Guyana Chronicle E-paper 6-28-2019

FRIDAY 28th June, 2019

Budget preparation will go on

No.105682

… Min Jordan says PPP playing games 03 PAGE

… asserts gov’t is acting in confines of the law

Road upgrade for Mahdia, Bartica!

Ongoing roadworks on the Bartica-Potaro road are moving apace. Presently, a portion stretching 1km is being constructed. Hinterland Engineer within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jeffrey Walcott told the Department of Public Information that this is the third phase of the Bartica-Potaro road upgrade. He said currently workers are doing the base-preparation work and, once this is finalised, they can move on to the final phase which is actually doing the rigid pavement.

The upgrade of the Bartica-Potaro road is a welcome project for miners and residents in Regions Seven and Eight, as the main roadway will successfully link Bartica to Mahdia. These works are currently being executed at 5 Miles, Bartica.

McBean’s back on the Force 02 PAGE

… PSC reinstates dismissed Superintendent

St George’s High ‘Keep training wins debating your troops’ 03 … President tells new officers training is competition 12 foundation of a professional, proficient army PAGE

PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

McBean’s back on the Force … PSC reinstates dismissed Superintendent

THE Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday reinstated Simon McBean, a former Superintendent of Police who was dismissed without a hearing in 2009 for unauthorised participation in an overseas course.

His course had finished on September 14, 2008, and McBean returned to Guyana with merit in Masters of Science Degree in Global Security and Policing.

In 2009, McBean received a letter of dismissal from the secretary of the then PSC. The letter stated that McBean was dismissed with effect from December 25, 2007, for what the PSC described as his unauthorised participation in a master’s degree course in

Global Security and Policing at the University of Leicester, UK. It further stated that he breached proceedings and regulations but did not stipulate what proceedings and regulations were breached.

McBean had applied to the Guyana Police Force Administration for study leave but got no response. He then applied for no-pay leave and also got no response.

McBean then applied for annual leave, which was in excess of 100 days and was granted same.

McBean used his annual leave to travel to England; during his time there, he got ill and submitted sick leave and was unable to return to

Guyana at the end of his annual leave. He was able to complete his master’s degree.

Prior to his dismissal, McBean served 17 years in the Guyana Police Force.

In 2018, Appellate Court judges Rishi Persaud, Arif Bulkan and Rafiq Khan unanimously agreed that it was undisputed that McBean had no hearing, notwithstanding the procedures laid out in the PSC Rules and the Police Disciplinary Act. In those circumstances, the court allowed his appeal and remitted the matter to the High Court for assessment on quantum of damages and superannuation benefits, which would have accrued; having declared that he had

been wrongfully dismissed.

No costs were awarded by the court.

Representing McBean were Attorneys Patrice Henry and R. Satram who argued that the dismissal letter was a nullity since the appellant had no hearing despite expressed legislation that outlines the proceedings to be used under the Police Disciplinarily Act, Chapter 17:01.

Representing the PSC and the Attorney General’s Chambers was state Attorney Judy Stewart-Adonis who argued that the genesis of Mc Bean’s case is that he would have been a beneficiary of a scholarship in London.

Adonis further argued that when McBean left the jurisdiction he had effectively terminated his employment.

However, the court unanimously agreed that it was undisputed that he had no hearing and even if he had intended to terminate his employment, it was not consistent with his conduct which showed that he had returned to Guyana and resumed duties with the GPF.

Superintendent Simon McBean The court held that even if that was his thinking, the respondent would have affirmed or waived the repu-

diation of his contract of employment.

In the end, it was unanimously agreed by the court that McBean’s dismissal was unlawful.

Simon McBean of Phillipi Farm, Corentyne, Region Six, enlisted in the Guyana Police Force on April 1, 1992.

Training immediately commenced at the Felix Austin Police College Division ‘B’ at Adventure on the Corentyne.

In August 1993, he was identified to undergo the Standard Officers’ Course (Cadet Officers’ Course) Number 24 at Camp Stephenson, Timehri.

Later, he was posted to the Tactical Services Unit in Georgetown.

In 1998, McBean was transferred to the Immigration Section at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, where he held the rank of assistant superintendent.

He later climbed the ladder to deputy superintendent and, in 2004, he moved up another rung to superintendent.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

‘Keep training your troops’ … President tells new officers training is foundation of a professional, proficient army

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, has said that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) must continuously and consistently train persons to assume

leadership roles, cautioning that should training be neglected, standards would fall, troops’ morale would decline, and deviant behaviour would corrupt members and corrode the

competence of the military.

The President made the remarks in an address to 52 newly commissioned officers, representing the newest addition to the Army’s Officer Corps, whom he had

earlier presented with their respective Instruments of Commission, at a ceremony held at The Baridi Benab, State House, on Thursday.

In addition to building on its traditions and techniques of

training in the local terrain – the country’s grasslands, highlands, in the rainforests, the wetlands and in the waterways-- President Granger told his audience that the army is also instilling the

President David Granger addresses officers and their families at State House (Delano Williams photo)

Budget preparation will go on …Min. Jordan says PPP playing games

… asserts gov’t is acting in confines of the law

By Lisa Hamiton IT is foolhardy for the opposition to suggest that the country should move forward into 2020 without preparations for a new budget when the year is already anticipated as the turning point of transformation for the country.

That aside, the government is acting within the confines of the law with its issuance of a Finance Circular to heads of budget agencies and departments instructing them to begin preparations for budget 2020.

Following a letter to the media from People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP), Juan Edghill, condemning the same on Wednesday, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, had reason to respond.

Edghill had referred to the circular as an “illegality” and the government as “disrespectful in its conduct” claiming that such and act would “create an environment for collision and confrontation” rather than the well-being of Guyanese.

Speaking to the newspaper on Thursday evening, Jor-

dan corrected the MP’s misguidance. “The government is acting within the law. There is nothing in any law that says the government cannot prepare a budget,” he stated.

“The budget continues irrespective of political situation in Guyana. The idea here is that if the current government forms the next government, it’s that government’s budget.

If another [Party] forms the government then they can throw the whole budget out and start a new one or they can amend as they see fit. But there’s nothing stopping the budget process.”

Edghill, referencing the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, had also claimed that the 2020 Budget ought not to be finalised until 90-120 days in the New Year.

“The provisions in the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act provide for a Budget by March/April, 2020; there is no crisis. A Budget which defines the vision, priorities and programs for the prosperity and development of all the people of Guyana by a government that is legal, constitutional and democratically elected through free and fair elec-

tions, is the only one that will be accepted,” he stated.

In turn, Jordan explained that the 2019 Budget lapses at the end of December 2019 and, while the Constitution provides for an extension, this is more of a grace period than an obligation.

“Notwithstanding the Constitution provides for a budget to be laid in the National Assembly 90 days into the New Year, that is more a contingency provision than a provision that should be acted upon each year…there’s nowhere in the world where you would continuously present a budget 90 days into the new year and have it passed 120 days in the new year and expect to execute the budget in a financial year that starts January 1 and ends December 31,” he said.

Jordan deduced that Edghill is simply playing political “games” and, much like the opposition at large, must do all he can simply to oppose the actions of the government.

What the opposition fails to realise, the Finance Minister said, is that 2020 is a major year for the country and now is not the period for

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan the country’s leaders to take lightly the specific provisions which must be put in place.

“If we don’t start the budget then we risk going in to the New Year without a budget in which case you will be limited to one-twelfth [of the expenditure] on the current side and would be restricted to no new projects on the capital side; only roll over projects would be able to be implemented. In a time when oil resources are coming, [it would be] stymieing progress in the country,” Jordan said.

“The Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Bill, for exam-

ple, prescribes the manner of withdrawal; manner in which resources must go to the budget; the manner of estimating how much monies will go to the budget and what you would do with these monies, there are guidelines in there.

So, we can’t wait on the political situation to settle itself.

Unless a court of competence jurisdiction tells us otherwise – which I find hard to believe that they could – then we will continue, as a responsible government, to initiate the budget process and take it through as far as it could.”

He also reminded that if the Parliament is dissolved before the budget is presented it would go on hold and would not be

values of duty, discipline, identity, integrity and loyalty befitting officers and soldiers.

According to him, training in the army is the foundation of a professional and proficient army and is essential for ensuring the success of military missions; for enhancing operational effectiveness and for developing physical endurance.

Training is also fundamental to military service, hence the military service begins with a training course that is conducted at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS).

Training of officer cadets locally by the GDF began in 1969 with the See page 10 able to be presented until a new Parliament comes on stream.

The Minister added that while Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has most recently urged Heads of Budget Agencies and Departments to disregard the financial circular, he doubts this will occur.

Jordan said: “They don’t work with Mr. Jagdeo; they work with the current government. Mr. Jagdeo is not in power, Mr. Jagdeo is the opposition leader…we don’t think, any at all, Permanent Secretaries are going to bother with Mr. Jagdeo because, as technical people, they are not involved in the political process.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 28, 2019

Iran on course to exceed nuclear pact limit within days: diplomats

VIENNA/TOKYO (Reuters) - Iran is on course to breach a threshold in its nuclear agreement within days by accumulating more enriched uranium than permitted, although it had not done so yet by a deadline it set for Thursday, diplomats said, citing U.N. inspectors’ data.

A week after U.S. President Donald Trump called off air strikes on Iran at the last minute, the prospect that Tehran could soon violate its nuclear commitments has created additional diplomatic urgency to find a way out of the crisis.

Iran had set Thursday as

a deadline beyond which it would exceed the threshold for stockpiles of enriched uranium allowed under its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, which Tehran is still following even though Washington abandoned it last year.

The latest data from U.N. inspectors suggested Iran had not yet crossed the limit but was on course to do so within days, diplomats said in Vienna, headquarters of the U.N. nuclear agency the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “They haven’t reached the limit...

It’s more likely to be at the weekend if they do it,” said

one diplomat, on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, met European officials in Paris on Thursday to discuss what he described as Iran’s “nuclear blackmail”. Advertisement France, one of the European countries caught in the middle, said it would ask Trump to suspend some sanctions on Iran to make room for negotiations to defuse the escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

“I want to convince Trump that it is in his interest to re-open a negotiation process (and) go back on certain sanctions to give negotiations a chance,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in Japan, where he is due to meet Trump on the sidelines of a summit in coming days.

The United States withdrew from the pact last year under which Iran accepted curbs on its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions. Iran has

said it wants to abide by the agreement but cannot do so indefinitely because U.S. sanctions mean it is receiving none of its benefits.

The escalating crisis has put the United States in the position of demanding its European allies enforce Iranian compliance with an accord Washington itself rejects.

“Our sanctions do not give Iran the right to accelerate its nuclear program,” U.S. envoy Hook said in an interview before meeting European officials. “It can never get near a nuclear bomb. We are looking very closely at that so it doesn’t get below the one year nuclear breakout time.”

Macron said he had two priorities: de-escalating military tension and keeping Iran from violating the accord, which European countries still hope to save even though Trump ignored their pleas and abandoned it last year.

‘OUR DEMAND IS ... TO SELL OUR OIL’ The confrontation, brew-

ing for a year after Trump quit the pact, accelerated last month when the United States sharply tightened its sanctions to force countries to eliminate purchases of Iranian oil, Iran’s main source of income.

U.S.-Iranian military tensions have risen over the last two months. Washington has accused Iran or its proxies of carrying out attacks on six tankers, which Tehran denies. Last week Iran shot down a U.S. drone it said was in its air space. The United States said it was in international skies.

Since the aborted air strikes last week there have been no major incidents, but rhetoric on both sides has become menacing. Trump later said he hoped to avoid war, but that if one took place it would be short and not involve boots on the ground.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted in response on Thursday that a “short war with Iran is an illusion”, and the threat to obliterate Iran amounted to a threat of genocide. Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark

Friday, June 28, 2019 - 01:00 hrs & 14:30 hrs

Esper, seeking support from NATO allies in Brussels, said: “We do not seek armed conflict with Iran but we are ready to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region.”

The Trump administration says its ultimate goal is to force Iran back to the table for negotiations. It argues that the 2015 deal, negotiated under Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, was too weak because it is not permanent and does not cover non-nuclear issues, such as Iran’s missile program and regional behaviour. Iran says it cannot negotiate further unless the United States observes the existing agreement and lifts sanctions.

Speaking before talks in Vienna on Friday with the remaining parties to the deal, an Iranian official said Tehran’s main demand is to be able to sell as much oil as it did before Washington withdrew from the accord. “What is our demand? Our demand is to be able to sell our oil and get the money back,” the Iranian official told reporters in Vienna on condition of anonymity. However, European powers are limited in their ability to shield Iran’s economy from U.S. sanctions and it is unclear what they can do to provide the large economic windfall Tehran wants.

Wednesday June 26, 2019

03 05 19 18 23 11 20

Friday June 21, 2019

E 1, 6, 16, 23, 26

9, 5, 9

3

7, 1, 6 2, 7, 10, 11, 13

10 14 15 61

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 28, 2019

Italian envoy visits US$650,000 grant projects in Bartica SPECIAL Envoy for the Caribbean Countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italian Republic, Caterina Bertolini, on Thursday conducted a site visit and tour of Bartica.

The visit provided the diplomat an understanding of the scope of work which was undertaken under the first phase of the Transitioning to National Energy Security (TNES): Bartica as a model ‘Green’ Town Project through the Office of Climate Change (OCC).

Phase one of the US$650,000 project, given by way of a grant from the Government of Italy, saw the gathering and compilation of data on energy use to inform evidence-based decision making for the future implementation of projects and programmes.

Ambassador Bertolini visited the Three Miles Secondary School, where the financing has supported Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Leagues and the setup of a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System.

She also visited the Four and Five Miles Communities, which have benefitted from LED street lighting and the Mayor and Town Council where the repository for all of the studies and surveys that have been conducted has been set up.

The first phase of the project, which began in June 2018 and lasted approximately six months, saw the completion of all the energy audits, public awareness exercises and an energy data management centre established.

Agencies in and out of Guyana were contracted to conduct work in five main areas: the Household Socio-Economic and Energy Use Baseline Survey; Audit of Public Facilities, Institutions and Street Lighting; Energy Audit of Transport Sector; Production of Content Manual and Implementation of Public Awareness and Education Campaigns and development of the Bartica website. In addition to the data gathered, coming out of Phase one, a website, Bartica.gov.gy has been established with the sole purpose of providing information on the town and its development.

As part of the TNES Project, the OCC also handed over two STEM kits to the Bartica and Three Miles Sec-

ondary schools in an effort to equip them with technological skills, which can assist in finding solutions to aid the transition of Bartica into the first model ‘green’ town in Guyana and the Caribbean.

“It has been a step in the right direction. We have had household surveys, audits of the transportation sector, surveys and so forth and all of this information is now stored here at the munici-

of Four Miles, which has benefitted from LED street lights, said that the residents of that community are now feeling safer and more secure with the installation of the lights, especially since

Italian Special Envoy, Caterina Bertolini observes the work of the students of the Three Miles Secondary School STEM Club during her visit there. The club was funded as part of project financing from the Government of Italy (DPI photo)

Mayor of the Town of Bartica, His Worship Gifford Marshall makes a point to ItalianSpecial Envoy, Caterina Bertolini, as Juanita Thomas from the Office of Climate Change looks on (DPI photo)

CAPACITY BUILDING The Government of Italy through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (Five Cs) has already approved some US$3.67M for some of the recommendations coming out of the studies and audits to be implemented in Phase Two, particularly in the areas of capacity building, efficient lighting and feasibility studies for electric vehicles.

The Italian envoy noted that she is pleased to see what has been taking place in the town through the support from her government.

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, in an invited comment, said the residents welcomed the visit by the special envoy and the support that has been given to the township in its vision of a ‘green’ town.

Italian Special Envoy, Caterina Bertolini makes a point to Lennox Fredericks of the Regional Democratic Council as Mayor, Gifford Marshall and Town Clerk, Phoebe Thomas look on (DPI photo)

pality and it will guide us on our projects. We are already seeing the fruits of it. We are so grateful for the partnership between the Office of Climate Change and the donor agencies,” he said.

More than 90 students have been trained in STEM and robotics at the Three Miles Secondary School and approximately 65 students who live in the dormitory are benefitting from reliable electricity supply through the Solar PV system.

House master at the school, Ricardo Allen, said the installation has made life significantly more comfortable for both the teachers and students since they have been plagued with frequent blackouts and food spoilage in the past.

GOOD INITIATIVE “This has really improved our lives. This is a really good initiative the governments have taken on to improve our lives. When we have black out, they children do not react in a nice way; they run and scream and so on and so this is the best thing they could have done here for the students.

They are in a better frame of mind and it is helping the students in a good way,” he said.

With regard to the LED lighting project, Marshall said that approximately 97 per cent of the township is now outfitted with over 800 street lights and over 5000 residents directly benefitting.

Desmond Stoby, resident

they are ‘green’ alternatives.

“We are really enjoying the street lights we have. I personally and most of the residents welcome those street lights. It used to be so dark and people used to be afraid to walk, but not any-

more. It is really something good and I really appreciate it. I want to join with the residents to applaud this initiative. I love it and the residents love it,” he said.

The Italian Envoy was accompanied by Juanita Thomas, Project Assistant at Office of Climate Change, Ministry of the Presidency. (DPI)

Senior Master and Head Coach for the STEM Club at the Three Miles Secondary School, Ron Ghanie explains the functions of one of the robots to Italian Special Envoy, Caterina Bertolini as Juanita Thomas from the Office of Climate Change looks on (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 28, 2019

CARICOM leaders and CSME implementation

THE Caribbean Community will next week open its 40th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government in St Lucia with the Secretariat announcing that the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) is expected to be high on the agenda.

How often, in recent years before any Caricom meeting, we hear those statements that CSME would be high on the agenda, or one of the top priorities or will be tackled in great detail.

The results, disappointingly so, is that there has not been enough movement on this front.

According to a preview from CARICOM, Heads of Government are expected to build on the St. Ann’s Declaration, which was approved at the 18th Special Meeting on the CSME in Trinidad and Tobago last December.

The declaration, which confirmed the CSME as still the most viable platform to support the region’s growth and development agenda, put forward several measures for determined action.

Among the measures are a more formalised, structured mechanism for engagement with the region’s private sector and labour; expansion of the categories of skilled nationals entitled to move freely and work within the community, to include agricultural workers, beauty

service practitioners, barbers and security guards; ensuring Community-wide recognition of each member State-issued CARICOM Skills Certificate; reinforcing regional security mechanisms; and permitting the region’s citizens and companies to participate in public procurement processes across the community.

IN the 19th century, after the end of the colonial wars of the 18th century, the European empires in the Caribbean entered into a period of stability. But it was a stability that was due to inertia and neglect, since the West Indian colonies had ceased to have the importance they once had to their mother countries, in particular, Britain and France. And after World War II, these colonial powers decided to grant their colonies independence.

The first effort by Britain to begin its withdrawal began with the establishment of the West Indies Federation, but this Federation lasted only four years. After that experience, both the local West Indian politicians and Britain felt that granting independence to each colony was the preferred option and by the end of the 1960s, all the British colonies except Montserrat had gained their independence. But independence was no panacea and West Indian politicians were now faced with all the problems — social, economic

and political — which the departing colonial powers had bequeathed to them.

At this time, fortunately, the West Indies was blessed with a number of able and imaginative leaders who realised that the West Indian colonies could not stand individually alone in a globalised world and that they had to cooperate, or even be unified. Unification was difficult because there were strong provincialisms in each former colony but these, however, were counterbalanced by the overarching understanding that the Region was a Culture Nation.

Accordingly, led by LFS Burnham of Guyana, Eric Williams of Trinidad, Norman and Michael Manley of Jamaica and Grantley Adams of Barbados, the leaders decided to form the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), which was a basic Customs Union. This was succeeded by the CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy), which was intended to bring about a deeper economic unity. Burnham, Williams and the Manleys had felt that a Customs Union and closer economic integration would eventually result in a unified Caribbean and their efforts and analyses could not be faulted. The CSME, after an enthusiastic and impacting beginning was, however, gradually overtaken by inertia after the

disappearance off the scene of these great leaders.

Our present Caribbean leaders now feel the need for an active and revived CSME and they have been making efforts which they admit to being too slow; and at the last meeting of the CSME held in Trinidad and Tobago last December, they declared they would move forward relentlessly, fully effectuating the goals of the CSME. The initial focus of the CSME was to liberalise trade in goods among member countries, that is a basic Customs Union, but this was to be expanded to include services, free movement of capital, skilled labour, and the freedom to establish business enterprises anywhere within the 15-member grouping.

The December CSME meeting in Trinidad and Tobago was chaired by the Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Before the July 2018 summit in Jamaica, the Jamaica Parliament had passed a resolution of the need of CARICOM member states to make a clear commitment to establishing a single market ” with a specific time-bound, measurable and verifiable programme of action to fulfil all outstanding obligations within a period of five years.” In keeping with this resolution, Prime Minister Holness, as Chairman of the December CSME meeting, called upon member

states to take decisive action to transform the CSME into a facility that will truly serve the interests of the Caribbean people. “We will call upon all member states”, he appealed ” to summon the necessary political will and determination to ensure that programmes and initiatives are strategically focused and geared towards meeting an ambitious process of reform.”

It is generally agreed that the CSME has been badly underachieving. Some officials at both the CARICOM Secretariat and in the various national governments have been blaming the politicians for being lackadaisical; but recently, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley has blamed some officials for the deadweight. She indicated, with some emphasis, that in some quarters of officialdom there were psychological impediments and closed mind-sets which result in sometimes decisions not being worked out before hand and the recording of decisions often not being clear and precise. She added . . . “these decisions fall victim to bureaucratic inertia and resistance from those who did not participate meaningfully in their design, or have not been fully enlightened as to their positive purpose.”

Both positions have some merit, but it is only by strong political will that the CSME would be able to break out of

this dead end.

Before the July 2018 summit in Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness had appointed a CARICOM Review Commission under the chairmanship of Bruce Golding, former prime minister. That commission recommended among other things, that the CARICOM Treaty should be amended to institutionalise involvement of the private sector and the labour movement and Prime Minister Mottley supported the idea.

We are of the view that the induction of the private sector and the labour movement into CSME would more quickly revivify it.

Very often, CARICOM leaders are distracted from focusing on the CSME, by the problems of their individual territories. To overcome this, we are of the opinion that every Caribbean territory should establish a special sub-ministry or department to deal with CSME and CARICOM affairs and to be able to be in touch with each other. Once the CSME becomes proactive, the importance of its achievements to the Caribbean would be unfolded and its vital importance to Caribbean life recognised.

Mrs. Granger has been nothing short of stellar in her conduct as First Lady Dear Editor, THE hullabaloo surrounding the recent trip to Singapore by the First Lady to commission the Liza Destiny oil production vessel is a bit perplexing.

At the invite of the companies, Mrs. Granger was asked to be the ‘God Mother’ of the vessel, according to media reports, which is in keeping with how the naming ceremonies for these production units are done. Department of Energy head, Dr. Mark Bynoe, was among those from Guyana who travelled to Singapore for the event. It is now being said that by virtue of having the companies pay the

bill for Mrs. Granger and others, this translates to opening up oneself to compromise.

This is absurd on many levels. Are we truly to believe that the cost of a trip to Singapore could corrupt the First Lady’s actions going forward? Will she try to influence the President in some way to have government act in the companies’ favour because they footed the bill for this trip? The First Lady’s respectable reputation aside, there are surely better ways to buy a politician than shipping them off on a week of mundane ceremony in Singapore... The same can be said of Dr. Bynoe.

Will he now be lax in executing the mandate of the Department of Energy when dealing with these companies because

they paid for a trip to Singapore?

The narrow-mindedness of us Guyanese on every matter under the sun and the desperate attempt by some for relevance and visibility mean that we are willing to take any and everything and try to turn it into a scandal. This being so, even when it involves someone in the person of Mrs. Granger who has been nothing short of stellar in her conduct as First Lady.

Regards Donald Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 28, 2019

Guyana is stable

Dear Editor,

AS we await the final Conservatory Orders from the CCJ, I can’t help but notice the frenetic efforts by the opposition PPP/C to paint the APNU+AFC coalition as bad for Guyana.

Please permit me a space in your newspaper to respond to a statement on Freedom Radio of June 26, 2019, when the speaker said that “Granger destabilizing our nation “ It is my belief that since

assuming office in 2015, President David Granger’s stewardship of Guyana has brought Guyanese into a new era of greater social equality, inclusionary democracy and human safety, which has brought unquestionable benefits to the Guyanese people in every walk of life from coastland to hinterland.

Guyana has made some significant progress under President David Granger’s stewardship. For example, on March 18, 2016, a mere

10 months after assuming office, the Coalition hosted Local Government Elections (LGE). This is after the absence of LGE for 22 years under the previous People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) regime. The establishment of new towns, neighbourhoods and the Local Government Commission, signifies the coalition government’s commitment to reinforcing local democracy, affording the right of citizens to elect their community

leaders, giving power to the people to determine how services and resources that affect their lives are utilised.

When the PPP/C operatives talk about destabilisation, I am left to wonder if they are talking about the same country in which I have resided for the past two decades. Since under this administration, we have never experienced drugs turf war and regular extrajudicial killings in the streets. Citizens

are now able to express their democratic rights, views and concerns, even by protests, without being fearful of being victimized, assaulted, shot or jailed. This country is now stabilised under [the] APNU/ AFC coalition.

It is my belief that because of the achievements this government was able to rack up within four years, the PPP/C is feeling embarrassed because they could not achieve this sort of stability that Guyanese

now enjoy in their 23 years of misrule. So they continue with the broken record of destabilization. Why not work with the government towards making Guyana a better place for all, instead of misleading your supporters with lies and propaganda that “Guyana is being destabilized”. Look around you; where is the destabilization?

Regards Ceion Rollox

Over the last century the Public Health Department of the City Council was always headed by a Medical Doctor

Dear Editor,

I believe the citizens of Georgetown ought to be advised as to the reasons why the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown is deliberately lowering entry requirements for its employees, rewarding those without the requisite qualifications with senior appointments and reducing time honoured and nec-

essary standards at the Georgetown Municipality.

Over the last century, the Public Health Department of the City Council was always headed by a Medical Doctor who specialised in Public Health, including highly recognised and well-respected practitioners such as Drs. P.G. Barrow, Oscar Hamilton, Sultan Kassim, Vibert Shury et al.

And there was a very

good reason for this, and that is because they were required to be trained, skilled and competent in epidemiology which allowed them to completely understand the nature of and prevent public health crises such as the spread of infectious diseases, in health policy and management which prepared them to look at the "big picture" of public health including implementing policies and

GuySuCo warns ‘trespassers’ on its LBI Head Office compound Dear Editor THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) would like to inform members of the public bearing firearms, including private security companies, that permission must be granted by the management of the Corporation before access is provided to its La Bonne Intention (LBI) Head Office Compound.

Unauthorised persons carrying firearms are hereby informed that weapons are not permitted on the property without permission. Any person in violation of the aforementioned protocol will be escorted off of the premises and the relevant authorities will be informed.

The Corporation has been informed that a private security company has been accessing its LBI Head Office Compound and this action must be ceased immediately or the Corporation will be forced to take appropriate actions to secure its employees and property.

The Corporation hereby informs that trespassers on its LBI Head Office property will be prosecuted by Law. Members of the public are informed that this takes immediate effect.

Regards Guyana Sugar Corporation

programmes that would improve public health, in maternal and child health allowing them to identify the causes and explain the effects of the unique health problems facing children, adolescents and mothers at every stage of pregnancy, in disaster management since disasters pose a significant problem for public health everywhere in the world and in environmental health, making them properly

understand the critical need for clean drinking water, allowing them to monitor levels of toxins such as dust and radioactive waste, and to work to keep the public safe from unseen dangers.

Appointing a general practitioner who has only had basic medical training to perform the specialist role of public health medical expert is neither fair to the general practitioner

that was appointed nor to the citizenry who expect the health of the entire city, and not just one person, to be properly maintained.

The health and safety of our capital city are of vital importance.

Regards Anu Bihari

GPF remains resolute to serve and protect Guyanese Dear Editor The Guyana Police Force notes with concern the recent flurry of articles in the media aimed at the administration of the organization.

These articles seem to suggest a culture and practice of nonchalance, coverup and victimization within the Police Force, with the apparent aim of influencing the public negatively towards the Force in general and more specifically sullying the image of the Senior Administration.

The Police Administration has [the] utmost respect for freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution but the misrepresentation being peddled necessitates

perspicuity.

As recent as today, Thursday, June 27, 2019, Kaieteur News carried an article under the heading “Handpicked appointments of several CID detectives highly questionable-- Whistleblowers “ , which seems to suggest victimization in favour of persons whose “track record is less than stellar “. But while the article appears to focus on the “ track record “ of certain individuals that suit their misleading analysis, it completely, or rather deliberately, obliterates the part of the records that reveal efficiency, commitment, effectiveness and crime-solving capacity of the ranks. It ignores the concept of vindication or in some instances, redemption.

However, notwithstanding these articles and the misleading views, the administration of the Guyana Police Force remains resolutely committed to it’s motto “Service and Protection” for all in the maintenance of public safety and also commits to the welfare and continued enhancement and development of its ranks, without exception.

Regards Jairam Ramlakhan Superintendent of Police Public Relations and Press Officer Guyana Police Force

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

AMCHAM Corporate Governance Luncheon BUSINESSES in Guyana are being advised to develop a sense of urgency for the advancement of corporate governance in their companies as this will ensure that they remain the main beneficiaries of opportunities stemming from oil and gas.

Giving the advice was Senior Vice President of the Guyana Gold Fields Inc. and former United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway.

The point was imbedded within his presentation made to members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Guyana (AMCHAM) at the Chamber’s Corporative Governance Luncheon

hosted at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday.

The luncheon was hosted in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and in keeping with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two to build the capacity of local finance professionals.

In his address, Holloway told the packed audience that corporate governance is absolutely necessary in the business society as the “floodgates will soon open” with ‘first oil’ and the competition will be stiff between local and international companies.

“Guyana is getting ready to change signifi-

Members of the head table of the Corporate Governance Luncheon at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday.

Seated from left are: immediate Past president of the ACCA, Leo Lee; President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Guyana (AMCHAM) Zulfikar Ally; Head of Business Development at Banks DIH, Ramesh Dookhoo and Senior Vice President of the Guyana Gold Fields Inc. and former United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway. (Adrian Narine photo) cantly as a result of the soon-to-be-realised oil.

This will bring great riches and many challenges; challenges not

only for the government of Guyana but also for each and every one of you in the private sector.

While creating systems for business in Guyana has always been challenging, one issue that was not always there to worry about is significant competition from new competitors outside of Guyana,” he stated.

“Guyana does not have all the necessary

nesses, sooner rather than later, must take a fresh look at the type of company they want to be, what they want to achieve and how they are putting themselves in the position to achieve this.

They must also ensure they possess the rules, practices and processes which are designed to bring them closer to meeting their objectives.

While this may be dif-

vate sector need to do their part and I challenge each and every one of you to figure out more ways to make everything better for all Guyanese and the businesses will benefit,” he said.

Speaking, too, was Head of Business Development at Banks DIH, Ramesh Dookhoo who delved into the Private Sector Commission’s (PSCs) Corporate Gov-

Members of the audience listen on attentively (Adrian Narine photo) people, expertise or resources to go it alone.

So, other companies will come in and once they’re here they will look for opportunities not only in the oil sector but they will look everywhere for opportunities.”

Holloway explained that these companies, many possessing good corporate governance, have an advantage in the way they ensure accountability, fairness and transparency in their relationship with their stakeholders As such, local busi-

ficult, Holloway reminded that corporate governance is necessary to balance the interests of the companies’ stakeholders and to incorporate their needs into the structure and operation of the business.

The former US Ambassador also urged the private sector to play a greater role in this regard as it will ultimately stand to benefit all Guyanese.

“The Private sector of Guyana could and should do more to develop the country and give back to the people of Guyana… both government and pri-

ernance Code of 2011 which helped to change Guyana over the years.

He stated that every company should have an efficient board and also urged the PSC to go into education and adaptation mode when it comes to corporate governance.

Meanwhile, immediate past President of the ACCA, Leo Lee and President of AMCHAM Guyana Zulfikar Ally thanked the audience for attending and also spoke to the importance o f c o r p o r a t e g o v e rnance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Players in O&G sector benefit from capacity-building training

THE Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) on Thursday hosted an Oil and Gas and Energy Business Training Conference geared at building capacity in interested entities.

The two-day conference was held at the Pegasus Hotel and was geared towards local professionals in oil and gas and energy.

It focusses on the fundamentals of the oil and gas business, the operative laws and principles and practical guidance for understanding and drafting standard oil and gas industry agreements.

“What I wanted to accomplish with this is to help build local capacity in the oil and gas and energy area because Guyana is so new to this that the information is not there; people don’t have the experience and the skills. So, the idea of the conference is to do just that; to help Guyanese professionals, business people, ordinary people and also the government’s people to come and be informed,” the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GOGEC, Edwin Callender, told the Guyana Chronicle.

Those expected to present within the two days are: International Energy Attorney-based in Dallas, Harry Sullivan Jr.; Professor of Energy Law and Director of the Mineral Law Institute at Louisiana State University (LSU), Keith Hall and others.

Meanwhile, some of the topics to be covered include risk allocation, natural gas, electricity and the powering of industrialisation, environmental health and safety (EHS) and regulatory framework, among others.

Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony was Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) National Coordinator, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, who spoke to the gathering about the useful

from electricity woes regarding cost and reliability, projects to convert natural gas to electricity can help to modernise the industry.

He added that this could eventually attract investors to set up new industries such as the aluminum industry through which washers, dryers, refrigeration, building materials and auto parts can be manufactured.

Callender said that such developments would also benefit the Caribbean Region as there are not enough people living in Guyana to meet the human resource capacity which will soon be in demand.

In his presentation, the CEO also reminded that, as Guyana receives greater revenues, there must be focus on agriculture development.

Giving examples for the sugar indus-

GOGEC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Edwin Callender information within Guyana’s recent EITI Report.

He hailed the conference as a timely event as Guyana approaches ‘first oil’.

The more local entities can build their capacity, the better it will be for Guyana.

Stressing too the importance of transparency and accountability, Dr. Jadoopat stated that the EITI Report helps to eliminate corrupt practices while the information will work to create greater public awareness and debates.

“It’s for you now to become more aware of that and use the information to argue your points and inform citizens,” he said.

Meanwhile, in his first presentation on the opportunities for economic and social development in Guyana, Callender told the entities that while Guyana suffers

A section of the gathering at the Guyana Oil and Gas and Energy Business Training Conference hosted at the Pegasus Hotel (Adrian Narine photo)

try, he recommended plant and product diversification to specialty products while he recommended product diversification and modernisation for the rice industry.

He also suggested the expansion of poultry, livestock, dairy, and fruits and vegetables.

Regarding infrastructure planning, he stated that as time goes by, the government must focus on the construction of liquid hydrocarbons storage; processing and handling facilities; electric transmission and distribution grids; hydro power; industrial parks and more.

In the coming presentations, Callender and the other presenters will touch on other topics such as best and worse practices in the petroleum industry and ways Guyana can learn from these

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

New army officers take oath, receive instruments

IT was another rewarding moment for 52 of the 55 newly-commissioned officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), on Thursday, when they individually took the Oath of Allegiance and received their Instruments from Commander-in-Chief of the Disciplined Forces, President David Granger at a simple ceremony at The Baridi Benab, State House.

Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, sat with the President and paid keen attention as the new officers from the regular and reserve, who have now bolstered the Officer Corps of the Army, swore or affirmed, to bear true faith and allegiance to Guyana; support the defence of the State against all enemies while honouring and upholding and preserving the Constitution of Guyana without, fear or favour, affection or ill will. The state commission not only places

special trust in loyalty, courage and good conduct, but also constitutes an appointment of officers in the GDF, from the date as specified in the respective instruments.

The newly-commissioned officers comprise 28 of the Standard Officer Course (SOC) No. 50, and 27 of the Reserve Officer Course No. 16. They are now vested with the legal authority and privileges to function as officers of the GDF, in accordance with Article 13:01 of the Defence Act. As provided for by the Guyana Defence Force Regulations 22 of 1974, all officers of the GDF are required to take an oath before the President.

They will now be deployed to various army locations across the country.

Having been conferred with their Instruments of Commission, the new officers were warmly congratulated by the Commander-in-Chief, even as he reminded them of the “rite of

‘Keep training your ...

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establishment of the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) in September 1981. And, over the five decades, this country has welcomed cadets from the Caribbean states of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize and St Kitts-Nevis.

The SOC aims at inculcating the Force’s values and standards in cadets and to develop their power of command and leadership and their service to the country. It has been improved continuously and now includes an enhanced academic programme and intensified jungle, paratrooper and equitation training.

The Reserve Officers’ Course was re-introduced after a hiatus of a decade, and members of the Guyana People’s Militia are active and receiving training in all 10 administrative regions so that they could respond effectively to the need for assistance, including in the area of disaster relief, he said.

Alluding to other significant improvements within the GDF, President Granger spoke of the technical corps; the acquisition of light reconnaissance aircraft and inshore patrol vessels that have augmented the capabilities of the Air Corps and Coast Guard, respectively; and the Intelligence Corps and Signal Corps that are being reformed to improve intelligence, surveillance and communications.

Also, the Engineer Corps is being recapitalised and has benefitted from training while working along with the Brazilian Army in the drilling of wells in the Rupununi.

Additionally, defence cooperation is being pursued with a number of friendly countries and is unlocking training opportunities for all ranks. The rewards of these investments and partnerships are evident – the Force is improving its capacity to deter aggression, defend national sovereignty and ensure a safe, secure and strong state.

The Defence Force now has greater national reach and responsiveness.

Operation Armadillo is aimed at protecting our frontier communities.

Investors, on land and in our maritime zone, can be assured that the Force will employ every means at its disposal to protect their investments. Citizens can repose greater confidence in their Defence Force, he remarked.

The newly-commissioned GDF officers of SOC 50 (standing) pose for a group photo with Commander-in-Chief of the Disciplined Services, President David Granger (seated at centre). He is flanked by, among others, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West (Delano Williams photo) passage” which now makes them each, “an officer of the state”.

“Your commissions are not certificates merely to mark the successful completion of a training course.

They constitute the lawful licence for you to exercise authority as officers of the Republic,” he reiterated, as he had done in a written congratulatory message, on Wednesday, for a Commissioning Parade which was held at D’Urban Park, Homestretch Avenue.

Such a commitment demands trust, loyalty and good conduct and requires of each officer to exercise dutiful diligence and discipline and to demonstrate obedience to his or her superiors.

Noting that officers are challenged to uphold the motto of the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School: “I serve Guyana.”

Officers are required, by their conduct to exemplify the School’s maxims – Courage, Discipline, Honesty, Loyalty,

Steadfastness and Worth.

President Granger charged the newly-commissioned officers with the stewardship of the force. He urged that they be as courageous, competent and committed, as those who, 50 years ago, boldly defended our motherland.

Expounding on the events of that period, President Granger recalled that the suppression of the Rupununi Rebellion and the defence of the New River Zone in 1969 had exemplified the GDF’s military proficiency.

“Today, we celebrate the force’s operational capabilities which were based on supreme courage, superior organisation and superb training. Guyana’s military history recounts that rebels seized control of the Rupununi Region – an area larger than the Republic of Costa Rica. It was in an attempt to secede from Guyana and establish an independent republic in January 1969,” the President recollected.

A Guyana Defence Force

task force launched an operation to neutralise rebel positions in the north and south savannahs and restore central government authority throughout the region. The force was obliged to launch a lightning strike seven months later, in August 1969, against foreign intruders who attempted to seize the New River Zone – an integral part of Guyana’s territory that encompasses 15,540 km2 – an area that is larger than Puerto Rico. The force again sprang into action, successfully expelling the foreigners thereby ensuring the sovereignty of our government over its territory, the President further recounted.

“Guyana remains a unitary and indivisible state because of the courage, competence and commitment of the Guyana Defence Force in these operations. These operations involved intelligent planning, intense training and innovative tactics. We pay tribute, today, to the leadership of those who sup-

pressed the Rupununi Rebellion and defended the New River Zone – 50 years ago.

“These operations demonstrated the Defence Force’s ability to respond to the threats of rebellion and territorial incursion. Their successes vindicated the efforts exerted, at the time, on developing a well-trained and highly-talented corps of officers and soldiers,” he added.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues, the newly-commissioned officers, and the GDF, was Best Graduating student of SOC 50, Second Lieutenant Jehu West.

Among, those present at the ceremony were Quarter Master General, Col Godfrey Best; Commandant of the Guyana People’s Militia, Col. Paul Arthur; Commander Engineer Corps Col. Paul Beaton; training officers and other officers of the GDF, relatives and friends of the new officers and other invited guests.

New Amsterdam woman jailed for trafficking ‘coke’ –– vicious dog guarding cocaine did not prevent search & cordon by cops A ferocious dog tied to a bed frame in which cocaine was concealed, did not prevent law enforcement officers from arresting Abiola White, and instituting a charge of trafficking in narcotics, to which she pleaded guilty before Senior Magistrate Alex Moore at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

White, 52 of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam was sentenced to one-year imprisonment, with a fine of $200,000.

Prosecutor, Police Corporal Winston Poliah, said,

on June 18, last, ranks from the anti-crime patrol of Central Police Station, headed

by Superintendent Wayne De Heart, conducted a cordon and search exercise at St John Street, New Amsterdam where it was observed that there were several males and a lone female. The female, Abiola White claimed to be assisting the occupant in the lower flat of the building.

But, as White accompanied the police ranks into the house, the policemen were confronted by a ferocious dog, which was tied to an old iron frame, with an old

refrigerator door on top.

White managed to subdue the dog, before ranks discovered a small cubic container, in the bed frame, containing several pieces of whitish rock-like substances suspected to be cocaine.

The middle-aged woman was taken to Central Police Station where she was charged.

Meanwhile, police also arrested Gordon Bruce, the occupant of the lower flat.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge of trafficking in narcotics and was granted

$50,000 bail, and is expected to return to New Amsterdam Court, August 10, for a report.

Further, Tyrone Griffith, Amzad Kubir, Leon Woolford, Emil Clarke and Clement Spooner, were charged with being at a place where persons resort for the purpose of smoking illicit drugs.

They were granted $10,000 bail each, and the matter was sent to the Chief Magistrate for reassignment, since Magistrate Moore recused himself, due to his relationship with Spooner.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

AG applies for stay in order against Jordan

11

… tells court Dipcon matter caught gov’t unaware, was outsourced by PPP

JUSTICE of Appeal, Dawn Gregory, will next week Wednesday hear an application for a stay in the order against Winston Jordan in his private capacity to pay some US$2.2M to Trinidad construction company, Dipcon, for monies owed by the Guyana Government.

The Attorney General Chambers has pointed out that the order handed down by High Court Judge, Priya Sewnarine Beharry, was erroneous and illegal as it named Jordan in his private capacity and not as the Minister of Finance.

The chambers has since appealed the order, but has also moved to the court for a stay of its execution.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry had ordered Jordan to pay the money before July 8, 2019 or face imprisonment.

The hearing for the stay comes up at 14:00hrs at the Court of Appeal, High Street, Georgetown.

Sewnarine-Beharry made the order on June 24, 2019, in the High Court which stemmed from a contempt motion filed on behalf of the company by Attorney-at-law, Timothy Jonas, in May of this year. The award to the company was first handed down by Justice of Appeal, Rishi Persaud, on October 21, 2015, and, while the government has challenged the award, Jonas moved to the court with contempt proceedings against Jordan. Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke, and his Deputy, Deborah Kumar, are representing Jordan in the matter.

The affidavit in support of the summons for the stay of execution was sworn to by Deputy Financial Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dale Browne.

OUTSOURCING In his affidavit Browne reminded that the current government, in the first place, was not aware that the matter was outsourced to a private attorney-at-law and that judgment was granted and when this was discovered, the government sought to file leave to appeal out of time to the Court of Appeal but the application was refused by the

Court of Appeal. Browne detailed that an application filed in the Caribbean Court of Justice was dismissed for failure to comply with procedural requirements under the rules and no extension of time sought and, as a consequence the matter was never heard on its merits.

“I am informed by my attorneys-at-law and do verily believe that in the matter of Dipcon Engineering Services Limited – v – The Attorney General of Guyana and Minister of Finance, Action No. 2017- HC-DEMCIV-FDA-1942, the Chief Justice (ag.) Roxane George ordered on the 18th day of December, 2017 that a writ or order nisi of mandamus granted directing the minister to pay the judgement of Justice Rishi Persaud. On the 12th November 2018 the Honourable Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George on an application to vary filed by the Appellant/Applicant refused to recall the order nisi that was made absolute on the March 1, 2018.”

On the same November 12, 2018 Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George ordered and directed that the Minister of Finance pay the aforesaid judgement sum of Rishi Persaud on before the January 15, 2019.

On December 3, 2018, the State filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in Action 2017-HC-DEM-CIVFDA-1942: Dipcon Engineering Services Limited v.

Attorney General and Minister of Finance and on the 14th day of December 2018, the State filed an application for stay of the Order of the Honourable Chief Justice (ag) Madam Justice Roxane George before a single judge in chambers at the Court of Appeal.

Browne noted that the application for stay of execution was heard on December 19, 2018 before Her Honour Madam Justice of Appeal, Dawn Gregory, who ruled that the summons for stay of execution be dismissed on the basis of jurisdiction. The State being dissatisfied with the ruling of Her Honour Madam Justice Dawn Gregory filed a motion on the January 29, 2019 seeking a discharge and/or variation of the ruling of the single judge in accor-

dance with Order II Rule 16 (2) of the Court of Appeal Rules Chapter 3:01 of the Laws of Guyana.

“I am informed by my attorneys-at-law and do verily believe that no date has been fixed for hearing because the Full Bench of the Court of Appeal has not been constituted since there is no quorum of judges and this has delayed the hearing of the applications by the State.

I am further informed by my attorneys-at-law and do verily believe that the Court of Appeal’s failure to hear the motion expeditiously is tantamount to a refusal of the Stay of Execution and has exposed the State to have the judgment being enforced against it before all the Appellate remedies can be exhausted.”

PRIVATE CAPACITY Browne noted that on April 16, 2019 the respondent/applicant instituted contempt proceedings not

against the Minister of Finance but against Winston Jordan in his personal capacity in 2019 – HC-DEM -CIV-FDA- 629.

I attach hereto a copy of the Fixed Date Application as Exhibit “DB5”. “In the result on the June 24, 2019, Justice Priya Beharry erroneously purported to exercise jurisdiction in contempt proceeding brought against the Minister of Finance not as Minister, but in his private capacity as Winston Jordan in Fixed Date Application 2019-HCDEM- CIV-FDA-629.”

Browne contends that Justice Sewnarine-Beharry erred and misdirected herself in law when she failed to appreciate that contempt proceedings were coercive in nature and that such an order could not be made against an officer of the State but in particular against the Winston Jordan privately when no act was done by Winston Jordan in his private and personal capacity for contempt to

prevail against him.

According to Browne, the respondent/applicant concealed the full facts from the High Court that the substantive appeal and the application for stay are both pending before the Court of Appeal and that up to present no date has been fixed for hearing.

Attorney General Basil Williams told the Guyana Chronicle following the order by the court earlier this week that: “the ruling was erroneous and the judge committed a specific illegality when she made an order against the minister in his private capacity and not in his official capacity as Minister of Finance, thus robbing him of the protection he is entitled to under Section 14 of the State Liability and Proceedings Act Chapter 6:05 wherein no coercive order can be made against him.”

Williams told the Guyana Chronicle that he had raised the issue during the hearing in the matter on

Finance Minister Winston Jordan Monday morning. He believes that the applicant had deliberately filed the contempt motion proceedings against Jordan in his private capacity in an attempt to rob him of the privileges he enjoys under the act.

“This is an abuse and so we will be filing a notice of appeal today,” Williams stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Jagdeo floats foreigner for GECOM chair … still thinking about names on rejected lists

OPPOSITION Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that he is also looking within the international community for names to present to the President for the selection of a new Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman.

On Thursday, at his weekly press conference, Jagdeo also said that he is willing to work towards coming to a consensus on the list of names when he meets with the President.

These developments come as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) recently urged Guyana’s political leaders to come to a compromise regarding the holding of elections following the

court’s decision to uphold the no-confidence vote against the government.

Directly related to this is the absence of a GECOM Chair as the CCJ also ruled that the process of the appointment of the now resigned Chair, Justice James Patterson, was flawed. Both political leaders have since corresponded with each other indicating their interest to meet.

They are expected to agree on a list of six persons which meet the criteria of the post from which President David Granger will select one individual.

Jagdeo said, on Thursday, that he is “prepared to engage on a one-on-one”

with the President and has already started the process of soliciting new names.

“I’m hoping to meet with the President, particularly on this matter,” he said. “We’re prepared to explore bringing names from outside of Guyana because as far we look, you can submit names from the Commonwealth.”

During the period of late 2016 to mid-2017, Jagdeo had put forward three lists amounting to 18 names, which were rejected by the President. Jagdeo has received criticism in light of several names on the lists being identified as individuals with varying degrees of baggage related to political affiliation.

The Head of State had made clear, in 2017, his interest in individuals with no political affiliation and the general characteristics of honesty, integrity, faithfulness, and diligence. He had also requested and reviewed the curricula vitae for the individuals nominated but had cause to eventually appoint James Patterson to the post.

Although the President utilised Article 161 (2) of the Constitution for guidance in his actions, the CCJ ruled that the process was flawed as both the Opposition Leader and the President must first come to a consensus on the list of six before it is submitted to the President and a Chairman is selected.

This time around, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has asked the Opposition Leader to take matters seriously and not to dump six names on the President and expect him to make a choice.

According to Jagdeo, he will not be approaching the matter in this manner. “I don’t intend to dump six names on the President,” he said, indicating that he has no issue with coming to a

consensus on the six names.

But, even so, it appears as if the Opposition Leader is still considering putting forward some of the same names from the previously rejected lists. “We’re hoping that he would have had the 18 names and that he’s prepared to say if any of the 18 names are acceptable,” he told reporters even as he noted that he is still seeking out other options.

Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis and Political Scientist, Dr. David Hinds have already weighed in that to put forward names already rejected by the President would be “polarization” and would “prejudice the process before it starts”.

Meanwhile, former GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally believes that the selected Chairman should be a person with a “track record of integrity” and someone who will be “fair to all parties concerned”.

With the selection of a GECOM Chair being only part of the journey towards new elections, the two leaders still disagree on the importance and relevance of the

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo holding of house-to-house registration prior to elections. Jagdeo maintains that house-to-house registration is “not mandatory” while the President believes that it is needed for the credibility of the list and the inclusion of all eligible voters.

Several leaders in the private and public sectors have implored the two to maturely come to an agreement which falls within the best interest of all Guyanese.

St George’s High wins JOF Haynes debating competition THERE were screams of joy on Thursday when the debating team of the St George’s High School was adjudged the winner of the regional leg of the JOF Haynes Debating Competition.

The team managed to overcome the team from the Christ Church Secondary School. It was deemed a historic win since it was the first time the school came out on top in the competition.

The Fourth Form students, Ezra Gibson, the first speaker; Leah De Arella, the second speaker; and Amberly Amernauth, the third speaker, had been impressive throughout the competition, school teacher Latoya Rodrigues told the Guyana Chronicle. She said the business stream students worked tirelessly during preparations for the debates.

The schools have been placed in differ-

ent categories according to the grade of the schools and thus far, St George’s managed to overcome teams from St Winifred’s, Caramel Secondary, Houston Secondary and the Cummings Lodge Secondary school.

The dedicated and disciplined team from St George’s High has been commended for its performances by many and, according to the teachers of the school, their success throughout the competition lifted the spirit of the student population of the city school. The win certainly took their spirits even higher, the teachers noted.

Rodrigues said that the fact that the team made it to the finals speaks about the changing fortunes of the school.

She expressed hope that the school maintains the performance in other areas of learning.

Winners Row: The winning team of debaters of the St George’s High School

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 28, 2019

'Bad season for older men' .....59-year-old Tuschen man gets 16 years for raping woman

MAHADEO Dasrat known as ‘Bahhagee’ was, on Thursday, June 27, 2019, sentenced to serve 16 years behind bars by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court, for raping a 25-year-old woman.

Dasrat, of Tuschen Old Road, East Bank Essequibo, was, on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, found guilty of raping the 25-year-old woman on April 11, 2017, in the county of Essequibo, by a 12-member mixed jury.

On Thursday afternoon, a

victim impact statement was read in court by probation officer Nichole Foo. The victim in her statement pointed out that the incident had left her feeling disgraced, since Dasrat took away her virginity and now she was afraid that no man would marry her because her innocence was lost. " I went through a lot of pain and was afraid that he would have chop of meh head” were the words of the victim.

According to reports, the

Mahadeo Dasrat known as ‘Bahhagee’

victim was robbed at knife point by Dasrat, who also raped her during the ordeal. “ I want the court to sentence him” the victim said as she demanded justice.

Dasrat’s attorney, Rabindra Mohabir, during mitigation, told the court that his client was employed as a water fetcher at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate and was the sole breadwinner for his family.

The attorney explained that his client was the father of one and the grandfather for two minors.

Dasrat, the attorney said, worked to maintain his wife and grandchildren, who were solely dependent on him.

State Prosecutor, Seeta Bishundial, in her address, informed the court that Dasrat was convicted and served a sentence in relation to the robbery matter in the case.

Justice Reynolds, before sentencing Dasrat, said " It is a very bad season for older men," as he made reference to another case where a 66-year-old man was sentenced to 19 years’ imprison-

ment for raping a 16-year-old girl.

The Judge started at a base of 20 years but deducted four years since Dasrat was the sole breadwinner for his family and his absence would affect his family. An additional one year was deducted since Dasrat had shown remorse and had told the court “I’m very sorry” when he was convicted.

Dasrat was sentenced to serve 16 years’ imprisonment for his crimes.

Ex-cop wanted for drug trafficking in US was blacklisted from leaving Guyana

THE court on Thursday, June 27, 2019 heard how ex-policeman, Shaun Darcy Nebblett, was blacklisted from leaving Guyana. He was arrested by local authorities in May at Moleson Creek Corentyne River, while attempting to flee to Suriname.

Nebblett also known as ‘Shaun Wyatt’ or ‘Dapper’ is currently undergoing a inquest before Principal Magistrate, Faith McGusty, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in relation to him being extradited to the United States of America for a series of drug-related charges in relation to a cocaine smuggling ring abroad.

On Thursday the inquest continued with the testimony of Immigration Officer, Nigel Newton. Newton is stationed at the Central Immigration and Passport Office and is attached to the Immigration Services at Berbice as the inspector in-charge. According to the witness, on April 29, 2019 Nebblett was at Moleson Creek and was an outgoing passenger to Suriname.

However, the witness told the court when the man handed him his passport #RO681780 and he checked same into the border management system, it was found that Nebblett was blacklist from leaving the country. The witness explained that he informed his superior, who is the Chief Immigration Officer. Nebblett was arrested and handed over to the Springlands Police Station.

Newton made it clear that he has known Nebblett, since he had worked with him 15 years ago at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, while he was an immigration officer and the defendant was a police constable.

Shaun Darcy Nebblett called ‘Shaun Wyatt’ or ‘Dapper'

The matter is adjourned until July 23, 2019.

Nebblett is represented by attorney-at-law Darren Wade, while State Counsel, Stacy Goodings, who is from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) chambers, represented the US Government. Nebblett is to be extradited to the United States to face a federal court for conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine, conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. In May the Government of the United States of America had made an application for his extradition through the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

On June 10, 2016 an arrest warrant was issued in the US for Nebblett's arrest. He had however already fled to Guyana. According to the indictment, between August 2015 and September 2015 in the Eastern District of New York, Nebblett conspired to smuggle cocaine from Guyana to

the US. It is alleged that he arranged for the courier in Guyana to smuggle to cocaine into the US for the payment of $US 8,000.

It is alleged that he met with the courier in Guyana, packed the person’s suitcase with the seven pairs of shoes, which had the cocaine inside.

He had allegedly given the courier $US300 for money to rent a hotel room, when the person arrives at the John F. Kennedy JFK airport, New York. On August 28, 2015, the courier flew to New York and was arrested upon his arrival at the JFK airport with 1.45 kilogrammes of cocaine in his possession. The currier, when held by officers in New York, confessed and helped with investigation. The currier called Nebblett regarding the pick-up of the cocaine and he sent another individual to pick up the cocaine from the currier. The individual was arrested with US$8,000 in his possession.

In April 2019 Troy Thomas, who was wanted in the United States for murder, was extradited to that country and faced a federal court abroad.

Thomas, of 32nd Street, South Ozone Park, Queens, New York, U.S.A., had been hiding out in Guyana for a number of years. Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, in December, ordered that he be extradited to face a charge of murder in that country back in 2011. The US Department of Justice had requested Thomas be extradited there to stand trial on three criminal charges he allegedly committed in the State of New York. Darren Wade along with Nigel Hughes and Bernard DaSilva were Thomas's lawyers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Madinah Agricultural Co-op positively impacting Wisroc

By Vanessa Braithwaite AFTER many years of being somewhat dormant, Linden, over the last year, has seen a noticeable increase in the establishment of co-operatives.

These cooperatives range from youth and economic movements, but most prominently, agricultural cooperative move-

ments.

As Lindeners better grasp the understanding that the town can no longer be solely dependent on mining as its main economic activity, there has been a paradigm shift in ensuring that the economy is diversified. Agriculture has been on the front burner by regional officials and Lindeners have realised

that greater success can be reaped from adopting a united front in ensuring food security.

One recently-established cooperative, the Madinah Strait Agricultural Co-operative Society Limited, located in Wisroc, Linden, is progressing smartly in ensuring that locally produced food is available in Linden while

simultaneously creating jobs and initiating a platform for agricultural development within the next five years.

Executive Member Kwesi Parks related that the co-op was established after he realised that for 23 years, Linden suffered tremendously because of marginalisation in the area of agriculture and it was time to change the rhetoric.

“We decided to come together as a co-op and start our own farm. We followed the advice of the President, who spoke about co-operatives, and we used that opportunity and got registered and so we are working with the government and with the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, to see success,” he said.

The co-op is in possession of many acres of land but currently farms cash and permanent crops and rear livestock on about two acres. When harvested, these crops are sold in the neighbouring communities of Madinah. There are about 55 members of the co-op who take turn in tending to the crops and livestock. Those living in Madinah ensure that crops and livestock are given the daily care needed.

Presently, the executives are seeking avenues to purchase some form of transportation to assist farmers with getting back and forth, as the distance poses a challenge to many of them.

After realising the strides that Madinah Agricultural Co-op has been

making, Food for the Poor Inc recently donated several much-needed farming tools and equipment to the farmers.

VALUABLE SUPPORT Madinah also receives overwhelming assistance from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Regional Chairman Renis Morian which has played an integral role in ensuring the co-op’s success.

The next step for Madinah, according to Kwesi, is to establish a wholesale market on the premises so that retail vegetable sellers can purchase at an affordable cost rather than to purchase from outsiders, which only allows the money to come out of Linden.

The members have also developed a five-year agricultural plan which will see more youths and women getting involved in agriculture and even the establishment of an agricultural school and a community centre in the area.

The plan is also to move from farming to agro-processing. Parks related that with the government providing the needed infrastructure and putting other systems in place, he is optimistic that the minor challenges faced with now, will soon be a thing of the past.

“We will soon have the Linden to Rockstone Road which will be part of the Linden to Lethem Road, which will bring in more traffic and more attention to us and not only because

Madinah Agricultural Cooperative executive, Kwesi Parks of that road, but with the oil on board, Region 10 really needs food security and so we need to take agriculture seriously. We don’t want what happened in 2005 when there was the flood to happen again. We need to come together and ensure we get this thing right,” he said.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian has been encouraging residents to come together and form co-operatives as development and progress can only be accomplished with the rhetoric, “We are better, together”.

The Ministry of Social Protection has supported the revitalisation of 170 co-ops, and registered 68 new ones from 2016 to date as government pushes for the revitalisation of co-operative movements in Guyana.

One of the oldest coops in Linden, the Linden Utility Services Cooperative Society Limited (LUSCSL), celebrated its 60th-anniversary last year.

The Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Cooperatives facilitates the process of registration of co-operatives.

Matthews Ridge teen stabbed to death POLICE are investigating the death of a 14-year-old boy whose lifeless body was discovered behind a shop in Matthew’s Ridge, North West District on Thursday morning.

Dead is Joseph Bumbury, a student of Matthews Ridge Secondary School and resident of Pakera Matthews Ridge, North West District.

The alleged perpetrator was apprehended hours later and reportedly confessed to the crime.

Reports are that the teen and his cousin were attacked on Wednesday night. His cousin is currently hospitalised with stab wounds at the Pakera Hospital.

Reports are that a passerby discovered the teen’s body close to the shop. The young man’s death has left the community in shock as he was described as a quiet person.

According to investigations, the teenager and his cousin were imbibing at a shop in Matthew’s Ridge and minutes after

midnight, someone approached the teen and dealt him several cuffs about the body.

The teen’s cousin then approached the suspect and told him to desist from hitting the teen but the perpetrator got annoyed and pulled out a metal object from his waist and stabbed him.

The attacker then turned his rage to the teen and dealt him a stab to his body and fled the scene.

When police arrived at the scene, the teen was discovered at the back of the shop lying face down in black pants, a black jersey and a black pair of slippers.

The body was taken to the Matthews Ridge Hospital mortuary where it is awaiting an autopsy.

The perpetrator allegedly told police that the teen and his cousin attacked him first and he retaliated.

Police have recovered the murder weapon as they continue their investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Stena Forth arrives in Guyana

THE Stena Forth Class Three drillship, to be utilised to drill two wells in the Orinduik Block, has arrived in Guyana. The drillship is expected to spud the Jethro Lobe prospect offshore Guyana in 2019 and the Joe prospect — located nearby — right after.

Tullow Oil owns 60 per cent interest in the Orinduik block; Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. holds 15 per cent and Total owns 25 per cent.

The companies involved are anticipating a 40 per cent chance of success for both prospects which are being hailed as “potentially transformational wells”.

Meanwhile, there are plans to drill up to six additional wells on the Orinduik block across 15 prospects.

According to OilNOW, Eco Atlantic has said the Orinduik Block could contain as much as four billion barrels of recoverable oil.

Orinduik is located next to the prolific Stabroek Block where US oil major, ExxonMobil, has already found more than 5.5 billion barrels of crude.

Thus far, US ExxonMobil has four drill ships in its fleet - the Noble Tom

Madden which is working on the Yellowtail Well, the Hammerhead-Two; the Stena Carron which is completing a well test at the Longtail-One discovery to be followed by the drilling of another well at the Ranger discovery; Noble Bob Douglas working at the Liza Phase One development and the Noble Don Taylor.

The Stena Forth drillship has been operating for Tullow in West Africa on an existing contract and will now transition to Guyana, fully crewed and with experienced personnel. A smooth transition and with less rig-up and training time is expected.

It was explained to this newspaper last year by Tullow Oil’s spokesman, George Cazenove, that after a period of 30-45 days post drilling, the results of the Jethro Lobe prospect should be available.

Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer at Eco Atlantic, Colin Kinley has stated that with 13 discoveries in just three years from ExxonMobil’s adjacent Stabroek Block totaling over 5.5 billion of barrels of oil equivalent, the companies’ commitment has been recharged.

The Stena Forth Class 3 drillship (Daily Business Group photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Renovated Watooka Guest House officially

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Watooka Guest House that recently underwent massive renovations, transforming it into a modern hospitality facility, was on Thursday evening officially declared open by Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar.

In his address, the minister stressed that the new facility can be deemed the Pride of Linden, more so with its outdoor restaurant and water deck, which now accesses the Demerara River. He stressed that there is still a void to be filled relative to high-quality accommodation in Guyana

and commended those behind the project. With the town of Linden being poised for real tourism growth, Minister Rajkumar affirmed that such a project was much needed and pledged the commitment of the Guyana Tourism Authority, to support the NICIL and the Watooka Guest House in whatever

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valarie Yearwood, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Watooka Guest House as Minister of Business Hemraj Rajkumar and Region10 Chairman, Renis Morian look on way possible. and his committed team for be in store at the guest house Minister within the Minis- making it a reality. and were served refreshing try of Communities, Annette London related that there cocktails and finger foods on Ferguson, said the government are a plethora of projects in the river deck. Many of those is committed to ensuring that the pipeline for Linden and present expressed their excitehistorical edifices and sites these interventions will see ment to experience the deck, remain intact and are upkept the town’s tourism industry especially at nights as it is a for both tourism and historical as well as the quality of life of new feature for Linden. purposes.

Lindeners taking an upward The Watooka Guest Minister within the Min- leap.

House is one of the oldest istry of Agriculture, Valarie “Linden will be blooming colonial buildings in Linden Yearwood gave anecdotes of again,” he said and urged the that served as a restaurant and her personal experiences on residents to play their role in guest house in the early 1900s. the degradation of the build- ensuring this happens.

The massive upgrade includes ing and how it took strident After the opening cere- refurbishments to 13 suites efforts to get it to where it is mony, the ministers and other including the Presidential and today. She commended Chief dignitaries cut the ceremonial Prime Ministerial Suites, purExecutive Officer of NICIL, ribbon, before taking a tour of chasing of modern equipment, Colvin London, for being the the facility. Guests were then appliances and other amenibrainchild behind the project treated to a taste of what will ties, expansion of sections of

15 graduate from Republic Bank’s Youth Lin

By Wendella Davidson

FIFTEEN young school leavers, who, for seven months, were exposed to training in banking, through the Republic Bank Youth Link Programme, were the focus of a graduation ceremony held in their honour in the Baramba Room of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, on Thursday.

The graduates, Abigail Gomes, Afrad Khan, Dhanraj Singh, Harshinie Deonararine, Jhasoda Rupnarain, Kumarie Ramnarine, Lennox Hopkinson, Marlon Bruce, Michael Persaud, Nickisha Clarke, Ryan Warisali, Tatyana Carter, Tia Patrina Joseph and Tomal Morris, who were chosen from schools across the country to participate in the programme, were placed at the Republic Bank’s network of banks.

Deonarine, a former St Joseph’s High student, was adjudged the Best Graduating Student and Valedictorian.

The training commenced following an official launch of the 2018-2019 Youth Link Programme in October 2018, and included classroom and on-the-job training in banking operations. It provided an excellent opportunity for the young school leavers representing the 11th batch to undergo such a programme, to

gain insight into the demands of such a job as well as give them a competitive edge in the job market.

It was not all work, as they also had the opportunity of visiting the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Guyana Red Cross Society, and for relaxation, they undertook a guided tour along the Essequibo River, with stops at some important tourist spots, including Baganara, Aruwai Resort White H2O and Fort Island.

Secretary General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Patricia La Fleur, congratulated the bank for the initiative which targets young

people, noting that with such programmes on stream, the young people of Guyana will be in good hands.

To the graduates, she reminded that as they approach life there are many pertinent questions they need to ask themselves and seek to get answers. These include Who am I? What is my vision for life and Do I have a purpose?

She urged them to take full control of their respective lives and to always conduct a self-reflection of themselves; be discipline; humble; have respect for all walks of life; seek to avoid violence; and never give up to failure.

They were also exhorted to dream big, set goals, have a positive attitude towards

The 15 graduates of the Republic Bank Youth Link Progr Graduating Student/Valedictorian, Harshinie Deonarine Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

y opens NDIA looks into D&I issues at Pomeroon restaurants, such as the bar, installations of air-conditioning units, lights, WIFI system and cable TV, a complete kitchen makeover, landscaping and general maintenance of the lawns. The entire compound, which also boast a pool, a decorative lawn and garden, has been extensively improved.

The roof, windows, pool, fence and gate, among other things, were also modernised.

In addition to the new deck, other added amenities include a fully furnished annexe that comes with all modern amenities. This is located opposite the Watooka Guest House. In an effort to boost its hospitality service, a plethora of new services are also now available. This include collaborating with tour agencies to ensure guests enjoy a full experience of Linden, a private lounge, a membership scheme, security escorts and transportation services as well as catering for private, small and large events, among other things.

Opposite to the Watooka Guest House is a centennial park which features the old railway line station with locomotive as walking draglines that were used in the earlier days of bauxite mining.

These were also spruced up as part of the upgrading project.

nk Programme

life.

The ceremony was attended by Minister Keith Scott, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour; managers of the various branches of the bank and other staffers, along with relatives of the graduates.

The Youth Link Programme was introduced in Guyana in 2008 after being part of the Republic Bank Limited, Trinidad and Tobago Power to Make a Difference initiative for over 20 years. It was developed to bridge the gap between the end of the participants’ school life and the start of their career.

ramme 2018-2019, with Best e, seated at centre (Adrian

ALONG the mighty Pomeroon River lie a number of inlays and canals filled with small communities of no more than a few hundred people. People who took the opportunity of the ‘Government Comes to You’ initiative, voiced their concerns about drainage in their various areas along the river.

Yolanda Ashby is a farmer living along one of the canals, not too far from the Martindale Primary School, in lower

NDIA Chief Executive Officer Pomeroon. She is faced with the issue of navigating the canal during low tide as it is the only way in and out of the community.

Ashby was surprised to see a team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) visiting her personally as a follow-up to a few issues she had raised at the outreach.

“We’re facing a problem with the canal, it needs desilting because it’s shallow, you could see the antelope grass has taken over. However, even clearing the grass will not solve the problem because the canal is shallow,” she said.

NDIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fredrick Flatts took the time to listen and explained to Ashby that he along with his engineers are aware of the problems she and others are facing and assured her that the issue will be resolved.

“We’ll be excavating that channel; right now the award of tender is await-

ing NPTAB’s [National Procurement and Tender Administration Board] attention, so we are hoping that we will be able to physically start those works perhaps in another two or three weeks.”

This was welcome news for Ashby, as she recalled the “run around” she faced years ago when she had first raised the issue during the previous administration.

Flatts and his team vis-

ited several areas along the Pomeroon River, as a direct response to issues raised by these very persons who visited the outreach in Anna Regina just over three weeks ago.

“Following the meeting, which was labelled taking the government to the people, a number of persons in the Pomeroon area made complaints concerning the poor drainage and irrigation in their areas.

We visited a number of areas along the Nunes Canal, Jones Canal, Friendship Canal; we were also in Hackney Canal,” Flatts stated.

Armed with the necessary information from these visits, which stemmed from persons utilising the outreach to voice their concerns, the NDIA will now be able to formulate an action plan to aid those residents in need. (DPI)

Yolanda Ashby

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

The 15 delegates with organisers of the pageant

15 Caribbean beauties to ‘turn up de heat’ CARICOM weekend --as Linden hosts first ever ‘Miss CariExpo’ pageant

T

HE Community Development Council (CDC) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) will be hosting a Miss CariExpo pageant slated for July 1, as part of its calendar of activities for the CARICOM weekend.

The event is billed for the Christianburg Community Centre Ground, and according to the organisers, this pageant promises to be one with a difference, since it will be taking a more cultural approach, and aims at showcasing the culture of the various Caribbean nations in CARICOM, while being informative at the same time.

And while each contestant will be representing the various countries to which they belong, they will also be representing the communities in which they reside. Again, while the girls will each get a chance to flaunt their pageantry abilities, their beauty and their intelligence, the focus will be more on how well they sell their

countries to the judges.

Already, Contestant Number One, Shellon Massiah, who is representing Antigua and Barbuda, has promised that she will be focusing on the opportunities of tourism available in her country, so as to intrigue persons wanting to go there on holiday.

Points will be derived from the delegates performance at the parade, their cultural wear, and the evening gown segment.

Massiah said that though she has a lot of experience at pageantry and modelling, she is very excited about bringing her expertise to this particular pageant, which has attracted a representative from each of the 15 countries in the regional bloc, and is widely regarded as the first pageant of this nature in Region Ten. “I entered this pageant because it is a pageant with a difference, and at the moment, I’ve been encountering some great hurdles, so I needed something to cheer me up,

“ Massiah said, adding: “Knowledge is power, and I expect to take away the knowledge about the history, culture and diversity of these CARICOM countries.”

The other contestants are Ashley Nicholas of Bahamas; Renneaka Cornette of Barbados; Tandy Henry of Dominica; Shelacy Wittaker of Grenada; **Stefon of Guyana; Alicia Bentick of Haiti; Alicia Martin of Jamaica; Samantha Williams of Montserrat; Shequita Talbott of St Kitts; Lydia Emanuel of St Lucia; Deshawna Dest of Suriname; Keisha Bruce of Belize; and Cassandra Smith representing St. Vincent.

Among other events slated to be held over the CARICOM weekend include a ‘green community development’ conference on Saturday; a parade; cycling; a ferry-boat race; a social event on Sunday; and a Skip- to-My-Lou, Futsal and Social on Monday July 1.

Shellon Massiah of Antigua-Barbuda

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

‘Purple Arts Production’ in preparation mode –for annual children’s workshop @ Theatre Guild

L

OCAL entertainer Simone Dowding, who has enjoyed being in theatre for decades, looks forward to the July/August summer period when she can be able to pass on her knowledge through her children’s workshop.

This year is no different, and Dowding has already started gearing up for the drama workshop to be held at the Theatre Guild Playhouse from July 6 to August 31.

Her company, Purple Arts Productions, is collaborating with the Ministry of Social Protection to present the eighth children’s workshop, which will take in kids between the ages of nine and 16.

Every Saturday from 10h00 to 12 noon, the children will have an opportunity to learn six different disciplines of drama, which will culminate in a grand performance to end the programme. The six disciplines of drama are: Acting, directing, playwriting, costume management, stage management, and property management. It also teaches the art of listening, stage breathing and stage geography.

The workshop culminates in a grand performance

Purple Arts Productions Director, Simone Dowding

Last year’s workshop saw 20 new students who had never been on stage before, and five more who’d attended the previous year.

Dowding has observed that with each passing year, people are becoming more and more interested in children’s drama, and are coming out to support them. In fact, the sitting First Lady has always been in attendance from the very beginning of the show eight years ago.

Explaining how it all got started, Dowding recalled wanting to do something in theatre after being trained for many years.

She decided to form a company, and was in search of a name that would help promote Guyana at the same time. “I thought of all the fruits, and then got to the different types of wood we have. I chose purpleheart because it is a beautiful wood with a beautiful fragrance. And it is also durable. So I said I can name my company ‘Purple Arts’ instead of Purpleheart.” The company began with the children’s workshop, which has continued to this day.

Children pay a small tuition fee, but even those who cannot afford the money are taken in by Dowding, who has a fondness for children.

Having graduated from the Burrowes School of Art and other institutions, she ended up with a total of 13 certificates and won Theatre Guild’s Best Actress Award in 2012 for the play ‘Old Story Times’.

Through her company, she works primarily with children, and seeks to provide them with the opportunities that she never enjoyed as a child.

Having worked on the popular Link Show over the years, Simone has also done ‘House of Pressure’, ‘Miriamy’, ‘Eleventh Finger’, and ‘Jezebel’, just to name a few shows.

Dowding says she finds pleasure in giving of herself to others. “I like to see others live,” she said, “I love to give without expecting anything in return. I give because I know how it feels to live without certain things. If I can do something for you and you smile and you’re happy about it, that’s what makes me happy. I give my heart, and don’t mind if I get very little in return. My happiness comes from seeing other people happy.”

Persons can join the classes by contacting her on 2239495 or 685-0743.

The workshop is held at the Theatre Guild Playhouse

The workshop teaches the art of listening, stage breathing and stage geography

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Freedom Family Hott wheels up at it again! for grabs Sunday

–with several events slated for July

A

FTER hosting several successful events across Guyana, the Caribbean and beyond for the year, Freedom Family is not yet done with 2019.

Four party events are set for July already, in four of Guyana’s towns, namely, Bartica Linden, New Amsterdam and Georgetown.

These events are carrying the name ‘Liquorish fah Soca’, a concept party that the entertainment company launched here in Guyana last year.

COMPANY CEO Mar-

lon Jacobs, better known as ‘Freedom Boss’, told ‘The Buzz’ that he had to bring back the event this year, as it was one that was well supported last year by patrons all across Guyana.

“Last year, ‘Liquorish fah Soca’ was hosted on Marriott beach, and we saw patrons from all over the country supporting,” Jacobs said, adding: “The event saw over 5000 in attendance. So, due to the tremendous support, we’ve decided to include other regions in the promotion, which is my second time doing a

promotion of such a nature.

So far, the feedback is tremendous, and all four regions are projected to be sold out.”

Ticket prices will vary in each region, Jacobs said, and early-bird tickets will be available from July 1, 2019.

‘Freedom Family’ made their debut in 2014, when they hosted a party dubbed ‘Freedom’ at Club Monaco.

Since then, they have been contributing significantly to the entertainment fraternity, and the night-life activities in Guyana and further afield.

–at Freemasons grand bingo & show @ D’Urban Park

F

RIENDS of the District Grand Lodge of Guyana will be hosting a grand show and bingo on Sunday afternoon at the D’Urban Park.

The event is expected to be fun-filled, as several prizes, including a car and a few motorcycles, will be up for grabs.

There will also be over 50 straight games, with cash prizes starting from as low as $20,000, and going right up to over $20M. In addition to the game, attendees will be entertained with live performances from local and international artistes.

One of the organisers of the event, Claude Merriman, said that the bingo is a fundraising activity to aid in the construction of a new Masonic Temple.

This temple, it is said, will serve as a meeting place for Freemason Lodges in Guyana, and as a place for community activities.

According to Merrimam, members of The Grand District Lodge of Guyana S.C, are Freemasons under the Scottish Constitution.

“It is the umbrella organisation for Scottish Freemasonry in Guyana.

Scottish Freemasonry is

an organisation that promotes principles of charity, mutual beneficence and brotherly love among its members,” he said, adding: “The body does not do any fundraisers, but membership does fundraising activities under the banner of ‘Friends’ of The District Grand Lodge of Guyana Scottish Constitution.”

This bingo is one of their many fundraisers, the proceeds of which will all go towards a worthy cause.

Tickets for the show cost $2000, and can be bought at any Church’s Chicken or Royal Castle outlet, or at National Hardware Limited.

‘Till Ah Find A Place’ The Final Chapter for NCC this weekend “TILL Ah Find A Place 4: The Final Chapter” promises to set the stage of the National Cultural Centre (NCC) ablaze with thrilling performances that speak to real-life scenarios that touch many lives.

H&T Theatre Arts Group will be staging the show, which was written by one of Guyana’s most celebrated playwrights, Ronald Hollingsworth, and co-produced and co-directed by accomplished dramatist/director/producer Sheron Cadogan Taylor.

The production, which promises to be a hilarious comedy, will be put on at the NCC on June 29 and 30. “In other words, it is a must-see production,” Cadogan Taylor told the Buzz on Thursday.

The play features the infidelity of a husband whose secrets and lies come back to haunt him in ways he could not imagine. It also sheds light on the bond between mother and child, and shows whether or not that bond could be broken, even after several years of being ripped apart.

The directors are working with a relatively small cast this time around that includes the talented Mark Luke-Edwards, Leon Cummings, Frederick Minty, Sonia Yarde, Le Tisha Da Silva, Paul Budnah, Shivina Demendonca, and Keisha Sam. The production, which is a sequel to last year’s show, held under the theme, “Childmother Childfathers”, sends a strong message about the Dramatist/Director/Producer consequences of promiscuity.

Sheron Cadogan Taylor

The previous show, about a married man who had an affair, ended with both women dumping him after finding out about each other, and last year’s show picked up from there, showing how the women had returned and both wanted to reclaim him. What’s more, both of them were pregnant!

While he tended to gravitate to his wife, the ‘sweet woman’, who genuinely loves him, was left out in the cold, so to speak, and was bitter, because she was just known as ‘the child mother’.

Cadogan Taylor had told this publication that the message of the show was that if someone wants to be promiscuous, then they should be aware that there will be repercussions. “There are always repercussions, and you have to be prepared to deal with them. Sometimes these consequences are more than you can deal with, but you have no other choice than to face them,” she’d told ‘The Buzz’ at the time.

“So the show is sending the message: ‘Know what you want, and stick with the programme.’ Promiscuity never ends well,” Cadogan-Taylor said.

Cadogan-Taylor said a lot of preparation and work goes into pulling off a show of this kind. “But if you want a perfect show, then I guess you’ll put in the work.”

Although there are no long-term rewards in terms of finances in the arts field, Cadogan-Taylor had said she sticks with it because of her love for it. “At this point, I get to mentor young people; to instill discipline and help to make them better human beings,” she said.

Tickets for the show cost $1,500 and $2,000, and can be uplifted at the NCC, or from any member of the cast. “It’s full of laughs, even though it carries such a strong message. You’re going to enjoy it,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Berbician beauty, Joylyn Conway is new

J

Miss World Guyana

OYLYN Anita Conway was on Sunday crowned Miss World Guyana 2019 after being selected by a panel of nine judges during the selecting process.

She was crowned by Miss World Guyana 2018, Ambika Ramraj, at a small but elegant event held at the Pegasus International Hotel, and will represent Guyana at the Miss World competition in Thailand later this year.

Majesty International, the official licence holder of the Miss World franchise, had previously announced the postponement of the 2019 Miss World Guyana competition.

“The organisation is now accelerating a global restructuring programme to build on the progress the Miss World brand has made in executing social programmes to best serve the Guyanese community on a long-term basis. The restructuring will also give the organisation opportunities

to foster personal and professional growth among young people, and create marketing opportunities to bring differentiated value and innovation to related industries,” the franchise holder had stated in their release at the time of the announcement.

As such, National Director, Natasha Martindale took the initiative to shift the timeline for the 2019 competition to 2020, whilst addressing some key recurring issues directly impacting the quality of journeys every year.

“To ensure our candidates are given a better chance at competing at the national and international level,” she said, “we will be giving them more time to prepare by introducing a preparatory period whereby candidates would gain the confidence that is required to become the face of Guyana. A longer preparation period would build more visibility, add value, boost confidence, build character and the resilience

for each journey to be more meaningful.”

However, it was not accepted by the Miss World Organisation to not have Guyana represented this year.

As such, Majesty International took the decision to choose a representative themselves, one they felt was best suited to the task.

With Conway having walked the journey last year, and been adjudged Second Princess, she has a fair understanding of the criteria.

Also, the Miss World Pageant requires its queens to be social agents of change, and champions of cause. Conway is one of the few past candidates who is still active with her project.

The new queen is a proud Berbician, and a Natural Science enthusiast, having majored in Chemistry and minored in Biology at the University of Guyana.

She’s currently a Lecturer and Lab Instructor at the University of Guyana and

SWS is back!

–slated for HJ Waterworld Sunday!

S

WS (Sun, Water & Sand), the Cooler Beach Party is back with a bang, and slated to go down Sunday at HJ Waterworld!

This event replaced the annual ‘Jamzone’ activities a few years ago, and was created by one of Guyana’s leading entertainment companies, Hits and Jams Entertainment.

However, this year, Jamzone is said to be returning, and SWS will be the kick-start and launch party

of what is expected to come in August.

The fun starts at 13:00hrs sharp, and tickets cost $2000.

Persons can also purchase a crew package for three for $3000 at the HJ Box Office at 206 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown.

The party is expected to have a variety of beach games, hookah flavous and drink specials for persons to come out and enjoy a relaxing day with their friends and families.

With every purchase of a group package, you will have the opportunity to enter a grand Jamzone three-in-one summer promotion to win a motorcar among other ‘kool’ prizes.

Jamzone 2019 is said to comprise a moving j’ouvert, a mega-concert featuring numerous Dancehall artistes, and a cooler fete slated for August 16, 17 and 18 respectively. More details on its return will be announced at SWS this weekend.

the New Amsterdam Technical Institute.

A a strong believer in her faith, and a communicant Methodist, her mantra, “aspire to inspire before you expire” encompasses many of her hobbies, namely teaching, dancing, volunteering, coaching young women and children on personal development and also enjoy travelling, trying new foods and putting smiles on frowning faces.

Conway lives by the adage, “It costs nothing to light another candle”, hence her mission is to inspire girls in STEM to embrace their dreams with confidence via her ‘Beauty with a purpose’ project, “Stem Girls Glow”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

‘Disappointed but satisfied’ ... Johnson turns attention to Nations League following a commendable Gold Cup performance

By Rawle Toney in Kansas City (Compli ments of Let’s Bet Sports) GUYANA finished third in Group D of the CONCACAF Gold Cup behind USA and Panama while Trinidad and Tobago finished at the bottom of the table.

But for the Golden Jaguars head coach Michael Johnson, while things could have been better, he’s happy with the team’s overall showing and progression under his watch.

The Golden Jaguars, playing in their first Gold

Cup in the team’s history, in the first game of the tournament, fell 4-0 to 2017 Gold Cup champions, USA when the two collided for the first time in a senior International match at the Allianz Field in Minnesota.

In their following game in Cleveland at the FirstEnergy Stadium, Guyana fell short 4-2 to Panama and later drew 1-1 with ‘Soca Warriors’ Speaking at the postgame press conference following their unfortunate result against Trinidad and Tobago, Johnson was blunt in his summary, telling reporters, “We never got started; it was slow, it was pedestrian and I said to the players: ‘well done for what has been a wonderful tournament, but to end on a performance like that is a bit of sour note’.”

“You have to be honest, it was nowhere near what I expected, it was nowhere near the standards where we set ourselves for the first two games. So it’s disappointing to end like that but if I take the whole competition into context, it has been historical. It’s our first point. We scored three goals, (Neil) Danns has been fantastic throughout the tournament, so there’s something for us to celebrate and enjoy,” Johnson said.

‘MAGNIFICENT DANNS’ Neil Danns accounted for all three goals scored by Guyana in the tournament.

The 36-year-old ‘midfield ace’ is coming off a sensational season with Bury FC in the English League Two, where he captained the club to second place and promotion to League One. For Guyana, Danns’

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54th minute beauty scored against Trinidad and Tobago was his 9th in 11 outings on the international scene.

Johnson, like the rest of fans who were all thrilled

by Danns’ play in the tournament, was full of praises for the former Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Colchester United player, stating, “We’re talking about a guy who is 36. He trains like he’s an 18-year-old, and I encourage the younger players and I know staff do as well, to go and watch this guy.

He’s in the gym, every morning he’s doing his runs, he looks after himself and that’s why he’s still playing at this level, also a good level back home in England because of the standards he sets himself.”

The former Jamaican International admitted that he questioned if Danns, with his age and the intensity of the Gold Cup, “could’ve lasted three games with his age in eight games (but) he was brilliant. So everything that he gets, he just deserves because you want people like that to do well. He deserves it. It’s unbelievable.”

At the end of the group stage, Danns was the lone Guyanese player named in the tournament’s ‘Best XI’ and was the only player who was listed amongst an illustrious group, who will not be featuring in the knockout round of the Gold Cup. Also, only Canada’s Jonathan David (5) and Mexico’s Uriel Antuna (4) scored more goals than Danns (3) in the Group stage from the players named as part of the tournament’s best.

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player in the tournament.

GETTING THE FIRST POINT Meanwhile, Johnson said he was happy to not walk away from the tournament without securing a point, adding, “For us it’s fantastic.

For us, number one is not finishing at the bottom of the group, so it’s great to finish in third place. It’s great to score and we will move forward ... the dream, the belief of this nation (Guyana) is that it’s not just a one-off.”

“In any sport, the higher the level you play at, the better you’ll be for next time because you now understand what’s expected of when you’re playing on the World stage.

“Some of our players maybe all of them, this is the first time ever that they’ve been on a stage like this, and I would like to think that over the course of the three games, they’ve done themselves really proud,” said Johnson.

The 45-year-old Guyanese coach who had an great career as a player with Birmingham City and Derby Country, with all smiles, said, “Yea, we can get swallowed up in this (game against Trinidad) 90 minutes, but when I reflect on the whole calendar year, and what we’ve achieved, actually being here (at the Gold Cup), scoring goals, getting our first point and finishing third, I see it as a real positive and as a real giant step forward.

“Now we can go and have these games against the bigger nations and get a little more respect as against 18 months ago when everybody thought little Guyana will get turned over 9 to 10-nil against the USA”.

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NATIONS LEAGUE With the GOLD Cup now over, Johnson and his troops will turn their attention to the CONCACAF Nations League, where Golden Jaguars will open their campaign on September 6 when they travel to ‘The Kingdom of The Netherlands’ territory of Aruba.

By virtue of finishing seventh in the qualifying stages of the competition, Guyana were pitted in League B alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba and Jamaica in Group C. Following their September 6 encounter, Guyana will return home to host Jamaica on September 9, followed by a trip to Antigua and Barbuda on October 11 to finish off the first leg of the home-and-away formatted league.

Guyana will host Antigua and Barbuda on October 15, Aruba on November 15 and will travel to Jamaica on November 18 for their second clash with the ‘Reggae Boyz’.

The home-and-away group stage of the 2019 CONCACAF Nations League will be played on FIFA match dates in September, October and November 2019, while the Final Championship will take place in 2020.

At the conclusion of the round-robin group stage, the winners of each League A group will qualify to the Final Championship, while the League B and C group winners will be promoted to League A and B for the next edition of the competition.

Additionally, the teams at the bottom of each League A and B group will be relegated to League B and C respectively.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Trophy Stall honours Foster, Haniff BCB president Hilbert Foster receives Award from Trophy Stall’s Daniel Samaroo

THE hard work, commitment and visionary leadership of two of Berbice outstanding cricket administrators were recognised by the popular Trophy Stall and its management.

President Hilbert Foster and administrator Angela Haniff were presented with a plaque each for their remarkable achievements over the years. Trophy Stall’s managing director, Ramesh Sunich, stated that the contributions of the duo played major roles in the current status of Berbice cricket.

Foster, who founded the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) in 1990, has served as Secretary/CEO for over 20 years and has spearheaded the transformation of the club into Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation.

Under his leadership, the RHTY&SC hosted over 700 activities per year, produced numerous cricketers for Berbice, Guyana

Butcher out as chairman ROLAND Butcher has been bowled over once again, with his innings as chairman of the Barbados senior selection panel coming to a premature end after a mere two months at the crease.

The former Barbados and England batsman was

Former Barbados and England batsman Roland Butcher

stripped of the chairmanship at a meeting of the Barbados Tridents’ Franchise Board recently after there were concerns about a conflict of interest.

Consequently, former Barbados one-day swing bowler Henderson Broomes has been elevated to the position of chairman and Butcher relegated to just a member of the selection panel.

Broomes was the only selector retained on the Butcher-led panel after the contracts of former chairman Hendy Wallace and Sherlon Greaves were not renewed.

The other selector on the new panel is ex-Barbados captain and long-standing all-rounder Ryan Hinds, who also represented the West Indies.

(Extracted from the Nation News)

and several for the West Indies.

The club is also the one in Guyana to have a female team, and in 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2016 won the GCB Club-of-theYear Award. It is also the only youth and sports club in Guyana’s history to have ever received a National Award.

Foster also spearheaded the restoration of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School in 1990-1992, the Area ‘H’ Ground in 1996 at the cost of $20M and the construction of the Hugh Desmond Hoyte Memorial Playfield in 2017.

The energetic Foster has also single-handedly raised over $35M in cash and kind for the BCB, firstly as Chairman of the Special Events Committee under the presidency of his elder brother Keith from 2008 to 2014 and as president of the BCB from February 2018 to present.

Foster in 2011 received the National Sports Personality Award

Daniel Samaroo hands over Award to BCB Administrator Angela Haniff

from the National Sports Commission and the Medal of Service from the Government of Guyana earlier this year.

Haniff currently serves as the administrator of the BCB and is one of the main advisers to Foster. Haniff in the early 1990s joined the BCB under the presidency of the late president Leslie Amsterdam, AA. She became the first female in Guyana’s cricket history to hold an executive position when she was elected assistant secretary to the veteran Carl Moore.

Under the presidency of Keith Foster, she was elected as secretary and over the years has served on several BCB sub-committees.

Both Foster and Haniff expressed gratitude to Sunich and Trophy Stall.

Deonandan stands out in RHTYSC youth tournament IN ITS continuing quest to maintain the high standard it has set itself, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club continues to invest heavily in the development of its young cricketers.

The club’s coaching staff, under the direction of organising secretaries Keith Hicks and Ravindranauth Kissoonlall, hosted a one-on-one cricket tournament last Tuesday for members of the Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and U-13 cricket teams.

Promising all-rounder, 9-year-old Tameshwar Deonandan, emerged as the champion and took home a junior bicycle along with a package of educational materials.

The tournament attracted 24 club members including two females. All of the players in the tournament were rewarded with educational materials as part of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club,

MS ‘Say Yes to Education’ programme.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in brief remarks to

to be disciplined, hardworking and committed as the club does not tolerate irrelevance or idleness.

He spoke on the importance on knowing the history of the game, rules of cricket and the legends of cricket especially

The Under-13 team

the participants, urged them to take full advantage of the opportunities that the club is offering. He told the participants

He urged the young players to always show respect for their elders, to develop a love for reading and research.

those from Berbice.

Similar tournaments would be held shortly for the Under-15 and 17 teams.

Sri Lanka target improved batting to keep semi-final hopes alive

DURHAM, England (Reuters) - Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha has targeted an improved batting display from his side as they seek to keep their Cricket World Cup semi-final hopes alive with victory over ailing South Africa, today.

A win would move Sri Lanka level with fourthplaced England on eight points and leave both teams with two matches to play – in the case of the Lankans against West Indies and India.

A l re a d y - e l i m i n a t e d South Africa have been

dismal in the tournament to date, but won a series in Sri Lanka last year then claimed a 5-0 clean-sweep at home in March during which the sub-continent side passed 200 in only two of the matches.

The fact that a number of his leading players were either not in South Africa, or were used sparingly in the series, means they will not carry the scars from that mauling, according to Hathurusingha.

“The thing I’m looking at is some of the players who are playing tomorrow

Angelo Mathews

were not in South Africa, like Angelo (Mathews), he was not there, and Kusal (Perera) did not play in the last few games … Dimuth (Karunaratne) as well,” he said.

“For us, fortunately, most of the top order got some runs somewhere down the line, so hopefully we click as a batting group this game.

“Cricket is a funny game.

You can lose so many games and win the one that is the most important. I think we have enough talent and skill to compete with them.”

Sri Lanka’s top score

so far has been 247 at the World Cup, though two of their matches have been rained out. They successfully defended just 232 against England last time out.

“We’re coming off two wins and a very good victory against England, although we didn’t play our best cricket to win the game in terms of batting.

“I think we had a perfect bowling display, defending that target.”

With South Africa already out, Hathurusingha admits he is unsure what the intensity of their opponents will be.

“When you have no pressure of qualifying, they can come and play without any pressure, fearless cricket, and that can get them going.

“At the same time they can turn up and just want to go home, so you never know.”

Sri Lanka are waiting on the fitness of fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep, who has been unwell.

“He is going to see a doctor today and then I will know in the evening what the situation is with him,” Hathurusingha said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey Championships

… Hikers Generals pull off third win THE smoke has begun to settle as we see clear front-runners emerge when the 2019 Noble House Goals Galore Indoor Hockey Championships continued on Wednesday evening at the National Gymnasium.

The Hikers Generals pulled off their third win of the men’s competition to remain unbeaten and atop pool B with 6 points, while Vintage GCC and the PEPSI Hikers lead Pool A with similar records.

On the ladies’ side the GBTI GCC Tigers rebounded from a loss in their opening match to lead the table 6 points after their victory over YMCA OFHC Bellatrix.

The Hikers Generals took the floor against the SHC Splinters in the men’s Pool B with both teams on an even 9-goal handicap.

The Splinters had disposed of defending champs Bounty GCC on the opening night and would be a sound challenge for the Generals who were also coming off a victory over YMCA OFHC Top Form.

The Generals controlled the game from the outset, scor-

ing two goals in the first half from Devin Munroe and Sherwyn Caesar, compared to just a single from Hilton Chester, captain of the Splinters.

beyond reach with two more goals for the Generals to complete his hat-trick while Caesar added a second in the closing minutes.

The highlight match of the evening was a high-paced and thrilling encounter between defending champs Bounty GCC and the talent-

Marzana Fiedtkou

Nkhruma Hutson drew the scores even with an early second half goal for the Splinters but Munroe put the game

The 14-12 victory moves the Generals to the top of the Pool going into the fourth evening of the competition.

ed YMCA OFHC Top Form.

With Top Form enjoying a 2-goal advantage from the start, GCC drew the scores

even in the first 15 minutes through a double by Kareem Mckenzie.

GCC went one ahead one minute before the half when Shaquille Leung slammed home his team’s third to leave scores at 6-5 to Bounty GCC. Omar Hopkinson drew the scores for the second time in the first minute of resumption with a penalty corner for Top Form and young prolific goalscorer Warren Williams added a second to move Top Form ahead by one.

The Bounty boys drew even for the third time through Meshach Sargeant and then a fourth and final time as Hopkinson and Kevin Spencer scored a final goal each for Top Form and GCC respectively.

After a close and hardfought match, the teams had to settle for an 8-8 draw.

Two YMCA teams faced each other in the next men’s fixture which saw the YMCA OFHC Champs edge the YMCA OFHC Pacesetters by 16-15. The victory was the first of the competition for the Champs. The PEPSI Hikers

continued their form with a 13-10 beating of the SHC Slick Sticks.

With the Slick Sticks enjoying an 8-goal handicap, it took the Hikers to the last five minutes to secure the victory but they made it a productive five minutes to take their total to 13.

Aroydy Branford was once again the leading scorer of the match with 7 goals.

In the ladies; competition, defending champs GBTI GCC Tigers dominated newcomers YMCA OFHC Bellatrix with a 16-9 victory.

With the Bellatrix beginning the match with a ninegoal handicap and the Tigers with three, the scores were even by the half.

The Tigers continued their onslaught with seven more unanswered goals in the second half of the match.

Saints and YMCA OFHC Wolves were the other ladies’ matchup of the evening and both sides began with an even 5-goal handicap.

Several misses, and neither team scored and the match finished on a 5-5 stalemate.

Bring in male referees to help female officials, says former striker Smith Kenya come from behind twice to beat Tanzania in thriller

By Christian Radnedge

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Global soccer body FIFA should bring in experienced male officials to help female referees adjust to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system following a number of incidents at the women’s World Cup, former England striker Sue Smith told Reuters.

With VAR being used for the first time in women’s football at the 24-team tournament in France, many games have had more than 10 minutes of stoppage time due to the delay over checks made by officials who are not familiar with the system.

Referees in the men’s game were able to get the grips with VAR at the 2017 Confederations Cup before last year’s World Cup in Russia and as well from some domestic leagues across Europe.

FIFA has had a female-only rule for referees in the women’s game since 1995. However, Smith said that rule should change to aid the rapid development of officiating.

“I’m all for mixing male officials with female officials,” Smith, a commentator for the BBC at the World Cup,

told Reuters in a telephone interview.

“I think if we don’t have enough good female officials, (or) at the level that they need to be at then you have to bring in men ... who have refereed at the highest level (and) are used to VAR ... (and) understand how it all works and just mix them together...

England striker Sue Smith

“In my opinion it should have been done for this tournament, just to help out. As the football’s getting better and developing I also think that needs to develop.

“They need help; they need training and while they’re getting that, bring in whoever is best for the job whether it’s male or female.”

Other former Lionesses such as Faye White and Casey Stoney also called for male referees after criticism of Qin Liang’s officiating in England’s 3-0 quarter-final win over Cameroon.

FIFA said there were no immediate plans to change their rule.

HANDBALL CONTROVERSY The new handball rule introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on June 1 has also caused controversy. Part of the rule states that a free kick or penalty will be awarded if “the ball touches a player’s hand/arm, which has made their silhouette unnaturally bigger.”

Many of the 23 penalties awarded so far have been for handball in situations that some have argued are unavoidable.

Japan’s Saki Kumagai conceded an 88th minute penalty when her arm was struck by a shot from The Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema in their last 16 meeting on Tuesday. The resulting converted spot kick from Lieke Martens eliminated the 2011 champions from the tournament.

“It’s ridiculous ... the

handball rule – the penalty against Japan. I felt so sorry for her and in the letter of the law it is a penalty. It did hit her arm, her arm is away from her body,” said the 39-year-old Smith, who scored 16 goals in 93 appearances for the Lionesses.

“It’s just so harsh because the player was so close to her, she didn’t have time to put her arms behind her back or by her sides. It’s such a difficult one. That has to be changed.”

Smith highlighted Friday’s quarter-final between France and holders the United States as the pick of the round - and tipped the hosts to upset the odds.

“I’d love to say England (in the final) and I probably should say England but if I was putting money I would for France-Germany. That would be my final,” she said.

Neither France or England, who face Norway in the quarter-finals, have ever contested a World Cup final.

Germany won back-to-back tournaments in 2003 and 2007.

The semi-final line-ups will be known today after Italy have faced European champions The Netherlands and Germany have met Sweden.

By Brian Homewood

CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) - Kenya, helped by a Michael Olunga brace, twice came from behind to beat East African neighbours Tanzania 3-2 yesterday and chalk up their second-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta put Tanzania in front but Olunga and Johanna Omolo levelled for the Harambee Stars before Olunga struck the winner nine minutes from time.

Kenya, who had won only once in 15 previous matches in the competition, have three points from two games in Group C, level with Senegal. Tanzania have yet to get off the mark.

Although neither team are among the heavyweights of African football, they produced a remarkably open contest with a hatful of chances.

Kenya coach Sebastien Migne said before the match that it was time for his team, who are taking part at their sixth Afcon tournament, to end their run of falling at the first hurdle each time.

But they were caught napping in the sixth minute as Tanzania took a shock lead. An end-to-end move ended with Samatta being sent clear down the left, his shot was parried by Patrick Matasi and Msuva turned in the rebound.

Helped by the generous amount of space given to them

by Tanzania, Kenya began to create openings and Erick Ouma had a close-range effort brilliantly stopped by goalkeeper Aishi Manula before Olunga hit the crossbar.

They equalised in the 39th minute with an acrobatic effort.

A free kick into the area was pushed away by Manula, the ball bounced off Tanzania defender Erasto Nyoni and was hooked into the net by Olunga who showed excellent reactions.

Kenya still seemed to be celebrating one minute later when Samatta won the ball in the penalty area and the Belgian-based forward fired a low shot into the net.

The game continued in the same vein in the second half and Kenya levelled again in the 63rd minute, Omolo scoring with a diving header from a low cross at the near post.

Kenya snatched victory when they broke out of defence and the ball was played to Olunga, whose shot sneaked between Manula and his near post.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Lloyd among legends as Sandals fete Windies

MANCHESTER, England (CMC) – Legendary World Cup captain Clive Lloyd was among the featured personalities as West Indies players met with several of their supporters and mingled with special guests on Tuesday evening, when they were hosted to a gala dinner by Sandals Resorts – the team’s sponsor.

The squad was joined by members of the Sandals staff, several of Sandals’ valued guests, travel and tour operators, as well as members of the cricketing fraternity in the United Kingdom.

Lloyd, who led the West Indies to their triumph at the World Cup in 1975 and 1979, was joined by Joel Garner, the great fast bowler who played a pivotal role in the 1979 World Cup final with five wickets.

Sandals Resorts also paid tribute to Peter Matthews, the West Indies super fan, who has travelled the globe supporting the team for close

to three decades.

David Roper, director of Industrial Relations at Sandals Resorts International, said it was especially pleasing for Sandals to host the team during the prestigious World Cup tournament.

“When you look around in this room you would see some of the great play­ers of the past and you are now the cur­rent and fu­ture of this brand called West In­ dies,” Roper said.

“This is not our first for­

Legendary former captain Clive Lloyd (left) poses with Chris Gayle at the Sandals function

He pointed out that Sandals had always been a partner of West Indies cricket, with sponsorship dating back to the 1995 tour by West Indies to England.

ay as far as spon­sor­ing West In­dies crick­et. In fact, it is the third time that we are spon­sor­ing the team and we are very hap­py with the as­ so­ci­a­tion.

“Tonight we just want to show you that San­dals care and we are here for you and wish you all the best as the tour­na­ment con­ tin­ues.”

West Indies captain Jason Holder introduced the members of the squad to the audience and thanked Sandals for their commitment to this team, to West Indies teams at all levels, as well as to cricket in the Caribbean.

“We appreciate all that they have done for the game, going back many years, and I know they will continue to support the sport and the people of the region,” Holder said.

“Cricket is everyone’s favourite and as we have seen here in England at this World Cup, there is a lot of support and respect for West Indies cricket.”

West Indies have endured a disappointing World Cup campaign, winning only a single match in their seven outings.

Paul keen to use Canada T20 league as springboard to revive international career

By Rajiv Bisnauth

KEEMO Paul is one of the Caribbean talented fast-bowling all-rounders around, but has not yet become a regular feature in the regional side.

Paul, who, prior to injury during the England Test series recently, was a constant face in the limited overs team and has risen through the ranks to be one of their better ‘death’ bowlers. He was a part of the squad that helped West Indies qualify for the World Cup, but his omission from the current Windies World Cup squad is quite surprising.

However, the 21-year-old, who is more famous for his ‘controversial’ mankading a Zimbabwe batsman during 2016 U1-9 World Cup, is not

daunted by the omission, but is now focussing his attention to the second edition of sixteam Global T20 Canada to be held in Brampton from July 15.

Keemo Paul

Paul, who will play his first

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday June 28, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) 17 (2) Devon Smith-107 (vs IRE, Chandigarh) (1) (2)

year in the league, was drafted

by Montreal Tigers, at last Thursday’s draft.

“Well I’m excited about the Canada league. It will be my first season and my first

TODAY’S QUIZ: How many games were scheduled for the first World cup?

How many teams participated in the last World Cup?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

time in Canada also so I’m looking forward to it.

Also it’s a good tournament to have some stand0out performances and get back in the West Indies team because West Indies is always my priority so I want to say thank you to the Montreal Tigers for giving me this opportunity, and by God’s grace I can repay them once given the opportunity,” Paul told Chronicle Sport Tuesday during an exclusive interview.

Paul will be joined by

some big names from world cricket, including New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Faf du Plessis among others.

He, along with fellow all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford who played with the West Indies B team last year, will turn out for Edmonton Royals.

They are two of five players with Guyanese origin who were snapped up at the draft.

The others are Canada-based Guyanese Dilon Heyliger, Jeremy Gordon and Mark Montfort.

The second season of the Global T20 Canada league is set to begin on July 25, with defending champions Vancouver Knights facing hosts Toronto Nationals in the opening game.

The tournament will have 22 matches, including three playoffs, with the final taking place on August 11.

Montreal Tigers: George Bailey, Sunil Narine, Thisara Perera, Fawad Ahmed, Isuru Udana, Niroshan Dickwella, Keemo Paul, Muhammed Naveed, Kyle Coetzer, Matthew Ceoss, Nizakat Khan, Steven Taylor, Dilon Heyliger, Nikhil Dutta, Bupinder Singh, Arslam Khan, Yax Patel.

Green Generation/Government on board with AP Invitational

THE Government of Guyana is showing its support for athletics by throwing its weight behind the Aliann Pompey Invitational scheduled for July 6 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

While several Government organisations have stepped forth, Ministry of Communities, through its Green Generation arm, is the biggest contributor to the athletics mega event.

Coordinator at the Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of Communities, Danielle Campbell-Lowe indicated the values of Green Generation that align with the Aliann Pompey Invitational.

“The Ministry is in its third year of sponsoring the Aliann Pompey Invitational and part of our rationale is that we believe sport and sanitation have a hand-in-glove effect because of the fact that we need athletes who operate in an environment that is clean and wholesome so that they can perform to their best,” Lowe noted.

In addition, through the Green Generation programme, Ministry of Communities made the Leonora area where the track is located ‘a green area’ where Aliann Pompey was also a part of a tree-planting exercise. The area was also declared a litter-free zone as the Ministry of Communities aims to continue their Green Generation movement.

Meanwhile, National Sports Commission and Ministry of Education are also on board with the event in a major way with Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, noting that events such as these indicate the diversity of a nation that can accomplish great things.

Aliann Pompey also noted that the support shown by Government is overwhelming and has allowed the event to grow into the success that it has become.

The Aliann Pompey Invitational is scheduled for a 15:00hrs start with an opening ceremony expected at 16:00hrs.

England reach women’s World Cup semi-finals with 3-0 win over Norway LE HAVRE, France (Reuters) - England sent out a warning to their rivals as they stormed into the women’s World Cup semi-finals with an impressive 3-0 victory against demoralised Norway on Thursday.

Ellen White scored her fifth goal of the tournament in between Jill Scott’s opener and a Lucy Bronze screamer from the edge of the area as Phil Neville’s side set up a mouthwatering clash with either holders the United States or hosts France.

England were devastating on their right flank with Bronze and Nikita Parris, who missed a late penalty, tormenting their opponents throughout as Norway suffered physically.

England got away with some sloppiness in defence but the Lionesses will hope to improve on their third place from 2015.

“What you’ve seen tonight is that Lucy Bronze is the best player in the world, without a shadow of a doubt. There’s no player like her in the world,” said Neville.

“I’ve played fullback, but never ever to that level she’s playing at,” added the former Manchester United and Everton player.

The semi-finals will be hosted in Lyon, where Bronze plays her club football for European champions Olympique Lyonnais.

EARLY GOAL England took the lead after only three minutes when Bronze burst down the right

flank and cut in from the byline.

White swung and missed but Scott slotted the ball home off the post for the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

England dominated possession and Parris fired over the crossbar before White came closer when she rattled the upright after a quick throw-in.

For all their superiority and Norway’s lack of inspiration, the Lionesses were still vulnerable to a comeback.

However, doubled the tally five minutes before the break, White tapping in from Parris’s cross from inside the area.

Parris’s pace was too much too handle for Norway, but England put themselves in a dangerous situation when goalkeeper Karen Bardsley’s poor first touch trying to control a back pass almost saw her dispossessed in front of goal.

But the contest was all but over in the 57th minute when the unmarked Bronze unleashed a rising shot that flew into the roof of the net from Beth Mead’s free kick.

Houghton made sure there was no late setback for England by clearing Lisa-Marie Utland’s shot off the goal-line as Norway finally hit their stride.

Parris saw her penalty saved by Ingrid Hjelmseth seven minutes from time - the first player to miss two penalties at the same women’s World Cup having failed against Argentina in the group stage - but England had wrapped up the win by then.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 28, 2019

Windies dumped from World SCORECARD Cup after India defeat MANCHESTER, England (CMC) – West Indies’ already wretched campaign tasted even more misery here yesterday when they were dumped from the World Cup without so much as a whimper, in a humbling 125-run loss to powerhouse India at Old Trafford.

Entering the contest already with little hope of qualifying for the final four, the Caribbean side’s demise was confirmed when they failed to chase down a modest 269 and were all out for an embarrassing 143 in the 35th over, suffering their third heaviest defeat in a World Cup in the process.

The loss was their fifth in seven matches and left them still eighth in the standings on three points, only above South Africa and Afghanistan, with two games remaining.

“I think the bowlers did a fantastic job on this surface.

I couldn’t really ask them for more. The guys gave a really good effort in the field but I guess we just let ourselves down with the bat,” a dejected captain Jason Holder said afterwards.

Sunil Ambris, in his first game of the tournament after arriving in the country on Tuesday as a replacement for the injured Andre Russell, top-scored with 31 while Nicholas Pooran made 28.

They were only two of three top order batsmen to reach double figures and the only ones to pass 20 overall, in another weak showing by the side’s batting group.

Mohammed Shami wrecked the innings with an outstanding spell of four for 16 while fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah (2-9) and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (2-39) supported.

India had earlier battled to 268 for seven off their 50

overs after winning the toss and opting to bat, with captain Virat Kohli top-scoring with a Man-of-the-Match 72 and former skipper MS Dhoni getting an unbeaten 56.

Opener KL Rahul struck 48 and Hardik Pandya a vital 46 down the order, as India rallied against disciplined bowling.

Seamer Kemar Roach, in only his third match of the World Cup, led the Windies with three for 36 from his 10 overs while Holder (233) and fellow pacer Sheldon Cottrell (2-50) claimed wickets also.

fours in a 64-ball knock before perishing in the 21st over, missing a drive at the persevering Holder and having his stumps shattered.

With India again consolidating, Roach returned to strike twice in successive overs and bring the Windies back into the encounter.

First, he ended a 28-run, third-wicket stand between Kohli and Vijay Shankar (14) when he nipped one away from Shankar to have him caught at the wicket in the 27th over.

And in his next over,

Two-time champions India stood on the cusp of securing a spot in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals after they stretched their unbeaten run in the tournament with a clinical 125-run victory against West Indies that eliminated the Caribbeans on Thursday (Reuters photo)

It was the veteran Roach who got the key breakthrough in the sixth over of the morning with the score on 29 when he removed the dangerous Rohit Sharma for 18 to a catch at the wicket, after resorting to DRS. Kohli then combined with Rahul in a second-wicket stand of 69 which repaired the innings and laid the foundation for India’s typical late assault.

While Kohli faced 82 deliveries and struck eight fours, Rahul counted six

he got new batsman Kedar Jadhav (7) to nibble at a length ball, and feather a catch to Shai Hope, reducing India to 140 for four in the 29th.

However, Dhoni arrived to rescue his side, first in a 40-run stand for the fifth wicket with Kohli and then in a critical 70-run sixth-wicket stand with Pandya, who blasted five fours in a 38-ball cameo.

The turning point of the innings came with Dhoni on eight in the 34th over when left-arm spinner Fa-

bien Allen, on World Cup debut, lured the veteran from his crease only for Hope to muff the stumping chance.

West Indies were made to pay as Dhoni struck three fours and two sixes in a controlled 61-ball innings as India gathered 82 runs from the last 10 overs. His two sixes came in the final over from speedster Oshane Thomas which leaked 16 runs.

What should have been a straightforward run chase quickly went lopsided when Chris Gayle (6) mistimed a pull to mid-on off Shami who then beat Hope’s drive with one that came back off the seam, to bowl the right-hander for five in his next over.

Struggling on 16 for two, Ambris and Pooran arrested the slide with a 55-run, third-wicket stand which lifted the Windies to 71 without further loss.

Ambris, also on World Cup debut, faced 40 balls and struck two fours while Pooran also notched two boundaries in a 50-ball stay at the crease.

West Indies were clawing their way back, albeit slowly, when they were set back by the loss of both set players in the space of 15 balls with just nine runs added. Ambris played across one from seamer Pandya in the 18th over and was lbw and Pooran, looking to free the shackles, holed out to long off in the 21st over off left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Once the partnership was broken, the innings went into terminal decline as the last eight wickets fell for 72 runs.

Holder never settled and drove the 13th ball he faced to be caught at cover for six off Chahal in the 24th over and Carlos Brathwaite failed

INDIA innings K. Rahul b Holder 48 R. Sharma c wkp. Hope b Roach 18 V. Kohli c sub. (Bravo) b Holder 72 V. Shankar c wkp. Hope b Roach 14 K. Jadhav c wkp. Hope b Roach 7 MS Dhoni not out 56 H. Pandya c Allen b Cottrell 46 M. Shami c wkp. Hope b Cottrell 0 K. Yadav not out 0 Extras: (b-1, w-6) 7 Total: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 268 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-98, 3-126, 4-140, 5-180, 6-250, 7-252.

Bowling: Cottrell 10-0-50-2 (w-2), Roach 10-0-36-3, Thomas 7-0-63-0 (w-2), Allen 10-0-52-0, Holder 10-2-33-2, Brathwaite 3-0-33-0 (w-2).

WEST INDIES innings C. Gayle c Jadhav b Mohammed Shami 6 S. Ambris lbw b Pandya 31 S. Hope b Mohammed Shami 5 N. Pooran c Mohammed Shami b Kuldeep 28 S. Hetmyer c Rahul b Mohammed Shami 18 J. Holder c Jadhav b Chahal 6 C. Brathwaite c wkp. Dhoni b Bumrah 1 F. Allen lbw b Bumrah 0 K. Roach not out 14 S. Cottrell lbw b Chahal 10 O. Thomas c Rohit b Mohammed Shami 6 Extras: (b-9, lb-3, w-5, nb-1) 18 Total: (all out, 34.2 overs) 143 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-16, 3-71, 4-80, 5-98, 6-107, 7-107, 8-112, 9-124.

Bowling: Shami 6.2-0-16-4 (w-1), Bumrah 6-1-9-2, Pandya 5-028-1 (nb-1), Kuldeep 9-1-35-1 (w-2), Jadhav 1-0-4-0, Chahal 7-0-39-2.

POINTS: INDIA 2, WEST INDIES 0

to repeat his heroics against New Zealand, edging Bumrah behind for one.

Fabien Allen was lbw to the very next ball to leave Bumrah on a hat-trick in the 27th over but Roach successfully negotiated the following delivery to deny

the feat.

West Indies’ performance was summed up by Shimron Hetmyer’s (18) loose drive which found the lap of point in the 29th over from Shami, and which sounded the death knell.

CRICKET WORLD CUP TABLE

Lloyd tells Hetmyer, Pooran to fulfil their potential LEGENDARY former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd says current young batsmen Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer are as good as any of the young batsmen he has seen at the current 2019 ICC World Cup. Lloyd had a long discussion with the two batsmen at the end of a dinner held in the team’s honour by sponsor Sandals International at the Principal Hotel in Manchester on Tuesday night.

The Guyanese-born Lloyd was one of several former players who showed up at the event to spend some time with the current West Indies team, who have already been knocked out of World Cup play­off contention.

During the one-on-one session, which lasted more than half an hour, Lloyd, told the

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd speaks to current batsmen Nicholas Pooran, right, and Shimron Hetmyer during a function, hosted by Sandals International at the Principal Hotel in Manchester on Tuesday night

duo they needed to understand that they can’t hit away every ball and they must be more circumspect in their batting.

He reminded them that getting cameos is not good enough and they must set themselves up for a long stay while at the crease in order to make big scores to assist the West Indies.

Speaking with Guardian Media after his discussions with the two young players, Lloyd, who led the Windies to the first two World Cup titles in 1975 and ’79, said: “I spoke to them about certain aspects of the game and they asked me a few questions and I was basically telling them that they are two of the best batsmen that the West Indies have and they are the future. And by now they need to put some scores together and have some

hundreds under their belts.

“I also stressed to them how they can get out of difficult situations and I mentioned to them that there is no bowler who got them out, they got themselves out in this tournament so far.”

Lloyd said while the team may not have achieved the success it wanted in the current tournament, facing some of the best players in the world will help Pooran and Hetmyer going forward.

“It is a plus for them that they have faced some of the best bowlers in the world and they have handled them well,” Lloyd said.

“I also mentioned to them that they looked really top class against England in that game at Southampton and it was unfortunate when a runout broke their partnership.

“It is about time that they showcase their talent and the best way to do that is by buckling down and stringing together some good scores. They have normally done the good work and then given it away. They just need to apply themselves a little bit more and finish the job.”

He also assessed the ability of both players.

“Hetmyer has tremendous ability; he picks up the ball quickly and gets into line to play his shots. Sometimes he wants to score too fast and loses his concentration.

“I think the same of Pooran and I have told both of them that they are two of the best batsmen I have seen at this tournament.” (Extracted from Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)

T

‘Disappointed Head Coach Michael Johnson addressing the media at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Samuel Maughn photo)

but satisfied’ ... Johnson turns attention to Nations League following a commendable Gold Cup performance

Guyana’s Neil Danns came in for high praises from media and fans at the Gold Cup. Danns accounted for all three of Guyana’s goals scored at the Gold Cup. (Samuel Maughn Photo)

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Keanu Marsh-Brown, despite not finding the goal, enjoyed a fruitful tournament.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

Windies dumped from World Cup after India defeat 31

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019