Guyana Chronicle E-paper 5-6-2019

MONDAY 6th May, 2019

‘Great strength in unity’ No.105629

… says President at commissioning of iconic Indian Arrival Monument PAGE

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‘E’ Division reports decrease in crime 12 PAGE

since mobile outpost set up on Soesdyke-Linden Highway

Youth kills stepfather in Pomeroon PAGE

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No contract awarded for Arrivals Duty-Free concession - CJIA 14 PAGE

President David Granger and Director-General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Akhilesh Mishra unveil a plaque at the commissioning of the historic Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra Village, East Berbice on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Key Yupukari bridge 15 destroyed in suspected arson attack PAGE

–– emergency works to be undertaken before rains

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

New business minister to focus on bolstering manufacturing sector – encourages consumption of local products

By Wendella Davidson

NEWLY-APPOINTED Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, has his eyes set on enhancing the local manufacturing sector and getting citizens to appreciate and consume local products/commodities.

The minister, speaking at a news conference at the Alliance For Change (AFC) Kitty headquarters, where Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan was also present, said that business plays an integral part in the development of any society, and that the private sector’s involvement is actually about 75 per cent of generated revenue and its spinoffs.

Minister Rajkumar, who hails from the rice-producing Essequibo region, revealed that they are among his priorities during his tenure in office, but expressed concern about an apparent trend of locals not having regard for locally made products.

“We seem to have a culture of not wanting to consume things produced in our country. We have a long legacy and I would like to encourage manufacturers and our entrepreneurs to manufacture things of high quality, so that our Guyanese consumers can feel some amount of pride in purchasing and consuming our products. I have a belief that if you produce something and you don’t want to consume it, then who else would.” he stated With tourism also falling under his portfolio, the minister said that there are several existing policies and projects within the realm of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), that he intends to continue. Among them are ecotourism being developed in Lethem and a new concept

called the Tri-Lake Experience’ currently being implemented on the Essequibo Coast.

The `Tri-Lake Experience’ involves bridging the Capoey, Mainstay and Tapakuma Lakes, all located within Amerindian communities on the Essequibo Coast, to give visitors from around the world and locals the opportunity to purchase “Tri-lake experience” packages, which would provide them with an insight into “Black-water tourism,” which entails an indigenous life element of canoeing, wild life, agro- tourism, recreation, bird watching and tasting of sumptuous indigenous delicacies on offer.

An on-going multimillion-dollar Supenaam Waterfront Development Project when completed, will transform the entire landscape and outlook of the area, and will serve as the welcoming mat for the Tri-Lake initiative.

Guyana, Minister Rajkumar added, has now become a premier destination for ecotourism and in addition to encouraging persons to visit the country to experience what is there to offer, he committed to fully support THAG and its functions.

The business sector, he added, plays a vital role in today’s society, since the private sector generates more than half of the country’s revenue, with specific agencies contributing to direct business development.

According to him, his ministry consists of five agencies, more particularly so, the Small Business Bureau and Go-Invest, agencies which he opined, contribute more direct development in business and in assisting entrepreneurs coming to Guyana and those locally based.

He acknowledged that agriculture is cheaper than manufacturing, admitting that the cost of manufacturing in Guyana is indeed quite expensive due to high electricity rates.

The minister disclosed that he will be going forward with manufacturing services and opportunities in Guyana for locals, reiterating that manufacturing costs are high, with one of the factors being the high cost of electricity. He added that he intends to engage his technical staff for advice on the

Minister of Business Haimraj Rajkumar (Delano Williams photo) way forward.

Responding to a query about local content and whether he feels Guyanese workers are playing a role in the oiland-gas sector, the minister of business said that basically ExxonMobil would spend directly to benefit our country…

“There are several things that our citizens can benefit from local content, in fact, we are now trying to have existing companies or persons who wish to do business, step up their quality of products, so that when a foreign company comes onto the scene, they would be in a position to merge; that they have their certification and other things in order.

Reiterating that there is no difficulty in forming a partnership, he reminded that oil and gas is a specific industry with specific types of machinery and equipment, where the niche of producing those services and equipment is small; so when the producers of those things come to our country, the hope is that our personnel here would be ready.

He said at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, emphasis is being placed on encouraging persons to up their quality and to go for certification. The staff there have begun a process of educatiion about the benefits and too, are encouraging an investment in their capital assets, so that they can be compliant and ready to start business.

On the issue of locals not being able to afford to tour their own country and visit attractions such as the Kaieteur Falls, the minister said he believes our citizens are capable of enjoying a holiday in Guyana, regardless of whether it is at Kaieteur Falls, the Corentyne or the Essequibo Coast. Our standard of living for citizens has risen to a threshold that our people can enjoy holidays in this country. He added that he intends, through the ministry, to raise that awareness so that instead of going to another country, they could enjoy a week of vacation in their own country, at a fraction of the cost of going abroad.

On the problem of lIttering, Minister Rajkumar reminded his audience that it is an offence; he added that he is in agreement with the statement by the Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, when he expressed his concern about huge amounts of garbage left behind by revellers on Easter Monday.

He opined that there should be more use of the media to assist in educating citizens, in the hope that in time they will understand the importance of not littering and to keep our country as pristine as possible, so that people would enjoy visiting Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

‘Great strength in unity’ –– says President at commissioning of iconic Indian Arrival Monument

By Tajeram Mohabir PRESIDENT David Granger has hailed the contributions of East Indians to the development of Guyana as significant as he commissioned the iconic Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra, East Berbice, Corentyne, on Sunday.

The expressive artistic structure which journeys back in time overlooks a museum and verdant garden with fountain. The occasion coincided with the observance of Arrival Day. Arrival Day celebrates the contributions of African, Chinese, Portuguese, Amerindians, Europeans and East Indians to Guyana.

From a distance, the monument at T Junction, Palmyra is noticeable. It is surrounded by the vast and lush canefields there. This location makes it stand out as a fitting tribute to the East Indians who came here some 181 years ago as indentured labourers to work on the sugar plantations.

Between 1838, and 1917, when the Indentureship System ended, some 240,000 Indians drawn from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madras (now Tamil Nadu), came to these shores.

Addressing a gathering of diplomats, government ministers including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, senior regional officials and residents, President Granger, a historian, related that seven out of every 10 immigrants who came opted to stay and make Guyana their homeland.

In doing so, he said they and their descendants contributed significantly to Guyana’s development.

“Indian contributions to the economy are unquestionable. Indians who began arriving even before the abolition of African enslavement in 1838 became, eventually, the main source of labour in the sugar and rice industries.

They have helped to sustain these pillars of our economy for more than 180 years.

“Indian resourcefulness contributed, also, to the di-

President David Granger addressing the gathering at the commissioning

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam versification of the rural economy through the development of cattle-rearing, cash crop and coconut cultivation, paddy-growing, rice-milling and fishing.

“Village economies and settlements -- and their skills as bakers, boatmen, charcoal-burners, chemists, fishermen, goldsmiths, hucksters, milk and sweetmeat vendors, shopkeepers and tailors, skills they brought from India – helped to reshape the Guyanese rural, economic and social landscape,” the President said.

Indians became a considerable commercial and landowning class after they quit the plantations and some, through thrift and industry, became part of a thriving business élite.

Some opened new areas of production along the

banks of rivers and creeks and in the islands of the Essequibo. Many acquired land and established villages and communities. Their economic enterprise expanded the economy and generated a demand for education and skills, said the President in praising their contributions.

From very humble beginnings, the immigrants toiled for a better life and President Granger pointed out that their descendants inspired by their struggles, have distinguished themselves in every field of human endeavour.

Many, he said have excelled in academia, agriculture, accounting, the arts, business, diplomacy, education, engineering, law enforcement, legal services, medicine, military service, politics, the public service, sport and trade unionism.

The iconic Indian Arrival Monument commissioned at Palmyra, East Berbice, Corentyne on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

A section of the gathering at the commissioning of the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra (Samuel Maughn photo) The Indian Arrival Mon- arrival and for their re- of all its people and they all ument, he said, aptly honours maining here,” he said as he live harmoniously together. the struggles, resilience and thanked the Government of “It is for this reason that contributions of the Indians India for its contribution we are pursuing the realiwho came and projects an and collaboration to see the sation of a cohesive state in image of hope and optimism. monument to fruition. which all of our people will “This monument not only be recognised and respected.

A SHRINE casts an eye backwards to our A cohesive state is vital to “This monument site is ensuring a sustainable, safe past and but can also help to advance towards a common a shrine to Indian immigra- and secure environment, one future, a future for all of our tion and to the migrants’ in which present and future peoples,” the Guyanese Head adoption and adaptation generations can be happy. It to their new homeland,” is essential to protecting the of State said.

It is a concrete reminder the Guyanese leader con- legacy of past generations,” of the journeys of arrival tended. he said.

Speaking generally, the and the continuing journey The East Berbitowards a society charac- President said Arrival Day ce-Corentyne region, he terised by human dignity commemorates the combi- noted, is a favourable locaand material progress, he nation and culmination of tion for these celebrations. reminded while also noting events which led to the creIt boasts a cosmothat it represents a symbol of ation of Guyana. politan population with And on that score, he em- large African, Amerinthe migrants’ resistance and resourcefulness in pursuit of phasised that no nation can dian and East Indian develop its full capacity un- communities, along with a good life.

“We are richer for their less it harnesses the potential See page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

In shift, Trump vows tariff hike on Chinese goods ahead of next trade talk round

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Sunday dramatically increased pressure on China to reach a trade deal by announcing he will hike U.S. tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods this week and target hundreds of billions more soon.

The announcement via Twitter marks a major shift in tone from Trump, who has cited good progress in the talks and praised his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Any sign of an escalation in the months-long trade war is almost sure to roil financial markets, which have reacted sensitively to developments in the talks between the world’s two largest economies.

Trump’s announcement

comes ahead of another round of talks between U.S. and Chinese officials in Washington scheduled for this week. White House officials were unaware on Sunday afternoon whether the tweet would affect those talks. The Chinese delegation could decide not to come because of what is likely to be seen as an escalation by the president.

Trump’s move is a reversal of his decision in February not to increase tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion of goods, thanks to progress in the trade talks. That increase will now go into effect on Friday, Trump said in a tweet.

The president also said he would target another $325 billion of Chinese goods with

Monday, May 6, 2019

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25 percent tariffs “shortly” and he suggested that the measures were not leading to price increases for American consumers.

“The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!” Trump said.

Tariffs on Chinese goods are paid to the United States by the companies importing the goods; most of those companies are U.S.-based.

The announcement casts doubt on expectations that China and the United States were closing in on a deal to end a trade war that has slowed global growth and disrupted markets.

More than a dozen killed after Russian passenger plane catches fire mid-air: news agencies MOSCOW (Reuters) - At least 13 people on board a Russian Aeroflot passenger plane were killed on Sunday when the plane caught fire mid-air and made an emergency landing at a Moscow airport on Sunday, Russian news agencies reported.

Te l e v i s i o n f o o t a g e showed the Sukhoi Superjet-100 making an emergency landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport with much of the rear part of the plane engulfed in flames.

Many passengers then escaped via the plane’s

emergency slides that inflated after the hard landing.

Medical workers told the TASS news agency at least 13 people had been killed and that others remained unaccounted for.

Russian news agencies said the plane, which had been flying from Moscow to the northern Russian city of Murmansk before turning back, had been carrying 78 passengers. It was unclear how many crew had been on board.

Russian investigators said they had opened an investigation and were look-

ing into whether the pilots had breached air safety rules.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The Interfax news agency reported that a rescue team was combing through the charred wreckage of the rear of the plane looking for survivors.

The Flightradar24 tracking service showed that the plane had circled twice over Moscow before making an emergency landing after about 45 minutes.

Sri Lanka police discover suspected training camp for Islamist militants KATTANKUDY (Reuters) - Sri Lankan police on Sunday discovered a 10-acre camp in the eastern town of Kattankudy, where Isla-

05:30 hrs

mist militants linked to the deadly Easter attacks are believed to have practiced shooting and bombmaking.

The walled terrain is nestled in a poor residential area on the outskirts of the home town of Zahran Hashim, who is believed to have been a key player in plotting the April 21 attacks. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the church and hotel bombings that killed more than 250 people.

The narrow, sandy plot is dotted with a cinderblock four-storey watchtower, as well as mango trees, a chick-

en coop and a goat shed.

“They wanted to show this place was normal. If someone comes to see, it looks like a farm. But what they were doing is terrorism,” said a senior police officer in the Batticaloa area, asking to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to media.

Police found bullet holes in the wall on one side of the grounds, as well as long tubes suspected of holding bombs, the officer said.

Two owners of the plot of land have been arrested, the officer said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

TRINIDAD- Education Minister reaffirms Health Ministry’s stance on vaccinations

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, May 5, CMC – Education Minister Anthony Garcia has come out in support of recent statements made by the Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh concerning the vaccination and immunization of children across Trinidad and Tobago.

The Education Ministry, in a statement said, misinformation has been shared on social media surrounding the administration of the measles vaccine alluding to complications for children after

receiving the vaccination.

The Ministry is reminding parents that for the entry of a child into primary school they must

Trinidad and Tobago’s Education Minister Anthony Garcia

be fully vaccinated.

Garcia has also reminded school principals that an immunization record must be presented by all parents during registration.

On Saturday, the government announced that students who have not been vaccinated against measles will not be allowed to attend school from the new semester that starts in September.

According to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, some students who have not been vaccinat-

ed were being allowed into the education system due to insufficient checks made by schools.

The government said that the ban is in accordance with the Public Health (Nursery Schools and Primary Schools Immunisation) Act Section 3 (1) which states “no person may be admitted into any nursery school or primary school unless he produces to the principal thereof a certificate of immunisation with respect to every communicable disease.”

Deyalsingh said he

was putting parents, guardians and school officials on notice that it is the Ministry’s intention to “rigidly apply the law” as it relates to measles, mumps and rubella vaccines (MMRI and II).

The Health Minister said while Trinidad and Tobago does not currently have a measles outbreak, the Ministry will embark on a vaccination drive to keep the virus out, as there have been concerns of measles entering Venezuela, Brazil and St Lucia.

There is an outbreak

of measles in the United States where at least 704 people have been sickened this year by the highly contagious and potentially life-threatening disease.

Last month, the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CAROHA) urged people in the region to get vaccinated, noting that safe and effective vaccines have been available for many years, and can prevent deaths from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and measles.

Belize -Ruling party prepared for referendum on Wednesday B E L M O PA N , B e l i z e , May 4, CMC – The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) says it is prepared for Wednesday’s referendum when Belizeans will vote on whether or not the country should take its long running border dispute with Belize to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Acting Prime Minister Patrick Faber said unlike the main opposition People’s United party (PUP), which has called on Belizeans to vote “no’ in the referendum, the UDP would be out all out to ensure the initiative is a success.

“It is not a red or blue issue. It is not a party politics issue as is normally the case for elections,” Faber told reporters, saying “nobody will or should be taking this thing along party lines…

“This referendum is

binding on us so whatever the decision of the people, if it is a yes, that is what the government intends to do, if it is a no then that is what the government intends to do.”

The Belize government last month announced the new date for the referendum less than a week after the Dean Barrow administration had piloted the Belize Territorial Dispute Referendum Bill, 2019 in Parliament and the PUP being successful in getting the High Court to grant an injunction preventing the referendum from taking place on April 10.

The government moved to introduce the new legislation after Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin earlier this month granted an injunction to six PUP members after they had asked the High Court to determine the legality of the special

agreement signed in 2008 that ended negotiations and opened the way to take the territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala to the ICJ. The official statement announcing the May 8th date for the referendum, said that the question to the electors will be “Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize relating to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to these territories should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement and that it determine finally the boundaries of the respective territories and areas of the Parties?”

Prime Minister Barrow had told parliamentarians that the new legislation would also allow for the ICJ to determine, finally, the boundaries of the respective

territories and areas of Belize and Guatemala.

But the PUP is urging supporters to vote against the measure.

“We have tried and tried to work with the government on a national approach to the Guatemalan dispute and all our efforts have bene met with indifference.

As such our Party is left with no other option but to encourage our voters to come out on the 8th of May and vote no. This means that the Party’s message from now through 8th May is NO to the ICJ,’ PUP leader John Briceno wrote in the letter addressed to the “Standard Bearers” of the party.

“In addition to the legal issues, we still have thousands of Belizeans being kept off the voter register, there are still many loose ends with respect to the management of the refer-

endum by the Elections and Boundaries Department, the one-sided nature of the education campaign has still not been addressed and issues like the repeal or replacement of the Maritimes Areas Act along with those other issues set out in the People’s Declaration have not been met,” he wrote.

But Faber said ‘we are all Belizeans and in fact political parties and all in this country claim to be looking out for the best interest of the people and they have a right to try to influence

the situation as much as possible to get that outcome that they believe is right for Belize. “it just so happens that in this instance what the government’s position, and I repeat that is a yes position, and what the UDP’s position, that is a yes position, and it’s not like the PUP. We are not divided. Unanimously in the UDP we support a yes vote and yes our party’s machinery and equipment will be out full force,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

President Granger got it right

ON April 23, President David Granger announced a number of ministerial changes.

Following the president’s announcement, discussions regarding His Excellency’s reasons for the adjustments and the rationale that informed the reassignment of some ministerial portfolios and appointment of new ministers have been the subject of much public discussion, speculation, and debate.

President Granger has since laid those matters to rest. It is unfortunate though, that Guyanese chose to focus virtually all of our attention on perceived negative aspects of the president’s decision, while, at the same time, ignoring or overlooking the laudable fact that President Granger’s decision advances his stated philosophical positions, and gives greater effect to the APNU+AFC’s foundational policy agenda. In that regard, the fact that, with one exception, female Guyanese were either appointed to ministerial posts or, women-ministers were laterally transferred to other positions, is of particular interest, and the president’s use of the occasion to advance the administration’s commitment to gender parity, though overlooked by many, is worthy of recognition.

By now, most Guyanese would be aware

that ministerial reassignments were inevitable. On April 1, President David Granger accepted the resignations of the APNU+AFC members of parliament (MPs) who hold citizenship in foreign countries. Those MPs are Guyanese-American Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and Guyanese-British MPs, Rupert Roopnaraine, Carl Greenidge and Dominic Gaskin. The resignations came as a result of the ruling by Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George, on January 31. The Chief Justice had ruled that, in accordance with Article 155 (1) A of the constitution, former MP Charrandass Persaud was an illegal Member of Parliament on the basis of his possession of Canadian citizenship. Chief Justice George noted that her ruling had implications for other MPs in that same category. The vacated ministerial offices had to be filled; changes had to be made. And, the president, quite correctly, made those changes within the framework of government’s overarching objectives, stated commitments, and clearly articulated philosophical positions.

President Granger appointed Dr Karen Cummings as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Haimraj Rajkumar, MP, to the Ministry of Business. Mr. Rajkumar replaces fellow Alliance For Change (AFC) colleague, Dom-

inic Gaskin. Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, who previously served as Minister within the Ministry of Communities, and most recently as Minister of Public Affairs, has been appointed to the position of Minister of State within the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Valerie Patterson Yearwood has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs; Minister Simona Charles-Broomes is now the Minister in the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for youth affairs, and Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, an executive member of the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) has been appointed Minister of Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency. Sarabo-Halley replaces Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. The President also announced that Member of Parliament (MP) and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has been reassigned as Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, replacing MP Valerie Patterson-Yearwood.

As was mentioned, it is unfortunate that many persons have failed to acknowledge or perhaps, even perceive that the new arrangement is good for Guyana. Minister Valerie Yearwood, having a wealth of experience in

management, can now feel free to lend her expertise to rural farming initiatives, an area that must necessarily blossom and grow if Guyana is to move towards the goal of food security for all. Minister Simona Broomes’ charismatic approach to her job will now be to the benefit of Guyana’s youth. Minister Ferguson, a well-recognised people-person, is an excellent choice to head the Department of Housing at the Ministry of Communities, and Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley now has the opportunity to contribute positively to President Granger’s goal of a professional, competent, and efficient public service.

While many of the administration’s critics have been quick to jump to negative conclusions, an objective analysis of the president’s choices will reveal that His Excellency ‘got it right.’ Experience and talent have been perfectly matched with the needs of the Guyanese people. Further, the appointment of women to Cabinet and ministerial positions brings Guyana one step closer to gender parity. And, another thing: how many of President Granger’s detractors have noticed that a woman, Dr Cummings, is now Minister of Foreign Affairs, and another woman, Mrs. Hastings-Williams, is now Minister of State?

Jadgeo ‘PPP supporters are smarter than you think’ Dear Editor

The ideologically harboured thoughts that embody the thinking of many leaders in the PPP about owning the support of a particular sector of our population was vehemently challenged and the reality of this farcical held view was vividly contested several weeks ago at a meeting in Queens New York.

This challenge is as a result of the ever present fact, that the majority of our population the (youth), those who have and are experiencing and witnessing a fairness of the David Granger led Administration that caters for all Guyanese, many who have traveled and lived in the diaspora have harboured and have inculcated a new ideol-

ogy and way of thinking.

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, held a Town hall meeting in Queens New York a few weeks ago and when he was greeted with intelligent questions about corruption during and after his tenure as President, he employed his usual dictatorial and condescending style of avoiding the questions and attempted to dominate the narrative of the meeting.

However this did not fare well with intelligent Guyanese who had long moved away from Jagdeo’s dictatorship and fascist cabal regime and had for some time grown accustomed to a real democracy facilitated by the United States.

Jagdeo, who could not control the atmosphere, the intelligence of the people

nor the narrative, ended the meeting abruptly. But before this unexpected end, his moderator was seen grabbing the microphone from many of those brave Guyanese who dared to challenge Jagdeo’s misrepresentation of the truth about the government and the now more progressive developments happening in Guyana. It is indeed instructive to note, that those Guyanese in the diaspora who demanded accountability from Jagdeo at that town hall meeting, Guyanese at home who will soon celebrate four years under the APNU/AFC democracy, must also hold Jagdeo accountable for his unpardonable transgressions of mismanagement and blatant manipulation of our treasury for the benefit of himself and his clique who he believed

deserved financial liberation.

Mr. Editor permit me to give one such example. Let me introduce or reintroduce the company “Queens Atlantic Investments Inc” commonly known as QAII. QAII which was incorporated in 1999 is “legally owned” By Ranjisinghi “Bobbi” Ramroop.

In December 1999 NICIL under the direction of Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington sold Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd. to Ranjisinghi (Bobbi) Ramroop; it is alleged that the PPPC flouted all procurement laws as no other bid was considered.

The PPPC administration allegedly flouted all procurement laws again and purchased all drugs for the New Amsterdam and Georgetown health facilities from the

New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corp. It is also alleged that the company was not required to tender and hence was not subject to the process of “competitive bidding” to supply these drugs which cost the state several billion Guyana dollars annually.

The Sanata Textile Mill (government property) which consisted of 18.976 acres ( 826,000 sq. feet) of land and several buildings was sold to Ramroop for $697.8 million but it was valued over one billion Guyana dollars.

Additionally Mr. Editor, the current contractual arrangements for the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc. allows for the NEW GPC and another company to control 50%of the company. In a lopsided and very questionable agreement, the New

GPC, a company owned

by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobbi’ Ramroop, allows Ramroop and the other company whose investment is less than 5%, to exercise controlling interest over 50% of the company. The GPC did not have to supply drugs, and other medical paraphernalia, then get paid later, as is the normal way of doing business. Instead the New GPC was the benefactor of insurmountable blatant nepotism, and was given money in advance in many instances to purchase and acquire drugs.

It is also alleged that Ministry of Health was instructed by the Jagdeo Administration to buy everything for all the government health facilities from the new GPC. TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

O’Toole offering $1M for ‘info’ on shooting

Dear Editor

MANY persons may well be tired of this ‘story.’ But the shooting of Dr O’Toole is far greater than the suffering of a handful of people. The ‘story’ has now featured in the media in the UK, Canada, the USA and throughout the Caribbean.

With an attempted murderer on the loose, sadly, it asks questions of Guyana as a ‘safe’ place to live and invest and questions who might be next. Following invaluable surgery at Woodlands Hospital, I am back in the USA for a fifth surgery on a paralysed hand.

There has been extensive coverage of the shooting in the media and on social media – much of it however is incorrect. I have met recently with the highest levels of the police in Guyana and I am confident they are exploring all the leads they have available. Thankfully however, a significant person of interest, based in the USA, was very recently very careless to post some very incriminating evidence on social media. This has now been shared with the police and with the US authorities in Guyana. This lead is also being explored by cyber experts we have employed in the USA. As they told us last

week, ‘these guys are not as smart as they think they are and they are leaving footprints that will lead to their capture.’

My own belief, all along, is that the shooting is related to the perverse video ‘game’ Fortnite with the shooter doing the ‘default’ dance as he was trying to kill me. This is the same ‘game’ that Prince Harry has launched a campaign against to rid from the UK. Parents, do you know if your children are playing this horrible and destructive game?

Going forward?

There is widespread evidence that the initial poison-

ous post, threatening to blow up the school, came from a student who left “Nations” many years ago and now lives in the sunshine in the USA. His name is known to hundreds of persons, including the police. The details of this were shared with the police here and with the US Embassy.

This was also reported to the FBI almost 14 weeks ago, and we have been informed by the US Embassy in Guyana that they ‘are pursuing the lead.’

The day after the shooting, it is alleged, this same individual posted on social media begging for protection and immunity and saying he would give information in return for

Jadgeo ‘PPP supporters...’

Bobbi Ramroop who became an overnight billionaire enlarged his territory as he formed five subsidiary companies between 2007 and 2008, the first being Health Care Life Sciences Inc. Again Ramroop was allowed by the Jagdeo government to import all items duty-free. Ramroop’s other company Health International Inc. also received more duty-free concessions. In 2008 Ramroop started the Printing and Graphics Inc. He again received numerous duty-free concessions, bearing in mind that these items were to print the Guyana Times Newspapers, the now PPP mouthpiece and propaganda outlet. Ramroop the overnight billionaire continued to spread his wings as he formed another companies Global Hardware Inc. in 2008 and Global Textile [Guyana] Inc. Again the duty-free concessions kept pouring in.

In total Ramroop’s companies benefited from several hundred millions in major tax privileges and duty free concessions more than any other company arguably in Guyana’s history.

Added to this Mr. Editor, Guyanese who applied for radio licenses over the years, they were not granted same but on the other hand, Bobbi Ramroop received numerous radio licenses/frequencies.

Even though, these ridiculous concessions were granted to Ramroop that were not enough. It is alleged that Ramroop did not have to pay any corporate taxes for several years.

In less than five years Ramroop’s companies became billion dollar corporate entities. Laws were changed, broken and bent, all in favour of Ramroop - A man who seems to have no beginning and no ending. It begs the question, why did the former President Bharrat Jagdeo give Bobbi Ramroop such immeasurable favour and unfair advantages? What about the other Guyanese business men and women, why weren’t they given the same advantages or treatment? Someone had to pay for all of those tax breaks that were given to Bobbi Ramroop. That someone is you and I, along with many poor Guyanese.

Jagdeo’s practice of enrich-

ing one man at the expense of less fortunate Guyanese tax payers is an unpardonable transgression. While he kept teachers, policemen and other public service employees’ salaries ridiculously low.

Jagdeo singlehandedly ensured that Bobbi Ram-

FROM PAGE 6

roop his alleged best friend to become an overnight billionaire at the expense of the majority poor Guyanese taxpayers. Why was Bobbi Ramroop selected for such billionaire status? Why was he given these unbelievable, unfair, larger than life con-

his protection – it is unclear what the response was from the FBI to this remarkable post Guyana, like so much of the world, is replete with gossip and inuendo, with many allegations. In the interest of justice, it is surely essential that these myths are debunked and Guyana’s image not be tarnished any further In conclusion, my concern as someone who has lived here for 42 years, served at the University of Guyana for almost a decade and worked with thousands of students in every corner of this country, is that if this is the way someone of enough prominence to recently be awarded the Golden

Arrow of Achievement from Guyana Government and the MBE from the UK government is treated – then what hope is there for the man in the street to get justice for their cause.

A reward of One Million dollars ($1,000,000) is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the sad and very disturbed young boy who is the shooter. Please call 227/4623, between the hours 8am to 6 pm. to call in complete confidence.

cessions? Who is the real beneficial owner of the billions made from these years of tax holidays granted to Ramroop? I think we all know by now. It is said, it is a sign of intellect and maturity, when one can read not

only what in on the line but between the lines. Forward ever backward never

Regards Dr Brian O’Toole, Director, Nations

Jermaine Figueira Member of Parliament Region Ten.

8

OP-ED

BY JOHN M. SEERAM

THE month of May is designated International Internal Audit Awareness Month by the Institute of Internal Auditors, Global (IIAG). The Guyana Chapter is affiliated to the IIAG, hence it has planned a month of activities to recognize this noble profession. One of its activities is to publish articles on the internal audit profession in order for practitioners to develop, among others, their skills and knowledge.

In so doing, the topic chosen by this writer is on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Audit Committee.

INTRODUCTION The audit function is indeed crucial in order to ensure the integrity of a company’s/entity’s financial systems. It includes not only its financial results but also the control systems and the code of ethics which are the cornerstones of an accurate financial reporting system.

The key player in this is the audit committee, which is comprised of directors who report directly to the Board of Directors.

WHAT IS THE AUDIT COMMITTEE? An audit committee is a standing committee of the Board of Directors, and should be comprised primarily of non-executive directors. These directors should not be involved in the management of the entity.

ORGANISATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE Board of Directors should carefully give consideration to their appointments of directors to audit committees.

• Number of Directors The number of independent directors appointed to audit committees depends on the nature of the business and also industry dynamics, the size of the entity, and the size of the Board of Directors. The general consensus is that a minimum of three and a maximum of five are adequate.

• Composition Because members of audit committees have varied backgrounds and occupations, they provide a mix of skills and experience. Although

the members have different levels of expertise, it is strongly advisable to have at least one individual who has a finance/accounting and auditing background. It can be more useful to have some directors with a solid operational knowledge of the industry in which the entity operates, these directors can spot potential control weaknesses, based on their knowledge of how transactions flow in an industry or specific environment.

• Meetings Audit Committees should meet at least four times a year, however these meetings can be increased due to matters to be addressed.

NATURE OF AUDIT COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES Board of Directors will define their role and responsibilities of their audit committees. This charge is usually disclosed in the audit committees’ written charter which should include the terms of reference such as the mission statement, size and composition, term of service, frequency of meetings, scope of responsibilities, and reporting responsibilities. In effect, audit committees are primarily responsible for the quality related to such matters such as • External auditing process • Internal auditing process • Financial reporting process • Internal controls • Conflicts of interest • Regulatory and legal matters • Information technology • Other matters Recognising that audit committees operate on a part-time basis and serve in an advisory capacity to boards, it is therefore essential that boards place limitations on the scope of the committee’s performance, as well as to protect the committees against legal claims for their inactions that are outside their charge.

The major tasks the audit committee should be focusing on would be centered on tasks related to external auditors, to internal auditors and to the financial systems.

TASKS RELATED TO EXTERNAL AUDITORS • To Recommend the Hiring of External Auditors

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE – It should ensure that a truly independent auditor is hired, rather than one who has connections with the entity in some way or the other that may influence the review of the financial statements. The audit committee should also base its recommendations on the auditor’s expertise in the industry, the quality of its services, the extent to which it performs other service for the entity, as an example, consultancies.

• Review Auditors Recommendations – Ensure control, governance and risk management issues raised are properly dealt with by the management team, thereby resulting in a stronger environment.

• Review any Disagreement between the External Auditors and Management – Disagreement will normally occur on the auditors’ findings and/or recommendations which should be address and be determined by the audit committee. Also with the Audit Opinions issued on the accounts.

TASK RELATED TO INTERNAL AUDITS The audit committee can strengthen the entity’s internal audit function by ensuring that management has established and is maintaining an adequate and effective internal audit structure. Here are specific roles, in the internal audit area, expected to be done by the audit committee • Appointment of the Chief Internal Auditor (CIA) – The CIA typically reports administratively to the entity’s management, however the audit committee is responsible for the hiring and dismissal of the CIA. The objective here is not to deny the entity’s management the right to name the person who will administer the internal audit department, which serves the combine needs of the entity’s management and the audit committee. Rather, the significance of the audit committee’s participation is to ensure the independence of the internal audit function(s) when there is need to speak out regarding issues identified in the review and appraisal of internal controls and other activities of the entity.

• Approval of the Internal Audit Charter (IAC) – An IAC serves as a basis of

authorization of every effective internal audit program.

An adequate IAC is particularly important to define the roles and responsibilities of internal audit, and its responsibility to serve the audit committee properly.

It is here that the mission of internal audit must clearly provide service to the audit committee as well as to senior management. The audit committee is responsible for recommending to the Board the approval of the IAC. • Approval of Internal Audit Plans and Budgets – Ideally, the audit committee should have developed an overall understanding of the total internal audit needs of the entity. This high-level appraisal covers various special control and financial-reporting issues, allowing the audit committee to determine the portion of audit or risk assessment needs to be performed by either internal audit or other providers. As part of this role, the audit committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all internal audit higher-level plans and budgets. This responsibility is consistent with the audit committee’s role as the ultimate coordinator of the total audit effort. The committee’s review of all internal audit plans is essential, if the policies and plans for the future are to be determined most effectively.

• Audit Committee Review and Action on Significant Audit Findings – An audit committee’s most important responsibility is to review and take action on significant audit findings reported to it by the internal and external auditors, management, and others.

While the audit committee has responsibility for all of these areas, the focus here is on the importance of internal audit to report all significant findings to the audit committee regularly and promptly. Part of this reporting will occur through internal audit’s distribution of all audit reports to the audit committee. Reacting to significant audit findings requires a combination of understanding, competence, and cooperation by all of the major parties of interest: internal audit, management, external auditors, and the audit committee itself.

ROLES IN THE FINANCIAL

REPORTING AREA The financial process and ensuring reliable financial information is one of the most important functions of the audit committee. While the audit committee should not become involved in dayto-day operations, there is pressure from the oversight role for the audit committee to get more involved in ensuring the integrity of the financial reporting process.

Hence, audit committees are expected to: • Review all financial statements, whether interim or annual, before they are approved by the Board of Directors and to ensure their objectiveness, accuracy, and timeless.

• Review all existing accounting policies, and concentrate on the impact on the financial statement of any changes in accounting policies including the likely impact of any contemplated changes.

• Evaluate exposure to fraud.

• Appraise key management estimates, judgements, and valuations where they are thought to be material to the financial statements.

• Evaluate the adequacy of financial statement disclosures.

• Review the adequacy of the entity’s structure, including management’s implementation of internal controls, risk management and governance.

• Review all significant transactions, especially those that are non routine and those that may be illegal, questionable, or unethical.

THE GUYANA SITUATION The Institute of Internal Auditors, Guyana Chapter has been playing an active role in promoting the establishment of audit committees in entities in the private, public and governmental sectors. Here in Guyana there is still more work to be done in this area, which is an on-going exercise.

To those committees in existence, it is imperative that they comply with the pronouncements and best practices globally on their expected roles and responsibilities. Hence, entities with established audit committees should be aware of the pronouncements being made from time to time

and to keep abreast with the best practices globally.

Audit committees today are operating in an immensely complex modern business world. Over the years, there have been some reports (in Guyana) of audit committees not having a healthy working relationship with the entity’s management and with its CIA. In such a situation, then each party needs to understand that they have to function in an environment of trust, since each needs the other to succeed. The shortcomings by members of an audit committee in terms of lack of specific technical skills should be addressed.

One possible approach is to have training seminars/ workshops for directors since their competence is being judged by the board and the management of the entity. Not much research has yet been done on the roles and responsibilities of audit committees in Guyana by virtue of publications.

This is an area which needs to follow up and to promote in keeping with the global best practices, hence the publishing of this article.

The audit committee, the CIA and management, work best when they pledge to work together.

This relationship is seen as a partnership and it is most important for an entity to get it right, if it wants to attain effective governance. The success of an audit committee depends to a great extent on cultivating a strong working relationship with the management of the entity. Also, there is the need for both the management and the CIA to have a healthy and respectful relationship. All parties now have more to do, and it is imperative that each must understand the roles and responsibilities of the other. In closing, the success of an audit committee is dependent on cultivating a strong working relationship with each party and they will need each other to succeed - ‘I will help you, and you will help me, and we both know that’.

That being said, it’s about trust. Audit committees, the CIA and management have to trust that each other is thoughtful, competent, and looking out for the best interests of the company/entity.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

East Coast women honoured for contributions to development

9

–– Minister Cummings given surprise award THE East Coast chapter of the National Congress of Women (NCW) on Sunday awarded several women for their significant contributions to their district and the country by extension.

The ceremony, which was held at Beterverwagting-Quamina Primary School, was coordinated by the executives of the NCW committee, of which, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings serves as the chairperson.

After a series of rich cultural presentations, the ceremony took a turn as the women collaborated with Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams to surprise Minister Cummings with an award for her yeoman service to the organisation, and a congratulatory toast on her new min-

isterial posting.

Minister Cummings, while expressing gratitude for the award, said that the event was organised to honour the noble and phenomenal women of the district that continue to labour for the development of the country. She also noted that she is now settling into her new post, and is being briefed on what her tasks will entail.

“I would have talked to the DirectorGeneral, who would have given me an overview on what to expect, especially some of the immediate tasks, such as the Venezuelan borders, and to be careful of our frontiers.

I’ve been familiarising myself with the various departments of the ministry, and the bilateral arrangements with many countries.

“I just want to continue the mantra of

Some of the women that were awarded by the East Coast District National Congress of Women for their contributions to society. Seated from left are: Regional Executive Officer, Region Four, Pauline Lucas; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings; Regional Chairman Region Four, Genevieve Allen

Cheers to Dr Karen Cummings on her new appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs protecting our patrimony, looking for the interests bilaterally and internationally, so that our government can be proud, and Guyanese can be proud. I will do my best and work with distinction,” Minister Cummings said.

The Attorney-General said he is proud of Minister Cummings’ achievements, and is pleased with her new post. “This new job has a lot of challenges, but I have no doubt that Karen will be able to navigate and continue to ensure that Guyana is well represented internationally,” Minister Williams said.

Regional Chairman of Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Genevieve Allen highlighted Minister Cummings’ many contributions to the district through the National Congress of Women.

“When we were given the mandate to

form the East Coast District of the National Congress of Women, Minister Cummings took on the mandate, with the objective that we are going to work with our women so that they can become empowered. I must say, there have been significant strides in our women in the East Coast District,” Allen said.

Several other persons took the opportunity to congratulate Minister Cummings, and express gratitude for the contributions made to their lives.

Genevieve Whitenedd, Barbara Andrews, Beryl Assanah, Beatrice Edwards, Reverend Murtlene Dennis, Yvette Herod, Fayeann Boyce, Nella Wills, Myrna Collins, Grace Daniels, and Nicole Nurse were the other women who were given awards in appreciation of their contributions.

‘Great strength ...

From page 3

persons of Chinese and European descent.

These are Guyana’s main ethnic groups of descendants who came from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

“Arrival Day celebrates the contributions of all of our peoples – Amerindians, Africans, Asians and Europeans.

Our nation was established on the foundation of their sacrifices and achievements.

“Arrival Day recognises the nation’s diversity. It signifies the creation of a conglomeration of cultures.

The nation is multicultural, and always will be and each culture enriches national integration despite differences in origin,” the President said.

At Highbury, Region Six, indentured immigrants first set foot in Guyana. At the expiration of their con-

tracts, many choose to live in Region Six alongside other ethnic groups.

HARMONY The abolition of Indian indentured immigration, the President said, intensified the migrants’ efforts to integrate more fully into Guyana’s multi-ethnic society since by then they already shared a common space with other ethnic groups with whom they had sought and enjoyed respectful relations.

He said the harmonious relations were aided by the religious and cultural conventions and practices of tolerance among ethnic groups which helped each group to make the most of this country’s economic opportunities.

“Guyanese, today, are

heirs of this precious legacy of all of our African, Amerindian, Asian and European fore-parents. The strands of the national tapestry are stronger because of these contributions.

“We must preserve this precious multicultural heritage by working together to secure a common future where all are recognised and respected and where everyone could enjoy this country’s bounty,” the President told the gathering.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam who spoke earlier, said the location of the monument is most appropriate.

He noted that it is easily visible to persons crossing the Berbice Bridge into Region Six and persons leaving

the region.

The ambassador, in praising the structure, hails it as a dedication to the Indian indentured servants who crossed the kala pani (black waters) to come here in search of a better life and contributed significantly to Guyana’s development.

India, he said, is committed to connecting with its diaspora and has been doing so through a variety of initiatives, including the Know India Programme.

Director-General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Akhilesh Mishra also spoke at the commissioning. Mishra, who came to Guyana for the special occasion, praised the warmth and hospitality he has received while here.

Bringing greeting from

ICCR Director-General Akhilesh Mishra the Government of India as it can share in this reand the 1.3 billion people gard, he said, pointing out there, he said the T Junction that Guyana being able to site has brought Guyana and preserve its diverse cultures India closer together. for generations is both reHe told the gathering markable and worthy of that the ICCR, the cultur- emulation. al relations arm of India, He also said India deepholds Guyana in high regard, ly values its friendship pointing out that this country with Guyana and the comis a model nation for cultural missioned monument is preservation. symbol of their mutual There is a lot India can corporation, love and adlearn from Guyana as much miration.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

Journalists, students benefit from O&G training LOCAL journalists benefited from training in oil, gas and energy transparency matters when the Guyana Press Association (GPA) hosted a two-day training seminar at the Cara Lodge over the weekend.

President of the GPA Nazima Raghubir, in her opening address on Saturday, said the training was the first in a series that the press association intends to foster in an attempt to bolster the capacity of local journalists in these sectors.

Furthermore, the overarching aim, according to Raghubir, is to foster the implementation of “Oil and Gas desks” in each media house that would allow for specialised reporting on the emerging, technical field.

Veteran journalist Denis Chabrol encouraged the journalists to uphold the ethics of journalism in their daily practice.

Students of the Centre for Communications Studies of the University of Guyana (UG), who were also present, learned of the challenges faced by journalists in the profession through Chabrol’s presentation.

Former President of the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM) and journalist, Wesley Gibbings presented on ‘Angles in Oil and Gas.’ The journalists and students all

shared their interest in edifying themselves on the emerging industry.

“Everything is going to be permeated by oil and gas,” Gibbings stressed, as he explained that with the advent of the industry, socio-economic and political spheres would be influenced by the new resources.

He pointed out that the industry is made up of upstream, midstream and downstream activities. The journalist said typical areas of focus should include contracts, environmental impacts, engineering risks, findings, financial arrangements, inter alia. Gibbings, who is no stranger to Guyana, also shared that the industry is one which integrates many other industries, and as such journalists should be encouraged to also report on those areas.

Former Executive Director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Calvin Wilson presented on ‘Enhancing oil and gas transparency in developing nations’, where he gave the gathering much to think about in legal and financial matters. He also directed focus to the economic consequences that can be had from the mismanagement of the sector. Closing off the day was a highly interactive

A few of the participants of the GPA’s Oil, Gas and Energy Transparency training

session with Business Editor and Oil and Gas correspondent for several international industry journals, Curtis Williams.

Williams told the jourFormer President of the nalists that when they report on the Oil and Gas Sector, the Association of Caribbean global context should be taken Media Workers (ACM) and journalist Wesley Gibbings into consideration.

The training was made possible through a grant received by the GPA from the Open Society Foundation. In addition to the university students, it was attended by journalists from Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News, Guyana Times, Kaieteur News, Prime News, the National Communications Network (NCN), Nightly News, Capitol News, Demerara Waves and News Room among other entities. The training continued on Sunday with journalists and students exploring various story ideas in the Oil and Gas Sector.

Former Executive Director of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Calvin Wilson (Photos by Delano Williams)

Do you have a son who is 12 this year?

SOME experts believe that there is a universal art to raising boys into well-rounded, balanced men and regardless of where you are in the world, all boys need the same inputs at various stages of their lives. What parents have to do is stay one step ahead to ensure that their sons have what they need when required.

From birth to the age of six years old, most boys are quite contented with their family and regular daily routine, whatever it may be. But from age seven to 14 years old, the boychild develops an internal drive; he needs to know more about being masculine. This simple fact is very much overlooked in today’s busy society where most people are trying to make ends meet and where providing children’s basic needs is the priority.

Parents seldom have time to notice any change in their boychild or to figure out what his inner yearnings may be.

When this chance is missed during this crucial stage, some boys grow into men who fall short in areas that were never discussed, explained, experienced or divulged with a trusted male adult, with whom they bonded, during their childhood.

Boys do not just grow into well-rounded men all by themselves, they need masculine inputs. During this timeframe of a boy’s life, (7 – 14), fathers have a great influence and opportunity to build the foundations of masculinity in their sons. They need to find the time or make the time, to take an interest in their sons: to teach skills, qualities, and to nurture their natu-

ral abilities. Fathers need to guide their sons emotionally and morally. By example, they can show them how to be honest, law-abiding citizens.

All these lessons do not have to be taught overnight or all in one go, but over time through different events, activities, and time shared together. Fathers must be cognisant of the fact that their sons need to learn masculinity and the finer qualities of manhood. If a father is absent, then an uncle, grandfather or close male family friend could take on the role, but it must be someone who is reliable and understanding to the cause.

Some fathers like to sit and drink with their friends for hours on end, being boastful, rowdy and having ‘fun.’ To a boychild this may seem like a ‘rite of passage’: as he grows and observes his father, he may truly believe that he needs to participate in this type of behaviour; whereas, what a father should really be teaching his son, is that such ‘indulgences’ should be moderated as they could lead to alcoholism and there is a time and place for everything.

No one is suggesting that a man should not have ‘fun with the boys,’ but if a father is to lead by example, he must be aware of his actions and how they impact on his son. Most mothers who bring up boys without a father do a very good job and some sons are a real credit to their families, having been raised by a single mother and/or a granny, etc. However, there still are those boys who end up gravitating towards their

ill-informed peers to develop their sense of ‘self,’ because there are no adult male role models in their lives to whom they can relate, or from whom they can learn.

If your son wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) exam this year and is, or will be 12, in the not-toodistant future, this is your wake-up call. Is your son getting the ‘grounding’ that he needs to become a well-balanced man? Are you, as a father, giving your son good examples of manhood and spending quality time with him, precious time that will help to shape him and that he will remember for the rest of his life?

In some religions the age of 12 is recognised as a turning point for adulthood. Young boys are taken from their mothers’ homes and initiated into manhood through a series of rituals and tests. It remains a proven fact that boys need positive masculine nurturing during this essential stage of their childhoods.

Whether you are a mother or a father, if you have a son, do your best to give him what he needs today for him to develop into a well-rounded man of tomorrow.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA helpline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

Scenes from the commissioning of the Indian Arrival Day Monument at Palmyra Photos by Samuel Maughn

A section of the gathering at the commissioning of the Indian Arrival Day Monument at Palmyra on Sunday

These Berbice Delights dancers entertained the gathering with a captivating dance

President David Granger with attendants at the commissioning of the historic monument at Palmyra

Drummers from the Swami Vivekanand Culture Centre performed before the Palmyra gathering

Indian dignitaries, Cabinet ministers, senior government officials and others pose for Guyana Chronicle with the Indian Arrival Day Monument in the background

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

‘E’ Division reports decrease in crime

IN an effort to better monitor traffic offences and deter criminal elements or illegal articles from entering Linden, and by extension Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Commander of ‘E’ Division, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord has established a mobile police outpost on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway in the vicinity of Bamia.

Initially, the initiative was aimed at targeting criminal elements during the Linden Town Week (LTW) period, which lasted 11 days. The town’s celebrations ended last Wednesday, and was declared incident-free, and based on that success, the Commander has decided to have the outpost remain permanently on the Highway.

Since its establishment, Commander Lord has said that there has been a decrease in crime in Linden, much to the satisfaction of residents, who expressed their appreciation for such an initiative at the recently held Government Outreach in Linden at which Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Commissioner of Police Leslie James were present.

The outpost is in operation around-

the- clock, and ranks are engaged in traffic patrols throughout the day. “It sends a message to persons who might be inclined to commit crime to think again. You are hearing about it in the street; it serves a purpose, and we are seeing the impact,” Commander Lord said.

He said that before the establishment of the outpost at Bamia, there were many instances where suspects were able to escape before the police could apprehend them. The Soesdyke-Linden Highway is the primary route out of Linden, and while there is a police outpost at Amelia’s Ward, there are many alternative routes that can be used by suspects to avoid ranks there.

In addition to being a crime-fighting mechanism, the mobile outpost will also monitor speeding and reckless drivers who continue to break the speed limit while traversing the thoroughfare. An overwhelming amount of accidents continue to occur on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway as a result of speeding, many of which in recent times proved fatal.

Commander Lord said all the necessary systems will be put in place to accom-

since mobile outpost set up on Soesdyke-Linden Highway

The recently established mobile police outpost at Bamia, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway modate ranks at the outpost comfortably.

In addition to this new mobile outpost, there are two police stations and two outposts in Linden.

At last Thursday’s Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting, Regional Councillor Gordon Calendar said that the ranks must

be commended for controlling crowds of thousands of people night after night, and ensuring there were no incidents.

“I think they did a very good job, and they must be commended. And we are looking forward for continuous good works from the ranks of this Division,” he said.

Man arrested after sister’s safe with gold, cash goes missing at Charity

A YOUNG man is presently in custody at the Charity Police Station

after he allegedly stole a safe which contained a large quantity of raw gold

and cash among other items from his sibling.

Reports are that busi-

nesswoman Samantha Cummings of the Charity Housing Scheme Essequibo Coast was robbed of 34 penny weight of raw gold, two gold chains, one gold ring, a Samsung Galaxy S8 mobile phone and G$620,000 in cash on Saturday morning. The incident reportedly occurred around 01:30 hours.

According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, the victim would usually keep her money, raw gold and jewellery in a safe locked with combination codes under her bed.

The last time she checked on her valuables was on May 3 around 20:00 hours.

The night she retired to bed around 22:00 hours after securing her home.

The following morning around 0430hrs, the woman was awoken by her husband who informed her that the door on the lower

flat was opened. They reportedly got up and started to investigate and during their search, the couple discovered blood stains in their yard.

The police at Charity were informed about the robbery and immediately started to investigate. The woman suspected her 18year old brother may have been responsible for the theft and as such she went to a popular hotel at Charity where she encountered her sibling in a room with a foreign woman.

The victim also observed that her brother was bleeding from a wound to his forehead. He was then arrested by police and upon questioning he admitted to committing the offence and he even took police to a trench next to the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity where checks were made for the safe but it was not

found.

Police then received further information which led them to a back street at Charity in the market area where blood stains were seen next to the stall area.

On a hunch, the businesswoman decided to ring her husband’s missing mobile phone and to everyone’s surprise, it was heard ringing under a stall.

The businesswoman then found a black plastic bag containing G$176,000 cash, the missing phone as well as two gold chains and 19 penny weight of raw gold.

Later that morning, police acting on information received accompanied the victim to a street leading to the Charity back street where the grey safe was found.

The victim’s brother remains in custody. (Indrawattie Natram)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

GTT signals continued preparation - as it restates commitment to for liberalisation fostering liberalised environment CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GTT), Justin Nedd, has shared that GTT will continue to improve its services as it prepares for a liberalised telecommunications sector.

“As liberalisation continues to be a topic of discussion, we want the community and our customers to know the company’s stance on the matter,” Nedd said in a letter published in this newspaper on Sunday.

“GTT is committed to liberalisation and will continue to invest and grow as we move Guyana into a new era.”

Recently, GTT signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will see the continuation of discussions on all outstanding issues between

the bodies, with the aim of reaching a binding agreement. That agreement is said to have been nearing completion for some time now and would end the monopoly GTT has enjoyed in the telecommunications sector for years.

Minister of Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, in a recent interview with this newspaper indicated that there are specific components in the agreement to liberalise that still need to be ironed out. Generally, however, the bodies have agreed to liberalise the sector.

As that unfolds, Nedd related: “We are very proud of Guyana’s growth and the part we’ve played in it and we take this responsibility very seriously. GTT will continue to improve and modernise.”

According to him, the

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GTT), Justin Nedd

company has moved from 10,000 internet connections for homes and businesses in 2010 to more than 70,000 today; this represents a 700 per cent increase in connec-

tions provided.

And in so doing, he affirmed, “Over the last 10 years alone, GTT has invested more than US$200M to build telecommunications infrastructure.” This is in keeping with the company’s drive, as said by Nedd, to ensure that many citizens connected to the telecommunications services.

“Today, more than ever, people rely on the internet and since January 2018, we have seen almost a 500 per cent increase in internet traffic,” he said also.

Nedd, at a press conference held earlier this year, had noted that the increase in internet traffic was owed to the new ‘Blaze’ services provided. Blaze was launched in 2017 as an internet connectivity alternative to the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), which transmits

digital data over telephone lines. It uses the multi-million dollar fibre optic cable that GTT laid in Guyana, years ago to provide faster connectivity speeds to more areas across the country.

Even as the company once more signalled its commitment to liberalisation, Nedd also sought to remind of GTT’s role in Guyana beyond telecommunications.

“We are one of Guyana’s largest and strongest employers, providing direct employment for more than 800 people and have consistently employed and trained more than 600 over the last 28 years,” he said.

Minister Hughes told this newspaper recently too that several telecommunications companies in the Region and internationally have already expressed interest in investing in Guyana, specifically

in hinterland areas.

“We’ve had companies from Suriname, companies from the U.S. and even a company from Brazil that has expressed interest in bringing a cable from Brazil into Lethem and the Rupununi,” she had said. And this interest is of particular importance since, according to her, there is still a great demand for connectivity in many parts of the country, especially in hinterland and rural areas where there is now limited connectivity.

It is expected that the introduction of these companies into the telecommunications market would bring down the prices in the market and improve the quality of services offered, according to the minister. GTT would now have to bolster its services to remain competitive.

Police destroy two Linden sweeper-cleaners raise pay-hike concerns marijuana fields in Linden – during Public Day meeting FRUSTRATED sweeper-cleaners of the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice region, particularly those employed at nursery schools, are of the opinion that officials at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) are not serious about increasing their wages to bring it up to par with the government minimum wage.

As they seek to have the issue addressed, several sweeper-cleaners seized the opportunity to raise it with ministers of the government at the recently-held Government Outreach in Linden, and seek their intervention.

One cleaner named Mrs Niles, at a meeting at Amelia’s Ward during the outreach, told Minister responsible for Rural Affairs in the Ministry of Agriculture, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams that she is receiving $35, 000 monthly, even though she works eight hours daily, which in essence is 40 hours a week. The minimum wage for government workers is $64, 200 a month.

Although Regional Ex-

ecutive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon, had said at April’s statutory meeting that those categories of workers would have been paid what is due to them that month, that promie did not materialise. Naturally, the sweeper-cleaners were disappointed, since the matter has been ongoing for some time now.

The issue came up for discussion at this month’s statutory meeting, which was held last week. At that meeting, Regional Chairman Renis Morian had said that based on what he’d gathered from REO Gordon, the RDC does not have the money to pay the workers.

Then there was the RDC’s Chief Treasurer who said she cannot pay the workers the increased sum, since she was not authorised by the Ministry of Finance to do so. “If the money run out and I have to write for more, I have to show them on what authority I raised the money,” she reasoned.

The hold-up in the payment comes despite a circular being dispatched to the various RDCs by Min-

ister of Education Nicolette Henry stating that sweeper-cleaners across Guyana have been regularised, and should be paid $312.00 per hour for eight hours a day. This new stipulation would now take the region’s sweeper-cleaners’ monthly salaries to $49, 000, even though it would still be below the minimum wage.

Nursery sweeper-cleaners are still not receiving this amount.

The Regional Chairman then called on the regional administration to write the Ministries of Education and Finance on the matter, and said that at June’s statutory it must be reported that the letter was written.

Regional Councillor Charles Sampson then upbraided the Council for being slothful on the issue, while the cleaners continue to be short-changed.

The sweeper-cleaners are calling for the matter to be dealt with once and for all. Councillor Sampson said that when it is finally decided that the cleaners should be paid, it should be done retroactively.

POLICE officers stationed at ‘E’ Division (Upper Demerara-Berbice), continue to combat marijuana cultivation through eradication exercises.

The latest of these were conducted on Saturday and Sunday when thousands of marijuana plants were destroyed.

Acting on information, ranks on Saturday discovered a oneand-a-half acre marijuana field at the Wisroc backlands. The field had approximately 3,000 plants ranging from one foot to six feet.

They also discovered makeshift tents, hammocks, kitchen utensils and a quantity of dry cannabis. The plants weighed approximately 250 kg. The field was destroyed by fire.

On Sunday, between 10:30hrs and 12:00hrs, ranks, again acting on information, discovered a seven-acre marijuana farm on Ituni road. There were approximately 7,000 plants ranging from two feet to six feet in height and weighed an estimated 485 kg. Ranks also discovered a makeshift camp, kitchen utensils and food items. They were all destroyed by fire.

While no arrest was made, Commander of ‘E’ Division, Linden Lord, said that information will be sought from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to determine the owners of the lands. He said that marijuana cultivators are becoming braver in the division, since these discoveries were made closer to inhabited lands.

A section of the marijuana field being destroyed in Ituni, Region 10

For 2019, over ten fields were discovered and destroyed in the division. These raids, Lord had said, were through a proactive attitude on the part of the ranks, who kept their ears to the ground to receive intelligence-led information as well as remaining active and vigilant in not only Linden, but outlying areas, where the fields are normally discovered.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

No contract awarded for arrivals duty-free concession - CJIA

NO contract has been signed or awarded for Arrivals Duty-Free concession at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

This is according to the management of CJIA, which noted in a press release that over the past few years the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) has been publicly advertising and inviting Expressions of Interest for the various concessions available at the airport.

“This policy decision allows for qualifying individuals and companies to be awarded concessions in a fair, equitable and trans-

parent manner,” the airport management explained.

It said that recently, the CJIAC engaged in a public process for Expressions of Interest for Arrivals Duty-Free Concession; Departures Duty-Free Concession; Advertising Concession; Provision of Insurance Services; Provision of Legal Services; Ground Handling Concessions; Executive Lounge Concession and Office Rental Concession.

It likened the process to that of public tendering in which it was noted that the qualifying criteria for the various concessions are clearly spelled out in the

Expression of Interest document.

“Once these Expressions

Pomeroon youth allegedly stabs, kills stepfather - arrested after confessing to crime

Residents gather at the alleged murder scene to get a glimpse of Eon Williams’s body.

A 40-year-old man is now dead after he was fatally stabbed by his stepson at Grant Bethany in Lower Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dead is Eon Williams, a farmer of Grant Bethany.

His 20-year-old stepson, John Fredericks Albert, was taken into custody after reportedly confessing to the crime.

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 5, at 03:00hrs The Guyana Chronicle understands that the suspect and his cousin Anthony Al-

bert were imbibing when an argument and a fight ensued between them. Williams, who was around at the time, intervened; it is alleged that he took the frame of an old generator and dealt his stepson a lash to his left hand.

The suspect, who was armed with a knife, whipped it out and stabbed his stepfather to the side of his abdomen.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the man collapsed and reportedly bled to death.

The incident was im-

mediately reported to the Charity Police Station and a team of police investigators thereafter visited the crime scene and arrested the 20-year-old. He reportedly told the police that he killed his stepfather, but was unable to locate the murder weapon.

Meanwhile, Williams was rushed to the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity, where doctors pronounced him dead. His body was taken to the Suddie Mortuary where it is awaiting a post-mortem.

of Interest are received, they are evaluated and a decision taken based on the criteria

set out in the document,” the CJIAC said.

It said that the Arrivals Duty-Free Concession was publicly advertised and a conditional award was made to the most responsive bidders.

The airport said it values its relationship with its existing stakeholders, and will continue to work with them to ensure that all new awards are done in an impartial and transparent manner.

As it made its case, the CJIAC said it has held several meetings with stakeholders to provide clarification and guidance on the bidding process.

It said it has an obligation to provide a variety of services for airport users, and noted that it remains committed to promoting and supporting local companies and manufacturers.

“As in any public solicitation process, we are committed to honoring all the conditions set out in the evaluation and award process,” the CJIAC said.

It said that companies and bidders which require assistance or clarification on the tendering process are encouraged to reach out to the management of the airport for guidance and assistance.

Shake-up looms at SOCU …in wake of audit findings

A SHAKE-UP at the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) headed by former GDF officer Sydney James, is imminent, following the findings of a police audit of the financial records which Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has described as “damning.”

The audit was ordered

by Commissioner of Police Leslie James who was quoted in a previous report as saying, “I have caused an investigation to be done, because there were some complaints of some issues there. There are allegations of misuse of funds, allegations, and therefore, to be professional, SOCU comes under the commissioner of police and I did cause an investigation to be done.”

On Friday, Minister Ramjattan noted at an Alliance For Change (AFC) press conference that, “The commissioner is the head of SOCU as you know. I have seen the report, it is not a very nice report and the commissioner has told me that he is going to take action. Operational matters a minister must not indulge in and that is an operational matter.

“I am hoping that it will be action taken very early. Certainly [there] will have to be shifting around, probably some terminations too. I don’t know what his [commissioner] decision will

SOCU head Sydney James

be, but that is going to be the commissioner’s decision,” he added.

The audit has reportedly uncovered serious irregularities, including the falsification of records.

The police commissioner had had cause to summon the SOCU head to a meeting, to discuss issues including mismanagement of operational funds at the agency, after it came under public scrutiny; this was after the firing of then adviser Dr Sam Sittlington and the resignation of another senior official.

According to an earlier report by this publication, the problems at SOCU have been long-standing, and it was reported that Sittlington had observed issues pertaining to mismanagement at the agency and those issues were raised with the head of SOCU. It was also reported that

Sittlington had encountered resistance at a very high level within SOCU when he first joined the agency, but given government’s determination to have the programme of the agency remain functional, such resistance had to be quelled.

Among the more notable issues which recently made its way into the public domain, was the resignation of Sheronie James, the former deputy head of SOCU, who resigned amid concerns about her credentials. Ms James was hired by SOCU on the basis of documentation she had reportedly presented, indicating that she was an ACCA affiliate; it was subsequently discovered that the certification she had proferred belonged to another person who lives in Ghana and who bears the same name.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

Key Yupukari bridge destroyed in suspected arson attack -emergency works to be undertaken before rains A KEY bridge at Yupukari in the Central Rupununi which links several villages in the area was recently destroyed in what is suspected to be the work of arsonists.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region, Carl Parker, told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday that the village leader at Yupukari visited the administrative capital of the region , Lethem , and informed him of the incident.

He said the wooden bridge, termed the Yupukari Number Two Bridge, was burnt flat and all its columns were destroyed . Parker said a superintendent of works from

the regional office visited the site and it was also observed that some old pieces of wood, which were left discarded from previous works, were left untouched.

He said the authorities found the latter strange, since all pieces of wooden structures would have been razed had it been a savannah fire.�It cannot be a savannah fire which was the cause, so we suspect it to be the work of an arsonist,� Parker said.

The bridge provides a link between the villages of Yupukari, Marakanata, Quatata, Fly Hill, Kaicumbay, Katoka, and Simone with the rest of the Rupununi.

At the moment , motorists can drive at the flanks of

the bridge to get past the area, but Parker noted that when the rains come, the entire area would be inaccessible if the bridge is not fixed in time.

As such, a contract to the tune of $15M has been crafted for emergency works to be undertaken at the site.

Parker said the new structure will be built with concrete, mainly the support structure; the beams will be built with wood and he noted that this would make the structure usable, even if another fire breaks out at the site.

He said a report is expected to be made to the police at Lethem, but he noted that it remains highly unlikely that the perpetrators would be found.

A man stands at the edge of what remains of the Yupukari Number Two bridge, which was destroyed by fire several days ago.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

Increased training, awareness aid By: Vishani Ragobeer

INCREASED training and awareness activities for residents and workers in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) have been instrumental in the fight against malaria in the endemic region, according to health officials.

Regional Malaria Coordinator, Dr Dexter Browne, said 13,390 malaria smears were done in the region in 2018, of which, 3,405 were positive. The number of positive cases, he said, represents an increase when compared to the 2,774 cases recorded in 2017. Though the number of positive cases increased, Dr Browne noted that this was not a wholly negative situation. “These increases [were] mainly because of an awareness of testing done in Region Seven,” Dr. Browne explained.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected

Regional Malaria Coordinator, Dr Dexter Browne

female Anopheles mosquitoes.” The WHO also noted that the disease is an acute febrile illness, and as such, causes fevers. “In a non-immune individual, symptoms usually appear 10 to 15 days after the infective mosquito bite,” the WHO explained; he added, that the first symptoms would be fevers, headaches, and chills. Initially, these symptoms may not be recognised as malaria, but if untreated for 24 hours or

more, the malaria may progress into severe illness.

At the Bartica Regional Centre, which is the central hub that oversees all other health centres in the region, there is a Vector Control Services (VCS) Unit that carries out malaria testing, diagnosis and treatment. “We focus primarily on malaria [since] Region Seven is a region that is endemic [sic] to malaria,” Microbiologist Royan Teixeira said.

According to Teixeira, in Region Seven, there is great awareness about malaria.

He said many persons, particularly those working in the interior locations, would request the test as soon as they feel a slight fever because of how wary they are of the disease. “We detect the different species of malaria, and based on the different types of species, we feel that person might have, they will be treated for that,” the micrologist said.

Bartica is located at the confluence of the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers, and is on the left bank of the Essequibo

Microbiologist, Royan Teixeira doing a malaria test on a young miner at the Bartica Regional Health Centre

River. Other communities, some with sizeable populations, are relatively distant and accessibility becomes difficult. As such, the provision of testing and treatment services for persons within the endemic region is constrained by the geographical challenges that exist.

RDT SERVICES Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) is a mechanism that is used to help with the detection and treatment of malaria across the country.

Teixeira explained that the Vector Control Services Unit is training workers within the

mining camps to do RDT. In Region Seven, RDT was initiated in November, 2017 and since then, persons who volunteered their services have been trained in many of the communities.

Teixeira further explained that persons who worked in medium and large-scale mining camps were the ones targeted for training, because their operations were stable.

“We would usually train the cooks or the general manager, the stable persons in the camps, so they can provide the services for their camps and for persons around the camps,” he said. He added that business persons and residents in the more populated areas (like at the Puruni landing) would be trained as well.

The RDT, as explained by the micrologist, assists in the diagnosis by providing evidence of the presence of malaria parasites in human blood. Different from the usual microscopic test done at the VCS, RDT is conducted through the use of small ‘Malaria Kits.’ Using the kit, a blood sample is taken and

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

ding fight against Malaria in Reg 7 applied to a cassette that detects the antigens that would indicate that someone has malaria.

“We’re trying to promote prompt and fast treatment, because Puruni and those areas are far away from Bartica, so instead of a miner feeling sick and having to wait for hours before coming out of the communities and getting to Bartica, there are personnel right there who are trained to do testing and who they can access the services from,” Teixeira said. “This is all so that we can get [the number of] malaria cases to drop as well,” he added.

Just recently, on World Malaria Day, the Health Ministry recognised several of the volunteers in Region Seven who provide the RDT services. “I have a dredge and about 14 workers, so every time I have to send

them to Puruni Landing to get testing and so it’s not fair so I just decided to go and do the training and get to know how to do it myself,” Shelliza Savory, a volunteer, shared.

According to her, malaria is very prevalent, and the RDT is an excellent way of helping to curb it. But though scores of persons from the areas are trained, the micrologist explained that the treatment and the testing kits are only given to the persons who performed well in training. Volunteers are required to meticulously document and report on the testing they have done and the treatment they have provided.

“The RDT is an initiative we are really strong behind and we are really proud of how persons are performing, especially in reporting as they should and doing the right things,” Teixeira shared.

The Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) that is given to volunteers in Region Seven

PREVENTION Ironically, Senior Micrologist, at the Bartica Regional Hospital, Nathalie Griffith, was recently diagnosed with malaria. While on an outreach activity to train miners

in the Puruni area, Griffith was bitten by a mosquito, and two weeks later was diagnosed with malaria.

“Tell you the truth, I didn’t walk with a netting because we weren’t expecting

to stay overnight in the backdam,” she said, while adding that “it’s not a nice feeling at all, because when you start getting the fever, the headache, the chills and the joint pain and so… It’s not easy

at all.” Through her years of service, Griffith has always advocated for the prevention of malaria. According to her, “it’s better to prevent it.”

In 2018, the Ministry of Public Health embarked on an “Anti-Malaria Campaign” in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. Since then, 91,000 insecticide-treated bed and hammock nets have been distributed to those at risk of getting malaria. The use of mosquito repellents is also recommended. “What I could say is just walk with the net and use the nets, wear long-sleeved clothing, use the mosquito repellent and so,” Griffith stressed.

According to the ministry, in the last five years, Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine have accounted for more than 95 per cent of all malaria cases in the country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

Acting Town Clerk, other City officials to appear before LGC

By Tamica Garnett ACTING Town Clerk Sharon Harry-Munroe is among officers of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) expected to appear before the Local Government Commission (LGC) on Tuesday to justify why disciplinary actions should not be taken

against them for acts committed in the past.

The municipality’s Human Resources Manager, Paulette Braithwaite; the City Engineer, Colvern Venture; and the Internal Auditor, Omodele Umojo-Newton are also expected to appear.

These city officials were singled out, in the report coming out of the City Hall Commis-

sion of Inquiry (CoI), for a number of infractions. The CoI was conducted in 2018.

In the report, Harry-Munroe and Venture were cited for incompetence and dereliction of duty, while Braithwaite was cited for incompetence. Umojo-Newton was cited for incompetence and conspiracy.

Chairman of the Local

Government Commission Mortimer Mingo explained that the Commission took a decision to invite the City officials to a meeting after analysing the recommendations. He noted that during the meeting, the officers will be given the opportunity to discuss charges brought against them.

“The Commission delibTown Clerk (ag) Sharon Harry-Munroe

erated on the recommendations to ensure the findings are consistent with the evidence. If they’re saying this employee must be cited for incompetence, we needed to see that it is supported by the evidence – so that is an exercise we went through.

We have concluded that, and we have now satisfied that yes there is a case for these employees, based on the evidence, to appear before the Commission where the findings will be placed to them and in keeping with natural justice to give them an opportunity to be heard,” Mingo explained.

Other City Hall staff cited in the report and already dealt with, included former Town Clerk Royston King named for “gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds;” and Chief Constable Andrew Foo, who was cited for dereliction of duty and incompetence. It was also recommended that City Treasurer, Ron Mc Calmon, be sent on early retirement due to his ill health.

The LGC began meeting with Foo in January 2019, and his issue is ongoing. In the case of Mc Calmon, the LGC has already approved his early retirement, according to Mingo.

The LGC fired King in January 2019. Prior to his dismissal, King was on administrative leave for approximately four months.

The LGC had indicated that King was fired after he “did not respond verbally nor in writing to the charges.”

However, King has since challenged the dismissal in the High Court, arguing that the Commission violated his right to be heard. He is also contending that the Commission has no right to cite him for gross misconduct in Public Office since that charge is a criminal offence.

Two other employees

LGC Chairman, Mortimer Mingo

City Engineer, Colvern Venture

were also cited in the COI report, however, there was no reason why they should be sanctioned. Assistant Town Clerk Sherry Gerrick was cited for dereliction of duty, and incompetence; while Assistant City Engineer Rasheed Kellman was cited for conspiracy.

Questioned on this, Mingo said he cannot answer why Gerrick and Kellman were included in the report with no evidence or explanation behind the recommendation for them to be disciplined. However, they are not expected to appear before the LGC due to the lack of evidence.

Mingo said that overall the LGC has been continuously working on addressing the 31 recommendations contained in the COI report.

He noted, however, that not all of the recommendations can be dealt with by the LGC. “What we have done is, we have dealt with three of the substantive recommendations but some of the recommendations have to do with what City Hall has to address. So we have written to City Hall pointing out to them the recommendations that the City itself has to address. For example the NIS, GRA and some claims by contractors that weren’t paid, so we asked them to comply with the findings of the COI and to do so expeditiously,” Mingo noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

CTU hailed for fostering single Caribbean ICT space THE Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) recently observed 30 years of existence and was hailed for the work it has done in fostering a beneficial single Caribbean Information and Communication Technology (ICT) space.

The week-long 30th Anniversary celebration of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), which began on Monday, brought together Heads of Government, Telecommunications Ministers, representatives of private sector businesses, and ICT support organisations from across Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Thirty years ago, CTU embarked on a bold journey that has helped to transform the Region. Much progress has been made, but more work remains to be done.”

Deputy Secretary-General, of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Malcolm Johnson, shared on Monday at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

According to a release from the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT), “The week of activities themed: “‘Digital transformation – Do it’, was headlined by a Heads of Government summit on Tuesday April 30, and a Ministerial

Minister Hughes experiencing the amazing FutureScape

MoPT’s Adviser on ICT, Lance Hinds, receiving his award from CTU Secretary-General, Bernadette Lewis

Strategic ICT Plenary the following day.”

Guyana is being represented by Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, accompanied by Ministerial Adviser, Lance Hinds, who has been awarded one of the seven accolades the CTU presented on Wednesday to ICT developers and mentors in the Region (Caribbean and Latin America). These awardees have already made significant contributions in their countries, helping to build

the foundations for sound Internet Governance.

The release also indicated that the highlight of the 30th Anniversary event was the CTU’s Caribbean FutureScape, which is an immersive, interactive, virtual ICT experience intended to demonstrate the speed, efficiency, transparency, resilience, facility and simplicity of life in a fully integrated, digital Caribbean. FutureScape also demonstrates the high quality of life that comes with living in the Caribbean’s Single ICT

Space.

“Utilising a virtual model of five Caribbean countries, Caribbean FutureScape simulates a Region in which citizens are able to move freely from one country to another with just digital identification,” the release explained. “[Citizens] could register a business, purchase goods, access medical records, participate in virtual classrooms, pay taxes, or visit digital courtrooms in any country participating in the FutureScape programme.”

“These technologies hold great potential for transforming our lives and delivering on the promise of the digital economy,” Minister Hughes stated, and identified one of the challenges as governments and the private sectors working together to make sure that the Region’s 11 Million youths, aged 15 to 29, acquire the right technological skills at high levels to sustain the digital economies.

She also stated, “I am so proud of my ICT Adviser and head of our Industry and Innovation, Lance Hinds, who was honoured for decades of service to the development of the Region’s ICT landscape.”

The ITU’s Deputy SG, also shared, “We are most grateful for the very productive track record of ITU and CTU working together over the last 30 years, and look forward to it growing stronger, especially in helping to achieve the Caribbean Single ICT Space, and the 21st Cen-

tury government initiatives”.

According to him, 10 years ago, the ITU, the CTU and the European Commission launched the Harmonisation of ICT Policies, Legislation and Regulatory Procedures (HIPCAR) Project which was among the Region’s first efforts to help develop the Caribbean Single Market and Economy.

This project (HIPCAR) had brought together Caribbean governments, regulators, service providers, civil society, the private sector, and regional and international organisations to pave the way for critical ICT investments across the Region.

The CTU’s 30th Anniversary programme closes on Friday May 3 with across-the-board interactions on the best ways to boost small and medium scale private enterprises in the Caribbean with Information Communication Technologies.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

‘Weed’ sacred to their religion …insists Rastafarian community, wants further consultation on ‘ganjaʼ Bill

By Lisa Hamilton THE Government intends to table a Bill at the next Sitting of the National Assembly to remove mandatory jail time for possession of small amounts of marijuana but the Rastafarian community wants to be consulted first before the bill goes to the House.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said the Bill is intended to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, which currently has in place stiff penalties for possession of small amounts of cannabis. The Alliance for Change (AFC) – a major partner in the coalition Government, and the Rastafarian community are among groups that have called for the Act to be amended.

Minister Ramjattan explained that the Bill is not intended to decriminalise the possession of marijuana but rather “to end custodial penalties for small amounts.”

In 2015, the local Rastafarian organisations engaged Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams on marijuana laws and human rights violations. That year, Government Member of Parliament Michael Carrington tabled a bill in the National Assembly for debate, but it has since been languishing on the Order Paper, being deferred time and time again. Minister Ramjattan, however, said it needed to be refined.

That Bill had aimed to remove the mandatory imprisonment of persons ac-

cused of having a relatively small amount of marijuana.

Additionally, it was intended to increase the quantity constituted as trafficking in cannabis and cannabis resin to 1,000 grams, and permit the use of 200 grams of cannabis and cannabis resin.

But Rastafarian organisations were not entirely pleased with the Bill, and made several recommendations, which included households being allowed to grow a maximum of seven marijuana plants, and Rastafarian organisations no more than five acres for sacramental purposes. In a recent interview with Guyana Chronicle, a number of leaders in the Rastafarian community said they do not know which or how many of their recommendations were included in the ‘refined’ Bill.

At this stage, they are hoping that the government consults further with the Rastafarian community before the Bill is presented to the National Assembly. According to them, Leader of the AFC, and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman was fine-tuning the Bill.

“We are hoping that Mr Trotman will make contact with the community and seek to have our input into this Bill,” Chairman of the Rastafari Core Group and General Secretary of the Guyana Rastafari Council, Ras Khafra Mesesdjehuti said.

He said apart from this, the community would seek to “further agitate” to have their voices heard as they have in the past.

“What we have been championing over the years

President of the Guyana Rastafari Council of Guyana Ras Simeon (left) and Chairman of the Rastafari Core Group and General Secretary of the Guyana Rastafari Council Ras Khafra Mesesdjehuti (Adrian Narine photo)

is more than what they have drafted in terms of the Bill.

Our concern is specifically our religious and cultural rights as a Rastafarian community and the Bill hasn’t spoken to that,” Ras Mesesdjehuti said.

“Even though I appreciate the fact that something will be done, I can’t say that I wholeheartedly embrace the Bill,” he added. The Guyana Rastafarian Council made the matter a national issue in 2015 when it told the media of their concerns and urged President Granger (Opposition Leader at the time) to address their issues.

Following the report of the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana, President David Granger indicated that amendments will be made to the Act to allow for the removal of jail time for the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

President of the Guyana Rastafari Council of Guyana Ras Simeon explained

that marijuana or the “holy herb” is believed by the Rastafarian community to be for the “spiritual growth of mankind” and as an incense which “goes up with praise.”

“Its use is to vanquish evil forces that you can have a union with self and the Almighty,” he stated, adding: “It is most needed in our world to practice our culture outwardly and in the sacred place. We stress the need to freely use our holy herb as a religious sacrament and to have that right like all other religious groups as is enshrined within the Constitution of Guyana: freedom of worship.”

Questioned on what the Rastafarian community expects of the government regarding the limits of the use of the plant, Ras Mesesdjehuti said that they are willing to have the government adopt the Jamaican model.

Jamaica’s amended cannabis laws state that the possession of up to 2 ounces

(56.6 grams) is a petty offence and will not result in a criminal record but a fine.

It also allows for the cultivation of five or fewer plants per household while Rastafari adults are permitted to use marijuana for sacramental purposes.

Ras Mesesdjehuti did note a difference in their 2015 recommendations to the Bill and Jamaica’s model in stating that 200 grams or about 7ounces was included as the limit.

PERSECUTION Speaking of the many ways in which Rastafarians have been affected by the country’s “draconian” sentences for possession of the plant, Ras Mesesdjehuti pointed out that the council’s past Treasurer Ras Kent was sent to prison for three years for possession of a small amount of marijuana.

He said too that the council’s former President Ras Leon Saul’s house was raided by the police.

“When they see ‘rasta’ they see marijuana, and they see an opportunity to get money; for males and females but females would have more harrowing experiences,” Ras Mesesdjehuti said. He said the secretary of the Reparation’s Committee, Esther (only name given) was imprisoned and separated from her children for some time – suffering emotionally, academically and financially as a result.

Ras Simeon added: “Recently I was arrested. I was coming over the bridge and they had a roadblock and I

had a little draw of weed and the police stopped the vehicle and; took the weed; carried me to the police station and you know the rest.”

They said such “religious persecution” can sometimes even work to deter Rastafarians from their faith.

HIGH STIGMA “Most Africans who have been educated by the colonial powers they lack knowledge of the black history and tradition. So, I feel, seeing ‘rasta’ practicing his culture outwardly would restore this glory to the African community in practice also,” Ras Simeon opined.

He added that countries and states all across the world are now moving to decriminalise marijuana because they have come to realise the medicinal value of the plant as has been highlighted by the Rastafarian community for years.

Meanwhile, Ras Mesesdjehuti said that health concerns raised in regards to marijuana use are misguided.

They also want to see reparation in the form of specific projects funded by the government and geared at uplifting of the Rastafarian community affected by forms of discrimination and prosecution over the years.

“This government has a moral obligation to do something for us, particularly,” he said.

At the last census in 2012, there were approximately 4,000-5,000 Rastafarians in Guyana but the true number is estimated to be higher.

Bartica residents engage gov’t agencies at forum

RESIDENTS in Bartica on Monday had the opportunity to engage with officials from six government agencies in the natural resources sector about issues that affected their livelihood and how these can be addressed.

The meeting, which took place at the Bartica Community Centre, is the first in a quarterly series of engagements hosted by the Inter-Agency Compliance Collaboration Forum comprising regulatory agencies under the purview of the Ministry of Natural Resources(MNR) and the Ministry of the Presidency.

The agencies are the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Guyana Geology

and Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold Board, the Protected Areas Commission, the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. Mr. Derrick Lawrence, Director of Compliance at the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Chairman of Monday’s stakeholders’ engagement, made the point that the occasion provided the opportunity for citizens to engage with the regulatory agencies in relationship-building and information-sharing, rather than the more common compliance monitoring and enforcement exercises.

Mr. Lawrence empha-

Officials of the six natural resources agencies and the Ministry of Natural Resources represented at the head table

sised that compliance in the natural resources and environmental sectors should be predicated on knowledge and awareness. “This is the beginning of a dialogue between you the stakeholders and the regulatory agencies

in the sector,” said Mr. Lawrence.

He noted that under the Green State Development Strategy, the Town of Bartica is earmarked to become a model Green Town and, therefore, appropriate for the

launch of these inter-agency outreaches. He also encouraged all in attendance to take advantage of the presence of the senior technical officers from the relevant agencies. The residents of Bartica posed a number of questions

to the agencies and received appropriate answers and clarification on issues.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the exchanges were lively and vibrant and the residents had the opportunity for further one-on-one discussion with the representatives of the agencies after the stakeholders’ engagement concluded. Similar stakeholder engagements are planned for the towns of Lethem and Mahdia in the coming weeks and the dates will be announced when finalized. The MNR encouraged residents of these towns to document their issues and come ready to engage the agencies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday May 6, 2019

Corentyne money-changer robbed, shot near ‘backtrack’ entrance

The victim Mohamed Razack

A 42-year- old money changer was shot and overpowered by three men who took away in excess of $500,000 from him at dawn on Saturday morning close to the Suriname ‘backtrack’ entrance on the Corentyne.

Mohamed Abdel Razack , popularly known as ‘Azim’ related that around 05:35 hrs on Saturday, he went to ply his trade, as he has been doing for the past two years, in front of the backtrack entrance next to Boyo’s Beer Garden in Corriverton, Corentyne.

He was sitting on a concrete rail when three men rushed up to him and grabbed him by the leg, causing him to fall on his back to the ground.

The men, who were armed with two handguns, proceeded to hit him in the head as they tried to relieve him of the money he had in his possession. As he tried to fight the men off, they pointed a gun at his face and he believed that the men were going to shoot him, but he wrestled with them. They eventually fired a shot at him which struck him in the leg. “ Them keep hit me in the head and me start to get dizzy but me still a fight back cause them try fuh tek the money out me pocket and them point the gun to me and me twitch he hand and the shot fire off or he would a shoot me in me head,” Razack said.

The gun-toting men relieved him of $200,000 in local currency, US$100 and a little over SRD$8000; all totalling over half a million Guyana dollars. Razack immediately flagged down a passing car and went to the nearby police station to alert officials of what transpired.

The police returned with him but were unable to locate the men. It was until the police returned to the station from the field to get an official report that Razack realised he was shot.

“After we search them backstreets and nah find nobody we come back at the station, then like me blood cool down and me feel wan burning on me left leg and when me watch down, me see the bullet hole,” he related.

He was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was treated and sent away, since the bullet exited the left thigh.

Police have taken a statement and are on the hunt for the three bandits.

Money changers have been the target of gunmen in recent months and the businessmen are seen as easy targets of bandits since they carry large wads of cash which they use to transact business with members of the public.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

American Racing Tips

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Delware Park

Race 6 Bagels and Lox

Race 1 Storm Rising

Race 7 Transfer Pricing

Race 2 Dutch Blitz

Race 8 Moon Virginia

Race 3 Lawn Dart Race 4 Beacos Disco Pants

South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:35 hrs For Ever 09:05 hrs Snow Path 09:35 hrs African Magic 10:05 hrs All The Sevens 10:35 hrs Lady Lucinda Irish Racing Tips Curragh 08:50 hrs Sunday Sovereign 09:25 hrs King Neptune 10:00 hrs Flash Gordon 10:35 hrs Happen 11:45 hrs Little Clarinet 12:20 hrs Silk Cravat 12:50 hrs Red Tea Down Royal 09:10 hrs Calicojack 09:45 hrs Oromo 10:20 hrs Daybreak Boy 11:30 hrs Veinard 12:05 hrs Complete Sizing 12:35 hrs Trump Legend English Racing Tips Kempton 08:45 hrs Tiffin Top 09:55 hrs Fontley House 10:30 hrs Tommy Silver 11:05 hrs Malangen 11:40 hrs Dolos Windsor 09:00 hrs Mooroverthebridge 09:35 HRS Harry’S Bar 10:10 hrs Hummdinger 10:45 hrs Grapevine 11:20 hrs Top Mission 11:55 hrs Sparkle In His Eyes 12:30 hrs Arishka

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

CSK seal top-two finish despite convincing defeat (ESPNCricinfo) - A BLISTERING half-century from KL Rahul to begin their chase ensured Kings XI Punjab avoided the wooden spoon, scoring a consolation six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings to finish their IPL 2019 campaign on a high.

Rahul’s 71 off 36 balls was part of a 108-run opening stand with a sedate Chris Gayle which powered Kings XI towards the target of 171, eventually knocked off with 12 balls to spare.

The main objective for Super Kings, though, was to ensure the second innings lasted at least 14.3 overs, which would ensure their spot in the top two of the standings and an automatic berth in Tuesday’s Qualifier 1.

Nicholas Pooran had threatened to overhaul the target in that span after taking over the reins from Rahul with some sensational big-hitting, but the spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and

Ravindra Jadeja slowed down the Kings XI charge long enough to get the job done.

Rahul’s innings turned Faf du Plessis’ superb 96 off 54 balls into a footnote. But the fall of

du Plessis, Sam Curran’s third wicket on the day, ground the Super Kings innings to a halt at the death.

They managed just seven runs off the last nine balls thanks to the brilliance of

Curran and Mohammed Shami.

It set up a cinch of a chase for Kings XI to give the home fans a bit of cheer at the end of another season in which they fell short of the playoffs.

Chris Lynn swats one away © BCCI

Nicholas Pooran latches on to a short ball © BCCI

Archer spell helps England past Pakistan

(ESPNCricinfo) - Jofra Archer took another step towards making himself at home in the England line-up while Captain Eoin Morgan steered his side in typically cool fashion to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their T20I in Cardiff.

Having made his long-awaited ODI debut against Ireland on Friday, Archer was playing his first T20I and did not disappoint, claiming 2 for 29 off his four overs to be the pick of the England bowlers as well as completing a sharp runout as the hosts restricted No. 1-ranked Pakistan to 173 for 6.

Morgan scored an unbeaten half-century and was well supported by Joe Rootand a neat cameo from Joe Denly in taking England past the target with four balls to spare.

Ben Duckett also made his T20I debut, opening alongside James Vince, the pair added to the England squad in the wake of Alex Hales’ axing. Duckett got his chance after Dawid Malan injured his groin while batting against Ireland but, after a bright start, he

Mumabi’s Pandya brothers send KKR home

was dismissed for just 9, smacking Shaheen Afridi to Imad Wasim at mid-off.

Vince looked nonplussed when he was given out, caught behind off Imad, having added a fluent 36 off 27 balls.

He called for a review and, while Ultra Edge showed a small amount of noise, it was nigh on impossible to determine whether it

came from the bat brushing the ball or the ground and the decision was upheld.

With England 66 for 2, Root and Morgan found some scintillating whiteball touch, having managed scores of just 7 and 0 respectively against Ireland.

By the time Root was caught behind for 47 off 42 balls, trying to ramp Hasan

Ali, England were neckand-neck with Pakistan, needing 43 off 27.

Morgan held course and shared a 44-run partnership off 24 balls with Denly, to guide his side home, having scored 57 off 29 balls.

With England needing five runs off the last five deliveries, Morgan smashed a six to seal the result.

Skilful bowling from the Pandya brothers and sensible batting from Mumbai Indians’ captain, Rohit Sharma, launched them to No.1 on the points table, setting up a mouth-watering clash against Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier at Chepauk on Tuesday.

The result knocked out Kolkata Knight Riders and put Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs.

Despite their defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday, Sunrisers will now face Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Asked to bat first on a slower-than-usual Wankhede track, Knight Riders stuttered to 133 for 7 with Robin Uthappa’s go-slow encapsulating their struggles.

Hardik Pandya was Rohit’s fifth-bowling option on Sunday, but he made the biggest impact by dismissing Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill in back-to-back overs.

At the other end, Krunal Pandya kept cramping batsmen for room and although he ended wicketless he was also central to Mumbai’s smothering of Knight Riders.

Rohit then led the chase with a measured half-century, sounding out a warning to Super Kings, whom they have beaten five times in seven matches at Chepauk.

When Sunil Narine was his opening partner, Chris Lynn often took a backseat and worked his way into the innings, which wasn’t quite his strong suit. Since Shubman Gill was bumped up to the top, Lynn has bashed his way to three successive forty-plus scores, the latest being his 41 off 29 balls on Sunday.

With the ball coming onto the bat in the early exchanges, Lynn simply did his thing: he cleared his front leg and smote sixes.

After rattling the seamers, he imperiously launched legspinner Rahul Chahar twice into the stands beyond long-off.

Knight Riders were 49 for 0 after the end of the Powerplay - and Lynn alone had contributed 38 to that score.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday May 06, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Decan Chargers & Royal Challengers Bangalore (2) Anil Kumble (RCB)

Jofra Archer

TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who were the 2009 IPL champions?

(2) Who claimed the Man of the Series award in IPL 2009?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

Diamond New Scheme beat MYO in Inter-Jamaat final Diamond New Scheme Masjid registered a three-wicket victory over the Muslim Youth Organisation in the Inter-Jamaat 15-over softball final, which was recently played at the MYO ground.

The home team lost the toss and were asked to take first strike. Led by Shaheed Gittens and Safraz Esau, MYO raced to 106 in seven overs, but when Esau fell for 49 (1x4, 6x6s), the visitors took control of the momentum. Although Gittens scored 55 (6x4s, 6x6s), none of the other batsmen batted themselves in, given that only 70 runs came off the last eight overs.

Patrick Khan (who got the wicket of Gittens) and Sheldon Perch, finished with two wickets each.

Diamond New Scheme did not fare well early in the chase, since they lost their in-form opener, Rawl Reid, off the bowling of Fazal Nazeem for a duck. Soon after, Timore Mohamed had Keisho Ramsarran caught for

one. Next to fall was Ricky Sargeant, who was brilliantly caught by 11-year-old Riyad Latif for 17.

Ameer Khan, however, swung the pendulum as he began to play a few strokes.

He and Rajesh Reddy led the fightback.

THRILLING FINAL OVER Khan, who fell in the 12th over for 59, struck two fours and four sixes, while Reddy was bowled off the first ball of the last over for 63 (2x4s, 8x6s), but the damage was already done.

From the last five balls, the visitors required 11 runs.

Richard Latif nabbed another wicket as he had Sheldon Perch bowled, but Safraz Mohamed took a single, which left his team needing 10 from 3. Khan then belted the third to last ball for six,

which left the visitors needing 4 from 2. Latif fired in a dot ball, which meant that Diamond needed a boundary for the win. Pressure, however, resulted in Latif bowling a wide ball and the pair ran two. Needing a single run off the last ball, Latif

Diamond New Scheme Masjid are the 2019 Inter-Jamaat champions.

again failed to find his line, which handed the visitors the win.

At the presentation ceremony, one of the organisers, Imran Ally, thanked all the teams for participating and also said that the competition was played in its true spirit and represented its motto “Unity and Brotherhood through Sports”.

Overall, New Amsterdam Masjid (NA) finished third and Tuschen Train Station Masjid, fourth.

Reddy won the manof-the-match award, while Keion De Jesus from New Amsterdam with 335 runs, finished as the batsman with the most runs in the competition. De Jesus, who struck 122 against LBI, also ended with the highest individual score, while Wahab Riaz (also from NA), who took 7-16 against LBI, finished with the best bowling figures.

Riaz was also rewarded for grabbing the most wickets in the competition (18).

Jamaican government Rain has final say in Buxton invests in Tallawahs Carl Hooper CC opener in T&T CMC – THE Jamaican Government has entered into a deal with Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise Jamaica Tallawahs, which will see them investing millions of dollars over the next few years.

Speaking at a news conference called by the Tallawahs at the Jamaica Pegasus recently, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange gave her assurance that government was fully committed to supporting the franchise.

She then revealed that her ministry had committed J$2.7 million (US$20,270.62) to facilitate the hosting of the 2019 CPL T20 series in Jamaica.

“The Government fully endorses the franchise…We saw that as the most suitable way forward to guard against Government having to respond to requests at the last minute. It affords us room to plan properly for the assistance that Government will be providing the Tallawahs,” she said.

“We are speaking about an arrangement between the Government of Jamaica and the Jamaica Tallawahs that will be at least for three years, perhaps longer.”

Additionally, Grange said the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), which falls under her ministry will provide support up to a maximum of J$10 million (US$75,076.38) in cash and in kind.

“This will facilitate the entry of all equipment which will be exported at the end of the series – cash sponsorship of J$4.6 million (US$30,030.55) and the guaranteed purchase of 60 tickets for all five nights along with two VIP boxes valued at J$1.1 million (8,258.40) for the hosting of special guests,” she said.

The Minister said Pepsi Cola Jamaica had also come on board as a sponsor for the Tallawahs.

Grange said it was especially pleasing to have Chris Gayle return to the franchise which he led to two titles in 2013 and 2016.

“Perhaps the news that makes us the happiest is that Chris Gayle will be returning to the Tallawahs and returning as captain.

“We wish the Tallawahs every success on the staging of this exciting tournament as we continue our collaboration to present the games at the highest level,” Grange said.

The Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club will be in action today (weather permitting).

THE Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club opened their Evergreen Sports Club T20 Festival in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday with a rained out result, which meant that they had to share points (one each) with opponents, the Ravens CC. The Guyanese side will continue their five-game, six-team competition today with a clash against Secret Storm at the

Evergreen Sports Club Ground in San Fernando.

Games continue daily, with the visitor challenging the Evergreen A team on Tuesday, Super Sonics at home on Wednesday and the Evergreen SC B team on Thursday.

The Marvin Cato led side also includes Transport guest players: Akeem Redman and Mark Baptiste.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

The victorious No. 72 All Stars, after their win, sharing a moment with GNNL staff which included General Manager (ag), Donna Todd.

No. 72 All Stars win BCB/GNNL 100-ball Tournament

By Colin Bynoe Jr

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) partnered with the

Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) to run off a well-organized 100-ball cricket tournament

General Manager (ag) Guyana Chronicle, Donna Todd presenting the winner’s trophy to No.72 All stars captain.

in the Upper Corentyne area which saw No. 72 All Stars being victorious in the finals at the No. 72 “cut and load” ground on Sunday as they humbled Dukestown by 45 runs.

The game was watched by a fair gathering of spectators which included Guyana Jaguars and West Indies ‘B’ player, Anthony Bramble and General Manager (ag) of Guyana Chronicle, Miss Donna Todd, who was accompanied by other staffers. They were all well entertained.

In overcast conditions, the No. 72 “cut and load” ground, as it is called, was buzzing with excitement.

Due to overnight rains which affected the playing conditions to some degree, the umpires decided to reduce the number of balls to 84.

Dukestown won the toss and inserted No. 72 to take first strike. Opening batsman Ryan Ramdass rode his luck to belt an aggressive 43 not out off 20 deliveries; his knock was decorated with 4x6s and 2x4s.

Ramdass was put down three times by the Dukestown fielders who seem to be dropping catches at will.

Permeshwar Chatterpaul (21) assisted his team to a winning total of 103 when

their 84 deliveries expired.

Jermain Reid, who collected 3-10 for Duketown, was the most economical bowler.

In between innings, spectators were vociferously making their predictions of a winner.

bowled a demoralizing first over.

Gobin prized out three wickets in the first over that went for one run. As a result, this sent his team’s supporters into frenzy.

Dukestown had no an-

their efforts while she offered words of encouragement to Dukestown.

Miss Todd implored the loosing team, “catches win matches and you dropped a lot today, so I encourage you to do some work on your

Pradeep Gobin receives his player of the match trophy from a GNNL representative.

Dukestown took to the crease with a sense of confidence but that confidence was erased in a matter of two deliveries.

Pradeep Gobin, who took the new ball for No. 72 and bowling his left-arm swing from over the wicket,

swers for No. 72 disciplined bowling as wickets fell ordinarily. They were eventually dismissed for 59 and fell short by 45 runs.

Acting General Manager of GNNL, Miss Donna Todd, speaking at the presentation, praised the winning team for

fielding”.

At the presentation, staffers of GNNL presented Pradeep Gobin, who was adjudged player of the match, with cash and a trophy while his team received the winner’s trophy and cash incentives for their victory.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

Transport take first innings points against Third Class in second-division clash -Nandan and Ramsammy hit centuries TRANSPORT Sports Club (TSC) settled for first innings points against Third Class in a rain-affected fixture of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), Noble House Seafoods Second-Division Two-Day competition over the weekend.

TSC won the toss and opted to take first strike. It proved a good decision as Devaughn Nandan and Mark Ramsammy stroked centuries. The pair batted their team to a formidable total of 335-5 in just 38 overs.

Nandan struck 14 fours and eight sixes in a score of 114, while Ramsammy caressed 17 fours and two sixes in a top score of 117.

Sunil Singh supported with 39. Bowling for Third Class, Mark Roopchand finished with 2-79.

Mark Ramsammy finished with 17 fours and two sixes in a top score of 117.

SPIN/PACE COMBINATION Third Class, who were undone by the spin/pace

Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-county cricket...

Berbice in control after routing Essequibo for 62

By Rajiv Bisnauth

ON another shortened day’s play, defending champions, Berbice put themselves in total control of their second round Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-county three-day encounter against Essequibo currently being contested at the Community Centre ground.

When play ended prematurely yesterday, the second day, the Berbicians capatilised on another insipid batting performance

Kelvon Anderson

by Essequibo, who collapsed for a miserable 62 all out in 27.1 overs to trail by 138 runs on first innings.

Berbice’s attack was spearheaded by 18-yearold left-arm spinner, Kelvin Umroa, who bagged 5-24 off 11.1 overs. Kelvon Anderson and Chris Harry supported with figures of 3-12 and 2-6 respectively.

Orlando Jailall with 18, Kevin Christian (14) and Ellian Whyte (10), were the main scorers in that paltry batting performance.

Resuming on 107-6, Berbice were eventually bowled out for 200 in 76.1 overs with Garfield Benjamin and Nigel Deodat taking their overnight score from 13 and 10 respectively to 50 and 48 respectively.

Benjamin’s 50 came off 145 balls with four fours and a six while Deodat’s innings lasted for 84 balls with four boundaries. Leon Swammy made

12.

However, off-spinners Amit Persaud and Lance Roberts claimed the final four wickets to finish with figures of 6-93 and 4-42 respectively.

Play is scheduled to start at 09:30hrs today.

Berbice, the defending champions, drew their first round game against the Select Under-17 team while Essequibo suffered a humiliating nine-wicket defeat against leaders, Demerara, in their first round encounter.

Kelvin Umroa

combination of 13-year-old national U-15 cricketer, Alvin Mohabir, and Kevin Ross, fell in 20 overs for 77 (Anand Persaud top scored with 24).

Mohabir, who made his second-division debut in this match, flighted his off-spinners well to finish with figures of 4-22, while medium pacer, Ross, grabbed 4-24.

By the end of play on Saturday, Transport, who were looking to secure maximum batting points, had reached 40-1 in their second innings, but several interruptions led them to 151-6 declared yesterday. Unfortunately, rain forced the umpires to call off the game at 15:45hrs, with Third Class yet to bat a second time, resulting in a draw.

Shaun Massiah and Ramsammy scored 23 and 22 runs respectively. Lenny Panchan spun his way to 5-41 to lead Third Class’s bowling attack.

Thirteen-year-old Alvin Mohabir spun his way to 4-22 for Transport.

Devaughn Nandan clobbered eight sixes and 14 fours in a score of 114.

Hope, Campbell record stand propels windies CMC – Led by a world record One Day International (ODI) opening stand between John Campbell and Shai Hope, the West Indies romped to an emphatic 196run win over Ireland in the first match of the Tri-Nation series here at the Clontarf Cricket Club Sunday.

Campbell, who scored 179 and Hope who made 170, added 365 runs for the first wicket to help propel the West Indies to 381 for three, their second highest ever ODI total.

Ireland never threatened their mammoth target, and once they were reduced to 21 for three early on, eventually folded for just 185 with off-spinner Ashley Nurse being the main destroyer with four wickets.

But the day belonged to the two 25-year-old batsmen who set a number of records during their historic partnership.

They broke the previous highest ODI opening stand of 304 between Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Imamul-Haq set last year.

They also became the second set of openers behind New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum and James Marshall to both score 150 in an ODI. Campbell and Hope also came agonisingly close to posting the highest ever partnership in ODIs, but fell just short of the 372 put on by fellow West Indians, Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, four years ago.

And had they batted out the 17 balls remaining prior to Campbell’s dismissal, they

would have become the first set of ODI openers to bat through the entire first innings of an ODI. In the absence of Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle, who are both still in the IPL, Campbell took full advantage of the opportunity to open the batting.

With no real threats, Ireland’s bowlers were put to the sword by Campbell and Hope.

Apart from a few anxious moments courtesy of opening bowlers Tim Murtagh and Mark Adair, the two West Indies batsman completely dominated play.

They scored just 37 runs from the first 10 overs, but then motored along, adding 222 runs in the next 30 overs and 106 runs from the final 44 deliveries they faced.

Adair went for 21 in the 41st over, George Dockrell for 16 in the 42nd, Josh Little for 16 in the 45th, Adair for 18 in the 46th, and Murtagh for 17 in the 47th.

Campbell was the more aggressive, smashing six sixes and 15 boundaries during his 137-ball knock, while Hope struck 22 boundaries and two sixes in his 152-ball innings.

But in sight of the record Gayle and Samuels set two months ago against England, Campbell was caught by captain William Porterfield when his topedged shot ballooned to mid off.

It was Ireland’s first ODI wicket in 374 balls.

Hope then followed four

runs later, picking out the fielder at deep square leg as the Windies could only muster 16 runs from the final three overs.

In Ireland’s turn at the crease, fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Sheldon Cottrell virtually decided the outcome within the first few overs.

Roach bowled Paul Stirling for a duck and removed Potterfield soon after to leave Ireland 21 for two.

Cottrell then accounted for the wicket of Lorcan Tucker without another run added.

Kevin O’Brien, who topscored with 68 brought some respectability to Ireland’s total, as he teamed up first with Andy Balbirnie to add 68 and then with Gary Wilson, who made 30.

That initial partnership was broken up when Balbirnie was forced to retire hurt on 28 after being struck on the helmet by Shannon Gabriel.

O’Brien then found a willing partner in Wilson and the pair added 63 runs to frustrate the Windies bowlers.

But once Ashley Nurse struck to dismiss O’Brien and claim the first of his four wickets, Ireland’s innings quickly capitulated and they lost their last six wickets for just 32 runs to be bowled out in under 35 overs.

Nurse was the pick of the bowlers ending with 4-51, while Gabriel took 3-44 and Roach 2-28.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 6, 2019

Panthers, Grove Hi-Tech book semi spots in EBFA leg of GFF/KFC U-20 KO Cup Timehri Panthers and Grove Hi-Tech U-20 teams have booked their spots in the semi-finals of the GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Knockout Cup (East Bank Football Association leg) yesterday at the GFF’s National Training Centre, Providence.

The Panthers, led by braces from Tyrone Burnette and Ishmael Pulsuram, had a commanding 6-0 win over Herstelling Raiders, while Grove Hi Tech simply waltzed into the semis after their opponents, Diamond Upsetters, failed to show up for their encounter.

Meanwhile, Diamond United came out on top of a 14-goal affair, defeating Samatta Point/Kaneville 10-4.

Diamond will now face Soesdyke Falcons today from 14:00hrs at the same venue. The match will determine another semi-finalist while the EBFA Senior League will kick off with an encounter between Grove Hi Tech and Kuru Kururu Warriors.

The EBFA Senior League is being sponsored by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the official march past of the 11 contesting clubs will also take place.

Action in the EBFA leg of the GFF/KFC Independence Cup at the National Training Centre, Providence.

Mixed fortunes for Guyanese boxers at Brian Lara’s Birthday tournament GUYANA’s four-man boxing team suffered mixed fortunes on Friday evening in Trinidad and Tobago at West Indian cricket legend Brian Lara’s birth anniversary tournament. The tournament was held at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Two of the Guyanese boxers won, while the other two suffered defeats. Lightweight Jamal Eastman was unfortunate in losing by a point to Trinidadian Anthony Joseph.

Meanwhile, Kelvin Moore convincingly beat Trinidadian Nyrul Hosein; 20-year-old Shemar Beaton also triumphed over T&T’s Blessing Waldropt.

Guyana’s Christopher Moore was controversially defeated, having suffered a below-the-belt hit from Tyron Thomas.

Jamaal Eastman was one of two Guyanese boxers who suffered narrow defeats.

Haiti trample Guyana 6–0 at CONCACAF U-17 Championship

Guyana suffered their heaviest defeat at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship when they fell hard to eventual Group G winners, Haiti, 6 – 0, when the two met yesterday at the IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida.

With defeats suffered against El Salvador (4 – 0) and Honduras (3 – 0), the Guyanese unit were hoping for a better performance against the Haitians, but, with the French-speaking

Caribbean Island hammering their way through the group, Guyana would’ve had to play an almost perfect game if they were to secure their first win, or, secure their first point in the tournament.

Haiti, who will now play the Dominican Republic in the round-of-16, didn’t spare Guyana, especially in the first half, when they scored five goals; Michael Pierre netted twice (12 th and 28th minutes), Captain Kervens Jolicooeur (21st),

Kurowskybob Pierre (27th) and Omire Etienne (43 rd) all scored.

Coached by Sampson Gilbert, Guyana showed some signs of promise in the second half, but the Haitians were too good, as they scored their sixth goal in the 82nd minute through Thero Rhinvil.

Guyana conceded 13 goals at the championship; the most by any team, while failing to find the net.

Hope, Campbell record stand propels windies Page

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No. 72 All Stars win BCB/GNNL 100-ball 29 Tournament Page

General Manager (ag) Guyana Chronicle, Donna Todd presenting the winner’s trophy to No.72 All stars captain.

John Campbell and Shai Hope put on the biggest opening stand in all ODI cricket © Sportsfile via Getty Images

Haiti’s Michel Pierre celebrates after scoring one of his two goals against Guyana during his side’s 6 – 0 win at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship.

(Photo compliments: CONCACAF)

Haiti trample Guyana 6–0 at CONCACAF U-17 Championship

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MONDAY, MAY 6, 2019