Guyana Chronicle E-paper 03-31-2019

31th March, 2019

Youths get No.105593

second chance

–– as Guyana Youth Corps rolls out skills 03 training programmes PAGE

Dancers perform at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in honour of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha being conferred with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in January this year. The reception was held at High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam’s residence, Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara on Saturday (Delano Williams photo)

Corentyne man hits 02 down wife then stabs her dead PAGE

Training commences 11 for AROs, enumerators PAGE

Integrating ICT key to modernising 18 education sector PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Corentyne man hits down wife then stabs her dead TWO weeks after walking away from an abusive marriage, a 20-year-old woman was savagely killed by her husband on Saturday.

Dead is Omwattie Gill called “Anjalie” and “Ango”, of Lot 33 Williamsburg, East Berbice Corentyne. The suspect has been identified as

her husband, Gavin Gill, a taxi driver.

According to information received, at approximately 08:30hrs on Saturday, the mother of one was making her way to work when she was ambushed and attacked by her partner.

An eyewitness told re-

hended the perpetrator who seems undeterred by their presence.

Omwattie was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital bleeding profusely from the wounds she received on the neck and succumbed shortly after.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the woman was in an abusive marriage that is just over a year old, but kept quiet. However, as things began to get worse, she opted to move out of their

porters that Omwattie was first hit by a white Toyota motorcar – HC 4924 – driven by her husband; a car he rents and works. She was flung several feet away due to the impact of the hit. Gavin then exited the vehicle and began stabbing the woman.

In his bid to end her life,

Suspect: Gavin Gill the man continued the attack by holding on to her hair and started chopping her several times on the neck and about her body as she lay motionless on a bridge.

“I hear the impact and run outside then I see him coming to her fast and he just start stabbing her. I screaming at him to stop but he went back to the car and got a cutlass, even to then I start cursing he and hollering but he start chopping she,” the eyewitness said.

The eyewitness related that moments after, a police patrol responded and appre-

home at Port Mourant with her seven-month-old daughter to live at her mother’s residence at Williamsburg.

This move angered her husband and he began to hurl threats against Omwattie and her mother.

The Whim Magistrate’s Court recently issued a restraining order against the perpetrator, demanding that he keeps at least 100 feet away from See page 3

The car that the suspect used to hit down his wife

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Youths get second chance –– as Guyana Youth Corps rolls out skills training programmes

By Svetlana Marshall

COME Monday April 1, approximately 500 young Guyanese will commence training at 55 locations across the country under the umbrella of the Guyana Youth Corps, as the

Twenty-one-year-old Stephan Pollard of Agricola is among the persons enrolled in the programme. He is looking to turn a new page in life (Delano Williams photo) government takes another step at reducing the youth unemployment rate in the country by making young

people job-ready.

The Guyana Youth Corps students will undergo training in their chosen technical vocational skill area as well as leadership, job readiness training, entrepreneurship and mentorship training – and many of them are seeing it as an opportunity to ac-

Stephan Pollard of Agricola is among the persons enrolled in the programme. After ‘dropping out’ of school at the age of 15, Pollard is looking to turn a new leaf.

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle on Thursday at Kuru Kuru, shortly after the launch of the Guyana Youth

Shameer Mentore hails from Bartica and sees t h e G u y a n a Yo u t h Corps as an avenue to tap into the Construction Industry (Delano Williams photo)

Nineteen-year-old Intheil Moses of Bartica

quire the requisite skills and knowledge needed for the job market, and to become owners of their businesses.

Twenty-one-year-old

Corps by President David Granger, Pollard said he is ready to capitalise on the programme.

“I am glad for this opportunity to follow-up with this school thing and get a certificate,” he told this newspaper. Pollard has an

interest in catering and electrical installation, and hopes one day, he will be able to set up his own business. “I drop out of school six years ago because of the environment I was in, but I am looking to be a better person in this life,” the 21-year-old said.

Sarah Truman of Sophia

facilitated through the Guyana Youth Corps, will help young Guyanese to acquire the needed experience.

“The job readiness training will make more youths marketable. Most places ask how many years of experience you have, and the on

not limited to school dropouts, and young people like herself should capitalise on the opportunity.

Conan Henry is among the 500 young Guyanese who will commence training in various fields on Monday (Delano Williams photo)

Ezekiel Dawson of Temehri, 16, is still in school but he is not letting up on this opportunity to gain experience in the area of carpentry (Delano Williams photo)

Eusi Noble, 17, of Kuru Kururu has completed training in welding and fabrication under the Board of Industrial Training and is looking forward to gaining more experience in the field (Delano Williams photo)

said ever so often employers demand experience even from those who would have just completed their formal secondary school education, and the programme, being

Corentyne man hits down wife ...

From page 2

his wife, mother-in-law and child.

The Guyana chronicle also understands that the suspect returned from the US sometime in late 2017 and got married to Gavin some three months after, despite her parents’ disapproval.

He works as a taxi driver and would often imbibe and become abusive towards his wife whenever she asks for money or items to take care of their daughter.

Relatives related that the young mother had made up her mind she no longer needed him in her life and was now getting her life back on track.

She started working at a store in Rose Hall Town just over a week ago and was heading there when she met her demise.

The suspect remains in custody and is expected to be charged soon, as investigations into the incident continues.

Gavin Gill and wife Omwattie in happier times

the job training will help us to get employment and to understand what really the job entails and get the job done right,” Truman told this newspaper.

The young woman, who seizes every opportunity to acquire additional knowledge and skills and has an interest in renewable energy, said the programme is

UTILISE THE OPPORTUNITY “I would encourage persons from the Sophia area,

not just the drop-outs but the youths, and when I say youths, I mean those within the age range 17 to 25, to take this up, take the opportunity, and take up the mantle to do something to better themselves,” Truman See page 9

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 31, 2019

Brexit: Theresa May ponders fourth bid to pass deal (BBC) Theresa May and her cabinet are looking for ways to bring her EU withdrawal agreement back to the Commons for a fourth attempt at winning MPs' backing.

The PM said the UK would need "an alternative way forward" after her plan was defeated by 58 votes on Friday.

MPs from all parties will test support for other options during a second round of "indicative votes" on Monday.

However, Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis said the government did not support any of those options.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn refused to say whether his party would offer an option to remain in the EU during these votes, but said the obvious choice was "a good economic relationship with Europe".

The latest vote came on the day the UK was supposed to leave the European Union: 29 March. The date was postponed to allow Mrs May more time to find a Brexit solution.

Friday's defeat was the third time MPs have rejected her withdrawal agreement the first vote was lost by 230 votes, the second by 149.

The government has so far failed to win over 34 Conservative rebels, including both Remainers as well as Tory Brexiteers, who say the deal still leaves the UK too closely aligned to Europe.

Northern Ireland's DUP - which has propped up Mrs May's minority government - also continues to oppose the deal.

But a No 10 source indicated the prime minister would continue to seek support in the Commons and insisted efforts were "going in the right direction".

Government position 'clear' MPs will hold another set of non-binding votes on various Brexit options in the Commons on Monday.

None of MPs' eight proposed Brexit options secured

a majority in the last round of "indicative votes" on 27 March, but the options which received the most votes were a customs union with the EU or a referendum on any deal.

The customs union allows businesses to move goods around the EU without checks or charges. Continued membership would bar the UK from striking independent trade deals after Brexit.

Brandon Lewis told Radio 4's Today programme: "The government's position is very clear - we do not support these options. The government's position is we believe the best way to respect the referendum is to deliver the deal."

He said staying in a customs union with the EU would go against the result of the referendum and the Conservatives' election manifesto.

However, Mr Corbyn said Labour would propose a deal that did involve a customs union with the EU - to protect the issue of avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland.

He said: "I'm convinced at that after spending a lot of time meeting with and talking to officials in Europe."

Nicky Morgan, a former cabinet minister and Tory MP, said one way to end the Brexit deadlock could be a government of national unity - which is a cabinet made up of different parties.

She told Today: "There have been periods in our history when we have had national unity governments or a coalition for a very specific issue."

There is every chance that the prime minister will again - with routes outside the normal boundaries - try to make a version of her Brexit deal the end result of all of this.

Despite a third defeat, despite the embarrassment of repeated losses, don't imagine that she is ready to say a permanent farewell to the compromise deal she brokered with the EU or, straightaway, to her time in

office.

There is still a belief in the heart of government that there could be a way round, perhaps to include the prime minister's agreed treaty as one of the options that is subject to a series of votes that will be put in front of the Commons next week.

The aspiration, strange as it sounds, for some time now has been to prove to MPs that the deal is the least worst of all the options...

Earlier this month, EU leaders gave the PM until 12 April to come up with a Brexit solution; if her deal had made it through Parliament on Friday that date would have been pushed back to 22 May to allow time to pass the necessary legislation.

Since the deal was rejected, Mrs May now has until 12 April to seek a longer extension to avoid the UK leaving without a deal.

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said she remained "confident" the government could deliver Brexit, adding that "we have to keep trying".

Tory Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen said leaving the EU without a deal was the best option on the table.

"No deal is the only way we're going to get out, fulfilling our manifesto pledges and the commitment we made to the British people after the referendum," he said.

Mrs May said it was "almost certain" there would have to be an extended delay to Brexit to allow the UK to take part in the European elections at the end of May if her deal does not go through.

But Downing Street later said this was not an "inevitability".

The withdrawal agreement is the part of the Brexit deal Mrs May struck with Brussels which sets out how much money the UK must pay to the EU as a settlement, details of the transition period, and the

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 31, 2019

Brazil: Bolsonaro's coup celebration barred by judge

(BBC) A judge has barred a planned celebration marking the anniversary of the 1964 Brazilian coup which overthrew the democratic government.

President Jair Bolsonaro had planned to celebrate the anniversary of the start of military rule on Sunday.

The far-right president's decision had provoked widespread condemnation.

He defended the decision earlier this week, stating the aim was to remember the era rather than commemorate military rule itself.

Judge Ivani Silva da Luz said the event celebrating the 55th anniversary of the coup was not "compatible with the process of democratic recon-

70s, at least 434 people were killed or disappeared.

None of the military officials in power at the time has been prosecuted.

Mr Bolsonaro, who is a former army captain and openly admires former dictators, was elected in October.

He is a divisive figure who has sparked controversy with racist, homophobic and

Several events commemorating the coup had already been held before the judge's ruling

struction".

He said commemorative dates must be approved by

the country's Congress.

During the 21 years of dictatorship in the 1960s and FROM PAGE 4

Brexit: Theresa May ...

Irish backstop arrangements.

If Mrs May wants to hold another vote on the deal in Parliament, it has to comply with Commons Speaker John Bercow's ruling that it can only be brought back with "substantial" changes.

This is why the government separated the withdrawal agreement from the political declaration - on the future relationship with the EU - for Friday's vote.

What happens next? * Monday, 1 April: MPs hold another set of votes on various Brexit options to see

if they can agree on a way forward * Wednesday, 3 April: Potentially another round of so-called "indicative votes" * Wednesday, 10 April: Emergency summit of EU leaders to consider any UK request for further extension * Friday, 12 April: Brexit day, if UK does not seek/EU does not grant further delay * 23-26 May: European Parliamentary elections Meanwhile, Leave voters registered their anger at the latest vote rejection with a protest at Westminster.

Thousands gathered outside Parliament to protest against the delay, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Meanwhile Conservative former Attorney General Dominic Grieve, who has campaigned for a further referendum on the deal, is facing deselection after losing a vote of no-confidence in his Beaconsfield constituency.

The prominent Remainer, who remains an MP for the time being, clashed with his local Conservative Party over Brexit.

misogynistic comments.

Opposition to the planned celebrations had been growing throughout the week, with calls on social media for street protests in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

On Tuesday, Brazil's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) issued a statement that said celebrating the dictatorship would be

celebrating "an unconstitutional regime responsible for serious crimes of violation of human rights".

"This initiative sounds like an apology for the practice of mass atrocities and therefore deserves social and political repudiation," the statement continued.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 31, 2019

End the disruption LEADER of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has decided to continue his campaign of attempting to disrupt the political and social systems, his latest act being the planned boycott of the National Assembly.

Of course, this is a right that the party can exercise and it has done so many times during the life of the 11th Parliament. Outside of Parliament, the opposition seems to have instructed its officers at the various Regional Democratic Councils and even at the Guyana Elections Commission, to disrupt proceedings. We have repeatedly seen the walk-outs from GECOM meetings by opposition-nominated commissioners thus preventing the meeting from taking place due to the lack of quorums.

Similar disruption was re-

ported at the last RDC meeting of Region Four, where the PPP councillors frustrated proceedings to the point that the meeting was prematurely adjourned.

It had been pointed out previously that Jagdeo’s unjustified no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, coupled with his repeated and obvious attempts to foster a national atmosphere of fear, distrust, and division, could only be interpreted or construed as an attempt to disrupt the smooth running and good governance of the country.

Following the tabling of his no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, the leader of the opposition repeatedly alluded to a looming “constitutional crisis,” one which has since been proven by the court to be entirely fabricated. The court has

since ruled that the vote on the no-confidence motion had no legal validity.

Additionally, in a thinly veiled appeal to ethnic sensibilities, Jagdeo had encouraged Guyanese to “chase out” their fellow Guyanese who happen to be ministers of government from their communities.

Mr. Jagdeo, a former president, would certainly be aware that Article 160A (1) of the constitution states, “All persons, institutions and political parties are prohibited from taking any action or advancing, disseminating or communicating any idea which may result in racial or ethnic division among the people.” Evidently, Mr. Jagdeo — as demonstrated by his past and current conduct — has scant regard for the law, including Guyana’s

supreme law.

The court having ruled that Bharrat Jagdeo’s trump card — his no-confidence motion — is without merit, has necessitated the opposition leader taking another approach in the furtherance of his agenda. He has appealed the court’s decision at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

As we have pointed out before, the PPP/C has been fostering a highly dubious narrative that the APNU+AFC government is incompetent and corrupt, and therefore must be removed from office after only three years, and without further delay. The problem is, the PPP/C ruled Guyana for 23 years, with a long list of highly unsatisfactory outcomes.

Guyana, from 1992 – 2015, remained an underdeveloped

country, with widespread and deep poverty and inequalities among its people. The education system deteriorated, with most schools starved for resources.

Mr. Jagdeo, as should any holder of high constitutional office, show respect for the rule of law. Additionally, elected officials should revere the wishes and interests of their constituents. Mr. Jagdeo’s party, the PPP, was elected to represent the interests of almost half of the Guyanese populace; as such, the dereliction of his duty to represent their interests in the National Assembly is unacceptable.

The Caribbean Court of Justice has ruled that no President must serve more than two terms. Yet, he would not relinquish leadership and control of his party, seem-

ingly determined not only to be its kingmaker and puppet master, but also its only voice. Hopefully, this party will in time rid itself of the tyranny of its circumstances.

Of course, the work of governing Guyana in a democratic, stable, and responsible manner will continue; the APNU+AFC administration has assured this. However, that fact in no way absolves Mr. Jagdeo of his responsibilities or mitigates the negative effects of his conduct.

Mr. Jagdeo should correct his ways, abandon his attempts to disrupt the lives of citizens, stop his routine disregard of the law, and, instead, join the administration in its quest to put an end to division in Guyana, and work towards our country’s development.

Stabroek News finally exposed

I AM exceedingly happy that the Stabroek News is finally being exposed for its seminal role as part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C) – led attacks on the coalition government, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

Thousands of Guyanese have noted its 360-degree sommersault in aligning itself with elements within this country whose role in the degutting of this country is well documented, as it is well known. Moreover, they would have also observed its daily trenchant attacks, all in the name of the PPP/C, on a government which, although it has made some missteps, has done a tremendous lot in the socio-economic sphere, in efforts at making Guyana

a better place after 23 years of government by the few, for the few.

I agree with Earl Hamilton’s piece, “SN editorial of the court ruling was no surprise,” as highlighted in the March 29 edition of your journal. His observations were well chronicled, in highlighting the SN’s institutional dislike of the PNC/R and what has clearly been a racist line against Afro-Guyanese, particularly the less fortunate. In fact, I will add that the genesis of this discredited newsprint has been as a media outlet that represents and supports exclusively, class interests that have continued on to this day.

I stand to be corrected to support this contention.

One should refer to an incident either sometime in the

final two years of the last century, or in the very early beginning of the new millennium, where the court had made judgement against an attorney that he either pay some damages or reimburse a client. He apparently refused, which forced the plaintiff to approach SN to air the particular grievance. If memory serves accurately, it was concluded that the SN did not publish the issue, because of the professional status of the attorney.

It is always held that the media must be allowed to play its role as both the public’s watchdog, and public conscience in a society where there are no constraints or threats to this critical mission. Further, this undertaking is expected to be carried out in an objective manner,

in which fairness and balance is the guide. Such tenets are vital, particularly in such a society as ours, with its peculiar challenges. In such an environment, poisoned especially by race, and further distorted by a new dubious understanding of social morality, any media that is worth its true salt, is expected to aid in the finding of solutions, rather than adding and exacerbating its problems, as SN has taken the chief role in ensuring.

In this regard, SN stands guilty, as its editorial policy has been the deliberate mouthpiece in a movement that continues to be notoriously dishonest. Of course, I do agree with the AG that “it is in bed with the PPP/C”.

I see absolutely no wrong in such a statement of fact

which is known to all Guyanese, even those who are constituents of the latter named political party.

And as aside, but incidental, in calling for a retraction/ apology, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) should well be reminded that Bharrat Jagdeo could have only continued his blatant disrespect of its organisation, because he expected a continuation of its abysmal failure to hold its member media houses to the highest standards of media conduct, which facilitated, aided and abetted his daily lies and fake news at his press conferences. It would seem that such shameless acquiescence to abject sycophancy--utterly disgusting--had been expected to continue by Jagdeo, without his being challenged. There-

fore, his response to both Nazeema Raghubir’s question and subsequent statement is a jolting reminder that the media should not cosy up to political leaders for whatever it may seem to be worth, particularly those of the known ilk of Jagdeo. Shamefully, the latter has taken advantage of the GPA, thus playing it for all it is worth.

What a media collective that continues to sell itself on the cheap market for whatever promises made; and this is inclusive of the Stabroek News that is nationally discredited as a newspaper.

Regards CAROL MENDONCA

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 31, 2019

Jagdeo, cohorts seemingly oblivious to national interest Dear Editor WITH the Caribbean Court of Justice announcing the scheduling of commencement of arguments in the PPP/C’s appeal against the Guyana Court of Appeal majority verdict that overturned the High Court ruling on the noconfidence motion vote, the stage is now set for when this seminal constitutional matter will be heard and decided.

However, one must take

note as to the power-crazed elements, of course led by Bharrat Jagdeo, who had taken to calling on the Caribbean Court of Justice(CCJ), to urgently adjudicate their appeal. It would seem that as far as they are concerned, this matter is about them-and only about them--and not about the constitutional direction and wider political interest of Guyana.

It had been definably a tactic of trying to influence the CCJ into a hurried date, deceptively seeking to give

the dishonest and misleading perception that Guyana is in crisis, in which the social peace is threatened, which it is not, that the current situation had been creating an environment of uncertainty throughout the country, which is another foul lie. The tone that reeks of the traditional Jagdeo bully stamp even included his declaration that his party would not be returning to the National Assembly, until the court settles the matter.

In fact, one of the plotters

Laying the groundwork for destabilisation Dear Editor LEADER of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has decided to continue his campaign of disruption to the lives of Guyanese and the destabilisation of political and social systems. His latest irresponsible act to have the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) boycott the National Assembly is to be condemned in the strongest terms by all, particularly by those who support the PPP. Newspaper commentaries had previously asserted that Mr. Jagdeo is evidently, systematically laying the foundation of a sinister agenda to destabilise Guyana. It was pointed out that Jagdeo’s unjustified no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, coupled with his repeated and obvious attempts to foster a national atmosphere of fear, distrust, and division, could only be interpreted or construed as a blatant attempt to disrupt the smooth running and good governance of the country.

Following the tabling of Jagdeo’s no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, he repeatedly alluded to a looming “constitutional crisis,” one which has since been proven by the court to be entirely fabricated. The court has since ruled that the vote on the no-confidence motion

had no legal validity.

Additionally, in a thinly veiled appeal to ethnic sensibilities, Jagdeo had encouraged Guyanese to “chase out” their fellow Guyanese who happen to be ministers of government from various PPP-dominated communities. Mr. Jagdeo, a former president, would certainly be aware that Article 160A (1) of the constitution states, “All persons, institutions and political parties are prohibited from taking any action or advancing, disseminating or communicating any idea which may result in racial or ethnic division among the people.” Evidently, Mr. Jagdeo — as demonstrated by his past and current conduct — has scant regard for the law, including Guyana’s supreme law.

The court having ruled that Bharrat Jagdeo’s trump card — his no-confidence motion — is without merit, has necessitated the opposition leader taking another approach in the furtherance of his destablisation agenda. He has said that he intends to appeal the court’s decision at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and boycott the National Assembly, even as his calls to “chase out” ministers has never been withdrawn.

Mr. Jagdeo, as should any holder of high constitutional office, show

respect for the rule of law.

Additionally, elected officials should revere the wishes and interests of their constituents. Mr. Jagdeo’s party, the PPP, was elected to represent the interests of almost half of the Guyanese populace; as such, his dereliction of his duty to represent their interests in the National Assembly is unacceptable.

Of course, the work of governing Guyana in a democratic, stable, and responsible manner will continue; the APNU+AFC administration has given assured of this. However, that fact in no way absolves Mr. Jagdeo of his responsibilities or mitigates the negative effects of his deplorable, undemocratic conduct.

Mr. Jagdeo should correct his ways, abandon his attempts to disrupt the lives of citizens, stop his routine disregard of the law, and, instead, join the administration in its quest to put an end to division in Guyana, and work towards our country’s development.

Regards Mark DaCosta

in this crooked attempt to remove the government, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), was another of the voices that spoke about the need for an ‘’early settlement’’ of the matter brought before the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Editor, Jagdeo and his cohorts must understand that the CCJ’s function is about serving the jurisdiction of the Caribbean and the cause of justice and not special interests -- political or otherwise. Therefore, for all the statements from Jagdeo et al, designed to create an air of sensationalism would not, in my humble opinion, influenced the court in its

responsibility as to how and when to proceed on such matters.

But now that the date of May 8 has been scheduled for the appeal to commence, one must examine Jagdeo’s boycotting which his and fellow party’s MPs absence really is, of the Assembly.

He has no legal basis-- or otherwise-- for doing so, especially since the Court of Appeal ruling has restored the status quo. Instead, such action is not only a constitutional illegality, but can be clearly seen as a protest against the appellate court’s decision that overturned the High Court’s decision, which had been given in his

party’s favour.

However, Jagdeo must be reminded that he holds a constitutional office which demands that he fulfil such a responsibility by being in the House as a representative of his constituents. He is receiving taxpayers’ money as salary, and other emoluments which are attached to being leader of the parliamentary opposition. It would be fair that he and his MPs not receive salaries for the period of absence from national duty.

Regards Earl Hamilton

8

FUTURE OF HOPE AND HAPPINESS SECTIONS of the media last week breathed a bit of fresh air with coverage of events involving our youth.

This newspaper on Friday celebrated the launch of the Guyana Youth Corps with the banner headline, “Hope for Youths”. Yesterday, it front-paged a charge

by President David Granger to the Regional Youth Caucus for our young people to “Help Create a Better Guyana”.

The non-government newspapers, however, remained locked down mainly on post no-confidence motion issues, which are now pending before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – Guyana’s last and highest court of appeal. CCJ President, Hon. Justice Adrian Saunders has set May 10, 2019, as the date for hearing of these constitutional matters. Life goes on, in the meantime.

Stunned by the decision of the Guyana Court of Appeal that the motion was not carried, opposition elements have resorted to a campaign of disparaging our appellate judges for using “jumbie maths” to fix the absolute majority of 34 MPs that was required to pass a vote to effect the removal of a lawfully-elected government.

Now, they have shifted the spectre of fraud with which they try to taint our Court of Appeal to a priori suspected bias on the part of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

PUTRID SMOKE Someone not familiar with Guyana’s tit-for-tat politics, and the role of sections of the media in stoking the putrid smoke of discontent to hide positive stories might fall for this blitz of negativity.

But the good stories cannot be hidden or buried.

Take, for example, the disclosure by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan that our economy grew last year by 4.1%, and is likely to grow further this year. This, ordinarily, would be celebrated as a giant leap over the clouds of political uncertainty which the opposition no-confidence motion had intended to trigger, but the media detractors would bury this story.

Another example of the good news is the positive drive under a government-private sector partnership to provide housing solutions for our people. There are, at one location, separate housing units up for sale

for prices as low as $4 million (just above US$20,000), and many young families hope, finally, to own a home.

The dire need of our young people for housing solutions was dramatized at the recent Government Outreach at the Square of the Revolution. I noted the many persons who were walking around with pieces of paper in their hands, that they have been promised house lots several years ago.

Those promises by the former regime have never materialized.

DREAM HOMES Almost 30,000 persons are known to have abandoned their house lots, as they had no money to build their own homes.

So, the Coalition Government decided to partner with private builders in providing low-cost housing units, and apartment-type duplexes. There may not be enough of these for everyone in need, but the government has moved from the empty promises of the past to facilitate personal possession of dream homes.

The Meet the People “mobile government” exercises stirred new energy in both government and the public. It allowed re-connection between government and people, and re-activation of full confidence from the grassroots.

An important segment of the “roots” are our youth who, in recent days, have featured in several events, including the launching of the Guyana Youth Corps under which some 1,000 young people from across the country will be trained and will be assisted to find gainful, sustainable employment.

At that event at the Kuru Kuru residential training complex, President Granger remarked: “Young people are this country’s future; it cannot be otherwise.

It is the older generation’s obligation to ensure that the young population receives the best possible preparation to inherit this nation…This country will falter if its youth flounders; it will remain poor and underdeveloped as long as its youth remain undeveloped.”

HOPE AND HAPPINESS The President pointed to greater opportunities for youth in the petroleum sector and in a diversified economy.

“Young people today,” he added, “face a future of hope and happiness.”

He went on to describe our youth as our main resource, our richest resource, with half of our people being below the age of 24. However, the statistics on youth employment have been dismal. Between 2007 and 2017, more than 20% of our youth did not find jobs. The situation is compounded

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

as some 12,500 students leave secondary schools each year, and are either looking towards higher education or seeking jobs.

Some new opportunities for our youth have been opened with the establishment of regional radio stations which have enlisted a corps of young broadcasters from hinterland communities.

They are meeting in Georgetown over the weekend to familiarize themselves with the Guyana Constitution, Amerindian Act and a Code for ethical and professional broadcasting.

GENTLE REVOLUTION Giving the enthusiastic new broadcasters and technical monitors a pep talk yesterday, I noted that Guyana has been undergoing a silent, gentle revolution in promoting communication to and among our people.

Several hinterland communities now enjoy access to internet and to public radio communication. After launching the UN Year of Indigenous Peoples Languages, Guyana has proudly initiated broadcast in local languages.

I am very pleased that President Granger has given full and spirited support for this initiative for a public radio station in the capital of each region. In due course, this will include television signals to remote communities.

The Office of the Prime Minister has started discussions for the use of the Guyana Learning Channel portals and satellite to take public television programmes to at least sixteen of these hinterland communities.

LEADERSHIP ROLES It is very satisfying that I should be in public office to help the transition of our young people to leadership roles in our society.

I belong to that generation that had great hopes but enjoyed very little happiness, after joining in 1961 what was a barefooted Berbice brigade for political independence of our country from Great Britain.

Then we had very limited access to paid high school education, and it was a hassle to find productive or rewarding jobs. We struggled and sacrificed for small mercies.

Many otherwise patriotic and talented youth migrated to what they had looked upon as greener pastures in the metropolis, and formed the Guyanese diaspora, almost in every country of the world.

Today, our youth are on the rebound.

They can count on encouragement and support from a government that understands their plight and is ready to work with them and for them, in order to build a future that holds hope with happiness. March 31, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Corentyne house destroyed by fire

AFTER toiling for over 22 years in St. Kitts and Nevis, Donald Morgan returned to Guyana and built himself a beautiful house, but it all vanished when the building was consumed by raging flames on Friday night.

His Lot 35 Manchester South, Corentyne house went up in flames just before he retired to bed on that faithful evening.

According to Morgan, 65, he retired to bed a little after 20:00 hrs and soon after, he heard screams coming from the kitchen located at the back of the house on the second floor.

Upon investigating, he saw his wife, Ingrid Morgan, 62, called “Mangee” on fire and quickly ripped her clothing off. He sustained some burns in the process.

Morgan said his wife just dropped her clothes on the carpet and they ran to safety with the help of others.

He told reporters that by the time they got outside, the entire building was engulfed in flames and he could not save anything.

His wife was taken to hospital and remains a patient, being treated for second- degree burns about the body.

After speaking with his wife, he related that the fire started from a gas stove which was either leaking gas or was left turned on and was ignited when Ingrid went to make a cup of tea.

“The stove is lit electrically, so when she try to turn it on the whole thing flared up and catch on she clothes and the curtain, and then she called out for me but she just drop she clothes on the rug and we had to hurry out, cause the gas cause it to spread fast,” the elderly man related.

An alarm was raised, but by the time the villagers came out, the entire house was engulfed in flames, also due in part to heavy winds. The intense heat shattered the glass windows and doors of the building and effectively prevented Morgan and his wife from getting closeby.

By the time the fire tender arrived, the

The Lot 35 Manchester South, Corentyne house destroyed by fire on Friday night fire had already destroyed the entire roof of the house and despite their efforts, the five-bedroom, two-storeyed concrete house was reduced to ashes.

Morgan, who became a farmer when he returned to Guyana, is now uncertain of his next move.

The house was uninsured.

Youths get second...

From page 3

urged.

Her friend and colleague, 19-year-old Halle Wilson of Sophia, also echoed similar sentiments.

Wilson has an interest in renewable energy and is anxious to commence training come Monday. “It will help me to better me, to realise my dreams, to gain a skill, and I couldn’t be more thankful,” Wilson said.

Wilson and Truman formed part of a group that travelled from Sophia, Greater Georgetown to Kuru Kuru on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to witness the historic launch of the Guyana Youth Corps.

Shameer Mentore, 19, of Bartica, has a deep love for football and a great interest in infrastructure development. He sees the Guyana Youth Corps as an avenue to tap into the construction industry.

Mentore said employment options in Bartica are limited and that, he said, pose a major challenge for youths, particularly for those who did not complete secondary school or have little or no experience.

His desire is to have his fellow Barticians join the Guyana Youth Corps as means of becoming exposed to the various sectors within the country.

This group of young ladies hails from the community of Sophia and they are excited to commence training on Monday. They are Tamica Tracey, Halle Wilson, Sarah Truman and Erica Tracey (Delano Williams photo) Before joining the Guyana Youth Corps, the 19-yearold completed leadership skills training.

Nineteen-year-old Intheil Moses of Bartica has applied to the Government Technical Institute in Georgetown to study mechanical engineering come September; however, in the interim; he has opted to undergo training with the Guyana Youth Corps.

GOOD INITIATIVE “I think it is a good thing that government

doing. It will really help us and I really appreciate it, especially for the youths,” Moses told this newspaper.

Ezekiel Dawson of Temehri, 16, is still in school but he is not letting up on this opportunity to gain experience in the area of carpentry. According to Dawson, the housing industry in Guyana is on the rise, and he will seize every opportunity to tap into the industry. Dawson intends to be self-employed.

The training will be facilitated primarily by

the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs – Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme, the Ministry of Social Protection – Board of Industrial Training, the Ministry of the Presidency – Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport – Department of Youth and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Director of youth, Melissa Carmichael, said the Guyana Youth Corps will not only train persons, but will help them to gain em-

ployment, start and sustain their business, transition to higher education, promote social cohesion and contribute to the sustainable development of Guyana.

Carmichael said through the programme young people will be exposed to the various industries of the country.

“We have noticed at the Department of Youth, one of the things, that is frequent or that is currently happening, is that there is gap between leaving school and entering the employment arena, and we want to fill that gap and one of the ways we can fill that gap is by providing young people with the requisite skills to make them job-ready,” the director of youth explained.

The programme will also focus on entrepreneurship and persons with feasible business proposals will be given an opportunity to tap into the Youth Innovation Fund.

“While we train them to be businessmen and businesswomen, there is always the issue of finding funding to develop (their ideas), so that is one of the reasons the Youth Innovation Fund came on board in the first place. So the Youth Innovation Fund or project is now a part of the Youth

Corps, and they will benefit from that,” Carmichael explained.

New and budding entrepreneurs will be able to receive a maximum grant of $2M from the Youth Innovation Fund to develop their business proposals. In 2019, $70M was set aside for the fund. When the fund started in 2017 as a capital project, the government had allocated $50M, but given the success stories stemming from the programme, it took a decision to increase the amount in 2019.

T h e G u y a n a Yo u t h Corps is designed to address social problems affecting youth such as unemployment, drugs and drug abuse, illiteracy and innumeracy, suicide, low self-esteem, teenage pregnancy and poor leadership skills. Its mission is to educate, train, empower and promote social cohesion among young people while contributing to the sustainable development of Guyana and its people.

President Granger said the launch of the youth corps is a signal to the country’s young people that their efforts at self-advancement will be supported fully by the State.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Chinese national dies from viral ailment at Matthew’s Ridge –– eight hospitalised at GPHC

A VIRAL disease, the symptoms of which are associated with dengue fever, is said to be the cause of death of a Chinese man who died on Saturday at Pekera Hospital at Matthew’s Ridge.

Eight other Chinese nationals who are infected with the disease were air-dashed to the city for medical treatment on Saturday. The men became ill while cleaning a manganese tunnel at the North West District community last week. They first reported their conditions to the hospital in the community on Monday last.

A medical staff at the hospital told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that the man died around 09:00hrs that day and while health officials are trying to determine the full nature of the illness, a medical report is said to have listed the man’s cause of death as dengue hemorrhagic fever or

(DHF), a severe and sometimes fatal form of dengue fever.

Repeated attempts to contact Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud on Saturday proved futile.

However, later in the evening, he told this publication that he was in a meeting. The Department of Public Information subsequently posted a notice on social media that the ailment was not related to H1N1 (Swine Flu) as was published earlier on Saturday by another media entity.

Reports are that the men were taken to the area from the town of Linden to work as labourers at the Manganese mines by BOSAI Minerals. They were working at one of four tunnels at the mining site called “Rail Ends.” The tunnels have been in existence since the 1970s when manganese was first mined at Matthew’s Ridge.

Reports are that the men

were exposed to mosquitoes while cleaning bat droppings from the tunnel. Hospital staff began treating the men on Monday after the men complained of severe fever while their skins developed rashes. Other symptoms included shortness of breath, high body temperatures and being in a delirious state.

The men’s condition worsened over the course of the week and over the weekend, a medical team from Georgetown and another from Mabaruma were dispatched to the area. While being treated, one of the men passed away and the others were medevacked to the city around midday. They were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where they are being treated in a quarantined area.

According to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, patients with dengue fever go on to develop dengue hem-

Five more escape NOC THE administration of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) and the police of ‘G’ Division are searching for five inmates who escaped from the juvenile holding facility on Friday at around 08:00 hrs.

The students, who were housed in the confinement area, west of the com-

pound, ran away after they were taken out by staff to shower. They escaped through a tube under the western fence, reports say.

On March 25-26, five other inmates had escaped but one has since returned.

Police are hunting for the escapees.

Wilderness Explorers regrets robbery of ship staff TOUR operators, Wilderness Explorers, has expressed deep regret regarding the robbery committed on a member of the MS Serenissima that is docked in Georgetown, at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) port in La Penitence, Georgetown.

“Unfortunately, despite the advice provided, one member of the crew did venture out on their own late at night, sadly they were robbed but fortunately not seriously injured,” Wilderness Explorers said in a press release on Saturday.

Wilderness Explorers noted that it has received the utmost support and cooperation from the Guyana Police Force, The Civil Defence Commission, the Department of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority in scheduling tours for guests.

It said that the person who committed the act is not a proper representation of the people of Guyana or the warm welcome usually received by persons who visit the country.

On Saturday, the MS Serenissima docked in port Georgetown for the second time since 2016. On board were 77 passengers and 57 crew members.

The Pekera Hospital at Matthew’s Ridge orrhagic fever, a severe and sometimes fatal form of the disease.

It was noted around the time the fever begins to subside, which takes three to

seven days after the symptoms are noticed, the patient may develop warning signs of severe disease.

These warning signs include severe abdominal

pain, persistent vomiting, marked change in temperature, that is, from fever to hypothermia, hemorrhagic manifestations, or change in mental status.

Death of Chinese worker unconfirmed

By Svetlana Marshall MINISTER of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, said the disease or virus which resulted in the death of a Chinese national, and have left eight other persons including a Guyanese hospitalized, has not been identified.

On Saturday, seven of the men who were cleaning a manganese tunnel at Matthew’s Ridge, North West District last week, were air-dashed to the city after the men contracted a virus or disease. They were part of a team of nine (eight Chinese and one Guyanese); however, one of the Chinese men died while receiving treatment on Saturday and one of the other survivors remained in Matthew’s Ridge.

In a late night interview following a high-level meeting on the developing issue, the health minister said doctors have not yet determined what the illness is; however, they continue to run a number of tests.

Minister Lawrence disclosed that “all the patients have displayed the same signs and symptoms which include pain, fever, headache and respiratory distress.”

The public health minister said based on information received, the first patient, a Chinese man, visited a hospital in the district on Thursday and died on Saturday. It was noted that the man was ill days before he visited the hospital.

The minister confirmed that of the nine

men, seven were flown to the City on Saturday.

The Ministry of Public Health is collaborating with the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) as it investigates the illness that caused the death of one person.

Minister Lawrence noted too that Guyana is also working with neighbouring territories to exchange information.

It was noted that none of the patients travelled in the last month.

A team is expected to travel to Matthew’s Ridge today to further investigate the situation. It will comprise a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency, a number of Chinese doctors, a pathologist and a mortuary attendant, among others.

The public health minister is calling on the residents of Region One to practice good hygiene. She is also urging residents to visit the nearest health facility if they are feeling unwell.

Reports are that the men, who were taken to the area from the town of Linden to work as labourers at the Manganese mines, were working at one of four tunnels at the mining site. Reports are that the men were exposed to mosquitoes while cleaning bat droppings from the tunnel.

The mines are operated by the Chinese-owned, Guyana Manganese Inc.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Training commences for AROs, enumerators

By Svetlana Marshall

C U R R E N T LY, o v e r 1,300 persons are being trained at 16 locations in Georgetown to become assistant registration officers (ARO) and enumerators for the conduct of houseto-house registration, which is likely to commence in late May or early June.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) commenced the twoday training exercise for the Georgetown leg on Saturday at 16 primary and secondary schools, including Cummings Lodge Secondary, Sophia Primary, New Camp-

number of persons that completed the training will be determined today at the end of the last evaluation.

It was explained that in order to qualify to become an assistant registration officer or an enumerator, a trainee must successfully complete both days of training.

Ward said that the n u m b e r ( 1 , 3 3 2 ) r e presents a fraction of the total number of persons who would be trained countrywide to become assistant registration officers and enumerators.

More than 12,000 have applied to GECOM for the temporary positions.

“This is the first week of training for the assis-

“While a lot of them might have been exposed to a lot of the content in terms of elections, registration is another aspect, and so we wanted to ensure that these trainers are fully trained within the confines of the law.

The registration of itself is conducted within the confines of the National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08 and so even the materials that are developed for the training exercise is really an extract from what comes out from the law,” Warde explained.

The Elections Commission PRO noted that if the quota of persons

A number of persons being trained by GECOM to be assistant registration officers and enumerators at the New Campbellville Secondary School on Saturday (Delano Williams photo) bellville Secondary, St. Joseph High, Carmel Secondary and Dolphin Secondary.

Participants are being taught the management of house-to-house registration which includes team-work and time management; code of conduct; the role of scrutineers; and the organisational structure. They are also learning the system of house-to-house registration which details not only the process but why, how and where persons must register, as well as source documents.

At the New Campbellville Secondary School, where two sessions were being run concurrently with a total of 113 trainees, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Warde, told reporters that 1,332 persons in Georgetown were enlisted to complete the two-day training exercise. However, the actual

tant registration officers and enumerators. We start in Georgetown, but next week we will be in another location with a full team, whether it is the East Coast or East Bank or wherever is decided,” Warde said.

Over the next six to eight weeks, training sessions for assistant registration officers and enumerators will be held in different parts of the country. The training sessions for the assistant registration officers and enumerators commenced one week after the training of trainers session was conducted.

Approximately 100 core trainers were trained and the successful trainers now form part of GECOM’s team conducting the training sessions for the assistant registration officers and enumerators.

FULLY TRAINED

trained is not sufficient to successfully complete house-to-house registration, GECOM would be required to advertise and do a second round of training. “But all things being equal, we are hoping to wrap up training within a six to eight-week period,” she posited, while noting that a number cluster offices will be established within the various divisions ahead of the conduct of houseto-house registration.

“These cluster offices would be manned particularly by the assistant registration officers, who will be reporting to the registration officers and so we would want those offices to be set up at least a week or two weeks before they actually get in the field,” she said.

According to Warde, house-to-house registration will commence in late May or early June.

She said enumerators, in training, have been warned against knowingly registering a person more than once. By law, an enumerator who commits such an offence can be fined $16,250 or face imprisonment for six months. Similar penalties are in place for a registrant who attempts to register twice. Using its biometric system, GECOM can determine if a person has registered twice.

GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde “Biometric, it is captured through the fingerprinting exercise. So there is a cross- matching exercise that happens in every registration phase, so we are able to pull duplicated transactions, so no applicant can ideally

register more than once,” Warde explained.

GECOM has been allocated approximately $3B for the conduct of house-to-house registration. The current Official List of Electors will expire on April 30, 2019.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Working towards ensuring our Guyanese women are the healthiest in the Caribbean

By Dr. Karen Cummings (Honourable Minister within the Ministry of Public Health) WOMEN are extremely important. Women have an equal place in society and must be treated with the same respect and digni-

ty that men receive. In addition to playing a very vital role in human progress, women have a significant place in contemporary society.

Traditionally, the role of women in society has been greatly overlooked, but today that role is being viewed from a different

perspective. In the early days, and particularly because of the deeply patriarchal society that pervaded at the time, women were seen as wives and homemakers who were intended to cook, clean, and take care of their children.

Most importantly, they were expected to remain silent. They were not allowed to vote or make any decisions. On the other hand, men worked so as to take care of their family financially, made all the decisions, and spoke on behalf of the women, often times without prior consultation.

However, in these contemporary times, women are empowered and emboldened to take revolutionary action that drives change within our society. Women are pursuing career paths beyond the traditional roles to which they were once confined. Women are now pushing against and widening the parameters which allow them to access meaningful employment in male-dominated fields, such as science and technology. Women have made vast improvements in their lifestyles in the past few decades. They are accessing educational opportunities that allow them to hold diverse positions in all spheres of life.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) speak to the internationally agreed upon goals to be achieved by 2030, by countries around the world through the work of their governments. Sustainable Development Goal number five states: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”, while Sustainable Development Goal number four states: “Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.” I am pleased to inform you that this APNU+AFC government remains steadfastly committed to the fulfilment of all the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, especially gender equality -- equality in education and employment opportunities -- women’s empowerment, and women’s human rights.

In Guyana, there are myriad social, economic, health, and cultural issues that affect the overall wellbeing of our women. Socially, our women suffer abuse and even death, are subjected to economic disparities, experience life-threatening health conditions, and exist in culturally restrictive conditions. Our government continues to find innovative ways to alleviate many of the social sufferings that our women face in a variety of ways. Primarily, the government is focussed on improving the social protection of women and girls as well as the reduction of economic disparities by providing equal opportunities for training and employment. Further, decreasing the incidence and prevalence of life-threatening health conditions is a priority that is currently being addressed. In order to address the culturally restrictive conditions that hinder the advancement and empowerment of our women, the government proposes significant alleviation of this particular problem through strategically designed and implemented crucial interventions in collaboration with all key stakeholders.

This APNU-AFC government, through the Ministry of Public Health, has demonstrated its resolute commitment to improving the health of our women through the creation of the Women’s Health Department. This Department has carefully crafted an agenda that seeks to greatly improve the sexual and reproductive health of women as well as their overall health and well-being. The strategies that will achieve these noteworthy goals will include the sensitization of all key stakeholders to the importance of screening, early detection, and treatment of critical diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, as well as sexually transmitted diseases.

The development, implementation and evaluation of community-based health promotion programmes aimed to increase rates of healthy eating and exercise and increased knowledge on sexual and reproductive health among women remain a work in progress.

We must acknowledge that cancer is a debilitating disease that affects many persons in our society, especially women.

The profile of cancers in Guyana between 2003 and 2012 highlighted that females had higher rates of cancers from an earlier age than males, beginning in the 15-39 year age group. For that same period, there were 3,415 deaths, representing 52.4% of all cancers. Regrettably, 1,784 (52.2%) of those deaths were females. Among females, cancer of the cervix comprised the greatest percentage (22.2%). To address cervical cancer, the Ministry of Public Health is assiduously working on prevention strategies including VIA testing and Pap smear testing. The vaccination of females aged 10-13 years of age with the HPV vaccine has been successfully launched and will contribute significantly to the development of immunity against the Human Papilloma Virus, the leading cause of cervical cancer. This immunity will auger well for the health of women in our society.

Notably, vaccination of our girls will transmit immunity to the males.

Healthy families begin with the expert medical care of women. We at the Ministry of Public Health recognize that providing high-quality healthcare for women will have a positive and profound impact on future generations. Therefore, from a public health perspective, emphasis is made on prevention and wellness initiatives to protect and improve the health of all persons living in Guyana. Eating nutritious foods, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing risky behaviours can help prevent many chronic diseases. And because women represent the cornerstone of a family’s overall health, ensuring that they have access to the best quality public healthcare also leads to improved health for not only themselves but their children and families.

Let us continue to work towards ensuring our women are the healthiest in the Caribbean.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Tweetocracy: Governance in the age of social media

GOVERNANCE by Twitter to rule or to disseminate information to control minds can be described as a tweetocracy.

This phenomenon has sparked a general debate about governance in the age of social media. Are posts and tweets from the social media accounts of Presidents and others in public leadership official statements? To put it simply and tangibly, are the earthshattering tweets of President Donald Trump official government statements? Discussion on this issue leads us down an interesting road that elucidates the tweetocratic experience. Facebook is easily the largest and most popular social media medium but Twitter is set up for quick and short statements, hence the reason for its preference by world leaders. It is an American online social networking service that facilitates interaction between using through posting and messages known as tweets which are limited to 280 characters. Twitter represents the perfect exemplar for the idea I wish to elucidate in this documentation.

It has been reported that $ 1 billion will be spent on social media campaigning on the 2020 US elections. This expenditure ought to erase any doubt about the important connect between social media and political power. It is this recognition by numerous world leaders which has led to many of them establishing social media units in their offices to handle communications. This mechanism has revolutionized the dissemination of information and has given the masses an unprecedented chance to view the thoughts and ideas of people in power in real time. Every second of the day, citizens are regaled lofty language detailing plans, programmes and policies. Be that as it may, the central question stands: can messages posted on social media by leaders and government become official policy?

In my estimation, this question was answered by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in an eight-page submission to the District of Columbia; it was solicited by US District Judge Amit Mehta. The DOJ submitted, ‘In answer to the Court’s question, the government is treating the President’s statements to which Plaintiffs point-- whether by tweet, speech or interview-- as official statements of the President of the United States’. In my estimation, this ended the debate. There should be no argument about statements made by heads of government and other power brokers on social media; they are considered to be official pronouncements.

Insofar as these statements are official, they take on a governmental aspect. For example, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has 46.7 million followers on Twitter.

Since he joined in January 2009, he has issued 22.7 K tweets which have been used to address governance issues via social media. It is such examples that give worth and real meaning to the idea of a tweetocracy. However, Mr. Modi does not hold the title of being the best exemplar of the practice of tweetocracy. Governance by tweets is presently being best exemplified by the mercurial President of the United States

of America, Donald J.Trump. The 45th President of the United States joined Twitter in March 2009, he presently has 59.4 million followers. This forum has been used by America’s Twitter-loving President to launch scathing attacks on perceived enemies and, above all, it has been utilized as a tool to produce some of the most cataclysmic geo-political announcements.

Tweetocracy also includes the component of how the people use social media for political participation, transparency and accountability and peacebuilding.

There is no escaping the fact that with about 60 social media platforms in existence, this is a key frontier of modern governance.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 31, 2019

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

CCJ hears GECOM matter on May 8 THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will conduct a hearing in the matter relevant to the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on May 8, 2019.

President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, made the announcement during a case management hearing at the Trinidad and Tobago-based regional court.

The case was brought against Attorney General, Basil Williams by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, who is represented by Attorney-at-Law, Anil Nandlall.

Following the ruling, Nandlall said that the party was taking the matter to the CCJ. On Friday, Williams said that May 8, 2019 will be convenient for his team. While the parties involved agreed no pre-trial hearing is necessary, Justice Saunders asked that submissions in the case to be filed by April 24, 2019 and that replies by all parties be filed on May 1, 2019.

Last October , the Guyana Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the ruling of Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George-Wiltshire that President David Granger’s appointment of Justice (ret’d) James Patterson as GECOM chair was constitutional and even suggested that on the first instance of a defective list, the Guyanese leader could have activated the proviso which allowed him to select someone unilaterally.

The unanimous decision was arrived at by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud after several days of arguments and deliberations.

When the ruling was made last October, one of the judges at the Court of Appeal went as far as saying that the opposition leader could not have expected the Head of State to choose from a list where “one or two or three persons, as the case may be, are not acceptable to him.”

Commentators had argued that a number of controversial figures were on all of the lists submitted by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, including Indian rights activist, Ryhan Shah and former PPP elections candidate, Dr. James Rose, among others.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Technologists tackle public information dissemination –– Hack Solve to create prototype software focusing on Sherriff/ Mandela Road Enhancement Project

By Vishani Ragobeer

ABOUT 30 technologists will join forces with civil society members once again for the Nexus Hub Hack Solve event, which aims to create a prototype software that would facilitate the centralised dissemination of public information.

Founder and director of the Nexus Hub, Eldon Marks, explained on Friday that the Nexus Hack Solve is one of the four tech events organised by the Nexus Hub team.

It combines technical and non-technical persons who work in conjunction to create a digital solution to a single problem. The most powerful part of the Hack Solve, according to Marks, is the power of collaboration.

This year, as explained by Marks, the aim of this Hack Solve is to create a centralised facility for citizens to access important and useful updates in relation to the infrastructural work being done or that impacts wider society.

This would include nationwide emergency announcements, missing persons’ reports and traffic advisories.

“The initial context of focus for this

Kenneth Parris prototype will be providing this facility for citizens affected by the Sherriff/ Mandela Road Enhancement Project,” he explained.

However, Kenneth Parris, who acts as manager for the Hack Solve projects, indicated to the Guyana Chronicle that the idea is useful in the long run.

A section of the young technologists working as part of the Hack Solve [Delano Williams photos]

“We actually have wide-reaching idea and hopes for this programme moving forward because we see it as a public information system where we can deal with things way outside of traffic advisories. We’re hoping that if we can develop this system and have it as a wide network, is can be used as something that the public can really use,” he said.

Though the idea and components of the programme would have been ‘fleshed out’ on Friday night, before the technologists focused on developing the prototype, Parris indicated that the programme will be developed with cognisance of the different media elements different age groups gravitate to.

“We need to have a centralised way in which we can disseminate information and not only that, but we also want that this way we are disseminating information is popular and widely adaptable where all persons are comfortable using the system,” he explained.

ADDRESSING CHALLENGES At the launching of the event, Project Manager at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Mark Green, made known the many challenges contractors face when engaged in these types of work.

When engaging in rehabilitative and expansion works, he indicated that there is a “traffic control plan” instituted to “maintain some semblance of order”.

This plan is complimented by a communication plan which attempts to disseminate information of the works to road users. But even with these in place, he said they are not always adhered to, or citizens still have trouble accessing information.

“We feel confident, at the ministry, that the Hack Solve is a viable technical solution,” Green said, pointing out that he too shared the view that this system can be used in other areas to resolve similar issues.

On Friday, which was day one, the team reviewed the problem and generated the idea and the requirements for this idea, so that the programme would be ‘fleshed out’ in time for the following days. Members of the public

IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen were encouraged to weigh-in on the issue.

On Saturday, persons will begin designing and constructing the digital solution.

And finally on Sunday, it is expected that further work will be done on the creation of the programme. When this prototype is completed, as far as possible, the software will be presented.

Parris stressed that in only about three days, it must be noted that only a prototype can be created. Following this, it is expected that there will be further engagements with civil society, to address the functionality and usability of the programme.

This Hack Solve was also funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is a partner in addressing developmental issues in Guyana. The bank had a part to play in facilitating the road expansion project and also opted to fund the event, which aimed to mitigate certain issues that arose.

IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen, indicated that while the bank focuses on developmental projects, it is also focused on promoting innovation and technology.

“We thought it was important to give some impetus or some push to sort of bring this [the hack Solve] together,” she said.

Hundreds attend APNU+AFC youth rally APNU/AFC supporters were urged to stick with the coalition at a “Too Legit to Quit APNU+AFC Youth Rally”, the first of a series of rallies held at Parade Ground on Friday.

Despite a late start, hundreds of

young and old “youths”, many decked out in their green and, or yellow outfits, heard inspirational messages from coalition government youth leaders in between thumping music sets.

The messages covered a range of

issues from the lack of qualifications of “That man – Irfaan Ali”, and the opposition’s apparent disrespect for foisting such a candidate on voters versus President’s Granger’s authentic qualifications; youth empower-

ment via various government funded programmes; alleged buying of votes by the opposition; the need to get registered to vote; and the need for unity to continue Guyana’s development for all, regardless of race, colour or creed.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

Three companies awarded international certification

AS Guyana prepares for the economic boom from oil and gas, more companies are requesting technical assistance and training from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), the agency’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lloyd David said.

Noting more of these local companies, across the various sectors are becoming certified to international standards, David said so far for 2019, three companies, namely Mines Services Limited, Nand Persaud and Company Limited and Power Producers and Distribution Incorporated have attained international certification.

He explained that GNBS technical support to Mines Services Limited began in mid-2017, and in March of 2019, the company attained ISO 9001:2015 certification.

The journey by Mines Services to ISO 9001 certification was initiated by a request from the company to the GNBS for technical assistance, he said.

After an initial meeting in July 2017 between the two parties, David said the implementation of the quality management system commenced.

“Included in the process was an awareness session, a gap analysis, training on the requirements of the standard and other activities identified to fulfil the requirements of the standard,” David said.

A similar approach was taken by GNBS to offer support to Nand Persaud and Company Limited and Power Producers and Distribution Incorporated, which were both certified in the first quarter of this year.

Through technical support from the GNBS, these companies were certified to the ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System Standard and the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard, respectively.

Since 2017, he said other public and private companies utilised the services of the GNBS towards certification or accreditation to international standards.

These include Caricom Rice Mills Limited (ISO 9001 and ISO 22000), Assuria General (GY) Inc. & Assuria Life (ISO 9001), the Guyana Rice Development Board Central Laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025), the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) (ISO / IEC 17025), Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc.(ISO 15189) and the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital.

“These achievements confirm the ability of local businesses to implement international standards using local expertise. This not only facilitates market access but also improves their operations and ability to satisfy their customers,” the PRO said.

Through the GNBS Consultancy/technical

Farmer bludgeoned with axe-handle succumbs A FARMER who was beaten with an axe-handle to the head by a colleague at Katomarib Village, Rupununi, Region Nine, succumbed on Friday.

Dead is Reginald Thompson, 35, a farmer of Katomarib Village in the Rupununi.

Reports revealed that the victim and the suspect were friends and, on Wednesday last, they were consuming alcohol at the suspect’s home when they got into a heated argument.

During the argument, the suspect armed himself with an axe handle and dealt the victim a lash to his head.

Thompson was picked up in an unconscious state and escorted to the Lethem Public Hospital where he was treated and immediately transferred to the Boa Vista Hospital in Brazil.

However, on Friday, he succumbed to his injuries.

Arrangements are being made to have the body brought back to Guyana while the suspect is being sought.

programme, companies in Guyana can enhance their competitiveness through the ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System), ISO 15189 (Medical Laboratories – Requirements for Quality and Competence Standards) and certification as well as accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 (Competence of testing and Calibration Laboratories).

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Integrating ICT key to modernising education sector –– education minister

By Vishani Ragobeer MINISTER of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, has shared that the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the education system is key for bridging disparities that exist and for modernising the sector.

“As the minister, I have recognised that we have some gaps in our current education sector and it is incumbent upon me to have those gaps filled,” she told the Guyana Chronicle recent-

ly. “One of the glaring, striking and perhaps most notable gaps has to do with the fact that we do not engage – in a very large way – ICT-enabled learning.”

Cognisant of this, she indicated that a number of initiatives and mechanisms are being implemented to address those gaps.

Currently, the local curriculum is going through a process of reform. According to the minister, the current curriculum draws from what was created since in the 1970s and in this rapidly-changing world, reform

is overdue – particularly in integrating ICT. “This (ICT) is something that is new, this is something different and it provides an opportunity that we’re leveraging, so that as we are doing curriculum reform, we are

modernising in a large way,” she said.

In recent times, the ministry began introducing “Smart Classrooms.” The Smart Classroom Solution is a complete digital education package consisting of Sam-

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, addressing students of the Arapaima Primary and St. Ignatius Secondary schools at the launch of the Smart Classroom (DPI photo)

A Smart Classroom, North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary, established in 2015

sung tablets, televisions, a server and related software.

Through this, teachers and students can engage in

interactive learning which combines various elements TURN TO PAGE 19 ►

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Integrating ICT key to ...

FROM PAGE 18

(such as multimedia components: videos, audio and photographs) with communication technologies, that create a learning space that transcends geographic location.

Smart classrooms have been introduced in various locations across Guyana, and according to the minister, it is the ministry’s vision to have these in all secondary schools in Guyana “What we want is to give students a learning, real-time opportunity to benefit from classes happening at any part of the country,” she said.

Due to the disparities that manifest in sectors of the education sector, particularly due to geographic challenges, these smart classrooms are expected to transcend those.

In February of this year, youths attending schools within the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region (Region Nine), become beneficiaries of a smart classroom located within the Lethem Learning Resource centre.

INNOVATION A chemistry teacher in Georgetown would not need to travel to St. Ignatius to help deliver a concept or part of the curriculum. What can be done is that the teacher in Georgetown can communicate with the teacher and students in Region Nine, through the use of the communication technology (such as video calls) afforded by the smart classrooms.

“Hopefully, that would yield better satisfaction for teachers and better outcomes for students,” Minister Henry shared hopefully.

Furthermore, she stressed: “The Ministry of Education stands by its vision and our vision is basically to modernise education, to eliminate illiteracy and to strengthen tolerance.” In so doing, the introduction of smart classrooms is but one avenue being pursued.

In fact, she explained that she was invited last year, alongside other Caribbean ministers, by the Caribbean Development Bank (IDB), to participate in training opportunities for ICT, in the United States.

“During my training, I certainly recognised that there were large gaps as it relates to our current curriculum and education delivery – not only in Guyana, but in the entire [Caribbean] Region,” she highlighted, and added that she saw how education delivery was very different in many countries.

“One of the differences was that we didn’t use the modern methods to engage;

we were still using a lot of the dated initiatives,” she explained.

As such, Minister Henry said that she made the commitment to take heed of what is happening in other parts of the world and try to improve the local sector.

“It has implications for job markets and all of those kinds of things. When you do not provide people with the right skill sets, then they are not going to have the types of jobs that the modern world is affording,” Henry stressed.

And for her, there must be cognisance that no matter what field or sector of employment you enter, ICT is unavoidable.

ROBOTICS, A.I. AND ANIMATION In an attempt to enhance efforts to integrate ICT into the education sector, Minister Henry highlighted that from September, 2019, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and animation will be components introduced into schools curricula. In fact, when the 2019 national budget was presented, it was made known that the monies from the $52.2 billion earmarked for the education sector will be used for continuing curriculum reform, which will see robotics and animation being taught in primary schools.

Exposing children, as young as at the nursery level, and children with special needs to animation is a policy direction the minister said she had explored. Meanwhile, in primary schools, children would be exposed to robotics.

“In two years, there should be no child that is leaving primary school in Guyana that is not familiar with robotics. It just should not happen in the 21st century,” she stressed. “That is my vision and my officers indicated that from a technical and pedagogical standpoint, grade four was the appropriate level to do that (robotics) and I didn’t break a lance on that because I trust their judgement.”

AI and coding are more technical components and the ministry is still mulling the integration of these; but the minister did allude to this being done at the secondary level.

But it is easier said than done, according to Henry.

Since these facets are being integrated into the actual schools curricula, instead of being an extra-curricular or optional activity, much work has to be done.

“Teachers will have to be trained, teachers’ guides and

curriculum documentation will have to be done up and we will have to monitor and evaluate, and test students to see how this is really working,” she explained. “This is not a visibility project, but it is something that is intended to be very impactful.”

The technical officers of the ministry, according to the minister, have been engaging with other jurisdictions where ICT has been integrated into the school system – even as far as countries such as Singapore

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, addressing a citizen at the recent Ministerial Public Day (Samuel Maughn photo)

and Finland – just to garner an understanding of what

has caused these countries to institute ICT successfully in

their curricula.

As such, training for teachers will be done during the August vacation, since the minister explained that introducing these facets would also require teachers to be trained and familiar with the content.

To this end, she affirmed: “We’re at a good place in terms of planning and preparatory work in terms of getting it ready for September,” and added, “We have to ensure that we will be committing next school year (in September) to really modernising and taking off ICT.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 31, 2019

NGSS Portuguese class ‘switching it up’

THE Portuguese class at the North Georgetown Secondary School (NGSS) decided to ‘switch up’ the delivery of the subject by hosting their first ever Portuguese Pageant at the

the Question and Answer Segment – where students were quizzed on school topics done for the term in Portuguese and the dress segment.

Twelve students from Grades Seven and Eight

Ms. Portuguese, Rihanna Richards school.

The pageant was held on March 19 in the auditorium of the school and was organised by the school’s Portuguese teacher, Maquita De Souza.

As explained by language teacher and Assistant Head of the school, Alisa Holmes, the pageant was organised in three parts: the Introduction,

(Forms One and Two) participated. Mr. and Mrs. Portuguese were awarded to Owen Netton and Rihanna Richards (Grade Seven) and Alexander Dors and Keshia Hodge (Grade Eight).

B e s t d re s s e d w a s awarded to Dors, Arian Hailey, Belton and Richards, while the prize for the best speaker was

Mr. Portuguese, Alexander Dors

awarded to Richard Bennet (Grade Eight).

The Chief Judge was Brazilian Language Institute’s, Doraci Porter; Spanish teacher from the Bishop’s High, Malika Payne; and President’s College language t e a c h e r, A n u r a m a Ramgobin.

Some of the winners of the NGSS Portuguese pageant

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MILO Schools Football tournament 2019

President’s College, Annandale record contrasting quarter-finals wins ANNANDALE Secondary and President’s College are the first two teams through to the semi-finals of the 2019 MILO Schools Football tournament.

The two teams had contrasting paths to the next round when the first two quarter-finals were played at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue yesterday.

In the opening game, Annandale railroaded their Charlestown opponents 4-0.

A lethargic opening 45 minutes from the East Coast side saw them end the half 1-0, thanks to Collin Hendricks in the 32nd minute.

On the resumption, the East Coast side had two close chances, which, after goal-line scuffles, were pushed into the uprights.

However, they extended the lead to two, through Omari Glasgow in the 50th minute and another in the 59th.

That third goal broke

the hearts of the Georgetown-based support side and Jemar Harrigon’s 90+1 minute goal only solidified the results In the second game of the day, President’s College continued the East Coast’s dominance on the day, inching past Bishops’ High 2-1.

Jesse Thomas’ 41st minute goal was cancelled out in the same minute by Bishops’ Malachi Richards as the two battled for the second semi-final spot.

While both teams had several chances, it was Edron Stephens’ 56th minute goal that took PC ahead and until the final whistle.

Today, tournament favourites Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) will play Vergenoegen Secondary in the first match, before Lodge Secondary face St John’s College at 15:00hrs.

GFF participates in the 34th CONCACAF Ordinary Congress PRESIDENT Wayne Forde and GFF Executive Committee Member Rayan Farias, Thursday participated in the 34th CONCACAF Ordinary Congress, held in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

They attended the one-day Congress, which constitutes the 41-member CONCACAF’s Member Associations, on behalf of the Guyana football fraternity.

Among the items on the agenda

was the election of some key positions including that of the CONCACAF president.

“Guyana was pleased to support the re-election of president Montagliani and wishes him well as he continues to invest in the growth of our game across the Confederation,” Forde said in an invited comment.

“The CONCACAF Ordinary Congress is an important business meeting in which Guyana is always honoured

to participate in the decision-making process that continues to shape the future of the game in our Region, under the One CONCACAF vision of President Victor Montagliani,” Forde added.

Among the attendees of the Congress were FIFA president Gianni Infantino and guests from the international football community.

Guyana have Gold Cup ambitions, says history-making coach Johnson “We’ve sat down together and we’ve spoken about the chances, and we really believe that we could go there (and compete).

I’m not saying we’re going

to win it, but we’re not just going to go there and say, ‘Okay, that’s it’.

“We’ll do well, we want to perform well and I think, for me, more than looking at getting to the second round, I think it’s about the performance.

“If we can get the players to perform to a level where we are happy and they take on board what we are trying to implement, then I’ll be delighted, wherever that takes us.”

Johnson – who helped Jamaica reach the 1998 World Cup – hopes to channel the spirit of the Reggae Boyz when Guyana make their debut.

“That (Jamaican success) is definitely a catalyst,” said the coach. “For

me, I’m using my experience of that time, because I was one of the Reggae Boyz who came through and obviously you see what can happen from when we qualified for the ‘98 World Cup. “I think what’s now needed is to make sure that we handle the success of the Gold Cup in the right and proper way.

“So, how can that benefit the nation? How can that benefit the infrastructure?

How can that benefit coach education? These things that need support, how can this current climate benefit that?”

Johnson has taken his first foray into fulltime management with Guyana after struggling

to be given a chance in England despite going for numerous interviews.

“It’s nice for someone to actually believe in you and say, ‘Okay, let’s give this guy a shot’ - based on nothing (more) than the credibility of his CV,” he added.

“And once the industry starts to do that, we’ll be in a much better place.

And that’s all you can do, go and get your education and time learning from people and then adapting it to your own philosophy going forward.”

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Rahul, Gayle guide Kings XI Punjab to second IPL win KINGS XI Punjab picked up their second win of the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL), with KL Rahul’s unbeaten half-century guiding them to an eight-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians.

Having beaten Rajasthan Royals in their first match but then come up short against Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI chased down a target of 177 with eight balls to spare to make it two wins from three.

Mumbai posted 176-7 in their 20 overs, Quinton de Kock (60) making the most significant knock, while Mohammed Shami, Hardus Viljoen and Murugan Ashwin took two wickets

apiece.

In Kings XI’s reply, Chris Gayle (40) smashed four sixes and three fours in a brisk opening partnership with Rahul (71 not out), who received good support from Mayank Agarwal (43) and David Miller (15 not out) After a bright start from Rohit Sharma (32) and de Kock, Kings XI were able to halt Mumbai’s progress by dismissing the Indian opener and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession. de Kock eventually brought up his 50, his first of this year’s IPL, with a slog to long on that narrowly missed Agarwal and bounced once before clearing the rope.

Just as it looked as if the

South African would kick on, hitting a wonderful six over square leg, he was gone, trapped lbw by Shami.

Yuvraj Singh was the next to fall, picking out Shami at square leg off Ashwin’s bowling, while Agarwal took a wonderful catch on the boundary to dismiss Kieron Pollard before Hardik Pandya helped propel his side to 176-7 with a hard-hitting 31 off 19 balls.

After surviving a pair of early speculative lbw shouts, Gayle fired Kings XI towards their target with a volley of sixes before holing out off Krunal Pandya’s bowling.

With Rahul playing a watchful innings at the other

Ravichandran and Murugan, were able to slow up the run rate effectively, with the latter ending with impressive figures of 2-25.

Losing wickets in clusters slowed down the run rate effectively. Mumbai then subsequently failed to threaten when bowling and this ultimately led to their defeat.

Chris Gayle

end, the onus was on Agarwal to pick up where West Indies veteran Gayle left off and he struck a series of boundaries before being brilliantly caught-and-bowled by Krunal Pandya.

The 28-year-old’s dismissal roused Rahul, who upped the tempo and soon brought up his 50. With Mill-

er providing support at the other end, the target was ultimately chased down with time and wickets to spare.

SPIN DOES THE TRICK Just as it looked as though Mumbai could be on for an imposing total, with de Kock well set and Yuvraj finding his range, the two Ashwins,

Pucovski half-century extends Victoria’s dominance ON a rain-marred day, Victoria extended their dominance against New South Wales (NSW) in the Sheffield Shield final. Victoria were 207 for 7, in front by 375 runs at stumps.

After the start of Day 3 was delayed due to rain, Sean Abbott generated appreciable swing and seam movement to trap Travis Dean in front of the stumps. However, rain played spoilsport for the second time during the day’s play as the players made their way back.

When play finally resumed, Abbott again found appreciable seam movement via the Dukes ball to elicit the inside edge of Seb Gotch only for it to race past the stumps and into the boundary boards. Gotch, however, couldn’t last long as he was adjudged lbw off Harry Conway.

The ‘keeper-batsman paid the price for playing

across the line to a delivery that swung and seamed.

The trio of Will Pucovski (51), Cameron White (36) and Matthew Short (26) paddled through tricky spells as the hosts extended the lead past 350. At the fag end of the day, Trent Copeland, Steve O’Keefe and Conway combined to pick up three scalps between them, but by then, NSW were well behind in the game.

With the pacers finding enough movement in the air and off the pitch, it would be an uphill task for NSW to mount a challenge in order to win their 47th Shield title.

Brief scores: Victoria 289 (Marcus Harris 141; Trent Copeland 5-74) and 207-7 (Will Pucovski 51; Sean Abbott 3-75) lead New South Wales 121 (Mosies Henriques 35; Peter Siddle 5-28, James Pattinson 3-30) by 375 runs.(Cricbuzz.com)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday March 31, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kieron Pollard (2013) (2) Sunil Narine (2012 & 2018) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has the distinction of scoring the first century in IPL cricket?

(2) Who has the honour of claiming the first five-wicket haul in IPL cricket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

KINGS XI VARY THE PACE Despite his eventual match-winning knock, Rahul struggled to get out of the traps and it seemed as though the run chase was passing him by.

However, he was fortunate to have batting partners who were willing to take the pressure off him, with Gayle and Agarwal happy to take on the role of aggressor.

RACING TIPS English Racing Tips Ascot 09:10 hrs My Way 09:45 hrs Praeceps 10:20 hrs Favorito Buck’s 10:55 hrs Dentley De Mee 11:30 hrs Junction Fourteen 12:05 hrs Kings Ryde 12:40 hrs Virak Doncaster 09:00 hrs Right Action 09:35 hrs Country 10:10 hrs Naadirr 10:45 hrs Willie John 11:20 hrs Shareef Star 12:55 hrs Good Birthday 12:30 hrs Cristal Spirit Irish Racing Tips Limerick 08:50 hrs Breaken 09:20 hrs Maze Runner 09:55 hrs Cut The Mustard 10:30 hrs Chosen Hour 11:05 hrs Roaring Bull 11:40 hrs Goulane Chosen 12:15 hrs Barnes Des Mottes South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:15 hrs Via Salaria 08:50 hrs Velvet Season 09:25 hrs Born Rich 10:00 hrs Sea Urchin 10:35 hrs Neptune’s Rain 12:10 hrs Jacqueline

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 31, 2019

Man City back on top, Huddersfield go down

By Ian Chadband LONDON, England (Reuters) - Manchester City returned with a swagger from the international break yesterday, resuming their quest for four trophies with another dominant 2-0 win at Fulham that thrust them back to the top of the Premier League.

On the afternoon that Huddersfield Town were relegated and Manchester United celebrated the fulltime managerial appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 2-1 win over Watford, City again demonstrated why they remain the league’s benchmark.

Bernardo Silva scored for the third game in a row and Sergio Aguero extended his league-leading tally to 19 in a dazzling early spell, allowing the champions to ease to a seventh straight league victory while never hitting the heights.

It restored City’s advantage at the top, one point ahead of Liverpool on 77 points with both sides having played 31 games,

but Juergen Klopp’s men could return to the summit with a win over thirdplaced Tottenham Hotspur today.

Still, City, who have won the League Cup and are in the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League quarter-finals, moved closer to an unprecedented, if still unlikely, feat with 14 matches left.

Without seemingly having broken stride, Manchester City’s cosmopolitan crew reconvened after the international break and looked as if they had never been apart as soon as Bernardo Silva arrowed in a left-footed strike within five minutes.

For manager Pep Guardiola, the lunchtime stroll at Craven Cottage, featuring the return of key players like Kevin de Bruyne and Fernandinho after injury, felt like the most perfect return with the pressure immediately back on Liverpool.

“The first 15-20 minutes was incredible with the way we played,” he told the BBC. “After the international break, you usually miss a

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their first goal v Fulham at Craven Cottage, London, Britain, yesterday (REUTERS/David Klein)

bit with your rhythm. This game was tricky — 12:30 on a Saturday, a sunny day. That is unusual, and that is why I am so satisfied.”

He was again, though, not about to play up the prospects of the quadruple.

“We are going to do everything to win ... We don’t think too much about what people say about the quadruple. What Liverpool and

Manchester City have done in the Premier League both deserve credit. That’s why we are (both) here.”

WINNING START Manchester United moved into fourth place, level with Tottenham Hotspur on 61 points having played a game more, as Solskjaer got his permanent reign off to a winning

start with victory over unfortunate Watford.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial secured United’s win, even though this was far from their most convincing performance under the Norwegian, as Watford deserved more for their enterprise than a late Abdoulaye Doucoure consolation.

Still, the win lifted United above Arsenal, who will host Newcastle United on Monday.

At the other end of the table, as 19th-placed Fulham’s defeat left them a step closer to what looks like certain relegation, Huddersfield’s even more inevitable demotion to the Championship was confirmed with a 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

The Terriers became only the second team in the Premier League era to be relegated before the end of March as goals from Luka Milivojevic and Patrick van Aanholt, combined with other results, left them 19 points from safety with six games left.

Wins for 17th-placed Burnley, 2-0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and 16th-placed Southampton, 1-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion, ensured Huddersfield’s fate was sealed as they matched Derby County’s record, set in 2008, for the earliest relegation from the Premier League after 32 games.

Leicester City marked an emotional day for the club on what would have been the birthday of their late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter accident in October, by beating Bournemouth 2-0 at the King Power Stadium.

On the day he would have turned 61, his image was flashed up on the big screen along with the words ‘Always in our hearts’ before the match and, in the 61st minute, the fans rose to applaud his memory, singing ‘Vichai had a dream’.

West Ham United host Everton in the day’s late kickoff.

Prithvi Shaw’s 99 the highlight as Delhi Capitals beat KKR in Super Over PRITHVI Shaw’s 99 highlighted the first Super Over of the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL), as Delhi Capitals (DC) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-octane thriller at the Feroz Shah Kotla when the 10th match of tournament spilled over into Sunday.

DC needed 6 off the final over to win but Kuldeep Yadav bowled brilliantly; 2 runs were needed off the final over but Colin Ingram swept Kuldeep and was run-out at the striker’s end when he tried to come back for the second.

DC batted first in the Super Over and Shreyas Iyer walked out with Rishabh Pant. Iyer was out on the third ball after hitting a boundary. DC finished with 10 for 1 off their Super Over.

Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik walked out with KKR needing 11 off the Super Over to win. Russell hit Kagiso Rabada for a boundary off the

first ball.

After a dot ball, Russell was yorked by Rabada and KKR needed 7 off 3 balls.

Robin Uthappa was under huge pressure when he walked in to bat - he played the fourth ball of the over for a single and KKR needed 5 off 2 balls.

Karthik managed only a single off the penultimate ball and Uthappa needed to hit a boundary off the final ball but only ended up scoring a single.

It was a dramatic night of cricket at the Kotla.

Chasing 186, DC rode on Shaw’s 55-ball 99 and a top knock by skipper Shreyas Iyer.

The pair added 89 for the second wicket to keep the hosts on course for a win after Shikhar Dhawan departed early.

DC had won their opening game against Mumbai Indians before losing to Chennai Super Kings. DC were in line for a crushing win over KKR before Shaw’s dismissal derailed the

Prithvi Shaw roared back to form with his career-best IPL score of 99. (DelhiCapitals photo)

chase and KKR got back into the game.

Shaw was heartbroken when he skied a delivery from Lockie Ferguson and was well caught by Dinesh Karthik but he walked out to a standing ovation from his team and the Kotla crowd for an innings they will all remember for a long time.

DC were dealt an early blow in their chase of 186

when Piyush Chawla snared Shikhar Dhawan in the third over of the innings. However, DC skipper Shreyas Iyer joined forces with Prithvi Shaw and the pair added 89 runs off only 9.2 overs to bring the chase back on track.

Shaw played some sublime shots which left Sourav Ganguly mesmerised. He watched and applauded from the sidelines as Prithvi Shaw manipu-

lated the field and pierced the gaps beautifully and eventually went past 67 to make his IPL best.

In 2018, Shaw had made 245 runs including 2 fifties from 9 matches but Delhi had a torrid time in the IPL. This year, DC have looked far better and sharper. Rishabh Pant destroyed Mumbai Indians in their first match before Shaw showed his class against KKR. After being put in to bat by DC at the Feroz Shah Kotla, KKR got off to a disastrous start. Sunil Narine was out injured and his replacement, Nikhil Naik struggled for 15 balls before falling lbw to Sandeep Lamichhane in the fourth over of the innings.

To make matters worse, Naik reviewed the decision and wasted it - the ball would have crashed into leg stump.

Robin Uthappa, KKR’s most seasoned run-scorer fell to Harshal Patel for 11 off 6 on the final ball of the

power play.

Chris Lynn was spectacularly caught by Rishabh Pant off Kagiso Rabada in the next over. There was more misery in store for KKR when Patel struck with the first ball of his next over to remove Nitish Rana, to be on a hat-trick.

When Shubman Gill was run-out on the first ball of the 10th over, KKR were tottering at 61 for 5. They needed some magic as Andre Russell joined Dinesh Karthik in the middle and that is exactly what the two created - magic.

Andre Russell continued his sensational form and smashed a 28-ball 62 despite taking a blow on his shoulder. He hit four boundaries and six sixes, as he battled through pain to help his team post a strong total.

Dinesh Karthik played with a calm head and made 50 off 36 balls.

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Majority Stakeholders of Guyana’s Cricket congratulate Ricky Skerritt and Dr Shallow THE Majority Stakeholders of Guyana’s Cricket (Berbice Cricket Board, the East Coast Cricket Board, Georgetown Cricket Association and Upper Demerara Cricket Association) have offered their sincerest congratulations to Richard Skerritt and to Dr Kishore Shallow on their ascendency to the presidency and the vice-presidency respectively of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Skerritt and Dr Shallow

were elected last Sunday following the Cricket West Indies (CWI) elections held in Jamaica.

In a release, the stakeholders said they are heartened and excited at this development and they know that the newly elected bosses’ strong, progressive and impartial leadership will revive the fortunes of our great game in the Region.

Cricket-lovers throughout the region and beyond now eagerly anticipate the return

Mayor’s Cup football kicks off in Linden tonight AS the Linden Mayor’s Cup football championship kicks off tonight in Linden, Mayor of Linden Mrs Waneka Arrindell has told Chronicle Sport: “The vision of the Mayor’s Cup is something, because I have known for a while that Linden seems to be very passionate about football and that seems to have dwindled a little over the years. I don’t know if it is based on the support you are getting from national and international persons. I don’t know how much interest that is.”

Tonight’s opening fixture at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground at 19:00hrs brings together Capital FC and Amelia’s Ward Panthers and the other game at 21:00hrs pits Hi Stars against Blueberry Hill.

Earlier in the afternoon there will be a clash of Veterans from Mackenzie and Wismar at 16:00hrs before the March Past of the contesting clubs at 18:00hrs, followed by an inspection and remarks from the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), main sponsor Banks DIH and Mayor Arrindell.

The first game of the knockout tournament then gets underway.

The competition will have 12 teams.”

We wanted it to start about two weeks ago but because of the late commitment of sponsorship we had to adjust the tournament, maintain those same teams, but it is a straight knockout,” according to Deputy Mayor of Linden, Wainwright Bethune..

The other teams are Upper Demerara champions Eagles United, Net Rockers, Winners Connection and Botofago who have all drawn byes to the quarterfinals. Other teams are Topp XX, Milerock’s B Selection, Capital FC, Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Silver Shattas and Coomacka, Hi Stars and Blueberry Hill United.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt (left) and Vice-Presidenr Dr Kishore Shallow

of the West Indies to the pinnacle of world cricket under

their capable leadership.

The stakeholders said

they are firm in their belief that the entire region is elated with their appointments and will rally round them and their committee in the interest of West Indies cricket.

The stakeholders said therefore, they are looking forward to an urgent resolution to the crisis in the administration of Guyana’s cricket which has been ongoing since 2011.

This includes the illegality of the current executives

of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) as stated in a sworn affidavit emanating from the Ministry of the Presidency (with responsibility for Sport).

Please be assured, the stakeholders said in offering their congratulations to the new Windies leadership, of our fullest support and cooperation as you commence to rebuild our beloved regional game both at the administrative and the playing levels.

CWI Women’s T20 Blaze

Coach Mangru urges his players to focus as Guyana look for another win BHARAT Mangru, coach of the national senior female cricket team, has urged his players to focus on the job at hand ahead of today’s pivotal round of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s T20 Blaze.

The Guyanese will clash with defending champions Jamaica in the first of three games, billed for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence from 09:00hrs.

After his side’s first-round defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago by five wickets, the Guyanese rebounded to beat the Leeward Islands by 23 runs in the second round on Friday.

Jamaica, on the other hand, suffered similar results, with a

win from two games. They won their opening encounter against Windward Islands before suffering a nine-wicket defeat by Barbados.

However, despite the mixed results from the Jamaicans, Mangru is taking nothing for granted, and as such, believes every opponent poses a threat.

“We know Jamaica will come hard at us, but we are confident of a positive result,” Mangru said at the conclusion of the squad’s training session yesterday, at the GYO ground in the capital city.

Meanwhile, captain Shemaine Campbelle urged her batters, especially the top order, to come

Captain Shemaine Campbelle has been in fine form with the bat.

good.

“We need a better performance from our batters if we will set a good score tomorrow (today) game. A few batters got starts on Friday but they need to carry on,” Campbelle, the West Indies player pointed out.

At present the tournament is wide open with Barbados with two wins on six points while Guyana and Jamaica are on three points each.

In other third-round fixture today will see Barbados play Windward Islands from 14:00hrs while Trinidad and Tobago will oppose Leeward Islands from 19:00hrs. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

Obiri achieves historic world treble at cross country AARHUS, Denmark (Reuters) - Kenya’s Hellen Obiri made athletics history yesterday when she won the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, to become the first woman to lift world titles indoors, outdoors and at cross country.

Obiri emulated Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, the only man to achieve the treble, as she powered away from Ethiopian Dera Dira to win by two seconds over the 10.24km course in 36 minutes 14 seconds.

“It is really special,” the world 5 000 metres champion said after leading her Kenyan colleagues to the team title too.

“It was my debut IAAF World Cross

Hellen Obiri (KEN) celebrates after defeating Dara Dida (ETH) to win the women’s race, 36:14 to 36:16, during the senior women’s race of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships at the Moesgaard Museum, Aarhus, Denmark; (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports)

Country Championships and my only chance to do it. I now don’t need to do any more cross country,” added the 29-yearold.

Joshua Cheptegei became the first Ugandan to win the senior men’s title, making amends for the agonising near-miss in front of his home fans in the previous edition in Kampala two years ago when he faded calamitously in sight of victory.

This time, he forged clear of team mate Jacob Kiplimo, as the pair also led the Ugandan men to a first-ever team gold, and Kenya’s defending champion Geoffrey Kamworor to win convincingly by 25 metres in 31:40.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 31, 2019

GCC beat TSC to reach GCA U-19 final A HALF-CENTURY from West Indies U-16 cricketer Mavindra Dindyal and solid all-round support spurred Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) to a six-wicket victory over Transport Sports Club, yesterday in the first semi-final of the GCA Noble House Seafoods U-19 Generation Next 50-over cricket competition.

In a clash reduced to 40 overs due to a late start at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground, GCC won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Opening bowlers Shadrach Bacon and Rivaldo Phillips had Transport in early problems, after they had sent back the openers (DeAndre Linton and Ryan Latif) for ducks three overs into the game, but Michael Jamal and Devon Allen rebuilt the innings.

The number three and four batsmen added 52 for the third wicket with Jamal

Darrius Andrews and Mavindra Dindyal starred with ball and bat respectively for GCC.

hitting two sixes and a four in a score of 28 and Allen three fours in his 22.

Demerara’s U-15 captain Alvin Mohabir then batted his way to 46 runs.

He struck four fours and a six in a well-constructed innings batting at six.

He, however, became Aryan Persaud’s second victim. Support came from 11-year-old Riyad Latif, who finished with

23 (2x4s, 1x6) batting at eight.

Off-spinner Darrius Andrews led the attack with three wickets, while Thaddeus Lovell supported with two scalps towards the end, as Transport folded for 168 all out in 37.2 overs.

After a first-over four, Lovell settled into running the singles. In total, he ran 21 singles in his score of 25. He and Dindyal, who

was the aggressor, added 75 runs for the third wicket, which was the catalyst for victory.

Dindyal’s top score of 50 included seven fours and a six.

Although 13-year-old Mohabir dismissed both batsmen with his off-spin bowling, the damage was already done. Persaud (26) and Rahul Singh (17) then added 44 unbeaten runs to lead their team to 169-4 in 33 overs.

Mohabir finished with 3-34 from eight overs for Transport.

Alvin Mohabir had a good all-round game for Transport.

Diplomats fight back after UG’s batting onslaught in GCA two-day cricket

Trophy Stall partners once again with Guyana Fitness Games TROPHY Stall is once again partnering with Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge for its fifth edition of the Guyana Fitness Games today at the National Park tarmac.

On Thursday, Guyana Fitness Games representative Ms Jordana Ramsey-Gonsalves made the trek to Trophy Stall’s Bourda Market venue to receive the trophies and medals from Ramesh Sunich, who said that he was very excited to be able to continue his support of the games which was highlighting the need of keeping fit and healthy.

Ramsey-Gonsalves expressed thanks to Sunich on behalf of the organisers while complimenting Trophy Stall for its continued support.

Athletes from Linden, Berbice, Georgetown and Suriname would be locked in intense battle from 13:00hrs today, as they vie for the right to be named the fittest male and female athlete in Guyana.

There will also be the 3rd Annual Charity Challenge, sponsored

by Kares Engineering, with some of Guyana’s top trainers competing for a top prize of $100 000 that

From left, Ricardo David, Ershaad Ali and Godfrey Thakurdin all scored half-centuries for the UG team.

would go towards two charities chosen by the title sponsor.

Other sponosors on board for today’s Games are: Kares Engineering, Ansa McAl through their Lucozade, Mackeson and Icool Water brands, Pollo Tropical, BPI Guyana Inc., Trophy Stall, Starr Party Rentals, St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Cellular Plus, Massy Industries, Fitness Elite, Fitness Express and Genesis Fitness Gym.

THE Diplomats Sports Club, led by an unbeaten 71 from Nigel Simpson, fought back against the University of Guyana (UG) yesterday in the opening day of their Noble House Seafoods Second-Division two-day cricket fixture at the MYO ground.

The UG team batted first and chalked up a whopping 301-4 in 43.3 overs before they declared. At the close of play Simpson, who has so far played a mature innings, had pushed his side to 187-6 in 39 overs, still 114 runs in arrears.

Several batsmen exploded for the University team. Godfrey Thakurdin led the charge with 85. The opener spanked shots all around the small ground and struck 15 fours and two sixes.

For the first wicket, he and K. Roberts (18) added 61, while he and Ricardo David batted their team to an 84 third-wicket partnership, before David and Melroy Stephenson Jr tallied 86 for the fourth wicket.

David struck 13 fours in his innings of 76 while Stephenson hits eight fours in his 47 and Ershaad Ali (batting at five) hit 12

fours in an unbeaten knock of 57.

Rayson Gill, who got the wickets of Stephenson and David, finished with 2-54 from 8.3 overs.

Diplomats were in trouble early after losing their top three batsmen for four runs, but Deryck Babb and Simpson batted their team into the game with a fourth-wicket partnership of 50. The former scored 40 (7x4, 2x6) before he was bowled by K. Roberts.

The fall of Babb brought Ronaldo Gibson into the attack. He and Simpson exploded. For the fifth wicket, they added a quick 76. Gibson played well for his 28 (6x4), before Thakurdin bowled him.

Simpson continued to play his shots. To reach his half-century he spanked a six over cover. After accomplishing that milestone, though, he became more watchful.

By the close of play, he had lost A. Foster for 14, but Gill, who played a few shots behind the wicket, is still there on 22 (5x4).

Simpson has so far hit 10 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten knock of 71.

MILO Schools Football tournament 2019

President’s College, Annandale

record contrasting quarter-finals wins Annandale (blue and red) steamrolled Charlestown Secondary 4-0 in their quarter-final match (Delano Williams photo)

SEE PAGE 27

GFF participates in the 34th CONCACAF Ordinary Congress

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27

Guyana have Gold Cup ambitions, says history-making coach Johnson

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Former Jamaica International Michael Johnson was appointed Head Coach in June 2018.

President Forde (right) and Rayan Farias at the 34th CONCACAF Congress

Majority Stakeholders of Guyana’s Cricket congratulate 30 PAGE

Ricky Skerritt and Dr Shallow

GUYANA will not be heading to the CONCACAF Gold Cup just to make up the numbers after a memorable first qualifying campaign under coach Michael Johnson.

Former Jamaica international Johnson was appointed as head coach in June 2018 and brought about a dramatic upturn in their fortunes.

Guyana had never qualified for a major tournament prior to the ex-Birmingham City and Derby County defender’s arrival, but after three wins from four matches – including a crucial 2-1 victory over Belize

- they will be at the 2019 edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Despite their inexperience and being ranked 177 in the world, Johnson is adamant his squad have got ambitions beyond just turning up to enjoy the experience.

“It’s a bit surreal actually, it’s been a real rollercoaster over the last couple of days with emotion, but it’s wonderful,” Johnson told Omnisport. “To achieve what we’ve achieved is fantastic. “(Now) we’ve got ambitions, and I say we meaning me, the players and my staff as well.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2019