Guyana Chronicle E-paper 4-27-2019

SATURDAY 27th April, 2019

NO LIMITATION No.105620

… Speaker affirms government continues without restrictions … says CCJ final ruling will give clear directions 10 PAGE

New MPs ready to work

… vow to tackle issues PAGE affecting youths, 03 public servants

‘It’s a promotion, not a demotion’

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… Minister Yearwood to help empower youths in agriculture sector

The four new MPs seated in Parliament before taking the oath. From left: Donna Mathoo; Reynard Ward, Mervyn Williams and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley (Adrian Narine photo)

Cocaine in fire extinguisher…

Mastermind takes ‘rap’, 10 others freed PAGE

Health ‘expo’ opens at 17 Umana Yana PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

New MPs ready to work 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

…vow to tackle issues affecting youth, public servants

“IT wouldn’t be the first time that I am doing this, so I am very comfortable,” were the words new Member of Parliament, Mervyn Williams, who has replaced Joseph Harmon, the former Minister of State who resigned from the house due to his dual

Friday afternoon in the House, replacing Harmon, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and former ministers of Public Service and Business respectively, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Dominic Gaskin. The replacements in addition to Williams

New Government Member of Parliament,Tabitha Sarabo-Halley takes her oath (Adrian Narine photo)

citizenship.

“I am both honoured and humbled by the call to government. I believe coming in as MP, the scope for making a more meaningful contribution to my country is wider,” Williams told the Guyana Chronicle. He added: “I can use my capacity and work towards development in furtherance of the vision of the good life, and to support all government policies and carry out my functions. I come with experience, and the experience will come in handy. It’s an additional responsibility, but I am prepared to work.”

Wi l l i a m s w a s o n e of four new MPs who took the oath of office on

are; Donna Mathoo; Reynard Ward and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley.

Currently serving as Ministerial Adviser to Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Williams previously served as an MP in the ninth Parliament 2006-2011. Over the years he has held several crucial positions within his party - People’s National Congress Reform, including a member of the powerful 15-man Central Executive Committee in 2007.

During his earlier tenure in Parliament, Williams served as vice-chairman alternate for the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and also the shadow agriculture minister. In addition,

he served on several other parliamentary committees and was one time Chairman of the PNCR Region Three Regional Committee.

Williams, who has represented Guyana on a number of international forums including the United Nations Fo-

a University of Guyana Lecturer and Chairperson of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) said. “As a person who has been involved in politics for a while and has been serving for a while, it’s not an overwhelming feeling because I’ve been serving in various capacities but

New Government Member of Parliament Reynard Ward is sworn in (Adrian Narine photo) rum on Indigenous Peoples’ issues, is currently serving as director on four state boards namely: National Insurance Scheme; Guyana Forestry Commission; Guyana National Newspapers Limited and the Guyana Water Inc. GOV’T BELIEVES IN YOUTH Offering comments following the Sitting, Sarabo-Halley and Ward stated that their appointment as MPs speaks volumes to the importance government places on youth leadership.

“I think it is a good sign that the government believes that young people, too, can fulfil their mandate,” Sarabo-Halley,

this is just an opportunity for me to now step it up to a new level and at a greater capacity.” She hopes to address the grievances of public servants racked up over the years and this will be placed on her front burner once formally appointed Minister of Public Service.

M e a n w h i l e , Wa r d commented: “Young people have never been left out. We were always there within the system, maybe not in the forefront, but in the background we’ve been consulted on several occasions to give our ideas to make this coalition better.” The 32-yearold is a farmer born and raised on the East Bank of Berbice and hopes to address agricultural issues,

rural-urban migration, youth empowerment and job creation. Outside on the corridor Mathoo, the Managing Director for the National Communications Network (NCN) Berbice Branch, said that she looks forward to representing women on issues such as domestic violence. “I feel

of renewing and moving forward,” the prime minister said.

Friday’s sitting was the second since the December 21, 2018 no-conference motion, which was initially upheld by the Speaker and the High Court, but later invalidated by the Court of Appeal.

Mervyn Williams takes his oath as a Member of Parliament (Adrian Narine photo) very humbled. I have the opportunity to continue to serve my people….I was serving regionally but I know I can do more here and I can make an impact here for my fellow women and youths,” she said optimistically.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, both welcomed all the new MPs to the National Assembly and extended best wishes. “This is good for everyone. In fact, I am also seeing a kind of ‘generational movement’.

Many young persons are coming into the Cabinet, government and Parliament so, for us in the coalition, I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to show that we’re capable

The matter is now before the Caribbean Court of Justice for final adjudication.

Dr. Scotland said the swearing in of the MPs was in keeping with the Constitutional seating requirements of the House following the resignations of the four ministers.

According to the Speaker, the vacancy for the MP position came about following his receipt of the resignation letters of former Ministers Harmon, Greenidge and Gaskin on April 25, 2019 and Dr. Roopnaraine on April 4, 2019. In each case, the new MPs were extracted from the A Partnership for National Unity Alliance See page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

New missile gap leaves U.S. scrambling to counter China

REUTERS- China’s powerful military is considered to be a master at concealing its intentions. But there is no secret about how it plans to destroy American aircraft carriers if rivalry becomes war.

At November’s biennial air show in the southern city of Zhuhai, the biggest stateowned missile maker, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Ltd, screened an animation showing a hostile “blue force,” comprising an aircraft carrier, escort

ships and strike aircraft, approaching “red force” territory.

On a giant screen, the animation showed a barrage of the Chinese company’s missiles launched from “red force” warships, submarines, shore batteries and aircraft wreaking havoc on the escort vessels around the carrier. In a final salvo, two missiles plunge onto the flight deck of the carrier and a third slams into the side of the hull near the bow.

The fate of the ship is an unmistakable message to an America that has long domi-

nated the globe from its mighty aircraft carriers and sprawling network of hundreds of bases.

China’s military is now making giant strides toward replacing the United States as the supreme power in Asia. With the Pentagon distracted by almost two decades of costly war in the Middle East and Afghanistan, the Chinese military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has exploited a period of sustained budget increases and rapid technical improvement to build and deploy an arsenal of advanced missiles.

Many of these missiles are specifically designed to attack the aircraft carriers and bases that form the backbone of U.S. military dominance in the region and which for decades have protected allies including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Across almost all categories of these weapons, based on land, loaded on strike aircraft or deployed on warships and submarines, China’s missiles rival or outperform their counterparts in the armories of the United States and its allies, according to current and former U.S. military officers with knowledge of PLA test launches, Taiwanese and Chinese military analysts, and technical specifications published in China’s state-controlled media.

give China a destructive capability no other military can boast. China’s advantage in this class of missiles is likely to remain for the foreseeable future, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision in February to withdraw from the treaty in six months.

China is also making rapid strides in developing so-called hypersonic missiles, which can maneuver sharply and travel at five times the speed of sound (or even faster). Currently, the United States has no defenses against a missile like this, according to Pentagon officials.

China’s Ministry of National Defense and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation did not respond to

missile force in the world,” said James Fanell, a retired U.S. Navy captain and former senior intelligence officer with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “They have the capacity to overwhelm the defensive systems we are pursuing.”

Fanell was sidelined by the Pentagon ahead of his 2015 retirement, after warning about the Chinese build-up at a time when President Barack Obama was seeking cooperation with Beijing. Today, Pentagon policy hews more closely to his views that China intends to displace the United States as Asia’s dominant power. Chinese military brass agree they can now keep American carriers at bay. Six people in China interviewed by Reuters, includ-

Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles, known as carrier killers, drive past Tiananmen Gate in Beijing during a military parade in 2015. REUTERS/Andy Wong

China has also seized a virtual monopoly in one class of conventional missiles – land-based, intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles.

Under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a Cold War-era agreement aimed at reducing the threat of nuclear conflict, the United States and Russia are banned from deploying this class of missiles, with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (3,418 miles). But Beijing, unrestrained by the INF Treaty, is deploying them in massive numbers.

This includes so-called carrier killer missiles like the DF-21D, which can target aircraft carriers and other warships underway at sea at a range of up to 1,500 kilometers, according to Chinese and Western military analysts. If effective, these missiles would

questions from Reuters about Beijing’s missile capabilities.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Pentagon had no comment.

China’s growing missile arsenal hasn’t yet been proven in a real-world clash, and some Chinese officials play down their advances. But under the Trump administration, Washington has come to view China as a rival determined to displace the United States in Asia.

This modern-day missile gap, the administration believes, is emerging as one of the biggest dangers to American military supremacy in Asia since the end of the Cold War. The Pentagon is now scrambling for new weapons and strategies to counter the PLA’s rocket arsenal.

“We know that China has the most advanced ballistic

ing retired PLA officers and a person with ties to the Beijing leadership, said China’s enhanced missile capability was a great leveler and would serve to deter the United States from getting too close to Chinese shores.

“We cannot defeat the United States at sea,” a retired PLA colonel said in an interview. The United States has 11 aircraft carriers and China has just two. “But we have missiles that specifically target aircraft carriers to stop them from approaching our territorial waters if there were conflict.” A person with ties to the Chinese leadership who once served in the military had a similar message: “If U.S. aircraft carriers come too close to our coastlines in a conflict, our missiles can destroy them.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

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President Granger saddened at the passing of Bishop Talbot

His Excellency David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is saddened at the death of Mr. Frederick Hilborn Talbot, B.A., S.T.M., M.Div., D.Min. Bishop Talbot was born on October 13, 1927 in Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. He served as a Pas-

tor at the St. Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Church, Georgetown from 1961 to 1971.

From 1971-73 he served as representative for Guyana to the United Nations and High Commissioner to Canada from 1973- 1974, followed by two years as resident Ambassador of Guyana to the

United States from 1973 to 1975. He also served Guyana from 1975 to 1980 as resident High Commissioner to Jamaica and High Commissioner to The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Barbados and as Ambassador to Haiti.

His ecumenical work has included service as Presi-

dent of the Guyana Council of Churches; Caribbean Coordinator in Family Life Education for Church World Service; delegate to the 6th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Vancouver, Canada; President of the Georgia Council of Churches and ecumenical officer of the A.M.E. in a

number of locales in the Middle East, Europe, Australia and Asia.

The holder of numerous honorary degrees, Bishop Talbot has written three books, composed texts and music for several hymns and produced a musical CD entitled ‘A Bishop Sings of His Faith.’ Bishop Talbot has

had a long and distinguished record of service not only as an AME leader but also as a Pastor and teacher, in the diplomatic service of Guyana and in ecumenical relations. President Granger extends heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot, relatives and friends during this sad time.

Grenada supports objections to Jamaica prepares report to new Permanent Representative advance rights of women of Venezuela to OAS

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Apr. 26, CMC – The government of Grenada has come out in support of the stance taken by some Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries concerning the appointment of a new Permanent representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

In a statement released Friday, the Permanent Mission of Grenada said that it has joined eight other Caribbean countries in their formal objection to “the manner in which the Resolution seating opposition leader, Juan Guaido’s representative as the Permanent Representatives was adopted and to the seating of Mr Gustave Tarrre.”

Earlier this week in a joint letter, obtained by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, said they had also taken note that on April 10, the Secretary General, Luis Almagro accepted the credentials of Tarre as the “Permanent Representative” of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Caribbean countries said that they also “endorse” the position of Mexico on the situation. Earlier this month Tarre presented his credentials to Almagro, who had promised to work with him “to deepen the path to democratization, peace and justice for Venezuela”. lmargo had also said that the “voices in favour of de-

mocracy in the hemisphere” voted for the resolution that accepted Tarre’s appointment.

CARICOM, with 14 votes in the OAS, were divided on the issue with St. Lucia, Jamaica, Haiti and the Bahamas voting in favour of accepting Tarre “as the National Assembly’s designated permanent representative, pending new elections and the appointment of a democratically elected government,” in the South American country.

The OAS Permanent Council is chaired by the United States, which is at the forefront of efforts to remove President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn into office for a second consecutive term earlier this year, from power.

Washington wants him replaced by Juan Guaido, the Opposition Leader, who has already declared himself as interim president.

CARICOM has adopted a united position on the Venezuelan matter and in February, the regional leaders at their inter-sessional summit in St. Kitts-Nevis reiterated their position of non-interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela and said they were prepared to mediate in the process to bring about a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

However, St. Lucia, the Bahamas, Haiti and Jamaica, have supported the so-called Lima Group that is seeking Maduro’s removal. This is the third occasion so far this year they have broken ranks within CARICOM on the Venezuelan issue. In their letter, the eight CARICOM countries note that the National Assembly of Venezu-

ela “is not a government” and quotes Article 80 of the OAS Charter, which states in part that “the Permanent Council…is composed of one representative of each member state especially appointed by the respective government with the rank of ambassador”.

The Charter also notes that “each government may accredit an acting representative as well as such alternates and advisors as it considers necessary”.

Further, the eight Caribbean countries say that the letter of Tarre’s appointment submitted to the chair of the OAS Permanent Council, Ambassador Carlos Trujillo, who is also the US ambassador on April 8, 2019 and signed

by Guaido “in his capacity as the President of the National Assembly and also purporting to be in his capacity as Interim president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was dated January 22, 2019, one day before his proclamation as Interim President”. The Caribbean countries also said that Guaido’s designation of Tarre as the permanent representative “is also not consistent with the Agreement of the National Assembly of …Venezuela dated January 22, 2019 which designates …Tarre as “Special representative to the OAS”.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Apr. 26, CMC – Jamaica is in the process of preparing the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action (BPfA) + 25 progress report.

The document is a visionary agenda for advancing the rights of women and gender equality worldwide agreed on during the 4th World Conference on women in 1995.

The report is to be submitted by May 1, to UN Women through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and is being prepared by the Bureau of Gender Affairs.

It is submitted every five years.

Details were outlined

by Acting Senior Director, Bureau of Gender Affairs, Sharon Coburn Robinson, through an interview during the national consultation meeting on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Thursday.

The Platform for Action covers 12 critical areas of concern, including poverty, education, training, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment and the girl child.

The BPfA +25 Progress Report includes an assessment of current challenges

that affect the implementation of the agreements enshrined in the BPfA. It also highlights major achievements on gender equality and empowerment of women and its contribution towards the full realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through a gender perspective.

Highlighting the significance of the document, Coburn Robinson said it demonstrates the country’s commitment and obligation to Treaties that have been agreed on. “It’s important to Jamaica because it shows our compliance with international treaties, agreements and conventions that we have signed on to, including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women; the SDGs which we have signed on to, which has 17 goals, and particularly goal five that looks

at empowering all women and girls and ensuring that our responsibilities to the other SDGs are also captured [in partnership with other stakeholders],” she said.

Coburn Robinson said the five key priority areas are: eliminating violence against women and girls; women’s entrepreneurship and women’s enterprises; unpaid care and domestic work/work and family conciliation; gender responsive social protection; and gender responsive disaster risk reduction and resilience building. “Those five we have unpacked and we have asked the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, as well as civil society organisations, to send us data in terms of their achievements, what have they done since 2015, so this is covering 2015 to 2019 data,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Guyana’s security is in good hands

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country’s security is one of the most important determinants of whether its citizens will have a comfortable existence or not. And, it is the responsibility of the elected government of any nation to ensure that the management of the security sector is in line with democratic best practices. Also, the provision of security must be viewed as a public good.

Governments bear, too, the political responsibility for the activities of the security sector. In other words, the government of the day bears the obligation of providing security to its citizens, protecting them from threats, both internal and external.

And, government is answerable to the people for all the actions taken by its security personnel. Fortunately, in Guyana’s case, we have a Head of State who is not only a security expert, but is also a man who served in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) from 1965 to 1992, during which time he rose to the rank of Brigadier. This is particularly fortuitous for Guyanese, considering our particular needs.

President David Granger

himself has noted that Guyana is situated in a region of the world that is “characterised by uneasiness, uncertainty and unpredictability.”

President Granger was, of course, alluding to the postures of Guyana’s neighbours. Venezuela, on our western border, maintains a claim to 150,500 square km of Guyana’s land, covering five of our ten administrative regions. Additionally, that country continues to resist all rational attempts proposed

by Guyana and the international community to end the controversy once and for all.

In addition, on our eastern border, Suriname too, maintains a similar claim.

Although less conspicuous than Venezuela’s, the Surinamese issue is worrying, because Guyana has always espoused the position that it wants nothing less than friendly relations with all countries, and desires that the region be a ‘zone of peace’.

The Suriname issue stems from the ‘Territorial Decree’ of May 5, 1936.

On that date, The Netherlands, Britain and Brazil had agreed on the point, called the tri-junction point, where the three territories touched.

It was agreed and fixed at the head of the Kutari River.

However, as the date of independence approached, The Netherlands reopened the matter, renaming the New River the ‘Upper Corentyne’, and claiming that 15,000 square km of land east of that river belonged to Suriname.

While both claims have no merit, Guyana has, since the 1960s, been in a state of continuous engagement in the ongoing attempt to permanently resolve the issues.

President David Granger has said that Guyana will continue to pursue all available diplomatic avenues towards a resolution. However, at the same time, the administration will ensure that Guyana has a plan for ‘total national defence’. Such a plan is, in fact, mandated by Article 197 A (1) of the Constitution, which states that, “The State’s defence and security policy shall be to defend national independence, preserve the country’s sovereignty and integrity, and guarantee the normal functioning of institutions and the security of citizens against any armed aggression.”

Alluding to international aggression, the President not-

ed the determination made by the Border and National Security Committee, which was established following the start of the ‘Troubles’ in 2001. The Committee stated that, “The principal purpose of the Guyana Defence Force is to provide the potential of the application of force to ensure the security of the nation, the freedom of its people, and the promotion of the national interest. Defence policy must determine the structure and capabilities of the Defence Force, and guide the contribution it makes to the country’s defence and security goals in accordance with foreign and economic policies.” The committee stated, too, “Guyana’s national defence should focus on deterrence, based on the potential of military force to support diplomatic efforts designed to avoid recourse to armed conflict.

The President has made his position clear. His Excellency has stated in no uncertain terms that, “Guyana, in light of the injunction of the Constitution and the Council of the Committee and the aggressive persistence of these territorial claims, now needs to

define its policy for total national defence. Guyana needs a well-commanded, well-trained, well-equipped defence force with the core capabilities to keep our citizens safe and secure.”

The President has, therefore, determined that the GDF will be so empowered to fulfil its mission. His Excellency has said that Guyana’s defence plan is based on five pillars: Personnel, readiness, infrastructure, morale, and equipment.

The Commander-in-Chief has announced that changes have been made, beginning at the top. The positions of Adjutant-General, Quartermaster-General, and Inspector-General have been restored. Those changes have placed commissioned officers in charge of key areas such as discipline, recruitment, promotions, resources and finance, and operational readiness. The Commander-in-Chief has determined, too, that greater emphasis must be placed on restoration of the technical corps: The Air Corps must be upgraded, the Coast Guard is being improved, and the Engineer Corps is being restored. The three

auxiliaries are receiving attention as well. The Reserve Force (People’s Militia) has been reactivated, and is being brought up to full strength; the National Cadet Corps has been restored, and the Civil Defence Corps is receiving attention.

President David Granger has stated his position. Guyana remains a country dedicated to peaceful development, friendly international relations, and neighbourly conduct. As such, any matter of disagreement will be addressed through diplomatic channels. In line with that policy of peaceful resolution of matters, the Commander-in-Chief has stated that, “Guyana’s defence is a matter of utmost importance.” It follows, logically, that the upgrading of Guyana’s defence capabilities is indicated. Considering that President Granger is taking action to ensure Guyana’s total defence, our citizens may rest assured that their security, and that of their country are in capable hands.

Videomega clears air on media advertisements Dear Editor,

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N Thursday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) issued a statement in which it asserted that Videomega Productions Inc. had received in excess of $10,000,000.00 from the Government of Guyana, which sum included three contracts from the Ministry of Public Telecommunica-

tions.

The statement itemised the sums which were alleged to have been paid to Videomega Productions Inc. Videomega Productions Inc. was incorporated in 1994 as an advertising agency and video production company.

In its capacity as an advertising agency, the company would place advertisements in the print, electronic and other media on behalf of

its clients. Most advertising agencies extend a 30-day credit to the client, which facilitates large media placements without the necessity of paying in advance.

The financial process involves the advertising agency placing the advertisement in the media on behalf of the client, then invoicing the client for the advertisement.

The monies received from the client are paid to the media

entity which, thereafter, pays a commission at the rate of 10 or 15% to the advertising agency. This payment of a commission by the media entity to the advertising agency at the rate of 10 to 15% is standard international practice.

The payments received

by Videomega are paid over directly to the media houses, and therefore, it is disingenuous for the PPP to say that

$10.3M is revenue earned

by Videomega Productions when they know that the payment goes directly to the media houses. The company will provide the invoices issued for the sums referred to in the PPP statement as soon as it retrieves it from its auditors.

The management of the business of the company since May 2015, has been conducted by veteran me-

dia expert, Russel Lancaster. Videomega Productions Inc. wishes to repeat its earlier statement that Minister Catherine Hughes does not participate in the running of the company.

Regards, Jennifer Poonow Admin Manager/Media Placement Officer Videomega Productions Limited

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

OP-ED

By Guillermo Navarro

(Forest Officer, FAO-EU FLEGT Program - Latin America)

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ITH its vast virgin lands and pristine forest, Guyana has all the potential to become a major exporter of legal timber to Europe. The key actors in the timber value chain recognise this potential, and although the work to create a well-defined legal wood market has been hard, the desire to achieve this goal is much greater. However, could Guyana become the Finland of Latin America?

Guyana has had an important history and culture of wood architecture. In the past, the capital city possessed a kaleidoscope of architectural styles with real architectural wooden jewels, which have given Guyana its identity and distinction, especially among tourists and visitors. Nowadays, the transformation is evident. The city now displays concrete, steel and glass infrastructure, losing its rich wooden architectural heritage. In addition, low forest and land governance contributing to land-use conflicts, causing deforestation and forest degradation as well as increase incidences of illegal logging are just some factors which hinder the local timber industry.

Finland is a developed country with a forest-based economy, and a forest cover of eighty per cent, which accounts for 20 million hectares of coniferous forests, a consolidated forestry business model where forest produces wealth and aggregated value, which has been

the main incentive for managing, conserving and expanding their forest resources. This Nordic country has an annual production of 70 million cubic meters of wood, with a value of US$2.2B. The annual growth of Finnish forests exceed 100 million cubic meters in just 80 days of the year, which is the length of the growing season in this cold country. This makes the tree-growing cycle in Finland about 170 years, while in Guyana, it would be just 25-30 years.

On the other hand, Guyana has a similar forest cover to Finland, which is 77per cent.

With 16.5 million hectares of forest, of which about 14.3 million hectares is suitable for forest production, only one- third is currently subject to some kind of forest management. The annual forest production of Guyana is only 400,000 cubic meters, and the contribution to the GDP is only four per cent.

However, Guyana has a competitive advantage over Finland and other forested countries: A warm and humid tropical climate that allows the forest to grow almost all year round. Its high biodiversity provides a great variety of tree species, with highly-priced timbers that cannot be grown anywhere else. In relative terms, Guyana has a more productive and valuable forest base than Finland.

Guyana is currently developing a Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), in which forest management and wood use will play a key role by developing sustainable industries, livelihoods, as well as a sound way for fighting and adapting to climate change

Guyana’s forests has potential to become the ‘Finland of the Caribbean’ events. In doing so, it would be helpful if, through education, forest and wood can be positioned as an important part of the culture, where wood is seen as a precious resource for the country’s development and existence.

Wood is not only a biomaterial; it stores carbon in buildings and furniture, and it is biodegradable, renewable and recyclable. It is a durable, lightweight, high-resistant isolating material, with high aesthetic and functional characteristics. Additionally, it is important to consider that wood is carbon captured from the atmosphere, and will help reduce and displace high carbon footprint materials like cement, steel, glass and aluminum.

Guillermo Navarro

Guyana has the potential to become a big player in the timber market, and it is not fully participating presently.

To make forestry and wood business models successful, Guyana has to invest in improving forest governance, wood harvesting and process-

Baha'Is to celebrate holy festival: Ridvan Dear Editor,

12 days, during which His many admirers in the city or 12 days at the end came to bid Him farewell. of April and begin- Baha'u'llah announced to ning of May, Baha'i the friends gathered with communities in Guyana Him during those days that and around the world He was God's Messenger would celebrated their for a new age, foretold in most holy festival: Ridvan. the world's scriptures. He The twelve day Festival called the garden they were of Ridván, celebrated April gathered in "Ridvan," mean21 to May 2, is consid- ing "paradise." ered the holiest for memThe Ridvan period was bers of the Bahá'í Faith. also a time when Baha'u'llah During those dates in 1863, proclaimed the foundational Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of spiritual principles that lie the Bahá'í Faith, left Bagh- at the heart of His teachdad and entered gardens ings—signaling the arrival now known as the Garden of a new stage in the evoluof Ridván, which means tion of the life of humanity, paradise in Arabic. This characterized by peace and annual festival marks the an end to violence. anniversary of the days BaToday, the festival of ha'u'llah Prophet Founder of Ridvan is the most joyous of the Baha'i Faith, spent along Baha'i holy days. In villagthe River Tigris in Baghdad. es, towns, and cities around In 1863, Baha'u'llah the world, Baha'i communistayed in a garden on the ties of all racial background banks of the Tigris River for celebrate these special days

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with gatherings open to all.

In thousands of localities around the globe on the first day of Ridvan, Baha'is also vote for their local governing councils.

And throughout the 12day festival of Ridvan, national conventions are held in some 180 countries and territories, during which delegates gather to vote for their National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member council responsible for guiding, coordinating, and stimulating the activities of the Baha'is in its jurisdiction. Baha'i elections are distinct for their lack of nomination and campaigning. In Guyana currently there are several Local Baha'i administrative institutions. and one National Institution Regards Rooplall Dudhnath

ing technologies and develop research in wood property and uses. **In addition, areas such as wood treatment, forest business development services, harvesting and carpentry capacities for improving the quality, durability and standardization of local wood products and infrastructure, need to be explored.

Well-managed forest will provide important revenues, employment and environmental services for society in a sustainable manner in the future because forest and wood is a renewable resource. On the contrary, mining and oil industries are liquidating activities, that even if they were done in a responsible manner, with proper reclamation measures, and respecting environmental and social safeguards, they would not be as profitable and convenient as they are now. These extracting activities have a date of expiration, and it is important that the forest be there to continue producing benefits for the Guyanese society.

The first step: Strengthening of forest governance Guyana is currently working with the European Union

(EU) to promote legal use of forest and wood products, improving national policies to create clear rules and better conditions for developing a forest based business model that will create benefits to communities and the society in general. Guyana has already finished negotiations with the initialing of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU- a policy instrument of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, which the EU adopted in response to the global problem of illegal logging. At the present, Guyana and the EU are moving towards the ratification of the agreement in their respective parliaments, as well as working to implement agreed commitments before a FLEGT license can be issued.

This VPA aims to improve the application of forest laws, strengthen forest governance and promote trade in legal wood products between Guyana and the EU. The Guyana-EU VPA will enter into force after both sides would have approved it, triggering a period in which Guyana will

develop a system for verifying the legality of its timber products and implement its other VPA commitments in order to issue a FLEGT license.

This agreement will promote the creation and development of forest businesses and value chains of sustainable forest products. Guyana has already made progress in a number of areas: it has created awareness for legality compliance in forest operators, it has also developed new forest regulations, code of good practices for forest management, including development of a legality assurance and traceability system in an inclusive and participatory way, and inter-agency coordination for reducing compliance costs.

Most of Guyana’s forests are still intact but threatened by the expansion of agriculture and mining. The Guyana Forestry Commission is well organised and pro-active and with substantial field presence. It is important to understand that the VPA is only the means for the realization of the greater national goal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

‘Don’t abandon the tools of agri development’

– PM Nagamootoo tells Perth residents

PRIME Minister, Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday evening urged hundreds of residents of Perth, Mahaicony not to abandon the tools of agricultural development.

During a meeting which was well attended by residents from Perth, Mahaicony in Region 5, held at the community’s Society Hall, Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that being a former resident of Mahaica-Berbice he can relate to some of the issues presently facing the residents.

“You are not just any abandoned area, there is potential here to become the real breadbasket of Guyana and the Caribbean,” the Prime

Minister stated. He explained that while Guyana is becoming the “oil-dorado” of the world, for our country to continue to be wealthy, “we must invest in food security, to which Region 5 can adequately provide. Region Five, you are lucky to have an abundance of fertile land and one of the biggest irrigation schemes in the country,” Prime Minister remarked.

The residents of Perth raised issues mainly concerning the allocation of land, drainage and irrigation while some seniors raised questions concerning their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pensions.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo reiterated that all issues raised would be dealt with promptly as his office will forward their concerns to the relevant agencies. A representative from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) was on the spot to assist with all land-related matters. Prior to attending the meeting, Prime Minister Nagamootoo commissioned three new streets – Ally Drive, Benjamin Street and Chester Drive; and a bus shed at Perth that will be able to assist residents especially during the upcoming rainy season. (DPI)

Residents of Perth Mahaicony at the meeting with Prime Minister Nagamootoo

TIGI on issues of conflict of interest Dear Editor,

R

E C E N T LY, t w o cases about conflict of interest have emerged in the public domain. These cases involve the issuance of contracts to (1) the husband of the junior minister of housing by the Central Housing and Planning Authority and (2) the firm of the Minister of Public Telecommunications by the Department of Energy.

In the latter situation, the minister has indicated that she had relinquished control of the day-to-day operations of the firm prior to the contract being issued, and that she was unaware of the award before it was mentioned in the public domain (see Demerara Waves, April 10, 2019). The revised code of conduct for public officers states in Article 4 (3) that, “A person in public life shall – (c) refuse or relinquish any outside employment, shareholdings or directorships which creates or is likely to create a conflict of interest.”

The view that individuals should give up their private firms to take up ministerial positions is therefore relevant based on the code of conduct; however, it is not the only approach available and we do not recommend it as the only thing that can be done

to address such conflicts of interest. Article 4 (1) (b) of the code provides for seeking guidance from the Integrity Commission on what steps to take and this is separate from declaring interest in a firm.

We are not clear on whether the actions taken by the minister were based on guidance received from the Integrity Commission or whether they were self-determined. We argued in our April 22, 2017 statement on the draft code of conduct (featured more widely on April 24, 2017) that the appropriate steps to take to address a conflict of interest should not be up to the discretion of the person in the conflict of interest situation (Stabroek News, April 22, 2017).

An overarching issue is that based on the code of conduct, the minister would need to have made, or participated in making a decision that she ought to have known furthers her private interest or that of a family member or some other entity (Article 4 (2), code of conduct).

Indicating ignorance about a contract award is, therefore, not enough. However, if ignorance of the award means that the minister did not participate in any such decisions or any fora at which the matter was discussed or a relevant decision was made

and did not otherwise influence the process, she would not have acted on the conflict of interest.

Nevertheless, even when a minister who owns a firm has not acted directly on an existing conflict of interest, there is the possibility that favouritism can be shown to his/her firm due to the known association with the government. Examination of the procurement procedures would provide important insights on the potential for such an occurrence. In this regard, the Ministry of the Presidency has indicated that there was no impropriety in the award (see Kaieteur News, April 11, 2019). We urge however, that to substantiate this claim, refute the assertions of those who claimed otherwise and concurrently strengthen public confidence, the Ministry should release information on the procurement process.

For us to make progress in relation to transparency and corruption perception, it is important that we address the issues that arise decisively and in ways that close opportunities for recurrence.

Establishing a clear policy on specific actions that should be taken by minsters and other public officials who have firms that compete for local business especially with the government would enhance

our attempts to address conflict of interest in government. We should also recognise that the code of conduct for public officers is weak. It fails to articulate any specific penalties for breaches, and it should be strengthened.

In relation to the situation at the ministry of housing, TIGI agrees with the concerns that have been expressed. In fact, we have indicated that the contract awarded to the husband of the junior minister of housing should be reviewed, and it is great that steps have been taken to have this done.

Though the concern about whether or not the minister and her husband became officially married by the time the contract was issued is a legitimate one; marriage is not the ultimate test. Marriage is a fairly safe and conservative standard that can be applied in the absence of additional information about the relationship. Additional information could be, for example, whether or not the individuals were already living together, or were known to have a relationship or friendship, even if they were not married.

The relationship is the key issue and focusing on the relationship brings into relevance several kinds including familial, friendship, having attended the same secondary school, having been members

of the same organization and many others.

Conflict of interest is a huge problem in Guyana. In one of our outreach programs some years ago, the information received conveyed great concern about a relationship of one party on a Tender Board and a person outside.

The concept of conflict of interest should span the whole spectrum of situations where an influential official of an organisation goes out of his/ her way to find a friend to fill a lucrative or influential position in violation of the minimum requirements for appointment to that position, to the obvious one where the recruit emerges as one in an officially recognised relationship such as husband and wife.

But there is something especially pernicious about this situation, which has nothing to do with conflict of interest per se; i.e., the circumstances which caused the attention to be drawn to it (apart from the question that arises as to whether it would have remained unidentified if someone had not reported experiencing financial harm). We are learning that a local company – even one connected to a minister of government – is failing to pay its workers. This comes at a time when Guyanese workers of a foreign compa-

ny have just won a tentative victory over a foreign company with a reputation for ill-treatment of workers. This is another issue that causes us to wonder whether the persons who end up as our leaders appreciate the vast responsibility placed upon them to ensure the interests of our society as a whole are properly safeguarded.

Could this be a country with a history of having had to fight every step of the way over a period of centuries for workers’ dignity? Could this be the country where our ancestors have lost their lives in the fight for a fair wage?

How are we to ensure that it is not open season on Guyanese workers of foreign companies when local companies connected to high officials treat their workers with contempt?

This conflict of interest situation provides Guyanese with an opportunity for reflection on the companies that will be generated in the petroleum economy and on whether our elected leaders will have the consciousness of history to take steps to safeguard the interest of the Guyanese workforce.

Regards, Transparency International Guyana Inc.

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‘It’s a promotion, not a demotion’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

… Minister Yearwood to help empower youths in agriculture sector

By Lisa Hamilton FORMER Minister responsible for housing, Valerie Yearwood says she does not see her reassignment as a Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture as a demotion, but rather as a promotion.

It is believed that President David Granger ’s reassigning of Yearwood was premised on the controversy which arose over her husband being awarded contracts by her ministry. She has now been placed in the Ministry of Agriculture with responsible for rural affairs.

The President also announced that Annette Ferguson has been reassigned as Minister in the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for housing.

She previously served as Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Yearwood told reporters that she is excited about the new position and sees it as a promotion to a field where she can better live out her passions. “It will focus

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (Adrian Narine photo) mainly on empowering youths in the agriculture sector; getting them back to the farms because, outside of oil, agriculture is the way to go,” she said, adding: “I see it as a promotion because I’m going into new and exciting areas and I’m up for the challenge.” “What is demotion? My salary is not affected, my allowances, nothing is affected. So

why would it be a demotion?”

In addition to Yearwood, Simona Broomes was also reassigned as Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Youth Affairs. She was previously Junior Minister of Natural Resources.

Also Tabitha Sarabo-Halley has been appointed Minister of Public Ser-

New MPs ready ...

From page 3

For Change (APNU/ AFC) list of candidates and declared by the Elections Commission to be elected members of the National Assembly. At the sitting, the Speaker also announced his receipt of the resignation letters from People’s Progressive Party (PPP) MPs Gail Teixeira, Odinga Lumumba and Adrian Anamayah.

He called on the opposition, which stayed away from the sitting, to make known the names of individuals selected to fill the vacancies on their side of the House.

Managing Director for the National Communications Network (NCN) Berbice Branch, Donna Mathoo, is sworn in as a Member of Parliament (Adrian Narine photo)

vice, replacing Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency, replacing Joseph Harmon and MP Haimraj Rajkumar has been appointed Minister of Business, replacing Dominic Gaskin.

Rajkumar, who has had some 13 years’ experience in business, said that he studied marketing; economics and management and established his own pharmacy business. “I’m sure I’ll be able to contribute to the efficiency of the ministry,” he said.

With his experience gathered as Region Two MP, Rajkumar hopes to advance tourism in the region through merging the trilakes, namely the Itutibisi, Capoey and Tapakuma, and through the development of the Supenaam waterfront project as a tourist destination.

Also speaking on the sidelines, Gaskin said that while he holds a different position on his particular case regarding dual citizenship, he will move

MP Valerie Patterson-Yearwood has been appointed Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs (Adrian Narine photo) forward and will not argue the Chief Justice. I respect with the court. her ruling and I have to act The Former Minister in accordance with that of Business was born in ruling,” Gaskin said. the United Kingdom but He is now considering is a citizen of Guyana by furthering his career in descent. the private sector but is “I think it’s a sign of also open to serving as our government’s com- an adviser of business mitment to adherence to and tourism in the govour Constitution and the ernment, should there be laws of Guyana…I respect a request.

No Limitation 10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

… Speaker affirms government continues without restrictions

… says CCJ final ruling will give clear directions

By Svetlana Marshall SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, reaffirmed that the Government remains in power without limitation, when he addressed the House during its first sitting since the Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the High Court, and ruled that the Vote of No-Confidence was invalid.

With the matter now at the level of Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), he said the country’s final appellate court will guide the country on the way forward. Before a packed public gallery, and empty seats on the Opposition side of

cated that they will not attend the National Assembly until a final determination on the validity of the no-confidence motion is made by the CCJ. In giving a synopsis of the events that took the country by surprise, Dr. Scotland recalled that it was during the 111th Sitting of the House, on 21st December 2018, that a No-Confidence Motion brought against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government by the Opposition, was declared passed.

“In the interim between the declaration of the Speaker and the date named for the next Sitting, which was the

he explained, noting that the issues related to interpretation of certain provisions of the Constitution.

Dr. Scotland said the institutions fully charged with the authority to render full and binding interpretation of provisions of the Constitution of Guyana are the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice – the country’s final court.

“The present state of things is that the High Court has considered the Constitutional issues. The findings of the High Court have been appealed to the Court of Appeal of Guyana and the findings of the Court of Appeal have been appealed to the

The 113th Sitting of the National Assembly in session on Friday at the Public Buildings (Photos by Adrian Narine) the House, the Speaker, in his address on Friday, apprised the National Assembly on the state of affairs as the Government Members of Parliament listened attentively – four of them, newly minted. The Opposition MPs have long indi-

3rd January 2019, a number of issues arose which, in the opinion of the Speaker, required definitive settlement by a duly constituted and fully mandated body outside of the National Assembly,”

Caribbean Court of Justice.

Both the Government and the Opposition have engaged the Appellate Jurisdiction of the Courts,” Dr. Scotland detailed.

The CCJ has fixed May

9 and 10 for oral arguments in the Appeal. “At the close of the hearing, the CCJ will issue directions as to the next course of action,” the Speaker said, while noting that through his independent Legal Counsel, Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan, the courts have been informed that he will respect their decisions and will not participate in the contentious aspects of the case.

“The High Court in its findings confirmed that the vote in favour of the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed and that the Government should resign and within three (3) months call elections. The findings of the High Court were appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal found that the No-Confidence Motion was not validly passed,” Dr. Scotland further detailed.

He said it was important to note that the Appellate Court’s decision was delivered on the very day after which the three (3) months period for the naming of a date for elections would have expired.

As a result of the ruling of the Court of Appeal, he said Government returned to the same position of authority which it possessed before the No-Confidence Motion was debated on the 21st December 2018. That position remains to date, the Speaker told the House.

“The present position is therefore that the Government continues to exercise its authority to govern the country without limitation,” he told those seated in the House,

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland noting that once the CCJ rules tion, had dual citizenship. on the matter, he will inform Persaud was subsequently the National Assembly of the recalled and seven other MPs, consequences of the decision. who are also dual citizens, On March 22, the Ap- stepped down this month. peal Court, ruled by a 2-1 “One of the effects of the margin that the No-Confi- findings of the High Court is dence Motion was not passed that persons who hold dual on the night it was put to a citizenship cannot lawfully vote on the grounds that the occupy a seat in the National Parliamentary Opposition Assembly. A number of the did not acquire an absolute Members of Parliament, four majority of 34 or more votes Ministers and three members as required by the Constitu- of the Opposition, who held tion – reinforcing a position dual citizenship, have taken held by the Government. The steps to put themselves in Opposition had only acquired order by resignation from 33 votes. the National Assembly,” the The legal battle on the va- Speaker explained. lidity of the vote of no-confiFormer Ministers of dence also brought to the fore Government Joseph Haran issue of dual citizens, un- mon, Carl Greenidge, Domconstitutionally, sitting in the inic Gaskin and Dr. Rupert National Assembly. Article Roopnaraine have resigned 155 of the Constitution bars due to their foreign status Members of Parliament from and were replaced on Friswearing allegiance to foreign day by Mervyn Williams, powers, and on the night of Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, the vote, it was revealed that Donna Mathoo and Reythe MP – Charrandass Persaud nard Ward when they were who betrayed his Government sworn in as Members of by voting in favor of the mo- Parliament.

Cocaine in fire extinguisher…

Mastermind takes ‘rap’, others freed

FOUR men appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on Friday, April 26, 2019, charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The defendants are

Dinesh Dias, Anthony Collins, Seenarine Mathura and Mohammed Inshan. They allegedly had in their possession 1.890 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a fire extinguisher to be placed on an outgoing flight at the Cheddi Jagan Interna-

tional Airport, Timehri, on the night of Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

The drugs were discovered on Tuesday, April 23, when members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) conducted a raid on a house at Timehri, East

Bank Demerara.

Dinesh Dias pleaded guilty to the charge, informing the court that the drug was found at his residence and that the others, while present, had no knowledge of its presence there.

He was immediately

sentenced to 48 months in prison and fined $5.1 million.

Because of the guilty plea by Dias, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit indicated to the court that the charges against the others will be withdrawn.

Drug convict Dinesh Dias, who jailed for 48 months and fined $5.1 million

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Pres. Granger must pursue his vision for Guyana –– AG Williams tells Hopetown residents

AT TO R N E Y G e n e r a l (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC., said Guyanese should support President David Granger and his team in pursuing and achieving their vision for Guyana.

In no uncertain terms, he said this will only be done if all citizens make themselves ready for the next elections whenever they are called. The attorney general was addressing residents of Hopetown, West Coast of Berbice on Thursday. He, along with Minister within the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, was part of a ministerial delegation that fanned out across the region, following the ‘government comes to you’ event at the Fort Wellington Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

According to Minister Williams, President Granger has already begun delivering the good life for all Guyanese. “There is no question about it that life is going to be better. The oil will come on stream.

Our lives are going to be

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC. addressing residents transformed,” he told the residents, much to their satisfaction.

He, therefore, urged the residents to make their vote count at the next General and Regional Elections.

“The next elections we don’t expect you to turn out and give us a one-seat majority. There is no way I am going to accept a one seat difference.”

He said the opposition

is “losing its mind” over its ability to control Guyana’s new-found wealth, especially after it has been in the driving seat for the last 23 years. He reminded that the previous admin-

istration had marginalised certain communities. He said the opposition’s calculated plan to bring down the administration failed miserably. He said they used the announcement of

President Granger’s illness to “strike”, but that plan backfired.

“They were saying that there would have to have elections in three months.

We must not allow treachery to prosper. They were foiled because we devised a legal plan which enabled the president to be where he is now. He is over the difficulty that he had, and he is still the presidential candidate, and he will lead us to victory.”

The attorney general said the government is rooting for success at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) level, notwithstanding that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must determine its readiness for elections.

“Irrespective of what decision the CCJ makes, there has to be some registration done and elections will have to be held sometime later this year or early next year, that is, if it is overturned.”

If it is upheld, he said, “then it will be business as usual”. (DPI)

SAGE programme to assist over 1000 persons in climate change careers

A TOTAL of 1,080 persons will soon be direct beneficiaries of training in the areas of water and coastal management, eco-tourism, agriculture and construction.

This was disclosed when the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), the Council for Technical Vocational, Education and Training (CTVET) and representatives of the Government of Canada met to discuss the prospects of implementation of the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) Programme in Guyana, on Wednesday.

The meeting was to identify areas that can affect the smooth execution of the programme. The discussion was also centred on BIT’s Apprenticeship Programme.

The SAGE Programme,

which is funded by the government of Canada, was developed in 2019 and concludes in 2024. According to BIT, its objective is to create a high-quality labour force, through the support of a demand-driven technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with the need to develop key careers.

These careers will surround the introduction of climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives across Guyana, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia. The programme’s aim is to see adolescent girls and women, youths and vulnerable populations, including Indigenous People, become more competitive and adapt to climate change.

SAGE would engage the participation of at least

(From Left) Richard Maughn, CEO/Secretary (ag), BIT; Clinton Williams, Chairman BIT; Floyd Scott, Director, Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training; and Milica Njegovan, Senior Program Officer, Colleges and Institutions Canada 30 small and medium size programme that meets eco- Board of Industrial Training enterprises, in gender equi- nomic and environmental has been providing Apprentable workforce by focus- needs in Guyana. ticeship Training since 1910 ing and delivering a genThe SAGE Team was in accordance with the Inder-sensitive skills training happy to know that the dustrial Act, Chapter 39:04,

adding to the labour force a total of 1,469 artisans within the last nine years.

According to BIT, an existing Apprenticeship Programme would provide a smooth implementation of SAGE. The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) welcomed the SAGE initiative, since it fully coincides with their plans to implement training programmes to develop skills for the engagement of ‘green’ jobs.

Further, residents of Linden in Region 10 would benefit from an agro-processing training programme scheduled to start during the month of May, 2019 under the BIT’s NTPYE training programme.

BIT is calling on stakeholders to show their full and continuous support to this programme

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Stakeholders meet on International Standards THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), in collaboration with the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN), on Wednesday, hosted a workshop aimed at raising awareness about the importance of international standards.

The workshop attracted

representatives from both government agencies and the private sector. Head of Marketing and Communications at the GNBS, Syeid Ibrahim, in his remarks at the opening of the workshop, mentioned that international standards play an important role in promoting productivity and efficiency, reducing

costs, removing barriers to trade, and driving economic growth.

Hence, he said, building upon the Commonwealth advantage can trigger significant additional economic gains to Guyana and local businesses.

The main address of the workshop was deliv-

ered by Technical Standardisation expert, Mr. Glenn Bosmans; representing the CSN was Mr. Peter Sissons, Head of International Engagement British Standard Institution (BSI); and MS. Andrea Mendonca, Technical Officer II Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

Representatives at the workshop

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

WPA: Sarabo-Halley’s appointment marks new phase of relations within coalition THE Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has welcomed President David Granger’s appointment of Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley as the new Minister of Public Service in the Coalition’s Cabinet.

In a statement, the WPA said Mrs. Sarabo-Halley was nominated by the party to replace Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine in the positions he held at the time of his resignation as a Member of Parliament and Minister of the Government.

The announcement was made public by President Granger in his address to the nation on Thursday, April

WPA executive and new Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley takes the oath as a Member of Parliament 25, 2019. “The party salutes our young and dedicated comrade, Sister Tabitha, in her political elevation to the national responsibility thrust on her by WPA, the APNU, the Coalition and the President. We stand ready to give our full support to ensure that the new Public Service Minister and Parliamentarian is successful in her new roles,” WPA said.

According to the party, as a younger generation political leader, woman and strong advocate for youth empowerment, Sarabo-Halley’s appointment symbolises WPA’s enduring commitment to, and support for, youth and gender equality. “It is our expectation that her presence in the Cabinet will greatly enhance relations between the WPA’s Executive and the Cabinet. For us, this marks a new and significant phase in our relations within the APNU, the coalition, and the government. We are confident that her appointment will strengthen our collective efforts to prevail in the general and regional elections, whenever they are held,” the WPA said, adding: “Even as we offer best wishes to our sister Tabitha, WPA also takes this opportunity to place on record our profound appreciation to Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine for his years of selfless service in advancing the interests of the people of Guyana, and offer our continued support to him in keeping with his desire to serve the people of Guyana.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Linden Policing Group keeping youths off the streets

THE youth group formed by the Guyana Police Force E’ Division (Upper Demerara Upper Berbice), is participating in a number of constructive activities, that are keeping them meaningfully occupied.

The Wisroc Police Youth Group is currently engaged in an agro-processing project and the youths have related that the project is transforming their lives drastically.

The 34 members between the ages of 15- 20 are currently processing and packaging green seasoning and pepper sauce and are selling these commodities in their communities. The ingredients for the products are produced by the same youths on a plot of land in Block 22, which they managed to acquire. For the green seasoning, they plant thyme, and other green local herbs which are blended with onion, garlic and ginger to create the perfect concoction of a natural product to marinade meat, fish and other foods.

The pepper sauce is also made with all natural ingredients and has no preservatives. After processing the ingredients, they are packaged to suit local marketing standards. While the group has been in existence for over three years, this project was initiated in 2018 and has been receiving positive response from the officers stationed at the various police stations as well as the Linden community. They will be taking the products in the new week to Georgetown in an effort to have them bought by super market owners.

Secretary of the group Zeekhariah Williams said that project has exposed the youths to a very important life skill; farming. “It teaches us how to farm not just to farm one day and stop but to continue so you can always

have produce to make the items,” he said. Seeing how successful this project is, they will soon commence a fruit juice project and they are optimistic that this too will create a growing clientele.

In addition to this agro processing project the youths take part in other social and educational exercises such as camping, marching and impromptu speaking which aim to build their self-esteem.

Williams said that joining the youth group is one of the best choices he made in life and it has transformed and improved his entire persona.

He also sees it as a means of keeping the youths off the streets and from participating in unconstructive activities such as drinking, smoking and gambling which often lead to committing petty crimes. “Before I joined this youth group, I was this quiet, shy person and now since I have joined it I have become more opened, I find it easier to talk to people and in this way I am able to get more friends and it helped me in certain life skills such as farming,” he said. Similar sentiments were echoed by the President Jamal Moseley who said, “I learnt how to speak out, do public speeches and not just keep to myself, I learnt to interact with youths, to do motivational speeches,” he said.

Supervising the youth group is Commander of E’ Division Senior Superintendent Linden Lord who said that he is giving the youths his full support and it is not only enabling them to become better persons but to gain finances for themselves, no matter how little, which serves as added motivation.

Seeing the success of this one group, plans are underway to have a youth group in every district where there is a police station present.

He posited that initiatives

Body of drowned security guard recovered THE body of the 58-year-old security guard who drowned in the Demerara River on Wednesday was recovered.

The body of Mohammed Al Rasheed called “Fat Head” of Number 11 Village, Berbice, was found at around 17:30hrs on Thursday.

An autopsy done on Friday confirmed that the cause of death was drowning. Reports are that Rasheed was guarding heavy duty equipment at Omai Wharf, when he reportedly proceeded to take a bath in the Demerara River at Wismar.

However, he is said to have encountered difficulties due to the strong current of the tide. Other employees reportedly saw this and tried to render assistance with the aid of life jackets, however they did not manage to save him.

Rasheed is said to have disappeared under water despite their efforts to save him.

as these also result in less youths becoming delinquent and juvenile offenders. “Basically when you get the youths meaningfully employed, there is generally a lower crime rate because they are now doing something constructive with their time,” he said.

Lord often visits the districts and holds chats with youths who have not yet joined and encourages them to do so.

15

Some of the executive members of the Wisroc Police Youth Group showcasing their agro products

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Agri. Ministry donates refrigeration trucks to GMC, GLDA

THE Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) have both received a much needed boost to their cold chain system in the form of two brand new refrigeration trucks donated the Ministry of Agriculture.

The trucks, valued at a total cost of $36M, were

handed over to representatives of the respective agencies during a ceremony in the ministry’s compound where Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder presented the keys to Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the GLDA Michael Welch and General Manager of the GMC Ida Sealy-Adams.

In brief remarks, during an exclusive interview with

the Department of Public Information (DPI), Welch explained that the truck would be extremely beneficial to the abattoir’s operations.

“We are here to receive this refrigerated truck which is going to be part of maintaining the cold chain from the abattoir to the consumer because we are putting a very high premium on food safety and we want to ensure

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder hands over the keys to the new truck to General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Ida Sealy-Adams

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder hands over the keys to the new truck to Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Michael Welch. that [a] quality commodity in which you would want it do with the movement of reaches the consumer in a transported that is in refrig- produce from the point of timely manner.” erated conditions.” production (Farm) to its Sealy-Adams remarked By transporting produce final destination, be it the that while the trucks would in refrigerated conditions, market, consumer, or for also benefit them in the cold farmers are able to reduce export. In order to minimise chain process, it would be physiological damage to physiological damage and more beneficial early on, their produce which means slow the ripening process, in the farm to processing less produce will have phys- the practice of temperature aspect. “One of the services ical damage and thus less control is employed. we offer is ensuring produce produce would be refused Temperature control are transported from the at the end of the chain. The deals with ensuring that farm to the market and from truck will also aid in the every produce is stored the farm to the packaging transportation of goods from at the temperature just facilities with the most ap- the packaging facility to the right for that specific type propriate transport means, export point for fresh pro- of produce to not induce so this will surely assist us duce and value-added prod- freezing damage but also in enabling that the produce ucts that are to be exported. low enough to severely we transport from the farm, The cold chain, as it is slow the chemical processare transported in a manner commonly referred, has to es undergone post-harvest.

PNCR congratulates new ministers, MPs

THE People’s National Congress Reform has congratulated the new ministers and Members of Parliament who have been appointed

by President David Granger.

In a statement on Friday the party also expressed the sentiments of its Leader President Granger in thanking former Ministers Mr. Carl Greenidge, Mr. Dominic Gas-

kin, Mr Joseph Harmon and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine for their stewardship as members of the APNU+AFC Cabinet and of the National Assembly since May 2015.

“The party appreciates and thanked them for their sterling contributions and public service which have been to our nation’s benefit.

The party also congrat-

ulates the new Members of Parliament, Mr. Mervyn Williams of the PNCR, Mr. Reynard Ward and Ms. Donna Mathoo of the AFC and Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley of the WPA and wishes them well in their endeavours and contributions towards the development of this beautiful country,” the statement said.

Fined $7,500 for DUI

AKASH Rampher today appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, charged with driving under the influence .

It is alleged that while

Rampher was operating his motor vehicle along the Providence Public Road on Monday, April 22, 2019, he was stopped by the police.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on him and was

found to have alcohol in his system that was above the legal limit. .

Rampher pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $ 7500 or seven days in prison.

Husband, wife on trial for ‘narco’ possession THE trial of Whendel Stewart, 38, his wife Adrieanna Stewart, of 570 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, and 57-year-old Colin Simon of the same address, continued before Principal

Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on January 14, 2019, the defendants had 195 grammes of cocaine and 29 grammes of cannabis in their possession for the

purpose of trafficking.

During their last court appearance on Thursday, April 25, 2019, several witnesses testified and others testified on Friday.

The trial has been adjourned to May 10, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

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Health ‘expo’ opened at Umana Yana …PM says nation’s health always priority of government

At the launch of Health Expo 2019, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo reiterated that the issue of the nation’s health has always been a priority concern of the government.

The prime minister was, at the time, delivering the feature address on Friday at the Umana Yana. The Ministry of Public Health’s exposition for this year is being held under the theme “Reaching for a Better Life with Good Health.”

He explained that while “we [government] are aware of issues facing the public health sector, we are doing what a government should do so, we are placing public health as a top priority.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo stated that this year’s exposition would be focused on providing the necessary

Attendees at the Health Expo launch

knowledge to citizens, of services provided. “The expo will provide knowledge of how to access the services available in the public health sector. We have to make available the choices to our people. Today, I give you the context that the exhibition is focused on. What we have in Guyana and what you can access... Much of our budget is allocated to the public health sector from $23.2B in 2015 to $35.9B in 2019.”

The prime minister explained that this shows the emphasis the government is placing on the public health sector to ensure citizens receive accessible public health care. According to the prime minister, many of the health foods or supplements available to us can be accessed right in our “backyard”. “We have to look for

the available products that we have in our backyard that is good for us.”

Reflecting on his advocacy of ‘no smoking in public spaces’, Prime Minister Nagamootoo applauded the Ministry of Public Health and The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for the strides they are making. He explained that warning signs have been placed in strategic places and there are more to come. “Immunisation should be a priority”, he emphasised, while also applauding the Public Health Ministry for taking steps to have a country-wide programme made available to all Guyanese. The Health Expo will be held from June 5-8 at the Sophia Exhibition Centre. (DPI)

position on the topic be known.

“As it concerns political parties, we want to ensure that we reach out to all political parties,” Lowe said and added: “We want to ensure that we continue to receive support in all

sectors as we go forward.”

The Alliance For Change (AFC) is one political party that made known that it supports the use of revenues derived from oil production in 2020 to provide free education to all Guyanese.

‘Free UG’ movement ups campaign

THE Free University of Guyana (UG) movement began taking shape at the UG’s Turkeyen Campus on Friday as a walkout exercise was held to raise awareness on the matter.

movement and of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) staged the walkout exercise from about 16:15hrs, for 15 minutes.

“The purpose of the event was to just give students

Devta Ramroop, however, shared that the constitution provides for more than just ‘free UG’, but that all public tertiary education should be free. And now, according to her, the group has to raise

Advocate of Free UG, Elson Lowe addressing the small gathering at UG

Recently, an informal group of young people have banded together into what is called the “Free University of Guyana Movement”.

On Friday, members of the

President of the UGSS, Devta Ramroop

the chance to see some of the tangible efforts being made… we want students to interact with the free UG movement and with the concept in a more concrete way,” said member of the movement and advocate for ‘Free UG’, Elson Lowe.

The young man had previously explained to the Guyana Chronicle that the intention of the group was to bring UG into “compliance” with the constitution. Article 27 of the Constitution of Guyana states: “Every citizen has the right to a free education from nursery to university as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.”

President of the UGSS,

awareness among students of UG and of other tertiary institutions.

“This is not just about UG though, the constitution says free tertiary education.

So we might have to go into secondary schools that provide tertiary education and technical institutes that offer tertiary education,” she said.

The event attracted about 50 persons, and Devta noted that while she expected more students to show their support, the bodies will use this as a learning experience and strategies for future engagements. “If you really want to get to this generation, you have to use social media and go to them,” she said. Leader of the newly-formed Liberty

and Justice Party, Lenox Shuman was in attendance to show his support for the movement.

“UG, as the premier institution in Guyana, has a responsibility to Guyana, and a responsibility to respect the constitution,” he told the gathering. And according to him, education is particularly important in the context of Guyana’s developmental trajectory and focus should be given to encouraging more persons to access it.

And not only is education important in the context of economic development, he affirmed: “You would also find that any educated society is also a politically stable society.

POLITICAL SUPPORT In this context, Shuman opined that all political leaders should meet with the students and the advocates for free tertiary education in a meaningful manner and let their

Wanted bulletin to be issued for main suspect in Kuribrong Trail execution

AS police continue to grill two suspects in custody for the murder of Nicolas Perion Bobb, who was shot and killed on Sunday last on the Kuribrong Trail, Potaro River, the main suspect is yet to be apprehended, investigators said.

Dead: Nicolas Perion Bobb

Leader of the newly-formed Liberty and Justice Party, Lenox Shuman

Nicholas Bobb, 34, called “Redman”, was a driver and mechanic of Lot 23 Caribease Hill, Bartica, Essequibo River.

The Guyana Police Force will soon issue a wanted bulletin for the main suspect.

The suspect owns a mining camp and lives at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. One of the suspects in custody is a 60-year-old miner who was travelling with Bobb when he was killed.

He allegedly told police that he was abducted by the perpetrators and later managed to jump out of the tray of a Model “M” Truck in which he was placed to lie face down.

He then returned to the scene where Bobb’s body was found slumped over the steering wheel of the pick-up.

Police said the miner seems to be inconsistent with the statements he has given and as such, he is still being investigated in relation to the murder.

“We still want to know if he was part of this murder or not,” one police source told the Guyana Chronicle. “There were a few men at the scene of the murder from what we are being told and we will catch them eventually,” the source added.

Reports are that Bobb was shot in the stomach by a group of men.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

CAL reporting TT$42M profit for the year 2018 IN a statement, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) said that a summary of its unaudited financial results for 2018, shows the company has moved into an operating profit and is net income positive for last year.

The unaudited accounts for the fiscal year ending December 2018 show Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of positive TT$111m comprising of TT$158m on international and other operations, and negative TT$47m on the domestic air bridge.

CAL said that the combined net income resulted in an overall figure of TT$42m. It said it made $TT109m on the international and other operations

“We consider this an exceptional achievement for our airline and for the Caribbean. The Board of Directors will continue to support the management team towards the sustainability of this commercial success in 2019 and beyond. We thank our employees for their dedication and our customers for their loyal support.”

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Garvin Medera praised the CAL team. “The significant improvement in the financial results in 2018 is attributable in large part to our focus on an improved experience for customers, more efficient use of resources and better utilisation of the route network.

and a net loss of $TT67m on the air bridge. “Total year-to-date revenues showed an improvement of eleven per cent (11%) year-on-year of TT$292M,” CAL noted.

CAL is also reporting an increase in its fuel expenditure. It said that fuel costs of TT$597m were a major expenditure for 2018 compared to TT$471m in 2017 resulting in a year-on-year increase of TT$126m. It said this increase was driven by a WTI (West Texas Intermediate) Oil price of US$64.94 per barrel from WTI US$50.88 per barrel in 2017. CAL’s Chairman Mr S. Ronnie Mohammed stated: “With the continuous improvement of our technological footprint and the meticulous, hard work of our employees, Caribbean Airlines is happy to confirm that it was able to record an operating profit in 2018 in contrast to a loss just two years ago.

“Profitability gives us a strong foundation to develop the business further, including improved training and support for our employees, a refreshed brand, added enhancements to the customer experience, and more advances in the use of technology, both inside the business and customer-facing. By making the right investments now, we can yield extremely positive long-term results,” Medera said.

CAL said its key achievements in 2018 included the winner of the World Travel Awards, free wireless in-flight entertainment, economy ticket holders can bid for Business Class seats on all eligible routes, extra legroom in rows 4-10 in the economy cabin of the Boeing 737-800 jet aircraft and travelers can go to several islands on one affordable fare.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Linden teachers get training to deal with child abuse

AS the Linden Town Week 2019 activities continue, teachers and parents from across Linden benefited from a workshop aimed at helping them to understand and respond to cases of neglect and abuse.

Hosting the workshop was Linden Fund Guyana Incorporated. According to facilitator, Dr Ivy Mitchell, while the workshops are held annually to equip teachers with various skills, this year a different theme was chosen, as the team

as to create that avenue for all parties to work together, for the betterment of the child. “So they are interacting with each other, talking about what they see with abuse and neglect among children and how the three groups can work together for a solution,” Mitchell said.

Teachers and parents from the three levels of schooling: nursery, primary and secondary, participated, but same was also limited because of space and resources. The facilitators, however, are

opposed to previous years.

Regional Education Officer Region 10, Rabindra Singh, said that the region more than welcomes and appreciates the efforts of Linden Fund and its continuous contribution to improving the quality of education in Linden. He said too much emphasis is placed on the academic success of the child while ignoring other aspects of growth, healing and development, which are all needed. “We are concentrating mostly on the secular

Teachers and parents of Region 10 participating in the child abuse awareness workshop would have realised there is a desperate need to tackle abuse. Statistics have shown that Region 10 has one of the highest rates of child abuse, with neglect playing a major role. While previous workshops focused on only teachers, this year, parents and administrators were welcomed to participate so

optimistic that those now in an informed position, would share the knowledge with their colleagues and friends.

“We are hoping they will go back and share that information with others because there is a desperate need.”

Teachers from the private schools also participated as well as retired teachers, as

knowledge of the children and giving them a livelihood, but then we are not building the human nature, the character of the child.

I feel if we want a holistic improvement of the child, then all stakeholders need to come on-board”.

He is also appreciative that parents were part of the

Vandals raid tomb at La Belle Alliance Cemetery THE tomb of the wife of popular businessman, Victor Warner, who was brutally murdered in 2011, was broken into and several of her body parts have disappeared when robbers recently invaded the La Belle Alliance Cemetery.

Enid Warner died on June 10, 1994 and was buried at La Belle Alliance, Region Two. According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, a cattle farmer noticed the vandalised tomb and raised an alarm.

According to the daughter of the deceased, Gail Warner, she was shocked when she learnt what had happened to her mother’s tomb.

“Why would someone, after 25 years, want to break into my mother’s tomb; there is nothing valuable inside and I wonder why they will want to remove the remains of my mother who was a very good woman to society,”

The tomb that was broken into at the La Belle Alliance Cemetery Gail said.

A visit to the scene revealed that the tomb raiders used a mobile cutting torch to slice open the steel grill before opening the tomb.

The tomb inside was emptied. The skull and other parts of the skeleton were removed and taken away.

The bones of the deceased woman’s foot was left in her stockings along with some small bones, her dress and pieces of the casket were

left scattered outside.

Residents recall hearing heavy knocking one night about a week ago inside the cemetery but did not bother to investigate what was happening.

They believe that the tomb raiders were up to evil since last year, four other tombs were broken into and skulls were removed.

Residents are calling on the police to investigate the matter.

exercise as they too have a role to play and they can return with that knowledge to their homes and communities. It has been recorded that Region 10 has one of the

highest rates of child abuse in Guyana. In 2017, the Child Care and Protection Agency, recorded a total of 4,179 cases of child abuse.

The region reflected 22.1 per

cent per 1,000 children.

In every thousand children, 15 are being abused.

Every two hours a child is abused and every day 11 children are abused.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Saturday 12, April, 2019 12:00hrs - 13:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Leclerc fastest in Baku

Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF90 on track during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on April 26, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - CHARLES Leclerc set a scorching pace on an incident-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix yesterday with Ferrari top of the practice timesheets, after an early drain drama that wrecked George Russell’s Williams.

The 21-year-old Monegasque lapped the six km Baku street circuit with a best time of one minute 42.872 seconds, 0.324 quicker than his German team mate Sebastian Vettel.

The Ferraris were comfortably clear of their closest challenger Lewis Hamilton, the champion and overall leader for Mercedes, who was 0.669 slower than Leclerc on a sunny afternoon.

Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bottas in fifth.

“I am confident with the track, the car felt good

today and that’s all that matters.”

Mercedes have opened the year with three one-two finishes in as many races, marking the strongest start to a season for any team since Williams in 1992.

Pre-season favourites Ferrari have managed only a pair of third-place finishes and are 57 points behind their rivals in the overall standings.

The Italian team marked themselves out as the ones to beat following yesterday’s running, however.

Fired up after being ordered to move over for Vettel in China and denied a maiden Formula One victory by engine trouble in Bahrain, Leclerc looked like he had the edge on his rivals.

Yesterday’s running was interrupted by a number of incidents.

The opening 90-minute session was abandoned with 12 minutes on the clock, and only the two Ferrari drivers setting a time, after Russell struck a loose drain cover that destroyed the underside of his car in a shower of debris.

Replays showed Leclerc had driven over the cover first, with the governing International Automobile Federation confirming a broken mounting as the cause.

Yesterday’s second session ran the full 90 minutes but was still interrupted by red flags as drivers, eager to make up for lost track time, impatiently probed the limits of the unforgiving layout.

Canadian Lance Stroll, a 2017 podium finisher with Williams in Baku, was the first casualty when he clouted the barriers and broke the front suspension of his Racing Point car.

Hales banned for recreational drug use

(REUTERS) - ENGLAND batsman Alex Hales is serving a three-week ban from the sport for recreational drug use, The Guardian newspaper reported yesterday.

Hales was named in England’s preliminary 15-man World Cup squad last week and the paper said he was still expected to join the team’s training camp in Cardiff this weekend.

Hales was fined and suspended for his involvement in a nightclub altercation with team mate Ben Stokes in 2017.

The 30-year-old was given a six-match one-day international ban in December.

Alex Hales is serving a three-week ban for recreational drug use.

He had already missed two games and the remainder of the ban was suspended for 12 months so he could be available for selection.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) said it would not comment “on any individuals in relation to the recreational drugs policy” due to the organisation’s duty of confidentiality.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could not immediately be reached for comment.

The 50-over World Cup begins on May 30 with England taking on South Africa in the opening match in London.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

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Mumbai Indians sink Chennai Super Kings (ESPNCricinfo) - A FORTY-over contest was virtually decided in the two Powerplays as Mumbai Indians completed the double against Chennai Super Kings, also inflicting upon the hosts their first defeat chasing at Chepauk since 2013.

in two overs, and with an indisposed MS Dhoni absent on a wearing pitch, Super Kings knew only a miracle could take them over the line, and that didn’t materialise.

Dhoni was also missed in the field. Rohit and Evin Lewis had added 75 runs for the second wicket, but during

Lasith Malinga looks to take a catch in his follow through. (BCCI)

The defining innings of the match came upfront from Rohit Sharma, who struck 67, his first fifty of the season.

Mumbai put up 51 in six overs, which was not very rapid, but in comparison, Super Kings were 40 for 3.

Krunal Pandya had 1 for 3

the course of the partnership, stand-in wicketkeeper Ambati Rayudu missed hearing an outside edge from Lewis when the left-hander was on 12.

Rayudu had caught the ball cleanly off a Harbhajan off-spinner, but neither the bowler nor the keeper realised

there had been a feather on it, and Lewis batted on.

Mumbai suffered a brief stutter when Mitchell Santner returned for a second spell and the pitch revealed its true colours.

First, he had Lewis hole out at deep midwicket, thereby quashing the notion that the ball spinning back into the left-hander isn’t a threat. He followed that up with Rohit’s scalp, whom he had caught at long-on in his final over to finish with figures of 2 for 13, and it looked like Mumbai were going be restricted to below 150.

However, Hardik Pandya took Dwayne Bravo apart in his final over, much like he had at the Wankhede when these two teams played their first match of IPL 2019, as Mumbai finished with 155 for 4.

It was their third-lowest score having lost four or fewer wickets, but one that seemed above par on the surface.

That was confirmed soon after, as five of the top six Super Kings batsmen failed to reach double figures, struggling to come to terms with a tired surface.

Ironically, that difficulty was best demonstrated by

top scorer M Vijay’s - playing his second match since last season - charmed life in the middle.

In the third over from Lasith Malinga, Vijay chipped

three balls over the cover field and was early into the shot each time.

He was then dropped at point by debutant Anukul Roy, who ran back, circled

around it, and in the end struggled to get a finger on it.

Eventually, despite a brief rearguard from Bravo and Santner, Super Kings fell well short of the target.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Injury keeps Holder out of Northants loss (CMC) – INJURY kept West Indies captain Jason Holder out of Northamptonshire’s One-Day Cup clash with Worcestershire which they lost by 20 runs at home here yesterday.

The 27-year-old Holder struck 72 last Wednesday against Lancashire – his third

half-century in four outings in the competition – but needed treatment to his left leg early in his innings. He did not take the field when Northants bowled.

On Friday he was replaced by seamer Ian Holland whom Northants signed this week on-loan from Hampshire.

“With three seamers down and an injury to Jason Holder we felt the need to add to our squad for the rest of our 50over campaign,” head coach David Ripley said.

The setback for Holder comes a week before he is scheduled to lead West Indies in a Tri-Nations Series

West Indies captain Jason Holder

against hosts Ireland and Bangladesh from May 5 to 17.

All-rounder Holder is also set to skipper the Windies at the ICC World Cup which bowls off in England on May 30.

His form for Northants has been outstanding, especially with the bat, so far scoring 248 runs at an average of 82.

RHTY&SC cricket teams assist two West Berbice counterparts THE 10 cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) MS last Sunday continued their personal development programme with donation to two of their counterparts in Region 5.

The teams, Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13, Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Female, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division, handed over the donations of educational materials, kites and white cricket shirts to D’Edward Cricket Club and Cotton Tree Die Hard Cricket Club.

Assistant Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu has direct responsibilities for the personal development programme, under which the RHTYSC cricketers seek to make a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and the less fortunate.

Foster told the two teams that the kites were to be shared to children whose parents could not afford to purchase one for them while the complete educational packages should be given to less fortunate students from single-parent households.

The cricket T/shirts donation is to assist the two clubs to be properly attired.

to those who need assistance to make sports an alternative to a life on the road, away from drugs, crime, alcohol and gangs.

Naidu, who at just 19 years has taken over the day-to-day running of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, stated that RHTY&SC is the only cricket club in the Caribbean that mandates its cricketers to make a positive difference.

Among the most cherished activities of the programme are providing monthly snacks to pensioners as they wait to uplift their old age pensions, monthly food hampers to senior citizens

Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu hands over donation to the Cotton Tree Die Hard Cricket Club.

The presentation was done after the final of the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) West Berbice Perry Gossai Memorial 100 Balls Tournament.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster, who is the president of the BCB, stated that in 2019 over 200 cricket clubs, NGOs, churches, schools, sports organisations along with thousands of residents would benefit from the hard work of the 10 teams.

Foster also disclosed that the RHTY&SC would be working along with the BCB in 2019 to assist clubs across Berbice.

Under the joint programme, clubs would receive during the course of the year items like cricket balls, cricket gear, scorebooks, white cricket shirts, trophies, cricket medals and water pitchers.

All clubs would receive balls and shirts while the other items would be given

and single parent households, educational scholarship to students, medical expenses assistance to senior citizens and assistance to youths to fulfil their dream of becoming a sport ambassador.

The RHTY&SC MS, Naidu stated, is one of Guyana’s leading cricket clubs but wants others to match its achievements as this would mean more youths being able to Say No to all the social ills affecting them.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

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Archery Guyana gets affiliation to the National Paralympic Committee

ARCHERY Guyana has secured a historic first in achieving affiliate status with the National Paralympic Committee of Guyana.

This achievement typifies Archery Guyana’s desire and drive to ensure that

every Guyanese archer, however talented they are, be afforded the very best opportunity to excel and pursue their dreams and ambitions of participation at the highest levels of the sport of Archery.

On Wednesday presi-

Persaud returns to winners’ circle of GuyanaNRA PETER Persaud returned to the winners’ circle of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) following last weekend’s Record shoot.

The Fullbore shooters continued to do battle with the elements at the Timehri Rifle Ranges and Persaud returned a score of 81.5.

He returned to the winning row, having won the season’s opening Record Shoot.

Persaud shot 34.2 at the 300 yards and 47.3 at the 600 yards. Sherwin Felicien was close by with 79.6, shooting 32.2 at 300 yards and 47.4 at 600 yards.

Veteran shooter Leo Romalho was third with 78.5. Having won the 300 yards with 34.4 he was unable to hold the lead on the 600 yards range, shooting 44.1 out of 50.

The 600 yards proved

to be very challenging as only two shooters were over the 45-point score line.

Other scores were as follows: Ransford Goodluck 78.1, Dylan Fields 76.1, Lennox Braithwaite 75.5, Dane Blair 70.1 and Lt. Col Terrence Stuart 60.2.

The Timehri Ranges is presenting varying conditions each week, which the sharpshooters are trying to overcome.

However, this makes the shooting more challenging and interesting for them.

These conditions will certainly work well for the shooters who will be attending the international shoots in a few months.

This weekend the sharpshooters will compete for the Spoon Shoot prize.

dent of Archery Guyana, Mohamed Khan, and secretary-general, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, received the Certificate of Affiliate status from president of the National Paralympic Committee of Guyana (NPCG)

Wilton Spencer and secretary-general. Beverly Pile.

Spencer noted that the NPCG is internationally affiliated to the International Paralympic Committee and emphasised how pleased he was to grant affiliate status

to Archery Guyana.

At the moment Archery Guyana is the first and only affiliate sporting body to the NPCG. Khan noted Archery G u y a n a ’s p l e a s u r e i n achieving this status, as being not only ground-break-

ing, but also completing a circle of objectives desired

by Archery Guyana.

With this status every single Guyanese archer of every capability can now compete at the highest level in the sport of Archery.

Assuria Golf tournament on today THE long-anticipated Assuria General Insurance Companies golf tournament is finally here and with the course finally getting some desperately needed rain, it is expected to be in fine condition with soft greens.

Scoring is expected to be extremely low as the course will favour accuracy.

At the insurance giant’s headquarters, General Manager Yogindra Arjune along with several staff members were on hand to hand over the sponsorship cheque.

Members of the company will be at the LGC today to interact with spectators and players to provide information and to answer any questions about insurance needs.

The tournament will feature three categories 0-9; 10-19 and 21-28. There will be prizes for the Best Gross, Best Net, Longest Drive and Nearest to the

Pin (to be presented at conclusion of the tournament).

Lots of prizes will be given in addition to trophies with players and guests being treated to food and drinks, compliments of the sponsor.

Starting time for the

tournament is 12:30hrs and the fun activities commence at 15;00hrs.

Assuria General commenced operations in Guyana in 2012 and has quickly grown to be a dominant player in the industry, with offices

in Berbice, Georgetown, Diamond and Linden.

It is the only company that offers everyday service (Giftland location) and usually processes claims in a short time as long as all paperwork is submitted.

Assuria General Manager Yogindra Arjune (second from left) watches as one of the staff members hands over the company’s sponsorship to LGC president Aleem Hussain.

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Spinners bowl NY Tri State to U-19 title

By Rajiv Bisnauth

LED by their battery of spinners, the visiting New York Tri State easily disposed of tournament favourites, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), by eight wickets, to claim the GCA/American Youth Premier Cricket League Under-19 cricket title yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) ground.

The Tri State spinners claimed eight wickets between them, and were the main destroyers after the Queenstown-based club won the toss and decided to bat in a match, which was reduced to 32 overs-a-side due to Thursday’s downpour in the Capital City.

From a comfortable position of 45-2, the home side were bowled out for 96 in 26.3 overs, with leg-spinner Adil Shivakumar (3-16) and left-arm spinner Tamesh Persaud (3-18) the chief

wreckers.

The run chase was relatively an easy one, as the tourists reached 100-2 in 19 overs.

When play started some three-and-half hours later than the scheduled time, DCC lost opener Brandon Jaikarran (4), to medium pacer Vedant Parwal, at 21-1 inside the fourth over.

Fellow-opener Jadan Campbell and Ezekiel Wilson took the score to 45 before Campbell, who struck three boundaries was run-out for 20.

Thereafter the home team lost their way losing the remaining batsmen for just 51. Leg-spinner Gautham Ravindran trapped Tameshwar Permaul (4), leg-before-wicket before Persaud snared both Inderjit Nanan (4) and Orlando Giddings (0) off consecutive balls.

H e t h e n h a d Wi l s o n caught and bowled for 22

before Muniram Singh was stumped off Shivakumar for three.

After the 20-run partnership between Osapha Green 19 (2x4, 1x6) and Kadeem Parris, off-spinner Andre Seepersaud, a guess player for the visiting side, bowled Jafar Pinder for two, before Shivakumar claimed the final wicket of Parris.

In the run chase the tourists lost Ishaan Bansal early off Muniram Singh for three but Saiteja Mukkamalla and Sanjay Stanley then added 44 runs for the second wicket before Mukkamalla went off the bowling of Pinder for 26.

The right-hander Stanley, who struck an unbeaten 41 (4x4, 1x6) in company with Chaitanya Parwal (16 not out), confirmed the victory.

Meanwhile, details on the presentation and interviews will be revealed in tomorrow’s edition.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

Guyana named as CARIFTA 2021 host (CMC) – Guyana has been named as host for the 50th edition of the CARIFTA Games in 2021, marking the first time in the country’s history that the region’s premier junior track and field meet will be staged here.

AAG president Aubrey Hutson

The 48th games concluded in Cayman Islands on Easter Monday, with Bermuda now set to play host to the event next year.

G u y a n a ’s a t h l e t i c s chief, Aubrey Hutson, said the country had lobbied organisers with the main argument that it was a “travesty” the country, located on the South America mainland, had never yet staged the games.

“To have this meet go on for 50 years and we not hosting, I think it was a travesty, and it is one of the main points that I raised with the whole CARIFTA congress, that they need to come to Guyana, and that was the selling point,” Hutson said in a statement.

“We, hosting at home, will be able to put two athletes in every event. So, starting now we have two years to prepare to have two athletes in every event at CARIFTA, and I think that we will really and truly rival Jamaica who has been running away with this event every year.”

Not considered power-

houses in Caribbean athletics, Guyana had a successful outing in Cayman Islands, picking up four gold medals en route to finishing with 10 medals overall.

The performance left them fifth on the medal tables only behind perennial champions Jamaica with 85, The Bahamas with 26, Trinidad and Tobago with 24 and Barbados with 11.

Hutson said he anticipated the hosting of the meet would result in a considerable boost for Guyana’s tourism product.

“Organisers need to understand that we need to be aware that nearly 600 athletes are coming here to compete at one meet and then there are the home fans that follow them,” he pointed out.

“There are Jamaicans and Trinidadians and Bahamians who basically save their money whole year round just to go to CARIFTA Games.”

Canal Number Two invited to another MYO Inter-Jamaat 15-over final billed for tonight under lights Suriname cricket competition AFTER an impressive performance at the recently concluded Spartan Cricket Club International FourTeam Cricket Competition, at the Dr Snell Park in Paramaribo, Guyanese club Canal Number Two have been invited to compete in another competition.

According to information from the West Bank club, the tournament is scheduled for this September and will be organised by the same coordinators.

The visitors made 117 before they were bowled out. Former national U-17 cricketer Narendra Persaud top-scored with 50 runs.

In the chase, Spartans were on 24-1 before rain stopped play. The umpires then recalculated the total and the home team needed just 28 more runs from five overs.

Persaud returned with the ball to pick up two wickets, but Spartans dominated the clash.

Prior to the final on Sunday, Canal team had reg-

Shakti for 61-8 from their 20 overs, with medium fast bowler Mark Jeffers taking 3-9. Spinners Malcolm Hubbard and Anand Persaud supported with two wickets each.

Canal Number Two then raced to 62-0 in 5.3 overs.

Persaud finished with an unbeaten 37 and Jeffers 25 not out.

On Saturday, the Canal team restricted the All Stars for 53-5. Persaud again took two wickets, while Hubbard and Naren-

THE final of the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Inter-Jamaat 15-over softball cricket competition is set for Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground this evening under lights.

Keion De Jesus scored 122 for NA Masjid in the preliminary rounds.

Canal Number Two made an impression in Suriname at the club competition last weekend.

In the four-team competition last weekend, Canal Number Two were undone by the rain. In the final against Spartan CC, they were sent it to bat in the T20 fixture.

istered wins against Amar Shakti Cricket team and Nickerie All Stars Cricket Club.

In the first clash, the visitors restricted the Amar

dra Persaud finished with one each. Jeffers led the attack with the bat (37 not out), which helped Canal to overhaul the total in 4.1 overs.

Prior to the championship clash, the four top teams in the competition will battle it out in the semi-finals, which are scheduled to start at the same venue from 14:30hrs.

MYO, who finished as the best preliminary team, will face New Amsterdam Masjid, while the Diamond New Scheme (who got the second highest points) will battle Tuschen Train Station Masjid.

Both games will be played simultaneously with the third place battle (a 10over affair) set to start right

after.

The final will commence at 18:30hrs.

MYO, which included a number of second-division hardball cricketers, will look to go all the way. They have

MYO player Safraz Esau

a balanced side with the likes of Saheed Gittens, Javid Kayum, Richard Latiff, Safraz Esau, Timor Mohamed, Shafeek Ishmael and Majeed Khan in the mix. The team also has three U-15 players hungry to make their mark.

Diamond New Scheme Jamaat, on the other hand, are armed with some seasoned softball players. A no-nonsense top order that can be destructive on a given day, with the likes of Rawl Reid, Ameer Khan, Patrick Khan and Rickey Sargeant. They are confident of taking home the hardware.

From the Ancient County of Berbice are New Amsterdam Masjid, who are a resilient and a well-balanced side, with the likes of Keion DeJesus, who owns the tournament’s highest score of

Rawl Reid is expected to play his part for Diamond New Scheme Jamaat.

122 runs against LBI in the preliminary round and Wahab Riaz who took the best bowling figures of 7-16 in the same game.

Finally, newcomer Tuschen Train Station Masjid, who are considered the underdogs, but proved in the early rounds that they can create an upset on their day.

That side includes a bowling attack, led by captain Anthony Kandar and Harry Singh and batting, led by Daniel Chunoo and Timothy Persaud.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 27, 2019

GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup kicks off today

GUYANA’S first-ever national U-20 club tournament, GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup, kicks off with a special ‘double header’ event at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence today, April 27.

The East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the national knockout bonanza starts with a clash between Timehri Panthers U-20 and Agricola Red Triangle U-20 at 14:00hrs, following a tournament launch ceremony at 13;00hrs.

“We are delighted to kick off this historic tournament, with this incredible support from KFC, at our new home of football at Providence this weekend,” said GFF president Wayne Forde.

“The GFF-KFC U20 Independence Cup is going to capture the imagination of football fans by showcasing up-and-coming talent across the country. We urge all communities to come out and support their young players.”

Sponsored by international restaurant brand KFC - part of the Beharry Group of Companies,

the U-20 tournament is a crucial component of the GFF’s 2015-2019 strategy to establish national club competitions for all youth development age groups, from U-13 to U-20.

support to make this happen.”

Agricola Red Triangle U-20 head coach Colin John said: “This is very important as it gives players at U-20 level the means to keep play-

Timehri Panthers captain Culwin Court and Agricola Red Triangle captain Shaquille Baptiste will lead their teams at the kick-off match of the GFF-KFC U-20 Independence Cup on April 27 at the GFF National Training.

“This youth tournament is another good initiative and a step in the right direction for our football,” said Timehri Panthers U-20 head coach Delon Williams.

“It’s great to have KFC on board and to have the

ing football. It could change the direction of someone’s life and give our young talent the opportunity to keep improving their technique and skills.”

After the inaugural GFF/KFC U-20 Indepen-

dence Cup match, a selection from the Guyana U-17 boys’ national squad will take on Elite League side Den Amstel at 16;00hra as part of GFF Technical Department preparations for the CONCACAF U-17 Championship in May. The GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup is set to roll out across the country next week, with all nine regional member associations taking part.

Teams from each member association will play in a straight knockout tournament, with the winners from each region then coming together to compete in playoffs to decide who will be crowned national champions.

“The U-20 level of competition caters to those young players who are still developing and also may not be playing senior football yet. It is important that we give these players more meaningful opportunities to play in GFF competitions so that they can continue to grow as players and young men,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

Overseas-based Guyanese Brian Ramphal pumps US$2 500 into Berbice Cricket LAST year when the Hilbert Foster-led administration took over Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), it did so with just $42 000 in the Bank.

Desperate to raise funds, Foster contacted former BCB secretary Oscar Ramjeet to lobby overseas-based Guyanese for assistance.

One of the first to respond was Brian Ramphal, a Texas-based Tech businessman. Ramphal supported BCB with a whopping $1M (US$5 000).

Laluni All Stars crush Everest Masters in Easter fiesta

AN unbeaten century from opener Rocky Sarjoo gave the visiting Laluni All Stars a convincing 9-wicket victory over Everest Masters on Easter Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) ground.

a flying start with Saheed Mohamed and Sahadeo Hardaiow racing to 43 without loss in four overs, to set the pace for the rest of the match. When Hardaiow was bowled for 11 (2x4) off Sunil Sarjoo’s first ball of the match, Mohamed

(2x4) at 98-3.

Former national opener, Azeemul Haniff then rolled back the years with a polished 20 (2x4; 21 balls) as the middle and lower order kept up with the scoring rate until the allotted 25 overs. Ronald

Happy faces of the winning Laluni All Stars after their match last Sunday at Everest.

The match, which was organised by the ECC, as part of the club’s annual weekend of activities to observe Easter, was played in the true spirit of the game though it ended as a one-sided affair.

Opting to bat, the hosts amassed a competitive 2038 from their 25 overs which was later overhauled by Laluni with 15 balls to spare.

Everest Masters got off to

was joined by Hemraj Garbarran and the runs continued to flow from the pink ball on the fast outfield.

However, when Mohamed seemed set for a half-century, disaster struck and hewas run-out for the top score of 48 (4x4, 3x6, 33 balls) at 87-2. He added 44 runs for the second wicket with Garbarran who followed shortly after for 22

Jaisingh cashed in with 30 (1x4, 2x6), former national youth wicketkeeper Joseph Perry 24 (2x4, 1x6) and Basil Persaud 16 (1x4, 1x6) while debutants Safraz Sheriffudeen and Ishwar Persaud were not out at the end on one and three respectively.

The pick of the Laluni bowlers were Sunil Sarjoo with 3-28 who got support from Derick Tejnarine 2-45,

Rocky Sarjoo 1-22 and Glen Campbelle 1-34.

Set a target of 204 from 150 balls, the young openers from the Amerindian village along the Linden Highway were asked to score at a rate of more than 8 runs per over and started the run chase with Rocky and Tejnarine.

The right-handed openers matched each other shot for shot in their brisk partnership of 175 runs before Tejnarine was bowled by medium pacer Basil Persaud (1-9) in the 20th over for 83 (54 balls, 5x4, 5x6).

By then the match was all but sealed but Rocky was still on the go and brought up his milestone with a lofted six before ending the contest in similar fashion. He ended unbeaten on 113 (74 balls, 9x4, 7x6) while number three Campbelle was on 8 not out when victory was achieved in the 23nd over.

Captain of Everest Masters, Rajesh Singh and his opposite number Julian Mohabir expressed their gratitude for the match to mark the occasion of Easter and both hinted at a rematch in Laluni in the near future. For his pugnacious innings, Rocky was named Man-of-the-Match.

Everest Masters are next set to host Bartica on Saturday, April 27 from 13:00hrs also at the Everest cricket club ground in the city.

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Brian Ramphal

The funds enabled the BCB to host its Annual Award Ceremony, Coaching Clinics, First Division Double-Wicket Competition, and Educational Posters among others.

Over the last 14 months the proactive BCB has raised over $15M in cash and kind to not only host over 40 cricket tournaments but also to transform the fortune of Berbice Cricket.

Ramphal based on a comprehensive Marketing Proposal from the Marketing Committee of the BCB last Tuesday handed over US$2 500 as his sponsorship for 2019.

The half-a-million Guyana dollars contribution would be used by the Board to host the 2019 Award Ceremony, a Social Development Seminar for young cricketers and a 100 Balls Tournament

in the New Amsterdam/ Canje sub-association.

Foster hailed the continued contribution of Ramphal who he described as a true friend of Berbice Cricket. He stated that the BCB was grateful to Ramphal and other overseas donors like Dr Puran Singh and Dr Tulsie Dyal Singh.

Their assistance has assisted Berbice cricket to move from a period of stagnation onto a very progressive path of development.

The BCB in 2019 has already launched 15 tournaments in just four months with another six to be unveiled in a few weeks.

The Board is aiming to host over 30 tournaments at different levels. Additionally the Board would be hosting several developmental programmes while clubs across Berbice would receive assistance with cricket gear, balls, scorebooks, water pitchers and cricket shirts.

Ramphal was delighted to be associated with Berbice cricket and was confident that his investment was used for the intended purpose.

He disclosed that he was very impressed by the hard work and vision of the BCB leadership during his visit to Berbice late last year. He received the BCB highest Award ‘Tribute to Hero’ and was able to see firsthand, the impact his contribution has made.

He pledged his commitment to the BCB once it maintained the high standard it has set over the last year.

The 2019 Award Ceremony would be held in late May while the Brian Ramphal 100 Balls Tournament would be launched shortly for teams in New Amsterdam/Canje.

Tu cber Park an d Young Warriors would be debarred in an effort to encourage the other teams in the Sub-Association to excel.

Players and officials are getting ready for the kickoff of the GFF-KFC U-20 Independence Cup.

GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup kicks off today Page

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Spinners bowl NY Tri 30 State to U-19 title Page

Archery Guyana gets affiliation to the National Paralympic Committee Page

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The winning New York Tri State team

Archery Guyana president Mohamed Khan receives Certificate of Affiliation from National Paralympic Committee of Guyana’s president Wilton Spencer. Looking on are the respective secretary-generals Beverly Pile and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019