Guyana Chronicle E-paper 06-07-2019

FRIDAY 7th June, 2019

CHARRANDASS CONFESSES No.105661

Norway approves $16B for Guyana

… under forest agreement

… admits knowing he was unqualified to be MP

SEE STORY ON PAGE 03 ►

… CCJ grants AG leave to file new application to adduce fresh evidence

Barge rams into second GPL subsea cable

…several West Demerara villages affected

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The compromised section of the 69 kV submarine cable that was damaged in the Demerara River earlier this week

Guyana, UK, hail political ties 02 Several businesses 12 ravaged in Diamond fire PAGE

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The barge that rammed into the GPL cable at Craig, East Bank Demerara

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Ambassador Quinn talks up political cooperation –– says necessary for Guyana’s potential to become reality

By Navendra Seoraj

THERE is no question about Guyana’s potential, but it is up to the political leadership to do what needs to be done in order to move beyond potential to reality, says British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn.

“Government and Opposition must work together for all the citizens of Guyana, and if that does not happen, I fear Guyana will not develop, and we will continue to hear the tired, old mantra of how much potential Guyana has,” High Commissioner Quinn said.

He offered these remarks at the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 93rd birthday held at his Bel Air Gardens, Georgetown residence on Thursday evening.

He said the political leaders have to work for everyone and to benefit everyone, and if this does not happen, it would be a shame of legacy.

The high commissioner believes political cooperation is necessary, especially at a time when Guyana is on the cusp of unparalleled wealth with the vast discoveries of oil here.

According to Quinn, the British High Commission has been working with local leaders on a range of political, economic and cultural issues.

Last year, the high commission cemented links between Aberdeen and the city of Georgetown. Guyana, over the years, has received assistance from the UK in a range of areas.

President David Granger said Guyana and the UK continue to enjoy an unbroken tradition of friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations on May 26, 1966 -- Independence Day. “Our relations are founded on the five principles.

Those are mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; cooperation for mutual benefit; respect for international law and treaties; and the maintenance of international peace and security,” President Granger said.

He said Britain remains a strategic partner of Guyana’s, and has provided it with invaluable assistance in the areas of agriculture, aquaculture, culture, disaster

relief, education, economic competitiveness, governance, investment, law enforcement, trade, water supply, and reform of the judicial service, public and security sectors.

Guyana has dedicated the Kanashen Protected Area, located in the Rupununi Region and spanning an area of almost 7,000km2, to the Queens’s Commonwealth Canopy.

This dedication demonstrated Guyana’s willingness to take practical steps to ensure the preservation and protection of the environment.

“Guyana iterates its appreciation to the United Kingdom for its unwavering support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity, for its generous debt relief and for the anticipated benefits under the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund,” said the President.

He expressed confidence that the strong ties which exist between the two states will be strengthened in the years ahead.

President Granger also praised High Commissioner Quinn and the staff of the British High Commission for their hard work and commitment to the development and furtherance of Guyana-Brit-

President David Granger (second right) and British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn cut the ceremonial cake to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday. Looking on at left and second left are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, and Mrs Wendy Quinn, wife of the British High Commissioner (Adrian Narine photo) ain relations.

Guyana, President Granger said, looks forward to continued collab-

oration with Britain for the protection of the environment, the promotion of security, and the devel-

opment of the economy through enhanced investment and trade between our two countries.

Preparations in ‘high gear’ for CARIFESTA XIV –– 21 countries already registered for the festival

By Navendra Seoraj PREPARATIONS for Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) XIV are in “high gear,” said Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.

“We are now in the implementation stage… we spent a lot of time in the planning stage so that this would be running smoothly,” said Dr. Gadsby-Dolly in an invited comment.

CARIFESTA XIV, which is scheduled for August 16-25, 2019, is expected to attract participants from across CARICOM and, by extension, the Caribbean.

Minister Gadsby-Dolly said 21 countries, including the CARICOM member states and the associate states, have already registered for the festival of arts

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr. George Norton and culture.

“We anticipate full participation of the region… we have quite a lot of excitement building, delegations are already in touch with us in terms of the sizes of the delegation and so on... we anticipate full participation and a wonderful time for all,” she said.

Despite the anticipated outcome of the festival, there have been challenges which the Trinidadian Government has faced so far.

According to Gadsby-Dolly, like the challenges of the region, the Trinidadian Government has financial crunches at this time but, a lot of effort was placed into mitigating the problem during the planning stage.

During the planning stage, the government was able to look for economies of scale, partnerships where possible and corporate sponsorship which was also a challenge because the corporate society has their own issues which they are dealing with.

Delegations have also been moving slow on providing information because they too are grappling with See page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

CHARRANDASS CONFESSES … admits knowing he was unqualified to be MP … CCJ grants AG leave to file new application to adduce fresh evidence

By Lisa Hamilton

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has granted the government permission to present new evidence and submissions to the court which prove that expelled Member of Parliament (MP), Charrandass Persaud, knew that he was unqualified to sit in the National Assembly.

The evidence, a Youtube video of a talk show programme, shows Persaud openly admitting that, even before he became an MP, he was well aware that he was unqualified for the position.

One of the matters which have been contested in the consolidated appeals, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal to invalidate the vote of no-confidence, was whether Persaud knew that he was unqualified to sit in the National Assembly.

On Thursday, June 6, 2019, an urgent notice of application was filed by Belizean Senior Counsel, Eamon Courtenay, representing Attorney General, Basil Williams, S.C in the appeals.

While arguments for the consolidated appeals ended on May 10, 2019, the CCJ rules allow for new evidence to be provided to the court, should such be justified and proven to be relevant to the outcome of the appeal. Courtenay therefore applied: for permission to add new evidence; permission to make new submissions; in request that an order be granted for further submissions to be made in writing and that the new evidence be dealt with without a hearing amongst other requests.

A draft of the order sought was attached to the application, while an affidavit presented by the State Solicitor, Public Trustee/ Official Receiver of Guyana, Jennifer McCalman, explained, in detail, the extent of the new evidence.

McCalman defended the new evidence as “credible”,

Recalled Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud “relevant” and likely to be influential to the court’s ultimate decision, to which the CCJ acceded.

In the affidavit presented, McCalman stated that the document was being filed on behalf of the Attorney General, who had authorised that she swears it on his behalf. Therein, she stated that on June 5, 2019, she was informed by the AG that on June 3, 2019, he was made aware of a Youtube video by user ‘Globespan 24x7’ entitled ‘Conflict of Interest of Guyana’ in which Persaud was interviewed and disclosed knowledge of the same.

On the panel, moderated by one Marketing Executive and Political Strategist, Salaudeen Nausredeen, were Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President, Nicholas Boyer; International Financial Strategist, Sasenarine Singh; Political Strategist at the University of the West Indies, Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath and Persaud.

According to McCalman, the almost two-hour long programme, also featuring a call-in segment, was dedicated to discussing the hearing of the consolidated appeal which concluded just the day before. In the video seen by the Guyana Chronicle, Persaud called in exactly at

30 minutes, 28 seconds and the question was posed to him by the Moderator at 36 minutes, 02 seconds. During the discussion, Charrandas told the moderator: “I knew that people with dual citizenship could not hold a seat in parliament. That was a given, that’s a constitutional article that we can’t get away from.

What I did in fact argue, and when I told Khemraj, I said that I have a Canadian passport, Khemraj said ‘rass with you, a lot of people have Canadian passports, look at Gail Teixeira’ and that’s what he said.” McCalman said in the affidavit that it was the first time – having known Persaud since 2000 – that she had heard him admit that he was aware that persons with dual citizenship are unqualified to sit in the National Assembly. “I have known Mr. Charrandass Persaud for 19 years, since the year 2000 when we began studying as undergraduates at the University of Guyana reading for the Bachelor of Laws Degree Programme. Having known him for so many years and seeing and hearing him whenever I attended the National Assembly with the Hon. Attorney General, I recognised the person speaking on the programme as Mr. Charrandass person, one of the appellants in these consolidated appeals,” McCalman told the court.

She stated too, that to the best of her knowledge, the AG was not aware of the Youtube video until it was brought to his attention on June 3, 2019 by one Sean Ramdeholl.

“I am informed by the Hon. Attorney General and verily believe, that on June 3, 2019, he shared the URL of the programme with Mr. Eamon H. Courtenay SC and sought his advice as to whether an application to adduce the new evidence could and should be made,” McCalman stated. “Based on the advice of Mr. Courtenay, this application is being

Attorney General Basil Williams made.”

The affidavit also stated that up until the provision of the new evidence, the AG had relied on “circumstantial evidence” to prove that Persaud knew that he was unqualified to sit in the House. The affidavit marks McCalman second in the proceedings.

Given permission to proceed, the Draft Oder, which bore the approval of the Deputy Registrar and Marshal of the CCJ stated: “And upon reading the Notice of Application to adduce new evidence dated June 6, 2019 and the Second Affidavit of Jennifer Ayana McCalman sworn to on the June 6, 2019; it is ordered that: (a) Permission is granted to adduce new evidence which has recently become available to the Attorney General and which will probably have an important influence on the outcome of this appeal…”

The Attorney General has indicated, through McCalman, that he does not believe that the application necessitates an oral hearing and has asked the court to “dispose of the application on paper”.

During the hearing of the consolidated appeals by the CCJ on May 9 and 10, 2019, Belizean Senior Counsel, Eamon Courtenay, shot down arguments made by Trinidadian Attorney-at-Law, Douglas Mendes, who upon

representing the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, told the Court that Charrandass Persaud’s vote in the National Assembly was saved by the De Facto Doctrine, though he was a dual citizen in the House, in total breach of the Constitution. Senior Counsel Courtenay is representing the Attorney General in the case.

The de facto doctrine validates an action on the basis that the person in question did not know that a provision was breached. But, Senior Counsel Courtenay, in shutting down the arguments made by Mendes, provided evidence that Persaud took an oath to be elected a Member of Parliament, knowing that he is a dual citizen.

Describing Persaud as an imposter and usurper, Courtenay, pointed out that he (Charrandass Persaud) signed a Statutory Declaration, prior to the 2015 Regional and General Elections, that he was aware of Article 53 and Article 155 – of which the latter prohibits

Members of Parliament from being dual citizens.

In support of his position, the Belizean Senior Counsel noted that not only is Persaud an Attorney-at-Law, but just before and after signing the declaration, travelled on his Canadian passport.

He concluded that Persaud was fully aware that he was not eligible to a Member of Parliament but nonetheless, took up a seat in the National Assembly, in total breach of the Constitution.

“The matter before this court arises from a person who is a serial violator of the Constitution of Guyana and who the Leader of the Opposition is seeking to benefit from Constitutional violations by Mr. Persaud in order to bring down the Government of Guyana that is led by a party that Mr. Persaud is elected on,” he told the court.

Senior Counsel Courtenay therefore asked the CCJ to affirm the decision of the Court of Appeal and rule that the no-confidence motion was invalid.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 7, 2019

U.S. pushes Mexico for more in talks over tariffs and border WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mexican and U.S. officials resumed talks on trade and migration on Thursday, with the Trump administration resisting calls from U.S. businesses and some Republican lawmakers to ease up on a plan to impose import tariffs on its southern neighbor.

Vice President Mike Pence, who led an initial round of negotiations in Washington on Wednesday, said talks were positive but emphasized the White House still wants Mexico to commit to working harder to combat illegal immigration. “We welcomed the efforts of the

Mexican officials to offer solutions to the crisis at our southern border, but we need Mexico to do more,” Pence said on Thursday.

He was echoing President Donald Trump, who said on Wednesday that “not nearly enough” progress was made in the first round of talks, and warned that the tariffs would go into effect on Monday if Mexico does not step up efforts to stem the flow of mostly Central American migrants heading for the U.S. border. U.S. stocks, Treasury yields and the Mexican peso rose on Thursday after Bloomberg News reported that the United States is con-

sidering a delay in the tariffs as talks continue, citing people familiar with the matter.

Last week, Trump said Mexico must take a harder line on migrants or face 5% tariffs on all its exports to the United States from June 10, rising to as much as 25% later this year. Advertisement The unexpected announcement rattled global financial markets and even Trump’s fellow Republicans fretted about the potential economic impact on U.S. businesses and consumers who would have to absorb the costs. If the tariffs go ahead, the United States would be in a serious trade dispute with

both China and Mexico - two of its three top trading partners. That is a situation that U.S. business groups are keen to avoid.

Trump said on Thursday he would decide whether to carry out his threat to hit Beijing with tariffs on at least $300 billion in Chinese goods after a meeting of leaders of the world’s largest economies late this month. Officials of the U.S. Federal Reserve and International Monetary Fund separately warned that global trade tensions and rising tariffs posed an increasing risk to decades of U.S. expansion, as well as to the global economy.

MEXICO ECONOMY Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard had meetings at the State Department on Thursday and staff-level meetings were scheduled for the afternoon with Mexican officials at the White House, a White House official said.

“We are going to continue talks this afternoon. We’re not done yet. I think we are advancing,” Ebrard told reporters. With Trump on a trip to Europe until Friday night, a quick agreement in the U.S.-Mexico talks is not anticipated by the U.S. side, however.

ADVERTISEMENT Analysts warn that tariffs could spark a recession in Mexico. Credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded Mexico’s sovereign debt rating on Wednesday, citing trade tensions among other risks, while Moody’s

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lowered its outlook to negative. The immigration issue came into sharper focus on Wednesday with news that U.S. border officers said they apprehended more than 132,000 people crossing from Mexico in May, the highest monthly total in more than a decade and reaching what officials said were “crisis” levels.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador struck a positive note on Thursday. “The U.S. authorities have behaved very well, (including) President Trump, because they haven’t closed themselves off to dialogue and we hope that a deal is reached today,” he told a news conference.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 7, 2019

‘Help protect Planet Earth’

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…President lashes out against reckless mining, poor waste management

RECKLESS mining, poor waste management, and irresponsible human habits are among factors that continue to threaten Guyana’s “fresh air, clean water and the bountiful earth,” President David Granger said as the country continues to observe World Environmental Day 2019.

Amid a rich ‘cultural’ programme dedicated to highlighting the effects of pollution on the environment, President Granger said even as his Government stands committed to safeguarding the environment, companies and individuals must also play their part.

“Everyone has a responsibility to protect planet earth and the people who inhabit it by safeguarding the sources which sustain life. Damage and degradation of any or all of these sources threaten human existence and the only place where man can live – on planet earth,” President Granger told students, environmental officers, and other government officials seated beneath the Baridi Benab at State House on Thursday.

Here in Guyana, he said responsible actions are needed as the country faces environmental threats to its fresh air and clean water. “Our rivers are being polluted by reckless river-mining. The proliferation of plastic waste, especially single-use plastics, has compromised our

Students of Queens College performing a dance as they call attention to the effects of pollution on the human race and the environment. Performances were also done by Marian Academy and the University of Guyana.

President David Granger

drainage systems and precipitated floods. Careless solid waste management and irresponsible human habits have led to widespread littering and threats to public health,” he explained.

It was noted too that emissions from industries are polluting the air while chemical-laced waste and effluent are poisoning the waterways which are still used for bathing, drinking, fishing, swimming and washing in some remote communities here in Guyana.

Referencing to his address at the Third United Nations Environment Assembly (High-Level

Side Event V) in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2017, President Granger said pollution in the extractive industries continue to threaten environmental security by increasing human vulnerability to human-induced environmental degradation.

Protection of the environment, therefore, is an obligation not an option, the President stated while noting that the Constitution mandates the State to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

“The Government, in compliance with the Constitution, has taken steps to protect human life by

Participants of the World Environment Day 2019 event wearing respirators to demonstrate the reality that nine in every 10 persons are affected by air pollution.

safeguarding the environment. It is committed to preventing pollution and ecological degradation by preventing the contamination of our waterways, phasing-out the importation of single-use plastics and improving solid waste management,” he told those present.

Just recently, the Department of the Environment in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Environment presented President Granger and his Cabinet with the Green State Development Strategy: Vision2040, which would allow Guyana to develop into a ‘Green State.’

President Granger said Guyana is proud to be part of the ‘Guiana Shield’ – the ‘lungs of the earth.’

The Guiana Shield is one of the world’s last remaining blocks of pristine rainforest covering an area larger than TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 7, 2019

The fight against TIP THE recent announcement by the Coordinator of the Ministry of Social Protection’s Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit(C-TIP), that training of the Magistracy and Guyana Police Force prosecutors, has been a factor in the reduction of time for prosecuting Trafficking in Persons cases, is indeed a much-welcomed development.

Such an initiative can only enhance measures already deployed by the State to rein in and defeat a criminal monstrosity with serious implications for its victims.

Trafficking In Persons (TIP), also referred to as human trafficking, is among the many existing acts of known international criminality.

It is a many-headed beast that is known for its cunning brutality that first ensnares its victims using subtle guises; before applying the element of cruel subjugation that instills fear, designed for the response of total submission for the grand iniquitous design of exploitation, of those in its death-like grasp, in whatever form as decided by the controllers.

For an understanding of the criminal phenomenon that is TIP, one must refer to Article Three of the ‘United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons’ which defines it as “The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation”.

Therefore, in every detail as outlined above, TIP is not only a very serious crime that violates human rights; ensnares thousands of men, women and children in the deadly grips of traffickers, but also a pervasive act of cruel criminality that has domestic, regional, and international dimensions, as alluded above. Further, the reach of this monumental sin is embedded in every country, whether as one of origin, transit or destination

for victims. Thus, it is in the category of a transnational crime and is known to be perpetrated with or without the involvement of organised crime groups. Its hellish and devious mechanisms that are used to imprison its numerous unsuspecting victims, makes for an undoubted description of irrefutable modern-day slavery. Three examples support this fact: *Through acts of coercion, trafficked persons are held against their will, providing services to the traffickers or to others. * They are not allowed to leave on arrival at their destination. *Their work or services range from bonded labour to sexual exploitation.

The ascension of the coalition, A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government, has seen a completely different approach that could be described as pro-active, and results-oriented to a very serious social problem that has been in existence, and festering within the borders of Guyana for some significant time, with-

out any effort and genuine response to its growing threat by the former administration.

Without any fear of contradiction, it is fair to say that despite existing legislation, in the form of Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2005, in Guyana, that prohibited all forms of trafficking in persons, as well as prescribing very stringent penalties, there was shockingly marked indifference, and what had been an approach of denying the existence of such a grave criminality, that continued to grow, concomitant with the rise in the price for gold, which attracted untold numbers of coast landers, and foreigners to Guyana’s goldfields.

We cannot forget the advent of Ms. Simona Broomes, as President of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), and now Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, whose many missions into the many hinterland communities, rescuing many young women – mainly teenagers, which finally exposed the true reality and extent of human trafficking in Guyana. And

these journeys, dangerous in scope, she carried out without any security protection and assistance from the then PPP/C administration, except receiving grudging criticisms from them that underlined shocking indifference. Indisputably, some of the first arrests and convictions were secured as a result of her sterling efforts, for which she is duly recognised by the United States’ Department of State.

Fast forward to the current efforts by State authorities in combatting this iniquitous trade, there has been significant progress which has evidenced improved legislation, more arrests and improved convictions of the unconscionable who participate in this horrible affront. Led by a Ministerial Task Force for Trafficking in Persons (TIP), and the Ministry of Social Protection in which there are designated departments, with a specialised Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit and personnel, that coordinates counter trafficking activities with law enforcement authorities, dozens of trapped females have been

rescued from hotels and bars, with the shadowy organisers/ perpetrators of this evil trade being arrested and arraigned before the courts.

It is sensitisation initiatives such as the one highlighted above, that serves to bring greater realisation, supported by graphical illustration, to the pivotal enforcement arms that will serve for a greater understanding of a problem that is as subtle and evil in its existence, as it is deceptive and covert in its criminal operation. Let it be understood that Trafficking in Persons is second only to drug trafficking in its criminal activity. Therefore, its financial lure serves as a great incentive for its controllers to want to maintain and manage its obnoxious trade and existence. At best, it is a great corrupter of morals, and must be defeated by national efforts. Already, the results of the efforts towards this scourge are being realised by greater inter-agency cooperation. The public too must be commended for its communal cooperation with the relevant authorities.

UG unions rail against evaluation process of Vice Chancellor Dear Editor The University of Guyana Unions, the UGSSA and the UGWU, reject as inadequate, incomplete, restrictive and wholly unsatisfactory the evaluation process currently being implemented by the council to assess the performance of the Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith. The UG Council has failed to engage in annual evaluations of the Vice-Chancellor and his senior administrative team, notwithstanding repeated requests from the unions to do so.

This current evaluation design fails the best practice

and institutional example test as it neglects to do the following: 1. Involve the university’s most critical stakeholders – students and staff – as part of the evaluation exercise of the Vice-Chancellor.

2. Involve qualified external reviewers.

3. Conduct a site (physical plant) evaluation. Instead the evaluation process currently being implemented simply involves: 1. A self-evaluation by the Vice-Chancellor; 2. individual assessment by members of Council of the Vice-Chancellor. Two comments are instructive on the latter item. First, several

members of the council had indicated that they were not aware of what was going on in the university.

Their lack of awareness is unsurprising since the council has not been furnished with all the information requested, particularly with regard to the university’s finances. Incredibly these well-meaning members are expected to evaluate the vice-chancellor, and their views will be the determining factor in the process. Second, some other members of council have indicated that even in the absence of an evaluation, the vice-chancellor has their unwavering support. This is an extremely problemat-

ic stance, given council’s responsibilities to the institution. The concerns of the institution should be placed first, and loyalty to an individual should not feature in decision-making. Additionally, the unions have reason to believe that the views expressed by certain representatives/nominees on council do not align with those of the groups/bodies they purport to represent.

These council members will also have their views count ahead of the views of members of staff, who must live every day with the consequences of their decisions.

It is important to note that the

UG Unions have made repeated attempts to have staff members’ concerns be taken seriously by the council.

These include: ? The unions’ nominee to council made four separate documented attempts to have council set up a mechanism to look into serious internal complaints. ? The unions requested that council meet with staff. Out of this request four Listening Sessions were held – three sessions at Turkeyen and one at the Berbice campus.

To date, council has not discussed these sessions.

The UG Unions at the urgings of staff also wrote the President twice. Our second

letter to him was copied to the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance.

We are dissatisfied with the stance adopted by the Government of Guyana on the UG crisis. The Minister of Education invited the unions to a meeting in January 2019.

While the minister was not present at said meeting, the unions ventilated our concerns in full with her representative.

No correspondence came from the minister as a result of this meeting. The unions’ heads were again invited to meet with the TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 7, 2019

‘Help protect Planet ...

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FROM PAGE 5

Greenland.

“The Guiana Shield – the source of 15 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves – is a global resource. It provides environmental services such as the regulation of the water cycle, water quality and pollination.

Its forests contribute to air quality by capturing and storing carbon, thereby mitigating the greenhouse effect.

Its biodiversity provides ecosystem services such as food, freshwater and medicinal products. The Shield is essential to life on planet earth.

The environmental services provided by our forests, including the forests of the Guiana Shield, help to provide clean air for the citizens of the world.

The protection of our forests and the Shield’s biodiversity help to protect planet earth. We are part of that global resource,” President Granger detailed.

He noted that while mining remains a vital sector in the country’s economy, it is important to practise safe and sustainable mining. This, he said, would be in keeping with the Green State Development Strategy – the country’s road map towards the good life for everyone.

As it transition into a ‘green state,’ Guyana will demonstrate how its extractive industries – bauxite, diamond and gold mining and logging – can be aligned to the protection of the environment, the preservation of its biodiversity and the promotion of energy generation from renewable sources.

“We intend to: enforce our existing mining and environmental laws more rigorously so as to ensure robust environmental monitoring and to eradicate river pollution; eliminate the use of mercury from the gold mining sector eventually while introducing economically feasible alternatives to mercury; and employ greener and safer mining practices which minimize waste and reduce negative en-

vironmental impacts,” the Head of State detailed.

Detailing the harmful nature of mercury to human health and the physical environment whether in the air, on land or in water, he said prevention of mercury pollution is important.

Guyana is a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which is intended to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

“The phased reduction and eventual elimination of the use of mercury is part of our national mining policy and is consistent with our obligations under the Convention. If we could eliminate the use of tobacco, we could eliminate the use of mercury eventually. Guyana’s commitment to the goal of reducing mercury emissions by 55 per cent within the next five years and to eliminate mercury use by 2027 is irrevocable,” he said.

Given the catastrophic effects of plastic pollution on the environment due to the indiscriminate and insanitary dumping of single-use plastics, he said the government is developing policies aimed at reducing, and eventually eliminating, plastic pollution. Government ministries, he said, have already been instructed to begin to phase out the consumption of single-use plastics, including plastic bags, containers, cups, cutlery, straws and water bottles in the short-term.

“The Green State Development Strategy proposes policies to encourage the safe disposal of solid waste. It also promotes policies aimed at minimizing solid-waste generation, recycling waste and improving collection and disposal. Government is resolved to boost the capability of our local and regional authorities to solve the problems associated with solid waste management. This will be supplemented by a vigorous public education campaign

Director of the Department of the Environment, Ndibi Schwiers Photos by Samuel Maughn

to promote responsible disposal of litter,” the president assured. He made it clear that the government will accelerate its efforts to ensure a clean, healthy and hygienic environment for everyone by protecting the integrity of the rivers, proscribing single-use plastics and by strengthening the capacity of municipal, neighbourhood and regional administrations to improve their solid waste management. “Government’s efforts are part of its multi-faceted approach to environmental stewardship –education, enforcement of regulations, ecological consciousness by everyone, energy that is renewable and extractive industries that are sustainable and safe,” he assured.

Director of the Department of the Environment, Ndibi Schwiers said this year World Environment Day (June 5) placed

the spotlight on the issue of air pollution, which is becoming a major global crisis.

According to statistics, air pollution is the largest cause of pollution deaths. It is estimated that air pollution affects 9 out of 10 people worldwide, and every year, around 7 million people die prematurely from inhaling polluted air.

These statistics, the Director noted, are very alarming, and because of the deadly consequences of air pollution, it warrants urgent attention.

“And whilst air pollution may not command the top position on our list as the most pressing environmental concern, it warrants attention as in many cases its invisible nature poses a threat to our most productive asset - our people and consequently, our aspirations of becoming a Green State by the year 2040,” Schwiers said.

UN Country Team Resident Representative, Mikiko Tanaka, said in an effort to improve air quality, the source and effects must be understood. “Deaths and illness from air pollution are caused by tiny particles that penetrate our defences every time we fill our lungs. These particles come from many sources: the burning of fossil fuels for power and transport; the chemicals and mining industries; the open burning of waste; the burning of forests and fields; and the use of dirty indoor cooking and heating fuels, which are major problems in the developing world,” Tanaka said as she too alluded to the statistics.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud also addressed the health implications caused by pollution. Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency and Dr. William Adu-Krow, the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Country Representative were among other officials present.

UG unions rail against evaluation Minister of Education on Friday May 24, but again the minister was not present.

Her representatives were advised that based on the lack of action when we met with the last representative of the minister, the unions would leave and return when the minister was available.

Incredibly, even after all the concerns about the process and about the financial position of the university were outlined, the Ministry of Education’s representative on the UG Council had written in May 2019 to support the payment of the vice-chancellor in lieu of leave.

Additionally, the Ministry

of Education representative at the council meeting of May 23, had indicated that the ministry was in favour of the vice-chancellor being given another contract even without an evaluation. We find it difficult to understand the positions adopted of the ministry, given that they are very aware of all the problems within the university.

We would like to ask why this stance has been adopted, given that the university is a public one, and the tax-payers of Guyana are the ones who deserve to know how their money is being spent, and to feel confident that it is being spent wisely. We are preparing a dossier of all

the concerns that we have tried to raise privately with the council. This dossier will be shared publicly, so the Guyanese public can see the concerns the council and the Minister of Education apparently refuse to take seriously.

The unions meanwhile continue to insist that a proper evaluation of the vice-chancellor is required.

We continue to insist on a management audit as well as a financial audit of the period June 2016 to June 2019. The unions continue to insist that the vice-chancellor’s contract must not be renewed or extended unless a proper evaluation, a management audit and a

financial audit are completed. If the vice-chancellor were confident about his achievements, he would welcome a performance review that conforms to best practice and not one that is deficient and fails to inspire confidence. 3/3 The unions will be staging a peaceful protest on Friday June 9, 2019 between 12:30hrs and 13:00hrs to signal to the University’s Council that it needs to exercise effective and prudent leadership of this our sole national university.

Regards UGWU and UGSSA

FROM PAGE 6

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

‘No formal vote taken’ … remaining GNNL directors maintain … say were not in favour of dismissal

AT least two of the remaining directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) Board of Directors are adamant that no formal voting took place at an April 2, 2019 meeting to dismiss General Manager, Sherod Duncan, with objection to the process having first been brought to the attention of the Board’s Chairman, Geeta Chandan-Edmond since April.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo instructed the rescinding of a letter to dismiss Duncan, citing procedural defects and a lack of due process. Chandan-Edmond contends that “the process was fair and transparent, [and] there was due process” as she executed a casting vote following a “call of vote” in the deliberations on Duncan’s termination.

In her letter to the PM dated June 4, 2019, in which she also gave notice of her resignation from the Board, Chandan-Edmond says there was “no record” of any submissions by any Director of GNNL discrediting the process whereby Duncan was dismissed. Director Juretha Fernandes, however, is taken aback by this announcement, given that she questioned the legality of the vote to dismiss Duncan, shortly after it was first reported in the media. She told the Guyana Chronicle that she first wrote Chandan-Edmond a letter, in April, asking that the issue of whether or not an official vote was taken be addressed. “Today, I am surrounded with news reports that state that the decision was never questioned by any director. The public was made to believe that no director ever questioned the

procedure that resulted in the dismissal of Mr. Duncan which is completely false as shown in evidence provided,” Fernandes contends.

“After reading the Chair’s letter to the Prime Minister in the press,I found myself in disbelief that not once did she acknowledge that there was a correspondence from myself to her; to have my letter dismissed and shelved by the Chair is not only insulting (but) injurious to my integrity.”

The Board convened the April 2, 2019 meeting to discuss what actions should be taken against Duncan following the findings contained in a report by the Audit Office into the spending, from June 1, 2018, to September 10, 2018, at GNNL, publisher of the Guyana Chronicle and the Sunday Chronicle.

In a letter dated April 5, addressed to Chandan-Edmond, Fernandes is somewhat unsettled after reading a statement to the press which stated that the decision was made following a call for a vote. “It was only then that I realised that a vote was never called for and that a vote was never put to the meeting. At no point in time was a vote called. On the contrary, directors were only invited to share their views as to what should be the consequences of procedural breaches highlighted in a report into alleged misconduct of the General Manager,” the letter reads.

Sent by email, the letter was carbon copied (cc’ed) to the PM, the other five Directors, and GNNL Company Secretary, Moshamie Ramotar. All seven of the GNNL Directors, which includes the chairman, were initially present at the

Director Beverly Alert meeting, however, Director Karan Chand eventually had to leave early due to other commitments. Prior to leaving, he expressed his sentiments against the firing of Duncan.

Chandan-Edmond argued that at the meeting in question, she exercised her right as chairman to execute a casting vote, in keeping with the provision of Article 94, after three directors voted against termination of Duncan and three directors in favour of termination, following a call for a vote.

“Because of the format of the discussion that was had, Director Beverly Alert further enquired about the input of Director Karan Chand before he left, and you told her that he left earlier and as such his comments couldn’t be taken into account. The company’s secretary was asked to leave the meeting before the commencement of deliberation among the directors. After she returned, no voting was done,” Fernandes further related what transpired at the meeting.

Chandan-Edmond acknowledged receipt of Fernandes’ letter and promised to include the concern as an item on the next statutory

Preparations in ‘high gear’ ...

From page 2 financial realities.

Dr Gadsby-Dolly said the financial challenge is a real one which her ministry is dealing with and they have the support of the country and delegation.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and The Arts of Trinidad and Tobago, for more than four

decades, CARIFESTA has been a catalyst for the strengthening of regional integration among Caribbean countries, artisans and cultural practitioners.

VITAL FORUM The ministry said over the years, Caribbean nations have actively participated in the festival and used it as a tool to pro-

mote the arts and culture of their country.

The festival is, therefore, a launching pad for the Caribbean to take centre-stage; bringing rich, vibrant, thought-provoking and exhilarating expressions of talent and skill to the world.

“In Trinidad and Tobago, the creative and cultural sectors are an integral part of our economy. Thus, it is

meeting. Fernandes replied the next day, April 6. “I am questioning the legality of the process that allowed for the dismissal of Mr. Duncan.

A query of such [magnitude] cannot wait until a regular statutory meeting. If the process was unlawful it will make way for Mr. Duncan to sue GNNL for wrongful dismissal,” Fernandes said.

Fernandes also later notes that “she was not a spokesperson for Mr. Duncan” but was “questioning the process used” because she “believes it to be flawed”. In a responding email, Chandan-Edmond noted she could not address the issue given that she had proceeded on annual vacation leave.

Director Beverly Alert also maintains that no formal voting was done.

“There was no specific motion put to the board to say this is the motion and how do you vote. The formality of a motion and the formality of a vote they did not do that, but everybody at the meeting knew that a decision was being taken,” noted Alert, an AFC-member, who noted that she voted against a dismissal. According to Alert, at the meeting, three suggestions were made as to what actions should be taken based on the audit report.

“In my opinion, nothing warranted a dismissal of anybody. I did not see the need to dismiss anybody because there were procedural errors. Because there was no fraud, there was no misappropriation of funds. So my suggestion was that we look at all the persons who would’ve been involved in the process that led to the mismanagement and then you decide. It was with vigour that the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, through the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, sought to bid for CARIFESTA and subsequently won the bid to host the fourteenth installment of CARIFESTA XIV in 2019,” said the ministry.

The country’s intention is to create the space, avenue and hub for participating nations to flourish and “connect, share, and invest” in the arts and culture of the Caribbean.

The 2019 festival will

CONCERNS In a letter dated May 31, 2019, Nagamootoo

wrote Chandan-Edmond to address the matter of due process surrounding the concerns about Duncan’s dismissal. He noted that “It should be clear that asking members of the Board their views on a situation does not amount to a vote”.

“I have received information from Directors of GNNL that there was no vote put to the meeting by the Chair, and any statement to the contrary is wholly false,” Nagamootoo said to Chandan-Edmond in the letter. “What now remains is a glaring question of procedural irregularity in arriving at the decision to terminate Mr. Duncan…Making a unilateral decision to terminate Mr. Duncan was arbitrary, capricious, unlawful and in excess jurisdiction of the Board. Further, I am concerned that you have misled the Office of the Prime Minister with erroneous claim that the BoD came to this decision. It is clear that you deliberately sought to terminate Mr. Duncan without following prescribed procedures.”

Chandan-Edmond, in her response dated 4th of June, 2019 to the Prime Minister, stated “When I accepted the position of Chair of the Board of Directors of GNNL, it was with the understanding that my professionalism and integrity would not be unfairly assailed. I find that your letter not only calls into question my professionalism but the professionalism of fellow members of the Board of GNNL. In light of this, I hereby submit my resignation as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with immediate effect…”

showcase a multi-talented cultural display in the visual and literary arts, storytelling, fashion, body art, craft, theatre, dance, music, film and news media from participating countries from the region and the diaspora.

The theme for this year’s Carifesta is “Connect, Share, Invest” which the Carifesta committee said focuses on both the tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage.

As the rest of the region prepares for the prestigious festival, Guyana has also

been putting together a team.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, said a memo was taken to Cabinet and it was noted.

“At this point, we are selecting the different participants… we have an idea of the areas we will participate in and we are getting there… we are looking at full participation,” said Dr. Norton.

He said some persons will be participating for the country and others will be participating in their private capacity.

Director Juretha Fernandes procedural; procedures were not adhered to and in such processes, you don’t have just one individual, you have people manning a process.

So there were three positions to the board: the dismissal, some other disciplinary action, and then disciplinary action for all those involved in the process,” Alert noted.

Notwithstanding the resignation of Chandan-Edmond and Directors Mervyn Williams and Hilbert Foster over the PM’s decision to reinstate Duncan, Alert says she remains “committed to the development of the Guyana Chronicle”. Chand, who left the meeting while discussions were still in process, noted that he prefers to refrain from commenting on the issue given that he was not present when it was time for the decision to be taken.

He, however, acknowledged that he did state he was not in favour of dismissal. The other director, Dr Aaron Fraser, was also not in favour of dismissal of Duncan.

He could not be contacted on the new development.

Duncan’s dismissal too harsh

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE (AFC) Leader, Raphael Trotman, has supported the decision of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to rescind the dismissal of Sherod Duncan as general manager of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL), contending that the dismissal was too harsh a penalty.

Guyana Chronicle was told that, in keeping with recommendations by some of the remaining board of directors, Duncan could still face some form of sanction, including an extension of his probation. He is also not yet cleared to resume duties as the instruction to rescind his dismissal has not been acted upon.

“The prime minister gave an instruction to the board... the board has to meet and act on that instruction and the board has not met. So Mr Duncan cannot show up for work just yet,” wellplaced sources told Guyana Chronicle.

Duncan showed up to work on Thursday briefly but did not perform any task neither did he meet with staff.

Meanwhile, weighing-in on the matter, Trotman told the media on Wednesday that he did not agree with the dismissal of Duncan.

Sherod Duncan “I had seen the audit reports, quite frankly, and I thought that while they may have been some breaches, they were not breaches in terms of theft of monies.

There might have been some circumvention of some systems and I thought that Mr. Duncan, being off the job for several months, perhaps a reprimand or some form of discipline [would have been best]. I found that dismissal was the harsher side of the penalties,” Trotman said.

His remarks, made to the media on Wednesday, came

on the heels of the instruction of Prime Minster Moses Nagamootoo, which was made public on Tuesday.

Months ago, the prime minister had ordered a full investigation into mismanagement at the GNNL under Duncan’s tenure as general manager between June 1, 2018 and September 10, 2018.

The call for an investigation came after Duncan had dismissed Financial Controller Moshamie Ramotar when the company’s financial documents made its way to the media.

The information raised questions about Duncan’s spending and he was eventually sent on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the audit.

DISMISSAL In April 2019, GNNL Board of Directors stated that it took a majority decision to dismiss Duncan after an audit report found over 20 transactions that did not follow financial regulations.

However, a letter from the prime minister dated May 31, 2019 to Chairman of the Board, Attorney-at-Law Geeta Chandan-Edmond, stated that he had received information from directors

Female constable missing

Missing: Police Special Constable, Erica Paul-Crawford

WHILE the Guyana Police Force is treating the non-appearance of Police Special Constable, Erica Paul-Crawford, 31, for work as absent, her relatives believe the matter should be treated as a missing person case.

They have not heard from Paul-Crawford in three weeks.

The woman, who resided in Mocha, East Bank Demerara, was away from the job after she reportedly

submitted a sick leave covering an injury to her back she reportedly sustained during a fall. However, after the sick leave expired, she did not show up for work and efforts to contact her proved futile.

This got relatives worried, especially since the young lady was slated to leave the country with other members of the Guyana Police See page 10

... says Min Trotman ... new board likely to extend probation ... not yet cleared to resume duty

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman of GNNL that there was no vote put for the dismissal of Duncan.

“It must be clear that asking members of the board their views on a situation does not amount to a vote,” the prime minister stated in his letter.

He added: “I am concerned that you have misled the office of the prime minister with the erroneous claim that the board of directors came to this decision. It is clear that you deliberately sought to terminate Mr. Duncan which did not ac-

cord with due process and procedural fairness, and I instruct that that decision be rescinded.”

As a result of his instructions, board members Chairman Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Mervyn Williams and Hilbert Foster have since tendered their resignation.

Chandan-Edmond, in submitting her resignation on June 4, 2019 to the prime minister, defended her actions as just.

“I exercised my right to execute a casting vote, in keeping with provision 94 as was recorded in and verified in the minutes of the proceedings. Additionally, I wish to state that I rely on my report to you into this matter and reiterate, that the process was fair and transparent, there was due process and all principles of natural justices were adhered to,” the former chairperson stated.

SEEKING CLARIFICATION Trotman told the media on Wednesday that he has since made contact with the prime minister seeking further clarification on the matter.

Nagamootoo has been in New York engaging the diaspora on several topics.

“He and I have communicated,” Trotman stated, adding: “I’ve sought some clarifications from him. I did, personally, feel that the process with Mr. Duncan could have gone or should have gone another way but it is for the prime minster to say exactly why he did what he did.”

The AFC leader also reminded that, in this situation, he is only an observer.

He stated that while he may have his opinions, it is ultimately up to those directly involved in the matter, who are best able to justify the decision.

“I believe we want good, transparent, open government in Guyana and I would expect that this matter would be dealt with decisively and in a manner that the public feels confident and satisfied with,” Trotman said.

He continued: “I will await the prime minister’s return so that he could say definitively what is expected and why he did what he did but I am not a member of the board; I am not the Chairman [of the board] or member of staff and neither am I the prime minister and I think those are the persons who can better speak to what happened.”

Man found floating in Canje River PARBHUDIYAL Mohan, 52, who was reportedly missing since Monday, after he left his Betsy Ground, East Canje Village home to bathe and have daily devotions at the bank of the Canje River, was found floating in the river on Wednesday.

His mother, Bisoondial (one name), had made a missing person’s report at the Reliance Police Station after her son failed to return to his modest home aback his mother’s

house at Lot 41 Frank Street, Betsey Ground, East Canje.

Following the report, the unemployed man’s mother, along with other relatives, formed a search party, and at around 07:00hrs, found his body floating in the Canje River.

Berbice Divisional Commander, Paul Langevine, confirmed that no signs of violence were observed on Mohan’s body.

The unresponsive Mohan was taken to the New Am-

Dead: Parbhudiyal Mohan sterdam Hospital, where his death was confirmed by a medical practitioner.

On Thursday, a post-mortem examination conducted on his remains confirmed he died due to drowning.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Norway approves $16B for Guyana … under forest agreement

MINISTER of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, on Thursday, announced that Norway has approved the transfer of $16Billion through its Climate Mitigating Ministry, which will finance the construction of 30 megawatts of solar photovoltaic farms with storage here.

The announcement follows the installation of the new Board of Directors of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).

The Public Infrastructure Minister explained that the operationalising of these farms would provide the power company with a significant boost. In addition, funding has been approved by the United Arab Emirates, and will be used to transform the island of

Wakenaam into one of the country’s first, “truly green off grid centres”.

In July 2018, the then Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, announced that Guyana is set to benefit from close to $27Billion following fruitful talks in Oslo, Norway. Impressed with the government’s 2025 energy-mix proposal, the country’s deforestation rate of 0.05 – one of the lowest and the role President David Granger has been playing in championing sustainable development, Norway unlocked billions of dollars under the Norway Forest Agreement. The government said the money would be directed towards intensified efforts to achieving 100 per cent renewable energy use, which includes

Female constable ...

From page 9

Force on an assignment.

Crime Chief, Deputy Commissioner Lyndon Alves told Guyana Chronicle that he is aware that a rank by the name of ‘Crawford’ has not been reporting for duty. He said the Force is not at the time treating the matter as a missing person case but rather a rank who is absent from duty.

A relative of the policewoman said she last spoke with Paul-Crawford on May 23. Paul-Crawford had indicated that she was submitting a medical as she fell and hit her back.

The young lady said her sister also told her that she was slated to leave the country and was excited. Crime Chief Alves confirmed that the rank was indeed slated to leave the country on an assignment.

The policewoman has no children but has a boyfriend. Relatives reportedly made contact with the boyfriend, who said he is in the interior and knows nothing about the whereabouts of Paul-Crawford.

The family said the development is unusual as Paul-Crawford would usually be in constant contact with her relatives. Her sister related that during their last conversations, the policewoman indicated that “If mommy ask for me tell her that I am ok and let her not worry”.

An officer from the Criminal Investigation Department registry reportedly telephoned family members to enquire when last they heard from the young lady but they could only account for the communication with her some three weeks ago.

The sister said they were then informed by police that the young lady has not been reporting for work.

At that point, the relatives began calling the mobile phone of the now missing cop but those calls went unanswered.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Erica Paul-Crawford can contact her relatives on telephone number 694-8473 or the nearest police station.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson [fourth from right] with GPL Board Chairman Rawle Lucas [fourth from left] and the newly-installed Board Members [Delano Williams photo] the construction of solar farms totalling 100 megawatts.

These farms will be located in Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia and several interior locations.

FINDING SOLUTIONS Meanwhile, the newly-installed Board Members of the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) were tasked with finding “innovative” solutions to the issues affecting the power company, with the new Chairman of the Board, Rawle Lucas, vowing to end the “scourge” of blackouts.

Making brief remarks at the installation of the new board, Minister Patterson noted that the board members are now tasked with the responsibility of crafting “innovative” solutions to curb the issues that have been affecting the utility company. Importantly, he made mention of the recent power outages which have been affecting sections of the country, consistently, over

the past few weeks. “The blackouts can be testing to consumers because it is quite extensive at the moment,” Patterson acknowledged. He later added, “Our customers demand better. The cost that our customers pay for electricity is quite high compared to other areas and for that cost, they would demand a bit more reliability.”

The newly-installed Board Chairman, Lucas, noted that “blackouts” have been a problem for decades and it is a “highly abnormal” problem that needs to be stopped. “It is not good emotionally, trying to see a child celebrate his or her sixteenth birthday, and at the most important moment we lose power and lose light,” he said empathetically. “It is not good to see somebody who has just invested a sum of money, hard earned money, to start a micro-business and then to discover the biggest challenge is blackout.”

Addressing his colleagues of the board specifically, Lucas highlighted that his focus will be

on ending the “scourge” of blackouts in the country, and he made it known that he will rely on their support. Lucas shared that aside from focusing on ending the blackouts, he is looking to rectify the systems at the company.

He noted already, he has perused some of the company’s fiscal information, which has caused him some concern. “It looks as if, for some reason, between 2008 and 2017-- the period for which I have information-- GPL moved from bad to worse. Our efficiency, if we were to calculate in dollar terms, declined by about $20B,” he shared.

What this means, according to him, is that jobs and investments have gone “to the wayside” and this is something he will be looking to work with the new board and the GPL management to rectify. Joining Lucas on the board is Reggie Bagwandin; Kirk Hollingsworth; Morsha Johnson-Francis; Elena Trim; Representative of the Public Service

Union, Gillian Pollard; CEO of the Guyana Energy Agency, Mahendra Sharma and Representative of the Private Sector, Komal Ramnauth.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GPL, Albert Gordon, shared that he is looking forward to working with the team, especially since they have come at a time of “crisis”, but when there are also plans to improve the situation.

“There are various weakness that we will get into once we start to have discussions with you, but we have plans for these and we have been getting support from the Minister, the Permanent Secretary [and] the government in general in sourcing the investment we need,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister also noted that the utility company is not just about transmission and distribution and generation, but it is a company that employs hundreds of persons and has a social responsibility to Guyanese.

Cellphone thief remanded

ON Thursday, June 6, 2019, twenty one-year-old Ronald Armstrong of Craig, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

The Court was told that, on April 26, 2019, at Friendship on the East Bank Demerara, Armstrong robbed Parmanand Ramrattin, at knife point, of a cellphone valued at $ 90 000.

Additionally, Armstrong was also-charged with robbing Shane Daniels of the same address at Friendship East Bank Demerara of a cellphone valued at $36 000.

In the witness stand, on Thursday, Armstrong denied that he had robbed Shane Daniels or even knew him since they had never seen each other prior to their appearance in Court.

The Court was told during the testimony of Sergeant Dunn of the Grove Police Station, that Armstrong assaulted a Police Officer when he was confronted and eventually arrested for these offences.

The matter will be heard again at the Providence Magistrate‘s Court on Monday June 10, 2019.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Parker sees sinister plot in closure of St Ignatius school

REGIONAL Executive Officer of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region), Carl Parker, believes the recent closure of the St. Ignatius Secondary School located in Lethem, citing unsanitary conditions, is intended to undermine the “good name” of the regional administration.

Parker disclosed, on Wednesday, during a telephone interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), that at “no time” did the head teacher of the school indicate to him, or through his office, that a problem of such a magnitude existed at the school.

In a letter dated June 4 and circulated on social media, the head teacher wrote to the Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO), Ingrid Trotman, seeking permission to close the school, citing unsanitary conditions, which were present for three weeks.

The request was then granted for classes to be suspended for three days.

The letter also stated that REO Parker was contacted about the sanitation issue at the school and that the Clerks of Work visited the school, assessed the situation and informed that time would be needed to gather the materials to fix the sanitary facilities. However, in a letter, a copy of which DPI has obtained, the REO informed the Board of Governors of the school, that, on May 24, a visit was made to the school for the Culture Day activities, yet the issue was not raised.

Further, it was noted that a management meeting is usually held on Mondays at 10:00hrs “and at no time was such a report made; not by the Regional Education Officer, not by the Regional Environment Officer who visits that institution regularly, to ensure that the kitchen of the dormitory is in a healthy state; not by the headmistress who calls me regularly on issues pertaining to the school.”

According to Parker, in his letter, the situation at the school points more to poor administration by the school and possibly the board, “it is unthinkable

to a lack of effective supervision at the school by both the school’s administration and the board. Were the facilities not working, a report should have been made the very next day at least; not three weeks after, and hoping that the regional administration would be aware.”

Regional Executive Officer of Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region), Carl Parker that a sanitary facility, according to you [the board], could be out of commission for three weeks and not one report was forwarded to the Education Department or the Regional Administration. Somebody is not performing their assigned functions.”

The REO said it is “disturbing” that on this occasion, the matter was treated differently. As an ex-officio member, Parker said he was not invited to the meeting, nor was he included in the board’s WhatsApp Group. Parker disclosed that on June 3, he was contacted by the Regional Education Officer (REdO) who apprised him of the situation.

“On the morning of Tuesday, June 4, I instructed Overseer, Mr. Travis Josiah, to do an assessment of the facilities and report.

He did so at approximately 07:30hrs that morning and I received his report at around 08:15hrs. I summoned a contractor to effect immediate repairs to the facility. I had no idea that the contractor did not do as he had promised,” the letter detailed.

The Regional Environmental Health Officer was summoned to do an assessment of the conditions and report to the REO. However, to date, Parker said he has not been given such a report. On Wednesday, June 5, he “was alerted to posts on the social media ordering the school closed,” Parked added. “This sordid episode, therefore, points

The contractor alluded to previously has since been fired and another hired by the REO to have the facilities fixed. The letter dispatched to the board was copied to the Minister of Communities, his Permanent Secretary, the Minister of Education, the Chief Education Officer,

the Deputy Chief Education Officer and the head teacher of the school.

Parker has stated his non-support for the school’s closure. He added that the possibility of the students contracting Hepatitis, as stated in the head teacher’s letter, is also “unfounded” and seeks

to “create an atmosphere of sensationalism which I found to be counterproductive to the resolution of the various issues that the institution may be facing.”

He has called for an atmosphere of open dialogue between the administration of the school and his office. (DPI)

12

Several businesses ravaged in Diamond fire

A fire of unknown origin, on Wednesday morning, destroyed the upper flat of the G3 Building at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, leaving millions in losses.

The fire started around 10:30 hrs in the upper-flat at the back of the building.

Persons at the scene were critical of the response by

firemen whom they noted appeared ill-prepared to tackle the blaze.

Guyana Fire Service Divisional Officer, Gregory Wickham, told reporters that two fire response vehicles were dispatched to the scene and a third arrived sometime after. He said only the top floor of the building was destroyed in

the blaze.

He said the fire service professionally undertook its job as he responded to criticisms of the efforts of the firemen.

Wickham said as the firemen tried to source water for the blaze, the Neighbourhood Democratic Council in the area was asked to close the koker

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

The G3 Building at Diamond, East Bank Demerara destroyed by fire nearby so that the firemen could utilise water from the canal.

He said the fire would be investigated and the cause will be determined based on those investigations.

Businessman Deonarine Etwaroo noted that he received a call around 10:45hrs and he was told that the smoke was in the ceiling of the building. He told reporters that he left the city and drove to Diamond immediately.

He said the firemen were slow in their response and noted that sometime after noon, no water was being sprayed on the building.

Deonarine, who operates a pharmacy at the building, said firemen were trying to source water from a nearby canal when he arrived.

Etwaroo has been op-

erating his business at the building for the past seven years.

“It is so sad to know staff came out to work and they had to go home back,” Etwaroo, who has a staff of 12 employees, said.

Etwaroo said he was awaiting permission from the fire service so that he could assess the damages.

Other businesses housed in the building include a restaurant at the top floor, a health spa, a gym and two insurance companies.

When this newspaper arrived at the scene, the building was ablaze as the police controlled traffic near the busy roadway.

While some persons were critical of the firemen, others praised their efforts in containing the blaze.

There was no report of injuries.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Barge rams into second GPL subsea cable … several West Demerara villages affected

A second Guyana Power and Light (GPL) submarine cable was disrupted on Thursday due to another a maritime accident.

This most recent accident took place four days after disruption to the power company’s 69kV submarine cable, which has resulted in power outages in sections of the country. “Our 13.8kV submarine cable that rests along upper Demerara River within proximity of Craig, East Bank Demerara was dislodged by a barge sailing along the Demerara River,” GPL reported on Thursday. The incident occurred around 04:23 hrs.

It said as a result of the incident customers from Vriesland to La Retraite were without electricity until 07:46hrs while efforts were underway to alternatively power the affected customers from the Vreed-en-Hoop Substation.

“The dislodged cable was located this afternoon by deep water divers and efforts are being made to hoist and examine it for damages.

Repairs were effected to the onshore transmission and distribution infrastructure that connects to the cable as this was also damaged during the incident,” GPL reported.

It has completed examination of the 69 kV submarine cable laid on the river bed along the channel of the Demerara River connecting Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston Power Stations. Based on the examination there are no further damages.

Investigations conducted on Wednesday June 5, revealed a compromised section of the cable approximately 0.7 km offshore from the Kingston operations.

It said that officials from the China Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) were a part of the efforts to retrieve and examine the submarine cable and are at present preparing a curative plan of action.

“In the interim, our Company is continuing to engage MARAD in identifying an alternative route to lay a 13.8kV submarine ca-

ble along the Demerara River, in an effort to reconnect our Vreed-en-hoop operations to the Eastern sections of Demerara Berbice Interconnected System. Both entities are also engaged in discussions regarding establishing improved maritime conduct within proximity of our submarine cables,” GPL said.

As a result of the disruptions, GPL has put in place a temporary load shedding system which would see a number of communities experiencing power outages today. On Wednesday, GPL explained that the damaged submarine cable linking the Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston power stations, hampered by two generators which are being repaired at the latter unit and the absence of an adequate backup system, are the main causes of power problems in recent days in the city and its environs.

In light of these challenges, the power company is engaging two local companies-- Banks DIH Limited

22-year-old sentenced to 8 years for manslaughter JUSTICE Navindra Singh, at the High Court, on Thursday, handed an 8-year sentence to Simeon Pompey, after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The 22-year-old was charged for the murder of Sydney Errol Campbell called ‘Bakey’.

The indictment read to the court stated that, on January 1, 2015, in the county of Demerara, Pompey murdered Campbell.

According to the facts of the matter, on the day in question, Campbell was walking with his sister in Anns Grove, when two persons approached them on a bicycle and attacked Campbell. One of the persons on the bicycle was Pompey. It was reported that the other person threw a brick at Campbell which hit him to his right leg, but Pompey stabbed him (Campbell).

On Tuesday, the other implicated person, Linden Williams, called ‘Surpy’,

ter.

Simeon Pompey pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 8 years. On the same day, Pompey appeared before the judge and pleaded not guilty and a jury was impaneled for a trial.

However, when Pompey returned to the Court on Thursday for trial to commence, he told the court he wanted to change his plea.

He then pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to the lesser count of manslaugh-

To aid in mitigating his sentence, Pompey’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, told the court that his client was very young at the time of the incident. Additionally, during his time incarcerated, Pompey became a certified welder, and took up poetry as a hobby. He even participated in poetry competitions.

Justice Singh took into account that he has been making good of himself during his time in prison, and he can be a valuable addition to society. He showed remorse for what he and done, and didn’t waste the court’s time.

As such he was given a lenient 8 years’ sentence.

He was advised to continue down his changed path and work towards preparing himself to return to normal society.

The state was represented by attorneys, Teriq Mohamed, Tuanna Hardy and Sarah Martin.

and Gift Land- to source additional power for the national grid, mainly for the peak time at evening hours.

The power company sources power predominantly from the Vreeden-Hoop substation which has a capacity to provide 26MW of power. Of this figure, 12MW is utilized in the West Demerara area while the additional 14MW is distributed on the East Demerara via Kingston.

As an immediate fix, GPL’s Chief Executive Officer, Albert Gordon said that GPL is working around the clock to fix one of the two generators at the Kingston Power Station; one has been down for scheduled maintenance while another needs a spare which is being sourced from overseas.

The power boss stated that within a week when the generator is fixed, it will be able to supply some 7.8MW of power to Kingston.

In addition, using a

lower voltage cable, the company is hoping to source another 6MW of power from Vreed-en-Hoop to boost its capacity on the East Demerara. Gordon said too that two additional generators from Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast are also expected to be brought down to boost the power capacity here.

Another alternative the power company is pursuing is the sourcing of power from the two local companies. The two significant potential suppliers-- Banks DIH and Giftland-- use heavy fuel oil and have the capacity to boost the power grid, Gordon informed the media.

Banks DIH installed a 10MW to boost their operations and Gordon said discussions were held with the company to provide GPL with power. He said while the beverage giant were not too enthusiastic, the power company is still hopeful. He said the power from Banks DIH would be required mostly for the eve-

ning. That is also the case with power from Giftland and he added that there are legal constraints regarding the sourcing of power from the latter.

“There are some legal constraints which the government is assisting us to work through,” Gordon said regarding Gitland, noting that there is also a price issue to be ironed out.

The price paid for fuel by the two companies is higher than what GPL pays, nevertheless, Gordon said negotiations are ongoing and at this point, an arrangement has been reached with Giftland, subject to an agreement. “We do intend to inter-connect,” he said of the arrangement with the latter entity.

As regards fixing the submarine cable, the CEO said aside from ensuring the cable is fixed in the shortest time possible, the company has reached out to the contractor who laid the cable. He noted it would take a few weeks to rectify the problem there.

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NAREI, CARDI transforming coconut ‘waste’ to cash

THE National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the International Trade Centre, local farmers, processors and other stakeholders have learnt about technology which is used to transform coconut waste to cash.

According to a press statement from NAREI, coconut husks dumped in waterways, dumpsites and along parapets are actually raw materials with great economic and environmental values.

Once processed, the husk could be transformed into coconut fiber/coir or cocopeat, which are used in different industries.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr. Oudho Homenauth, during a recent interview, said a coconut shredder was acquired through the just-concluded European Union-funded regional coconut development initiative.

CARDI’s Country Representative, Dr. Cyril Roberts, said the coconut shredder cost about US$6,000 and has the capacity to process 1,000 nuts per day.

The objective of having the shredder is to highlight the economic and environmental value of coconut husk.

“The ‘green’ agenda has been set… we want to make use of coconut ‘waste’. A considerable amount of raw material is generated from the dry coconuts and water nuts. And, we see how indiscriminately coconut husks are thrown into the Pomeroon River, which is actually problematic for boats traversing there,” Dr. Homenauth highlighted.

Against this backdrop, the institute has been con-

CARDI technician, Mitchroy Thom, feeding coconut husks to coconut shredder hopper for processing

ducting research on the utilisation of the by-products of coconut husk for agricultural purposes.

According to Dr. Homenauth, NAREI wants to promote coir as mulch for soils, especially on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, where the soil is predominately sandy and dry.

While decomposition may take some time, the coir is an excellent soil enricher.

The cocopeat is also an excellent ingredient for potting mixtures. During a study conducted at the Hope Estate, it was discovered that cocopeat was excellent for vegetable seedling production as well as coconut germination.

“Cocopeat could be used by coconut framers to germinate coconuts, of course, with a combination of soil and whatever else… Our research found that cocopeat used as potting media for coconut germination resulted in 100 per cent germination. The previous mixture of sand and paddy only saw 75 per cent of the coconuts germinating,” said Dr Homenauth.

He said the intention is to have persons or groups invest in similar shredders. Since the arrival of the equipment, stakeholders in different areas such as Linden and Essequibo were given the opportunity to see how it is operated.

“CARDI, Coconut NSP and NAREI’s Extension Officers, Nunes and McAlmont, are collaborating to use the shredded coconut husk as mulch and compost in the West Coast Berbice. Also, CARDI, Coconut NSP and GLDA are collaborating to explore the use of the shredded coconut waste as a fibre source component in a ruminant byproduct feed blend,” Dr. Roberts said.

PM accepts resignations of GNNL board members PRIME Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, has written to Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL) Chairman, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, and other directors, Mervyn Williams and Hilbert Foster acknowledging receipt and acceptance of their letters of resignation, which were tendered on June 4, 2019.

The trio tendered letters of resignation after the prime minister rescinded a decision to terminate the services of GNNL General Manager, Sherod Duncan.

Duncan was terminated with immediate effect on April 2, 2019 after a special meeting of the GNNL board of directors where it is said that a decision was made following a “call for a vote” among the directors on whether Duncan should be terminated or not.

At the heart of the debate is whether proper procedure was followed in

coming to the decision to terminate Duncan.

All seven of the GNNL directors, which include the chairman, were present at the meeting but Director Karan Chand had to leave early due to other commitments.

Prior to leaving, he expressed his sentiments against the firing of Duncan. The other directors Juretha Fernandes, Beverly Alert and Aaron Fraser also did.

Chandan-Edmond argued that at the meeting in question, she exercised her right as chairman to execute a casting vote, in keeping with provision of Article 94, after three directors voted against termination of Duncan and three in favour when a vote was called.

However, the prime minister received information to the contrary.

In a letter dated May 31, 2019, Nagamootoo wrote Chandan-Edmond to address the matter of due process

surrounding the concerns about Duncan’s dismissal.

He noted that “it should be clear that asking members of the board their views on a situation does not amount to a vote”.

“I have received information from directors of GNNL, that there was no vote put to the meeting by the chair, and any statement to the contrary is wholly false,” Nagamootoo said to Chandan-Edmond in the letter.

“What now remains is a glaring question of procedural irregularity in arriving at the decision to terminate Mr. Duncan… making a unilateral decision to terminate Mr. Duncan was arbitrary, capricious, unlawful, and in excess jurisdiction of the board.

Further, I am concerned that you have misled the Office of the Prime Minister with an erroneous claim that the board of directors came to this decision. It is clear that you deliberately sought to

terminate Mr. Duncan without following prescribed procedures,” the prime minister said.

In closing, he instructed the reinstatement of Duncan, noting that: “I cannot rely on your advice that the termination of the service of Mr. Duncan accords with due process and procedural fairness, and instruct that that decision be rescinded.”

Chandan-Edmond, in her response dated June 4, 2019 to the Prime Minister stated: “When I accepted the position of Chair of the Board of Directors of GNNL, it was with the understanding that my professionalism and integrity would not be unfairly assailed.

I find that your letter not only calls into question my professionalism but the professionalism of fellow members of the Board of GNNL. In light of this, I hereby submit my resignation as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with immediate effect.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

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Guyanese filmmaker hosts cinematography workshop

Focuses on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the craft

By Jasmaine Payne

O

VER the past few years, we have seen Guyanese filmmaker Yaphet Jackman move from being known as the “Upscale Poetry guy” to a fullfledged cinematographer.

From developing his own short films to working on projects with wellknown artists in the Caribbean, he has certainly made a name for himself over the past few years.

Now, Jackman will be passing on some of his knowledge to local filmmakers in his “Nuts and Bolts of Cinematography” workshop. The workshop, which began on June 6 and runs until June 9, is among the planned events that are part of the ongoing Timehri Film Festival, which is powered by the Caribbean Film Academy (CAFA) and Third Horizon. “[Their] agenda has always been to encourage, inspire and develop Caribbean filmmakers, hence the workshop initiatives and outreach efforts in each of their festivals. My workshop will be bringing theory to participants, and also challenging the way they look at cinema,” Jackman told The Buzz in an interview. “The greats in cinematography have always consulted art; relished in the science of light and colour, and found ways to mimic life in their craft.

It is my intention to share these tools and knowledge with the participants.”

The workshop is geared mostly towards cinematog-

raphers, but videographers interested in developing their skills were also encouraged to attend. Components of the workshop include lens selection, shot listing and storyboarding, camera movement and other key aspects of cinematography.

undiscovered short content” filmed right here in Guyana. According to the summary on its website, it seeks to “identify talented storytellers from across Guyana who want their voices to be heard and their stories seen”. The challenge is principally

work,” Jackman admitted.

“Not only would it result in films being made by Guyanese residing in Guyana, but it would provide an opportunity for us to mobilise, strengthen and support the industry in Guyana, while at the same time providing an engag-

He stated that the top winners will also receive screening deals on a Caribbean online streaming platform - Studio Anansi TV.

ing way for people to think about creating content.”

Jackman believes that more than just winning prizes, participants will get the opportunity to work with local organisations to develop and encourage their skills which will hopefully spark innovative initiatives among content creators and filmmakers and forge new relationships with new collaborators that they may not have known existed.

programmes because it provides an opportunity to help them fill the gaps in local content creation and engagement. If you’re interested in seeing more of yourself and your culture on your television then this is a platform and event for you to do that,” Jackman said.

“If you’re wondering how to write a Guyanese TV show or movie, then this is the programme to invest and engage in. If

WHO IS IT FOR? “I’m encouraging people to be involved in these

Yaphet Jackman

THE 592 48HR FILM CHALLENGE Another fun feature of the Timehri Film Festival is the 592 48hr Film Challenge. A direct product of Jackman’s own creative mind, the Challenge is the first project under Jackman’s Bent Street Films LLC, and will run from June 7-9.

The Challenge will give local filmmakers 48 hours to create “imaginative,

a platform for Guyanese filmmakers, content creators and students to find, develop, and share their voices and stories, and is geared toward encouraging creatives to choose visual storytelling as their medium.

“I’ve wanted to pull off this event for a while and I thought I had so much work to do to get it done, but like an unplanned child here it is in utero and I have to make everything

you’re fed up of trash TV and you want to see more wholesome, child-friendly, family edutainment content, then come and let us equip you with the knowledge and tools you’d need to do just that. For these reasons and so much more, I urge people to get involved in these programmes.”

Jackman describes his journey to this point as a challenging one but admits that it gets easier with persistence and hard work.

Most importantly, all his hard work has brought him full circle back home to Guyana where he is now able to impart lessons based on his experience into the minds of Guyanese filmmakers.

“Using my privilege to help the underprivileged has always been the mission. I feel absolute fulfilment when I’m able to do so through these events and initiatives. I have a lot more to learn which would, in turn, give me more to teach. I’m always reminded of why I had to leave Guyana to embark on this career and I’m also reminded that not everyone has the luxury of just getting up and doing so,” he said.

From here, Jackman will immediately begin preparing for next year.

He also wishes to continue collaborating and organising initiatives, programmes, and events to educate and develop the Guyanese film industry, while also working to get his first feature film under his belt.

Fifty Shades of MUA returns

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

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to celebrate Bromeliad’s 10th

WO years ago, Fifty Shades of MUA (Makeup Artist) made its debut, with over 200 Guyanese makeup artists, beauty queens and other special invitees packing the Banquet Hall at Tower Hotel. It was created as a networking event for people with like interests in the local industry.

This year, it has returned, and is causing much anticipation in the local glamour world. This high-fashion event is taking the form of a Red Carpet Gala, and is set to be held at the same venue as the last, Tower Hotel’s Banquet Hall this Sunday.

Fifty Shades of MUA was created by renowned makeup artist Renee Chester, who is the owner of BROMELIAD.rnc.

In an interview with ‘The Buzz’, Chester said that the event will be bringing all makeup lovers together, and will be hosted as a high-class fashion where persons will have the opportunity to wear their very best in terms of makeup skills and styling, and make use of the red carpet and multiple photographers that will be available at the venue.

She said that the nature of Fifty Shades of MUA this year is a grand celebration of her being in the makeup business for 10 years.

“Myself, Clinton Duncan and Jamicia McCalman will be hosting, with assistance

by Tamika Henry. We have entertainment in the form of song and dance, but both performances are to be a surprise, so I can’t even give you more than I just did,” laughed Renee.

She said that most of her plans are to come as a surprise to her supporters and fellow sisters in the business, so nothing else was disclosed.

However, she noted that there are many prizes to be won, the grandest being a trip to Trinidad to study with the makeup artist who taught her.

Not revealing much of the surprises are not hindering the support, but rather, is stirring much curiosity and anticipation for the event on Sunday. On the social media platforms, scores of people have been expressing their eagerness.

Tickets can be purchased at BROMELIAD. rnc located on Queen Street, two buildings before WindJammer Hotel.

Girl Boss Ashanti... Bossing it up in the local nails industry

N

AIL artistry is nothing ordinary anymore. Clients are looking for the unimaginable on their nail extensions, and to literally create a statement when they leave a nail salon.

Like accessories, nail designs too, must create that perfect finish in accessorising outfits for events, whether it be a particular trend, season, fashion statement etc. Putting in the work while staying ahead of the competition is nail technician Ashanti Hercules, aka ‘Girl Boss’.

The Buzz took a closer look at Ashanti’s nail artistry work since she has been creating waves in the cosmetology industry, which has been advertised extensively on social media, making her one of the most booked- out nail technicians in Georgetown.

Operating out of her nail salon in Albertown, Ashanti believes she is the ideal 21st Century technician, because she creatively matches nail trends with the customers’ needs.

“My focus is continual improvement and increasing customer satisfaction,” she said, adding, “I put 100% into each nail I do. My clients state their desire and I fulfill them.” She boasted that there is nothing ordinary about her designs, because it is filled with her personal touch, adding “It’s a work of art. I take my time to perfect it, and I blend my colours with each nail as my canvass.”

Her greatest joy is bringing satisfaction to her clients, and she continues to see an increase in this regard, compared to 2007, when she started this career path; something she has no regrets doing. Whether it be for carnival, Christmas, a graduation or a wedding, Ashanti’s clients always step out with a bang.

E

DJ Kevin wins XL ‘Lock De Scene’ battle

MPIRE Media Inc, in its preparation to host ‘Art of War 2019’ in July, partnered with XL Energy Drink to host a DJ battle tournament titled “XL Lock De Scene”.

The competition was launched on March 4, 2019 and saw 12 DJs who vied for $100,000, a spot in ‘Art of War 2019’ and Ambassadorship for XL Energy Drink. Doing battle every Monday night at the Turning Point bar, the DJs competed for the attractive package.

Nine DJs were, however. eliminated during the tournament, and three made it to the semifinals.

DJ Bandit of Spotlight Sound; DJ Kevin of Royalty Vibes; and DJ Guy out of the Mighty Ruler Sound faced off in the semifinals. It was a hard-fought musical war, which saw DJ Kevin and DJ Guy being victorious.

The two went on to face each other in the finals, but only one survived. DJ Guy kicked off the evening, firing tunes that had the crowd in a frenzy. His clash skills were clearly evident as he mastered the mix to entertain his fans. But it was DJ Kevin, however, who took the microphone after that caused an uproar.

He was ready for battle, and pelted tunes that had the crowd jumping. This went on for the entire segment, and it was clear who the winner was.

The fans, by a show of hands, adjudged DJ Kevin as the XL Lock De Scene champion. In the end, he was declared winner of the tournament, and has secured his spot in ‘Art of War 2019’ to be held in July. DJ Kevin also walked away with $100,000, and received Ambassadorship for XL Energy Drink.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Timehri Film Festival promises…

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HE 2019 Timehri Film Festival (TFF), which allows Guyanese filmmakers a platform to showcase their films, was opened on Thursday and will run through Sunday.

The festival started in 2015 during Guyana’s independence celebrations, and has been drawing positive reviews over the four years of its existence.

CaFA ExecutiveDirector Romola Lucas

It was started by Romola Lucas, Executive Director of the Caribbean Film Academy (CaFA), a New York-based not-for-profit, in partnership with Alysia Christiani of the Caribbean-American culture blog, Rewind & Come Again (RACA).

Lucas told The Buzz recently that CaFA’s mission is to support the work of Caribbean filmmakers. “One way we do that is by creating platforms through which we encourage film production and share films by Caribbean filmmakers.”

A lot is in store for festival goers this time around.

On the opening night, as part

A weekend of films, workshops, parties, conversations

of the festivities, Gavin Mendonca from Creole Rock will be performing as part of the ‘Folk It Up tour’.

“And we will be speaking with a young Guyanese animator about her upcoming project,” Lucas said.

The opening night films will feature a pair of films on different periods of the life of Walter Rodney, as well films made by Guyanese filmmakers in the Diaspora.

“We will also be hosting what we believe is Guyana’s first 48-hr Film Challenge, in partnership with Bent Street Films and Cineffx, as well as two filmmaking workshops on Cinematography and Developing short films,” she said.

According to Lucas, when the festival was started, there was no real distribution of films in the Caribbean and that films made in other Caribbean countries were not really being seen in Guyana.

“That is changing now with MovieTowne and Caribbean Cinemas showing films

by Caribbean filmmakers, but Guyana’s industry is still lagging behind other Caribbean countries. So, the purpose of the festival is to first create a platform for the Guyanese filmmakers who are making films despite the challenges in Guyana to showcase their films, as well as bring some of the best films being made in other Caribbean countries, to share with Guyanese audiences,” Lucas said.

Another important component of the festival, she pointed out, is the community

building initiative, through which films are taken to the prisons in Berbice, Lusignan and Timehri and screened for the inmates.

The films are also screened at the Children’s Drop-In Centre, and with the help of Brian Backer of EPIC Guyana, they are also put on at the Juvenile Centre in Sophia. “Also through which we host a night of screening LGBTQ films and a mini-Environmental film festival, as part of the festival,” Lucas said.

She said that the response so far has been great from an audience perspective. “Every year our numbers grow; more and more people come to watch the films. There hasn’t been an increase in the number of films being made in Guyana though; that is still something we are working on.”

The films will be played at the Moray House Trust and Dutch Bottle Café.

The films are played at several prisons across Guyana and at the Sophia Juvenile Centre

Response has been great so far

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Personality of The Week carlvin burnett W

Man of the moment

ITH the constant emergence of new artistes, uniqueness is what is being sought after in the music industry. Having a unique sound, a unique look, a unique vibe or performance, a unique demeanor as a whole, is paramount to being outstanding in the crowded industry.

This week’s personality is someone that has exceptional vocals, tied with charm and humour, which gives him the ability to capture and entertain an audience.

Carlvin Burnett is no stranger to the public since his debut in 2009, when he placed second in the then ‘GT&T Jingle and Song Competition’.

Since then, the 29-year-old Berbician has not given music a rest.

Burnett told ‘The Buzz’, that he started singing since he was about four or five, and fell head over heels in love with it as he grew older. “…Music became one of the only things that would calm me down. I had many opportunities to do different things: Nursing, computer tech, I was even signed up for Caribbean Union College. But the love for music took me along a different path,” Burnett said.

Now a lead vocalist in the band, ‘Heatwave’, he

would be called upon to perform at many shows and events across Guyana. And, given the oddities of the local industry, Burnett would most times sing covers. However, he has his own music, and is currently working on releasing even more of them.

His fans are his inspiration, the youngster said, as they are responsible for his being committed to what he’s been doing for all these years.

“Seeing them smile; seeing them having a good time is inspiring enough to keep doing what I do. You never know sometimes what a person might be going through, and to have them come up to you and tell you that you changed their day, or you are an inspiration to them is indeed a blessing, and again enough inspiration and motivation for me,” he said.

Burnett advice to aspiring musicians is that they should learn the business of music before getting into it.

“It’s not always as it seems,” he says. “Fame and popularity comes at a price. Be prepared to work hard and fight, because the business sometimes fights back. Be open to criticism; it’s not an easy road,” he warned.

IT’S time for the weekend again people, and it’s time to keep you in the loop with what’s ‘buzzing’ in and around Guyana.

TODAY ♦ Creole Rock and Radio Rock n’ Roll Guyana presents ‘Folk Up Yuh

Lunch’ at The Courtyard on Robb Street from 12h00- 14h00! Come and have lunch with us! Enjoy a meal from Harry’s BBQ, or the Pergola Steakhouse while listening to the sounds of Creole Rock and Buxton Fusion as they bring you folk music live and direct!

♦ The Timehri Film Festival at Moray House continues tonight, and runs daily up until Sunday. Join us for a weekend of films, workshops, parties and conversations on the cinema and stories of Guyana and the wider Caribbean. Donation: $5000. ♦ Escape Fridays presents Ladies Night: The official Ladies Night-Out Party! Ladies!

Head out and enjoy cocktail specials on select items, and Heineken Specials all night long! And yes, ladies, it’s free entry for you all night long!

♦ Head on down to the Pegasus poolside, and check out the Ignite Bar and Grill every Friday and Saturday for fun, food, and entertainment!

TOMORROW ♦ District Ultra Lounge presents ‘Wine fuh Meh: Soca Meets Reggae

Edition’. Music by the “Party King”, DJ Energy. Enjoy Johnnie Walker bottle specials.

♦ The Vintage Lounge presents “Brazilian and Latin Saturdays”. Enjoy food and drink specials. Music by DJ Tranquilo Santos. Doors open from 17h00! ♦ It’s time to show off your talent. Aracari Resort presents Karaoke and Dance this and every Saturday. Enjoy karaoke, dance and dinner, featuring Reyaz Rafeek and Group. **Aura Sky Lounge presents Seductive Saturdays! Doors open at 20h:00!

SUNDAY ♦ In honour of Bromeliad’s tenth anniversary, award-winning makeup

artist Renee Chester presents ‘Fifty Shades of MUA: Second Edition’. It’s going to be a red- carpet gala at Tower Suites. Enjoy an experience to last you a lifetime. Something, perhaps some of you have never experienced before. In celebration of ten years, there’s going to be ten spectacular prizes for 10 special attendees. Tickets: $10,000.

♦ The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Dinner with 70s ad 80s music. Sundays were meant for the 70s & 80s!

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Batting collapse sends Windies to depressing defeat against Aussies

NOTTINGHAM, England (CMC) – Shai Hope and captain Jason Holder struck half-centuries but a late batting collapse sent West Indies to a hugely disappointing 15-run defeat to Australia, squandering an ideal opportunity to notch their second straight win of the ICC World Cup here yesterday.

In pursuit of 289 at Trent Bridge in a contest marked by poor officiating, West Indies were well placed at one stage on 190 for four in the 35th over but then watched as five wickets tumbled for 66 runs, as the Caribbean side paid the price for injudicious strokes late in the innings and ended on 273 for nine off their 50 overs.

Hope top-scored with a patient 68 off 105 balls that included seven fours, and appeared to be steering West Indies to victory but his demise in the 35th over sparked the West Indies slide, handing Australia their second straight win of the tournament.

Holder struck 51 off 57 balls with seven fours and a six and hopes of a Windies victory were kept alive once he remained at the wicket. Mitchell Starc’s return for a final spell, however, sounded the death knell, as he knocked over Carlos Brathwaite (16) and Holder in the 46th over to quickly end the Windies bid.

Left-hander Nicholas Pooran struck 40 while Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer both got 21, but West Indies lost wickets at key moments which hurt their run chase.

Left-arm seamer Starc claimed five for 46 while fast bowler Pat Cummins supported with two for 41.

Tail-ender Nathan Coulter-Nile had earlier struck a career-best 92 and stroke-maker Steve Smith, 73, as Australia recovered from 38 for four in the eighth over to reach 288 all out off 49 overs.

Coulter-Nile, batting at number eight, struck eight fours and four sixes in a robust 60-ball knock which dug the Aussies out of trouble while Smith faced 103 balls and counted seven fours.

Brathwaite got wickets at the back end of the innings to end with three for 67 while fellow pacers Andre Russell (2-41), Sheldon Cottrell (2-56) and Oshane Thomas (2-63) finished with two wickets each.

West Indies drew first blood in the encounter after choosing to bowl first, unleashing a hostile pace assault on the reigning World champions which left them stunned early in the day.

Thomas produced an absolute beauty to remove captain Aaron Finch for six to a catch at the wicket in the third over with the score on 15, the right-hander edging a quick length ball which shaped away.

In the very next over, a frustrated David Warner steered Cottrell to Hetmyer at point to fall for three and left-hander Usman Khawaja (13), struck a fierce blow on the helmet by Thomas in the third over, edged Russell for wicketkeeper Shai Hope to take a brilliant one-handed catch diving low to his left in the fifth over.

When Glenn Maxwell topedged a pull at Cottrell off the second ball he faced and was caught off a skyer by Hope in the eighth over without scoring, Australia looked in danger of collapse.

However, Smith came to his side’s rescue, first in a fifth-wicket stand of 41 with Marcus Stoinis (19) before adding a further 68 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Alex Carey whose 45 came from 55 balls and included seven fours.

Stoinis pulled captain Holder to Pooran at short mid-wicket in the 17th over and Carey feathered a catch to Hope in a new spell from Russell in the 31st over but Smith combined with Coulter-Nile to

further frustrate West Indies in a pivotal 102-run stand for the seventh wicket.

The partnership was ended in the 45th over by a superb running catch at backward square by Cottrell, who raced around the boundary to pluck Smith’s flick off Thomas out of the air. With the momentum taking him over the ropes, he released the ball just long enough to leap back on-field to complete the catch.

In reply, West Indies’ start was less than ideal as they lost both Evin Lewis (1) and Gayle cheaply to be two down for 31 in the fifth over.

The left-handed Lewis edged Cummins to second slip in the second over while Gayle, who was twice reprieved by DRS after being erroneously given out in successive deliveries by New Zealand umpire Chris Gaffaney in the third over, finally fell to a marginal lbw decision to Starc two overs later.

TV replays revealed the standing umpire had missed a huge no-ball off the previous delivery, however, meaning Gayle should have instead benefitted from a free hit.

Hope then repaired the Windies innings in a 68-run, third wicket with Pooran before adding a further 50 for the fourth wicket with Hetmyer.

Pooran looked untroubled in his 36-ball innings which included five fours and a six before miscuing a heave over the top and falling to a catch at point by Finch off leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the 20th over.

Hetmyer, meanwhile, blasted three fours and was just moving into another gear when he was sent back

by Hope in a mix-up over a single in the 28th over and was run-out at the non-striker’s end.

Hope, who counted seven fours, then combined with Holder to post 41 for the fifth wicket but his soft dismissal, caught at mid-on

off Cummins, sparked the slide for West Indies.

Russell blasted two fours and a six in an 11-ball 15 but then unnecessarily holed out to a running catch at point by Maxwell off Starc with West Indies needing just 73 runs off 67 balls.

SCORECARD

AUSTRALIA innings D. Warner c Hetmyer b Cottrell 3 A. Finch c wkp. Hope b Thomas 6 U. Khawaja c wkp. Hope b Russell 1 S. Smith c Cottrell b Thomas 73 G. Maxwell c wkp. Hope b Cottrell 0 M. Stoinis c Pooran b Holder 19 A. Carey c wkp. Hope b Russell 45 N. Coulter-Nile c Holder b Brathwaite 92 P. Cummins c Cottrell b Brathwaite 2 M. Starc c Holder b Brathwaite 8 A. Zampa not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-24, nb-1) 27 Total: (all out, 49 overs) 288 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-26, 3-36, 4-38, 5-79, 6-147, 7-249, 8-268, 9-284.

Bowling: Thomas 10-0-63-2 (w-8, nb-1), Cottrell 9-0-56-2 (w-3), Russell 8-0-41-2 (w-5), Brathwaite 10-0-67-3 (w-2), Holder 7-228-1, Nurse 5-0-31-0.

WEST INDIES innings C Gayle lbw b Starc 21 E. Lewis c Smith b Cummins 1 S. Hope c Khawaja b Cummins 68 N. Pooran c Finch b Zampa 40 S. Hetmyer run-out 21 J. Holder c Zampa b Starc 51 A. Russell c Maxwell b Starc 15 C. Brathwaite c Finch b Starc 16 A. Nurse not out 19 S. Cottrell b Starc 1 O. Thomas not out 0 Extras: (lb-9, w-11) 20 Total: (9 wkts, 50 overs) 273 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-31, 3-99, 4-149, 5-190, 6-216, 7-252, 8-252.

Bowling: Starc 10-1-46-5 (w-4), Cummins 10-3-41-2 (w-3), Coulter-Nile 10-0-70-0, Maxwell 6-1-31-0, Zampa 10-0-58-1, Stoinis 4-1-17-0.

POINTS: AUSTRALIA 2, WEST INDIES 0.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: NATHAN COULTER-NILE

Windies furious at ...

“The umpiring in this game has been atrocious,” Holding said. “For one, even when I was playing and you were not as strict as they are now, you were allowed one appeal.

You don’t appeal two, three, four times to the umpire.”

“They are being intimidated which means they are weak.”

“This has been an atrocious bit of umpiring by both (Gaffaney and Palliyaguruge).”

In all, Gayle reviewed three decisions - two in one over and all off the bowling of Starc - and had

the first two overturned.

On the first occasion, Gaffaney gave him out caught behind only for the replay to show the audible sound of ball on wood had come from the ball shaving the stumps but somehow not dislodging the bails.

Gayle reviewed twice more, both for lbw decisions by Gaffaney, before being given out. But it wasn’t until the ball preceding the wicket was replayed on television that the West Indies players realised that Starc had overstepped by a considerable margin.

“I saw it on the screen in the dressing room, and I just laughed, man,” said captain Jason Holder.

“I couldn’t believe it. But again, I guess things didn’t go our way today.”

Palliyaguruge had two on-field

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decisions overturned later in the innings. The first was reviewed by Holder when he was given out lbw sweeping to Glenn Maxwell, the ball just pitching outside leg.

Holder successfully reviewed once more, attempting to sweep Adam Zampa, with ball-tracker showing the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.

“I think I’ll just say I just found ourselves a bit unlucky to be on the other end of all the decisions,” said Holder. “I guess honest mistakes from the umpires, I don’t want to get into the officiating part, but it’s just ironic. I don’t even know what to say about it, but it is a funny situation where all of them went against us, and then we had to review them, but I guess that’s part of the game again.”

Brathwaite suggested it was

not unusual for umpiring decisions to go against West Indies players and this match was just the latest example.

“I just think I’d like that for West Indies, we don’t have to use all our reviews and that some of the other teams get a chance to use theirs because every time we get hit on our pad the finger goes up. When we hit the opposition on their pad, the finger stays down.

“So we have to use our reviews and it’s always missing and then we have to use our reviews when we’re batting as well and it’s always clipping. I’m not a technology person, I don’t know why that happens, I can just say what I have seen happen over the past few years.”

While Gayle’s wicket may have been a huge blow early on in

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And all hope evaporated when Brathwaite drilled a Starc full toss to long on and Holder – twice reprieved by DRS after being mistakenly adjudged lbw on seven and 23 – pulled an innocuous delivery to short fine leg off the same bowler three balls later.

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the West Indies’ chase, Braithwaite didn’t blame the missed no-ball for the eventual 15-run loss to Australia.

“No, I wouldn’t say that, we had eight other wickets after that and it was incumbent on us to go out there and deliver a performance which we didn’t, for whatever reasons we will discuss and try to rectify for the next game,” said Brathwaite. “Did it hamper the start? It definitely did but it didn’t cost us the game.”

“Whatever is to be done will be done, whatever is to be seen will be seen. But as players we just need to get on with it.

Obviously we were frustrated but the message in the dressing room was ‘let the frustration end here and concentrate on the next ball’, which we tried to do and Goodwood 12:55 hrs French Mix 13:30 hrs Dark Kris 14:05 hrs Lethal Angel 14:35 hrs Aim Power 15:10 hrs Carp Kid 15:40 hrs Be More Haydock 12:50 hrs Captain Scott 13:20 hrs Felix 13:55 hrs Redrosezorro 14:25 hrs Afandem 15:00 hrs Juan Elcano 15:30 hrs Kylie Rules 16:00 hrs Motivate Me

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Raptors beat shorthanded Warriors, take 2-1 NBA Finals lead (REUTERS) - The Toronto Raptors defeated a shorthanded Golden State Warriors squad 123-109 in Oakland on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

The Raptors won behind 30 points from Kawhi Leonard and a balanced attack that saw five other players score in double digits.

The Warriors were able to cut the lead to as little as seven points at some stages but the Raptors always had an answer as sharpshooter Danny Green made six three-pointers and Serge Ibaka blocked six shots.

The Raptors overcame a 47-point performance by Stephen Curry - a playoff career high for the Warriors point guard - but it was not enough for the two-time defending champions.

“They never make anything easy and Steph is a two-time MVP,” said Raptors point guard Kyle Lowery, who tallied 23

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) walks off the court during the fourth quarter in game three of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena (Mandatory Credit:

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports) points and nine assists.

“For us, we need to just stay locked into the game plan.

We can’t have any mental lapses; that’s what hurts us.

We’ve just got to continue to work, play hard and stay level-headed.”

The Warriors were forced to play without starting shooting guard Klay Thompson, who was a game-time scratch after he injured his hamstring in Game Two, and two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who has been sidelined with a calf strain since May 8.

The Warriors were also without back-up big man Devon Looney, who suffered a fracture in Game Two and has been ruled out for the remainder of the series.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr responded to the absences with his 10th different starting lineup of the playoffs but the team’s defence suffered as the Raptors shot 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from deep.

The Warriors’ offence also suffered with Curry outscoring the other four starters combined.

The Raptors led by as many as 14 points in the first half before the Warriors stepped up their defence in the last six minutes of the second quarter to go into the break trailing by just eight.

But Green got hot for the Raptors in the third quarter and the visitors were able to extend their lead to 13 heading into the fourth quarter, where a rainbow three-pointer by Fred VanVleet with 1:37 remaining put the game out of reach.

The Raptors are trying to win a first NBA title while the Warriors, winners of three of the last four championships, are attempting to cement their legacy as one of the sport’s greatest dynasties.

Game Four is today in Oakland.

U.S. teenager shocks defending champion Halep at French Open AMERICAN teenager Amanda Anisimova reached the semi-finals of the French Open with a straight-set win over defending champion Simona Halep.

Romanian third seed Halep, 27, lost 6-2, 6-4 to the unseeded 17-year-old.

Anisimova had never won a match at Roland Garros before this year but is yet to drop a set on the way to her first Grand Slam semi-final.

The world number 51 will face Australian eighth seed Ashleigh Barty, who beat American Madison Keys 6-3, 7-5.

Anisimova is the youngest player to reach a major semi-final since Nicole Vaidisova at the 2007 Australian Open.

“This is honestly more than I could ever have asked for,” she said. “If I didn’t look nervous it’s because I wasn’t.

“I don’t think it will sink in, at least not for today.

It’s crazy. I really can’t believe the result. Getting the opportunity to play against Simona, that’s amazing, but how it ended is even crazier to me.”

As well as winning her solitary Grand Slam title in Paris, former world number one Halep, 27, was runner-up at this tournament in 2017 and 2014.

But her defeat means there are no Grand Slam champions left in the women’s draw, and ensures that Saturday’s winner will be the ninth different Grand Slam champion in the last 10 majors.

“I feel sad because every time when I lose, I’m sad,”

said Halep. “And I’m a little bit upset because I couldn’t make my game. I couldn’t move normally.”

Anisimova hails from Russian parentage, although her mother and father migrated to America before she was born, ironically because of the tennis potential of her older sister.

Amanda Anisimova won her first WTA title in Colombia earlier this year

She is one of two teenagers in the last four as Czech 19-year-old Marketa Vondrousova will face Britain’s Johanna Konta in today’s other semifinal.

The defeat of Halep is not Anisimova’s first upset at Roland Garros. She also beat 11th seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the second round.

The American missed the entire 2018 clay season with a right foot injury but has made up for it this year, winning her first WTA title in Bogota two months ago.

That made her the youngest American to win a tour title since Serena Williams did so, aged 17, at Indian Wells in 1999. (BBC Sport)

Lima United, Walton Hall clash in North Essequibo T20 final on Sunday ANOTHER epic final is anticipated when arch rivals Lima United and Walton Hall battle for supremacy on Sunday at the Walton Hall ground from 14:00hrs.

The North Essequibo-sponsored competition saw eight teams compete on a round-robin basis. The finalists played unbeaten in the preliminary phase and are now set on challenging each other to determine the champions.

While Walton Hall have been the dominant team for a number of years, their strength on this occasion will heavily depend on their mercurial leader Vishwanauth Lall who has been in tremendous form with both bat and ball.

His equally destructive team-mate Suresh Persaud smashed an unbeaten century to steer his side into the final and, with his menacing pace, he could be the deciding factor in tilting the balance in Walton Hall’s favour.

There are also other capable match-winners in their lineup including Basil Persaud, Navin Bahadur and Uvindra Balgobin. On the other hand, Lima United have been a revelation in the competition, given that they were noticeably dormant for a number of seasons.

Their free-scoring style and agility in the field have served them well under the astute leadership of former Essequibo senior inter-county 50-oves player Fazeer Khan.

His attractive batting and controlled medium fast bowling will be crucial in Lima’s quest for an elusive, first division title. He will have the exuberance of youth on his side as the exciting Abdool Ghani, Faizal Karrim and Renard Ramroop have been mainly responsible for their side’s rise to the top.

Meanwhile, Devonshire Castle and Pomeroon Oil Mill will challenge for third place from 10:30hrs at the same venue with senior national umpire Shannon Crawford and Wazeer Dhanraj officiating the two matches.

Cash incentives and trophies will be presented by representatives of the committee, including coordinators Rajesh Chattergoon and Ajodia Lall. (Elroy Stephney)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

No regrets in turning down AB de Villiers approach CSA selection convener Linda Zondi

By Nick Said DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) - Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection convener Linda Zondi said yesterday they have no regrets in turning down an approach from retired batsman AB de Villiers to make himself available for the Cricket World Cup in England.

South Africa have lost all three of their games at the tournament, largely because of a soft middle-order that has missed the quality of one of the world’s premier batsmen.

But Zondi said an approach by de Villiers to come out of international retirement for the World Cup had come 24 hours before South Africa were due to announce their final squad, and was rejected out of hand.

“At no point in the year that he had retired did he make himself available for selection,” Zondi said in a CSA statement yesterday.

“It was no option when

– CSA selection convener

I received the news on the day of the squad announcement, our squad was finalised and confirmed.

AB de Villiers retired in 2018

“AB is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but above all else, we have to stay true to our morals and principles, there is no regret in the decision.”

There would also have been a feeling of opportunism on behalf of de Villiers, who had skipped

South Africa’s build-up to the event, but then sought to be part of the party at the last minute.

“I pleaded with AB de Villiers not to retire in 2018,” Zondi added.

“Although there was a perception that he was picking and choosing when to play – which was not true – I did give him the option to plan and monitor his season to get him to the World Cup fresh and in a good space.

“We made it clear that he would have to play during the home tours against Sri Lanka and Pakistan to be considered for selection, instead he signed to play in the Pakistan and Bangladesh Premier Leagues respectively.

“He turned down the offer and said he was at peace with his decision to retire.”

Zondi admitted that de Villiers’ request for inclusion had come as a surprise, and they owed it to other players in the squad who had worked towards being part of the World

Cup to stick with them.

“For (captain) Faf du Plessis and (coach) Ottis Gibson to share AB’s desire to be included in the squad on the day we announced our World Cup squad on April 18 was a shock to all of us,” Zondi said.

“AB left a big vacuum when he retired, we had a year to find players at franchise level to fill the gap.

We had players who put in the hard work, who put up their hands and deserved to be given the opportunity to go to the World Cup. “The decision was based on principle; we had to be fair to the team, the selection panel, our franchise system and players.” de Villiers retired from all forms of international cricket last May, but has played in lucrative Twenty20 competitions since. He had captained South Africa at the 2015 World Cup, when they exited in the semi-finals against New Zealand.

Djokovic crushes Zverev to reach French Open semi-finals WORLD number one Novak Djokovic reached his first French Open semi-final since 2016 with a clinical win over German fifth seed Alexander Zverev.

The 32-year-old Serb, chasing his fourth straight Grand Slam, won 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in their rain-delayed quarterfinal.

Zverev, 22, failed to serve out the first set and it proved pivotal as Djokovic dominated from then on.

The 15-time Grand Slam champion will play Dominic Thiem in the last four.

Austrian fourth seed Thiem, last year’s beaten finalist, secured his place in the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Russian 10th seed Karen Khachanov.

Djokovic and Thiem are set to meet at about 15:00hrs BST today, following the other, highly anticipated semi-final between Spain’s defending champion Rafael Nadal and returning Swiss great Roger Federer.

Remarkably, it is the first time at a Grand Slam since the French Open in 2012 that Djokovic, Federer and Nadal have all made it through to the semi-finals.

Coulter-Nile sets World Cup record

“We have still been enjoying some of our best tennis in biggest events. That’s great to see,” Djokovic said.

“Nadal and Federer are arguably the biggest legends of this sport and most successful players ever, so to be in the mix with them and have a successful career myself is quite a great feeling.”

5 000-capacity Court Simonne Mathieu.

HISTORY-MAKING ON DJOKOVIC’S MIND After winning the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open titles, Djokovic is aiming to hold all four majors at the same time - for the second time in his career - by triumphing at

Since losing in last year’s French Open quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic has won 26 consecutive Grand Slam matches

However, today’s play is expected to be disrupted by heavy rain in Paris, a forecast which has led to a reshuffle of the schedule.

With both men’s matches on Court Philippe Chatrier, British number one Johanna Konta’s semi-final has been moved to the

Roland Garros.

Djokovic previously achieved the feat when he claimed his maiden title on the Paris clay in 2016, which saw him become only the second man after Australian great Rod Laver to hold all four Slams simultaneously in

the Open era.

But 12 months ago, after form and fitness problems, the possibility of Djokovic putting himself in this position again seemed unlikely.

Now he is only two more wins away from another piece of history after cruising into the last four in Paris without dropping a set.

“The presence of history-making is stronger than ever right now in my career,” said Djokovic.

“I think the longer I play or the further I go in my career, the sense of history-making is only getting stronger.

“That’s one of the greatest motivations I have.”

After losing serve for a 5-4 deficit in the first set, Djokovic suddenly raised his game to another level as Zverev was left suffocated by his relentless returning and court craft.

Three straight games swung the opener in the Serb’s favour and he continued to wear down Zverev in the next two sets, pinning him deep in baseline rallies as well as stretching him with some deft drop-shots and lobs.

(BBC Sport)

Nathan Coulter-Nile’s stunning effort of 92 off 60 balls with the bat at Trent Bridge has earned him a spot in the history books

NATHAN Coulter-Nile has pulled off one of the World Cup’s great ODI lower-order rearguards, setting a new Australian record in their clash with West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Having never scored over 64 in any form of cricket and with only five half-centuries to his name in first-class and List A cricket combined, Coulter-Nile unleashed a devastating knock to fire Australia to 288.

The fast-bowling all-rounder finished on 92 off 60 balls, belting four sixes and eight fours in a dazzling counter-attacking innings.

It was the highest ever score by an Australian batting at No. 8 or lower in an ODI and he finished just four runs short of breaking the overall record set by Chris Woakes with his unbeaten 95 against Sri Lanka in 2016.

Trevor Laughlin’s 74 was the previous highest score by an Australian batting at eight or below, a benchmark that has stood since December 1979.

It was only the second time in World Cup history a No. 8 has scored more than 70.

Coulter-Nile’s 102-run partnership with Steve Smith saved Australia’s blushes after they’d earlier slumped to 4-38.

They were 6-147 in the 31st over when he joined Steve Smith in the middle.

The Western Australian was nearly out off his second ball, but found his rhythm as he and Smith put on 102 in just 89 deliveries as the Windies bombarded their opponents with a volley of bouncers.

Coulter-Nile had jokingly declared the hook to be his only stroke on Saturday when asked if he was anticipating the Windies bowling short at the Australian tail.

And while he unveiled a full range of shots off both the front and back foot that belied his billing as a tail-ender, he did play the short ball with the ease of someone who’d grown on the bouncy pitches of Perth.

Coulter-Nile brought up Australia’s 200 with an exquisite leg-side flick for six off Andre Russell and needed just 41 balls to reach his fifty.

His union with Smith was ended when Sheldon Cottrell removed the Australian No. 4 with an extraordinary boundary-line catch, but Coulter-Nile was undeterred.

He hit 27 off his next 13 balls before finally holing out to long-off off Carlos Brathwaite.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Nike ‘very concerned’ about rape Double-header to bounce off YBG Linden U-19 basketball accusation against Brazilian championship today soccer star Neymar

By Brad Brooks, Eduardo Simões

month. Sao Paulo police are investigating the accusation.

Following media reports on the matter, Neymar posted a SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Nike Inc. is “very con- long video on Instagram, in which he denied the accusations, cerned” about a rape accusation against Brazilian soccer said he was a victim of extortion and shared messages he star Neymar, the world’s largest sportswear maker said exchanged with the alleged victim, including racy photos yesterday, raising questions about its sponsorship of one he had received. of the sport’s most famous players.

That led police in Rio de Janeiro to open an investigation Neymar denies the allegation of rape and has said the into whether Neymar had committed a crime by posting those woman was trying to extort him. The woman appeared on intimate pictures online.

Brazilian TV on Wednesday and said Neymar raped her in A press representative for Neymar did not respond to a Paris hotel. requests for comment on the Mastercard sponsorship on Mastercard Inc. also cancelled a planned ad campaign a Wednesday night interview his accuser gave the SBT TV featuring the star of the Brazilian national team and station.

French club Paris Saint-Germain, Brazilian media “I was a victim of rape,” she said in her first on-camreported yesterday. era interview since her accusation became public.

Mastercard said in a statement it was suspending She said that she and Neymar began exchanging its use of Neymar in advertising until the situation is private messages over social media, and that he “cleared up,” according to reports in Brazil’s three paid for her flight to Paris and her hotel. She said biggest newspapers. The Nike statement said; “We the relationship was consensual at first, but that are very concerned by the allegations and will conNeymar quickly became aggressive, began to hit tinue to closely monitor the situation.” her and forced her to have sex with him without A press representative for Mastercard in Brazil the use of a condom, despite her telling him reconfirmed to Reuters the company had planned peatedly to stop. a campaign to coincide with this month’s Copa Some of Neymar’s teammates have come America tournament, but she did not confirm a out in support of him, but national team coach Tite decision to suspend Neymar’s role. declined to pass judgement on the matter.

U.S. press representatives for the company The Brazilian Football Confederation said did not immediately reply to requests for yesterday that Neymar would be dropped comment. from the national team for the Copa A police report seen by Reuters America because of an ankle showed that a woman had accused injury suffered in a friendly Neymar, 27, of raping match against Qatar Brazil’s Neymar during the match. (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino) her at a Paris hotel last earlier.

Dutch reach Nations League final as England self-destruct

By Brian Homewood

GUIMARAES, Portugal (Reuters) - Netherlands capitalised on two England defensive mix-ups in extra time, as they came from behind to win their Nations League semi-final 3-1 yesterday and set up a showpiece final against Portugal.

The Dutch went 2-1 ahead when defender Kyle Walker turned the ball into his own net after a mistake by team mate John Stones in the 97th minute and Quincy Promes completed the scoring in the 114th after Ross Barkley gave the ball away.

England thought they had scored in the 83rd minute when Jesse Lingard ran on to Barkley’s pass to find the net but he was ruled a fraction offside after a two-minute VAR review.

The Dutch will face hosts Portugal in Sunday’s final in Porto, while England were left to contemplate a fourth successive competitive semi-final defeat following their losses at the 1990 and 2018 World Cups and Euro 96.

“It was a war of attrition,” said Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.

“We have beaten Germany, France and now the number four team in the world – this reflects our development.

We haven’t played semifinals and finals so this is new to us but we’re taking it in our stride.”

It was the Dutch defence that initially went to pieces when the highly-rated Matthijs De Ligt failed to control a pass and tripped Marcus Rashford when the England for-

w a r d slipped past him, giving away a penalty.

Rashford calmly sent Jasper Cillessen the wrong way from the spot in the 32nd minute.

England nearly returned the gift early in the second half when Walker was dispossessed by Memphis Depay but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

By now, though, the Dutch were in control and, while much of their possession was unproductive, they deservedly levelled with a powerful De Ligt header

in the 73rd minute as the 19-year-old atoned for his earlier mistake.

England produced what they thought might be the winner with a flowing move which started on their own goal line. The ball found Raheem Sterling, who flicked it to Barkley and he slipped it through for Lingard to score.

But, with the celebrations complete, the referee chalked it off after Lingard was shown

by VAR to be centimetres ahead of the last man.

After that, it a l l

Netherlands’ Memphis Depay in action in Guimaraes, Portugal - (REUTERS/Rafael

Marchante)

went downhill for England.

Seven minutes into extra time, Stones dwelled on the ball on the edge of his area and was dispossessed by Depay, whose shot was brilliantly parried by Pickford.

However, the ball broke loose, Promes got there first and, although he failed to make proper contact, it hit Walker and trickled into the net.

Another England fiasco followed when Barkley’s heavy touch from a pass allowed Depay to nip in and he laid the ball off for Promes to seal the deserved Dutch win.

“We made too many mistakes in our third of the pitch, partly because of that pressure and partly because of errors by us,” England manager Gareth Southgate said. “ I t ’s very painful for everybody; it’s a night where we have learned so much. It was tough to take in the end because you get to another semi-final, it should be a positive but everybody leaves even more deflated.”

Chris Bowman (left) is seen handing over the winners’ trophy and cheque to Joseph Chapman for the Linden YBG basketball championship

THE opening matches of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Linden Under-19 basketball championship will bounce off today with Mackenzie High School (MHS) facing Linden Foundation Secondary (LFS) from 14:30hrs and another match between Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and Wisburg Secondary at 16:00hrs. Venue is the MHS basketball court.

Chris Bowman, Director of YBG is pleased that Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) has, for the second year, taken responsibility to stage the tournament in Linden.

YBG has a mandate to promote youth basketball in Guyana and to determine the Linden representative school team for this year’s National Basketball Festival. In collaboration with LABA, the alliance has acquired a donation of the winners’ trophy and $100 000 to assist in the staging of the Linden Regional Zone Championship.

In a release from LABA yesterday, it was stated that Bowman presented the trophy and a $100 000 cheque to secretary of LABA, Joseph Chapman, on Wednesday.

The YBG boss remarked: “It is important for us to know that we are having a true representation of school basketball nationwide, if we are really able to get to make the national basketball championship a success.”

A triple-header is on tomorrow. In the first game at 13:00hrs Wisburg will face MHS then in game two from 14:30hrs LTI and New Silvercity Secondary will clash.

The third game brings together LFS and Christianburg Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’ from 16:00hrs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday June 7, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) 3 times (1975/1979/1983) (2) 5 TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who is the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a World

Cup game?

(2) Who is the first player to be declared Man of the

Tournament in the Men’s World Cup?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 7, 2019

Windies captain Jason Holder stokrd a breezy 51 off 57 balls

Holder rues ‘irresponsible shots’ after Windies defeat to Aussies

NOTTINGHAM, England (CMC) – West Indies captain Jason Holder was left ruing “irresponsible shots” which contributed to his side’s failed run chase and eventual 15run loss at the hands of Australia in their second match of the World Cup here yesterday.

Chasing 289 for victory at Trent Bridge, West Indies collapsed from 190 for four in the 35th over to 273 for nine off their allotted 50, after losing five wickets for 66 runs.

“I’m obviously disappointed. I thought we were well in the game there at the lunch time stage (but there were) just a few irresponsible shots when we probably just needed to tuck it around a little bit more,” Holder said afterwards.

“But having said that I think they’re lots of positives that came out of this game. We were obviously disappointed with the way we lost but I still think there are lots of things we can take from it (defeat).”

Shai Hope top-scored with a patient 68 off 105 deliveries, Holder stroked a breezy 51 off 57 balls while Nicholas Pooran struck 40 from 36 balls but none of the three could get West Indies over the line as left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc snatched five for 46 to undermine the innings.

West Indies were also guilty of loose shots at crucial moments in the late stages of the encounter. Pooran holed out to point in the 20th over to end a promising 68-run, third-wicket stand with Hope, who also fell to a soft dismissal in the 35th over, chipping seamer Pat Cummins to mid-on.

Andre Russell also played an injudicious stroke and holed out to point in the 39th over, with West Indies in a strong position to press for the win.

With 37 runs required from 27 balls, Carlos Brathwaite (16) hit a low full toss from Starc into long-on’s lap before Holder pulled an ordinary ball to short fine leg three balls later.

Holder said while the defeat was disappointing, he hoped his side could use it as a learning moment as they progress in the tournament.

“I think learning just needs to take place. Guys just need

to learn from the mistake that they make,” Holder said. “(They need to) take a little bit more responsibility, and chasing especially, you just need to take responsibility, and it’s important that one of the top four batters be there at the very, very end.

“I think one of the things we can take from the Australians’ performance was that Steve (Smith) batted quite deep and that’s something we need from our top order. I think Shai Hope has been outstanding in that regard, but it didn’t go his way today.

“I think credit must be given to Australia. I thought they came back and bowled really well with the old ball and created problems for us. We had to decide what we wanted to do in terms of playing it or taking it on or just knocking it around. But credit must be given.”

West Indies were on top in the initial stages after winning the toss and opting to bowl, as their seamers produced a hostile opening burst to reduce Australia to 38 for four in the eighth over.

Brathwaite finished with three for 67 while fellow pacers Russell (2-41), Sheldon Cottrell (2-56) and Oshane Thomas (2-63) were the other wicket-takers.

“I think the bowlers are bowling really well at the moment,” Holder noted.

“The good thing for us is that we’ve been getting some early wickets and we’ve been able to get wickets in the middle as well. I just think we need to be aggressive, continue to be aggressive – smart aggression – and just continue to look to take wickets.”

The defeat was the Windies first in the tournament following their opening win over Pakistan at the same venue last week, and Holder conceded his side had squandered a golden chance.

“We definitely missed an opportunity. I just think that’s sport. We’ve just got to learn from it. It’s a bit disappointing to be losing a game like that when we’re in full control of the game, but these things happen.”

RAW Nationals, FESUPO Championships up next on GAPLF’s 2019 agenda THE Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF), in keeping with its 2019 calendar of activities, will next turn its undivided attention to the RAW Nationals (Unequipped), which is scheduled for August 25 at the St Stanislaus College auditorium.

The RAW championships will give powerlifters who are both freshly blooded to the sport, along with the veterans, a chance to showcase their strength. It is also an opportunity for those athletes to compete with the bare minimum of a belt and a singlet in a bid for top honours.

Last year’s overall male and female winners were the now suspended Carlos Petterson-Griffith and Natoya Robinson who both broke several records en route to victory.

Meanwhile, internationally, the GAPLF has already shortlisted a team for the South American Powerlifting & Bench Press Equipped and Classic (FESUPO) Championships from September 18 to 23 in Pariapolis, Uruguay.

Despite having shortlisted athletes for those Championships, the list has not been yet finalized, according to a source from the GAPLF executive committee.

In a show of pro-activeness, GAPLF will also be hosting a fundraiser in July to help their athletes who will be making the trip to Uruguay in September.

Flashback! Last year’s RAW Nationals’ overall winners Carlos Petterson-Griffith and Natoya Robinson

Three Guyanese in CWI U-15 squad for UK tour

Mavindra Dindyal

Rampertab Ramnauth

THREE Guyanese youth players have been included in a 14-member Cricket West Indies (CWI) Under-15 Invitational squad for a tour of the United Kingdom in August.

Chronicle Sport was reliable informed that Mavindra Dindyal, Rampertab Ramnauth and Isai Thorne are the three Guyanese to be named.

The tour will start from August 4 and has been organized, following an invitation from the England Barmy Army Colts.

Dindyal will make a second appearance at this level as he was the lone Guyanese in the 2018 squad.

All three players performed to expectations during the 2019 Regional Under-15 tournament, where the gifted Dindyal was the leading run-scorer. Ramnauth, another gifted batsmen from Port Mourant, recorded 114 against Jamaica, and a brilliant 92 in the final against Trinidad and Tobago, to finish as the second leading run-scorer behind Dindyal.

Thorne had a ‘player-of-the-match’ performance, and was one of the standout fast bowlers.

During the two-week tour, the Windies will play six 50-over matches and one T20 match.

The tour, which is being held for the fourth straight year, is part of an ongoing exchange between CWI and the England Barmy Army’s Colts.

The full squad is expected to be released shortly.

Isai Thorne

T

Andre Russell (right) celebrates one of his two wickets during yesterday’s 15-run defeat to Australia at Trent Bridge. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

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Mitchell Starc’s Australian teammates were quick to celebrate his record-breaking five-wicket haul against the West Indies. Figures of 5-44 saw the left-arm quick become the fastest bowler ever to 150 one-day international wickets, one match quicker than Pakistan great Saqlain Mushtaq. (AAP)

Batting collapse sends Windies to depressing defeat against Aussies Pepsi rejoins ExxonMobil U-14 schools football tournament

Windies furious at ‘dodgy’ decisions as Australia get rub of the green ...Michael Holding slams umpiring

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West Indies’ Chris Gayle asks for his third DRS review Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyer

Petra’s Troy Mendonca (left) watches as Mark Alleyne collects the sponsorship cheque from DDL’s Larry Wills (Delano Williams photo) THE second edition of ExxonMobil U-14 schools football tournament will gain a boost from Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) under its Pepsi brand.

During a press conference yesterday, Brand Executive, Larry Wills, explained that the company is more than happy to sponsor events of this nature.

Wills said, “For the second year running, DDL under the Pepsi brand is proud to be a sponsor of the ExxonMobil U-14 schools football tournament.”

“We were happy with the way it was executed last year and the decision to sponsor again was easy for us,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Petra organisation, co-director Troy Mendonca believes that apart from putting money directly into the tournament DDL is also producing another spin-off benefit.

“DDL and Pepsi’s contribution to this tournament is geared towards developing the youths, giving them a chance to play football at a level where there was not football a few years ago.”

In saying a special thank you to DLL and Wills, Mendonca added that the organisation is hoping that this tournament has a bigger impact than the 2018 edition.

The tournament is set to begin next Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground with a march past from 10:00hrs.

By Melinda Farrell in Nottingham MICHAEL Holding has slammed the umpiring during West Indies’ loss to Australia as “atrocious”, while Carlos Brathwaite described some decisions as “frustrating” and “dodgy” and suggested that West Indies players are on the wrong end of decisions more often than their opponents.

He denied, however, that the decisions had cost them the match in a hard-fought 15-run defeat to Australia at Trent Bridge.

The umpires, New Zealnder Chris Gaffaney and Sri Lankan Ruchira Palliyaguruge, had four

decisions overturned between them and Gaffaney also missed a blatant front foot no-ball from Mitchell Starc that preceded the delivery that claimed the wicket of Chris Gayle.

If the no-ball had been called, Gayle would have had a free hit on what was ultimately the wicket-ball.

“I don’t know if I’ll be fined for saying it but I just think that the umpiring was a bit frustrating,” said Brathwaite. “Even when we were bowling we thought a few balls close to head height were called wides.

And obviously three decisions in one over as far as I can remember being dodgy, it was

frustrating and sent ripples through the dressing room.

“To lose Chris in a chase of 280, who can probably get 180 of them himself obviously, broke the start that we wanted to have. But the umpires do their job; they try to do it to the best of their ability.

We as players go out there to do our job as well, so there was no confrontation between the players and the umpires.”

Holding, commentating on the ICC’s world television feed, was even more scathing, extending his criticism to the umpires’ handling of the Australian bowlPage ers’ appeals for wickets.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019