Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19-10-2022

Visa-free travel to UK –– signals strength of local economy – private sector

By Tamica Garnett, Cassandra Khan & Cindy Parkinson

BEGINNING from November 9, holders of Guyanese passports will no longer need visitors’ visas to travel to the United Kingdom (UK), following a move between Guyana and the UK to strengthen government- to-government and people-to-people relations.

Guyanese will be able to visit the UK for up to 180 days or six months; however, this move does not remove the need for other classes of visas such as those needed to study, live or work in the UK.

Speaking with the Guyana Chron icle, Johnny Nandkishun, a frequent traveller, applauded Guyana and the United Kingdom for the visa waiver.

“This is an opportunity for all Guyanese to travel and visit the UK without the hassle of getting a visa, which can be costly as well,” he said, adding that “Guyana is on the rise and I would also like to ask my Guyanese brothers and sisters to remember that we are a reflection of our country wherever we go, so let us make use of the opportunity that we are given and do what is expected of us.”

Meanwhile, a number of pri vate-sector organisations echoed the sentiment that the decision reflects the growing strength of Guyana’s economy, which is being driven by significant movement in the oil and gas sector and advancements in other key sectors.

–– trade expansion on the horizon ––Guyanese hail possibilities

to rule on election petition case today Campaign launched to curb dangerous road use

Norton sprints from questions

From left: Deputy British High Commissioner to Guyana, Judy Kpogho; British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Elisabeth Harper (DPI photo)

Chandan-Edmond reportedly ‘forced out’ of PNC/R

IT has been close to three months since People’s National Con gress/Reform (PNC/R), General-Secretary, Geeta Chandan-Ed mond, has been seen at a public event hosted by the party or its umbrel la, the A Partnership for National Unity+Al liance For Change (AP NU+AFC).

Chandan-Edmond, in August, went on leave to reportedly deal with personal matters but has since then not been heard of. Sources close to the PNC/R, speaking on the condition of anonymity,

alleged that Chandan-Ed mond, who replaced PNC veteran, Amna Ally ear lier this year as PNC/R General Secretary, has been forced out of her position.

Based on reports, Chandan-Edmond, an attorney and former mag istrate, does not see ‘eyeto-eye’ with the positions and policies of party leader, Aubrey Norton and their relation prior to her going on leave was “rocky”.

Several party mem bers had told this publi cation that Norton does not enjoy the support of

all the Opposition mem bers in Parliament, and his leadership style has alienated many from the party.

Several employees at Congress Place, in re cent months, have either resigned or parted ways with the PNC/R’s head quarters for other reasons.

In May of this year, Misenga Jones, the wom an who challenged the use of votes from the recount of the March 2, 2020 elections as the ba sis for the declaration of the results, was fired from her position as of fice clerk at Congress

Place, PNC/R Headquar ters, Sophia, Georgetown.

According to a friend and associate of Jones, who is familiar with the situation at Congress Place, her firing stemmed from the behaviour of a PNC member who was very confrontational to international observers during the attempt to rig the 2020 elections.

Also, in February, Opposition Leader, Au brey Norton had writ ten Vishnu Persaud, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of GECOM, to inform him that he had selected Carol Smith Jo

PNC/R, General-Secretary, Geeta Chandan-Edmond seph as a replacement for Amna Ally as Chief Scrutineer for the AP NU+AFC.

Carol Smith Joseph is currently before the

court on electoral fraud charges, as she was a central figure in the Co alition’s alleged attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 General Elections.

UK announces Visa-free travel for Guyanese

By Tamica Garnett

BEGINNING from November 9, 2022, holders of a Guyanese passport will no longer need a visitor’s visa to travel to the United Kingdom (UK), following a move between Guyana and the UK to strengthen government- to-government and people-to-people relations.

Guyanese will be able to visit the UK for up to 180 days or six months; howev er, this move does not remove the need for other classes of visas such as those needed to study, live or work in the UK.

The big announcement was made by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller during a press conference held alongside President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday, at the British High Commis sioner’s Bel Air residence.

Calling it a historic day in UK/Guyana

The President called on Guyanese to be responsible in how they utilise this new privilege and not to abuse it. According to the President, Guyana will be working very closely with the UK, in strengthening necessary systems to en sure proper monitoring and guard against abuse of the system.

This is so particularly given that the country will be using the UK’s case to lobby for visa-free travel to other coun tries, with the issue of the Schengen visa being brought up as an example.

Schengen visas are required for travel to European Union (EU) coun tries that are part of the Schengen area.

DEMONSTRATED CONFIDENCE

“What the UK Government has done for us today is demonstrated

GREATER CONNECTIVITY

“Guyana has a very strong ecotour ism.

So this visa waiver allows greater con

continuous stream of engagements ad vancing relations between the two sides.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Guyana has become the UK’s largest trad ing partner in the Caribbean, after trade

relations, Miller noted that the visa waiver comes as a result of much lobbying from the private sector, civil society and gov ernment and represents the UK trust in its relationship with Guyana.

“This visa lift is a real sign of the confidence that the UK has in the growth of our relationship and together with the direct flight that will be happening at the end of March; we believe this change is going to be transformative for our really strong relationship,” Miller remarked.

British Airways, the official flag carrier of the United Kingdom, is scheduled to commence scheduled flights to Guyana in March 2023. This was announced in August.

President Ali, in his remarks, noted that the visa-free travel for Guyanese came through a lot of hard work on both sides.

“The High Commissioner herself has been pushing this agenda. It was one of our priority areas in our meeting with [for mer UK] Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. We raised it on several other occasions; we also raised it in the meeting with King Charles. The team, both in the UK and in Guyana, pursued the objective. And today I am very pleased that Guyanese can travel with greater ease to the UK,” the President said.

confidence in us as a people and as a country.

So if you mess this up, you mess up everything else that comes after that. We don’t have any intention of anybody mess ing up anything,” the President affirmed.

“Guyanese must exercise responsibility because it takes a long time to get to these decisions and we have raised it to the high est level. We have moved expeditiously on this. And all of us must take responsibility to ensure that the system is never abused. And what we will be doing here in Guyana is to continue the strengthening of our system so that we can have real-time information- shar ing and monitoring.”

President, Dr. Ali noted how Guyana and the UK have been putting much effort into strengthening their relations.

“The idea of this visa waiver for visi tors is not only about strengthening the re lationship but I’m building out expansion of our economic opportunities between Guyana and the UK but it is important also too for people-to-people contact as we try to build our tourism market and expand or tourism market, especially in the UK.”

The President sees an opportunity for a link between UK’s tourists and Guyana’s ecotourism industry.

nectivity, greater contact and greater peo ple-to-people contact. It would not only do well for the expansion of trade and opening up a new opportunity but will do extreme ly well in bringing our people together, creating greater relationship, networking amongst our people. And I think these are critical elements in building a stronger relationship,” the President said.

Guyana has its eyes on more than just the UK tourists. The President sees opportunities for financing and technical support opportunities.

“One of the things that we are hoping to achieve also with the UK is to see how we can have more UK financing for our infrastructure projects or the transforma tive projects; just like the EXIM Bank of the US, the UK also have a facility in which they build finance and transfer. There are also export credits available and we are pursuing these elements.”

These latest developments of relations between Guyana and the UK build on a

between the two nations in 2021 amount ed to 516 million pounds, and accounted for 21.6 per cent of all the UK’s trade with the Caribbean.

In February, a nine-member delegation of British business representatives visited Guyana canvassing potential investment opportunities with aims to set up shop in Guyana.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Miller an nounced that yet another delegation of British businesses are expected next month, while reciprocal missions from Guyana to the UK are also being encour aged.

“ In mid-November we’re going to have a trade mission here. British busi nesses will be coming here to experience all the opportunities of this wonderful country.

With this Visa lift we look forward to welcome in many Guyanese busi nesses to the UK to explore further opportunities,” Miller said.

British High Commissioner, Jane Miller (left) and President Dr. Irfaan Ali

“This visa lift is a real sign of the confidence that the UK has in the growth of our relationship and together with the direct flight that will be happening at the end of March; we believe this change is going to be transformative for our really strong relationship,”— UK Ambassador, Jane Miller

“What the UK Government has done for us today is demonstrated confidence in us as a people and as a country. So if you mess this up, you mess up everything else that comes after that. We don’t have any intention of anybody messing up anything,” President, Dr Irfaan Ali

All set for Elections CoI

A BUILDING and staff have already been pro cured and are in place as preparations move ahead for the November 3 start of the Presidential Com mission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events surrounding the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

The CoI office has been set up at 95 Middle Street, Georgetown and all members of the public looking to make contributions to the process will be afforded the opportu nity to do so. A hotline will be set up for them to call in and be scheduled to present before the Commission.

This was explained by the Presidential CoI Admin istrator, Colonel Ronald Her cules and Secretary, Javed Shadick, during a recent sit down with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

“We’re totally set. All security arrangements are in place. You have a very safe environment for the inquiry. We have already identified the building, it’s already up and running waiting the wit nesses to give evidence to the CoI,” Hercules shared.

Shedding light on how witnesses can come for ward to present statements and evidence to the inquiry, Shadick reminded that the Commission is opened to any member of the public who wants to make a contri bution. In addition to calling in, persons would also be able to drop by at the Com mission’s office and indicate that they would like to make a presentation.

“What we’ve done is identify numbers for persons to call in. They’re required to call in, we will take their in

formation and then we’ll get back to them for how they would actually be able to come forward. At the office, persons are already present so they can visit the office. The witnesses basically will have to give the information to the commissioners,” Shad ick explained.

Last month the three commissioners set to preside over the CoI were sworn in. Those commissioners are Justice of Appeal (ret’d) Stanley John, who is also Chairman of the CoI; for mer Attorney-General, High Court Judge and acting Jus tice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean, Senior Counsel, Godfrey P. Smith; and for mer Chancellor of the Judi ciary (ag), Carl Singh.

The commission’s terms of reference are to inquire into and report upon the

relevant circumstances and events leading up to and pro cedures following the Gener al and Regional Elections in Guyana on March 2, 2020.

The commission will have seven months to com plete its inquiry, and is set to determine what attempts were made to obstruct, frus trate and prevent the counting and tabulation of votes and the declaration, and the pub lic declaration of the results by the Returning Officer for Region Four (Demerara-Ma haica), Clairmont Mingo and other elections officers of the Guyana Elections Commis sion (GECOM).

The commission of in quiry is also expected to examine the conduct of the Chief Elections Officer, other elections officers, and other persons as it relates to the execution of the duties of the

CEO at the time.

The commissioners will make recommendations as deemed fit and neces sary to permit the Guy

ana Elections Commission to discharge its statutory functions as set out in the Representation of the Peo ple Act.

From left: Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith; the CoI’s Chairman, Stanley John and former Chancellor, Carl Singh

Visa-free travel to UK signals strength of local economy

–– private sector organisations say in welcoming decision by British authorities

By Cassandra Khan

THE decision by the British Government to waive visa requirements for Guyanese travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) for leisure and business, justifies the growing strength of Guy ana’s economy, which is being driven by significant movement in the oil and gas sector and advancements in other key sectors, private sector organisations have said.

Sharing its views on the decision announced by British High Commissioner, Jane Miller on Tuesday, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said: “We commend the Government of Guyana, particularly His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali for his leadership and initiative in aggressively pursuing this opportunity for Guyanese.

“This decision demon strates the strength of our

ment for Guyanese to travel to the UK.

“GOGEC wishes to also acknowledge the supporting role that the private sector played along with the Minis try of Foreign Affairs and by extension, its hardworking staff. We would also like to recognise the key role played by Her Excellency, Jane Mill er, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana, in supporting President Ali’s initiative,” Prashad said.

He related that this move bodes well for Guyana and the UK in terms of improving and strengthening bilateral

trade relations between the two countries while promot ing the free movement of people to the UK.

Prashad noted that Guy ana, as it is now, enjoys a trade balance surplus with the UK. As of 2021, exports to the UK accounted for 6.5 per cent of total exports, while imports accounted for 1.7 per cent of total imports. In 2021, the trade balance surplus stood at US$208 million.

Considering this, the GO GEC President also supported President Ali’s call for the Schengen visa, which allows smooth travel throughout Eu

rope, to be issued in Guyana. They are optimistic that this will also be facilitated shortly.

“Visa waivers save ad ministrative costs and, much more importantly, spur inter national business activities and tourism by facilitating the cross-border mobility of peo ple,” the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc) said in a press statement, adding that visa systems cause high ad ministrative costs, which are certainly not fully covered by the visa fees usually charged to applicants.

The decision announced on Tuesday, the organisation said, is a symbol of trust between Guyana and the UK that will result in many social and economic benefits of open borders.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Indus try GGCI’s formal request to end visa requirements in 2019 must be acknowledged and congratulated, since the

private sector body predicted the buoyant business activity between the UK and Guyana.

“President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali must also be lauded for his foresight and for cre ating an environment making visa-free travel a reality. We are looking forward to other

trading partners following suit in this visa-free travel arrangement,” the R3PSInc said.

The visa waiver is also timely since British Airways is slated to operate the Guy ana to UK route from the first quarter of next year.

economy, signals the ease of travel, deepening of co-oper ation and collaboration be tween the UK and Guyana, and will bring great value to our growing private sector.”

The Georgetown Cham ber of Commerce and In dustry (GCCI) said too that the waiver clears the way for greater economic relations and partnerships between local companies and those native to the UK.

According to a press re lease from GCCI, the organi sation, in 2019, made formal representation to the govern ment of the UK to remove its requirement for Guyanese to obtain a visa to enter the country.

“Since the onset of his time at the Chamber, GC CI’s President, Mr. Timothy Tucker, has lobbied consis tently for the removal of visa restrictions and today the chamber is proud to see this initiative come to fruition,” the chamber said.

President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Manniram Pra shad, also commended Presi dent Ali and the government for successfully finalising the waiver of the visa require

Feeding CARICOM!

MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar

Mustapha used World Food Day 2022, observed annually on October 16, to emphasise the need for Guyana to act now to create the environment to achieve its potential of feeding the entire Caribbean region.

He spoke during a related event on the Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbi ce-Corentyne) where the activity was celebrated under the theme, “Leave no one behind… Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.”

Minister Mustapha pointed out that Guyana is now ideally positioned to provide the food and nutrition securi ty that is vital for the Caribbean and beyond.

He recalled that over the last two years, “Government has worked above and beyond to strategically place Guyana on the road that leads the agriculture agenda,” underlining the importance of CARICOM’s ‘Vision 25,’ led by Guyana, that aims to reduce the region’s food- import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

The minister said, “ championing food security and leaving no one behind requires development beyond the tradi tional agriculture,” including “different actions from the business as usual.”

Saying too that “exceptional times call for exceptional actions,” he also noted that Guyana’s agricultural sector “must be expanded, diversified and modernised, and made resilient, to be a competitive sector in Guyana and in CARICOM.”

The minister repeated the many initiatives taken and plans on the table and in the pipeline in the past 25 months to enhance agriculture at home with the aim of feeding the nation. Added to that, there is a thrust to realize that long-held dream of Guyana – by far and wide the region’s largest and most agriculturally productive -- being more than just referred to as possibly becom ing ‘the region’s breadbasket.’

Virtually everything CARICOM consumes is or can be grown in Guyana, alongside products unique to the Gui anas (such as shrimp and fresh-water fish), in addition to traditional products

such as rice and sugar, as well as poul try and livestock, plus manufactured value-added exports.

Guyana’s vast water resources add to the potential for regional marketing of an increasingly valuable and shrink ing resource necessary for life.

Guyana isn’t out to compete with national producers in CARICOM, but rather, to complement their productive capacities by combining productive and consumption possibilities in winwin projects that will leave both and all sides happy.

Looking ahead, the minister last Sunday also outlined several plans that will strengthen local capacity to even tually feed the nation – and the region.

These projects target increasing rice production by 25 per cent by the year 2025; increasing sugar production to 100,000 tonnes in the next three years; opening up of over 150,000 acres of new lands for cultivation in the Number 58 Village, Corentyne area; increasing technology and mechanisation by 15 per cent; cultivation of 25,000 acres of corn and soya by 2025; producing feed

for the livestock industry and expanding the coconut industry by 15 per cent, among others.

Production of such a large acreage of corn following the government’s earlier indication of planning to go into wheat production in a big way after the best varieties for this climate are identified, is another indication of this administration always thinking and planning for taking care of home needs, as well as looking beyond Guyana’s borders. This, of course, is in keeping with the republic’s commitment to the best mutually beneficial partnerships possible with its regional neighbours.

After 25 months of taking charge of ensuring Guyana and CAR ICOM’s Food Security by 2025, President, Dr Irfaan Ali and his PPP/ Civic administration continue to show the difference between govern ing for some and governing for all at home, while always looking beyond clouds and near horizons to also contribute to the common good of humanity in the Guianas, CARICOM and the world.

Norton defends Jones’

barbershop grant

millions of dollars under SLED progamme; Mahipaul calls for audit

AFTER mismanaging hundreds of mil lions under the Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development ( SLED) Programme, which included the awarding of a $4.98M grant to now Parliamentary Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, members of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) are now calling for an audit into the programme.

The PNC/R is the largest element in the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, which start ed the SLED programme during their time in government from 2015 - 2020. However, it was not until a change of government in 2020 that several instances of what amounted to ‘fraud’ and ‘criminality’ in the spending was unearthed under the project.

Among the questionable disbursements under the programme was how Jones, a mem ber of the PNC/R, and now Parliamentarian for the APNU+AFC, was able to access the

$4.98M under the programme, which was supposed to target initiatives aimed at busi ness and job creation in communities across the country.

An audit of the Ministry of Social Pro tection showed that it had approved the dis bursement of $4.9M, through the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) administration for the procurement of equipment for a barbershop under the Sustainable Livelihood and Entre preneurial Development (SLED) programme.

The presentation of a financial return re vealed that the entire sum of money was spent by December 31, 2019, but almost $1M in items had not physically been delivered, but were instead stored at Jones home, and neither had the project been executed.

Jones had received the disbursement un der the 2019 allocation when the programme was allocated $250 million. Questions sur rounding the SLED programme once again came to the fore on Tuesday, when it was

brought up during the Leader of the Oppo sition, Aubrey Norton’s weekly virtual press conference.

Questioned about how Jones, a party member, ended up being part of the pro gramme that was particularly targeted poor communities across the country, Norton said he saw no conflict of interest there.

“I don’t know about conflict of interest by virtue of being a serving member of a party. [Being a] member of the party doesn’t automatically create conflict of interest once the person is not related to the project and influence the outcome then as far as I know Christopher Jones was in Youth and Sports,” Norton contended.

Jones was the Director of Youth at the time when he received the grant; however, he was still a member of the PNC/R.

MAHIPAUL’S ABSURDITY

Though Norton’s defended a party

member accessing financing, in the same breath, fellow PNC/R member and AP NU+AFC Parliamentarian, Ganesh Ma hipaul, who was also present at Tuesday’s press conference, indicated that it would be unfair if affiliates of the People’s Progres sive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) were receiving grants under the current government’s disbursements.

Mahipaul, the shadow Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, said he is calling for an audit to be done of all the money allocated under the programme dating back to its genesis in 2015.

Under the APNU+AFC, some $655 mil lion was invested into the SLED programme from 2015 to 2019 in increments of $115M, $40M, $100M, $150M and $250M, respect fully.

When it commenced, the programme was overseen by the then Ministry of

Norton defends Jones’...

Communities; however, it was later moved to the Ministry of Social Protection.

Under the current administration, the pro gramme is being admin istered by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and was allotted a further $105 million, $180 mil lion and $400 million in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 budgets respectively. Un der SLED, monies were designated to be distrib uted to projects carried out by either co-operative societies, or individuals, across the various admin istrative regions.

under the 2019 $250 mil lion disbursement while documents detailing how much money was given to different entities in 2017 and 2018 cannot be found.

In the 2019 disburse ment, the bulk of the money went to Regions 10, which received $24,211,422 and Region Nine which received $169,489,990.

the SLED funds under the APNU+AFC Gov ernment, Mahipaul and Norton, pointed to some of the smaller projects executed under the pro gramme but could not account for discrepancies that have been reported about the programme in the Auditor General (AG) reports on the matter.

Both Mahipaul and

checklist was seen as uti lised for the appraisal and approval of grants. As a result, it was difficult to ascertain the reason(s) for granting approval to the beneficiaries.”

The Auditor General 2020 report noted that a Special Audit into the SLED Projects would be launched and a separate

report will be issued.

“Audit examination of a sample of beneficia ry’s files under the Sus tainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Devel opment (SLED) Projects revealed that no appli cation forms were com pleted despite it being a requirement as stated in the notice inviting appli

cations published in the newspapers. In addition, there was no criteria or checklist seen as utilised for the appraisal and ap proval of this grant. As a result, it was difficult to ascertain the reason(s) for granting approval to the respective bene ficiaries,” the 2020 AG report reinforced.

An abandoned structure under the SLED programme to house the Coomacka block-making project in Region 10. Some $4.496 million was pumped into the project

DISREPAIR, DILAPIDATION, OR NON-EXISTENT

Following the change of government in 2020, it fell under the Minis try of Labour (MoL) to account for the monies disbursed prior to 2020. It was then that Minister of Labour, Joseph Ham ilton, unearthed massive mismanagement of funds

However, physical verification of the proj ects executed under the programme in Region 10 revealed that just one of the projects appeared to have been carried out to completion. All of the other projects were in various states of disrepair, dilapidation, or non-ex istent.

Called upon to explain what took place with

Norton staunchly de clared that under the AP NU+AFC Government, there was a pre-set criteria for persons to qualify for grants under the pro gramme. However, the 2019 Auditor General’s Report disclosed that this was not true.

According to the Au ditor General 2019 report: “Audit examination of a sample of beneficia ries’ files revealed that application forms were not completed despite it being a requirement. In addition, no criteria or

My visit to Schenectady,

Little Berbice

By Lomarsh Roopnarine

I FIRST visited Schenectady, New York, in the early 1990s when I was a student at the State University of New York at Albany (UAlbany). Schenectady is about a 20-minute drive from UAlbany, and about 160 miles north of New York City.

I was told that there was a growing Guyanese community there, hence my curiosity. I chose to navigate the Guyanese community of this mainly working-class city through cricket, rather than through other cultural networks.

One individual told me that there was a cricket team in Schenectady. I had missed the game and had not played it for some time. I was eager to get back into the game.

I was up for a surprise, however. Whereas in my village, cricket was competitive, the standard of cricket in Schenect ady was higher than I had anticipated when considering that the game was played in a foreign city and country.

Some of the players had represented Guyana’s Under-19 team, and the county of Berbice in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Roy Fredericks’ nephew was on the team. Those were days when Caribbean cricket was at its pinnacle. Given the strength of the team, I went in to bat at No. 7 and bowled a few overs of off-spin.

The umpire called me out for “pelting” at one time, an event that gained a lot of traction beyond the boundary after the game. Let us call the post-game dynamics social.

While I played cricket on weekends, my interest grew

from the cricket field to other aspects of the Guyanese com munity. I visited several mandirs, the heartbeat of the Guya nese community in Schenectady.

I was impressed with the persistence of this small com munity, a few hundred, to maintain their Hindu Guyanese customs in a place that never existed before. Most of the Guyanese are from Berbice with roots in the Whim, Letter Kenny, and Upper Corentyne region.

The community was not restricted to the practice of re ligion, however. It had begun to grow in the retail business,

namely, in small stores, roti shops, bakeries, and restaurants as well as in small yearly reunions. The community remained small because not too many people were attracted to Sche nectady because of high unemployment, pollution, and urban blight.

One cricketer told me that his wife had to play for the team to make up the needed 11 players, indicating that Guyanese were hard to find. Additionally, one began to notice Guya nese in the surrounding environs of Schenectady working in various capacities.

The small number of the Guyanese population changed in 2002, the same year I left Albany, NY, and accepted a faculty position at the University of the Virgin Islands. The story goes like this.

Former Mayor Al Jurczynski became aware of how the Guyanese population transformed Queens, New York, and wondered if they could do the same with Schenectady.

The Mayor went to Queens and brought busloads of Guyanese to Schenectady weekly and asked them to buy the boarded-up and abandoned houses at a low cost, ranging from $5,000 to $1.

Within a short period, these houses were transformed into beautiful buildings and almost every aspect of this Guyanese community was extended. The business started to boom. More Hindu Temples were built, and the cricket team extended from one to three, each playing against the other.

Since I left the Schenectady region in 2002, I have re turned periodically. I was there last August 2022. The fol lowing is what I have observed. First, Guyanese have moved away from the ‘Big Apple’ to escape the fast-paced life in a big city and live in a better environment for their children, although Schenectady has a high crime rate and a reputation for police brutality.

Most second-wave migrants from New York City (NYC) are younger individuals, and they tend to identify with their Guyanese roots in NYC rather than in Guyana. One young man said to me, “Uncle, we are city people you know,” ex pressing a sense of pride for spending most of his life in NYC.

Second, the Guyanese community is building itself in culture and community amid challenges. They have received hostility from other ethnic groups who thought the leaders were favouring Guyanese and ignoring them, although this feeling has followed a downward trend in recent years.

Like other communities, Guyanese also face internal dissonance and unexpected outcomes.

One study shows a high prevalence of diabetes in the Indo-Guyanese community in Schenectady, caused by un healthy eating habits. Despite these challenges, the commu nity is striving.

For instance, it celebrates Guyana Day in August and there is a regular movement to and from NYC.

In the final analysis, the movement of Guyanese to Schenectady is unique, insofar as being the most recognized second-wave migration in the Guyanese diaspora (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu).

Guyanese hail possibilities of visa-free UK travel

By Cindy Parkinson

ENCOURAGING more “people-to-peo ple” interaction between Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK), it was announced on Tuesday that Guyanese can now travel to the UK visa-free for six-months’ stay.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference with President, Dr Irfaan Ali and United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller. The waiver comes into effect from November 9, and Guyanese would only require a valid passport to travel as a “visitor” to the UK.

High Commissioner Miller noted follow ing the announcement that the visa-free stay is for visitors’ visas only, and any person who requires a “long-term visa” for more than 180 days, or visas for work or study, al ready-existing visa arrangements still apply.

For his part, President Ali had said that the decision increases “people-to-people” contact between Guyana and the United Kingdom.

President Ali cautioned against Guya nese who might want to exploit the system, adding that a lot of effort was put into getting the United Kingdom to agree to the decision.

The President said passengers to the UK would be screened using the Advanced Passenger Information System, much like tourists from any other nation.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Johnny Nandkishun, a frequent traveller, applauded Guyana and the United Kingdom for the visa waiver.

“This is an opportunity for all Guyanese to travel and visit the UK without the hassle of getting a visa, which can be costly as well,” he said.

“Considering Guyana’s history with the

United Kingdom, I am also happy that we can move on from that and create a brighter future for the young people in both coun tries.

Guyana is on the rise and I would also like to ask my Guyanese brothers and sisters to remember that we are a reflection of our country wherever we go, so let us make use of the opportunity that we are given and do what is expected of us.

“We are known throughout the world for our hospitality, hard work and intelligence.

benefit from this move, but it is also an op portunity to experience each other’s cultures and ways of life.

“I will definitely visit and experience what the UK has to offer and I am sure that

– as visitors now allowed six months stay

they will enjoy their visit to our country as well.”

There will be a direct flight with Brit ish Airways from Guyana to the United Kingdom as of March 31, 2023.

Let’s keep it that way. Don’t spoil it by overstaying in the UK or any other country and don’t get involved in or commit any illegal acts.

“We know better as a people. It would be nice for other countries to consider the visa waiver as well; I believe that we can all help each other and each other’s countries with leaders like ours,” Nandkishun added in his extensive comment.

Krystal Persaud, a secondary school student with great aspirations for the future, sees this as an opportunity for her to visit and possibly further her studies at one of the universities in the UK.

“When it comes to my career paths in life, there are a few things that I have in mind, but I know for sure that furthering my studies is a must for me. I would like to thank the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, for giving young people like myself an opportunity to explore our options.

“We are not limited anymore to Guyana, but we can also travel to countries such as the United Kingdom with easier access,” Persaud said.

John Rushamal James, a former school teacher, expressed his delight at the news. “I believe that it brings great recognition to Guyana and its people. Both countries will

London’s historic Big Ben clock, and the Houses of Parliament (Shutterstock image)

Special app developed to guide commuters during infrastructural projects

–– Public Works Ministry says new initiative will target East Bank Demerara residents as a test run

By Naomi Parris

THE Ministry of Public Works has launched a revolutionary application,

“Resolv Notification Service,” which will provide commuters with real-time updates on details related to ongoing infrastructural repairs and upgrades.

At the launch of the digital platform on Tuesday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said: “This app and tool [in the first phase] will be readily used as we seek to develop the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor from Grove to Timehri.”

The application which was developed by a local technology firm, V75 Inc., and commissioned by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is designed to leverage WhatsApp as a mass communi cation medium.

“With this app, notifications will come through your phone through WhatsApp; every Guyanese will be able to get a no tification in real time …they will be able to make adjustments [and] alternative arrangements,” Minister Edghill said.

He said that the ministry is cognisant of the inconveniences that commuters often face during the construction, expan

Works Minister said.

He added: “We will be developing the Moleson Creek Road… similar situations will be created there, we have just had the approval for the Soesdyke-Linden High way, putting in two roundabouts- one at the Soesdyke junction and the other at Millie’s Hideout to improve the flow of traffic. Construction will be on the road and people have to be notified.”

Minister Edghill reiterated that while Guyana is undergoing an infrastructural transformation and an overall advancement, the government

sion and repairs of roads.

“Development carries with it incon veniences for a period; this app and this project is to help us to be able to manage the inconvenience that could be experi enced during road development and man age it in such a way that you would not have to lose lots of time,” Edghill related.

While this application, as it is now, only provides updates for residents and commuters along the EBD corridor, Edghill affirmed that the platform will be expanded to provide traffic advisories across the country.

“We want to be able to take this as a learning curve and eventually introduce it for projects country wide,” the Public

Patrons could scan the QR code provided in the photograph for traffic advisories

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

Country Representative of IDB, Lorena Solorzano-Salazar

Digicel gives $350,000 for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

DIGICEL has pledged $350,000 in support of the Ministry of Education’s Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme.

This programme, according to a re lease, aims to equip secondary school students with the relevant skills and knowledge for employment, enabling them to transition easily into the working environment after they have completed training.

“The Ministry of Education is man

dated to ensure that Guyanese children are offered secondary education that will make them academically and economi cally viable. No child must be at risk of completing the secondary school cycle and not being gainfully employed, or able to advance their studies,” said Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson.

He added that: “TVET is a crucial factor for lifelong learning. Economies will advance when the role and position

ing of TVET are well integrated within the education system.”

Digicel’s Chief Commercial Officer, Simone Pierre, indicated, “It’s an honour for Digicel to partner with the Ministry of Education through this TVET pro gramme, as we believe in empowerment through education. Digicel has over the years been creating long-lasting initia tives in Guyana and across the region,

similar to the TVET programme in areas of education, special needs and commu nity development.”

Marcia Paddy, Assistant Chief Ed ucation Officer – Technical, expressed her sincere gratitude to the team at Digicel for always coming on board when the ministry called for the total communications provider’s continued support, the release said.

Special app developed to guide commuters ...

is making strides to ensure that all investments are people centered.

“So, while we are building, trans forming, modernising, we want to ensure that your lives are minimally interrupted and that the beneficiaries, the people of Guyana, they are kept abreast, they are informed,” Edghill related.

Resident IDB representative, Lo rena Solorzano-Salazar, in brief remarks, said commuters could now plan their schedule based on these updates.

She added that the IDB is not only committed to the advancement Guy ana’s infrastructure, but also easing the burdens and inconveniences faced

by road users.

10

The application provides commut ers and stakeholders with the ability to easily subscribe for updates, either via WhatsApp compatible QR codes or messaging “subscribe me” directly to the Resolv WhatsApp number (+1 (786)-244-6125).

Resolv also provides staff with the ability to access a management portal through which they could manage subscriber lists and quickly dispatch alerts.

The app provides an array of alert templates which simplify the authorship of traffic alerts, requir ing only dates, locations and times to be entered.

Left to right: Education officers Donald Sanichara and Jeanne Jefferey; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Technical), Marcia Paddy; Chief Com mercial Officer, Digicel Guyana, Simone Pierre and Education Officer, Marilyn Davis

Ramps Logistics files legal action over denial of local content certificate

ALTHOUGH failing to meet the requirements for a local content certificate, Ramps Logistics Guyana has moved to the High Court seeking orders to force the Local Content Secretariat (LCS) to issue the document.

The logistics compa ny, which was incorporated in 2013 and is parented by Ramps Logistics Limited out of Trinidad and Tobago, had made a request to be part of Guyana’s Local Content Register.

However, in June, the LCS after reviewing the com

pany’s application, deter mined that the information submitted was insufficient for a proper compliance evalua tion to be done by the Secre tariat in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

Dissatisfied, Ramps Lo gistics filed a Fixed Date Application (FDA) seeking several declarations and or ders. The respondents in the case are the Minister of Natural Resources, the At torney General, the LCS and its director.

The case comes up for hearing before Chief Jus tice (ag) Roxane George on

Thursday at 10:00 hours.

The company is seeking a declaration that it has satisfied the statutory requirements and/or pre-conditions neces sary for the grant of and/or issuance of the certificate.

It is also seeking another declaration that “as a Guy anese Company” it is “en titled” to be issued with a Certificate of Registration and to be entered into the Local Content Register.

The company stated that the Minster and Local Con tent Secretariat on June 8, 2022, unlawfully refused to grant them the certificate and

misconducted themselves.

Against this backdrop, the logistics company is asking the court to grant an order compelling the Minster and the LSC to issue the certif icate or to reconsider their application.

It was reported earlier this year that some 51 per cent of the local company was sold to Trinidadian businessman, Deepak Lall, who Ramps had said, has Guyanese parentage.

The sale of majority shares of the local logistics company came just after Guy ana’s Parliament enacted its updated local content rules

which are set to protect the interest of Guyanese and Guyanese companies in the growing local oil and gas sector.

Shaun Rampersad during a recent press conference at the local subsidiary’s New Market Street, Georgetown headquarters, said he was of the view that the company complied with specifics of the local content legislation. He had said too that the company felt that it went about the process in the right way.

Following the passing of the local content law, Ramps

reportedly sold 51 per cent of the company’s shares to Lall who, Rampersad said, paid GY$210 million.

The goal, Rampersad had noted, was to include some one from the Guyanese dias pora. Lall reportedly received his Guyanese passport in 2021.

Recently, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) instituted 10 charges against Ramps in accordance with the provisions of the Cus toms Act, Chapter 82:01, following an investigation by its Law Enforcement and Investigations Division.

CCJ to rule on election petition case today

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will today deliver its ruling in the case challenging wheth er the Guyana Court of Appeal has the jurisdic tion to hear and deter mine the appeal filed to challenge the dismissal of APNU+AFC’s Election Petition 99 of 2020.

The Trinidad-based court will deliver its ruling at 10:00 hours, via video conference, which will also be live-streamed on its You Tube page.

Attorney-General Mo habir Anil Nandlall, S.C., and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as the Gener al Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are the applicants in the case.

Nandlall and Jadgeo are contending that the appeal is a matter of public interest

and national importance as it concerns matters related to the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In a two-one decision handed down on December 21, 2021, the CoA said it has jurisdiction to entertain an appeal challenging act ing Chief Justice Roxane George’s decision to dis miss the said petition, on the grounds of late service, non-service, or improper service.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cum mings and Justice of Ap peal Dawn Gregory both agreed that the court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal that was filed.

However, Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud dis agreed, as, according to him, the applicants, Monica

Thomas and Brennan Nurse, had no right to appeal, since there was no final decision by the CJ, who had dis missed the application on January 18, 2021, on the grounds of serious non-com pliance. At the time, the matter was before the High Court.

He had also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have jurisdic tion to entertain the appeal, and, therefore, ruled that the appeal be dismissed.

The initial appeal was filed by APNU’s lawyer, Roysdale Forde and Trinida dian attorney John Jeremie, S.C.

Among other things, they had contended that the CJ erred in law, and misdi rected herself when she mis applied the doctrine of strict compliance by holding that

such compliance is related to the contents of the Affi davit of Service, instead of the filing of the Affidavit of

Service in a timely manner.

The CCJ is Guyana’s final court of appeal.

The appeal for the sec

ond dismissed petition, Election Petition 88 of 2020 is currently before the Court of Appeal.

China building ‘strong digital economy’ –– to further investments in research & development

By Samuel Sukhnandan in Beijing

AS part of China’ s endeavours to promote high-quality development and improve its competitiveness, the government has embarked on an ambi tious and comprehensive plan to build a stronger digital economy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need to make continuous efforts to build on the work that had already start ed in improving systems for science and technology when he addressed the open ing of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The Chinese leader said that “innova tion will remain at the heart of China’s modernisation drive” and that the country will improve the new system for mobil ising resources nationwide to make key technological breakthroughs.

“We will boost China’s strength in strategic science and technology, better allocate innovation resources, and better define the roles of high-tech enterprises. We will ensure better strategic input from the [sector], so as to boost China’s inno vation systems,” he said.

President Xi also talked about sup port for artificial intelligence and new energy sectors, describing them as new

engines of future growth for the world’s second-largest economy.

He also stressed the need for the inte grated development of strategic, emerging industries and the expansion of a new set of growth engines that include biotech, new materials, state-of-the-art machinery, and environmentally-friendly products.

China, according to President Xi, is still on its way to fostering a “new kind of industrialization” and becoming a power ful nation in manufacturing, high-quality goods, space exploration, transportation, cyberspace, and digitization.

Additionally, the Chinese President said, “Setting our sights on the global frontiers of science and technology, na tional economic development, the major needs of the country, and the health and safety of the people, we should speed up efforts to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.”

Investments

Meanwhile, a member of the Stand ing Committee of the Beijing Municipal CPC Committee, Mr. Zhao Lei, said in an interview on Tuesday that the country’s capital city has been increasing invest ment in technology, especially in research and development.

He told dozens of journalists covering

A woman views a 3D display product at the Smart China Expo 2021 in Chongq ing, southwest China, August 22, 2021. (Credit: Xinhua)

the congress that investment in research and development had reached 6.53 per cent, which is far ahead in the country and higher than the level of most devel oped countries.

He remarked, “It can be said that in recent years, we have spared no expense to play a big chess game in the layout of scientific and technological produc tivity.”

Further, Mr. Lei told the domestic and international media that Beijing has also increased investment in the construction of benchmark cities for the digital economy.

“Judging from last year’s statistics, our digital economy accounted for more than 40 per cent of the total economy, which is far ahead in the country. We will seize this general trend, seize the pulse of the times, and vigorously build a benchmark city for the digital economy,” he continued.

Earlier this year, the Chinese gov ernment published a major plan to boost its global competitiveness in the digital economy by 2025.

The 14th five-year plan on the “digital economy,” published by China’s State Council in January, is broad in scope, covering everything from communica tions to e-commerce.

It will serve as a critical force in re organising global resources, reshaping global economic structures, and altering the global competitive landscape.

(Reporting courtesy of NCN Editor, Samuel Sukhnandan who is currently in Beijing on a China International Press Communication Centre (CIP CC) 2022 Fellowship at the invitation of the China Public Diplomacy Asso ciation)

Bascom case to remain with Magistrate Daly; February 20 set for trial to begin

SENIOR Magistrate Leron Daly will commence hearing evidence in the cybercrime case involving Police Sergeant Dion Bascom, on February 20, 2023.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Daly opted to recuse herself from pre siding over the matter in keep ing with a letter written by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack.

The DPP had written the act ing Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings- Ed wards asking that Magistrate Daly be recused from hearing the case.

The DPP, in her letter, said that while Magistrate Daly does not appear to have any personal interest in the matter, her con duct, thus far, might lead to a miscarriage of justice or more legal challenges.

In her ruling, Magistrate Daly said that she was “in clined” to recuse herself given the “strongly worded” letter by the DPP.

She then transferred the mat ter to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. However, the Chief

Police Sergeant Dion Bascom

Magistrate subsequently said that she received no instruction from the Chancellor for the mag istrate’s removal.

Among other things, the Chief Magistrate said the grounds raised were insufficient to constitute a valid reason for recusal.

In the end, the matter was returned to Magistrate Daly, who

then set February 20, 2023, for the commencement of the trial.

Last month, Bascom made his first appearance before the Chief Magistrate for allegedly accusing two senior officers of covering up the murder of Ricar do Fagundes, known as “Paper Shorts.”

Bascom denied the three charges, which alleged that he, during August, used a computer system to transmit electronic data with the intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emo tional distress to Superintendents Mitchell Caesar and Chabinauth Singh.

He was released on $300,000 bail, and was ordered to lodge his passport at the court, among other conditions.

Recently, Hughes filed a private criminal charge against the Crime Chief; however, the charge was later discontinued by the DPP.

On August 8, Bascom was arrested during a Customs An ti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) raid at a home in Norton Street, Georgetown. Bascom was even tually released.

He then posted a live video on social media, which he later deleted, naming businessman Azruddin Mohamed and several senior officers in allegations about the murder investigation.

A popular gold dealer and biker, 42-year-old Fagundes was gunned down on Main Street, Georgetown, on March 21. Fa gundes was shot more than a dozen times.

In the now-deleted Facebook video, Bascom claimed that he believed his detention had to do with his work on the murder case.

Mohamed has filed a $200 million lawsuit against Bascom in relation to the claims he made. The businessman is contending that the allegations made by Bascom are false.

The Regional Security Sys tem (RSS) recently reviewed the work done by police inves tigators and confirmed that there was no evidence to suggest that there was any attempt to cover up the crime.

The RSS also found that there is also no evidence of corrupt practices.

MoE’s breakfast programme launched in Region Three

–– designed to meet pupils’ nutrition needs while learning

THE Ministry of Ed ucation’ s ‘Edutrition: Breakfast for Suc cess’ programme was launched on Tuesday in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), according to a ministry statement.

At the Windsor Forest Primary School on the West Coast Demerara (WCD), Minister of Ed ucation, Priya Manick chand, told those gathered that the programme is part of the Ministry’s plan to ensure every school-aged

child receives an educa tion.

“We want to see your children doing better. We want to see your children shining. We know that you spend your whole life as parents trying to make sure you can give your

children a better place in this world and you have given them less struggles and have given them a life of no wants, and we, as a government, are here to support that,” Minister Manickchand said.

She further highlight ed that the government remains committed to in vesting in the nation’s children.

“We have a duty that we have to fulfil to our children and that main duty is to make you func tional and the best you can be in this country,” the minister continued.

In brief remarks, Co ordinator of the Breakfast Programme, Mr Mahendra

Phagwah told the pupils at school that the programme was created to meet their needs, so they can enjoy a nutritious yet tasty meal.

Regional Chairman for Region Three, Mr Inshan Ayube noted that the gov ernment is cognisant of the struggles some parents face, as such, the implementation of the programme will ease the burden of some parents and provide breakfast for thousands of pupils.

Present at the launch were parents of Grade Six pupils and Opposition Member of Parliament, Mr Ganesh Mahipaul.

Through this pro gramme, employment was created for 51 caterers.

Three Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Offi cers from the region were recruited to help monitor the breakfast programme so that excellence is de livered.

To date, some 12,357 pupils from 245 prima ry schools have benefit ted from the Ministry of Education’s ‘ Edutrition: Breakfast for Success’ programme.

Additionally, more than 80,000 children benefit from the Nation al School Feeding Pro gramme daily.

The programme has also been credited with improving the number of pupils attending school.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand sits with two pupils of the Windsor Forest Primary School as the breakfast programme’s coordinator, Mahendra Phagwah looks on (Education Ministry photo)

Major sensitisation campaign launched to curb road fatalities

By Naomi Parris

WITH Guyana recording a seven per cent increase in road fatalities so far for this year, the Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with Inter-American Development (IDB), on Tuesday, launched its high way safety video campaign at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School.

According to statistics from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), there were 78 accidents this year, which claimed the lives of 85 persons, 66 per cent of whom were children.

Those statistics reflect a seven per cent increase in road fatalities when compared to the corresponding period last year.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, in his ad dress at the launch of the road safety campaign, made a special appeal to road users.

“Minibuses are not weapons of mass destruction,

Norton sprints from questions on LGEs

OPPOSITION Leader, Au brey Norton, has once again ‘ran way’ from the issue of whether or not the party is going to participate in the imminent Local Govern ment Elections (LGEs).

In light of the Guy ana Elections Commission (GECOM) having written to Minister of Local Govern ment and Regional Devel opment, Nigel Dharamlall advising of a time period within which LGEs could be held, Norton was once again approached about his party’s position on its participation in

those elections.

However, all Norton would say is that: “We will continue to do our political work and at the right time we will say what we will do.”

The PNC/R is the largest component of the A Partner ship for National Unity coali tion, for which Norton is also the Chairman. Together, the APNU+ Alliance For Change (AFC) Coalition forms the main opposition.

Norton, who is also the Leader of the People’s Na tional Congress/Reform (PNC/R), when pressed about

the reason for his party’s se crecy, described the posture as a strategic move.

“The questions of elec tions have to do with strategy and tactic, we think strategi cally we don’t need to say it at this time. We will decide at the right time what we will say in terms of participation and non-participation,” Nor ton maintained.

Norton was also ques tioned on whether the APNU and AFC would be looking to contest the LGEs as one unit or go in separately, as was the case in the 2018 LGEs,

which yielded dismal results for the two sides. To this, the Opposition Leader opted to dodge the question.

The AFC failed to gain any substantial support in most Local Democratic Or gans (LDO), weakening its weight in the coalition, while the APNU also lost support in some its strongholds, gaining less seats on some councils.

The LGE is used to elect council members for the 80 LDOs which includes 70 Neighbourhood Democrat ic Councils (NDC) and 10 municipalities

A student of the East Ruimveldt Secondary School; Country Representative of IDB, Lorena Solorzano-Salazar and Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill share a light moment following the launch of the highway safety video campaign (Elvin Croker photo)

it is supposed to be modes transportation, whether it’s a truck, it’s a bus, a taxi, a private car, a motorcyclist, we are parents, we are brothers, we are sisters, lets treat everybody on the road with respect, show the necessary courtesy,” Edghill said.

Minister Edghill emphasised that all stakeholders must be part of the campaign to ensure that all road-safe ty protocols are observed in an effort to reduce the number of accidents.

“Let us change this culture that a new road means an opportunity to show off what you got and let us get a mature approach to road safety,” the minister advised.

He added: “As terrible as it might sound, I don’t want to see a child on the road covered in a white sheet, it must not be you, it must not be your friend, it must not be your school mate or somebody from your com munity.”

Minister Edghill further appealed for a stronger reinforcement of traffic laws and road signs.

“We have to start enforcing [our laws], Guyana is not a country that lacks laws our problem is in the en forcement of those laws,” he said.

Country Representative of IDB, Lorena Solorza no-Salazar, in brief remarks, said the organisation will continue to collaborate on targeted projects and strategies to review and improve road safety laws.

Quintet plead not guilty to murder of Berbice carpenter

THE Berbice High Court trial into the murder of carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, who was fatally beaten by a gang of men in 2016, is expected to commence today before a 12-member jury.

Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob, on Tuesday appeared before Justice Navindra Singh.

The men denied that between October 31 and Novem

ber 1, 2016, at Number 70 Village, Berbice, they murdered Narinedatt.

The state is being represented by special prosecutor Latchmie Ra hamat and state counsel, Nafeeza Baig.

Police had initially labelled the case a ‘hitand-run accident’, but Narinedatt’s relatives had always been adamant that the scene was staged by persons known to them.

Reports are that after beating Narinedatt to death, his assailants placed his life less body into the trunk of a car, and when they reached a prearranged spot, dumped it on the public road.

They then drove the car over the body to make it look like an accident.

Guyanese-American businessman, Marcus Bisram was also charged for the murder. However, he was freed by a magistrate due to insufficient evidence.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack later instructed the magistrate to reopen the preliminary inquiry and commit Bisram to stand trial for the murder.

Bisram later moved to the High Court where a judge ruled that his incarceration was unlawful and ordered that he be released from prison.

The DPP later moved to the Appeal Court seeking to overturn the High Court ruling. The Appeal Court ordered that Bisram be retried for the murder.

However, Bisram later moved to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) where he was finally vindicated.

The CCJ ruled that it would be “unjust,” in all of the circumstances, for Bisram to be made to answer any charge of murder on the same evidence as was presented to the magistrate and on which he was freed twice.

From top left to right: Niran Yacoob, Harri Paul Parsram, Radesh Motie. Bottom left to right: Diodath Datt, Orlando Dickie (Stabroek News photo)

Dead: Faiyaz Narinedatt

Today’s Quiz:

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

South Africa Racing Tips

Durbanville

08:40 hrs Intimidator

09:20 hrs Holy Orders

09:55 hrs Blackberry Malt

10:30 hrs Queen Of Sparta 11:05 hrs Enchanted Creek

English Racing Tips Fontwell

08:12 hrs Montgomery 08:47 hrs I Care Grand champ

09:17 hrs Small Bad Bob 09:50 hrs Blaze A Trail

10:25 hrs Jeffrey’s Cross 11:00 hrs If I Say 11:35 hrs Call Of The Loon 12:10 hrs Ma Belle Noire

Newmarket

08:20 hrs Marie Laveau

08:55 hrs Peace Of Mine 09:25 hrs Greek Order

10:00 hrs Sir Lawerence Graff

10:35 hrs One Nation 11:10 hrs Nigwa 11:45 hrs Military Order 12:20 hrs Menalippe

Kempton 12:00 hrs Mister X 12:30 hrs Paspaley 13:00 hrs Divine Libra 13:30 hrs Lady Dreamer 14:00 hrs Star Child 14:30 hrs Mount Athos 15:00 hrs Aphelios 15:30 hrs Jumira Bridge

Irish Racing Tips

Navan

08:40 hrs Ardad’s Great 09:10 hrs Numoor

09:45 hrs Daisy Jones

10:20 hrs Screen Siren

10:55 hrs Blues Emperor 11:30 hrs Man O Work

12:05 hrs Majestic Jewel 12:40 hrs Global Export

American Racing Tips Keenland Race 1 Heir To Greatness Race 2 Open Saves Me Race 3 Losy Goldstart Race 4 Shack The Life Race 5 Laugh And Play Race 6 Cyclone Misvhief Race 7 Prevalence

Nissanka and bowlers give Sri Lanka NRR-boosting win

(ESPNCRICINFO) – SRI

LANKA dominated the first 14 overs with the bat, stumbled dramati cally against legspinner Karthik Meiyappan, who bagged a hat-trick, and then recovered sufficient ly to post 152 for 8. This was thanks largely to Pathum Nissanka's 74 off 60 balls.

significant if three teams end up on four points, on Thursday. The loss all but put UAE out of contention for a place in the main draw, as they would need to beat Namibia by a substan tial margin on Thursday to enter the main draw.

Sri Lanka's victory was soured, however, by an injury to fast bowler Dush

ka Rajapaksa, who was desperate to find his first boundary, Karthik bowled it flat and wide, the batter reaching for the ball, hitting over extra cover, and find ing the fielder in the deep.

Then came two stunning googlies. The first was to left-hander Charith Asalan ka, who prodded forward and sent an outside edge to

overs, pounding him over cow corner for six (though he top-edged Karthik in the next over, only for the ball to fall in between three fielders).

He reached his half cen tury only off the 45th ball he faced, but was excellent through the late overs, when Sri Lanka desperately need ed fireworks. His six over midwicket and four through long-off in the 19th over, off Junaid Siddique, helped inject some energy into a flagging innings. In the end, he holed out off the penul

timate ball, having held Sri Lanka's innings together with his 74 off 64 balls.

UAE'S CAPITULATION

It was essentially a roll ing collapse that started in Chameera's first over (the third of the innings), when he bowled Muhammad Waseem and Aryan Lakra, uprooting three stumps across those two dismiss als. He then had captain CP Rizwan caught at mid-off, before Sri Lanka's other seamer, Pramod Madushan, dismissed Chirag Suri -

another stumps-flying dis missal.

UAE were 30 for 4 after seven overs, when Hasa ranga imposed himself on the game. He started with a maiden, then had Vriitya Aravind out lbw on review the next over. He claimed two more wickets, while Maheesh Theekshana took two for himself.

Sri Lanka could have wrapped the match up earlier if they had held all their catches, but finished it off with the first ball of the 18th over nonetheless.

Although Sri Lanka's was merely a competitive rather than commanding total, their bowlers defend ed the total zealously, the quicks eviscerating UAE's top order, before the spin ners scythed through the middle. UAE never seemed to have the measure of the chase, going from 21 for 4 to 42 for 7, and eventually 73 all out.

The victory gave Sri Lanka a major run-rate boost (they are now up to +0.6), which could become

mantha Chameera, late in the game. Running in to bowl his final delivery of the match, Chameera pulled up lame, and immediately left the field, limping. From his reactions, it appeared as if the injury was more than a niggle.

KARTHIK MEIYAP PAN'S HAT-TRICK

Karthik had been good in his first two overs, con ceding just 14. But in the third, he upended Sri Lan ka's innings. To Bhanu

the keeper. The second to Dasun Shanaka, who did not pick the variation at all, and in his attempt to block the hat-trick ball, left a gap between bat and pad, which Karthik's delivery wriggled through, to hit the stumps.

NISSANKA'S SLOW BURN

Nissanka started steadi ly, hitting three fours to get to 25 off 17 in the pow erplay. He was the only batter to hit a boundary off Karthik, in the middle

Pathum Nissanka hit six fours and two sixes during his 60-ball 74 (ICC via Getty Images)

No point in just having talent; we need to produce it – Holder

(ESPNCRICINFO) -

HOW much can we read into the fact that ahead to their crunch Group B clash, West Indies sent their best-performing player from their defeat to Scotland to face the media and Zimbabwe present ed their only batter who didn't perform from their victory over Ireland?

Perhaps there's nothing more to it than the luck of the draw and those were the players tasked with press conference duties on the day or maybe in there is a small glimpse into the mindset of each of these teams: West Indies are looking for heroes who can do what Jason Holder did (2 for 14 and 38 runs off 33 balls against Scotland) and more; Zimbabwe are comfortable that even if someone like Regis Chak abva (who was dismissed for a two-ball duck against Ireland) fails, they have the resources to rally. That's the word usually reserved for West Indies and it's what they have to do to keep

their hopes of progressing to the Super 12s alive, pri marily with the bat.

"We didn't bat well. We were four down by the tenth over and that's not ideally where we need to be in a given T20 match. We've got to really set it up better for the back half to really pros per," Holder said, putting the spotlight on the obvious fault from West Indies first match. "We just kept losing our wickets at bad phases of the game and I think that's where the game got away from us. I don't think there's much more. When you keep a team to 160 in T20 cricket, you expect to walk home, but we didn't. So it's just a matter of us to really look at how we build partnerships in the middle and to really set the game up for the back half."

Asked whether West Indies were missing pow er-hitting of the past like Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard, Holder was un equivocal: "I don't think we're missing everyone. We've got every tool we

need in this dressing room."

Chakabva agrees with that, and said Zimbabwe are bracing for a West In dian rebound, even though they have barely played against them in this format. They've only faced off in three T20Is, and the last one came more than nine years ago. They haven't played against each other in more than four years, in any format, but on reputa tion alone, Zimbabwe are talking the opposition up. "West Indies are a force to be reckoned with, and they'll be hungry tomorrow to put in a big fight, and we know they're going to bring a big fight," Chakabva said.

He's right in that West Indies are serious about getting their campaign back on track. They have played open cards, both in the me dia where coach Phil Sim mons called their batting effort "unprofessional," and with each other in the postmatch analysis. "We had a very frank and honest dis cussion," Holder said. "The guys really shared how they

felt personally and got their emotions across. I think it's important to have construc tive conversations within the dressing room - it only builds the character of the team. Once we continue to be honest with one another, then go and execute, then I think we'll be in much bet ter stead."

Whether the conver sation will impact perfor mance remains to be seen but the proof will come on the playing field and there, Holder did not hold back on what he expects from his team-mates. "Tomor row would determine if the chats and discussions were fruitful. We just need to deliver. It's no uncertain terms about it. I think we've got what it takes to win this competition within our dressing room, but there's no point in just having the talent. We've got to produce it. Execution is the name of the game," Holder said. "We just need to find a way to put it together, not only put it together in the batting front but a complete game."

Zimbabwe have not gone anywhere near pre dicting something as mas sive as a tournament win. They wouldn't. For them, the first goal is getting into the Super 12s as a tribute to their new coach Dave Houghton, who said he didn't regard their tourna ment to have started unless they reached that stage, and who has allowed them to believe in themselves again.

"Dave has been brilliant with us, with everybody really around the team, and we've all loved having him," Chakabva said. "He's really brought that fun and really positive nature and aspect of our games back into the squad."

But it's not all love and light. Zimbabwe have also brought variety and skill to the tournament, especially in their bowling. In Rich ard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, they have a left-right opening bowl ing combination of pace, bounce and seam move ment. Tendai Chatara and Luke Jongwe complete a

four-seam attack, for whom Australian conditions seem tailor-made. When operat ing at what both Chakabva and Holder identified as Test-match length, this at tack could present a stern challenge to West Indies' shaky line-up. And they are followed by at least three spin option - Sean Williams, Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza. If needed, Zimbabwe have more in reserve.

The depth in their squad and their recent successful run - Zimbabwe have won eight of their last nine T20Is - means West Indies are not taking anything for granted, and they sent their best player to confirm it. "Zimbabwe are a very good cricket team and they have been more and more compet itive. They seem to be on a nice winning streak too," Holder said. "We ex pect a highly competitive game, probably one of the toughest games that we're going to have here in this competition."

Billingy and Moore win U13 Mixed Doubles title at Mini and Pre-Cadet Championship Jamaica win Boys

THE Guyanese pair of Jas mine Billingy and Malachi Moore emerged victorious against their compatriots in the Mixed Double U-13 final in the Caribbean Re gional Table Tennis Fed eration (CRTTF) Mini and Pre-Cadet Championships, which is set to conclude today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In a thrilling all-Guy anese final, the eventual winners were able to get the better of talented young sters, Ebo McNeil and Sa mara Sukhai, who had taken a two-nil lead.

Billingy and Moore were able to dig deep to win the last three games to finish

ahead 3-2 in the best-in-five series.

They won 8-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-6 and 11-9.

In the semi-finals, Billingy and Moore had got ten past Jamaicans, Logan Royes and Keeara Whyte 3-0 (11-4, 11-3 and 11-1), while McNeil and Sukhai defeated another Jamaican pair, Gmarco Smith and Kayan Denton 3-0 (13-11, 12-10 and 11-4).

Meanwhile, in the Boys U-11 Doubles final, Jamai cans Ajani Spencer and Anthony Bird got past the home team’s pair of Zion Hickerson and Kayden Mue sa by a 3-1 margin (11-4, 11-6, 4-11 and 11-4).

In the semi-finals, Spen cer and Bird had gotten the better of Trinidadian pair Liam Rattoo and Liam Walters, 3-0 (11-9, 11-7 and 11-3), while Hickerson and Meusa had defeated fellow Guyanese players, Narayan Goodridge and Kymani Haley 3-1 (6-11, 11-8, 118, 11-2).

The competition is ex pected to conclude tomor row with the Boys U-13 Doubles semi-finals and final, the Girls U-13 Dou bles final, the Boys U-11 Singles final, the Girls U-11 Singles final, the Girls U-13 Singles final and the Boys U-13 Singles final.

Malachi Moore (left) and Ebo McNeil have also been outstanding in the U-13 division

Shepherd leads Berbice to Senior inter-county Title at Providence

West Indies all-round er Romario Shepherd’s four-wicket haul led Ber bice to senior inter-county title over Essequibo in the GCB Senior Male Super50 inter-county tournament played at the Guyana Na tional Stadium, Provi dence.

The West Indies all-rounder’s opening burst put Essequibo on the back foot early, a position they never recovered from. His wickets included Essequi bo’s in form batsman Kemol Savory clean bowled for just 6 as he finished with figures of 4 for 26 off 8 overs.

Essequibo’s innings never got going as they were reduced to 57 for 9 in the 15th over when Ronsford Beaton was dismissed for 5. It was only until captain Antony Adams who top scored with an unbeaten 23 was joined by last man Gar field Phillips that Essequibo showed some resistance.

The pair added 41 for

10th wicket to take their to tal to 98 before Phillips was dismissed. Phillips was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 12. Also among the wickets was na tional fast bowler Clinton Pestano, who opened the bowling with Shepherd, returning figures of 3 for 20 off 6 overs. Left arm spinner

Gudakesh Motie took 2 for 18 off 8 overs.

Berbice, in reply, were led by attacking opening batsman Anthony Bramble who gave Berbice a flying start by racing to 35 off 23 balls before he was the second wicket to fall. When he was dismissed, the score was 49 in just 5.2 overs.

Kevin Sinclair, batting at number 5, finished on 24 not out to see Berbice over the line in the 16th over. West Indies fast bowler Keemo Paul bowled excellently to claim four of the five wick ets to fall for Berbice finish ing with figures of 4 for 30.

At the presentation cer emony held after the match,

Romario Shepherd collected three awards; the Man of the Match, Most Wickets (9) and Most Valuable Player while Leon Johnson finished as the leading run scorer with 233 runs.

This tournament marks the first time Se nior Male inter-county has been played since 2014

and it is expected to be used to select the Guyana Senior team (to be an nounce soon) to play in the CG Insurance Regional Super50 Tournament set to commence on October 29 in Trinidad and Toba go and Antigua. (Guyana Cricket Board press re lease)

Stunning final-hole performance spurs Videsh and Patanjilee Persaud to title

An eagle (two under par) on the final hole of the Atlan tic JZ Energy Inc 2-Player

Scramble spurred Videsh Persaud and Patanjilee

“Pur” Persaud to champi onship honours in the latest competition at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC).

The players were able to hold their nerves on the par-five hole. Patanjilee teed off with a solid drive of ap proximately 280 yards which struck the middle of the fair way, while Videsh was on target with the second shot as it ended just three feet from the hole.

Pur made no mistake, which lifted his team to gross 67, net 59.

Off the course, former 10time Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud and the capa ble Paton George were feeling

confident, they had combined for an impressive score of 65 gross and 62 net, but they had to settle for second place in the

competitive battle.

Kassim Khan and Ayube Subhan also played really well to finish third with a gross 67

and Net 63.

Also impressive were reigning Guyana Open cham pion Avinda Kishore and his

teammate Jessel Mohammed, a former USA collegiate and professional golfer, who fin ished with a gross 62 after also

recording an eagle on their scorecard.

Khan won the longest drive, while Pur won the clos est to the pin award.

LGC Vice President George thanked the President of Atlantic JZ Energy Inc Mo hammed for stepping up and sponsoring “this important event”. He also thanked the talented golfer for his commit ment to help grow the game in Guyana. “Jessel’s contri bution as a sponsor/player/ promoter of the game of golf, being a former professional golfer is significant to golf in Guyana”.

In his closing remarks, Mohammed thanked the players for their partici pation and committed to further partnerships with the club and to promoting the game at the junior level.

GCB

Caught in the slips! Essequibo batsmen fell cheaply (Adrian Narine Photo)

Atlantic JZ Energy Inc Best Ball 2-Player Scramble:

The top three teams along with Atlantic JZ Energy

President Jessel Mohammed (extreme right)

No

just having talent;

Jason

GCB Senior Male Super50 inter-county Tournament…

Bowled! (Essequibo’s fight for

trophy never got going (Adrian Narine Photo)

Jasmine Billingy (right) won her second gold, while

Sukhai finished with

silver in