Guyana Chronicle E-paper 7-10-2019

wednesday 10th july, 2019

FIVE REJECTED No.105694

… Gov’t rejects five of Jagdeo’s GECOM nominees … actively considering two, shortlists four to put on list of six 10 PAGE

No bad faith 02 PAGE

… President says actions in keeping with agreements made … restates commitment to holding credible elections as soon as possible

Bamia Primary records 100% 15 passes at NGSA Gov’t condemns attempts to 09 jail Jordan … says courts must PAGE

PAGE

protect executive from partisan action

Representatives of President David Granger and Opposition Leader Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo again met on Tuesday at Castellani House to discuss nominations for the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). President Granger is represented by Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon. Mr. Jagdeo was represented by Ms. Gail Teixeira, Mr. Anil Nandlall and Mr. Juan Edghill.

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No bad faith

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

… President says actions in keeping with agreements made

… restates commitment to holding credible elections as soon as possible ALTHOUGH the President and the opposition leader previously came to an agreement, in keeping with Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling on how a list of six names for the selection of a new Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair will be “hammered out”, there is still some amount of misunderstanding present.

On Tuesday, in a message to the nation, President David Granger outlined the agreement made between him and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, to show that his actions during recent deliberations have been in “good faith”.

Following the June 18, 2019 CCJ ruling on the no-confidence motion and the appointment of the GECOM Chair, the court had instructed involved parties to meet and discuss eligible candidates for the post of GECOM Chair before a formal submission of six names is made

to the President. The CCJ had explained that this would enable the two sides to agree on an eligible list of six persons who are “not unacceptable” to the President prior to his ultimate selection of one individual.

“The court believes that such an approach would give the President a role in the identification of the six names. It would also obviate the possibility that, after the formal presentation of the list, the President could suggest that one or more of the names, or indeed the entire list, is unacceptable,” President Granger explained.

It is clear, as stated within the Constitution, that the list of six is to be submitted by the leader of the opposition.

The President indicated that when he initially met with the opposition leader on July 4, 2019, their discussions centred on the means of selecting a new GECOM Chair in accordance with the CCJ judgement. “The meeting

aimed to reach consensus on the way forward for the nomination and appointment of the GECOM Chairman. It was agreed that the leader of the opposition would submit, a list of names of persons for my consideration. That list was submitted. Ms. Gail Teixeira, acting on behalf of the leader of the opposition, wrote Mr. Joseph Harmon, Director General, Ministry of the Presidency on the June 28, 2019 saying: ‘the Leader of the Opposition is not averse to the President informally suggesting names in their proposed engagement for his consideration’,” the President relayed.

As such, the opposition leader, on July 6, 2019, re-submitted 11 names to the Ministry of the Presidency for consideration from three previously submitted lists totalling 18 persons. These included: Conservationist, Annette Arjoon-Martins; retired Justice of Appeal, B.S Roy; Chairman of the Private

Sector Commission (PSC), Gerry Gouveia; retired Mayor General, Joseph Singh; Attorney-at-Law, Kashir Khan; former Senior Magistrate, Krishnadatt Persaud; conflict resolution specialist, Lawrence Latchmansingh; retired Major General, Norman McLean; Onesi La Fleur, PSC executive Ramesh Dookhoo; and retired Puisne Judge, William Ramlall.

When representatives of the government and the opposition met on July 8, 2019, in-keeping with the option given by the opposition for him to informally suggest names, President suggested a list of eight individuals for the GECOM post.

These were: Justice (Ret’d) Stanley Moore; Justice (Ret’d) Claudette La Bennett; former Solicitor General, Kim Kyte; Economist, Dr. Aubrey Armstrong; Chairperson of the Georgetown Public see page 9

The letter sent by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, on behalf of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, to President David Granger through Director General of the Ministry of Presidency, Joseph Harmon

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Group petitions President for inquiry into Jagdeo-era killings … calls for Roger Khan’s arrest on arrival in Guyana

HUNDREDS of persons have signed on to a petition calling for President David Granger to immediately launch an investigation into the extra-judicial killings that occurred under the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration.

They are demanding that the intellectual authors of the state-sponored murders, as well as their hired assassins, be brought to justice. On Tuesday, the petition was submitted to the Ministry of the Presidency addressed to President Granger by the Executive of Mourning Families and Friends in White – a committee of the Ghana Day Organisation. The committee – Mourning Families and Friends in White – was formed with the intention of seeking justice for “the State-sponsored Right Wing Death Squad murders” that occurred under the People’s Progression Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration led

by Bharrat Jagdeo.

The committee said former Minister of Agriculture, Satydeow Sawh; Political Activist, Ronald Waddell; and one-man Protestor, Courtney Crum-Ewing were among the hundreds of persons brutally murdered during the PPP/C’s reign in office. Reference was also made to the disappearance of Franz Britton also known as Collie Wills, who was reportedly last seen being bundled into a silver grey car, allegedly by the

late Superintendent of Police, Leon Fraser, himself killed in mysterious circumstances.

The Committee, in the Petition, told the President that it is time the perpetrators be brought to justice, noting that “there are many children who would have lost a father, a mother, a brother, a sister, (or) a cousin.” “…These

the Mourning Families and Friends in White, Catherine Penda Guyan said the committee is imploring Government to open an investigation into the mass killings now that convicted drug-trafficker Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan has been released from U.S prison. Between 2003 and 2006, Khan formed a criminal net-

he is supposed to be coming back here to Guyana. Can you imagine how they feel because they are so afraid?

They are reliving the nightmares because of what happened when he was attached and a part of the phantom squad,” Guyan told Guyana Chronicle.

She said the issue of ex-

Members of Mourning Families and Friends in White standing in front of the Ministry of the Presidency, ahead of submitting the petition. murders would have occurred during the tenure of the terror that was condoned by the PPP/C government; the painful trauma, and the inevitable psychological toll that have been exacted on the families and friends of these victims of state brutality and murder cannot be overemphasised,” a section of the petition states.

Ahead of submission to the President, Chairperson of

Courtney Crum-Ewing’s foster-father, Eustace Harcourt, and mother Donna Harcourt (Photos by Adrian Narine)

work here, including active policemen and a number of former ranks, that targeted persons ‘perceived’ to be criminals but at the same time protected his narco-trafficking interests. A large number of persons also reportedly went missing.

“So we think that it is very important at this point in time because the families are reliving their nightmares now that they realise that Roger Khan has been released from prison, and they are told, whether true or false, that

tra-judicial killings has been placed on the back burner for far too long, and it is time the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government reopen investigations into these murders, in keeping with a commitment made by President Granger. Guyan said the time for justice is now.

“They can’t have closure, they can’t have closure, you could never have closure for something like this but if you see that something is

Chairperson of the Mourning Families and Friends in White, Catherine Penda Guyan holds up a list containing names of persons who signed the petition.

According to her over, 600 persons have signed the petition calling for an investigation to be launched into the extra-judicial killings. being done then it helps to alleviate the suffering,” the Chairperson explained. It was made clear that intention is not have compensation but justice for those victims who

had their lives cut short.

“I don’t think compensation is the factor right now. I mean if that comes, it see page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Europeans call for urgent meeting of Iran nuclear deal parties BERLIN (Reuters) - European powers accused Iran on Tuesday of “pursuing activities inconsistent with its commitments” under a 2015 nuclear deal and called for an urgent meeting of the parties to the agreement to discuss Tehran’s compliance.

Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and Iran are

the remaining parties to the deal - known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) - which was abandoned by the United States last year. “These compliance issues must be addressed within the framework of the JCPoA, and a Joint Commission should be convened urgently,” the foreign ministers of Britain, France

and Germany, plus the European Union’s top diplomat, said in a statement. The European powers have not triggered a dispute resolution process contained in the deal, said diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Joint Commission, chaired by the European Union’s top diplomat Federica Mogherini, is made up

of the remaining parties to the deal and was created to monitor implementation and address any issues. “Iran has stated that it wants to remain within the JCPoA. It must act accordingly by reversing these activities and returning to full JCPoA compliance without delay,” the European countries said.

The 2015 agreement offered Iran access to world trade through the lifting of most sanctions in return for agreeing to curbs on its nuclear programme. The future of the pact has been in doubt

since last year when the United States pulled out of it and reimposed unilateral sanctions. Iran has said it wants to continue to abide by the agreement but cannot do so indefinitely if U.S. sanctions prevent it from receiving any of the promised economic benefits.

The deal’s fate has come to a head in the past 10 days, after Iran announced steps breaching its commitments - it announced that it had amassed more enriched uranium than allowed under the agreement and said it had

refined uranium to a higher purity. Tehran argues that its steps are permitted under the deal as a response to U.S. non-compliance. It has said it could take new steps in 60 days, including restarting dismantled centrifuges and purifying uranium to a sharply higher threshold.

CONFRONTATION The nuclear diplomacy is a central issue in a wider confrontation between the United States and Iran, which has escalated since the start of May when Washington tightened sanctions with the aim of halting all Iranian oil exports. The dispute took on a military dimension, with Washington accusing Tehran of attacks on ships in the Gulf. Last month Iran shot down a U.S. drone, prompting President Donald Trump to order retaliatory air strikes, only to call them off.

The European powers strongly disagreed with the Trump administration’s decision to abandon the nuclear deal, and have since found themselves caught in the middle, trying to persuade Iran to stick to it without receiving the promised benefits. The Trump administration argues that the deal agreed under his predecessor Barack Obama was too weak because some of its terms were not permanent and it omitted non-nuclear issues such as Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional policies.

Trump’s hardline policy is backed by oil-exporting Arab states in the Gulf, which consider Iran a foe and stand to gain from U.S. sanctions that have removed Iranian crude from the market, and by Israel, which has repeatedly called on the European countries to reimpose sanctions.

Saturday 6, July 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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ACP expresses concerns regarding the implementation of non-tariffs barriers on agricultural products by the EU

GENEVA, Jul 9, CMC – The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group is warning of “grave implications” for its members as it expressed concerned at the “arbitrary adoption” of measures by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that negatively affect developing countries and goes against the principles of facilitating development though trade.

The ACP representative, Felix Maonera, said the grouping, which includes 16 Caribbean countries, rely heavily on many substances that are subject to arbitrary measures, as these substances are often necessary for production and in post-harvest activities.

“We wish, however, to acknowledge the right of WTO members to exercise policy space to legitimately protect human, animal and plant health and safety. At the same time, the ACP calls on

members adopting these measures to do so in line with the established rules and ethos of the WTO.” He said in the case of bananas, for example, the crop plays “an indispensable role” in job creation, rural development and livelihood security in a number of ACP states and that “it is further worthy of note that the European Union has been a primary market for our banana exports. “Therefore, lowering MRLs (maximum residue limits) for imazalil a key post-harvest input can have severe and wide-ranging impacts on the banana sectors in many ACP countries.

“It should be borne in mind that in many instances there is no effective substitute amongst the available phytosanitary products with the efficacy of those affected by the lowering of MRLs, especially with regards to sporulation control.” Maonera said the ACP concern is particu-

larly centred on the arbitrary nature of the steps taken towards the implementation of these new measures, given that the “assumed consumer risks are often premised on what we believe to be insufficient data and inconsistency with the recommendations of international organisations such as the CODEX, FAO and the WHO”.

He said this brings into question whether the measure is more trade-restrictive than necessary to achieve the same objective.

“Concerns expressed during the consultations phase are too often disregarded and, in this context, the limited resource capacity of developing countries to seek redress through dispute settlement will bring into question the relevance of the WTO in the quest for development through trade.

“We are taking this opportunity to call on the European Union to use dialogue

and diplomacy in its efforts to adopt certain measures, especially measures in which there have been expressions of serious concerns by developing countries,’ said Maonera.

The ACP representative said that many countries have negotiated market access arrangements with

the EU for products of export interest and that “the outcomes of these good faith negotiations and the resulting agreements can be severely undermined if such NTBs (non-tariff barriers) are implemented without due concern for the deleterious impacts of such trade restrictive mea-

sures. “The ACP… wishes to indicate its readiness to dialogue with the EU with a view to finding a mutually satisfactory approach to the adoption of non-tariff measures that diminish the benefits to be derived by ACP members from their membership in the WTO,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Rekindling our collective soul ONE of the consequences of allowing a society to descend into a state of disrepair is that when a decision is taken to tackle the problem, the will to do so is often lacking. Look at the reaction some years ago to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan’s decision to enforce the 2:00am curfew on bars and nightclubs. The reaction from citizens was unbelievable. As the minister himself said recently, he was “called all kinds of names, and abused,” because he decided to enforce the law.

The change of government in 2015 brought a new sense of patriotism and purpose among sections of the society.

We witnessed a spontaneous outpouring of civic engagement, which was highlighted by the clean-up campaigns around the country. It is easy to point fingers at the political directorate for its failure to harness and steer that new energy to a place of hope. But our problems run deep in national veins. The last three decades of structural adjustment, imposed from outside and administered locally, has taken its toll on the country. President David Granger called it right when he said, some time ago, that the damage done to this country during the ‘decades of troubles’ is most manifest in the demoralisation of the public and security services; the

erosion of public trust and the lowering of the ‘quality of life.

Young people opt out of organised national endeavours when they do not discern individual gains, and older citizens have retreated to their narrow confines.

One just has to look at the way we use the roadways. It is difficult not to conclude that civility and regard for the community are no longer part of the consciousness of some. From the minibus drivers to the commuters, to the drivers of private cars, we seem to have signed on to a destiny of disorder and disregard for life and limb.

As the frequency of road fatalities rise, reckless driving has become more entrenched. There are more law enforcement officers on the streets, but they appear to be helpless in the face of the anarchy around them.

And while we quote statistics to show a decline in crime, one cannot help but take note of the gruesomeness of the murders, such as the recent slaying of a money changer and his daughter in Better Hope last week. And the killing of a 21-year-old on Sunday over $500 must alert all of us to the urgency of now, to quote Dr. Martin Luther King. The rapid rise of unbridled individualism, accompanied by a decline of collective commitment to community and country, has

produced a changed society, where values have been discarded.

We come now to our Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, under whose tenure, as president, there were heightened allegations, some not without justification, of racial tensions and conflicts; groups targeted for exclusion based on geography, political association, and identity. Imbalances in budgetary allocations and resources directed to, or taken away from, regions where the government under his leadership did not control, were noted.

The narco-economy was allowed to flourish, which Professor Clive Thomas noted represented a significant percentage of the economy. The criminalised state was also coined, because, in addition to the narco-economy, corruption was pervasive. Transparency International ranked Guyana the most corrupt Caribbean English-speaking country, a shame and stigma that require much work to remove. During this period, when hundreds of dead bodies were turning up all over the place, Dr Roger Luncheon famously described the carnage as being done by “phantom” squads. Later, it was learnt that the government’s hands were bloody.

Dissent and alternative views were not treated as a right or opportunity to engage

or review. President Jagdeo assented to the Bill that allows a person not more than two consecutive terms to be president. On demitting office, he began putting a process in place to create a framework to see his return as president, though, throughout Donald Ramotar’s presidency, he reiterated his non-intention of holding constitutional office again. The 2015 elections proved otherwise. Jagdeo not only appeared on the List of Representatives, but successfully manipulated the system and became Leader of the Opposition.

Amid the despair, the coming of oil and the determination of President Granger and his steady leadership to revive this nation, the recent results of the National Grade Six Assessment have given us some hope that our country is slowly being rebuilt. It is time that our politicians on both sides of the political divide come to grips with the fact that Guyana needs repair work beyond political rhetoric. While our leaders spar about macro-economics and politics, our nation is dying at its very soul. But it’s not only our politicians who must take responsibility for our condition; the citizenry at large has to find its collective soul again. Something drastic and intentional has to be done to pull us back from the brink.

This ‘Coalition’ is about equality for all Dear Editor, AS we fast approach the date for the Consequential Orders from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), there are PPP/C supporters who are trying to mislead the Guyanese people about the APNU+AFC government in the newspapers and on social media.

Please permit me space to respond to a letter published in the Guyana Times dated July 8th, 2019, titled, “Once again the APNU+AFC started making empty promises and building voters’ hopes up in an attempt to win back the voters that they greatly disappointed,” written by Sahadeo Bates.

I would like to begin by stating that this

government is not trying to bribe the Guyanese to win their votes, but they are rather fulfilling their obligation to the Guyanese people. It is my understanding that the government when it entered office, inherited lots of debts, broken infrastructure, a broken education system, health care system and chaos from the PPP/C administration.

Many of the government’s promises, despite challenges they faced for the last four years, that were set out in their manifesto were fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled daily. It is under this APNU+AFC governance that Guyanese from all parts of the country can now enjoy much improved roads, potable water (some for the first time) and services such as the birth

certificates, passports and driver’s licences decentralised, which has resulted in less cost to travel to the city to obtain some of these services.

For example, under the PPP/C, promises were made to residents of Sophia to build roads and create playfields for our children to have safer recreational environments and this was never fulfilled.

However, it was under this APNU+AFC government that this community, long neglected by the PPP/C, received water, street lights and proper main roads; yes, more needs to be done; however, this administration is working across the regions in all communities to create a good life for all Guyanese.

We are now seeing more Guyanese being owners of homes and house lots, especially the youths who don’t have to be married with children to obtain a home or house lot; they can apply as soon as they attain the age of 18, which was not previously offered under the PPP/C. Editor, by these few examples, all Guyanese should recognise that this coalition is not only giving opportunities and improvements to communities’ based on race and colour, it is equality for all.

Please let us not make the same mistake, no returning of the PPP/C to power!

Regards, Ceion Rollox

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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The submission of the name Krishendat Persaud is provocative

Dear Editor,

SO Bharrat Jagdeo has caused to be resubmitted 11 names for negotiations.

I am pleased, exceedingly pleased, that Mr Jagdeo has timeously, given the July 12 adjourned date for announcement of “consequential orders”demonstrated to the CCJ, that its foisted aspiration of “consensualism” in the appointment of a GECOM Chairman, is pious, utopian, politicking in our political affairs. What crass provocation, for Mr Jagdeo to cause to be resubmitted (not even having the decorum to write the letter himself), eleven (11) names to the President, ominously, inclusive of persons who James Mc Allister in a letter to the press in 2017, aptly described as “ straw candidates”; and comprising lists Professor / ret’d CCJ Justice Duke Pollard dismissively described as “palpably defective” in the GC of January 17, 2017.

Is recycling, as an environmental conception, appropriate in a matter so pregnant with the embryo of a constitutional crisis which, it is in our overriding public interest to abort, and not to deliver?

I had written, ad nauseaum, on these lists in 2017. Mr Jagdeo, with an accustomed display of intemperance, called me a “sycophant”; one of my letters a “gutter letter” (see “Maxwell Edwards scrutinises Jagdeo’s GECOM nominees” – GC 30th May 2017).

So, Hon Leader of the Opposition, let us agree that if you are entitled in the exercise of your constitutional right to freedom of expression to call me a “Sycophant,” I, exercising a self-same right, is entitled, and justified, to label you as PROVOCATORY – a provocationist. On the available evidence, or the circumstantial evidence, on one very arguable view, it must be the case that Mr Jagdeo has deliberately resubmitted as part of the “hammering out” process such “straw candidates” as former Senior Magistrate Krishendat Persaud, as a pure act of provocation; .or as an act, mindlessly, whimsically, capriciously done.

Mr President you must not yield. If in Mr Jagdeo’s “objective” judgment Krishendat Persaud is a “fit and proper” person for GECOM Chairman, then President David Granger, permitted as he is by article 111 --- one of the 11 most valuable and important provisions in the Constitution (lawyers know this as entrenchment of the deepest level)--to “act in his own deliberate judgment,” invites no approbrium (political or constitutional) in submitting for negotiations Eric Phillips as a candidate. Yet, we know that President Granger would not seek to match Mr Jagdeo’s effrontery.

I hope the three “wise men” in Port of Spain are taking judicial notice of Mr Jagdeo’s provocation, which by their interpretation of our Constitution he has been licensed to commit. En passant, here is a poignant view of a true Caribbean Legal legend – J.O.F Haynes. Sitting a s a Justice of Appeal in a local case of Re Williams and Salisbury (1978) 26 WIR, this legendary jurist said thus: “Of course, this doctrine of liberal interpretation cannot imply that we” [ie the Judges] “are free to stretch or PERVERT the language of it “[i.e the Constitution] “in the interest of any preconceived constitutional theory or spirit. The question is still not what may be supposed to have been intended, but what is intended by what is said” (see at page 147 b-c). I submit, and remain unshakeably convinced, that this doctrine of “consensualism,” as aspirational as some may perceive it to be, is a perversion of what is said in our Constitution. “Consensualism” of the CCJ type, is the antithesis, and, negation of constitutional presidential absolute deliberativeness. A Frankenstein has been created. Mr Jagdeo’s submission of, inter alia, the name of Krishendat Persaud, is a palpable manifestation of this judicial monster. As an aside, is it not Jagdeo’s first-list nominee, Christopher Ram, who is one of the foremost antagonists, and litigant in court for the resignation / removal of this David Granger Cabinet / Government. And, was it not Christopher Ram who had instituted private criminal

West Indies team visit to Old Trafford

Dear Editor,

THE Stabroek News of Thursday, June 27, carried an article and photograph of the West Indies Cricket team and management staff currently in England touring what is considered the home of the most famous football team, Manchester United, in Manchester, Old Trafford.

I can imagine how elated and privileged the team felt. You see a lot of West Indian footballers ply their trade in England playing

for various clubs in the Elite Premier League and other clubs in the Football Association (F.A.). For many West Indians, Manchester United holds a special place in our hearts; it was at that club that Trinidadian Dwight Yorke, a household name in the Caribbean; the likes of George Best, Erick Cantana, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Nestle Roy, David Beckham, Christiano Ronaldo, the greatest of them all and also Wayne Rooney, the record goal-scorer for England

and the best football coach of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, the richest and most talked about and the club with the most silver ware. For the West Indies team and management staff and coaches, it would be difficult for them to put into words the feeling that overcame them while at that ground in that dressing room, which other great footballers the world over once graced.

Regards Archie W. Cordis

charges against Jagdeo? Was pre-No Confidence antagonism latent, waiting, if given an opportunity, to volcanically explode? Oh what a tangled web of deceit can be weaved.

I return to Krishendat Persaud. I served as a magistrate with him. We had interactions at magistrates’ meetings / conferences. He was most favoured by Carl Singh, C. (ag).

I can assure your readers that this most favoured status was not because of some judicial aptitude, or exemplary knowledge of law.

He demonstrated more of that. So, when other contracted magistrates, decades less older than Persaud, had their services terminated or their contracts not renewed by the Carl Singh-led Judicial Services Commission, he (Persaud) continued to serve as a magistrate in Berbice. The irresistible inference, is that he was allowed to continue to serve as a magistrate, because, and only because, he was a yeoman, unabashed supporter of the PPP.

Was he a close relative of Robert Persaud, former PPP/C Minister of Natural Resources?

Bias can be an insidious thing.

I end with this: Mr Jagdeo, with an accustomed predatory, reckless, contemptuous miscalculation of the limits of his power as Leader of the Opposition in this republic, pursues nothing but narrow, myopic political machinations. He has an aversion for public interest.

With resubmissions of names like Krishendat Persaud, (perhaps recycling) he is being provocative. Were he to be further emboldened on the 12th July, then nothing but a constitutional crisis awaits us, for which, for us, the CCJ must bear responsibility.

Regards, Maxwell. E. Edwards. (former magistrate).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Edghill denies his church was built with ‘filthy lucre’ Dear Editor “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.”

Matthew 5:44 I PRAY for Mr Hamilton Green and his family that his remaining years on earth will be peaceful and that he would find the path that will lead to everlasting life.

It is with great pain that I write this letter to respond to

gross inaccuracies and misrepresentations by Mr Hamilton Green, in a section of the media. Out of respect for his age and my life-long upbringing of respect for elders, I will not undress him publicly, but will merely state facts.

Fact 1 – I was consecrated Guyana’s first Pentecostal Bishop on the 8th February 1995 at a public ceremony held at the Square of the Revolution. The ceremony saw an assembly of more than 20,000 Guyanese and Mr Green, himself was present.

It was not done overseas, as Mr Greene claims and I did not return to Guyana and announce my consecration.

Fact 2 – I did not attend the U.S. Ambassador Mr. Brent Hardt’s, home, when then Minister of Education, acting as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Priya Manikchand, delivered her speech, which he describes as vulgar and outrageous. I believe that Mr Greene is battling with memory loss.

Fact 3 – At an International Inter-religious Federation

for World Peace (IIFWP) meeting, held at the Georgetown Club where Mr Green was a keynote speaker, he used the occasion, in the presence of dozens of religious leaders, to politically attack the then President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, about his unregistered marriage.

He sought to engage me and I declined, relating to him that should I speak, I would not speak selectively. He was obviously annoyed and continues to repeat and misrepresent what had transpired.

As I mentioned earlier, I believe the elderly gentleman is suffering from memory loss.

Fact 4 – The church building in D’Urban Street, known as Winner’s Cathedral, where I am the presiding prelate was built during the years of 2001 to 2005, funded and supported by the members and friends of the congregation. Mr Green was an invited guest and in his capacity as then Mayor of Georgetown, he delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. As a resident of Lodge, Mr Green is aware of the hard work and sacrifices of the congregants in ensuring that this structure was erected.

Thank you, Mr Green, for admiring, even though awkwardly now, my leadership.

Just as a reminder, leadership is not only about doing extraordinary things, but it is also mostly encouraging ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That was

done in Lodge, Georgetown.

I reject any insinuation that the financing of this building was done “…compliments of a friend, who will be returning to Guyana under escort shortly.”

Fact 5 – For the benefit of Mr. Green, et al, I still do preach and will continue to do so. In closing, as a bishop, I am duty bound to be a priest, whereby I speak to God on behalf of the people in prayer; a prophet, whereby I speak to the people the word of God and a king, where I rule with righteous judgement and in doing so, I deal with principles and not personalities.

Jesus washed feet, not faces.

So, this is Juan Edghill and he will continue to let his light shine.

Regards His Grace, the Right Reverend Juan A. Edghill, D; D.

Irfaan Ali and the PPP cannot be trusted

Dear Editor,

IT is becoming increasingly evident that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has not changed, in the slightest, its dishonest ways, even though the Guyanese people demonstrated their disenchantment with it when they voted that party out of office in 2015.

The PPP’s current campaign to have elections based on a flawed list is yet another indication of that fact. On July 5, the PPP issued a press release that is packed full of inaccuracies.

Similar to the questionable qualifications of Irfaan Ali, and the ridiculous promise of the creation of 50,000 jobs, the PPP continues to lie. The PPP had 23 years to effect the progress it now promises. Instead, the only thing it did, among others, was to destroy the sugar industry; cause an increase in crime; wreak havoc in the education system; place a heavy financial burden on UG students and neglect hinterland residents to the point of destitution.

In the press release, the PPP asserts that the economy has declined, and Guyanese have less disposable income. May I remind the PPP that last week, the second largest stock-trading company in the world, NASDAQ, reported that under the APNU+AFC coalition Guyana now has the fastest-growing economy in the world. Local democracy has been restored, piracy has ended, major crimes have been reduced by 50 per cent, and Guyana no longer has a drug-running reputation; and our country is no longer the suicide capital of the world.

Can there be any question that every aspect of Guyanese life has improved? Even as the APNU+AFC continues to make life better for citizens across Guyana’s regions, the PPP wants to steal power by using a flawed voters’ list. Irfaan Ali wants to deprive young people of their right to vote. And the PPP tries to deceive Guyanese by organising fake protests, using paid protesters.

Guyanese need to ponder carefully those facts. And if citizens are honest with themselves, there can be only one conclusion: Irfaan Ali and the PPP cannot be trusted.

Regards, Mark DaCosta

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Gov’t condemns attempts to jail Jordan … says courts must protect executive from partisan action

Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed the action taken by President David Granger to issue a Grant of Respite exempting Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan from punishment in his private capacity, for judgments incurred prior to his appointment as Minister.

“Cabinet condemns the unprecedented and scurrilous attack on a serving Minister of Government by seeking to imprison him in his private capacity. Cabinet calls on the Courts to protect the Executive from vexatious and partisan action,” the Ministry of the Presidency said in a statement.

The Respite of the execution of punishment imposed on Minister Jordan by an order for Criminal Contempt of Court on June 24, 2019 to the effect that, should he fail by July 8, 2019 to comply with the Order of the Court, that the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana pay the sum of US$2.2 million to Dipcon Engineering Services Limited, he shall be imprisoned for twenty (21) days.

The President in accordance with Article 188 (1) (b) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams, SC granted the respite.

The grant of respite will remain in effect until all appeals and remedies available to Minister Jordan and the State have been exhausted.

No bad... from page 2

Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Attorney Kesaundra Alves and businessmen Kads Khan and Stanley Ming.

Representing the opposition leader were Attorney-at-Law, Anil Nandlall; Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira and Opposition Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill.

Representing the President were Director General of the Ministry of Presidency, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan.

“Both sides agreed to establish a joint working group which would shortlist the names to six and present the list to the leader of the opposition before it is presented to me. It was also agreed that the exchange of names, or this submission of names, will include also suggestions which the President

Group petitions President ... from page 3 comes (but) that’s not the focus…What they are focusing on is justice.

I think this is something that people don’t understand, for me, as a mother, no amount of money can compensate me for the loss of my child.

It is just knowing that something is being done to alleviate my suffering a little.

You will never get rid of the pains, the aches but at least you feel a little better when you know that the perpetrators are being brought to justice. It gives you that sort of satisfaction, it gives you relief to know that something is being done, and I think this is the focus,” Guyan explained.

Though the request was not stated in the petition, Guyan said the Mourning Families and Friends in White is also calling on the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government to have Khan arrested upon his arrival and charged for murder. According to her, there are persons who, despite being fearful, are willing to step forward and provide critical evidence.

“I think right now, people are still timid, they are still a little fearful but if they know that something is being done and they see that people are brave enough to say, look, we are not afraid, they will come forward,” she said.

Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011, during which there were three massacres: Lusignan where 11 people were killed, Bartica where another 12 were killed and Lindo Creek, where seven miners were slaughtered. Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings, with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro-Guyanese males were gunned down. Khan had operated his gang between 2003 and 2006.

In a public advertisement, drug-trafficker, who was arrested in 2006, contended that he was fighting crime on behalf of the Jag-

deo-led government.

While Jagdeo demitted office in 2011, it would appear that extra-judicial killings continued under his successor, Donald Ramotar. The bullet-riddled body of Courtney Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, just days before the May 11, 2015 elections. He was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

Crum-Ewing’s mother, Donna Harcourt, and foster-father Eustace Harcourt formed part of the team that petitioned the President, and called for justice to be served. “The person arrested is not the author of that murder. Courtney does not know him, and he doesn’t know Courtney, so there was no conflict, and so it included intellectual authors,” Eustace Harcourt said.

He alluded to the fact that days before Crum-Ewing was murdered, he had protested the Office of the then Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall. On that basis, and ‘evidence’ made known to him, Eustace Harcourt is convinced that the PPP/C Government had ‘a hand’ in Crum-Ewing’s murder.

He said over the past four years, senior members of the Guyana Police Force have suppressed and obstructed the investigation. “It is really difficult to get a real investigation with these kinds or types of police we have, they are all connected to the last Government and they are bent in keeping this case under wraps,” he contended.

“We want the authors of these heinous crimes to be brought to justice not only the bottom man; that’s the only way we will stop it. And we need to have an investigation launched into the police we have at the helm of the Guyana Police Force,” he added. In 2018, Regan Rodrigues, called ‘Grey Boy’, was committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of Crum-Ewing.

presented for inclusion on that list. I said it was up to the leader of the opposition to submit the names of persons who had already been submitted on the previous three lists,” President Granger stated, further affirming: “The government’s side is adhering to the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice and to the agreement with the leader of the opposition.”

He said the misunderstanding comes as some parts of the media have reported that, following the meeting and the President’s suggestion of eight names, the opposition representatives accused the President breaching the initial agreement.

In a press briefing on the evening of July 8, 2019, the opposition representatives expressed surprise that the President had submitted a list of names for consideration.

They are in favour of the list of 11 submitted by the opposition leader being “hammered out” first.

9 “It was our clear understanding that we were going there to consider those 11 names and for the government to indicate or rather the President’s…delegates in that engagement, to tell us which of the 11 names the president finds find acceptable and which he does not find acceptable.

Low and below when we get there we are confronted with a list from the government side,” Nandlall complained.

GOOD FAITH ENGAGEMENT However, the President has maintained that his actions are in keeping with previous agreements made.

He assured citizens that all of his actions are geared towards “good faith” engagements which will eventually give way to the selection of the GECOM Chair the holding of credible elections in the shortest possible time. “The Government of Guyana is intent on ensuring the conduct of credible elections at the earliest possible date. To achieve this, it is pursuing the full implementation of

the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice and the early selection of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission,” the President assured: “The government side remains committed to continuing the dialogue and concluding the selection process within days to enable the Elections Commission to function. Once done, Guyanese can expect credible elections in the shortest possible time. The President, acting on the advice of the Elections Commission that it is ready to conduct elections, will proclaim a date for those elections. This necessitates the Chairman of GECOM being in place as early as possible.”

The next court date with the CCJ has been set for July 12, 2019 when the court will make Consequential Orders on the written submissions of the involved parties on both the cases of the GECOM Chair and no-confidence vote.

The CCJ has urged the two political heads to meet and find common ground on the way forward on these matters.

FIVE REJECTED 10

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

… Gov’t rejects five of Jagdeo’s GECOM nominees

… actively considering two, shortlists four to put on list of six

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Grang-

er, through his representatives, has rejected five of the 11 names submitted by

the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, for consideration for the nom-

ination and appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM).

Two of the names, however, are under “active consideration” while four names have been shortlisted, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon disclosed on Tuesday after exiting a meeting with the Opposition Leader’s appointed team. The meeting was held at Castellani House.

Conservationist, Annette Arjoon-Martins; retired Justice of Appeal, B.S Roy; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Gerry Gouveia; retired Mayor General, Joseph Singh; Attorney-at-Law, Kashir Khan; former Senior Magistrate, Krishnadatt Persaud; conflict resolution specialist, Lawrence Latchmansingh; retired Major General, Norman McLean; Onesi La Fleur, PSC executive Ramesh Dookhoo; and retired Puisne Judge, William Ramlall were nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader for the position.

At this stage of the negotiations, both sides have agreed that the names and reasons for rejection would not be made public.

Tuesday’s teams, as was the case on Monday, included the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who represented the interest of the President; while Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall and Bishop Juan Edghill, represented the Opposition Leader.

The Director General told reporters that the President’s team provided reasons for rejecting the five names.

He reiterated that two of the names are under “active consideration” while four names have been shortlisted.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday at 16:00hrs at Castellani House.

“We will continue the hammering out process on Thursday at 4 o’clock at

which time we expect that the eight names which were submitted by the President to the Leader of the Opposition, that we will have a view from the Leader of the Opposition on those eight names,” Harmon posited.

Those eight nominees are: former Chairman of GECOM Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, Justice (Ret’d) Stanley Moore, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette La Bennett, former Solicitor General Kim Kyte, Economist Dr. Aubrey Armstrong, Chairperson of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Attorney Kesaundra Alves and businessmen Kads Khan and Stanley Ming.

Eyebrows have been raised over the submission of Khan and Ming as nominees due to the fact that they are former Executive Members of the People’s National Congress (PNC), a partner in the coalition Government but Harmon said all of the President’s nominees are exemplary citizens of Guyana.

“These are people who have offered themselves for public service. These are citizens of quality and they have offered themselves for public service, and it is now for the teams that are meeting to hammer out and in the hammering out process some will fall off and some will remain,” Harmon told reporters in response to the concern raised.

Nonetheless, Harmon expressed the hope that negotiations can be completed within days. “It is really our hope to bring this process to a conclusion before the end of this week,” he posited while noting that progress has been made thus far.

In a statement, subsequent to the meeting, the Opposition Leader confirmed that President Granger had advised that two names were under see page 14

11

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

State will exhaust all remedies in court matter against Jordan —Attorney General

THE Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, filed a notice of motion at the Appellate Court on Monday, for several orders pertaining to the case involving the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, and DIPCON Engineering services. If the motion is granted, filing of an appeal will follow.

This motion was resorted to, after a full-court hearing at the High Court on Friday, ended in a dismissal of the request for a stay of execution, of Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry’s judgment against Jordan. The judgment states that the State debt of US$2,228,400.67 to the Trinidadian Construction Company, is to be paid on or before July 8, 2019. Failing to do so, the minister will be liable to imprisonment for 21 days for criminal contempt of court by deliberately subverting the previous court order.

The request to the fullcourt for a stay was made, so as to facilitate time for the hearing of an existing appeal on the substantive matter.

But Justices Diana Inshanally and Simone Morris-Ramlall were not satisfied with the grounds.

In the court documents seen by this newspaper, the AG is now requesting, from the Appellate Court: an Order for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal; an order setting aside the order made in the full court on Friday; an order for an interim stay of execution of the judgment and orders of Justice Sewnarine-Beharry; an order

treating the hearing of this application as urgent; and a further order for an expedited hearing of the application.

The notice of motion was accompanied with an affidavit from the finance minister, which outlines all the facts of the matter from the beginning of the case in 2015.

AG explained that the State’s stance in this matter is that they were unaware of the case which existed since way back in 2009. When the coalition government took office in 2015, they were served with the Judgment of Justice Rishi Persaud, stating that they are to pay the State’s debt to the company.

That judgment was since appealed so that the State can present their case, but to date, all efforts to have the appeal heard, proved futile.

In 2017 the Chief Justice, Roxane George, issued an Order of Mandamus directing the finance minister to pay the debt. The State refused to commence any payment until their case is heard. Their constant refusal attracted an Order of Contempt of Court, however, the AG says that it is unconstitutional to issue such order against the minister given the provisions made in the State Assets and Proceedings Act. The AG told the Guyana Chronicle that the amount in that debt would go a far way in alleviating the hardships suffered by Guyanese people in the communities. As such, the State will exhaust all its remedies in the justice system.

President David Granger,

Providence man fined for dangerous driving MARVIN Blackman, who hails from 133 Providence, New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, on Monday, having been charged for dangerous driving.

The Court was told that Blackman drove motor car PPP 3686, on Mandela Avenue, in a manner dangerous to the public.

Blackman was fined $50,000 with an alternative of three months in prison.

on Monday, issued a Grant of Respite effectively preventing any arrest or jailing of Jordan. However, by virtue of the powers invested in the President under Article 188(1) (b) of the Constitution, and after consultation with the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs: he granted to Winston Jordan, in his personal capacity and as the Honourable Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament, a respite of the execution of the punishment imposed on him until all appeals and remedies available to him and the State have been exhausted,” the president outlined in the grant order.

In an interview with this newspaper, Williams SC said that the government is dissatisfied with the order of criminal contempt against the minister, and as such, will exercise its duty to protect against the dissatisfactory actions of the justice system.

Williams explained that the State would have been prejudiced by the Appellate Court,

since the said court would have failed to constitute a panel to hear their application for stay in the substantive matter. This stay was to accommodate the hearing of the appeal of the judgment of Justice Rishi Persaud and the Oder of Mandamus by Chief Justice, Roxane George. It was due to the time of the hearing of the appeal case, that the company was able to build a case of contempt.

“So we have really been checkmated and because of that checkmate, it allowed Timothy Jonas, DIPCON’s attorney, to go to the high court and contend that there is no stay of the order, therefore the order is breached and the minister is in contempt. But as we contended, the minister could not have been in contempt when there was no order that he has breached. And there is no previous order against Minister Jordan as a private person, all the orders are against the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, and the Minister of Finance,” the AG

posited.

Adding that, “We are desirous of pursuing our remedies… Because if they refuse, then we can go to the CCJ.” Williams said that the position of the government is also grounded in the fact that no injunction or coercive order could be made against the State, which includes a government minister.

Sections of the State Liabilities and Proceedings Act, protection is of ministers and even judges, are provisioned for. “The law is very clear, so we are convinced that the minister could not have been personally sued for the debt of State,” he said.

In addition to the provisions in the Act, Williams implied that the order was bad in law, since it was that of a criminal contempt and should have taken a particular procedure, but that was not done. “He [Jordan] hasn’t been asked to plead in that matter, which he would be required under the requirements of a criminal charge.

He hasn’t been personally

Attorney General, Basil Williams SC served with the proceedings.

In all the circumstances, the State believes that we have a duty.

We’re convinced that we have a good case at the appeal. We have not been able to get a hearing of the appeal… And you must remember that this case was outsourced from since 2008,” the AG pointed out.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Lumber truck drivers must adhere to traffic regulations –– police

FOLLOWING a recent fatal accident that occurred on the Linden to Lethem trail, E Division ranks, on Tuesday, met with lumber truck and lorry drivers and reiterated calls for them to adhere to traffic regulations as strict enforcement of these will commence on Monday, July 15, 2019.

The meeting chaired by Commander of ‘E’ Division, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord, and included other senior ranks was attended by about 50 drivers and officers from the Guyana Forestry

Commission (GFC).

All parties were able to voice their concerns in an effort to ensure safer driving.

The ranks raised the concern of drivers continuing to drive with unlit motor vehicles at nights which pose a serious danger, especially on thoroughfares with no lighting, such as the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. They were reminded that the stipulated time for operation was between 06:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs daily and the need for safety equipment and reflectors, to be installed, in the eventuality

of a break down, especially at nights. The drivers were also reminded of the speed limit for their category of vehicle, which should be adhered to particularly with the heavy load of lumber.

The GFC officers raised the issue of drivers overloading their trucks and packing their logs in a haphazard manner, which also pose a danger to other road users.

While the drivers made commitments to make a special effort to adhere to the regulations, they too had some concerns. One of their major

Truck operators paying rapt attention at the meeting concerns was that of the deplorable state of the interior roads and how such poses a threat to their safety and creates additional expenses for them as well. Their main concern was the state of Wisroc to Rockstone stretch.

They also opined that trucks encountering electrical issues while coming out of the interior location should receive leniency on the part of the police especially in the day, since the regulated time does not allow them to travel in

the nights.

While their points were noted, the ranks said that that should not be an excuse to break traffic regulations and full enforcement will commence from the July 15, 2019 2019.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Wildlife conservation sensitisation workshop encourages journalists to partner with GWCMC

“THERE are serious penalties with regards to the hunting of our wildlife species,” said Samuel Glasgow, Legal Officer at the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC), on Tuesday at a media sensitisation workshop.

The workshop, which aimed to educate journalists on their roles in the conservation and management of Guyana’s wildlife, also aimed to notify the public that there are penalties for unlawful interaction with wildlife.

Based on the kind of unlawful interaction with these wildlife species, penalties can vary from a fine of $75,000 up to about $300,000 and even imprisonment.

Glasgow pointed out that wildlife has rights just as human beings, and as such, the GWCMC has found it fitting to put laws in place that will conserve, protect, and sustain Guyana’s wildlife.

“These species they have a right: to life, to live in their habitat and the Guyana Wildlife Commission and the government has found it important to put laws in place for the protection, conservation and management of these wildlife species,” he said.

Glasgow noted that endangered species are the most protected species and have stringent penalties attached to the reckless interaction with the animals.

“The reason they are endangered is because they are excessively hunted for their parts and to be exported, so we the commission work along with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to ensure that these animals are listed as protected species and those animals, they attract the highest penalties,” stated.

According to Glasgow, the GWCMC receives a report about the interruption of wildlife species almost every day of the year. These reports include, humans encroaching on the wildlife’s habitat. Reports are also made about wildlife looking for food in human living quarters, due to a lack of food in their own habitats, as a result of human activities such as hunting and mining.

Persons who are interested in interacting with wildlife are being advised to read the Sixth Schedule of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2016, which will educate them on the penalties attached to the unlawful interaction with Guyana’s

wildlife.

According to Glasgow, the commission has a monitoring department which is currently on the move to sensitise the people of Guyana and even foreigners who are interested in the wildlife spectrum of the country, on how to treat Guyana’s wildlife species.

Meanwhile, Deuel Hughes, Communication Officer at the Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (WCMC), indicated that the media is viewed as the organsation’s significant partner in educating the public about the importance of Guyana’s wildlife, through reporting on human-wildlife interactions in Guyana.

“We view the media as significant partner in informing the public about the importance of our wildlife, especially our endangered species and the ones that are listed as protected under our regulations,” Hughes said.

Hughes highlighted that media operatives should be mindful of story headlines, as they matter and can project a positive or negative message of how the public should view and treat wildlife.

“That is why we brought representative from the various media houses here today, so that

you guys can understand why they are important and the message that you guys need to portray to the general public, because the general public, they as well have a role to play in the protection of our wild life.

If the media can understand the type of message that they should be portraying then that will help the regular person out there to better understand their role,” he explained.

He further noted, that although humans may not see the tangible benefits they gain from wildlife, the species definitely play a significant role in maintaining a balanced and diverse ecosystem, and so, humans do benefit directly and indirectly from wildlife.

“Wildcats are a part of the Guyanese landscape, as are all wildlife, and they play important socio-eco-

nomic functions,” he added.

The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission was established in accordance of Section Four of the Guyana Conservation and Management Act. The commission is responsible for all matters associated to the conservation, protection, management and sustainable use, external and internal trade of Guyana’s Wildlife.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Mitzy Campbell is new Reg. 8 REO

THE Ministry of Communities has appointed Mitzy Gaynor Campbell as the new Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), On Tuesday, Campbell told the Guyana Chronicle that she is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Region Eight team and its community members to bring about even greater levels of development.

“I will definitely be interacting with the people because they are the resources that we need to build on and they will have some expectations,” she said. “I have to go in and assess the situation and meet with the other managers there so that we can get together and push a progressive programme.”

Most recently, Campbell served for several years as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC).

In her earlier years, she served as a typist clerk for the Region One (Barima-Waini) Administrative office. In 1988, impressed by her work, former President [during the year] Desmond Hoyte requested that she be employed at the Office of the President as a Liaison Officer in the North-West District.

After the change in government in 1992, Campbell accepted several jobs but later found her ‘home’ in the pri-

vate sector in 1994 working as an Amerindian Liaison Officer at the Barama Company until 1997. She also served as the Office Administrator of the Kidney Foundation of Guyana.

Then, in 1998, Campbell discovered that she had breast cancer and fought hard to survive same, and now in remission for over 20 years.

“It is not about me anymore, my story is out there. It has been told many times but education and awareness are necessary for others, because

if you do not know you have cancer your chances of survival are minimal,” she told the newspaper back in 2017.

Campbell now raises awareness about the disease and her efforts have led her to be recognised with a Humanitarian Award from the Organisation for Social and Health Advancement in Guyana (OSHAG) in 2002.

In 2016, Campbell received the Golden Arrow of Achievement for long service and exceptional dedication in the public and private sectors. She now believes that, with the experience she has gained over the years, and the knowledge acquired from interacting with people at all levels, she is highly capable of functioning well in the new

New Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Eight, Mitzy Gaynor Campbell A.A. position.

“The team is already there so it’s a matter of getting in there, establishing myself as a part of the team so that we can push development in the Region,” she said.

Mini-bus driver fined $62,000 for traffic offences

DAVID Rollox, 37, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was fined $62,000 by Magistrate Clive Nurse for several traffic offences.

The offences with which he was charged are:breach of his road service licence; failing to wear his seat belt while driving; failing to stop at a stop sign and operating his minibus without a conductor.

FIVE ... from page 10

“active consideration”; four names shortlisted and five names rejected with reason.

However, based on a report from his representatives, he said “efforts to ascertain if this meant that these six names were ‘not unacceptable’ to the President were not successful.”

He added: “we were also seeking clarity on what ‘active consideration’ means versus ‘shortlisted’ and none was given.”

The representatives of the Leader of the Opposition have indicated that they will be submitting additional names now that the review of the 11 names is almost completed.

“The representatives of the Leader of the Opposition affirmed that since the eight names informally submitted by the President were ‘not unacceptable’ to him, the Leader of the Opposition, in compliance with the Constitution, would take note of that in consideration of the six names he will submit to the President. The Opposition Leader’s representatives advised that they would report on the response of the Leader of the Opposition, but, made no commitment to discuss the eight names,” the statement read.

The Opposition has been keen on pointing out that while the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has advised that the President and the Leader of the Opposition agree to a list of nominees before a formal submission is made, it is the constitutional responsibility of the Opposition Leader to make the submission for consideration by the President.

The Chairmanship of the GECOM became vacant last June after CCJ found that the process of appointing Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson was flawed.

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Bamia Primary records 100% passes at NGSA

THE small primary school located in the quiet community of Bamia on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, has recorded for the first time in its history, 100% pass rate at the 2019 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Also for the first time, a student would have been awarded a place at a top ranking high school in Georgetown. This year’s top student was awarded a place at St Roses High, with 506 marks.

The second top performer was awarded a place at Mackenzie High, which is the top ranking high school in Linden while the third top performer was awarded a place at the New Silver City Secondary School.

Top student, Priya Ramnana, said that she expected the results since she always did well in school. She credited her performance to dedication and hard work. “I had to be up late at nights studying and still had to wake up early in the morning,” she said. She expressed appreciation to her teacher, Denise Fordyce, and her mother, Marcia, for playing a pivotal role in her performance. Head Teacher of the school, Denise Piggott, said that she served at the school for 17 years and for those seventeen years she prayed and waited for such outstanding performance from the school. She is more than elated because of the circumstances

The three top pupils of Bamia Primary School under which the pupils were forced to work. The pupils did not have many of the opportunities enjoyed by pupils at the schools in Linden and others on the coastland.

Piggott believes that the children’s performance should be more than celebrated. Basic amenities such as electricity, regular transportation, extra lessons, internet service for research etc. were not afforded to the pupils, and under these circumstances, they still succeeded. “I just want to thank God because these children worked under adverse conditions, because of coming from under privileged homes, many of them could not even afford textbooks, at one time there was no electricity so I am very thankful to God. I always hoped for a day like this and all these years we worked and

wednesday 20, july,2019 11:30hrs–– 13:00hrs

worked and did not give up,” she said.

“They are a small bunch and so sometimes the teacher is there ready to start a new topic but a child is not there as yet, so she would have to wait...sometimes you see them today and you don’t see them back until next week, because of their economic circumstances,” the HM related. This sometimes frustrated the Grade Six teacher, Denise Fordyce, but Piggott said she always encouraged her not to give up and always gave her the moral support to keep working.

In addition, the children were under a lot of pressure to make up numbers for cultural activities the school participated in. This was also due to them being few in number and so they were under pressure to participate in various activities at once, such as the school’s Mashramani competition. “I

can say they were versatile because they participated in calypso, drama, dancing and I ensured that they were exposed to these things so they won’t feel left out, even if we don’t place first, it mattered that we were just present and involved,” she said.

In addition, the HM is calling on the regional officials to realise the importance of a primary school being constructed at Bamia since currently the children are being housed in a multi-purpose building. While there were plans to build a school since last year, the monies budgeted to do so, had to be transferred to reconstruct the Christianburg Primary School, after the RDC experienced some glitches in the procurement process for Bamia. Piggott said that it is pivotal that a school is built; more so that this year’s results show that the pupils on the highway also

15

deserve the same opportunities as those in Linden.

“There is no reading room, no computer room, no outdoor facilities, no library, no adequate classroom space or other necessary facilities…all these are needed at the school.

Teachers also experience difficulty presenting their lessons as there is no privacy and sound proofing mechanisms,” the HM said.

Despite these challenges, Piggott says that the teachers go to school every day and play that role of being parent, teacher, mentor, friend, social worker, all in one to the children.

“We ensure they are fed even if we have to take money out of our own pockets, we ensure they go on tours, despite their circumstances so that they would be exposed to other places other than their little community,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Maths teachers in two-day caucus at CPCE ―to begin work on restructuring curriculum

THE Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project (GSEIP) on Tuesday launched a two-day Mathematics Workshop at the Cyril Potter College of Education. The Mathematics workshop is aimed at guiding and improving the process of how Mathematics is delivered to each individual in the education system.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hudson, in his opening statement, spoke to the fact that the Ministry of Education believes in networking and working together

to effectively see improvement.

“Change comes when people band together”, he said, adding that it is this act of solidarity that can help persons achieve full potential for efficiency.

He further stated that it is for this reason the focus groups sessions are a great initiative. He opined that education is complex and thus any changes for betterment cannot be done instantaneously, but must and will be progressive.

Hudson expressed his concern for the criteria in place

for students to matriculate, that being, passes in both English and Mathematics, and stated that it is along these lines of concern that the ministry wishes for the programme to be embedded in the Ministry of Education’s Strategic Plan 2019 – 2030.

He also took the opportunity to remind the teachers that they have a pivotal role to play, in equipping students to achieve their full potential.

Dr. Pier Angeli Clarke, the lead consultant working along with the Ministry of Education on the initiative, started by addressing the trainee teachers present, and informed them that her team took a sample of the performance standards of the students, as well as their content standard, to use as a sample for evaluation.

She explained how the team went about restructuring the mathematics teaching content, using the information she gathered from her evaluation.

Dr. Clarke said that the team does not wish to make rash decisions as it relates to restructuring, but wish to bring Guyana’s mathematics content structure to a higher standard without a complete overhaul.

“Making rash decisions and implementations would not really help you”, were her sentiments as she continued to explain that their main aim is to ensure that Guyana’s Mathematics system move towards 21st Century standards.

She stated that she is of the view that these changes will prove very effective in the way the content is being taught to the children, as well as improve the quality of the content itself.

Senior Education Officer, Ameer Ali, stated that the project was a sub component of the Guy-

ana Secondary Education Improvement Project. He further said that the project was aimed at improving how Mathematics is taught within the school system.

Ali explained that the process, which was used to establish the standard for the GSEIP project, was complex and developed by consultants from the World Bank and the education specialist and personnel from the Ministry of Education, who worked together collectively to devise a comprehensive plan on how to restructure the way Mathematics is taught.

Additionally, he pointed out that following the completion of the first draft sometime in the future, there are plans for having many more focus group sessions, and that the programme would be made available to the general public.

This will afford members of the general public the opportunity to help to improve the project by sharing their experiences and offering advice on how the project could be improved.

The Project Coordinator of the GSEIP, Jimmy Bhojedat, pitched the idea of having a consultant, who will be helping with regards to what they have seen during the diagnostic assessments which they conducted. He spoke to the fact that some teaching modules are being developed to restructure the Mathematics Curriculum.

Bhojedat explained t h a t v a r i o u s i n t e rventions will be done through master trainers.

He also highlighted an interactive space, which is an online platform that the Mathematics teachers could use to assist each other as well as receive help from other math professionals.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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Toddler drowns in Corentyne

POLICE in Berbice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning of a two-year-old boy in a trench at the side of his Number 52 Village, East Berbice Corentyne home on Monday.

The incident occurred at approximately 16:00hrs. The toddler has been identified as Bryston Akrie. According to the child’s mother, Patricia Davie, she had left the child playing with his older siblings while she was preparing a meal in the kitchen.

Davie told the Guyana Chronicle after a while she did not hear or see any of the four children and began calling out to them. She explained that she later saw her older children farther up the street by her neighbours

playing, but did not see the baby. She and her mother immediately began a frantic search for the child when they noticed his lifeless body lying face down in the trench just beside the house.

“When me see am, meh jump in and pick him up,” the mother of four said. She said held on to her son and began screaming at which point a relative took the child from her and indicated he was no longer breathing.

The police were called to the scene and assisted in transporting the child to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Relatives believe the child ventured out the yard after his siblings left and fell into the trench.

One confesses to moneychanger, daughter’s murder

Dead: Aaron Latchman and his daughter, Arianna

ONE of six suspects in police custody has confessed to knowledge of and participation in the murder of moneychanger, Aaron Latchman and his 18-yearold daughter, Arianna, last Thursday.

Police information technology experts had enhanced security camera footage of the gunmen who fled the scene where they killed the businessman and his daughter at their Better Hope, East Coast of Demerara home, during a robbery.

The force has video enhancing software which enables investigators to enhance CCTV images that are of poor quality.

Some of the suspects in police custody include a 44-year-old called “Rastaman” of Agricola, East Bank Demerara, who was caught with the car used during the

robbery; a 37-year-old vendor of Sophia called “Redman”; a 25-year-old labourer of Parika called “Marko”; and a 28-year-old of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Police are also hunting for the owner of the Toyota 212 motorcar that is in police custody since the killers escaped in the car with an undisclosed sum of cash.

Warheads retrieved from the slayed father and daughter confirmed that the killers had used pistols.

An autopsy performed on Latchman revealed that he sustained multiple gunshot injuries while his daughter sustained a single gunshot injury. He was shot thrice during a scuffle in his yard.

The bandits appeared to have been familiar with the moneychanger’s routine and were reportedly waiting near his home.

Family members gathered at the home of the toddler

The trench where young Akrie met his demise

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Changes in financial sector show that opening-up is accelerating

At the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2019, also known as Summer Davos, in Dalian, Liaoning province on Tuesday, Premier Li Keqiang reaffirmed China’s commitment to further open up the economy to foreign investment. 21st Century Business Herald comments: In his address, Li said China will unswervingly promote all-round opening-up and strive to develop an open economy at a higher level, and along with taking practical measures to deepen the opening-up of manufacturing, finance and other modern services, it will steadily advance the reform of the exchange rate formation mechanism and the convertibility of capital accounts, further reduce the overall tariff level, improve the legal system of opening-up, and make greater efforts to protect intellectual property rights.

China’s new round of financial opening-up actually began last year. On April 10, 2018, President Xi Jinping announced at the Bo’ao Forum for Asia that the country’s financial sector would be opened up as early as possible. Soon afterwards, Yi Gang, governor of China’s central bank, announced specific measures and the timetable for opening up the financial sector to the outside world. Since

April 2018, measures to open China’s financial sector have been implemented at a faster pace, including easing restrictions on the proportion of equity stakes in the banks, securities and insurance companies, and issuing

a shorter negative list for foreign investment.

In March this year, Yi announced a series of new policies by the end of this year to promote financial openness, including encouraging the introduction of foreign capital

in the banking and financial sectors such as trusts, financial leasing, auto finance, currency brokerage and consumer finance. Also, no upper limit will be set on the foreign ownership of financial asset investment companies and wealth management companies newly established by commercial banks.

Accelerated opening-up of its financial and services sectors not only conforms to China’s commitments made on its entry to the World Trade Organization, but also offers a high-quality financial system needed to support higher quality development. In the past few years, China has strengthened financial regulation and pushed forward the supply-side structural reform of the financial sector, laying a solid foundation for the sector’s opening-up. China should also attach importance to matching its financial regulatory capacity with financial openness to avoid importing financial risks.

A series of financial opening-up policies adopted ahead of schedule can show that China’s opening-up pace will not stop, but only accelerate. Against the backdrop of protectionism, unilateralism and rising trade and investment disputes, China’s efforts demonstrate its determination to develop an open and higher-level economy.

China Focus: China troubleshoots problems in countdown to end poverty YINCHUAN, July 8 (Xinhua) -- “Muddy pit” is the English translation of a village name in northwest China. It was a persistent reminder of the dirt roads and destitute village that has existed there for centuries.

“When I first came here, the compound of the village committee was full of wild grass. Whenever I opened my door, people came to me with nothing but complaints,” said Qin Zhenbang, an official who was dispatched by the county to lead the village two years ago.

Lannitan, or muddy pit, is a typical village in Xihaigu, a region where over 2.2 million people live in northwest China -historically and even internationally known for its harsh environment.

Still, close to 90,000 people in the area live under the poverty line with an annual per capita income of 2,300 yuan (about 338 U.S. dollars). China aims to eradicate poverty by 2020, the target year to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. For Qin, achieving the target means finding sources of income for 554 villagers who live in Lannitan. He used poverty funds to help people buy cows and sheep.

Each villager gets 3,000 yuan when purchasing a calf, which depending on the weight, is sold from 10,000 to 20,000 yuan when it grows up.

“People say if you have two cows, you will have nothing to worry about because they are worth enough to sustain one’s life.

Two years ago, the village had only 80 cows, now we have over 750,” said Qin. Last year, as villagers became better off, they voted to change the name “muddy pit” to a more beautiful one, Hanjiang, meaning “embracing the river.” Hanjiang is the name of a district in east China’s Fujian Province,

which is tasked to support poverty-relief projects in the area. It helps the village build service center, factories, street lamps and gives grants to students.

With persistent efforts, the poverty rate in Xihaigu dropped from 27.3 percent in 2014 to 4 percent in 2018. However, officials warned that the battle against poverty might get harder.

“Eradicating poverty is not easy, and it is

even more difficult to make sure the results are sustainable,” said Shi Taifeng, Communist Party secretary of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where Xihaigu is located.

“Priority shall be on preventing people from falling back into impoverishment. We can not withdraw efforts or slacken once we meet the target,” he said.

Throughout the region, issues related to poverty are dealt with precision and case by

case solutions.

Many people have taken up cattle farming, and others make money from growing profitable fruits and vegetables.

About three hours drive north from the “muddy pit” village, farmers in the Xiamaguan Township grow 133 hectares of asparagus, the first time in history that the vegetable has been farmed in the town.

“We used to grow grains here because the soil is rich in selenium. Though asparagus is not locally consumed, it is popular in southern China where people favor dishes made from the vegetable,” said Dong Zhanping, a local official.

Though agriculture remains the primary sector for job creation, local authorities are supporting new factories to hire impoverished people. A spinning factory under construction is expected to employ 2,000 people next year. Authorities said most of the people who still live under poverty lines are people with disabilities, senior citizens living alone and those who suffer from illnesses.

They are working to provide social welfare and training sessions to prepare them for jobs such as art designers for e-commerce advertisements, chefs, and craftsmen.

During the last 20 years, vigorous efforts in afforestation, reclaiming land from sand, and river cleaning projects in Xihaigu have led to an improved environment.

“Xihaigu was inhabitable because there was a vicious circle of damaged environment, which leads to drought and lack of rain, and therefore poverty,” said Zhang Zhu, Communist Party chief of the city of Guyuan.

“Only by putting the environment first and seeking green development can we fundamentally change the landscape of the area,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

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LMTC mulling debt collectors for rates and taxes defaulters THE Linden Mayor and Town Council(LMTC) is calling on residents in the municipal districts of Linden to pay up their rates and taxes since this is one its major way of earning monies and without that income, is finding it hard to meet important obligations.

Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arindell, has described the situation as a frustrating one and said bluntly during an exclusive interview with this newspaper, “people need to pay.”

Describing the financial situation of the council, Arindell said that the council is barely making it to maintain paying the staff, who are still being paid below the minimum wage. This is something the council desires to change, but its current financial situation is not allowing for a raise in salary at this

point in time.

Arindell revealed that the list of persons owing the council for rates and taxes is very long and what is more shocking, is that the rates and taxes for residential properties are not more than $1,500; some as low as $60.

This is why there is a call for residents of Linden to pay their rates and taxes. Those who continue to default, have a serious chance of facing the penalties since the council is considering debt collectors as well as a municipal court to deal with the issue. LMTC is also calling for several schemes in Amelia’s Ward to be placed under its municipality, so that rates and taxes can be garnered from those residents as well. The issue of rates and taxes is an old one, a situation former Interim Management Committee Chairman, Orrin Gordon,

Moruca woman bled to death, autopsy finds AN autopsy performed on the remains of Cynthia Cozier, who was killed Wednesday last in Moruca, North West District (NWD) revealed that she died of hemorrhage and shock due to cut wounds to the neck and back.

The autopsy was done on Tuesday. Villagers of Moruca, NWD were left in disbelief as Cozier’s brother went out of control and chopped her to death while leaving another sister and his eight-month-old niece hospitalised.

Police are searching for the suspect. Her sister, 25-year-old Beverly France and her toddler sustained chops to their bodies. France and the baby are being treated at the Suddie Public Hospital. The 50-year-old Cynthia Cozier lived at Yabakabra, Mariahaba Island, Moruca.

Based on reports received, at about 13:00hrs on Wednesday last, the 28-year-old suspect, who is suspected to be of unsound mind, and his siblings were involved in an argument at their home.

As the argument escalated, the suspect armed

Dead: Cynthia Cozier

himself with a cutlass and attacked Cozier and France.

Cozier reportedly received most of the chops to her head and upper body.

The baby that was in the room when the man carried out the brutal attack was also chopped. After the chopping spree, the suspect made good his escape, leaving the three injured.

However, one of the sisters managed to raise an alarm and residents ran to their rescue.

France and her son’s conditions are said to be stable.

had hoped the 2016 Local Government Election would have remedied. The current tax rate has not been updated since 1976. During Gordon’s tenure, he described the rates as very outdated because of inflation and other factors.

The rates and taxes collected, only covered 25 per cent of the council’s expenses and he

was calling for the 1976 valuation level to be reviewed to meet the current standard of living.

Mayor Arindell said that the council needs a way forward in this regard so as to meet its obligations of not only paying staff members, but completing roads and most importantly honouring

its indebtedness to several organisations including the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). LMTC only benefits from a $16M subvention from Central Government and rakes in approximately $4M on average monthly from the toll booth.

While the debt collectors will deal with rates and taxes,

the municipal court will address a wide range of issues including illegal garbage dumpers and environment polluters.

Arindell said that it is a long process but given the large amount of financial issues the council has, there is very strong consideration of these going forward.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

CH&PA providing shelter for squatters of Broad&Lombard Streets

Minister Annette Ferguson, along with CEO of the CH&PA Mr Lelon Saul, with the residents of Lombard Street

Minister Annette Ferguson (second from left) along with officials of the CH&PA and FFTP turning the sod

By Leson Jones RESIDENTS who until recently were squatting at Lombard and Broad Streets, Charlestown, will soon benefit from proper housing; the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) recently conducted the official sod-turning exercise, symbolising commencement of the construction of houses at the Prospect Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

The aim of the CH&PA is to construct 20 houses in a matter of weeks.

Newly appointed Minister with Responsibility for Housing, Minister Annette Ferguson; Central Housing & Planning Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lelon Saul; Chairman of the CH&PA board, Apostle Elsworth Williams; and Senior Project Manager Andrea Benjamin of Food For The Poor(FFTP) Guyana Inc., were all present at the sod-turning activity done in the newly developed Prospect Housing Scheme.

The relocation programme will be completed in two phases, with phase one being the construction of 20 houses for 20 families at the Prospect Housing Scheme.

In phase two, a total of 31 families will be relocated to Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara.

The former Minister with responsibility for Housing, Valerie AdamsYearwood, who is now a Minister of Agriculture, developed the project for the Broad and Lombard Streets residents to be relocated in 2017. This was done as part of an effort to

end squatting and to assist residents.

The project was implemented after a fire had erupted and destroyed necessities such as the household appliances and livestock of the residents.

Also, the owners of the plot of land on Broad Street filed a lawsuit against the occupants and won, forcing them to vacate the land they had occupied for about 40 years.

It was announced that 20 families would be relocated to Prospect and $19 million will be spent for construction of the houses; Food for the Poor will inject $12 million into the development of the project.

The CH&PA, through the projects department and the Community Development Department, along with Food For The Poor Inc., is working swiftly to get the project on stream.

The aim is to provide shelter for the beneficiaries in a matter of weeks, as an act of ending poverty among the residents.

Additional stakeholders who were in full attendance and who will be providing their utmost assistance to the project are Food For The Poor Guyana Inc., Child Link Inc. Guyana, Help & Shelter, the Childcare and Protection Agency, the Ministry of Social Protection, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Youth Challenge Guyana, the Ministry of Social Protection, MoTP - Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Agriculture , the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Public Security.

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Ministry of Communities launches inter-agency task force … to shape Urban Development Master Plan

THE Ministry of Communities on Tuesday launched its Inter-Agency Task Force to shape its Urban Development Master Plan. The well-constructed plan, formed in 2002, will be the blueprint to usher in future development of the city for the next 10 to 20 years, as oil production rises.

Present at the launch was Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore, who was appointed by the council to represent the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, along with other govern-

ment officials. It became necessary that urban planning includes the challenges and developments that are consistent with the oil and gas sector.

The task force is a framework aim to serve as a guide for investors on investments and development of urban areas and it’s essential for the task force to pay attention to critical areas of urban management.

Some of its functions are:To coordinate the overall development process and crafting of the Urban Development Master Plan

Vendor remanded for alleged drug trafficking CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday remanded to prison Shemroy Hackett, a 30-year-old vendor, on a drug-trafficking charge.

Hackett of East Coast Demerara appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied that on July 8, 2019 at the Bartica Police Station, he had 1,184 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail for Hackett. Mansfield told the court that on the day in question, Hackett was searched while at the Bartica Police Station and the narcotic was found in a black plastic bag which Hackett had in his possession. Additionally, Mansfield told he court that Hackett acknowledged ownership of the drug and told the police that he was doing a “small hustle.”

After remanding Hackett the chief magistrate transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for August 2, 2019.

Bartican remanded for allegedly trafficking cannabis

CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday remanded to prison Paul Roberts, a 37-year-old vendor, for allegedly trafficking cannabis.

Roberts appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge when it was read before him.

Particulars of the charge stated that on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Third Avenue, Bartica, Roberts had 484 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail for Roberts and told the court that on the day in question around 19:30hrs, while the police were patrolling along Third Avenue Bartica, the defendant was stopped and search. As a result, the police found a quantity of tobacco leaves in Roberts’s possession; Roberts then took them to a house nearby and showed them the haversack which was searched and two parcels of cannabis were found inside, along with his national identification card.

Mansfield told the court that when Roberts was questioned by the police about the cannabis, he told them that he buys cannabis to smoke and to make a living.

The chief magistrate remanded Roberts to prison and transferred the matter to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for August 2, 2019.

for Georgetown and its surroundings; prepare a workplan to guide the activities of the task force; third, draft Terms of Reference for procurement of a consultancy firm to prepare the Master Plan; finally, determine the content of the Master Plan, to name a few.

Deputy Mayor Mentore emphasised how the task force will add value to the city, since it will enable the

input of its various efforts through its opening stages.

He also added that the plan would not be done in isolation: examining stakeholders’ involvement will be done at every level, and the plan will facilitate consideration to use mass transit, such as train and buses, with an effort to reduce greenhouse gases, keeping in mind our “Green Initiative.”

Man fined for careless driving TWENTY Four-year-old Duain Bowen of Lamaha Gardens, appeared, on Monday, before Magistrate Clive Nurse in Court Seven of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with careless driving.

The Court was told that, on Tuesday June 4, 2019, Bowen drove HC 5777, along Canje Street, in a careless manner.

Bowen was fined $40 000.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Work on Diamond tarmac, parking lot to begin this week

The expected outcome of the Diamond Tarmac Project

The location of the Diamond Tarmac Project Site THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has announced that works will commence this week to provide taxi drivers, vendors and citizens traversing through Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) with access to improved safety measures and working facilities.

These works will see the construction of a market tarmac with drains, lighting, toilet facilities and a passenger waiting area as well as the construction of a parking lot to encourage smooth traffic flow and prevent vehicular accidents in the area.

In a release on Monday, the Ministry informed that the Diamond Tarmac and Parking Lot Contract has been awarded to Bardon Construction Service for G$57.1M. “Works are scheduled to commence this week and is expected to last for approximately four months while the Defects Liability Period amounts to twelve months after the Letter of Completion by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure,” the Ministry disclosed.

The 125m X 65m tarmac will be constructed on the southern side of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

Bardon Construction Service will only be executing Phase One of the project which entails the removal of vegetation from the working area; cleaning of existing culverts; excavation work; disposal of unsuitable materials off-site, ditch excavation, placement of compaction of white sand; construction

of concrete drains, bridges and box culverts; the installation of lights, toilet facilities, garbage bins and the construction of a waiting area.

Phase Two, which will commence in December, will include the application of asphaltic concrete to crusher run and the possible extension of the tarmac access road to First Avenue, Diamond.

According to the Ministry, the construction of the tarmac will result in a “reduction in the number or possibility of vehicular crashes occurring within the area. Taxi drivers will not be constantly making U-turns or parking near the road edge, or frequently pulling in and out, and obstructing persons from exiting minibuses and walkways.”

Approximately 40 vendors in standard-size stalls can be accommodated on the tarmac. The Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), in the long run, is expected to play a major role in the maintenance of the facility.

“Taxi drivers and vendors can have some form of uniformity and proper working facilities to provide improved services to customers, whilst maintaining some level of safety for themselves and the public,” the Ministry explained.

Meanwhile, the parking lot will provide for the separation of taxi drivers and vendors from motor vehicular traffic, allowing for smooth traffic flow during peak hours and a reduction in vehicle emission levels.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Three arrested after armed robbery in Recht-door-Zee

POLICE arrested three of five suspects following an armed robbery at Recht-door-Zee, West Bank Demerara, on Monday.

Prompt response by ranks of an anti-crime patrol in ‘D’ Division (West Bank/Coast/East Bank Essequibo) at 19:00hrs resulted in the apprehension of the three suspects and the

recovery of almost all of the stolen items.

Reports indicate that the 27-year-old woman of ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was in company of two others walking along the Recht-door-Zee Public Road when they were accosted by the suspects.

She was relieved of her jewellery, cash and phone.

The suspects, who were

armed with cutlasses and a handgun, fled the scene but about 30 minutes later three of them were arrested in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, with the stolen items.

Efforts are being made to arrest the other suspects; those in custody are all residents of Charlestown, Georgetown.

Sophia man charged with dangerous driving ANTHONY Vanlewin appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Seven before Magistrate Clive Nurse, on Monday, having been charged for dangerous Driving.

The Court was told that Vanlewin, on April 26, 2019, on the Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara, drove Motor

Lorry GXX 1504 in a manner dangerous to the Public.

Vanlewin who hails from Lot 153 ‘A’ Field Sophia in Georgetown was fined $40,000 by Magistrate Clive Nurse with an alternative of two months in prison.

The court also suspended Vanlewin’s driver licence for six months.

The recovered stolen items from the robbery at Recht-door-Zee

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

Chief Constable says …

Security at Bourda Market ‘grossly inadequate’ LACK of security at the Bourda Market and constant break-in by thieves are ‘old’ concerns that have again surfaced in light of the two most recent robberies there.

The City Constabulary Department received a report on Saturday of a robbery that had been committed in the ‘Bourda Green’ area sometime during Friday night and

early Saturday morning.

A second report was received on Monday morning by the Constabulary of another robbery that occurred early Sunday morning in the area known

as the ‘rice passage.’

For the second incident, Chief Constable Andrew Foo told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that two persons were arrested and are likely to be charged within 48 hours.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the statutory meeting at City Hall.

The police are still investigating and it is still to be determined how the perpetrators gained entry to the market, whether it was by hiding inside there or actually breaking in

after hours.

“There are certain hazards, certain weak areas on the structure of the market. It has certain defects which have to be addressed. They are serious, and the areas need to be addressed,” Foo pointed out, adding that the constant break in of stalls at this market is an “old concern.”

The Chief Constable said the ‘Bourda Green’ area needs more lighting. Furthermore, because many of the stalls in the passage ways are covered, it is difficult for the street lighting there to penetrate into the area.

Foo also commented that the issue also boils down to a shortage of manpower as there are merely three or four officers on the ground policing the market at nights.

“And that is grossly inadequate,” he said.

Foo noted that he would be unable to speak on any immediate plans to bring relief to stallholders, and would leave this for the level of senior officials.

Just recently, Cabinet noted the award of several contracts by procurement agencies to develop and enhance the various sectors and better the lives of residents, including those at the Bourda Market.

Stall-holders and vendors plying their trade at the Bourda Market have been assured that their issues at the market will be resolved within the shortest possible time.

The first phase of the promise has reportedly been realized as Builders Hardware General Supplies and Construction was awarded in excess of $32M to carry out major rehabilitation works to the market.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, july 10, 2019

17 physiotherapists engage in ‘dry needling’ training

SEVENTEEN local physiotherapists have been engaging in an intensive four-day training on Dry Needling, a technique which is expected to improve physical therapy in Guyana.

“Dry Needling is where you take a needle and place it in the patient to relieve tension, pain and different forms of pain… It’s a form of manual therapy for patients,” Director of the Disability

and Rehabilitation Services of the Health Ministry, Ariane Mangar said.

According to Medical News Today, practitioners of dry needling would attempt to release tension from knots and pressure points in the body’s muscles The Dry Needling exercise commenced on Saturday and will conclude on Tuesday. It runs from 9:00hrs to 17:00 hours daily. The 17 physiotherapists,

The 17 physiotherapists engaging in the four-day training [Vishani Ragobeer photo]

according to Mangar, hail from Regions Three, Four, Six and Nine and will be able to immediately provide this service to patients as they return to their departments after completing the training on Tuesday.

This Dry Needling course is being offered by the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Guyana Physical Therapy Association. And it has been conducted by a trained professional from the Everything Therapy Group, Dr. Mahera Somaiya.

The Director also disclosed that this training was a very costly one, totalling over $6M, and will see the physiothera-

pists receiving recognised certification to perform this on patients. Presently, only physiotherapist with the Guyana Cricket Team, Neil Barry, is certified to conduct this locally.

“With the world going forward, we can’t stay backwards and Guyana needs to keep up with the rest of the world,” the Director said.

“If the rest of the world is finding it as a very good technique in treating patients and relieving pain, then Guyana should be on the forefront also providing this service to patients and athletes.”

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Guyana is awaiting...

FROM BACK PAGE

The ball is in their court and what next move they make will determine whether the sport continues to decline in terms of spectator support or whether the nation remains optimistic about their future.

The present administration has become very unpopular among the rank and file, (fan support) as evidenced by the repeated low turnout at even the Elite League, while gossip of iron-fist rule is taking centre stage.

Another dislike is the current composition of the team which is dominated by players who have been residing all their lives outside of Guyana at the expense of locally based players.

We get the point that countries have begun to embrace this practice, but not to the magnitude that Guyana is doing it.

There is little or practically no chance of local development which is opposite to what the head coach and GFF have been bellowing to stakeholders.

Neil Danns, by virtue of his three goals, was the standout for us at the Gold Cup, but would the scouts be coming to Guyana in search of more players with similar ability?

The answer is no because a quick search on Google would reveal that he did not hone his skills here hence the prospect of such an occurrence would

be lost.

As long as there is the continued imbalance in team selection, the probability of locals breaking onto the international scene will remain low.

One just had to look at how out-of-sorts one of our young budding talents, Pernell Schultz, looked when he was presented with the chance to take the field. He subsequently spoke of the need to expose more locally based players regularly on the international stage; it could surely help their development.

The head coach appears more inclined to make his work easy by selecting players he is familiar with, while his long absence from these shores is not helping local development. Spending time to understand our culture and what motivates us to offer more support should be an unconditional assignment for him.

It will help him immensely in his deliberations when picking a national team because if the trend of overloading Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ with an abundance of foreign-born players continues, the time might be nigh when local players start to decline offers of selection.

The grapevine has it that local players’ presence on the team is more shambolic than genuine, and very soon they will realise this if they haven’t done that already.

Handscomb to play... back either.

“Generally, our quick bowlers will bowl short balls anyway, no matter who’s batting, it’s not something we specifically target,” said Plunkett.

“It depends on the situ-

FROM PAGE 35

ation of the game, but I’m sure he’ll get a few like he does in any game, like any other batsman does.”

Maxwell’s strike-rate is among the highest at the tournament, while Stoinis has played a key role with the ball at various stages during the tournament, but the pair have collectively averaged a tick over 20 with the bat.

“With his experience, if he plays, then we’re confident he’ll do a really good job.”

Langer guaranteed Handscomb’s spot in the XI after he was brought into the squad for the injured Shaun Marsh last week, with the right-hander well versed with this ODI side.

Handscomb, fresh off 149 runs at 74.50 for Australia A in recent one-day games, played in all 13 of Australia’s ODIs leading into the World Cup before Steve Smith replaced him.

“He deserves it, he was really stiff not to be on this tour,” Langer said of Handscomb. “He was so unlucky not to be in the initial squad after what he’d done to help us get to that point.

“He’s in good form, he played well for Australia A, he gives us nice balance through that middle order, he’s got great temperament, he plays the spin well and he’s on top of his game.

So he’ll definitely play.

(Cricket.com.au)

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Brazil streets ahead but rest of India dominate Kiwis before rain South America far behind Europe forces reserve day in Manchester

By Andrew Downie

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Argentina’s long trophy drought, combined with sub-par organisation, is further evidence that Brazil’s dominance apart, the gulf between South American and European football is growing.

Hosts Brazil wrapped up their ninth Copa America last Sunday with a solid 3-1 win over Peru at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

On their way to the title they scored 13 goals - five of them against Peru in the group stages - and conceded just one.

Brazil’s superiority and depth of talent was evident throughout with the main surprises being Uruguay’s early exit, Venezuela confirming they are no longer the region’s whipping boys and Peru’s advance to their first final since 1975.

ple attended Mexico’s Gold Cup encounter with Haiti in Phoenix than were at Brazil’s home semi-final against old rivals Argentina.

That match was a classic example of the state of South American football. Moments of individual brilliance by players were quickly forgotten amid bad-tempered clashes and avoidable refereeing controversies.

FALLOUT FROM MESSI’S RED CARD Argentina were denied two penalty claims and were furious at officials for not even consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), something they had been keen to take time over during other games.

A highly dubious red card shown to Messi in the third-place playoff against Chile only deepened their sense of indignation.

The fallout, with Messi

by exorbitant ticket prices.

The falling standard of football is harder to explain but every bit as obvious.

A South American team have not won the World Cup since 2002 - a record drought - and only one of the last eight finalists have come from the region that - until the new century - had won half of all World Cups.

At club level, the demise is equally stark. Only one South American side have won the Club World Cup since 2007 and in two of the last three tournaments no South American side have even reached the final.

The departure of young talents to Europe at an ever younger age is one reason and the questionable administration at Conmebol and national federations is another.

Globalisation - Europe’s open economies welcome migrants from across the globe while South Amer-

By Amlan Chakraborty MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - India’s disciplined bowling attack dominated New Zealand before intermittent rain washed out the rest of yesterday’s play in the first Cricket World Cup semi-final which will continue today.

The 2015 finalists were 211-5 in 46.1 overs when rain forced the players off the field and match officials waited for more than four hours before deciding to take the game to its reserve day.

“Weather permitting, play will recommence tomorrow at 10:30hrs (0930GMT) from the point at which it was halted,” the governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

“New Zealand will be required to complete their 50-over innings, with India still to bat.

“Should adverse weather continue throughout the reserve day the match may be shortened. India will be required to bat for at least

20 overs to complete the match.”

The abandoned June 13 group contest between the teams was one of the record four ‘no-result’ matches in the rain-hit tournament.

Ross Taylor will resume on 67 with Tom Latham on three after New Zealand failed to vindicate skipper Kane Williamson’s decision to bat first at Old Trafford.

MAIDEN OVERS Williamson won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat at a venue where teams batting first had won all five previous matches.

Openers Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls found themselves straitjacketed by India’s new ball pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom began with maiden overs.

New Zealand had to wait until the 17th delivery to get off the mark, while their first boundary came in the final delivery of the fourth over.

Bumrah dismissed Guptill for one but Williamson

again came to his team’s rescue with a classy 67, his fourth 50-plus score in the tournament which includes two centuries.

More importantly, the right-hander stitched together two half-century partnerships, first with Nicholls then with Taylor, to resuscitate New Zealand even though boundaries dried up.

His side went through nearly 14 overs without a boundary and Williamson fell to an uncharacteristic soft dismissal, slicing Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravindra Jadeja at backward point.

Taylor brought up his fifty with the only six of the New Zealand innings and successfully overturned a leg-before decision when on 56.

India’s trusted five-bowler policy nearly backfired with Hardik Pandya hobbling off the field with a hip injury before returning to complete his full quota of 10 overs.

Hosts England play defending champions Australia in the second semi-final tomorrow.

GRFU boss ‘bites tongue’ on Guyana’s dismal performance at 2019 RAN 7s

By Rawle Toney

Brazil’s Dani Alves celebrates winning the Copa America with the trophy v Peru at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)

Argentina’s semi-final elimination by Brazil was less surprising given the off-thepitch shenanigans that have plagued the side for years.

The Argentines are on their fourth coach in five years with Lionel Scaloni, in his first senior coaching role, still deemed to be a temporary appointment almost a year after taking the post.

Argentina have not won the Copa America since 1993 and they rarely looked like ending that poor run, with Scaloni chopping and changing lineups and their top players, notably Lionel Messi, seemingly incapable of reproducing their club form at international level.

More broadly, the low attendances, controversies over refereeing and general lack of buzz about a tournament that coincided with both the Women’s World Cup and the Gold Cup in North America should be of concern.

Remarkably, more peo-

accusing Conmebol of fixing the tournament for the hosts, Brazil coach Tite telling him to show more respect and Conmebol defending itself against Messi’s declaration that Argentina should boycott future competitions organised by what he called a “corrupt” body, again showed that no matter how many gifted players Latin America produces they are all too often overshadowed by the off-the-field circus.

Conmebol’s decision to allow Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro to present the trophy to the winners added to the sense of misjudgement.

All this less than a year after Conmebol, cowed by fan violence in Buenos Aires, transferred to Madrid the final of their blue riband event, the final of the Copa Libertadores.

The poor crowds and general lack of excitement can be partially explained

ica is relatively closed combined with a media spotlight based in the Old World, gives the Europeans an added advantage.

“There is more and more information about Europe,” said Peru coach Ricardo Gareca. “Our children and grandchildren, the kids, they know more about the European players than those in South America.”

UEFA’s new Nations League has only made it harder for the increasingly isolated South American sides to test themselves against the best Europe has to offer.

In 2019, the 10 South American nations played 38 friendlies but only two were against European sides, according to a study in O Globo last month.

“We always try to look for these match-ups,” Brazil coach Tite said. “The schedule sometimes makes it difficult.”

PETER Green, president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) told Chronicle Sport that he will await the Green Machine’s team manager’s report before pronouncing on Guyana’s horrible showing at the just-concluded Rugby America’s North (RAN) Sevens Championship in the Cayman Islands.

Guyana, seven-time winners of the prestigious tournament, finished sixth in the eight-team tournament, which also serves as a qualifier for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Green Machine, led by player/coach Claudius Butts, were placed in ‘Pool B’ with 2018 champions Jamaica, hosts Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Over in ‘Pool A’, Mexico faced Bermuda, Barbados and eventual winners Canada in the preliminary rounds.

Butts had the services of Richard Staglon Peabo Hamilton, Dominic Lespierre, Vallon Adams, Patrick King, Jamal Angus, Ryan Gonsalves, Godfrey Broomes, Avery Corbin, Dwayne Schroeder, and Osie McKenzie.

Green was responding to questions about Guyana’s performance, where the team conceded 79 points and just scored 26 of their own on the opening day.

In their opening game, Guyana went down to Trin-

idad and Tobago 7-19, and would later go on to narrowly lose to the Cayman Islands 12-14.

Playing Jamaica in their final game of day one, Guyana, who lost to the ‘Reggae Ruggers’ in the 2017 and 2018 finals, went down hard to the men from the ‘Land of Wood and Water’ (7-42).

By virtue of finishing at the bottom of the table in Pool B, Guyana went on to face the undefeated Canadians in the quarter-finals on the second day where they were beaten 47-5.

The result against Canada meant that Guyana will later on day two, play Trinidad and Tobago again in the Plate semi-finals.

CHRONICLING THE TEAM’S SUCCESS The Green Machine picked up their lone win of the tournament with a 17-12 victory over the Twin Island Republic. In the Plate Final, Guyana were once against beaten by the Cayman Islands, this time going down 10-21.

This year’s RAN Sevens tournament will surely leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the players, especially those who would have contributed significantly to the team’s historic run during their dominating times.

Guyana’s first title came in 2006, when they defeated Jamaica 37-5 in Barbados.

The following year (2007) in The Bahamas, Guyana edged Jamaica, again, 7-5

for their second title. In 2008, again in The Bahamas, Guyana finished third behind winners USA and second-place Canada.

In 2009, when the tournament was hosted in Mexico City, Guyana stopped Trinidad and Tobago 12-10 to win their third title in four years, and would go on to win the 2010 editing at home at the Guyana National Stadium (22-17 over Jamaica) as well as the 2011 Championship in Barbados with a resounding 29-0 triumph over the Cayman Islands in the finals.

In 2012, Green Machine relinquished their title when the tournament was hosted in Canada, and funding kept the team out of the 2013 championship in the Cayman Islands.

However, in 2014, the Guyanese men bounced back to run riot in the tournament where they defeated host nation Mexico in Mexico City 33-28.

In 2015 when the tournament was hosted in the USA, Guyana did not make it to the podium and the following year (2016) despite losing to Canada 5-54 in the final, the team picked up their seventh title since the Canadians were participating only as means of development.

The following two tournaments (2017 and 2018) would see Jamaica use a team filled with players from UK and who were eligible to represent the ‘Reggae Ruggers’ to beat Guyana in each of the finals, first 28-24 then 22-17.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

33

Serena survives Riske business to reach Wimbledon semis

By Toby Davis

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Serena Williams clubbed her way into the Wimbledon semi-finals, draining the last drop of fight from fellow American Alison Riske before sealing a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win in a rip-roaring Centre Court contest yesterday.

For two sets, Riske absorbed every last punishing blow from the seven-time champion, while her own lightweight jab inflicted some early pain then levelled the see-saw encounter at 1-1.

Williams’ blows, however, became too frequent and too heavy in the final games, with the weaponised serve pushing the world number 55 Riske back on her heels, while her return worked like an old slugger’s right-hook.

Having knocked out world number one Ash Barty in the last round and having spent over nine hours on court en route to the quarters - the longest path to the last eight of anyone since 2011 - Riske had shown a streak of pure Pittsburgh steel.

But Williams, who is hunting down a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, is tennis tungsten, and recovered superbly from a brief wobble in which she

lost the second set and fell a break behind in the third.

“I just needed to fight,” said Williams. “She was not giving it to me. I needed to step up and take it. That’s what I had to do.”

forehand, and completing the job with her 19th ace of the match to set up a clash with unseeded Czech Barbora Strycova, who beat Britain’s Johanna Konta in straight sets.

London, Britain - Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her quarter-final match against Alison Riske of the U.S. (REUTERS/Hannah McKay)

She eventually charged over the finish line after more than two hours on court, bringing up match point when Riske netted a

While the women’s game is often exalted as being wildly unpredictable, Williams remains the exception to the rule and

yesterday’s win secured her a 37th Grand Slam semi-final appearance.

She came into the quarters having won 96 singles matches at the All England Club, while the other seven players left in the draw had won 80 between them.

‘GET TO BUSINESS’ The discrepancy between Williams’ achievements and those of Riske could not have been starker.

The 29-year-old was playing her first Grand Slam quarter-final in her 30th major and had accumulated around $85 million less in prize money than Williams.

Yet the Pittsburgh native feels at home on grass and, with 11 of her 19 Grand Slam match wins coming at Wimbledon, she was never going to be a pushover for Williams, who is still feeling her way back after a niggling knee injury had limited her court time since the Australian Open in January.

Riske struck first, breaking in the third game before Williams had really got her legs into gear, but a 3-1 advantage was quickly wiped out as the 11th seed won five of the next six games to take the set.

VAR to be used from Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be introduced from the quarter-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, increasing the possibility of drama in a tournament traditionally filled with refereeing controversy but this year rather muted.

It was originally planned to use VAR from the semi-final stage but it will now be brought in from the last-eight games.

Several marginally offside calls and an erroneous handball decision, which Ghana felt might have contributed to their early exit from the tournament, have been the extent of controversy in Egypt this year in a triumph for the battered reputation of African referees.

VAR has not been extensively used on the continent but it has produced situa-

tions which have tarnished the game’s image and have been part of the administrative malaise that caused FIFA to step in and take over the running of the Confederation of African Football

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The second leg of the African Champions League final was abandoned in May in a row over the absence of the technology when it had been scheduled to be used.

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When the referee disallowed an effort by Wydad Casablanca, they stormed off in protest that VAR had not been consulted, even though they had been told before the game that the system was not operational.

The referee of the first leg was banned for six months after he made controversial calls after consulting VAR. This was deemed, however, to be a knee-jerk reaction by CAF and the suspension of Gehad Grisha was later lifted.

CAF president Ahmad Ahmad said not using the VAR system in the opening rounds was a “measure of prudence”.

“Those countries that use VAR did not rush into it from the start. It’s a technology that a lot of people don’t completely use yet,” he told reporters before the tournament.

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Dravid appointed head of cricket at India’s national academy

Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid

(REUTERS) - Former India captain Rahul Dravid has been appointed Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, the country’s board (BCCI) said on Monday.

Dravid was a prolific batsman having represented India in 164 tests and 344 one-day internationals with over 10,000 runs in both formats.

He has been coach of India’s under-19 and ‘A’ teams since 2015 and coached the under-19 men’s side to victory at the 2018 World Cup. “Mr. Dravid will oversee all cricket related activities at NCA and will be involved in mentoring, coaching, training and motivating players, coaches and support staff at the NCA,” the BCCI said.

It added that he would work closely with the national men’s women’s teams head coaches, as well as coaches of developmental teams, to identify training and development objectives.

“He will also be responsible for monitoring progress against these objectives for the developmental teams and provide necessary inputs on the same to the Senior Men’s and Women’s Head Coaches,” the BCCI said.

Bermuda, Cayman suffer heavy Under-19 defeats TO R O N TO , C a n a d a (CMC) – Bermuda and the Cayman Islands both suffered immediate setbacks as they crashed to heavy defeats here on the opening day of the five-nation Americas Region qualifiers for next year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.

Bermuda were on the end of a nine-wicket defeat against host nation Canada in a 50-overs match at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club while Cayman Islands suffered a 10-wicket drubbing at the hands of the United States.

Bermuda were dismissed for 61 in 26.4 overs after choosing to bat, with Jaiden Manders and Tai Cariah, who both made 13, the only batsmen to reach double figures with Muhammad Kamal, three for nine, leading Canada’s attack.

Canada replied with 63 for one from eight overs after Randhir Sandu (26) and Eshan Sensarma (17) produced a 57-run opening partnership, Bermuda are next in action in King City against the United States, who beat Cayman Islands by 10 wickets.

Cayman, meanwhile, were bowled out for 29 in 15.3 overs with Raj Chirag Vyas leading the U.S. charge with figures of seven for 20.

The U.S. replied with 30 without loss from 1.4 overs with the bulk of their runs coming from extras (13).

The qualifying group also includes Argentina, who face Canada in their opening match. The top team in the group will advance to the Under-19 World Cup next January and February.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Kwakwani Secondary, President’s Archery Guyana participates College to battle in NSBF U-18 final in Plus 1% Training Seminar

KWAKWANI Secondary will battle President’s College (PC) in the final of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG)-organised National School Basketball Festival U-18 Boys competition, this Saturday evening at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

The Berbice River school has also booked places in the Boys’ U-14 finals and the Girls’ Developmental final.

Those championship clashes are also billed for this Saturday from 17:30hrs.

In their semi-final clashes, last Sunday evening at CASH, Kwakwani Secondary and President’s College surged to emphatic victories over Berbice school teams New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) and Berbice High School (BHS) respectively.

Led by a double-double from small forward Richard Semple, PC registered a 46-31 point victory over BHS. Semple, who pulled down

10 rebounds, scored 10 of his 12 points in the opening period to lead the winners to a 22-13 half-time lead.

Rakin McDonald also played well for PC to finish

Richard Semple powered his way to a double-double for President’s College

with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Gabriel Lim added eight points and seven rebounds and Jushaun Bayley seven points.

PC used their quick hands to undermine their opponents, since they were able to tally 12 steals compared to a single steal by BHS. PC also out-rebounded their opponents 33-20, although Charles Williams finished with a game-high 11 rebounds and six points for the defeated side.

Rickford Blair led the BHS attack with 12 points, while Kezron Cort added nine points.

ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE Kwakwani surged to a 16-point victory (60-44) in their clash against NATI, due to their quick hands, passing and team scoring. Nine of the 11 Kwakwani players scored, while six of the NATI players got buckets.

Leading the winners was

Rawle Sampson, who once again showed his range from deep, as he knocked down three shots from deep in a top score of 13 points. Elijah David added 12 points, Royon Shortt 11 points, nine boards and David Conway 10 points.

Berbice Regional winners NATI had a number of second shot opportunities as their players out-rebounded their opponents 51-35, and although Jermain King finished with a game-high 16 points (12 of which were scored in the opening period) and 10 rebounds. NATI were outgunned.

The only other NATI player in double digits was Gevon Schultz with 11 points and six rebounds. M. Durant added five points 13 rebounds and Jamal Chishom six points nine rebounds.

The Festival is sponsored by Edward B. Beharry and Company Ltd, National Sports Commission, Banks DIH, ExxonMobil and Bounty Ltd.

Tour de France

Viviani wins stage four as Alaphilippe retains yellow jersey

Ms Gail Craig-Archer is flanked by coach Madray (left) and coach Hing (right)

ARCHERY Guyana continued its development programme when it took part in a Guyana Olympic Association-sponsored training seminar focusing on the Plus 1% software database.

This software enables sporting entities to enter their athletes into a central database for participation in all World Games.

Head coach Mr Nicholas Hing, together with archery coach Mr Umasankar Madray successfully participated in the 2-day training workshop held on June 29-30, 2019 conducted

by Ms. Gail Craig-Archer, Senior Office administrator, BOA Inc at Olympic House, Liliendaal, E.C.D and at the Georgetown Club.

The Board of Directors of Archery Guyana acknowledges this useful collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association as Archery Guyana continues to pave the way for Guyanese to participate in the sport of Archery locally, regionally and internationally.

Ramdhani facilitating two Badminton camps for young players

GUYANA’S National and International Badminton player Narayan Ramdhani, who is on his summer break from University, is giving back some of his experience gained, by running off two badminton camps for young players at the National Gymnasium 10:00hrs12:00hrs and at the Marian Academy from 14:oohrs to 16:00hrs from next Monday (July 13).

All players who registered for the camps were given Yonex racquets to help encourage them to continue playing badminton.

A release from the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), revealed; “We are happy to see such a great turnout at both venues and the interest the young players are showing during their training sessions”.

“The GBA would like to thank Ansa McAl for its contributions in making these camps a success and we look forward to its continuous support in the future.”

The players are from Marian Academy, Queen’s College, Bishops’ High School, North Georgetown Secondary, Success Elementary, St Joseph High School, Mae’s Primary, St Rose’s High School and Christ Church Secondary.

Elia Viviani (right) won stage four in a photo finish from Alexander Kristoff and Caleb Ewan

ELIA Viviani claimed his first Tour de France stage win as team-mate Julian Alaphilippe retained the yellow jersey after stage four.

A relatively flat 213.5km route from Reims set up a bunch sprint in Nancy, with Italy’s Viviani edging out Alexander Kristoff and Caleb Ewan.

The Deceuninck-Quick Step rider, 30, who won omnium gold at the 2016 Olympics, is riding in his second Tour.

Defending champion Geraint Thomas stays seventh overall, 45 seconds adrift.

Viviani’s victory marks a fine 24 hours for the Belgian team, who were already celebrating after Alaphilippe’s superb win in Epernay on stage three.

And the race leader played his part in this success, selflessly leading the 30-year-old to the front of the race with Argentine team-mate Max Richeze, before giving way as the Italian powered to the line.

“I was missing this win. That means a lot,” said Viviani whose palmares include five stage victories at the Giro d’Italia and three at the Vuelta a Espana - the other Grand Tours.

“I can’t believe it,” he added. “It was the big goal of the year. We missed our first chance to win a stage and take the yellow jersey but after yesterday with Julian it was the moment the team switched on.

“I just needed to do my job in the last few hundred metres. It is what I do better if they launch me like that. I was focussed on my lead out, it was perfect team work.”

Britain’s Thomas finished safely in the peloton with his co-leader at Ineos, Colombia’s Egan Bernal and compatriot Adam Yates.

All the other main general classification hopefuls, like Movistar’s Nairo Quintana and Bahrain Merida’s Vincenzo Nibali, who won the Tour in 2014, also came home in the main bunch. (BBC Sport)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday, July 10, 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)

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Chetan Sharma (IND vs NZ, Nagpur, 1987) 5 centuries TODAY’S QUIZ: How many centuries were scored in the 1979 World Cup? Who is the first WI to win the Man of the Match award in a World Cup game?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, July 10, 2019

35

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship, Lawmakers take to the field in first parliamentary cricket world cup ‘World Cup’ of local football, says Shepherd

SPARTA Boss talisman Sheldon Shepherd declared that the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship, is the ‘World Cup’ of local football, especially for the community teams.

This was revealed via an official press release from tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions.

Shepherd, who plies his trade for the North East La Penitence-based outfit said, “This is the biggest tournament; this is like the World Cup, and everyone wants to win this tournament.

“Once you have not won this tournament we don’t count you as a team. This is the tournament that everyone is waiting for. This is our World Cup because everyone focusses on the Guinness. If you have not won a Guinness you can’t brag to anyone. Win a Guinness then we can talk about any other tournament.”

In the 10 years of the event’s existence, Sparta Boss hold the distinction and title of being the most successful team. They possess two Georgetown titles and three National Championships.

Asked about his confidence in securing another title, Shepherd said, “We are going to take it one step at a time; this thing is about steps before we meet the final. Sparta is best in Georgetown, and we are going to use Georgetown to show this.”

He further stated that expectation for the team is always high due to their enviable record. “We know about going to the final and semi-final since we won our first Guinness. We are always in the top because this is nor-

mal for us.”

Questioned about the status of the team’s preparation, he said, “We have not been training as much but everybody doing his own personal work and organising himself This is how we do do it and it shows we are the best because the other teams train and we still win. We know what we have to do and how to play.”

The competition is sched-

round on the penultimate day.

The final will subsequently follow. Meanwhile, the Guinness Plate Championship will feature the eight teams who fail to progress from the group stage.

The overall winners will automatically seal their place in the National Championship in August.

To date Beacons (Bartica

By Freddie Hayward LONDON, England (Reuters) - Legislators from around the cricketing world gathered in London yesterday to play a few overs and leave their political troubles behind - but for some, the hope of a break from the stresses of their day jobs proved elusive.

At least two of the eight teams in the first Inter-Parliamentary Cricket World Cup found politics following them to the competition in London.

Flashback! Sparta Boss posing for the cameras during one of their five successful campaigns in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship

uled to be launched today at the Thirst Park venue ahead of its first playing date on July 12 at the National Cultural Centre tarmac. The other playing nights are July 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 and August 3.

Matches will be staged at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, Burnham Court and National Racquet Centre. The first two nights will be elimination matches.

This will be followed by the group stage on the following three nights. The top two finishers from each group will progress to the quarterfinal and subsequent semi-final

champions), Melanie-B (East Coast Demerara winners), Brothers United (West Demerara/East Bank Demerara winners), Trafalgar (Berbice champions) and High Rollers (Linden champions) are the teams to have secured automatic berths to the national championship.

Fixtures for the Elimination matches: Friday (July 12) - National Cultural Centre tarmac (1) Trap Squad vs LA Ballers (2) Upsetters vs Al-

Morgan’s England ‘a different animal’, says Plunkett BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - The side under Eoin Morgan is “a different sort of animal” (compared to previous English teams) who can beat anyone on their day, paceman Liam Plunkett said ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final against Australia.

Plunkett made his World Cup debut in 2007 but believes this was the first time they entered the tournament as genuine title contenders.

“For me, being involved in England squads of the past, I never expected to win a World Cup,” Plunkett said yesterday.

“We had amazing players but I never thought we’d win it. I played in teams where you didn’t expect to win and the public didn’t expect you to win.”

“But with this squad the public sort of expect us to win games and series now.

“We’ve played well over the last four years, we’ve been ranked number one and

bouystown-A (3) North Ruimveldt vs John Street (4) California Square vs Alexander Village (5) North East La Penitence vs Stabroek Ballers (6) Norton Street vs Back Circle (7) Sparta Boss vs Judgment Yard (8) Gold is Money vs Globe Yard

we’re feeling in a good place.

We’ve made cricket exciting again and we’ve got people watching it.”

England’s Eoin Morgan during nets. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Plunkett has a lot of respect for their semi-final opponents but shares the popular belief that the Morgan-led side is the strongest English team in a World Cup. “Australia are a great team. They have great players and they have experience.

They’ve been there and done it before,” the 34-year-old said of the defending cham-

pions,” he said.

“But we’re a different sort of animal compared to our last team. And we feel on our day if we play some good cricket we can beat anyone in the world.”

Australia beat England in the group stage and the hosts also went down to Pakistan and Sri Lanka before back-to-back victories against India and New Zealand helped secured their place in the semi-finals.

Plunkett said the defeats made England only stronger, helping them return to their style of calculated aggression.

“We like to be positive but not reckless and we went away from our positive brand of cricket and went into our shell a little bit,” he said.

“We know we’re better than that. We want to attack in a positive way without being reckless and I think that’s how we’ve been for the last however many years.”

Saturday (July 13) Burnham Court Tarmac (1) Rising Stars vs Good-over-Evil (2) Ol-Skool Ballers vs Sophia (3) Albouystown-B vs Berlin (4) Kingston vs Broad Street (5) Bent Street vs Charlotte Street (6) Future Stars vs Sophia United (7) Leopold Street vs Pike Street (8) Queen St Tiger Bay vs Smyth Street

Naimur Rahman

The English team - perhaps inevitably - had to work its timetable around Brexit votes and debates, while Pakistan’s players were scolded on social media for travelling abroad to play cricket during a period of austerity.

“I just love cricket - it’s a game that brings so many different people together,” said Chris Heaton-Harris, a British Member of Parliament

(MP) who organised the tournament.

The event aimed to promote relationships between the parliamentarians and to celebrate the 2019 Cricket World Cup which is taking place now in England and Wales.

The four-day tournament began with lawmakers from England, Australia, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan taking to the field.

Most of the players were enthusiastic amateurs but one - Naimur Rahman from Bangladesh - is a former captain of his national side.

“It’s really difficult here because when you captain the national team everyone knows the fielding positions, batting orders and position names,” he told Reuters.

“Here ... it’s not so easy.”

In a six-overs-a-side warm-up day, varying levels of skill were on display, ranging from brilliant sixes to ignominious dropped catches.

Taking a break from the World Cup proper, to support their politicians, body-painted Bangladeshi fans made lots of noise and waved their national flags.

As for who will lift the trophy, Heaton-Harris said Pakistan have been in training camps for quite some time with their national coach and he fancied their chances.

Every day the players will travel to different cricket clubs around London, with the final taking place at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham on Friday.

Handscomb to play World Cup semi-final

PETER Handscomb will make his World Cup debut, Marcus Stoinis is fit to play despite carrying two side injuries, but Justin Langer refused to guarantee Glenn Maxwell’s spot as Australia steel themselves for their biggest one-day game in four years.

Matthew Wade is also in contention to play after being drafted into their 15-man squad, as the reigning 50-over champions look to overcome injury and defeat England’s formidable ODI side at Edgbaston.

Stoinis looks likely to retain his spot in Australia’s middle order for the semi-final tomorrow after passing a fitness test with flying colours two days out from the knockout clash in Birmingham.

The all-rounder appeared uninhibited at a combative training session yesterday, bowling for around 30 minutes at full pace before batting for more than an hour.

“He looks good,” said

coach Justin Langer. “It was a very good net session actually; there was a bit of heat again, it was very competitive and that always brings the best out in Stoin. He did a good job today and he’s fit to go.”

But Langer was coy when quizzed further on the XI,

Peter Hanscomb

specifically on whether Stoinis and Maxwell would play, saying only: “We’ll pick our 11 and you’ll see it at the toss.”

Langer has previously said Maxwell needs to work on playing short-pitched bowling.

The right-hander, who has been out to bouncers in each of his last three innings, was peppered by short balls at training yesterday by speedsters Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins only days after Starc pinned him with a lifter in the nets in Manchester.

England speedsters Jofra Archer and Mark Wood aren’t shy about taking a look upstairs – they have the more wickets from short-pitched balls than any other bowler at the tournament with 10 and six scalps respectively.

While fellow quick Liam Plunkett said Maxwell wouldn’t be a particular target, he doesn’t expect they’ll hold TURN TO PAGE 31

Guyana is awaiting GFF’s assessment on Jaguars’ participation at Gold Cup AS we await a formal briefing from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) pertaining to the national team’s performance at the recently concluded Gold Cup which was held in the USA, one can’t help but wonder what is taking the entity so long to conduct what should be standard procedure.

After all, there was a plethora of releases from the GFF urging the nation’s support for the team from layman to corporate community which they got entirely.

What is the delay now in hosting a forum to give details about the team’s performance and what their first appearance meant for the sport locally?

In light of several examples of the absence of reviews of national teams’ performances in the past by this current administration, one is tempted to believe that the entity’s behaviour borders on disrespect for all stakeholders.

While, we know that the body comprises persons of esteem, the pattern of behaviour being displayed could easily erode the earlier stated belief.

The non-release of the selection of national Beach Futsal team, their subsequent departure and return, a non-review of the Under-17 performance at CONCACAF tournament, are all vivid illustrations of the Federation’s contempt for stakeholders or their lack of understanding of their mandate.

Both head coach and president should see it fit to host such a meeting to shed light on whether there were positive or negative gains regarding our appearance in such a high-profile competition.

Let all Guyanese who rallied around our national team be given the opportunity to make their own assessment of the coach’s disclosure about the team’s performance as well as those from the president relating to what was derived that will advance the sport’s development locally.

The chance is there for them to either win over more support or simply leave it up to us to interpret their actions as discourteous.

SEE PAGE 31

First Cricket World Cup semi-final

India dominate Kiwis before rain forces reserve day in Manchester Page

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ICC Cricket World Cup Semi Final - India v New Zealand - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - General view as ground staff remove the covers after a rain delay Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

GRFU boss ‘bites tongue’ on Guyana’s dismal performance at 2019 RAN 7s

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Patrick King in action for Guyana in the Cayman Islands, at this year’s RAN 7s championship (Photo compliments of RAN)

Lawmakers take to the field in first parliamentary cricket world cup Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019