Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-22-2019

22nd SEPTEMBER, 2019

' No.105768

‘THERE’S ENOUGH EVIDENCE’ Convicted Drug Lord: Roger Khan

–Mourners in White says police have enough evidence to lay charges against Roger Khan …as drug lord remains behind bars being grilled for murders of Waddell, boxing coach

SEE STORIES ON PAGES 3 & 13

PPP display of hooliganism cannot be tolerated- GPSU

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Residency requirement crucial to be on voters list

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…AG argues in appeal in house-to-house registration case

The National Indigenous Heritage Pageant will be held on Saturday September 28 at the National Cultural Centre. The 10 regional representatives, last week, gathered at St Cuthbert’s Mission to participate in the ‘Indigenous Challenge’ where they showcased their skills in various aspects of Indigenous Culture such as, cotton spinning, craft making, cassava processing and making Tuma Pot. In this Marceano Narine photo, two of the contestants participate in the cotton-spinning challenge (See story on page 20)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

‘Up your game’

…Min. Ramjattan urges cops in their role in treating with domestic violence …as 32 police ranks receive DV Scenario Response Training

By Svetlana Marshall ONE hundred and thirty-two police officers from seven divisions across the country are now better equipped to respond to domestic violence cases now that they have completed a Domestic Violence Scenario Response Training.

The training was facilitated by Consultant Novelette Grant under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme, primarily to equip mid-career police officers with the requisite skills to carry out their duties with the highest level of professionalism, empathy and integrity when addressing cases of domestic violence.

On Thursday, at the Police Training Centre, the police officers were presented with certificates for successfully completing the programme funded by the

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, in delivering the keynote address, bemoaned the fact that domestic violence remains a global problem. Alluding to global statistics, he pointed out that one in every three women experience either physical or sexual violence.

Here in Guyana, the public security minister said, a recent study on inter-partner violence suggests that 22 per cent of women between the ages of 15 and 64 were victims of intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime.

“These statistics do not include the other forms of abusive behaviour that women are exposed to including psychological and economic abuse, again generally experienced by women at the hands of men,” Minister Ramjattan

Consultant, Novelette Grant

noted.

Because of its serious consequences, Domestic Violence is both a family and community problem, and the police must up its role in treating with such a serious issue. “Both because of the prevalence and the disastrous effects of domestic violence, this training programme

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

could not be timelier. To this outgoing group of police officers, you have been selected to spearhead an improved response to domestic violence,” he told the graduates.

Modernisation of State Specialist and IDBN Representative, Dr. Jason Wilks also painted a vivid picture

of the damages inflicted on society as a result of domestic violence – a silent epidemic.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, nine women are killed every day due to domestic violence.

“Guyana is no different in that context. United Nations, for example, mentioned that in 2017 there were 34 deaths attributed to intimate partner femicide in Guyana, 34 deaths!” Dr. Wilks pointed out.

The IDB Representative said that because the issues sounding domestic violence continue to evolve, it is incumbent for law enforcement officers to come up with new strategies and innovative approaches to respond to this category of crime. Having the correct standing orders and protocol in place are also critical to effect change and reduce the risk of having victims of domestic violence,

he said. “To this end, I truly want to credit the Guyana Police Force for continually and on an ongoing basis, delivering training like this on domestic violence; working with partners like the IDB, UNICEF, local actors as well to build-up and up-skill its ranks to learn and apply new lessons in how they can be change agents,” Dr. Wilks said to loud rounds of applause.

Former Deputy Commissioner of Jamaica, and Consultant, Novelette Grant, detailed that the training was conducted between September 9 and September 18, 2019 in three phases (workshops).

In the training sessions, Grant reinforced that domestic violence is a crime.

“Police officers have a duty to investigate all crimes TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

Group ups calls for murder charge against Roger Khan –says enough evidence available to lay charges of murder, drug trafficking

By Svetlana Marshall OUTRAGED that convicted drug lord, Shaheed “Roger” Khan, was not charged upon arrival in Guyana for the atrocities committed here, the ‘Mourning Families and Friends in White’ are calling on the Guyana Police Force to ensure that there is no stone left unturned in their investigations.

The notorious drug lord was deported to Guyana on Friday, after spending more than eight years in a US detention facility for drug trafficking. Upon his arrival, he was immediately taken into custody for the murder of Political Activist, Ronald Waddell, and former boxing coach, Donald Allison, but the Mourning Families and Friends in White believe that the police should have pressed immediate charges.

“As far as I am concerned, and the group, soon as he got off the plane, he should have been arrested and charged for the atrocities that he fled from in this country,” Chairperson of the Mourning Families and Friends in White Committee, Catherine Penda Guyan, told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday.

Last July, the committee had handed over a petition to President David Granger calling for an investigation to be launched into “the State-sponsored Right Wing Death Squad murders” that occurred under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration led

by Bharrat Jagdeo. Khan was allegedly the Leader of the ‘Phantom Squad.’

Sister Guyan told the Guyana Chronicle that not only was Khan a fugitive, but he was fingered in the murders of Waddell, Allison and many others. In support of her statement, the rights activist alluded to the fact that in April, 2006, the Guyana Police Force, led by Winston Felix, the then Commissioner of Police, issued wanted bulletins for Khan, Paul Rodrigues, Ricardo Rodrigues and Gerald Pereira. They were wanted for a string of criminal activities including the trafficking of drugs and ammunition. Refusing to turn himself in, the drug lord fled to Suriname where he was arrested along with three of his bodyguards in a sting operation. Instead of being deported to Guyana, then Minister of Justice of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, ordered that Khan be flown to Trinidad. Upon arrival at the airport of Trinidad, Khan was handed over to immigration authorities who then handed him over to US officials.

GRIEVING Families of those who were killed at the hands of Khan and his Phantom Squad are still grieving, she said, noting that only justice will give them closure. “Now it is very painful, it is very painful for you as a family or friend

Convicted Drug Lord: Roger Khan

FULL FORCE OF THE LAW Now that he has been deported to Guyana, the rights activist said that Khan should face the full force of the law.

“Now, the minute you have a wanted bulletin out for someone, except that bulletin had been withdrawn, you are still a fugitive. So the minute he gets here, he should also be charged for that,” Sister Guyan argued.

Rubbishing contentions

by Khan’s Attorney, Glen Hanoman, that there is no evidence against his client, the rights activist alluded to the fact that US informant, Selwyn Vaughn, who had infiltrated Khan’s group, had testified in a US Court that the drug lord had ordered the killings of Waddell and Allison. “It was Roger Khan himself, who at one point, took out advertisements in the paper, stating that he is working directly with the government, and he is assisting them in the fight on crime. So there is no if’s and buts, the evidence is there,” she told this newspaper.

Sister Guyan, who was backed by the members of the Mourning Families and Friends in White, said the Guyana Police Force should waste no time in having Khan brought to justice. The first step, she emphasised, is to charge him for murder and drug trafficking. “I am saying that he needs to be locked up and charged for the murders that he was involved in, and there are so many more that he is involved in. He was the leader; he was the person that was heading that phantom squad. He was the head, and therefore he is directly responsible,” Sister Penda contended.

According to her, it is “ridiculous” that despite the glaring evidence, Khan is being questioned when he should be charged. “This is what is ridiculous, why you are saying that you are questioning him, on arrival here, he should have been charged,” she iterated.

FAMILIES STILL

Chairperson of the Mourning Families and Friends in White Committee, Catherine Penda Guyan, holding the petition which was submitted to President David Granger for an investigation to be launched into murders that occurred during the crime wave

of a loved one, who has been executed or went missing to sit down every day and see some of the persons in your mind who have been the architects in these atrocities and they are still going along their lives like nothing has happened,” Sister Penda related.

“It is very painful, so I think that something has to be done, and we are not going to stop until we see that justice has been given to our families and friends for the atrocities that have occurred,” she pledged.

It is the Mourning Families and Friends in White’s greatest fear that Khan would be allowed to walk when there is more than sufficient evidence against him for murder. “The fear is, if we do not insist that this man be locked up and tried for his crimes that he is going to walk free and they are going to do the same thing all over again,” she explained.

Ingrid Worrell, another member of the Mourning Families and Friends in White, said Khan is a self-confessed criminal, who should be brought to justice.

“All that we want is for him to be charged and justice to be served because a lot of

persons don’t have closure,” Worrell said. Worrell is of the strong belief that some elements linked to Khan remain in the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force and they too should be brought to justice.

Dr. Rudi Guyan, like Sister Guyan, told this newspaper that because the ‘Wanted Bulletin’ was not recalled, it remains in effect and Khan should be therefore charged for the crimes he was wanted for, in addition to the 2006 revelation that he ordered the deaths of Waddell and Allison. “I would like to know what was the outcome of that (bulletin) because it was never withdrawn, and if it was never withdrawn, then it still holds,” Dr. Guyan said.

Khan was said to have close ties to the then, People’s Progressive Party/Civic, with the late ex-Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, acting as conduit for a “Phantom Squad”. The squad was accused to murdering several criminals, competitors, and others.

Although the PPP government had sought to distance itself from Khan, the drug-trafficker had stated publicly in an ad-

vertisement in local newspapers that he had been fighting crime on behalf of the Bharrat Jagdeo-led government. He had also implicated former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, in his escapades, and documents bearing the then minister’s signature authorising the purchase of a sophisticated wire-tapping device were produced in U.S. courts during Khan’s trial. While Khan has completed his jail term in the US, Rights Activist and Social Commentator, Barrington Braithwaite, in a prior interview, told the Guyana Chronicle that the convict should be charged and sentenced for the crimes committed here.

“What he served a sentence for in America was for selling drugs to America, what he did here has to be dealt with here,” Braithwaite told this newspaper. He was keen on noting that Khan is not the only one responsible, emphasising that many of the intellectual authorities and hitmen are still alive, simply ‘clothes in different garments.’

This photo was taken in July 2019, moments before the Members of Mourning Families and Friends in White submitted their petition to the Ministry of the Presidency

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

Opposition’s display of hooliganism cannot be tolerated – GPSU

ADDING its voice to the widespread condemnation of the opposition thuggish behaviour in and outside of Pegasus Hotel last Thursday, the Guyana Public Service Union said such cannot be tolerated.

“The Guyana Public Service Union has always been in the vanguard for good governance as well as credible, free and fair elections, and elections free from fear.

Disorderly and disruptive supporters of the parliamentary opposition, on Thursday September 19, 2019, stormed the entrance of the Pegasus Hotel, and obstructed invites, particularly government officials from gaining access an event to which they were invited. These members of the opposition have displayed a form of hooliganism, which cannot be tolerated,” the union said in a statement Saturday.

According to the GPSU, the lawless-

ness displayed is in sharp conflict with the expectations of a democratic political protest and it is a display of gross disrespect for the President, his office and the government. “We must be guided by the law, as it relates to the conduct of elections, which in essence was pronounced on by the courts, it was dealt with by the judiciary and is in the domain of the Constitutional Body – GECOM,” the union said.

It added that the Guyana Elections Commission is mandated by law to provide guidance to the President, after a number of criteria have been satisfied.

“The accuracy of the list of registered voters, the adequate preparation of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to conduct a credible and efficient process of General and Regional Elections.

The Guyana Public Service Union to-

tally respects this process. Since the credibility of the government is very relevant to the legitimacy of the functions of our members, and to be in a position to express an opinion on its conduct; the union has applied to be local domestic observers to the upcoming General and Regional elections.”

The GPSU said the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has now stated its time line to be in a state of readiness to have credible elections and all should be guided by the timeframe given.

UNWARRANTED INVOLVEMENT Meanwhile, the GPSU also flayed the diplomatic community for what it described as its unwarranted involvement in Guyana’s affairs.

“We also consider the premature, unveiled and unwarranted involvement of

some diplomats in our domestic affairs.

This nefarious interference is out of place and lacking in the sophistication that is the norm of diplomacy. Further, we wish to reiterate that Guyana is sovereign, it is a Republic with its Constitution fully operable.”

The GPSU said it is their view that the opposition leader’s encouragement of the protest action which was characterised by hologenetic behaviour is unwarranted and disruptive to the peace and stability of the country and, could result in consequences that would be regrettable.

“The Guyana Public Service Union calls on all law-abiding Guyanese to conduct themselves with resilience and dignity and refrain from being incited and associated with actions, which undoubtedly could have serious consequences,” the union’s statement ended.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

UNC condemns block of sedition repeal bill (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) The Opposition UNC has expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling PNM administration’s move to block debate on the private members bill – The Sedition Repeal Bill, 2019 – on Friday night.

In a media statement on Saturday, the UNC stated that this move “all but confirms that our democracy is under threat from this government.”

The UNC observed that over the last month, a number of high profile critics of the Government have been in-

vestigated under the Sedition Act for “simply expressing their constitutional right of free expression.”

The party noted that citizens – on traditional and social media platforms – have described the Sedition Act as “dangerously outdated”

and in need of reform.“This private members bill is a reflection of public opinion and sought to do just that.”Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who piloted the bill, said the Sedition Act is “unconstitutional, in breach of fundamental rights

and should be repealed.”“Instead of addressing the concerns of the citizens of TT, the people he is meant to serve, Keith Rowley chose instead to turn his back on the voice of the people.”

The UNC stated that while Government seems

“bent on eroding the rights of citizens of TT,” the Opposition “along with all citizens who cherish our democracy, will never let that happen.”

“We will continue to fight to preserve the rights of all citizens of our beloved country.”

Trust issues in society mount challenge to crime stop’s efforts

(JAMAICA GLEANER) Despite giving Crime Stop Jamaica (CSJ) hundreds of tips per year, many Jamaicans are still unwilling to step forward to ensure that those tips materialise into convictions.

Since the start of the year, CSJ has received 723 tips, with a success rate of one in six.

Speaking at a Gleaner Editors’ Forum on Thursday, CSJ Chairperson Sandra Glasgow said that despite the organisation recording

tremendous success over the years, a culture of fear is still hindering persons from coming forward with information.

“We have got thousands of tips over our 30 years of existence, and when I see reports in the USA about snitches, it’s an unfortunate aspect of our culture,” Glasgow said, “but we can’t get away from the fact that it exists and people are afraid to share information.

“We have a very low-trust society.

The studies have shown

that, and that, I think, is at the heart of it. So Crime Stop continues to appeal to citizens, and we have lots of channels to try to get to people to convince them that crime affects everybody, and that they should tell, and that nobody has ever been compromised, and you can get money from it,” she added.

CONVERTING TIPS TO STRONG LEADS CSJ Manager Prudence Gentles added that while

the organisations received tips, the difficulty sometimes lies in converting that information into strong leads.

“People know who these criminals are, but it’s one thing to say, ‘I know that it is John Brown’, but how can the police convert that into an arrest and charge? They have to have evidence, and people have to be willing to come forward, and that’s another part of the bigger problem,” said Gentles.

Director of CSJ Brian

Schmidt said another important factor is the nature of the neighbourhoods and communities in which people live.

“For instance, someone might want to walk into a police station and give the information, but if you live in Community X and there is an incident in Community X, that’s the police station you need to report to, and the mere fact that you walk in there and you have not had an incident against you, personally, it has raised a flag to people,

so there’s more to people’s reticence than just what we like to think, and that’s just a very real thing,” said Schmidt.

Assistant Commissioner of Police McArthur Sutherland, who was also one of the guests at the forum, said that despite the fact that it is often said that people don’t trust the police, the public and the police do share a good relationship and there are persons who do trust and communicate with them.

Saudi Arabia vows to respond to oil attacks with ‘necessary measures’

(BBC) Saudi Arabia says it will respond with “necessary measures” to attacks on two oil facilities as it reiterated the accusation that Iran was behind them.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said the weapons used were Iranian and vowed to release the full findings of the investigation.

Iran denies involvement in the attacks.

Earlier, a senior Iranian military official said Iran was ready to destroy any aggressor after the US announced it was sending troops to Saudi

Arabia.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have said they were responsible for the drone and missile strikes on 14 September that affected the global oil supply.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated since US President Donald Trump abandoned a deal limiting Iran’s nuclear activities last year and reinstated sanctions.

Saudi Arabia: ‘Take a stand’ Speaking to reporters in Riyadh, Mr Jubeir said Saudi Arabia was in consultation with its allies and would take

necessary and suitable measures after its investigation was complete, without giving details of possible actions.

He repeated that the strikes targeting the Abqaiq oil facility and the Khurais oil field had come from the north and not from Yemen but did not give a specific location, and urged the international community to take a stand.

“The kingdom calls upon the international community to assume its responsibility in condemning those that stand behind this act, and to take a firm and clear position against this reckless

Man drowns during underwater marriage proposal (BBC) An American man has drowned while proposing to his girlfriend underwater on holiday in Tanzania.

Steven Weber and his girlfriend, Kenesha Antoine, were staying in a submerged cabin at the Manta Resort, off Pemba Island.

Footage shows Mr Weber diving under water to ask Ms Antoine to marry him.

In the video, Mr Weber presses a hand-written proposal note against the cabin window as Ms Antoine films from inside.

Ms Antoine, confirming Mr Weber’s death in a Facebook post, said he “never emerged from those depths”.

The Manta Resort told the BBC Mr Weber “tragically drowned while free diving alone outside the underwater room” on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Weber and Ms Antoine had booked four nights at the resort’s underwater room, which lies approximately 250m (820ft) from the shore.

Costing $1,700-a-night (£1,300), the cabin is anchored in water around 10m (32ft) deep.

On the third day of their stay, Mr Weber, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, plunged into the water to make his proposal.

behaviour that threatens the global economy,” he said.

The Saudi defence ministry showed off on Wednesday what it said were the remains of drones and cruise missiles proving Iranian involvement.

The US has also accused Iran of being behind the

attacks, and unnamed senior officials have told US media that the evidence suggests the strikes originated in the south of Iran.

On Friday, Secretary of Defence Mark Esper said the US would send a yet-tobe-decided number of troops to Saudi Arabia to boost the

country’s air and missile defences.

President Trump then announced new sanctions against Iran, focusing on the country’s central bank and its sovereign wealth fund, while signalling that he wanted to avoid military conflict.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

That Pegasus Protest

MANY people are saying it was only a matter of time before it happened. We are of course referring to the PPP’s protest at the Pegasus last Thursday when in the estimation of some observers, the parliamentary opposition party showed its hands. As President David Granger addressed members of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), PPP protestors led by known leaders of the party made their way into the conference room and rudely attempted to prevent the Guyanese leader from speaking.

The raising of placards and the shouting of slogans at the Head of State was nothing short of a sorry picture for which the PPP should be eternally ashamed. Many would know that since its electoral defeat in 2015, that party has resorted to a crude form of opposition that has bordered on violence.

There is sometimes a thin line between legitimate protest and maintaining order and civility. Did the PPP cross that line? This newspaper feels that that line was indeed crossed. We respect the right of all Guyanese to protest policies and leadership with which they disagree. It is a cherished right which governments across the world have not always protected. In other words, government have tended to err on the side of order over freedom of expression. However, there are times when individuals and groups have in the process of expressing their right infringed on the rights of others, causing a breakdown of order. We feel that is exactly what happened

at the Pegasus.

Was the level and tone of the protest warranted? We think not. According to the PPP, the demonstration was called to protest the illegality of the government which they claimed was squatting in office. Their main argument is that President Granger’s failure to call elections within 90 days of the CCJ’s ruling on the no-confidence motion amounted to a breach of the constitution. This contention is not shared by many legal scholars and political commentators, who have contended that, that constitutional requirement is premised on another requirement—the responsibility to hold credible elections.

That responsibility rests solely with GECOM which could not guarantee those elections within the stipulated timeline. The President who has the final say on naming an election date correctly decided that his power must be carried out on the advice of GECOM—that he would not call an election unless he could ascertain GECOM’s readiness. The sticking point was the voters’ list, which was deemed by GECOM to be so contaminated that it would have compromised the integrity of the elections. The President, therefore, sought to balance the requirements of Article 106-6 with the requirements for credible elections. This approach was endorsed or recommended by none other than the CCJ, which in its ruling urged the major political actors to balance principle with practicality.

So, the charge of breaching the consti-

tution does not take into consideration the political and other realities of the situation. It is premised on a very narrow reading of what obtains. In this regard, the opposition has created a constitutional crisis in which it has found the government to be in the breach. The protest at the Pegasus then was a response to this flawed narrative. Hence it could hardly qualify as a legitimate protest.

Another observation has to do with the aggressiveness of the protest. The harassment of ministers of the government and the menacing attitude towards the President cannot be defended. In our charged political environment, that kind of behaviour could have a dangerous ripple effect. The President and the government have drawn attention to this dimension of the situation. This newspaper lends its voice to this pushback against what is correctly characterised as hooliganism. There must be a limit to which protestors should go.

There is a difference between peaceful and lawful protest and public displays of thuggery.

Perhaps the irony of the PPP protesting and not being brutalised by State forces is lost on that party which had criminalised opposition protests when it held office. That the PPP presided over the most brutal regime in Guyana’s post-independence history is an understatement. The massacre of young men and the assassination of known activists are still fresh on the minds of the country. The PPP’s hands are still stained with the blood of those innocent citizens who dared to protest against the government formed by that party.

Many still remember the purchase of water cannons to quell legitimate protests.

It has been drawn to our attention that the tenor of the protests at Linden in 2012 against the removal of a government subsidy on electricity was nowhere near the demonstrations at the Pegasus. Yet the PPP government responded with a hail of bullets that left many injured and three residents dead. Courtney Crum-Ewing was slaughtered with a bullhorn in his hand as he sought to rally citizens to stand against the PPP regime. The cruel assassination of Ronald Waddell and the summary incarceration of Mark Benschop still evoke sad and charged memories.

That the PPP could behave in such a crude manner at the Pegasus and not be touched by the police or hauled to jail is testimony to the way in which the coalition government has restored a sense of dignity to governance in Guyana. We have moved away from the police state which obtained under the PPP. It is in this spirit that we urge the government not to be tempted by the deliberate brazenness of the PPP. But even as we say that, the PPP must know that, that kind of behaviour is unacceptable in a civilised polity. We are opposed to any threat to protest and resistance. But we are equally opposed to hooliganism disguised as protest, deliberately aimed at disturbing the peace and threatening the lives of government functionaries.

The plain truth about the Village Improvement Plan for Indigenous Villages

Dear Editor,

PRESIDENT David Granger has been relentless in his appeal to Indigenous Peoples to craft Village Improvement Plans (VIPs) outlining their vision for the development of their Villages in the medium to long term. The President’s calls of encouragement have been echoed by many in government especially Vice President Allicock while engaging Indigenous leaders and Villagers.

So far more than forty five (45) Village Councils have completed and submitted VIPs to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

The process employed for achieving this end product (VIP) involves the Village Councils, the general Village populations and, where necessary, technical support from the Ministry. Various State Agencies are available and have supported Villages in several areas of technical advice as well.

The process culminates in a final document being approved by a two-thirds majority of villagers in attendance at a Village General Meeting.

Village Improvement Plans focus in large measure on develop-

mental programmes which have as their main objective the development of personal and Village economies. They outline what resources are available to the Village and what resources are required for the accomplishment of the goals which are set out.

In crafting these Village Improvement Plans, the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana exercise their right to self-determination. The VIPs present a classic case of the citizens speaking to government on matters critical to the development of their Villages. No longer is government talking down to our people.

The days of the PPP domination of the lives and activities of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples are over. The days of the PPP dictating to Indigenous Peoples are over. The days when the PPP threaten to slap and otherwise assault and insult Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples are over.

Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples were denied the right to self-determination by successive PPP governments. Now that this denial to a fundamental right has been reversed by President Granger the PPP is upset. Indigenous Peoples of Guyana can now, without fear of any consequence, speak freely

and openly, unlike a few years ago.

Indigenous Peoples of Guyana are in large numbers rejecting the PPP’s attempt to control the way they think and behave.

In a desperate attempt to create confusion in the minds of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples, the PPP has started a campaign of misinformation. The PPP is suggesting that the VIPs are now a prerequisite to obtaining titles to lands. This is utter rubbish.

Claims to lands traditionally occupied and otherwise utilized by our people is a right. Claims are subject to a process which is legally defined. VIPs have never been, are not now and are not being considered for the future as a part of that process, much less a prerequisite to titling.

A VIP like any plan (such as an Urban Development Plan, a New Housing Scheme/Settlement Plan, a National Land Use Plan) is a necessary tool for the strategic and sustainable management of a Village. A VIP contemplates among countless other elements the matter of land use. Villages are proposing protected forested areas, protected wetland areas, agricultural areas, areas for reforestation and areas

for the development of eco-tourism development among other things.

Sustainable land use and management in this time face real challenges. These challenges are presented mainly by the climate change reality and adverse impact.

Land use and management must be supported by a strategic approach which has at its very heart the best interest of the owners of those lands. Our reality is as posited by Toshao Nicholas Fredericks one where: “The Indigenous Peoples of Guyana have done more than any other group of people to preserve our environment, yet we are the most affected by the painful impacts of climate change”.

The PPP must come to the table with clean hands. It must stop making light of issues which are critical to the lives, livelihood and future of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples.

The Indigenous Peoples of Guyana reject attempts to divide us.

The Indigenous Peoples of Guyana embrace the government’s fulfillment of its commitment to us with respect to land titling and the amendment to the Amerindian Act among others. The Indigenous community of Guyana clearly understands that the VIPs are not

related in any way to applications for titles to lands. The Indigenous community of Guyana embraces the need for and fully supports the call for crafting of Village Improvement Plans.

The Indigenous community of Guyana is proud of President Granger’s recognition of our right to self-determination. We are proud to be in this position where we can now freely exercise that right which we were denied by the PPP. Guyana is on the right path. Government has started a good work. President Granger and his governing coalition should be allowed to continue this good work which began in May 2015. Guyana deserves to have a good government. Guyana’s development can only advance successfully under a good government. Guyana has a good government. Let the good work continue.

Sincerely Mervyn Williams

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

When protesting was a big risk Dear Editor, I believe strongly in the freedom enshrined in our constitution. I will always fight back against any attempt to strip citizens of basic freedoms, such as that of; speech, assembly, and the right to peaceful protest. However, no right or freedom is absolute, each has a corresponding and equal responsibility. I was one amongst thousands of Guyanese who fought almost every day to exercise these fundamental rights, during the Janet Jagan/ Jagdeo PPP regime. Those years are the most indelible marks on life.

Those were the years when protesting was "risky business" and life seemed meaningless, as echoes of a sudden death hunted your mind. Those were the days when protestors were branded hooligans and thugs, by the regime. Those were days when protestors had to arm themselves with a rag and a bottle of water to take care of tear gas launched at them.

Some of us practiced how to wet the rag and force it against your face, to avoid inhaling too much smoke.

Protesting in Guyana was a deadly risk! It was a right that was constant struggle.

Today, I can still smell the tear gas that forced it's way through my lungs as I tried to breathe; I can still see the visible marks or bruises that are now permanent wounds use to remind me of the pellets that targeted my body. No, 2011 was not the first time. Like so many who protested during those times, I was being shot at with pellets long before 2011, but yet I stand! Those happenings remind me of the risk of protesting in Guyana when the previous regime ruled.

Today, I still remember the public assault against me by a senior police officer, Watts, who in August of 2011, snatched me off of Cuffy Square because I was wearing a green T-SHIRT with David Granger's name and face.

It was the only " crime" I had committed. I was at a government sponsored public event, attended by then President Jagdeo. I was there like so many other Guyanese, some were wearing their regular clothes and others were wearing red shirts with PPP/C written on the front. I was told that I cannot wear that shirt to this public event. My letter of complaint to the then police

commissioner, Henry Green, was received by his office and an acknowledgement was sent. No, investigation followed and no apology was issued. Today, I still remember the day Donna Mc kinnon was brutally gunned down. I was right there in the funeral procession heading to yet another East Coast village to bury yet, another victim of the phantom gang.

When news of Mc Kinnon' s execution reached us many cried for me thinking I was the executed one, owing to the description of clothes Donna was wearing. Donna was executed in the empty lot adjacent Freedom House.

That was protesting in Guyana, you could not lag behind. I remember my sister trying to track me down as calls of my death reached her. Today those images live in head! Today, I still hear the echoes of some police officers on their radios, as we protested, saying "lock all of dem #### up".

However, I still hear the hushed voices of the many decent police men and women who fearfully whispered in my ears, " sis a crew coming fuh use force y'all disperse"! Yes, the majority of the men and women in uniform were decent law conscious people who recognized wrong from right. I believe many held back when given commands to shoot to kill, a reason I believe the death squad was created.

Today I still hear the chants of the thousands of people who cried as they marched the streets. They were decent law abiding Guyanese who were deemed "hooligans, thugs and criminals by the regime and their friends.

Today I hear prayers of pastors, in our midst, praying and prophesying as they marched. Today, I remember the relentless struggle of the rank and file who took to the streets to demonstrate against bad governance in all its form. These were people who were relentless in their struggle for a decent, uncorrupted and non-infested crime society. Despite, the almost daily assault on these protestors they turned up every day. They were fighting for their country and their children's protection, as it was too ambitious to think of the future. Protection was the order! The threat of death and the stench of death was present everywhere!

I remember when live rounds were used on protestors on the bridge at Linden, I was there. In fact, I was

one of those people who organized and officiated at the Georgetown leg of their funeral, held at Cuffy Square.

Yes, three protestors were executed on that bridge, others injured. Today, I remember when late Venezuelan president Chavez was given the licences to use Pegasus and Guyana as a launching pad to spew his insults at the U.S and the West. I was one of those who walked out of that despicable charade which saw the Guyanese president, Jagdeo, sharing the "shaming stage" with delight as he added his own bit of insults. He was blinded to the fact that Chavez's dogs (peros) were given seating and standing preferences in The Pegasus over the local journalists who were trying to cover the event. Today, I am still haunted by the many bullet riddled bodies of mostly young black men whose lifeless bodies decorated the Georgetown Hospital Mortuary tables and floor.

Today, I still hear the inconsolable cries of mothers who were suddenly confronted with news if their children's slaughter or kidnapping. I see the mother who rented a backhoe to dig the trench behind the Botanical Garden, in the hope that she would fish out her son's body, unfortunately that body was never recovered.

I remember all too well! I remember a nervous and visibly shaken George Bacchus, self- confessed death squad informant, telling the deep secrets of the death squad on national television, before he and his brother were executed in their bed.

Today, I still remember the blood stained floor and bed on which Shaka Blair was murdered, in the presence of his young children. I was part of the Late President Hoyte's team that visited Blair's home early that fateful morning. I remember thinking to myself how callous the phantom gang was, but I remained committed to the struggle, not fearful of it as fear had long left me. I was a young woman engaged in a struggle that swept fear out of me. I did not know how to be afraid. Today, I recall seeing Ronald Waddle in a law class sitting at a window a few seats behind me and the next news I heard of Waddle was that he was gunned down on his bridge as he was exciting his car to enter his yard. Waddle was a critic of the government, he had a television program where he did his analysis.

I recall one of my lecturers in the law department coming to teach us in bullet proof vest under her clothes, I am sure she was not alone.

This was Guyana during those dark days.

I recall the slaughter of my own students who fell victims of the squad. This reality strengthened my resolve, even more! No amount of calling me hooligan or thug could have deterred me.

My conviction gripped me to the struggle. Tear gas and pellets didn't stop me, nor did they stop any of the faithful. I remember my mother, sisters and brothers calling each other every night to report to each other when I got inside my house, reaching the gate was not enough to say you were home. Yes, during those days my only weapon was the 23rd Psalm, which is still keeping me even today. Protesting during those days was high risk, a risk that many did not wish to take. Many refused to even voice a concern as they were too consumed with taking care of their own situation. The thought of the "collective good" did not enter their minds. The fear of the regime also crippled the voices of some.

However, the ordinary working class Guyanese showed up. When Protesting was high risk! Today I remember so much, I still hear, feel and see do much.

Some memories haunt me!

I can never forget the many interviews I did with mothers whose children were either kidnapped or brutally slaughtered. I remember when Buxton was under curfew and soldiers patrol the streets, laid on the street corners with gun cocked pretending that grass was jungle. I knew this because in 2006 I led a team of young people to campaign in the village and broke that curfew. We marched from the main road to the tents set up at the backdam, where soldiers had their baracks set up. I remember when torture was deemed justified by a minister of government, who stood up in the National Assembly and said the brutalizing of citizens is nothing but " mere roughing up". How my blood boiled! I recalled the minister of Home Affairs, late Ronald Gajraj, pompously declaring, in the National Assembly, that if he has to work with the death squad he will! They were his helpers!

I also remember the morning when three notorious criminals laid sprawled dead on the fence adjacent to Gajraj's house. Apparently, these were his neighbours!

I remember all these things because I lived through them, I was connected to what was happening, I was immersed in the struggle, never a bystander. People, freedom and democracy matter!

Today, I see protestors are allowed in the president's space in an enclosed room to carry on! A dangerous situation. I did not hear of any tear gas, pellets, live rounds or arrest! I can only reflect and think about how many of us might have been thrown in the lock ups and made to face the court, if it were during those times. I remember how things used to be, in those days the private sector might have even team up with the regime to demonize us, had we tried that stunt, that happened at Pegasus yesterday!

The water cannon might have hosed us down! I would not say we didn't show up at some places unexpectedly, but when we did; we faced the wrath of the regime, even though we were peaceful and lawful, ask the police! Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression were high priced commodities.

I remember so much more! However, what I see happening today seem quite a paradox! Some screw slack somewhere; some hammer lost its head! When fowl alone left ah yard fuh pick carn he tink he can dig mo deep fuh get worm!

Every right has an equal and corresponding responsibility.

Sincerely Lurlene Nestor

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WAY UP NORTH ON Friday last, as I watched folks coming uphill to attend the Government Outreach at the Community Ground, my mind raced many years back into the past when I last visited as a Minister in a previous government.

Port Kaituma was a rustic, shanty town with a cluster of shacks running on both sides of what used to be a red-looking, muddied dam.

It had looked like a scene in an old John Wayne frontier film, Way up North, “where the river is windin’, big nuggets findin’”.

From the air, I saw the many mining pits like dots of baldness on an otherwise fully covered, green landscape. Having landed on an expanded, asphalted runway, I journeyed along freshly-graded road, part of which were rigid concrete pavements, in on-going works in this transformed hinterland community.

President David Granger arrived shortly afterwards to a big welcome by residents and pupils, many of whom waved Guyana flags and held up posters with slogans in support of their government.

GREAT CHANGES Among them were Indigenous peoples, some of whom came from Baramita, Arakaka, Sebai and Matthew’s Ridge, which formed part of Matarkai, a sub-region of Barima-Waini (Region 1). This region is “way up north”, bordering Venezuela which lies west of our

border.

President Granger took, up north, the message of the great changes under his government in far-off, hinterland communities, and held out assurances that much more would be done during the “decade of development” (2020-2029). Again, he assured free education from nursery to university, and equitable distribution of oil revenues to benefit our indigenous peoples and other hinterland communities.

As President Granger emphasized, the integration of these nations could best be guaranteed by high-quality education. Towards this end, government has been giving scholarships for free education at the university of Guyana, and stipend-paid places at teacher-training colleges, though these are still very limited. There are approximately 270 schools spread across the hinterland regions - 116 nursery, 141 primary, and 13 secondary.

Of equal importance is the health of hinterland communities, where there are some 151 health centres/ health post in Barima-Waini, Mazaruni-Cuyuni, Potaro-Siparuta and Upper-Takatu/ Upper Rupununi (Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 respectively).

SERMON ON THE MOUNT The Outreach was not exactly a vignette from the “Sermon on the Mount”, but everyone seemed to have left with something. I watched an aged man whose legs are

amputated, and who was fetched to the community centre, leaving in a wheelchair; children with exercise books and backpacks; youth with sports gears; community police with an ATV; riverine folks with an outboard engine and funds for a new boat; and the community with a spanking new and modern ambulance. Underway, is the construction of a $800 million modern hospital.

Residents also benefited from reintroduction of reliable ferry service between Barima-Waini and Georgetown. They will soon get improved potable water and electricity services.

The Toshao of Sebai expressed the gratitude of his people for 25 houses which were distributed in his village under a Sustainable Housing project. Soon, they will also benefit from a US$3.1M roof replacement project, for families in Barima-Waini and the Rupununi (Regions 1 and 9), who live in sub-standard homes.

Similar changes have recently taken place at the Moruca sub-region, notably the completion of the Bemichi airstrip, the modern bridge at Moruca, and a Cassava flour factory at Kwebanna.

Confronted with the large flow of goodwill towards the government officials, a tiny pocket of PPP protesters beat a hasty retreat. They were fetched to the Outreach in two aged “bush-master” trucks, but a few of them

discarded their ready-made placards and came over to the Outreach. Ironically, in the background, a music-box was playing Bob Marley’s “One Love”.

They later intermingled with their indigenous leaders, including Vice-President Sydney Allicock, Ministers Dawn Hasting-Williams and Valerie Garido-Lowe; and Raymond James, Toshao of Sebai.

POIGNANT DISPLAY A poignant display of the comradeship at the Outreach was the free distribution by a couple of freshly-picked oranges and juicy water-melons. The couple told me that they came with their produce from the Pomeroon River, as they wanted to share their fruits to all who wanted them, out of “coalition love”.

I left Port Kaituma with a deep feeling of satisfaction that our indigenous peoples are waking up to the new reality that life for them has improved, and that with continued Coalition leadership, the north would be fully integrated with the rest of Guyana.

They also understand that increasingly they are a political factor of importance, in

AFC and the Cummingsburg Accord Dear Editor, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice Claudette Singh has written President David Granger informing him that the Commission would be ready to host General and Regional Elections by the end of February 2020.

Realistically speaking, that means Elections can be held as early as March 2020. I was particularly pleased to read an article published in the Guyana Chronicle on September 19, 2019 which was headlined, “APNU, AFC agree on core principles”. This means that progress is being made to finalise the Cummingsburg Accord.

Editor, while I am satisfied that the APNU and the AFC are moving towards the finalisation of the Accord, I am concerned about 60/40 split of ministerial positions as obtained in the 2015 Accord. Should the AFC receive the same portfolios it holds if the coalition Government is re-elected come 2020? Think about it, the AFC lost badly in the Local Government Elections when it decided to contest those elections alone. It was the AFC’s former member Charandass Persaud who joined forces with the PPP causing the no-confidence motion against the Government to be passed.

Let’s take a look at the performance of the AFC in those portfolios to which they currently enjoy. The AFC currently holds responsibility for, in addition to the Prime Ministerial position, Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Security, Public Telecommunications, Business and Tourism. The Agricultural Sector has been a massive disappointment. We have only seen the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and heard from him during sittings of the National Assembly.

The Minister of Public Infrastructure may be the most successful of the AFC ministers, but he too is not without fault.

The Public Telecommunications Minister, Catherine Hughes has struggled to achieve liberalisation, a major promise by the coalition Government; the Ministry of Business seems to be operating in a world of its own; The Minister of Public Security’s focus seems to be set on becoming the Prime Ministerial candidate and the development of a robust tourism sector is yet to be seen. Editor, what has happened to the promise of constitutional reform?

Editor, the Minister of Natural Resources has been accused of being involved in corruption, so much so, that President Granger took full control of the oil and gas sector.

Regards Ryan Maraj

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

a multi-ethnic country with several other minorities. According to the 2012 census, our Indigenous peoples make up 10.51% of Guyana’s population, and they populate some 13% of the country’s territory. They constitute about 6% of voters.

Organised under 116 village councils, the indigenous population consists of the Akawaio, Arekuna, Arawak, Macushi, Wapichan, Patamuna, Wai Wai, Warrau and Carib nations. Their customs and culture are presently being showcased during this September’s Indigenous Heritage Month, including a high-profiled Indigenous Heritage Queen pageantry.

MUCH TO CELEBRATE As I noted in my previous article, there is much to celebrate. Between 2015 and 2018, the coalition government invested $48 billion expanding, maintaining and constructing roads and bridges in the hinterland.

An additional $38.5 billion was approved to continue this process this year, and the changes are becoming evident, even in the Barima-Waini in projects such as: * New reinforced Concrete Bridge on Falls Top to

Port Kaituma main road * New of Reinforced Concrete Bridge on Falls Top to Port Kaituma Main Road * New Road from Oronoque Junction to Port Kaituma District Hospital * New Road from Kumaka to Kwebana Main Access Road, Moruca * New Culverts at Matthew’s Ridge Airstrip Road * New Wharf at Kumaka, Moruca * Electricity Distribution Network at Arakaka * Procurement of 250 Kva power plant for Moruca * Radio stations at Lethem, Mahdia, Aishlaton, Mabaruma, Paiwomak, Orealla, Bartica (and Radio Essequibo and Radio Port Kaitumas) * Four new Towns at Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem I look forward to the next outreaches in the Rupununi and at Mabaruma.

For me, it is sometimes a healthy political tonic to withdraw from the putrid politics on the coast, where the shaky opposition has re-entered its old “cussdown” mode. So far, our indigenous peoples have protected the hinterland from hooligans!

President cannot call elections unless authorised by Parliament Dear Editor: This nation is fast descending to a state of madness by some of those we have entrusted the responsibility to lead us.

1. An illegal government or illegal president cannot make any legal decision; 2. The President in the present circumstance cannot call a date for election unless so authorised by the National Assembly as per Article 106(7) in the Constitution; 3. The “three months” period where the President could have named a date for election without approval of the National Assembly expired in March; 4. Even if the President were to prorogue the House,

such prorogation would only be lawful after approval of members of the National Assembly to extend the time when an election can be held; The President David Granger situation is different to that of Donald Ramotar. Ramotar in seeking to avert a no-confidence vote, avoided the House sitting, then moved to prorogation and announced a date for election. In Granger's case a vote was allowed and passed, followed by litigation that saw the initial timeframe -i.e. three months- when an election could be held ran out. So, in order for President Granger to prorogue the TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

Straight Up with

Mark Benschop

The Bible warned us about wolves in sheep's clothing

W

HEN I was a little boy, the older folks in the village used to say that some folks use religion to brainwash people, others used it to enrich themselves, and some use it to make a mockery of religion itself.

However, as I grew in age and developed a fairly objective mind of my own, I tried not to do so leaning on my own understanding, but rather in keeping with the sentiments expressed in Proverbs 3:5; "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Surely, I wish not to get too religious with you, nor take much of your time away from the hot news about the return of the recently released convicted 'drug lord' who is currently facing the possibility of murder charges, and subsequently, more time in prison.

Of course, it is dependent on the willingness of the police to vigorously pursue the matter, if they so wish.

Now, let’s address two widely disliked creatures of the PPP, who have suddenly become so darn self-righteous, obnoxious and holier than thou, as they shamelessly jumped onto the mountaintop to proclaim their love and admiration for their Jim Jones-type political leader, and puppet master. Yep, these two politically wild oats are the very individuals who have, over the years, perfected the art of eating the left-over bones from the King's meat, instead of focusing on doing some sort of good for humanity, particularly, their fellow Guyanese.

The first case is that of the man who claims to be a Bishop (Juan Edghill), who has displayed a certain reckless and ungodly posture by behaving in a manner that would have made him one of the money changers who were ejected by Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, this gentleman in my opinion is still to convince Guyanese that he is truly what he says he is, and begin to practise what he preaches instead of masquerading around the place, raising up his petticoat, and opening his mouth preaching the usual divisive messages and spewing ignorance out of his mouth. All of this, while pretending to be a man of God. In fact, Guyanese are not that gullible, not at all. Hence, we are able to see right through this political imposter, and so-called man of God. At least, based on his public display and lack of decorum, he surely doesn't preach from the Bible I am accustomed to, and certainly doesn't worship the God that I do. Sadly, this so-called man of God has repeatedly demonstrated his weakness in the flesh and seems to be more focused on the monetary side of things and nothing else. So, in the name of Jesus, I say: Get thee behind me Satan, for in the bible, it says in the Book of Matthew 7:15; 'Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.'

Indeed, my fellow Guyanese, beware of these creatures whose only agenda is for the people to live in subjugation, as they were for 23 long years under the PPP regime.

Now please allow me to address His Highness Rabbi Joseph Hamilton. Yes, that little known plantain chips vendor, who apparently was forced to slip on a hand-medown washed-out shirtjac, and is assuming the stance of a political heavyweight and champion of the people.

God in heaven knows, by his comportment and ridiculous utterances, it is not difficult to conclude that this barefaced plantain chip vendor has absolutely nothing to offer Guyana, never did, and will never. In conclusion, Guyanese are pretty shrewd enough to understand what is to be tricked by some very pompous political parasites, and are prepared to reject them and their brutal, destructive, undemocratic and ignoramus way of saying and doing things.

Fortunately, the nation is not prepared to be tricked, neither by anyone who is masquerading as a man of God, nor an unrepentant disciple of Rabbi Washington. Again my fellow Guyanese, beware of these wolves in sheep's clothing.

The Pegasus Red Uprising

ON September 19th, 2019, the President of Guyana proceeded from the stately home ambiance to attend the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association annual luncheon at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The Presidential entourage wailed through the busy streets of the capital and arrived at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel. The head of state and his team encountered a group of protestors who were exercising their right to peaceful protest which continues to receive the consistent protection of the coalition government.

The angry and restless sea of men and women, dressed in red, folded their fist and punched the skies in disgust yelling ‘unconstitutional’, ‘illegal President’ and ‘elections now’. Led by a small cabal of usual political suspects, they swarmed this event and falsely imprisoned government officials and threatened to turn over the vehicle of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. At a cursory glance, a reasonable mind could easily conclude that this was a peaceful protest that morphed into incitement to violence against high state officials but there was much more of Machiavellian consequence to come.

Inside this event, as the President proceeded to the microphone to encourage manufacturers to continue to provide jobs for Guyanese and put the manufacturing name of Guyana on the map, the diabolic plot unfolded. The intellectual authors of the Pegasus Red Uprising planted a small band of rebels among the decent and law-abiding Guyanese to harangue, harry and harass a head of state. The ugly scene of hooliganism ensued and the Pegasus Red Uprising was in process. The small group of decent [persons] who respectfully disagreed with the government, led by their party, was there to peacefully protest but they were clueless about this intricate guerilla warfare enterprise which was designed by intellectual authors versed in the dark arts of politics. It mimicked the ambush Freddie Kissoon received at the Guyana Historical Institute conference at the National Library in 2010, it was classic PPP dark arts politicking.

This piece makes a clear distinction between the peaceful protestors and the small band of rebels who led the Pega-

sus Red Uprising.

CAUSES/CONTEXT There are four main causes of what occurred on that dark day in our nation’s modern history. Firstly, the nascent oil and gas economy has raised much anxiety among some political leaders. This precious resource has changed the game and the political party that does not control the reins of the state apparatus in the first phase of the fiscal impact of black gold may find itself outside of the halls of power for decades. Secondly, the political opposition had long stuck to the position that once the constitutional clock had expired on the government, there would be no parliamentary extension and this would mean Guyana is in full-blown anarchy. This, they argued, will invite the justification of extra-legal manoeuvres to force the government to comply. This mythical and hypothetical clock expired on September 18 and this guided the Pegasus Red Uprising. Secondly, a small coterie of the leadership of the political opposition is on the last hurrah for their political survival. Facing a serious leadership challenge from the moderate leaders within their ranks and an anxious base, a showing of militancy was almost sine qua non. Hence, the Red Pegasus Uprising. Thirdly, the no-confidence motion was a political basket in which all eggs would be placed.

It was the basis on which the weakest presidential candidate was selected.

It was the basis on which the leadership submitted to their financial backers, that leadership was assured. Political science studies show that incumbents seldom win elections that are called from confidence votes but those elections have to be immediately held. Once the incumbent gets time, they correct themselves. The no-confidence motion and its concomitant objectives were dashed, smashed, crashed and made null with the announcement by the Gecom Chairman that elections can be held in February 2020. The cabal needed the plug to be pulled on the coalition government before first oil, to deny any commissions of inquiries into 23 years of drugs, murder and corruption and to ensure there would be no budgetary and fiscal final moves by the government before elections. The Chairman’s

announcement left the leaders for the Pegasus Red Uprising with no political options but to invite conflict and chaos.

CONSEQUENCES/ EFFECTS There is an unprecedented emotional attachment to the President of Guyana by large swathes of the Guyanese populace. He is a decent and incorruptible man with a heart and vision for the country. This normally results in a visceral connection with the people.

Attempts to chase him and to destroy the aura of the institution of the Presidency could result in unsolicited reactions from supporters that can have serious repercussions for the nation. This unintended or intended consequence of the Pegasus Uprising has already begun to take effect. Some are uncontrollably upset and are demanding that the weight of the state comes down with full force on the perpetrators. The President’s excellent and statesmanlike reaction to this sordid development has negated any unsolicited negative reactions, thus far.

Also, the sight of the leadership of the parliamentary opposition who once demonized and executed citizens who peacefully protested against them, conjures images of a desperate ragtag guerilla group that has lost its way. As a consequence, they could see massive political capital being lost from law-abiding Guyanese who scoff at the wanton display of lawlessness. Secondly, this unparalleled hooliganism manifested at the Pegasus Red Uprising will encourage lawless and court anarchy, all will be consumed with this negative development in the end.

CONCLUSION The Pegasus Red Uprising, like the no-confidence motion, has failed to achieve its most basic objective.

This writer is of the view that as we come closer to the mother of all elections, this regrettable development will be the order of the day; this may very well be a scratch of the troubled surface. Men who proceed from the standpoint that if we cannot rule, there will be no country, are seldom disposed to compromise; conflict is their best friend.

President cannot call elections unless ...

House and announce a date for election, according to the law- i.e. Article 106(7)-the House has to sit and grant him the authority to extend the time for election beyond the “three months.”

5. It should be of interest

or serve as a grounding point to recall acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire's SC pronouncement on 2nd August in hearing the Fixed Date Application Case for the holding of an election; Kaieteur News, 3rd Au-

gust 2019, in an article titled, 'Election date long goneChief Justice,’ reported that “Based on her understanding of the judgment and consequential orders by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Chief Justice Roxane

FROM PAGE

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George yesterday said that the date for general and regional elections, March 21, has long gone. In fact, Justice George noted that ‘we’ are supposedly in a period of an extension for the timeframe TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

OP-ED Distorting reality

By Rawle Lucas

IT IS disappointing when persons who should know better find it difficult to present an objective assessment of the performance of the Guyana economy. This comment is prompted by an article appearing in the Guyana Times of September 1, 2019 in which a writer with the email address of jbinsights@outlook.com took his knowledge of Economics and, without batting an eyelid, comfortably proceeded to tell the Guyanese public a false story about the economy under the Granger Administration. An online search of the publication revealed that the article was linked to Mr. Joel Bhagwandin. One must wonder, after reading the article, if it was designed to fit the false narrative that the opposition keeps peddling about the Guyana economy, and to refute the favourable view that international observers, including the IMF, have of the future prospects of the country.

His attempt at distortion unwittingly ended up highlighting a favourable macroeconomic point for the government.

In the article entitled “Comparative Analysis of real GDP (at current basic prices) for the periods 2011-2014, 2015-2018” that appeared in the Guyana Times of September 1, 2019, Mr. Bhagwandin veered off the road of truth and into the ditch of mendacity. In trying to make a case about poor performance by the Granger Administration, the writer extracted the incorrect data on the economy from the Annual Report of the Bank of Guyana. Mr. Bhagwandin took GDP at basic prices (Table 10-I) for the comparative years (2011-2014 and 2015-2018) and described it as reflecting the real GDP of Guyana. That act of disingenuity discredited the work and actually cost the writer the case that he was trying to make. For a person of his high intellect, one could only presume that Mr. Bhagwandin purposely took “nominal” GDP and deliberately called it “real” GDP to lead

people into believing that only three sectors of the economy grew from 2015 to 2018. Real GDP refers to the actual amount of goods and services produced in a country in a given year.

It is presented in the Bank of Guyana Report in Table 10-II as GDP at 2006 prices or what is normally referred to as constant prices.

One wonders if the publishers turned a blind eye to the immorality of the story by publishing it with the hope of convincing Guyanese that the economy was doing badly.

Publishing an article with such obvious inaccuracy and academic injudiciousness appear to serve specious purposes that would benefit the publishers and the PPP/C. By publishing the article, the publishers seemed content to let Guyanese believe that the Guyana economy had 14 sectors and not four as classified by international standards. The four sectors are (1) Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, (2) Manufacturing, (3) Mining and Quarrying and (4) Services. The largest sector of the economy is Services which accounts for 54 percent of real GDP and not Agriculture which only accounts for 16 percent of GDP. Mining and Quarrying account for 13 percent of the real GDP while Construction accounted for 12 percent and Manufacturing for six percent. The Granger Administration has separated out Construction and Electricity from Services to emphasize their importance to the economy.

In what looks like a further attempt to mislead, Bhagwandin then compares three sectors with individual industries of the Services sector. Had he used the correct table for real GDP, Mr. Bhagwandin would have seen, using his own point index, that every industry in the Guyana economy grew in 2018 in comparison to that of 2015, except sugar, rice and forestry (Table 10-II). He appears oblivious to the reality that during the comparative period 2011 to 2014, the output of bauxite, sugar and fishing declined

under the PPP/C. Consequently, nothing exceptional happened between 2011 and 2014 that could allow the PPP/C to claim a superior economic performance over that of the Granger Administration. We know for a fact also that the Granger Administration outperformed the PPP/C during the period 2001-2004 when the leader of the opposition had control of the economy. The leader of the opposition was given the job in 1999 and then was elected in 2001. He had two years practice before being elected President and several years prior as Minister of Finance and yet the performance of the economy was atrocious under his leadership.

The four largest industries in Guyana are (1) the wholesale & retail trade, (2) construction, (3) transportation and storage and (4) gold, following in that order. There is no doubt that oil and gas would be top-ranking when it starts flowing. Together, the four industries account for 45 percent of real GDP. However, when the remaining six largest industries are added (ICT, “Other Crops”, Financial Services, Tourism and Other Services, Education, and “Other Manufacturing”), a total of 10 industries account for 75 percent of the country’s GDP. The economy is not dependent solely on gold, construction and the distributive trade as he seeks to insinuate.

The economy’s growth and forward progress depend on the performance of a much wider industry base which is inclusive of pre-eminent private sector investments.

Further, Mr. Bhagwandin knows fully well that a slower increase in nominal GDP (price multiplied by output) appearing in Table 10-I of the Bank of Guyana Report means that, with output increasing (Table 10-II), prices had to be declining. The true story about the negative numbers contained in his table therefore is that inflation under the Granger administration is lower than it was under the PPP/C. Those negative variances that he compiled should have given him a clue and caused him some pause. As such, Mr. Bhagwandin’s conclusion about the health of the Guyana economy is way off from reality. In contrast to him, the IMF used the correct data to reach valid conclusions about the macroeconomic strength of the country, a truth that exposes the falsities being peddled by the opposition.

This writer is perplexed as to why the editor would encourage the publication of the Bhagwandin article with its blatant inaccuracies. The disinformation seems politically motivated and what bothers me most of all is that journalism seems to have joined in this campaign of disinformation and is failing in objectivity and in its education of the children of this country. My lamentation includes the hope that the Private Sector Commission (PSC), which seems to have tied itself closely to the PPP/C, is not part of this political and economic farce. The private sector needs accurate information to plan its investments.

The promotion of accurate information is what it should be encouraging and eliciting. Otherwise, all investors, especially the small ones, would be hurt.

TT cargo company opens shop here

By Navendra Seoraj

ONE of Trinidad and Tobago’s leading cargo companies, Cargo Consolidators Agency Limited (CCA), has opened its doors in Guyana with the aim of efficiently and reliably meeting the local supply chain needs.

CCA, which was established in 1976, is a freight forwarding, logistics and consolidation company with several locations near the major production and industry areas, sea and air ports in Trinidad.

Managing Director of CCA Inc. Sean Patience, said the launch of CCA Guyana Inc. comes at a time when Guyana is preparing for the budding oil and gas sector.

“We have utilised our 42 years of experience to transfer knowledge and training to our Guyanese team, to cater for the demands of the oil and gas companies and to apply these standards in other areas being retail, telecommuni-

service.

The company, which was founded by Ronald Patience, started in Trinidad as a ‘oneman show’ and in 40 years, grew to a company with 65 team members.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, commended CCA for entering the local market, noting

the number one business destination in the Caribbean.

COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES “The opportunities in Guyana are countless when it comes to cargo… we have been approached by numerous investors in air cargo… the most interesting idea we

from North America to South America,” said Patterson, adding that popular online shopping agencies have signalled their interest to enter Guyana.

In addition to air cargo, he said government remains committed to port development and is looking at the entire Demerara River as an

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, speaking at the launch of CCA Guyana Inc.

cations and so forth,” said Patience during his remarks at the launch of CCA Guyana Inc. at the Marriott Hotel on Friday evening.

He said the company is here to offer air and ocean freight import and export services to Guyanese. With the support from the branches in Trinidad and Miami, he said the company aims to provide an efficient and reliable

CCA Inc. Managing Director, Sean Patience (second from left at the back), senior officials of CCA and representatives of the local CCA team (Delano Williams photo)

that Guyana, irrespective of the interesting times, remains

have heard is using Guyana as a hub for air cargo

area for the establishment of a deep water port.

In March, a European consultancy firm completed its final stage of consultancy and identified seven locations for a deep water port. Government has since received the report from the company and is considering the recommendations. Patterson said the deep water port will handle all types of vessels.

“We envisage that in the next five years, Guyana will not only be known as the land of many waters, but also known as a hub for the Caribbean and South America,” said the minister.

Patterson said Guyana is already progressing positively and with new companies like CCA, the country would be further able to build its capacity in oil and gas.

President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Boyer, admitted that

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

Paved road from Guyana to Brazil -- first phase of construction to commence in October

By Navendra Seoraj THE days of having to carefully navigate through a deplorable Linden-to-Lethem trail are almost over, as government has confirmed that there will be a paved road from Guyana to Brazil.

“The final mission from the United Kingdom (UK) Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) programme was here and we have decided that there will be paved road between Guyana and Brazil,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, during his remarks at the launch of Cargo Consolidators Agency (CCA) Guyana Inc. at the Marriott Hotel on Friday evening.

Guyana had secured funding from the British Government through its UKCIF programme to complete the design of the road.

“We have long cherished

a usable land link between Guyana and Brazil because we see business opportunities,” said Patterson.

He said phase one of the project will be launched on October 1. It covers approximately 125 kilometres of the road (Linden to Mabura Hill) and includes a bridge across the Kurupukari River.

The journey from Lethem to Georgetown takes as many as 13 hours depending on the state of the road. It recently became impassable. Once paved, the projection is that the trip will take no more than five hours.

In recent reports, Director of Northern and Western South America at the Brazilian Ministry of External Affairs, His Excellency Norberto Moretti, had said: “it is clearer now the potential benefits of getting this road paved; Brazil is very aware of its shortcomings in terms of infrastructure and the need

While the ambassador pointed out that the Northeastern and Central regions have seen progress in the last decade, he acknowledged the need for greater effort. Guyana’s recent discovery of oil and the projected increase in economic activity have also been cited as providing

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

to bring down production costs.”

According to him, authorities have also been trying to ensure the country’s development agenda is more geographically distributed.

Brazil’s wealth and production activity have been largely concentrated in the southwest and southeast.

GNBA takes errant broadcasters to court THE Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has taken legal action against three broadcasters who failed to honour their financial obligations to the authority.

According to a press statement from GNBA, the authority, for months, has been urging broadcasters to pay their broadcast licence fees, however, some broadcasters have refused to comply.

As a result, GNBA took the necessary legal steps to recoup its outstanding fees. Additionally, of the three broadcasters, who were served plaints for legal proceedings, one has decided to pay all outstanding licence fees to the GNBA. As a consequence of this act of compliance, the GNBA withdrew its lawsuit

against this broadcaster. The remaining two broadcasters: Atlantic Cable Network Inc. and Bartica Communications Network Inc. were ordered to appear before the court to answer proceedings on September 30, 2019.

“The GNBA takes this opportunity to urge non-compliant broadcasters to bring themselves into conformity with the law and to honour their obligations,” said the authority.

THE GNBA had issued a stern warning against errant broadcasters, reminding that they can be fined and jailed.

It pointed out that the Broadcasting Act of 2011, Section 43 (C) provides that any person who carries on a broadcasting service at the licensed location after the licence granted to him has been suspended, cancelled or

expired, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1M and imprisonment for one year.

Additionally, all machinery and equipment used, or which can be used for broadcasting and owned by/ or in the possession of the person concerned is liable to be forfeited.

“GNBA takes this opportunity to urge all broadcasters to honour their obligations to the authority in order to be recognised as a responsible and compliant broadcaster and to avoid sanctions under the Act,” the broadcasting authority urged.

Last October, the GNBA had indicated that broadcasters’ indebtedness to GNBA had exceeded $50M.

TT cargo company opens ...

Guyana does not have experience in oil and gas so the country would indeed need companies like CCA. “We do not have the base in oil and gas that Trinidad has so it would be foolhardy to ignore Trinidad and look

at Canada and the US… we will need Trinidad and what we need is capital and experience and the ethos of companies like CCA,” said Boyer.

He believes that firms like CCA would change the

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narrative of what has been said of the relationship between Guyana and Trinidad over the years. Boyer said if Guyana is going to partner with companies, it would be better to do so with Caribbean partners.

further motivation.

Guyana’s ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot, said, “I see a benefit to connecting Guyana domestically, Guyana to Brazil, and Brazil to the rest of the world.”

However, he explained that the road is just one aspect of the project.

“The road will not be enough in itself; it will have to be allied with the construction of adequate port facilities. The equation is really the port plus the road to make the project economically viable,” said Talbot.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

Roger Khan remains behind bars -- being questioned for murder of political activist, boxing coach

By Navendra Seoraj NOTORIOUS drug trafficker, Shaheed “Roger” Khan, who returned to Guyana on Friday after serving just about 10 years in a US detention facility, is being held by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the murder of political activist Ronald Waddell and Boxing Coach, Donald Allison.

This was according to Khan’s attorney, Glen Hanoman, in an invited comment around 02:00am Thursday morning after he met with Khan, who was being held at the GPF Major Crimes Division.

Hanoman’s comments were recorded during a live video by Journalist, Travis Chase, on his Facebook page.

“He is going to be kept in custody… police are investigating two matters… I was informed that allegations were put to him in my absence,” said Hanoman.

According to the attorney, the allegations were related to the murder of Allison and Waddell.

“He would be kept in custody pending investigation, so there has been no decision but they are investigating those specific matters, so I think we have to allow those investigations to continue,” he said.

Waddell, who was a journalist and a political activist, met his demise in 2006 after he was gunned down in front of his Bel-Air residence.

The now-deceased journalist was known at the time for his harsh criticisms of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government in his television programme, ‘Taking Care of Business.’

Allison, on the other hand, was killed in September 2005. Allison, a popular boxing coach, was executed in a drive-by shooting carried out by men armed with machine guns.

Allison was 43 at the time and had resided at Titus Street, Agricola. He came under a barrage of withering gunfire outside the Ricola Boxing Gym on the Agricola Public Road.

Allison, a former local amateur champion and professional boxer, was credited with resuscitating the Ricola Gym almost single-handedly since he was deported to Guyana from the US in January 2002.

NO EVIDENCE “I am aware that there is no evidence on either of those two matters and I am also aware that legal advice was given to the police that there was no evidence on which any charge could be laid, so the only logical thing is that they hope to get some sort of evidence from him,” said Hanoman.

The attorney said the police have their work to do and they have a right to investigate whatever evidence they have. Efforts to contact Hanoman for an updated

comment on Saturday proved futile.

Khan returned to Guyana under heavy police guard and

was carrying Khan to Eve Leary.

On 15 June, 2006, Khan was arrested in Paramaribo

Attorney-at-Law, Glen Hanoman

Convicted Drug trafficker, Shaheed “Roger” Khan

was whisked away from the tarmac of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to police headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Khan, who spent over eight years in a US detention facility, arrived in Guyana on Friday, minutes before midnight, on an American Airlines flight from Miami.

The notorious drug lord was quickly taken away through a south-western gate of the CJIA, in the presence of heavily-armed police.

Along the way to Georgetown, the GPF had organised two road-blocks – one at Grove and another at Providence – to ensure that traffic was kept at bay from the white police vehicle which

with three of his bodyguards in a sting operation that Suriname police said netted more than 200 kilograms of cocaine – the biggest cocaine haul in Suriname of that year.

Instead of being deported to Guyana, then Minister of Justice of Suriname, Chan Santokhi, ordered that Khan be flown to Trinidad. Upon arrival at the airport in Trinidad, Khan was handed over to immigration authorities who then handed him over to US officials.

Less than 24 hours after being expelled from Suriname, Khan was arraigned at the Brooklyn Federal Court in New York City on June 30, 2006, on a charge of “conspiring to import co-

SBB guaranteed $4B in business loans – Minister of Business THE Small Business Bureau (SBB) has guaranteed $4 billion in loans from 2015 to present for registered small businesses while over $36M in grant alone was given out this year to persons from regions two, five, six and 10.

This is according to Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, during an interview titled ‘Insight’ on the National Communications Network (NCN).

He said many Guyanese are interested in developing small businesses, especially the plantain chips industry, where many people earn their daily income.

“A lot of persons are very interested in starting their own business and the Small Business Bureau would normally assist young and budding entrepreneurs. We would have been giving out grants to persons to start up businesses and those that are already in business

would also receive to develop themselves,” the minister of business said.

Along with financial assistance, the minister said training will also be given to persons to ensure that they learn the methods of success.

He said the SBB would also guarantee loans for persons who have a registered business.

“We have guaranteed over $4 billion in loans from 2015 to now; the concept is that you would apply for your loans and SBB guarantees it and you pay six per cent interest, quite lower than if you would have gone to the commercial bank directly; so I think we have been doing well over the years,” Minister Rajkumar said.

Further, he said over $36M in grant alone was given out this year and persons from regions two, five, six and 10 were beneficiaries of the grants.

“The money or grants were not give-outs, its taxpayer’s money and the Ministry of Business and SBB has an accounting system where, after the money is given to the client, we would go back a few months after to ensure it’s being executed,” he said.

He said there are many success stories resulting from the grants.

“When we give out the grants, I take the opportunity personally to meet the clients and speak to them and let them understand the reason why the grant is given and for what purpose, and I make it clear that the purpose stated on the application form, that we look forward that the plan will be executed with that grant that was given,” the business minister said.

Further, he explained to clients that obtaining money through fraud is a criminal offence.

The minister said the government had tabled an amend-

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar

ment to the law which has not been granted but, if passed, it will give 20 per cent of all government contracts to small business contractors who are registered with the SBB. “We are amending the definition of a small business so that more people can be eligible for the contracts under this arrangement,” he noted.

The minister further lauded the University of Guyana for bringing onstream the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI).

caine” and was ordered to be detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Khan, who was jailed in October 2009 for up to 15 years, asked the US court earlier this year to release him early, based on new regulations.

Khan was sentenced to a total of 40 years’ imprisonment on three separate charges by US Judge, Dora Irizarry, in 2009, after she accepted the plea bargain agreement he had reached with prosecutors.

However, two of the sentences-- 10 years for an illegal firearm possession, and 15 years for witness tampering-- ran concurrently with the other 15-year jail term.

In addition to the jail time, Roger Khan had to undergo supervised release for five years although, according to the judge, he is to be deported. Khan was also accused of executing competitors in the drug trade.

POWERFUL DRUG LORD Khan was considered to be the country’s most powerful drug trafficker.

He was said to have close ties to the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic, with the late ex-Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, acting as conduit for a “Phantom Squad”. The squad was accused of murdering several criminals, competitors, and others.

Although the PPP government had sought to distance itself from Khan, the drug-trafficker had stated publicly in an advertisement in local newspapers that he had been fighting crime on behalf of the Bharrat Jagdeo-led government.

Khan had also implicated former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, in his escapades, and documents bearing the then minister’s signature authorising the purchase of a sophisticated wire-tapping device were produced in U.S. courts during Khan’s trial.

President David Granger has referred to the Roger Khan-era as the “Troubles”; a period presided over by the Bharrat Jagdeo-administration.

The President said it was the “darkest hour” that was characterised by drug-driven chaos and bloodshed. Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999, to December 3, 2011, during which there were three massacres: Lusignan, where 11 people were killed; Bartica, where another 12 were killed; and Lindo Creek, where seven miners were slaughtered.

Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings – with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro- Guyanese males were gunned down.

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President cannot call ... for holding elections, but that extension has not been agreed on. We are still waiting on the National Assembly to meet."

6. The Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who are refusing to return to the National Assembly and carry out their responsibility are not only engaging in an act of lawlessness but also holding this nation and our system of governance to ransom. It should be noted for such lawless conduct they continue to receive monthly salary as MPs and daily benefits/privileges that come with their office.

Never before has this nation witnessed where the need arises for parliamentary support of the Opposition to give effect to any act, that side of the House has abrogated its responsibility by withholding its vote. For six months and counting the nation continues to be

held hostage to this conduct by the very people who are shouting they want the Constitution to be upheld.

If they really care about Guyana, knowing that they hold the other part of the equation in their hands, they would return to the National Assembly and do the job they are being paid for.

The continuous media brawl, bullying tactics, constitutional and court misrepresentation remain threats to resolving issues in a lawful and orderly manner, doing more harm than good to the nation and her people. Our laws must be upheld and the seeming support for this new low in lawlessness, by internal and external forces, if not corrected now will haunt this country forever.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

Residency requirement crucial to be on voters list …AG argues in appeal in house-to-house registration case

ATTORNEY General, Basil Williams, is arguing that by virtue of Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 1991 Act No. 3 of 1991, the Legislature removed non-resident voting in Guyana and the Preliminary List of Electors should only include an Ambassador or High Commissioner, their wives and children of the Ambassador or High Commissioner, a member of staff of an embassy and their family in order to be registered as an elector.

He made the comments in his affidavit in support of the appeal against the High Court ruling that the removal of persons from the voters’ list is unconstitutional and that residency was not a requirement to be on the voters list. Williams, however, is contending that by necessary implication, all other non-resident Guyanese cannot vote in General Elections in Guyana if they were not resident in Guyana and registered during the qualifying period.

The respondents in the case are Christopher Ram, Chief Elections Officer, Commissioner of National Registration and Guyana Elections Commission.

This latest move by the attorney general comes even as the Elections Secretariat intensifies preparations for the much-anticipated General and Regional Elections and has advised the President that the polls could be held at the end of February next year.

Such preparation includes the merging of the data gathered from the recently-concluded house-to-house registration with the National Register of Registrant Database. Initially, the Elections Secretariat had intended to generate a new register from the data gathered during the house-to-house registration but the High Court, while ruling that the national registration exercise was legitimate, said that it would be unconstitutional to remove persons from the National Register of Registrants unless deceased or disqualified pursuant to Article 159 (3) and (4). This resulted in the Elections Commission taking a decision to merge the data from the national registration exercise with the National Register of Registrant Database in its attempts to facilitate early elections.

The attorney general, in appealing in part the decision of the High Court, asked for an interim stay of execution of part of the judgment handed down by the Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire on August 14, 2019 until the Fixed Date Application (FDA) is completely heard and a determination is made.

He is maintaining that Chief Justice (ag) Roxane

erred when she ruled that it would be unconstitutional to remove persons from the National Register of Registrants unless deceased or disqualified pursuant to Article 159 (3) and (4).

In asking for the summons, the attorney general noted that the issues in the matter touch and concern matters of national importance pertaining to general elections in Guyana and the composition of the National Register of Registrants from which the Preliminary List of Electors is extracted.

The application for the summons was filed by Solicitor General, Nigel Hawke, on behalf of the attorney general.

explanatory memorandum are very explicit as it relates

THOSE WHO QUALIFY He said that the only non-resident Guyanese that could be on the Register of Registrants are Ambassadors or High Commissioners, their wives and children and staff and their wives and children.

All other non-resident Guyanese are excluded from the list.

Williams said this underscores the requirement for residency during the qualifying period as contemplated by Article 159 of the Constitution.

He said too that under the principles of International Law, embassies, high commissions or consulate offices would be deemed to be the sovereign territory of Guyana and it would be as if the high commissioner or ambassador, family and staff would be voting in Guyana.

Additionally, he said that with the introduction of overseas voting in 1968, a reasonable inference is that residency in Guyana could not have been part of the 1980 Constitution as opposed to the 1966.

The inclusion of residency in the 1970 Constitution was a clear oversight on the part of members of the Legislature, Williams has contended.

He said too, that by virtue of Constitution (Amendment) No. 4 of 1991, the residency requirement for voting in Guyana was reinstituted and became a necessary requirement. According to the Explanatory Memorandum for Constitutional ( Amendment) Bill No. 36 of 1991 which was the Bill pertaining to Constitution (Amendment) No. 4 of 1991 prescribes : “The amendment to article 159 provides that from the 26th March, 1991, ( the date when the Electoral Laws ( Amendment) Act 1991, Act No. 3 of 1991, came into operation) a citizen of Guyana, who is not a diplomatic agent or member of staff of a diplomatic mission or the wife or child of such person, must be resident in Guyana in order to be qualified to be registered as an elector for elections.”

Williams said the Bill and

to the intention of the Legislature with respect to residency. Williams said too that he was advised by Mr. Charles Fung-a-Fat, Chief Parliamentary Counsel, SC, CCH, and verily believe that there was omission of the alteration of the revised constitution by section 2(f) of the Constitution (Amendment) (No.4) Act 1991 ( Act No. 36 of 1991) and that the omission of an alteration to the article of the revised edition of the Constitution does not affect the validity of the article of the Constitution.

According to him section 10 of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 2:02 provides that “no written law omitted, under the authority of this act or otherwise, from the Laws of Guyana shall be deemed to be without force and the validity by reason only of the fact that it was so omitted.” “That follows that Article 159 (2) has to be construed as including Res-

idency in Guyana for the purposes of being an elector. As a

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

consequence, the learned Chief Justice erred without averting to Constitutional Amendment No. 4 of 1991 in finding that there are no laws setting out any additional requirements, more particularly residency, in relation to a person qualifying to be registered to vote,” Williams argued.

RESIDENCY CONSTITUTIONAL He said the residency requirement in order for citizens to vote is a part of the Constitution of Guyana. “The position is buttressed by the Report of the Constitutional Reform Commission to the National Assembly of Guyana dated the July 17, 1999 which reveals the true purport and intent in relation to residency that is: “Only Guyanese citizens resident in Guyana should be permitted to vote in elections” The AG said the National Registration Non-Resident

Regulations made under section 19 of the Act sets out the protocol in section four as to what should obtain for a non-resident person to be registered if they were not resident during the qualifying period. “These regulations support the concept of residency in Guyana as a paramount requirement to be on the National Register of Registrants.

Additionally, the aforementioned acts and regulations accord with the requirements in Article 159 (2) (c) addressing other qualifications as maybe prescribed by or under any law and the learned Chief Justice fell into error in finding that there was no law setting out a requirement for residency and that the removal of names from the register would be unconstitutional,” Williams said in his affidavit.

GECOM EMPOWERED According to Williams, GECOM is empowered to compile a register under Article 159 (5) of the Constitution at the qualifying date and did so pursuant to section six of the National Registration Act. He further added that the finding of the learned Chief Justice also collides with section nine of Act No. 31 of 2007 which provides, “The commissioner shall establish a central register which shall consist of a computerised database of the information of the originals of the registration records and the originals of the registration records of all persons registered under the house-to-house registration process mentioned in section six, and the data so generated shall be utilised to

effect the continuous registration process.”

He said the provision does not speak to or have recourse to any other database and “that the thrust of Act No. 31 of 2007 was the creation of a new data base that would aid in the continuous registration process. I am advised and verily believe that the mandate of the commission is to create a new database from the process and clearly Guyanese not resident in Guyana would not be generated in the new database,” the affidavit stated.

16 GROUNDS Meanwhile, in his FDA filed in late August, Minister Williams had laid out 16 grounds on which the Chief Justice (ag) erred in her ruling on the national registration process.

In setting out the grounds for the appeal, the attorney general told the appellate court that the learned Trial Judge erred and was misconceived in law when she ruled that Article 159 (5) of the Constitution which addressed ‘the qualifying date’ is only applicable to persons 14 years or older for the purpose of registration as at October 31, and not all Guyanese citizens. According to him, the Chief Justice (ag) failed to apply any cannons of interpretation in arriving at her decision, adding that the matter was already fully ventilated and argued before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), and as such, was therefore Res Judicata.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

Understanding Energy

IMF Report Underscores Guyana’s Oil Future A NEW report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) detailed how oil is likely to shape Guyana’s future not just in the near term, but for decades to come. The report was the product of a so-called “Article IV Consultation,” a yearly bilateral series of meetings and consultations between the IMF and government.

The release of the report was especially timely with two new discoveries announced just this week—Exxon’s 14th in the Stabroek block and Tullow Oil’s second in the Orinduik. Both will likely add to the more than six billion barrels discovered offshore to

date. The Exxon find, at the Tripletail-1 well, was one of several recent discoveries in the Turbot region of the block.

The international group called Guyana’s prospects “very favourable” in the medium term, with oil accounting for as much as 40 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024. The report noted that Guyana is projected to grow 4.4 per cent this year with substantial increases over the next few years, fuelled by the energy sector. That money could support major increases in government spending to meet a variety of urgent needs in areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Despite spending increases, the IMF predicted that “public debt and the external current account deficit are projected to decline steadily following the onset of oil production,” thanks to increased revenues. Because of those revenues, Guyana will have more money coming in and a reduced need to borrow—both of which will help reduce public debt.

The IMF’s recommendations echoed those of many international groups who have praised Guyana’s progress so far, but cautioned that prudent revenue management over the long-term is essential. The IMF’s staff emphasised that

“to ensure the effective use of windfall revenues, policies should focus on reducing macro-economic vulnerabilities, addressing structural weaknesses, boosting inclusive growth, and promoting inter-generational equity.”

A strong fiscal framework emphasising transparency and careful spending is particularly important to sustaining longterm growth and insulating the economy from the effects of rising and falling oil prices.

The report included a set of ideas based on international best practices for avoiding issues such as the “Dutch Disease,” including a careful gradual increase in spending, coordinating fiscal and monetary policy, and investing in other sectors.

The IMF did point to a lack of infrastructure, shortages of skilled labour and an unreliable electrical grid as issues that are holding the economy back— areas where oil revenues could

make a major difference for Guyanese competitiveness and quality of life.

The report went on to praise Guyana’s first report for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) as a good step towards responsible management. The EITI is an international group of countries with major extractive sectors such as mining, oil and gas. These countries have established their own set of unified best practices for managing resource revenues in an accountable way.

Although the report does not take into account the most recent finds, it offered an optimistic outlook on the likelihood of new discoveries and increased revenue, saying “on the upside, further oil discoveries and production, if managed effectively, could significantly improve Guyana’s economic welfare over the long-term.

Concrete measures are needed to address issues relating to

capacity constraints to mitigate the risks of under-execution of public capital investments.”

That should only underscore the need for rapid movement on preparing for first oil and getting things such as the natural resources bill and a functional regulatory system up and running as soon as possible.

And more activities offshore Guyana are progressing. The Exxon consortium has announced plans to add another drillship in the Stabroek block in October, bringing the total number to four in that block alone by the end of this year. Spanish oil company Repsol and Tullow are also continuing exploration programmes of their own, raising the likelihood of future discoveries even higher.

‘Up your game’

according to law and follow appropriate procedures for victims to access justice and for perpetrators to be held accountable,” Grant stated. She made it clear that in no circumstance, incidents and reports of domestic violence should be dismissed or threated as a private matter or just a ‘domestic.’

The officers were also taught how domestic violence is experienced and perpetrated. “The long-accepted view that spousal violence is a private matter resulted in the misguided view that domestic violence is not a crime, and this has led to impunity for many abusers.

These situations still persist, largely due to silence and so-

cietal denial,” the consultant explained. In an effort have the police appreciate the fact that domestic violence is a crime, Grant gave them the opportunity to explore cultural values, norms, social acceptance and tolerance that perpetrate discrimination against women. “This understanding, I believe will help police officers recognise the importance of having specific, sensitive, appropriate and multidisciplinary approaches to domestic violence,” she posited.

Added to that, their knowledge on the laws, police policies and procedures were enhanced during the training sessions. Notably, Grant said the police officers

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had the perception that it was “okay” to interview the victim and perpetrators at the same time in the same room but this she warned against, noting that such can result in limited response from the victim on the violence committed.

The programme, she said, aimed at providing the participants with better understanding of the nature, scope and the cycle of domestic violence.

Acting Police Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie DSM and Project Manager of the Citizen Security Strategy Programme (CSSP), Dr Clement Henry, were among the officials present.

The Guyana Police Force officers that underwent the Domestic Violence Scenario Response Training (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

10 vying for Miss Indigenous Heritage crown

NEXT Saturday night, the National Cultural Centre will come alive when 10 young ladies will vie for the crown of the Miss Indigenous Heritage Pageant.

The pageant, in its 10th year, is held every two years and since

its introduction to the calendar of events as part of Indigenous Heritage month celebrations, Guyanese have flocked the venue as the damsels compete for the crown.

Already, the young ladies are creating a hype on social

media platform—Facebook-- as persons have started to identify their favourite.

The contestants are Miss Esther Marslowe (Region One); Miss Shauna Fredericks (Region Two); Miss Natalia Patterson (Region Three); Miss Ann Mera

Simon (Region Four); Miss Rosetta Fredericks (Region Five); Miss Varshnie Herman (Region Six); Miss Jeline Dasilva (Region Seven); Miss Katie Williams (Region Eight); Miss Luana Allicock (Region Nine) and Miss Shevon Williams (Re-

gion 10).

The pageant begins at 19:00hrs and tickets are available at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the National Cultural Centre box office. Tickets cost $2,500, $2,000 and $1,500 per person.

Miss Region One, Esther Marslowe

Miss Region Two, Shauna Fredericks

Miss Region Three, Natalia Patterson

Miss Region Four, Ann Mera Simon

Miss Region Five, Rosetta Fredericks

The contestants who will vie for the crown in the pageant

Miss Region Six, Miss Varshnie Herman

Miss Region Seven, Jeline Dasilva

Miss Region Eight, Katie Williams

Miss Region Nine, Luana Allicock

Miss Region 10, Shevon Williams

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

AG’s Chambers rejects Bar Association’s statements on legality of government THE Attorney General’s Chambers, on Saturday, rejected a statement from the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana which said government was operating outside of the law and called the contention “fake and malicious.”

The statements were published in the Stabroek News and in other media outlets.

According to the statement from the Attorney General’s Chambers.

An excerpt of the Bar Association’s statement reads thus, “The constitutional duty and responsibility of the President was to fix a date for elections within the threemonth period set out in the Constitution in the absence of a Parliamentary extension of that period, which extension the Bar Council notes was not sought and or obtained before the period expired.

“The constitutional duty and responsibility of the Guyana Elections Commission was to be ready to administer and supervise elections within the time encompassed by the three-month period so as to comply with the Constitution.

“By failing to abide by the clear and unambiguous

terms of the Constitution, the Government of Guyana has abdicated its responsibility, violated the Constitution, is operating outside of the rule of law and in breach of internationally recognised standards of democracy.”

According to the AG’s statement, the Bar Council of the Guyana Bar Association must keep the profession noble.

“As Head of the Bar of Guyana, The Attorney General exhorts the GBA to be guided by the aphorism, ‘Ours is a higher and perpetual retainer’ for Justice,” the AG’s Chambers admonished in its statement. “The Guyana Bar Association (GBA) is expected to be independent and like Caesar’s wife – above reproach,” said the AG Chambers.

The AG’s statement said that the Bar Association is not expected to be the “minion” of any political party or grouping, or to mindlessly parrot its utterances.

“Above all, the GBA is expected to disseminate accurately the decisions of our Courts, more so our Apex Court-- the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The GBA’s

Bar Council has falsely stated, in its recent statement published in the Stabroek News and other media, that the ‘Government of Guyana is operating outside the Rule of Law ….’ The Government of Guyana rejects this contention as being false and malicious, as it cannot be supported by the Bar Council’s recourse to the Constitution and/or the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice,” said the statement from the AG’s Chambers.

The AG Chambers said that in respect of the Constitution, neither articles 106(6) or 106(7) provides for the President to fix a date for elections within a three month period.

“In fact, the CCJ recognized that it was for GECOM, not the government, to hold elections within the three months provided by article 106 (7) or such longer period approved by a two-thirds majority of Parliament,” the AG statement said.

The AG Chambers said that in the case of the CCJ, the Court frontally rejected the consequential orders sought

by Counsel for the Leader of the Opposition including that, “The President shall by proc-

lamation appoint a date for the holding of elections no later than 18th September, 2019 and that “The Government shall remain in Office and shall hold an election for the members of the National Assembly within three months of 18th June, 2018 i.e by 18th September, 2019.

The AG Chambers noted that the CCJ in rejecting the aforesaid consequential orders and others said,“Article 106 of the Constitution invests in the President and the National Assembly (and implicitly in GECOM), responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the

elections which must be held.

It would not, therefore, be right for the Court, by the issuance of coercive orders or detailed directives, to presume to instruct these bodies on how they must act and thereby preempt the performance by them of their constitutional responsibilities. It is not, for example, the role of the Court to establish a date on or by which the elections must be held, or to lay down timelines and deadlines that, in principle, are the preserve of political actors guided by constitutional imperatives. The Court must assume that these bodies and personages will

exercise their responsibilities with integrity…”

The statement said that at the CCJ hearing, Counsel for the Attorney General of Guyana, Mr. Eamon Courtenay SC, had ably argued that if the Opposition did not agree to the two-thirds majority extension, then, by necessity, it would fall to the President, who has the remit under the Constitution, to both dissolve Parliament and proclaim a date for the elections after being advised by GECOM as to its readiness to deliver credible elections.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

More taxiways, green environment

-- Ogle Airport submits five-year plan to GCAA

By Navendra Seoraj THE Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) has submitted a five-year plan for the enhancement of the operations at the Eugene f. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

GCAA Director-General, Egbert Fields, said the authority is pleased with the objectives which were stated in the development plan.

“The plan includes more taxiways, widening of ex-

isting taxiways… it also includes steps to follow for the green state strategy by increasing solar power use,” said Fields during his remarks at the commissioning of a new taxiway at EFCIA on Thursday.

He said the continued growth and development of aviation shows the progress which the country is making in the sector.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma, also commended OAI for submitting its five-year plan.

“In addition to the airport, I must commend each operator for what they are doing… this sector shows local content… I must commend operators for their patience when it comes to having access to extend their services,” said Sharma.

He believes that once the management of the airport and the various operators continue to work together, the aerodrome will continue to grow.

In an effort to ensure the relationship between the operators and the airport

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma

management is maintained, government will soon reconstitute the Airport Review Committee.

The committee has been dormant for years so government, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, will look to constitute the committee in a short space of time.

“The airport review panel will be set up to deal with issues affecting the further development of the airport and the rate in which they will develop,” said Sharma, adding that management of the airport and the operators will appear before the committee to discuss and resolve grievances.

Meanwhile, government has been extending its focus to airstrips across the country. Sharma said his ministry has been working to ensure that all airstrips are in good condition.

A $137 million contract was recently awarded for the paving of the airstrip at Lethem and work is expected to commence in two weeks.

The Lethem airstrip is 6,000ft, but government will be paving 4,000ft in order to accommodate certain aircraft. Sharma said the government will soon be paving the entire airstrip.

“Government is willing to work with operators to ensure that all the facilities are in a state of readiness to accommodate aircraft,” he said.

The minister said government will also be rehabilitating the aerodrome at Linden and will be looking at the possibility of opening new aerodromes.

Toshaos Council opens on October 7 THE National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference will open under the theme “Guyana’s First Peoples United in the Promotion of the Green Economy through Preservation of our Languages, Land and Right” on October 7 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The four-day conference will bring together toshaos and other indigenous village leaders from over 212 hinterland villages across Guyana.

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Sydney Alli-

cock, is urging village leaders to be prepared to bring pertinent issues to the table to be discussed.

The conference is an important forum that allows village leaders to have engagements with the president, ministers and officials from various government agencies.

It is aimed at consolidating and expanding the national development and transformation processes to cater to the needs of indigenous people.

The event will be coor-

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock

dinated and hosted by the NTC with support from the government through the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 22, 2019

Bartica continues transformation into a ‘green town’ ---'Green Pathway' tree-planting programme launched stakeholders is crucial for the success of the project and in the coming weeks, public engagements and consultations will be held to ensure the success of this programme,” the release stated.

Dubbed the “green town”, Mayor Gifford Marshall stated that Bartica has been working tirelessly to maintain that status.

Only recently, the municipality had effect-

A section of Bartica where the trees will be planted

THE township of Bartica launched a massive tree-planting programme called ‘Green Pathway’ on Saturday, as part of their continued efforts towards its transformation into the model ‘green town’ of Guyana.

This initiative saw the construction of a fish pond, planting of various trees and the creation of a plant-growing wall. This facility served as a major attraction and benefitted students and pupils doing assignments in the study of Social Studies and Science.

In a press release, the Bartica Mayor and Town Council outlined that the

primary focus of the programme, which is to provide a greener, more attractive local environment, is expected to set the stage for an investor-friendly environment, laying a foundation for economic opportunities in the growing tourism sector.

The programme, which is supported by the Ministry of Communities, is expected to attract tourism investments, create jobs, and provide cleaner air and cooler roadways. It will also assist in beautifying the township, creating an environment for various species of birds which will allow for research and studies.

“The participation of

Municipal workers preparing the trees to be planted

ed works to transform its Town Hall compound into a ‘green space’.

Several trees are expected to be planted within the coming months,

with a particular focus in the main business hub of the township.

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SCENES FROM HERITAGE GAMES

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

Man City smash eight past Watford, VAR drama in Spurs defeat

By Peter Hall LONDON, England (Reuters) - Manchester City responded to last weekend’s first Premier League defeat since January, with an emphatic 8-0 hammering of Watford, while Tottenham Hotspur were on the wrong end of a tight VAR call in a 2-1 loss at Leicester City yesterday.

With league leaders Liverpool not in action until their today trip to Chelsea, City were looking to close the gap to two points.

It took City less than a minute to prove the defeat against Norwich City was a minor setback as David Silva opened the floodgates with a well-worked opener. Further goals from Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Nicolas Otamendi gave City a 5-0 lead in under 18 minutes - the fastest a team has scored five times in Premier League history.

City had Manchester United’s Premier League record victory margin - a 9-0 win over Ipswich Town in 1995 in their sights but fell short by one goal.

Bernardo Silva completed his first top flight hattrick to make it 7-0 before Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant strike completed the rout.

“The same feeling I have now I had after Norwich so it was not a bad performance,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “We can lose the games but the important thing is the approach and how we react.

“What I like the most is normally when it’s 5-0 at halftime the second half is not serious, it’s boring but we did the opposite and we were more aggressive and made a very good second half.”

VAR FRUSTRATION FOR SPURS The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) disallowed two

goals in a Premier League match for the first time as Tottenham slipped to a second defeat of the season after Leicester came from behind to secure the 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium.

Wilfred Ndidi thought he had given Leicester the lead when he bundled the ball into the net only for VAR to rule out the effort for offside.

However, there was no question over Harry Kane’s 29th minute strike as he fired past Kasper Schmeichel to give Spurs the lead.

Serge Aurier thought he had doubled the visitors’ advantage but VAR, to the delight of the home fans, ruled that Son Heung-min was offside during the build-up. Replays showed the call was marginal.

“If we scored the second, the game is over,” Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said.

“It gives belief to a team that could have been dead.”

The reprieve did shift

the momentum in the home side’s favour, as Ricardo Pereira converted Jamie Vardy’s cross to equalise three minutes later, before James Maddison fired in an unstoppable winner five minutes from time.

“It’s what happens with VAR, you have to get your head round it,” Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said.

“It works for you and against you. Worked both ways for us today!”

Elsewhere, the pressure was mounting on manager Marco Silva after Everton slipped to a third defeat in four league games after newly-promoted Sheffield United came away from Goodison Park with a 2-0 victory.

Manchester City’s conquerors Norwich City came back down to earth with a bang after slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Burnley.

Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion played out a goalless draw.

Region One three-peat ...

From back page

with 24 points and Region Six with lone swimmer Waveney Johnson finished on five points.

Seven regions competed at the meet.

WILLIAMS SISTERS DOMINANCE Twin sisters Lavon and Lavona Williams and youngster sister Nakesha dominated the 18-and-over Girls’ individual races.

Lavon, who is marginally older, finished with a whopping 27 points. The 22-year-old was one of only four swimmers to win all three races (100m freestyle 1:28.28, 50m backstroke 55.38 and 25m freestyle 17.30s).

Lavona, who finished second in the 100m freestyle and the 25m freestyle and third in the 50m backstroke, finished on 20 points. Their youngster sister Nakesha (21 years old) was also in the mix after she finished on 19 points (one silver and two bronze).

Darius Williams, also

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from Region Two, swept the 18-and-over Boys’ division with three wins. He won the 50m backstroke in 36.12s, while he won the 100m freestyle in 1:05.22s and the 25m freestyle in 13.36s.

Melon Lucas finished as the top 11-12 year-old male swimmer. He won the 100m freestyle in a time of 1:11.08s, the 50m back in 43.75s and the 25m freestyle in 14.65s.

The other overall individual top finisher was Region Two swimmer Ramesh Lyte. The 16-yearold won all three events in the Boys’ 15-17 age division. He won the 100m freestyle in 1:08.30s, the 50m backstroke in 35.15s and the 25m freestyle in 13.26s.

Other dominant individual performances came from Corrie-Ann Campo from Region Three in the 11-12 Girls’ Division. The 11-yearold finished on 18 points.

Region One’s Allianna Charles, who won two gold medals and a silver led the 13-14 Girls’ Division with 25 points.

Lisa Ramraj who won the backstroke and finished with two freestyle silver medals topped the 15-17 Girls’ Division. Stephen, who won both the 100m and the 25m freestyle looked set for a perfect finish in the age division, but was disqualified in the 50m backstroke after an infraction at the 25m turn.

Meanwhile, fourteenyear-old Lucas Nelson finished with two gold medals and a silver in the 13-14 Boys’ Division.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

HACC, VPCC square off in SCA Elite semis today

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Having already topped the standings in this year’s Elite League of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) tournament, Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) will be aiming for their second consecutive title, following their triumph last year, the first since the Elite League was introduced four years ago.

HACC will, however, need to get past archrivals Victoria Park Cricket Club (VPCC) when the two battle today in their 50-over encounter at the Ashtonbee Number Two ground.

The other semi-final features Highland Creek and Ambassadors at Lamarouex. The final is set for Saturday, September 28 at Ashtonbee Number One. It will be recalled that VPCC surprisingly forfeited last year’s final to HACC after reportedly not being able to field a team since several of their players were involved in the Toronto & District (T&D) league the said day of the SCA Elite League final.

At the end of the preliminary round of matches, HACC led the standings with 105 points, having suffered one defeat at the hands of Highland Creek who placed second on 100, with Ambassadors a distant third on 65 while VPCC qualified with 60, edging out Bilal (60) on superior net run rate. Of the other participating teams, United Cricket Club ended on 40, Janbaaz 30 and Knightly 20.

Led for the first time by an overseas-based player in former Berbice youth player Krishnadat Ramoo, HACC have been clinical throughout the season and despite suffering a big loss to Highland Creek over the Labour Day weekend, bounced back the following day to easily dispose of Bilal.

The batting has been superbly led by veteran Bim Bodhoo whose 309 runs are the third highest in this year’s Elite League. With the commendable average of 51.50, the left-handed opener has also slammed one century (107) while missing another by a mere three runs.

Bodhoo has also featured prominently in the bowling department, bagging 11 wickets at 25.36 runs each.

While HACC will be missing West Berbice-born fast bowler Keyron Fraser, who was the main destroyer in last year’s semi-final versus Highland Creek, with the astonishing figures six for 17 in eight consecutive overs, two of last year’s heroes in the said match are once again expected to play big roles.

Former Canadian wicketkeeper Surendra Seeraj, whose six dismissals in the semi-final included five catches and a stump-

Bim Bodhoo ing and Rishi Samuel, who starred with the bat with a brilliant 61, are primed and ready for the big occasion.

Ramoo has also starred with both bat and ball, tallying 208 runs with a highest score of 66 while averaging 41.60. His 16 wickets at 16.38 runs apiece saw him being placed fifth overall in the bowling department.

Rajaamit Pooran has also been a welcome addition to the squad, showing his worth with 201 runs in 10 matches with the fine average of 67.00 runs per innings. While he has donned the wicket-keeping gloves for most of the season, he’s also a useful off-spinner when called upon.

Much is also expected from Azhad Amidon who has been his usual steady self with his stoic performances with the bat and all-rounder Zaheer Allard, who despite only playing four games during the season, is a vital clog of HACC’s batting and bowling.

HACC had ruled the roost in the Premiere League for six consecutive years before winning the Elite for the first time in 2018 after an enduring two seasons when they had to settle for the runner-up spot and a semi-final loss in the Elite League.

HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan is supremely confident that his charges are primed and ready to finish the season on a high and go on to cart off their second consecutive Elite crown.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday September 22, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel-225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kevin Cooper -265 runs (HS: 42*) (2) Shemar Brooks (Patriots)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first player to win the Man of the Match award in CPL 2019 other than those representing the Warriors and TKR? (2) Who faced the first ball in CPL 2019? Who delivered it?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

GISE/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall First-Division cricket

McAlmont, Dindyal put GCC in commanding position over GYO GANDHI Youth Organisation (GYO) endured a frustrating opening day of the GISE/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall first-division two-day match, as hosts Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), built a 55-run first-innings lead when play ended yesterday at Bourda.

The hosts, with consecutive weekend wins, reached 156-7 at the close, responding to GYO first-innings 101 all out in 53.3 overs.

Asked to bat first, GYO openers Yeudistir Persaud and Anand Bharat put to-

Mavindra Dindyal gether a decent first-wicket stand of 35 runs before

Bharat was removed by off-spinner Stephon Wilson (2-24).

Bharat’s dismissal triggered a batting collapse where the visitors lost their nine remaining wickets for just 66 runs.

Bharat struck two boundaries in his 35 while Persaud, who also struck two boundaries top-scored with 41. They were the only two batsmen to reach double figures.

GYO innings was hurt by outstanding off-spin bowling from Thimoty McAlmont, who claimed 4-15. Pacers, captain Ron-

Essex beat Worcs in thriller to win T20 Blast for first time ESSEX captain Simon Harmer came in to play a cameo captain’s innings at the end to lead the Eagles to their first T20 title with a stunning final-ball victory over holders Worcestershire.

Chasing a Worcestershire total of 145-9, Essex looked on the ropes at 82-5.

But Ravi Bopara smashed an unbeaten 36 to keep them in touch, before Harmer came in to hammer 18 off just seven balls to see his side over the line on 148-6.

Worcestershire had faced the same situation of two needed to win off the last ball in their semi-final win over Notts.

But Wayne Parnell could not repeat his earlier dot ball, as Harmer carved him to the square cover boundary to end Worcestershire’s hopes of becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 trophy.

The South African spinner, who has been talked about as a likely candidate to qualify for England, had earlier starred with the ball.

He took 4-19 to set up his side’s comfortable semi-final win over first-time Finals Day contestants Derbyshire, before following that with an even more economical 3-16 in the final.

It means one side will end up with two of this season’s three domestic trophies this week, when new T20 kings Essex meet One-Day Cup winners Somerset at Taunton.

The County Championship’s top two meet in a match that will decide the Division Two title, starting tomorrow.

ESSEX EDGE EDGBASTON THRILLER Having won the toss and put Essex in, the first-time finalists took just three balls to strike before Dan Lawrence bowled Hamish Rutherford.

It was to be 56 runs - and eight overs - later before they struck again when Harmer found himself on a hat-trick for the second time in the day.

On 32, Rapids captain Moeen Ali gave him a difficult low return catch then Ben Cox – man-of-the-match in last year’s final - was lbw sweeping to the next delivery, with Wayne

Simon Harmer sets off after hitting the winning run. (Getty Images)

Parnell having to survive a huge shout to the hat-trick ball.

Riki Wessels battled on to the 16th over to make 31 off 34 balls, supported by 19 apiece from Parnell and Daryl Mitchell and a few late blows from Brett D’Oliveira, but it did not look enough.

It did not always seem that way, especially when semi-final half-centurion Cameron Delport holed out to long-off from the second ball of Parnell’s first over.

Adam Wheater then reverse-swept Mitchell onto his stumps, before Parnell returned to remove opener Tom Westley for 36 and Moeen struck twice to get rid of Ryan ten Doeschate and danger man Dan Lawrence.

But the tide started to turn again when quarter-final match-winner Bopara put the previously economical Moeen into the crowd off his last ball.

And, although Pat Brown ended Bopara’s 47-run stand with Simon Walter, the nerveless Harmer came in to have the final word. (BBC Sport).

Trevon France aldo Ali-Mohamed (2-16), and Bernard Bailey (1-16),

were the two other successful bowlers.

In reply, GCC slipped to 20-4 with off-spinner Trevon France claiming three of the four wickets. He had both openers Eon Rodrigues (4) and Jeetendra Sookdeo (2), along with McAlmont (0), while Ali-Mohamed who struck a four and six then went hit-wicket off Neiland Cadogan for 20.

At that point Mavindra Dindyal and Carlos La Rose then took the score to 101 with some measured batting. During the period Dindyal, who was one of three Guyanese who toured

UK with the West Indies Under-16 squad recently, reached his half-century.

However, as the partnership looked to blossom, off-spinner Divesh Ramjattan removed La Rose for 24. France then returned for a second spell and accounted for Zachary Jodah (1) and Dindyal for a composed 66 to complete his five-wicket haul. France has so far taken 5-51 off 15 overs. Dindyal struck five sweetly-timed fours and two sixes.

Bailey and Darius Andrews will resume today on 7 and 0 respectively.

Tridents take down Zouks to go fourth GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – Barbados Tridents separated themselves from the bottom three and installed themselves as favourites for one of the four playoff spots when they thrashed St Lucia Zouks by 71 runs in a crucial encounter here Friday night.

With the bottom three needing a victory in order to kick-start their playoff bid, Tridents produced an incisive bowling performance to easily defend their 172 for six in the fourth match of their Caribbean Premier League campaign.

Nineteen-year-old left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop, who shared the new ball on debut, claimed two for 24 while captain Jason Holder picked up two for 33, as Zouks never recovered from a poor start to be bundled out for 101 in the 15th over.

South African Hardus Viljoen topscored 31 off 21 balls while New Zealander Colin de Grandhomme resisted briefly in a

Justin Greaves hits through the offside during his half-century on debut for Barbados Tridents. (Photo courtesy CPL)

16-ball 28, but Zouks lost wickets steadily to slip to their fourth defeat in five matches.

While they remained fifth on two points only above bottom-placed Jamaica Tallawahs on the same tally, Tridents took sole possession of fourth place on four points with their second win in four outings, ahead of the start of their five home matches at Kensington Oval starting today.

Sent in at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, Justin Greaves powered the Tridents innings with 57 off 45 deliveries on CPL debut, while left-hander Jonathan Carter stroked 30 off 21 balls and opener Johnson Charles, 28 off 19 balls.

Greaves struck half-dozen fours and a brace of sixes in an up tempo 81-run opening stand off 52 balls with Charles who counted a four and a couple of sixes.

They fell in the space of 18 balls, however, Charles holing out to long-on off leftarm pacer Obed McCoy in the ninth over and Greaves lifting off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall to de Grandhomme at deep square.

Carter then blasted four sixes in a 43run, third-wicket stand with South African JP Duminy (18) as Tridents gathered precious runs at the back end.

Zouks, in reply, lost crucial wickets up front to crash to 15 for three in the third over before de Grandhomme and Andre Fletcher (14) combined in a 33-run, fourth-wicket stand to prop up the innings.

But Holder got Fletcher to play on in the sixth over and with four runs added, Carter pulled off a stunning, diving one-handed catch at short backward point to remove captain Darren Sammy for two in the eighth over. de Grandhomme struck fours and a six but was run-out in the ninth over by Carter’s direct hit from point and Viljoen busied himself with three sixes at the end before he was last out.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 22, 2019

Big win for St Pius as COURTS Pee Wee football 2019 opens

THERE was a huge win for defending champions St Pius as they set the early benchmark in the 2019 edition of the COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament yesterday.

They played like champs, beating Mae’s 8-0 thanks to five goals from Jamal Fraser (5th, 7th, 8th, 12th and 13th) with a brace for Nickali Watson (11th and 14th) and a single strike for Brian Brown (3rd) On the opposing pitch, there was a goal-less drawn encounter between West Ruimveldt and Craig.

Timehri were 2-1 winners over St Ambrose with Keron Williams 1st minute goal added to Estevan Medina’s 34th minute strike. Obediah Munroe’s 18th minute strike was the only goal for St Ambrose.

On the opposing pitch, Plaisance Boscos were easy 2-0 winners against St Agnes thanks to Jude Daniels (9th) and Samuel Rampersaud (18th) In match three, Uitvlugt were 2-0 win-

ners over Ann’s Grove thanks to Alpha Stoby in the 2nd and 11th minutes. Soesdyke, through a hat-trick from Jaden Tasher (1st, 2nd and 13th) and a brace from Shauelk Kaleb overcame F.E. Pollard 4-1. Duquan Norton (3rd) scored the lone goal.

Tucville won match five via a walkover from Mocha while Genesis beat South Ruimvdelt 3-0 thanks to Ricardo Hazel (15th), Ancêtre Cummings (17th) and Shane Smith (28th).

Marian Academy and St Margaret’s played to a scoreless result while Enterprise won their game against Smith Memorial via a walkover.

J.E. Burnham were also winners on the day thanks to Immanuel Lewis’ 18th minute goal which broke the hearts of the St Stephen’s fans.

North Georgetown also registered a 2-1 win over Redeemer, with George Primo’s double in the 5th and 25th minutes overcoming Nicolas Watts’ 15th minute strike.

Matches continue next weekend.

This Delano Williams photo captures this youngster as he focusses on the ball during the 2019 COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament.

Ali leads Mahdia into tapeball cricket final at Heritage Games … Swan sends defending softball champions home

Swan cricket team celebrate knocking out defending champions St. Cuthbert’s Mission.

AN aggressive half-century from University of Guyana cricketer Ershaad Ali, propelled Mahdia into the final of the Tapeball competition, while in female softball, defending champions St. Cuthbert’s Mission were knocked out by Swan in quarter final action on Day Two of the three-day Heritage Games celebration currently underway at the Everest Cricket Club.

Region Two batted first against Mahdia and posted 80-9 with Sylvian Williams leading the attack with 26 (3X6s, 1X4). After the opener fell, only a fighting 21 from middle order batsman Rovie Harris trouble the scorer.

Ali, Richardo Poloram and Omesh Danram finished with two wickets each for the Region Eight team.

In reply, Alli was ultra-aggressive as he belted seven sixes in a top score of 57.

He was particularly destructive in the third over when he belted Patel Persaud for a massive 34 runs (five sixes and a four).

The Region Two side then made some inroads as four wickets fell in quick time, but the damage was already done as Mahdia registered a six-wicket win in 6.1 overs.

At the same time as the male match, the females were batting in a keen softball clash, in the end Swan were able to defeat the 2018 champions by 27 runs.

Swan batted first and scored 83-4 with Temica Wilson hitting three fours in a top score of 32. Abigail Scott added 23.

In reply, St. Cuthbert’s Mission lost wickets at regular intervals and their batters failed to make big shots, which left them on 56-6 when the overs ended.

Today both softball and tapeball will conclude at the same venue.

Defending male champions win on penalties in Heritage football –– Kamarang females advance to final

DEFENDING male champions of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Heritage Games Guyana Rush Saints advanced to the semi-finals of the Heritage Games Football competition after a 4-2 penalty victory against Hururu (Region 10) Panthers yesterday afternoon at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

The Region Nine team, will meet Moruca in the semi-finals this morning. Last night Kako and Sipurata were slated to battle in the first semi-finals. The winners from both clashes are expected to meet in the final tonight from 20:30h.

Meanwhile, Kamarang stormed into the female finals last night with a 4-1 win over Seebai, they will await the winners of the Pariuma and

Paiwomak clash this morning at the same venue.

Pariuma are the defending female champions.

In their quarter-final male clash yesterday afternoon the two teams battled hard for the regulation 70 minutes and when no goals were scored, the took to the field for an additional 15 minutes (7 ½ per half).

Afterwards penalty kicks decided their faith.

Rush Saints scored first off the boot of experience footballer Franklyn Parks.

Hururu were however placed on the backfoot when Kessie DaSilva saved a shot from the boot of Aloisius Edwards.

The Region 10 team never recovered, as Brandon Parks, Joe McDonald and Mark Joseph fired in shots.

At the other end, Denny

Junior and Ryan Andries converted, but Glenton Lyte skied his shot over the crossbar.

Meanwhile volleyball action served off with battles in both male and female divisions. Some 11 male teams, including last year’s winners Mabaruma Spartans and runners up Bartica are in the mix and both stormed to victory on the opening day.

In the female division the GT Kanaimas looked sharp with their opening victory, but also looking solid are defending champions Region One. Captain of the side Annalisa Vincent said that the team intends to keep dominating the event and will work hard to retain their title.

Archery has also commenced and will move into the semi-final and final this morning at the same venue.

Only four of the five penalty scorers were needed for the Guyana Rush Saints.

Region One three-peat in swimming at Heritage Games

Region One’s coach Steve La Rose (second from left) collects the championship trophy from Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe. (Faizool Deo photos)

By Faizool Deo REGION One solidified their dominance in the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Heritage Games, by repeating as swimming champions for the third consecutive year, yesterday, at the National Aquatic Centre.

After 24 events, the Steve La Rose-coached side had amassed 282 points, over a hundred more than second-place finishers Region Two, who ended with 177.

Former national swimmer La Rose said that the dominance by his swimmers was due to their hard work and consistency in

The three sisters from Kabakaburi in Region Two dominated the oldest age group. From left to right: Lavon, Nakesha and Lavona.

the water.

The retired teacher, who has been instrumental in teaching swimming in Moruca, said that all the swimmers were focussed on retaining the title.

Region Three finished third on 68 points, with Region Five on 62 points.

First-timers Region Seven with only two swimmers (Lisa and Saskia Ramraj) finished fifth after amassing 39 points, while Region Nine, who also had two swimmers (national swimmer Coleen Stephen and Josh Xavier), placed sixth

See page 32

GBA writes Government, GOA on Olympic Qualifiers preparation THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has started early canvassing for support to prepare a team for next year’s Olympic Qualifiers and to send one to the Caribbean Championship.

GBA last week dispatched letters to the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) outlining its intention to send a four-man team to the Olympic Qualifiers set for March 26 to April 3 in Argentina.

In the letter to the GOA, seen by Chronicle Sport, GBA president Steve Ninvalle declared that there must be a genuinely serious approach to preparation of athletes if the country is to claim medals at major international competitions.

“The Qualifier for the Americas will be held in Buenos Aries, Argentina from

GBA president Steve Ninvalle March 26 to April 3, 2020 and we cannot overstate the importance of Guyana’s participation at this event, which is included in our four-year programme.

The GBA also shares the widely embraced view that boxing is still Guyana’s best

chance at gaining a medal at the Olympics. However, there must be a genuinely serious approach to the preparation of athletes in order for that view to become reality.

With this in mind, GBA is now requesting that you explore the possibility of funding for overseas preparation of the boxers through the Olympic Solidarity, Pan American Sport Organisation and the GOA. “Sir, it is only apposite that if we call on our boxers to compete against the best in the world with any measure of success, then we should provide the tools that will allow them to participate competitively.

“After careful deliberation our Coaches Commission recommended a two-month preparation stint at the High Performance National Centre in Girardo Cordoba Cardin, Cuba

or any other suitable location, for the four boxers. There they will be exposed to a wealth of sparring partners, techniques, appropriate equipment and will rub shoulders on a daily basis with some of the best fighters in the world.” Ninvalle wrote A similar letter was dispatched to the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones. According to Ninvalle, GOA president K. Juman-Yassin gave his usual prompt reply and has since been advising the association on the way forward.

“To put it mildly we are encouraged by the response from the GOA president who has always been supportive of our efforts.

“It is because of Mr Yassin that Keevin Allicock could have prepared in Cuba for the Pan Am Games and brought us so close to a medal,” Ninvalle said.

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GOA president K. Juman-Yassin Both Yassin and Jones were furnished with a budget for the overseas preparation for the Olympic Qualifiers.

In addition, Ninvalle warned that Guyana will obviously relinquish the Caribbean Crown if it fields a small team to the Caribbean

Championships to be held in Trinidad and Tobago from December 6 to 9.

“This year Guyana will be going for a double. Last year we won the Senior and Junior Caribbean Championships.

This year we have already retained the Juniors (Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors). We will have to send a team of at least 16 boxers if we are to retain the senior Caribbean title that we worked so hard to achieve,” Ninvalle stated.

The GBA head, who is also vice-president of the Americas Boxing Confederation, noted that Barbados has already registered a team of 20 while the host nation will have no less than a 30-man strong team. Guyana will select a squad following the Terrence Alli National Open, scheduled for next monthend.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2019