Guyana Chronicle E-paper 5-13-2019

12th May, 2019

No-confidence motion needed absolute majority

No.105635

…CCJ President says determining formula crucial SEE STORY ON PAGE 03 ►

… AG lays out path to arriving at number

GWI drilling second 16 well at Amelia’s Ward PAGE

Modern $49M 14 nurses’ quarters commissioned at New Amsterdam PAGE

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US mission complete 272 eye surgeries in Berbice

Opportunities abound …Guyanese youth cash in on oil-related job offers

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Scores of youths participated in the job fair hosted by world-renowned oilfield services giant Schlumberger, at the Bishops’ High School(DPI photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Mother’s Day treat

Member of Parliament, Mervyn Williams on Saturday celebrated with two senior mothers of Santa Rosa in the Moruca district by presenting them

with cakes as part of a pre-Mother’s Day treat.

The treat followed a village meeting at the end of a two-day consultation on

the subject of the revision of the Amerindian Act and preceded the handing over of two wooden boats, each being outfitted with a 40-horse power Yamaha

outboard engine and fuel tanks, to two villages in Moruca for use in the area of healthcare delivery.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

No-confidence motion needed absolute majority

…CCJ President says determining formula crucial

… AG lays out path to arriving at number

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, adopted government’s position that an absolute majority was needed to pass the no-confidence motion.

On Friday, while receiving oral submissions from Attorney General, Basil Williams, in the three consolidated appeals on the Court of Appeal’s decisions to invalidate the last December no-confidence motion, Justice Saunders said it is clear that an absolute majority was the requirement. “No one is doubting that an absolute majority was required in this case,” Justice Saunders told the attorney general in a courtroom filled with attorneys and Ministers of Government in the Trinidad-based CCJ – Guyana’s highest court.

At the time, Williams was drawing a comparative analysis between a simple majority and an absolute majority based on a query made

by Justice Jacob Wit – one of the four judges who sat alongside the President of the CCJ. It was explained that an absolute majority, is a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly, while a simple majority is a majority of all the members present and voting.

“Dr. Francis Alexis, QC for the attorney general, submitted that the vote of a majority of all the elected members is at the level of an absolute majority of the National Assembly. That same requirement obtains in Article 164 (1) of the Constitution to alter those provisions to which Article 164 (1) relates.

Thus, the voting strength required by Article 106 (6) (absolute majority) is the same as that required to pass an Act to amend those provisions governed by Article 164 (1).

On the other hand, Article 168 (1) provides for a simple majority when it requires that a decision in the National Assembly shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting, subject to there being present the prescribed quorum,” the

attorney general said, as he quoted an excerpt from Justice of Appeal, Dawn Gregory’s judgment on the matter.

In that judgment, the Justice of Appeal, the attorney general further pointed out, referenced the case – Attorney General of Guyana v Cedric Richardson. “Richardson is clear authority for recognising the concepts of simple and absolute majority in the Constitution of Guyana, although the terms

requirement, the only issue at the moment is – “what constitutes an absolute majority?”

In response, the attorney general turned the CCJ’s attention to the case – Governor General v Mamaloni, which was also cited by Justice Gregory in her judgment.

According to that case, the Constitution of the Solomon Islands states that at least one half of all the members plus one is what constitutes an absolute majority. In the

Attorney General, Basil Williams (centre) speaking with Attorney-at-Law, Robert Corbin (right) in the presence of Senior Counsel, Neil Boston (extreme left) and Attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde (second left) outside of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday after more than five hours of legal arguments absolute majority and simple majority do not expressly appear in it,” Justice of Appeal Gregory had said in the court below. Williams said the court’s understanding of the Constitution is in stark contrast with that of the appellants. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, through his attorneys, Douglas Mendes and Anil Nandlall, had argued that the Constitution does not provide for “absolute” majority, claiming that it was read into the Constitution.

Justice Saunders said while it is established that an absolute majority was the

Court of Appeal, Grenada’s former Attorney General, Dr. Francis Alexis, QC, in representing Williams, had described the formula as a two-phase approach.

Williams told the court that while the Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, acknowledged in the High Court that an absolute majority was the requirement, she did not apply the half plus one formula. “The learned Chief Justice did not divide 65 by two, and did not round up and that’s where the learnt Chief Justice fell into error,” the attorney general submit-

ted to the court.

Interjecting, President of the CCJ asked Williams to determine the absolute majority of 65, taking into account it is an uneven number. “The entire approach is that the absolute majority is a stronger and more difficult requirement than a simple majority, so they could not have the same 33 and the court showed that the majority of 64 is 33, therefore 65 must be higher,” the attorney general explained, while receiving the assurance of Justice Winston Anderson that the court fully understands his line of argument.

Roysdale Forde, the attorney representing APNU Secretary, Joseph Harmon, had also argued that the Court of Appeal properly held that the “vote of a majority of all elected members of the National Assembly” was 34 members when he reappeared before the panel of five judges on Friday.

Like, the attorney general, Forde told the court that there is a clear difference between the language in Articles 106 (6), 168, 164 (1) and 164 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana.

Article 106 (6) states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote-of-confidence,” while Article 168 (1) reads: “Save as otherwise provided by this Constitution, all questions proposed for decision in the National Assembly shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting. It was pointed out that Article 106 (6) requires an absolute majority and Article 168 (1) – a simple majority.

The two, he argued, could not be the same, explaining that a no-confidence motion has a higher requirement.

The attorney also alluded to the Governor General v Mamaloni.

Fielding questions from Justice Wit, Forde explained that the higher requirement is necessary to prevent a repeated “break down and collapse

of government,” as in the case of Israel.

In his written submissions to the court, Forde said the cases cited by Counsel for the Appellants, Bharrat Jagdeo and Christopher Ram, do not deal with any situation similar to one currently being analysed with regards to a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly.

“The cases, ‘Alberta Federation of Labour v Alberta (Minister of Finance) and Walland v City of Macomb’, all deal with situations where the court was deciding the cases before them on the basis of the median basis that is the greater number or part.

To that extent, the case of Walland v City of Macomb is inapplicable,” Forde submitted.

He therefore submitted that the Constitution of Guyana expressly provided in Article 106 (6) that there must be a majority inconsistent with the notion of “minimum overall majority” for a government to be defeated on a vote under Article 106 (6).

“The framers of the Constitution intended to ensure that governments of the Republic are not subject to defeat on a mere “majority of more than half” basis, but only by a greater majority in order to ensure a degree of stability of Governments of the Republic,” the attorney reiterated. To bolster his argument, Forde also made reference to the case of Kilman v Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu, which addresses the issue of absolute majority.

The attorney general and Forde were among attorneys that appeared before the panel of judges during the two days of hearings. The cases being considered by the court are: Christopher Ram v The Attorney General, the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Elections Commission; Bharrat Jagdeo v The Attorney General, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Elections Commission; and Charrandass Persaud v Compton Reid, the Speaker

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders of the National Assembly, the Attorney General, Bharrat Jagdeo, Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Elections Commission.

The appearances were as follow: Attorneys Devindra Kissoon and Kamal Ramkarran on behalf on Christopher Ram (an appellant); Attorneys Douglas Mendes, Devesh Maharaj, Kandace Bharath, Marcia Nadir Sharma and Chandrapratesh Satram on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo; and Attorneys Sanjeev Datadin and Stephan Singh on behalf of Charrandass Persaud, another appellant in the matter.

The Attorney General, Basil Williams, appeared in association with Belizean Senior Counsel, Eamon Courtenay; Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke; and Attorney-at-Law, Jermone Rajkumar. Roysdale Forde represented Joseph Harmon, while Senior Counsel, Neil Boston, appeared in association with Robert Corbin on behalf of Compton Reid.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, who was present throughout the hearing, was represented by Senior Counsel, Rafiq Khan, while Trinidad-based Guyanese, Stanley Marcus S.C, appeared on behalf of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). A date for the ruling will be announced by the CCJ at a later date.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Pakistan attack: Gunmen storm five-star hotel in Balochistan (BBC) Three gunmen have stormed a five-star hotel in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan, killing at least one person, officials say.

The attack targeted the Zaver Pearl-Continental Hotel in the strategic port city of Gwadar, the centrepiece of a multi-billion-dollar Chinese project.

A hotel spokesman said there were no guests and few staff due to Ramadan.

The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army said it had carried out the attack to target Chinese and other investors.

Militants in Balochistan

oppose Chinese investment, saying it is of little benefit to local people.

What do we know about the attack?

The gunmen stormed the hotel, usually popular with top government officials and foreign visitors, at around 16:50 local time (11:50 GMT), killing one security guard who tried to stop them at the entrance.

Security forces entered the hotel and took part in a gun battle with the militants.

Due to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the hotel had no guests and a very limited number of staff, a

The Pearl Continental Hotel is popular among foreign visitors

Zaver Pearl-Continental spokesperson told the BBC. However, earlier reports said that hotel guests had been evacuated safely.

The hotel sits on a hilltop overlooking the Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea, which is being devel-

oped by China as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a network of roads, railway and pipelines between the two countries.

The attack comes just weeks after gunmen killed 14 people, including 11

Sunday, May 12, 2019 - 09:30 hrs

military personnel, in the region.

A worrying breach of security Gwadar is a city with a heavy military presence. It is viewed by both Chinese and Pakistani officials as the lynchpin of the CPEC, aiming to connect western China with the Arabian Sea. When I visited the port city in late 2017 with other international journalists, we travelled in convoys guarded by armed escorts, and stayed in the same hotel that was targeted.

This attack will therefore be seen as a worrying breach of security, and it is

not the first time Chinese interests have been targeted by this militant group.

Last year the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi.

After that attack, both Pakistani and Chinese officials stressed that violence would not derail their close co-operation. But militant activity in Balochistan remains one of the major concerns about the viability of the CPEC project.

What is the situation in Balochistan?

Home to a long-running insurgency, Balochistan is Pakistan's poorest and least developed province.

It shares a large, porous border with Afghanistan and Iran.

Its economy is dominated by natural resources, particularly natural gas, and is being transformed by major Chinese infrastructure projects on the CPEC, part of the ambitious Belt and Road initiative.

Several militant groups operate in the region, including the Pakistani Taliban, the BLA and the Sunni Muslim extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

AG: Murder in mosque not a hate crime (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) The killing of 57-year-old businessman Hanniff Mohammed inside a mosque in Couva on Friday, should not be labelled as an act of terrorism nor a hate crime, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said today.

The AG, a Muslim, denounced attempts to compare the murder of Mohammed to the recent March mass killings at a masjid in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“There is no way we

are going to compare this murder to the incident in New Zealand, that act of terrorism is not what happened in central on Friday.

What happened was that someone was chased into a masjid and killed. That certainly does not sound like a hate crime or an act of terrorism, that sounds like a murder,” Al-Rawi said today.

The AG expressed condolences to the family saying that the killing of the businessman was now be-

ing investigated by police and every murder in this country was unacceptable.

“It is even more tragic in the manner this killing occurred and in the month of Ramadan,” he said, “But I will not read into that, that it is an act of terrorism targeted against Muslims. I want to totally denounce any attempt to do that.”

Concerned Muslims of TT PRO Imtiaz Mohammed said the murder of Mohammed has made him

Haniff Mohammed, gunned down at the Junon street west California Couva Masjid

reflect on the mass killings in New Zealand.

“After the New Zealand massacre, the media asked me, if I felt the same thing can happen here, I said, 'don't rule it out'. And today we have the brutal and violent murder of Haniff in the Junon Street Masjid,” he said.

Imtiaz said the country has been under siege for the past decade and it seemed to be getting worse day after day. The criminals, he said, are ahead of

the game when compared to the law enforcement agencies and the police are trying to play catch up to no avail.

On Friday, at about 1.30 pm, eyewitnesses said the businessman was mingling with fellow Muslims at the Junon Street West Masjid in Couva when he was approached by a gunman. Mohammed then ran up a flight of stairs and into a prayer room where he was killed him.

Cuba to increase rationing amid shortages (BBC) Cuba has announced rationing of more products amid shortages it blames on the US trade embargo and hoarders.

There have been hours-long queues for basic foodstuffs in recent weeks on the Caribbean island.

People have posted photos of long waits at the supermarket under the hashtag #lacolachallenge, meaning queue challenge.

A universal rationing system was introduced on the island just after the revolution in 1959.

In 2017 US President Donald Trump reimposed some trade and travel restrictions lifted by his predecessor Barack Obama, although he kept the embassy open in Havana and

did not end flights to the country.

But less aid from ally Venezuela has also led to shortages of essentials as has a drop in exports - leaving the Communist-run island struggling to pay for imports.

Cuba brings in up to 70% of its food from abroad. Numerous agricultural reforms in recent years have failed to boost production.

Commerce Minister Betsy Díaz said supermarkets will now restrict how much people can buy of certain products like chicken and soap, while other items - including rice, beans, eggs and sausage - will only be available on the ration card, and limited to a monthly

White Oak ‘saving Barbados millions’ (NATIONNEWS) Government says an article published in the Financial Times about the retention of White Oak Advisory Ltd to handle its debt restructuring is geared at putting pressure on the Mia Mottley-led administration.

Government has, however, hit back saying it will not be moved.

“This story is intended to distract and distort in order to put pressure on the Government to cave in during the negotiations to restructure the foreign debt, and is

clearly timed to coincide with the presence of an IMF mission being on the island at this time,” Mottley’s press secretary Roy Morris stated on Friday.

“IT WILL NOT WORK.” Morris said Government has not hidden any of its dealings with the United Kingdom-based financial firm, and laid its contract with White Oak in Parliament several months ago in keeping with a commitment to full transparency. (BA/PR)

Cubans have posted online about the problems using the hashtag #lacolachallenge, or queue challenge

amount. " Our mis sion is to fracture all the measures the US government imposes, and today we are setting priorities," she said.

But Ms Díaz also blamed Cubans who hoard products for the shortages, saying some people kept items they felt might disappear from

the shops while others resold goods on the black market.

Journalist Yoani Sánchez tweeted that what was once of the beststocked shops in the city had "turned into a battlefield to get a kilogram of frozen chicken".

In April, 91-year-old Cuban revolutionary Guillermo García Frías suggested Cubans could eat ostriches, crocodile and edible rodents known as jutía amid the shortages, prompting a flood of memes mocking the commander's suggestion.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Four years on SATURDAY marked four years since Guyanese cast their ballots in the General and Regional Elections (GREs), which resulted in a shift in the country’s political dynamics. After 23 years in the Executive, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) lost the confidence of the majority and was placed in the opposition.

Preceding the 2015 GREs were the results of 2011, where the PPP lost majority control of the National Assembly, but won the majority to form the Executive.

2011 was the first time in post-independent Guyana that a sitting Executive did not have majority control in the National Assembly. This signalled the beginning of obvious change in the determination of voting patterns and results.

Citizens became more alert and interested in the management of the country’s affairs and conduct of their elected representatives in the discharge of duties on their behalf. This level of awareness and consciousness was in part influenced by global dynamics, a few local militant voices and increasing presence and access to media, formal and social.

Guyanese not only had the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in feedback unhindered by geographic constraints, but also benefitted from interaction with overseas counterparts and events happening in other countries. This atmosphere educated and served as motivation, more particularly for the young and techno savvy to get involved in politics.

The young, which makes up more than half of the population and once considered a relative apathetic voting bloc, rose from this state and decided they were going to ‘Vote like a Boss.’ The vote for them in 2015 represented an important tool to personally effect change in their lives through the political process. To the incumbent’s credit -- A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) -- during their period in opposition and having held the majority in the legislature, succeeded in shining light on management of the nation’s business under the presidency of Messrs Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.

Exposés of mismanagement of the nation’s resources and intolerance, demonstrated to those who questioned same contributed to the people reg-

istering their dissatisfaction via their votes.

The APNU+AFC, running as a single force against the PPP/C and the platform on which they campaigned, instilled confidence among sections of the society that a change, consistent with their desire, is possible and worthy of working to achieve. This platform addressed what the people considered important issues, such as unity; accountable government; respect for citizens’ views, rights and the rule of law and the promise of a ‘Good Life.’

The coalition also came to power at a time when freedom of speech, including dissent and protest, and respect for the role of independent media, were assaulted. Those who challenged or reported what was happening were targeted. For instance, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and its attendant arms suffered the withdrawal of its subventions, Stabroek News and Kaieteur News were deprived of state advertisements and government officials used their influence to call on non-state actors to do likewise. Libel suits and incarcerations were part of the programme to silence voices.

Agreements were made

and never implemented.

Some such are the 1999 Armstrong Tribunal Award; the 2001 Desmond Hoyte/ Bharrat Jagdeo Agreement; the 8th March, 2000 Agreement with the GTUC and the 21st August, 2012 Agreement with Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Though the Guyana Constitution (Article 13) mandates the nation’s political objective be one of “inclusionary democracy,” such was observed in the breach, evident in complaints by the political opposition, trade unions, and other stakeholders.

Rights and the rule of law were assailed. The trade union movement was at its worst ever, having suffered a politically engineered split in 1999, collective bargaining and the right to freedom of association were challenged.

The formal economy was compromised by corruption, overwhelming presence of an underground economy, and the cosy relationship between government and underworld operators. International pressure was brought to bear on the government to put systems in place to rid the economy of corruption and illegal money.

Four years after there will obviously be reflections and

deliberations as to whether 11th May, 2015 turned out or is morphing into what the people voted for. This is the nature of free speech in a democracy. That being said, there has been numerous promises kept by the government and achievements, which they listed in a statement appearing in the media on Saturday. Chief among these are the holding of local government elections after over two decades under the PPP; the Anti-Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism Bill passed; reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll and restoration of sanitary conditions in Georgetown and its environs.

Besides, the government has emphasised that over these past four years, the policies and programmes of the coalition have favourably impacted every aspect of life in Guyana, from the coastland to the hinterland, and in the riverine and Indigenous communities.

“No government before has done more within such a short span of time.” The APNU+AFC coalition government said too, that it has given senior citizens and working people a reassuring glimpse of the good life.

“It has increased old-age

pension and social assistance, raised the national minimum wage and improved salaries, including those for sweeper/cleaners, nurses and teachers.”

From 2011, Guyanese are seeing themselves personally invested in the political processes. President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in recognition and appreciation of this, campaigned on their commitment to govern through inclusionary democracy. On assuming office, the people were told by the president to hold his administration accountable; thus far we have seen the manifestation of this sacred challenge and equally, the government has responded to the needs of the people.

As we have said before in this column, nation- building is hard work and relies on constant vigilance, sacrifice, self-critique and reverent commitment to the ideals that would promote, ensure and maintain a unified polity. It is work in constant progress and the coalition has set about the path to do so.

The vice-chancellor must keep pushing on Dear Editor: AS I come to grips with the enormity of the possible positive impact Guyana's nascent oil sector can have on its economy and the quality of life of its people, there are two recent developments that offer me contrasting degrees of

confidence, or lack thereof, about how Guyana functions.

There is no doubt that Guyana needs all the skills and expertise it could garner from its sons and daughters, if we are to manage effectively our overall national development, using the resources to be realised from

our oil and gas sector. And so I wonder why would the current University of Guyana Vice-chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, seemingly have to lobby, or have people lobby on his behalf for his contract to be renewed. I am not an academic; I know little or nothing about administering a university. But from

what I can glean, he seems to be doing a fine job not devoid of mistakes and/or misplaced priorities. But which of us is perfect? The APNU+AFC government is not without its mistakes and misplaced priorities.

I intended to refrain from any public comment about the renewal of the vice- chan-

cellor's contract lest anyone seeks to link my views to that of my dear brother Dr Mark Kirton. Dr Kirton, in a rare public expression of his views on issues, did pen a letter to the editor critical of UG for offering honorary doctorates when it does not offer academic ones. I have heard criticisms of the vice-chan-

cellor for the excessive use of his bow tie; for having the air condition running in his SUV while he is out of the vehicle; for misplaced expenditure at the university; for receiving a (U.S.)$50,000 performance bonus and for wanting to rent a building for $25,000 (U.S.) TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Captain Randy Liverpool –A LEGEND

Dear Editor,

IT bothers me that almost three months after the death of an Aviation Legend and Guyanese pilot, Captain RANDY JOSEPH LIVERPOOL on 21st February, 2019, Kaieteur News is yet to offer an apology to his family and a retraction of the article they published just three days after his passing-- an article which served to attack the reputation of this talented aviator.

I wish to applaud “John Public Aviator” for his letter to the Guyana Chronicle on 22nd April, 2019, captioned: “The Boeing 737 Max 8, Randy Liverpool and aviation in Guyana” -- a well written article which gives a clear insight of what the facts really are, for those misinformed. The wife of Captain Liverpool for hers on 3rd March, 2019 “You’ve crossed the line, KN.” This needs to stop! For how much longer will Kai-

eteur News continue with their SHODDY reporting?

How much longer will they continue to make conclusive headlines for "stories" bearing inconclusive evidence?

They need to understand that you cannot just make careless definitive statements about people whose wives, children, families and friends are grieving. How insensitive it is to call out someone on "causing his own death" based on “whims and fancies” such as "Kaieteur News understands that..." and "a source told us.". Which source?! Was it even a reliable one?! We know nothing. Such insensitive headlines ought to follow with something more evidential and less circumstantial. Was this three-second video taken the said day in question? There are too many gaps that need to be filled and many questions to be answered before you put up a headline like that. The fact remains -investigations are ongoing. So please, like my colleague, I ask

that until such time the media, the authority and the general public refrain from pointing to the biggest tattle in aviation — pilot error.

Flying in Guyana is no joke. Not many people truly understand the density of our jungle. How many planes have gone missing and are yet to be found ? When flying alone in an aircraft, air traffic controllers and fellow pilots are your solitary guardian angels and best friends, you must be pleasant to them and vice versa - they are the last voices you could very well hear.

Shuttling and its associated activities is a growing epidemic, the most dangerous type of flying in Guyana. The authority needs to make rules governing shuttling operations and enforce them. These activities pose serious threats to our pilots, but has a substantial position in our aviation culture – so much so that it is considered less dangerous and more routine. The margin of

risk, however, comes with the unpredictability of any individual’s capacity to manage these operations successfully under all circumstances, especially in environments that are inaccessible.

Pilots and air traffic controllers can testify to the countless number of times Captain Liverpool has departed and returned to Ogle just a few minutes after being airborne; or taxi for departure and abort his take-off; or even cancel his flight because of some problem or deficiency on the said and all the other company aircraft.

How many times have we gone to interior aerodromes and there he is waiting for his plane to be fixed or a part to be sent in to fix it? Now tell me, does this sound like a “reckless” person? Hardly.

Scrupulous, I’d say. For the record,Captain Liverpool was never involved in any aviation accident nor incident in his many years of flying. Let us not forget a few years ago fire

broke out in the same aircraft while being flown by another pilot. A thorough check, if done, will highlight all the above from the reports and logs of ATC, but rather than waiting on a comprehensive report to be made, everyone has become an aviation expert.

Yet, after all of these, working under the harshest conditions, Randy has never bad-mouthed the company for which he flew because he wanted to safeguard his company’s reputation -- a company which could not come to his defence, a company which Randy single-handedly built.

Orlando Charles, you are a disappointment to Guyanese pilots! As said, SHAME ON YOU! Words can never suffice for the devastation of losing this brilliant aviator; he will forever be missed. It was always a joy to fly Guyana’s airspace while he was. A voice myself and fellow pilots certainly miss hearing. From him

The vice-chancellor must ... per month, while toilets at the university still don't flush and toilet paper is in short supply. He has responded to many of these allegations publicly.

As a resource ambassador of UG, I was ineluctably constrained recently to have lunch with the VC to confront him directly on some of these allegations. I told him he needs not address the one about the air condition being on when he is out of the vehicle, since if the AC is good for the VC it must also be good for VD (vehicle driver). I also told him that the bow tie was his trademark and branding and he enjoys the right to brand himself accordingly. He denies receiving a $50,000 US performance bonus and explained that the proposed rental of the building would have provided for the university to sublet sections of the building. That would have been not only income-generating,

but would have provided needed services to students and faculty. He admits that there are problems with plumbing and other aspects of the facilities on campus, but that these are being addressed in the context of available resources, and that many of his initiatives are geared at attracting external resources, which are not disbursed overnight.

So, that a vice-chancellor who has brought positive transformation to the university amidst some of its continuing problems which he seeks to address, has to have people lobby publicly for his retention, is frankly reprehensible. A recent letter writer referred to the opposition to his contract renewal as based on fear, I say it is based on jealous admiration. And trust me, I know about jealous admiration. In the words of the Glen Washington song: " I have been used and abused and wrongly accused, but I still keep pushing

on." The VC must keep pushing on.

I call on the relevant authorities to have discussions with the VC about whatever concerns they have with his administrative style and priorities; do so with an open mind and with the realisation that we "comebackees" have a burning desire to raise the standards wherever we see the need. We may be too much in a hurry sometimes, but we mean well. The country needs us especially if we are to maximise the benefits of our oil and gas sector for all the people of Guyana.

Now on the other hand, I can’t help but express how proud I felt to be a Guyanese (dual-citizenship holder) while participating in OTC 2019 last week in Houston, Texas, and its collateral events, including the Guyana Petroleum Summit (GPS). By the way, I saw a post on Facebook by my friend Robin Singh which said while Guyanese were

glued to television coverage of the CCJ hearings, Nigel Hughes was "selling out" Guyana's oil in Houston. Nigel and Robin are friends, so I won't take that post too seriously; only to say however that Nigel and Lars Mangal must be commended for organising the event.

And like the collaboration that went into the very attractive and wellmanned Guyana booth at the OTC, this event saw Guyana speak with one voice, reflective of the changed political culture for which I am advocating. One could never tell from his presentation and answer to questions at GPS that Charles Ramson Jr is a leading member of the opposition party in Guyana, as is Shyam Nokta, who did not make a presentation as far as I know, but to whom I listened in a few group conversations. Robert Muneshwer's short presentation, while identifying some challenges, was indisputable testimony to the

“wowing” at his ATC friends on the radios to cracking a joke to keep us going. I clearly recount the joy in his voice as he broadcasted to our colleagues the news on welcoming his baby boy. A gregarious man of God, family and so much love.

My humble request is for the investigators to comb through this accident with “a fine tooth comb.” A lot of information is being concealed.

Rather than bashing him, remember as an aviator, he has served our people for many years -- keeping our skies safe as an air traffic controller and providing necessities in areas inaccessible as a pilot. Why not rename the airstrip “Randy Liverpool Airstrip - Eteringbang” ? It is the least he deserves.

Heroes are remembered, but LEGENDS never die. Sleep well my friend.

Regards Guyanese Aviator

FROM PAGE 6

advantages of doing business with and in Guyana, particularly if one has vision and is not greedy.

Nicholas Chuck-A-Sang's very good and balanced presentation on a panel addressing the sustainable development of Guyana's oil and gas sector was reflective of the consummate public servant giving credit where credit is due to various presidents of Guyana. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) collaboration with Go-Invest was an apt representation of good public/private sector partnership.

In a nutshell, Guyana's performance in Houston was very impressive and encouraging and engenders confidence in the future of Guyana. The treatment of the VC is doing the opposite.

Regards Wesley Kirton

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Guyana must be vigilant against corruption –– especially in execution of infrastructural projects, says T&T consultant

By Vishani Ragobeer TRINIDADIAN Engineering Consultant, Richard Small, has urged Guyanese to be wary of corruption, particularly as the country prepares to develop infrastructure through its oil and gas economy.

Small made the appeal while speaking at a panel discussion entitled: "Infrastructure Development in an Oil and Gas Economy, The Guyana Reality", on Friday.

This discussion was organised as part of the Eighth In-

ternational Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress, which was opened on Wednesday and concluded on Friday "By experience or by fact, it has been shown that there is a strong potential that corruption is going to step in and that is something I think we should all need to be very mindful of and careful of so that it doesn’t impact the potential for infrastructure growth and development in Guyana," Small highlighted.

Corruption, according

Majority is half plus one, even the ‘doctor’ admits Dear Editor THE majority of all elected members of Parliament (65) is half (321/2) plus one – 331/2. These are persons, not inanimate. And since there is no half person, the answer is round up to 34. To claim the majority is 33 is to lose the valid ‘half person’ – which is really one person.

Some persons like Attorney Nigel Hughes, SC and Dr. Francis Alexis of the CCJ round up before adding one. This methodology has been deemed ‘voodoo mathematics’ by the disaffected; but irrespective of whether one rounds up before or after the majoritarian principle is applied, the answer is still the same – 34.

And the answer re-

mains 34, irrespective of whether one is a Professor Emeritus or a Dr. Rawana, or a website advocating the formula (n+1)/2 for uneven numbers.

Common Entrance Maths and English remains Common Entrance Maths and English. The 33 answer signifies fudging of the population (n), making the population 64, instead of 65. This would be a fallacy – erroneous and unethical.

The majority of 64 and 65 could not be the same – (p = P): and (p=q). So the answer remains 34.

Come hell, or you know what?

Regards P. Williams

to him, have lead to bad project selection, poor quality construction, increased price of construction, time cost overruns, insufficient maintenance, low returns and negative impact on economic development.

Infrastructure, he said, adds to the overall development of a country, and as such, it needs to be done in a sustainable manner.

Land, water, energy, air and the human environment are all facets that will be impacted by infrastructural development, Small said,

Trinidadian Consultant Richard Small

and added: “We have to be sensitive to each and every one of these areas so that

the outcomes are positive instead of negative.”

Guyana, he said, must continue to pay emphasis on sustainable infrastructural development along with environmental conservation and ‘green’ development.

"It is very important in Guyana’s specific case, being so pristine and environmentally sensitive, that we also have to take into consideration that the role of the structure of development does not negatively impact on the environment," he said.

With this in mind, he urged that measures be put in place to ensure that the local infrastructure is developed sustainably, but devoid of corruption.

"There is a need, in my view, that you need to apply more laws, more regulations and more resources to make sure that the growth that Guyana is to expect is carefully managed, monitored," the consultant said.

Farmers and manufacturers have some obligations also Dear Editor, FROM all indications, the rainy season is here with us, and that is of course after a lengthy dry period. It was good that the rice farmers were able to harvest their crop without having to bother about rain, which would have made harvesting difficult and our course more costly.

I can remember not so long ago during the harvesting period, some of the dams were almost impassable to traverse with a full load of paddy, be it a truck or a tractor and trailer.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is doing a reasonably good job by cleaning the trenches, installing checks,

kokers and revetments, not forgetting the many pumps that were installed. Maintaining the dams during the rainy season however, would always be a challenge. But with the above having been said, the farmers have a duty to pay the collecting agency appointed by the NDIA the rates for the cultivated area. That agency was the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the municipality that was prior to 2007 and currently the Water Users Association (WUA).

Early in 2013 in Region Two, that is Pomeroon – Supenaam, a region that is heavily dependent on the rice industry, the amount of money owed to the NDIA was in excess of One Hundred and Fifty Million Dollars

($150,000,000M), and there was no evidence available that a genuine effort was made to collect these arrears from the delinquent farmers, although there was evidence in abundance which suggested that most of the farmers in question could have afforded to pay at least a major part owed by them. It is difficult for any right-thinking person to understand why some farmers for so long though not unable, but unwilling to pay what is due to the NDIA when it is accepted by all that drainage and irrigation is the most important aspect of the production of rice, this very product on which many lives depend, directly and indirectly.

It would certainly make interesting reading, should

the NDIA say how much it is owed by farmers in each of our rice-cultivating regions. The former administration must also inform the people of this country what action if any was taken to have the delinquent farmers honour their obligations; the same must be done by this coalition government, which is the bounden duty of any government to ensure that systems are in place to encourage the production of any crop and manufactured items. The farmers and manufacturers have some obligations also.

Regards Archie W. Cordis

The solution for their heinous crimes is to catch and jail the robbers Dear Editor ON Page 8 of the Kaieteur News on Monday 6th May, was the column headline “US report highlights police torture, unlawful killings in Guyana.”

I am 80 years of age and have been working with a construction company for the past 30 years. Out of that period, I have been absent for eight days (this company treats its employees very humanely and is not discriminating).

I have the ‘belly’ to get up every morning and be out for work. I am on the road from 5:15 am. On Saturday, 13th April, as I was on my way to work, taking

my usual route (north along Louisa Row – through the middle entrance of Le Repentir Cemetery), as I turned Success Street and was about 50 yards into the cemetery I saw a ‘black youth’ coming towards me riding a cycle.

This was not unusual, but suddenly he stopped his bike in front of me and the next thing I know there was a gun pointing at my forehead and the question, “wuh you got”?

I had $10,000 in my pocket. I immediately went into my ‘hatch’ and told the man ‘I get two ; he took it and as I was about to be on my way, I felt a blow on the left side of my face; all I know was that I felt a liquid running down my face. He

used his weapon to fracture my jaw. It was blood! I was bleeding profusely through my nose and ears; the rest is history.

Relevant to that afore-mentioned headline, I wonder if the police were around and had confronted that ‘loser’ and after a confrontation he would have been ‘passed out’; would Big Brother say it was police brutality? Those guys with their ‘tool’ and ‘losers’ who don’t have the ‘belly’ to wake up and face the rigours of life by finding some honest gig. I wonder and doubt that if they have the ‘belly’ to take their ‘tool’ and represent this country if the occa-

sion arises. I am 80 years old and I would represent this land of my birth. The solution for their heinous crimes is to catch and jail the robbers and hang those who kill during the course of their robberies. President Desmond Hoyte did it and they had backed off; had I died during my confrontation there would have been no human rights. But had the perpetrator been killed, “Big Brother” and human rights would have had a field day.

Regards Murtland “Slugger” Williams

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

REMEMBER THIS DAY…

MY daughter called yesterday, asking me to “look out for the flowers; they’re for Mom.” The red roses were intended as a surprise for my wife, the mother of our three girls, being themselves young mothers.

The bouquet was a symbolic gift for Mother’s Day, but it brought back fond memories, and many reasons why I too should remember today.

I remember my Ma - Gangama - known by all as “Aunty Chunoo”. She was the mother of her own twelve children, and also of countless others who were neglected in her home and nearby villages.

Though she died many years ago, I remember her still – her endless work, her soft smiles, her generous heart, and boundless love.

A fisher-woman, her life was a sacrifice to her own children, others in need, and to the many women who were mistreated by drunken husbands.

She was the bare-footed peacemaker/enforcer, the collective village mother, the epitome of selflessness and compassion.

Remembering today, and the tearful emotions it has brought back to me, I salute my Ma, Sita and our daughters, my sisters and all other mothers in Guyana and in the rest of the world. To you I say, “Happy Mother’s Day”.

4TH ANNIVERSARY Yesterday also marked the 4th anniversary of the 2015 General and Regional Elections, when the APNU+AFC Coalition was

elected to office. It was a day to remember since it was the first time in our country’s history that a coalition of six political parties formed a government.

Hailed as the “rainbow coalition” of all races, cultures, interests and ideologies, its election closed the era of one-party rule. Before that, in post-independent Guyana, there were for almost fifty years one-party governments disguised as coalition outfits.

For several years previously, the two large parties (PPP and PNC) had tried to work their way out of the one-party cocoon in which they had been trapped. They had contemplated an inter-party broad coalition, what invariably has been styled as a national front or national unity government.

When that did not happen, they tried “big-tent” politics to attract non-party “civic” or “reform” components.

Under the Guyana political system, a party does not need a majority to form the government. All it needs is a plurality. In 2011, the PPP/C, with 32 seats in the National Assembly, formed the government although the APNU, with 26 and the AFC with 7, had a combined majority of 33 seats.

But the majority became the opposition and the minority the government.

PRE-ELECTION COALITION Under our Constitution there is no provision for post-election coalition for

the purpose of forming a majority government. It was in that context that the APNU and the AFC entered into a pre-election partnership agreement, to contest the election as a single slate and field one list of candidates.

It is significant to note that a pre-election coalition had eluded us throughout our history. Therefore 2015 was a break from the past. It became a revolution in our politics when the APNU and AFC agreed to team up, into what has been described in a government statement yesterday as “a united and formidable Coalition”.

It must be recognised that all coalitions are fragile. If it was difficult to form, then it would be even harder to keep for any considerable length of time. But our Coalition has defied the pundits of doom. We stayed together and, as President David Granger has said, we remain stronger together.

We must remember May 11, always, since it was the entry point to our new politics of partnership and coalition-building. It has closed the door to one-party authoritarianism, one-party dictatorship.

It has made multi-party/ multi-ethnic politics the wave of the future.

STABLE, GROWING ECONOMY The APNU+AFC Coalition Government has every reason to catalogue its achievements over the past four years. This is the record by which it would be judged.

No one could seriously expect that the Coalition would deliver the good life within four years.

But I should repeat that the Coalition Government has so far steered the country forward as a stable and growing economy; promoted and defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity; restored respect for Guyana as a democracy in which all human rights and press freedom are protected; and supported and encouraged social cohesion among our multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, plural population.

As the statement noted: “Over these past four years, the policies and programmes of the Coalition Government have favourably impacted every aspect of life in Guyana- from the coastland to the hinterland and in our riverine and indigenous communities.

No government before has done more within such a short span of time.”

It is not a boast but solid fact that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has increased old age pension and social assistance, raised the national minimum wage and improved salaries, including those for sweeper/cleaners,

nurses and teachers.

FIGHTING TAX EVASION Our Government has taken legislative and administrative steps to fight tax evasion, the illicit contraband trade, piracy, trafficking in persons, money laundering, abuse of the procurement processes, and non-compliance with requirements to ensure integrity in public life.

Efforts are still underway to shut down the underground or parallel economy.

Guyanese must remember that in these years the APNU+AFC Government stepped up construction of major new roads on the East Coast, West Coast of Demerara and East Bank of Demerara, the East Bank of Essequibo and Berbice. Guyanese and foreign Commuters have all recognized the enhanced facilities at our international airports, renovated airstrips and aerodromes, and refurbished steamers that ply all of our riverine routes.

The charge for bridge crossings over the Demerara River remains subsidised, and the tolls at the Berbice

River Bridge has been reduced.

PLACE OF PROMISE Since 2015 there have been incremental improvements in the delivery and reliability of electricity supplies nationwide, expansion of potable water facilities and installation of several heavy-duty pumps to reduce seasonal flooding.

In the social sectors, greater financial allocations for public education, health and housing have resulted in remarkable and better results.

Recently, we have seen reports from prestigious agencies such as the BBC hailing Guyana as the next wealthiest country, on a per capita basis. The fact is that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has brought Guyana to this place of promise by negotiating in good faith and building trust with investors.

I say with confidence that May 11, 2019 marked the gateway to new opportunities, and the prospects for a return of the Coalition, for a second consecutive term, as the best-ever Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana!

Understanding Energy

World Bank Funding For Energy Industry Management

THE government recently signed a deal for a US$20 million loan from the World Bank to help build capacity to regulate, manage, and tax Guyana’s emerging oil industry. The bank already has a Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project tasked with providing capacity-building support to the government, and the loan will likely expand upon those activities.

Some of the funding will be used to hire additional professionals with specialised experience in resource governance. These individuals will help increase the capacity of Guyana’s ministries and train local staff. The World Bank stated that a strong system of governance and careful, transparent management will help the industry bring positive and sustainable impacts to Guyana.

According to reports, “the project envisages that Guy-

ana’s legal and regulatory frameworks for the sector will be reviewed and updated with a view to maximising benefits to the country and affected communities; managing the technical, environmental, social, and financial risks linked to the sector; and building capacity to engage effectively with investors.”

As part of its appraisal, the World Bank conducted estimates for future investment in Guyana. The results showed that over the lifetime of the initial planned developments in the Stabroek Block, the companies drilling there will invest more than US $19.4 billion into developing and supporting the offshore fields.

For comparison, Guyana’s GDP was $3.7 billion in 2017.

The World Bank also projected potential revenues to the Government of Guyana of more than US $45.4 billion over the life of these projects,

even at the fairly low estimated oil price of US $54 per barrel.

This is in line with other estimates of government revenues from international energy analysts. The figure includes only the revenue from the projects that have been announced so far on the Stabroek Block and does not include additional projects that might be sanctioned on the Stabroek block or discoveries and oil and gas projects that might occur on the other blocks nearby which are still largely unexplored.

Revenues could be substantially higher if oil prices rise – a barrel of Brent Crude, an international benchmark, currently trades for more than US $70 per barrel.

The World Bank cited these revenues as the primary economic benefit of the oil industry to Guyana and said it could offer an opportunity to expand public investment in developing human and physi-

cal capital. That means investing in things like education and infrastructure to remove constraints on growth that, in the opinion of the World Bank, are currently lacking in Guyana and could inhibit development in the future.

Another portion of the World Bank’s assessment cited a huge opportunity for cheaper and more reliable power in Guyana if the natural gas found in the Stabroek Block can be used to generate electricity. Gas would provide a much cheaper, cleaner source of fuel for power generation than the heavy fuel oil that is currently imported from abroad. Guyana currently imports and burns heavy fuel oil for much of its power-generation needs.

Thoughtfully placed investments in education and infrastructure could also allow more Guyanese and local businesses to participate directly

in the industry, accelerating the positive impacts that are already underway. Already, local businesses are gaining more expertise, allowing them to capture bigger and better opportunities.

The World Bank and the government emphasised that many layers of the Guyanese economy will be affected by the industry’s development. If handled properly, the impacts will be felt in the environment and local communities, now and for generations to come.

That is why the World Bank views it as critically important that Guyana build capacity now to effectively and transparently manage the sector.

A poorly managed resource sector can have serious costs to the country’s economic development and consequently the quality of life for its citizens.

This World Bank funding will help the relevant agencies, particularly the Department

of Energy, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency, add expert staff. Experienced international consultants and advisers can train a generation of Guyanese who can quickly gain the technical knowledge needed to oversee the oil sector for themselves.

The World Bank also hailed the progress made so far, particularly with Guyana’s candidacy for membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, as a reason to be optimistic about Guyana’s future. The World Bank concluded, “These are important steps towards enhanced transparency, the promotion of dialogue among key stakeholders based on reliable information, and the responsible and effective governance of the O&G sector in the pursuit of sustainable development.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

CCJ to announce date for decision in no-confidence cases

PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Adrian Saunders, after hearing two days of intense oral arguments, said the Court will announce a date for decision on the consolidated appeals on the Guyana Court of Appeal’s decision to invalidate the vote of no-confidence against the Guyana Government.

He said based on the decision of the court, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM’s) Attorney Stanley Marcus may be asked to reappear before the CCJ on behalf of the elections commission.

“It may be necessary for us to hear further submissions from GECOM, but of course we don’t want to hear those submissions now,” the CCJ President told the parties in the consolidated appeals. It was explained that once the CCJ arrives at its decision, a date would be given for the ruling. He reiterated that based on the decision, GECOM may be asked to make further submissions. If the CCJ overturns the decision of the Court of Appeal, early elections would be required in keeping with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, which provides for elections to be held within three months following the defeat of a government in the National Assembly.

Attorney General Basil Williams The decision, Justice Saunders indicated, would not be ready in the coming week. “We wouldn’t be able to give a decision next week,” the CCJ President said in response to an indication by Marcus, a senior counsel, that he would be out of the jurisdiction in the coming days. Justice Saunders presided over the hearing of the three appeals, along with Justices Jacob Wit, David Hayton, Winston Anderson and Maureen Rajnauth-Lee. Those appeals are: Christopher Ram vs The Attorney General, the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Elections Commission; Bharrat Jagdeo vs

President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders The Attorney General, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Elections Commission; and Charrandass Persaud vs Compton Reid, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Attorney General, Bharrat Jagdeo, Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Elections Commission.

On Thursday, when Marcus addressed the court, he indicated that GECOM would be incapable of conducting General and Regional Elections before November 2019, explaining that the Official List of Voters is in the process of being revised after a decade, and that process must be completed.

Also on Thursday, Attor-

Attorney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran ney General Basil Williams told the judges that in the event the court rules that early elections are required, funding will be provided.

“The President of Guyana has already given that commitment, and he has given that commitment to the nation, and he has given it specifically to GECOM when they met with the President,” the attorney general told the court.

In rebutting the submissions made by Senior Counsel Marcus, Sanjeev Datadin on Friday told the court that the National Registration Act provides for continuous registration across the 10 administrative regions.

“There is nowhere in

the law that house-to-house registration has a statutory underpinning. It used to be there, and my respectful submission is, it used to be there, it was removed for a reason,” Datadin submitted to the court.

But Datadin quickly accepted that the Elections Commission can delay the holding of elections if it is not capable of doing so.

“You do agree though, that GECOM has significant discretion,” Justice Anderson asked, and in response, the attorney said: “The discretion has to be exercised in light of where we are now and what is going on now.” He nonetheless, conceded that GECOM can postpone elections in keeping with Article 162 (2) of the Constitution. Datadin is representing Charrandass Persaud, the Member of Parliament who was recalled after he betrayed his government by supporting an opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion.

That Constitution states: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Constitution, if the Elections Commission is satisfied that the holding of an election pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 60 on the day appointed therefor would be attended, either generally or in a particular area, by danger or serious hardship it may, after

consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, by notice published in the Gazette – (a) postpone the holding of the election to a day specified in the notice; or (b) postponed the voting in any area specified in the notice to a day so specified.”

But Kamal Ramkarran, the attorney representing Christopher Ram, told the court that the GECOM can delay elections under normal circumstances.

“It cannot be applicable, because there is no date for it to be postponed. But even if there were, the exercise of this power must be in the most limited,” he posited, while adding that “this power must be subjected to very high standards of proof and it has to be objectively determined.”

Ramkarran submitted that powers laid out in Article 162 (2) of the Constitution is not be invoked unless in dire circumstances which are clear to “all right-minded citizens.” “It cannot be postponed unless everybody agrees that there is serious hardship,” he posited.

According to him, the multibillion subvention made available through the 2019 National Budget could have been used by the Elections Commission to facilitate elections, once Article 106 (7) was activated.

Salvation Army gets timely donations for drug rehab programme

By Carl Croker

THE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented 15 double bunk beds with mattresses along with 15 wardrobes to the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation/Men’s Social Service Programme on Friday.

The items were handed over by Elders William T. Bohne and his wife, Sister Sandra F. Bohne at a simple ceremony held at the Salvation Army’s headquarters on Water Street, Geogetown.

Administrator of the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation/Men’s Social Service

Programme, Major Ulrick Thibaud, upon receiving the items, expressed gratitude to the church for their timely assistance.

Thibaud, who described the gesture as ‘God sent’, said he had just finished praying and asking God’s intervention into the state of accommodation at the facility when he heard a knock on his door.

“When I answered the door, we sat down and started talking; he then asked me what your needs are and I told them and now here we are today with See page 12

Elders William T. Bohne and his wife, Sister Sandra F. Bohne of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with administrator of the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation/Men’s Social Service Programme, Major Ulrick Thibaud, other staff and inmates

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Opportunities abound SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

… Guyanese youth cash in on oil-related job offers … as Schlumberger seeks to expand services, Guyanese workforce

WORKING in the emerging oil and gas sector is a dream that will come to fruition for several young qualified Guyanese youth as Schlumberger Guyana hosted a career fair on Saturday to engage possible new additions to their team.

Despite the inclement weather earlier in the day, over 200 persons from various backgrounds turned up to take advan-

talk with them, to know them,” Mohammed said.

Another prospective applicant, Kasena Glasgow, told the Department of Public Information that the company presents great job opportunities and seems much focused on the potential for career and personal development. “I thought it would be a good idea to see what Schlumberger has to offer to our economy. Guyana is set to be the

Schlumberger representatives engage applicants

Kasena Glasgow tage of the opportunity.

Fiaz Mohammed, a Guyanese national who lived and studied in Venezuela for over 15 years, recently returned to Guyana to work because he believes that the country’s economy is booming again. According to Mohammed, he has worked across-theboard in technical fields.

He was employed as a welder and a mechanic after he studied Industrial Engineering. He was also exposed to petroleum engineering and believes that Schlumberger Guyana is here to make a difference in the lives of Guyanese.

“I believe I have the opportunity here… Bringing this job fair to the people is the best thing. [They are giving us] a chance to

richest country in South America soon so I’m excited to see what they have to offer,” Glasgow said.

Davindra Singh said although he is not qualified for the listed positions, he came to experience what they had to offer to Guyana and for possible future employment opportunities with the company. Dacia Lewis noted the available avenues that Schlumberger is providing Guyanese citizens with for their development. “They have a field for persons in science, in business…it’s huge,” Lewis said.

Schlumberger’s Business Talent Acquisition Manager, Tandayi Jones, remarked that while a great percentage of employees at the local office are Guyanese, they are

looking to increase the content. She said that there are a number of skilled persons in Guyana who can positively contribute to their organisation. “We like to hire fresh-out talent and train and develop them from within so we’re looking to identify that talent here today.”

Jones disclosed that currently, the company currently has immediate openings for Field Specialists, Field Engineers, Lab Technicians and HR staff and is looking for skilled persons to fill those positions. She added that in the future, Schlumberger Guyana is expected “to increase tenfold at the very least, so we’re looking to identify Guyanese talent that we can bring within our organisation,” noting that similar job fairs will be conducted across the country.

Schlumberger, the world’s leading provider of technology for reservoir characterisation,

drilling, production and processing in the oil and gas industry, is a major service provider to ExxonMobil Guyana by providing technical support for its operations in the Stabroek Block which have, to date, resulted in proven reserves of 5.5 billion barrels of oil. The company has been instrumental in contributing to local content in the country. The growth of the company’s Guyanese workforce demonstrates its commitment to developing local people.

The Guyana Chronicle reported on Saturday that the oilfield services giant has hired 12 Guyanese from the fifth graduating class of the TOTALTEC International Petroleum & Maritime Academy (IPMA). According to a press release from TOTALTEC, six will begin their careers with additional training in Trinidad, while the other six will begin in Guyana. “Schlumberger is the world’s lead-

ing provider of technology for reservoir characterisation, drilling, production and processing in the oil and gas industry, and is a major service provider to ExxonMobil Guyana. The new graduates can expect a wide range of opportunities over the course of their careers,” said the press release.

It noted that six of the graduates will travel to Trinidad, where Schlumberger has ongoing operations. It said they will undergo specialised training in wireline logging, a technique where sophisticated tools are lowered into wells on an electrical cable to provide continuous measurements to evaluate the subsurface, its geology and fluids. “The others will begin in Guyana’s operations, where Schlumberger is providing a range of offshore services with onshore support,” the release said.

Guyana Manager for Schlumberger, Peter Ca-

hill said, “I have been impressed with the breadth and quality of the training.

In particular, their dedication and commitment to safety is to be commended. This is critical to a long and successful career in the oil industry.”

TOTALTEC Academy Manager, Joseph Singh, commented, “We are very proud of our graduates.

Throughout the eightweek programme, we challenged them to think critically, and understand the principles of tools and techniques they are being trained in. We are pleased to have them join Schlumberger and are confident they will succeed.” Since its opening in early 2018, the TOTALTEC Academy has trained over 125 Guyanese for positions in the oil & gas industry.

The training combines classroom and practical sessions, with an emphasis on safety and a culture of looking out for each other.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

Political maturity vital for national development – Director, Department of Energy, says

By Vishani Ragobeer DIRECTOR of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, has affirmed that political maturity is key to making Guyana a more in-

Director of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe vestment-friendly environment and to foster overall national development.

Dr Bynoe made his remarks at a panel discussion focused on Infrastructural Development in an Oil and Gas Economy. This discussion was organised as part of the Eighth International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress, which

opened on Wednesday and concluded on Friday.

At this discussion, the panelists of stakeholders in the infrastructural sector zeroed in on ideas to develop infrastructure in Guyana and in the Region, as well as fostering an investment-friendly climate as a means of doing so.

“One of the first things we have to be thinking about is how do we incentivise the system to encourage private-sector participation,” Bynoe said, when asked how he thought Guyana could make itself attractive for investment.

In so doing, according to him, the state would need to ensure that it is putting the requisite framework in place, which it can also use to pivot local content and build local capacities simultaneously.

“There has to be an effective partnership [between locals and investors],” Bynoe said and highlighted that this model must be developed in sync with the expectation levels of both the locals and of the investors.

Importantly, however, he posited, “There has to be some level of political maturity and that is at the core of whatever we do.”

The Eighth International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress that was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) This political maturity, he explained, requires policymakers to think beyond the five-year elections cycle and instead be committed to a more long-term development agenda.

“We have to be committed to a development agenda which says that as a people, this is where we wish to go as Guyanese, and not as a political party,” the director said.

Engineering consultant from Trinidad and Tobago, Richard Small, sought to highlight that even though,

in theory, the interests of private-sector organisations and the interest of a government bodies should be aligned, this does not always happen.

He explained that navigating the investment climate means that countries would have to understand that private organisations look towards faster returns on investments and consider the project-planning horizon minutely.

This is not always the case for the government side, which might look towards more long-term returns from

investments.

As such, Small shared that Guyana would have to also consider this when seeking to develop its investment climate.

Chief Transport Planning Officer in Guyana’s Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Patrick Thompson, opined that in effecting the investment-friendly environment, transparency is key.

“Transparency in that the systems and frameworks we have in place must be clear, and we must be consistent in

terms of how we implement these systems and processes,” Thompson said.

He added: “It becomes easy to do business here when Guyana becomes transparent.”

If the country works to continuously improve its transparency in the business environment, the transport officer noted that the country would be able to build a reputation that would indicate to investors that its climate is conducive for investment.

Salvation Army gets timely donations ...

From page 10

the furniture,” Thibaud said.

The administrator said because of the kind donation, the men at the institution and the programme will never be the same again.

He said God answered the prayers of the church so that it can better serve the men in rehabilitation.

He noted that before the donation, they were living in unhygienic conditions since the beds and furniture are old.

Thibaud said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Salvation Army are partnering to fulfill the mission of helping people to become better men and women in society.

Elder William of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints related that the items are enough for

30 people and the donation includes painting of the entire room where the men are housed, along with sheets, pillows and mattresses.

He said the church receive donations from all over the world from people who would give to the church through a welfare and humanitarian aid programme.

However, in this project, the church partnered with Kissoon’s Furniture Store, which they said produced durable and quality items.

He related that the urge to help the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation/ Men’s Social Service Programme was inspirational.

“We were driving by and we just said we need to pull in here; this is a place we should see if we can help and that was the day we met Major Thibaud and that was

the day he said he was praying for help,” Williams said.

Bohne said the church has also donated to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in aid of the Venezuelan migrant programme; provided wheelchairs and prosthesis for the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC) and established libraries in many schools, among many other projects.

He said that the humanitarian mission of the church is to help people change their lives for the better by donating to programmes aimed at improving the community.

Bohne noted that drug addiction affects every family and this donation will help in the process of helping the men become productive members of society.

Elders William T. Bohne and his wife, Sister Sandra F. Bohne of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in discussion with one of the inmates

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

It is time for a patriotic revival

ONE of the last notable public acts by President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham before his death on August 6th, 1985, was the renaming of Murray Street.

Donning his shine cowboy boots and losing his voice, he declared in grandiloquent excellence: ‘This year, it is Murray Street, next year it will be Carmichael.’

Guyana’s first Executive President demonstrated the importance of decolonising the names of streets and recognising the contributions of Guyanese.

As a consequence, this street that carried the name of a colonial master was given the name Quamina Street to ascribe prominence to the slave who led the 1823 Demerara Revolt.

Governor Murray received the undeserved honour of having his name permanently attached to a major street in Georgetown, after overseeing the crushing of the 1823 Demerara Revolt and organising the execution of 27 slaves with their bodies being put on ignominious display at the Parade Ground. With his last presidential breath, President Burnham emphasised the need to ensure an independent Guyana is asserted with symbols and names that evoke supreme patriotism.

The example of Guy-

ana’s first Executive President in his last hurrah should be replicated and advanced in some form every time we celebrate our independence. There are numerous opportunities for there to be the heralding of this patriotic revival. I wish to draw your attention to the first free village in this country, Victoria, which exhibits the name of Queen Victoria. The right honourable Queen Alexandrina Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from June 20,1837, until her death, deserves her rightful honour and praise.

However, when a nation aspires to eke out its own personality and values its past, it must glorify its heroes and heroines to induce national confidence.

A confident and patriotic people are most likely to be creative and build and preserve their country. It is for this reason and other things considered, we should seek to explore the possibility of renaming the village of Victoria with a name that is consistent with the liberation of the people of Plantation Northbrook (former name of Victoria). In their petition (dated November 30, 1839) to the Queen through the Governor, Henry Light, the villagers submitted: “We would fain band down to posterity some token of

our gratitude, and some memento of the emancipation which we have witnessed, partaken of, and enjoyed; and we conceive that we cannot do so more effectually ….than by being allowed to name our plantation after our good and gracious young Queen, Victoria,” entreating the governor to represent them in such a way as to “obtain her Royal consent.”

It is evident, these former slaves acted in a context where they felt the need to appease. Today’s context is different. This symbol of high colonialism ought to be revisited to trigger modern national loyalty.

I can see the argument being proferred that people have grown accustomed to these names for decades and it is unreasonable to make such changes at this time. Be that as it may, these discussions should lead us to a place of considering the benefits of national allegiance which can include self-motivation, productivity and selfless service to country and others. These benefits are immense and are also key to independent nation-building. In the same vein, the statue of Queen Victoria towers over the heart of the city in the High Court compound; why can’t we have a Guyanese legal luminary of the Guyanese illustrious past adorn the front of this

Alcohol-craving prisoner dies AN inmate of Mazaruni Prison died on Saturday after allegedly drinking from a bottle reportedly containing alcohol at a local quarry.

The inmate was identified as Gary Stuart.

Reports indicate that Stuart and other inmates were working recently at the quarry, washing and painting boats, when they found and took a bottle they believe contained alcohol.

Police said the prison officer suspected that the inmates drank the contents of the bottle and it made them sick.

Stuart was rushed to the Bartica Hospital after crying out for severe pain in the abdomen. He was later pronounced dead by a doctor at the hospital.

His body is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The container that the inmate allegedly drank from that caused his illness

national building, instead of this colonial edifice?

D’Urban Street is a major thoroughfare that is traversed daily by Guyanese; it displays the name of a former British Governor, Sir Benjamin D’Urban.

It would do this nation well to have such streets renamed in the honour of someone recognised by the people. The Romans did not conquer all by accident; they placed statues and edifices of their distinguished fellow Romans around their cities to remind the people of their power and abilities.

Why should the village of Agricola have streets with the names of Roman Emperors? The people of this village are consistently subjected to an overdose of Euro-centrism. Such a circumstance teems with the possibility to have a patriotic revival with a review of this situation.

Some may suggest that we have numerous exam-

ples of Guyanese national heroes already being highlighted in the public domain. To this I say, it needs to be more comprehensive and sweeping. I wish to note, not all things and names associated with the colonial past are bad.

Sir Gordon James Lethem deserves to have his name permanently associated with Region Nine.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

Modern $49M nurses’ quarters commissioned at New Amsterdam

STUDENT-nurses, who come from as far away as Region Nine, and communities in the Berbice and Corentyne rivers and even way up the Corentyne Coast, can now be housed in a living space constructed specifically for them. These quarters are located in the compound of the New Amsterdam School of Nursing.

The 12-apartment building was constructed

in 2017 after discussions about the need for such facility were held in 2015.

Student nurses started occupying the living spaces in December 2018 and Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, was invited to commission the facility in May 2019. The hostel, as it is referred to by the nurses, was funded at an approximate cost of $49M. It bears modern amenities including indoor

water supply, electricity, each room fully furnished, self-contained and providing accessibility to school facilities at any time. At least two students attending the nursing school testified that residing at the new quarters has positively impacted their academic life. Fabianne Rodrigues of Maruranau in Region Nine and Dianne Edwards of Corriverton both agreed that the facilities allow them to spend more time

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, cuts the ceremonial ribbon with assistance from Senior Nursing Tutor, Oslene Hicken-Paul

The nurses’ living quarters at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing

focusing on their studies.

“I have been blessed with the opportunity to study at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing… benefits include adequate water supply and electricity… I love the fact that the hostel is located within the school’s compound and it has reduced my expenses since I do not have to pay to travel every day to school. At the hostel, I am able to study in groups with my fellow

colleagues,” Rodrigues said Her colleague, Edwards added, “Being a resident-student at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, I’d like to extend my gratitude for the training opportunity towards becoming a trained Registered Nurse… Coming all the way from Corriverton, I am able to save the cost of travelling and to study in comfort, provided with 24-hour security.”

This particular development afforded to the region has a noteworthy slew of benefits attached.

It ensures guaranteed accommodation for students of several regions. Senior Nursing Tutor at the school, Sis. Oslene Hicken-Paul, said that based on her assessment, there have been positive changes since nurses are now housed closer to school.

“Having the students in the compound is very beneficial in that they are punctual for classroom sessions; there is a reduction in absenteeism, and also the financial burden on our students. There is also extended interaction time for students and lecturers, they do not have to travel from far so we could go a little beyond our call and be there for them.”

Minister Volda Lawrence, while delivering remarks at the brief commissioning ceremony, pointed out that this particular development can only

add value to the region’s health sector. She added that there is more to come for the Nursing Profession in Berbice. More specifically, at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, there are plans to establish a modernised learning environment.

“I heard from some of the tutors in Georgetown that they want to have those simulators that talk back to you, so while they want to have that, I want you to have virtual classrooms here in New Amsterdam. These two we must have… We are not stuck in time; we have to move forward,” the public health minister said. Director of Health Services in Region Six, Jevaughn Stephen, has pledged to work handin-hand with the regional officials and the Ministry of Public Health to ensure that the school’s facilities are improved and that it is equipped to continue “churning out qualified nurses” Also, in attendance at the commissioning w e re C h i e f N u r s i n g Officer, Linda Johnson-McIntyre; MoPH Focal Point Coordinator, Alex Foster; Regional Executive Officer, Kim Williams-Stephen; Director of Health Sciences Education, Seraiah Validum; Matron of the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, Susette August, among others. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

US New Horizon Mission completes eye surgeries at NOH

MINISTER of Public Health, Dr. Volda Lawrence, on Friday, visited the National Ophthalmology Hospital (NOH) in Port Mourant, where a team of US Army Doctors from the New Horizon Mission has been performing surgeries since Monday last.

The United States (US) Army’s New Horizon Mission has been stationed

at the NOH since May 1, 2019 where they helped to set up equipment and facilities for the screening and surgeries. They screened in excess over 100 patients daily, after which a total of 272 were given the opportunity to access surgeries for cataract and pterygium.

The minister was accompanied by Focal Point Coordinator, Alex Foster,

and Doctor in Charge of Port Mourant Hospital, Dr. Devendra Radhay. The minister was given the opportunity to tour the facility and witness firsthand, the process of how the surgeries are conducted.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Lawrence said she was fortunate to see the New Horizon team in operation, not only prepping the

Surgery being conducted at the NOH by the New Horizon Medical team

Patients being assessed before surgery

patient for operation, but the opportunity to go into the theatre and see them at work together with the local team.

“I was fortunate to be able to see the team in operation…but also to see the type of equipment they have; portable and easy-touse with back-up systems and so on. It says a lot for us and speaks to some of the ways we have to look at the type of equipment we are buying… we know it may be expensive but then to look at the pros and cons, so I think that was very striking and I also appreciate the way in which there was a good flow between the local staff and the team. The smiles that this mission, through our collaboration, has been able to put on the faces of our people are rewarding,”

said the minister.

She also took the time to interact with patients who were prepped for surgeries as well as those who were in recovery.

She wished each person a speedy and safe recovery and extended early Mother’s Day greetings to the women.

Ophthalmologist Col. Darrel Carlton stated that the partnership has been a successful one and he is pleased to be a part of the mission which has been transforming the lives of many. He noted the team consists of twenty one members including 13 surgeons and eight support staff. Dr. Carlton explained that they have been conducting approximately 40 surgeries per day with an average of 20-40 minutes for com-

Minister of Health, Volda Lawerence, interacts with Budram Lall post-surgery pletion.

He added that seeing the impact the operation has on the life of an individul is amazing, as that individual not only see their life changing around them, but their families and community also.

Budram Lall, a father of 13 who was in the recovery room when he was greeted by Minister Lawrence, said he has been living with cataract since 1996 and was

See page 19

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

Reliable water supply for Amelia’s Ward residents

By Vanessa Braithwaite

RESIDENTS of Amelia’s Ward, Linden will soon benefit from a more reliable source of water supply, as the Guyana Wa t e r I n c o r p o r a t e d (GWI), is preparing to

drill an additional well in the community.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Van-West Charles related that the company is drilling a number of wells around

the country and Amelia’s Ward was chosen as one of the locations.

Amelia’s Ward is one of the largest communities in Guyana and its population has increased rapidly with the establishment of new schemes.

Preparatory work being done on the well at South Amelia’s Ward

There are already two wells in Amelia’s Ward and this additional well is expected to serve the growing population more adequately. Residents of Amelia’s Ward do not benefit from water supply every day as the present system, cannot meet the demand of the growing population.

At the recently held government outreach in Linden, residents, particularly those of the Amelia’s Ward new schemes, complained about the situation to the visiting ministers.

GWI had made previous strides to provide regular water supply to the residents of Linden through a US $412.3M Linden Water Supply Rehabilitation Programme.

However, as a result of structural and implementation faults that have emerged during execution of the project, this did not happen. The company was looking for ways to correct this and had met

the regional officials to discuss plans on the way forward. This would result in GWI pumping millions of dollars into Linden’s water system, to complete the work at the desirable level.

The move to drill an additional well in Linden was welcomed by regional officials and residents.

Constituency Representative of Amelia’s Ward, Lawrence Simon, said the initiative is welcomed by him and he believes that it is better to drill a well than to construct a new plant.

“You know, for me, I would welcome it due to the technical specification. The plant was not able to supply Amelia’s Ward, so I think GWI moving in this direction, is very welcomed and it will be able to offset some of the water problems in Amelia’s Ward,” he said.

Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, expressed similar sentiments

and said that such moves are a representation of the good life promised

by President Granger and his administration, which should be enjoyed by all Guyanese, to access standard services such as water supply and electricity.

Resident of Central Amelia’s Ward, Jonnell Drakes, said she is happy about the move, since she is in the business of poultry rearing which demands a regular water supply.

In the recently-concluded dry season, Drakes said she suffered tremendously on the days that water was not running, as there was no rainfall to fill some of the drums in her yard.

The move to drill an additional well in Linden was welcomed by regional officials and residents. Only last week, GWI completed drilling a well in Nappi, Region Nine, which is expected to benefit 700 residents.

Chinese doctors receive high praise

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) has credited the Chinese medical brigades, past and present, for its overwhelming contributions to the advancement and provision of top-class medical services to the residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Making this assertion was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Mohammed Riyasat, to a three-man visiting delegation from the Yancheng Third People’s Hospital, China, who on Friday, visited the LHC to observe the work ethic and conditions under which the present brigade, which consists of three doctors, are working.

The delegation seemed pleased with the work being carried out by the doctors who have been serving at the LHC for some time. Dr Riyasat said their contributions to the provision of health service in Region 10 are immeasurable and extensive.

“It is very intensive, we have learnt quite a lot from them and we hope and we know that this relationship will be continuing,” Dr Riyasat said.

One of the noteworthy contributions of the Chinese is the executing and training of laparoscopic surgery; in 2014, the Laparoscopic Surgery Centre at LHC was commissioned.

Laparoscopy is a specialised surgical intervention in which a surgeon using a keyhole with minimal invasion is able

to visualise and operate inside the abdomen and pelvic area, using specialised cameras, tools and conduits to perform surgery. Compared to conventional surgery, laparoscopy provides patients with less bleeding, less invasion, faster recovery and fewer scars.

Riyasat said that the LHC is the only regional hospital that carries out such an advanced surgery and more so, that the Chinese doctors have trained local doctors in executing the surgery as well.

“We are very dependent on the Chinese doctors for the laparoscopic surgery, as these are the only doctors who operate in our hospital over the years in the area of laparoscopy… it is a learning area for the hospital; it is a plus for the hospital; we

The visiting Chinese delegation and resident Chinese doctors at the LHC with CEO Dr Mohammed Riyasat and management and staff of the LHC greatly appreciate their skills, knowledge and experience.”

In addition to providing training and medical services, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has been expending millions of dollars in donations of medical supplies and equipment to the LHC. In 2018, $6.2M in much-needed items was donated. Dr Riyasat said these

donations served a lot of patients, who otherwise would have had to be referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

He related that the Chinese Government also assisted the LHC with establishing a modern operating theatre.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Dr Tan Junyuan, said the exchanges also benefit

the Chinese doctors.

It enhances mutual understanding, promotes cultural exchanges between the two countries and builds a longterm and stable friendship, he said.

“Long live our friendship and family.

You are welcomed to come to China and are welcomed to our hospital,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

South Mackenzie gets facelift

By Vanessa Braithwaite

SEVERAL communities of South Mackenzie, Linden, have seen significant improvement in their aesthetics, all in an effort to bring them back to their former glory.

These communities, located in Constituency Two, include Richmond Hill, Fair’s Rust, Watooka and Noitgedacht, among others. They were once part of the upscale territory in Linden, during the earlier years of bauxite

Policing Group (CPG) to provide the needed help in beautifying these communities. The establishment of ‘green’ spaces in the communities which include a modern signboard surrounded by flowers and plants is top on the agenda. This is already completed in Fair’s Rust while Richmond Hill’s is about 90 per cent complete.

Another key project the South Mackenzie communities are benefiting from is land reclamation, which is in keeping with the country’s

In addition to the abovementioned communities, Constabulary Compound and Industrial Area also benefited from land reclamation. Illegal dumpsites were also cleaned up in these areas. A play park in Fair’s Rust was also refurbished to include a ball field and a similar initiative will be done at Coomacka Mines in the near future.

Bethune said these community enhancement projects are as a result of consultation with residents who aired their concerns at monthly meet-

The ‘Welcome to Fair’s Rust’ sign that was recently erected means.

Following the second Local Government Elections after more than 20 years, there is an evident renewed zest among councillors and residents to work together for the common good of their communities.

Through consolidation, communities are benefiting from self-help projects which include drainage clearing, de-bushing, landscaping and the mainte-

nance of road corridors.

Bethune is urging other constituency representatives to follow suit and to make the community their office.

“Your office is the community, in the streets, bottom-house meetings; prioritise on meeting the people, influence people in the community to work together with you, reach the people, listen to what they want and just be the motivation,” he said.

One resident applauded Bethune for his hands-on approach and for putting the needs of the residents first.

“We are happy to be working with someone who genuinely cares for his community and is working hard for betterment.

So many changes in only weeks. I think he is doing a very good job,” the resident said.

The ‘Welcome to Richmond Hill’ sign which is almost complete mining and had always had a residential image. In recent times; however, the image of South Mackenzie drastically declined and these community projects are aiming to bring them back to their former glory.

The community enhancement project is a self-help initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Mayor, Wainwright Bethune, who is also the chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) and the constituency representative.

The CDC is also collaborating with the Community

‘green’ agenda. For many years, bauxite mining has left many of the communities with swampy and slushy areas.

Bethune noted that the overburden from the bauxite mining is used to reclaim these lands; thus, extending the boundaries of the communities. Residents can be able to use these reclaimed lands for farming and other empowering activities. Deputy Mayor Bethune related that all hands were on deck to source and back fill the overburden in these many swampy areas.

ings, that the communities’ image needs to be improved.

Bethune, who is serving his second term as a constituency representative, said his objective is to ensure development takes place.

“My objective is to work in each and every community in the constituency to ensure we have development throughout the entire constituency,” he said.

While funding from the council itself is limited, given its cash-strapped state, the deputy mayor posited that funds are being garnered from donations and other

The land-reclamation project in the Constabulary Compound

The playfield at Fair’s Rust that was renovated

Evidence from Bagotstown murder being processed POLICE are reviewing CCTV footage and are continuing to process evidence found at the crime scene where 23-year-old Patrick Fraser, called “White Boy”, was gunned down on Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Thursday night.

An arrest is yet to be made, police have confirmed.

The deceased, whose father is businessman Paul Fraser of C&F Supermarket, was reportedly shot in the leg and abdomen.

Patrick Matthew Fraser previously resided at Republic Park, EBD. Residents said the young

man was known to persons in the area since he would visit his friends on a regular basis.

He was shot by an associate, they contend.

Reports indicate that the victim was consuming alcohol with friends in a yard when someone shot at him, not just once, but twice.

Police have since found one .32 spent shell, one warhead, a pair of black-andorange slippers and a white Polo cap at the crime scene.

After the shooting, young Fraser was picked up and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.

Dead: Patrick Fraser called “White Boy” From reports gathered, the young man usually frequented the area.

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Road safety first defence against road monsters – Commander Cooper tells pupils of Stewartville Nursery

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

The policemen and teachers with some of the students who benefitted from the lecture at the Leonora Police Station Traffic Department ROAD safety is a subject in which young people and children should be engaged, since it helps to shape their attitudes and understanding as regards the usage of the roadways, Commander of ‘D’ Division, Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper, said.

He offered the remarks following a recent lecture at the Stewartville Nursery School on road safety issues and practices.

Present at the event were six teachers and 65 students who benefitted from the timely lecture.

The policemen, who gave the lecture, were Corporal Sandesh Pachai and Constable Devon Browne.

The commander told this publication that road accidents are the largest killers of young people worldwide, and every death or serious injury of a child on the roadway is devastating for the family, the wider community, and the child’s school.

The senior superintendent said that educators can play a vital role in protecting children and stopping devastating casualties by teaching life-saving messages to students.

“Some drivers do dangerous things, which increase the chance of them killing or hurting themselves or someone else.

For example, speeding, or using a phone while at the wheel, or driving after drinking alcohol,” the commander noted.

He explained that well-educated children may already have a grasp of fundamental road safety rules, thanks to their parents. But others may not.

Therefore, the Guyana Police Force will be doing their part in spreading

Divisional Commander, Senior Superintend Edmond Cooper awareness.

“Most children have a better understanding of death and injury than you may think. With sensitivity, it’s important to develop children’s knowledge and engagement with the concepts of hazards, risk-taking and the consequences of risk-taking (death and injury),” he explained.

During the educational session at the school, the topics discussed were: How to use the roadway, children playing on roadways, The Kerb Drill, the importance of wearing brightly-coloured clothing at nights, using pedal cycle with both hands, and overcrowded minibuses.

The commander said this is in keeping with the department’s mandate to raise awareness about road safety issues with citizens and students throughout Guyana.

There have been a 20.8 per cent increase in fatal accidents and a 19.2 per cent increase in deaths from fatal accidents for the period of January 1 to April 3, 2019, as compared to the corresponding period last year, police statistics indicate.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 12, 2019

US New Horizon Mission completes eye surgeries ...

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see page 15

moved to tears now that he can see better.

Lall 85, of Street 9, Hampshire Village, Corentyne, said he is ecstatic as he will “clearly see� his children and play with his grands and great-grandchildren.

He thanked the minister for her visit and at the same time expressed profound gratitude to the US Army medical team for the giving him a second chance at sight. Another recipient, Agnes Blair 84, of Adelphi Village, East Canje, expressed gratitude to the hospital and the New

Horizon team for providing her with better sight.

Meanwhile, a team from the Sai Baba Mission is expected to visit soon and will also conduct eye surgeries at the NOH. Additionally, a two-member team from Ghana, in West Africa, led by Dr. Baoteng Wiafe and a nurse, recently completed 22 surgeries prior to the arrival of the US team.

They have expressed satisfaction with the facilities and aftercare provided by the local team.

Opthalmologist, Col.Darrel Carlton, briefing Minister of Health, Volda Lawerence, and Focal Point Coordinator, Alex foster

20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Bandits rob supermarket near police station TWO armed bandits on Saturday evening staged a daring robbery on Z-One Chinese Supermarket at Lot 16 B Albion Front, Corentyne, Berbice, a mere ‘stone’s throw’ away from the Albion Police Station.

Around 21:50hrs, two men, one armed with an assault rifle and the other with a handgun, pounced on the supermarket. They held the proprietors at gunpoint and demanded cash.

One of the owners was reportedly kicked to the face as the bandits made their demands.

According to information received, minutes into the robbery, the police were alerted and a team from the

Albion Police Station was immediately dispatched to the crime scene. Upon their arrival, they faced a torrent of gun shots and were forced to scamper for cover.

Customers who were outside of the supermarket were ordered to lie down.

One eyewitness said he was outside having a cold drink when one of the men approached him, and said, “Get down before I shoot yo.”

A man, who lives close by, said he was about to retire to bed when she heard several “gun shots”.

“I hear like 20 shots fired and me peep and see two man shooting up the police vehicle from inside the Chiney supermarket and after me

The police vehicle that came under fire from bandits on Saturday

realise bullets coming in me direction, me just duck down until things cool off.”

Another eyewitness said the police could not return fire as the owners and cus-

The Z-One Chinese Supermarket at Lot 16 B Albion Front, Corentyne, Berbice that was robbed

tomers were held at gunpoint in the supermarket.

The robbers reportedly arrived in a silver coloured Toyota 212 Carina but left

on foot. Up to press time, the police were searching for the robbers.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the bandits

made good their escape with some $250,000, three cellular phones and other valuables.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Curry’s Warriors advance to the Western Conference Finals (BBC) - GOLDEN State Warriors’ Stephen Curry produced a dominant second-half display to eliminate the Houston Rockets from the NBA play-offs and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

The back-to-back champions overcame the Rockets with a 118-113 win on Friday to win the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Curry, 31, failed to score in the first half, but scored 33 points in 22 minutes in the second.

“A night like tonight doesn’t happen without belief in myself,” Curry said.

“I’ve had games like this before, just not as drastic going from zero to 33,” the three-time NBA champion added.

The Warriors are aiming to win their fourth championship in the past five years and will face either Denver

Stephen Curry (left) and Warriors team-mate Klay Thompson combined for 60 points in the game-six win over the Rockets.

Nuggets or Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference finals, which start in Oakland, California on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Mil-

Supernovas win the Women's T20 Challenge Nat Sciver's Supernovas won the Women's T20 Challenge following a thrilling final against Dani Wyatt's Velocity in Jaipur.

Supernovas spinner Radha Yadav, 19, hit a four off the final ball to seal victory, which seemed unlikely when her side slipped to 64-5 chasing 122.

India's Harmanpreet Kaur hit 51 off 37 balls to turn the match around.

England all-rounder Sciver took 1-27 and scored two for the victorious Supernovas.

Wyatt fell for a fiveball duck as her side posted 121-6 - India wicketkeeper Sushma Verma top-scoring with 40.

The Women's T20 Challenge is seen as a prelude to a possible Women's Indian Premier League, with last year's one-off game expanded to involve three teams.

Alongside India's top players, a number of leading overseas players have featured again - such as England's Wyatt, Sciver and Sophie Ecclestone (Trailblazers), New Zealand's Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, and West Indies' Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews.

South Africa's current series against Pakistan has prevented their players from participating, but controversially, no Australians were invited to play in this year's Challenge.

The Australian and Indian boards have recently been in dispute over the scheduling of a men's oneday international series in January 2020.

waukee Bucks reached the Eastern Conference finals after beating the Boston Celtics 116-91 to take the series 4-1.

Giannis Antetokoun-

mpo’s Bucks will face either the Toronto Raptors or the Philadelphia 76ers, who are tied 3-3 in their series.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Bottas takes pole in Spain (REUTERS) - FORMULA One leader Valtteri Bottas put his Mercedes on pole position by a massive margin at the Spanish Grand Prix yesterday with team mate Lewis Hamilton having to settle for second in a front row lockout.

The pole was a third in a row for the re-energised Finn, who leads Hamilton by a single point after four of the 21 races and he did it in a track record time of one minute 15.406 seconds.

That was a hefty 0.634 quicker than Hamilton’s best effort, dashing the five-time world champion’s hopes of record-extending 85th career pole.

Sebastian Vettel qualified in third place, in 1:16.272, with Red Bull’s 2016 Spanish Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen fourth and sandwiched between the Ferraris, with Charles Leclerc fifth.

“I really enjoyed that, enjoyed the adrenaline rush you get from those laps so I’m really pleased,” said Bottas.

“The season has started well, the way I hoped for and I feel better and better in the car so I look forward to tomorrow,” added the Finn, who will be chasing his third win of the season today.

Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team celebrates the pole position during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya yesterday in Barcelona, Spain.

Photo by Eric Alonso/MB Media/Getty Images)

Hamilton said his laps in the final phase of qualifying could have been better, with a scrappy first effort kicking up gravel, but the upgrades brought by Mercedes to the start of the traditional European part of the campaign were working well.

The Briton, winner for the past two seasons in Barcelona and three times in all, said Bottas had simply been quicker on the day.

“Valtteri did a fantastic job, he’s been quick all weekend,” said Hamilton.

“On my side, I just didn’t put the lap together ... ultimately it just wasn’t a good enough job.

“It’s great for the team to have this one-two so we’ll

try and convert that into a one-two (today) and if I can reverse it I’ll be happy.”

Mercedes have won the first four races one-two, a record start for any team, despite Ferrari setting the pace in pre-season testing.

“I think we got everything out of the car in the first run,” said Vettel. “In the second run I had to try something different and it didn’t work.

“The car doesn’t feel bad but obviously we are not quick enough. In terms of balance we got it more or less right,” added the German, who said Ferrari were still down on grip through the slower corners.

Ambris century ... over the straight boundary.

Stirling had fared well when West Indies had pitched short, but Gabriel finally got one to hustle him and he top-edged a hook shot to fine leg to end the stand. Gabriel got William Porterfield - batting at No.4 for the first time for Ireland across formats - soon after, but O’Brien then shared a whirlwind stand of 84 with Balbirnie off just 63 balls. O’Brien was aggressive from the outset, and went ballistic against Jason Holder in the 48th over, carting the West Indies captain for three consecutive sixes before holing out to the bouncer.

Both O’Brien and Stirling though, had Balbirnie to thank for the way he propped up the innings and allowed the others to flourish, while scoring at a rapid clip himself. He brought up his fourth ODI hundred in the 38th over with a tuck to

square leg off Holder at a run a ball, and accelerated even more from there. Three of his four sixes came after he had reached three figures, all clean hits in the arc between square leg and long-on.

Ireland’s powerful batting effort has given them a shot at victory, which could

FROM PAGE 31

lift them off the bottom of the points table and also boost their sagging net run-rate, which suffered due to a massive 196-run loss against West Indies in the first match, when they were on the receiving end of a world-record opening partnership.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday May 12, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 2256158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Delhi Capitals won by 2 wickets (vs Sunrisers) (2) Rishabh Pant (DC) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which two teams contested Qualifier #2 in IPL 2019?

(2) How many times Mumbai Indians have now played in an IPL final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

Roy pushes England past Pakistan A QUICK-FIRE century from Jos Buttler has steered England to a highly respectable total in their second ODI against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.

Buttler’s unbeaten 110 off just 55 balls was well supported by Eoin Morgan, who reached 71 not out off 48 balls and built on a gritty knock from Jason Roy on his return from injury.

Buttler brought up his century with a six, no less, to reach 100 off just 50 balls, second only to his own record for the fastest England ODI hundred, as the hosts set Pakistan a target of 374 for victory. Pakistan’s highest successful run chase is 329, achieved against Ban-

gladesh in 2014.

Having not played any cricket since April 23 when he suffered back spasms while playing for Surrey in the Royal London Cup, Roy returned to the top of the England batting order at the expense of Hampshire’s James Vince, who sat on the sidelines in an England shirt a day before he was due to play for his county in their one-day semi-final against Lancashire at the same ground.

Roy, who had been battling injury since February’s tour of the Caribbean, resumed the top-order partnership so crucial to England’s recent success, with Jonny Bairstow in an encouraging

sign for home fans ahead of the World Cup. The pair steered England past the 100-run mark, with Bairstow bringing up his 50 off 44.

Bairstow could be forgiven for thinking he was not out on the next delivery from Shaheen Afridi, so understated was the celebration from Fakhar Zaman, who juggled the catch at deep backward square, but just managed to hold on and avoid sliding into the boundary rope to put England at 115 for 1.

Understandably, Roy took some time to look comfortable, but he blew the cobwebs away with some glorious shots, including a sumptuous six driven

Money risks ruining football – Blatter

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter

(REUTERS) - SEPP Blatter, the former boss of soccer’s world governing body FIFA and who was ousted during a corruption scandal, has said money risks ruining the sport.

FIFA’s Ethics Committee banned Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, from “all football activities” in 2015 after finding him guilty of unethical conduct related to a global corruption scandal which rocked the organisation.

Switzerland ’s attor ney-general is still investigating cases of suspected corruption involving FIFA, which is based in Zurich, dating back to 2014 and Blatter’s presidency.

“People already pay a lot to get into the stadium.

Prices are getting higher

and higher, because clubs need more money,” Blatter said in an interview with Swiss newspaper, Schweiz am Wochenende, which was published yesterday.

The 83-year-old added his belief that viewer numbers are falling this season in the French, Italian, English, Spanish and German leagues.

“That is a bad sign. Football must remain accessible,” he said.

Blatter has told various media that he plans to take legal action against his successor Gianni Infantino over damage done to his reputation by the corruption scandal and information FIFA made public about payments to him that he says was inaccurate.

Blatter told Schweiz am

Wochenende that FIFA bodies signed off on all payments made to him, including a bonus of 10 million Swiss francs (£7.62 million) he received for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Asked if he would drop his planned lawsuit against Infantino if his collection of luxury watches, which he left at FIFA’s offices, were returned to him, he said: “The watches are of lesser importance. What is important to me is my moral rehabilitation.”

He also hoped the Swiss attorney-general’s office will soon decide whether to bring its case to court or drop it.

“When this is done (I) want to write a book - my memoirs, more or less,” he added.

straight down the ground off Faheem Ashraf and a second off the same bowler which sailed impossibly high over extra cover, before dropping into the stands, much to the surprise of the ducking spectators.

In-between, there were some scratchy moments but Roy retained more than a hint of his trademark aggression and batted with a palpable determination to re-establish his touch.

His frustration over being dismissed as his century beckoned - to an easy catch

by Imad Wasim off Hasan Ali for 87 - told just what a mission it had been as

Roy thumped his bat on the ground and walked off with his hand covering his eyes.

Roy had been 83 not out before a short rain delay and he added just four runs more before his dismissal.

Yasir Shah, in the Pakistan side for the ill Mohammad Amir, struggled to find his rhythm but his captain’s perseverance eventually paid off, snaring the wicket of Joe Root after a neat cameo that yielded 40 runs off 54 balls, before he was caught sharply

by Haris Sohail diving to his left.

Yasir was yanked from the attack at the end of the over - his sixth - after con-

ceding 54 runs for his solitary wicket.

Morgan and Buttler were at their brisk-scoring best, both reaching half-centuries in quick time and bringing up England’s 300 with plenty of balls up their sleeves to really start swinging. With the big hits flowing, the pressure on the Pakistan fielders started to show and, from that point, the pair appeared to score at will.

Buttler hit six fours and nine sixes on the way to his score, which came as part of a 162-run partnership off 93 balls with Morgan.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

NBS renews sponsorship of BCB Second division THE New Building Society (NBS) has renewed its long-standing sponsorship of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) 40-Overs Second Division Tournament.

The New Building Society would be pumping over $800 000 into the tournament which is by far the largest cricket tournament in the Caribbean, with 90 teams expected to play in the round-robin stage.

The simple launching ceremony took place at the NBS, New Amsterdam branch last Friday.

BCB president Hilbert Foster hailed the renewal of the tournament for another year as another red-letter day in the rapid development of Berbice cricket over the last 14 months.

The tournament is the 41st major tournament to be launched since Foster was elected president late February 2018.

Foster stated that the 40-Overs event was the premier Second Division tournament with clubs also involved in 100 Balls and 20/20 Leagues at the Internal Zone levels.

The main objectives of NBS are to promote the game of cricket at the grassroots level in every Berbice village, to expose new talents, to allow older players to play and to allow younger players to interact with

BCB president Hilbert Foster received sponsorship cheque and trophy from NBS Manager Rana Persaud in the presence of other staff members.

experienced players on the field and in the dressing room.

Most of the teams have players between the ages of 26 and 40 years while 40% of the players are juniors.

One of the new rules for this year’s tournament would make it compulsory for every team to play a maximum of two Under-19

players (born on or after September 1, 2000).

Under-19 players are not considered First Division players in Berbice.

Teams to participate in this edition of the tournament would include Blairmont Community Centre, Achievers Cricket Club, D’Edward Cricket Club, Cotton Tree Die Hard, Bush Lot United, Bush Lot Rising Star,

Police Cricket Club, Edinburgh Warriors Cricket Club, East Bank Blazers, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje Welfare, Mt Sinai Cricket Club, Mental Hospital Cricket Club, Guymine Cricket Club, Kildonan Cricket Club, Whim National, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Port Mourant Cricket club, Albion Community Centre. Tamarind Root, Toopoo Cricket Club, Fyrish Cricket Club, No. 72 Cut and Load Cricket Club, Dukestown Cricket Club, Skeldon Titans Cricket Club, Crabwood Creek All Family Cricket Club, No. 64 Fighting Marines and No. 48 Challengers Cricket Club.

The teams would be divided into 18 Zones with the top one from each zone advancing to the Playoffs and then Quarterfinals. Foster hailed the long-standing relationship with NBS and stated that the financial institution’s sponsorship was vital to the continued development of the game in both Regions 5 and 6.

With players like Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Adrian Sukwah, Kevin Umroa, Garfield Benjamin, Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Devon Clements, Sasenarine Sukhu expected to play, Foster is confident that the popular tournament will be very competitive.

GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup National GASA names World Championships and Pan AM Games teams playoffs set for May 31-June 9

Action in the GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup at the EDFA level

THE GFF/KFC U-20 Intra-Association stage which began on April 27 at the East Bank Demerara Football Association (EBFA) stage has since continued in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA), the Berbice Football Association (BFA), Rupununi Football Association (RFA), Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Football Association and the Upper Demerara Football Association.

However, action in the Georgetown Football Asso-

ciation (GFA) has not been able to kick-off due to the inclement weather. The GFF has assured that the fixtures will be made available in the near future.

Following the completion of the Intra-association stages, the National Playoffs will be played between May 31 and June 9.

Meanwhile action resumes in the UDFA, with two games today at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground. The participants are yet to be an-

nounced. Over in the BFA, NA United play Gunners FC at 14:00hrs while Cougars FC take on Monedderlust FC at 16:00hrs. Both games will be played at Esplanade Park.

In EDFA action, Dynamic GC face Grove United at the Grove Community ground while Melanie FC clash with Mahaica Determinators at the same venue.

Game-times are 14:00hrs and 16:00hrs respectively.

Nikita Fiedtkou (in photo) will travel to Peru with Daniel Scott for the Pan Am Games.

Leon Seaton

Flashback: Guyana’s Daniel Scott at the Inter-Guiana Games in 2017.

THE Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has names five swimmers to represent them at two upcoming international events.

A team of three will represent the Golden Arrowhead at the World Aquatic Championships, which is billed for Gwangju, South Korea, July 12-28, and two swimmers will participate in the Pam Am Games, set for Lima, Peru from July 26 to August 11.

15-year-old Leon Seaton will join top senior swimmers Andrew Fowler and Jamila Sanmoogan for the Korean

trip, while Daniel Scott and Nikita Fiedtkou will travel to Peru.

Seaton, who was outstanding at a recent time trial at the National Aquatic Centre, is based in Guyana, while his teammates for the World Championships are currently overseas. Fowler is attending the Spire Institute in Ohio and Sanmoogan is on a scholarship in Colombia.

According to chairman of GASA’s Technical Committee, Sean Baksh, both Fowler and Sanmoogan are preparing for the July event.

He said that Fowler is under strict training with his coach

at the institution while Jamila is training with Colombia’s national coach.

GASA is also preparing to send Scott and Fiedtkou to a training camp, which is scheduled for Salinas, Puerto Rico from May 29 to June 12.

Meanwhile, the association is looking to host its National Long Course Championships, (Independence Meet) later this month.

According to information, all the clubs have indicated their willingness to compete at the event.

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 12, 2019

GSSF donates safety gear to the Guyana Police Force THE Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), in keeping with international sport shooting standards, has adopted the policy of mandatory ear and eye protection for all shooting events.

“Compliance to safety while handling firearms is always paramount, reiterated president of the GSSF, Mr Ryan McKinnon, in his comments as he handed over a donation to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The GSSF ensures that all members follow all firearm safety rules and are personally protected during shooting by wearing protective gear for their eyes and ears.

All shooters, instructors, range safety officers, scorers and spectators in proximity to the shooting points are required to wear eye protection while the range is hot.

The Foundation in strengthening its partnership with the Police Force made the donation to aid the safe

GSSF president Mr Ryan McKinnon (front right) hands over ear and eye protection to the Mr Guy Nurse (front centre) in the presence of GSSF Director Mr Aleemul Ali (front left) while flanked by ranks of the TSU.

training and development of ranks with firearms.

The equipment is thus specifically targeted for use by the Training Section of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU). The presentation of

the ear and eye protective equipment was made at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, to the OC, TSU, Mr Guy Nurse.

The Foundation looks forward to continued collabora-

tion with the GPF and commits to giving assistance, building capacity and aiding in the general development of the force and its ranks where possible.

The GSSF wishes to thank all its members, part-

ners, collaborators and supporters for the valuable contributions made towards the development of the organisation and by extension the sport of shooting in Guyana.

The Board of Directors

wishes to express its continued commitment and dedication to the development of the Foundation while working closely with local regulatory departments and authorities.

Ambris century steers Windies to win

(ESPNCricinfo) - A magnificent century from Andy Balbirnie carried Ireland to a sizeable 327 for 5 in the fourth match of the tri-series, against West Indies.

Balbirnie’s innings underpinned Ireland, but he had good support from Paul Stirling (77 off 98) and Kevin O’Brien (63 off 40) too.

His stand with Stirling set the platform for Ireland, while the whirlwind partnership with O’Brien launched them ahead.

Balbirnie walked in early, when James McCollum edged Shannon Gabriel behind in the fifth over, and batted till the 44th over, holding the innings together with deft placement and crisp strokeplay. The feature of his innings was his shot selection and his timing. Both facets were in top gear, and he

looked at ease against all the West Indies bowlers.

He was never tied down for any length of time, working and nudging the ball around when the lines were tight, and taking full toll when the bowlers erred. He gave himself the first few deliveries to settle, and then got into the groove seamlessly.

At the other end, Stirling played the foil in a brisk 146-run stand for the second wicket that came off 27.1 overs. Stirling’s shot-making was starker. He strung together dot balls, but caught up every time by using his wrists to devastating effect to cart boundaries. Stirling was on 40 off 72, when he whipped a six over long-off from the bowling of Ashley Nurse then almost repeated the shot to get a boundary over extra cover. Later, he

SCOREBOARD

Ashley Nurse congratulates Andy Balbirnie for his 135. (Getty Images)

gave Roston Chase’s spin the same treatment, sending him

TURN TO PAGE 28 ►

IRELAND innings

WEST INDIES innings

P. Stirling c Cottrell b Gabriel 77 J. McCollum c Hope b Cottrell 5 A. Balbirnie c Holder b Carter 135 W. Porterfield c Nurse b Gabriel 3 K. O’Brien c Cottrell b Holder 63 M. Adair not out 25 G. Wilson not out 4 Extras: (b-5, lb-3, nb-1, w-6) 15 Total: (5 wkts; 50 overs) 327 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-165, 3-173, 4-257, 5-299.

Bowling: Cottrell 10-1671, Roach 10-2-62-0, Allen 3-0-19-0, Gabriel 10-1-472, Holder 10-0-55-1, Nurse 4-0-37-0, Chase 1-0-13-0, Carter 2-0-19-1.

S. Hope c McCullum b Rankin 30 S. Ambris c (sub. McBrine) b Rankin 148 D. Bravo c (sub. McBrine) b Rankin 17 R. Chase b Little 46 J. Carter not out 43 J. Holder c Porterfield b Rankin 36 F. Allen not out 0 Extras: (lb-2, w-9) 11 Total: (5 wkts; 47.5 overs) 331 Fall of wickets: 1-84, 2-112, 3-240, 4-252, 5-327.

Bowling: Murtagh 10-0-620, Adair 10-0-57-0, Little 10-0-78-1, Dockrell 9-053-0, Rankin 7.5-0-65-3, Stirling 4-0-14-1.

Result: West Indies won by five wickets.

Ambris century steers Windies to win

PAGE

31

Sunil Ambris plays one off the back foot Š Getty Images

Ten Pow, Rahaman light up Georgetown Grand Prix

N

athan Rahaman and Justin Ten Pow made the most of a dry night in Georgetown when they dominated the first round of the Georgetown Grand Prix.

Nathan picked up one second and

two firsts in the 125cc class and Justin swept the Suburst 60 CC Kids cup with three wins last evening.

Details in tomorrow’s edition.

The grid for the 125cc Junior class (Delano Williams Photo)

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SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2019