Guyana Chronicle E-paper 3-27-2019

WEDNESDAY 27th March, 2019

‘No restraint on gov’t’ No.105589

… AG says Court ruling cancels out no-confidence 03 motion PAGE

… debunks claims by Jagdeo that bills passed by Parliament would be illegal

All set for multi-ministry outreach

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Guyana in race to eliminate Filaria 05 PAGE

… Health Ministry mulls seven-pill dosage

Students belt-thrashed by classmate 13 PAGE

Organisers of the multi-ministry outreach at the Square of the Revolution today have put all systems in place for the event, which is expected to attract thousands seeking government services and resolution to other issues (Delano Williams photo)

--- Education Ministry launches investigation

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday March 27, 2019

No restraint on gov’t

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

… AG says Court ruling cancels out no-confidence motion

… debunks claims by Jagdeo that bills passed by Parliament would be illegal MINISTER of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams, has indicated that any Bill passed in the Parliament during this period--- even as the no-confidence motion proceeds to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)--will remain as legally passed.

In an invited comment by the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, the Attorney General debunked the recent statements of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who suggested otherwise.

In a recent television interview, Jagdeo stated: “The consequences of the CCJ ruling that the no-confidence motion was validly passed by a 33-32 vote would mean that the government and all of its acts after March 21 would have been illegal because the Constitution will then kick in…it would invalidate anything that we’ve done in the Parliament because we would have illegally convened the Parliament.”

On Friday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the No-Confidence Motion was not validly passed in the National Assembly, thereby overturning the High Court’s decision of Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

Before a packed courtroom, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory ruled that the Opposition needed 34 votes to defeat the Government and not 33.

Then on Tuesday, in a press release, Attorney-at-Law Mohabir Anil Nandlall indicated that a Notice of Application for Special Leave to the CCJ has been filed in the name of the Opposition Leader on March 26, 2019.

While the Attorney General did not

indicate when the Government intends to head to Parliament, he assured that all actions within the chambers at this period will be legal. “There’s no impediment; there’s no restraint; there’s no no-confidence motion so everything will be lawful,” Williams said.

“The Court of Appeal ruling has effect as though there was never the passage of any no-confidence motion because they found that it was not validly passed.”

He added that should the CCJ rule in the future that the no-confidence motion was validly passed; any bills given passage by the Government will remain as passed.

Meanwhile, during a televised broadcast on Friday night, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, while performing the functions of President said that steps will be taken to reconvene Parliament soonest. “The Parliament, acting upon the decision of the court, can meet as soon as it likes to address whatever it likes and to deal with Bills brought before it and motions brought before it however it likes,” he said.

Even as the People’s Progressive Party expects that the directions to be given by the CCJ will bring about an early hearing and determination of the appeal, the Attorney General said that the Government is ready to defend the decision of the Appellate Court.

He added that it might even be necessary for the Government to cross appeal which would see them requesting a review of a lower court’s decision. “We will be there to contest the appeal that will be filed. We will vigorously represent our case,” he said earlier on Tuesday.

Regarding the possibility of cross-ap-

pealing, Minister added: “I had raised several issues on whether the three-months was mandatory or directory; the whole question of severing the Cabinet from Government and a contention that the President and Government could remain in office after the expiration of the three months if no elections was held. We also would challenge [the contention] that it was the Government to hold elections instead of GECOM. There are several issues that we could [cross appeal] if it comes to that.”

The Attorney General and a battery of lawyers, in a series of arguments, submitted that the three-month provision in the Constitution, which provides for early elections, is not mandatory but rather directory.

They argued that the Article 106(7) of the Constitution can only be interpreted as directory since the government has no control over elections.

Under the current construct of the Constitution, only Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can hold and supervise the conduct of elections independently.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General has also argued that the Constitution does not provide for the “immediate” resignation of Cabinet and that such a move would cripple the government’s ability to finance the holding of elections by GECOM and its ability to provide critical services to the people.

In the Notice of Application and Draft Order shared by Nandlall orders were made to appeal the decision of the local Appellate Court; to declare that 33 votes constitute a majority; that the no-confidence motion moved by Jagdeo was validly passed among others.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams

City Mayor to get his preferred chauffeur ACTING Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Monroe, said that the issue regarding the preferred chauffeur of Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine was being sorted out and will be concluded on the advice of the Local Government Commission (LGC) At the Council’s last statutory meeting on Monday, Mayor Narine expressed that he felt his life was in danger because he was being forced to work with a chauffeur that he was not comfortable with.

Harry-Monroe had put forward that the City Council already had two chauffeurs who cannot simply be put out of employment and that a third chauffeur was not catered for in the structure of

the municipality.

She had also vouched for Narine’s current chauffeur stating that he had been in the Council’s employ since 1994.

However, in an invited comment to this newspaper the mayor expressed: “When I was elected mayor, I had an organisation second my driver but I kept asking and asking for his employment as chauffeur because I don’t need both a driver and chauffeur; that would cost the council.”

Because of the amount of work he was doing in the City, Narine said he preferred to be with someone with whom he was comfortable.

Narine said he raised this

Acting Town Clerk Sharon Harry-Monroe matter with Harry-Monroe since last January and felt like he was being ‘shoved’

around by the administration as former mayors were allowed to bring along their own chauffeurs.

“Why am I given this kind of a hard time at the council administration where the person who drives me is not employed as a chauffeur? I made contact with the Local Government Commission which has indicated to me that the chauffeur can be on a contract and when I leave, he will leave,” Narine said.

On Tuesday, calling a press briefing, the Acting Town Clerk explained that the structure of the municipality catered for two chauffeurs which included one for the Mayor.

“At no time, I as the Act-

ing Town Clerk, would have denied him that privilege… when he indicated to me that he would like to have somebody drive him who he’s comfortable with, we had no vacancy for a driver or a chauffeur because we would have had a chauffeur in place. However, he would have indicated that the person would have been seconded and at no time we would have denied him that,” she said.

She noted that because the structure only catered for two, in keeping with her duty to give advice, the matter required the consideration of the LGC. “What I want persons to know is that I’m currently having it resolved. I’ve spo-

ken with the Mayor since and we’ll go forward from there,” she said.

“The Council would have made the decision to take on [the Mayor’s preferred driver] as a chauffeur so I’ll have to take that to the Local Government Commission and upon its response then we will go ahead to employ that person if it is approved.”

While the chauffeur cannot currently be employed in the position under the Council, Harry-Monroe stated that he will receive all the emoluments and benefits that relate to the position.

She said: “I am not here to deny the Mayor what he wants in keeping with Council’s policy and in keeping with the law.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday March 27, 2019

Hotelier Erwin Bacchus murder trial…

Pathologist confirms victim died of gunshot wounds WHEN the trial of Erwin Bacchus continued before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh was cross-examined.

Dr. Singh testified that his examination had confirmed that the deceased, Jason De Florimonte, had indeed died of gunshot

wounds was cross-examined by defence counsel Glen Hanoman and Nigel Hughes.

Bacchus, 45, a hotel proprietor of 260 Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, was on $1.5M bail after being originally charged with manslaughter. However, the manslaughter charge was upgraded to murder on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions; consequently, Bacchus is now on remand.

According to reports, on August 4, 2018, around 01:00hrs, De Florimonte, who lived in proximity to Bacchus’s hotel, was seen abusing a young woman. Bacchus’s employee, a handyman, intervened and De Florimonte reportedly armed himself with a rolling pin and a knife and attacked the handyman, who ran into the compound of the hotel.

Bacchus, a licensed firearm holder, drew

his firearm and fired two warning shots, but De Florimonte continued to attack the handyman. It was then that Bacchus fired several shots at De Florimonte, causing him to be mortally wounded.

An autopsy conducted on De Florimonte’s remains revealed that he was shot three times about his body.The trial was adjourned to March 29, 2019.

Grove man jailed, remanded on multiple charges BALRAM Phagoo, 30, on Monday, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, at the Providence Magistrates Court, for assaulting his reputed wife and threatening to kill her.

Phagoo, of Grove Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara, is charged with five counts of using threatening language and with a single count of assault to cause grievous bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

It is alleged that Balram used threatening language to his reputed wife, Indranie Gafoor, at Grove Sea Dam

Housing Scheme on March 10, 2019.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves told the magistrate that the defendant is no stranger to the court, since he was recently handed a six-month sentence for assaulting his reputed wife and dousing her with kerosene.

Gonsalves informed the court that Phagoo had been tried and handed a six-month sentence in absentia, since he had not been attending court. In reply to the prosecutor’s claim, Phagoo begged the magistrate not to send him to prison: “I don’t want to go to jail, because jail is hard… when yuh in

jail you can’t make no money and yuh can’t work,” Phagoo, who was unrepresented by counsel, pleaded. He added that the ‘lil money’ for which he works is used to maintain his three children who he has with Gafoor.

Magistrate Judy Latchman however placed Phagoo on $20,000, bail for each of the five counts of the threatening-language charge and remanded him to prison for the assault charge. The court also ordered that he serves the six-month sentence for his previous conviction. He will return to court on April 8, 2019.

Campbellville double murder…

Defence counsel a ‘no-show’; PI adjourned PRINCIPAL Magistrate Judy Latchman was on Tuesday forced to adjourn the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Deonarine Liliah and his son Omkar, of Craig Street, Campbellville.

The adjournment was caused by the absence of defence counsel Melville Duke.

Orlando Douglas, 31, also of Campbellville, is currently on remand for the murder of 61-year-old Liliah and his

28-year-old son during the course of a robbery between July 7, 2018 and July 10, 2018.

Police prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves on Tuesday called the final witness to testify.

However, on account of Duke’s absence, the case was adjourned to April 15, 2019. The Guyana Chronicle had previously reported that the father and son were last seen alive on July 7 at their Campbellville home; but

after a foul stench started to emanate from the premises, three days later, their tenant called the police and their decomposing bodies were discovered.

The police managed to recover CCTV footage which showed an unidentified male jumping the western fence and entering the house. A post-mortem report revealed that the victims had been stabbed a total of 66 times.

Saturday 23, March, 2019

03 06 08 11 20 21 02

G

19, 21, 03, 26, 14

7, 4, 9

2, 2, 1

03, 06, 13, 15, 17

22, March, 2019

05 09 10 16 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday March 27, 2019

Guyana in race to eliminate Filaria …Health Ministry mulls seven-pill dosage

By Svetlana Marshall THE use of a triple therapy IDA (Ivermectin, Diethycarbamazine and Albendazole) from this year is mandatory if Guyana is to be successful in interrupting the transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), commonly called Filaria or ‘Big Foot’ by 2020, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle said.

“Our current use of DA (Diethycarbamazine and Albendazole) alone will need at least three more years to achieve elimination and therefore we would miss the target of 2020. We are therefore about to assess the acceptability of this modified (triple therapy) intervention, which will have a pill burden of seven to nine pills in a stat dose among the target population,” the DCMO explained. The acceptability study is scheduled to be implemented in May, which will then inform the Social Mobilisation Campaign. According to her, with the implementation of IDA, Guyana would be well on track to eliminating ‘Big Foot’ by 2020.

Dr. Boyle made the supposition on Tuesday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel during the start of a three-day high-level Technical Cooperation Mission meeting organised by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.

The technical team is reviewing the progress of strategies, plan of action and current challenges for achieving the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) in Guyana.

“At present, Guyana has 44 per cent geographical coverage having conducted the exercise in four (Regions

Three, Four, Five and 10) of the nine endemic regions that surpassed the one per cent threshold in the 2001 mapping exercise. Moreover, in 2017 and 2018, Guyana achieved 86 per cent and 85 per cent epidemiological coverage respectfully, and as such, successfully marked two consecutive years with adequate coverage having surpassed the target of 65 per cent,” the DCMO explained as she gave a progress report.

In 2000, Guyana embraced WHO’s Global Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis by 2020, which entails a comprehensive strategy to stop the spread of the infection through large-scale annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA), and alleviate the suffering caused by the disease.

In 2001, a mapping among schoolchildren revealed that Guyana is endemic to Lymphatic Filariasis.

The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) was identified as the best intervention to eliminate the disease.

“In 2003, Guyana started with the use of Diethyl Carbamazine (DEC) fortified salt; however, it proved difficult to confirm the epidemiological coverage. In 2008, Guyana started to implement in some geographical settings Mass Drug Administration using diethylcarbamazine and adlbendazole pills,” Dr. Boyle detailed.

Since then, the Public Health Ministry has had difficulties in successfully executing five consecutive MDAs as required for the elimination of the disease.

Guyana’s current strategy is tailored to target the population within schools and workplaces with support coverage at fixed points such as market places and religious institutions, the DCMO said.

With Guyana’s geographical coverage currently at 44

per cent, Dr. Boyle said key to scaling it up to 100 per cent is a remapping survey which is being conducted in the six regions (Regions One, Two, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine) that have not yet been apart the Mass Drug Administration. “This survey will give an updated picture as to which other implementation units need to be included in the current Mass Drug Administration excise,” the DCMO explained, even as she underscored the importance of utilising the triple therapy IDA at this stage to reach the 2020 deadline.

PAHO/WHO donated the Diethycarbamazine and Albendazole for the initial rounds of the MDA, and has committed to supply the country with additional drugs for the IDA if it is accepted on the ground.

PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow maintains that consistent delivery and high coverage in each round of MDA are essential for Guyana. He said the triple therapy

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle (third from left) and PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow (third from right) seated among members of the high-level technical team here in Guyana to track the country’s progress in eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis

provides an opportunity for countries like Guyana and Haiti, who are lagging behind, to reach the target in a shorter period.

“In 2017, research results to determine the potential of alternative strategies, such as biannual MDA or a combination of triple MDA medicines, to shorten the time required to reach elimination targets have been published.

The possibility for countries to reduce the number of MDA years needed to achieve filarial elimination from five to two years, is now a reality,” Dr. Adu-Krow told those present.

He said the last two countries to eliminate filaria in the Americas have a golden opportunity to complete the

last MDA rounds in 2020, and start the validation process of the WHO to obtain certification of elimination by 2024.

Dr. Adu-Krow said PAHO/WHO is pleased to partner with Guyana in its quest to eliminate the spread of the disease in the country.

PAHO/WHO has been providing technical support over the years.

The high-level team currently in Guyana will make recommendations at the highest strategic and technical levels for the implementation of cost-effective and evidence-based interventions for ELF as a public health problem in Guyana.

The mission, led by the PAHO/WHO Director of

Communicable Diseases and Environment Department is meeting with officials of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and other partner ministries to discuss the implementation of the triple-drug therapy, as the new Mass Drug Administration (MDA) strategy recommended by PAHO/WHO and endorsed by the Ministry of Public Health.

Interventions in the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis are estimated to have prevented or cured more than 97 million cases so far and avert more than US$100 billion in economic losses over the lifetime of those who have benefited, according to PAHO/WHO.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday March 27, 2019

Stabroek News’ attack on the court ON March 25, Stabroek News (SN) published an editorial captioned, ‘The Court of Appeal ruling and its aftermath’.

The ill-advised publication is not only an embarrassment to SN, but also brings the entire practice of journalism into disrepute, as the article not only presents several questionable assertions as facts, but also directly attacks the institution of the judiciary, which is a major cornerstone of democracy and good governance.

The SN article attacks the ruling itself. It states, “The majority decision of the court on Friday came as a surprise.

The ruling that 34 is the requisite majority in the National Assembly, for the purposes of the NCM, is utterly unconvincing. If the formula of the two justices was adopted, and consideration taken of the high importance of this case, then the majority on the three-person panel would be

three – truly astounding. It remains the case that those who have argued for 34 as a majority have inserted the word ‘absolute’ into their pleadings, where this term is not present in the article in question, and is hardly implied in the rest of the Constitution. On those grounds alone, the case for 34 should fail, as Article 106 (6) is pellucid on its very own, and should not be adulterated by the language of expediency.”

It states too, “It will not go unnoticed to the CCJ that a separate branch of government – the legislature -- ruled that the NCM was properly passed.” Further, the article asserts that, “The layman should also be forgiven for believing that the principle of stare decisis should be applicable in this case.”

Stabroek News then goes even further down the road of speculation and unfounded prediction by asserting that many of the proponents of

the egregious 34 argument had fully accepted that 33 was the trigger for the fall of a government under Article 106(6). In this vein, the SN names Prime Minister Nagamootoo, Minister Hughes, Attorney-General Williams, and even President David Granger, among others. SN predicts how the government will behave in the wake of the ruling, and implies improper collusion between government and GECOM by stating, “With the Court of Appeal’s ruling, the merry go-around between government and the Guyana Elections Commission will come to a halt.

There is no imperative at this point to declare a date for general elections.”

SN ends by suggesting that government engage the opposition in discussions as the case goes to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

First, the existence and publication of the content of the editorial is improper and

unethical, and one would have expected a higher level of conduct from one of Guyana’s most established newspapers. SN’s attacks on the court, the judicial system, the government and its officials, the ruling and the entire process of jurisprudence are to be condemned. According to the Reynold’s Journalism Institute of the University of Missouri, “The fundamental objective of journalism is to serve the people with news, views, comments and information on matters of public interest in a fair, accurate unbiased, sober and decent manner. Towards this end, the Press is expected to conduct itself in keeping with certain norms of professionalism.” Such norms include accuracy and fairness, pre-publication verification, caution against defamatory or libelous writings.

Under no circumstances can the SN article be deemed to be accurate or fair; the ar-

Revisiting Elections Day 1992 with Hamilton Green Dear Editor, I BELIEVE it is necessary to comment on the points made by P.D. Sharma who wrote from Los Angeles, California.

I think Mr. Sharma may have good intentions, and may even consider himself sincere. However, he has missed the fundamental point in my concern for the involvement of the Carter Center. From the very beginning, I hold strong to the view that if we are to prove our maturity and independence, matters which are clearly internal should be settled by and among ourselves.

Mr. Sharma clearly is the

victim of propaganda generated in the early 90s. First, he is quite inaccurate when he accuses me of leading street protests that led Carter to fear for his life. I don’t know whether Mr. Carter expressed such fears to him, or is he making an assumption, but that’s another matter.

Mr. Editor, let me recap briefly some events of that fateful day for the records, and for the benefit of the likes of Mr. Sharma. On Election Day 1992, with members of my family, I arrived at the Lodge Primary School to cast my ballot. Afterwards, three persons approached me, I remember one’s name, a Mr. Moore, a lady who had

just started a small funeral service, and another female.

They were all armed with their identification cards, but when they approached the Poll Clerk, their names could not be found. They confirmed that they had checked, and that their names did appear on the list posted earlier on the lower flat of the said school. I confirmed this, and called the Chairman of Elections Commission to report this situation. He immediately dispatched the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Stanley Singh, who noted the discrepancy in the list being used by the Poll Clerk. He removed the list that was earlier posted at the school, and

after identifying himself, he advised the Poll Clerk present to use that list instead.

The Poll Clerk said that the instructions they received was to use only the list given to them that morning. Recall that GECOM supplied lists to certain areas late on Election Day. In areas of West Demerara and Georgetown, the lists arrived after 6:00am, resulting in some cases, voting starting after 6:00am.

In moving around the City, there were similar situations, Ruimveldt, La Penitence, and other areas. Concerned that it was apparent that many of our supporters were being denied their right to vote, I approached Pres-

ticle is clearly biased, unfair, prejudicial and disrespectful of elected officials of government and the institution of the court. One may even conclude that it borders on the inflammatory. SN’s attack on the ruling of the Court of Appeal goes beyond the distasteful, and enters the realm of the surreal, as it appears that the newspaper has placed itself above the court, and holds the view that its judgement and knowledge of legal matters superceed that of Guyana’s second highest court. Further, SN purports to interpret the constitution, strongly implying that the justices of the court either do not know their job, or are hypocritical in their actions.

The disrespect displayed by SN does not end there. The paper presumes to know how the government, including the president, will conduct itself. This, in spite of no mention being made of pre-publication interviews

being conducted with any of the persons named in the article.

SN wrote, “the layman should also be forgiven for believing that the principle of stare decisis should be applicable in this case.” For purposes of clarification, “Stare decisive” simply means precedent, aword which SN could have used, instead of trying to impress readers. By the way, precedent, it is said by lawyers, applies in almost every case in which similar facts are at issue. Considering all of the foregoing, SN owes an apology not only to the institutions and persons that were so blatantly disrespected by the content of the article, but also to the reading public, whose intelligence was insulted by its insinuations that the newspaper was in a better position to determine a matter of constitutional law rather than Guyana’s Court of Appeal.

ident Hoyte and told him it was clear that the list generated, we understood, at the instance of the Carter Center was seriously flawed, and that he should use his authority to abort the process.

His reply, and I have one witness still alive to this conversation, was, “Let the chips fall where they will.”

Later, along with Dr. Reid, they began advising persons that they should utilise the opportunity to vote, using a ‘Tendered Ballot’.

I understand that this was the advice of a Carter Center operative on the ground that day. I always respected my chronological seniors, Hoyte and Reid, but as I noted later, they acted like ‘schoolboys’ and didn’t listen to one who had been in the hustings since 1952, 1953. Sensing the tension build-up in Georgetown and knowing I will be blamed for any ugly incident, with a few companions, I left the City and did not return until

that evening. So, Mr. Sharma is quite wrong; I did not want to cause mayhem. Therefore, P.D. Sharma owes me an apology. The other concern, beyond the principal position described in my early letter, President Jimmy Carter persuaded President Hoyte to give up overseas voting, thereby denying Guyanese who lived abroad the right to vote. This right is enjoyed by every American citizen.

Earlier, I suggested to Mr. Hoyte that if the list of overseas voters was bloated (current language), that it should be sanitised, but not completely abandoned. Mr. Sharma should know. I never met Mr. Carter in Guyana, even though I was Prime Minister, and known to be one of the principal political activists of the PNC. Next, Mr. Sharma should forgive me for my reference to the ‘deep south’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday March 27, 2019

Managers in the Public Sector must do an introspection of themselves

Dear Editor,

ON Saturday March 23, 2019, at about 06:60 hours, I was at the Parika Ferry Stelling as a passenger that travelled early that morning. The tide was unusually high, but to a level we had seen before, and I guess it was somewhere near that level on Thursday and Friday before that morning Saturday.

I can remember that Guyana Maritime officials had, long before that period, issued an advisory to all, particularly the Captains,

farmers, fishermen and all the people that live in low-lying areas, among other persons, to be on high alert. But it appears that the management of the Transport and Harbours Department did not read that advisory, or just don’t care about the people travelling during that period of time.

The water was more than six inches in height at the area nearest to the main gate where the office is located. And I am certain that everyone I spoke to, apart from a couple, is employed by the Department, but seemed unconcerned about the situation.

That was very confusing, and much to the inconvenience to the travelling public, the senior citizens, the pregnant mothers, the mothers with babies, the little children, including motorists.

The touts with the hand carts, they were fetching people in the carts for $100.00 per head across that area that was no longer than three rods long for a period of about one-and-a-half hours until the tide receded.

It is beyond the comprehension of any right thinking person that with all the warning, the expectations, the benefits

Revisiting Elections Day...

We are all the products of our childhood.

I was weaned by my mother who lived and worked in the United States of America in the 1920s and early 1930s, and spent a short time in a Southern State and told me of many horror stories. One such story was travelling on a train which, when it reached the Mason Dixon Line, burly white conductors will then bellow, “Niggers get behind.”

Let me say this: The American people as a whole had made commendable and massive strides to deal with racial bigotry, which

caused the American Civil War. I write this letter from a southern State, where I have encountered with no exceptions, white folks from the highest professional level to ordinary people who showed kindness, decency and a sense of love. That’s the America I can now speak about.

Perhaps, thanks to the work of President John F. Kennedy, Linden Baynes Johnson and Civil Rights Leader, Martin Luther King (Jnr). America must be congratulated for this quantum leap from darkness to light, where

FROM PAGE 6

terms such as ‘darkies’ are no longer used.

The fact that pockets of the old confederate ideology still exists is the reality of human history in every Continent of the World. In Mr. Sharma’s reference to the triumvirate, he may think he is making a moot point. I was not attempting any ethnic balance, but Mr. Sase Narine stands out as one of our prominent leaders who, even though he at one time led a Hindu organisation, has the distinction of seeking ethnic harmony at all times.

Fortunately, my triumvirate turns out to

of hindsight and based on those factors, management could have easily provided a temporary or makeshift walkway that would have negated the grave inconvenience caused during that period and time of the day. Managers in the Public Sector must do an introspection of themselves. I am sure that in the private sector the situation would have been different.

Regards, Archie Cordis be a good one.

I mentioned Ashton Chase, who is mixed, and Eusi Kaywana, the only two surviving persons of the 1953 Waddington Constitution where there were seven Ministers. (6 + 1).

If Mr. Sharma wants to discuss this matter, since we are both now in North America, he can call me any time at Tel No: 936-217-7311. People who write must assemble all their facts to enhance their credibility. I believe he meant well, but is quite wrong.

Regards Hamilton Green

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Court’s ruling averted political collision

… David Hinds says dialogue between President, opposition leader must continue

By Svetlana Marshall DESCRIBING the Court of Appeal’s decision on the no-confidence motion as “fair,” Political Scientist, Dr. David Hinds said the ruling has averted a political collision and has helped reset an atmosphere for political dialogue between President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

Last Friday, by a 2:1 margin, the Court of Appeal ruled that the no-confidence motion against the government was invalid on the grounds that the opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), did not secure an absolute majority in the 65-Member National Assembly last December. With the help of then Government Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud, the opposition had secured a majority of 33 votes. However, the Appellate Court, in overturning the decision of the High Court, said a no-confidence motion attracts a higher requirement, and as such, 34 votes or more were needed to dethrone the government.

The Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland has accepted the ruling.

JUDICIAL REASONING In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Hinds said while many persons are caught up with the mathematics, the focus ought to be placed on the judicial reasoning that resulted in the 34 votes.

“It came down to a mat-

ter of what the constitution implied rather that what it said explicitly. I think the judicial reasoning behind the decision was persuasive.

Many persons are hung up on the mathematics of the ruling rather than focusing

Assembly. According to the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory, 33 constitute a simple majority while 34 or more votes constitute an absolute majority.

government had condemned his earlier calls.

“The two sides were talking past each other rather than to each other. In the meantime there was a gathering political storm that could have led to polit-

File Photo: President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition greeting each other ahead of talks on the political situation prior to the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the judicial reasoning.

For me, the latter is more important. The math is the outcome of a judicial interpretation of a clause in the constitution that left room for interpretation,” Dr. Hinds said.

According to Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, a government is defeated by a majority of all elected members of the National

The ruling has political significance, Dr. Hinds said, while explaining that it puts a break on a situation that was getting out of control.

Hours before the ruling on Friday March 22, the opposition leader, while protesting the Ministry of the Presidency, called on PPP/C supporters to “disrespect” and “chase” the President and his ministers, even after the

ical collision on the streets between the two sides and with the police having to intervene.”

“The ruling removed the argument that the government is illegitimate and in the process removed the PPP’s major reason for political anger and aggressive resistance. So the unintended consequence of the ruling was its political effect,” the

political scientist explained.

He said the government and the opposition along with other stakeholders including the Carter Center should continue search for a political solution. The entire episode from the no-confidence vote to the court cases is consequence of our hardened partisan praxis. The opposition is always looking to topple the government and the government is always looking to beat back the opposition. And in our ethnic environment, that situation takes on added significance.

We have not yet found a way to ease this inherent tension,” Dr. Hinds reasoned.

With Guyana preparing for the production of oil and gas in 2020, he said it is important to maintain a healthy political climate to safeguard the country’s resources. “With oil wealth on the horizon, the stakes are higher. But it is for precisely that same reason that we cannot allow instability to remain the rule because while we are fighting for the bone, external forces would carry away the meat. So the President and the opposition leader need to continue talking even if it’s symbolic,” the political scientist further reasoned.

The opposition has pledged to challenge the decision of the Appellate Court at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). In the interim, the opposition said it will not attend the sittings of the National Assembly until a final determination by the CCJ. This comes as no surprise,

Political Scientist Dr. David Hinds Dr. Hinds posited, noting that he had expected the PPP/C to hold onto some form of protest. “This is politics.

I would have hoped that they didn’t go down that road but, the government just won a big victory, so the PPP has to do something to show some fight.

I have no problems with that, protest is part of democracy,” Dr. Hinds said.

WILL NOT AFFECT BUSINESS He noted however that the opposition’s absence from the National Assembly would not affect the business of the House, since it is the Government that holds a majority which is needed for the passage of ordinary bills and motions. The defector, Charrandass Persaud, was recalled.

“I do hope that the government does no over-reach, for this would play into the hands of the PPP,” he posited.

Exxon gets clearance to drill at Yellowtail-1 THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted an Environmental Permit to ExxonMobil for exploration drilling at the Yellowtail-1 well.

This was confirmed on Monday by EPA Executive Director Vincent Adams, who told the Guyana Chronicle, “I do confirm that the said permit has been granted.”

The Yellowtail-1 well is located in the offshore Stabroek Block, approximately six miles (10 kilometres) west of Tilapia-1 in the Tur-

bot area, and is expected to be drilled by the Noble Tom Madden drillship.

ExxonMobil is awaiting approval of government-issued permits for the Liza Phase 2 Development Project, which is expected to be granted soon. It will use a second FPSO designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day.

Adams told the newspaper that the permit granted to Yellowtail-1 will now be used to establish future offshore permits. “After some extensive, but good faith negotia-

tions, I am happy that the EPA was able to grant the EEPGL its final permit for drilling of the Yellow Tail -1 exploration well, while avoiding any costly delays in the drilling of the well. This permit is a major breakthrough in establishing the template for all future offshore drilling permits to be granted by the EPA,” he said.

The US oil giant ExxonMobil, discovered oil in two of its recently-drilled wells back in February at the Tilapia-1 and Haimara-1 wells.

Tilapia-1 encountered

approximately 305 feet (93 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir, and was drilled to a depth of 18,786 feet (5,726 metres) in 5,850 feet (1,783 metres) of water.

Meanwhile, the Haimara-1 well encountered approximately 207 feet (63 metres) of high-quality gas condensate-bearing sandstone reservoir, and was drilled to a depth of 18,289 feet (5,575 metres) in 4,590 feet (1,399 metres) of water.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

PPP commissioners break up GECOM meeting

… demand election-related work put on hold

EVEN after Friday’s Court of Appeal ruling that the no-confidence motion against the government was not validly passed, opposition-nominated commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are still pushing for the commission to move forward with elections preparations.

At Tuesday’s statutory meeting, the opposition-nominated commissioners staged yet another walkout when there were attempts to discuss the progress of the secretariat’s approved 2019 work plan.

The work plan includes the conducting of house-tohouse registration for which some $3B had been allocated prior to the no-confidence matter. Following the commission’s approval by majority vote in February to procced with the work plan, advertisements were posted in the media regarding vacancies for personnel to conduct house-to-house registration.

These included the positions for Assistant Registration Officers (AROs) and enumerators. Commissioner Charles Corbin told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that when enquiries were made to the secretariat about the responses received in this regard, such did not sit well with the opposition-nominated commissioners.

“We were trying to find out what progress had been made; how many persons had applied; what is the response and one commissioner requested to note that all activities related to that should cease,” Corbin said.

He explained that the commissioners demanded that the activities be halted until the final ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) regarding the no-confidence motion.

Their views run similar to the newest position of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who, following the Appellate Court’s ruling, announced that the opposition would be

boycotting all parliamentary sessions pending the CCJ ruling. At this point in time, it is unknown by the newspaper how soon the ruling willing will take place.

Nonetheless, the opposition’s current stance differs from the position expressed just days ago when it pushed for the government to swiftly act on the High Court’s ruling by holding elections before April 30, 2019.

Even as the matter made its way through the Appeal Court, the opposition staged a country-wide protest last Friday deeming the government as “unconstitutional” for GECOM’s inability to hold elections before November 2019.

Hours later, the Appeal Court had over-ruled the High Court’s decision causing the opposition to reposition itself to await a final decision from CCJ. Regarding Tuesday’s fallout at GECOM, Corbin said: “According to one comment, the secretariat should do

nothing until then [the CCJ’s ruling] other than prepare for elections.”

The two major plans of the commission for 2019 were to produce an electoral list with a qualifying date of April 30, 2019 and available from May 1, 2019 and to complete the house-to-house registration exercise to result in a qualifying date of October 31, 2019 and available from November 1, 2019. In a letter to the President dated March 19, 2019, GECOM Chairman Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson had made it clear that it would be a “logistical impossibility” to produce a list with a quali-

fying date of April 30, 2019.

Therefore, the next possible list is available only with a qualifying date of October 31, 2019 which is to be arrived at through house-tohouse registration.

Despite the fallout and since the commission’s February agreement, the commission has steadily been moving forward with its efforts towards house-to-house registration.

On Saturday and Sunday, GECOM commenced training of some 100 core trainers who will eventually be qualified to conduct the training of AROs and enumerators. Following

Commissioner Charles Corbin Tuesday’s statutory meeting, it was noted that the first round of training of enumerators will commence in Georgetown on March 30 and 31.

Meanwhile, regarding the political situation, the commission will be meeting with representatives of the Commonwealth Secretariat on Thursday at 13:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Youths urged to seek out jobs in ICT

SECONDARY school students have been encouraged to seek out jobs in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field through entrepreneurial ventures.

On Monday, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT) began its twoweek outreach initiative of

edifying students of junior secondary schools, through half-day symposiums about the opportunities that exist in ICT. Following these engagements, the ministry will then select students from these schools to intern with local ICT companies over the August vacation.

A resource team of IT

professionals from several private sector companies, along with ICT Training personnel from the Ministries of Education and Public Telecommunications, will visit five schools in Georgetown first.

Speaking to students of the Carmel Secondary school, Minister of Public

Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, highlighted that the government has been placing much emphasis on widening access on ICT services in an attempt to create a more ‘tech-savvy’ population.

And, according to her, young people especially have been benefitting from this, since they are able to grasp tech-

Ministerial adviser Lance Hinds [Samuel Maughn photo] nology easier.

“Because you find using technology so easy, I want you to think about finding a career and going into technology just as easy,” Hughes stressed.

The minister explained that the government saw the need to provide internet access to persons and as such, there was the introduction

street, Lance Hinds, indicated too that too often jobs in ICT have been overlooked, and encouraged the youths to consider the very many jobs they can get involved in.

“There is no other industry that has that general reach… in terms of employment and that general reach,” Hinds said. He further explained that within

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes and a local IT professional interacting with students of the Carmel Secondary school [Samuel Maughn photo] of the e-Governance project, which provides free Internet access to schools and public buildings. Added to that, ICT hubs have been created in communities nationwide.

Building on that, she stressed that it becomes necessary for Guyanese youth to use the technology offered to then to help develop their communities “By 2025, 75 per cent of the jobs in the world are going to require some skills in using the computer, in using a tablet and using the Internet and knowing how to navigate these,” she related, while emphasising how necessary it is for young people to engage technology.

“What I’m trying to say to each and every one of you, the onus is on you...I’m pleading with you to take advantage of the opportunities you have,” she said.

Ministerial Adviser to the Public Telecommunication Minister and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brain-

every sector there is the need for ICT professionals, because of how integrated and inseparable technology has become in everyday life.

Similarly, owner of local IT solutions company Intellect Storm, Rowen Willabus, highlighted the very many ways the young people could earn through ICT– citing his own experience.

Wi l l a b u s t o l d t h e gathering of school children that the field is one which allows them to be independent and work doing what they love; whether it is graphic designing, animation, programming, data entry or otherwise.

Minister Hughes also shared that it is not just about finding jobs and being employed.

“What we tried to share with you today are the possibilities that you have within yourselves to create your own employment opportunities,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

M&CC not serious about negotiating contracts … says Cevons, Purans

THE two main garbage contractors attached to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) feel that the municipality is wasting their time and is making no real effort to resolve the issues surrounding their contracts which are valid until 2020.

The M&CC had recently asked the contractors to write to City Hall with proposals on the way forward, but didn’t bother to even acknowledge receipt of such letters, more so respond to such. On Tuesday, representatives of both companies, Kalesh Puran and Morse Archer, told this publication that they are now inclined to consult with their lawyers regarding the pause in their contracts by the City Council, even though such remain valid until next year.

Puran said his company is a bit alarmed at the operations of the City Council, especially as the company continues to make every

effort to sit and talk with the municipality.

He reminded that although the problems originated with the M&CC, his company has acceded to all of the municipality’s requests so far as it relates to writing or meeting with it (the municipality).

He said the company is considering other courses of action at the moment, including engaging their lawyers, because the City Council’s treatment is unfair.

Archer told this publication that though saying one thing, the City Council seems to be extending the contracts with the smaller contractors every month. “They’re just trying to waste our time. I don’t think they are serious about negotiating with us,” Archer expressed.

The companies are being handed this kind of treatment even though they are still doing more than 50 percent of City Hall’s work.

Furthermore, they have not been paid for such

work for the year so far.

Recently, Mayor Ubraj Narine told reporters that there were many things in the contracts with the contractors that he felt ought to be changed. During his tenure as mayor, he said he would not see the signing of such contracts again.

For one thing, Narine believes that the length of the contracts, being five years, is too long. “The length of the contract is not appropriate. I would say sign a six-month contract and see the operation of the contractor before deciding if to sign another one.”

The five smaller contractors who were hired have again been granted another extension, this time until April 26.

City Councillors last month voted to extend the contracts of smaller garbage contractors until March month-end even as Solid Waste Management Director, Walter Narine, urged them to enter renegotiation with the city’s main collectors.

Puran Brothers Disposal Services and

Cevons Waste Management Inc. opted to pull their services late last year, when the City Council racked up more than six months of outstanding balances.

Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore, had pointed out that the fact remains that it is the City Council that owes the contractors. “It’s a breach on our part. We are the ones who caused this dilemma,” he said.

Councillor Gregory Fraser had advised that the two main contractors be re-engaged, owing to the fact that the City Council was first in breach. He said business persons will understand what it means to continue working without being paid.

Both contractors had said that it was not a case where they wanted to stop working, but that their current financial positions did not permit them to continue without pay.

Company representatives had said that they were frustrated by the M&CC’s inability to make timely payments.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

CH&PA to host exhibition at Prospect on Friday

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be hosting an Open House Exhibition at Prospect New Housing

Scheme, East Bank Demerara, this Friday.

The exhibition will showcase more than fifty houses at the site for

One of the duplexes constructed by CH&PA

low income, moderate and middle-income earners.

The exhibition’s theme is “‘Embracing the prospect of affordable living, opening doors while opening minds”.

According to CH&PA Public Relations Officer, Iva Wharton, the project which commenced last October will provide various opportunities for people who are within the low-income bracket. “The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) would have constructed 20 low-income units and together with some private developers, they would have constructed 30 units. The low-income unit’s value is $4M, the moderate

Some of the newly constructed houses at Prospect Housing Scheme, EBD $6M and the middle income $9M,” Iva Wharton said.

The CH&PA will also be giving persons who would have qualified for the $4M mortgage the opportunity to get their plans and estimates at a cost of $3000 on-site at the exhibition exercise. “We know the price on the open market to prepare estimates and plans are very costly, but CH&PA will provide applicants with a lower cost.

This offer will be available for persons who own land.

They will be required to walk with their pre-quali-

fication letter and we give them the copy of the plan and the estimate to take to the NDC and the bank.”

There is also a disability-friendly unit showcased.

Wharton highlighted that the Hinterland houses were constructed with materials from Annai, Region Nine.

Partners in collaboration with CH&PA include Republic Bank, the Ministry of Communities, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service and several contractors and providers of building supplies.

At the end of the exhibition, a single bedroom house will be given away through a draw.

“To become eligible to participate in the draw, the applicants must be categorised as a low-income, earning $75,000 or less and the applicant must not be the owner of any land.

The person who owns this house will be given six months to pay off for the land before moving into the house, which will be fully furnished,” Wharton explained. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Students belt-thrashed by classmate

13

–– Education Ministry launches investigation

THE Education Ministry is investigating a viral social media video which showed three students of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Region Six being brutalised by another student.

The video, which surfaced on Tuesday around mid-day, shows three male students sitting at desks at the back of a classroom being beaten with a belt, lashed and punched by another student.

They were all dressed in the institute’s uniform.

As the three males were hit about their upper body and face, they put up little protest except for periodically shielding themselves as the student who dealt the blows appeared to be scolding them for a deed unknown to this newspaper.

Calls to the technical institute by this newspaper for a comment on the matter went unanswered.

However, Education Ministry Public Relations Officer (PRO), Murtland Haley, stated the ministry is aware of the incident,

the relevant officer has been notified and an investigation will be conducted.

Subsequent to Haley’s comments, the ministry issued a statement on the matter.

“The Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO- Technical) and the institute’s administration have been advised by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr. Marcel Hutson, to ensure a thorough and expeditious investigation into the incident the ministry views as

Six homeless after fire at Lovers’ Lane SIX persons were left homeless on Tuesday after a fire destroyed their ‘Second Corner’, Lovers Lane’ residence in Linden, Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice.

Reports are that the fire occurred on Tuesday morning around 11:00hrs, while a man, who goes by the name ‘Kevin’, was at home asleep and the rest of the family was out.

According to the neighbours, after hours of power outage, the power returned and they heard a sudden “boof”. They then saw smoke emanating from the two-storey concrete building followed by the fire.

Officer in Charge at the Linden Fire Station, Kirklan Harry, said that he, along

The remains of the house after it was destroyed by fire on Tuesday with his team, responded to the fire with two trucks.

They were able to put the fire out. However, Harry is unable to say what caused the fire. An investigation

is still ongoing. The house belongs to a Bosai worker, Nigel Anthony.

The Guyana Chronicle was unable to contact Anthony.

disturbing,” the statement said.

The release also assured that the findings of the investigation will be shared when completed, while the appropriate action will be taken.

Just over two hours of the video surfacing social media, it received close to 3,000 shares and over 54,000 views with numerous expressions of disgust by users.

The three male students of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute are seen shielding themselves as another student dealt them heavy blows with a belt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

GTT sets up oil, gas unit

GUYANA Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, said the company has set up an oil and gas unit and will be investing heavily to increase the tremendous data needed for the “Digital oilfield”.

The Digital Oilfield is the umbrella term for technology-centric solutions that allow companies to leverage limited resources.

Nedd, at a Guyana Press

Association (GPA) lunchtime lecture at Moray House Trust on Tuesday, noted that the digital transformation continues to be the keynote of the coming years for operators across the oil and gas sector.

He explained that digitalisation is nothing new to the sector and the ability to examine and model data and trends rapidly help operators make optimal economic tradeoffs, maximising sustainability and profit.

More specifically, he alluded to the fact that oil companies use algorithms that analyse data about the well and then automatically adjusts the pump’s rate of operation for best results.

In the oil and gas sector, he said the fibre-optic cable is not merely providing public Internet services to companies like ExxonMobil, but secures private network capacity for the movement of big data.

“They get lots of data,

they could send it to Trinidad, send it to Houston and it’s not necessarily over the Internet, of course, for privacy concerns because the Internet is a public network. The cable could also be used as a private transport network, separate from the Internet,” Nedd noted.

With over 60,000 subscribers for the Blaze Internet, Nedd said the growing demand for Internet and data amounts to 50 per cent of its purchased capacity.

As such, he noted the company plans to invest US$50M more to enhance its systems.

He said although the company’s fibre-optic cable runs on the sea bed, the company is not worried about any damage by ExxonMobil’s operations, since the company seeks a no-objection from GTT each time it conducts drilling on the Stabroek Block where the submarine fibre-optic cable runs.

GTT CEO Justin Nedd

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Multi-ministry outreach opens today

UNDER the theme “Bringing government to the people”, Cabinet ministers and government officials will be at the Square of the Revolution today to meet and listen to the concerns of members of the public.

Most of the agencies that regularly interface with the public will be represented at the event.

The public outreach was organised by staffers of the Ministry of the Presidency, among whom are Technical Coordinator Ronald Austin Junior; Assistant to the Minister of State, Dr. Astell Collins; Administrator Cassandra

The legal adviser noted that general requirements for the event are being provided and these include waiting area of the public, registration, sanitary facilities, public address system, security and traffic arrangements, document centre, first aid and emergency services and public relations.

Assistant to the Minister of State, Dr. Astell Collins said the outreach is essentially a ministerial and heads of agencies exercise and it is expected that the ministers and most senior members of staff of their respective ministries will be present.

Tents set up at the Square of the Revolution Assanah; and Legal Adviser to the Minister of State Geeta Chandan Edmond.

Chandan-Edmond said the objective of the activity is to facilitate easy access by members of the public with issues of concern to ministers and senior representatives of the government.

Ideally, Chandan-Edmond said, attempts will be made by officials to resolve various issues and concerns of members of the public.

“It should be noted that this activity is an expanded version of an outreach programme which the Ministry of the Presidency carried out in 2016 and 2017 in various regions across Guyana,” she said.

At the venue, there will also be a document centre adjacent to the public waiting area to provide photocopies of documents which agencies may wish to retain.

This centre, he said, will also undertake to prepare any letters or documents agencies may wish to issue on the spot.

Administrative Staff, Cassandra Assanah, emphasised that all issues presented by members of the public will be properly documented on the forms provided.

She noted that a system of colour-coded tags will be used to direct members of the public to the various agencies.

‘Shanko’ remanded for allegedly killing cousin DAVID Smith, also known as ‘Shanko,’ was yesterday, March 26, 2019, arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly murdering his cousin.

It was alleged that, on March 22, 2019, the 30-year-old resident of Batavia, stabbed Dave Boyal at Black-water backdam, Batavia, with an arrow.

According to Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, the defendant and Boyal were close cousins who lived within the same area.

On the day in question, the two men were at a camp when an argument ensued between them. As a result, the defendant, in his fury, stabbed Boyal to the left side of his lower abdomen with an arrow; this resulted in Boyal bleeding profusely and

Murder Accused: David Smith he subsequently succumbed.

Smith was remanded until April 10, 2019, and will make his next court appearance at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court.

A template of the venue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

CROSQ releases new energy efficiency standards

THE International Code Council, ASHRAE, the CARICOM Secretariat Energy Unit and the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) have announced the release of new standards for energy-efficient buildings for its Member States.

The 2018 CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC), which will cover both commercial and residential construction, is a joint effort by the CROSQ, the Code Council and ASHRAE, the secretariat said in a release. “These standards for energy-efficient buildings reflect the unique energy requirements of tropical environments and will ultimately increase adoption rates of

more effectual technologies for renewable energy and energy conservation,” said the CEO of CROSQ, Mr. Deryck Omar.

“The adoption of these codes will go a long way toward allowing our members to mitigate the impacts of a changing climate. It also demonstrates the importance of bringing quality measures into the region’s energy sector and the potential benefits that can accrue when that happens,” he said.

The CREEBC, which was developed through collaboration between the CROSQ and the Energy Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat, is meant to meet the specific needs of nations in the Caribbean and other countries with tropical climates. It establishes minimum energy

efficiency requirements for buildings, including the building envelope, cooling system, ventilation, pumping, lighting and the service water-heating systems. Head of the Energy Unit at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Devon Gardner, said: “The CREEBC is envisioned to lead to an era of better quality building designs within the Caribbean Community, noting that the ability of buildings to minimise the energy requirements for the services for which they were intended would reduce the exposure to climate and disaster risks.”

He stated, as an example, that “energy efficient measures and systems, such as daytime lighting and improvements in ventilation, can facilitate the comfort of occupants in buildings even during periods of natural disaster related stress on the electricity grids.” “We were pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues at the CROSQ to help adapt the Code Council’s latest energy standards to help their members improve the efficiency and sustainability of their buildings,”

said Code Council CEO, Dominic Sims, CBO. “Our codes are not one-size-fits-all. They are a starting point for developing standards that meet the individual needs of regions around the world.”

“Improving energy efficiency is a global challenge, with buildings professionals serving as a crucial contributor toward the establishment of standards that affect building systems operations,” said 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter, P.E. “The CREEBC and ASHRAE’s collaboration with partnering organisations represent our long-standing dedication to global sustainability and leadership in use of integrated building design resources.”

The development of the CREEBC is part of the ongoing implementation of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS), a CARICOM programme aimed at increasing political will and private sector input for the adoption of more effective technologies for renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

CARICOM urges more support for national hydromet services

THE Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) Dr Ultric Trotz, is urging governments in the Caribbean, including Guyana, to support the hydrometeorological departments in the respective countries.

“Our governments basically need to realise that meteorology is critical for national development,” said Dr Trotz, a Guyanese, as he made the point during a presentation at a symposium held at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, on the occasion of Word Water Day, observed on March 22, last.

He likened the event as “rather fortuitous”, in that 21 automatic weather stations were handed over for use by the meteorology office on World Water Day, adding that information from the hydromet offices is intimately connected with the data needed to manage water resources.

Noting that traditionally, in the Caribbean, meteorology was connected with aviation, he said; “It is not by any chance that all of the met offices in the Caribbean are situated at the airports.”

“These days we need climate information to decide how we farm; we need climate information to decide how we basically deal with the succession of floods and droughts that we see in the region, and this is a new reality. We get changing weather patterns, a rather insidious change, where rainfall does not come when we expect it, and when it comes, we get six weeks of rainfall in two days, resulting in flooding.

And then, there is no more rainfall then there is a period of drought, so we get this succession of flood and drought.”

Continuing, the 5Cs deputy executive director recalled the words of our own Guyanese poet Martin Carter,

who in the poem `University of Hunger’, wasn’t writing about the university, he wasn’t writing about climate change at that time, he was writing about the political situation in Guyana when he wrote: “Twin bars of hunger mark their metal brows twin seasons mock them parching drought and flood”. “Now that’s the reality that we are seeing today, and for countries that basically have a lot of development in hilly terrain, we find this succession leading to another hazard.

You get the extended period of drought, vegetation grows and sometimes you get fires that would clear the heavy vegetation and then the heavy rainfall moves all the soil, so you get landslides resulting in the loss of soil, loss of lives sometimes in some areas,” he added.

To this end, Dr Trotz made mention of the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, which partners with the 5Cs, and pointed out that the facility is in a position to provide short term forecast. The facility has developed an aggressive programme to teach farmers to use those forecasts, so that it will instruct them when to plant and how to plant.

That information, however, depends on the functioning of the automatic weather systems that are installed across the region, noting that information coming from the Guyana system redounds to the benefit of the wider Caribbean, because the more recent the information gathered, the more accurate the forecasts are, he added .

Touching on the USAID– funded Caribbean Climate Adapation Project (CCAP), where he is second in charge, Dr Trotz said it allows the people in the Caribbean to start to build resilience to the risk arising from weather events, and from the changing climate being observed not only in the Caribbean,

Trio bailed for allegedly robbing, wounding undercover cop

THREE men on Tuesday appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates Court for allegedly robbing and wounding an undercover policeman at an Alberttown club.

The men, Michael Shepherd, Keston Duke and Justin Austin, are jointly charged for the offence they allegedly committed in December, 2018.

It is alleged that they wounded Julius Bowlin and robbed him of a gold chain valued $20,000 and .32 service revolver , valued $125,000 and six matching rounds.

Justin Austin and Keston Duke had earlier entered notguilty pleas. The third suspect, Michael Shepherd, also pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was previously laid indictably.

An application for bail was made to which no objections was made. They were each granted bail in the sum on $50,000 on each charge. The trio are required to report to the Alberttown Police Station and to CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, every Friday.

They are expected to return for trial on May 2, 2019 and May 7, 2019.

but globally. Climate change and climate variability has led to increased intensity in the form of hurricanes, floods, extended periods of drought, heavy rainfall, the warming of our oceans and several other signals, all of which basically are starting to wreak havoc on our development goals. They have threatened the survival of the most vulnerable population and communities, he added.

Climate change and climate variability are also compromising the ecological services provided by some of these fragile eco-

systems, such as coral reefs and wetlands that are vital to sustaining lives, livelihoods and improved human development.

The Small Island Developing and Low-lying Coastal States (SIDS) in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC), have considerable concerns about the severe threats to their development prospects posed by a changing climate. They have concluded that both mitigation and adaptation approaches will require a significant and sustained investment of resources, which they are

unable to fully fund.

The CCAP project consists of three components, the first addresses the paucity of data in the Caribbean that will allow for the provision of information that will inform actions to build climate resilience across all of the sectors that are affected – the water sector, the tourism sector, the agricultural sector, the health sector, the coastal infrastructure and coastal ecosystems – all of which are vulnerable and exposed to climate risks.

The second supports innovative adaptation ap-

proaches which demonstrates proof of concept necessary to secure additional financing, while the last component fosters climate financing to support scale up and replication of sustainable initiatives.

Along with Guyana, the CCAP, which was implemented by the 5Cs in nine other countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, is slated to end on September 30, 2019.

18

Junior cops receive professional training

EIGHTY-TWO ranks from ‘G’ Division (Essequibo Coast, Essequibo Islands) recently benefitted from a professionalism training session conducted at the Anna Regina Police Station (divisional headquarters).

The seminar was conducted by Special Superintendent, Lawrence Kissoon, and Assistant Superintendent,

Nolan Burnette, of the Police Office of Professional Responsibility.

During the session, the ranks actively participated and were enlightened on the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ when dealing with certain situations.

These include care and custody of prisoners; checking and writing up of station records; courtesy and eth-

ics; roles and functions of supervisors; preparation of case jackets; packing and labelling of exhibits; dealing with issues resulting from complaints and how to preserve evidence.

The participants thanked the senior officers for the knowledge they imparted during the seminar, noting that it will improve their job

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Special Superintendent, Lawrence Kissoon, addressing the ranks from ‘G’ Division performance.

A similar training was also conducted on the same date at ‘B’ Division Headquarters (Central Police Station) by Special Superintendent, Trevor Reid, and Assistant Superintendent, Terrence Browne.

At that training, some 40 ranks benefitted.

The training is as a result of a directive given by the Commissioner of Police as part of the reform process for a more professional and effective Guyana Police Force.

Magistrate orders psychiatric evaluation for attempted murder accused DERRICK Solomon, who is charged with attempted murder, was on Tuesday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

The 60-year-old of 10 Block ‘F’ North Sophia was accused of wounding Carol London on March 2, 2019 at their North Sophia residence. The couple shared a common-law relationship for over 10 years.

Solomon was represented by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, who applied for bail to be granted his client. Todd guaranteed that the defendant would submit his passport and adhere to any condition stipulated by the court.

Todd, during his appeal to the chief magistrate, noted that during Accused: Derrick 2018, Solomon had a mental breakdown and Solomon has not been the same since; his family had later taken him to the hospital where he received medical attention. Todd petitioned the court for his client to receive counselling with the help of his family members, who attended court in their numbers. Todd also told the court that despite his psychological state, Solomon is not a threat to the complainant nor to witnesses in the matter.

Prosecutor Mansfield on March 6, 2019, told the court that, on the day of the incident, the lovers had a misunderstanding at home which escalated into an argument. Solomon then left the house and returned to attack the victim, Carol London, with a knife. Consequently, she suffered several stab wounds and is currently awaiting a medical report.

At the time of the incident, the woman’s six-yearold son saw what had occurred. As a result, the court ordered that both the victim and the child undergo counselling to aid recovery from their traumatic experience.

Solomon’s family wept as he was further remanded by the magistrate.

He will make his next court appearance on April 15, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Guyanese arrested in Thailand for fraud

POLICE in Thailand are investigating a network still using the old “black money” scam after Guyanese Abdul Kalam Azad Sattaur, 62, was arrested in Phuket, the Phuket News out of Thailand reported.

He is under investigation for an alleged fraud by using a fake Facebook and LINE account to pretend to be an American man who had worked in Syria.

The total value of the “banknotes” was reportedly given as US$650,000, equivalent to about B20mn – which the Phuket language school owner would acquire for the bargain price of B9mn.

Sattaur’s arrest came on the same day that the owner of a local language school in Phuket – who police have not named – filed a complaint with the Thalang Police, reporting that she had been cheated out of B20 million, Thalang Police Deputy Superintended Lt Col Anukul Nuket explained on March 25.

“A woman came to complain about it at Thalang Police Station on March 14. She said that she had transferred about B9

million to different bank accounts outside the country,” Col Anukul said.

He allegedly claimed to send the woman a security box containing the “blackwashed banknotes” with a special liquid to wash the “banknotes” clean.

“We tracked him (Sattaur) down and found him at Eakkamon Mansion on Phang Nga Rd in Phuket Town at 14:00hrs the same day,” he added.

The latest incident was announced by Immigration Bureau Chief Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, who presented details of the arrest to the press in Bangkok on March 22, last. Sattaur, however, remained in Phuket and was not presented to the press in Bankok, the report stated.

However, the woman said that Sattaur would not send the security box containing the “banknotes” until he received payment first.

She obliged and made payments amounting to B9mn to 10 offshore accounts. However, the security box never arrived.

Sattaur now stands accused of fraud, and is being held in custody in the de-

tention cells at Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town, where he has remained since his arrest on March 14, and will remain while the investigation against him continues.

“He is charged with fraud by impersonating another person,” Col Anukul told The Phuket News.

Col Anukul added that police have the “black money” seized as evidence, which has now been forwarded to officers in Bangkok for further investigation.

“His behaviour is connected to a network in Bangkok, but I need to question him further,” Col Anukul said.

Col Anukul declined to confirm whether Sattaur had confessed to the charge levelled against him.

Sattaur’s current predicament first came to the attention of The Phuket News after his son contacted the newspaper concerning his father’s welfare, as Sattaur had not been in contact with his family for several days – which the family had found strange, and wanted to know if he was missing in Phuket.

“I believe he is missing

19-year-old miner slapped with murder charge EMMANUEL Mc Cleod on Tuesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face the capital charge.

The 19-year-old miner was not required to plead to the charge, which read that, on March 24, 2019, at 111 Miles, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), he murdered Herbert Willie.

According to Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on the day in question, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, around 02:00hrs, the police at Mahdia received information pertaining to a murder at 111 Miles. Act-

ing on the information, they arrived at the scene and found a man’s body lying on the road, in the vicinity of the Mahdia Primary School. According to a police report, Willie, the deceased, had been wounded with a sharp object. He was later admitted to the Georgetown Hospital, where he succumbed on March 24, 2019.

The police launched an investigation into the matter, during which they received information which lead to McLeod’s arrest.

McLeod was remanded to prison until his next court appearance on April 16, 2019.

because he is always on line and talks to my mom every day, since the last time, she never heard back from him,” the son wrote.

Copies of Sattaur ’s boarding pass and tourist visa issued in Malaysia provided to The Phuket News confirmed that Sattaur arrived in Phuket on a flight from Kuala Lumpur on March 13 – the day before his arrest.

The Phuket News has

yet to receive a reply on how the family received the news of Sattaur’s arrest.

The black money scam has been in use for more than two decades, convincing people to pay money for banknotes that the con artists insist have been removed from circulation and have been washed with black ink to make them unusable, but with the right chemicals the banknotes could be

washed clean and used again.

The con artists have people make initial payments to make the banknotes available, but withhold the chemicals until the big – final – payment is made.

Usually, the “banknotes” are just regular paper literally washed in black ink, according to The Phuket News.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

4,000 cases of violence against children every year –– researcher finds, says society must stop victim-blaming

By Navendra Seoraj

THERE have been about 4,000 reported cases of violence against children every year, a figure which chairman of ChildLink, Kosi John, said is worrying.

More children and families are empowered to report child abuse but the trauma which children experience is not yet understood and treated, he said, during a presentation titled “Lessons learnt from trauma stories on child abuse”.

The forum was organised

by ChildLink in collaboration with the University of Guyana.

Sensitisation programmes have resulted in an increase in reported cases, but families are still expecting children to bounce back after abuse, assuming that there are no long-term effects.

“Trauma is the most avoided, ignored and untreated cause of human suffering,” he said, adding that it

national level.

From left- Researcher and Journalist, Samantha Alleyne-Williams, Chairman of ChildLink, Kosi John and another official is becoming common knowl- neglect of a child or children, “Violence is embedded edge. especially by a parent or a in society and it has become Children have been suf- caregiver. a norm… we must arrest fering from long-lasting trauIn order to address this this trend and arrest it now, ma because their relatives and address the trauma that because the trauma which and families fail to realise follows, John believes that follows not only affects those that there is more to abuse more work needs to be done who are abused, but those than just addressing the issue. in the area of preventing vio- around them,” said John.

In Guyana, 600 of the lence and abuse of children.

He identified the need 4000 cases of abuse are sexuCases of abuse are less for there to be a massive edal abuse while 50 per cent of frequent in affluent families, ucation campaign to teach the cases are neglect. but thanks to research, there young people that violent Child abuse or child is more clarity on the number behaviour is wrong. The maltreatment is defined as of children being abused and issue of abuse no longer physical, sexual, and/or psy- those growing up with trau- remains private and should chological maltreatment or ma from neglect. instead be addressed at the

NEED TO STOP Researcher and Journalist, Samantha Alleyne-Williams also highlighted the need for society to stop “victim blaming.”

Alleyne-Williams, who did in-depth research into the post-traumatic effects of child abuse, said society has developed a culture in which victims are held responsible for traumatic events.

“Victim blaming has impacted the way victims view and internalise trauma… many children exposed to more than one traumatic event are vulnerable to subsequent trauma,” said the researcher who interviewed several abused children.

According to her research, abuse of children starts from as young as zero to three years. In Guyana, sexual abuse of girl children remains high, with 801 cases being reported in 2018 compared to 392 in 2017.

In one instance, a mother accused a victim of wanting to break up her union with her husband because the child wanted to live with her father.

The researcher said many traumatised children have learnt to be submissive in reaction to others and they have developed a pattern of becoming helpless. This, she said, creates a situation for ongoing vulnerability and exploitation.

“Without understanding the ramifications of traumatic experiences, children are left to cope with the exposure to trauma,” said Alleyne-Williams.

The researcher found that all victims of sexual violence blamed themselves, while some victims of other forms of violence blamed others.

She highlighted some of the behavioural signs of trauma which include abrupt changes in relationships; becoming withdrawn; radical changes in grades; and dependency on alcohol and drugs.

A representative of ChildLink, Kaiesha Perry, said there is always help for children, especially those between the ages of three and 18.

She said there is behavioural therapy for children and adolescents who have suffered from abuse.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Sri Lanka’s debt problem isn’t made in China (EAST ASIA FORUM)–Global media and numerous ‘experts’ routinely assert that Sri Lanka was forced to cede a strategically important port to China after being lured into a debt trap by easy Chinese loans.

This story has now become part of the wider narrative of how China is using the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to achieve its diplomatic and strategic aims through debt diplomacy. But it is a story based more on fiction than fact.

Sri Lanka did (and still does) face a debt crisis. It has borrowed large amounts from China in recent years. And it did agree in 2017 to grant a 99-year lease of the strategically important Hambantota port to China on a debt-equity swap, though with the proviso that it cannot be used for military purposes.

But it is a myth that the port was ceded to China because Sri Lanka faced problems paying back Chinese loans.

Sri Lanka’s debt repayment problems had very little to do with Chinese loans. Chinese loans comprise about 10 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total foreign debt. Of this debt, over 60 per cent was lent to Sri Lanka on concessional terms that, while not as generous as those from Japan — Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral source of loans — were not really excessive (typically at fixed rates of 2 per cent, with other fees of 0.5 per cent and average maturity of 15–20 years).

The remaining 40 per cent of non-concessionary loans from China comprise only 20 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total debt from such borrowings. The rest (80 per cent) was borrowed from international capital markets in the form of sovereign bonds, term financing facilities and foreign holdings of gilt-edged securities.

From an initial US$500 million international sovereign bond (ISB) issue in 2007, Sri Lanka went on to amass US$15.3 billion in debt from subsequent ISB issues and foreign currency term financing facilities from 2007–18. Sri Lanka’s debt problem was (and

is) really about avoiding default and meeting its obligations to international investors and commercial lenders from this growing and costly form of foreign borrowing.

Sri Lanka’s turn to international commercial borrowings in the past decade was part of a global phenomenon. Global economic conditions in the aftermath of the 2007–08 financial crisis depressed export prospects for emerging market economies. But they also provided an unexpected opportunity for ‘cheap’ borrowing in global capital markets as low yields in developed countries led to a scramble for higher returns by investors.

Faced with a restive electorate with rising expectations — and unable to implement policies to attract non-debt creating capital flows, enhance productivity and achieve sustained growth — successive Sri Lankan governments tapped cheap debt markets to finance persistent fiscal and current account deficits.

Today, the country is caught up in a classic vicious cycle of ever-increasing borrowings to pay past debts and finance ongoing deficits.

These high interest borrowings now exceed a third of Sri Lanka’s total debt. As a

result, Sri Lanka faces a record foreign debt repayment of nearly US$6 billion in 2019 — of which US$2.6 billion must be paid in the first quarter of 2019 alone. With low reserves and tightening market conditions, finding ways to meet these repayment obligations is an effort. Leasing the Hambantota port was part of a strategy to find cash and stave off pressures on the available fund of reserves.

The search for funds has pushed the country to borrow even more in recent months from non-concessional sources, including commercial bank borrowings from China, while searching for still cheaper funds. In January 2019, the Central Bank announced that Sri Lanka is seeking to raise nearly US$5 billion through sovereign bonds, a bilateral loan from China and a currency swap with the Reserve Bank of India.

Why Sri Lanka is so widely showcased as an example of the dangers of Chinese debt diplomacy despite the fact Chinese loans are clearly not the primary cause of Sri Lanka’s debt imbroglio has more to do with global politics than the real facts of the Sri Lankan case.

Meanwhile, developing countries face a growing challenge. The favourable conditions under which emerging economies like Sri Lanka borrowed excessively are starting to unwind, multiplying the risks associated with exposure to a large external debt stock.

Developing nations are thus likely to find that they have even fewer options to access external funds.

All this makes funding from China’s Belt and Road Initiative even more attractive.

But it also means that safely navigating the new financing landscape will become even more difficult for emerging economies in the context of intensifying global and regional geopolitical tensions.

Dushni Weerakoon is the Executive Director and Head of Macroeconomic Policy Research at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka.

Sisira Jayasuriya is Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics at Monash University and an Honorary Professor at the Arndt-Corden Department of Economics, The Australian National University.

San Diego Zoo to bid farewell to giant pandas LOS ANGELES — The San Diego Zoo will return its last two giant pandas to China next month, said zoo officials Monday.

“In honoring the terms of the Zoo’s conservation loan agreement with the People’s Republic of China, 27-year-old female giant panda Bai Yun and her son, 6-year-old Xiao Liwu, will leave the San Diego Zoo in April and will be repatriated to their ancestral homeland,” said zoo officials in a statement.

As the first panda on loan, Bai Yun, or White Cloud in English, first arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1996 from China. The cuddly panda soon became an iconic image of the zoo and one of the most popular animals. The name of her son, Xiao Liwu, means Little Gift in English.

“The San Diego Zoo was honored to be chosen by conservationists in China to work with them to develop a new model for species conservation,” said Douglas G Myers, president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Global.

“The panda program we began together demonstrates how powerful these collaborative efforts can be. We are extremely grateful to China for sharing the pandas with us and offering us the chance to serve this species in a leadership role,” he added.

Another panda at the San Diego Zoo, 28-year-old Gao Gao, returned to China

This undated photo provided by San Diego Zoo Global shows giant panda 6-year-old Xiao Liwu, at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego. (PHOTO / SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / AP)

in October. Gao Gao means High High in English.

The San Diego Zoo started working with giant pandas more than two decades ago when the species was on the verge of extinction.

The Zoo became part of an international collaboration that included the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other accredited zoos and conservation organizations, in an unprecedented international effort to prevent panda extinction.

Zoo officials noted that over the past two decades, conservation scientists have been able to raise the awareness for the plight of pandas in their native habitat.

Bai Yun, Gao Gao and Bai Yun’s cubs -including her sixth cub Xiao Liwu -- helped scientists learn a great deal about panda behavior, pregnancy, births, and maternal and geriatric care. This knowledge enabled them to help boost wild giant panda population in China to more than 2,000.

The giant panda, a conservation-reliant vulnerable species, only lives in a few mountain ranges in central China. Thanks to continuous protection efforts, the number of wild giant pandas has increased from 1,114 in the 1970s to 1,864, reveals data released

by China’s State Forestry and Grassland Administration in 2018.

San Diego Zoo Global staff, along with colleagues in China, are now working to determine and redefine the future of panda conservation and research, said the statement.

“Although we are sad to see these pandas go, we have great hopes for the future,” said Shawn Dixon, chief operating officer of San Diego Zoo Global. “Working with our colleagues in China, San Diego Zoo Global is ready to make a commitment for the next stage of our panda program.”

“We understand that pandas are beloved around the world, including by our staff, volunteers and millions of annual guests,” said Dwight Scott, director of the San Diego Zoo. “We are planning a fitting celebration next month for Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu that includes a big thank you to the Chinese people for their continued partnership and our combined conservation accomplishments in helping to save this amazing species,” the director said.

Visitors can go to bid farewell to the giant pandas until April 27.

The San Diego Zoo, located in Southern California, is globally recognized as a San Diego icon by hosting more than 4 million visitors each year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Shun drugs, alcohol –– Commander Cooper urges Santa Mission residents

Commander Edmond Cooper (second from left) and team interacting with residents during their outreach to Santa Mission POLICE Commander of ‘D’ Division, Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper, on a recent outreach to Santa Mission, told residents to keep their safe

distance from drugs and alcohol abuse and embrace community development.

The commander noted that drug use often evolves into burglaries, robberies and theft.

As such, the senior superintendent warned the community against encouraging any form of drug use among its population, especially youths.

He noted that along with drug use, excessive consumption of alcohol also impact the quality of life in the community.

Commander Cooper encouraged the residents to work with law enforcement to address their concerns.

“Community development is a collective long-term process. It is designed to establish trusting relationships, build capacity and sustainable partnership. It is based on connecting, consulting and collaborating with internal members and sections, community members and organisations and community leaders for the advancement, betterment, empowerment and enhancement of community and public safety,” the commander explained.

He told residents of Santa Mission to also adopt safe use of water ways and ensure the

safety of children.

“Community policing is not a programme,” the commander said, adding that “It is a philosophy about how police departments go about their business in a way that engages the community in the co-production of public safety.”

Residents also benefitted from hampers and food supplies during the visit.

Santa Mission is an Indigenous village in Region Three. It is located along the narrow Kamuni Creek, a tributary of the Demerara River.

The community was established in the mid-eighteenth century and first settled

by Alfred Patterson, a woodsman, who had stumbled on the location during his pursuit of the ever-valuable Wallaba trees, which fueled the energy sector back in those days.

It is home to approximately 200 people of mainly Arawak descent. Santa Mission’s main economic activities include small-scale logging, handicraft and tourism.

The village is a stopover for tourists heading to Arrow Point Nature Resort and the former Timberhead, both of which are in proximity.

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GFF expresses gratitude to corporate Guyana FRESH off the historic win against Belize, which has seen Guyana advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time ever, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in a release last night expressed gratitude to corporate Guyana for the outpouring of support for the event.

The match, which was held at the National Track and Field Centre, last Saturday night, saw Guyana defeat Belize by a 2-1 margin to make their debut at the premier event of the CONCACAF Region, scheduled for June-July 2019.

However, in addition to the just over 4 000 patrons, who supported Guyana’s senior men’s National team, Golden Jaguars, it was corporate Guyana who contributed significantly to the successful hosting of the event.

In an invited comment, GFF president Wayne Forde

said he was heartened by the support as it demonstrated corporate Guyana’s commitment to the development of football: “This outpouring of support by our corporate partners to this very significant match demonstrates their understanding of the magnitude of the event and its far-reaching implications on football development in Guyana.

“This is the first step in a long journey, which began with a dream and that initial dream has finally been realised with this qualification. The journey continues and can only be realised with continued partnerships of this nature to enable the realisation of the team’s successful participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.” Among the partners who supported are: KFC Guyana; Ansa McAl Trading Ltd Guyana, NAMILCO, Giftland Mall, A. Forrester Lumber Yard, 93.1 Real

Jos Buttler dismissal deemed legal

by MCC amid scrutiny of the Laws

MCC, the guardians of the Laws of Cricket, have defended the controversial circumstances of Jos Buttler’s ‘Mankad’ dismissal

by R. Ashwin on Monday, stating that it is not against the Spirit of Cricket for a bowler to seek to run-out a batsman at the non-striker’s end.

However, in a statement issued in the wake of Ashwin’s “instinctive” (and match-changing) actions for King’s XI Punjab against Rajasthan Royals, MCC also acknowledged the ambiguity of the current wording of Law 41.16, pertaining to the “non-striker leaving his/her ground early”.

Given that ICC’s interpretation of the Law clarifies that the “expected moment of release” comes when “the arm reaches its highest point” in a bowler’s delivery stride, MCC concluded “it was understandable” how Bruce Oxenford, the TV umpire, had seen fit to give Buttler out.

The incident occurred in the 13th over of Rajasthan Royals run-chase, with Buttler going strong on 69 from 43 balls and seemingly guiding his side to victory in their opening fixture of the tournament.

A s h w i n , h o w e v e r, changed the course of the innings by pausing in his delivery stride, with Buttler’s bat still anchored in his crease as he backed up alongside the bowler, and waiting for him to leave his ground before whipping off the bails.

It was the second time in Buttler’s career that he had been dismissed in such a fashion - the first

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came in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2014 - and amid the ensuing furore, MCC was at pains to underline the importance of the law, which ensures that batsmen are unable to “back up at liberty, several yards down the pitch”.

However, on this occasion, MCC stated that the legality of the dismissal came down to the umpire’s interpretation of the law, given that Buttler had not been seeking to gain an advantage in the moments before Ashwin chose to abort his delivery stride and attempt the dismissal.

The relevant part of Law 41.16 states: “If the non-striker is out of his/ her ground from the moment the ball comes into play to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him/her out.”

“The crux of the issue is when the non-striker can safely leave his/her ground, and what the bowler can do to effect this form of dismissal without courting controversy,” the MCC statement said.

“To clarify, it has never been in the Laws that a warning should be given to the non-striker and/nor is it against the Spirit of Cricket to run-out a non-striker who is seeking to gain an advantage by leaving his/ her ground early.

“Furthermore, with batsmen now being deemed in or out by millimetres by TV replays on quick singles, it is right that they should remain in their ground at the non-striker’s end until it is

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fair for them to leave.

“Yesterday’s incident could have been ruled out or not out, depending on how “the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball” is interpreted.

“Some feel that Ashwin delayed his action to allow Buttler the chance to leave his ground and that Buttler was in his ground when he expected the ball to be released. If it was a deliberate delay, that would be unfair and against the Spirit of Cricket. Ashwin claims this not to be the case.

“The TV umpire had to make a decision and, under the Law (and indeed ICC’s interpretation of them, which clarifies the expected moment of release as when the arm reaches its highest point), it was understandable how he opted to give Buttler out.”

MCC’s recent redraft of the Laws of Cricket, which come into effect on April 1, includes an amendment to the Preamble, which outlines the Spirit of Cricket.

The new wording seeks to “emphasise the positive behaviours that make cricket an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork”.

“It is up to both teams to ensure that the game is played within both the Laws and the Spirit of Cricket,” MCC added.

“Non-strikers must be careful not to gain an unfair advantage by leaving their ground early, while bowlers must act within the timeframe outlined in the Law to effect a Run-out under Law 41.16.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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FM, 97.5 MAAD FM, 94.1 BOOM FM, 104.1, Lite FM, National Communications Network (NCN), Power Producers And Distributors Inc., Sueria Manufacturing Inc., through the Aqua Pur Water brand, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Secure Innovation and Concepts Inc., Space Gym, Demerara Distillers Ltd, Star Party Rental, St Joseph Mercy Hospital - Ambulance & Medical Team, Pegasus Guyana, Radar Security Service and Supplies, National Milling Company Limited, Devon Construction and Contracting Services, West Indian Sports Complex, The Guinness Bar, The Fashion Box, Digicel Guyana, New GPC Inc., Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd, Muneshwers Limited Travel Service, Central Immigration, Passport Office; Guyana Police Service.

‘I thought we were men of integrity’ … deposed CWI boss Cameron disappointed after promised votes fail to materialise

FORMER president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Wycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron has expressed disappointment with the outcome of the organisation’s elections, which saw Ricky Skerritt installed as new head of the organisation on Sunday.

Ahead of the election, the 47-year-old Cameron, a three-term incumbent, was confident he had at least secured six votes heading into the association’s decisive vote. His prediction would at the very least have secured a tie and a second round of voting.

At the end of Sunday’s count, however, Cameron lost by an 8-4 margin.

Although the final vote is yet to be confirmed, initial reports suggest Skerritt won the election after securing support from Trinidad and Tobago, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands and Cameron’s home nation of Jamaica.

Cameron is believed to have secured support from Guyana and Barbados. Although the incumbent would not have been 11:35 hrs Harry Callahan 12:10 hrs Tesorina 12:40 mhrs Smiley Bagel Market Rasen 10:10 hrs Benny’s Bridge 11:15 hrs Torrent Des Mottes 11:45 hrs Star Foot 12:20 hrs Redzor 12:50 hrs Nemean Lion

counting on the support of his home nation, it was previously announced that he had secured the support of the previously mentioned teams.

“I trusted the process. I thought that we were men of integrity and I banked on that,” Cameron said.

“From where I am standing, I am very disappointed that men gave me their word and then went a different way, but that’s elections all around and I think we have a lot to be proud of,” he added.

Despite being deposed, Cameron insisted he was proud of his accomplishments and excited about the future of West Indies cricket, should it maintain its current trajectory. He believes a need for more autonomy may have contributed to the result.

“The views expressed seemed to suggest that everyone wanted to do their own thing. My own view is we have a strategic plan and a board of directors and we have decided in a particular direction that everyone can’t go off 13:20 hrs The Very Thing Southwell 10;20 hrs Twentysvnthlancers 10:50 hrs Heart Of Soul 11:25 hrs Marble Bar 11:55 hrs Juanito Chico 12:30 hrs Gorgeous General 13:05 hrs Lafilia

and do their own thing.”

(Sportsmax.com)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

NSC, Department of Social Cohesion, MoTP-sponsored Janet Jagan Memorial Windball

Tucville, Annandale secondary schools win titles

Marlyn Hope presents the championship trophy (females) to Alleia Alleyne of Tucville Secondary.

TUCVILLE Secondary female team and Annandale Secondary male team were crowned champions of the National Sports Commission, Department of Social Cohesion, Ministry of the Presidency-sponsored and organised Janet Jagan Memorial Windball Clash of the Champions schools windball cricket finals last Saturday at the National Gymnasium.

In the female final, Tucville, who had defeated former champions Carmel, proved their might against tournament winners Zeeburg Secondary.

Julius David hands over the winning trophy (males) to the Annandale Secondary team.

Zeeburg batted first and scored 96-1 in their allotted five overs with V. Pitamber hitting 56. Aviana Buckan supported with 34.

Tucville. in reply. reached 100 without losing a wicket. Alleia Alleyne, who struck nine sixes, finished with a top score of 59, while Kezian London, who took the lone Zeeburg wicket, added 28.

Earlier Queenstown Secondary got past Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary in the third place clash. Led by 54 from Kesha

Jones and 32 from Alana Mentore, Queenstown were able to register 95-1, before restricting their opponents to 92-0 in their allotted overs. Shelline Persaud led the attack for the fourth-place finishers with 37 runs.

In the male final, Zeeburg Secondary batted first and scored 94-3. John Roopnarine finished with 2-8. Annandale replied with 98-1 with eventual MVP Evald Hendricks hitting six sixes in a top score of 40.

Mohindra Singh added 27.

Floodlights lose to Parika Defenders Griffith, Cooley named Australia Beharry’s fine all-round show bowling coaches for World Cup, Ashes despite IN a specially arranged T20 all-rounder Anil Beharry, 3 for Berbice.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia have appointed Troy Cooley as bowling coach for the Ashes, turning to the man who played a key role in England’s drought-breaking 2-1 win in the 2005 series.

Troy Cooley

Cooley replaced former bowling coach David Saker, who resigned in February, for the recent tour of India and the ongoing tour of the United Arab Emirates, where Australia are midway through a one-day international series against Pakistan.

Governing body Cricket Australia confirmed 53-yearold Cooley’s Ashes appointment on Monday.

Cooley came to prominence after being appointed England’s bowling coach

for the 2005 Ashes and was credited for helping Michael Vaughan’s bowlers win the urn for the first time since 1986/87.

Australia currently hold the Ashes after beating Joe Root’s England 4-0 in the 2017/18 series on home soil.

Adam Griffith

The 2019 series will be held in England in August and September.

Since replacing Saker, Cooley has overseen a turnaround in Australia’s one-day international fortunes, with Aaron Finch’s team riding a five-match winning streak which included the recent 3-2 series win over Virat Kohli’s India.

Australia lead 2-0 in the five-game ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE. Cricket Australia added

that Tasmania head coach Adam Griffith has been appointed bowling coach for the World Cup in England, reuniting him with head coach Justin Langer.

Griffith has experience working with Australia as an assistant coach on the 2016 tour of the West Indies and was also an assistant coach to former boss Langer at Western Australia.

“I’ve worked with Adam in the past at the WACA and been pleased with how hard he’s worked to establish himself as one of the best young coaches in Australia,” Langer said in a media release. “(Troy) has been a fantastic addition to our coaching team, and brings a great wealth of knowledge, experience and success having coached Australian and England teams in England.”

“At the completion of the World Cup and Ashes Series we’ll review the overall coaching structure and assess the best path moving forward based on the upcoming schedule, player needs and team direction under Justin,” Cricket Australia’s interim performance chief Belinda Clark said.

The Cricket World Cup, being hosted by England and Wales, begins on May 30.

softball game in honour of the 65th birth anniversary of Ramchand Ragbeer, president of Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), played last Friday under lights at the famous DCC cricket ground, Parika Defenders won by 16 runs in a keenly contested game.

The visitors, winner of “Guyana Softball Cup 8th Over50 tournament, won the toss and took first strike amassing 198 for 9 off their 20 overs. Muneshwar Balgobin top-scored with 59 and got support from Anthony Arjune 48 and Dubraj Singh 27.

Bowling for Floodlights, Jailall Deodas took 3 for 15, former Berbice Senior Inter-County

25 and Rabindra Singh 2 for 19.

In reply, the hosts threatened, but fell short by 16 runs losing 8 wickets in the process when their overs expired. Beharry led the way with a brutal 103 and got support from Seeraj Bheemsain 35 and Khalid Baksh 26. Devanand Kannan was superb in taking four wickets for Parika Defenders.

Beharry was adjudged best batsman and man-of-the-match, Kannan - best bowler and Singh - best fielder. Kenrick Persaud, captain of Parika Defenders collected the winning trophy.

All trophies were donated by Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and Market Road, Port Mourant, Corentnye,

In the other game, Payless lost by 5 runs to Factory Price in another exciting encounter.

However, no detailed scores were available.

The Floodlights team also toured Antigua as part of the celebration of the president’s birthday, losing the windball and taped windball games but winning the feature softball match.

The GFSCA takes this opportunity to thank Antigua and Barbuda Softball Cricket Association for its kind hospitality and a well-organised tour. Parika Defenders, Payless and Factory Price were also thanked for their participation at Friday night games.

President Ragbeer is all smiles as he collects his enlarged framed picture from Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market in the presence of other members.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Guyana females finish second at Pan Am TT Qualifiers … Males bow out in semis

A RIVETING fightback from two-nil down by Natalie Cummings could not stop the Dominican Republic (DR) from winning the Pan Am Qualifiers table tennis on Monday night against home team Guyana (females), in a virtual final of the five-team competition at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Cummings showed heart and determination in a clash against Esmerlyn Castro to spur life back into the local crowd, but the Dominican proved too strong and ended that clash 3-2, which helped the visitors to a comefrom-behind 3-1 overall victory.

With the win, DR joined Puerto Rico (males) as the other team to advance to the Pan Am Games, scheduled to start in late July in Lima, Peru.

Guyana’s males were defeated in the semi-final of the men’s competition on Monday morning at the same venue. In that clash, the home team went down 3-0 to the DR. Christopher Franklin and Shemar Britton battled hard, but they could not overcome Samuel Galvez and Emil Santos in the doubles (8-11, 5-11, 8-11).

Joel Alleyne also fell 3-0 when he challenged Jiaji Wu 11-5, 11-6, 11-2. Britton, the de-

fending U-21 Caribbean champion, proved the most competitive in his 3-1 (14-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-4) loss to Santos.

VICTORY AGAINST JAMAICA On Monday morning, the Trenace Lowe-led team eased past Jamaica to book their third straight win in the two-day competition.

Chelsea Edghill and Cummings easily defeated Sandra Riettie and Solesha Young in the doubles 3-0, (11-7, 11-4, 11-6), while Lowe beat Dadrian Lewis 3-0 (11-2, 11-6, 12-10). Cummings then battled back from an opening loss to win 3-1 (5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8) against Young.

TOUGH BATTLE From the serve-off on Monday evening, Guyana knew they were in for a battle against DR. The levelheaded Lowe and spirited Edghill were able to counter the spin of Esmerlyn and the clinical finishes from the stoic Yasiris Ortiz for two games, which sent the vocal Guyanese supporters into frenzy.

However, unforced errors and a determined fightback from the visitors drew the clash even at

Shemar Britton had a competitive clash against DR’s Emil Santos in the male semi-finals.

2-2 (11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 7-11) before the overseas-based Guyanese girls rallied back to close the game at 11-8.

Eva Brito, the number one seeded played last year, then made light work of Cummings in the next clash, although the latter battled through several long rallies. The 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 victory drew DR even, before Ortiz got past rival Lowe 3-1 (11-5, 10-12, 11-3, 12-10).

In the last game, Cummings

locked horns with Castro, but the latter targetted her backhand and eased to a 2-0 lead (11-6 and 118), before the Guyanese woke up the crowd with a surprising two straight wins (11-9, 11-2). In the end, Castro emerged victorious with an 11-6 win.

On Sunday, Guyana females had defeated St Kitts & Nevis and Barbados 3-0 each, while the men had lost to Puerto Rico, but had beaten St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Chelsea Edghill (right) and Trenace Lowe embrace after winning the opening set on Monday night.

UEFA investigating racist incidents in England match, strong action urged

By Simon Evans

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - European football’s governing body UEFA said it is investigating racist incidents at Monday’s Euro 2020 qualifier between Montenegro and England in Podgorica, and both players and an independent monitoring group urged it to take strong action.

England defender Danny Rose was subjected to monkey chants and Raheem Sterling, scorer of England’s final goal in the 5-1 win, was also targeted, with racist abuse heard throughout the game.

UEFA said yesterday it was opening an investigation into charges of “racist behaviour” during the game.

The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary panel on May 16.

The English Football Association welcomed the investigation into what it called “abhorrent racist chanting”.

“This is unacceptable at any level of the game and we welcome UEFA’s decision today to take disciplinary action,” the FA said in a statement.

Montenegro’s football association (FSCG) said they were ready to ban fans who could be shown to have been involved.

“If the proceedings prove that there was racist behaviour in the stadium, The Montenegrin Football Association (FSCG) will take all the necessary measures to identify the irresponsible individuals

who might have caused such incidents and will ban them from all future matches organised by FSCG,” the body said.

The FSCG said this was the first incident they had suffered at an international game.

“There is no room for such behaviour in a multi-cultural and a multi-ethnic society like Montenegro,” it said.

England defender Danny Rose was subjected to monkey chants Sterling, who cupped his ears to a section of Montenegro supporters after scoring, said the country’s fans should be banned from attending matches.

As well as a complaint from the English FA, UEFA will also examine the referee’s report and the official report from their own match delegate.

Independent monitoring group FARE had an observer at the game and said they will also submit a report.

UEFA said they will not comment until their disciplinary

body has received those reports while FARE said their evidence would be sent to the Swissbased body.

“We had an observer present who picked up evidence of racial abuse. Our monitoring team have been compiling the evidence we have before presenting it to UEFA,” FARE said in a statement.

“We hope that UEFA will act decisively, the sanctions that could be applied for an offence of this kind range from a partial stadium closure to full stadium closure.”

‘WORK STILL TO BE DONE’ England manager Gareth Southgate said he had no doubt that the abuse took place.

“I definitely heard abuse of Danny Rose when he got booked at the end of the game,” said Southgate.

Sterling called for strict sanctions from UEFA. “You’ve got to punish the whole fans, who can’t come to the games,” he said. “You’ve got to do something that will really make them think twice, because if their team can’t play with fans it’s going to be difficult for them.”

There have been racist incidents in English football this season as well, and the FA said the problem was not confined to a specific country.

“Despite progress, English football still has its own incidents of discrimination,” it said in a statement.

“Our experience is that

by combining both sanctions and education, whilst working alongside campaigners such as Kick It Out, real progress can be made.

“But there remains much work to be done.”

Natalie Cummings showed a lot of heart in her two games.

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Super Senior Hopkinson cops 2nd place in Senior Division

Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson (centre) with the other members of Team Guyana which competed at the Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. sponsored IPSC Level 3, 2019 Amazon Shoot in Suriname last weekend.

THE Guyana National Rifle Association’s (GuyanaNRA) IPSC Regional Director, Harold Hopkinson, along with sanctioned handgun competitors, Dr Pravesh Harry, Ms Angelique DeGroot, the father-son combination Andrew and John Phang from Guyana Sport Shooting Fundation, travelled to neighbouring country of Suriname, for the Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. sponsored IPSC Level 3, 2019 Amazon Shoot.

Battling a stomach bug that had him vomiting and nauseous, veteran hand-gunner Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson pulled off a second-place finish against his younger, fitter competitors.

As the only Super Senior, the 64-year-old Security Executive, shooting an out-of-the-box CZ Shadow 2 Production gun, was thrown into the younger more agile senior class.

In an invited comment, Hopkinson said he was absolutely shocked that he got the silver medal since he was not con-

vinced that he had shot well.

The Regional Director said he was proud that his team members had put up a valiant and commendable performance in front of their trainer Grand Master Ronald Brown.

“They all finished just off the podium. There were 60 shooters from Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, French Guiana, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and host Suriname.”

He informed that the next destination would be Trinidad and Tobago, followed by the 25th Anniversary competition of the Aruba Practical Shooting Association.

Hopkinson and his team members are extending thanks to Commissioner of Police. Leslie James, DSS, DSM, GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia, AA, GuyanaNRA president Brigadier Patrick West, MSS, his GuyanaNRA executive and handgun captain Dale Hing, for their collective assistance in making the Suriname tour a possibility.

Japan’s Takeda no North Essequibo Cricket longer a member - IOC Committee welcomes new

By Karolos Grohmann sign from the IOC. The Olympic body, however, leadership of Cricket West Indies LAUSANNE, Switzer- said his membership ended land (Reuters) - Japa- yesterday.

FOLLOWING Cricket West Indies (CWI) elections on Sunday in Jamaica, executives of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee (NECC) have extended congratulations to the new leadership.

In a release, the Committee hailed the election of Ricky Skerritt and Dr Kishore Shallow as president and vice-president respectively as a resounding victory for the restoration of good governance, moving towards strengthening the battered relationship between the players and board, and professionally recognising our former players.

While it will take time to heal the wounds of a divided organisation and a team yet to reassert its greatness, the statement noted that Mr Skerritt has vast experience as a former West Indies team manager, who knows the culture and strengths of the team as well as being a Rhodes Scholar and former senior Government Minister with responsibility for Sports and Tourism.

Dr Shallow is the president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association and also brings on board a wealth of institutional knowledge and

intellect.

Such qualities, the statement infers, are needed in quickly advancing the true potential of the Caribbean and the growing reservoir of players; therefore, they are in the correct order to bat for CWI at this juncture.

In addition, the statement also appealed for the new board to swiftly intervene and initiate the passage for free and fair elections by Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) which was not constitutionally held for the past six years.

According to the statement, the former regime reneged from its civic responsibility to address the issue despite several appeals to the former President and Board of Directors.

Instead, the statement intoned that it seemed business as usual for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) even though the passage of the Cricket Administration Bill by the Guyana Government paved the way for the conduct of elections.

The NECC, according to the statement, is pleased with the new leadership and looks forward for the desired results both on and off the field.

nese Olympic Committee (JOC) chief Tsunekazu Takeda, who is under investigation in France for suspected corruption and will step down from his role in June, is no longer an International Olympic Committee member, the IOC said yesterday.

Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) chief Tsunekazu Takeda

Takeda said last week he would step down from the JOC when his term ends and would also re-

“The IOC Executive Board recognised the resignation of Tsunekazu Takeda,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams told a news conference after a meeting of the executive board.

“With this recognition and in accordance with IOC regulation his secession of IOC membership takes immediate effect.”

French prosecutors have questioned Takeda in Paris and placed him under formal investigation in December for suspected corruption in Tokyo’s successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Games.

Takeda, who was president of the 2020 bid committee, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Takeda had been head of the JOC since 2001 and his resignation leaves a cloud hanging over both the national committee and the organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Bravo burst helps Super Kings see off Capitals DWAYNE Bravo put the impetus to the innings. brakes on Delhi Capitals Bravo responded by to set up a six-wicket removing Pant - who had Indian Premier League made a match-winning (IPL) win for Chennai 78 not out against MumSuper Kings yesterday. bai Indians - for 25, with The Super Kings pro- Shardul Thakur taking duced a brilliant bowling the catch at deep square performance to beat Royal leg to prompt a dance Challengers Bangalore from the West Indian. in their first match of the Ingram followed two tournament, bowling their balls later, picking out opponents out for 70, and Suresh Raina in the covers they were on the money to leave Delhi on 122-4, again to make it two vic- and Thakur clung on again tories out of two. to see the back of Dhawan, Delhi lost their way who hit seven boundaries on a slow and low track in his half-century. at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground after Bravo (3WATSON 33) dismissed the danWHIRLWIND, gerous Rishabh Pant and DHONI DELIVERS Colin Ingram in the 16th YET AGAIN over.

There was to be no late onslaught for a Capitals side that won their first game, Shikhar Dhawan also falling to Bravo for 51 in their total of 147-6.

Ravindra Jadeja recorded figures of 1-23 from his four overs after Deepak Chahar put the squeeze on at the start of the Delhi innings, claiming 1-20.

Shane Watson made 44 to get Chennai off to a strong start and MS Dhoni was unbeaten on 32, with Bravo hitting Dwayne Bravo hits back the winning runs in the admirably after conceding final over.

17 in his first over, to take CHAHAR SETS THE TONE While Bravo claimed key wickets later in the innings, it was a disciplined spell from Chahar that kept Delhi in check.

The seamer bowled his four-over allocation straight through, conceding just two boundaries and limiting the Capitals’ gains with 12 dot balls.

Chahar deserved more than just the one wicket he claimed, which came in the fifth over when Prithvi Shaw (24) was taken by Watson at midwicket.

BRAVO BURST TOPPLES CAPITALS All-rounder Bravo’s first over went for 17 runs as Dhawan and Pant attempted to provide some

3 for 33.

Watson and Dhoni showed there is no substitute for experience in the Super Kings’ successful run chase.

Former Australia all-rounder Watson flexed his muscles at the top of the order, smashing three sixes in a swashbuckling 26-ball knock before he was brilliantly stumped by Pant off Amit Mishra (2-35).

Raina and Kedar Jadhav chipped in with 30 and 27 respectively, but it was Dhoni who thrived in the role of finisher yet again, frustrating Delhi on a testing track before Bravo whipped Kagiso Rabada for four to win it with two balls to spare.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, March 25, 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) 2010 (2) Mumbai Indians (1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: What was the result of the first game in IPL 2019 Who was declared Man of the Match?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 27, 2019

61st Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships

Guyanese women open on winning note, men suffer mixed fortunes

By Michelangelo Jacobus

GUYANA’S campaign at the 61st Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships, here on home soil at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), served off to different starts yesterday for the Women and Men’s teams respectively.

Playing in two matches, the Guyanese women took away maximum points and sit top of the table with four points heading into today’s action.

In the first session of play during the morning, the Guyanese women faced Martinique and steamrolled them, winning 3-0. First Natalie ‘Speedy’ Cummings teamed up with Chelsea Edghill against Oceane Meredin and Mevena Avril and the Guyanese duo dispatched their opponents in straight sets of 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 before Trenace Lowe made it 2-0, Team Guyana defeating Armelle Pruvost 11-3, 8-11, 11-5, 11-3.

Edghill then handed Guyana maximum points from

Guyana’s Trenace Lowe (left) plays a backhand shot during her victory over Martinique’s Armelle Pruvost yesterday at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. (Adrian Narine photo)

the fixture by beating Mevena Avril in straight sets of 11-4, 11-5, 11-6.

Guyana’s next victims were Barbados, who suffered a 0-3 loss. In the doubles match-up, Cummings and Edghill once again teamed up to devastating effect, condemning Anthonette Riley and Krystle Harvey to sets of 5-11, 11-3, 11-3, 7-11, 11-8 while Lowe chipped in with an 11-6, 18-20, 13-11

and 13-11 win over Janae Lewis.

Once again Edghill put the icing on the cake, defeating Harvey in three identical sets of 11-3 to leave the Guyanese girls sitting pretty in pole position with four points. They will face possibly their toughest opponents, the Dominican Republic, today along with Jamaica.

However, the Guyanese men did not have the same

dream start, facing powerhouse Dominican Republic as they went down 3-0. First Joel Alleyne and Christopher Franklin surrendered in the doubles match by sets of 8-11, 8-11, 6-11 to the Dominican duo of Emil Santos and Isaac Vila.

Meanwhile, Shemar Britton showed a bit of a fight against Mariano Lockward but also went down in three straight sets of 8-11, 8-11, 4-11, Franklin was the last casualty of the Dominican encounter conceding defeat to Vila in sets of 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 3-11.

In their second game of the day, the Guyanese men rebounded with a 3-0 win over St Lucia. Up to press time the detailed scores of that game were yet to be made available to the media. They will advance to the main draw today with that win as St Lucia finished third in that group.

Action begins at 10:00hrs today at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue, and is open to the public.

MILO Schools Football tournament 2019

St John’s College, Lodge push through to next round ST JOHN’S College and Lodge Secondary are the last two schools to secure semi-final spots in the ongoing Milo schools football tournament 2019.

In the battle of Georgetown-based schools, St John’s overcame St Stanislaus College 4-3.

The St Stanislaus scorers Josiah King (56th), Daniel Persaud (32nd) and Jerimiah Sampson (35th) were unable to outscore their opponents.

Akeel Bennette (32nd), Tyreke Saunders (44th), Jaheim McPherson (58th) and Jared Corrica (76th) were the men responsible for the win.

In the other game, Lodge overcame Tucville 5-3.

Lodge profited off a pair

of braces from Dorwin George (18th, 22nd) and Curt Edwards (29th,, 69th) as well as Shem-

Part of the action in Milo schools football tournament

roy Myers 34th minute strike.

Tucville, on the other hand, had a double from Dawange Jones (62nd, 73rd) and Simeon Benn (17th).

From next weekend, quarter-finals action gets going.

On Saturday, Charlestown will play Annandale from 13:00hrs with Bishops’ High taking on President’s College at 15:00hrs.

On Sunday, Linden’s Christianburg/Wismar will play Vergenoegen while Lodge and St John’s College will clash for the last semi-final spot.

The tournament is also sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health.

New CWI president to apologise to Simmons … ready to settle legal claims BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Newly-elected Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Ricky Skerritt, says he intends to issue an apology to former head coach Phil Simmons, for recent controversial comments by his predecessor, Dave Cameron, who labelled the Trinidadian’s hiring as a “bad decision”.

Former Windies coach Phil Simmons The former St Kitts and Nevis government minister, who stunned Cameron in last Sunday’s CWI elections in Jamaica, hinted that the regional governing body was poised to settle the long-running legal dispute over damages with Simmons.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with CMC Sports yesterday, a passionate Skerritt said Simmons had been “very competent” in his time in charge of West Indies, and described his sacking as one of the low points in West Indies cricket during the last administration.

During the recent election campaign, Cameron told a Jamaica radio station that CWI “made a bad decision when we hired Phil and we had to get out of that situation”.

But Skerritt, who said he was involved in Simmons’s hiring, disagreed.

“In our opinion, the Phil Simmons issue was one of the unfortunate developments over the last few years,” Skerritt said.

“Phil Simmons is an excellent coach, a world class coach.

I think my predecessor made an an unfortunate statement when he said it was a mistake hiring Phil Simmons.

“I was involved in the interview panel that recruited Phil Simmons from a long list of competitors and Phil Simmons was the best candidate, and he proved himself in terms of his results on the field to have been a very competent coach.”

He added: “And if it is one thing that I’m going to do as president of CWI is to apologise to Phil Simmons for having been referred to as a mistake. CWI did not make a mistake when Phil Simmons was recruited.”

Simmons was abruptly axed in September 2016 just days before the start of a series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, for what CWI said were “differences in culture and strategic approach”.

The Caribbean side were promptly whitewashed in the Twenty20 and one-day series, before also losing the three-Test series, 2-1.

Skerritt said he remained sceptical about the reasons behind Simmons’s dismissal.

“There might be some more underlying causes which we are not privy to,” the former West Indies team manager noted.

The matter has since been the subject of a court case between Simmons and the board, with Cameron saying recently the former West Indies player had claimed too much in damages, causing the matter to drag on.

CWI had already admitted liability in the matter.

A court hearing was set for yesterday and Skerritt gave the assurance that the matter would soon be a thing of the past.

“Within minutes of becoming president – literally within minutes – as soon as the annual general meeting ended, I was able to have a quick brief from the chief financial officer and the chief operations officer on the matter,” Skerritt said.

“And I’m confident that matter will be sorted out very, very quickly, if it actually hasn’t been sorted out already today (yesterday). I will find out tomorrow (today) and as soon as the matter is settled, CWI will put out a statement accordingly.”

WIPA boss anticipates close relationship with new CWI leadership

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president and chief executive Wavell Hinds is anticipating a close working relationship with newly elected Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt.

In congratulating Skerritt on landing the top job, Hinds pointed out that his task as head of WIPA was to ensure the continued improvement of the players’ wellbeing, and as such was hoping to work hand-in-hand with his CWI counterpart to achieve that goal.

The former Jamaica and West Indies player’s pronouncements came shortly

after former senior team manager Skerritt and running mate Dr Kishore Shallow defeated Jamaican Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan in elections at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel here last Sunday.

“We want to say thanks from a players’ association standpoint to former president Cameron and former VP Nanthan and to welcome and congratulate president Skerritt and vice-president Shallow,” said Hinds.

It’s a new role, it’s a very big task, the challenges that face West Indies Cricket internally and externally are great and they have a big job to take on.”

“WIPA is here to try to make

sure that what we do from a players’ perspective is aligned to the objectives of CWI, in trying to be the best team in the world.

I would imagine that without even asking.

“We (WIPA) are pretty much in agreement with a democratic process and we are looking forward to working with the persons who are there.

But we also are respectful of the fact that contributions have been made by former president Cameron and vice-president Nanthan and so I want to tell them thanks and wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” he added.

Hinds formed a close work-

ing relationship with Cameron during his three terms in charge of CWI, resulting in a cooling of tensions between the two bodies.

The fact that Hinds is a former representative of Kensington Cricket Club of which Cameron is president, is believed to have played a key role in the relationship.

Hinds, however, was tactful when pressed on the surprising outcome of the election.

“It is a democratic organisation and I think today is another symbol that there is a democratic process that goes on,” he noted.

“West Indies Cricket belongs to the entire Caribbean and no

one is above the rules or the guidelines of CWI.” Hinds, who was among those on hand to ensure a fair process during the election, also reaffirmed his commitment of continued dialogue with the CWI leadership for players inclusion in the effort to push West Indies cricket forward.

“As a special member of CWI, we sat in the room to make sure that the persons who are in the chair understands the mammoth task that comes with it (presidential post) and how important the players are, if not the most important assets,” Hinds explained.

“And (to let leadership

know) that they (players) are to be considered in whatever deliberation goes on and to involve the players and their wellbeing front and centre, in terms of how they execute on the playing field.”

The election was expected to be a close battle with the possibility of both candidates ending up in a dead heat, after having gained the support of three boards each heading into voting day.

But Both Skerritt, 62, and Shallow, 35, won by 8-4 margins in the end after managing to sway votes from another territory, denying Cameron and Nanthan a fourth consecutive two-year term in office.

GFF express gratitude to Corporate Guyana Page

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The Golden Jaguars! (L-R standing) - Terence Vancooten, Emery Welshman, Akel Clarke, Elliot Bonds, Anthony Jeffrey, and Neil Danns. (L-R kneeling) – Callum Harriott, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Samuel Cox, Kadell Daniel and Keanu Marsh-Brown.

Jos Buttler dismissal deemed legal

by MCC amid scrutiny of the Laws Page

35

‘I thought we were men of integrity’

… deposed CWI boss Cameron disappointed after promised votes fail to materialise Page

35

Ravichandran Ashwin ‘mankads’ Jos Buttler.

(BCCI photo)

New CWI president to apologise to Simmons► 39

Page

Former CWI boss Dave Cameron (left) and challenger Ricky Skerritt ahead of the organisation’s election on Sunday.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019