Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05 05 2017

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No. 104903

FRIDAY MAY 5, 2017

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Happy Arrival Day Celebrating Indo-Guyanese (VAT Inclusive)

… President says Indians transformed Guyana’s demographics

I

NDO Guyanese have transformed this country’s demographic, political and cultural life and have achieved eminence and prominence in every aspect of national life, President David Granger said in a message to mark Arrival Day today.

“The Cooperative Republic of Guyana celebrates ‘Indian Arrival Day’ on 5th May to acknowledge the achievements of the descendants of immigrants of Indian origin and their contribution to nation-building. This year, 2017, marks also the 100th anniversary of the abolition of Indian indentured immigration, the system which was responsible for bringing almost 240,000 Indians to our shores between 1838 and 1917,” President Granger said in his message.

He reminded that Indians were recruited in response to the perceived and predicted shortages of labour on the sugar plantations following African emancipation, noting that they crossed the ocean– kala pani – from Asia to the Americas to toil as indentured immigrants on the sugar plantations.

According to the President, Indians, together with Portuguese indentured immigrants, who had arrived earlier, and Chinese, who arrived later, and with the free Africans, who remained on the plantations, helped to ensure the survival of the sugar industry in British Guiana.

“Indians transformed Guyana’s demographic, economic, political and cultural life. Indians remain the single largest ethnic group in this country and have achieved eminence and prominence in every aspect of national life,” President Granger said in his message.

He added that Indian Arrival Day reminds everyone of the role of persons of Indian origin in shaping the nation.

“Their resistance to the abuses of plantation conditions and their struggle for a better life are legendary. Their cultural beliefs and values and respectful relations became the bases for social cohesion.

“Guyana pays tribute to Indian achievement. I extend best wishes to all on the occasion of Indian Arrival Day.”

Cop shoots self dead Page 5

29 injured in minibus collision Page 8

Gov’t committed to Amerindian development

Page 3

––Harmon says only President has authority over land titles

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

Patrick Yarde is PSC acting chair

VETERAN trade unionist, Patrick Melvyn Yarde was on Thursday sworn in by President David Granger as acting Chair of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The position automatically makes him an ex-officio member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Police Service Commission and the Guyana Defence Force Commission’s Board.

The swearing-in ceremony, which accorded with Article 200 (5) of the Constitution of Guyana, was held at State House in the presence of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and members of the PSC. President Granger explained that since the removal

of the previous Chairman of this important constitutional body, its work has been lagging behind.

“It ought not to be delayed further because the function of the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission has been affected… This is entirely in accordance with the requirement of an efficient Government that the work of those four boards should not be delayed or paralysed any further,” he said.

He added that his administration is confident that this new appointment is a step in the right direction, which will result in the efficient functioning of the four commissions.

Further, with the appointment of the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the acting Chief Justice, the work of the JSC in particular, is expected to move apace.

In an invited comment, Yarde said that he is pleased to have been asked to serve in this new position and assured that he will perform the duties of his office in accordance with the Constitution.

“It is my view… that the public service of Guyana be a very efficient, effective and professional career service, faithfully serving the Government of the day and the people of Guyana,” a Ministry of the Presidency release quoted the President as saying.

In October last year, acting in accordance with Article 225 (6) of the Constitution, the President ordered the suspension of

Carvil Duncan pending the outcome of the proceedings of the Tribunal, which was set up to inquire, investigate and recommend whether

he (Duncan) ought to be removed from office for inability to discharge the functions of his Constitutional posts.

President David Granger presenting Patrick Yarde with his instrument of appointment at State House

Feasibility study on Harbour Bridge completed

–– to be discussed at next Conference of Ministers Trade Unionist Patrick Yarde reciting the Oath of Office in the presence of President David Granger

CABINET will at its next Conference of Ministers later this month discuss in detail the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge crossing.

The study which was completed by Dutch company Leivense CSO at a cost of $146.3M,was presented to Cabinet on Tuesday by subject minister,David Patterson.

Minister of State,Joseph Harmon told reporters at his post-Cabinet press briefing that Patterson,in collaboration with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation had commissioned Leivense CSO to undertake the study and propose the design for the crossing. That project began in January.

In 2013, a pre-feasibility study was done by the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and that study concluded that

a new, high-level, fixed bridge was the best option to be pursued.

Meanwhile, Harmon said Cabinet asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure “to identify key aspects of the proposal that require immediate attention and agreed to discuss the study in detail at the next conference of Ministers in May”.

In March, Minister Patterson and a team of representatives from his Ministry along with the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, Rawlston Adams,met with the Dutch company to discuss the first stage of the feasibility study for the new crossing.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge (a floating bridge) was opened on July 2, 1978 and has a length of 1851 metres (1.15 miles).

The bridge has been under constant maintenance over the years.

US$1M approved for World Bank’s Investment Fund GUYANA’s contribution to the replenishment of the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund of US$1M has been approved by Cabinet, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has announced.

According to the Minister, the contribution should be repayable in three or four installments beginning in 2019.

He said the Multilateral Investment Fund was created in 1992 to augment the resources available to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for project fi-

nancing.

“Since its inception, Guyana has contributed US$950,000 and has received US$9.34M for every US$9.84 that was invested in the fund and this will continue to operate up to 2018. We expect that Guyana will continue to benefit from its allocations,” said Harmon.

The main areas of focus for the Fund include climate smart agriculture and developing environmental and social sustainability.

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Gov’t committed to Amerindian development

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

–– Harmon says only President has authority over land titles

By Ariana Gordon EVEN as the National Toshaos Council (NTC) has demanded a revocation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the lands belonging to Indigenous peoples and ancestors of African slaves, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has made it clear that only the President has the authority over land titles.

Harmon made this statement on Thursday following questions raised about the CoI into the lands. He said his administration views with concern the statement made by the NTC on Wednesday.

The NTC on Wednesday at a press conference complained of not being consulted on the CoI and said they were not involved in the drafting of the Terms of Reference (ToR) and as such, the CoI should be revoked.

“The toshaos’ statement is a matter of concern because we believe that all citizens of this country have a right to have their issues addressed at whatever levels it needs to be addressed.

At the level of land, the authority for the issue of any land title is the President or any person so authorised by the President to issue titles,” said Harmon.

He noted that President David Granger has been listening to complaints from varying sects of society in relation to land matters, be it in Indigenous communities, or communities relative to ancestral lands. As a result of the volume of complaints, Harmon said the President decided to appoint a Commission to deal with the issues.

“The issue of Amerindian land titles would be dealt with by the Commission and is not mixed up with the ancestral lands, and they would deal with Amerindian land title

issues. So I believe we need to have some more engagements with the parties so that they understand this more carefully.”

Harmon added that Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock, had gone into the Rupununi recently where there was a conference of toshaos and explained the role of the Commission in full details.

“The CoI is providing an opportunity to deal with issues in relation to Amerindian land titles, ancestral lands and any other land issues that came up…” the minister stated, while noting that in areas where there is no conflict in relation to Indigenous land titles, Minister Allicock’s recommendations would be made for titles to be granted and would not be considered in the CoI. “…there is no absence of conflict in the Amerindian land titles, because every time there is an application for extension, it goes into another area and the only person under the laws that can make these adjustments is the President of this country.”

Harmon said his Government has committed to addressing the many land issues and will fulfil that commitment. He said the CoI is a step in that direction. The Opposition People’s Progressive Party

(PPP) has filed a motion in the National Assembly which is to be debated on Monday.

“We will make it very clear that this Government has committed itself to working very closely with the peoples of Guyana, with the indigenous people and dealing with their aspirations in a very metallical way that this Government will continue to do so, and in the debate, we will point out all the things we have done since we came into office in relation to the development of our indigenous people and the prospects for a bright future for indigenous and all people of this country,” he assured.

NO DILUTION The minister of state said emphatically that no attempt is being made by the Coalition Government to dilute any aspect of the Amerindian Act of 2006 or replace it with any intervention.

“Everywhere I go, people are talking about land and it is up to us to ensure that we have an equitable way of addressing these issues,” he said, adding that the CoI was the proper way to do it and represented a fulfilling of a commitment made by the President at the National Toshaos Conference in 2016.

“We will find a way to move forward in the interest of all,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs in a statement rejected outright the statements made by the NTC, which demanded that the Government revoke the CoI into the land issues or it will be faced with rejection at the 2020 polls.

UNFORTUNATE “It is unfortunate that, an insignificant minority of agents of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) have allowed themselves to become instruments of partisan political purpose.”

The ministry calls on the NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks to prove that the Government is violating the Amerindian Act as well as the UN Convention which speaks to Indigenous rights by the establishment of the CoI. “If Mr Fredericks cannot do so by providing documentary or other compelling evidence, he must immediately withdraw this unfounded statement and apologise to His Excellency President Granger under whose hand the said CoI was established, using the relevant provisions of law.”

Additionally, the ministry said it takes umbrage to statements by the

NTC’s Vice Chairman Lennox Shuman, who it is alleged has attempted to incite racial tension on a national scale.

“The ministry rejects out of hand these outrageous and grossly misleading utterances by the two most senior members of the NTC. The ministry condemns in the strongest terms, any irresponsible statement which seeks to divide the nation along ethnic or other lines.

“The ministry has made it clear that national unity is critical to nation-building and will not condone such behaviour.

“This type of vulgar, self-serving, political and narrow-minded posturing by persons who were elected to serve the indigenous peoples of Guyana speaks to a departure from the mandate given them by those who reposed trust and confidence in them as leaders. These two gentlemen must now come clean and choose between service to the indigenous peoples of Guyana and their personal political egos,” the ministry’s statement added.

Meanwhile, the African Cultural Development

Association (ACDA) welcomed the move by the government to establish the CoI into lands here.

The body said it had lobbied the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration “to remedy the forfeiture of lands bought by our ancestors.”

The body also called on the Indigenous community to unite and not fall prey to racism.

“ACDA calls on the First Nation Indians in Guyana to unite with African-Guyanese to bring land justice to its African-Guyanese family, to resist the retelling of lies and misinformation told to them by the Opposition and to say yes to land justice for all Peoples of Guyana.”

ACDA said it believes that all Guyanese must share justly in the country’s patrimony.

In 2008, former People’s National Congress Member of Parliament Deborah Backer had tabled a motion in the National Assembly to address this issue, but her motion was defeated by the PPP-dominated Parliament.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

Carvil Duncan case to resume Monday …AG yet to respond to judge’s complaint

By Ariana Gordon ATTORNEY General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams is yet to respond to acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards regarding allegations of disrespect to High Court Judge, Justice Franklin Holder.

Williams has maintained his innocence in the matter and has since said there is no need to apologise to Justice Holder.

The judge had written a letter of complaint to the acting Chancellor, which also called for the AG to issue a public apology on the matter.

The issue had come to the fore when Attorney Anil Nandlall alleged that Williams had threatened to kill Justice Holder, causing the judge to walk off the bench during a court case involving Carvil Duncan. The AG had denied the allegation.

However, the judge in a complaint detailed the inci-

Justice Franklin Holder

dent, which led to him walking off the bench without adjourning the case. He said the AG had questioned whether the judge recorded the correct answer from the witness he was cross-examining and according to Justice Holder, he told Williams that he took umbrage to his tone.

The judge said Williams responded by saying that the last person who told him what he should not say was a magis-

trate and he is now dead.

The judge wrote that the AG went on to say: “I could say what I want to say and however I want to say it, I have always been like that.” It was at this time that the judge walked off the bench.

Justice Holder described the utterances by Williams to be egregious and told the acting Chancellor that he wants a genuine and meaningful apology from Williams in open court.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the media on Thursday, Justice Cummings-Edwards said after an official report of the incident which occurred on March 23 was made to her office, a copy of Justice Holder’s letter of complaint was sent to Williams “for his information, guidance and any response.”

“To date, Mr Williams SC has not directly responded to that letter,” the statement said.

The acting Chancellor said too that given the fact that

mon could not state whether President David Granger has responded to a letter received by the AG.

Acting Chief Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards

Williams holds the executive positions of AG and Minister of Legal Affairs, a copy of Justice Holder’s letter was sent to the Head of State, purely as a matter of information and courtesy.

“No complaint was made to His Excellency,” the release added. The case is set for continuation on May 8 at 09:30hrs before Justice Holder.

Notices have been sent to all parties, the statement concluded.

However, on Thursday, Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State Joseph Har-

ACT AS NECESSARY “No, I won’t be able to say whether the President responded, but I do know for a fact that the Attorney General has written His Excellency, but those are correspondences directly to His Excellency the President and in due course he will act as necessary,” said Harmon.

The President told reporters in March that he had requested that the Attorney General explain the allegations of disrespect and threats to Justice Franklin.

“I have asked for an explanation of the matters which were reported to me and when I have had that opportunity, I will respond to him and the Chancellor of the Judiciary, but I am very confident that the latter will be resolved,” President Granger had told reporters.

However, when asked whether he can state the next move relative to the matter, the Minister of State replied, “No, I won’t be able to say.”

Meanwhile, the AG had last month informed President Granger that Justice Franklin

Holder’s allegations of contempt lacked merit. He said that he was not disrespectful, insulting or contemptuous at any time on the day in question.

In his argument, the Attorney General cited the Contempt of Court Act Chapter 5:05, and stated that there are provisions in the law for a judge presiding in a court to cite and punish persons for contempt.

Because Contempt of Court is a criminal offence, the Attorney General argued that Justice Holder was required under the Act to inform him of the offence committed before adjourning the matter on the same day; something he claims the judge failed to do.

He posited that Justice Holder could not lawfully almost two days later by letter purport to raise accusations of contempt against him. Additionally, Williams pointed to Article 144 (8) of the Constitution which requires a Judge to give notice to the Attorney-at-Law in court on any behaviour which is contemptuous, insulting, disrespectful and despicable in the face of the Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

PPP pledges to remove scourge of racism in Guyana The People’s Progressive Party has pledged to work to remove racism and racial discrimination from this land even as it extends warmest Arrivcal Day greetings “to all of our people who came to this land under the brutal indentured system of servitude in search of a better life, over one hundred and seventy years ago.”

In a message the PPP said each of the ethnic group that came brought with them

a rich and unique heritage, history, culture, religion, customs and practices, which were later not only merged among themselves but also amalgamated with those of our Amerindian and African brothers and sisters to create an extraordinary Guyanese cultural, social and economic landscape.

“Over one hundred and seventy years later, one can easily identify the peculiar contributions of each of our people who came in almost

every facet of national life in our country, in one form or another. The Chinese cuisine remains an irreplaceable part of our national diet. The entrepreneurial qualities of our Portuguese people continue to exhibit itself in vital areas of national commerce and industry. The contributions of the Indian immigrants, the largest group that came consists of a formidable part of so many aspects of national life, that it is impossible to

Carvil Duncan case... his letter of complaint, the Learned Judge purports to list seven instances which in his opinion amounted to contemptuous behaviour, yet in not one of them informed the Hon Attorney General he was close to committing contempt or warned him or in any manner giving him notice of misbehaviour, or charged him for contempt,” Williams told the President.

According to him, at the time the judge left the court, he was not accused of being in contempt, but it was only after Nandlall made several ‘scandalous’ utterances that a letter of complaint was filed.

“As a consequence, it is respectfully submitted that there is no foundation upon which Justice Holder could erect those serious allegations and sanctions he has proposed in his letter of complaint,” Minister Williams said.

The Attorney General however blamed Nandlall for being disruptive and disrespectful to the court, while Duncan and his confidential secretary were being cross-examined.

He recalled that on the approach to 12:00hrs, the learned judge indicated that he was about to adjourn for the day, noting that it was then he requested permission

to ask a final question of the confidential secretary which was granted and asked.

“Upon the answer of ‘No,’ to the question the Hon AG went back to his seat and as he turned to face the court, he saw Justice Holder about to leave the Bench.

The Hon Attorney General inquired of Justice Holder “Ex Abundanti Cautela (out of abundant caution) if he could clarify whether the witness’s answer of ‘No’ was recorded.”

Surprisingly, Justice Holder’s response was that, “Mr Williams you are not in control of my court,” he stated.

Reportedly in a conversational tone, Minister Williams said he agreed, while positing that it was Nandlall who had been seeking to do that the entire morning.

It was then that Justice Holder openly stated that he had taken umbrage to the question asked by the AG, which suggested that he as the Judge deliberately did not record the answer ‘YES’ earlier. But this was denied by the AG. “To assure the learned judge, the Hon AG referred to a case years ago where a magistrate made a similar accusation when he was before him, claiming that when the

Hon. AG said he never failed a subject at law school he understood he was saying that he the magistrate had failed subjects.

The AG said the magistrate cited him for contempt and since then he has been very careful with his submissions to the court, lest there be a recurrence. The AG then said incidentally, the magistrate is dead now, to let the learned judge know that he was not someone who is still in the system,” Minister Williams explained to the President, while assuring that he was not in contempt nor was he cautioned.

As such, he posited that

imagine a Guyana without them.”

According to the party it is important to note, that the sugar industry that was so instrumental in bringing the Indentured Immigrants and African slaves to this land and that has been a major source of employment and contributor to the local economy for over three hundred years in our country, is now facing imminent closure within just two short years of this coalition Gov-

From Page 4 there is no “substratum” to support an apology, contending that Justice Holder would be in breach of Section 12, if he seeks one after the rising of the court.

Additionally, he recommended that Justice Holder recuse himself from the Carvil Duncan case and send the matter back to the Chief Justice for re-assignment.

He opined too that the matter should be heard in a courtroom where there is a Voice Verbatim Digital Sound Recording System or any other contemporaneous recording to avoid the ‘last bastion of a lawyer’s servitude’ before the courts.

ernment “The PPP takes this opportunity to renew its commitment to all of our people who came to this land to continue to struggle with them side by side, to overcome these challenges as well as preparing them for new challenges.

In particular, we pledge to continue to work, indefatigably, to remove

the scourge of racism and racial discrimination from this land; to forge ethnic, religious and class unity among all our people and to build a society governed by the rule of law and where the constitutional rights and freedom of our people are not only respected but are protected and advanced,” the message concluded.

Cop shoots self dead POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Woman Special Constable Shendal George, 29, of Lima, Essequibo Coast, which occurred between 17:30-17:45hrs on Thursday at the Caricom Rice Mill located at Anna Regina.

Enquiries have revealed that the victim who was armed with a service revolver and six rounds was performing duties at the main gate (front) of the Caricom Rice Mill, left her post and was later discovered motionless in a toilet in the said compound with a suspected gunshot wound to her throat.

Her firearm, along with five live rounds and a spent shell, was found next to her.

She was taken to the Suddie Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arriv-

Woman Constable Shendal George

al. The body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem .

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

One destiny

EVERY man, woman and child who resides here, their forebears came from different parts of the world, under different circumstances, and while they initially lived through diverse experiences, have today come to call here home.

Where it has been said our Amerindian (American Indians) brothers and sisters came to these shores through the Bering Straits during the Ice Age and settled here first, others came after. According to the history earlier told, the Europeans came after and met the Amerindians who were the first people they saw outside of themselves. This recount of history was later debunked by Guyanese born and internationally acclaimed anthropologist, the late Professor Ivan Van Sertima. In his book “They came before Columbus- The African Presence in Ancient America” he recounted and provided evidence of African presence in the Caribbean before Columbus and having trade relations with Amerindians.

Thus where an earlier understanding of history has been shifted given new revelation, what remains undisputed is the treatment meted out to both Africans and Amerindians. Amerindians were first enslaved by European but fought against the bestial system. Some were decimated from the diseases brought by Europeans and conditions they were forced to work under, others fled the plantation and went inland. The European thereafter turned attention elsewhere for another source of labour which they thought was cheap in acquiring and more suitable for the planation condition. That source was Africa, which saw the emergence of the slave trade and slavery that lasted for centuries.

This trade and source of labour, along with the millions of lives lost in and during the Transatlantic Slave Trade and subhuman treatment meted out to the enslaved on the plantations, led the United Nations to define this period of the world’s

history as the worst crime against humanity. The resistance by the enslaved that included the dignity of suicide rather than living under the brutish system, rebellions and revolutions, along with support from humanitarian Europeans led to the abolition of the slave trade earlier (1807), amelioration (1834) and emancipation (1ST August, 1838) .

At the end of slavery and where the society still maintained a plantation economy, labour was sourced under the indentureship system. This system though not as brutish as slavery in the sense of being chattel, propertied and unpaid, living and conditions of work for the indentured were inhumane. The European under this system sourced labour from Africa, China, Portugal and India which comprised the majority. Indentureship entailed a system where labour was bound. This meant persons entered into the system on contract for a fixed period. They were paid and at the end of the contract allowed to return from where they came. The return passage was shared in part by the indentured and the plantoclass, where the former had to first put up their share in order to receive the other part from the latter.

In a society where the freed, indentured and plantoclass co-mingled there were conflicts. The first resulted from the determination of freed Africans to carve out a life independent of the plantation and efforts by the former enslavers to hinder this. Then with the arrival and presence of other groups, divide and rule became a matter of policy, which created conflicts among the indentured and freed. This notwithstanding, it did not prevent alliances between and among groups on matters, based on solidarity and/or the recognition that in unity success can be achieved. And in this environment where indentureship was abolished and a colonised state existed, together the indigenous from the various racial groups fought for independence, which was achieved on 26th

May 1966 and republican status, which broke the final yoke of domination,on 23rd February 1970. In recognition of this storied aspect of our history when it became law to mark 5th May Arrival Day, a date that recognised the first arrival of East Indians as indentured servants, it set in train and created opportunities for collective recognition, understanding of our history, and acknowledgement of contributions made by all groups.

While it should never be forgotten how we arrived nor the circumstances and experiences of the past, where all have contributed to making this country what it is today serve as testimony of resilience, common bond, ability to overcome and succeed. Our entire culture -i.e. lived social, political and economic experiences-reflect the fusion of diverse historical ways of life, including artefacts and preferences. In that today it can be proclaimed that we are One People (human beings), One Nation (Guyanese of a nation state called Guyana) and One Destiny (the commonality to continue striving for the development of self, collective and country) in testimony of the fact that ultimately while it matters where we came from,what will determine our success is our commitment to stand as one, even in the face of challenges. (Reprinted)

Youth empowerment moving apace under Min Henry Media not highlighting Dear Editor IN response to the letter penned by Mr Clayon F Halley in the daily of the Guyana Chronicle dated the 1st May 2017, in which he is calling for the removal of Minister Nicolette Henry from office by President David Granger.

I would like to inform Mr Halley that youth empowerment is moving forward at a steady pace, under the astute leadership of the Honourable Minister Nicolette Henry. The Department of Youth had delivered in communities all across Guyana working in schools and clubs through the programmes run by social workers, youth officers, volunteer support programmes and the President Youth Award, Guyana (PYARG).

Over the last seven

months, since I became a staff of the Youth Department of the Ministry of Education, I was really encouraged to work after having my first encounter with the Honourable Minister Nicolette Henry; here was a professional with a vision for the development of youth, a mother and friend to all.

She does not micro manage, she is confident that her team at the Youth Department can function as a body, that is all set to bring opportunities to youth nationwide through education and training.

We have gone to secondary schools and youth clubs promoting the art of public speaking, agricultural development, technical and vocational training, sports, poetry, steelpan music, drama, songs and dance, youth leadership and adventure.

These progammes are in almost all the administrative regions of Guyana. What the young people need is cooperation amongst its leaders and positive guidance from the elders.

Mr Halley, you are welcome to join us at the Youth Department to share ideas with the aim of engineering youth and community development. I ask myself from where I stand, why would someone who doesn’t know Minister Nicolette Henry pen such a vindictive letter, what ulterior motive is behind this?

The Honourable Minister must continue to do her work unhindered, with support from her directors and advisers. This is a team that can only win with her support and cooperation from all

members of her staff.

At this point, the Department of Youth is all geared to stage Youth Week activities from the 21 – 27 May, 2017. These are activities that were last held over two decades ago, but with the development of the youth in mind, she has taken the bold step to reintroduce Youth Week activities to the nation with support from the members of staff of the Department of Youth.

I am passionate about youth and development and would like to call on all youth and youth leaders to stand resolutely in support of our Honourable Minister Nicolette Henry, who holds responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Regards Aaaron Blackman

successes of the gov’t

Dear Editor

EDITOR, while I am apolitical and have never voted, I have two eyes and I can see. People often criticise this government and rightly so, because they can do better. But when anyone compares this government with the last administration, they must admit that Guyanese are receiving much better service for their money.

We should not forget that the government is our employee, hired to provide the service of running our country’s affairs. While this crop of ministers is not the best in the world, they are performing far better than the previous administration.

They are doing better in many departments and they

are much more accessible to the common Guyanese citizen.

Housing, infrastructure, natural resources, security and the presidency are a few departments where every Guyanese can clearly see that we are receiving a better service. We hear of the challenges in healthcare, agriculture and education which seem insurmountable, but we cannot in good conscience blame this government for that. The evening newscasts and daily newspapers barely inform us of their successes while highlighting their failures. However, when I think back to a few years ago, I have to say ‘good job guys.’

I am sure they can do better; there is still serious intransigence among the

Turn to Page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

MP Gill not fit enough to talk about Region Five Dear Editor, OVER the past week or so, I have been reading a lot about my region that is being fashioned or tailored to suit the readers and gain points for the Opposition. However, as an elected regional representative of the people in my region, I will not sit back and allow person\s that live their lives overseas and come here now for benefits and wanted to “bad mouth” my region, especially by saying things that are far from the truth just to make their partners or associates believe in them.

I will not deal with the issues concerning the former APNU+AFC Regional Councillor Ms Carol Smith Joseph, because I know that doctors are the ones that recommend treatment for a patient under their care or watch. So, I will not comment as to who is right or wrong. But what I can do is to state that no doctor or caregiver, including nurses, is supposed to publicise a patient’s illness and treatment. I feel it’s a betrayal of people’s rights for their health matters to be shared in the public domain by public officials.

I am much surprised at this PPP MP Harry Gill’s

comments. Firstly, let me say that Harry Gill has no authority or cannot speak for the people of Region Five, because he is not the parliamentary representative for Region Five, but he was chosen as an MP from the left-over and “scrape up” votes.

In the Monday 24th April, 2017 edition of Kaieteur News, this MP wrote a letter in the letters column under the caption, “PNC Domination Is Alive and Thriving In Region Five.”

Mr Gill should say same about the PPP and the awkward operations of the regional chairman, who is

Let the land commission’s work proceed I READ a Demerara Waves piece this week on the Toshaos Council calling for the scrapping of the commission to deal with land issues, even threatening to vote against the coalition in the upcoming 2020 elections. Well so be it.

The commission was established to deal with land issues in general, but to my surprise I read that the council thinks this would further incite racial fears and anxieties, rather than heal as the commission is mandated to do.

I therefore urge Government to stand firm and not be blackmailed or back away from the original intent of

the commission as it has done with Guysuco and a string of other issues, in which it had the high ground. Land issues are like an albatross hanging around the necks of Guyanese. The fact that this Government has seen it fit to attempt to address this issue once and for all not only shows political fortitude, but wisdom and foresight of a kind which had eluded previous administrations, some quite conveniently and perhaps deliberately.

The time for piece-meal approaches has long passed, so I therefore urge authorities to proceed as planned as every single group in this country would have a chance

Media not highlighting... leaders of many government departments and many civil servants are yet to embrace the change that the Guyanese electorate voted for in 2015.

It is fair to keep their feet to the fire, but we must encourage them, lest they become discouraged or disillusioned and we end up with a similar government as before, or even worst.

My thought was provoked by two recent articles in which one writer commended Minister Harmon, while another writer condemned her for doing so. It shows how politics guides our perception of reality. So while I do not wish to choose sides in that debate, might I encourage

to have their say in a public, open and transparent process. This is not a situation where parcels of lands are being handed out secretly.

This commission would hold public hearings, examine the history of land dating back to the first peoples, slavery, indentureship, the colonial era in general and the decades coming forward.

I therefore submit that the work of the commission should proceed and groups which fear its mission, should simply organise themselves to make representation as the opportunity is open to all.

Regards Peter Joseph

From Page 6 my fellow citizens to admonish our public servants and ministers to do better, but while we highlight their shortcomings, let us not forget to encourage them when they do a good or better job.

Regards Clarence Jones

always against development in the region.

He should tell the public about the misuse of the resources and mismanagement of the PPP-controlled NDCs in the region. He should tell the public of the dictatorship that is also happening within the NDCs as they take instructions from Bath Freedom house and the person that runs from his region. He should tell the public about the allegation where a machine that is hired to do D&I works within the region was mandated to do personal work for some PPP people in the Bath Settlement area.

I think millions were spent over that three-week period on fuel, maintenance and operator costs.

This MP should also tell the people of Guyana and Region Five about the $50,000 housing rebate that the PPP regional chairman denied them by not showing the missive to the relevant authorities. It is the PPP that is denying the people the benefits, not the REO and government.

I want to deal with the matters that the writer claims are happening in Region Five under the REO. The writer seems to be painting a picture as if works are being done in one section or for one respective

race in the region. These are total lies and deception from this Top Up MP. Maybe this top up MP over the past weeks has not been visiting Bath Freedom House, because right next door to that place a street is being rehabilitated. Streets are being rehabilitated across the region in the various villages.

Works on schools, health centres and bridges are ongoing in various areas that will benefit all. Not one set of people, as this Top Up MP is claiming. He needs to do his homework as a top up MP and spread the correct message across the PPP. I will challenge this Top Up MP to walk with me in Region Five and let’s see the works that are being done in the various areas.

Come let’s look at works across the board that you cannot see for some reason or maybe you are shortsighted, or don’t want to say the truth.

I also challenge you to tell the people of Rosignol and other areas that fall under that NDC, why is it that the streets are full of potholes, but yet loads of crush and run are being stored within the NDC compound?.

Tell the people of Bath, why is it that the chair and vice chair of that NDC is abusing

their powers to ensure there is no development?. Tell the people of Guyana and Region Five, how did the PPP acquire the land at Bath for Freedom House?.

This Top UP MP comes to Guyana, spends time enjoying life with lots of benefits and yet lies to the nation. I will ask that this top up MP has his eyes re-examined, so that he can see the works that are being done and not his lies alone.

It’s a shame to know that this man was sent to parliament with the top up votes or left over votes from the PPP and lies to this nation.

Well, I cannot expect better from him, because his entre cabal is doing the same and lying to the nation. It leaves one to wonder, does the PPP really have a Parliamentary Representative in Region Five? Because no one hears anything from the mouth of that person about Region Five but this top up MP does the nasty work of highlighting lies.

Take the challenge, top up MP Harry Gill. Mr. Editor, please note that I have not abused Mr Gill, but indeed stated the facts about how he got into Parliament as an MP. Regards Abel Seetaram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

29 injured in minibus collision

By Clifford Stanley and Shirley Thomas

TWENTY-NINE persons including 14 nursery and primary school-aged children were injured in an accident involving three mini-buses on the West of Berbice Highway at Rising Sun Village Thursday morning.

The children and teachers involved in the accident are all pupils of the Treasures Primary Academy located at Golden Fleece, West Coast Berbice. They were being transported to school, located a mile west of the accident scene.

Of the 14 children, six were referred from the Mahaicony Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Among those treated and admitted at the GPHC are Malachi Duncan, five; Emanuel Devon Garrett, five; and Roniaya Glasgow, also five; and retired teacher, Blanche Mc Pherson, who was sitting at the front of the bus.

Emanuel suffered lacerations to the head and

injuries to the back, while Roniaya Glasgow’s mother Temekah King, almost in a state of hysteria, related that her daughter suffered head injuries, laceration over the

mother of Malachi Duncan, who also lives in Berbice, her grandson had earlier joined the bus on his way to school when she received a message stating that the bus

and he would be transferred to Georgetown after having X-Ray done. But thank God he is fully conscious and recognises me,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

The scene of the accident at Rising Sun Village Thursday morning eye and severe injuries to both hands, which appear to have been badly cut or crushed.

A younger child (appearing to be of Day Care age, and whose name this newspaper was unable to ascertain, was taken to have an MRI or CT-scan done.

According to the grand-

had crashed on its way.

“The news spread and around quickly and everybody was anxious to see their children and grandchildren, and when I got there, he was lying on the bed. I spoke with the doctor who said that the child sustained laceration to the head and bruises to the back

The scene outside the Mahaicony Hospital yesterday morning

“But when you go to Mahaicony Hospital, you should see the chaos deh man. Children too much and if you see de blood,” she painfully recalled.

The remaining 15 adults and eight children were treated for minor injuries but were kept at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital for an eight-hour period of observation before discharge.

Region Five Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison, who visited the hospital on hearing of the accident, said the nurses and medical staff did well in providing assistance to the victims, particularly given the overcrowding of the hospital by parents and relatives of the injured persons.

“The Regional Health Officer Dr Steven Cheefoon was there and I must say that the hospital staff did extremely well in treating the many injured persons

One of the injured being transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a professional manner, despite the distractions presented by scores of parents and relatives who turned up at the hospital in understandably extreme states of anxiety on hearing news of the accident,” he said.

According to eyewitness reports, the bus conveying children and teachers of the Treasures Primary Academy School was parked on the southern side of the road at the time.

A mini-bus travelling west attempted to overtake another bus travelling in the same direction, but came into contact with the front right side of the vehicle being over-taken.

The impact caused the overtaking minibus to topple onto its side. It then skidded and hit the parked school bus, causing it to also topple and skid off the parapet.

The scene was near chaotic as public-spirited persons desperately tried to free the children, who included toddlers and the adults trapped in the toppled buses.

They managed to safely get the victims out, many of whom were bleeding and crying aloud in pain. They were rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.

The drivers of the three vehicles are assisting police with their investigation into the accident.

Top jurists on Council of Legal Advisors FIVE prominent judges have been appointed to serve on a soon-to-beestablished Ministerial Council of Legal Advisors, Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon announced on Thursday.

During his post-Cabinet press briefing, Harmon said Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Ministerial Council comprising Justice Duke Pollard, Justice James Patterson, Justice Claudette Singh, Professor Harold Lutchman and Professor Harold James.

Harmon told reporters on Thursday that the Ministerial

Justice Duke Pollard

Justice Claudette Singh

Justice James Patterson

Professor Harold Lutchman

Council will “provide legal analyses and advice on the development of the justice sector, the government’s legislative agenda and litigation matters, to have an input in legal policy design and to engage stakeholders with interest in the justice sector where appropriate.”

He said too that the Council will be assisted in the execution of its mandate by support staff from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Photos saved in folder as: Justice Duke Pollard, Justice James Patterson, Justice Claudette Singh, and Professor Harold Lutchman

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

Gov’t technical team to visit Coomacka to address effects of severe erosion

THE Government will next Wednesday deploy a team of engineers and other officials from various Ministries to the community of Coomacka, located in Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten), to conduct a final scoping mission for the planning and execution of projects to address impassable roads and frequent flooding during the rainy season caused by intense erosion in the remote farming community.

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and disaster risk reduction, today convened a meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Boardroom with personnel from key Ministries,during which he noted that a plan must be presented as soon as possible for works to commence in the area so that the plight of the residents can be addressed.

“This matter arose at our last Platform [National Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination Platform (NDRRCP)] meeting and arising out of that meeting, we decided that we should have an inter-agency task force so that

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon,chairing the meeting held earlier today at the Ministry of the Presidency. we can bring a solution to the problem as we see it. We have to come up with a plan to deal with this matter. I was disturbed by what I heard and I think it is enough for us to take emergency action to address the issues affecting the residents in this region,” Minister Harmon said.

The State Minister noted that while there have been different approaches by the various agencies in the past, it is time for a more holistic approach to be taken so that long-term relief for the residents can be guaranteed.

The Government over the past few months, through the Ministry of Public In-

Appointment of judges engaging President MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has confirmed that the appointment of judges to the High Court and Court of Appeal is engaging the attention of President David Granger.

His remarks came amid accusations from executive member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Anil Nandlall, of “constitutional heresy” by the President for making recommendations to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Harmon however stated that recommendations to appoint judges have to be made by the Minister of State JSC and passed on to Joseph Harmon the President. “I don’t know what Mr Nandlall is talking about with the President recommending. The President has not recommended anybody; the JSC will meet and make its recommendation and as I said earlier, the President will act on those recommendations,” said the Minister of State during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday.

The JSC had advised the President in March, 2016, to appoint four judges, however, Nandlall said that the President did not act on the commission’s advice.

It was reported that the body unanimously recommended in February 2016 that Justice Mr. Rishi Persaud and Justice Ms. Dawn Gregory be appointed to the Court of Appeal and Mr. Sandil Kissoon and Ms. DamoneYounge, Attorneys-at-Law, be appointed Puisne Judges

frastructure, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the CDC have been conducting works and monitoring the community.

However, the problems are worsening at a rapid rate and as such, urgent action has been recommended. Based on the site visit, it is expected that short and medium term solutions will be drafted and submitted to the Government for consideration and approval while a proposal for a longterm solution will be drafted.

Head of the CDC, Col-

onel Chabilall Ramsarup, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Joslyn McKenzie, acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Mr. Geoffrey Vaughn, Chairman of Region Ten, Mr. Renis Morian, Head of the Land Management Division at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Derrick Lawrence and Head of the NDIA, Mr. Fredrick Flatts all attended the meeting.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

Gov’t ready –– to debate Deeds and Commercial Registries Amendment Bill at next sitting

By Ariana Gordon

THE Deeds and Commercial Registries Amendment Bill 2017 has been scheduled for debate on Monday, Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon disclosed on Thursday.

Harmon told reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency that Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams informed Cabinet on Tuesday that the Bill has been scheduled for debate at the next sitting of the National Assembly.

“The passage of this Bill will enable the appointment of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Board that will have oversight of the two registries,” he stated.

Sections five, six and 10

of the Principal Act are to be amended. According to the Explanatory Memorandum, the Bill substitutes for section 5(2) of the Principal Act a new section 5(2) to provide for “a much-needed change of membership of the Governing Board of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority” and provides that where the Governing Board has not been appointed or is not functioning, the minister shall perform the functions of the board.

The Amendment to Section five also stated that the governing board consists of a chairman appointed by the minister, the Registrar of Deeds, the registrar of the Commercial Registry, a nominee of the Ministry of Finance, another nominee of

the said ministry who is a valuation officer under the Valuation for Rating Purposes Act, a nominee of the Ministry of Communities; a nominee of the Ministry of Business; a nominee of the Guyana Revenue Authority; a nominee of the Guyana Bar Association; a nominee of the Berbice Bar Association; and a nominee of the private sector.

Additionally, the amendment states that the Registrars of Deeds and Commercial Registry do not have the right to vote.

A change in the names of the Ministry of Housing and Water to the Ministry of Communities, and from the Guyana Bar Association of Legal Professionals to the Berbice Bar Association are reflected in the membership

of the board .

Three new members have been added to the board, thereby increasing its membership from eight to 11.

The three new members are another nominee of the Ministry of Finance, a nominee of the Ministry of Business and a nominee of the Guyana Revenue Authority.

“It is hoped that these three new members would bring a wider and more varied experience and expertise to the deliberations of the board,” the explanatory memorandum states.

Additionally, amendments were made to section six of the Act in re-lettering because of the re-lettering of the membership of the Board in section 5(2).

The quorum for a meeting

has also been increased from three to five members.

Meanwhile, former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, has chided the amendments to the legislation and was quoted in one section of the media as describing the Bill as “an act of executive vulgarity.”

He said the “Deeds and Commercial Authority was created specifically to insulate that organisation from political and ministerial interference”. Nandlall argued that the aforementioned amendments represent interference into an organ which ought to be independent.

He argued too that the amendment which states the Minister of Legal Affairs is authorised to perform the

Opposition Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams functions of the board of the Authority is a slap in the face of transparency. He said the board is intended to run the registry, manage it as well as hire staff.

Nandlall had begged the court to grant an order compelling Williams to appoint a governing board. The court had granted an Order Nisi of Mandamus to appoint the members of the governing board of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority.

In his application, Nandlall said that the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Act 2013, Act No. 4 of 2013, establishes the Deeds and Commercial Registry as a corporate body, to establish and promote the efficient and orderly operations of the Deeds Registry and the Commercial Registry, to establish the conditions governing the employment of officers and employees of the Authority.

That matter was heard

by Justice Brassington Reynolds.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

Multi-stakeholder Steering Committee reactivated

THE Green Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (GMSSC) was, earlier today, reactivated by President David Granger, who said that the Committee is an important mechanism, which demonstrates Guyana’s commitment to an inclusionary system of governance, one that is characterised by consultation, cooperation and inclusion.

The President, who was at the time addressing stakeholders at the Baridi Benab at State House, said that the step substantiates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Committee convenes often so that closer attention can be paid to the issues that need to be addressed as Guyana moves towards becoming a ‘green’ state. “This Committee, now the ‘Green’ Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (GMSSC) meeting is evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring that development is not only people-centered but that it is also people-driven.

This meeting is intended to become a permanent consultative mechanism, which will allow for stakeholder input and participation in the governing mechanism of both the LCDS and the green development strategy,” he said.

The Committee was established on November 9, 2009, arising out of an agreement between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway and was aimed at establishing a model of environmental governance.

However, owing to a change in Government and development policies across the country, the Committee has not met since 2015.

“This committee ought to be eight years old and we need to do more to ensure that it

functions and meet more frequently so that it can achieve what it has set out to accomplish. The MSSC was intended to ensure that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) process, including the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest

Granger said that the country is developing a ‘green’ development strategy that goes beyond the LCDS. “It is a transformative agenda, which involves green development at the household, community, regional and national levels. It is intended to

the benefits for the services, which it earned and to which it is entitled. To this end, he said that Guyana is committed to implementing the LCDS and honouring its obligations under its agreement with Norway and to ensuring that the framework of governance and

President David Granger and Stakeholders of the Green Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (GMSSC) at State House Degradation (REDD-plus) strategy, was undergirded by both inclusivity and transparency. Guyana, by reconvening the MSCC, is expanding its mandate to allow it to serve as part of the inclusionary governance architecture of the evolving ‘green state’,” President Granger said.

He noted that the LCDS was an important first step in demonstrating how one country could benefit while providing climate-mitigating services for all countries of the world. It represented, he explained, a model for rewarding countries for their environmental services, which their forests provide to the rest of the world. However, noting that Guyana is transitioning into a ‘green’ state, President

impact on the livelihoods of each and every citizen. The green development strategy will allow for the protection and preservation of wildlife, preservation of our lakes, wetlands and waterways, promotion of the development of eco-tourism and eco-educational tourism, extension of the protected areas system in every region, fortification of coastal zone management, graduation towards full renewable energy use and the introduction and deeper penetration of low-carbon, low-emission manufacturing,” he said.

The Head of State said that it is Guyana’s expectation therefore, that once it fulfils its obligations under the agreement, it would receive

consultation is entrenched as part of that agreement.

Pointing out that Guyana needs a new developmental paradigm, one that fosters human development, generates growth, promotes inclusion and reduces economic, political and social marginalisation, the Head of State said that the ‘green’ development aims at human development and, specifically, at eradicating poverty and inequality, increasing employment, promoting sustainable livelihoods and building economic and environmental resilience. In this regard, he said that the ‘green’ path to development will be defined by a process of sustained consultation and inclusivity and as such, the Committee has an important

Tuschen man charged with 2008 murder of woman AFTER nine years on the run, a 34-year-old man was charged with the murder of a woman during an armed robbery at Agricola Public Road in 2008.

Sylvester Vanderhyden of Block ‘A’ Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday at

Sylvester Vanderhyden

the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the indictable offence.

It is alleged that on November 5, 2008 at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Melissa Payne. The accused did not have legal representation and was remanded to prison until May 10, 2017.

The matter was transferred to City Magistrate, Leron Daly.

According to reports, Payne was killed after she attempted to put up a fight with gunmen who attacked her and a male friend, at Agricola Public Road, at about 8:30hrs on November 5, 2008.

The gunmen escaped with some $110,000 in cash that was in the woman’s bag along with her jewellery. At the time of the robbery, she was

in the company of a male friend, David Fraser, as they were heading to Georgetown to conduct business.

It is reported that as they approached Agricola, the Canter truck in which they were traveling in, encountered mechanical problems. Fraser came out and tried to fix the truck, as Payne stood and watched him. A few moments later, a man came up to them with a gun and demanded their money. The armed man snatched Fraser’s gold chain and attempted to pull away Payne’s handbag.

She attempted to turn back and go to the truck, but was stopped in her tracks by the other bandit, who demanded the bag from Payne.She put up a resistance and the armed man shot and killed her.

DEAD: Melissa Payne In November 2008, Jermaine Savory of 97 Second Street, Agricola, was charged with the murder of Payne. Savory had confessed to investigators that he had participated in the robbery but he was not the trigger man.

role to play.

“No one, not Government, no non-governmental organisation, no international institution can claim to have a monopoly on knowledge. We must come together. Stakeholders represent an important repository of accumulated experience and expertise.

Guyana’s consultative and inclusive approach will allow for a wider expression of the green development strategy,” he said. President Granger said that public ownership of the strategy will contribute to better understanding, which will in turn promote public confidence. The achievement of public confidence will, in turn, contribute to the success of the strategy’s implementation, he said.

“A consultative and inclusionary approach to human development – particularly at the elimination of the perils of inequality and poverty – is at the core of government’s philosophy of governance. Consultation and inclusivity are permanent features of governance. Policies arising from a consultative process enjoy greater public confidence, which we want to build. The involvement of stakeholders in decision-making is vital to the success of developmental initiatives. It ensures that everyone understands the policies, which are being pursued in the public interest,” the President said.

The President urged the stakeholders to take their responsibility seriously noting that they have two important tasks ahead; to become part of the governance framework of the LCDS process and to become an integral part of the consultative mechanism under Guyana’s Green Development Strategy.

Meanwhile, Head of the Department of Environment, Ms. Ndibi Schwiers, in an invited comment, said that the main roles of the Committee are to provide guidance on plans and proposals related to the development and implementation of all Guyana’s REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) activities, to oversee the progress in the Guyana-Norway Memorandum of Understanding and all other national agreements that require consultations, to provide guidance and oversight on the planning and execution of ongoing national stakeholder engagements and to assist in education awareness and informational dissemination to constituencies.

She noted that it is an important platform for national engagement and serves as a mechanism for the monitoring and evaluation of the Green State Development Projects.

Given the initial meeting today, Ms. Schwiers said that there is now a renewed commitment to having scheduled monthly meetings so that the Committee can perform at its maximum capacity.

The Committee is comprised of stakeholders from Government sectors such as the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Business, Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA), the Amerindian Action Movement, the Opposition, the Department of Environment, Office of Climate Change, Project Management Office and several other Government and non-governmental organisations. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Businessman charged with seven counts of fraud A SPARE parts dealer accused of swindling almost $15M from a businessman, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with seven counts of fraud.

Iqwas Arakhan, 28, of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to all the charges; he is being represented by Sonia Parag.

Iqwas Arakhan The court heard that he obtained a total of $14.5M from Farouk Yussuf between May 2016 and October 2016 by uttering Scotiabank cheques, knowing that he did not have the said money in his account.

On November 2, 2015, at Eccles, Arakhan issued the cheques to Yussuf, but they later “bounced” when transacted in 2016.

The charges allege that the cheques were given to Yussuf by Arakhan on: September 30, 2015, for the sum of $2.5M; May 31, 2016 for the sum of $2M; April 30, 2016 for the sum of $2M; June 30, 2016 for the sum of $2M; July 31, 2016 for the sum of $2M; August 31, 2016 for the sum of $2M and October 31, 2016 for the sum of $2M. Police Prosecutor Alwyn Moore did not object to bail, but asked that it be granted in a substantial sum; the accused was released on $700,000 bail by the chief magistrate.

The matter has been adjourned to May 25, 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

GGMDA commends small, medium-scale miners –– for surpassing their gold declarations in first quarter of 2017

THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has congratulated small and medium-scale miners for surpassing their gold declarations in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016.

“All miners should be commended for continuing to play their crucial role in bolstering Guyana’s economy in this time of reduced

investment and economic slowdown. The gold-mining sector continues to be the only shining beacon in our economy, without which the country would truly be in a dismal state,” the GGDMA said in a release.

However, the body claimed that while the gold and diamond-mining sector is recognised by Government for its importance in bolstering the country’s economy,

many of the needs of the small and medium-scale operators continue to be ignored by the powers that be.

This, the GGDMA said, has brought a lot of unease to the minds of miners in recent times, pointing out that miners are hardworking, risk-taking individuals, whose contributions have proven vital to the growth and development of Guyana.

It has noted that despite

The GGDMA has congratulated small and medium-scale miners for surpassing their gold declarations in the first quarter of 2017 the execution of agreements since December last year with the Government to allow tax-compliant miners to benefit from certain welcomed concessions on fuel and materials utilised in the sector, none of these benefits have been realised by any miner to the best of the association’s knowledge.

The GGDMA contends that this is mainly as a result of bureaucratic bottle-necks experienced at the level of GGMC and other agencies.

“Given that approximately over four months have elapsed since this agreement was executed and less than

eight months remain on the life of the agreement, these delays prompt us to ask: Does the Government of Guyana truly want small and medium-scale miners to benefit from these concessions, or was this agreement executed for media propaganda purposes? We truly hope that this is not the case and wait to be proven wrong.

“Also, despite our efforts to educate miners on the new tax regime and their obligations to GRA, we do not believe that the majority of small and medium-scale operators truly grasp what we are now faced with as regards

record-keeping, remittances of the higher tributor’s tax, filing of returns in 2018, etc.

We believe that many miners are operating in a ‘business-as-usual’ fashion and they will not feel the brunt of their ill-advised activities until they have to make up their books and file tax returns come 2018.”

In light of the foregoing, the GGDMA is advising all small and medium-scale miners to immediately seek advice from a reputable accounting firm, so that they put their affairs in order to be fully compliant with the new tax regulations.

Brothers charged with shooting at, robbing cop TWO brothers of Middle Road, La Penitence were remanded to prison for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm at a policeman and robbing him of his gold jewellery.

Franklin Wilson, a 20-year-old mason and his 19-year-old brother, Darren Wilson, a fisherman, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that on March 12, 2017, at Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, they robbed Morris Williams of a gold band and chain valued $800,000.

It is further alleged that during the

ordeal, the siblings discharged a loaded firearm at Williams with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm to him. Police prosecutor Alwyn Moore told the court that the victim is a police officer who is also a licensed firearm holder.

Moore noted that during the robbery, there was an exchange of gunfire between Williams and his robbers, who dropped the gold chain and ran away.

The prosecutor objected to the duo being released on bail, noting that they were positively identified by the complainant during an identification parade.

They were remanded until May 11, 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

Some teachers, parents favour –– education corporal punishment CoI finds

By Zena Henry THE re-examination of corporal punishment and the regulation of after-school lessons are among the many issues that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the state of the education system is looking to address.

These matters were given the spotlight when CoI Chairman Ed Caesar handed over the preliminary CoI report to Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine last week.

Caesar said teachers are of the view that if corporal punishment is totally taken away from them, indiscipline would prevail, pointing out that some parents are supportive of this form of discipline.

Corporal punishment has been a hot topic in schools.

Some have called the disciplinary measure archaic and inhumane, while others have urged the maintenance of such forms of discipline, providing cultural and religious evidence in support of their beliefs.

President David Granger had called for the abolition of corporal punishment in schools here, describing the biblical quote “Spare the rod and spoil the child” as

“backward.”

The President said parents should use non-physical means to keep their children disciplined; pointing out that it will help them to handle testing situations in a non-violent way.

CoI Chairman Ed Caesar According to Caesar, other forms of discipline are almost non-existent, given the number of activities students are involved in nowadays.

One of those, he said, is after-school lessons. Caesar said in the earlier school days, children were disciplined with detention, where they wrote lines or performed some service to the school.

Today, he related, everyone goes to lessons.

He said when children are to be disciplined in that manner, the excuse is that the child must go to lessons.

The CoI Chairman charged that lessons cannot infringe on what must happen during the day. Speaking to both teachers and students, Caesar indicated that a student who takes lessons must fulfil his normal class duties and activities provided by the teacher, while a teacher giving after-school lessons cannot limit or cause their after-school class to hamper their normal tasks.

Caesar pointed out that one of his commissioners has so far suggested that lessons be controlled.

“We have to regulate lessons, we have to give licence for after-school lessons…,” he said, pointing out that the process should be set in such a way as not to infringe on regular classes.

There have also been reports of teachers deliberately not teaching the full syllabus in school, choosing to do so in full at their extra lessons classes.

Minister Roopnaraine said it is appalling when teachers who are supposed to give their full commitment in the classroom, give their full commitment at “some bottom house.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

Reflect on Arrival Day messages triumphs, ‘We are all equal in value’ Dr Norton says in Arrival Day message challenges –– Gov’t urges in Arrival Day message

ON the occasion of Arrival Day 2017, the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana recognises all the people of Guyana for their resilience, fortitude and unwavering dedication to nationhood and acknowledged the contributions of all our peoples towards the development of Guyana.

The peoples who came to this land, many under unspeakable circumstances, have each toiled and sacrificed and endured hardship for us to have achieved as we have and for us to be, this year, celebrating as an independent, sovereign and free nation widely respected within the community of nations globally.

We stand on the shoulders of those who have fought and struggled for the freedoms we now enjoy and which we must zealously guard. Our ancestry is diverse; our destiny is inextricably and irrevocably intertwined. We are, as our motto instructs, one people, one nation with one destiny.

Arrival Day affords us an opportunity to reflect on our triumphs and challenges as we reaffirm the Guyanese spirit of tolerance, inclusivity and brotherhood and a unified vision for a progressive, prosperous and cohesive Guyana for all its peoples.

MINISTER of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton has said that regardless of “our class and creed we are all equal in value.”

Norton made the statement in his message to mark Arrival Day, which is being celebrated here today.

I WISH to extend greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of Arrival Day, 2017. This day has been set aside to celebrate the arrival of all indentured immigrants to Guyana under a system which has long been described as one of “struggle, sacrifice and resistance.”

The East Indians, Chinese, Portuguese and Africans were brought to British Guiana to work as indentured labourers on the sugar plantations as a result of a void, which was created in the labour force due to the abolition of the dreadful system of African slavery.

British Guiana was the recipient of some 238,907 East Indian immigrants between 1838 and 1917; approximately 32,216 Portuguese between 1835 and 1890; a total of 13,541 Chinese for the entire period of 1853 to 1879; and approximately 13,970 Africans between 1840 and 1860. These four groups have all contributed to the development of Guyana in every sphere and have left behind legacies of cultural traditions, which have moulded Guyana into a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society.

Arrival Day is an ideal time for all Guyanese to reflect on and celebrate their country’s rich diversity, which makes us truly unique. It allows us to have a greater appreciation of the struggles

of our fore- parents, who paved the way for us to live the lives we do today in this beautiful nation.

Many of the persons who came to these wonderful shores were lured by the promise of a better life but were faced with very harsh conditions. We have come a long way as a nation and this is because of the hard work of our foreparents. It is, therefore, our duty to continue their efforts by working together for the betterment of our country.

As we celebrate their arrival, it is an opportune time for all Guyana to be reminded that regardless of their ethnicity, colour, class or creed, they are all equal in value. We must not let ourselves be divided but must resolve to develop greater harmony in our relations with each other. The Government of Guyana has established the Ministry of Social Cohesion for the purpose of building a more unified country. However, we cannot do this alone, and we have engaged and will continue to engage all Guyanese in order to foster and promote social cohesion.

Every Guyanese has a role to play in the process and we must remember that social cohesion will not be achieved overnight. Let us all continue to work together to ensure that we build a Guyana where all Guyanese, regardless of age, gender, religious beliefs, geographic location, cultural beliefs or socio-economic backgrounds, have the best life possible.

Happy Arrival Day to all of Guyana!

IAC pays tribute to Indian indentured servants THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes all Guyanese a Happy Arrival Day, and, especially, calls upon all citizens to remember the 179th Anniversary of the Arrival of East Indians to Guyana.

The IAC, an organisation which promotes and preserves Indian culture and deals with the issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, considers 2017 to be an important year in which there are two significant centenaries which have been commemorated in the months of March and April.

The IAC wishes to remind all Guyanese that the ending of emigration of indentured labourers from India by the British Parliament took place on March 12, 1917. The IAC, also, wishes to remind citizens that the last batch of Indian indentured labourers arrived in British Guiana aboard the Coolie Ship S.S. Ganges on April 18, 1917.

The IAC, over the years, has provided Guyanese with historical information regarding the arrival of just over 239,000 Indian immigrants who came to this country aboard 245 Coolie Ships which made a total of 534 voyages across the Kaalaa Paanii between 1838 and 1917.

The IAC also has clarified and corrected statistical errors pertaining to the arrival of the first two Coolie Ships, the WHITBY and the HESPERUS which, between them, landed a total of 423 persons, including 382 indentured males, 14 indentured females, 21 children and six Christian Anglo- Indian interpreter/ superintendents.

The IAC, as the organisation has done over the years, continues to recognise the endeavours by these Indian immigrants and their descendants, the persons of Indo- Guyanese origin, to develop this country.

The IAC, which has recognised important contributions by giving awards to persons from Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo, is aware that tens of thousands of East Indians have made valuable efforts in all fields of human activity in this country, including business and commerce; banking and finance; the sugar and rice industries; coconuts and other crops; fishery and livestock; mining and quarrying; construction and engineering; forestry and sawmilling; education and academia; medicine and law; journalism and communications; accounting and insurance; private and national security; the hospitality and aviation sectors; the alcohol and beverage industries; sport and entertainment; culture and religion; and politics and governance.

Today, when the IAC looks back, the organisation is amazed how those groups of seemingly helpless Indians, many of whom were illiterate, speaking in different tongues, following different customs, belonging to different religions, belonging to different castes, over the generations, managed to fuse together while seamlessly merging into the wider environment to become the strong pillar of Guyana, a young nation born out of sweat and toil, along with similar endeavours of the other ethnic groups that comprise this nation.

Use occasion to forge social cohesion – PNCR ON the occasion of the 179th Anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana, the PNCR salutes all Guyanese of East Indian descent and those in the Diaspora who are celebrating this milestone in the nation’s historical calendar.

The party recognises the valuable contribution that our East Indian brothers and sisters have made to the development of our country and the shaping of the cultural tapestry of this nation.

The PNCR, therefore, salutes all our East Indian brothers and sisters on this special commemorative day.

When the PNCR in the 1980s inaugurated the concept of celebrating the arrival of the respective ethnic groups of this

nation, the intention was to deepen an understanding of the culture of these groups and so promote greater understanding and racial harmony as tools for nation-building. The party held at all times that such a course of action was absolutely necessary for welding the nation into a single whole out of the various groups which emigrated here from the various continents of the world.

As we reflect on this historical milestone, it is the wish of the PNCR that the occasion would be used to indulge ourselves in activities designed at forging and moulding a destiny of racial and cultural cohesion so necessary for building an economically strong and vibrant nation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

Sterling opening two more Igloo outlets –– 20 new jobs to be created DESPITE facing some challenges in 2016, Sterling Products Limited (SPL) is set to open two additional Igloo Ice Cream outlets this year, as the company remains optimistic that economic conditions in Guyana will improve.

One of the outlets will be located on the East Coast Demerara while the other will be opened on the Corentyne Coast, East Berbice, according to Chief Executive Officer,

Ramsay Ali. A total of 20 new jobs will also be created.

“We will begin construction of the east coast store in about two weeks,” he said.

In December, SPL opened its new Igloo Ice Cream Parlour and Play Park at Providence, East Bank Demerara which has been well received by the public.

“We’re very proud of the Igloo Ice Cream Parlour we’ve built. Since opening in December to now,sales have actually

doubled, if you look at yearon-year, Ali said.

The company invested significant sums in its infrastructure in 2016, as well as over the last 10 years, and the development of new products, such as the zero-cholesterol Abbey Butter Spread.

Work is also ongoing on the development of new products. “We’ve up our ante in the export markets as it relates to all of our products and we continue to invest heavily in

The Igloo Ice Cream Parlour and Fun Park which opened last December at SPL’s Providence, East Bank Demerara location

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017 our quality,” the CEO stated.

SPL held its Annual General Meeting on April 21 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, where shareholders were apprised of the company’s performance in 2016, and plans for the new year.

In his report, chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Leslie Chin, in highlighting some of the challenges the company faced in 2016, said, “Upon careful analysis of the company’s performance, we fully recognise that year 2016 was a challenging year for manufacturers as well as the wider business community.

We have seen reduction of 14 per cent of manufacturing within the economy as at half year 2016; the official year end 2016 economic performance

is expected in a downward trend. ” Dr. Chin said the company recorded third party revenue of G$3.076B in 2016, a decrease of G$3.0M compared to 2015 revenues. Nevertheless, “The economic activity as it relates to our business, and in general, resulted in stable year-on-year results,” he said.

The company is proud of its prudent financial management which has seen it performed fairly well, despite a slowdown in the economy.

Finance Controller/Company Secretary, Deodat Indar, said both profits and revenue were relatively stable over 2015 figures.

One of the things SPL is paying close attention to, in terms of the expense side of the

business, he said, is continuing to adopt a hands-on management approach.

“If the country is in a slowdown, you have to manage as such too. There is also the view that there are opportunities coming up in this country everywhere and the company has to see where it is strategically fit for us to be in.”

Looking forward, SPL’s CEO said optimism is high that the economy will improve.

“The economy is going to get better. Oil and gas is looming… those revenues will come. We are eagerly looking to see how it will be dispensed.”

Sterling Products Limited, a leading manufacturing company in Guyana, began operations in 1954.

Children enjoying themselves at the fun park

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

AG wants Nandlall’s ‘libel’ lawsuit dismissed

By Ariana Gordon

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, is contending that the law suit filed by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall for libel and slander should be dismissed.

Nandlall has sued Williams for alleging that he (Nandlall) illegally removed Commonwealth Law Reports (CLR) from the Attorney General’s Chambers. He argued that he was the owner of the 14 CLRs for the years 2013 to May 2015 and said the books were acquired during his tenure as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister as a condition of his service.

He had been subscribing to Lexis Nexis (UK), publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports since 2003.

As such, he is seeking damages in excess of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) for slander published on the 24th day of March, 2017, at a press conference hosted at the National Communication Network Inc. along with damages in excess of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) for libel published on the 24th day of March, 2017, at a press conference, hosted at the National Communication Network Inc; damages in excess of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) for libel published in the Guyana Times Newspaper, at page 11, March 25th, 2017; damages in excess of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) for slander published during an outreach programme

in Berbice, on the 26th March, 2017; damages in excess of twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) for libel published by Demerarawaves on the 27th day of March, 2017; exemplary/aggravated damages; interest on all damages awarded pursuant to Section 12 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Chap 6:02; and an injunction restraining the defendant, by himself, his servants and/or agents from publishing, or causing to be published or saying or causing to be said or repeating of and concerning the claimant, the offending statements in relation to the Commonwealth Law Reports.

However, in response, Williams argued that Nandlall did not receive the CLRs in accordance with legal procedures and by virtue of that; he had reason to believe Nandlall had no intention of returning the state’s assets.

There was a set procedure to be followed which was governed by Stores Regulations 1993 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA) as it related to the purchase of assets for use by the ministry.

As a member of Government and Chair of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Williams submitted that he was under a duty to communicate such information, as state assets are required to be managed in a specified manner and according to legislation.

NECESSARY Additionally, he said as a public official it was necessary for him

Labourer killed in Bourda Market brawl A LABOURER at the Bourda Market was on Thursday afternoon stabbed to death during a fight with a vagrant, police have confirmed.

Dead is Jerome Cumberbatch. The Guyana Chronicle was told that around 4pm Cumberbatch and the suspect were locked in an argument, which turned into a fight. It was during the brawl that the vagrant allegedly stabbed Cumberbatch several times about his body with a broken bottle. He died before being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, witnesses at the scene said.

The suspect up to press time was still on the run.

to make the information known to the public and to the media in good faith.

Nandlall was on April 27 charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) with Larceny by Bailee, a charge to which he was not required to enter a plea because of the indictable nature of the offence.

Further, Williams explained that he first learnt of the missing Commonwealth Law Reports in or around October, 2015, after being so informed by Head of the Budget Agency at the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs (AGCMOLA), Melissa Tucker Permanent Secretary (ag).

He contends that former Permanent Secretary Indira Anandjit had gone on leave just two days prior to his receipt of the information and noted that it was the first time he was apprised of the accounting system, which included information on the purchase and acquisition of the CLR, by the Permanent Secretary (PS) (ag), Melissa Tucker.

Williams said he was advised to write the Auditor General’s Office and request that a special audit is conducted into, inter alia, the purchase of the missing CLRs. On or around February 2016, Tucker showed him a copy of the report of the special audit of the CLR dated 29th January, 2016 and advised him that it was flawed for several reasons and that she would provide a response challenging the findings in the audit within 30 days, pursuant to Section 27 of the Audit Act No. 4 of 2004.

Subsequently, the Auditor General received expla-

procedural accountability of the budget agency that is governed by Stores Regulations 1993 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA).

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams nations in separate letters written by Nandlall and former President Donald Ramotar to the effect that the latter purportedly allowed the Claimant to use the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs money to purchase the CLRs to keep as his personal property to the exclusion of the other Lawyers in the Attorney General’s Chambers.

“The Claimant, Mohabir Anil Nandlall did not deny the larceny of the CLRs but on arrangements as he claimed as part of his condition of service, which does not exist in any Law or in any Public Service Rules or Regulations.”

Additionally, by virtue of a letter dated February 26, Tucker sent a written response to the Auditor-General’s special audit in which she challenged the findings, stating that the ministry has never been privy to any conditions of service for Nandlall which included the purchase of law books.

The former PS said too that the alleged agreement circumvents the

FLAGRANT MISUSE She stated that the purchase of the law reports using public funds for personal use is a flagrant misuse of public funds. Property bought with public funds by the ministry ought to remain the property of the ministry.

“The ministry completely rejects the report presented by the auditor-general and his pronouncement on the matter of Law Books/Reports not being required to be subjected to the Stores Regulations, when public funds were used for the acquisition of same,” Williams submitted.

He noted that the head of the Budget Agency was not cited for any gross negligence or sanctions during the process and is solely responsible and accountable for all procurement and disbursement of funds in accordance with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003, the Stores Regulations 1993 and the Procurement Act 2003.

“There was no mention of the officer who approved all payments for the acquisition of these items (Law Books/Reports and computer parts and accessories) using public funds,” he contended, while noting that the Financial Management and Accountability Act 2003 (FMAA), Section 2 defines public money as “all moneys belonging to

the State received or collected by officials in their capacity or by any person authorised to receive or collect such moneys...”

While Section 48 states that a minister or official shall not in any manner misuse, misapply, or improperly dispose of public moneys.

The AG submitted that the matter has engaged the attention of the public as well as the authorities empowered to recover state assets with a view to instituting charges for the larceny of public property.

“It was at a public meeting in Berbice on the 26th March, 2017, when the question was asked whether the claimant was in possession of the law books and would be charged. The defendant responded and said that the claimant could be prosecuted for larceny of the assets.”

He argued that his comments were based on the fact that Nandlall did not follow the Financial Expenditure Procurement process and the Stores Laws and Regulations, and as a result, could be subject to prosecution.

“The comments were not orchestrated to be an attack on the claimant personally, but were made within the scope of the defendant’s office and responsibilities as the Minister of the Ministry of Legal Affairs with responsibility to protect state assets. He was duty bound to undertake a reasonable investigation into the location of unaccounted assets,” Williams submitted, while adding that the comments were not made maliciously, but were based on facts.

Taxi driver killed in Mahaicony crash A TAXI driver was killed in an accident Thursday afternoon on the Dantzig Public Road, Mahaicony, East coast Demerara.

Dead is Terrence Mc Donald 41 of Bagots Street Rosignol, West Coast Berbice. Police said in a release that about 12:35h McDonald’s motor car HC6644

driven crashed into motor lorry GPP 3715 which was stationary on the southern side of the road.

Enquiries disclosed that the car was proceeding west along the southern driveway with four occupants, one of whom has been identified as Saulita Malikish allegedly at a fast rate on wet surface

when the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with the front left side of the lorry. The driver and Saulita Malikish who suffered severe injuries were taken out in an unconscious state, by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital. They were later transferred to the George-

town Public Hospital Corporation and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where the driver succumbed.

The other occupants whose names are yet to be ascertained were said to have been treated at the Mahaicony Hospital and sent away. Investigations are in progress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

New French Republic Ambassador accredited

GUYANA is ready to bolster its already strong relationship with the French Republic through investment opportunities in areas such as agriculture, education, infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, sanitation, transportation and water and cooperation on matters relating to climate change and environmental protection.

President David Granger gave these commitments on Thursday when he accepted Letters of Credence from Antoine Joly, accrediting him as the new Non-Resident Ambassador of the French Republic to Guyana.

Speaking on Guyana’s commitment to a low-carbon, low-emission development trajectory, President Granger lauded France’s role in achieving the historic global agreement on climate change also known as the Paris Agreement.

“We are pleased to have signed and ratified the Paris Agreement. We are commit-

ted to working closer with France in preserving and protecting the Guiana Shield of which both Guyana and La Guyane are constituents.

We shall place an additional two million hectares of our territory under conservation as part of our nationally-determined commitments under that Agreement,” President Granger said.

Speaking of the country’s ‘green’ state agenda, he said it will place emphasis on environmental protection, biodiversity preservation, provision of eco-tourism and eco-educational services and promotion of renewable energy and practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.

Over the years, Guyana and France has shared strong relationship, which the President said is founded on the tenets of mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and

international law and the maintenance of regional peace and security.

He also spoke of the many benefits Guyana has derived from its relationship with the French Republic.

This ranged from debt relief and disaster relief in the aftermath of the 2005 floods, technical training for the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service.

“We anticipate, also, continued cooperation between our two countries at the multilateral level through the United Nations, the ACPEU [African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States-European Union] Partnership Agreement, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM States and the European community and through bi-regional cooperation between the EU [European Union] and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States,” President Granger said.

Upon his arrival at State House, Ambassador Antoine Joly was welcomed with a military salute Meanwhile, Ambassador Joly, who will be resident in neighbouring Suriname, in his remarks said the Government of France wishes to deepen its relations with Guyana and to move forward together to implement measures in the areas of security, judicial cooperation and environmental protection.

“France would also be happy to accompany in its efforts of building links with the

European Union, particularly in the framework of the economic partnerships between the EU and CARICOM [Caribbean Community]… I am convinced that we can build more fruitful relations based on cooperation between our two countries,” he said.

Ambassador Joly is the holder of a master’s degree in law, a diploma from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris, and a post-graduate

diploma in Social and Cultural Anthropology.

Among the many positions he has held over the course of his career are Member of the French Parliament from 1993-1997 and Ambassador of France to Nicaragua from 2011 to 2015.

Guyana and France established formal diplomatic relations on June 22, 1967. (Ministry of the Presidency)

From left: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge;Ambassador Antoine Joly;President David Granger and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Audrey Waddell,at State House

Ambassador Antoine Joly presenting his Letters of Credence to President David Granger in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Audrey Waddell

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

‘Feed The Flames’ stokes huge fire in T&T --Audience rates group ‘best band’ at Skyy Rock Festival OVER the past three weeks, we have followed local rock band, ‘Feed The Flames’ on their regional journey of carrying their Guyanese sound to the Caribbean through their attendance at the Skyy Rock Festival hosted in San Fernando, Trinidad.

Fresh off the jet and back on Guyana soil, the band is still reeling from their two-day stint after performing at the event from April 22-23.

The band’s bassist, Gavin Mendonca said that based on reviews from many who attended the concert, FTF was considered the best rock band to grace the stage for the event. “I think it is because we were different, and because of how we represented the Guyanese sound,” Gavin told The Buzz.

In fact, their patriotism was seen in every aspect of their performance, from the title of their first album, ‘Kyk-Over-Al’, which was launched at the event; to the performance of a rock version of Guyana’s National Anthem; performances of rock-styled folk songs from Gavin’s own ‘Creole Rock: The Beginning’; to the actual presence of the Golden Arrowhead flying proudly on stage throughout the band’s performance.

If nothing else was ingrained in the minds of Caribbean concert-goers that weekend, it certainly was the signature of Guyana, through Feed the Flames’ presence. The band was also featured for a special radio interview on the island’s popular ‘Total Local’ radio programme hosted by Trinidadian host, Mike Ross.

TRAVEL PLANS Following their perfor-

‘Feed The Flames’

‘Feed The Flames’ in action in Trinidad last weekend

mance, Gavin said that the band has already begun to make travel plans for next year and are also looking toward other touring possibilities. “We have already been booked for next year’s festival. This is a huge accomplishment for us having been invited to perform

in Trinidad twice in less than a year second,” Gavin said, adding: “We feel more inclined to do big shows, having seen the crowd and the level of production in Trinidad. We have also come back with a lot more knowledge and experience, which we

will put to use as we put together gigs in the future.”

Soon, the band will begin preparations to perform at another regional event in Suriname.

On April 23, Feed The Flames presented some Guyanese Rock n’

Roll, in the form of ‘Creole Rock’, a creation of the bassist, Gavin Mendonca.

Gavin also used the opportunity to launch his album, ‘Creole Rock: The Beginning’, making it a double Guyanese album launch on foreign shores. The crowd especially enjoyed Creole Rock’s latest single, ‘Gangamani’, which is a popular Guyanese Folk Song that covers a very topical issue.

Sharing the stage also was Josephine Mitchell, AKA ‘Josi’, a young, beautiful and tremendously talented young lady hailing from the mining town of Linden.

‘Josi’ was the only female performer at the entire festival, and was also the only performer to receive an encore. The audience rated Feed The Flames as the best act for the entire festival.

FTF aims to be a band that proudly represents Guyanese Culture whereever they may roam, contributing to the preservation of Guyanese Culture and Ancestry through their music.

Both albums, ‘KykOver-Al’ and ‘Creole Rock: The Beginning’ are now available for purchase Online, via cdbaby.com, itunes, spotify and other popular digital retailers, as well as locally at Chetson’s, Zoon and Howard’s Restaurant in Eccles.

Feed The Flames recently hosted Surinamese Rock band, ‘Revolt’, and plans to continue to set a new standard of live entertainment here in Guyana, by hosting more Rock Concerts that include bands from around the Caribbean.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for all updates regarding their next big move.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

An Arrival Day reflection WHEN Arrival Day was declared a national holiday some years ago under the past regime, I began to design artwork to place prestige advertising greetings for my clients in the print media for May 5h.

A few of them trusted my skills, so they didn’t need a perusal before publishing. So I published. The days following the publication of the first Arrival Day advertisements were filled with frequent phone calls.

Afro-Guyanese businesses wanted to know if I didn’t know that Afro-Guyanese were in Guyana long before 1838? While my Indo-Guyanese clients wanted to know, “How yuh could put everybody else on Indian Arrival Day? And so the discourse went on. In the end, I decided to explain the illustrations I had used and the history behind ‘Arrival Day’.

It was the first time many were hearing of the historical coming of many Guyanese through indentureship.

What had happened was that the holiday was granted, based on public pressure from individuals in the Indo-Guyanese community.

The State delivered, but had avoided informing the activists about all that this period in Guyanese history constituted.

UNSUITED BEDFELLOWS History and politics are not suitable bedfellows at anytime; one is based on records with evaluations to justify new data that must be supported, while the other is malleable to the moods and emotions within the rhetoric of the circled wagons.

The question is: How did so many Guyanese not know that part of our story?

And it did not stop there.

Recently, in a conversation with an official in the Ministry of Education, I discussed another incident that had occurred a few years after the first Arrival

Day celebration. This was during the commemoration of ‘Black History Month’ in either 2012 or 2013. ACDA had paid a visit to a South Georgetown Primary School to conduct a programme that included visuals. The intention was to invite an introduction and discussion on the displayed visuals that would be initiated by the students.

To our dismay, none of the students could identify any of the five historical or folk cultures on display; and neither could their teachers.

This unexpected turn of events resulted in the programme being halted.

How could no student or teacher identify at least an image of Fort Nassau?

To cite another example, RESCU, a drug informa-

tion group that I am a part of, was invited by some teachers who felt the urgent need for this information to be directed at their students.

RESCU was an invitee at a Ministry of Education symposium to discuss the local impact on drugs in the schools when I met the teachers. We responded and went to the school and conducted the programme. But as I was about to explain the ritual practised among the Aztec and Mayas of using mind-altering cocaine on their human sacrifices, a teacher walked up to me and whispered, “You can’t tell them about that, because we don’t do history in this school!” This was an insight into a school system I couldn’t fathom, or could not have believed existed.

I thereafter sought out a

retired headmistress I knew, who explained that because of the CXC schedule, the missing information would have to be taught at the the Primary School level. And the thought occurred to me, ‘Why are we allowing people like this former headmistress to go to waste?’

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION The creative way of applying alternative information-education would have to be through the arts in the school system; visual and dramatic target development on the selected subjects. It will cost a tidy sum, but won’t run into billions of dollars.

Why should it be done?

Well, because we’re incomplete, not understanding even the basics of the social

and cultural formula that involves our ‘National Being’.

To embrace this creative awareness stimulation will generate employment under the theme, ‘Edutainment’, and will make the reading of related literature relevant.

Besides, it will also produce demographic dramatic blueprints that can earn them local income while existing to encourage upper-level productions and adoptions, as well as open the doors for Cultural Industry merchandise products.

There are dozens of imports that can be produced right here, as long as the images exist that justify the external market investment.

The fact that in the absence of mental and creative engagements, all that pervades the active consciousness of the Guyanese population is,

at best, pedestrian politics, waged not in our interest, but by people who lack the expertise to meaningfully endeavour and inspire outside of political office.

Significant periods of the timeline of who we are will elude us, if it’s potential in this fast new age of media licensing and entertainment fail to be utilised by us, in our interest, because we may understand, but resist to believe that we are worthy of competing creatively.

And the concept behind this line of thinking is to allow it to unfold itself, in much the same way that Arrival Day did.

This is a good example of why other doors can be opened towards a wiser and more prosperous population.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

Three cheers for RiRi! --Met Gala’s reigning red-carpet MVP

THERE’S no better weekend than one that starts off with no work! And that’s just what we get to enjoy this weekend, as Indian Arrival Day helps start things off the right way FROM TODAY! First off, you should probably take time off to celebrate Indian Arrival Day, and appreciate all that our Indian forefathers have contributed to this wonderful Guyanese cultural mix!

Naturally, there are going to be several Indian Arrival Day celebrations all across the country that you could attend to take in that Indian heritage. And the celebrations run throughout the weekend!

But while May 5 is significant in Guyana for being Indian Arrival Day, in most of the world, the date is known for the Mexican Cinco de Mayo celebrations! Both 704 and Palm Court will be hosting themed parties to that effect, if you feel up to it!

And, with next Sunday being Mother’s Day, New Thriving gets the ball rolling from this weekend with a tribute to mothers fashion event! There’s also a black-and-white party when the Palm Court party action continues tomorrow night!

But if you’re more into the creative arts, you may want to see what Culturama at the Theatre Guild is all about! As things wind down to Sunday, the Boyce and Jefford relay Festival is where you may want to be!

TODAY

Indian Arrival Day celebrations: Plantation Highbury, East Bank Berbice; the Helena No. 2 Ground at Mahaica; at the Oceanview Mandir Compound; the Anna Regina Ground, on the Essequibo Coast; and at the Tain Campus in East Berbice!

The Indian Action Committee will be hosting their 14th Annual Grand Cultural Mela in celebration of Indian Arrival Day at the Albion Sports Complex from 4pm!

This event promises traditional Indian Dances, features from local Guyanese artistes and musicians, in addition to food, games and other attractions.

Music will be provided by Daks New Generation Band! Admission is FREE, but no alcohol is allowed!

Today may be Indian Arrival Day in Guyana, but to the rest of the world, it’s Cinco de Mayo Day! And over at the 704 Sports Bar, they’re dishing out Corona bucket specials all day long in commemoration of the event!

But wait! It’s about more than just Coronas! Buy one margarita and get the next at ½ price!

Admission: Free!

The Cinco de Mayo fun is also going to be at Palm Court! It’s going to be a fiesta at Palm Court & Corona’s Cinco de Mayo Pool Party featuring guest DJ, Ishmael The Demolition out of Trinidad, and DJ Gilly Gonzales out of Suriname playing alongside DJ Shizzle, DJ Ryan, DJ Anisa and Selector Carl!

Enjoy mouthwatering margaritas, cold corona beers, tequila happy hours, and corona babes in bikinis, beach vibes, corona gifts and the best part: Have a splash in their large outdoor purified pool!

TOMORROW

Indian Arrival Day Celebrations: Ben Parag Live in Concert at the Dharmic Kendra, Georgetown; Indian Arrival Fest at the Giftland Mall.

New Thriving’s Afternoon Delight will be paying tribute to mothers! Enjoy afternoon tea as mothers take to the catwalk, while you enjoy live music and on-the-spot makeovers, and win fabulous door prizes! Admission: $2500.

The Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troupe presents Nrityageet 38, under the theme, ‘Our Heritage, Our Treasures’ at the National Cultural Centre beginning at 19:30hrs. And it continues until Sunday!

The Vintage Wine and Cheese Lounge is having Party Saturdays! Party the night away with us this Saturday to music by DJ Doc, and enjoy Cocktail Specials all night long!

Get ready for the sexiest black-and-white party to touch Guyana!

Jam Jar Bartending is celebrating their one-year anniversary in style! And they’re inviting you to come out and get LIT at the ultimate Panda Party: The Black And White Edition!

So, wear something Black or White and turn up at Palm Court for PANDA GIRLS, PANDA SHOTS AND PANDA MASCOT!!!

Admission: $2000 B4 22:00hrs!

It’s going to be an evening of Poetry, Dance, Drama and Music in celebration of Guyana’s rich culture as Lloyd N De Arts Production presents, “Culturama” at the Theatre Guild Playhouse!

There will be performances by Gajuan Jordan, Tikoma Austin, Sonia Hercules and others!

Tickets: $1500.

SUNDAY

Indian Arrival Day Celebrations: Crabwood Creek Road End.

The Second Annual Boyce/Jefford Relay Festival and Family is promising to be one not to miss, when it goes down at the Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary!

From athletics, to football, to cricket and so much more, it’s going to be a sports and funfilled day!

Gate prizes will be up for grabs, along with novelty events for the family, and Kids Zone for the children. The day has something for everyone! So C and B there!

THE annual Met Gala is fashion’s equivalent of the Super Bowl. It’s the one red-carpet event of the year where everyone is encouraged to forget about the pretty, tasteful gowns and bland, well-tailored tuxes that dominate awards show red carpets.

At the Met Gala, a benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute at which every attendee has to be personally approved by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, you go big or you go home.

No little black dresses; no nude strapless sheaths. Your dress needs to light up, or require its own train carriers.

Forget utilitarian questions about whether the clothes are flattering. The Met Gala is about celebrating fashion as an art form, so the attendees’ clothes should double as art.

And, as at the Super Bowl, every year has winners and losers. Not everyone can pull off fashion as art; and not many people try. The few that do are winners.

For the past two years that she’s attended the Met Gala, Rihanna has been a winner.

(She didn’t attend in 2016, when she was on tour.) Actually, she’s been the winner.

There was 2015, when she arrived in a flowing yellow fur cape from Chinese couturist Guo Pei. The look instantly became iconic; Vanity Fair declared it the year’s “red carpet-winning dress”.

STOLE THE SHOW And this year, Rihanna stole the show in a sculptural petal-covered confection from Comme des Garçons’ 2017 couture line.

Part of what makes Rihanna so consistently great with clothes is that she plays with them. She’s not worried about what will be flattering, and what will be tasteful and what will be too avant-garde: She just puts together textures and colours and ideas and lets them play off one another.

You almost never see her in one of the pretty-but-dull gowns that are so ubiquitous on most red carpets. Instead, she’ll wear pajamas in public, and she’ll make it work, work, work, work, work.

She’ll wear an almost completely sheer gown covered in Swarovski crystals to receive a major fashion award, and its classic Josephine Baker shape juxtaposed with the transparency will make it everyone’s favourite look of the year.

And at the Met Ball, she works with exaggerated shapes. The long, elegant sweep of her 2015 cape suggested a mystery of what was underneath it, and its exaggerated length walked right up to the point of winking parody.

The sculptural absurdity

of this year’s look bears no resemblance to a human body.

And Rihanna knows it! She’s in on the joke; she’s having fun!

She knows how to work with a theme.

CHINESE AESTHETICS In 2015, the Met Gala’s theme was “China: Through the Looking Glass”. The central exhibit that year was about the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion, and the theme manifested itself on the red carpet as a lot of mildly Orientalist outfits. There were Chinese dragons embroidered on Balmain blazers and Versace gowns; there were China doll purses and kimono-inspired gowns (kimonos are Japanese).

Rihanna, however, made the bold choice of actually working with a Chinese designer for the event. It was a deliberate, thoughtful, well-informed decision.

“I was researching Chinese couture on the Internet and I found it,” she told Vanity Fair of her gown. “It’s handmade by one Chinese woman, and it took her two years to make.”

The Chinese woman who made the gown is Guo Pei, China’s great couture designer, sometimes described as China’s “first ‘homegrown’ master couturier”. Guo works with a specifically Chinese visual vernacular, one that incorporates Western elements with post-modern élan in what curator Andrew Bolton calls “auto-Orientalism”.

So when Rihanna wore Guo Pei to the Met Ball, she wasn’t only wearing the look of the night; she was playing off the evening’s theme in a way that avoided the clichéd appropriation performed by so many other attendees. She embraced the cultural fusion of Chinese and Western fashion as it’s being performed today, by someone who actually understands Chinese fashion.

COMME DES GARÇONS And this year, the event honoured Rei Kawakubo, the legendary Japanese designer behind Comme des Garçons, who pioneered the idea of sculptural fashion that plays with our ideas about the limits of the body. Attendees were asked to dress on the theme of “avant-garde”, and for some, that seemed to mean “classic Chanel with a ruffle and a sheer panel”, or “Liz Taylor circa 1969”.

But Rihanna wore an actual Comme des Garçons dress, and she didn’t play it safe with one of the easy-to-wear, red-carpet-ready numbers. She was asked to go avant-garde, and she brought it. Her gown is designed to bulge strangely; to conceal its wearer’s famous body; to turn everything into an unexpected riot of colour and shapes and textures.

It is, in short, nothing like what you’d expect to see on a traditional red carpet, and that -- and the fact that Rihanna has the style and the attitude to wear it so well -- is what makes it a Met Gala winner.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

Caribbean Flavour...

‘Marsae’ by Marcie De Santos IF you haven’t seen her designs before, perhaps you’re living under a rock because Marcie De Santos’ signature designs are hard to miss.

A collection of ready-to-wear ensembles made up of vibrant colours and accented with intricate, signature hand-painted designs, Marcie’s line, ‘Marsae’, has been gracing runways and other fashion events for over eight years.

Marcie’s success as a fashion designer began quite early into her career. In fact, Marcie was adjudged best designer at Guyana Fashion Week in 2008 after launching her very first collection.

“I’m inspired by colours and textures, and I pride myself in the uniqueness of the colour blends I use,” she says.

“My target is mainly women whose desire is to exude femininity in unique, exuberant, eye-catching, timeless and versatile styles.

“I design clothes for women of all shapes and sizes, and for every occasion,” Marcie told The Buzz.

She admits though, that inspiration for her designs also comes from simply working with certain types of fabric. Her artistic mind does the rest, she says.

Marcie De Santos modelling one of her own designs

LOVE FOR COLOURS “My love for colours and combining their hues allows me to work magic with fabric to make unique and beautiful one-of-a-kind garments,” she said.

Over the years, Marcie has travelled and shown her designs at several international events within and outside of the region. Her work has been showcased in Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, the Dominican Republic and at New York Fashion Week. She credits these experiences as having a large role to play with regard to her evolution as a designer.

As a result, her advice to fashion designers is that they should always have an open mind with regard to developing their craft, and to never stop seeking learning opportunities, as they provide the chance for them to grow, while their brand does as well.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 5, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

Absolute Stunner! ... Gabriel (five-for) sucker-punches Pakistan for 81

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – A rampant West Indies flattened Pakistan for a record-equalling low at Kensington Oval, as they romped to an emphatic 106run victory in the second Test here yesterday, to level the three-match series and set up a decider in Dominica next week.

Set 188 for victory on the final day of the pivotal contest, Pakistan folded meekly for a paltry 81, about 38 minutes before the scheduled tea interval, to slump to their fourth loss in seven games at the historic venue and maintain their unenviable record of having never won a Test at the ground.

The total equalled the previous lowest posted by India 20 years ago here and was also Pakistan’s second lowest-ever against West Indies, surpassing their record low of 77 in Lahore, 31 years ago.

For West Indies, the victory came just 11 days after they lost the opening Test in Jamaica by seven wickets and marked only their third Test win in 17 outings over the last two years.

“It was obviously a very good game for us. It was a

collective team effort,” captain Jason Holder said afterwards.

“I always thought once we could give them in excess of 170, I felt we would be in with a very good chance on a day-five pitch, the way it has deteriorated here.”

West Indies were fired by speedster Shannon Gabriel who turned in a man-of-the-match effort with five for 11 from 11 overs, to claim his second five-wicket haul in Tests and end with match figures of nine for 92.

Holder claimed three for 23 while 20-year-old pacer Alzarri Joseph supported with two for 42.

Resuming the morning on 264 for nine, West Indies added only four runs before the innings ended, when Devendra Bishoo holed out to Azhar Ali at mid-off for 20, off the fifth ball of the day from leg-spinner Yasir Shah who ended with seven for 94.

Gabriel then produced a lethal three-wicket burst to wipe out Pakistan’s top order and reduce the innings to rubble at 35 for five at lunch.

He prised out Azhar in the seventh over of the innings for 10, pulling a short ball to Shimron Hetmyer at short mid-wicket with as many runs on the board and four balls later in the next over, Babar Azam completed a pair in the match when he touched a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich off Joseph.

West Indies struck a major blow when they got the prized wicket of veteran Younis Khan for five, lbw to Holder at 27 for three but it was in the fifth over before the break that Gabriel turned the game on its head.

With the second delivery, he removed skipper Misbahul-Haq without scoring to a catch at gully by Shai Hope after that batsman edged one into his pads, and was given out via DRS after the initial appeal

went unheeded.

Two balls later, new batsman Asad Shafiq also fell without scoring, nicking Gabriel to first slip where Kieran Powell held a juggling catch.

Needing a virtual miracle after lunch to survive, Pakistan found themselves in deeper trouble when they lost two further wickets in the first 16 balls on resumption.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad, unbeaten on 14 at the interval after being dropped on six by Powell at slip, off Joseph in the 10th over, failed to add when he was lbw on the back foot in the second over after the break to one from Joseph which kept low.

Shadab Khan then followed in the next over for one, caught at the wicket off Holder, leaving Pakistan flailing on 36 for seven and in danger of their lowest Test score of 49.

Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who top-scored with 23, briefly raised hopes of a Pakistan comeback, staging the best partnership of the innings by adding 42 for the eighth wicket with tail-ender Mohammad Amir who made 20.

Sarfraz, unbeaten on five at lunch, spent just 50 balls and just over 1-1/2 hours at the crease and struck two fours while Mohammad Amir was his usual self, stroking four boundaries in a 34-ball knock.

However, once Amir ’s enterprise got the better of him and he slashed Gabriel to Vishaul Singh at backward point on the stroke of the first hour, the innings quickly declined as the last two wickets tumbled for just three runs in the space of 18 balls.

Yasir was bowled neck and crop by Gabriel without scoring and Sarfraz was last to fall, holing out to Chase at long-on off Holder.

The decisive third Test begins next Wednesday at Windsor Park.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings PAKISTAN 2nd Innings (overnight 264 for nine) (target: 188 runs) K Brathwaite c Younis Khan Azhar Ali c Hetmyer b Gabriel 10 b Yasir Shah 43 Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Joseph 14 K Powell c wkp Sarfraz Ahmed Babar Azam c wkp Dowrich b Mohammad Abbas 6 b Joseph 0 S Hetmyer b Mohammad Amir 22 Younis Khan lbw b Holder 5 S Hope c Azhar Ali b Yasir Shah 90 *Misbah-ul-Haq c Hope b Gabriel 0 R Chase c & b Yasir Shah 23 Asad Shafiq c Powell b Gabriel 0 V Singh b Mohammad Abbas 32 +Sarfraz Ahmed c Chase b Holder 23 +S Dowrich c Asad Shafiq Shadab Khan c wkp Dowrich b Yasir Shah 2 b Holder 1 *J Holder c Younis Khan b Yasir Shah 1 Mohammad Amir c Vishaul D Bishoo c Azhar Ali b Yasir Shah 20 Singh b Gabriel 20 A Joseph c Mohammad Amir Yasir Shah b Gabriel 0 b Yasir Shah 7 Mohammad Abbas not out 0 S Gabriel not out 0 Extras (b4, lb1, nb3) 8 Extras: (b16, lb2, w3, nb1) 22 TOTAL (all out; 34.4 overs) 81 TOTAL: (all out, 101.5 overs) 268 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-11, 3-27, Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-41, 3-97, 4-30, 5-30, 6-35, 7-36, 8-78, 9-81, 4-155, 5-235, 6-235, 7-236, 8-252, 10-81 9-261, 10-268 Bowling: Gabriel 11-4-11-5 Bowling: Mohammad Amir 21- (nb1), Joseph 12-1-42-2, Holder 8-44-1 (w1), Mohammad Abbas 11.4-4-23-3 (nb2).

25-6-57-2, Yasir Shah 39.5-12-94- Result: West Indies won by 106 runs.

7, Shadab Khan 17-0-55-0.

Series: Three-match series tied 1-1.

Man-of-the-Match: Shannon Gabriel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time AKILA CASTELLO ... DEMERARA QUEEN TURNED ‘LADY JAGS’ NATIONAL ASSISTANT COACH What does a girl do when she loves the beautiful game of football but her community doesn’t have a female club? She plays with the boys then later forms a club! That’s exactly the experience of Akila Castello, one of the newly-appointed Assistant Coaches of the national women’s U-17 and the senior women’s squad, the latter common known as the “Lady Jags”.

Akila who hails from the mining town of Linden, and has been described by one of her former coaches as a tenacious person, began playing football at age 12 where she matched skills with the males as her community did not have a female team at the time.

It was this tenacity which enabled her a place in the 2001 women’s national team at the U-19 level in Antigua,

the 2010 World Cup qualifiers then in 2011 in Suriname respectively. While in the national squad, she commanded the central midfield position.

Akila continued her engagement as a player with the beautiful game through the years representing the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) for over 10 years after which she established her club in 2013 – Demerara Queens – and

began her coaching career. “I became a coach when I form my club and having the opportunity to make a positive impact over 25 young ladies in the mining town made me fell deeper in love with the wonderful game of football and it also indicated that coaching was the road I needed to take,” Akila remarked.

The coach who is also the Technical Development Officer (TDO) for District 10

Akila Castello as part of the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC) relishes her new role, “Having the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Coach for the Lady Jags is a bless-

STAG ELITE LEAGUE (SEASON 2) CONTINUES TODAY Games in the Stag Elite League (Season Two) continue this Friday, May 5 at the Tucville Ground, Georgetown instead of the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden, which was originally scheduled. This change was

necessary as a result of the MSC pitch being damaged during a recently held activity.

The schedule however, remains the same with GDF FC vs Monedderlust FC at 18:30hrs and Top XX FC vs

Victoria Kings FC at 21:00hrs.

This double-header will be Matches 24 and 25 of a 30-match league with 76 goals scored to date for the 2016/17 season. Sherwyn Ceasar from the GDF FC and Eon Alleyne from Fruta Conquerors FC are

the lead goal scorers with six (6) goals each.

Leading the points table are GDF FC with 21 points followed by Fruta Conquerors with 19 points. Monedderlust FC is at the base with three points.

ing, it’s one of my biggest achievements in life and I will give it my all to ensure we have the best results going forward.”

The passionate football enthusiast is particularly happy that the women’s national football programme is taking shape: “The new structure will allow for every female player across Guyana to have an opportunity to be exposed to structured training sessions which will help to lift the standard of their game making them more rounded players. As a result of the new national program, Guyana will be able to put together more rounded national teams.”

– Tucville Ground to be the new venue; Top goal scorer to feature

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES: NATIONAL TEAMS’ CAMPS: U17 Females – 30th April – 5th May 2017 STAG ELITE LEAGUE (Season 2) DATE: Friday, May 5, 2017 VENUE: MSC, Linden ADMISSION: $500.00 GAME #1: GDF FC vs Monedderlust FC at 18:30hrs GAME #2: Top XX FC vs Victoria Kings FC at 21:00hrs Lucky patrons will win prizes compliments of Church’s Chicken, Jialing, Impressions, GFF and Ansa Mc Al

Victoria Kings FC

Top XX FC

Start of the GFF-Pele Alumuni Frank Watson Intra-Association National U-15 Tournament – May, 2017 Restart of GFF-NAMILCO ThunderBolt Flour Power National U-17 Tournament – May, 2017 NATIONAL TEAMS’ CAMPS: U15 Boys – 5th – 7th – May 2017 Golden Jaguars – 7th – 11th May 2017 Lady Jags – 12th – 22nd May 2017

NEXT EDITION: GDF FC

Monedderlust FC

Friday, 12th May, 2017

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

Pant’s masterclass seals Daredevils win A STUNNING knock from Rishabh Pant helped Delhi Daredevils to a huge IPL win over a Gujarat Lions side, whose play-off hopes are in tatters.

Teenager Rishabh Pant played a masterful innings as his 97 helped Delhi Daredevils to a seven-wicket thumping and ended Gujarat Lions’ already slim IPL playoff hopes.

Gujarat made the trip to Delhi knowing only four straight wins could realistically extend their season, but a fine 133-run stand from Suresh Raina (77) and Dinesh Karthik (65) propelled them to a hefty 208-7.

Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant celebrate their mammoth partnership. (BCCI)

But Pant, ably assisted by Sanju Samson (61), smashed nine sixes and six fours off 43 balls in a textbook dis-

play of Twenty20 cricket as the Daredevils recorded the second-highest run-chase in IPL history to move within

five points of the top four with a match in hand.

After the early losses of Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith, Raina made the most of being dropped on two by Shreyas Iyer to launch four sixes and five fours.

Karthik was equally prolific and his knock came from just 34 balls, but - after Kagiso Rabada had made the most of confusion between the batsmen to remove Raina with a direct hit - he was dismissed courtesy of a stunning one-handed catch by a backtracking Corey Anderson at midwicket.

Aaron Finch’s 27 off 19 and back-to-back sixes

from Ravindra Jadeja (18 not out) at the end of the innings propelled the Lions to a fine position.

However, Pant came to the wicket with reckless abandon and cleared the ropes four times inside five overs, Basil Thampi (140) and Pradeep Sangwan (1-43) the first to pick off by the 19-year-old.

At the other end, Samson was playing his part in a majestic partnership, twice sending Ankit Soni for six.

Pant was the main attraction, though, and he picked up 23 runs off a luckless James Faulkner (0-35) in the 11th over with his sublime

ball-striking and excellent foot work helping him to three more sixes.

Samson helped himself to a couple more maximums off Jadeja before taking on the left-armer once too many and skewing one to Faulkner at long-off in the 14th over.

Pant picked up the slack in the same over and slogged one over long-on, but he fell agonisingly short of a century when he edged Thampi behind in the 15th.

His masterclass had done the work, though, as Iyer (14 not out) and Anderson (18 not out) steered Delhi over the line.

(Sportsmax)

Joshua changed boxing with Bolt rules out retirement U-turn Klitschko victory - Tyson

IBF, WBC & IBO Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua

ANTHONY Joshua is the type of fighter who makes boxing big, according to legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson.

Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson believes Anthony Joshua has changed boxing with his thrilling victory over Wladimir Klitschko.

Joshua retained his IBF heavyweight title and claimed the vacant WBA and IBO straps with an 11thround stoppage of Klitschko in front of 90 000 fans at Wembley.

The Briton sent Klitschko to the canvas in the fifth round but appeared set for defeat after the Ukrainian

knocked him down a round later.

However, the unbeaten Joshua recovered and hit Klitschko with a penultimate-round barrage that sent the 41-year-old to the deck twice more before the referee called a halt to an enthralling contest.

And Tyson believes Joshua is the type of fighter who elevates boxing to the next level.

He said at a media conference ahead of a launch gala for his boxing fitness franchise - the Mike Tyson Academy: “We have a new heavyweight champion that’s pretty exciting right

now. If he continues to be that way, the sky’s the limit for him.

“Just that one fight changed boxing and that’s what fighting needs.

“Floyd (Mayweather) is making a lot of money and we got a lot of little guys fighting, but what they want to see is a heavyweight fight, (and) a heavyweight that knows how to fight, like Joshua.

“That’s what makes boxing big, the heavyweights make boxing big.

The other guys can make some money, but they’re not making the sport big.”

(Sportsmax)

SPRINTING icon Usain Bolt said it would be a mistake to change his mind over his decision to retire from the track this year.

Usain Bolt has no regrets over his decision to retire later this year but vowed to stay in shape after ending his phenomenal athletics career to avoid losing a bet for growing a ‘belly’.

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt will race for the last time at the World Championships in London in August.

The legendary Jamaican sprinter will go down as a sporting great regardless of whether he signs off in style on the track at the venue that hosted the 2012 Olympics.

Bolt, 30, said there is no chance that he will change his mind and perform a U-turn.

“Everybody wants me to continue but it’s not as simple as it is, you know what I mean? For me, I’ve done what I wanted to do. I’ve done great in the sport,” he told BBC Sport.

“People just want to see more and more but you as a person have to decide that this is it. I don’t want to continue and then at the end I start losSouth Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:30 hrs Silver Blade 09:05 hrs Imperial Velvet 09:40 hrs Pirangi 10:15 hrs Lord Katawa 10:55 hrs Baahir English Racing Tips Chepstow 08:20 hrs Moyadd 08:50 hrs Perfect Quest 09:20 hrs Tristrm 09:50 hrs Quantum Dot 10:20 hrs War Chief 10:50 hrs Lightoller 11:20 hrs Akavit

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ing, because I hate losing.

“No regrets. If you look at a lot of top athletes, that’s the one thing they use to damage their career just a little bit.

“By being so dominant through their career, retire, then miss the sport and then

come back in to something different. I don’t think my coach would coach me either.

“I have a bet with my managers. They give me two years before I get a belly, so I can’t let that happen!”

(Sportsmax)

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34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

Cameron will bring stability - CCUSA ST JOHN’S, Antigua Cricket Council USA has sent out congratulations to re-elected president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Dave Cameron on his recent re-election as president of the board and adds that he is the right man in the current climate to bring about financial stability at the regional organisation.

Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan were elected president and vice-president respectively, of the West Indies Cricket Board on Sunday, March 26. The unanimous decision was taken by all 12 of the cricket delegates of the region Cameron and Nanthan were the only two nominees for the posts this

time around.

The pair were first elected on March 27, 2013 and at that time they had opponents. Four years and two elections later, the team has managed to make some strategic changes and adjustments. Among them, one of the most important was maintaining a surplus for two consecutive years – the year which ended September 30, 2015, the board reduced its accumulated deficit and ended with a surplus of US3.4M. Last year, a surplus of US$3.5M was achieved with an accumulated surplus of US$1.578M. CCUSA president Mahammad Qureshi said that Cameron has been doing a

good job in the region and he was not surprised by his re-election. “Dave has been doing a good job and you can see that by the financial improvement over the last two years. He is a good businessman and with sports being big business these days, it is good that he is in charge of the affairs of West Indies cricket yet again.

“He was our ‘chief guest’ at the 2016 US Open and I am excited by the fact that with him having been here and looking at our set-up, he understands our vision and would be willing to work with us for the betterment of US cricket.”

Cameron noted in his report to the Annual General Meeting that “we cannot

WICB president Dave Cameron

over emphasise the need for financial stability in cricket, as without that kind of stability, all the other development plans cannot occur.” The president added that despite the tighter financial management “the board has invested in more development tours and the addition of the A Team tours is an example”.

Another important achievement is the fact that the WICB has managed to achieve best practices by producing audited reports within the given time for the past three financial years. The president praised the Audit Risk and Compliance and the Finance Committees for the tidy work they have done throughout the period.

Women’s Super50 hailed a success Ronaldo: I am from this planet!

KINGSTON, St Vincent - The recently completed Women’s Regional Super50 tournament has been hailed as a tremendous success by president of the St Vincent Cricket Association, Kishore Shallow.

The newly installed director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) spearheaded the hosting of the event in St Vincent.

The tournament final was played on Sunday (April 30) and Trinidad and Tobago came out as the victors.

According to Shallow the most disciplined team in the tournament deserved to win the title. “At the end

of it, the most disciplined and organised team won the title. Congrats to Trinidad and Tobago!”

He was also high in praise of the standard of cricket played during the tournament. “It was indeed a successful tournament.

The ladies exhibited tremendous skills, which resulted in a very competitive tournament.”

West Indies women’s cricket has been on the rise over the past couple years as the WICB has invested heavily in tournaments, camps and coaching programmes and the results are now showing.

A number of players and officials were very

Kishore Shallow

happy with the level of organisation of the tournament in St Vincent.

Shallow alluded to this by mentioning: “from an organisational perspective, all plans came together positively”.

Shallow, who has a background in Information Technology, was able to quickly put ‘live’ scoring in place and this made it very easy for scores to be sent out from the tournament.

The winning team T&T, on their return home, were celebrated at the Piarco International Airport by the Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith, the CEO of the TTCB, Suruj Ragoonath and the president of the TTWCBC, Joycelyn Opadeyi who in particular heaped praises on the TTCB. The TTCB, representing the interest of the WICB in women’s cricket in Trinidad, came to the park according to Opadeyi. “We want to thank the TTCB for all that they have done for this team. They have given everything that was asked of them for us to produce champions and this we have done.”

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has often been described as ‘out of this world’ but the Real Madrid star has a more terrestrial assessment of his quality.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted, “I am from this planet” after reaching another milestone in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo hit a hat-trick for the second game running in the competition to give his side a 3-0 semi-final first-leg lead that puts them firmly on course to reach the final in Cardiff.

The 32-year-old was later honoured with a commemorative shirt by club president Florentino Perez for reaching 400 goals in all competitions for the club, although official records say he is on 399.

Regardless of the tally, Ronaldo says he feels primed for a crucial run of fixtures in Madrid’s pursuit of a La Liga and Champions League double, though he says his achievements are simply down to hard work.

“The truth is I feel really good,” he told Dugout. “I’ve prepared myself to be fit for this final stage of the league and the Champions League as well.

“Obviously there’s a bit of luck as well. I’ve prepared myself and things have turned out well, not just for me, but for the team, too.

“That’s why I say that with dedication and hard work, as always, things come naturally. I’m very lucky, and I am from this planet!

“It’s a really big number of goals, something I didn’t expect but it’s a reflection of

the whole team, of my work as well as that of all the people who work at the club, the fans who always support us and give us this extra motivation.”

Ronaldo signed a new five-year contract last November that will see him stay at Madrid until 2021, when he will be 36.

The Portugal captain hopes to deliver many more trophies during his remaining years at Santiago Bernabeu, beginning with a successful defence of the Champions League this season.

“I’m very happy. It was a match filled with emotion, the team was phenomenal and

scoring three goals made it a special night,” he said. “We’re one step closer to the final in Cardiff and we’re really happy.

“We play for the shirt. I want to give my all to the club with the time I have left on my contract. I will try to do my best, score goals and work to ensure that Real Madrid win titles.

“The team is phenomenal. To win 3-0 is huge. The domination the team showed on the pitch shows how fresh our players are. We are very motivated and want to go the final. We have a slight advantage.” (Sportsmax)

Cristiano Ronaldo

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday May 05, 2017) 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: ► 15 ► 1958 Today’s Quiz: ► Who are the Pakistanis that have made their Test debut in the current WI/PAK series to date? ► Who are the WI that have made their Test debut in the current series to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 5, 2017

Team Guyana locked and loaded for Jamaica

Rameez Mohaamed’s Honda Civic is loaded into the container. (Stephan Sookram photos)

By Stephan Sookram TEAM Guyana for the first leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship yesterday officially loaded their cars for the three-week

journey to the Land of Wood and Water.

The team, including three cars and four bikes, will head to Jamaica for the first round of the Championship, with several big names missing.

However, Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) president Rameez Mohammed contended that those cars and bikes are more than capable of doing Guyana proud.

“We feel that those guys who are going (to Jamaica) are capable of flying the Guyana flag high and ensuring that we make a good start to the 2017 championship as well as gaining valuable points.”

He continued, “The team may not have the big names of the past, but there are guys who are no strangers to the podium, and we are confident that they will do well.”

Of the three cars packed under team Guyana’s banner, two belong to Rameez Mohammed, who will ply his trade in Groups 2, 3 and 4 (two-wheel drive), while the third car loaded belongs to

RHTY&SC ‘Dare to Dream’ comes to youngster’s aid

THIRTEEN-year-old Jason Jones of Belvedere Settlement has always dreamt of having his own cricket bat as he wants to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Jones, whose mother died in childbirth, is being cared for by his aunt Anita, who is very supportive of her nephew’s desire to play for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies.

Unable to obtain a cricket bat on her own, Ms Jones approached a family friend to seek assistance from Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), an organisation (she was aware of) that assists youths to fulfil their dreams under its ‘Dare to Dream’ programme.

Under this programme, the cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation have assisted over 105 youths to fulfil their dreams by assisting them to obtain needed items that they themselves cannot afford.

Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, who received the request, readily agreed to provide the Port Mourant Secondary School student with a bat and stated that it is the club’s hope that Jason’s dreams of playing cricket at high level will be realised.

The long-serving Secretary/CEO stated that too many youths who dare to dream are unable to fulfil their wishes because of lack of finance and this is a pity.

The RHTY&SC, M.S, he stated, was founded in 1990 by three-time Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St Francis Community Developers, to offer sports and education as an alternative to a life on the road, and through a simple formula of honesty, sheer hard work and dedication the club has risen to be the best in Guyana,

just 27 years later.

“This was because a group of 17 youths and a team of experienced advisers dared to dream and together they achieved their goal despite huge obstacles, like lack of finance and facilities.

The Dare to Dream programme was launched in 2000 on the 10th anniversary of the founding of the club and its main objective is to assist less fortunate youths,” the RHTY&SC said in a release.

Foster urged the young cricketer to practise hard every day, to seek advice from former cricketers and to always be disciplined. The Secretary/CEO also spoke on the importance of

education and urged Jones to remain in school. Education, he stated, is the main foundation for success and noted that future assistance to Jones would be tied to a commitment to education.

A clearly elated Jones, who is not a member of the RHTY&SC, expressed gratitude to the RHTY&SC and the Pepsi team for assisting him.

He said that it is surprising that a club would assist a non-member, but promised to make the RHTY&SC proud in the future.

Senior Pepsi Under-19 and national junior cricketer Sylus Tyndall handed over the bat to Jones in the presence of assistant secretary Simon Naidu.

Nasrudeen Mohammed who will compete in Group Two. Guyana have always been strongest in the bike sector and this time around, it’s no different, with five bikes being loaded.

The recently established Team Mohamed’s Enterprise will ship one bike to be ridden

by Bryce Prince along with seasoned campaigners Steven Vieira and Kevin Persaud.

Additionally, John Bennett and Heemand Boodram complete the five-member team, expected to fly the Golden Arrowhead.

Trinidad are the defending Country Champions with the Group 4 all-wheel drive champion being Jamaican Doug Gore, who is expected to start his title fight on home soil.

At the two-wheel end of things, Mark Maloney is the

All hands! The Team Mohamed’s Enterprise bike is crated and loaded for shipping to Jamwest.

defending champion, with Paul Vieira of Trinidad and Tobago, who also packed yesterday, expected to defend his Group three title.

The Group 2 title is being held by Mark Thompson of

Barbados with the Superstock championship race ending last year with Guyanese Matthew Vieira ahead on points.

The first round is billed for May 21 at the Jamwest Raceway in Jamaica.

BCB to host scorers workshop THE BCB will host a twoday scorers’ workshop for persons interested in becoming cricket-scorers.

According to the board’s acting secretary Godwyn Allicock the workshop is billed for today and tomorrow from

13:30hrs daily at the Port Mourant Community Centre.

Potential scorers will have the opportunity to learn both scoring methods (book-scoring and scoring electronically).

Persons with laptops

will receive the necessary scoring software to further develop their skills in the field.

Interested persons can contact facilitator Allicock on telephone 660-9048 or email godwyn_alli@hotmail.com

Top local cyclists in action today TOP local cyclists will compete today in the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association Arrival Day cycle road race.

The event, which is been held in collaboration with the Trojan PSL Cycling

Club of New Amsterdam, will commence at 09:00hrs at 12 Chapel Street, New Amsterdam, proceed to the Nand Persaud business complex at No. 39 Village, Corentyne, Berbice before returning to finish at the starting line.

The event will comprise of five categories, namely; the Senior Open, Junior Open, Veterans, Women and Juvenile.

Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the first three winners in each category.

Williamson eager to team up with Tridents

RHTY&SC member Sylus Tyndall (right) hands over the cricket bat to Jason Jones in presence of RHTY&SC assistant secretary Simon Naidu.

NEW Zealand international captain and Tridents marquee player Kane Williamson is eager to take on the best bowlers in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), especially with Dwayne Smith as his partner.

Williamson, who is currently representing the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, will be at the other end when Smith unleashes his trademark power in the 2017 edition of the Hero CPL this summer.

Known more for his technical excellence than overwhelming power, 26-year-old Black Caps star Williamson and Smith should make the perfect

pair when they pad up for the Tridents starting on the weekend of August 5-6 against the Jamaica Tallawahs in Central Broward Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida.

“Dwayne is a dynamic and powerful opening batter,” Williamson said. “Having the opportunity to open with him is something that I am looking forward to and I think our different styles should complement each other.”

Individually Williamson and Smith have produced impressive Twenty20 records to date. Smith has scored 6 776* T20 runs while Williamson adds 2 658* runs (*stats accurate up until May 2 2017),

not for their national teams but while playing international club tournaments.

Together Smith and Williamson are set to lay a platform for a formidable Tridents batting line up which also features international stars Shoaib Malik and captain Kieron Pollard.

The prospect of playing on a high-powered Tridents side intrigues the New Zealand skipper.

“It’s very exciting to join a strong franchise like the Tridents”, Williamson added, “And I am looking forward to getting over and meeting the team. Hopefully I can do my bit in helping the Tridents have a successful year.”

2017

Absolute Stunner!

Game for today, May 5, 2017 RCB vs Kings XI Punjab at Bengaluru (10:30hrs local time)

Shannon Gabriel’s second Test five-for helps West Indies knock Pakistan over for 81 and level the three-match series. (WICB)

... Gabriel (five-for) sucker-punches Pakistan for 81

Alzarri Joseph sent back Babar Azam for a two-ball duck.

See Page 31

Jason Holder celebrates with Guyanese Vishaul Singh after West Indies victory. (WICB)

Yasir Shah has his off-stump uprooted by Shannon Gabriel as West Indies players celebrate the wicket. (WICB) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017