Guyana Chronicle E-paper 5-7-2019

TUESDAY 7th May, 2019

No.105630

Nappi residents to tap potable water …as GWI drills new well in community

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Water spring from the new well that was drilled

by Brazilians from Fox Services & Trade

Smiling faces: First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (centre), Divisional Director of the Women’s Ministries, Major Mireille Saint-Lot ( first, left), among other members of the Salvation Army and some youth who participated in cultural activities at the annual Women Ministries' Funfair SEE STORY ON PAGE 03 ►

Busy week at CCJ for Guyana … no-confidence vote, appointment of GECOM chair matters for oral arguments

Sexual offences09 Guyanese court for Berbice businessman shot dead in …UNICEF says Essequibo PAGE

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branch before year-end

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Barbados

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

700 residents to benefit from new well at Nappi OVER 700 residents of Nappi Village, Region 9, will be beneficiaries of a new well that was drilled to provide the community with easier access to potable water.

The drilling of the well was undertaken through a collaborative effort between the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), GWI said in a release.

Under the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership, the two parties are working towards increasing resilience of indigenous communities to vulnerabilities in the drought period, through improved water

quality, access and storage.

As a result, Brazilian company Fox Services & Trading was contracted to drill the well, which was completed on Saturday, May 4, at a depth of 144 meters.

The initial water production from the well was witnessed

by GWI officials along with the Toshao of Nappi Village Region 9, Mr. Guy Frederick at approximately 23:00hrs on Saturday.

GWI is now tasked with installing distribution and transmission mains, pumps and service connections, while UNDP is expected to erect a trestle with storage tanks, all of which will ensure residents are adequately served.

GWI officials including Managing Director, Dr Richard Van-West Charles, Brazilian drillers from Fox Services & Trading and Nappi Village Toshao pose for photo in front of the drilling rig in Nappi, Region 9

Ramadaan commences today THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has announced that the holy month of Ramaadan commenced today.

According to President of the CIOG, Shahabudeen Ahmad, during the period of Ramadaan, Muslims must reflect upon the good judgment and guidance that come with faith and upon the responsibility that all humans have to each other and to God (Allah).

During the 29 or 30 days of Ramadaan, Muslims observe the traditions shared by many faiths. Those traditions include deep reflection and sacrifice; families gathering together with love for each other; reaching out to neighbours and the less fortunate in compassion and charity. “We are also mindful of our obligation to practice peace, justice and dignity for all. Let us in this month of Ramadaan reflect on our Muslim and non-Muslim brothers and sisters who are encountering great challenges…let us make du’ah (supplication) to Allah to ease their suffering,” said Ahmad.

He said fasting and worship should take Muslims to a new level and lead them on a path that ends in goodness in this world and eternal bliss in the next.

A blessed Ramadaan to the Muslim community

According to residents, the new well will ease their burden of having to walk approximately 600 meters downhill to fetch water for daily use. One middle-aged resident, Mr. Egbert Frederick said he could not have believed his eyes when he saw the well being drilled.

Mr. Austin Domingo, 85 years of age, said he has reached that age where he can no longer walk long distances and fetch water, since his knees are now weak. He thanked the Government of Guyana and other stakeholders involved in the project to supply potable water to his community.

Chilean partnership to help build capacity at GGMC

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman (left) and Chile´s Minister of Mining Baldo Prokurica following the signing of the MOU

GUYANA will soon be receiving scientific and technical capacity training in geology and mining from Chile following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to this effect.

The MOU was signed on Sunday between the Government of Guyana and the National Service of Geology and Mining Government of the Republic of Chile (SERNAGEOMIN).

It was signed by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and Chile´s Minister of Mining Baldo Prokurica and SERNAGEOMIN. A release from the ministry explained that the MoU provides a framework for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge and the augmentation of scientific and technical capabilities.

Forms of cooperation under the MOU may consist of exchanges of technical information; visits; participation in training courses, conferences, and symposia; the exchange of professional geoscientists in areas of mutual interest and any other cooperative research consistent with programmes of the involved parties.

Specific areas of cooperation also include --- but are not limited to --- Geochemical and Geological Mapping and Data Analysis, Economic Geology and Metallogenesis.

It will be exchanged between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and SERNAGEOMIN with respect to Earth Sciences and Mining.

“The signing of this MoU brings to fruition areas discussed when His Excellency, President David Granger

visited Chile two years ago.

We look to Chile as a good example for productive and safe mining practices and how the proceeds of mining can be utilized for the benefit of the citizens,” Minster Trotman said, adding: “This relationship between Guyana and Chile will benefit our people immensely and we can look to no better example than Chile of how to do it properly.”

Meanwhile, the Chilean Minister of Mining said that his country is pleased to be able to share its knowledge and expertise with Guyana.

He noted that Chile is known throughout the world as an important mining country. “We are very interested in signing this agreement and further collaboration especially in geological services … 20 per cent of mining services provided in Peru are Chileans,” Prokurica said.

At the signing, Manager of the Geological Services Division at GGMC, Gordon Nestor stated that the MOU clears the way for greater capacity building in the GGMC. “It will help boost capacity for geological and land management platforms and the development of professionals in geo sciences, geo physics and structural management and data management,” he said. There are already three Chileans working at the GGMC. Collaboration between SERNAGEOMIN and GGMC commenced with two visits of GGMC staff to Chile and one from SERNAGEOMIN to the GGMC.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Tullow will increase Local Content, once drilling is successful

…says spokesman George Cazenove

By Svetlana Marshall UK-BASED oil company, Tullow Oil plc, has committed to tapping into Guyana’s Local Content once successful discoveries are made in the Orinduik and Kanuku Blocks, offshore Guyana.

Tullow Oil, parent company of Tullow Guyana B.V., will be drilling a total of three wells – Jethro and Joe in the Orinduik Block, starting June 2019; and the Carapa in the Kanuku Block later in the year. The first two wells will be drilled by Stena Forth, which is currently in Ghana.

Tullow Oil’s Spokesman, George Cazenove, during a recent interview with Guyana Chronicle, said Local Content is relatively limited during the exploration phase.

However, the oil company, in keeping with its overarching Local Content Policy, will utilize the skills and services of Guyanese, once the exploration is successful.

“Local Content is much more about the development and the production phase.

Tullow has a good record in local content; we are proud of what we have achieved in East and West Africa, in Ghana and also in Kenya and Uganda. If you look in our publications we do, it is something that we prioritise, it is something that our contract prioritises as well, so we are required to include as much Local Content into our work as much as we can,” Cazenove said.

While the definition for Local Content varies, for Tullow Oil, it means getting local suppliers into the supply chain as much as possible, the company’s spokesman posited. He said it is important that small and medium size enterprises benefit from being part of the global Oil and Gas industry.

Tullow Oil, in outlining its position on Local Content, acknowledged that suppliers are critical to the success of a business. “Tullow is committed to encouraging and supporting local suppliers, either by working with them directly or through our own suppliers. A diverse and dy-

Man dies in bus accident at Garden of Eden …driver flees scene A resident of Charlestown, Michael Cozier, died during an accident at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, Sunday night.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force, Cozier was in a route 42 minibus BXX 3014 which was travelling at a fast rate, south along the eastern side of the road in the vicinity of the Guyana Defence Force Agriculture Corps when the driver lost control of the bus and ended up in a trench on the western side of the road.

Cozier was among seven passengers who were all injured in the accident. The police said that among the victims was a police constable, Linden Charles, who was stationed at the Mocha Outpost.

The injured passengers were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where Cozier was pronounced dead on arrival. The constable and another passenger, Devon Benjamin were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for more treatment.

Charles suffered from spinal injuries and Benjamin suffered from a fractured right hand. The other passengers were treated and sent away. The body of Cozier was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour.

The driver reportedly fled the scene and left the injured passengers inside the minibus. Police are on the hunt for the driver of the vehicle, as investigations continue.

namic local economy benefits local people, and through our supply chain we can help to build the right environment to attract investment and create jobs in host countries,” the UK-based oil company said.

For Tullow, having a local supplier base is a critical part of its business. “By developing these suppliers, it helps us to create value, manage cost and reduce risk, which in turn enables us to keep our projects running efficiently and profitably in the long term,” it added.

Here in Guyana, the Department of Energy, Ministry of the Presidency, is still finalizing the country’s Local Content Policy. The policy document, when adopted by the National Assembly, would outline the framework on which Local Content will be understood, developed, measured and secured. In the context of Guyana, it is the sum of inputs of local goods and services including employment across the oil and gas value chain. It is intended to ensure the education,

Tullow Oil’s Spokesman George Cazenove

inclusion, and advancement of as many as possible in the value chain of the oil and gas industry.

In the interim, the Department of Energy has been encouraging joint ventures to better allow Guyanese to participate in the sector and raise their own standards.

Currently, there are a number of joint ventures in place.

These joint ventures include partnership in shore bases, aviation, oil spill management and supplies among others.

Meanwhile, Cazenove

noted that Tullow Oil is impressed by the discoveries made by U.S oil giant ExxonMobil and its partners.

With 13 wells successfully drilled to date, ExxonMobil puts its gross recoverable resource estimate to more than 5.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent in the Stabroek Block. He was, however, keen on stating that there are absolutely no guarantees in the exploration phase, and as such Tullow Oil, though cognizant of Guyana’s potential, remains open-minded about the end result.

Tullow Oil’s drilling exercise is being conducted after 3D seismic operations in the Orinduik Block were completed in September 2017.

Meanwhile, according to the Petroleum Contract, which was signed on January 14, 2016, once the recoverable costs have been satisfied, the profit will be shared between the government and Tullow for each field, based on an established system.

This could see Guyana receiving a profit share as high as 60 per cent and as low as 50 per cent. For the first 25,000 barrels of oil, Guyana

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is in line to receive a profit of 50 per cent. For the next 25,000 barrels, the country’s profit would increase to 52.5 per cent and 55 per cent for the next 15,000 barrels.

For the subsequent batch of 15,000 barrels of oil, Guyana would benefit from a 57.5 per cent profit and 60 per cent profit for more than 80, 000 barrels of oil. The profit will be shared between the government and contractor on a monthly basis. There is also provision for the country to recieve a one per cent royalty.

The agreement also provides for associated gas produced from an oil field within the contract area to be used for the purposes of the operations of production and production enhancement of oil fields, such as gas injection, gas lifting and power generation.

Tullow Oil is a leading independent oil and gas exploration and production company, which has interests in 90 exploration and production licences across 16 countries that are in West Africa, East Africa and ‘New Ventures’, which includes Guyana and French Guiana.

Parents must set the example they want their children to emulate -says First Lady tells patrons at Salvation Army fair FIRST LADY, Mrs. Sandra Granger, on Monday, said that parents must demonstrate the values and virtues that they wish to see their children emulate, which can contribute to the development of a more genial and cohesive society.

The First Lady was at the time delivering remarks to open the Salvation Army Women Ministries' Annual Funfair at the Guyana Girls Guides Ground, Brickdam. The fair was hosted under the theme “Today’s Children, tomorrow’s Leaders”.

“A child who grows surrounded by violence… will believe that violence is normal and acceptable…. [while] a child who is taught discipline will recognise the value of rules and reg-

ulations,” the First Lady said. Mrs. Granger also underscored the importance of education to a child’s development as it impacts directly a child’s ability to be a productive citizen.

[Children] must be literate and numerate… They must have knowledge of Information Communication Technology which plays an increasingly significant role in our lives; [and] they must learn to protect our resources so that our country may develop sustainably,” the First Lady said.

The annual fair is held to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s School Feeding Programme. According to Divisional Director of the Women’s Ministries, Major Mireille Saint-Lot, the school feeding pro-

gramme provides 50 hot meals daily for children attending schools in Georgetown. The programme is administered at Salvation Army‘s headquarters at 237 Alexander Street, Lacytown, Georgetown.

Major Saint-Lot said initially the feeding programme catered for elderly persons, but it was expanded to include children. “A few years back we started with the children feeding programme as well… you will also find less fortunate persons passing on the road who do not have something to eat. They will step in and we will offer them a hot meal to eat,” she said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2018

Trump tariff threat leaves U.S.-China talks in limbo as markets fall

WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalation of a trade war with China left plans in limbo on Monday for high-level negotiations later this week to end the dispute.

Stocks around the world tumbled and oil prices hit a one-month low after Trump tweeted on Sunday that he would raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent from 10 percent by the end of the week, and would “soon” target the remaining Chinese imports with tariffs. The announcement ended a fourmonth truce in a trade war that has cost the world’s two largest economies billions of dollars, slowed global growth

and disrupted manufacturing and farming.

It was unclear on Monday whether Chinese Vice Premier Liu He would travel as planned to Washington for talks scheduled to start on Wednesday. A Washington-based source familiar with the talks said the Chinese side was reconsidering whether Liu would attend after Trump’s tweet. “The atmosphere of the negotiations has changed,” said a Chinese official with knowledge of the talks, and how they would proceed was being re-evaluated. “All that depends on the attitude of the United States,” the official said. A Chinese delegation was still preparing to go to the United States for trade talks, Chinese

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said earlier on Monday in Beijing, without saying whether Liu would be part of it.

A spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office did not immediately respond to a query about the status of the talks in Washington and Liu’s attendance.

ATTITUDE SHIFT Trump’s comments on Sunday came as a surprise after he and members of his team had repeatedly said the two sides were making progress on a deal. Tensions between the two countries had eased as talks progressed after Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in the trade war in late November. As recently as Friday, Trump had cited progress toward a deal. The United States is demanding sweeping changes to China’s economic policies, including better protection of U.S. intellectual property, ending forced technology transfers and cyber theft of American trade secrets. Washington also wants more access to China’s vast markets for U.S. companies, curbs on indus-

U.S. President Donald Trump

trial subsidies and increased purchases of American products. Trump appeared to defend his decision in a tweet early on Monday, lashing out over the U.S. trade deficit with China. He also said he spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on trade in a “very good conversation.”

“With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we’re not going to be doing that anymore!” Trump tweeted.

The United States imported about $539.5 billion in goods from China in 2018 and exported $120.3 billion, for a record trade deficit of $419.2 billion, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Trump’s change in tone came

after U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told him that significant obstacles remained to a trade deal, and that China was pulling back from some previous commitments, people with knowledge of the talks said.

Lighthizer briefed Trump following a round of talks in Beijing last week.

On Monday, billionaire investor Warren Buffett warned that a wider trade war between the world’s two largest economies would be bad for the world economy and for his conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway. A fullscale trade war is unlikely, he said, but “would be bad for everything Berkshire owns.”.

Chinese news outlets have been told not to independently report on Trump’s tweets, and instead adhere to any report from the official Xinhua news agency, said a source with direct knowledge of the matter. “There is still a question of whether this is one of the famous Trump negotiation tactics, or are we really going to see some drastic increase in tariffs,” said Nick Twidale, Sydney-based analyst at Rakuten Securities Australia. “If it’s the latter,

we’ll see massive downside pressure across all markets.”

The renewed tariff threat caused sharp responses from some sectors that would be affected, including retailers and footwear makers. “Raising tariffs means raising taxes on millions of American families and inviting further retaliation on American farmers,” said Christin Fernandez, a spokeswoman for the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Trump currently has 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese machinery and technology goods, and 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion worth of products ranging from computer modems and routers to furniture, lighting and building materials.

Negotiations about tariffs have been one of the remaining sticking points between the two sides.

China wants the tariffs to be removed, while Trump wants to keep some, if not all, as part of any final deal to ensure China lives up to its commitments, a White House official said on Sunday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2018

New opportunities for Caribbean tourism industry discussed at ECLAC meeting

CARIBBEAN countries have taken important steps toward upgrading and diversifying their tourism sector. Efforts have also focused on diversification, with the development of new product niches in areas such as eco and nature tourism, health, sports and culinary tourism, while new opportunities have been sought by penetrating markets in Latin America and even China. These are some of the main findings that emerged during an expert group meeting

organized and hosted by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) sub-regional headquarters for the Caribbean.

Held at ECLAC Caribbean headquarters in Port of Spain on 3 May 2019, the meeting brought together key experts from the Ministries of Tourism, Tourism Boards, Chambers of Industry and Commerce, as well as hoteliers. Discussions during the meeting centred on the findings of an upcoming study by ECLAC Caribbean.

Entitled “Industrial Upgrading and diversification to address the competitiveness challenges in the Caribbean: the case of tourism”, the study analysed upgrading and diversification of tourism products and services in The Bahamas, Belize and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The three countries were chosen because they span the profile of the industry in the region; The Bahamas being a well-established mature destination. Belize, a relatively new destination, boasts a wider product mix,

including eco-tourism and nature tourism alongside sun, sea and sand, while Saint Kitts and Nevis is a small twin-island destination that recently won the World Trade Organization’s prize as the world’s best destination for sustainable tourism.

The experts recognized efforts at upgrading undertaken by these countries, including investment in better-quality rooms at hotels and a wider array of amenities such as spa and wellness treatments. Nevertheless, it was argued that the coun-

Former TT AG, legislator in court regarding alleged kickbacks scheme

conspired with Ramlogan and Ramdeen to receive, conceal and transfer criminal property given to Ramlogan by Nelson as the advocate in various matters for the State. It is also alleged that he conspired with Ramlogan and Ramdeen for the former to misbehave in public office with Ramlogan accepting rewards from Nelson and conspired to corruptly give Ramlogan rewards Senior Counsel Pamela Elder (left) and Anand Ramlogan, as Attorney General. The speaking to reporters after court appearance (CMC Photo) London-based Nelson, who has entered into a CHIEF Magistrate Maria portunity to cross examine plea agreement with the Busby Earle-Caddle Mon- him with respect to these day adjourned to June 28, allegations he has made state, is due to re-appear in the case against former against two senior mem- court here later this month.

Ramlogan and Ramattorney general Anand bers of the Bar,” she added. deen, who have both been Ramlogan and attorney She said that she has “the and legislator, Gerald utmost confidence” that released on bail amountRamdeen, who are both Gaspard, who was present ing to nearly three million facing several charges in the court “will make all dollars, have been charged from an alleged scheme necessary disclosures and with conspiracy to contraregarding kickbacks from he will do everything in his vene Section 3 of the Prestate briefs. powers to ensure that this vention of Corruption Act; Director of Public Pros- matter is dealt with expe- conspiracy to contravene ecution, Roger Gaspard ditiously”. Gaspard told Section 45 of the Proceeds agreed with the attorneys the court he could not say of Crime Act and conspirfor Ramlogan and Ramdeen with precision how many acy to misbehave in public to have the matter expedit- witnesses would be testify- office between October 1, ed. “Well as I indicated to ing against Ramlogan and 2010 to September 9, 2015.

Neither Ramlogan the court, I trust that this Ramdeen, but that it would nor Ramdeen were asked matter is dealt with expe- be no more than 12. ditiously. I have read and Queen’s Counsel Nel- to enter a plea since the heard that the main witness, son was last week Thurs- charges have been laid inalleged co-conspirator Mr. day granted TT$100,000 dictably. According to the (Vincent) Nelson is not (One Tt dollar=US$0.16 allegations, Ramlogan and enjoying the best of health,” cents) bail on charges of Ramdeen conspired for the Senior Counsel Pamela corruption conspiracy in former attorney general to Elder, who is representing connection with a series misbehave in public office Ramlogan, told reporters of financial transactions by accepting sums of monoutside the court. involving legal fees during ey representing a reward “So I hope he gets the the period of the People’s from Nelson for granting best of medical treatment Partnership Government’s him state briefs It is further alleged that and he keeps in good health term in office. Nelson, had they conspired for Ramdeen and does not go to the here- appeared for the state in after before we get an op- several cases and reportedly to receive, conceal, and

transfer criminal property which represented corrupt rewards given to Ramlogan by Nelson for the state briefs. The third allegation against the two is that they conspired for Nelson to give ten per cent of the paid legal fees to Ramlogan as a “gift” or “reward” for being granted those state briefs.

Ramlogan told reporters that he was confident of victory and that “I have every confidence in my attorney …I know at the end of the day the truth will emerge and I anxiously await my time and my day in court. “Matters that are subjected to the court, of course I can’t comment.

However I will be going to court myself to represent my clients. I will be back at my law firm tomorrow and I intend to live my life as normal.

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper,” a smiling Ramlogan added. Ramlogan served as attorney general between 2010-15 when the United National Congress (UNC) formed the biggest partner in the coalition People’s Partnership government of then prime minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, while Ramdeen is a front line member of the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) in the Senate.

In a statement last week, the UNC said it regarded the detention of the two men as a plan by the Trinidad and Tobago government to “distract the public”.

tries still have a long way to go in optimizing the use of disruptive technologies such as Big data and Artificial Intelligence, which are proving transformative in this sector.

In a similar vein, product diversification will require better research on what product bundles are best suited for each country to invest in and what would be required to deliver a high-quality experience in these areas.

It was also suggested that market diversification will require targeted investments in language training, facili-

tating airlift and establishing business to business contacts with leading marketing firms in prospective new destinations.

The experts concluded that the tourism landscape in the Caribbean is one of both opportunity and challenge, and with carefully crafted strategy and targeted actions, these countries could significantly enhance their tourism product, bringing increased economic benefit and improved living conditions for their people.

Trinidad rattled by small tremor

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, May 6, CMC – An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.8 rattled Trinidad during the early hours of Monday, the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) has reported.

It said that the quake, which occurred at 2:09am local time, occurred west of Trinidad. It was located at 10.88°N and 61.94°W at a depth of four kilometres (km). SRC said there were no initial reports of any damage or injuries as a result of the quake, the first to be felt in a Caribbean island this month, following a 4.2 earthquake, south east of Barbados and a 3.8 tremor sout east of Antigua on April 30.

COTED grants Jamaica suspension on lithium ion batteries

KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 6, CMC – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) has accepted Jamaica’s application to suspend the Common External Tariff (CET) on lithium ion batteries for two years, the Ministry of Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries announced Monday.

It said that the application was put forward by Minister of State, Floyd Green, who led a Jamaican delegation to the COTED meeting in Guyana last week. Lithium-ion batteries are used in laptops, PDAs, cell phones and iPods among other devices. They have high energy density and low maintenance.

According to the Ministry, the move is in line with the government’s aim to foster the increased use of renewable energy in Jamaica, and that Green made a presentation, which sought to enable players in the renewable energy market to have Lithium Ion Batteries enter Jamaica at a reduced cost.

Green noted that COTED accepted this application and also considered Jamaica’s proposal to put condensed milk and evaporated milk on the ineligible list of commodities. The Ministry said the application included that CARICOM member states be charged a set duty in the importation of condensed milk and evaporated milk that come from outside the region. It was made based on the ability of a Jamaican company to provide 75 per cent of the condensed milk and evaporated milk that the region requires. The agreement was that COTED will assemble a team consisting of member states and technical experts to assess Jamaica’s claim that it has the ability to meet this demand. The CARICOM Secretariat will advise of the team and terms of assessment in a month, following which a determination will be made, the Ministry said, adding that the Guyana meeting also successfully covered strategies pertinent to major commodities and their impact on growth of the agricultural sector within the region.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Decentralisation of government services It is the duty of every government to govern in the name of the people, who are its electors, to deliver what it would have promised.

And though it is known that administrations vary from government to government for a variety of reasons, it is the duty of every government to make available the best services and assistance available to its citizens. It is a legitimate expectation of the people.

But not only must the latter be done, it must also be available to citizens, whose ready access to government services must be unimpeded, and not be hampered by unnecessary bottlenecks or bureaucracy. There must also be ready mechanisms to engage critical issues, which must not be left unattended, lest it causes further bother,

and increase in cost, time and money to the affected party.

The current approach of “Bringing government to the people’’ again underlines the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government’s determination of ensuring that the citizens of Guyana are served in the most satisfying of manner, without any of the stated constraints.

It explains, why, for example, the government has insisted that the system of Local Government, so long centralised in its fossilised and decrepit state, must change through citizens’ participation, determining what are best for their communities. This will include the very important aspect of the decentralisation of public services in the ten administra-

tive Regions, which citizens in their local communities can access, as is the case with many such facilities.

It was this kind of decadence of governance that failed so many of our citizens, which would have caused so much frustration and pain, consuming much time and money, as citizens sought relief, redress, or solutions for whatever challenge that had been unresolved.

Sometimes for years, as have been the example of many citizens at the current exercises, speaking of their past experiences.

What had been displayed as ‘’outreaches” by the past administration, had been exercises for the purpose of political propaganda, by a government that took its cabinet for soliciting mere party support. It was not

about bringing, or offering solutions, to whatever region and their communities that were visited. It was about soliciting party support; ensuring its party support base had been intact, and giving political orders for further centralisation, but with citizens’ concerns still unattended and unresolved.

Therefore, the hundreds that have been flocking the Departments of Government that have been visiting the various regions as part of “Bringing the Government to the People”, is a reflection of the build-up of problems, and neglect which made the lives of numerous citizens uncomfortable, and uncertain.

For any government to be successful in its strategy of effectively satisfying the needs of the people, its methodology of governance, its

mechanism for effective delivery of services, especially on such an exercise as those now currently undertaken by the coalition, must be innovative and systematic. There must be follow-through actions able to be carried to its final task, until solved. This is what the current “Government department to the People” exercise brings to those who have been waiting for years for such assistance.

It has been very effective, bringing relief to citizens, as those who seek house lots, and titles to their holdings have been expressing. The same goes for those seeking employment; and upgrade training to their already acquired medical skills. Every aspect, be it of a security nature; sanitation and matters pertaining to the environment, which problem has

become problematic in some coastal areas are being dealt with, much to the satisfaction of the affected party.

The most recent visit to Linden is an example as to what dissatisfied services have done to the lives of so many of our citizens. There will be further return visits to these regions, since there are many citizens who, for one reason or the other, had been unable to visit the government departments on the appointed day.

The Government’s first and foremost concern is about all Guyanese and communities, irrespective of politico–ethnic hew.

Their needs must be satisfied and this is what the current “Bringing the Government to the People” is all about.

The attack on Dr. Karen Cummings will not be allowed

Dear Editor,

ON May 4, 2019, Stabroek News published a letter titled, “A total ingénue in important position of Foreign Minister”, written by E. B. John. The letter is a nauseatingly repulsive and overtly sexist attack on Guyana’s newly-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings.

I am not surprised that Stabroek News published this letter, since, in its Sunday editorial, it referred to Dr Cummings as a neophyte, and had set the stage for this letter by E.B. John. The newspaper’s perennial attacks on national leaders of a certain ilk have been just as flagrant and odious.

The elitist author, a long-retired male, sought to diminish the Foreign Minister by positing that she was not in the class of former Foreign Ministers “Sir Shridath

Ramphal, Rashleigh Jackson and Rudolph Insanally”. Unsatisfied that this comparison was outrageously sexist, the author sunk further into decadence by labeling Dr. Cummings “a total ingénue”.

Ingénue, a noun, the lexical meaning of which is a young lady in a play or film who is unknowledgeable, unworthy, unsophisticated or innocently naïve. The word choice was deliberate. I expect that the author, in defence of his letter, will attempt to proffer a nuanced interpretation of "ingénue", to genuflect and triangulate to defend its usage and argue that it is being misconstrued. I completely reject any such defence.

E. B. John’s comparisons are asinine. Dr. Cummings is not playing the role of Foreign Minister. This is not a skit or play; she is the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. She is a national leader and Member of Parlia-

ment; she is an accomplished Medical Doctor with stellar academic and professional accomplishments; She deserves to be respected. The attempt to trivialise her appointment by comparing her to a character in a play maybe because she's not a member of the “old boys club”, as the writer so crudely boasts, is disgraceful. It should be rejected and deplored by all.

The letter not only attacked Dr. Cummings’ appointment; its decrepit comparisons subtlely attacked her intellect, character, youthfulness and gender. But what else can a nation expect from ancient chauvinists who are resistant to the reality of younger generations of leaders and visionaries of both genders assuming the mantel to lead Guyana into developed nation status? This is a goal which previous generations did not accomplish.

To advocate that Dr.

Cummings is unworthy of the position because she doesn't have foreign policy experience is a frivolous, degenerate argument. I know Karen Cummings, and, therefore, cannot allow E. B. John's aversion and male hegemony to contend unchallenged in the public sphere. Karen Cummings has no challenge with intellectual agility or adroitness. She is a serious, brilliant, and competent professional who has demonstrated the sine qua non of sophistication and erudition to, with expert advice, hold almost any portfolio in the Cabinet.

Furthermore, except for the Attorney- General, no ministerial position requires expertise or academic training in the related areas of the portfolio. Indeed, the foreign minister portfolio requires a pellucid understanding of international relations and diplomacy, international as

well as geo-political alliances and the “games nations play” to safeguard their strategic, national interests.

Consequently, foreign policy experience is not a prerequisite for appointment as foreign minister. Any new foreign minister, whether experienced in foreign policy or not, must undergo a steep learning curve in some areas of responsibility. Dr. Cummings will be no exception.

No foreign minister will, on Day One, possess all of the qualities required to excel and succeed in the position.

Some of this expertise will be acquired during the practice and performance of the art of international relations and diplomacy.

The foreign minister executes the policies of the President and Cabinet. The minister alone does not constitute the Foreign Ministry.

The Ministry comprises a collective of experts that

help the minister conceptualise strategy, and transform mandates into policy. Every foreign minister in the world is guided by such expert technical staff.

Guyanese must resolutely rebuff and root out the vestiges of elitism, sexism, xenophobia and chauvinism that linger in our polity. Similarly, we must discard those who resist change by refusing to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. We’ve had enough of this elitist juggernaut that has dominated our society for decades. It has frustrated and undermined young, qualified professionals and scholars from emerging as national leaders. It has prevented young leaders from participating in the nation’s development. Our country has suffered because of it; it has stymied Guyana’s development and TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

The Vice-Chancellor is a man of his word: Consistent, dependable and an impressive leader Dear Editor, I WRITE to express my support for Vice- Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith and the renewal of his contract at the University of Guyana. I hope to use this brief letter to sound my reasons for supporting his continuing in the post, and that these may be weighed in the balance amidst those calling for him to be replaced.

I met the Vice-Chancellor the very year he was appointed. He is the first Vice- Chancellor of the University I had ever met. He had come to London and gave an inspiring presentation at the High Commission, which had at its core a call to everyone gathered to become ambassadors of and for the University. He extolled his vision to bring it up to a standard of which we could all be proud. That vision was necessary because we were all well aware and ashamed of the abysmal conditions the university had been in for decades. Some of those gathered at the event were keen to support financially; others wanted to use their skills and other resources to assist the Vice-Chancellor and his staff in what he regarded as a “renaissance”. I thought this “renaissance” plan lofty, but I, too, piped up and pledged to be a de facto “alumni”. I had not previously studied there, but am one of the many academics in the Diaspora who had long expressed our willingness to return and work at the university. In some cases, we were prepared to volunteer, but those aspirations fell on deaf ears. Business professionals who were also at the meeting noted the same clanging deafness and shoddiness when they attempted to return home to create opportunities (whether these were for profit or not).

We had come to distrust the intricate processes involved in making anything happen with efficiency, integrity, professionalism and to a quality of standard we had become used to living outside.

Seeing that he appeared amenable to change, I decided to put it to the test. I had recently published three books, and thought the uni-

versity would be a good place to launch them. I asked him if he would consider it. He said, yes, and so it was. He had kept his word. Months later, three books that had Guyana at their centre were launched in collaboration with the University. However, because of the shabby conditions of some of the spaces and works that had begun, it was suggested that we hold the launch at Moray House. The administrative process was put into motion and this took place successfully at Moray House. Professor Griffith had expressed that he wished for more writers and academics to have their book launches at the university, so I am not illustrating this as a personal note of gratification. I do it to show that the Vice- Chancellor is a man of his word, and is consistent, dependable and an impressive leader.

Additionally, it was during this time that I started to receive regular Newsletter updates about what was happening at the university, especially the Turkeyen & Tain Talks. This was a refreshing approach, and signalled the seriousness of the Vice-Chancellor to elevate the university. The themes of the ‘Talks’ were always topical. Fr example, one was on Oil and Gas, and engaged academics and industry in highlighting research and development strategies that would benefit the University as well as Guyana as a whole. Guyanese, at home and abroad, would have a forum to become involved in the discussion. The inclusiveness of the Tain Campus also brought to our awareness that UG indeed had another campus. This is a small example of many others about which you are aware that attest to the Vice-Chancellor’s far-reaching vision for developing the University.

I attended the first Diaspora Engagement Conference in 2017, which was in fact the first conference I ever had the opportunity to attend in Guyana. I understood the Vice -Chancellor’s strategy of including the Diaspora in the rebranding and renaissance of the University. As it was highlighted at the conference, the Diaspora should form an

invaluable part of any development plans for Guyana, let alone the University, for we have a wealth of resources that could, and should, be put to good use in that effort.

It would be devastating to hinder the good work of engaging the Diaspora, calling on many of us with requisite experiences and skills in almost every conceivable academic discipline, and with business expertise to return and assist him in the arduous task of rebuilding the University. I was disheartened that we from the Diaspora were being disparaged and called insidious names like ‘comebackees’ and the like with the indignant tint that we were seeking to take away jobs from our brothers and sisters at home. I know that many Guyanese with expertise and skills gained from being overseas would welcome the opportunity to ‘give back’ to Guyana, for we could never forget the place where we had our first experiences of life; recognised that we were children of that special place; that some of us,like myself, were indeed children when we left, not of our own free will, but had maintained within our heart some desire to one day return.

I observed the Vice-Chancellor at the conference, and found him admirably handson. My previous experience of senior academics, let alone the Vice- Chancellor of a university is that they delegate with such efficiency they are never accessible. This Vice-Chancellor, I considered different.

By the time of the conference, there had already been a new Business Unit developed, and the prospect of more work to be done to promote the Arts (of interest to me, as my area of expertise is in the Humanities). All things considered, and given that the Vice- Chancellor was already under fire from dissenters, the Diaspora Engagement Conference was a huge success.

I wrote about it in this post and as I noted: “ambassadors from Mexico, China and India attended the conference and presented on their respective country’s success at engaging its respective Diaspora.

Again, the policy issue crept

up, because countries like Jamaica and Haiti all have one; Jamaica particularly. We were told say that the ‘Diaspora is an extension of itself?’ All this to beg the seriousness of the Guyana government in making use of its Diaspora.

David Lammy, our [UK] MP for Tottenham [gave] the keynote…[saying ] that if the Guyana government was serious about development with its Diaspora’s contributionm it should consider why children born to Guyanese parents outside of the country aren’t automatically Guyanese too, as they would elsewhere be regarded citizens through heritage. It is therefore outrageous that those who resist change, as exemplified by the will of the Vice-Chancellor through measurable outcomes, also begrudge the Vice- Chancellor’s appointment because of his Diaspora experience. This can only be regarded as wilful obstruction to impede the progress already being made to rebrand the university, and make all Guyanese feel proud, since it has no basis in the evident quality of the work he is doing.

I have avoided listing at length the number of improvements the Vice- Chancellor has made since his appointment, because I am embarrassed by recent events that bear the stench of foul play and maliciousness, when the evidence so blatantly speaks for itself. However, one of those achievements is the University Press, which the Vice- Chancellor should be proud of, along with the reaccreditation of the School of Medicine. I hope that its publications will reflect the principles of sound research in all disciplines, whether these are from local Guyanese or those in the Diaspora, and in doing so demonstrate the quality assurance in reporting and producing information that is lacking in some of the Guyanese media outlets at present.

In 2018, the Vice-Chancellor rose to another occasion and agreed that the University would launch a book we had published, Red Hibiscus, written by one of its recent alumni, Scott Ting-A-Kee. It was a double launch, along

with a book edited by Dr Juanita Westmaas, Creole Chips and Other Writings of Edgar Mittleholzer. Here again I saw first-hand the Vice- Chancellor’s integrity and willingness to be responsive and accommodating to the needs of Guyanese at home and abroad, showing that we can work together to shape the University as the highest institution of the country’s learning.

In fact, the aforementioned alumnus, though qualified with a first class Bachelor’s Degree in English, has discovered that outside of Guyana, many of the Universities where he applied to do his MA do not recognise it, meaning they don’t value an English degree from the University of Guyana. As someone who has worked in the quality department of a university in the UK, I know that it cannot be easy trying to raise the University’s standards and acquire the necessary accreditations to make it globally competitive. But the Vice-Chancellor has impressively risen to this challenge. How aware, I wonder, are Guyanese of some of the conditions under which Professor Griffith has been trying to raise the standard at UG? Should that alumnus get the opportunity to do his Masters

abroad, spend a little while experiencing academia outside of Guyana and wished to return and teach at the University are we to assume there would be a problem with this? This would really be a sad day for Guyana.

This kind of resistance to change – for that’s what it appears to be no matter how it’s furnished – makes clear that the University has been wilfully in a state of decline by those who were in positions to know and do better but refused to step up to the task. They would rather there be no quality control and standards but regression and deterioration where nothing grows and develops but festers under the weight and curse of apathy and substandard management that we find in some areas of Guyana. It was clear that to proceed with his renaissance plans small steps had to be taken, but some of what the Vice-Chancellor has so far achieved have in fact been giant leaps. It would be a world class disgrace to halt this progress for the sake of tempering the foul cries of those who from the outset has begrudged his appointment without any credible cause.

Regards, Dr Michelle Yaa Asantewa

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

This initiative is a quantum leap in the right direction

Dear Editor,

I RECENTLY read with great pleasure an article in the press under the caption, "Office of Professional Responsibility to actively monitor Police performance". The article stated that the Guyana Police Force’s (OPR) is undertaking a programme to tackle the main complaints and issues prevalent in each department.

During an exclusive interview, Commissioner of Police Leslie James described it as a "thinkingoutsideof the box initiative." According to the Department of Public Information (DPI ), the plan will help to better ascertain what are the issues affecting residents and, by extension, what the OPR needs to address urgently within the various communities, the Commissioner said.

The initiative is a quan-

tum leap in the right direction. It should be encouraged at all levels. I cannot wait for it to be designed, developed, implemented and evaluated.

In a previous letter to the editor, I posited that rather than the police depending heavily on crime rates, number of arrests and case clearance rates to measure how the police are doing, they should conduct Citizen Surveys to find out whether or not they are achieving their mandate as set out under the Police Act Chapter 16:01, and what society expects of its protectors. According to Bennett and Hess (2000), using those measures mentioned above have several problems: Low crime rates do not necessarily mean a police agency is efficient and effective; a high arrest rate does not necessarily show that the police are doing a good job; high ratio of police officers to citizens does not necessarily mean

high-quality police service; responding quickly to calls for service does not necessarily indicate a police agency is efficient.

In addition, the possibility of ghosting, falsifying patrol logs to "make the numbers come out right" may occur. I can recall years ago one senior officer ordering his junior to "Cock the ‘stats’ so that we can look good."

There is also the 'dark figures in crime", that is, crimes not reported to the police due to diverse reasons.

Kramer and Fiedler (2002) explain that traditional measurements such as uniform crime reports, arrest and tickets tabs, list only events; they do not measure whether or not activities were completed effectively or efficiently, and they do not describe what impact the activities had on the community. The researchers concluded that rather than looking at crime

rates, number of arrest and response time, evaluations should assess whether or not the agency is effective in fulfilling its responsibilities to the community, and that managers must focus on their mission statement; they must consider what citizens want and expect from their protectors. Most citizens want to live in safe and orderly communities. The police are considered effective when they produce the perception that crime is under control.

Reducing the fear of crime is a very important measure.

Here is the mission statement of the Guyana Police Force: "The mission of the Guyana Police Force and it auxillaries is to serve all citizens and communities of Guyana in a professional, proactive and accountable manner. To achieve this, we will work in partnership with communities, public agencies and private bodies to enhance

and support an environment where all people are preventing crime and building a safer and secure Guyana.

"Mission statements/objectives must be specific; measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART).

All people cannot be involved in preventing crime and building a safer and secure Guyana. It is not realistic; it is not achievable; it cannot happen. It is Utopian.

One way of assessing citizens’ approval or disapproval is through citizen surveys, which can measure trends and provide positive and negative feedback on the public's impression on law enforcement. Community surveys like the one proposed by the Commissioner are often win-win situations;citizens are better served and officers receive positive feedback. It can be a key in establishing effective communication.

Apart from the OPR, the po-

lice can utilise some of their many university graduates, including those with master’s degrees, to do citizen surveys. Surveys conducted by independent groups can be very instructive. The use of the Internet can also be a useful tool to conduct surveys.

How do we know when our police are winning or losing the fight against crime, the fear of crime and traffic lawlessness on our roads? Citizens approval or disapproval is generally reflected in letters of criticism or commendation, editorials, support for a police-proposed programme, letters to the editor, public reaction to a single police-citizen incident, response to police initiated surveys, or cooperation with incidents being reported.

Regards, Clinton Conway

PPP/C misinformation has taken on new momentum Dear Editor, I AM in possession of a leaflet, which I had observed being placed in my letter box last Friday afternoon by persons who turned out to be operatives of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

They drove in a dark-coloured SUV, and were a mix of one elderly female who distributed the leaflets; two young Guyanese, one of whom was the driver. Of course, Guyana is a democracy, with every citizen having the democratic right of party affiliation, irrespective of ethnicity. As to the distributed document, entitled “VOTE PPP/C...”, it is undoubtedly a party election campaign document, desperate in its creation, and obviously in high anticipation of the CCJ overturning the Court of Appeal’s decision on the No- Confidence

Motion vote. It is riddled, as is only to be expected, with misleading information and pernicious lies. After all, the PPP/C is a political party that is the biggest stranger to truth.

For evidence of this, reference is made to item six on the front page of this rag, under the caption, “New-found love for Guyanese”, with the following being quoted: “Since the no-confidence motion was passed in the National Assembly and after four years of neglect, the coalition is now scurrying to demonstrate its “love” for Guyanese people through cosmetic events: Job fairs for youths, concerts and Government Public Days. However, these have been exposed as farcical.

These events fail to address the needs of Guyanese; there is no tangible solution to questions about job creation or easing of hardships placed on the backs of Guyanese.

Instead, new promises are being made; even while the old promises remain unfulfilled”.

Call this a most significant piece of political distortion, in the realm of its attempts at misleading citizens with its horrible lies that can only flow from the known cesspool of Freedom House. * The coalition government began to show its love, care and concern for the Guyanese people, its working-class particularly, from the very first day of taking office, when it quickly responded to the then Chairperson of GuySuCo’s cries that the “industry is broke”. It responded with an immediate initial subsidy of $12B for continuity of an industry destroyed by the PPP/C administration. Added to this fact have been government’s ameliorated measures for those workers who have been terminated, by offering alternative livelihood choices.

FROM PAGE 6

The attack on Dr. Karen Cummings ... evolution into a progressive society.

Attention E. B. John and fellow travellers from yesteryear: MOVE OVER. A new generation of leaders and visionaries has emerged, and must be allowed to govern.

The men the author compared Dr. Cummings with did not hop out of the womb as foreign policy experts with Master's and PhD degrees and a litany of distinguished career accomplishments in

international relations. Like Dr. Cummings, Rashleigh Jackson was trained academically as a mathematician, and Sir Shridath Ramphal was trained as a lawyer.

These men did not begin their careers as foreign policy experts; they acquired their expertise during the practice and performance of their work. Someone gave them a chance to excel and be great, and they did. Now it is time to give another gen-

eration of leaders a chance to be groomed, to govern, excel and be great!

Finally, if Dr. Karen Cummings were a man, I doubt that there would have been such a letter by E. B. John.

Regards, Rickford Burke President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

* Of course, “job fairs’’ are being held, that have been attracting young Guyanese across the ethnic divide.

These are quite normal guidance exercises, done in other jurisdictions, since they point employment prospects, and even advise students as to where future employment opportunities are. Of course, the PPP/C must be reminded that their period of government, which had been characterized by a 45% rate of youth employment, managed a system that ensured employment opportunities for children of their party supporters, while discrimination had been suffered by Afro Guyanese youths. It was not uncommon for the latter category of youths that possessed both satisfactory CXCs and CAPE subjects, to be consistently denied employment in the Public Service.

And as an indication of this government’s commitment to ensuring that the nation’s youths are included in the socio-development scheme of the nation, entrepreneurial programmes, with a view of empowerment for various opportunities that have begun to emerge. The Hinterland Educational Youth Services (HEYS) serve as a significant example of empowerment that has so far placed over 4000 Hinterland young people in start-up economic ventures. This is a removal from the unenlightened, politically controlled former PPP/C initiative of Community Support Officers

(CSOs) which only function was to use these hundreds of Hinterland youths for selfish narrow political ends. * About “concerts’’: It is well known that a certain PPP/C big-wig, in partnership with two well-known events promoters had a free rein to bring to this country, virtually every fortnight, well-known Reggae and Dancehall stars to Guyana. This was a deliberate plot that had been influenced by a traditional stereotype that Afro-Guyanese young people were only interested in partying. The political masters of the day reasoned that such entertainment would serve to “keep Afro-youths quiet”. * Sure, there are what the PPP/C leaflet has described as “Public Days”; and these have indeed been groundbreaking initiatives that continue to expose the callous and ineptness with which the former PPP/C administration dealt with the affairs of the people, even with the latter that hailed from their bastions of political support. To this end, it was significant that Halim Khan, the President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, in a report carried in Sunday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle, hailed the recent government outreach there as “impacting’’. He alluded to citizens receiving support for issues relating to agriculture, housing, and the community.

He also mentioned about the new LED highway lights that will be installed from Wales to Parika; upgrades to farm-to-market roads in a

region that is predominantly agricultural; “long overdue’’ infrastructural works at the Leonora and West Demerara Hospitals, in addition to the installation of equipment for the laboratory and gynaecology departments; and training upgrades for health staff that will “help in their providing a better quality of service to residents….”

It is a tragedy to truth; (but we can expect more of this kind of propaganda and fake news with the recent hiring by the PPP/C of the Washington-based global political lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs LLC) and an utter crime that the PPP/C can attempt to be so shameless in its lies that seek to besmirch a government that has done so much, even from the very first day of its ascension to office.

Despite the fact that the government has not been triumphal in its numerous achievements, or blowing its own trumpets, which it has every right to do, the material changes that have been carried to all of the Ten Administrative Regions, is testimony to an administration that prefers to use its valuable time in the interests and service of the citizens, serving their needs. This is the essence of governance – serving the people. And they are getting results.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Busy week at CCJ for Guyana …no-confidence vote, appointment of GECOM chair matters for oral arguments

THE challenge to the Court of Appeal’s decision to invalidate the Vote of No-Confidence against the David Granger Administration is among high profile cases that would be heard in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) this week.

“The Court will hear a case concerning the freedom of movement of Caribbean citizens as well as two sets of cases from Guyana concerning last December’s no-confidence motion and the appointment of Guyana’s Elections Commission Chairman,” the CCJ detailed in a statement on Monday.

On Thursday May 9 and Friday May 10, the CCJ will hear oral arguments in three consolidated matters which stemmed from the December 21 No-Confidence Motion in the National Assembly of Guyana. On the night debates on the controversial motion ended, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, declared that the motion was passed by a majority of 33 votes. Thirty-two (32) Government Members of Parliament had objected to the motion. This decision was challenged in the High Court, which upheld the Speaker’s ruling. However, the Court of Appeal by a 2-1 margin

ruled that the vote was of no effect on the grounds that the Parliamentary Opposition needed an absolute majority of 34 or more votes to defeat the Government. The Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo; an ex-Government MP, Charrandass Persaud and political activist, Christopher Ram are now challenging the decision of the Court of Ap-

disputed issue is whether one of the then Members of Parliament, Charrandass Persaud, who voted in favour of the motion, was ineligible to vote because he held dual citizenship.

The three consolidated cases are: Christopher Ram v The Attorney General, the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon and the Guy-

ana Elections Commission; and Charrandass Persaud v Compton Reid, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Attorney General, Bharrat Jagdeo, Joseph Harmon and the Guyana Elections Commission. The Coalition Government, through the Attorney General, has filed a cross appeal. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs,

Attorney General, Basil Williams

The Caribbean Court of Justice will hear two cases for Guyana this week

peal at the level of the CCJ. The CCJ, in its final determination, will indicate whether 34 votes were required to carry the motion. Another

ana Elections Commission; Bharrat Jagdeo v The Attorney General, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Joseph Harmon and the Guy-

Basil Williams and a battery of lawyers are representing the Government.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday May 8, at 10:00hrs, the

CCJ will hear a constitutional appeal brought by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha who is challenging the circumstances of the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson. Mustapha is contending that Patterson’s appointment by President David Granger breaches aspects of the Constitution. Mustapha was unsuccessful in both the High Court and Court of Appeal and has appealed to the CCJ. On Tuesday May 7, the Court will hear the Application of David Bain, a national of Grenada, who

alleges that his right to freedom of movement was infringed when he was refused entry into Trinidad and Tobago. Bain is also a citizen of the United States.

“On entering Trinidad and Tobago he had presented his US passport to immigration officials at the airport.

The issue being probed is whether his presentation of a Grenadian driver’s licence or national identification card was sufficient to establish his Grenadian citizenship and so trigger his right to freedom of movement as a CARICOM national,” the CCJ explained.

The hearing will begin at 10:00hrs.

YCG expands urban agriculture programme ….with support from ExxonMobil

By Gabriella Chapman YOUTH Challenge Guyana (YCG), with the support of Exxon Mobil, has expanded its Urban Agriculture Programme to empower more young persons, including residents of the city, to produce their own food.

Executive Director of YCG, Dmitri Nicholson, told the Guyana Chronicle recently that the Urban Agriculture programme has been ongoing since 2016. However, this year, the non-governmental organization(NGO) received funding from the American oil company, which, he said, enabled the entity to expand.

“As part of our expansion of this initiative, we are currently working with Elim Pentecostal church to target youths in the North

Executive Director of YCG, Dmitri Nicholson

East La Penitence area so that they can develop skills to produce their own food through agriculture… The aim is to ensure that more people in the city can empower themselves with these types of skills, TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Sexual offences court for Berbice

THE Judiciary in partnership with UNICEF Guyana will, today, open the Sexual Offences Court in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Today’s launch will follow the opening of the Sexual Offences Court in Georgetown back in November 2017 and the commitment to decentralise specialised court services.

The courts will follow the model guidelines to ensure that its operation is in line with the Sexual Offences Act and meets best practice.

According to a release

from UNICEF, the work of the court will be complemented by the support services offered by the Ministry of Social Protection and other partners. This includes the one-stop centres or Child Advocacy Centres for the reporting of abuse.

Additionally, a Sexual Offences Court is expected to be completed in Essequibo before December 2019, with the support of the British High Commission and UNICEF Guyana.

Meanwhile, months after the Sexual Offences Court

…UNICEF says Essequibo branch before year-end was opened in Georgetown, over 14 cases have been heard by the court, with over 10 persons being found guilty.

Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, during a recent forum, noted that the court has been meeting expectations, while allowing victims the opportunity to testify in a comfortable environment.

She said efforts will be continued to implement the sex-

ual offences guidelines. Of the 14 matters that have been completed, seven dealt with sexual activity with a child or family member, and four with the rape of a child under the age of 16. All but one of the virtual complainants, she said, were female, and aged between three and 28 at the time of commission of the offence.

Ten of the victims, she said, were 10 years old or younger at the time of the commission of the offence, while the ‘perps’ were over 30. Few were older than 40, Justice Ramlall said.

“All of the VCs utilised the audio-visual link, except for two, and those two were adults,” she explained. “One of the complainants testified via Skype from Barbados; 12 of the 14 virtual complainants had their support persons present and these were persons from Blossom Inc, the Child Care and Protection Agency and relatives.”

The matters, she said, originated from Ituni, North West District, Linden and Mahaica, with trials ranging from two to eight days. In

terms of verdicts, she said nine came in guilty, and four not guilty. One had a hung jury. “The sentences imposed ranged from nine years to life imprisonment. The nine-year imprisonment was for sexual activity with a child and that child was not a family member and there was no penetration involved,” the judge reported during her statistical overview of the operation of the Sexual Offences Court.

Guyana Chronicle reported back in March that over 400 cases of sexual abuse against children had been reported-a figure which Resident UNICEF Representative, Sylvie Fouet says is alarming. Fouet was at the time speaking at the launch of the Forensic Psychology and Sexual Offences Special Training Series which was coordinated by the Supreme Court, University of Guyana and UNICEF. Fouet pointed out that last year, the number of cases were over 1000.

The UNICEF representative signaled the need for more to be done in order to address the scourge which has been plaguing society for years.

She believes that building capacity will help Guyana to find solutions, which will result in the reduction of those numbers and even the prevention of such cases.

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards echoed similar sentiments, noting that the training is important, since insensitive treatment of victims can result in secondary trauma. “The complexities of such cases required specialised training on the part of all involved…

Persons engaged in working in this field also need debriefing exercises, because they, too, can suffer from secondary trauma,” Justice Cummings-Edwards said.

In light of that, she stressed the need for an intensive approach to training persons. This, she believes, will help them to respond better to such cases.

FROM PAGE 9

YCG expands urban agriculture... ” Nicholson said.

The youth pastor of the Elim Pentecostal church, Felicity Jackson, said that the programme will be carried in the compound of the church and will target persons from the community, primarily women and youths.

“Through this programme, we hope to have a positive impact on the lives of our young people, and our women, to develop skills to take care of their families. This is a community with a lot of school dropouts and we are looking for the programme to be fruitful. Those who aren’t working, we are hoping that they can go into that direction of taking the skills up as a means of income, and further their development as an individual.

And after our time with Youth Challenge has expired, we hope to continue the work as a community outreach to help the young people,” Jackson said.

The programme with the church started on Friday last. However, due to the inclement weather, the body was unable to start the practical session.The group will be engaged twice weekly, until they would have acquired all the skills.

Nicholson said that the facilitators of the programme are three Agricultural Science University graduates - Dwayne Gangoo, Kadisha Nedd and Andrea Charles.

The trio combined their knowledge and expertise and shared same to the people of the programme so that they can learn the basic skillset of planting and producing homegrown foods.

Prior to the church group, YCG held the very programme with the residents of West Ruimveldt. This group, Nicholson said, had an excellent production.

He explained that YCG has three main areas of focus - Health, Education and Life skills and Livelihood. The Urban Agriculture

Some of the participants of the urban agriculture programme being briefed on the theoretical aspect of agriculture

Programme he said, is one of the Life skills and Livelihood projects, which aims to provide persons from urban communities, with the skillset to produce food for themselves, and in the long run, the experience and knowledge gained, can be used to venture into agricultural practices as a means of income.

Nicholson said that he believes Guyana has a lot of potential to alleviate poverty, if people’s understanding and skills to really improve their own livelihood is boosted. This project, he said, is contributing to that fact.

“It will ensure that people have the skills to not go hungry. And so if we have an economic boom and there is a food shortage, families can teach their children to be self-sustained, rather than having to rely on alternative sources to provide for them,” he posited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Gov't committed to upholding Indigenous Peoples' rights - MP Mervyn Williams assures Reg. 2 residents

“THE Government of Guyana, your government, is very serious when it comes to Indigenous peoples rights, ” Member of Parliament(MP), Mervyn Williams told residents of Indigenous communities in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam), during a meeting over the weekend, following two days of consultations on the 2006 Amerindian Act (No. 6).

MP Williams met with residents on Saturday, May 4, in the Mainstay community. He began by advising the gathering that they must all be very cautious about the messages that are brought to them. “We need to interrogate those messages to determine whether they are accurate or not.”

Williams’ statement concerned allegations by the opposition that the government ceased the issuance of Presidential Grants. This, he said, could not be further from the truth. He cited the recent example of the communities of Patarinau, Baitoon and Katuur in the South Rupunini, Region 9, that just a week ago were presented with almost $3M in grants for various projects. $1M was presented to Patarinau for the establishment of a sewing centre and $800,000 each to Baitoon and Katuur

for the upgrading of a trail and modernisation of a sport's ground pavilion.

It was also noted earlier in March, Kopinang and Bamboo Creek in North Pakaraimas, Pataro-Siparuni, Region 8 were granted $2.5M to support their green sus-

munity projects. St. Monica received $1M for the purchase of a cassava mill and a fogging machine.

In April, over $17M in Presidential Grants was presented to Santa Rosa and its satellite communities in the Moruca sub-district, Bari-

tion Government, during their time in opposition, listened to the Indigenous leadership and general population, who urged that certain aspects of the legislation be amended.

They said to us that they are not disagreeing that the Amerindian Act is not a good thing.

Member of Parliament (MP), Mervyn Williams addresses Indigenous communities in Region 2.

A section of the gathering, including opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Yvonne Pearson, listens attentively to MP Mervyn Williams, during his address to Indigenous communities in Region 2.

tainable community projects.

Also, Wakapau, Kabakaburi, St. Monica and Mainstay/ Whyaka in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region (Region 2) also received a total of $6M in Presidential Grants to embark on green sustainable com-

ma-Waini Region (Region One).

On the issue of the Amerindian Act, the MP said “we have heard that the Amerindian Act is the best piece of legislation throughout this country. However, the Coali-

However, we have been told over and over again that there are issues that people believe are not adequately represented in the legislation,” Williams noted.

This, he said, is the reason behind the ongoing con-

sultations with Indigenous communities throughout the country, since early 2018.

Thus far, consultations have been held with communities in the Moruca sub-region, Region 1, Santa/Aratack in Region 3, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Region 4, Maraikabai, Region 5 and Orealla/ Siparuta, South and South-Central Rupununi, Karasabai district and North Rupununi, Deep South Rupununi and South Central Rupununi.

Following the two-day consultation at Lake Mainstay, communities called for, among other things, the lessening of control and final say on matters by the subject minister, a change in the term and meaning of “resident” (as it pertains to benefits) in the Act, an Indigenous Health Institution, and the name

“Amerindian” in the Act, to be replaced with the name “Indigenous”.

Among the communities present on Saturday were; Mainstay/Whyaka, Bethany, Capoey, Akawani, Wakapoa, Mashabo, Kabakaburi, Tapacuma and St. Monica. Consultations were also held with Indigenous NGOs, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and Guyana Women Miners Association (GWMA). Government agencies; Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The group will revisit Moruca in a week.(DPI)

M&CC seeking to revamp City Police THE Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) can see the revamping of the City Police for improved security in Georgetown.

The topic of public security is one of several thematic areas of focus the two parties have agreed to meet every two months to address in accordance to the oneyear MOU signed on May 3, 2019.

It was signed by Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine and GCCI President, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, who both expressed that they have vested interest in seeing the

city do well.

Speaking with the newspaper on Sunday, the Mayor said that minor robberies which often plague the Stabroek Market and other hotspot areas are unmanageable by the City Police on its own.

For some time, the Council’s security arm has been dependent on the assistance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in this regard.

Some two months ago, under the new Mayor, the GPF and City Constabulary once again discussed plans for joint operations to curb criminal activities in the city.

“The City Police is the police which has the power in the city and because of the down falling in that de-

partment, we are not well equipped and that’s why we have to liaison with the national police,” he explained.

“My vision is to bring back the City Police to a standard to take control of the needs.”

However, achieving this will take no less than collaboration with the private sector to ensure that businesses can pay their general rates and the interest on these rates if long overdue.

“Public security in city with City Constabulary, the man power is not there and the reason for that is due to a lack of resources. Everything boils down back to finance,” the Mayor said.

“We need more people and we cannot hire more peo-

ple without resources and we are looking forward to revive that department to bring back that standard.”

As such, the GCCI and the M&CC, in collaboration with Georgetown businesses will be looking to forge individual agreements which will see businesses owing monies, gradually paying up portions of their arrears.

“Not everything can be waivered but we are extending our hands to sign some kind of an agreement where they can pay their taxes and keep it to a manageable level,” he said.

The City Council records show that both residential and commercial rate payers owe the Council rates in excess of $8B.

Even as the area of security will be tackled, the M&CC will seek to simultaneously address building codes which specify the standards for the construction of buildings and non-building structures in the City.

“The Engineer Department of Council has to play a greater role in terms of the drawing of plans to ensure that buildings are built in the right way…I’m working with the engineers so that whoever took up that position would know the Chapter 28:01 - Municipal and District Councils and how to go about implementing it,” Narine said.

Another thematic area the M&CC and GCCI will collaborate on is public educa-

tion through creative means in schools and the general public to help citizens understand the importance of proper garbage disposal.

“Our people here are great people, they want to do things but they don’t have the persons to motivate them,” the Mayor said.

“We want to motivate them and work with them to educate them how to dispose of their waste.”

Following the one-year partnership, the GCCI and M&CC will meet to review and revise the current MOU for improved efforts towards an efficient capital city.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

‘Work for the cause, not the applause’

– Min. Allicock tells North Rupununi leaders

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

THE need for Indigenous village leaders to be more proactive and forward-thinking in order to advance the development of the hinterland, was emphasised by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

The minister was addressing Toshaos and Senior Councillors on May 2, at the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) meeting at Bina Hill, North Rupununi, Region 9. “Work for the cause of the people, not the applause. That is your duty, you have a responsibility to work for the people who elected you,” Minister Allicock told the village leaders drawn from some 17 villages in the North Rupununi.

The NRDDB meeting serves as a community stakeholders’ forum where village leaders, heads of government agencies and organisations

meet, quarterly, to discuss issues and concerns, exchange ideas and solutions, and plan the way forward for community development.

According to Minister Allicock, it is time for leaders to stop planning and start acting on those plans. “We

need to see actions within the communities. We need to see cottage industries and job creation in your communities and agriculture projects.

What do you have in place to tackle teenage pregnancy and security, are you managing your resources properly?

These are things we need to see within the communities.”

Stressing the need for communities to work in unity, Minister Allicock noted the need for more agriculturalists and less politicians. He called on the village leaders to “lift each other up.” He also addressed the issue of management and accountability at the level of village

Toshaos and Councillors at the meeting

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock addressing the Toshaos and Councillors of the North Rupununi

councils and pointed out that ‘for too long, there has been mismanagement of public funds. “What would be your legacy when you leave office, do you want the people to say that you were bad and mismanaged village funds, or would you want people to say that you were a very good man/woman that worked for the people… when you leave office, the next council must be able to move on with their job efficiently; your financial books and assets must be in order, accountability is very important.”

Minister Allicock also took the opportunity to

apprise the participants of some of the developments in the pipeline for Region 9, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo including the Bina Hill Green Enterprise Developing Centre, the Agriculture Research Centre, and the Linden to Lethem road project. A food processing facility will also be constructed in the Annai area. Additionally, the leaders were updated on the reshuffling of ministers and the new swearing in of Members of Parliament (MPs). (DPI)

Royal baby: Meghan gives birth to boy, Harry announces The Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a boy, the Duke of Sussex has announced.

A beaming Prince Harry said they were "absolutely thrilled" and thanked the public for their support.

He said Meghan and the baby were doing "incredibly well", adding that they were still thinking about names for the infant, who was delivered at 05:26 BST. Buckingham Palace said the baby weighed 7lbs 3oz (3.2kg), and that the duke was present for the birth.

It added: "The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news. "The duchess's mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with their Royal Highnesses at Frog-

The couple: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are yet to announce a name for their son

more Cottage." A framed notice of birth has been placed on display on a ceremonial easel on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, where it will remain until 20:00 on Monday.

The baby boy is seventh in line to the throne, behind the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and his children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - and Prince Harry.

He is the Queen's eighth great-grandchild.

Speaking after the birth, Harry added the child had been "a little overdue" and that he planned to make another announcement in two days' time "so everyone can see the baby". Asked what it was like to be present for the birth, he laughed and said: "I haven't been at many births.

This is definitely my first birth. It was amazing, absolutely incredible, and, as I said, I'm so incredibly proud of my wife.

"As every father and

A notice of birth has been placed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace

parent will ever say, you know, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to-die-for, so I'm just over the moon."

He added: "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.

"How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension."

The baby is a dual cit-

izen, having automatically acquired US citizenship, via Meghan, at birth.

Speaking to the Sun, Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, congratulated the new parents and spoke of his pride at the birth. "I am proud that my new grandson is born into the British royal family and I am sure that he will grow up to serve the crown

and the people of Britain with grace, dignity, and honour," he said from his home in Mexico.

Charles Spencer brother of Diana, Princess of Wales and uncle to Harry - tweeted his congratulations. He wrote: "Really very lovely news today many, many, congratulations!" (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Eight honoured at Pushpanjali 19

The awardees at Pushpanjali 19 (Carl Croker photos)

ANOTHER eight Indo-Guyanese, including Harry Mattai, Managing Director of N&S Mattai, Pravinchandra Dave, CEO of the Demerara Bank Limited and renowned Guyanese jeweler, L. Seepersaud Maraj, were honoured on Sunday at the Indian Monument Garden at the annual Pushpanjali 19.

Organised by the Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT), the event was held to mark the arrival of the first set of Indian indentured labourers on May 5, 1838.

It was one of several events held on Sunday to celebrate Arrival Day in Guyana.

Aside from Mattai, Dave and Maraj, others honoured were Purshotam Shivraj, honoured for his work in the field of education; Christopher Mahendranauth Persaud, for his work in the field of business and entrepreneurship; Dr Leslie Persaud, for his dedicated service saving lives; and ICT committee members Khainwattie Panchu and Heidi Nadira Dalip for their long and dedicated service in the development of the ICT. Six of those honoured received awards, while Maraj received a plaque on the memorial wall in the front of the gardens. The ceremony which included a fanfare of cultural performances with Indian dance and song, was attended by

the Indian High Commission to Guyana, V Mahalingam, and Mayor of Georgetown,

Pandit Ubraj Narine, and many government and opposition politicians among other

dignitaries.

The evening opened with a multi-religious invo-

cational dance representing all three of Guyana’s main religions: Christian, Hindu

The Windsor Forest Arya Samaj during their performance at Pushpanjali 19

Indian Cultural Centre dancer Anisa Singh during her performance at Pushpanjali 2019

A group of Indian drummers at Pushpanjali 19

and Muslim. All three religions were also represented in prayer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Consumers being cheated

By Alva Solomon

EVEN as Guyana undergoes a ‘rapid transformation’ in the market of goods and services, Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) said consumers here are facing increased vulnerability through new forms of unfair trade and unscrupulous business practices by various players within the business community.

This was pointed out in the 2018 Consumers Affairs Annual Report of the CCAC, in which it was pointed out that there has been an exponential increase in consumer complaints lodged with the agency annually over the past four years.

The CCAC said that the rapid transformation in the market of goods and services is due to the intensification of international trade, and the rapid growth of e-commerce in Guyana. This ultimately filters down and offers consumers tremendous new opportunities. “Consequently, this has increased consumers’ vulnerability to new forms of unfair trade and unscrupulous business practices, “the CCAC said.

In providing a statistical breakdown of the situation, the CCAC said that because of the increase in complaints, the commission’s Consumer Affairs Unit (CAU) has under-

gone a profound revolution in order to combat the growing issue.

The unit has moved away from the norm of primarily solving complaints to being a pioneer in consumer advocacy as well as sensitising suppliers of their duties through countrywide business inspections.

In 2018, the CAU received 284 complaints from consumers about various goods and services and in 2017, the unit received 236 complaints representing an increase of 22 per cent. But when compared to 2015, the time when the CAU dated its analysis, there were a mere 115 complaints, the more recent figure points to a steep increase in consumer reports.

The reports also made a comparable note for its 2018 analysis in which it was pointed out that 90 per cent of the complaints were about products while the remaining 10 per cent centered on services.

It was noted that most of the reports (30) were lodged in January and November (33) of 2018.

On average the CAU received 24 reports each month for last year and most of the reports were received from persons living in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica). This was tied to the high level of commercial activities within the region as well as proximity to a high level of businesses.

…CCAC says Guyanese consumers face high levels of unfair trade from the business community

As regards its ability to resolve the complaints received within a timely manner, the CCAC said the unit is faced with various constraints which may result in a prolonged time before some complaints are resolved.

The CCAC said that in

order to increase its efficiency and the level of compliance from suppliers, the unit has undertaken several measures which include sensitisation of suppliers of their duties through business inspections.

On this note, the CCAC

said in keeping with its mandate, it successfully embarked on its first countrywide Business Compliance Inspection exercise in 2018 with the primary aim of ensuring businesses were in compliance with the Consumer Affairs Act (2011),

specifically the section which deals with the Duties of the Supplier. During the exercise, the team also sought to educate suppliers who possessed minimal knowledge of the Act, thereby increasing the level of awareness and subsequently compliance.

GGMC clamps down on illegal mining in Marudi, Tassawini THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), with support from the Guyana Police Force has clamped down on illegal mining operations in Marudi Mountain and Tassawini following breaches of legal agreements by small miners.

In a release on Sunday, the GGMC provided clarifications on the enforcement activities at Marudi Mountain located in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Tassawini in Region One (Barima-Waini).

According to the release, the operation in Marudi Mountain began on May 1 with a team of officers headed

by GGMC Senior Engineer, Trevor Hurry. Three members of the ministry’s corps of wardens and four members of the police force formed part of the team.

The enforcement team visited the areas in response

to major deviations from the ‘Mediation of the Marudi Mountain Dispute Agreement’ of 2016.

Telling of the history of the agreement, the GGMC said that in April 2016, Natural Resources Minster Raphael Trotman, on behalf of the Government, intervened in a three party standoff. It involved the small miners from the Marudi Mountain area, representatives of Indigenous communities and Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited.

Trotman facilitated a mediation process which saw all parties signing the ‘Mediation of the Marudi Mountain Dispute Agreement’.

“This agreement paved the way for approximately 70 small scale mining operations to be able to continue operations providing they adhere to the environmental, safety and health stipulations. However, in late 2018 and early 2019, several small-scale opera-

tors had descended upon the Mazoa Hill area and began dangerous and illegal mining operations,” the Ministry explained in the statement.

The act was a direct breach of the terms of the agreement and resulted in the current enforcement.

“At the response to numerous requests for an enforcement operation made by the company, Romanex Inc., the Rupununi Miners Association and the South Rupununi Development Board, the GGMC has chosen to respond at this time,” the ministry explained.

The enforcement team, upon commencement of its work on May 1, held a general meeting to inform persons of the purpose of the exercise and expected outcomes.

Orders were then issued to the unauthorised operators within the Marudi Mining License to remove from the claim or permit area under

Regulation 154.

A total of 34 operators of “crushers” and four operators of hydraulic excavators have been issued with orders to remove which expired on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the GGMC stated that the enforcement operation in Tassawini also began on May 1, 2019 with a team of three GGMC officers headed by Senior Mining Engineer, Michael Howard.

They were accompanied by three members of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Corps of Wardens and four members of the police force.

“The area currently has several illegal miners present.

The objective, therefore, is to remove all mining operations from Wayne Vieira’s mineral properties located within the Tassawini Amerindian Reserve, Barama River,” the ministry explained.

It further explained that discussions between the

GGMC and representatives of the Chinese Landing community took place in 2018 when it was pointed out that a ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) affirmed Wayne Vieira's rights to the mining concession and copies of the Order of Court were shared.

The enforcement team held discussions with the Toshao and Councilors of Tassawini Village and apprised them of the purpose of the visit and its intended activities.

The team documented that there were an estimated 17 illegal and heavily mechanised mining operations on Wayne Vieira’s mineral property.

The enforcement activities began with the dismantling of 11 wooden sluice-boxes and the retrieval of several pieces of tackling associated with the mining operations.

“The remaining persons had asked for additional time to remove their equipment from the mineral property. Wayne Vieira would be expected to secure the mineral property within a specified period” the Ministry explained.

“It is the Ministry’s responsibility to ensure safe and responsible exploration, development and utilisation of Guyana’s natural resources, as such we will continue to investigate and respond to issues of illegal and dangerous mining activities and always deter such acts.” The ministry has since encouraged all to cooperate with officers in the Regions to ensure proper execution of the operation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Guyanese businessman shot dead in Barbados BARBADOS TODAY-A killer’s single bullet early Sunday morning took the life of 46-year-old Eton Lyken.

Since receiving word of the tragedy, Lyken’s girlfriend of five years, Mia Kirton, feels as though her life has been turned upside-down. With tears falling on to her daughter Angel, as she sat on her lap fussing and crying, 22-year-old Kirton said it’s a painful experience trying to figure out what life would now be like for their three young children – threeyear-old Amya, one-year-old Angel, and four-month-old Eton.

Lyken was also the father of an older child.

A Police report said the incident occurred around 12:25 a.m. at an area between Country Park Towers Block #5 and Highrise, Block #1, near Country Road, St Michael. Lyken and Andrew Michael Vanderpool, of Apt 5E, Country Towers, St Michael, were having a conversation, while seated in a motor vehicle. They were approached and surprised by a man who had his face hidden with a scarf.

The man who had a firearm, ordered both men out of the vehicle and proceeded to rob them of cash and valuables. During the ordeal, a gunshot was heard, and Lyken fell to the ground. The killer fled the scene on foot.

members of the media, at the Beckles Road, St Michael home she shared with Lyken.

The Guyana-born Lyken who owned and managed Eton’s Bakery and Eton’s Variety, also located at Beckles Road, operated the popular bread stall at Weymouth, St Michael, close to Globe Cinema. He employed about six people. Kirton said it was a mystery to her why somebody would have taken the life of her beloved partner, whom she described as a hardworking, helpful, progressive, pushy and giving individual who often told customers to take what they wanted even if they did not have enough money.

Eton Lyken, 46, was shot to death early Sunday morning

When she drink she tea,

Andrew Michael Vanderpool

She said very often people told Lyken they had nothing to eat for the day, and he gave them a bread and drink.

At the time Lyken met his

Mia Kirton with one-year-old daughter Angel

Vanderpool was unhurt.

“I still can’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. I would really like justice to be served because a man dead for no reason. Someone who use to help out any and everybody.

Junior use to pick up people from off of the road and help them. He would pick up people off of the road to come and work. And I use to tell Junior be careful who you picking up off of the road, because everybody you smile at ain’t you friend,” Kirton said, as she fought back tears during an interview with

we got over it. I was shocked when I heard he was dead,” Jamar said.

Meanwhile, Vanderpool was struggling to come to grips with the fact that he helplessly watched his friend and employer take his last breath. “He died the same time he get shoot. He just fell down. I was right there and I hear the pop,

untimely death, Kirton was at home trying to get Angel to sleep. She said that for some strange reason, the little girl appeared to be cranky and unwilling to close her eyes.

She said she thought she was dreaming when she got the call from Vanderpool, that the father of her children, whom she saw about an hour before he died, was killed.

“I find Angel ain’t sleeping.

Angel moving all the time like if something wrong.

Angel ain’t going to sleep at all. Then around 12:30, I still trying to put to sleep Angel.

Angel would normally go to sleep herself. But he fed Angel before he left. And then at 12:45, I get a phone call from Andrew saying Mia, them just shoot uncle in he head.

I say ‘Andrew you serious, you can’t be tricking me’.

Then Andrew sister come on the phone and say ‘yes Mia, he here laying down dead’.

When I went down there and view the body, he was there laying down on the ground in a pool of blood,” said a sobbing Kirton. “We had a good relationship to tell you the honest truth. The only thing he would quarrel with me about is tidying, because since I get the children the place would be a little untidy,” she added.

Kirton said she was still trying to spread the word about her partner’s death, to his family living overseas, including his mother. Sitting next to Kirton was her brother, Jamar Kirton, who said he was not only shocked at the manner in which Lyken lost his life, but he was also saddened that four young children will now have to grow without a father’s love and care.

“He use to push me to do certain things. He pushed me to buy a van and he encouraged me to try to get a business. We had our own little one and two difficulties but

and he just [gasped] and then he fall down dead,” he said. The 43-year-old said that Lyken often shared his concerns about safety and security, especially after bread vendor Hayden Mayers was shot and killed at Mansion Road, Bank Hall, St Michael, last November.

“He was saying boy Andrew I got to get some kind

of weapon or something.

But he was saying it is best he do it the right way when he get at a certain stage or something in business he would put in an application. The business was prospering, business was picking up,” Vanderpool said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Anderson backs Archer’s new dimension

CMC – ENGLAND seamer Jimmy Anderson believes Barbadian fast bowler Jofra Archer will add a new dimension of fear to the home side’s squad, if he is selected for the World Cup starting here at month end.

The 24-year-old Archer was born in Barbados but qualifies to represent England through his father who is British. He made his international debut last week in a one-off One-Day International against Ireland and played his first Twenty20 International on Sunday against Pakistan.

However, he was not picked in the preliminary 15man World Cup squad but the door remains open to his selection if he performs outstandingly in the five-match ODI series against Pakistan starting Wednesday.

In both his outings over the last week, Archer put on show the pace he has come

to be known for and Anderson said that element would definitely boost England’s attack.

“That is the sort of thing that makes people take note,” said Anderson, England’s all-time top wicket-taker in Tests.

“When you’re coming up against a bowler who rushes a top-order international batsman like that, it filters through other teams.

“If Jofra does make the 15 for the World Cup, the other teams will watch videos of him to get an idea of what they do and a video like that will fill them with fear.”

Archer became eligible for selection in March after the England and Wales Board slashed its eligibility criteria from seven years to three. Under the old rules, he would not have been available for selection until 2022.

His availability has sparked widespread debate

England fast bowler, Jofra Archer.

over whether he should be included in the World Cup squad, especially with the unit already boasting a settled line-up.

But Anderson said if selectors decided to go with Archer, they would be assured of someone who is battle-ready.

“He’s played a lot of T20 cricket around the world, so he’s not new to it,” Anderson pointed out.

“He’s not like a young kid who could be raw and taken aback by the occasion.

You can see that. He’s fully in control of what he does.

He’s confident in his game.

He knows what ball to bowl and when.”

England are current world number one and are heavy favourites to win the May 30 to July 14 World Cup.

Salah and Firmino out of Barcelona strike clash (BBC) - LIVERPOOL forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will miss Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona through injury.

Salah left the pitch on a stretcher after an aerial collision with Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka during Saturday’s 3-2 win.

Manager Jurgen Klopp says concussion will keep Salah out, as Liverpool look to overhaul a 3-0 deficit at Anfield. Firmino missed the win over Newcastle with a muscle injury. “Two of the world’s best strikers are not available tomorrow night and we have to score four goals,” said Klopp.

“It doesn’t make life easier but we will try for 90 minutes to celebrate the Champions League campaign to give it a proper finish.”

Defender Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also both missed training on Monday.

Salah appeared to be in

Mohamed Salah is the Premier League’s top scorer with 22 goals this season

tears when he was carried from the pitch at St James’ Park but Klopp says the Egypt international now feels “OK”. “It’s not good enough from a medical point of view,” Klopp added. “He is desperate to play but we cannot do it. “It’s a concussion. That means he would not even be allowed to play.”

Klopp is confident Salah will be able to play in Liverpool’s final Premier League game of the season against Wolves at Anfield on Sunday, where the Reds could win the title for the first time since 1990.

Firmino was introduced

as a substitute on 79 minutes in the away leg at Barcelona, shortly after Lionel Messi had extended the advantage to 2-0.

The Brazilian - who was left out of the win over Huddersfield prior to the Barca trip - then did not feature against Newcastle. Firmino has 16 goals for the Reds this season, with Salah contributing 26. Klopp also lost midfielder Naby Keita to injury against Newcastle, the club’s fourth game in 14 days.

“We have to make a lot of decisions. Tomorrow night is the third game in six days,” Klopp added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 7, 2019

Gavaskar believes England are favorites Sunil Gavaskar

(REUTERS) - INDIA batting great Sunil Gavaskar believes England are a transformed one-day international side since their shock exit from the 2015 World Cup and rates them as favourites to win their maiden crown on home soil in July.

Eoin Morgan’s side, whose quest for a first 50over title begins against South Africa at The Oval on May 30, tops the world rankings and enters the tournament as one of the most consistent teams in the format.

“England are the favourites. Simply because of the way they are playing cricket, the complete turnaround in their cricketing attitude and approach after their disastrous 2015 World Cup,” Gavaskar told Reuters in an interview.

“England have got a very good team, they have got lots of confidence. You have seen them in all the recent matches and they have been playing outstanding cricket.”

Morgan’s men have

played a fearless brand of cricket in the recent years and since the start of 2018 have come out on top in bilateral ODI series against World Cup holders Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India.

Gavaskar believes having home advantage could also be telling after Australia won as hosts in 2015 and India did the same four years earlier.

“If you go by what has happened in the last couple of World Cups, the host team has won,” he added.

“But, of course, in cricket anything can happen.

While England start the favourites, there are other teams which are also playing some good cricket.”

Gavaskar was speaking after pledging to sponsor 34 paediatric heart surgeries for economically deprived children at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani International Centre for Child Heart Care at the satellite city of Navi Mumbai.

The semi-rural setting was a far cry from the glamorous environs of Gavaskar’s normal workplace as a

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

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

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

TV media pundit and rather than former cricketers, he was surrounded by medical professionals who treat children for free.

His study of the game from the commentary box has convinced him that holders Australia, with Steve Smith and David Warner back in the fold after their ball-tampering bans, and a resurgent West Indies are other title contenders.

Virat Kohli’s India side will also post a big challenge, the 69-year-old felt.

“I think these are the four teams that can really stand out,” added former India captain and opening batsman Gavaskar, who once held the record for most test runs and centuries in the longest format.

Gavaskar said a hot English summer could add to the excitement of the World Cup as the pitches would be drier and make shot-making easier for the batsmen.

The format for the May 30-July 14 tournament has also seen a change from the previous years with all 10 teams playing each other before the top four advance to the semi-finals.

“This should be a very, very interesting tournament and I think the format is the best you can have because you are playing every team unlike in two groups,” said Gavaskar, who was part of the Indian team that beat the mighty West Indies to win the 1983 World Cup. “You can have a bogey team with whom you lose in bilateral matches but they could be in another group and you might never play them.

“So you can win without having played your bogey team (in the past) while this format, where each team plays each other, I think is the best.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 7, 2019

Campbell credits record stand to ‘patience’ CMC – LEFT-HANDER John Campbell on Sunday hailed the tenacity of himself and opening partner, Shai Hope, after they were forced to overcome a difficult start to post their world-record stand in the opening One-Day International of the Tri-Nations Series against Ireland.

Campbell lashed 179 – his maiden ODI hundred – while Hope carved out 170, as they posted a record 365 for the first wicket and the second highest partnership ever in ODIs. “I think it was difficult to hit big shots right throughout,” Campbell said after West Indies completed an uncomplicated 196-run victory at Castle Avenue.

“I think both Shai and I, we played really well. It was tough at the beginning.

We really couldn’t get the ball away but both of us just said let’s hang in as long as possible to see how far we could get it because we knew that the guys com-

ing in would have to start [again] and then that would take up a lot more balls, so we just wanted to see how far we could take it.”

The 25-year-old Campbell, in only his sixth ODI, blasted 15 fours and half-dozen sixes off 137 balls while Hope stroked 22 fours and two sixes off 152 deliveries, en route to his fifth hundred in the format.

Scoring proved difficult initially, however, with a mere four boundaries coming in the first 11 overs as West Indies laboured to 42 without loss after being sent in.

Ironically, Campbell survived a life off the first ball of the contest when he sneaked a suicidal single to mid-off where the fielder’s throw missed at the non-striker’s end with the Jamaican short of his ground. “I was just looking to get off the mark,” Campbell recounted.

“I was a little bit hesitant but thankfully [the fielder]

John Campbell plays a pull © Sportsfile via Getty Images

missed and from there I was a lot more relaxed and I felt a lot better. Shai helped me along the way right throughout.”

He added: “Words can’t explain the way I feel right now, it’s been a long time

coming. For the past few weeks, I’ve been putting in the hard work and I guess as they say I am reaping the success.”

When the partnership was finally broken in the 48th over, the pair were just

seven runs shy from tying the highest-ever ODI stand set by Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels four years ago during the World Cup in Australia.

In reply, Ireland slumped to 185 all out in

the 35th over with Kevin O’Brien top-scoring with 68 and Gary Wilson getting 30, the pair adding 131 for the fourth wicket to pull Ireland from 21 for three in the fifth over.

Veteran seamer Kemar Roach (2-28) knocked over both openers cheaply before off-spinner Ashley Nurse (4-51) and speedster Shannon Gabriel (3-44) ran through the middle and lower order.

“You couldn’t have asked for any better. I think we started the series really well. Getting wickets in the power-play is crucial and we did that – we got three in the power-play,” Campbell pointed out.

“When you lose wickets in the power-play it always sets you back and for us to get three wickets in the power-play, we were always on top.”

West Indies take on Bangladesh in the second match of the tournament on Tuesday

Warner, Smith return Magical Kompany keeps to Australian colours Man city on title path

Steve Smith took an impressive catch on his return to Australia’s green and gold

DAVID Warner impressed with the bat and Steve Smith took a fine catch on their first outings in Australian colours since a ball-tampering scandal.

Former captain Smith, 29, and Vice-captain Warner, 32, were given 12-month bans and fined for their roles in the ball tampering incident in March 2018.

They returned in a World Cup warm-up against a New Zealand XI on Monday. Warner scored 39 off 43 balls while Smith took a one-handed diving catch as the Australia XI won by one wicket.

The match was an unofficial game and did not count as a oneday international. Smith scored 22 off 43 balls, and took a superb catch to dismiss New Zealand captain Tom Latham.

Warner, batting at number three, had a nervous start and was dropped in the gully when yet to score.

But he hammered six fours and a six in his knock before top-edging a reverse sweep to be caught in close. Warner’s display, coupled with opener Usman Khawaja’s cheap dismissal for four, is likely to fuel the debate about Australia’s ideal opening partnership for their World Cup title defence in England.

Smith and Warner’s ball-tampering bans ended in late March and the pair have been included in Australia’s World Cup squad, while Cameron Bancroft - who was banned for nine months - returned in December.

Australia play England in a World Cup warm-up match on 25 May in Southampton, before taking on Afghanistan in Bristol on 1 June.

The 2019 World Cup takes place in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July.

(BBC) - MANCHESTER City know they will retain their Premier League title if they win on the final day of the season after Vincent Kompany’s wonder strike saw off a spirited Leicester side.

With 20 minutes remaining, the score goalless and nerves jangling at Etihad Stadium, the defending champions needed inspiration in a game where only victory would maintain their initiative at the top of the table.

They got it from an unlikely source in their long-serving captain, who strode forward and let fly from 25 yards with a strike that arrowed into the top corner of the net.

City’s victory means they move back above Liverpool and hold a one-point lead as they go into the last round of fixtures on Sunday, when Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Brighton and the Reds host Wolves. After they had to fight so hard to gain victory here, it is unlikely City will take anything for granted as a pulsating title race reaches its climax.

The lead at the the top of the table has now changed hands 32 times this season, but for long spells on Monday night it seemed

Captain Vincent Kompany scored his first goal of the season for Manchester City against Leicester

Liverpool would be staying in top spot until the weekend at least.

Managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who came so close to bringing the title to Anfield in 2014, Leicester were resolute defensively and posed a significant threat at the other end.

They restricted Guardiola’s famously free-scoring side to a handful of first-half chances, with Sergio Aguero’s header against the bar the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.

City’s frustration on the pitch and in the stands continued after the break until 33-year-old Kompany stepped up in spectacular fashion to score his first goal of the season, and his side’s 158th.

Leicester did threaten to ruin the party late on but former City striker Kelechi Iheanacho fired wide, and the final whistle brought cascades of relief for the home players and fans as they moved to within one win of their sixth title.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 7, 2019

Gayle to VC world cup squad

CMC – TALISMANIC West Indies opener Chris Gayle has been named vice-captain for the upcoming World Cup, which is expected to be his swansong from the one-day format.

Cricket West Indies announced Monday that the 39-year-old would serve as Jason Holder’s deputy for the May 30 to July 14 tournament ,while young stroke-maker, Shai Hope, will be vice-captain for the ongoing Tri-Nations Series here which started on Sun-

day and ends May 17.

Gayle, the most experienced player in the Windies World Cup squad, is a former West Indies captain, having led the Caribbean side in 53 One-Day Internationals and 20 Tests between 2007 and 2010.

The left-hander, who has featured in 289 ODIs and scored 10,151 with 25 hundreds, earlier this year signalled his intention to retire following the World Cup. “It is always an honour to represent the West Indies in any format and this World

Cup for me is special,” Gayle said of his appointment as vice-captain.

“As a senior player, it is my responsibility to support the captain and everyone else in the team. This will probably be the biggest World Cup, so there will be great expectations and I know we will do very well for the people of the West Indies.”

He will be a pivotal player for West Indies in the World Cup, having displayed tremendous form in the recent ODI home series against England where he

Chris Gayle

plundered 424 runs to be ad-

judged Man-of-the-Series.

Hope, meanwhile, has emerged as the Windies’ most consistent ODI batsmen in recent times.

He marked his 50th match on Sunday with a superb 170 against Ireland as West Indies opened the Tri-Nations Series with a handsome 196-run victory.

The right-hander has already scored 1947 runs with five centuries and averages 48.67.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be appointed vice-captain for this series here in Ire-

land,” he said.

“Ahead of this tournament I was asked to take on this role and I was happy to accept. Anything I’m asked to do for West Indies cricket I’m always happy and willing to put my hand up, so this is great.”

West Indies take on Bangladesh in their second match of the Tri-Nations on Tuesday here.

Gayle, however, is not part of the squad, due to his commitments with Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Cummings defeats arch-rival Over 25 participants set to compete in GABBFF Green in Roger Bishop Linden TT Championships Novice Championships

Executive members of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) during one of their outreach visits to scout participants for the upcoming Novice Championships.

The top performers at last Saturday’s competition in Linden.

MAURICE Cummings stormed to a 3-1 victory over arch-rival Shavin Green in the final of the Roger Bishop Linden Table Tennis Championships, which was held on Saturday last at the MacKenzie High School auditorium in Linden.

The competition, which was staged by the Linden Table Tennis Steering Committee and sponsored by Roger Bishop, attracted some of the top players in the region.

Marlon Washington and Ray Anderson were number one seeds, advancing out of the group stage (two groups, five players each) after defeating all comers to advance

to the semifinals.

In the first semifinals, Shavin Greene, who came out second in group 1, defeated Washington by a 3-0 margin in the cross over of top seed versus second place in groups.

In the second semifinals, Cummings, who advanced as the second-seeded player in group two, defeated Anderson by three matches to zero to set up a final between himself and Green.

Greene and Cummings, over the last few years, have emerged as Linden top threats and have shared the spoils in different competitions. In a very competitive and entertaining encounter,

the dreadlocked Cummings took his game up a notch and proved that he wanted the title more than Greene with some dazzling display of third ball attacks. In the end, he won by a 3-1 margin (119, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Washington and Anderson secured joint third positions.

In a simple Presentation Ceremony, Mr Haslyn Small, head teacher of Mackenzie High, presented the prizes to the winners.

The committee’s next engagement will be the Linden Schools Table Tennis Team and Individual Challenge scheduled for May 24 to 26.

OVER 25 fitness enthusiasts, inclusive of five females, will take centre stage at the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Novice Championships, which is billed for the Theatre Guild on May 18.

Kevon Bess, who won the presidency of the federation in March, told the Guyana Chronicle that the new executive members have been working hard to get systems in place for the first bodybuilding competition for 2019 and have had outreach missions to several gyms in Georgetown, Linden, East Coast Demerara and Berbice.

“This competition will see at least 25 athletes on stage; this is after a dip in the number of athletes competing in bodybuilding competition. It’s always a task to get new athletes, but

with our proactive outreach to different gyms throughout Guyana we were able to meet athletes in their comfort space and to encourage them to take the stage.”

Amongst the gyms expected to be a part of the event includes Power House Gym (Berbice), L and I Fitness Gym (Essequibo), Upper Demerara Barbell Club, Space Gym, Fitness 53, Tower Gym, Body Alive, Total Fitness, Perry’s Gym, Benjamin’s Gym, Fitness Paradise, Extreme Fitness Club and Life Gym. Tickets will cost $1,500 and the show is expected to start at 19:00h.

BECKLES CLASSIC AND IFBB FEE The executive members are also working on selecting a team to represent Guyana at the Darcy Beckles Classic, which is set for Barbados in

July.

One of the main hurdles according to Bess (who had also served as head of the GABBFF from 2012-2016) is to secure payment to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB).

“Another task that we have at hand is the payment of some $2,500,000.00 to IFBB, so that our athletes can compete at the IFBB affiliates competition. Discussions on the issue of a partial or whole waiver of the said fees were in progress before my departure from office in 2017. Unfortunately, those discussions and negotiations were not followed up and we ended up at square one. Hopefully, this nightmarish issue can be settled once and for all and our athletes can compete at the highest level without any hindrance.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday May 7, 2019

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

Berbice beat Essequibo by 146 runs

By Rajiv Bisnauth BERBICE, the defending champions, completed a comprehensive 146-run victory over a hapless Essequibo team when their second- round Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-county three-day encounter ended yesterday at the Lusignan Community Centre ground.

Set 270 to win on a difficult pitch and sluggish outfield, the Essequibo batsmen needed to show some grit, but their inept and injudicious batting didn’t help their cause either, and apart from openers, Orlando Jailall (24) and Kevin Christian (31) they were cleaned up for 123.

Scores in the match: Berbice 200 and 131-2; Essequibo 62 and 123.

Earlier, Berbice declared their second innings at 131-2 in 13.2 overs. Alex Algoo and man-of-the-match, Junior Sinclair, struck attacking

Junior Sinclair drives

Junior Sinclair collects his man-of-the-match trophy.

half-centuries to lead their team to a commanding score.

Algoo, the 18-year-old, struck five fours and four sixes in a 28-ball 52, while

Sinclair hit an unbeaten 50 off just 33 balls with three fours and four sixes.

Kelvon Anderson made 11 and was the other bats-

man dismissed while Seon Glasgow was left unbeaten on 12 when the declaration came. Spinners Amit Persaud and Lance Roberts were the two successful bowlers.

The run chase was always

a huge task, and indeed it proved beyond the Essequibians. Apart from the opening stand, the remaining batsmen failed to build on partnerships.

It was a complete bowl-

ing effort from the defending champions, with spinner Nigel Deodat claiming 4-45, Sinclair 3-12, Kelvin Umroa 2-23 and Anderson 1-25.

The third and final round starts tomorrow.

Corona Fustal Tournament…

Second batch of elimination games on tonight THE second night elimination for the fourth edition of the Corona Futsal tournament will take place this evening at the National Gymnasium.

California Square will be featured in the opening fixture, with GFC and West Front Road clashing in the second game.

Broad Street take on Mocha; Order and Discipline play Future Stars; Beacons confront Sophia and Eastveldt face Tiger Bay.

On Saturday evening, Tucville was the first team to qualify after a walkover via Wolves United, while North East La Penitence won 6-3 over the Northern Rangers. North East had two hat-ricks from Kelvin Moore (2nd, 4th, 13th) and Keifer Brandt (6th, 16th & 17th) The Rangers had three scorers: Tevin Fowler (5th), Nigel Denny (15th & 18th) and Stephan Reynolds (19th).

Leopold Street were

also winners when they beat Flamingo 6-5.

Leopold Street had a hat-trick from Okennie Fraser (8th, 12th & 15th), a brace from Eon Alleyne (2nd & 16th) and a lone strike from Darren Benjamin (5th).

Flamingo had two braces from Andrew Murray (3rd & 11th) and Lennox Cort (6th & 19th) while Moses Griffith added another in the 11th.

Back Circle won by walk-over from Camp-

town who failed to show up while Sparta Boss whipped Black Pearl 7-0, thanks to Dennis Edwards (11th, 13th & 18th), Jermaine Junior (1st & 7th), Kelsey Benjamin (5th) and Devon Charles (14th) Bent Street was the last team to advance on the opening night, securing a 7-2 win over GT Panthers.

Pernel Schultz (1st, 11th, 12th & 13th) joined Andre Aaron (16th & 18th) and Sheldon Profit (9th) in achieving that

scoreline.

Following the knockout stage, the remaining teams will advance to a round-robin phase where they will be divided into three groups of four.

After three nights of round-robin competition, the top two teams in each group, along with the top two third-place finishers, will move into the quarter-finals.

Prizes will also be given to those teams that top their group stage,

with $40,000 going to the winners, $30,000 for second, $20,000 for third and $15,000 for fourth.

The tournament’s first prize is $500,000, $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 with prizes for the MVP and one lucky spectator.

There will be beer specials on game nights featuring the company’s five brands of beverages in Corona, Budweiser, Bud Light, Modelo Especial and Modelo Negro.

Grant-Stuart cops Para-cycling championship Gold in record-breaking fashion GUYANA’S lone para-cyclist, Walter Grant-Stuart, for the second consecutive year has flown the Golden Arrowhead high at the Para-Cycling Championships in Canada.

He captured a gold medal in re-

cord-breaking time in the Defi Sportif Altergo Contre-La-Montre Cycling Road Race on Sunday.

Grant-Stuart, a former fireman, had won gold in the same race just last year; however, this time around he won in a re-

cord- setting time of one hour, 38 minutes and 02 seconds.

He is scheduled to compete at other para-cycling championships in Italy and Belgium in the coming weeks.

Grant-Stuart is being sponsored by the

National Sports Commission, Farfan and Mendes, GTT, the Guyana Fire Service, the Soesdyke Neighborhood Democratic Council, Freight Link Express, Grace Kennedy and Sylvester Soup Man (Soesdyke).

Gayle to VC world cup squad See Page 22

Grant-Stuart cops Paracycling championship Gold in record-breaking fashion See Page 23

Ming misses out SKUSA double podium MECHANICAL failure curtailed a possible second podium of the weekend for overseas-based Guyanese, Calvin Ming.

Ming, who is competing in the pro two class of the Super Karts America (SKUSA) third round in Utah, fin-

ished in third in Saturday’s race and was on course for a second place finish on Sunday.

According to Ming, he finished fourth in the pre-final and worked his way up to second before a bent caused him to retire with a puncture.

“We definitely had the pace yesterday to win and (must) thank the Musgrave Race Team again for all their hard work. Special thanks to my mechanic for such a great kart all weekend.

On Saturday, Ming finished the final in P3.

Calvin Ming (204) in action in Salt Lake City, Utah

Walter Grant-Stuart copped gold for the second consecutive year in Canada at the Para-cycling Championships, this time in record-breaking fashion.

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TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019