region was worth around £2.5 billion while replicating the deal will allow the UK to continue building the trading relationship with its Commonwealth partners.

“Signature of this agreement was vital to ensure the continuation of seamless trade between the UK, Guyana and our other friends across the Caribbean. I wholeheartedly welcome it,” British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn said.

Cyclist killed in hit-and-run at Madewini A mother of three attending a funeral in the USA will have to return home to bury her husband who was killed in a hit-and-run accident Sunday evening on the Madewini, East Bank Demerara (EBD) Public Road.

Dead is 50-year-old Peter Billison of Lot 17, Soesdyke Public Road EBD. Police are in the process of gathering information with the intention of locating the motorcar and prosecuting the driver who fled the scene.

The dead man’s son Nicholas Billison told the Guyana Chronicle that a friend of his father visited their home and related the devastating news. He said that his father was an amazing man who worked at the Guyana Forestry Commission and was the breadwinner for the family.

Reports indicate that Billison was on a bicycle proceeding north along the

Dead: Peter Billison

western side of the roadway when he was struck down from behind by an unknown motorcar which drove away. As a result, the cyclist sustained injuries about his body and he was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons and taken to the Diamond, EBD Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was taken to Lyken Funeral Parlour.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 26, 2019

CDB increased disbursements by 20% in 2018 THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) disbursed a record US$280M in project funding to its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) in 2018, a 20 per cent increase compared with 2017. The bank disbursed US$233M in 2017 and US$206M in 2016.

Speaking at CDB’s Annual News Conference last month, the bank’s Director of Projects, Daniel Best, highlighted factors contributing to this, in particular a CDB-led initiative to improve implementation at the country level. “This significant improvement results from a combination of two factors; first is our continued investment in the training of public officers to assist our BMCs to implement projects faster and second,

is the bank’s ongoing review of policies and procedures to improve our responsiveness,” stated Best. He provided a snapshot of the bank’s results, outlining key projects which were completed or are under implementation across the Region in 2018.

According to a release from the bank, the director noted a road safety project in Belize which resulted in road fatalities dropping from an average of 33 per year before the project, to a current average of less than eight per year. In addition, he pointed out that more than 100,000 people in Guyana are now benefitting from a US$44M road project on the West Coast Demerara, which has provided safer infrastructure, a wider corridor, improved drainage and new pedestrian

CME training on kidneys and diabetes

Doctors, nurses and interested patients attend the Continuing Medical Education (CME) session at the Marriott Hotel on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

OVER 200 local medical practitioners participated in a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session on the kidneys and diabetes on Sunday during which they were exposed to training on ways to combat the illnesses.

The training was hosted at the Marriott Hotel and sponsored by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Guyana Diabetes Association (GDA).

It saw presentations on kidney disease and the patient; glomerulonephritis in the paediatric group; herbs and diabetes and urinary tract infections.

It was attended by doctors, nurses and even interested patients who were reminded, primarily, that diabetes remains one of the major causes for kidney failure.

According to Regional Chairperson of the IDF and President of the GDA, Glynis Beaton, another topical discussion was the value of herbal medicine as a form of treatment but also the lack of research regarding its use.

“We cannot run away

from the fact that herbs do help, but we do not have scientific results fully as to what side effects the quantities and the portion [can have],” Beaton told the newspaper.

As such, locals are being encouraged to pursue scientific research in the herbal field so that doctors can begin prescribing possible remedies to addressing or preventing diabetes and kidney failure.

Following the session, medical practitioners in attendance received four credits as the Medical Council of Guyana requires that practitioners continue to study, develop and increase their knowledge, skills and professional performance.

The CME marked the wrap-up of a Regional meeting of the IDF, brought to Guyana for the first time. At the regional meeting, representatives of over 20 countries discussed the impact of their individual work over the few months; shared best practices; discussed new projects and the setting up of a Regional office in Barbados.

and bicycle lanes.

In outlining the bank’s work in 2018, the director highlighted the increasing demand for energy-efficient street lighting across CDB’s BMCs, confirming that in Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica, 44,000 street lights have been replaced with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights. Education was also a significant focus area for CDB in 2018, with the bank investing in training for principals, teachers and ministry officials.

“Now educators across the Region are better equipped to deliver technical and vocational education and training, special needs education, competency-based education and training, psychosocial services, and health and family life education,” said Best.

He noted that more infrastructure and social service investments are planned for 2019, and provided a snapshot of upcoming interventions. According to the director, CDB expects to complete the appraisal of a

US$37M project to the Government of Suriname for the upgrade and expansion of its electricity system. It also intends to appraise a US$12M project in St Lucia to upgrade the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and enhance special needs education, and a US$10M project to enhance TVET in Haiti.

Through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund, the bank is preparing a number of infrastructure projects for financing in the

Eastern Caribbean and Belize. The plans include road projects in Belize, Dominica and Grenada and construction of a new port in St Vincent and the Grenadines, representing a combined funding total of US$96M. “These projects and plans demonstrate the bank’s unwavering commitment to being more responsive to its BMCs while transforming the lives of Caribbean people, especially the most vulnerable in our societies,” concluded Best.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

Advertise in Guyana Chronicle Classified Ads. For All Your Classified and Space Ads. Call 225-4475.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

PMs Mitchell, Rowley hail Skerritt presidency as new dawn for Windies cricket

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Two Caribbean prime ministers previously critical of Dave Cameron’s leadership of Cricket West Indies have welcomed the election of Ricky Skerritt as the new president of the regional governing body.

Grenada’s Dr Keith Mitchell said Skerritt, and new vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow, would “lift the spirits of Caribbean peo-

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ple” while Trinidad and Tobago’s Dr Keith Rowley said he now hoped that “a door to far-reaching progressive change is now open”.

Skerritt, a former St Kitts and Nevis government minister, and Shallow, an IT consultant and president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association, toppled three-term incumbents Cameron and vice-president Emmanuel Nathan by 8-4 margins at elections during Sunday’s annual general meeting in Jamaica.

“This result will bring great joy and happiness to cricket lovers throughout the world, not just in the West Indies,” said Mitchell in a statement Monday.

“The election of Mr. Skerritt’s team will lift the spirits of the Caribbean people and give them new hope and a greater expectation for the revival and rebirth of West Indies cricket.

“I also want to congratulate the Skerritt team for running a clean and effective campaign in which they consistently highlighted their agenda for change, their vision for the future of West Indies cricket

and their ten-point plan for making that vision a reality.”

Under Cameron, CWI maintained an acrimonious relationship with CARICOM governments, especially after rejecting their attempted intervention to initiate governance reforms through the Patterson and Barriteau Reports.

Mitchell, a former chairman of CARICOM’s sub-committee, remained a strident critic of Cameron and as recently as January said that as “far as [Cameron’s] management style of West Indies cricket [is concerned], I don’t have a lot of respect for it”.

The veteran leader said he was especially pleased with Skerritt’s recognition of the need for partnership with the stakeholder community in pursuit of cricket development.

“I must especially commend Mr. Skerritt for requesting that stakeholders share responsibility for his strategy and become co-owners of his agenda for change,” Mitchell continued.

“I believe that CARICOM Governments will honour these

requests and do all in their power to promote harmonious and cooperative relationships between the board and all stakeholders, for the common good of the game and the region.

“I wish the new leadership team all the best for the future and stand ready to help in any way I possibly can. My interest has always been on the success of West Indies cricket and not on personalities, and that will continue to be my guiding principle.”

Rowley, meanwhile, who in the past charged that West Indies cricket had been “hijacked by a small clique of people … hell bent on destroying Caribbean cricket”, now also exuded optimism.

“I am pleased to hope that a door to far-reaching progressive change is now open. This holds out the prospect for the effecting of the much-needed restructuring of the management of the regional game with some sense of purpose and urgency,” Rowley pointed out.

“My regional colleagues and I look forward to early contact with the new President, Ricky Skerritt

Minnows Bermuda gain historic berth as CONCACAF Gold Cup slate confirmed BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, ,( CMC) – Minnows Bermuda reached the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time in their history when they came from behind to beat the Dominican Republic, while Haiti and Cuba also confirmed their spot among the 10 qualifiers, on the final night of Nations League qualifying on Sunday.

In Santiago De Los Caballeros, Bermuda trounced the hosts 3-1 to finish fifth in the standings on nine points and book their place in the newly-expanded 16-team format of the continental championship from June 15 to July 7 this year.

Bermuda suffered an early setback when Enmy Pena scored in the third minute to put the hosts ahead but United States-based winger Zeiko Lewis drew the visitors level 12 minutes later.

With scores locked at the half-time whistle, England-based striker Nahki Wells gave Bermuda the lead in the 64th minute before Justin Donawa added the security goal in the 74th.

At the Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-auPrince, hosts Haiti edged Cuba 2-1 but both teams still progressed, despite the result.

Scottish Premiership striker Duckens Nazon handed the hosts a 26th minute lead which held until the break, before Luis Paradela equalised in the 61st minute.

However, Kevin Lafrance got the decisive goal three minutes from the end to snatch the points for Haiti and leave them

Bermudian striker Nahki Wells.

top of the standings on 12 points.

Cuba, meanwhile, finished sixth on nine points.

In Vancouver, Lucas Cavallini netted a brace as Canada beat French Guiana 4-1 to finish second on 12 points while Central American nation Nicaragua edged Barbados 1-0 in Bridgetown to end ninth and also secure qualification.

Grenada and Bonaire were also in winners row but their points were of academic value. The five teams joined Guyana, Curacao, El Salvador, Jamaica and Martinique who had already qualified over the weekend.

Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and United States gained automatic qualification after having participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final qualifying round.

Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell.

and his team and to pick up our effort from where it was derailed from the Patterson/Barriteau work onto a new road which recognises ‘West Indies Cricket’ as a ‘public good’, a heritage of all West Indian citizens, to be honoured, nurtured and managed sustainably by the widest effective participation

by Caribbean people using proven best practice methods.”

Rowley also urged the convening of a conference to urgently address the way forward.

“I have already called for a two-day colloquium to be hosted by one of our territories with the fullest participation of all stakeholders with a view to approving an immediate action plan to construct the new Road Ahead for West Indies cricket from kindergarten to the halls of fame.”

FROM BACK PAGE

Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championship...

A+ FOR PREPARATION Speaking at the official launch of the Caribbean Championships last evening, Matthews said that he was pleasantly surprised with the efforts of the GTTA and said that without a doubt he would give them an A plus for preparations.

“They (the GTTA) did a fantastic job in just six months, the hotel is great, the food is great, and the transportation is of a high class.”

Matthews added that some of the services are better than what he was exposed to at previous World Championships.

President of the GTTA, Godfrey Munroe, told Chronicle Sport that the tournament is key for the further development of the sport locally.

“This positions us as a table tennis nation, more than the ability for the players to compete for medals, this positions us to be strategically placed in terms of the new direction of the ITTF.” Last evening the teams were expected to do a draw for the start of this morning’s team battle. The countries will also play in the male doubles, the female doubles, the mixed doubles, the male singles, the female singles, the U-21 female singles, the U-21 male singles and an over-45 open competition from today until March 31.

Guyana has a team of 30 players and Munroe is confident that several players will medal.

The top three male and female nations will qualify for the Pan American Cup, which is scheduled for Paraguay in September. That event would be used as qualifications for the World Championships.

Along with Munroe and Matthews, Latin American TT president Juan Vila, former Caribbean champion Sidney Christophe, and Director of Sport Christopher Jones, were at the opening for remarks and the meeting of the teams.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

India a class act with soft underbelly - Manjrekar

By Sudipto Ganguly

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India are a class outfit but they will go into this year’s World Cup with a soft underbelly having failed to settle on a number four, former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar told Reuters in an interview.

With the experienced partnership of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan locked in as openers and captain Virat Kohli coming in at first drop, the twice champions have a top order the rival of any in the game.

Selectors continue to fret over who bats after the second wicket falls, however, with a series of candidates having fluffed their auditions. Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Lokesh Rahul and Dinesh Karthik have all been trialled for the number four spot and been found wanting.

Ambati Rayudu emerged as the most likely choice to fill the berth but scores of 13, 18 and two in the first three

matches of the recent home series against world champions Australia damaged his cause. The hosts ended up losing the series 3-2 and Manjrekar felt India were back to square one with no more ODIs scheduled before the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England and Wales, where India will be looking to add to their 1983 and 2011 triumphs.

“There was only one little gap that needed to be filled which is number four and getting some exciting options at four, five, six,” Manjrekar said. “They tried quite a few people and I don’t begrudge them that. I don’t think that was wrong.

It’s just disappointing that the players have not used the opportunity to cement their places.

“Like, Ambati Rayudu had a great opportunity. He got a 90 in New Zealand and I thought that’s done. But then he fails in the next few innings and then a good ball will suddenly get him out and you sort of lose faith in

the World Cup, it’s a class team with genuine class in bowling and batting but with a soft underbelly which will be their middle order.

“Vijay Shankar is my current number four — not the ideal number four but from the candidates that we have, he is my number four.”

India batsman Ambati Rayudu

him as the number four.”

Vijay Shankar’s rise as a handy, nerveless all-rounder was one definite gain from the Australia series. With India’s first choice pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya injured, Shankar proved he could float in the batting order and hold his nerve in the death overs with ball in hand. Manjrekar, who played 37 Tests and 74 ODIs for India before turning his hand to media punditry, said

that Shankar was his pick to fill the number four spot.

“Your number four has got to have a little bit of class because in England it’s perfectly possible that you are 20-2 so you got to have somebody who will just weather the storm and then take India close to 300 runs,” he said. “That perfect number four India still haven’t found and I don’t think they will find it now.

“So when India goes into

AUSTRALIA REVIVAL Manjrekar, speaking on the sidelines of the launch of ESPNcricinfo’s Superstats which uses data science to analyse cricket, said he expected the usual suspects to be challenging for the World Cup. Five-times world champions Australia arrived in India as clear underdogs for the recent short format tour, having endured a wretched couple of years in ODIs during which they lost six series in a row. That form slump was exacerbated by the ball-tampering scandal that robbed them of Steve Smith and David Warner for 12 months.

Without their two best

batsmen as well as frontline pace duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, they still managed to win a five-match series from 2-0 down for the first time. “I am delighted that Australia is coming into their own,” Manjrekar said.

“Because you don’t want a World Cup where there are one or two teams clear leaders and others are really struggling. “And don’t forget they know what it takes to be champions. So if they have one or two good games, they will be thinking about only the title, nothing else.”

Manjrekar did not have the same optimism about the chances of hosts England, who top the ODI world rankings but have yet to win the World Cup. “I want to see England on a global sort of platform, when the entire world is watching,” he added.

“I want to see how they cope with the pressure that comes with it. I have a big question mark over their temperament as a team.”

Drama in Jaipur as Jos Buttler mankaded by R Ashwin RAVICHANDRA Ashwin has reignited the spirit-of-cricket debate by running out non-striker Jos Buttler without bowling the ball. It turns out the dismissal was touch and go when it comes to being within the laws of the game.

Running in to deliver the penultimate delivery of his final over, Ashwin stopped after entering his delivery stride. Buttler didn’t have his eye on the bowler and slipped out of the crease.

As soon as he saw that, Ashwin simply turned around and broke the stumps at the non-strikers’ end with the batsman out of his crease. The decision was sent up to the third umpire, who didn’t need much time to send Buttler on his way.

Rajasthan Royals’ Buttler had an unpleasant exchange with Ashwin, the Kings XI Punjab captain, while the third umpire made his decision. He walked off angry, and was seen shouting in the general direction of one of the dugouts.

Speaking at the postmatch press conference,

Ashwin said of the incident: “Look, it was very instinctive. On my part, it was very instinctive. It was not planned or anything like that. It’s there within the rules of the game. I don’t understand where the spirit of the game comes, naturally if it’s there in the rules it’s there.

“I don’t understand the point of sporting or sportive in that point because it’s rules. What applies for one man does not apply for everyone else. Neither was Jos Buttler playing there nor was I played so it’s very pertinent to just not compare two people..” This was not the first time Buttler had been run out backing up too far.

On air in host broadcaster Star Sports’ “Dugout”, Kumar Sangakkara pointed out how, in a game against Sri Lanka in 2014, Buttler was run out in a similar fashion after two warnings by Sachithra Senanayake.

The question here, though, was whether Buttler would have been inside his crease had Ashwin not stopped at the point of delivery. The updated law 41.16

Ravichandra Ashwin mankads Jos Buttler (BCCI photo)

says: “If the non-striker is out of his/her ground from the moment the ball comes into play to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him/her out.”

The wording “expected to release the ball” leaves room for subjectivity, which

is where Ashwin’s assertion that he hadn’t even loaded becomes critical. If the bowler hadn’t even loaded, as Ashwin said, is it possible to estimate a time when he was “expected to release the ball”?

Royals’ coach Paddy Upton, though, didn’t bother about the technicalities. He was miffed, and it showed

in the press conference. “I think R Ashwin’s actions tonight speak for him and represent him, when I looked at his team-mates,” Upton said, “and I’m not sure it represented his team-mates.

I think we’ll leave it up to the IPL fans to decide if that’s the kind of things they want to see, and we’ll leave it up to the cricket world to

judge R Ashwin’s actions tonight. But for us, we’re certainly here to play cricket and entertain the fans and be good role models for people who love the game.”

Buttler was looking in control of the chase of 185 at that time, having scored 69 off 43. His wicket, though, triggered a collapse as hosts Rajasthan Royals lost seven wickets for 16 runs to lose by 14 runs. Every wicket brought about loud boos from the Sawai Mansingh Stadium crowd.

At the end of the match, Buttler shook Ashwin’s hand, but refused to look his way. Just behind Buttler, Upton seemed to have said something to Ashwin while shaking his hand, which made Ashwin stop in his tracks and give them a bemused look.

“Part and parcel,” Royals’ captain Ajinkya Rahane said at the postmatch presentation. “Sadly we are not allowed to comment on controversial issues. I am sure the match referee will take a call. We take these decisions sportingly.” (ESPN Cricinfo).

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

Andrews, Waldron explode for GDF in big win against Ace Warriors

LEON Andrews and Damian Waldron starred with bat and ball to lead the Guyana Defence Force to a 238-run victory against Ace Warriors when action in the Noble House Seafoods Second-Division Two-Day cricket competition continued over the weekend at the GDF ground, Camp Ayanganna.

GDF exploded with the bat after losing the toss on Saturday morning. Both Andrews, who captained the team and Waldron, who batted at four, blasted centuries.

For the third wicket, the pair put together 198 runs.

Andrews, who opened the batting, struck seven fours and five sixes, while Waldron hit eight fours and seven sixes. Devendra Lall eventually dismissed both batsmen, but not before Andrews had scored an even 100 and Waldron had hit 109.

GDF declared at 300-5 in 43 overs. Dameon Ross and Deamon Whitney had added 21 and 20 runs respectively.

In reply, Ace Warriors were bundled out for 113 in 33.4 overs after Andrews and Waldron combined for six wickets with their offspin bowling.

Andrews finished with

Leon Andrews tallied 163 runs and a match haul of 9-122.

4-37, while Waldron took 2-30. None of the Ace War-

Damian Waldron, who scored 109 in the first innings, also did significant damage with the ball.

riors’ batsmen reached 20.

GDF then raced to 225-8 in their second innings, before they declared after 35.1 overs. Andrews and Ross took the initiative early, after blasting a quick 115-run opening wicket partnership.

The skipper, whose first four scoring shots were boundaries, finished with 63 (8x4s, 1x6), while Ross, who scored 50, struck seven fours.

Whitney added 48 (5x4s, 1x6) and Colvis Sam (28) before GDF declared.

Raul Enmore, who got the wickets of both openers, finished with 3-75, while Lall picked up 3-57 and Sel-

win Collier, as he did in the first innings, again finished with two scalps.

With a lead of 412 GDF, led by Andrews and Waldron, were able to dismiss their opponents in 32.3 overs for 174 runs.

Enmore, who was initially able to manoeuvre around the off-spinners, scored 91 runs. The opener struck six fours and six sixes and looked set for a century, but a straight ball from Waldron struck him on the pad, resulting in an LBW decision.

Andrews finished with 5-85, while Waldron took 3-39 and Sam 2-46.

Central Essequibo T20 League

Queenstown win Bacchus Bulls, Ravens, Cotton field and inaugural Region Two Reliance Hustlers in winners’ row 5 ‘A’ Side football fury

DEFENDING champions Bacchus Bulls, along with Ravens, Cotton Field and Reliance Hustlers, secured victories on Sunday in the latest round of the Central Essequibo T20 league.

At the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance, Bacchus Bulls stormed to an 8-wicket win over Ramkissoon’s X1, who batted first and made 115-5 from their 20 overs on the strength of an unbeaten 48 (6x4s) from Naith Ram and 28 (2x4s) from Clean Harris, also unbeaten at the end. Seam bowler Punraj Singh had tidy figures of 3-12 from his 4 overs.

In reply, former national Under-19 batsman, Parmesh Parsotam, blasted an unbeaten 80 laced with 13x4s and 2x6s as the Bulls romped to 116-2 in 15 overs to remain unbeaten in the competition.

At the same venue in

Parmesh Parsotam hit an unbeaten 80 in Bacchus Bulls victory

the second match, Ravens kept their wings intact with a 13-run victory over Queenstown S.C. After winning the toss and batting, Ravens were restricted to 28-4 at one stage.

However, small partnerships by the middle order rallied them to 141 all out in the 20th over with Sugrim Ahiram (22) and Glendon Smith (20) being the main scorers.

Medium pacers Randy Bridgemohan (3-19) and

Kevin Martinborough (217) bowled impressively.

In reply, a solid half-century by former national Under -19 opener, Herell Green, kept his side in the hunt.

While Ravens bowled accurately and was admirably supported in the field, Green kept batting responsibly with crisp strokes along the ground.

However, when he departed for 52 (7x4s), wickets fell regularly and the asking rate climbed.

The task was beyond the remaining batsmen as Queenstown were restricted to 128-7 when the overs were completed, with Elroy Stephney claiming 2-16 from 4 overs of penetrative off-spin.

At the Number 1 ground in Affiance, Reliance Hustlers recorded a comfortable 68-run win over the host, Affiance S.C.

After winning the toss and batting, opener Mark Austin counted his third consecutive half-century to lead the Hustlers charge.

Austin hammered 86 (15x4s and 3x6s) as the Hustlers posted 181-5, then restricted Affiance S.C for 113-8 from their 20 overs. Over at the Reliance ground, Parmanand Persaud also was in vintage mood with an entertaining half-century to lead Cotton Field S.C to an 8-wicket triumph against Reliance S.C. who made 141-9 from their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Persaud counted 14x4s and 2x6s in his 84 as Cotton Field reached 143-2 in just 12 overs.

The competition will continue on Sunday with the 7th round of matches. The top four teams will qualify for the playoffs.

FIFA to hear Chelsea transfer ban appeal on April 11 (REUTERS) - Chelsea have lodged an appeal against a one-year transfer ban to FIFA’s Appeal Committee and the case will be heard on April 11, the sport’s world governing body said on Monday.

The English Premier League club were banned from registering new players in the next two transfer windows and fined 600,000 Swiss Francs (457,138

pounds) after they were found guilty of breaching rules on signing foreign players under the age of 18.

FIFA this month denied Chelsea’s request to freeze the ban during the appeal process.

Chelsea may take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as other clubs have done in the past.

By Elroy Stephney FOURTEEN teams converged on the Anna Regina Car Park tarmac on Friday last for the inaugural Region Two- sponsored 5 ‘A’ Side Street Football fury which culminated the Region’s series of activities for Mash 2019.

When the games began at 6:45pm in front of a massive and vocal gathering, it was Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikaran (snr) who made the first kick to goal. Thereafter, shots were traded until 2:00 am the next morning when the winner emerged. Henrietta United ‘A’ and Good Hope S.C started off the action within a limited perimeter and lasting for 30 minutes.

Given the small space, scoring was as precious as gold. Henrietta was stunned by a first goal in the first half from their opponents but responded with 2 goals in the second half to secure an exciting win. It was then Queenstown’s turn and they netted 2 in the first half to send Essequibo Technical Institute packing. It was an ominous sign as Queenstown went on to record victories against Richmond F.C, Dartmouth F.C and the Guyana Police Force to secure a semi-final spot.

On the other side, Henrietta United ‘A’ had wins against Anna Regina Fire Station, Charity Extreme and Bush Lot S.C to secure the other semi-final place.

In the first play-off, Henrietta United ‘A’ staved off a strong

challenge to edge Mainstay Gold Star 2-1 to reach the final.

In the other match-up, Queenstown S.C then held their composure for a 1-0 victory against Henrietta United ‘B’ to also reach the final. The climax then saw both teams trading an array of skilful ground play, swift movement and good ball control all the way through.

With both teams being equally matched, the title was anyone’s guess. The deal was then sealed when Troy Hamilton’s strong and accurate shot pierced the goal, much to the delight of the crowd.

The contest was sealed then as Queenstown kept their defence unshakable and when the whistle blew, it was Queenstown F.C winning 1-0.

At the presentation, officials from Region Two-- Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikaran (snr); Assistant Regional Executive Officer Yvette Hastings-Tfarares; Expenditure, Planning and Management Analyst and Personnel Officer 11, Teageanindra Kishore-- were present to distribute the prizes with Queenstown United pocketing $100,000 and Henrietta United ‘A’ $50,000.

Also among the guests were President of the Essequibo/ Pomeroon Football Association, Maxine Stewart and Essequibo Tourism Association Chairperson, Maria Lord, and staff of the Regional Democratic Council.

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Women’s Championship

Jamaica crush Leeward Islands by 8 ..Guyana end tournament on winning note wickets to finish third AN astounding bowling performance from the Jamaica women at the National Stadium, Providence, propelled them to a crushing eight-wicket win over the Leeward Islands with skipper Stafanie Taylor’s all-round contribution landing her the player of the match award.

Leeward Islands won the toss and elected to bat, but were totally at sea with only three batters reaching double figures as they were bowled out for a paltry 91 in just 35.4 overs. Taylor’s offspin landed her four wickets while Chinelle Henry and Vanessa Watts kept up the pressure at the other end, snaring three wickets apiece.

Only Saneldo Willet, who made 23 (2x4s, 76 deliveries), Shawnisha Hector

with 16 (3x4s, 31 deliveries) and Jenisen Richards who managed 19 (2x4s, 46 deliveries) made it to double figures for the Leeward Islands, the last 4 wickets fell for just 11 runs with the number 10 and 11 batters failing to trouble the scorers.

Taylor ended with figures of 4-10 from 6.4 overs while Henry had 3-19 (8 overs) and Watts 3-12 (7.2 overs).

In their run chase, Jamaica lost their opening pair cheaply as Natasha McLean was trapped LBW by Amanda Edwards for just four runs while Rashada Williams was bowled by the same bowler for two.

Then entered Taylor and her deputy, Chedean Nation, who carried Jamaica home in 15.4 overs with the latter hit-

Guyana’s Player of the match, Erva Gididngs plays through the offside during her top score of 34 not out against the Windward Islands. (Adrian Narine Photo)

ting an unbeaten half-century. Nation’s knock spanned just 35 deliveries and included 10 fours and a six while Taylor held her end to finish not out on 24 (28 deliveries)

GBA plans Take-Away lunch to get team to Pan Am Qualifiers THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will be holding a TakeAway lunch on Saturday at the National Gynasium on Mandela Avenue. The lunch is being held to help in sending a team of boxers to the Pan Am Qualifiers in Nicaragua.

President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle disclosed that the “expected” support to date has not been received. “We are on the annual run once again as it relates to securing what is needed to have a team of boxers participate at an international event.

I can assure that this run is not unique to boxing, but most associations in Guyana face this, whether its rugby, table tennis, basketball; and I can go on. Nevertheless, we cannot sit with our hands on our heads as the show must go on,” Ninvalle said.

The GBA has encamped a team of five boxers for the games, to be led by Caribbean Middleweight Champion, `Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam. A ticket to Nicaragua where the Qualifiers are being held was yesterday quoted at US$2,000 per person.

In addition, accommodation and meals are priced at US$1,200 per

Desmond Amsterdam

person for the April 2 to April 11 event. Ninvalle, who was last week elected Vice-President of Americas Boxing Confederation, said that the GBA at this time will welcome any support to send the team.

“We have invested in making sure these boxers are well prepared. We have acquired the services of a coach who has been working with our team for over a month. It would be a huge disappointment if the ball is dropped now.” The Take-Away lunch is at 13.00hrs on Saturday .

which contained four boundaries; together, the pair ensured that Jamaica grabbed victory by eight wickets.

Meanwhile, Guyana ended their tournament on a

winning note when they beat Windward Islands by 57 runs. Batting first, Guyana managed 132 before being bowled out with Evra Giddings scoring an unbeaten

34 while the next best score came from Akaze Thompson who managed 18 before being dismissed. The pick of the bowlers for the Windward Islands was Afy Fletcher with figures of 3-19 (10 overs).

Needing 133 for victory, the Windward Islands collapsed in their run chase with only Fletcher reaching double figures with her score of 26. Sheneta Grimmond was the architect of destruction for the Guyanese, leading the way with 4-23 while Giddings chipped in with 2-14 and Paula Millington grabbed 3-12 to hand Guyana the win.

Jamaica finished third overall and Guyana’s win ensured that they were fourth in the points standing.

– issues invitation for BCB congratulates Skerritt and Shallow to new leadership of CWI. visit the Ancient County THE President and executive members of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would like to express our heartfelt congratulation to Ricky Skerrit on his election as President of the West Indies Cricket Board.

We would like to congratulate newly elected Vice-President Dr. Kishore Shallow and it is our hope that their election would be the start of a new era in West Indies Cricket where the development of cricket is the main objective. The BCB stands ready to work along with every elected cricket officials whose mission is to make sure that cricket is always put first. We are very confident that Mr. Skerrit would not only be a fair, inspirational leader, but that he would spearhead a revival of cricket in the Caribbean.

For too long, cricket in Guyana has been administered by an unelected executives who seemed more interested in staying in power than in the development of the game in every county.

We at the BCB have not received a cent of funds from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for over a decade, and every effort has been made to stop the progress of Berbice Cricket while we have also been denied the oppor-

tunity to see our stars playing at home.

Over the last fourteen months, we have witnessed the unbelievable scene of the GCB operating an unofficial office of the Berbice Cricket Board with a full-time staff who does nothing but pass on email messages from the Guyana Cricket Board to the President of the Berbice Cricket Board.

The BCB will shortly take legal action to stop this profound nonsense as we did not authorise any person to act on our behalf.

We remain committed to working with all cricket stakeholders and would like to publicly

invite Mr. Skerrit and Dr. Shallow to visit the Ancient County.

Berbice Cricket is currently undergoing a remarkable period of development due to hard work, transparency, visionary leadership and a culture of cohesion between the Berbice Cricket Board and all stakeholders. We look forward to discussing ideas with the new CWI bosses as we strive to return West Indies Cricket to the successes of the Frank Worrel, Clive Lloyd and Vivian Richards era.

Congrats and May God bless West Indies Cricket under its new leadership.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday March 26, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1) Chris Gayle (2011) (2) 74 matches Today’s Quiz: (1) When did Chennai Super Kings win an IPL title for the first time?

(2) Who were their opponents?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday March 26, 2019

New CWI boss Skerritt urges patience from stakeholders ..as he gets ready to act on campaign promises Ricky Skerritt was elected CWI President on Sunday

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – After securing the Cricket West Indies (CWI) top job in a stunning result here Sunday, new president Ricky Skerritt has targeted the rejuvenation of the high performance centre, governance reform and finding a permanent West Indies coach, as three of the main items on his immediate agenda.

However, the former St Kitts and Nevis government minister has urged patience from stakeholders as he prepares to implement his 10-point Cricket First Plan, which formed the basis of his election campaign over the last month.

The 62-year-old was speaking shortly after he and running mate, Dr Kishore Shallow, unseated Jamaican Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron and vice-president, Emmanuel Nathan, by 8-4 margins, in a highly anticipated annual general meeting at the Jamaica Pegasus.

“We are going to have to ask for patience but there is some basis in some of those 10 points that is already happening but most of it needs significant improvements, significant injections and in the case of the HPC for instance that is going to be the one that is most costly,” Skerritt shared.

The former West Indies team manager had made reviving the HPC one of the bedrocks of his campaign, after the Cameron-led CWI pulled the plug in the institution in 2017.

Skerritt, who gained widespread support from stakeholders in his election bid, said CWI would also be aiming to make possible implementations from the Patterson Report.

“We had actually begun to do that under the leadership of Don Wehby and myself and two other independent directors back in 2016 and 2017,” Skerritt explained.

“And there is a report that was submitted to the outgoing president which was really a review of the Patterson Report and several others, to try to see which recommendations had actually been implemented and which ones were not.

“So what we have to do now is go back dust off that 2017 report which is the most recent summary and use it as a starting point to see which of the governance changes are still relevant and which ones we can implement as quickly as possible.” He added “I will even try to approach him [Wehby]. Maybe he can somehow find the time out of his busy schedule to look at that report and even help me with the implementations.”

According to Skerritt, steps will also be taken to search within the region for the next possible West Indies senior team coach. Englishman Richard Pybus is currently guiding the team on an interim basis, following the departure of Australian Stuart Law. The appointment of Pybus ahead of the recent England series was a controversial affair, with Cameron accused of hand-picking the former director of cricket and agreeing contractual terms without prior board approval.

“That has been a vexatious sort of issue,” said Skerritt.

“I have to tell you that we believe very strongly in localising the expertise that we put behind our teams and we believe only in bringing in non-Caribbean expertise only where it is not available across the region.

“We want to be sure that the team does well at all times with the possible resources but we also have to make sure that they have a Caribbean support team around them.”

He continued: “So that is the issue which will be looked at. I can’t give you any promises or any anticipation of how soon or when there will be changes but it is an issue that has touched many across the region. People generally want to see Caribbean past cricketers and Caribbean expertise helping to build Caribbean cricket.”

Dottin stars as Barbados retain Regional Women’s Super50 title

Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

By Rajiv Bisnauth BARBADOS completed a 28-run win over Trinidad and Tobago at the Enmore ground yesterday to retain the Colonial Medical Insurance Regional Women’s Super50 title The Barbadians relied on star player Deandra Dottin, who produced a total all-round effort to sink the Trinidadians. Chasing 243 for victory, the Twin-Island Republic team were bowled out for 214 in 47.5 overs. Dottin, who had earlier smashed a 43ball 73, returned with the ball to capture 6-43, to be named Player-of-the-match.

Earlier, the Barbadian total was built around half-centuries from the Knight sisters (Kycia and Kyshona), along with Dottin.

Kycia struck a top-score of 77 off 88 balls, counting eight boundaries; Dottin hammered three fours and six sixes while Kyshona made a patient 56 off 135 balls, with three boundaries. Asked to bat first in sunny conditions, Barbados lost both openers-- Hayley Matthews and Danielle Small-- without scoring to off-spinners Anisa Mohammed (2-45) and Karishma Ramharack (4-37), inside the innings second over.

However, the twin sisters

A jubilant Barbados team celebrate with their Super50 trophy. (Adrian Narine photo).

then came to the rescue. The pair played sensible cricket to deny their opponents any further celebration, until the end of the 36th over of the innings, by combining 133 runs for the third-wicket.

The partnership did not only rescue the Barbadians, but it allowed Dottin to play her natural attacking game towards the latter part of the innings. Just when the partnership between the Knight sisters seemed to be in control, Ramharack came in with the much-needed breakthrough, removing Kycia Knight.

With the addition of another 18 runs on Barbados’ scorecard, Lee-

Ann Kirby (1-38), gave the innings another jolt as she removed Kyshona at 151-4.

Thereafter, Dottin lit up the innings with some awesome strokeplay.

The 27-year-old Dottin and Charlene Taitt combined for a fifth-wicket stand of 86 off just 58 balls with Dottin single-handedly dominating the partnership with a spectacular display of power. But her dismissal off Mohammed saw Barbados lose momentum towards the end.

Felecia Walters (27), and Rachel Vincent (10), then put together 50 runs for the first wicket in 16.3 overs in the run chase.

But Vincent’s resistance came to an end when she offered a simple return catch to Matthews.

The run chase was further boosted by a few more top order scores from Stacy Ann King (38), Britney Cooper (23), Merissa Aguilleira (32) and Reniece Boyce (39). However, the batters could not sustain the runchase pressure and folded to the accurate medium-pace bowling of Dottin.

Dottin received able support from Matthews (2-31), and a wicket apiece from Shakera Selman and Small. The players now turn their attention to the T20 tournament which bowls off on Thursday.

PM Nagamootoo Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championship serves off today congratulates Skerritt and -GTTA given A+ for preparation

Director of Sport Christopher Jones meets national player, Nigel Bryan, and other members of team Guyana at the opening ceremony.

ELEVEN countries, including host Guyana, will battle in the 61st Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championship, which officially serves off this morning at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Included in the mix are a strong Puerto Rican side and The Dominican Republic. The two nations are early favourites to repeat as male and fe-

male team champions respectively.

Aruba and Suriname were the only two original teams that were scheduled to travel that did not make the trip. The other teams here are Cuba, Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and Guadeloupe.

Prior to today’s competi-

tion, several of the teams were battling in the Pan American Qualifiers, and President of the Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation, Teddy Matthews, was quick to point out that the organising body-the Guyana Table Tennis Association-- had so far done an excellent job.

SEE STORY ON PAGE 23

Dr Shallow on CWI victory

FOLLOWING their 8-4 victory on Sunday which saw Ricky Skerritt becoming Cricket West Indies President and Dr. Kishore Shallow gaining the Vice-President post, Guyana’s Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo offered congratulations yesterday.

Skerritt and Dr. Shallow defeated Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nathan, both by 8-4 margins, at Sunday’s election in Jamaica.

The Prime Minister started his letter by saying “I offer warm congratulations to you and Dr. Kishore Shallow on your election to the Presidency and Vice-presidency of Cricket West Indies (CWI)”.

He continued; “I am aware of your background in West Indies cricket administration and experience in government, which

Ricky Skerritt

will serve you during your term. All Guyanese wish you every success as you endeavour to provide leadership, vision and direction in the administration of our premier regional sport.”

On another note, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said; “we look forward to the healing of strained relationships with players and other stakeholders.”

“We are impressed

with your ‘Cricket First’ plan, and look forward to its full execution regionwide. As you are aware, the Guyanese people are passionate and unwavering fans of West Indies cricket and look forward to annual international cricket in our country. In this regard, we look forward to engaging with you, Dr. Shallow and the CWI Board, soonest on matters of mutual interest towards the development and growth of West Indies cricket.”

In closing, PM Nagamotoo declared; “our government is also keen on forging a stronger and mutually beneficial working relationship with CWI at the bilateral level, and on matters which engaged the attention of the CARICOM Sub-Committee on Cricket, and the role of the sport in the region”.

See Page 23

PMs Mitchell, Rowley hail Skerritt presidency as new dawn for Windies cricket Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2019