Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-20-2019

FRIDAY 20th September, 2019

No.105766

‘We’ll be ready in February’ … GECOM chair advises President commission will be ready for polls by end of February 2020 … urges staff to work honestly, diligently to meet deadline

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03&09

‘Gov’t repositioning economy for rapid development’ 08 PAGE

… GMSA hails gov’t for consistent growth, developmental strategies

79 land titles 11 distributed in Matthews Ridge Ogle Airport 23 commissions $70M ‘foxtrot’ taxiway PAGE

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–– new extension will minimise aircraft runway occupancy time

Gov’t abiding by the Constitution 02 PAGE

… President says in rejecting statement by diplomatic community

President David Granger, at the Pegasus Hotel, addresses members of the media on the political situation in Guyana (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

Gov’t abiding by the Constitution …President, GTUC say in rejecting statement by diplomatic community GUYANA’S Head of State, President David Granger, has rejected claims by the diplomatic community that his government was in breach of the Constitution, reiterating he will rely on the advice of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on its readiness to hold new General and Regional Elections.

He made this clear on Thursday following the statement from American, European and United Kingdom diplomats, which stated that, “by surpassing September 18, the government is currently in breach of the Constitution following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June and its subsequent orders.”

The statement has caused the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) to caution the diplomats on their misinformation of the orders handed down the CCJ and the subsequent actions of the government. After being sworn in as GECOM Chair on July 29, 2019, (Ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh took up office 72 hours in keeping with another one of the CCJ’s June 18, 2018 ruling that the previous chair’s appointment was flawed.

From then to now, sometimes thrice a week, the seven-member commission has met to deliberate on and iron out a timeframe for which credible elections can be held in light of a validly-passed no-confidence motion against the current government. The commissioners, who are split on how soon elections could be held and what means should be used to sanitise the voters’ list, saw their discussions come to an end when

United States of America Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn and the European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó

Singh communicated to the President, on Thursday, that credible elections could be facilitated by late February 2020. This news angered the opposition which had first called for elections to be held by March 21, 2019 [the Constitutional three-month period], prior to the Court of Appeal’s invalidation of the motion and later by September 18, 2019, three months from the CCJ’s ruling.

However, in the weeks leading up to the chair’s announcement, the opposition and opposition-nominated commissioners had contradicted the September 18 deadline by pushing for elections to be held by November 2019. This is the case, as all parties involved had long come to the realisation that the commission was incapable of holding elections by the said date due to administrative and statutory restrictions. While the Constitution provides for an extension of the three-month period to cater for such cases, the extension requires the vote of the opposition which has long made it clear that it would not be returning to Parliament to grant the same. Backing the government into a rut, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo then vowed that the People’s Progressive Par-

ty (PPP) would commence country-wide protests if the September deadline arrived and an elections date had not been named within the year.

It was only on this September 18 deadline that the GECOM Chair advised the President on a timeframe of the commission’s readiness, which the Constitution states is required before the President can set a date. “It is for the elections commission to advise the President on its readiness to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

It would be reckless and irresponsible, on my part, to name a date for elections without the commission’s assurance and advice that it would be ready to conduct elections on such a date,” the President had explained in the past.

However, also on the said day, foreign diplomats: United States of America Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn and the European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, were accused of “treading in dangerous waters” of its accusation that the government as in breach of the Constitution. “…we deeply regret that, by surpassing September 18,

the government is currently in breach of the Constitution following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June and its subsequent orders. This situation comes at great cost to the people of Guyana. The prevailing political uncertainty undermines Guyanese institutions, compromises economic opportunities and delays development across all areas including infrastructure, education, health, and social services. It also hinders our ability to support Guyana’s development needs. We therefore call upon the President to set an elections date immediately in full compliance with Guyana’s constitution,” their message stated.

However, responding later that day, President Granger reminded the foreign diplomats of the country’s constitutional guidelines which prevented him from naming a date without GECOM’s input. “The government is abiding by the Constitution in the sense that it has allowed the elections commission – an autonomous agency – to do its work. I

have received a letter from the Elections Commission Chairman and I should be meeting my Cabinet in a few minutes time to discuss that letter,” he said.

“But, the Constitution is very clear on functions of the commission. I would be in more breach of the Constitution if I tried to intrude or interfere with the work of the commission. So, I’ll advise the foreign delegations or foreign missions to allow the Government of Guyana to resolve the issues.

I have heard from the Chairman of the Commission and I’m very confident that the Chairman, a very prudent and sober retired judge, will recommend to me a date which the Guyanese people are prepared to accept.” Sometime after, a letter from the GTUC expressed concern about the “out of order statement” issued by the diplomats which it said was “erroneous” in advising Guyanese that the Constitution has been breached.

Elaborating, the GTUC reminded that even the CCJ, Guyana’s highest court, had “declined” the request to set a date by which elections must be held and that the Constitution does not give the President the power to do so without GECOM. “This view [expressed by the diplomats] is not only unfortunate but erroneous, risking the consequence of impugning the erstwhile reputation of the CCJ and the esteemed Justices who presided over the case. This is treading dangerous waters,” the GTUC stated.

“President David Granger cannot issue a date for election outside of the National Assembly granting the authority to do so since the three months period has lapsed. Where the

Guyana Elections Commission has today announced its timeline as to its readiness for General and Regional Elections, Government and Opposition must commence engagement not only on an election date but matters of day-to-day governance…what we reject, in the strongest possible term, is support for violating the Constitution and Laws of Guyana and disrespecting the independence and rulings of our judicature. We expect the representative of these countries – notwithstanding their current internal political turmoil – to also respect us – notwithstanding ours – to seek orderly and lawful means in resolving differences. Likewise, as citizens of their countries expect no less Guyanese are no less deserving.”

The union highlighted the fact that the Constitution also states that Leader of the Opposition, who forms part of the Executive, also takes on the “interim” or “caretaker” status of the government and two should therefore seek out engagement on a mutual way forward.

Meanwhile, with all due respect, the GTUC invited the foreign diplomats to carefully engage in an “objective re-reading” of the country’s laws and the CCJ’s ruling.

Jagdeo accepts GECOM February 2020 elections timeline Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, has accepted the February 2020 timeline of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for new elections and has called on his supporters to “get registered” during the upcoming Claims and Objections period.

“Whilst we’re disappointed with the date--we believe that elections should have been held before the end of the year --- we are going to work to ensure that they’re held, hopefully at the end of February…we will continue to prepare for elections from the PPP side by ensuring people get registered when the Claims and Objections come about.

I want to urge everyone to get registered in that period because that will be a legal and a constitutional process,” he said during a press conference hosted on Thursday.

His remarks came hours after GECOM Chair, (Ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh communicated with the President that the Com-

mission can facilitate credible general and regional elections by the end of February.

He stated that the Opposition is now going to watch the Commission with an “eagle’s eye” to ensure that it sticks to the timelines laid out.

However, Jagdeo noted that he is “bothered” that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and People’s National Congress (PNC) “seemed to have gotten their way”. He said he is “extremely disappointed” but will concede as the President is no longer waiting on the Commission to make a decision.

Opposition Leader also told the media: “I have great faith in the fairness and the impartiality of the Chair of GECOM and I don’t think that she will do anything to rig the elections.” In the meanwhile, he announced that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will be taking its “message of hope for all of Guyana” filled with “policies of the future” in the months ahead.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

‘We’ll be ready in February’ …GECOM chair advises President commission will be ready for polls by end of February 2020

…urges staff to work honestly, diligently to meet deadline IN a letter addressed to President David Granger, chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh said by the end of February 2020, the electoral body would be ready to hold General and Regional elections.

President Granger is now expected to announce an election date based on the timeline presented to him by the GECOM chair. Justice Singh, in her letter to the President, informed the Head of State that she is cognizant of the fact that the Guyanese Leader and the nation were anxiously awaiting the specific information in relation to GECOM’s readiness to conduct credible elections in the shortest time possible.

She said that the February 2020 timeline considers all the objective factors, deliberations of the commission, and her most recent consultations with the GECOM secretariat.

President Granger subsequently told members of the media that the government is complying with the Constitution of Guyana since it is allowing the electoral body to do its work.

Speaking at the sidelines of a Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GM&SA) luncheon at the Pegasus, the President said that it is impossible for the Executive to take part in the running of elections, noting that his government will not impede the work of GECOM. On Thursday, with the exception of Canada, the

joint missions-the United States, the European Delegation to Guyana and the British High Commission- said that by surpassing September 18,2019, the Government is in breach of the Constitution “following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June and its subsequent orders.”

The President in his response, stressed the importance of the functions of GECOM as he called on the foreign missions to allow his government to resolve the issues regarding the electoral process. PNCR General Secretary and Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally said she endorsed the position taken by the President regarding GECOM’s independence. “We can’t fight with GECOM,” she said, nothing that when the body is ready to host the elections, the president would have to abide with commission’s state of readiness. ”We can’t tell GECOM about the timelines , they know what they are doing,” she said.

On Thursday afternoon, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo said he was “surprised” by Justice Singh’s pronouncement.

During his tirade, he spoke highly of Justice Singh but critcised her decision regarding the February 2020 timeline. As he attacked the GECOM official, he said her pronouncement contradicts an earlier declaration which he noted was given by Singh regarding the holding

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

of elections before year end.

Only the President is in a position to announce a date for elections.

Regarding Tuesday’s statutory meeting of the commission, Jagdeo said “at the last moment” the commissioners were asked by the chair to submit proposals regarding elections timelines.

He said nothing about Opposition Commissioner Sase Gunraj’s inability to provide a timeline to the commission as agreed to when the commissioners met on Tuesday.

Jagdeo also launched a personal attack on staffers of the GECOM Secretariat, whom he accused of sabotaging the electoral process. He also launched an attack on the personal gains of the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and

President David Granger

other staffer of the body.

According to Jagdeo, the government wants to hold elections after Mashramani 2020 and he assumed that the administration wants to spend monies on activities during the Republic festivities to sway the electorate.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued late on Thursday, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) called on the President to proclaim a date, not later than the earliest date suggested by the GECOM Chair, for the holding of General Elections. The GCCI said the populace deserves transparency and accountability from institutions at all levels of government and the body called on the country’s leaders to maintain democracy by acting in accordance with the supreme law of Guyana.

During the Tuesday, Sep-

tember 17 Statutory Meeting of the commission, it was agreed that Commissioners Corbin and Sase Gunraj would submit separate schedules based on the proposals made during the meeting, but, on Wednesday, the Opposition-nominated Commissioners backpedalled on their position, and declined to justify their November timeline for elections.

“All they contended is that elections should be held

by November and they were not prepared to discuss anything else,” Commissioner Vincent Alexander said on Wednesday following the meeting.

“The presentation is in the form of Microsoft project, so you see the critical path and you see the non-critical path; and in fact, it is not out of the top of the head that you arrive at a date because when you plug in the timelines in that programme, the programme generates a date,” Commissioner Alexander explained as he alluded to the proposal made by Commissioner Charles Corbin.

He said in that proposal, the encoding of data garnered from the just concluded House-to-House Registration has been taken off the critical path, thereby allowing for the Secretariat to proceed with the production of the preliminary list, and the conduct of Claims and Objections even as the encoding continues.

“So the information encoded would then become a com-

parator later in the process but will not be holding up the process,” he posited. Approximately 200,000 of the more than 370,000 names have been encoded.

It was disclosed, too, that in that proposal, the Claims and Objections period was set for 21 plus seven days.

“This is what in fact was proposed by the secretariat as well,” Commissioner Alexander added. When it comes to the delivery of the ballot papers, he noted that to fast track this by merely two days would cost the Commission an additional US$250,000 or some GUY$52,165,000.

The GECOM Secretariat has been actively training polling day staff countrywide. Thus far, training of polling day staff has been completed in several regions. In South Georgetown at 20 locations, 1,185 participants have been trained; on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) at 20 locations 1,201 were trained; on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and in Region Five at 21 locations, 1,596 were trained; in Region Six at 25 locations 1,940 were trained and at 25 locations between Regions One, Two and 10, 2,030 were trained.

The commission must now conduct training in the hinterland and in other parts of Georgetown with all training expected to be completed by October.

‘No political unrest in Guyana’ ...President assures security for all Guyanese, business community

By Svetlana Marshall UNMOVED by the verbal attacks hurled at him by opposition elements, President David Granger, while providing an in-depth analysis of the political situation in the country at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Business Luncheon, made it clear that his government has not defied the court nor has it breached the Constitution of Guyana.

“My government has complied with the orders of the courts at all times. It has acted correctly, in good faith, and in accordance with the guidelines laid down by constitutional conventions,” the Head of State said.

The opposition and the Diplo-

matic Community, on Thursday, accused President Granger and his government of breaching the Constitution due to a delay in General and Regional Elections which were triggered as a result of a no-confidence motion passed in the National Assembly last December. But the President has long maintained that he could not have set a date for elections without being advised by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). For the first time in nine months, GECOM, on Thursday, informed the President that it would be in a position to facilitate the much-anticipated elections by the end of February 2020. Until those elections are held, the government, President Granger said, remains in an interim mode as ordered by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“My government is committed to ensuring an enabling environment for economic development.

Political stability through adherence to constitutional rule, respect for the law, the presence of strong institutions and the pursuit of democratic governance are essential conditions for economic expansion,” President Granger said, even as he was heckled by a small but disruptive group of opposition supporters led

by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian, Bishop Juan Edghill.

But it was not long before that the group was escorted out of the Pegasus Hotel by the members of the Guyana Police Force and the Business Luncheon returned to normalcy. As he continued his address, President Granger said his govern-

ment recognises the importance of political stability to enhancing the business environment, noting that it promotes increased investments, reduces risk and the cost of doing business and boosts investor confidence in the economy.

NO VIOLENCE “My government will not condone violations of the law which endanger public order and public security. There is no political unrest in Guyana. The business community need not fear political violence or social unrest. My government will do everything necessary to ensure political stability. The business community has nothing to fear from the forthcoming elections. I am committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for businesses,

communities and citizens in the process leading to, during and after general elections,” President Granger assured the business stakeholders present.

He made it clear too that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government will respect the democratic will of the people, noting that anything contrary would be abhorrent to the values to which it subscribes.

In putting the political situation facing the country into perspective, the Head of State said the no-confidence motion activated four concurrent processes at the level of the Legislature (National Assembly), the Executive (President, Cabinet TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

New probe into 43 Mexican students’ disappearance

Mexico will open a new

teachers in Guerrero state.

investigation into the 2014

The attorney-general's

disappearance of 43 trainee

office said it would reinves-

tigate "almost from scratch" what happened to the 43 after they clashed with local police on 26 September 2014.

The case and the subsequent bungled investigation caused outrage in Mexico.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said it was "an open wound" for Mexico.

Opening a fresh investigation into the disappearance of the students from the teacher training college in Ayotzinapa was a key campaign pledge by Mr López Obrador. On Wednesday, 10 months into his presidency, he told the parents of the disappeared there would be completely new probe.

"This is about justice,

about humanism and also about Mexico's reputation," he said.

The case dates back to 26 September 2014 when 43 students from a teacher training college in the town of Ayotzinapa in Guerrero state disappeared after attending a protest in the nearby town of Iguala. They were part of a larger group and, as they were travelling back from Iguala to Ayotzinapa, they were confronted by municipal police who opened fire on the buses they were travelling in.

The officers maintained they had done so because the buses had been hijacked, while the surviving students said the drivers had agreed to

give them a lift.

During the clash, five people - two of them students - were shot dead. The body of a third student was found mutilated near the scene of the clash the next morning.

Forty-three of the students vanished after the clash.

An official government report published during the presidency of Enrique Peña Nieto said the students had been seized by the municipal police officers who handed them over to a local drugs gang.

The report concluded that the drugs gang had killed the 43, burned their bodies and dumped the ashes in a local stream.

As early as 2015, independent investigators from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights warned that the official investigation was "deeply flawed".

They said that satellite images showed there had been no fire on the night of the students' disappearance.

They also said that because the chain of evidence

had been broken, it was not clear whether the charred remains of the only student to be positively identified were found at the rubbish dump or planted there.

Argentine forensic experts also concluded that there was no biological or physical evidence to indicate that the bodies of the 43 had been burned at the rubbish dump.

Moreover, human rights groups say that some of the suspects were tortured into confessing.

Earlier this month, a key suspect in the case - a leader of the Guerreros Unidos gang - was freed because he had been tortured in detention.

A judge has also ordered the release of two dozen local police officers suspected of forcibly disappearing the students for the same reason.

Earlier this week, the attorney-general's office said it would investigate officials who had handled the original probe so that those "who had failed in their duties" could be held accountable. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

‘No political unrest ...

FROM PAGE

and government departments), the Judiciary (Courts) and the Elections Commission – all of which have a bearing on the present political situation.

“First, the legal challenges were made to contest the constitutionality of the no-confidence vote and, specifically, to determine the constitutionality of the vote of a member of the National Assembly who held dual citizenship and of a member voting against the list on which that member was elected to the Assembly, inter alia. These are serious constitutional issues,” the President explained.

He noted that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, in declining to reverse his decision December 21, 2018, pointed to the need for the court to provide certainty to the constitutional issues which had risen. “Full, final and complete state settlement of these issues by a court of competent jurisdiction will place beyond doubt any question which may exist and serve to give guidance to the Speaker and to the National Assembly for the future,” the Speaker told both sides of the House days after the validity of the no-confidence motion was brought into question by the government.

But President Granger, in setting the record straight, said the filing of legal proceedings in the High Court was not intended to delay the consequences of the no-confidence vote but rather to seek clarification and interpretation on certain provisions of the Constitution.

“The Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

all determined that a person who held dual citizenship was ineligible to be a member of the National Assembly. It was quite legitimate therefore, for the government to challenge the constitutionality of the vote of a member whose presence in the National Assembly was itself unlawful,” President Granger stated.

The CCJ – the country’s final appellate court – had also clarified various sections of the Constitution as it relates to a no-confidence motion, its passage, and consequences.

Though validating the no-confidence motion against government, the CCJ, while underscoring the importance for the constitutional players – the National Assembly, Government and GECOM – to facilitate elections within the confines of the Constitution, ruled that government remains in office, albeit on a “different footing,” in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution.

“In mandating that the government shall remain in office notwithstanding its defeat and the resignation of the President and the Cabinet, Article 106 envisages that the tenure in office of the Cabinet, including the President, after the government’s defeat, is on a different footing from that which existed prior to the vote of no-confidence,” the CCJ said as it handed down its order on July 12 – close to a month after it had validated the motion.

The President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, referred to Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards’s citing of Peter Hogg the Canadian constitutional expert, as being correct when it was noted that, “The government continues in

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office as a caretaker government or an interim government until the next elections ensue and a President is appointed or re-appointed depending on the result of that election.”

Hogg in his treatise – the Constitutional Law of Canada [3rd edition] – President Granger pointed out under scored the importance of having a government in place to manage the affairs of the country. The constitutional expert said a country cannot be left without a government at all – a position held by the Granger Administration.

“My government has held to this position at all times – the country cannot be left without a government. The country’s borders, natural resources, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be protected and its international obligations fulfilled. Citizens must be provided with public services at the central, regional and local levels to ensure their welfare,” President Granger reasoned.

Noting that government has accepted that it is now in interim mode, President Granger pointed out that it the Administration restrained its ministers from engaging in overseas travels or policy implementation. On the issue of elections, the Head of State alluded to the fact that once the CCJ had nullified the appointment of Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM on July 18, 2019, he, within days, accepted Patterson’s resignation.

Added to that, the President then initiated consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jadgeo, on the appointment of a new Chairman of the Elections

Commission, in accordance with the advice rendered by the CCJ. That consultation, which lasted for approximately one month and included various levels of negotiations, resulted with the appointment of Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

Upon her appointment, Justice Singh, her six member-commission and the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, met with President Granger on August 8, 2019. It was during that meeting that she committed to provide the President with a timeframe for elections. That timeframe was only provided on Thursday, September 19, 2019.

President Granger maintained that he could not have named a date for election without GECOM’s advice, since

it is the electoral body that is solely responsible for the conduct of elections.

“The elections commission is responsible explicitly and exclusively for the conduct of elections. The functions of the elections commission are stated in the Constitution [at Article 162 (1)]: The elections commission shall have such functions connected with or relating to the registration of electors or the conduct of elections as are conferred upon it by or under this Constitution or, subject thereto, any Act of Parliament; and subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the Commission – (a) shall exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the

National Assembly and (b) shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness an compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid,” the President outlined.

Noting that his decision to await guidance from GECOM was not whimsical, President Granger maintained that he needed to be advised on the elections commission’s state of readiness for elections. He has committed to proclaim a date for elections soon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 20, 2019

Freedom to protest and indecency WE have often editorialised about the potential threat of the PPP’s policy of active non-cooperation with the government to the integrity of this country.

Our objection to the PPP’s course of action has not been informed by a desire to stifle protest and resistance. To the contrary, we wish to register our commitment to free speech and general respect for the right of dissent and to eschew any attempt by the state to crush such rights. One of the lessons of slavery and colonialism is the extent to which the denial of freedom messes with the collective mind of a people. It is therefore, incumbent upon post-colonial societies to ensure that independence always confirms to the promotion of freedom, including the freedom to disagree with the government of the day.

But freedom cannot be construed in isolation from the general well-being and security of the larger collective. In other words, the freedom of the individual and individual groups to act and intervene in the

politics, economics and the larger social process of the society should not be at the expense of the general good. This is an overarching consideration that must be at the centre of any national pact and must inform political action. Freedom is indispensable, but freedom without limits militates against the very notion of freedom.

Yesterday we witnessed where freedom without limits can take us. PPP members including a parliamentarian and a church leader felt that it was within their right to unfurl placards at a private sector function- the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association luncheon and proceed to deliberately interfere with the presentation of the President. The outcome was that the President’s right to be heard by a very important segment of our country was disrupted and the sanctity of the event desecrated by crass behaviour. We saw this same behaviour back in November 2017, when that party’s MPs disrupted the President’s address to the Parliament.

The PPP’s quarrel with the government is over the interpretation of the constitution and by extension the Caribbean Court of Justice ruling and subsequent consequential orders following the passage of the no confidence motion. Despite explicitly asking the court to order that elections be held before September 18, 2019, the court rejected this and instead insisted that it was not for it to fix timelines and deadlines for elections here, but rather it is a matter for the constitutional actors.

Who are the constitutional actors?

Government, the Opposition and the Guyana Elections Commission.

We witnessed also yesterday while the PPP members were demonstrating inside Pegasus scores of its supporters mounted a similar protest outside. That protest, despite being vulgar and disruptive was not closed down by the police—nobody was beaten or arrested. One must, therefore, ask why the PPP thought that it needed to take the protest inside the hall of the hotel where a legitimate non-political and private event was taking place and

in many respects, engage in mob behaviour. The PPP has had access to the media to air its concerns; we have not heard any complaints of censorship or the denial of media coverage. Yet, the party would consider turning a private non-political event into a street-corner political spectacle that flies in the face of political decency.

The irony is that the record of this government as far as upholding the tenets of civil liberty is far more superior than that of the PPP’s when that party held office. That it has decided on its current course is most baffling to those who proceed from the view that the PPP is committed to a stable and cohesive polity. Each day the party continues to give credence to the widespread view that it is driven by a chronic need for returning to power at all costs, including poisoning the political environment in the most willful and destructive manner.

We come back to the question of freedom. We feel that the PPP has undermined its own case in this regard. A responsible party should

only resort to such extreme and desperate actions when all other doors are closed. As we have pointed out above, this is not the case. What example are the senior members of the party including the self-proclaimed ‘Man of God’ Edghill setting for younger members? What example are they setting for the country?

Are they signalling to the country that unprovoked mob behaviour is a norm to which we should aspire?

Have they so lost faith in our institutions that they are prepared to destroy their integrity?

No, this is not the Guyana that we should aspire to. We have always disagreed politically, but in a democratic environment, despite its areas of imperfection, one expects better from a party that is almost 70 years old. While such action may receive applause from loyal followers and sycophants, in the end it diminishes the party and takes Guyana to another place of shame.

This is not the kind of treatment that should be meted out to a president in a decent and lawful society Dear Editor, INSIDE the event I had a close view of all that was taking place, including the protest by a table of PPP/C supporters with makeshift placards which obviously had to be cleverly concealed on entry to the event. At the end of it all I was confused for a while.

Should I be embarrassed at the behaviour of some of our political leaders and embarrassed for Guyana.

Or should I see it as democracy in action. The optimist that I am I always prefer to see the glass half full than half empty.

President Granger’s response to the interruption, which was nothing but graceful, helped me to conclude that democracy is alive and well in Guyana and that the opposition, whose role it is to oppose and protest,

know when to bring their actions to an uneventful close.

I give the protestors credit for knowing when enough is enough.

I am a dual citizen and in my other place of abode, the current president might have told the police to “lock them up” or encourage some of his supporters to slap them. There was none of that. Before the protest, I focused on the table of PPP supporters when the president was introduced and made his way to the podium. All but one of the persons at the table stood up, though some hesitatingly. I was encouraged. I said to myself the political culture is changing, not knowing what was soon to come. But even after the protest, I am encouraged that we are a people who must be proud of each other.

Protest is a legitimate tool, once done peacefully and without any threat of violence and harm. The protestors got their five minutes of attention and after being persuaded by the police to leave, did just that.

This is not the kind of treatment that should be meted out to a president in a decent and lawful society, but these are not normal times in Guyana.

The president, as I said earlier, never responded to the protestors but continued his address until it was clear that his remarks could not be heard by the audience. He stopped. He remained standing patiently at the podium for quite a few minutes while the protestors went on. In some other countries the protesters might have been removed at gun point and arrested. Not so in Guyana.

The police acted quite professionally and the protesters knew quite clearly that after about five minutes, their time was up. They had made their point and gotten the attention they desired.

For me, I am encouraged. No police brutality. No leaving the event on the part of the president; no condemnation of his hosts-the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA) notwithstanding that the audience was encouraged to give a round of applause to the protestors as they left... and the audience did. President Granger too got a hearty round of applause at the end of his very detailed presentation which covered his government’s response to the no-confidence motion (NCM) and the legal justification for its ac-

tions thereafter; the process for his naming a date for elections and a quite long overdue expression of commitment to the role of the private sector and recognition of it as the engine of growth and development.

He also fielded questions.

I had earlier joked with Bishop Juan Edghilll that he had defected from the protestors outside and told him I understood he was there to offer prayers and to bless the proceedings.

Perhaps it was indeed a blessing in disguise, that we can disagree, protest, disrupt temporarily the president of the country.... and then we all go home to live normal lives until another day and another protest, which hopefully will play out just as this one did. On the question of elections, I would have preferred a November

election at the latest. GECOM’s chairperson has advised otherwise. It is apparently her and her commission’s call about when it is ready to hold credible and verifiable elections, and it is the Constitution, not Granger that mandates this.

That is why we need constitutional reform.

In the meantime let the protests be peaceful. Let the government function as an interim or caretaker government and let all of us be responsible in our actions so as to ensure we don’t blow our first and last chance (combined) to enjoy the prosperity for which we have longed, for so long.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 20, 2019

Mischief again Dear Editor, Nigel Dharamlall is one of the young hawks who, from previous reports, seems to be building a political resume, as one of his party’s chief purveyors of mischief.

This is with reference to a report ‘PPP backbencher Dharamlall chastised by NY Consulate’, September 19, 2019.

Not so long ago, resorting to his chief instrument of misinformation, via Facebook, he accused the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of having ‘poor relations with his

staff’. It was an accusation which he could not have defended or substantiate, when challenged.

Prior to that, there was another Facebook posting in which he uttered disrespectful language to the person of President Granger. No surprises here, since he would have had the disgusting example of his party leader, publicly saying that he does not ‘’respect the president”.

But such is the culture of that party, laid bare by their numerous pronouncements since 2015, expressly driven by the pain of electoral de-

feat since May, 2015.

For him to once again, seek to associate a member of the Guyana Consulate staff, with an obscene gesture, which has been refuted, points to a party activist whose only understanding of political fame is one which can only be built on a political diet of dangerous mischief. This puts him outside of the qualifying circle of peoples’ representative, becoming a member of parliament in the process. In the latter role, he cannot be seen to be earning his salary in keeping with

such an oath, working for and on behalf of his party’s members/supporters; for such a citizen, indulging in such malicious and undesirable behavior is not by any means fairly earning his salary and allowances, all funded by the tax payers of this country.

Editor, reading the reports of some of the placards of the PPP/C diasporic Committee of Concerned Guyanese, highlights once again, the great degree of misinformation that exists among them. One can understand polit-

ical loyalty, and the fierce passion that such engenders in the persons of those concerned. However, such ought not to give way to bind acceptance, hook line and sinker of the dark mischief, presented as facts by the Nigel Dharamlall’s of the PPP/C. But such is the state of the PPP/C, because of the presence of the former who continues to subvert the minds of their supporters.

Regards, Cornell Edmonds

Need for robust programme to manage migration Dear Editor, I APPLAUD the Chairman of ANUG, Mr Timothy Jonas, for having the courage to raise what is a controversial and problematic issue, that is, the issue of migration to Guyana and the process by which foreign nationals can obtain citizenship (SN 15/9/19).

The Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP) has raised similar concerns regarding Guyana’s criteria for citizenship. These concerns are not born out of a xenophobic mindset or any form of national chauvinism, as Mr Ferlin F Pedro (SN 17/9/19) suggested in his letter responding to ANUG’s call for “the government to cease all grants of citizenship to foreigners, unless and until stringent and clear criteria for citizenship are made available for public examina-

tion and discussion.” OVP adds our voice to ANUG’s call.

When people in any country dare to raise concerns regarding immigration and the granting of citizenship to foreign nationals, there is always a knee-jerk reaction.

You can count on a section of the populace of any country where such concerns are raised, to immediately hurl allegations of racism and xenophobia, as Mr Pedro has done. We in the OVP are not interested in knee-jerk reactions; what we are interested in is the intentions/ reasons behind the concerns raised. We are confident that Mr Jonas has raised this very important issue for the same reason that the OVP has raised it, and that is our primary concern that Guyana’s vast and bountiful resources are used to benefit first and

foremost, all Guyanese.

When looking around the world, both in so-called developed and less developed countries, what we do know is that opening one’s borders without stringent and clear criteria can lead to an increase in xenophobia, unrest and chaos. This is especially so in an environment where people are pitted against each other and used as scapegoats by a government which has no social and economic plan in place to deal with the influx. A good example of such reckless governance is the recent comment made by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, at a PNCR press conference, where he unashamedly stated: “…if I am prepared to cut grass for $1000, but the native wants to cut grass for $1,500, who are you going to employ? Most obviously, the

$1000…and I would go for the $1,000.” This can only be a prescription for the kind of deep division and social unrest that we have seen in so many other countries worldwide.

As leader of the OVP, I can assure every Guyanese at home and abroad, that we are vehemently oppose to all forms of racism, xenophobia and ethnic chauvinism. The OVP’s vision is for a Guyana that is inclusive and respects the cultural heritage of every ethnic group that comprises our national citizenry and any foreigners who reside in our country. We are committed to the achievement of an egalitarian society in which the dignity of every human person is sacred and paramount. The OVP has campaigned from our inception for a Guyana where every citizen can prosper

and thrive in a democratised economy.

Furthermore, we would want to ensure that foreign investors, be they ExxonMobil or any other, enjoy a fair and transparent relationship with us as a sovereign and independent nation-state. Any deal in which one party is disrespected and exploited by the other party can only result in disaster. OVP has long called for a renegotiation of the oil and gas contract with ExxonMobil. Recently, I was asked, “How would OVP get ExxonMobil to the table?” In case anyone has failed to notice, when large oil reserves are being discovered within your borders, there is quite literally no one who does not want to come to your table. The problem is not how to get people to the negotiating

table; the problem is that we need leaders who have the audacity and confidence to negotiate a contract that serves the interests of both Guyana and foreign investors, rather than an invitation to plunder, issued by both the PPP and APNU+AFC. We are already witnessing an influx of foreign nationals and foreign corporations and our concern, like that of ANUG’s, is how this influx will be managed to ensure that Guyanese do not become second and third-class citizens in our own country. It is a legitimate concern that must be addressed.

Regards Gerald A. Perreira, Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)

Unacceptable negligence by police compromised safety of President, ministers Dear Editor, On Thursday PPP protesters blocked, and or forced the detour, of convoys of President David Granger, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, and other government ministers, from entering the Guyana Pegasus Hotel where President Granger was scheduled to address a meet-

ing of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).

Moreover, protesters entered the hotel auditorium and disrupted the meeting and the President’s speech. CGID is shocked at the poor level of security and intelligence provided by the Guyana Police Force. It is worrying that the police allowed protesters to disrupt

the President’s safe passage as well as his speech in the exercise of his duties as Head of State.

CGID believes that this gross negligence by the police endangered the life of the President and several ministers. The Institute therefore calls on the government to hold the leadership of the Guyana Police Force accountable

and to immediately make changes to the nation’s intelligence apparatus, to ensure this never occurs again.

Regards, Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

‘Gov’t repositioning economy for rapid development’ …GMSA hails gov’t for consistent growth, developmental strategies

By Svetlana Marshall WITH Guyana’s Oil and Gas Sector on the horizon, the country’s economy is being rebalanced in preparation for rapid economic growth, President David Granger said, as he delivered the keynote address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s (GMSA) Business Luncheon on Thursday.

Under his administration, Guyana has experienced consistent economic growth. The continued growth, President Granger said, is as a result of the conducive business environment created by the government through its policies, and investments made by the private sector, in particular the manufacturing and services sectors. Over the next decade, Guyana is anticipated to experience rapid economic development.

“My friends, the cooperation between government and the GMSA is bearing fruit, the economy is being rebalanced to become more competitive and resilient. It is being prepared and prime for rapid economic growth,” the Head of State told the commercial sector in the presence of diplomats and ministers of his government at the Pegasus.

Through an Inter-Ministerial Round Table, the government and GMSA, since 2017, have been working closely to facilitate agro-processing development and the ease doing business in the

country. The roundtable resulted in increased Common External Tariffs on imported pinewood, which posed a threat to local timber producers; the establishment of an inventory of the forests; improvements in trade facilitation at the ports; and fairer access to external markets by agro-processors.

As the electorate prepares to decide on the leadership of the country as it enters a new era of development, President Granger his government – the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) – will lead the country into a ‘Decade of Development’ through the prudent management of the petroleum revenues.

The National Decade of Development will span from 2020-2029.

“The decade will witness the emergence of a world class education system aimed at ensuring that the best skills are available for economic development. The decade will include at least 10 major sectors of development among others,” President Granger explained. These are: education reform, accessible information technology and social cohesion; economic expansion, diversification, restructuring, value-added manufacturing and food security; energy security and transition to renewable and clean sources of energy; environmentally sustainable management of natural resources; empowerment of regional and local communi-

President David Granger delivering the key note address during GMSA’s Business Luncheon at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday.

GMSA President Clinton Williams

competitive trade and investment; national and border

GREATER DETAILS Providing greater details on the ‘Decade of development’ the Guyanese leader said in the area of education, this sector represents a large share of national Budget (17.5 per cent), and 6.3 per cent of GDP. “My government will expand expenditure on education during the decade of development. We shall focus, increasingly, on graduating better trained teachers who could impart more critical thinking skills to children.”

He noted that the public ed-

A section of the members of the business community, diplomatic corps, government and non-governmental officials who attended the luncheon (Photos by Delano Williams)

ties; eradication of extreme poverty, homelessness, and destitution; infrastructural expansion, aviation and riverine transport and hinterland development; internationally

security, human safety and international relations; and institutional strengthening and constitutional reform for good governance.

ucation system and curriculum will be modernised to reflect recent research and address advancements in pedagogy and learning for

children. “My government will improve access to education. The Public Education and Transport Service (PETS) will be expanded to provide more boats, buses and bicycles to ensure that children attend school.

The school-feeding programme will be expanded.

The public education will be reshaped to emphasise science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) without de-emphasising the humanities.”

President Granger said the objectives of the ‘Decade’ are aligned to the Green State Development Strategy; Vision 2040 (GSDS) and to the Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BUSINESS In the area of business, President Granger said the ‘Decade’ will yield increased business opportunities, including for the manufacturing and services sectors.

“The ‘Decade’ will ensure an enabling environment which would allow our local businesses to capitalise on these opportunities. We envisage a future of thriving businesses and globally-competitive manufacturing and services sectors.”

He said too that the ‘Decade’ will accelerate the process of the renewal of regional development which commenced with the TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

‘Work honestly, diligently’ …GECOM chair urges secretariat staff Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh has urged the Elections Secretariat to make every effort to meet the timelines as outlined in the electoral work plan for the much anticipated General and Regional Elections.

Justice Singh met with the staff of the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, hours after she had informed President David Granger that the Elections Commission would be ready to conduct elections by the end of February 2020.

In her meeting, the GECOM Chair urged the electoral staff to work “honestly and diligently” to complete all tasks on time. Guyana Chronicle understands that on Monday the first batch of data, encoded into the National Register of Registrants Database from the just concluded House-to-House, will be sent to GECOM’s service providers in the United States of America (USA) to be cross-matched.

Justice Singh arrived at the February 2020 timeline for elections following extensive consultation with the Secretariat and the Commission. Justice Singh, upon being sworn-in as Chairman of GECOM on July 29, 2019, pledged to abide by the Constitution and the Laws of Guyana. “…There is only one way, in accordance with the law, and in accordance with the Constitution, and nothing else,” Justice Singh had told reporters.

She had entered office at a time when the House-to-House Registration Exercise, which had commenced in July, was being challenged, and once the High Court had ruled on the matter, she shortened the period for the national registration exercise, and ordered that the data be merged with the National Register of Registrants Database.

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

The High Court had ruled that though Houseto-House Election was a legitimate exercise, it could not have resulted in the generation of a new National Register of Registrant Database as had been determined by GECOM which would have seen old registrants being removed from the database.

“Based on the ruling of the Chief Justice on 14th August 2019 that House to House Registration is not unlawful and is constitutional, the data garnered from that registration exercise must be merged with the existing National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB),” GECOM had explained in a statement.

“We will obey the decisions of GECOM” – AG Williams ATTORNEY General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Basil Williams SC., said the government remains committed to upholding the constitution and respecting the independence of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which has the sole remit for national registration and the holding of elections.

“Under Article 226, Section 6 of the Constitution, they (GECOM) are not subject to the control or direction of any authority of anyone in the conduct of their remit. They are completely independent so no one can tell them what to do,” he said.

The AG was at the time appearing on the National Communications Network radio programme ‘INSIGHT’ and responding to reports that GECOM Chair Justice (ret’d), Claudette Singh had announced that the body will be ready for elections by the end of February 2020.

He reminded that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in its rulings, had also determined that it could not interfere with GECOM in the execution of its constitutional imperatives.

“So, it is very clear. If GECOM says its February, its February,” the AG emphasised.

Explaining that the September 18 date, which was being pushed by the Opposition, resulted from a consequential order seeking to have the election held by that date. The AG also reminded that this and other requests made by the Opposition to the CCJ were all refused.

‘Gov’t repositioning economy ... establishment of four new capital towns at Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma and Mahdia and the holding of local government elections in 2016 and 2018. These capital towns are expected to become drivers of the economic and social development of our regions, allowing for increased business opportunities and the improved access to public services. The ‘Decade’ will promote sound environmental management of our natural resources. It will witness greater emphasis on preserving and protecting our environment for the benefit of future generations.

The ‘Decade’ will also reduce youth unemployment as government intends to expand initiatives such as the Guyana Youth Corps, the Hinterland Entrepreneurship Youth Service (HEYS) and the Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) which are serving as incubators of youth entrepreneurship and skills-development. The Head of State said the Green State Development Strategy has identified a pivotal role for manufacturing and services in our future economic development.

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE Reflecting on the country’s economic performance, the Head of State said the Manufacturing and Services Sectors account for more than 60 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

in 2018. “These sectors have been expanding the economy over the past four years. The highest rate of growth over this period was recorded last year at 4.1 per cent,” President Granger posited.

In general, the country’s economic growth for the first six months of 2019 was recorded at 4 per cent. It is anticipated that the national output will increase by 4.5 per cent by December 31, 2019. This positive growth rate, he iterated, is partially as a result of the measures put in place by the APNU+AFC Government since it took office in May, 2015.

“Tax policies have been tailored to incentivise the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. The corporate tax rate, as you know, was reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent and tax waivers were provided to ‘green’ energy investments,” he pointed out.

The 2019 Mid-Year Report published by the Finance Ministry also paints a positive picture of Manufacturing and Services Sectors, among others. In the first half of the year, the manufacturing sector expanded by 3.6 per cent, and is anticipated to record an annual growth rate of 3.7 per cent.

Additionally, the Services Sector grew by 4.6 per cent between January and June 2019 – the highest growth rate recorded since 2011.

Trade – wholesale and retail – grew by 5.9 per cent; transportation and

storage by 5.5 per cent; financial and insurance transactions by 4.1 per cent; rental of dwellings by 5.9 per cent; and other services by 10 per cent.

President Granger noted that the indicators suggest expansion of business activity – pointing out that the private sector’s credit increased by 5.7 per cent for the first half of 2019 compared with the same period in 2018. Credit to the mining and quarrying sector increased by six per cent; credit to the manufacturing sector increased by 0.5 per cent and credit to the services sector increased by 7.2 per cent.

CONSISTENT GROWTH For GMSA, the recorded success within the economy, and more so government’s role have not gone unnoticed. At a time when the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has expressed concerns about what it has described as a “slowdown in economic activities,” GMSA President Clinton Williams placed on record GMSA’s recognition of the consistent average growth in the country’s economy over the last three years.

“For this, credit must be given to both the state and the private sector.

The government for the most part, has embraced developmental strategies consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals but also designed to mitigate against global

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Basil Williams, SC

“They said they would not interfere.

They would not make coercive orders against the constitutional actors, the president, parliament, GECOM… I believe it is gross disrespect to the CCJ… for them to misrepresent the judgement of the Court.” The September 18 date he added, “is an invention of the political opposition.”

AG Williams further noted that even the case requesting the resignation of Cabinet and the president was dismissed by the CCJ, which clarified that the government would operate in an ‘interim’ mode. This status quo, he said, remains until the conclusion of General and Regional Elections. (DPI)

◄ From page 8

economic shocks and natural disasters,” Williams told those gathered.

It is the belief of the GMSA that the country’s development strategies must include food security, energy security, rediscovery and the tourism sector, and the pursuit of new economic drivers such as information communication technologies, renewable energy, tradein-services and importantly, the new and emerging oil and gas sector.

Williams noted, however, that while the private sector has long been touted as the engine of growth in Guyana, the story, so far, has been one of under-realisation of potential.

“This will only change if and when public-private sector exchanges with attendant agreements are swiftly implemented. Prevarication has become a disease that undermines what are often noble intentions. For too long, your Excellency, we have been paying a high price for sloth in the implementation of decisions,” he told the President and those seated.

Like the government, Williams said GMSA is optimistic about the economic future of the country now that the oil and gas sector is rapidly unfolding. However, he said it is important for the State Sector to act with a sense of urgency in making critical decisions.

Though the manufacturing sector continues to experience positive growth, Williams registered GM-

SA’s concern regarding the unreliable access to and high cost of electricity. “Many of the long-standing jeopardies are inextricably linked to the high cost and unreliability of electrical power. We must reiterate this strangle hold will continue until we slay the beast of expensive and unreliable power; the private sector and particularly the manufacturing sector will continue to perform below potential resulting in a serious knock-on effect on jobs and on the wider economy,” Williams said.

On that basis, he urged that the country quickly enters into an arrangement with ExxonMobil and other oil producers that would allow for the utilisation of part of the current and future crude oil exports receipts for refined oil, at prices that are significantly cheaper than what obtains at the moment.

“I wish to say, as well, that while government’s recent initiatives to introduce some measures to reduce electricity costs across the board is a step in this direction, much more needs to be done if we are to realize any significant improvements in our costs of production and competitive advantage on the local, regional and international markets,” the GMSA President said.

The luncheon was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and ministers and representatives of government among others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

Silica Sandport Inc. partners wth 5’s programme with provision of a boat THE students of Dora Primary School on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will now be able to get to school on time, following the donation of a new boat and engine, along with life jackets.

Handing over the boat was Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with the responsibility for Housing, Hon. Annette Ferguson.

In her remarks, the minister noted that the venture demonstrated the collaboration between the government and the private sector.

“It is significant when we can see stakeholders

and business persons within communities like this come together to partner not only with the government but with the communities to aid in ventures such as this.”

Minister Ferguson further said that the government would have received and donated over 20 buses, 20 boats and more than 2,000 bicycles, to communities across the 10 Administrative Regions.

The donation, which falls under the David Granger Five B’s Programme, was made possible by the CEO of Silica Sandport Incorporated,

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Annette Ferguson joins the students of Dora Primary School for a test ride on the new boat.

Pandit Haresh Tiwari, who operates a company within the community that manufactures Silica Sand which is used in various manufacturing, construction, landscaping and beach projects.

Pandit Haresh Tiwari said it was a pleasure to donate the boat to the community that has given so much to his company. “I feel very pleased that our company has been able to assist the Dora Community in this very small venture. Most of our employees are from this very village and it is a privilege to demonstrate our corporate

and social responsibility,” he said.

Vice-Chairman of the Region 4, Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Earl Lambert, reminded the students of the importance of education.

“Education is the key to success, education is the key to happiness, education is the key to getting out of poverty. It is important as children that you take in your education and remember this effort being made here today is to ensure you have access to an education.” (DPI)

Marvelous tour packages for Miami visitors

WITH America Airlines non-stop trips to Miami from Guyana, travel operators within Guyana will now be providing marvelous Miami tour packages to persons planning on visiting the multicultural destination.

On Thursday, 20 travel operators within Guyana benefited from a ‘Breakfast Seminar’ organised by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), aimed at informing travel operators about Miami and its TURN TO PAGE

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Debra Lee, Travel Industry Sales Director for the GMCVB, the US and the Caribbean (Samuel Maughn photo)

Taxi driver remanded for possession of illegal firearm A 44-year-old taxi driver, charged for having an illegal firearm, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' court on Thursday, September 19, 2019.

Leon Anthony Welcome of Patterson, Turkeyen, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied that, on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Mandela Avenue and Pineapple Street, he was found with a Taurus Magnum Revolver, while he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

Police prosecutor Mansfield stated that, on the day in question, ranks of the Eve Leary police station acted on information received, and went to KC taxi service, at Mandela Avenue, where the defendant was employed as a taxi driver.

The ranks then identified themselves to the defendant and requested that a search be carried out on motor car HC1647, the vehicle which

Welcome operated.

The said revolver was found without ammunition on the floor of the driver’s side of the vehicle. The defendant was then cautioned and taken into police custody for further investigation.

Attorney at law, Steven Roberts, who represented Welcome, stated that, on the day in question, his client had just received the vehicle from a friend who had borrowed it the night before.

In an application for bail Roberts stated that his client was not a flight risk and has no prior convictions. He added that his client was not the owner of the said vehicle and had no knowledge of the firearm mentioned in the charge.

However, bail was refused and Welcome was remanded to prison until October 11, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

79 land titles distributed in Matthews Ridge

IT was sheer smiles on the faces of the 79 residents of Matthew's Ridge, Region One, after they were presented with titles for their lands by Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams. She was accompanied by senior officials of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC), including Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Trevor Benn.

The residents, many of whom applied for plots of land for residential, entrepreneurial and agricultural purposes, are now empowered through possession of the legal document, to carry out whatever transaction that required a land title as collateral. Many of them will be seeking funding to expand their operations or construct their homes.

Minister Hastings-Williams related that such a move is in keeping with the government's mandate to bring the good life to all Guyanese and to provide them with equal opportunities.

Many of those who received their titles had applications pending for over a decade. Hastings said now the

residents have been served, it is just the beginning of the process.

"You couldn't do anything, build or extend on a land that you do not own legally and that was hindering them. A lot of people wanted to build, expand or to open up a business but

the residents were very happy," she said.

Earlier in the year, CEO Benn and his senior officers visited Region One and realised that scores of persons were without titles for their lands. The first step was to establish a GLSC sub-office in Port Kaituma, to com-

Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams addresses the residents. At her immediate left is CEO of GLSC, Trevor Benn, and other senior officials from the GLSC

Thursday and while 120 persons were on record to receive same, only 79 uplifted.

Residents, whose titles were not completed, were able to make payments and

Port Kaituma residents voicing their concerns at the community meeting held at the Port Kaituma Community Centre on Thursday

they could not have done that, they would have been operating illegally and some persons started to squat. So now they are happy that they have the legal documents...

mence investigations on land issues affecting residents.

The records were sorted and titles were processed. The processes of distributing those titles commenced on

Marvelous tour packages for ... remarkable yearly calendar of events. The GMCVB is a sales and marketing organisation, which aims to attract, inspire and tempt all persons and organisations to visit Greater Miami and its beaches for conventions, business and pleasure.

The next Caribbean country to be targeted is the Dominican Republic.

During an invited comment, Debra Lee, Travel Industry Sales Director for

the GMCVB, the US and the Caribbean, described Miami as the only city in America where one can truly experience the culture and heritage of multiple countries without having to visit those countries.

Lee is encouraging persons planning on visiting Miami to focus on not only experiencing the shopping and night life but also the destination’s heritage and culture.

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“Yes, we appreciate you coming to Miami but we know you have to get the shopping in but we want you to also experience some of the other offerings that we have for example, Museums. We also want you to be outdoor and experience some of the attractions that we have, or even a sporting activity for that matter,” she added.

the officers will return to Matthew's Ridge in a matter of two weeks, to continue the distribution process.

Port Kaituma residents will benefit from land title

distribution in the near future. At a community meeting on Thursday, many residents were able to voice their concerns about land allocation, among other things. Many of them said they would have applied for plots of land as early as 1997 and are still waiting for titles. Their concerns were addressed and a follow-up meeting will be held, where additional information will be taken to get the ‘ball rolling’. To better serve the residents, the GLSC has placed a resident officer at the sub-office in Port Kaituma to deal with these issues on a daily basis.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

PPP threatened to upturn minister’s vehicle

…broke through police barricade, disrupted President’s speech DIE-HARD supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), on Thursday, stormed the entrance of one of the country’s leading hotels; blocked passage way into the building; trailed behind government ministers shouting slurs and defied orders of law officials as if untouchable.

Their actions came on the heels of the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) announcement that the shortest

time by which it can conduct credible elections is by the end of February 2020. Not long after, protestors dressed in party colours and transported by several mini-busses later parked at Red House, charged their way over to the nearby Pegasus Hotel.

There, President David Granger was expected to deliver the feature address at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s (GMSAs) Business Luncheon.

News of his planned attendance had been previously sent out to the media and PPP leaders saw the opportunity for protest action through which they would call for “elections now”.

Although the police were on the scene, protestors were beyond the barricades set up, up to the entrance gate of the hotel. making it impossible for private sector business representatives attending the event to enter. Many of the protest-

ers, led by Presidential-hopeful, Irfaan Ali, and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, behaved in a unruly manner. There were no calls by their leaders for peaceful demonstration who convinced their supporters that there was no government in place.

CHAOTIC BEHAVIOUR CONDONED At one point, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, in the vehicle

driven by her driver, attempted to enter the hotel. However, party leaders, Jagdeo and Ali, encouraged their supporters to restrict entrance to the building and to behave as they please.

“There is no ministers,” Ali shouted to his supporters who, bolstered by his comments, echoed similar sentiments amongst themselves, “I recognise no title! And no President!” as they slammed their hands on the outside of the vehicle.

Although the police took the location of the commotion, protestors shouted amongst themselves that they would “turn over de vehicle” with the Minster inside. Just before this occurred, a group of aggressive male protestors, after refusing Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, entry by foot at the main entrance, trailed behind him as he sought to take the exit in.

They were led by former PPP Information Liaison Officer, Kwame McCoy, who has a history of mob-like behaviour and having over the years faced prosecution for throwing faeces on Freddie Kissoon and also assaulting Mark Benschop. McCoy and another adult male led a group of protestors to bully their way past the police barricade set up and trailed Minister Patterson, putting their placards in his way as the police sought to prevent the materials from coming in contact with the minster. They yelled at the top of their voices using terms such as “dogs”, while one male protestor, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, barefooted at the time, behaved so terribly that he was later seen throwing himself down at the feet of the police who did not harm him.

IRFAAN ALI IN FOREFRONT While all of this occurred, party leaders, Jagdeo and Ali, were seen at the front ranks, face to face with law officials who surrounded the building, or, at some points, taking photographs with their supporters.

When President David Granger arrived, he entered without challenge at the hotel’s exit. In the lobby, he was met by protestors whom this newspaper later learned had concealed their intentions to enter the building which is being seen as a breach of security.

“What we noticed was some of the PPP candidates were here but we didn’t see them with any placards; they came like casual customers of the hotel until the President came and then we realised that they had their placards hidden

away from us. So, it was a kind of a breach of security. We couldn’t do anything else but call the police force to escort them out the building,” Security on Duty, Shawn Farnum, told the newspaper.

Moving forward, he stated that as long as the hotel realises that individuals plan to come on their property with the intent of causing a ruckus, the hotel will take stringent measures to get the police involved. “We would stop it before it goes further than what it was today,” he said.

MATURITY WAS EXPECTED What the hotel security is also regretful of, was the entrance into the luncheon room by a small group of protestors led by PPP Members of Parliament and, Juan Edghill and Nigel Dharamlall. After initially entering the luncheon room, the function had proceeded as planned until it was time for the President to speak. The PPP officials then stood up at a table at the back of the room to protest with placards disrupting the flow of the event.

While some attendees remained quiet, others were heard contesting “this is not a political event…why are they doing this?”

As this occurred, GMSA Chief Executive Officer, Clinton Williams, instructed that the police be called in to remove the individuals. When high-ranking police officials arrived, including ‘A’ Division Commander, Marlon Chapman, the table of men and women sought to defend the disruption of the luncheon as a “right” because they were a part of those who “paid to attend”.

Enough coaxing from the police to avoid public confrontation and, with the advice of heads of the GMSA, the rowdy group eventually left the room escorted by the police.

When they left, the President calmly returned to his speech. Williams believed that the police could have done more to prevent the internal disruption. “I myself was surprised that there was not enough [police presence],” Williams began.

“It was unfortunate that it had to happen. I believe our politics demand a better approach to issues. We’re a private organisation, very proactive and we didn’t expect that we would have been posed with this kind of [behavior]. Com’on, people are mature, people in the business community, and we would have expected them to have acted in a more mature TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

PPP threaten to ...

Security on Duty, Shawn Farnum, updates the media on the breach of security (Delano Williams photo)

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson surrounded by protestors of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) who initially prevented him from entering the business function (Carl Croker photo)

PPP members blocked the path of the vehicle of Dr Karen Cummings, Minister of Foreign Affairs

PPP Members of Parliament and Bishop, Juan Edghill, Nigel Dharamlall and others at the luncheon (Delano Williams photo)

manner.”

Williams stated that GECOM has stated the timeframe in which it is able to hold new General and Regional Elections and this ought to be understood by the masses. “We would expect GECOM to do its work as the President is saying. We don’t want to intervene in their work and we

cannot. We have to respect GECOM’s position; we can’t force them to do what [they cannot]; that’s their job, that’s their mandate.”

Meanwhile, Jagdeo has told the media that protests like what occurred on Thursday will continue until the President gives an election date.

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Presidential hopeful, Irfaan Ali urged supporters to 'do as they feel'

Sophia youth missing

A mother from ‘A’ field Sophia is appealing to the public for help to find her 20-year-old son who has been missing for over two months.

Ijahfar John of lot 109 ‘A’ Field Sophia was last seen on August 5, 2019, in Sophia, wearing a checkered shirt and khaki pants.

His mother, Lynette McKay, told the Guyana Chronicle that she filed a missing person’s report to the police after he failed to return home.

She added that her son has been facing some difficulty and might have suffered from a mental breakdown.

Anyone with informa-

Missing: Ijahfar John

tion about Ijahfar John’s whereabouts can contact his mother, Lynette McKay on 6142574 or his cousin on 6713301or the nearest police station.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

Region Six dominates Signing Bee Competition

Several students and teachers from the 10 administrative regions emerged winners at the Education Ministry, Special Education Needs Unit’s (SEN) fourth annual Signing Bee Competition at the Theatre Guild, Georgetown on Wednesday.

The competition was divided into teacher and student categories. In the seven to 11 age group, Abigail Jairam (Region Six) copped the first spot, followed by Deon Smith (Georgetown) in second place and Troy Scott (Region 10) at third.

The 12-16 age group saw Kacia Miller (Georgetown) securing the first spot, Faith Bennett (Georgetown) second

and Satesh Raj Kumar (Region Six) third.

In the teacher category, first place went to Yvonne Deonarine (Region Six), second place to Fiona Fraser (Region Three) and third place to Orissa Sinclair (Region Six).

During the breaks of the competition, persons from the audience were also engaged and got an opportunity to sign spell and win prizes.

The event forms part of this year’s calendar of activities for Education Month, celebrated under the theme “Education: the key to national development”.

The Signing Bee Competition is a unique opportunity for persons with special

needs to participate actively in Education Month 2019. The competition involved children identifying and then spelling the word that represented the item displayed using sign language.

Delivering remarks at the opening of the competition, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ingrid Trotman told the gathering that the ministry has embarked on a sustained effort to ensure everyone, including children with special needs, have equal educational opportunities.

“There is no limit to what any of you can do,” Trotman said as she reminded the participants that the sky is the limit and they should not limit

Winners and participants of the signing bee competition (Delano Williams photo)

themselves.

She noted that the children’s participation in the competition is a demonstration of the ministry’s commitment to improving the delivery of SEN. The DCEO further stated that the success of the participants will inspire others to greater accomplishments.

National SEN Coordinator, Savvie Hopkinson said the

competition is evidence of the profound ongoing changes in the education system. Hopkinson believes the new approach to SEN by the MoE is a clear indication that the MoE has a focus on holistic educational outcomes.

The event was attended by the Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson and other senior education

officials. This year’s competition has seen participation from special schools nationwide such as the David Rose Special School, the New Amsterdam Special Needs School, Diamond Special Needs School, Beterverwagting Primary School's SEN Department, Schoonard and Linden Special schools.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

GDF says committed to Millions invested in safety of all Guyanese creating ‘green spaces’

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said it has noted the commentary contained in a Sunday Stabroek News article of September 15, 2019 titled, “The army and Kaikan” and reiterated that it remains committed to the safety of all Guyanese.

The editorial referenced aspects of an internationally-funded assessment of primarily land usage and titling issues for some 24 indigenous communities in Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni). The assessment was conducted on behalf of the Amerindian People’s Association.

The army said while an examination of the report produced from the assessment reveals that its primary purpose was to highlight, address and make recommendations regarding the land tenure situation of the indigenous communities, the authors claim significant security and social problems as a result of the presence of security troops in the community of Kaikan.

The GDF said it is constitutionally mandated to protect the territorial integrity of Guyana as well as provide security for its people. In this regard, the Force’s presence at Kaikan is legitimate, the army said.

Notwithstanding, the concerns of the community, the Force must be allowed to carry out its remit. Irrespective of the communities within which troops operate, the army values and standards remain the same, the release said.

“As such, all of our ranks are obligated under the law to subject themselves to good conduct. Misconduct by any member of the Guyana Defence Force is dealt with condignly.

“The Guyana Defence Force wishes to assure this nation that it is committed to the safety of the people of Guyana and the defence of the country’s territorial integrity. The concerns raised in the report will be investigated thoroughly and efforts will be made to foster better relations with the residents of Kaikan. However, the Force will not surrender its constitutional responsibility nor abrogate its rights,” the release concluded.

THE Ministry of Communities has embarked on a mission to create several ‘green spaces’ across Guyana, and, to this end, has expended millions of dollars to ensure these spaces will provide a safe environment for a wide cross-section of society.

Two community grounds, on the island of Wakenaam, Region Three, are currently in the process of being converted from a landfill with overgrown vegetation to an area that will benefit hundreds. The two grounds are in San Souci and Zeelandia and the project will be executed

by Forever Construction at a cost of $7M. Civil Engineer at the Ministry of Communities, Murwin Allison, shared details of the works to be carried out at the Zeelandia ground, making it usable.

“We will be doing infilling which entails filling the ground with clay to a height of six inches mixed with white sand to a height of three inches.

We will also be rehabilitating the pavilion. Works entailed would involve painting, replacing of

missing zinc sheets, servicing of the entire roof, changing some of the pavilion threaders,” Allison stated. According to the engineer, within two weeks, residents will be

will also be added to the ground to facilitate other sporting activities. One month is the estimated time for completion.

The ministry has also embarked on creating

The ground at San Souci under rehabilitation (DPI photo)

able to utilise the ground.

As it relates to the ground at San Souci, Engineer of Forever Construction, Deo Ganpat, said that works have already begun. “We have already dug the drain and we have to build a fence right away round. We have to place some earth on the ground and some sand. We have to roll and compact six inches of earth with three inches of sand on this area here at San Souci playground,” he explained.

A concrete tarmac

green spaces around the city. Several grounds are currently undergoing massive facelifts that include levelling of fields, construction of fences, bridges and installation of floodlights. Work has already commenced on grounds at Agricola, West Ruimveldt and East Ruimveldt at a cost of $7.7M, $5M and $3.5M respectively. This is a joint effort between the Ministry of Communities and the Mayor and City Council. (DPI)

Taxi driver remanded for possession of illegal firearm A 44-year-old taxi driver, charged for having an illegal firearm, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court on Thursday, September 19, 2019.

Leon Anthony Welcome of Patterson, Turkeyen, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied that, on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Mandela Avenue and Pineapple Street, he was found with a Taurus Magnum Revolver, while he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

Police prosecutor Mansfield stated that, on the day in question, ranks of the Eve Leary police station acted on information received, and went to KC taxi service, at Mandela Avenue, where the defendant was employed as a taxi driver.

The ranks then identified themselves to the defendant and requested that a search be carried out on motor car HC1647, the vehicle which Welcome operated.

The said revolver was found without ammunition on the floor of the driver’s side of the

Charged, Leon Anthony Welcome

vehicle. The defendant was then cautioned and taken into police custody for further investigation.

Attorney at law, Steven Roberts, who represented Welcome, stated that, on the day in question, his client had just received the vehicle from a friend who had borrowed it the night before.

In an application for bail Roberts stated that his client was not a flight risk and has no prior convictions. He added that his client was not the owner of the said vehicle and had no knowledge of the firearm mentioned in the charge.

However, bail was refused and Welcome was remanded to prison until October 11, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

Challenge of SARA against QAII fixed for December 5

THE challenge brought by the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA), seeking Civil Recovery Orders against Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (QAII) has been adjourned until December 5, 2019, due to a constitutional motion against the SARA Act. SARA is seeking a Civil Recovery Order for GY$2,

701,619,960 under the State Assets Recovery Act 2017 from QAII, which is owned

by Bobby Ramroop, best friend of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

On Thursday, September 19, 2019, the matter was called before Justice Diana Insanally at the High Court, but was forced into an adjournment due to an ongoing

case involving the SARA ACT which is being used in this case.

Attorney-at-law, Ronald Bostwick, is representing SARA’s director Clive Thomas while QAII is represented by attorney -at- law, Devindra Kissoon.

In 2017, Social activist, Ramon Gaskin, had filed a legal challenge at the High

Court against the SARA ACT 2017 with the aim of having it scrapped.

The case ‘Ramon Gaskin VS the Attorney General of Guyana, State Assets Recovery Agency and the Director of the State Assets Recovery Agency, was filled with over 37 challenges to the act, which deemed the SARA Act “unconstitutional, unlawful and void.

According to the court documents filed, the challenges are interfering with the legal professional privilege and the possible violating of a citizen’s right to privacy, by allowing the Director of the SARA to access confidential financial information from banks and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) without a court order.

Gaskin is arguing that the Act does not give a citizen equal protection before the law and there is no requirement to have reasonable grounds to commence investigations.

The Act violates the doctrine of separation of powers, since it directs the Court how to act in certain circumstances, and even allows ex-parte orders to be granted without procedural safeguards to protect the citizen’s interests, or without providing that the orders be limited in duration.

The case is currently before the Chief Justice Roxanne George.

In a fix date application filed by SARA against QAII, it makes an application for a civil recovery order in the sum of $2,701,619,960, representing money wrongly denied to the people of Guyana by reason of the unlawful conduct of a public official or any other person, amounting to a breach of fiduciary duty or fraud.

SARA has filed 15 grounds in its FDA, including one which stated that QAII benefited in connection with the unlawful conduct of a public official in respect to state property.

This is making reference to the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL), Winston Brassington and Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

The application indicates that the then People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Cabinet approved a formula for the terms of the sale that required a US$27M investment over three years and a sum of money reflecting a valuation of the property. However, the Winston Brassington-led NICIL, at the time, concluded the sale based on a

Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh (left) and former Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL), Winston Brassington.

Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (QAII) owner Bobby Ramroop

formula suggested by the purchaser, resulting in an investment of just US$21M being accepted and QAII paying some GY$344.5M less than would have been payable further to the formula approved by Cabinet.

The Certificate of Title was passed to QAII and a Vesting and Transfer Order dated December 4, 2010 was made by the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

According to the court document NICIL, is a company owned by the Government of Guyana and engages, inter alia, in property shareholding and investment management of State-owned properties, of which Government is the beneficial owner.

The document is contending that NICIL wrongfully sold 18.871 acres of land on Plantation Ruimveldt, East Bank Demerara (EBD) to QAII, who was leasing the Sanata Textiles complex and entered negotiations for its purchase.

Against this background, SARA, the applicant, believes that QAII obtained the property by the unlawful conduct of NICIL’s then Chief Executive Officer, at a gross undervaluation amounting to an unjust benefit to or enrichment of themselves in the amount of $2,701,619,960, rather than for the benefit of the state by whom NICIL was also entrusted. “ It is the Director’s be-

Dr. Clive Thomas, Director of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA)

lief that the above-mentioned facts and circumstance give rise to an irresistible inference of unlawful conduct, in satisfaction of the balance of probabilities standard of proof under section 15 (3) of State Assets Recovery Act 2017, for obtaining a Civil Recovery Order from the High Court” the applicant said in its court document.

The applicant will present documentary evidence to Justice Diana Insanally of the affidavit of the SARA Director; the Cabinet decision on May 15, 2007; a letter from NICIL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) dated July 10, 2007; the minutes of the privatization board on October 18, 2010 and certified copies of the certificates of title passed to the respondent.

In 2018, following the revelation of the illegal sales of the state lands, former Finance Minister under the PPP administration, Dr Ashni Singh, and former Chief Executive Officer of the NICIL, Winston Brassington, were slapped with three counts of misconduct in public office.

The men are currently out on $6M bail each and are before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

However, the duo had moved to the High Court before Justice Franklin Holder, who granted a stay of the TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

BOSAI workers call off strike

-- after union accepts 7% increase THE hundreds of workers attached to the BOSAI Minerals Group Guyana (BMGG), who on Wednesday, down tools in protest against the company's six per cent offer, have returned to work after being advised by their union, that a proposal of a seven per cent increase for two years was accepted.

On Thursday, operation in the East Montgomery Mines was in full swing as well as operation in the Mackenzie Plant.

General Secretary of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), Dawshan Nagasar, related that the union accepted the proposal and the strike was officially called off.

Workers were hoping to receive a nine per cent increase in wages and salaries but would have accepted anything about 6.5 per cent. Nagasar said he is happy that the union was able to represent the workers and that the company responded favourably and that the workers are satisfied.

He said the seven per cent increase is the highest in the

country at present and commended the management of BOSAI for listening to their workers, obeying the law and ensuring that an incremental increase was given since 2007.

Speaking to this newspaper, one worker said he is happy to be working at BOSAI and believes the company is going above and beyond to ensure workers are remunerated decently and that Lindeners continue to benefit from employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, in an invit-

ed comment, General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis, commended both BOSAI and NAACIE for staying at the table, until an amicable decision was reached.

While he hopes the same fate would have been realised in GB&GWU's negotiation with RUSAL, this does not seem to be the case.

RUSAL is proposing a three per cent increase and is not shifting its position.

While GB&GWU is calling for negotiations to move to conciliation, Lewis believes that even that would not solve the issue and the matter will have to move to arbitration. He is calling on the government to intervene in the situation.

When comparing the way BOSAI dealt with the situation, Lewis said, “They are two different cultures, the Chinese treat their staff differently….the Russians will start off on a position and will fight you to the end. While NAACIE and Bosai remained at the table until they have arrived at a decision, RUSAL doesn't behave like that, they would break it off and walk away like a 10-year-old child.”

Lewis said that RUSAL pays far below wages and salaries compared to BOSAI and it is unfortunate that a worker would be working an heavy-duty machine in Linden to dig bauxite and the another would be doing the very same thing is Kurubuka Mines and there is a huge discrepancy in their wages. Fighting equity in workers' wages is on GB&GWU list of priorities.

Similar sentiments are being expressed by RUSAL workers who continue to complain that their fight for betterment seems to be going nowhere. They too are making comparisons with BOSAI and are even willing to accept the 6.5 per cent, BOSAI workers were rejecting.

“Alongside with the bauxite company, BOSAI, three per cent is nothing. Because BOSAI rate is far over our own and we are in the interior location, whereas BOSAI is actually in a town where most of the workers go home to their family when we have to wait 14 days,” BCGI Union Branch Secretary, Leslie Junor related.

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Challenge of SARA against ... charges of misconduct in public office pending the outcome of the fix date application before Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire had granted an interim stay of proceedings in the misconduct in public office charge for the sale of Sanata Textiles to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. The move prevents the Magistrates’ Court from proceeding with the criminal charges levied against them by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). The matters come up in November, 2019.

Brassington, in December 2015, had said he was willing to undergo public scrutiny in the courts of law, maintaining that he was a man of integrity.

One of the forensic audit reports on the operations of NICIL suggested 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 totaling $26.858B, in violation of the constitution. Goolsarran had said that several laws were broken.

Brassington, who left Guyana in December 2015, was said to be living in Florida, where he, reportedly, operates a business.

This is not the first land scandal to rock the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration, as the party’s current Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, is before the court, accused of defrauding the State of over $174M, after selling the lands at undervalued prices.

Lands were sold 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 and several others.

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

Not pleased with this decision, Ali and his battery of attorneys took the matter before the Appeal Court Judge, Dawn Gregory, who also denied the application.

In another attempt to get a stay in the matter, Ali has approached the full Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling of Justice Gregory.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

Ogle Airport commissions $70M ‘foxtrot’ taxiway -- new extension will minimise aircraft runway occupancy time

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma with the assistance of GCAA Director-General, Egbert Fields cuts the ceremonial ribbon to declare the facility open. Watching on is CEO of OAI, Anthony Mekdeci (first left) and OAI’s Public Relations Consultant, Kit Nascimento (Delano Williams photo)

By Navendra Seoraj OGLE Airport Inc (OAI) has commissioned a $70 million taxiway facility at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) with the aim of substantially facilitating air traffic control and minimising aircraft runway occupancy time.

“The new taxiway will vastly improve efficiency and economy of the aircraft operations when taxiing to and from the runway and greatly reduce runway occupancy time,” said OAI’s Public Relations Consultant, Kit Nascimento.

He spoke on behalf of OAI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Col. Ret’d Anthony Mekdeci, during the commissioning ceremony for the taxiway, on Thursday.

Nascimento said the new development will also improve the safety of fixed wing aircraft and helicopter operations at the EFCIA. The new taxiway, Taxiway Foxtrot, connects Taxiway Bravo and Charlie to the main runway. The airport operates a single runway system.

Construction of the facility commenced in March 2019 and was completed in August 2019.

The taxiway is 200 metres long by 15 metres, meeting the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirement.

The Pavement Classification Number of the taxiway is 16-R/B/X/T. This is in excess of the Aircraft Classification Number of the Aircraft types similar of Liat’s ATR 72 aircraft.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma commended the airport for taking the step to construct the new facility.

“The initiative of Ogle Airport Inc and management to have this taxiway to address the many complaints that would have reached the board in relation to the length of time to access the runway, is a good one,” said Minister Sharma.

The complaints would have prompted the airport to commission foxtrot to address a

number of issues, including the issue of security.

“The new taxiway not only represents the continued growth and development of the airport but the growth of the local aviation industry,” said Director- General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Fields.

He said the taxiway will be a part of the existing system of taxiways and will help to expedite traffic. With an expected increase in traffic, the construction of the new facility is viewed as a timely investment.

According to Fields, the EFCIA is one of the busiest aerodromes in the Caribbean.

The EFCIA currently services, on average, 120 aircraft movements (landings and take offs) per day.

He said the airport being the busiest is as a result of the budding oil and gas industry and the consistent interest in mining.

In order to get up-to-date with the performance of the airport, the GCAA has embarked on making the necessary arrangements for assessment of the facility to be conducted.

According to Fields, the authority has been in contact with ICAO, asking for a consultant to visit Guyana and aid in the assessment.

Meanwhile, as a matter of safety, the airport has engaged the GCAA to establish an area where helicopters can operate without mixing with fixed wing aircraft and passengers.

Operators have taken up this concept and Air Services Ltd, Trans Guyana Airways, Jags Aviation Inc are all constructing helicopter aprons in preparation.

Ogle Airport Inc has been working diligently since 2001 to improve operations at the airport and ensure compliance with the GCAA regulations and ICAO standards and recommended practices.

Recently, the airport acquired a 50-year lease, allowing for sub-lessees to enjoy more confidence in their significant investments.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

‘Gabby’ extends Girl Build Girl Foundation to Bartica

By Vishani Ragobeer

Miss World Guyana 2020 Candidate, Gabriella Chapman and her Girl Build Girl Foundation (GBGF) took to the town of Bartica, a workshop and concert to continue her journey of empowering young women across Guyana.

Speaking to the Buzz, Chapman highlighted that the GBGF was crafted in 2017 while she was the reigning Miss Bartica Regatta Queen.

She realised that she could use her influence to do something that she is passionate about. That was basically cultivating self-confidence and unconditional

self-worth in young girls.

Though she launched this programme as Miss Bartica, she indicated that the girls of Bartica were not able to benefit from any of those sessions, since she was no longer residing in the town.

Now that she has decided to venture into a new journey, the Miss World- Guyana (MWG) journey, she saw it fit to bring her hometown into the mix.

“Instead of creating something new for my ‘Beauty With A Purpose Campaign’, I am using what I would have already createdmy GBGF- and expanding and building on that to make the cause more widespread

across Guyana,” Chapman said.

Resultantly, on September 8, she introduced her foundation to Bartica. Here, she organized a forum where those girls who are already members of the group in Georgetown travelled to Bartica and shared testimonials on how they would have benefited from the foundation, and how important they felt it was. The girls were also given the opportunity to showcase their talents and tell their stories through poetry, song and spoken words.

The forum also featured performances from Michelle “Big Red” King and Carlvin Burnett, just to keep things

Carlvin Burnette in his element, entertaining the group of young women

Gabriella Chapman in Bartica for an introduction of her Girl Build Girl Foundation, along with girls from her group. Also in photo is Minister of Youth Affairs, within the Ministry of the Presidency Simona Broomes and Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall

entertaining.

Minister of Youth Affairs, within the Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes was also there to share her own bit of wisdom and help add to the efforts being made to empower young girls.

The motto of the organisation “Uniting hearts, moulding minds and achieving dreams,” is one which Gabriella noted guides everything the GBGF does.

“We try to connect with each other on an emotional level, because I think when you’re connected by heart, you open up that emotive side of you and have a greater sense of obligation to help one another,” she said explaining, the group’s motto. That being done, and as a sisterhood is planted among the girls, the group then hopes to encourage the girls to ‘think big’.

With the programme introduced to Bartica, the candidate noted that in the short term, she and her team are getting ready to head back to Bartica in October, for a career guidance session which would first see the GBGF getting to know the young girls and their aspirations first.

“A lot of the girls (in Bartica) were inspired, along with some of the regional

Founder of the Girl Build Girl Foundation and Miss World Guyana 2020 Candidate, Gabriella Chapman officials and they have all agreed that they will support the initiative coming to Bartica once per month,” Gabriella highlighted.

These sessions will target female students in third, fourth and fifth forms, and it will function to help the young girls understand who they are, their purpose, and how they can fulfil it.

“The aim is basically to expand their parameters of thinking so that they can think beyond what is readily available in Bartica, because Guyana is evolving, the world is evolving, and they too have to evolve,” the women empowerment advocate said. “We want to create more career-oriented women in Bartica break stereotypes and

dominate across various spectrums.”

Importantly, however, Gabriella will not be the sole person conducting these sessions. She intends on taking trained resource persons with her as she engages the young girls.

“We’re also going to try to help them set a five and ten year plan for their lives and it’s basically equipping them with the general tools so we can say they had access to information and the ‘knowhow’ so that they can figure out the next step after high school,” she explained.

In the long term, she also wants to bring girls from Bartica to Georgetown so that they can be exposed to activities there as well.

The girls sharing an enjoyable moment with Minister Simona Broomes at the Girl Empowerment Concert

Soca

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

& W ine

G

UYANA Carnival team is wasting no time with their preparations for next year, as they are hosting a grand high class event on Sunday September 29, to start enticing the minds of patrons and build up their excitement for the packed calendar of events that awaits them next year.

The event dubbed “Soca and Wine” is the first jamboree on the road to Guyana Carnival 2020, and will serve as introducing day events to calendar.

Patrons are asked to get dressed, call their crew and take the 15 minute road trip to the Lusignan Golf Course, where the event is being held.

The venue comes with tantalizing soca music, a variety of wine, hors d’oeuvres and breathtaking décor for the best photo ops.

Along with enjoying the atmosphere, spectacular décor and good vibes, there will be a sip and paint area and Golf Activities conducted by the Lusignan Golf

Course.

Music will be provided by boom deejays, so there is no question that the ambiance will be an enjoyable one.

Early bird tickets cost $2000 and can be purchased at That Look Boutique on South Road. Guyana Carnival team is also offering a bus shuttle service which transports patrons to the event and back to the capital for $3000.

Cabanas at the venue are sold out, however, a corporate high rise will be provided that accommodates 30 persons and includes an entrance fee, 5 bottles of wine, a grape and cheese platter and a server throughout the event.

Lots more are in store for patrons to ensure they have a relaxing day with friends and family.

This event is being made possible through sponsorship support from Barefoot Wine through Ansa McAL Trading Limited, Campari, Always, Liat Airline and the Guyana Carnival Committee.

kick starts journey to 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

‘Queen Amazonica’ Miss Earth Guyana set for National competition

MISS Earth Guyana 2019, Faydeha King is set to represent at the National Costume Competition in the Philippines on October 26.

During the National Costume Competition, King will be wearing a Dexter

Gardener design depicting ‘Queen Amazonica’. This is in line with the theme for the competition this year, “Celebrating Flora.”

The Miss Earth Guyana committee in a press release, said that the Victoria Regia

Lily, known nationwide as our National Flower is a species of flowering plant and is considered one of the largest of the water lilies. Its leaves can reach an amazing eight-plus feet in diameter and is native to the Amazon as well as surrounding areas in South America.

The flower was discovered for the second time and given its official name in the year 1836 by explorer Richard Schembugk in honor of Queen Victoria.

King’s costume, however, has multiple miniature replicas of the Victoria Regia Lily, and a butterfly execution style which represents the relationship between the gentle creatures and the flower itself.

Standing regal and majestic like the flower itself, Queen Amazonica sprouts a pair of golden wings with a span of 70 inches indented with multicolored stone in spotted areas. From her back rise 8 replica lilies filled with “pixie dust” that releases on “flight” leaving a shimmering, almost magical trail behind her.

Her majesty, Queen Am-

azonica is crowned by a headdress standing at 17” high with gold buds, lily petals, two replica lilies and, hundreds of floral broken jewels and stones.

Lying on her body is a suit made of sparkling silver and white lace, with an abdomen and breast exposure.

It is embellished with white stones and green crystal glass beads on the lower thigh.

Every queen needs her scepter and every enchantress needs her wand, so Queen Amazonica carries her scepter wand. This symbol of power is composed of broken crystalline stones, flower shaped jewels and white flower petals covered in silver glitters.

A replica lily dons the top of the wand and is filled with pixie dust as well as multi-coloured or plain white lights to add a magical effect. The knee length shoes are covered with over three hundred white bridal flowers

Miss Earth Guyana Faydeha King in her National Costume with center stones and broken flower shaped jewels. In total the shoes carry a placement of a thousand hand applied embellishments.

This National Competition sees countries showcasing their creativity as well as things unique to their

respective countries, and at the same time promoting the importance of preserving the environment.

Last year, Miss Earth Guyana, Xamiera Kippins won gold for South America as she depicted the Ole Higue.

Tracy Smith to represent Guyana at Miss Global International Pageant

Guyana’s representative at Miss Global International 2019, Tracy Smith

GUYANA is making its return this year to the Miss Global International Pageant in Jamaica, and the multilingual beauty, Tracy Amanda Smith was announced as this year’s representative.

Guyana brought home the crown last year, with reigning queen Cynthia Dookie dominating the Caribbean tourism platform.

Under the theme “Uniting the World Through Beauty and Tourism”, the competition will be held in Jamaica, September 25 – 29, 2019.

The Miss Global International Pageant began in 2004 and to date it is the first and only competition international beauty competition to be hosted in Jamaica.

Guyana’s Queen, Smith, is currently enrolled at the University of the West Indies – St. Augustine Campus pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a Specialization in Oil, Gas, and Energy Management. She’s a former student of St Rose’s High School, the University of Guyana and KDI School of Public Policy in South Korea where she received her degree in Public Policy (Regional, International and Sustainable Development).

Presently, she works as a Project Analyst at the United Nations Development Programme, Japan Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (JCCCP) Guyana.

Smith, was a contestant in the Miss World Guyana 2018 competition where she placed first runner up and emerged as the Beauty with a Purpose winner.

Given the aforementioned, the queen is expected to do great in this new venture.

The competition in Jamaica offers tours of various attractions and courtesy calls with various leaders of government and business.

It will also allow the contestant to promote her country and businesses from Guyana on an international platform.

This platform also allows the candidate to promote the work of talented Guyanese artists or entrepreneurs through an auction where a worthy item will help to raise funds for the children of the Jamaican Association for the Deaf.

It is good to note that this charity is directed by a former Miss Global International Queen, Mrs. Kimberly Marriot Blake. The Miss Global Organization hopes to also build tourism in Jamaica and create a long-lasting link between countries through tourism.

The competition is supported with kind endorsements from His Excellency, Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Most Honorable, Andrea Holiness, Former Prime minister Mrs. Portia Simpson Miller and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

Guyanese launches Aviators of Color INC.

By Wendella Davidson

GUYANESE-born Iordan Mentore, 24, who is on his final stage of earning his `Wings’ in the aviation sector, has launched a web portal `Aviators of Color INC.’ that aims to create space for current and aspiring aviators to network

with established industry professionals.

With its motto Bessie Coleman’s `The air is the only place free from prejudice’, AOC Inc. emphasises that in their space, the term “aviators” includes not only pilots but, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, airline operations, maintenance en-

gineers, aerospace engineers and various military and aviation personnel.

Mentore was a student of the New Guyana School before migrating, attended the Brooklyn Technical High School and Morehouse College. He also had a brief stint as an intern at the United States House of Represen-

Choose Dance – the male invasion work shop on this weekend

RECOGNISING the need for programmes and opportunities to empower young men and deter them from a life of crime and negative activities, Chenille Bowen, who is a teacher and dance fanatic, collaborated with popular local dancer Jemal Ellis from Euphoria Dance Company to host a dance workshop for young men.

The workshop is being held at the St Joseph High School on September 21 - 22, from 8:30hrs – 16:00 hrs, and is open to all males between the ages of 12 – 25.

Bowen told ‘The Buzz Magazine’ that much emphasis is always paid on women and girls since they are the most oppressed group in society. However, she believes that some amount of emphasis should be paid to young men, who are in most cases labeled as the oppressors.

Young men are a vulnerable group too, she said, so team she has formulated is hosting a two-day workshop dubbed ‘Choose dance – the male invasion – your life matters’.

The team, she shared, saw it fit to use their

skills and the number one influence, music, to make a positive intervention in the lives of young men across Guyana.

Choreographers include dancer from Trinidad, ‘Turbo Zero Limit’, who is one of Machel Montano’s dancers, and some of Guyana’s very best, Jemal Ellis, Paul Charles and more.

Following the two-day workshop, applications for males to join the group will be distributed, and they will be engaged in several workshops, tours, and things that will encourage and empower them to stay focused.

Bowen said they will also be doing skill training, and even though their main focus is on dance, young men who have other theatre talent will be included in an all-male production.

“The mission is to encourage and uplift young men by conveying positive messages through expressive movements of the body, which will precipitate richer emotions and spiritual experiences causing them to realize dancing is the best drug,” she told The Buzz”.

tatives, Queens, New York.

It is his first-hand experiences of the numerous barriers he has had to overcome in his quest to becoming a career pilot that has inspired him to create an organisation that would positively impact many aspiring aviators of colour. Advancing racial equity in the aerospace industry through innovative strategies grounded in community perspectives and technology, is a cause he will never cease to pursue, he added.

Vice President Marlon Dayes, a young Jamaican, who presently flies with Delta, oversees the daily operations of the organisation and

ensures the overall goals and visions are accomplished.

Through AOC Inc., he too hopes to help minorities succeed as professionals in the aviation industry.

He noted that being an airline pilot from humble beginnings, he knows all too well what it takes to achieve success as an aviator of colour. As such, he is determined to ensure that the platform not only inspires minorities to believe their dreams, but supports their ambition of succeeding in the aviation industry regardless of their circumstances.

Active pilots Ossafo Bishop, also a Guyanese;

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Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aviators of Color Inc., and Trainee Pilot, Guyanese Iordan Mentore.

Toray Bailey, Jamaican and Deniz Durgut, an American comprise the Board of Directors.

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Unity and sportsmanship key for advancement of Indigenous athletes

-Ministers say at Heritage Sports launch VICE-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe echoed sentiments of unity, sportsmanship and

progression at the launch at the 2019 Heritage Games, last night at the Everest Cricket Club ground. Both ministers impressed upon the athletes, who were selected to represent their respective regions, that it was time to take their skills to the next level. Vice-President Allicock said that sport is a universal language, one that transcends ethnicity, creed, and belief. He said that as a tool it was extremely important for national development and to foster unity. Mr. Allicock added that the ministry and by extension, the government, is aware of the importance of sports and will continue to invest in the Heritage Games. He challenged the athletes, who will, over the next three days, compete in football, cricket, volleyball, swimming and archery, to put their best foot forward and to showcase their craft with pride. He said that the games were an opportunity to educate others about the indigenous culture and way of life, about changing the stereotypical beliefs and about uniting by fighting against hate and negativity.

The minister also implored the teams to prepare better.

He said that better prepared teams would assist the ministry to fast track their preparations, which will create better Heritage Games in the future. “The games would continue to grow….

Plan early. After the three days you must be able to reflect on your mistakes and start planning for 2020, so we don’t have much hiccups in the future.” Both ministers lauded the games for its importance in promoting national unity. Minister Allicock said that there are already signs that the games are one of the only activities that brings Guyanese together.

He challenged the sports representatives to grow from the event. “Take time to meet with others, take time to meet with your peers, take time to look to the future….Our mission

is to unity this country.”

He also beseeched the athletes to put their best foot forward, to have the right attitude in their respective disciplines and to show the quality that comes from Indigenous communities.

Minister Garrido-Lowe said that Heritage Games bring Guyanese people together.

“We feel like one.” The junior minister, who was first to address the audience, reminded the athletes that Heritage Games was the biggest on the calendar of events of Heritage Month.

She told them that with growth comes necessary changes and that upholding rules and regulations were crucial for them to move forward. Minister Lowe said that she was elated with the dynamics of Indigenous sports, especially football that is becoming mainstream with more players reaching higher levels. She said that the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) would be at the games to discover the talent on display. The minister added that if players want to take their game to the next level, they have be discipline, they have to be good losers and always respect the sport and their opponents despite the results. Along with the two ministers, other members of the ministry and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, were also at the launch. Today football kicks off the games from 9:30hrs. The teams will battle until 13:00hrs then the cricketers take to the field. On Saturday the archery competition’s qualifying round will be held (registration takes place on Saturday morning), with the semifinals and final on Sunday from 11:00hrs. Archers will have to shoot at targets from 10, 15 and 25 metres, while the finalists will have to shoot at a moving target.

Meanwhile, swimming is scheduled for Saturday at the National Aquatic Centre.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 20, 2019

World Cup workers still not protected in Qatar, according to Amnesty

By Luke Bradshaw

AMNESTY International has released a report stating that people working in Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup continue to be mistreated, despite assurances from authorities.

Ahead of the tournament, according to the human rights organisation, workers continue to be exploited, going unpaid and having their rights violated.

It comes after new laws were passed in Qatar that were supposed

to improve conditions for workers, including those working on various 2022 World Cup projects.

With an agreement with the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation, the laws are intended to improve workers’ rights, including the introduction of a minimum wage, insurance and the ending of the controversial sponsorship of labour.

Qatar’s labour sponsorship is a system that involves workers’ passports being handed over to their employers when they join the

company.

Given that the vast majority of workers are immigrants, mostly from Bangladesh, it makes it incredibly difficult for them to then change jobs or leave the country, because they need their employers’ permission to get their passport back.

The 52-page report focused on three cleaning and construction companies, not specifically pertaining to the World Cup. It stated that hundreds of workers were being employed without

being paid, with over 1 600 complaints submitted by workers.

Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International’s deputy director of global issues, said: “Despite the significant promises of reform which Qatar has made ahead of the 2022 World Cup, it remains a playground for unscrupulous employers.

“Migrant workers often go to Qatar in the hope of giving their families a better life - instead many people return home penniless after spending months chasing their

Sepp Blatter and the Chairman of Qatar 2022 bid.

(Credit: Getty Images) wages, with too little help from the systems that are supposed to protect them.”

The abuse of human rights has been a constant problem since the World Cup was awarded to Qatar since 2010. In response to the ongoing problems, last year it was announced that Qatar would introduce a Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund.

This was supposed to provide workers who had not been paid with compensation, but has gone completely unfunded, according to Amnesty.

FIFA responded to the report by Amnesty. They said: “We would like to note that, as confirmed by Amnesty International, the report does not concern World Cup sites. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy has also confirmed that the contractors referenced in the report have never been engaged on World Cup projects in Qatar.

“We, however, acknowledge the importance of the new labour dispute committee as an

important part of the broader labour rights reforms taking place in Qatar. We know that the Qatari authorities are working intensely in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation and other stakeholders with a view to further improve the effectiveness of this complex but vital mechanism.

A spokesman at the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar said: “We are aware of a recent report published by Amnesty International concerning the status of workers in Qatar.

“Qatar has made substantial progress on labour reforms. We continue to work with NGOs, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO, to ensure that these reforms are far-reaching and effective.

Any issues or delays with our systems will be addressed comprehensively. We have said, from the outset, that this would take time, resources and commitment.” (Yahoo Sport UK)•

ETI to stage Inter-House athletics championship today THREE houses, comprising 100 students each, will compete for supremacy when the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) hosts its annual inter-house athletics championship today at the Institute’s ground in Anna Regina.

House ‘A’ is labelled the Tiger, House ‘B’ the Jaguar and House ‘C’ the Eagle. They will square off from 10:00hrs with a series of races ranging from 100 and 200 metres Under-17 and Open, 400 metres Open, 800 metres, 5000 and 6000 Under-17 and Open as well as 4x100 and 4x400 Under-17 and Open events for both male and females.

Teachers will also scorch the track in the 100m and 200m match-up as well as an invitational 100-metre race for special guests.

Before the competition begins, the teams will conduct a march past where the Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr Dellip Singh will take the salute in the presence of other officials including the Principal, Mr Rawle Pearce.

Meanwhile, coordinator of the events, Mr Diyanand Chaitram, is encouraging the public, parents

Coordinator Diyanand Chaitram and guardians to attend and support the athletes. He stated that ‘there are a number of outstanding potential athletes at the institute who are going to break some of the existing records.

He further stated that at the completion of every race, the top three finishers will be presented with gold, silver and bronze medals, compliments of the Institute.

The next stage of competition will be the Inter-School championship involving the top schools from the Region, including the Pomeroon and New Opportunity Corps.

(Elroy Stephney)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 20, 2019

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Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan to go ahead as planned SRI Lanka’s tour of Pakistan will go ahead after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that the Pakistan government had “reaffirmed” its desire to provide the Sri Lanka team with the same level of security afforded to visiting heads of state.“The Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Pakistan Government, has reaffirmed to the Sri Lankan government Pakistan’s desire to provide the Sri Lankan National Team with the same level of security as that provided to a head of state,” SLC secretary Mohan De Silva stated.The tour had been thrown into serious doubt last week after a warning of a terror attack on the Sri Lankan team was received by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s Office.

Following this, SLC deferred any fresh security assessment to the Sri Lankan government.

The PCB, thereafter, engaged the Pakistan government, who wrote to the Sri Lankan government assuring head-ofstate-level security to the visiting

team. It is understood that the Pakistan high commissioner to Sri Lanka was actively in touch with the Sri Lankan defence secretary as part of confidencebuilding.An SLC release said Sri Lanka’s ministry of defence had confirmed that it had received no information “through any Intelligence Agency indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka National Team or to the said tour” and that “no information has been received by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pakistan, indicating a threat to the Sri Lanka National Team or to the said tour.”The release detailed that the letter from the Pakistan government had made these assurances: that “the Government of Pakistan will ensure highest consideration of security to the visiting cricket team”. “(The) Pakistan Army will coordinate the security arrangements” and “Security protocol will be compatible to (a) Head of State”.Before news of the possible terror threat emerged, SLC had been happy with its own

Zidane criticises Real Madrid’s lack of intensity in PSG defeat

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane ZINEDINE Zidane criticised Real Madrid for a lack of intensity during their 3-0 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Madrid were humbled at the Parc des Princes, where an Angel Di Maria brace and a late Thomas Meunier goal saw the Ligue 1 giants to victory in their Group A opener.

Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema had efforts ruled out for Madrid, who fell to a PSG side without Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.

Zidane, whose team failed to record a shot on target, was unhappy with Madrid’s intensity in Paris midweek.

“They have surpassed us in everything, especially what bothers me is the intensity,” the Madrid head coach told a news conference, via AS. “At this level, in this competition, it is complicated if you don’t enter the field well. They have surpassed us.”

Zidane added: “They are good at creating chances. What has worried me is to see my team without the necessary intensity.

“We know that the opponents were going to put a lot of pressure

on us. We have almost never entered the game. We had only two chances and made two goals, but the VAR ruled them out.”

Di Maria opened the scoring for PSG when the attacker beat Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at his near post in the 14th minute.

However, Zidane refused to blame his shot-stopper – later beaten by Di Maria from 20 yards before Meunier’s late sealer – following the defeat.

“We are all in the same boat.

When we win, we all win. And when we lose, we all lose,” he said.

“I don’t want to point at anyone. It is everyone’s fault when it is lost.”

While Madrid failed to have a single shot on target in a Champions League game for the first time since Opta started recording the data in 2003-04, Zidane is unworried about his side’s ability to create.

“I didn’t like not creating opportunities with the players we have on the field. It is what it is. We have almost never entered the game,” he said. “I am not worried. Normally we have occasions.”

security assessments, and had committed to the tour, announcing ODI and T20I squads shorn of ten prominent names who had refused to travel to Pakistan.Through all the uncertainty, Pakistan have continued working towards their preparation for the series, naming 20 probables for the series, settling on their team-management group, and reaffirming their faith in their captain Sarfraz Ahmed. The PCB

had also issued visa supporting letters for the Sri Lankan players and officials. Arrangements at the stadiums have also been beefed up, and tickets for the matches will go up for sale starting tonight.

The PCB had refused to shift the series to a neutral venue, with chairman Ehsan Mani reiterating his confidence in Pakistan hosting Sri Lanka

later this month.

With this series going ahead, Pakistan will be hosting their longest bilateral series in a decade.

The National Stadium in Karachi will host the ODIs, while the T20Is will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

These will be the first ODIs to take place in Pakistan since Zimbabwe toured for a threematch ODI series in 2015. All

Pakistan have retained Sarfraz Ahmed as captain. the international cricket here since the 2017 PSL final has been in the form of T20Is.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday September 7, 2019

Japanese and Russian fans party before Rugby World Cup opener

By Jack Tarrant

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Rugby World Cup’s power to bring people together was abundantly clear on Thursday as Japanese and Russian fans sang songs and competed in drinking games in a small Tokyo restaurant the night before the tournament’s opening match.

The two nations are set to go head-to-head in the World Cup’s first game today and the players of the Moscow Dragons amateur rugby club travelled 7,400

kilometres to be part of the festivities.

University Rugby Club, with his Japanese friends from back home.

Fortunately, they have friends eager to show them around Tokyo.

“This is a big festival of rugby. The World Cup is a special opportunity,” one fan called Peter said.

Mitsuo Maeda, a Japanese national who has lived in Moscow for over 25 years, is a member of the club and has brought his team mates to Tokyo for the opening weekend of matches.

Just hours after landing, Maeda had organised dinner for the Dragons, and the accompanying team from Moscow State

“There are several guys from Japan who played for the Dragons seven or eight years ago and they have organised this dinner to meet Russian friends.

“Maybe some of us never met in Russia, they joined rugby later, but in any case it is part of a family.”

Russian and Japanese fans participate in a boat race drinking game during bonding dinner on the eve of the Rugby World Cup opening match Japan against Russia, in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.

REUTERS/Jack Tarrant

New management expected for Unity\Lancaster Sports Club

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE change from dormancy and neglect to a progressive environment will soon be a reality for youths living in the Unity/Lancaster area, since a new management team is expected to take over the sports club, after years of negligence.

Chronicle Sport was told

by Chairman of the Unity/ Vereeniging Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Atambeo Persaud, that although there is a management team in place, the Policing Group in that area is willing to take over the day-today affairs of the club.

“The NDC will meet with the Policing Group on Friday

Despite being slashed by the Unity/Vereeniging Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Unity\Lancaster Sports Club remains in a deplorable state.

(today), and once their proposal suits the Council, we will decide on the way forward.”

According to the NDC Chairman, in the minds of many, the stagnation and neglect seemed inevitable, but this will definitely change through diligent work by those who understand the value and benefits of youths engaging meaningfully in sport.

Persaud further pointed out that the few years of dormancy had already made a mark on the lives of many youths who desired to be engaged in sport. Many were not afforded the opportunity to realise their potential or make their dream a reality.

The community has witnessed the negative impact on the minds of those who did not benefit

from the positive influence sport can contribute to their social and physical wellbeing.

Over the years, many youths abandoned sport and gravitated to unwholesome activities.

The Club had benefitted from an upgrade in 2011 from former president Bharrat Jagdeo and former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, but since then not much has been done.

Apart from Chanderpaul, Unity Village has produced several top players including Tagenarine ‘Brandon’ Chanderpaul, Colin Croft, Indomatie Goordial, Lalchand Persaud, Hemraj Gharbarran, Krishna Arjune and Vishal Arjune.

Kenyans pull out of worlds after failing to take tests

By Isaack Omlo NAIROBI (Reuters) Jackline Wambui, who won the 800 metres at the Kenyan trials, and Linda Kageha, who was in the mixed relay team, have withdrawn from the world championships after failing to take mandatory testosterone level tests, an Athletics Kenya (AK) official said on Thursday.

AK Vice President in charge of competitions Paul Mutwii said Wambui and Kageha had declined the mandatory test and withdrew from the global showpiece event in Doha.

“The IAAF has set tough conditions on gender and doping and we must comply.

If an athlete fails to take the

tests, they are definitely out of the (world) championships,” Mutwii told Reuters.

“Wambui and Kageha declined the test on testosterone levels. They had no choice but to withdraw,” said Mutwii.

Wambui’s withdrawal left 2013 world champion Eunice Sum as Kenya’s only entrant in the women’s 800m event.

Michael Kibet and Daniel Simiyu, who finished first and second in the 5,000 metres at the Kenyan trials, are awaiting clearance to run in the world championships after not meeting Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) criteria for three out-ofcompetition and one in-competition doping tests, Mutwii said.

“We have, however, entered them pending clearance from AIU. We expect a response from AIU by Monday next week,” the official added.

Nicholas Kibet and Jacob Krop, who finished third and fourth at the trials, have been entered.

“We have entered Krop so that we have two athletes in case AIU fails to clear Kibet and Simiyu,” Mutwii said.

Reigning men’s 1,500 metres world champion Elijah Manangoi pulled out of the Doha event this week due to an ankle injury.

The world championships run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 6.

Jackline Wambui and Lydia Jeruto fly the Kenyan flag after claiming a 1,2 finish in the girls’ 800m at the WU18 championships in Kasarani.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 20, 2019

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FIFA tells Iran it is time to allow women into stadiums

By Brian Homewood

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino has told Iran it is time to allow women into football stadiums and the global soccer body expects “positive developments”, starting with their next home match in October.

While foreign women have been allowed limited access to matches, Iranian women have been banned from stadiums when men’s teams have been playing, since just after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Infantino said in a FIFA statement he was hopeful

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, U.S. September 9, 2019.

(REUTERS/Erin Scott) that the Iranian football federation and government authorities had been receptive to “our repeated calls to address this

unacceptable situation”.

He added, “Our position is clear and firm. Women have to be allowed into football stadiums in Iran. Now is the moment to change things and FIFA is expecting positive developments starting in the next Iran home match in October.”

Iran, who have qualified for five World Cup finals, including each of the last two, host Cambodia on October 10 in their first home game of the 2022 qualifying competition.

This month, a female fan died after setting herself on fire to protest against her arrest for attending a match.

Sahar Khodayari, dubbed ‘Blue Girl’ for the colours of her favourite team, Esteghlal, died in hospital after her selfimmolation outside a court where she feared being jailed for six months, having attended the match in disguise as a man.

Khodayari’s death has caused widespread outrage in Iran and internationally, prompting calls on social media for Iran’s football federation to be suspended or banned by FIFA. Critics say FIFA’s own statutes hold discrimination on grounds of gender punishable by suspension or expulsion.

There were signs the situation

regarding female fans in Iran was changing when a group of women got permission to attend the second leg of the Asian Champions League final in Tehran last November, a match where Infantino was present.

Female fans, however, have been denied access to matches since. At Iran’s friendly against Syria in June, women were locked out of the Azadi Stadium and detained by security forces.

Infantino said a FIFA delegation was now in Iran.

“I am looking forward to hearing good news from them,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s Dananjaya gets one-year ban due to illegal action (REUTERS) - Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya has been banned for a year from bowling in international cricket due to an illegal action, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday.

Dananjaya, 25, was reported for a suspect action after last month’s opening test against New Zealand in Galle, during which he picked up six wickets in Sri Lanka’s victory.

His bowling action was found to be illegal after he underwent independent assessment in the southern Indian city of Chennai, the ICC said in a statement.

Dananjaya was also reported for a suspect bowling action last November after a test match against England and suspended the following month after an independent committee found it to be illegal.

He was cleared to bowl

Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya bowls. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

again in February following remedial work on his action.

action after the expiry of this one-year period.”

“As the latest report constitutes the player’s second report within a twoyear period, the first of which led to a suspension, he is automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a period of 12 months,” the ICC said.

The Galle match against New Zealand was Dananjaya’s first Test since his reinstatement.

“Dananjaya will be entitled to approach the ICC for a reassessment of his bowling

He has taken 33 wickets in six Tests for Sri Lanka since making his debut against Bangladesh last year, as well as 51 wickets in one-dayers and 22 in Twenty20 internationals.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz climbs five places, but coach wants even more from them THEODORE Whitmore, head coach of Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz said that Jamaica couldn’t afford to be complacent now that the team has climbed up the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Wednesday.

Coming off the back of drubbing of Antigua and Barbuda 6-0 and humbling Guyana 4-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League on September 6 and 9, respectively, the Jamaican team climbed five places to 47 in the rankings released on September 18.

“This is, of course, positive for the team and the country and this is in keeping with the objectives that the players, technical staff and the Federation set at the beginning of

the CONCACAF Nations League Group phase,” Coach Whitmore said.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday September 20, 2019)

“Our wish is for it to continue to get better and I will be lobbying with the Federation to ensure that what is necessary to make this happen is indeed put in place because we do not want to get complacent.”

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The coach used the rise in rankings to implore fans to show their support by coming out in large numbers to the National Stadium on October 12 when Jamaica plays Aruba.

(1) Mohammed Irfan (Tridents vs Patriots, Barbados, 2018)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(2) 5 Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore Whitmore

“The players need to know that they have the country’s support,” he said.

with the development and has encouraged the coach, his staff and the players to maintain focus with the immediate goal being to maintain a top-six ranking in CONCACAF over the coming months.

Meanwhile, president of the JFF, Mr Michael Ricketts also expressed satisfaction

Jamaica’s highest ever FIFA ranking occurred in 1998 when the team was ranked 27th in the world.(Sportsmax).

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first on-field umpire to officiate in 50 CPL games?

(2) Which team did the Warriors play in the CPL 2014 final?

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 20, 2019

Allen and Cottoy set up Patriots win over Tallawahs AN unbroken 94-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Fabian Allen and Keron Cottoy set St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on their way to a 20-run Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory over Jamaica Tallawahs despite Glenn Phillips smashing 87 from 49 balls in reply.

The Patriots looked sure to finish below par when skipper Carlos Brathwaite was sixth out with just 82 on the board in the 13th over, but Allen launched a controlled and clinical assault on the Tallawahs bowling and found a willing ally in Cottoy, who would later pick up the all-important wicket of Phillips. Incredibly, Allen and Cottoy were able to add 81 without loss in the last five overs of the Patriots innings as the Tallawahs bowlers lost their way after an exemplary first 15 overs.

Openers

Devon

Thomas

Fabian Allen was named player-of-the-march for another half-century.

and Evin Lewis were both dismissed inside the first three overs, and a promising recovery partnership between Mohammad Hafeez and Laurie Evans ended in a mix-up and the latter superbly run out by Ramaal Lewis. Hafeez, Shamarh Brooks and Brathwaite all then fell in the space of 12 balls to leave the Patriots up against it. Allen took an over or two to play himself in, but soon exploded into

life. He had just 6 runs to his name from seven balls going into the last five but added another 56 runs from just another 20 deliveries.

He started his counterattack by taking Zahir Khan for four boundaries in the 16th over before driving Jade Dernbach high and handsome over long-off for a Hero Maximum in the next. Shamar Springer was swivel-pulled over long-leg for six more, while Allen

took 10 in two balls from Dernbach’s 19th over as the former England bowler’s control deserted him. Cottoy had been the quiet partner through much of the stand, but had some fun of his own in the final over with a lap over long-leg for six and ended unbeaten on 27 from 23. It was Allen, though, who had the final word as he clipped the last ball of the innings past short fineleg for his seventh four to go with three sixes. That the Tallawahs even got close was almost entirely down to Phillips. He produced what was almost a lone hand – no other Tallawah even scored a boundary until the 11th over, by which point Phillips had struck 12 of them – but was just left with too much to do. Every time a wicket fell - and three fell before the score reached 50 - Phillips had a response.

When Gayle succumbed to the early pressure applied

by Mohammad Hafeez and Sheldon Cottrell, Phillips

Lord Coe won’t ‘gag’ protesting athletes IAAF president Lord Coe says he is “not in the mood to gag the voices” of athletes should any protest at the 2019 World Championships, which start in Doha later this month.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar while an Amnesty International report has raised concerns over the treatment of migrant workers in the country. Coe said: “We’re a sport founded on being profoundly antidiscriminatory. “We’re very clear about that so I will cross that bridge when I get to it.” He told BBC Sport: “There is a time and place to make your views clear but I’m not in the mood as a federation president ever to gag the voices or the instincts of athletes.” Lord Coe has also defended the choice of Doha as host for the championships, saying it is important athletics heads to new places to ensure the sport’s growth

while simultaneously highlighting any issues in those territories. “I’ve never known a situation where sport going into a fresh and new type of territory hasn’t actually flicked the dial both socially, culturally and politically in a very positive way,” he added.

“Sometimes people like me in positions of responsibility in a sport can raise issues that politicians tend to either ignore completely or tiptoe around. “I do think sport and these organisations need to work as closely and as collaboratively as they can because actually sport has the ability to shine a spotlight on many of these issues “That’s not to say we’re oblivious to the fact we will be taking our event into places of challenge. “But we do want to take the sport globally and we can’t just sit there going back to the

Lord Coe was elected IAAF president in August 2015

nine, 10 same cities if we are really true to our word about wanting to expand the global foot print of athletics.

I’m very keen to do that” Speaking earlier this month, race walker Tom Bosworth, an openly gay athlete, insisted he would “go there and be myself” when he travels with the rest of the Great Britain squad to the Gulf state. “I’m sure when the IAAF awarded Doha the competition, they took all of this into consideration

and they would have been naive not to,” he said.

“There was quite a lot of criticism and fears for supporters going to the Russia football World Cup but it was fantastic event and hopefully Doha will use this to show they are a country that welcomes all, and put on a great show. “I’m not going to start running down the road with rainbow flags and demanding equality but it is certainly a stage where we can be ourselves. “If I

took 18 runs from the four balls left in the over. Three times Cottrell was put away through the offside for four, while a straighter delivery disappeared over squareleg. When Chadwick Walton chipped a return catch to Alzarri Joseph, Phillips took a six and a four off Allen in the next. And when Dwayne Smith miscued Joseph to be caught at mid-off, Phillips found the boundary twice before that over was out.

By the time Phillips took Brathwaite for back-to-back Hero Maximums in the ninth over, the scorecard had a bizarrely lopsided look to it, with the Tallawahs 79/3 and Phillips having scored 68 of them. He finally got some assistance from a slightly unexpected source, Imran Khan promoted up the order to number five and contributing 20 to a fourthwicket partnership of 69 before offering a return catch to the deserving Hafeez.

That wicket came from his final ball having conceded

just 13 in his four overs.

That wicket brought Andre Russell to the crease, but on this occasion his stay was a brief one. Going for the big shot first ball he succeeded only in skying Rayad Emrit to Cottrell at midwicket to hand the initiative back to the Patriots. Phillips finally fell in the next, looking for his sixth Hero Maximum of the night but unable to clear Brooks at long-on. Javelle Glen then steered Emrit straight to short third-man to leave the lower order to try and finish the chase. Despite a couple of big hits from Shamar Springer, it proved beyond them. Upcoming Fixtures: Friday 20 September – St Lucia Zouks v Barbados Tridents (8pm), Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium; Saturday 21 September – St Lucia Zouks v Trinbago Knight Riders (8pm), Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

Nine goals scored as Limacol football continues NINE goals were scored on Wednesday evening when the 2019 Limacol football tournament continued at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue.

In the first of the doubleheader, GT Panthers beat Beacons 2-1.

Vincent Thomas 7th minute goal set the Panthers on the right path before Anson Lynch’s 85th minute goal sealed the deal. Beacons’ Rawle Adams pulled one back in the 90th.

In the other game, Buxton drew with Northern Rangers 3-3.

Jumali Major’s 14th minute goal started things off for the East Coast side but Keith Caines’ 29th minute strike tied things up.

Akeel Pinheiro (32nd) gave the Rangers the lead for the first time in the game and Anthony Sancho in the 42nd seemed to put the game out of reach just before the half.

However, Neil Hutson (56th) scored for the Buxton side and Shemar Scott in the 67th brought the game back level, much to the pleasure of the fans.

Try as they may, neither team could break the deadlock before the final whistle went.

The tournament continued last evening with Pele playing Police ‘B’ while Dynamics Football Club opposed Mahaica Determinators in the feature game.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 20, 2019

1320 Heat rematch set for next month

A QUARTER-MILE showdown to end all the grumblings from the most recent International Drag race will take place on October 20.

Dubbed the 1320 Heat rematch, Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) announced the event yesterday with the aim of putting to rest all debates for the fastest cars in the respective classes.

According to GMR&SC president Rameez Mohamed, “We, at GMR&SC, have been monitoring our chats and we see there are a lot of guys who still feel that something or another went

Drag racing action returns on October 20 with the 1320 Heat rematch. (GTRidez photo) wrong on August 25 at our aside and to sort whatever the coming days. international drag race meet.” remaining issues there are.”

Meanwhile, GMR&SC He noted that the club is president did not mince “So as a committee, we have decided to hold the toying with the idea of allow- words with several classes, 1320 rematch on October ing grudge match runs but calling on teams to put 20 to put all the squabbling that decision will be made in their act together or risk

Aussies sweep Windies with T20 thrashing BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies Women predictably suffered their second straight series whitewash at the hands of powerhouse Australia Women when they went down by nine wickets in the final Twenty20 International of the three-match series here Wednesday night.

In yet another lopsided encounter at Kensington Oval, West Indies could muster only 81 all out off their 20 overs, with opener Britney Cooper top-scoring with 29 off 35 balls to be one of just three batsmen in double figures but the only one to pass 20.

The hosts were undone by left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen who snatched four for seven from four superb overs while 20-year-old leg-spinner Georgia Wareham supported with three for 14.

New-ball seamer Megan Schutt picked up two for 14.

In reply, the Aussies strolled to their target in the eighth over with Player-of-the-Series Alyssa Healy belting a 16-ball 38 and opening partner Beth Mooney gathering an unbeaten 24 off 18 deliveries.

Healy notched six fours and two sixes in dominating a 45-run opening stand off 22 balls before slicing leg-spinner Afy Fletcher for Karishma Ramharack to take

being cut.

“The slower classes, the 16- and 15-second competitors gave us a hard time at the last meeting and to be honest, if they do not pull themselves together then we risk cutting them from the next event.”

“It’s not something we as a club want to do - deny competitors the chance to race, but we’ve found that these guys tend to give the team on the ground the most trouble to locate. Sometimes we make it to the finals and some of these same guys that failed to turn up to the line, appear and claim they had not been given the chance

Deonarine, Campbelle and Kanhai to be honoured by BCB FORMER West Indies batsmen Rohan Kanhai and Narsingh Deonarine, along with Shemaine Campbelle, will be

veiled in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) office on the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Wall of Fame.

“We strongly believe in honouring our heroes and we want to do so while they are alive. Berbice cricket has been successful over the last 80 years due to the outstanding contributions of countless work performances of countless individuals,” BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu said

Rohan Kanhai

Opener Britney Cooper … top-scored with 29. a low catch at short third man in the fourth over.

Choosing to bat first earlier, West Indies lost left-hander Kyshona Knight for two in the third over with the score on six, caught by captain Meg Lanning moving to her right at first slip off Schutt.

Captain Stafanie Taylor, playing in her 100th T20 International, struggled for 19 deliveries over her six before becoming the second casualty of the innings, carving Wareham to Jonassen at point in the seventh over.

When Stacy-Ann King missed a heave at Jonassen and was bowled between bat and pad for six in the

12th over, the hosts were in deeper trouble at 42 for three.

Cooper, a late inclusion in the series, was the only one to show any defiance, counting four fours in an attractive innings.

But she too fell victim to the Aussie spin attack, missing a sweep Wareham and adjudged lbw in the 14th over.

Natasha McLean (15) and rookie Sheneta Grimmond (13) staged the best stand of the innings with 20run partnership for the fifth wicket but once they were separated, West Indies lost their last six wickets for 26 runs in quick time.

to race.”

He noted that on several occasions, competitors are sitting on their cars on the outskirts of the Launchpad but aren’t coming to the line because they are sometimes trying to skirt their way into the next round.

“Whether we disqualify on the spot or cut the entire class is something for the committee to discuss moving forward.”

Further details surrounding the event, including admission and sponsors, will be released in the coming days, according to Mohamed.

honoured as Berbice greatest cricketers at the senior, junior, and female levels respectively.

Rohan ‘Bholalall’ Kanhai, holds the record for the most Test runs, Test appearances and most Test centuries for Berbicians.

Deonarine represented Albion, Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies at the Under-15 and Under-19 levels with great success while serving as captain as well.

Campbelle is the only Guyanese female cricketer to have centuries at the club, county, regional and international levels and has represented the West Indies at the 20/20 and ODI levels for close to a decade.

A portrait of the three players will be un-

outstanding administrators Keith Foster, Anil Beharry, Malcolm Peters, Manohar Pooran and Carl Moore would also be inducted into the BCB Hall of Fame for administrators.

The contribution of former players: Sudesh Dhaniram, Orvin Mangru, Deonarine Persaud, Andre Percival and Zaheer Moakan will be recognised under the Tribute to Retired Cricketers programme while Angela Haniff, Joseph Simon, Dennis D’Andrade and Esaun Crandon will each receive BCB’s highest individual award, The Tribute to Hero Award of Excellence.

BCB president Hilbert Foster stated that

Narsingh Deonarine as he unveiled the board’s plans to honour several outstanding Berbicians as part of its 80th anniversary celebrations.

Former outstanding cricketers Leslaine Lambert, Clayton Lambert, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Deonarine and Derick Kallicharran, will also be inducted into the Berbice Hall of Fame while

Shemaine Campbelle every year, the board will strive to honour outstanding heroes.

40

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 20, 2019

Region Six and Region Seven (females) athletes during the March Pass on Thursday evening.

Unity and sportsmanship key for 33 advancement of Indigenous athletes PAGE

Ministers Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Sydney Allicock (left) and Director of Sport Christopher Jones (far right) with members of the Santa Aratack (Region 3) team.

Unbeaten Amazon Warriors deal heavy defeat to struggling Tallawahs KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Red-hot Guyana Amazon Warriors extended their unbeaten start to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season while inflicting yet another blow to Jamaica Tallawahs’ playoff hopes, with a commanding 81-run victory here Wednesday night.

Sent in at Sabina Park, Amazon Warriors marched to 218 for six off their 20 overs – their highest ever CPL total – with captain Shoaib Malik top-scoring with a classy unbeaten 67 off 37 deliveries and Brandon King slamming 59 off 37 deliveries in front of his home crowd.

In reply, Tallawahs got 40 apiece from New Zealander Glenn Phillips and explosive all-rounder Andre Russell but the hosts struggled to keep up with the demanding required run rate and were eventually bundled out for 137 in the 18th over.

Russell, in his first game following an injury layoff after being struck in the

head against St Lucia Zouks a week ago, kept Tallawahs in the contest in a 60-run fifth-wicket stand with Phillips.

But once Russell slapped fast bowler Odean Smith to Shoaib at cover in the 13th over, all hope of a Tallawahs comeback diminished as the run chase unravelled quickly.

Fast-bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul recovered from a difficult start to take three for 34 while leg-spinners Imran Tahir (2-21) and Qais Ahmad (2-35) snatched wickets too.

The win for the visitors was their fifth on the trot, securing them sole possession of first place in the standings on 10 points.

Tallawahs, meanwhile, suffered their fifth defeat in six games to remain bottom on two points, and now need to win their remaining four games to guarantee themselves a place in the top four.

Amazon Warriors stumbled early when Chandrapaul Hemraj (1) skied

English seamer Jade Dernbach (2-50) to mid-wicket in the second over but a series of strong partnerships stabilised the innings while keeping it ticking along at a healthy run rate.

First, King combined in a 69-run, second-wicket stand with left-hander Shimron Hetmyer, who stroked 44 off 25 deliveries with six fours and two sixes.

When Hetmyer missed a swing at medium pacer Dwayne Smith and was bowled in the ninth over, Shoaib arrived to further marshal the innings.

The Pakistani right-hander struck six fours and three sixes, posting 43 for the third with King and a further 53 for the fourth with Nicholas Pooran (20).

King was eventually third out in the 13th over after striking four fours and half-dozen sixes, taken on the ropes at mid-wicket off off-spinner Ramaal Lewis.

Facing an uphill task, talisman Chris Gayle perished in the second over for

seven, caught at short third man off Tahir trying to cart the South African for a second successive leg-side six.

And when Chadwick Walton sliced a Tahir full toss to cover in the fourth over, he became one of three wickets to fall for 17 runs to leave the hosts tottering on 51 for four in the eighth over.

Facing a required run rate of nearly 13-½ runs per over, Russell attempted to rescue the innings, smashing three fours and three sixes in a 19-ball cameo. Phillips, meanwhile, faced 32 deliveries and counted two fours and two sixes.

The breakthrough came when Smith claimed Russell with the fourth ball of his first over, sparking the collapse which saw the last six wickets fall for 26 runs.

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Captain Shoaib Malik hits through the off-side during his top score of 67 not out against Jamaica Tallawahs on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy CPL)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019