Guyana Chronicle E-paper 8-24-2019

SATURDAY 24th August, 2019

‘Ali must face the music’ No.105739

…Court of Appeal throws out 03 application to stay proceedings PAGE

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali

… as opposition presidential candidate faces 19 fraud charges

50 youths enter oil industry 03 PAGE

… after graduating from safety and oilfield operations

Some 50 youths on Friday graduated from a training programme in basic safety and oilfield operations at TOTALTEC Academy at Houston, Greater Georgetown.

The youths have been offered full time employment with oil company TOTALTEC Oilfield Services (Adrian Narine photo)

Shuman loses bid to stop 10 GECOM 11 Trans Guyana offers new house-to-house registration still in talks flight connection to Europe PAGE

… as chief justice throws out application to reverse GECOM’s order

PAGE

… commissioners to offer proposal on Chief Justice’s ruling

… via partnership with Dutch carrier, KLM

PAGE

20

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

‘Ali must face the music’ … Court of Appeal throws out application to stay proceedings … as opposition presidential candidate faces 19 fraud charges

By Clestine Juan

APPEAL Court Judge, Dawn Gregory, on Friday, denied People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, a stay of proceedings in his $174M ‘Pradoville’ land sales case, which is ongoing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The appeal was filed by Ali’s attorney, Anil Nandlall and associates, following Justice Franklin Holder’s ruling.

Justice Holder had denied a stay of proceedings when the matter was placed before the High Court, challenging the legality of the charges.

Ali, at the time, was seeking an order of prohibition restraining the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, or any other magistrate from hearing or attempting to hear the charges as filed by the corporal; and a declaration that the particulars of the charges do not constitute an offence known to law and one that there is no statutory or common-law duty to obtain a valuation prior to the sale of property.

Both the Appeal Court and the High Court ruled that the magisterial court has jurisdiction to hear the 19 charges against Ali for allegedly conspiring to defraud the state.

Ali, will have to return

before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday August 26, 2019 for report on the charges.

The charges read that between 2010 and 2015, Ali conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government of Guyana when he acted recklessly in presenting the value of 19 plots of state land situated at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and sold the said lands at a grossly undervalued price without first obtaining a valuation to determine the true value of the lands.

Ali is accused of defrauding the state of over $174M after selling the lands at undervalued prices. The former minister of housing is accused of selling the lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo; former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon; and former ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee; Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, and former army head, Gary Best and Fortune Developers Inc., Guyana.

He also sold lands at the locations to former General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board and daughter of former President, Donald Ramotar,

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali Lisa Ramotar; former President of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo; the son of former Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul; Dr. Ghansham Singh; former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer, Rajendra Singh; former president of the Caribbean Development Bank, Compton Bourne; Andrew Bishop, former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Shaik Baksh; Safraaz Khan and George Hallaq.

Ali is being represented by attorneys-at-law Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Jaya Manickchand, Sase Gunraj, and David Kissoon.

Special Organised Crime

Unit Prosecutor, Patrice Henry, is representing the State.

The controversial ‘Pradoville Two’ issue came to the fore when the coalition government commenced several investigations into suspicious financial transactions of state officials that bordered or amounted to corrupt practices and/or abuse of office. It was found that several persons close to the last government had received prime seafront lands belonging to the State at extraordinarily low cost.

It was reported that the ‘Pradoville’ recipients, the majority of whom held very high positions within private or State organisations, received and later built posh or luxury homes on the properties after paying as little as $114 per square foot; citizens, on the other hand, were being made to pay as much as $500 per square foot for ordinary land.

The ‘Pradoville’ arrangement was made during the PPP’s term of office, 20102015. Ali was the housing minister during that period.

Jagdeo’s property is easily the largest plot of land with the biggest mansion, equipped with a pool and other amenities.

The ‘Pradoville Two’ matter became even more controversial when it was related that taxpayers’ money was used to develop the land

and remove a transmitter belonging to the National Communications Network at a cost of around $100M to develop the scheme for the prominent persons going to live there.

There was even greater controversy surrounding the seafront properties, since there was no advertising of the state lands and it appeared that all the recipients who got property were handpicked by the then government.

In September 2010, parcels of land each measuring 0.3030 of an acre were sold to Robert Persaud, Shaik Baksh, Clement Rohee, Lisa Ramotar, Dr. Compton Bourne and Priya Manickchand for GUY$1.5M. Jagdeo purchased two acres for 9.8M and Jennifer Westford bought 0.3186 of an acre for GUY$1.5; Ghansham Singh paid GUY$1,502,000 for 0.3005 of an acre; Andrew Bishop, Roger Luncheon, Rajendra Singh, Safraz Khan, and Ramesh Dookhoo each purchased 0.3005 of an acre for GUY$1.5M. George Hallaq and Nada Hallaq each paid GUY$5M for 0.8422 of an acre, and Future Developers International (Guyana) Inc., whose sole director is Dr. Rajendra Singh, purchased 0.5534 of an acre for GUY$3M. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Hack paid GUY$1.4M for 0.2767

of an acre, and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Gary Best, paid GUY$1.5M for 0.3005 an acre.

In 2018 former finance minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, Dr. Ashni Singh; and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Winston Brassington, were charged with five counts of misconduct in public office, contrary to public law.

The charges related to the selling of state-owned land to Queens Atlantic, National Hardware Guyana Limited, Scady Business Corporation and Multi-Cinemas Guyana Inc. One of the forensic audit reports on the operations of NICIL suggests that under the PPP administration, NICIL engaged in malpractices and had made poor decisions on behalf of the people of Guyana.

The audit, which was conducted by former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, had recommended criminal and/or disciplinary action against all those responsible for the interception of state revenues totalling $26.858B, in violation of the constitution.

Goolsarran had said that several laws were broken.

50 young Guyanese gain employment through oil and gas training FIFTY young Guyanese are now employed at TOTALTEC Oilfield Services, as they have successfully completed their Safety and Operators training programme at TOTALTEC Academy.

At the graduation ceremony for the new batch of young people on Friday, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, said that he is pleased with the contribution the company has been making in preparing the youths for the future.

The prime minister said that the government was worried that young people would not find a place in the new industry.

“We were worried that our young people, particu-

larly those who have come out of the sugar and bauxite industry, would not find a place in the oil and gas, or

their total dependence on sugar and bauxite could have a catastrophic effect on the future of young people. Here

it is you have been able to recruit young persons, children of sugar and bauxite workers and bring them into the city,

(From left): Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; CEO of TOTALTEC Oilfield Services, Lars Mangal; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn

train them on site, train them in the environment so they know what it is to be working in the oil and gas sector...

So you are producing a new breed of Guyanese intelligentsia,” Nagamootoo said.

He noted further that the training of these Guyanese

youths “is contributing the most tangible manifestation of local content, in the oil and gas industry. “[That] 250 Guyanese have been trained in the field and are being deployed simultaneously to See page 5

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

Trump vows retaliation as China escalates trade war

(BBC) President Trump has pledged to retaliate after China announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on $75bn worth of goods imported from the US. The new taxes were themselves a response to Mr Trump's plans for a 10% levy on $300bn of Chinese imports.

Wall Street share markets dived after the president tweeted that he would respond to the new tax later on Friday.

He insisted that US firms find an alternative to China and return production to America.

"Our great American companies are hereby ordered to

immediately start looking for an alternative to China, including bringing your companies home and making your products in the USA," he tweeted.

"I will be responding to China's tariffs this afternoon."

China's new tariffs will range between 5% and 10% and will apply to more than 5,000 goods coming from the US. Agricultural goods, crude oil and small aircraft are among the products being targeted.

Beijing will also revive a 25% tariff on US car imports that it lifted earlier in 2019 in a goodwill gesture as the two

countries tried to negotiate a trade agreement.

Carmakers responded, warning that the tax would put US jobs at risk. "When these tariffs were initially imposed

by China in 2017, American exports of finished vehicles dropped by 50%," said John Bozzella, who represents car manufacturers. "We can't let that happen to American work-

ers again."

Tariffs 'well signalled' On 1 August, President Trump unveiled a 10% tariff on $300bn of Chinese goods, blaming China for not following through on promises to buy more American agricultural products.

That tariff was expected to be introduced on 1 September, but less than two weeks later

24 August, 2019 - 11:30hrs ~ 13:00hrs

Mr Trump delayed that date to 15 December, partly due to concerns it might hit Christmas shoppers.

China said it planned to impose its new tariffs in two stages on 1 September and 15 December.

The US has sought to play down news of the new taxes.

President Trump's trade adviser, Peter Navarro, told CNN that the Chinese tariffs were "well signalled," adding: "This isn't breaking news."

He said that talks between the two countries were on schedule and argued that the tariffs were not hurting Americans. "Consumers aren't feeling the pain [of the trade war] and we are focused on making sure they [China] feel the pain not us."

He added that the economic slowdown was the fault of the US Federal Reserve, which has drawn criticism from Mr Trump for not making bigger cuts in interest rates.

Mr Navarro said the central bank should lower the benchmark interest rate further to stimulate growth.

News of the new tariffs broke shortly before Fed chair Mr Powell delivered a much-anticipated speech at a gathering of central bankers in

Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The speech was set against a complex economic backdrop in the US where bond markets have sent warning signals of an impending recession. However, equities are trading at near record highs and employment is at its highest level in almost 50 years.

Mr Powell warned that trade tensions were exacerbating a slowdown in the global economy, adding that the Fed doesn't have a "rulebook" for dealing with the fallout.

But Mr Trump took to Twitter on Friday to claim that the economy was "strong and good". In contrast, he said, "the rest of the world is not doing so well".

He questioned whether Mr Powell was a bigger enemy to the US than China's president Xi Jinping.

Stock markets in the US opened lower following news of China's tariffs, but then recovered. However, they fell again in response to Mr Trump's tweets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.7% at 25,803. The S&P 500 dropped 1.8% while the Nasdaq was 2.2% lower.

Wednesday August 21, 2019

12 06 15 16 26 11 4

August 24, 2019

A

01 03 10 14 17 01, 07, 15, 21, 24

0, 7, 3

5, 5, 3

08, 11, 13, 14, 16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

50 young Guyanese gain employment ...

5

From PAGE 3

paying jobs, shows that TOTALTEC are entrepreneurs who are committed to the requirements of the industry, and it shows they are for real…” he said.

British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn said that this programme plays part of the new Guyana. “…an educated, trained Guyana, willing and able to provide the people, the goods and services to develop this great country [is necessary] to make good of the potential of Guyana we have all heard so much about,” Quinn told the attendees.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said that these young people are entering a world that is new to Guyana, and they have a responsibility to maintain the required standard.

“You’ve already been called pioneers because you

Some of the graduates of TOTALTEC Academy Oilfield Safety and Operators Training are entering into a world that is unknown to us in Guyana. Hold that standard that has been set, near and dear to you…. As you face difficult circumstances, remember to never ever give up,” Trotman advised.

Giving history on the company, CEO of TOTALTEC Oilfield Services, Lars Mangal said that from its origins in ear-

ly 2018, TOTALTEC Academy has developed programmes to international standards and have successfully trained over 250 young Guyanese for critical roles required by oil and gas industry.

“We were able to successfully transition laid-off workers on the sugar, bauxite, and gold mining industries, providing

them with new hope and future prosperity. Many of our graduates are also previous students of our TVET institutions, and we are grateful for the role these technical institutes played in preparing them for work in a challenging new industrial environment,” Mangal said.

He explained that the graduates underwent a rigorous

eight-week programme, consisting of theoretical and practical learning. The students completed nine courses covering 64 modules of safety and oil and gas operational training; and had to earn a pass mark of 85 per cent, with testing being carried out daily.

The courses and instructors, Mangal said, are provided by

First Competence Ltd., which is an Approved Learning Centre certified by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). The SQA is a global awarding body which certifies training institutions to ensure their adherence and fulfilment of Scottish and UK quality standards. All this training has been provided at zero cost to each student since they have all been placed on full scholarships by TOTALTEC, including receiving a training salary.

“We will continue to be the premier institution offering a direct pathway for Guyanese young people into this industry; and we will continue to demonstrate that with the right support and training, there are no limits to what our young people can achieve,” the CEO said.

Amazon fires: Brazil threatened over EU trade deal (BBC) France and Ireland say they will not ratify a huge trade deal with South American nations unless Brazil does more to fight fires in the Amazon.

French leader Emmanuel Macron said President Jair Bolsonaro had lied to him about his stance on climate change.

There are currently a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest - a major source of oxygen for the world.

Environmental groups say the fires are linked to Mr Bolsonaro's policies, which he denies. European leaders have also expressed dismay over the fires. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the fires "not only heartbreaking" but "an international crisis".

"We stand ready to provide whatever help we can to bring them under control and help protect one of Earth's greatest wonders," he added.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called the fire an "acute emergency... shocking and threatening not only for Brazil and the other affected countries, but also for the whole world".

Mr Bolsonaro said on Friday that he was considering options for fighting the fires, including deploying the military.

However, he has also accused Mr Macron of meddling for "political gain", and previously said calls to discuss the fires at this weekend's G7 summit in Biarritz, France which Brazil is not participating in - showed "a misplaced colonialist mindset".

How significant is the trade deal? Very - the EU-Mercosur trade deal has been described as the EU's biggest deal to date.

It took 20 years of negotiations to strike the agreement with the South American bloc, consisting of Argentina, Brazil,

Uruguay and Paraguay.

The EU is Mercosur's second biggest partner in trade in goods, accounting for 20.1% of the total in 2018.

By contrast, EU exports to Mercosur accounted for 2.3% of the EU's total exports in 2018. The trade includes food and beverages, tobacco and farm products from the South American side and machinery, chemicals and pharmaceutical products from the EU. Mr Bolsonaro is often called the "Trump of the Tropics" because of his unpredictable and brash manners. So it is anyone's guess whether he will back down or carry on with this stance.

Back in June, he hailed the Mercosur-EU trade deal as "historic" and "one of the most important trade deals of all time". Now his own words and actions are threatening the deal - which still needs to be approved by parliaments of all Mercosur and EU countries.

The deal explicitly says countries have to commit to tackling climate change.

Mr Bolsonaro's son - who wants to become Brazil's ambassador in Washington retweeted a video calling Mr Macron an idiot.

But even Mr Bolsonaro's agriculture minister and the country's farmers associations have suggested there needs to be a change of tone from the president.

Meanwhile, Finland's finance minister has called on the EU to consider banning Brazilian beef imports.

Finland is currently president of the Council of the EU - a role which is rotated among member states every six months.

Environmental groups have called for protests in cities across Brazil on Friday to de-

mand action to combat the fires.

Hundreds of protesters also gathered outside the Brazilian embassies around the world, including in London, Berlin, Mumbai and Paris.

"We can't stand around waiting for the sky to turn black all the way here in London too," protester Laura Villares House, 33, told BBC Brasil.

Why does the Amazon matter?

The largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming.

It is known as the "lungs of the world" and is home to about three million species of plants and animals, and one million indigenous people.

How bad are the fires and who is responsible for them?

Satellite data published by the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) has shown an increase of 85% this year in fires across Brazil, most of them in the Amazon region.

Mr Bolsonaro has brushed off the latest data, arguing that it was the season of the "queimada", when farmers burn land to clear it before planting.

However, Inpe has noted that the number of fires is not in line with those normally reported during the dry season.

Wildfires often occur in the dry season in Brazil but they are also deliberately started in efforts to illegally deforest land for cattle ranching.

Conservationists say Mr Bolsonaro has encouraged loggers and farmers to clear the land.

During his campaign, he pledged to limit fines for damaging the rainforest and to weaken the influence of the environmental agency.

Mr Bolsonaro has suggested that non-governmental

organisations (NGOs) started the fires, but admitted he had no evidence for this claim. In comments on Thursday, he acknowledged that farmers might

be involved in setting fires in the region, according to Reuters news agency.

US space agency Nasa, meanwhile, has said that

overall fire activity across the Amazon basin this year has been close to the average compared to the past 15 years.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

Media responsibility I

T would seem that with each daily public report of socio-economic success being brought about by the A Partnership for National +Alliance for Change(APNU+AFC) government, inclusive of the profile of a country to which investors are daily flocking to invest in a most positive economic climate, and the recent 73 per cent success rate at the Caribbean examinations, there is the increased crescendo of political desperation which continues to drive the intemperate and disrespectful behaviour of opposition politics.

These attacks are not of the traditional brand of adversarial politics, which is a mix of constructive criticisms, and the

traditional opposition politics of NO. Instead, they have been plainly abusive; meant to attack the social peace and foment national stress.

How else can one describe the Guyana Times clearly seditious article titled, “No sense of decency…” that is quite unambiguous in its call: “Will none of his supporters rid us of their renegade leader – to even save themselves”.

This is not, and cannot be, freedom of expression; not when the urging in its message is quite clear; threatening the physical person of the President. And since there is no law that governs such conduct of the media that will support such unlawful and illegal actions, inclusive of its libelous

brand, then it is unacceptable as media, and must therefore be condemned outright.

Of course, the PPP/C must bear full responsibility, since the GUYANA TIMES is its official party mouthpiece, among others, which continue to advocate a certain line of action, which the Prime Minister correctly alluded to as political terrorism.

No doubt such is being done to elicit a certain response, which its political agents must know will not benefit Guyana at this or any other time, as Guyana is on a path to progress for ALL Guyanese. Further, urging physical attacks on the person of the President can only come from a media house and its intellectual political guides that are on the

wrong side of the law, with an understanding of national leadership which automatically renders them unfit for governance. Guyana cannot, will not, afford another such experience.

It is the kind of dangerous, unprofessional media behaviour, with inherently perilous portents which, carried out in other societies, has led to very tragic consequences that are internationally known. These local media, both electronic and print, are aware of their respective roles in a pattern that is unmistakable in content and aim. Apart from the fact that they continue to lower media standards while aiding and abetting a political party that is bent on dangerous national mischief, they must all be reminded that

their collective actions threaten the well-being of citizens, while desecrating journalistic standards.

So many times, the local perpetrators of these brands of dangerous media practices have referred to these well-chronicled national tragedies taking place in other states in their pages, as one has recently done a few days ago, but without remembering that it is part of a coterie of media that is deliberately seeking to create the milieu for such a scenario in their own country. This can only be described as one of the most shameful and deceptive displays of journalistic hypocrisy that can be unloaded on a readership.

The opposition leader has to be much more --than creating chaos, disorderliness and disunity

Dear Editor,

T

HE Constitution of Guyana is clear as to the roles and responsibilities of each actor.

What persons are doing is seeking to misrepresent the Constitution and apply their interpretations of the courts’ rulings as though such represent truth. It is difficult not to conclude that this is a strategy, and it is time we ask: To what end, and for whose benefit?

The responsibility for the current political environment is not that of the Government or Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), collectively or alone; it is also that of the Opposition. It is a tripartite responsibility requiring action on the part of the interim Government, the interim Opposition, and the constitutional independent GECOM. All must be held to the standards as outlined in their constitutional responsibilities, and the Caribbean

Court of Justice (CCJ)’s ruling on July 12.

That said ruling at Item 7 expressly states: “Article 106 of the Constitution invests the President and the National Assembly (and implicitly in GECOM), responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of when the elections must be held.” Three actors have been identified and called into question on this matter. While identification of all is clear, the call for compliance by the President and GECOM and absolving the National Assembly and the role of the Leader of the Opposition is unacceptable.

Under the CCJ’s ruling, the Opposition has judicial and constitutional responsibilities to discharge. The National Assembly comprises Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Government and Opposition, yet we continue to witness letters in the press from Opposition MPs calling on the Government and GECOM to

do, but they are yet to communicate to this nation their commitment to honour their responsibilities consistent with Article 106(7) and the ruling.

The National Assembly is, too, an independent body, but there is an absence of interest by the Opposition MPs, who comprise this body, to get their house in order that we can navigate this period in an atmosphere of legal and mutual respect. As they cast aspersions on GECOM and the Government, and call on us to hold them to account, this call rings hollow. They, too, have a role to play, and we must hold them accountable in the tripartite arrangement, which they are seeking to make dual.

Further, in keeping with Article 106(6), while the Opposition has called on the government to resign, there appears an unwillingness on their part to forge any intelligent discussion that could realise an indigenous proto-

col to ensure continuity of government, for there cannot be an absence of government, as Article 106(7) intimates.

Even the guideline offered by the CCJ at Item 8, the Opposition appears disinterested in reviewing.

Members of Parliament are being paid to work in the National Assembly. For the eight months of this year, though being in receipt of salary, they have not given a fair day’s work in the Assembly. The no-confidence/ confidence vote was validly passed on December 21, 2018, so ruled the final court of resort, the CCJ, on June 18, 2019. Three months have passed from the time of that vote in dealing with the earliest period when an election should have been held (i.e. by March 2019).

Both the Government and Opposition have utilised the judicial process in their recourse to seeking justice on the vote which went outside of the three months. No side

should be blamed or accused for delaying elections while exhausting their constitutional right to recourse. Respect for the Rule of Law would now see the MPs returning to the Assembly and granting the extension of time, consistent with the “or such longer period” as outlined in Article 106(7). The bullying tactics, overt or covert, we’re witnessing directed towards Justice Claudette Singh, SC, as to what should be done by GECOM must stop. GECOM comprises of Commissioners representing both sides of the political divide. As an independent body, it must be allowed to freely discharge its duties, consistent with the Constitution and rulings of the CCJ, and recently the High Court.

For whereas GECOM has to do its work to ensure credible election and advise the President as to its readiness when this can be done, in order that he can discharge his responsibility and set

a date, no elections can be called without the activation of a vote by the National Assembly to extend the time for calling same. To go down another road constitutes a violation of the Constitution, and risk litigation.

The no-confidence issue is a first for the nation.

Guyanese are operating in the dark, and must tread the unknown carefully.

The Opposition has a role to play, not only in part but in whole, by attending to all matters relating to and depending on this issue. Its leadership has to be much more than creating chaos, disorderliness and disunity, for such stand to further destabilise this country and the institutions of government.

Regards, Lincoln Lewis

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

7

The evidence is that APNU-AFC is better at managing the health service than PPP Dear Editor,

Y

ou know over the years, I have been the fiercest critic of the health service in Guyana. It is a known fact that during the PPP’s 23 years reign, the health service became a political football which resulted in its complete destruction. Former Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy would occasionally resurface for a gasp of air and utter garbage in his hypoxic state.

Failing to realise that the Guyanese public would only fall for such propaganda if they are given a good dose of hallucinogens. The former Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran is so ashamed of his record that he has taken the same quiet corner like Irfaan-19. Dr. Henry Jeffrey was as useful as a retired racehorse. All in all, a collection of phenomenal failures.

Anyways, I have been following the news over the past years to see if there are improvements under this Government. And yes there are many. I read in the newspapers that The Port Mourant Hospital’s waiting area is to get a $1.8M upgrade. To me, this is critical. When patients and their loved ones attend hospitals, they are understandably anxious. The least we can do is provide them comfort and reassurance. If I can put forward a suggestion, I would suggest that TV monitors are installed

in the waiting area, with recordings of common medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension so that while the patients are awaiting their appointment they are educated. A few patients’ medical magazines would also be useful. Doctor-incharge of the institution Dr. Devendra Radhay has noted that the hospital has seen an increase in persons accessing their services, and that as such, having proper facilities to facilitate the increase is of paramount concern to him. I should also add that that is paramount to the patients.

A few weeks ago I read that the Bartica Regional Hospital is being equipped with a CT scanner. CT scanners are very sophisticated X-rays that can provide to doctors useful information of life-threatening conditions.

To access such previously, one would have had to travel to GPHC. Most of these patients would be very ill, and the non-medical person may not appreciate the dangers of transporting the critically ill.

With the CT scan at the Bartica Regional Hospital, persons in surrounding communities and even some regions can access the service free of charge. Another positive development.

Further, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) is slated to receive two new health centres, designed and constructed in keeping with the concept of “smart medical facilities.”

One centre will be con-

structed at Mon Choisi Village, on the West Coast of Berbice, at an approximate cost of $28M, and the other at Carlton Hall, Mahaicony, at an approximate cost of $26.5M. These are certain facilities which will be built into the two centres, such as access ramps and washroom facilities for the differently-abled, lots of natural ventilation, adequate fire protection, as well as ‘green economy’ concepts such as the installation of LED light bulbs in the buildings, instead of the traditional fluorescent lights. Regional Engineer Mr Dhanpaul Sukha reported that the Centre at Carlton Hall will replace the building currently being used at neighbouring High Dam, which was more of a community building than a health facility. One of the major disadvantages with that building, he further reported was that the health facilities were on the upper floor, which posed a problem for patients having to negotiate the stairs.

The Centre at Mon Choisi, meanwhile, replaces the one currently at Cotton Tree, which had been constructed on a plot of privately-owned land. Prior to this, relatives would have had to physically lift their differently-able loved ones on the stairs. That must have been so undignifying to those patients. Only a caring Government would have recognised this. Last year, it was reported that the Minister of Health, Hon Volda Law-

rence, spoke of an electronic patient record (EPR). This is another positive. Without EPR when patients attend the hospital, a runner would have to run to the record department, go through some dusty files to find the patient’s records. This may take hours; critical time that can make the difference between life and death. With EPR, the information is at the doctor’s fingertips on the computer, and could be accessed in seconds. There is just one drawback; staff need to be trained n data protection, with serious consequences if anything is breached.

Recently, I saw the Canadians were in Guyana to teach Advanced Trauma and Life Support (ATLS). This is good, but it takes more than this to make GPHC a trauma centre; trauma consultants are needed; trauma nurses are needed. Only a few days ago I saw a lady who was involved in a road traffic accident on the ECD. A civilian was literally lifting her with her compound fractured leg dangling. We need paramedics to get to such accidents in a timely manner.

The public should leave the accident victims as they are, unless they are in danger.

That lady’s fractured leg should have been stabilized; she should have been loggedrolled onto a spinal board. A cervical collar should have been applied; she should have been given oxygen and pain relievers, then transported by a fully-equipped ambulance

and not a taxi.

Also, the Government has opened a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This is a step in the right direction, and I was reliably informed that staff are being trained to manage the department. What would be useful in the next year, is to do a clinical audit to determine if the NICU resulted in lower neonatal mortality and morbidity. It was good news to read that the incidence of MDR TB cases have been reduced. I know recently there was a shortage of MDR TB drugs; I was very critical of this, but clearly this has been addressed.

What is concerning is a recent report which highlighted that the incidence of HIV grew to 142 cases per 100,000 persons; significantly higher than the 2018 rate of 117 per 100,000 persons.

To address this, the Ministry of Health has set in motion a number of tactical moves, which it hopes will reverse the daunting trend. Remaining high on its agenda is testing for the virus, which is viewed by the local Ministry of Public Health as “the most important activity in the fight against the virus.”

Moreover, to this end, and in its pursuit to achieve the 90-90-90 Treat All Policy, government has committed to increasing HIV testing.

What is evident is that is an area that the Government will need to continue to focus on.

A multi-disciplinary team approach is required, with education being paramount.

With the recent introduction of PrEP to high-risk groups, this can help to address this trend, but should not be a substitute for responsible sexual activity and patient education.

This is just a small fraction of achievement of this Government in four years.

It would be interesting for the PPP to compare their first four-year achievement, so that an objective comparison can be made. Some may argue if these developments resulted in better patients’ outcome and experience. To answer that question, a service evaluation audit may need to be undertaken. This would be my humble advice to the Government. Finally, I am quite sure the Hon. Minister of Health recognises that there is much more to done. Correcting 23 years of PPP mismanagement will take more than four years. What is clear is that this Government is better at managing the Health Service than the PPP. If I can be critical, where they are failing in is their PR. Regards, Dr.Mark Devonish MBBS MSc Med. Ed MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

Irfaan Ali: A tragedy of PPP/C supporters’ traditional political attitude I REFER to Mark Da Costa’s “Ali is being touted as a potential leader”, as published in the Guyana Chronicle of August 22, 2019.

Indeed, “It is more than an affront to the Guyanese people that we are being asked to consider Irfaan Ali as a potential leader”. It is a sharp slap in the nation’s collective faces, in addition to a grave insult to many decent and honest-minded Guyanese, on either side of the political divide.

At best, it is also a na-

tional tragedy that this kind of disrespect can happen, particularly in the face of the many once-upon-a-time persons of principle, who used to raise their voices against such blatant criminalities. Where are they?

That Ali could have been foisted by Bharrat Jagdeo upon first, the PPP/C, as its candidate, explains the undemocratic system of their party, where there is no room for dissent or consensus. In fact, it is about adhering to the official line of the party, determined by an undemo-

cratic few, as dictated to by party leader. In fact, one does not need a political analyst to explain that they all owe their political rise and status in the party to the maximum leader, who simply called in the chips.

Editor, although it was said that there had been disgruntlement among some party seniors, and throughout the general support base because of known information about Ali’s alleged dishonesty, and his current arraignment on 19 criminal charges before the Courts, it would

seem that this never grew to the point of outright dissent for the purpose of having a change in candidacy. This points to the well-known tradition of PPP/C supporters closing ranks, even in the face of such known venalities, when they should be demanding answers from their party leaders. It is within this context, one opines, that the tragedy of Ali’s candidacy has to be seen.

The party leader was only too well aware that there would be muted protests against the choice of Ali,

which would dissipate, as it has in fact occurred. He could care less about those in the communities, since it was tradition that they are going to unquestionably accept his choice, while those who were particularly concerned, only dissenting behind closed doors rather than openly, lest they be ‘crucified’ and become ostracised within their communities.

If indeed, there is unanimous support for Ali as PPP/C’s candidacy among constituents, then one must question what kind of mor-

al principles they as party supporters do represent and demand of their leaders; and whether it is fair/ justified upon themselves as supporters of his nomination to accept such a party member with dubious academic credentials charges to be answered in court, and barred from entering Canada.

Regards, Carla Mendonca

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

Gouveia and the PSC have a lot to answer for Dear Editor,

I RESPOND here to the Chairman of the PSC, Gerry Gouveia and the other responders re: my perception of Gouveia’s tone and conduct in his abrasive and disrespectful letter to Keith Lowenfield, Commissioner of Registration/Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which was carried in the Guyana Times and other newspapers on Monday, July 22, 2019.

What follows is indicative of my firm conviction that I took the right course of action in condemning Gouveia’s pompous, ridiculous and obnoxious tone and language in his letter.

The first point I wish to note here is related to the bias displayed by certain media houses in their treatment of views expressed by persons/organisations aligned to Gouveia, and their ignoring of views expressed by individuals in the society which are not in sync with those of his allies. A case in point is the Gouveia/PSC letters which have been fully ventilated in segments of the media, particularly the Guyana Times. However, my letter, dated July 24, 2019, which responded to Gouveia’s first letter to Lowenfield has not seen the light of day, except in the Guyana Chronicle. Even as I write to give my impressions on the article captioned “PSC slams Govt-aligned Commissioner over “racist” attack”, I do so fully convinced that my side of the story may not be carried by the Times, Kaieteur News or by any of the other media houses, which seem not to recognise the right of an individual who speaks to issues which he ascribes as designed to keep him in a perpetual state of servitude.

My second point is that I unhesitatingly reiterate the remarks I made in respect to Gouveia’s outburst. Further, the remarks contained in Gouveia’s/PSC letter, which I alluded to, underscored my perception of the slave master’s brutal

treatment of a delinquent slave.

Even as they make reference to the norms in a democratic society, they refuse to acknowledge my right to address Gouveia’s viciousness in my response to him. Punish “he”, they shout.

They did this, unaware of the fact that their demand, in my perception, was synonymous and consistent with “massa’s” treatment of the unruly and delinquent slave.

Their appeal to the Government of Guyana “to take the appropriate action with regard to Mr. Trotman’s attack on the integrity and good name of the PSC Chairman” is therefore intended to ensure that under no circumstance should my fundamental right to free speech and fair comment be upheld. It is interesting to note that this is a position also held by another non-member of the PSC, who likes to posture as a defender of free speech and democratic norms, but who, when pressured, seeks the assistance of the court to trample on that right when it is exercised by an opponent. After reading the Gouveia/PSC letter, I imagined myself to be back in the period of my enslaved forefathers, and I visualised the dilemma they would have been faced with as the howls of the dogs and the crack of the whips penetrated their consciousness, indicating that “massa’s” pursuit is closing in, and he would soon have another moment of inflicting brutal, barbarous treatment on his “property”.

But what “integrity and good name of the PSC Chairman” they are referring to here?

Let Gouveia and the PSC tell the Guyanese public what action they took when President Jagdeo, at Albion, a few years ago, in the course of addressing protesters, some of whom had attacked the Albion Police Station, pointed out that present in the crowd that day were representatives of certain media houses who were hostile to what they were doing, and he called on the protesters to deal with those persons. It was clear to me that President Jag-

deo had intended that violence was to be done to those media personnel. Let Gouveia and the PSC explain their silence on that matter.

Let Gouveia and the PSC deny that at the discussion organised by the Government which was held at the Ocean View Hotel to find ways of dealing with the deteriorating situation re: The escalating violence that followed the Mash Day jail-break, it was no less a person than a member of the PSC who proposed at that forum, that the Jagdeo government should give consideration to the hiring of mercenaries to deal with the situation.

Let Gouveia and the PSC say if a large segment of the population was wrong to say that at least two high officials of the PSC assisted in the formation of the ‘Phantom Squad’, and that members of the PSC funded its operations.

Let Gouveia and the PSC say why they did nothing when, at the height of the violence that was sweeping Guyana, and subsequent to the then UN Resident Representative initiating all-party discussions in an attempt at finding a solution to the problem, President Jagdeo announced that the UN ‘rep’ was interfering in the affairs of Guyana and demanded that the UN authorities recall him with immediate effect. And let them say if there is/has been any such parallel action by the incumbent Granger-led coalition government.

Let Gouveia and the PSC say why they refused to participate in the formation of the broad-based alliance, the Peoples Movement for Justice, which agitated for an inquiry into the behaviour of former Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, who was accused of a number of offences, including supplying sophisticated weapons to Axel Williams, a known member of the ‘Phantom Squad’. Let them say why they did not even acknowledge receipt of the invitation to participate.

Let Gouveia and the PSC

say what was their response to the remarks made in Parliament

by Ronald Gajraj when the report of the COI was laid and he said that he had no apologies to make for his actions and that he would do it again.

Let Gouveia and the PSC say what their response was to President Jagdeo’s appointment of Ronald Gajraj to the position of High Commissioner to India, immediately after the damning report that condemned him.

Let Gouveia and the PSC deny that in almost every instance of their appearance at fora discussing issues of national importance, their concerns have always been about protecting their profit margins and deflecting flak away from the PPP regime. And let them say what meaningful contributions they have made over the years to the development of this society. The list goes on and on. No amount of self- serving rhetoric on their part will erase the widely-held belief that they are inextricably linked to the PPP. Neither Gouveia nor the PSC, no, neither of them, has the moral authority to speak with conviction on what they have done for Guyana.

I will not be surprised if, after this has been read, I will be sued for libel, because the truth hurts. I will also not be surprised if a motion is presented to GECOM to remove me as a Commissioner. I will also not be surprised if an appeal is made to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to deem me a racist, with the intention of limiting my participation in the deliberations at GECOM. Those of us, who, because of the actions and utterances of others are moved to the realisation of how people see us, and the contempt they have for us are deemed as racists even when all we do is to express abhorrence for their actions, while the real racists try to use their financial and political clout to escape being branded for what they really are.

I will also not be surprised if a motion is brought before the courts to deem me “not fit

and proppa” to be a member of GECOM. I will also not be surprised if my detractors, consistent with the actions of the Leader of the Opposition, call on the representatives of the diplomatic community to have their governments impose sanctions on me. I want to say this here: This descendant of slaves will not be deterred by threats to my life and liberty; neither will threats of sanctions force me into silence. I reserve for myself the right to speak to issues of concern to me, and unless stopped by death, will continue to do so.

Being sanctioned is not anything new to me; I am not fazed by it. I lost a job because I dared to stand up for what I believed to be right, and will do so again. I, however, believe those who will call for sanctions are more vulnerable than I am.

I have neither money in an overseas account nor property hidden away in any country.

I have not indulged in money laundering activities, I don’t do drugs, nor am I involved in the illicit gold trade. I pay my taxes, and unlike the “good citizens” of this land, I live within the boundaries of both local and international laws.

The most that could happen to me, if sanctioned by the foreign governments, is that the US will revoke the non-immigrant visa, which I occasionally travel on when visiting relatives and friends in the USA, and I will be banned from gaining entry to the other countries. So what if that happens. Those who are in violation of these and other laws and have their wives, children and other family members resident overseas, should be careful when calling for sanctions to be imposed on others; it may happen to them. I hope the diplomatic community, who no doubt will be approached to sanction me will keep them on their radar, and not ignore the threat they pose to law and order and to the economies of their countries.

Finally, a few words to that “super intellectual”, Freddie

Kissoon. You have raised this Freddie; not me. I am just taking it a little beyond where you left it. For your information, I don’t care one bit who Gouveia looks like. I can tell you what he looks like. Anthropologists, not me or you, are the experts on the reasons for the changes in the characteristics of humans.

They can better explain why Gouveia resembles who you claim he does. What I do know is that anthropologists, in their assessment of how changes occur in the human anatomy, have not excluded sexual engagements, consensual or forced, between individuals/races. So who he looks like is no business of mine. What I am concerned about is what he sounded like when he directed his abusive remarks to Lowenfield.

Freddie, are you saying that a descendant of slaves is not entitled to be offended by the way certain remarks are made, particularly when the tone causes that person to reflect on the sounds of the whip and the baying dogs and the other forms of bestial treatment his forefathers suffered at the hands of “massa”? I am sorry, Freddie; do not even hint at an apology.

None will be forthcoming.

It is amazing how often you, Freddie Kissoon, condemn some people with your wild remarks, to the extent of criminalising their behaviour and setting them up to be killed. Are you not ashamed and embarrassed that it is these same persons who have often stepped forward to defend you, even to the point of placing their bodies as a buffer between you and those who you often claimed had set out to physically harm you. I know that those persons will continue to stand in your defence, in spite of your scurrilous remarks about them.

Regards, Desmond Trotman

As usual: Nothing is strange about this PPP/C politics Dear Editor, NO doubt that the PPP/C is in desperation mode; for which political party, even if in opposition, as the Bharrat Jagdeo-led party is, should set out to travel to two friendly states, for the purposes of advising that they should not come to Guyana for investing in commerce and business. This is with regards to both the Republic of India and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, two countries with which Guyana has enjoyed bilateral relations at all levels,

from the onset of Guyana attaining its Independence in 1966.

It is issues like these that should be publicised for guidance of the PPP/C constituents who are gradually being led into the abyss of deceit and lies.

We are advised by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that while on a visit to India, he was told that investors had been advised by the “Indian party” not to invest in Guyana’s sugar industry. This is the brand of PPP/C vindictive and plain bad-minded politics which has guided its actions, lived by and dis-

tinguished itself, especially during the last decade of governance.

The recently reported PPP/C controlled Corriverton Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in Berbice, Corentyne, where residents could have been openly accused by the party of refusing 200 street lamps for its community, speaks as much of a political party which is selfish and continues to put partisan interests against the people’s well-being and safety.

Given the state of GuySuCo, which the PPP/C is comprehensively responsible for its financial debt,

and subsequent collapse, one would have thought its encouragement of investors, from wherever, would have been given the appropriately welcomed advice. However, the fact that its advice contradicts its verbiage about having the “best interests” of the sugar workers at heart.

For any political opposition that will commit such acts against their country, underlines a level of anti-national behaviour that cannot sit well with what are the requirements for patriotism, or love for country. For even such

a party should want to be associated, at all given times, with the socio-economic advancement of country, once it is genuine and legitimate. No party can claim care, concern, and love for country when it actively acts in a manner as the PPP/C has now made a habit of committing against its own country.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Forestry/mining joint committee to be established

9

…will address issues such as mining and reclamation

AT a joint meeting of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold Board and the Guyana Forestry Commission, it was agreed that a joint committee will be established to address issues in forestry and mining, including land reclamation.

The meeting took place on Thursday August 22, 2019 and was facilitated by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A statement from the MNR said that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Chairwoman of the GFC board, Ms. Jocelyn Dow; Chairman of the GGMC board Mr. Stanley Ming; Chairman of the GGB Mr. GHK Lall, and senior representatives of the ministry and the respective boards were present at the meeting.

From left: Chair of GFC, Jocelyn Dow; Minister Trotman; Chair of GGMC, Stanley Ming; GGMC Commissioner (ag) Newell Dennison and Chair GGB, GHK Lall Calling the meeting “historic” during his opening remarks, Minister Trotman said it was an opportunity for greater collaboration and cooperation between the agencies and sectors.

“The minister, who was the

Man sentenced for unlawful wounding SENIOR Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday August 23, 2019, sentenced a labourer to six months’ imprisonment for unlawfully wounding a man and remanded him for escaping from police custody, while in custody for a criminal offence.

Noel Seerathan appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

Particulars of the first charge stated that, on July 8, 2019, at East La Penitence squatting area, he unlawfully wounded Devon Alphonso.

The second charge stated that, on July 8, 2019, at East La Penitence police station, he escaped from police custody, while in custody for a criminal offence.

Police prosecutor told the court that, on the day in question, Seerathan and Devon’s brother had an argument. Devon on seeing that decided to defend his brother. Seerathan armed himself with a knife and ‘slashed’ Devon to the head. Devon was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he received stitches to the right front part of his head.

Magistrate Daly, after listening to the prosecutor, sentenced Seerathan to six months’ imprisonment on the unlawful wounding charge and remanded him on the escaping from police custody charge and adjourned the matter until September 27, 2019.

facilitator, earmarked five areas for discussion; The Forest Restoration Programme (FRP), rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland roads, use of available technology for enhanced resource management, data sharing, and monitoring and enforcement operations,” the release said.

In addition, the meeting agreed to have the forestry

and mining sectors share responsibilities “and work together to promote sustainable development.” According to the release, the joint committee will further the objectives regarding land reclamation and forest restoration, and road maintenance.

GFC Chair Jocelyn Dow highlighted that the various agencies possess common and differentiated responsi-

bilities to the development of the natural resources sector and as such “must ensure that synergies can be found to ensure development that is fair and sustainable.”

The release said that at the close of the meeting, the GGMC, through Commissioner Newell Dennison, committed to continuing to contribute its efforts towards reclamation in particular

and expressed a willingness to work towards moving from reclamation to full restoration. Mr. Dennison also updated those present on the ongoing and planned hinterland road projects that were being done along with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Minister Trotman held a press briefing immediately following the meeting during which he updated the media on the outcome of the meeting. He also spoke on the successful work of the GFC, GGB, and the GGMC referencing the mid-year report, and also spoke of some of the projects that the Ministry has undertaken.

These include the Green Spaces Initiative, the Youth in Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme, the work on mercury reduction in accordance with the Minamata Convention, the farming and sports donations initiative, back to school drive and ministerial outreaches.

Piracy attack mastermind returns to prison intoxicated …following court hearing AN investigation has been launched to determine why Nakool Manohar called ‘Fyah’, the alleged mastermind in the April 2018 deadly piracy attack off the coast of Suriname, returned to New Amsterdam Prison from a court hearing in alleged intoxicated state on Thursday.

When contacted on Thursday, a senior official at the New Amsterdam Prison confirmed that Manohar was acting “strange” upon his return to the facility.

The official also indicated that it was unclear

what the man may have consumed, while noting also that he has a medical condition. Multiple sources related that the man was under the influence of alcohol.

When contacted, commander of ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Paul Langevine, said he cannot go into details but confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

The Guyana Chronicle understands the police officers, who were on duty and accompanied the murder accused to court, were

questioned.

Manohar called ‘Fyah’, 39, was charged with the murder of one of the fishermen. During the period April 27 to 28 in Suriname waters, four fishing vessels with a combined five-member crew were attacked by pirates and during the ordeals several men were savagely beaten, chopped, burnt with hot oil and left to die while the others remain missing or feared dead. Five survived the traumatic ordeal.

Manohar along with three others are facing

Nakool Manohar called ‘Fyah’ murder charges in Guyana. The matter is still engaging the magistrate’s court.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Sustainable management of forestry resources vital to development – Min. Hastings-Williams

MINISTER of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams said the management and sustainable utilisation of forestry resources is integral to the government’s developmental trajectory.

Minister Hastings-Williams, was at the time, addressing participants at the closing ceremony of a capacity-building workshop funded under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Agricultural Organisation and European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (EPA-FAO-EU FLEGT) Programme, on Friday, during which 312 forest operators were trained in the Environmental Authorisation (EA) process.

The programme provided capacity building assistance to Community Forest Organisations (CFOs) and Forest Sector Operators (FSOs) on the EA process in Guyana.

One of the main pillars of the EU-FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) is environmental sustainability. To satisfy this requirement, the EPA worked with the GFC to ensure that FSOs and CFOs were operating within the established parameters of the EPA. According to Karen Small, Senior Environmental Officer with responsibility for the Forestry Sector, the programme was geared

at educating and building capacity on the Environmental Authorisation. The EA, she explained, is a legal document with terms and conditions to ensure that developmental activities do not cause adverse impacts to the natural environment and human health. In accordance with Section 11 of the EPA Act, a developer of any project (s) which is deemed by the Agency to have potentially significant impacts on the environment must apply for an EA. “In 2018, we received funding to a total of US$110,000 to carry out capacity workshops. After the workshops have been concluded and capacity is built, our intention is that they apply for the EA. It is one of the first documents that you are supposed to acquire before you harvest or utilise any forest resource so this project enabled us to meet operators and build capacity so that they can apply for EA. The project lasted for 15 months and we were able to reach 312 forest operators and build capacity in all regions except Regions Five and Eight. As an agency, we consider it a success,” Small explained.

Minister Hastings-Williams, in her remarks, said the Government of Guyana has made strategic and robust efforts toward environmental

conservation and management. She noted that the government has recognised that this natural patrimony needs to be protected and sustainably utilised and for this reason, the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) is important to the overall development of the country.

“Environmental protection is enshrined in Guyana’s constitution. Article 25 states: ‘Every citizen has a duty to improve the environment and protect the health of the nation.’

Further, according to Article 36: ‘the well-being of the nation depends upon preserving clean air, fertile soils, pure water and the rich diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems.’ To support our constitutional right, the government has signed and ratified many international agreements, which amalgamates our national development goals,” the minister of state said.

She noted that the success of the VPA process in Guyana will depend upon the support of agencies such as the EPA, whose mandate is to protect Guyana’s environment and in so doing, contribute to global environmental protection. In this regard, Minister Hastings-Williams noted the integral part the EA plays in this process.

“This forms a necessary part of the process in en-

Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams (seated in the centre), Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams and Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers. Standing behind them are participants of the capacity building workshop suring a legality assurance system to verify that timber products are legal and can be issued with FLEGT licences.

As we develop our forest resources and the government [builds] a dynamic and resilient economy, economic diversification is critical.

The government therefore, challenges forestry operators to be innovative and creative in their operations; utilise the lesser value species and minimise waste within their concessions. Guyana has the ability to meet the demands of local and internal markets with diverse, high-quality timber sustainably harvested,” the minister said.

The management of for-

estry resources is therefore, integral to the government’s developmental trajectory, which includes the strengthening of sustainable forest management; leveraging of the expertise of GFC to improve forest management; ensuring forest management tools, measures and plans are strengthened; strengthening of community monitoring, reporting and verification; implementations of provisions under the Amerindian Act 2006 to manage forest resources; and systems for continued monitoring, control and reporting on wildlife trade.

“The Government of Guyana is also committed to titling of Amerindian lands

to ensure Indigenous practices are sustained for present and future generations. It is therefore incumbent upon resource users to ensure they get the necessary approval to make their businesses compliant, profitable and competitive, not only locally but also on the global market.

In an era of global environmental change, the Government of Guyana continues to model sound and inclusive governance,” she said.

Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams and Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers were also present at the closing ceremony. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Shuman loses bid to stop house-to-house registration … as chief justice throws out application to reverse GECOM’s order

ACTING Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire refused the application filed by the Liberty and Justice Party Leader, Lenox Shuman, challenging the order issued by former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, initiating house-tohouse registration.

At the High Court on Friday, the Chief Justice (ag) ruled that Patterson, while being the Chairman of GECOM, acted in accordance with the Laws of Guyana. Those laws, she said, permitted Justice Patterson to issue the order.

Chief Justice George-Wiltshire said the application filed by Shuman straddles between public interest and abuse of the court.

She then awarded the cost of $200,000 each to the Guyana Elections Commission and the Attorney General, Basil Williams.

Shuman was represented

by Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin, while GECOM was represented by Attorney Roysdale Forde. The Solic-

Former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson itor General, Nigel Hawke, appeared on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, who was among the named respondents in the matter.

Shuman filed the application after drawing the ‘conclusion’ that the National Registration (Residents) Order 2019 was invalid because the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had inval-

Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire idated Justice Patterson’s appointment as Chairman of the Elections Commission.

Through his lawyer, Shuman argued that any order issued by Justice Patterson was therefore null, void and of no effect. He asked the court to issue an order of certiorari quashing the June 11 order of the then chairman of GECOM to commence house-to-house registration on the grounds that it was unlawful, null, void, irrational, unreasonable, ultra vires, contrary to the

Liberty and Justice Party Leader, Lenox Shuman, and his attorney Sanjeev Datadin rules of natural justice, made in bad faith and made without lawful authority.

Shuman had also argued that the ongoing exercise will disenfranchise between 30,000 and 50,000 Indigenous people working in various parts of Guyana in the mining and logging sectors.

According to him, house-tohouse exercise stands to deny the “marginalised population” to exercise their franchise.

On October 19, 2017, Justice Patterson was uni-

laterally appointed as Chairman of GECOM. However, following his appointment, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, filed legal proceedings contending that Patterson’s appointment was illegal. Judgment in that matter was handed down on June 18 by the CCJ, and while it invalidated Justice Patterson’s appointment as Chairman of GECOM, the National Registration (Residents) Order 2019 was issued

prior to the ruling, and is therefore valid.

Friday’s judgment was handed down days after the Chief Justice ruled that the ongoing house-to-house registration embarked upon by the Elections Commission (GECOM) is legal.

Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram had challenged the constitutionality of the ongoing house-to-house registration, however, the Chief Justice, in her ruling, explained the Constitution and the Laws of Guyana provide for the conduct of house-to-house registration as a form of verification – a position that was argued by the attorney general.

As such, she ruled that the June 11 Order published in the Official Gazette by the then Chairman of Elections Commission was in compliance with established laws. The order paved the way for the house-to-house registration exercise to be conducted from July 20, 2019 to October 20, 2019 – a period of three months.

11

GECOM still in talks

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

… commissioners to offer proposal on Chief Justice’s ruling

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will meet next Tuesday and commissioners will offer their proposals on the finite interpretations and applications of the acting Chief Justice’s ruling.

This is according to Government-appointed GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, following another meeting with GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh on Friday.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George ruled that the ongoing house-to-house registration, being undertaken by GECOM, is within the confines of the Constitution, and is therefore legal.

The Acting Chief Justice delivered her judgment in a case challenging the constitutionality of house-to-house registration brought before the High Court by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, in which GECOM, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, and Attorney-General Basil Williams were the named respondents.

Alexander said that the ruling of the Chief Justice is being taken into consideration when further discussions are being done.

He explained that the Chief Justice noted that house-to-house registration cannot be used to extract people from the National Register of Registrants Database but it was stated that commissioners will look at matters pursuing to Article 159 and the movability of the National Registration Act. “So that we are concomitantly looking at 159, its proviso and the National Registration Act and what it provides for… the sticky point is that we don’t have consensus,” he empathised.

GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander speaking to media operatives in front of GECOM headquarters on Friday.

When asked about his hope on getting consensus, Alexander expressed caution about discussing anything in details pertaining to the ongoing forum.

“I am cautious about the context, about the ongoing discussions, not to engage the public. In our political environment I think we need to use an approach that allows for internal discussions and not to have the politicians be rancored by what we have to say if it would influence what may happen internally, so yes we have propositions, but

I prefer at this time not to be the one to put it out in the public,” Alexander said, noting that the little he had stated previously caused a bitter reaction from the opposition leader.

He said the public should have information on something definitive and internal aspects of discussions should be left inside the meetings.

He explained that the next meeting will be on Tuesday (August, 27) and certain proposals will be submitted freely by individual commissioners on the way forward surrounding the Chief Justice’s rulings, which includes house-to-house registration.

“Every commissioner reserves a right; it doesn’t mean every commissioner will,” he said.

When asked about the scenarios put forward for elections by the Chief Elections Officer, Alexander said such scenarios were not discussed but the previous submissions dealt with lots of time.

“Before we get to specifics, of lots of time, what we need to do, is to cross the hurdle of our finite interpretation and application of the Chief Justice ruling which doesn’t speak to lot of time, which speaks to how house-to-house is still relevant,” Alexander.

He explained that the Chief Justice stated that house-to-house was constitutional and useful based on the application of the National Registration Act. Expressing concerns about persons not being taken off the list, Alexander said “I don’t think I can dwell on those concerns because the court has ruled and I think we have to be cognizant of the ruling and work within that context.”

Alexander said within such a framework,

options must also be explored on ways to sanitize the list.

“If one looks at the law as the National Registration Act and its schedules under rule 38 and rule 40, methods of removal of names from the registrar of registrants, in some regards I would say time is against regulation 40 but time is not against regulation 38 which speaks to removal of the names and gives a number of conditions under which that could be pursued… it does speak to the fact that there are options and this forms a basis of my proposal,” Alexander stated.

PPP-nominated election commissioner, Sase Gunraj is of the opinion that government elected GECOM commissioners are using delaying tactics to stymie any development for imminent elections.

“We are not able to have meaningful discussions because there are delaying tactics being employed by the other side to prevent the holding of elections,” Gunraj stated.

Residents are urged to have the relevant documents required for registration ready and be on the lookout for GECOM’s registration officials in their area.

“These documents include an original Birth Certificate, a Valid Passport, Naturalisation Certificate, Certificate of Registration, Adoption Certificate and Deed Poll or Marriage Certificate (if applicable),” the elections body stated.

Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation or registration, 14 years and older by October 31, 2019 or a citizen of a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for a period of no less than one year, preceding the qualifying date, are all eligible for registration.

No evidence of smuggling of Haitians

– Felix

MINISTER of Citizenship, Winston Felix, has once again rubbished claims that Haitians are being smuggled and trafficked in Guyana, noting that there is no evidence to support such claims.

Speaking on the issue at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) weekly press briefing at Congress Place on Friday, the minister said the police have been actively tackling Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and are seeing more results in the past four years than any preceding period.

Notwithstanding the increased TIP reports, of all the cases encountered, thus far, none involved Haitians

Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix as victims or perpetrators.

Felix explained that foreign nationals involved in TIP are usually of other nationalities.

“The government agencies like the police and narcotics unit are always on the look out to detect

trafficking in persons or smuggling. We have not detected Haitians, we have detected other nationalities, we’ve found Venezuelans, those from the Dominican Republic, and majority being Guyanese.

We have found those and we’ve published those, but no Haitian has been found.

In none of these cases have we found any Haitian being smuggled. Not one being involved in human trafficking neither as a victim or a perpetrator,” Felix explained.

In recent times, the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), and some media houses have been targeting Haitians on the grounds that they are arriving in “large numbers” here, though the

facts show that other nationalities account for the majority of the arrivals.

For the first seven months of the year some 8600 Haitians were recorded as arriving in Guyana, however, for the same period, the arrivals of Cubans more than triple that number, while the number of Trinidad and Tobago nationals who came here during that time also out-numbered the Haitian arrival figures.

Jagdeo had accused the government of facilitating a smuggling ring here but Felix said it was under the PPP/C administration that human trafficking was allowed.

“The Guyana Police Force, for 2019, has investigated and charged more cases, around 11 or 13 per-

sons charged, than any other period in the 23-year-old history of the PPP. We have improved the facility of the police to investigate these crimes,” Felix informed.

The “hysteria” surrounding this issue, Felix says, is aimed at disparaging the government.

“The hysteria with which this matter is being dealt with is one I suspect to being aimed at tarnishing the government but the records will reflect that in our investigative work we have not detected any Haitian at this time who has been either a victim or a perpetrator in trafficking in persons or human smuggling,” Felix said.

With Haiti being a member of CARICOM, Haitians are allowed a six-month stay in fellow

CARICOM member states, including Guyana. Last July, CARICOM Heads of Government at their 39th Summit in Jamaica, passed an immigration order to allow Haitians an automatic six-month stay in all CARICOM member states.

Haitians can also benefit from the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) which allows for the free movement of persons across the Region and removal of work permit for certain categories of persons.

Felix said that many of the Haitians as using Guyana as a transit point to their family in other countries. He said records from Brazil show that majority of the Haitians entered Brazil from Guyana.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

Ituni to get shade house as gov’t promotes food security

By Naomi Marshall MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valerie Adams-Yearwood, on Thursday, announced that a shade house would soon be built in Ituni to foster greater farming activities in the community located in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Minister Yearwood made the announcement during a simple handing over ceremony in Ituni as she distributed uniform materials to parents

of school-aged children.

The shade house initiative forms part of the Regional Democratic Council, Region 10 Agriculture Programme aimed at promoting food security and self-efficiency among residents of rural areas within the region.

Shade houses, similar to greenhouses, allow for cultivation of crops in a controlled environment. Through ownership of one, the average Guyanese interested in agriculture can become a self-employed entrepreneur

and contribute to home-based vegetable production for the family.

The structures have ‘UV’ plastic roofing and walls, complete with a shade mesh that prevents solar radiation and other mesh to keep out insects. Ventilation, irrigation and control systems add to the creation of a control situation for cultivation, facilitating higher productivity of cash and high-value crops.

However, unlike the greenhouse, the shade house is not completely enclosed

and that marked difference in the infrastructure is what sets the two apart.

This initiative will not only provide employment for residents of the community but it will also promote community cohesiveness, since residents of Ituni will be pooling their labour resources to build the shade house.

According to Minister Yearwood, the residents will be paid and provided with materials and guidance on how to construct the structure through training sessions which will be facilitated by persons trained in shade culture. According to Yearwood, construction of the shade house is expected to commence next week.

Giving remarks at the event was the Regional Agricultural Officer, Region 10, Derick Collins, who noted that in January 2019, Region 10 was given the approval for the introduction of an agricultural programme which is being planned and budgeted for at the level of the Regional Democratic Council.

“With that being said, one of the major programmes for Region 10 is the establishment of shade houses in rural communities and even resuscitating agriculture in the schools by giving them shade houses,” Collins explained.

He noted that residents will also be educated on how to properly utilise the shade house in an effort to secure optimum benefits.

The house will be managed by the Community Development Council (CDC) and all proceeds will go to the development of the Ituni community.

Thirty-two-year-old Keon Liverpool, a resident of Ituni, told this newspaper that he is excited about the

initiative. “I feel great that the government in the whole showing a little light on the community because we never experience this before so for me, so far they going good and I like if they can continue to giving their support.”

Meanwhile, Yearwood presented students of the Howell Wilson Primary School, located in Ituni, with uniform materials and back packs. The minister, who hails from Region 10, took the materials and school supplies to the logging community after being told of the difficulties faced by parMinister within the ents there.

Ministry of Agriculture, In addition, minister pre- Valerie Adams-Yearwood sented the ‘Ituni Super Fem Women’s Group’ with two easy-to-use full size sewing machines which will be used to sew school uniforms for the children of Ituni free of cost.

The machines will also be a means of generating income for the women’s group which aims at empowering women of the community.

Resident of Ituni, Onika Fraser, has three children who benefitted from the initiative. Fraser stated that that she feels pleased because she is a single parent and preparing her children for school is sometimes a Resident of Ituni Keon hard task.

Liverpool

Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood presenting the sewing machines to Chairperson of the ‘Ituni Super Fem Women’s Group’ Akesisha Naipaul

Minister Yearwood and other regionals officials standing with pupils of the Howell Wilson Primary School who were more than happy to ‘show off’ their new bags.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Gov’t lauds US Army’s unwavering commitment to social change here –– at commissioning of community centre at Blue Berry Hill

By Vanessa Braithwaite

IN a matter of weeks, New Horizons, the annual training and humanitarian mission deployed across Latin America and the Caribbean by the US Southern Command, has commissioned two community centres in Linden, the latest of which was constructed at Blue Berry Hill.

Scores of Linden residents, particularly those from Blue Berry Hill, along with government, military and regional officials were in attendance at the commissioning ceremony, and were all in agreement that the facility, the first of its kind in Blue Berry Hill, will have a huge impact on the community’s social standing, particularly its youths, womenfolk and the elderly.

Among government and other officials present at the commissioning were Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson; Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Patrick West; Major-General Andrew Croft, Commander of Southern Command’s 12th Air Force; Mr. Mark W. Cullinane, Chargé D’Affaires at the US Embassy; Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira; Deputy Regional Chairman, Elroy Adolph; and Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell.

Speaking on behalf of President Granger, DG Harmon pointed out that the Government of Guyana truly appreciates the many U.S Army-sponsored programmes which have contributed tangibly to national development and positive social change in our society, in that it holds in the highest esteem the relationship which exists between our two countries since 1966.

STRONG, STABLE RELATIONS “Throughout this relationship, our countries have cultivated strong and stable relations,” DG Harmon said, adding: “Guyana and the United States of America are bonded by geography, history and friendship that are premised on the principles of mutual respect, cooperation, respect of international laws and treaties, and the maintenance of internal treaties and security.”

In reminding the residents of Blue Berry Hill of the purpose for which the centre was built, Mr. Harmon said the idea is to promote social development by creating a space for recreation and a hub of social, economic and cultural activities.

All three centres, these being the one at

Blue Berry Hill, as well as the one in Amelia’s Ward and the other at Yarrowkabra, he said, will be managed within the government’s sustainable framework, which is in accordance with the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

They were all constructed by the US military officers who are participants in the New Horizons 2019 programme. Preliminary studies for the programme would have shown that the communities at reference, which are home to thousands of residents, had no permanent place for residents to assemble and participate in various activities. According to Major-General Croft, while constructing the three centres would have cost the US government millions of dollars, it was a small price to pay for improving the quality of life of residents of the communities in which they are located, as the goal was to create lasting positive change, and that was realised.

“You have impacted each and every one of us,” he told residents of the various Linden communities present at the function in which his men would have worked in the three or so months they were stationed here, “and this team will never forget the experience, which comprised of hard work from everyone that was involved in this endeavour.

Seeds have been sown, which I hope will bear fruits of lifelong friendships and continued partnerships in the future.”

A LEARNING EXERCISE His Guyanese counterpart, Brigadier West, related that it is projects like these that portray improved bilateral agreements and friendships that are manifested tangibly.

He highlighted the role played by the GDF is this project, which also served as a learning exercise of what can be accomplished through coordination and cooperation between the two military groupings. The military’s only focus should not be to protect and serve, but to create an impact on the social sector of our society, thus building cohesive communities.

This is an important mission of the US Army, according to Charge d’Affaires Cullinane. New Horizons 2019, he said, speaks volumes about the United States’ commitment to building and sustaining enduring relationships with partner nations.

“It is a commitment that will never wane, because we know that by sharing our values, our responsibilities and our challenges, we forge relationships that improve regional stability. Guyana’s success is, without a doubt,

Part of the audience at the commissioning ceremony

Major-General Andrew Croft handing over the ceremonial key of the community centre to Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson. Looking on is DG of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon our success as we continue to grow partnerships and friendships,” he said.

In expressing her gratitude on behalf of the residents of the municipality of Linden, Mayor Waneka Arrindell said “Appreciation will be shown by the residents taking good care of the building, and using it for its intended purpose.

The New Horizons team worked tirelessly, in sweat, which shows how important the improvement of the quality of life of the residents is to each officer who laid a brick.”

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED New Horizons commenced in the 1980s to provide social and medical services to nations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. This includes the construction of schools, community centres and clinics.

In 2004, New Horizons built the Bel Air Nursery School and the East La Penitence Health Centre. The team returned in 2009, where similar projects were carried out. There was a ten-year hiatus, and with their return in 2019, approximately 13, 300 citizens benefited from the medical mission, which included medical and surgical outreaches. In addition to the three community centres, a women’s home in Richmond Hill, Linden, is currently being built, and will be commissioned soon. This will be the first home of its kind in Region Ten, and will serve as a safe haven for battered women.

Major-General Croft related that approximately US$8M was spent on New Horizons 2019, and since the commencement of the project, which included the planning stage, approximately 600 U.S Army Officers were deployed to Guyana.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Valmiki Vidyalaya High School renamed –– major focus now being placed on business, technology

THE Valmiki Vidyalaya High School has been renamed the Valmiki College for Business and Technology now that the institution has ventured deeper into corporate and technological studies.

Georgetown Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine; Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr. Gobind Ganga; Behavioural Scientist and Professor at the University of Guyana, Dr. Paloma

isations Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation and the ZARA Computer College were highly praised as focal organisations that significantly contributed to the up-scaling of the institution.

Jay Sobhraj of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation said that the college’s curriculum will not only serve for preparations toward the Caribbean Secondary Education CertifiMayor Narine addressing the gathering was opened just a few months ago at UG’s ing ways to tackle them. He said “education Turkeyen campus. The building which Mo- can bridge gaps and enable significant allihamed said has transformed the landscape of ances that can bring people together and get the UG, now houses programmes for mental them to contribute.” wellness such as criminology, sociology Mayor Narine urged students to take adand phycology among others. “This centre vantage of the opportunities that the school will strike at the heart of one of the biggest continues to offer. He reiterated that educaproblems we have in this country… suicide,” tion is the key and should be attained when she remarked. opportunity presents.

Persaud, who plays key volunteer roles at He said that nothing is promised and the school, congratulated the organisation for chances offered today may not be available looking at the needs in Guyana and develop- tomorrow.

The computer room Mohamed, and former Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, were among a number of specially-invited guests, supporters and education administrators who witnessed the Thursday opening of the improved facility.

A newly-installed school library, a fully equipped computer room with projector, some 40 computers and increased classrooms are among the new additions to the refurbished college. The Valmiki Vidyalaya High School had been operating for several years after the building was transformed from its original function of housing students undertaking studies at the University of Guyana and other educational institutions.

Guyanese-owned overseas-based organ-

cate (CSEC) examinations, but will also offer classes and exams in computer services such as computer repairs, programming and other such engineering fields. He opined that the facility is geared to ensure that students leaving the institution are equipped with skills to access decent jobs and function effectively in the field of business and technology. He mentioned also the possibility of local students being able to access study opportunities in Silicon Valley as is already available to students attending schools supported in the US. Dr. Mohamed expressed support and congratulatory remarks to the operators of the college noting also the major contribution by the foundation toward a building which

The new library

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

15

Bauxite Union, BCGI/RUSAL conciliation meetings to begin on Monday

GB&GWU General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis

A truck that toppled last Saturday at the RUSAL/BCGI bauxite mines due to poor working conditions

THE first conciliation meetings between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the RUSAL-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), is expected to be held at 14:00hrs on Monday at the Department of Labour (DoL), on Brickdam.

GB&GWU had written the DoL last Tuesday requesting the commencement of conciliation proceedings after the union rejected a three per cent pay increase offered by the company.

GB&GWU General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis noted that if conciliation cannot yield something that the union can agree with, then the union is looking for the process to move to arbitration.

“We expect that this discussion will be swift and we either come to an agreement or we move next to arbitration,” Lewis told workers.

Over the weekend union officials had indicated that this week would see the expiration of the timeline whereby a response was expected from BCGI on a Collective Labour Agreement (CLA)

and salary proposal, which were submitted by the union since early May. On receiving the company’s three per cent offer on Tuesday, Lewis had called the proposal “unacceptable”, but noted that he was not surprised by it. He said the union is “prepared to go the distance” in pursuing justice for its workers.

“We have received from BCGI a proposal that we consider unacceptable, we did not expect better from them and it is for that reason that we advised that we will be proceeding to conciliation,” Lewis said.

Over five months have passed since employees ended a five-week strike, and the company agreed to recognise the union, work on a new Collective Labour Agreement, and address salary and other concerns of workers.

The strike had started on February 15, after the company imposed an arbitrary one per cent pay increase on employees. Three days later some 61 employees were fired and the Department of Labour summoned the company. Sometime later another 30 employees were laid off.

Working conditions at RUSAL/BCGI bauxite mines

The strike officially came to an end on March 21, and all terminated workers were reinstated.

The workers complained that since then, the conditions at the mines have not improved.

BCGI Union President, Ephraim Velloza, said the workers are willing to follow the union, and like Lewis

said, go the distance. He cautioned however that any action taken will be within the confines of the law.

“The workers are hyping up, the guys are prepared for anything. But we don’t want to do nothing out of our constitutional rights so we’re taking it one step at a time, because these things could get very

drastic. Remember school will soon re-open and people ain’t seeing no money coming and these kind of stuff, and the conditions haven’t improved at the camp, every day they trying to take us by storm. So we are waiting on the government intervention and for the company to reconsider their offer,” he said.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

Guyanese designers make their mark at 'Oui Papa Yo'

By Vishani Ragobeer THE highlight fashion event for Carifesta XIV, ‘Oui Papa Yo’, featured an array of the Caribbean's best designs including three of Guyana's finest designers. "(Oui Papa Yo) is the signal fashion event for CARIFESTA XIV," Trinidadi-

an Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr. Nyan GadsbyDolly said.

Scores of fashion designers from Caribbean countries gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of- Spain, Trinidad, for the ‘Oui Papa Yo’ fashion exhibition on Thursday night. The well-attended event saw some of

the region's best designs on show.

Here, Guyanese designers Maxi Williams, Olympia Sonaram and Keisha Edwards brought their A-game so that the model would strut only the best on the runway.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle after his pieces were displayed on the runway was local designer Maxi

Williams.

His 10- piece 'Elite' Collection featured a distinctive green, which, according to him, was made for the "strong woman" or the "strong guy" that wants to be "unique".

Moreso the colour was one that he believed could easily emphasize a person's strength; he noted that he used the green to pay homage

to Guyana.

"I chose that colour because our country is going green, and I wanted to show our country is an emerging green state," Williams highlighted.

So far, during his experience at this year's Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), Maxi related that the response to his work has been

"good" and he was hoping that, in the last few days, he could continue to make his mark.

He was also proud of the fact that his ‘Oui Papa Yo’ collection, which he worked on for the past two months, was well-received.

A Maxi Williams design being showcased at the Oui Papa Yo Fashion show at the Hyatt Regency Hotel

Another Maxi Williams dress being showcased at the Oui Papa Yo fashion show

A Keisha Edward's piece on the Oui Papa Yo runway

One of Olympia Sonaram's colorful pieces on the Oui Papa Yo runway

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

MoU likely to dent mercury use

PERSONS may be smuggling mercury across the borders, and as such, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between several agencies is likely to dent this practice as well as place strict measures in place for importation of the chemical.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told reporters at a press conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Thursday that the signing of the agreement will take place next Friday, on August 30, 2019.

The signatories will be the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

This move, Trotman said, will see importers requiring the approval of the three agencies before being issued with an importation licence, contending that it will affect the use of mercury in the mining industry “only in a positive way”.

Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman at Thursday’s press briefing (Adrian Narine photo) Trotman said last year, the authorities saw a request from an importer for the im-

portation of 30,000 kilograms of mercury from Mexico, adding that was only one importer while he noted that there are multiple importers.

He said the there seem to be reasons to believe that some of the substance is being moved across the country’s borders.

He said the MoU will see monitoring of the stocks at hand and it will also ensure that there is a limited amount in the country at all times. He said issues such as disposal, abuse of the use of the chemical will be tracked.

“We have not made it easy,” Trotman said regarding the importation of the chemical.

The MoU will see the importer requiring permission from one agency before being able to approach another to carry out their uses of the chemical.

According to the GGMC’s website, as of August 1, 2019, importers, retailers, traders and distributers of mercury will require an Environmental Authorisation from the

EPA to carry out their future uses of the chemical.

This is in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana, the notice said.

As regards consequences, the GGMC said that failure to obtain an Environmental Authorisation from the EPA will deem them ineligible to acquire a licence from the PTCCB to import, retail or distribute mercury.

The process stretches to the GGMC in which the written consent of the commissioner of that body “is at all times required before any shipment of mercury is imported into Guyana for mining purposes”.

Guyana signed and ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury in October, 2013 and September, 2014, respectively.

The convention is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and its compounds. It came into force August 2017.

20

Trans Guyana offers new flight connection to Europe … via partnership with Dutch carrier, KLM

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Martijin ten Broecke of Dutch carrier –KLM -addresses the media in the presence of Alexandra Correia of Trans Guyana (second right) and other officials of the local company.

GUYANESE travelling to Europe can add another option to their plans with the introduction of a new service by local carrier Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) and Dutch airline, KLM. Starting September 1, 2019, TGA will offer passengers the opportunity to travel to Suriname’s Johan Pengel International Airport via the Eugene F Correia International airport at Ogle on its Beechcraft 1900 aircraft.

Onward, passengers have an opportunity to fly to Amsterdam with KLM’s B-747.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday at Trans Guyana’s offices at Ogle, KLM’s , Martijin ten Broecke said that the airline, which will celebrate 80 years of service

to Suriname next month, is proud to collaborate with the local airline on the new venture.

KLM operates a Boeing 747 service to Suriname five times weekly and in 2021 the company plans to replace the aircraft type with the Boeing 787 or Boeing 777 model.

Alexandra Correia of Trans Guyana said that the airline will operate to Suriname on Sundays and Mondays and may quickly expand the schedule. She said that, as part of the arrangement, passengers will travel in-transit and all luggage will be checked for the entirety of the route starting at Ogle.

The flights from Ogle will depart at 14:00 hours and onward from Paramaribo at 23:30hrs.

‘There must be equality but with equity’ – Head, Office of Migration HEAD of the Office of Migration, Aubrey Norton, has said that the resources of the country, the budgetary allocations, must be for all the people of Guyana, as was emphasised by President David Granger when he assumed office in 2015.

Norton, who was a guest on the NCN’s Vybz FM Radio Programme, with Malcolm Ferreira, said that there should not be a repeat of instances where communities perceived bias against them. He posited that all must be cognisant that, economically, some are more disadvantaged than others.

“I believe that whatever resources we have should be allocated in such a way that the poor and vulnerable can be developed into a middle class and progress… There must be equality but with equity,” he stressed.

He added that, whilst equality of opportunity is good, the need for equity must be clearly defined and embraced, citing as an example, two persons attending a football match. “The fence is eight feet; you are six feet and I give you a two-foot ladder. You will see over the fence. However, if I am four feet, I cannot see! The ladder must have the correct height so that I can see,” he said according to the Department of Public Information (DPI) He further added that once resources are consistently distributed equitably, persons will recognise that the entire society is being served, “and not a few”. He warned, however, that there are those who “don’t want this status quo to change, so they fight against the development of any system that is premised on equality and equity.”

Echoing President Granger’s education push, Norton stated that an educated society will not only boost development but will enable citizens to understand the need for all to benefit from an equitable distribution of wealth.

He opined that educated citizens will be more rational and “understand the long-term rather than living in the short term.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, August 24, 2019

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Southee, Boult wreck ...

shot and with the ball hitting him right in front, he wisely opted not to take a review and walked off.

From a steady 93 for 2, Sri Lanka were a wobbly 93 for 4, with only Karunaratne’s continued presence at the crease offering some succor. The

captain built a steady stand with a skittish Dhananjaya de Silva, who was fortunate to survive when he lobbed a leading edge off Boult before he was into double figures.

Boult, whose ever-growing gallery of breathtaking catches on the boundary of-

ten sends social media into a tizzy, saw an absolute dolly pop in and out of his hands.

Dhananjaya continued to live dangerously, with the ball, not always meeting the middle of the bat and one inside edge whizzing past the stumps to the boundary.

But, crucially for Sri Lanka,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, August 24, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Match Drawn (2) Ben Stokes (ENG) (1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Which two teams contested the first ever Test played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium?

Who were the captains involved in the first ever WI/IND Test in the Caribbean?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 2 Atoka Race 3 First Wave Race 4 Performer Race 5 Mitole Race 6 Come Dancing Race 7 Shancelot Race 8 Secret Message Race 9 Midnight Bisou Race10 Ya Primo Race11 Tacitus Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Striking Moon

he survived.

Karunaratne’s solidity at the other end meant Sri Lanka looked like they were climbing out of the hole Boult had dug for them, only for Southee to push them right back in. Southee kept angling the ball across the left-handed Karunaratne, Race 2 The Young Lord Race 3 Marten Lake Race 4 Samurai Queen Race 5 Second Grace Race 6 Gizmo Flash Race 7 Redoute’s Light Race 8 Amalfi Coast Race 9 Curlin’s Honor Irish Racing Tips Killarney 08:20 hrs Sea The Dawn 08:55 hrs National Guard 09:30 hrs Bowerman 10:05 hrs Airgead 10:35 hrs Jungle Jungle 11:05 hrs Building Bridges 11:40 hrs Stratum

FROM PAGE 28

varying his movement and lines subtly. Dragged across

by Southee’s lines until one was pitched on the perfect length, he was tempted into the drive, and edged into BJ Watling’s gloves.

Three balls later, a leaden-footed Niroshan Dickwella was caught on the

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:20 hrs Fireworks 08:55 hrs bAbelie 09:33 hrs Wordyness 10:07 hrs Top Shot 10:42 hrs French Leave 11:22 hrs African Rock English Racing Tips Goodwood 09:30 hrs Strawberry Hind 09:05 hrs Skardu 09:40 hrs Boomer 10:15 hrs Zhui Feng 10:50 hrs Manuela De Vega 11:25 hrs Chance

crease as another edge went to Watling and Sri Lanka were in fresh trouble.

Dhananjaya held on, while Dilruwan Perera copped a blow on the glove of his bowling hand which needed treatment, potentially a cause for worry for the home side.

12:00 hrs Jukebox Jive Newmarket 08:40 hrs Electrical Storm 09:45 hrs Moraawed 10:20 hrs Saroog 10:55 hrs Pretty Polyanna 11:30 hrs Koduro 12:05 hrs Equitation York 08:50 hrs Wissahickon 09:25 hrs Land Of Oz 10:00 hrs Laurens 10:40 hrs Ben Vrackie 11:10 hrs Alligator Alley 11:45 hrs Forest Of Dean 12:20 hrs Pass The Vino

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Australia close to retaining Ashes (REUTERS) - AUSTRALIA closed in on a victory that will see them retain the Ashes after ending an incredible second day of the third Test with a lead of 283 runs, having bowled out England for an embarrassing 67 in their first innings yesterday.

Australia were on 171-6 in their second innings at the close at Headingley, with a

sizeable advantage after England suffered a humiliating day at the crease with Josh Hazlewood taking five wickets to help skittle out the hosts.

Starting the day chasing Australia’s first-innings total of 179 and trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, England lost cheap wickets and were dismissed for their 12th lowest Test innings total ever in

glorious sunshine in Leeds.

Joe Denly top-scored with a measly 12 runs - the lowest-ever highest score for an England batsman in a Test innings - with captain Joe Root, on his home ground, falling for his second duck in a row as the hosts’ innings lasted less than 28 overs.

Australia, spearheaded

by Steve Smith’s replace-

ment Marnus Labuschagne (53 not out), added to their lead in the evening session, before two late wickets gave England some hope of salvaging the Test.

Things went from bad to worse for England as captain Root edged one to David Warner in the slips.

Rory Burns and England World Cup hero Ben Stokes

teams are winning if they get 60 or 70 runs.”

Warner was out for a second-ball duck off the bowling of Stuart Broad at the start of the tourists’

It took a review for England to dismiss Tim Paine (Getty Images)

As holders, Australia would retain the Ashes with victory as England could only draw the series.

‘MISSED OPPORTUNITY’ “We have missed an opportunity today,” England batting coach Graham Thorpe said. “A couple of good balls got our top six, but there were also some poor shot selections.

“The game is not over from this position, though.”

Out-of-form opener Jason Roy was first to go, flashing at a delivery outside his off stump and edging to the slips for nine - the first of 16 wickets to fall on a remarkable day.

both fell cheaply after playing at shots they did not need to, with Denly, who rode his luck during his innings, out for 12 as England went into the lunch break on 54-6.

There was no relenting from Australia. Chris Woakes was out first ball of the afternoon session as Australia made light work of the England tail, with Hazlewood finishing with figures of 5-30 to help ensure both sides’ first innings lasted just 480 balls combined.

“In the sunshine you think it is a great batting day, but the first hour was fantastic,” Hazlewood said.

“I cannot remember a day like this. I don’t think many

second innings.

It was Broad’s 700th wicket across all formats making him only the second England bowler to reach the mark after James Anderson.

Jack Leach struck with this first ball to remove Marcus Harris for 19, before Usman Khawaja was caught by Roy for 23 following another poor shot.

Root dropped an easy catch to let Labuschagne off the hook, before Stokes came into the attack to dismiss Travis Head for 25 after tea.

Labuschagne remained patient and reached his third successive half-century, before Broad removed Tim Paine for a duck to give England a glimmer of hope.

Southee, Boult wreck Sri Lanka

(ESPNCRICINFO) - TWO double-wicket maidens by New Zealand’s seam-bowling duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee headlined an opening session that left Sri Lanka struggling on the second day of the second Test, but the rains that have plagued this match from the start came down at the lunch break and didn’t let up, so there was no play possible for the rest of the day.

In the morning, Sri Lanka had resumed on a fairly steady 85 for 2 after overnight rains delayed the scheduled start by 45 minutes, and with captain Dimuth Karunaratne gliding a single to third man to bring up a 23rd Test half-century early on, they looked in good shape. Then Boult

struck.

In his third over of the day, Boult had Angelo Mathews as victim No.

Four balls later, Boult got one to jag back in from a length to Kusal Perera, who completely misread the

Ecstasy and agony: Trent Boult celebrates the wicket of Angelo Mathews (Associated Press)

250 in Test cricket, caught down the legside trying to pull a short ball that didn’t come on as quickly as the batsman had expected.

movement. He shouldered arms as the ball thudded into his pads. Not offering a TURN TO PAGE 27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

29

Everest partners with Starr Computers ONE of the nation’s longstanding and outstanding sporting facilities, Everest Cricket Club (ECC), is once again at the receiving end of a tangible boost with the handing-over of a complete computer system and printer from Starr Computers.

The presentation was done at the donor’s state-ofthe-art technological centre on Brickdam, Georgetown, where a desktop computer, a multifunction colour printer and backup power supply device were handed over.

Making the presentation on behalf of the computer giant was president Michael Mohan, who stated that the donation is part of his company’s corporate social responsibility to enhance sport and youth development through technology.

“Having been in existence for more than 100 years, ECC has a legacy in Guyana of successfully turning out international cricketers, while at Starr Computers we pride ourselves on helping children with free seminars on career developments, robotics, computer science, renewable energy among other topics

to help them ‘to catch the fish’ rather than giving the fish. So this is really for the youngsters to embrace,” Mohan said.

Everest, Manzoor Nadir.

After the visit, the top men agreed that Everest and other youth clubs need to grasp technology to be better

President of ECC, Manzoor Nadir (third from left), president of Starr Computers Michael Mohan (centre), other members of ECC and staff of Starr Computers at the presentation ceremony

The donation was initiated while Mohan was on a visit to the Camp Road Georgetown club on the invitation of president of

able to run their institutions successfully, including enhancing membership drive and record-keeping.

Nadir told Mohan that

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League

Dartmouth Dominators trounce Good Hope

Tyquan Brumell (right), Michael Boston, Ridley Williams and Martin Garraway of Dartmouth Dominators

FIVE different players inked their names on the score sheet when Dartmouth Dominators defeated Good Hope 5-1 at the New Opportunity Corps ground, as the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League continued on the Essequibo Coast.

Good Hope Football

Everest was recently more focussed on improving the club’s facilities for practice and play but is now focussing on a capital de-

Club took the initial lead on 10 minutes through a Tyrice David strike but that only aroused the Dartmouth Dominators lads who were in a destructive mood thereafter, banging in five unanswered goals.

Martin Garraway equalised for Dartmouth Dominators in the 25th minute.

Ridley Williams (55), Mi-

chael Boston (60), Tyquan Brummell (75) and Kerstyn Gonsalves in the 85th minute scored to consolidate their club’s hold on the match and yo ensure they walked away with full points.

On Wednesday at the same venue, Henrietta United Football Club trounced FC Castle, 12–2.

velopment programme to improve the other facilities.

Upon collecting the donation on behalf of the club, Nadir expressed sincerest

appreciation to Mohan and his trailblazing company and said, “Apart from infrastructure we at Everest have to move the club to the use of information technology to improve efficiency like other social groups and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).”

Nadir stressed that ECC is not only about producing great athletes but is a centre for community activities and training, as was evident at the recently held Summer camp where the participants were engaged in many sports and life-changing activities.

The passionate sport fan Nadir said that the computer will be well utilised more so since he is looking to develop a system where players’ biometrics will be available via software, to add another twist to selection of the various teams at Everest.

He said technology will be used to tabulate individual performances which will make the naming of the most prolific players at the end of a season or year much easier.

Meanwhile, Mohan hinted at other donations to the

club that he believes is well managed and has a clear vision for the nation’s youths.

To this end, Mohan is extending open invitations for ECC members to visit Starr Computers for field trips, where they will benefit from hands-on opportunities with different devices. They will attend free seminars and pick up the valuable platinum membership card which has many rewards including discounts and reduced interest rates on loans at commercial banks.

He is hopeful that young Guyanese will soon understand the importance of technology at the risk being left behind since the world is moving fast.

“In Guyana with the rapidly developing oil and gas industry, the young generation need to develop their technology skills to grab the opportunities and not leave it to the foreigners to take,” the business executive stated.

Nadir also took the opportunity to invite individuals and groups to Everest to enjoy all that the premier sporting and youth development club has to offer.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Persaud creates more history for Archery Guyana Devin Persaud

ARCHERY Guyana’s Devin Persaud created history as the first Guyanese to secure a Minimum Qualification Score for Recurve Men, with a 640 score.

At the recently concluded Caledon Tournament, Archery Guyana was represented by Devin Persaud in Ontario, Canada who performed amazingly to cause Guyana to now be on an official List released by World Archery as one of the countries eligible to apply for the invitational place at the Olympics.

The Minimum Qualification Score for rescrve men is 640.

The minimum score is 640 to be eligible and he was eligible to shoot this score up to June 2020.

However, he did so before this time in Ohio by shooting

the score (640) at this World Archery-sanctioned event.

Our archers can do so at other WA-sanctioned events, including world cups, the Pan Am Championships to take place in Mexico in March, the World Ranking Event to take place in Colombia at the beginning of June, and any other events (national or international) registered in the WA Calendar.

As a result, Archery Guyana will be eligible for an invitation place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

There are only two invitation places for the world.

Archery Guyana intends to start the process to request our best archer and seek to engage the relevant persons within the timeline.

In the meantime, Devin has expressed the desire to continue to participate in Berlin to shoot another qualifying score and in Mexico next year at the Pan-Am Championships.

Sharma dents West Indies A BLAZING final spell from Ishant Sharma - where he took three wickets in three overs - broke West Indies’ resistance on the second day of the first Test in North Sound.

From 174 for 5, Ishant singlehandedly reduced West Indies to 179 for 8 - tilting a see-sawing day in India’s favour. Ishant also picked up his ninth five-wicket haul in the process, finishing the day with 5 for 42.

It wasn’t his only contribution on the day. Ishant’s crucial 19 runs, part of a 60run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja in the morning, also set up India’s 297.

West Indies batted two full sessions on the day - losing three wickets after lunch and a further five after tea. At stumps, they were 108 runs behind but with only two wickets in hand.

They began their innings positively, however, with John Campbell and Kraigg Brathwaite. They saw off the new-ball spell from Ishant and Bumrah without much trouble, with Campbell, in particular, looking aggressive.

He found the boundary four times in the first seven overs, which forced Virat Kohli to bring in Shami, who struck right away, finding Campbell’s stumps via the inside edge with a yorker.

Over the next ten overs, Brathwaite and debutant Shamarh Brooks consolidated, but not quickly enough, scoring only 12 runs. Ishant’s inswingers kept them both in check, while Jadeja’s accurate deliveries dried up the runs.

When Ishant bowled full in the 18th over, Brathwaite tried to drive him straight

back, but a turning bat forced the ball to pop up, knee-high, for Ishant, who was composed enough on the follow-through to hold on to a catch.

The debutant Brooks looked mature in the middle, but he fell trying to cut Jadeja shortly before the tea break. At 50 for 2, he failed to pick the arm-ball and made room to cut a ball that was too close to him.

man on the day, finding the gaps off the fast bowlers and unafraid to take on Jadeja. He smacked the left-arm spinner over longon and even pinched seven runs off a Bumrah over.

An exquisite cover-drive off Shami seemed to break Chase’s shackles in the 42nd over, but the very next over saw his downfall. Trying to flick Ishant through mid-

Ishant Sharma holds on in his follow-through.

(Associated Press)

It found the outside edge, only to lob off the wicketkeeper’s thigh to first slip.

Those two wickets brought two new men in Roston Chase and Darren Bravo, and they had to rebuild.

Bravo, though, took the aggressive route despite the three early wickets. Two fours set the tone for his innings, and a lofted six over long-on made it appear that he was not going to waste balls that were there to hit.

But he was trapped lbw on 18 by Bumrah, steaming in from around the wicket.

The length ball wobbled in the air before landing on off stump and Bravo missed on the flick. His review on the lbw decision was unsuccessful.

Chase looked the most efficient West Indies bats-

wicket, Chase - on 48 - guided a shot straight to short midwicket, where the alert Rahul completed an instinctive catch.

At that stage, West Indies were 130 for 5, trailing still by 167.

West Indies’ long batting order - Hope and Hetmyer were part of this team’s lower order - briefly appeared handy.

The No.7 Hetmyer survived a vicious over from Bumrah, where he nearly edged a catch to slip, but soon found his footing. He sliced Jadeja over mid-off for a four, while his partner kept the runs ticking. Searching for a wicket, Kohli introduced part-timer Hanuma Vihari to deliver some off-breaks, but both batsmen - good

against spin - thwarted his efforts.

Following a brief rain delay, play continued but Hope was soon dismissed trying to defend a full ball off Ishant, Hope failed to notice the sideways movement away and edged behind. Pant did well to dive forward, given that the cross-seamed delivery was constantly dipping.

It ended an ominous-looking 44-run sixth-wicket stand.

Holder walked in late in the evening, and together with Hetmyer looked to see the day off. But Ishant wasn’t done. Offering Hetmyer a full-pitched delivery, the batsman’s drive came shin-high for Ishant, who dived marvellously forward, falling into the pitch, and successfully completing a second caughtand-bowled dismissal.

That exposed West Indies’ tail and they were further dented when Roach fell three balls later, edging Ishant’s cross-seamed delivery to Kohli at second slip. Ishant’s fifth wicket was West Indies’ eighth.

He could’ve had a sixth scalp when Holder top-edged in the direction of third man, but Vihari, racing in, failed to reach there in time. As play ended, India walked off the happier side, but it was a day of missed opportunities for West Indies. Each of their batsmen went into double digits, but no one managed a fifty.

Earlier in the day, Jadeja and Ishant frustrated the hosts - with the bat - for most of the first session.

Their effort helped India to nearly cross 300, as they added 94 runs to their overnight total having started on 203 for 6.

AR Printery golf on this weekend

AR Printery, long-time supporters and sponsors of the LGC, has committed to hosting a full weekend of tournament play to welcome back golfers after a few weeks layoff.

Managing Director of the company, Ramroop ‘Cecil’ Jiwanram recently announced his presidential bid to contest the national elections with the Guyana United Democratic (GUD) Party and says that the development of sports is a key factor in Guyana’s growth.

The dynamic print company, which is one of the largest in the country, is a staunch supporter of both golf and motor racing and will have their authorised race cars on display at the upcoming Guyana Open, scheduled for October 25-27.

Jiwanram stated, “We are always happy to support the president of the LGC, Aleem Hussain, and the club since we count on his support in our other ventures. This year we wanted to do something extra for the LGC and decided that supporting two tournaments was the way to go “.

AR Printery is located in Belair and provides top quality printing and design for every need, no matter how big or small.

For more information on their services, feel free to contact them at arprintery@gmail.com or 603-1250.

The tournaments will be two one-day individual events starting today at 12:30hrs and continuing tomorrow at 20:30hrs.

Prizes for the top three finishers in the 0-14 and 15-36 categories, along with nearest to pin and longest drive will be awarded on both days.

After a few weeks of non-tournament activity, the sponsor hopes that its commitment to the LGC and the game of golf will be met with enthusiasm by the golfers and a large turnout is expected.

Members of the public are invited to show up and spectate and learn about the game with lessons and equipment being provided at no cost.

With the MACORP-sponsored lighted driving range close to completion, persons of any skill level will be able to participate in the sport as it continues to attract national attention.

For more information on the game, LGC or activities you may visit them at Lusignan Golf Club on Facebook or call 220-5660.

Van Lange, Sahadeo settle for bronze in Caribbean TT Championships

GUYANA’S 13-Years-and-Under A team, which consists of Jonathan Van Lange and Krystian Sahadeo settled for bronze in the team competition on Thursday in the Caribbean Mini and Pre Cadet Table Tennis Championships, in the Dominican Republic.

The pair looked solid after they defeated Jamaica 3-0 to book a semi-final spot, but went down to eventual winners Dominican Republic A team in the final four.

The home team players were able to register another 3-0 win when they met Puerto Rico A team in the final of the event.

Guyana A and Puerto Rico B, by virtue of being knocked out in the semi-finals, were awarded the joint third-place awards.

Guyana coach Dwain Dick told Chronicle Sport that overall, he was impressed with the side’s performance.

“Technically and tactically we can match them. (It was) evident in Jonathan beating both Puerto Ricans and both Dominicans in their group. (There) were some lapses in the critical parts of the games in the semis - due to lack of regular competition, I would say. Some amount of hesitation and adrenaline rush, but tremendous improvement over the last month which augurs well for their future if we can sustain this type of training.”

Dick said that with Van Lange’s performance, which saw him play unbeaten until the quarterfinal, he is upbeat about his chances in the singles, which starts tomorrow.

Guyana’s 13-and-Under B team (Colin Wong and Dhanesh Persaud) were knocked out in the quarter-finals 3-0 by Puerto Rico B.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 24, 2019

Trinidadians arrive ahead of 1320 Heat

Some of the Trinidadian competitors and GMR&SC president Rameez Mohamed (pink shirt)

THE Trinidadian drivers for this weekend’s 1320 Heat event at the South Dakota Circuit are here and have promised to wow the fans.

During a press conference yesterday, the team, headed by Jagdeo ‘Mad Cow’ Seecharran contended that they are glad to be here and they are ready to showcase their skills.

“We want to thank the GMR&SC for bringing us here and we are ready to put on a show for the Guyanese people. We want to urge you all to come out.”

The team’s container arrived on Thursday evening and was cleared yesterday ahead of today’s testing and tomorrow’s race.

Meanwhile, over 100 participants have already registered for the anticipated showdown.

According to reports, over 75 local cars have been registered along with more than 15 local bikes.

Meanwhile GMR&SC committee member, Carey Griffith, banged on the importance of safety on the track, stating, “We are asking spectators not to get too carried away and get too close to the track. Please follow the advice of the security and Police who will be there. We know alcohol will be on sale there and we are asking patrons to drink responsibly. There will be Police escorts to the city for the travelling fans after the event as well.”

Tomorrow, action gets underway at 09:00hrs with free runs up to 10:00hrs before the eliminators.

Admission to the venue is $2 000 for adults and $1 000 for children.

Visiting Church delegation honours Regional Chairman for contribution to sports, youth development REGIONAL Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Ten, Renis Morian, has been honoured for his contributions to youth and sport.

He was recognised with the award by a visiting Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America delegation.

The delegation, which is here to effect a 10-day service to the communities within Region Ten, was organised by the Bethel Tabernacle Assem-

bly of God Church, Linden, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10).

At a simple handing-over ceremony held at the Regional Chairman’s office, Linden, the visiting delegation said that they had sought to publicly recognise Morian who has been contributing significantly to the youths of the community through sports and community development.

As such, they urged him to continue contributing adding that they are appealing to

others to emulate his efforts.

“Despite being in the USA we continue to hear about the enormous and significant work that Mr Morian has been doing over the years and today we would like to salute him for his enormous work and contributions and to urge him to continue his efforts.

“The contributions by Morian have been felt by many far and wide and to acknowledge his noble efforts we present him with this plaque as an

The wife of visiting Pastor and head of the delegation, Dr Virginia Sealey, presents the award to Chairman of Region Ten, Renis Morian, for his contributions to sports and community development, while her husband Dr Wedlan Sealey looks on

indication that we are proud of him as a resident and more so as someone who is genuinely interested in youth and community development through sports and other areas,” Reverend Clavis Duke said.

Duke, who pastors the church in Linden said that his congregation continues to be very impressive with the significant and consistent contributions that Mr Morian has been making over the years, adding that through his efforts they continue to see a number of young people turning away from negative ills within society.

The visiting 22-member delegation is made up of Guyanese, Jamaicans, Trinidadians and persons from the USA. They indicated that while they have been around for the past 19 years they have visited Guyana a number of times and intend to continue visiting.

They plan to execute a number of youth and sports-related programmes and projects. The group urged youths and organisations to collaborate while training the youths, so that they can contribute in a very positive way.

31

GFF Extraordinary Congress set for today

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will host an Extraordinary Congress today at the National Sports Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue from 10:00hrs.

The main objectives of the Congress are three-fold: to present the 2018 Independent Audited Financial Report, to present the investments made in 2018 under the various categories: technical development, competition, capacity-building, etc., and to present the 2019 expense budget and forecast for 2020.

According to GFF president Wayne Forde, “The extraordinary congress became necessary after the Auditors were unable to complete their fieldwork in time for the Constitutional Ordinary Congress, which was held on May 25, 2019.”

Sharma den ts West Indies Page

30

John Campbell looks on after his leg stump is uprooted. (Associated Press)

Trinidadians arrive Van Lange, Sahadeo settle for bronze ahead of 1320 Heat in Caribbean TT Championships Page

31

Page

30

Mad Dog’s Toyota Supra is one of the serious contenders for the upcoming drag meet. (GTCallouts/Sean Charles photo)

Jonathan Van Lange (right) and Krystian Sahadeo were knocked out in the semi-finals

Persaud creates more history for Archery Guyana 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

Page

30

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019