Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_02_11_2020

TUESDAY 11th February, 2020

' No.105907

Local content policy completed PAGE

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…to be available for public scrutiny later this week

‘Residency not required for voting’ …Court of Appeal rules; AG signals move to CCJ PAGE

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Linden erects monument to remember protesters killed during PPP rule …Mayor Arrindell, others say wounds still fresh

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Integrity Commission maintains Jagdeo, Irfaan in default …defends publishing names, says action within legal framework of body

President David Granger on Monday received a courtesy call from members of the Council for World Mission (CWM), at State House.

The Head of State told the visiting delegation, which included, Rev Dr Collin Cowan, General Secretary; Rev Wayne Hawkins, Deputy General Secretary; Mrs Rose Wedderburn, Board Director and Mr John Ellis, Treasurer, that he was pleased with the work the Mission has done in Guyana. The President said the role of the church must not be taken lightly while adding that the Congregational churches in Guyana have played a historical role in education. The visiting delegation was accompanied by Rev. Valeska Austin, Chairman of the Guyana Congregational Union (GCU) and Rev. Keith Haley, General Secretary, of the GCU. The GCU is a member of the CWM.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

‘Residency not required for voting’ ... Court of Appeal rules, as AG signals move to CCJ

By Svetlana Marshall THE Court of Appeal on Monday ruled that residency is not a requirement for voting in Guyana, thereby upholding the 2019 decision of the High Court to block the removal of persons from the National Register of Registrants Data Base (NRDB), particularly those residing overseas.

The unanimous decision was handed down by a panel of three judges led by Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, who had filed the partial appeal in the case brought against Christopher Ram, the Chief Elections Officer, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Guyana Bar Association (Amicus Curiae), has vowed to challenge the ruling at Guyana’s highest court of appeal, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Justice Cummings-Edwards, in handing down the judgment before a packed court, said Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution stipulate the qualification and disqualifications for electors.

According to the Constitution, “To become eligible for voting, one must first be registered, but in doing so, he or she must be a citizen of Guyana, 18 years or older, or a citizen of the Commonwealth, who has been resident in the country for at least a year. A person certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind is not qualified to be registered, in addition to those who would have been convicted by a court of any offence connected with elections or found guilty of an offence by the High Court in proceedings under Article 163.”

Justice Cummings-Edwards said the Constitution is clear, and as such, there is no other requirement for registration and ultimately

voting as an elector.

NOT A QUALIFICATION “When one reads Article 59 together with Article 159, it is clear that additional residency is not a qualification to vote,” the Chancellor said.

Justice Cummings-Edwards said that Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire was correct in her decision.

“There is no need to introduce an additional requirement of residency, when residency has been established for registration process, which process would have led to the National Register and the subsequent List of Electors.

Thus it is our finding that the provisions in Article 159 of the Constitution, being in absolute terms, do not import an additional requirement of residency for Guyanese citizens,” Justice Cummings-Edwards said, adding: “A citizenship of a country must carry some priv-

ilege, and voting seems to be one of such privileges attached to the citizen.”

Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud, in his deliberation, said that while Article 65 of the 1966 Constitution

residency requirement for Commonwealth Citizens in Guyana was maintained, despite amendments to the Constitution. Article 159 states: “(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal of Affairs, Basil Williams speaking to journalists outside of the Court of Appeal on Monday

of Guyana and Article 65 of the 1970 Constitution of Guyana included residency as a requirement in order to be registered as an elector, Article 159 of the revised Constitution does not include such a requirement. “It was specifically removed,” he told the parties involved in the matter, explaining that the removal of the residency requirement was as a result of the changing historical, political and economic realities confronting Guyana at the time.

KEEN TO NOTE Justice Persaud was keen on pointing out that by virtue of Article 159 (2) (b), the

(3) and (4), a person shall be qualified to be registered as an elector for elections if, and shall not be so qualified unless, on the qualifying date, he or she is of the age of eighteen years or upwards and either – (b) is a Commonwealth citizen who is not a citizen of Guyana and who is domiciled and resident in Guyana and has been so resident for a period of one year immediately preceding the qualifying date…”

On that basis, the Appellate Judge said it is clear that the issue of residency requirement did not escape the attention of the drafters of the Constitution, as posit-

ed by the Attorney-General.

In his bid to prove his case, the Attorney- General, backed by Solicitor-General Nigel Hawke and a battery of lawyers, had submitted to the Appellate Court that the residency requirement for voting in Guyana was reinstituted in 1991.

A NECESSARY REQUIREMENT He had argued that by virtue of Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 1991, the residency requirement for voting in Guyana was reinstituted, and became a necessary requirement to qualify to be an elector.

Article 159 2(a) of the Constitution, he maintained, was amended to include the residency requirement.

But Justice Persaud, in handing down the judgment, said the Attorney-General’s reliance on the Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 1991 was wholly misplaced and contentious. The arguments that were put forward, the judge emphasised, were fundamentally flawed. “The Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 1991 must be viewed in the context of the ongoing electoral reforms, which preceded the 1992 National and Regional Elections in Guyana,” Justice Persaud said, while explaining that the Elections Constitution, between 1990 and 1992, was postponed as a result of a political agreement facilitated by a Carter Center Mission in Guyana at the time. It was noted that the Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 1991 came out of that reform process.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Local content policy completed

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…to be available for public scrutiny later this week

GUYANA’s Local Content Policy has been completed by the Department of Energy (DE) and will be made available for public scrutiny in the coming days.

DE Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe said, on Monday, that the policy, which zeroes in on education, inclusion and the advancement of Guyanese, will first be reviewed by members of the government before publication in the media.

“It now is actually a deliverable and we will be working with the Press and Publicity Office to ensure that each media house gets a copy of this local content policy,” Dr. Bynoe said at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Press Room.

Asked what Guyanese can expect from the policy, he disclosed that operators will be requested to provide an annual procurement plan ahead of schedule so that Guyanese contractors can position themselves, in advance, to benefit. “We have asked and we are working with the operators not to be providing just annualized plans but to be providing a programmatic approach so that one is able to see precisely where, on an annualized basis, we are headed,” he stated.

“Also, within the local content policy, one of the things that we have stressed very strong is for them to provide us --- along with the plan --- an annual procurement plan so

Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Bynoe holds up a copy of Guyana’s completed Local Content Policy (Adrian Narine photos)

Guyanese suppliers will know precisely what is expected and when it is expected so that they can better position themselves to be able to access these opportunities as they present

‘Residency not required ...

FROM PAGE

SUNSET LEGISLATION Justice Persaud said that from all indications, the Act was not a permanent one as argued by the Attorney-General.

On this note, the judge agreed with Ram’s Attorney, Anil Nandlall, that the Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 1991 was a sunset legislation, meaning that the measure within it ceased to have effect after a specific period. “It is clear, to my mind, that Act No. 4 was essentially and effectively a piece of ‘sunset legislation’.

Such legislation, which has its origins in Roman law, has its purpose of allowing the legislature to institute a law when change, government action, or particular legal structure is required in a timely manner,” he explained. The Appellate Judge noted that the provisions of a ‘sunset legislation’ are terminated at the expiration of a specified period. The Attorney-General had argued that there was no expiration date attached to the Constitution (Amendment) Act, but Justice Persaud ruled to the contrary.

“To my mind, the Act served its purpose, and is no longer effectual or operational,” he said, while noting that the arguments put in favour of the appellate lack merit.

Justice Persaud also upheld the decision of the High

Court that it would be unlawful to remove a registrant from the NRRDB, because he or

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall (Photos by Adrian Narine)

she may not have been present during a House-to-House exercise. “Section 3 of the Elections Law Act provides for the process of registration of electors in their respective division. There is simply no provision for the exclusion of citizens who are residing overseas, or generally out of their district,” Justice Persaud said. He further explained that a person’s name could only be removed from the NRRDB, if he or she is no longer qualified to be on that list.

CALLS TO DECLINE

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JURISDICTION Before addressing the substantive issue of residency, Justice Persaud had rejected calls made by Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran for the Appellate Court to decline jurisdiction and or delay judgment in the case, due to the upcoming General and Regional Elections. Ramkarran, on behalf of his client, Christopher Ram, had argued that the case should have been brought before the Court by way of an Election Petition, and not a Fixed Date Application (FDA).

However, it was explained that while Article 163 of the Constitution grants the High Court exclusive jurisdiction for the treatment of questions relative to the election of Members to the National Assembly, the FDA predated President David

themselves.”

The policy is meant to outline the guidelines by which local content will be understood, developed, measured, secured and implemented in Guyana.

The policy is themed: “Guyana Petroleum Sector: Realising Local Content Benefits and Value Retention from Guyana’s Petroleum Resources’ It takes into consideration the urgent Guyana’s need for the optimisation of the revenues completed Local received from oil to benefit the Guya- Content Policy at closer view nese economy and citizens present and future. The DE Director also stated that working with operators to commence reportthe policy remains “fit-for-purpose” which ing on local content performance in accormeans that there will be a continuous review dance with the policy. Over 1,900 Guyanese to ensure that the Government’s position in are directly employed within the petroleum all aspects of managing the country’s petro- sector by its operators and contractors with leum resources remain up-to-date. “It offers a 75 per cent of these persons from the skills balanced alignment between the Government and professional categories. of Guyana’s policy goals whilst maintaining They come mainly from Regions Three, consistency with Guyana’s international and Four and Six, while over 750 Guyanese Regional trade and economic corporation vendors have been engaged and over $120 obligations,” he explained. “It stimulates million spent in the fourth quarter of 2019. efficiency and cost benefits to the oil and gas Local content, in the context of Guyana, is sector and enhances alignment with good the sum of input of local goods and services industry standards in the petroleum sector. It including employment across the oil and also promotes world-class capacity enhance- gas value chain. It is intended to ensure the ment and high quality governance in key state education, inclusion and advancement of as institutions.” many as possible in the value chain of the Dr. Bynoe said that the DE has been oil and gas industry.

Granger’s proclamation for the holding of General and Regional Elections. Justice Persaud said that it was for that reason that he saw no reason why the Appellate Court should decline jurisdiction.

The Chancellor had offered a similar line of reasoning.

“As a consequence, and perhaps more importantly, I see no impediment, constitutional jurisdiction, notional or otherwise to this court engaging in its statutory duty pursuant to the provisions of the Court of Appeal Act,” the Appellate Judge said as he declined to accede to the calls made by Ramkarran.

FULLY ENDORSED Justice Dawn Gregory, who formed part of the panel of three judges, fully endorsed the decision of both Justice Persaud and the Chancellor, Justice Cummings-Edwards.

Notably, Anne Marlbor-

ough, a Legal Analyst attached to the Carter Center, an International Election Observation Mission, was among diplomats present during the delivery of the judgment. Retired Justice Cecil Kennard was also present.

Meanwhile, outside of the Court of Appeal, the Attorney-General made it known that Monday’s ruling will be challenged at the CCJ. He said that removing residency as a requirement would result in a bloated NRRDB,

and by extension a bloated List of Electors. “Why would you introduce the 1991 Constitution (Amendment) Act, and include residency. If it was good then, why it is not good now. Once registered; always registered. It means by the next election, the list will be greater than the population,” the Attorney-General said as he held fast to his position that the amended Constitution was not a ‘sunset legislation’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Equifax: US charges four Chinese military officers over huge hack (BBC) The US has charged four Chinese military officers over the huge cyber-attack on credit rating giant Equifax.

More than 147 million Americans were affected in 2017 when hackers stole sensitive personal data including

names and addresses.

Some UK and Canadian customers were also affected.

Announcing the indictments, Attorney General William Barr called the hack “one of the largest data breaches in history”.

According to court docu-

ments, the four are allegedly members of the People’s Liberation Army’s 54th Research Institute, a component of the Chinese military.

They spent weeks in the company’s system, breaking into security networks and stealing personal data, the documents said.

The nine-count indictment also accuses the group of stealing trade secrets including data compilation and database designs.

The whereabouts of the suspects is unknown and it is highly unlikely that they will

stand trial in the US. FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich said: “We can’t take them into custody, try them in a court of law, and lock them up - not today, anyway.”

What happened in 2017?

Equifax said hackers accessed the information between mid-May and the end of July 2017 when the company discovered the breach.

The accused allegedly routed traffic through 34 servers in nearly 20 countries to try and hide their true location.

The credit rating firm holds data on more than 820 million consumers as well as information on 91 million businesses.

On the inside of a hacking catastrophe

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2020 - 05:00HRS

Saturday February 8, 2020

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Mr Bowdich said there was no evidence so far of the data being used to hijack a person’s bank account or credit card.

Equifax CEO Mark Begr said in a statement that the company was grateful for the investigation.

“It is reassuring that our federal law enforcement agencies treat cybercrime especially state-sponsored crime - with the seriousness it deserves.”

Critics have accused the company of failing to take proper steps to guard information and for waiting too long to inform the public about the hack.

Richard Smith, CEO of Equifax at the time of the hacking, resigned a month after the breach. He apologised for the firm’s failings, ahead of testifying in Congress.

Equifax was forced to pay a $700m (£541m) settlement to the Federal Trade Commission.

The US regulator alleged the Atlanta based firm failed to take reasonable steps to secure its network. At least $300m of the settlement went towards paying for identity theft services and other related expenses run up by the victims.

In a statement Mr Barr said: “This was a deliberate and sweeping intrusion into the private information of the American people.

“Today we hold PLA hackers accountable for their criminal actions, and we remind the Chinese government that we have the capability to remove the internet’s cloak of anonymity and find the hackers that nation repeatedly deploys against us.”

China has not yet commented on the charges.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Heavily-armed police and soldiers enter El Salvador parliament

(BBC) Heavily-armed police and soldiers in El Salvador have forced their way into parliament, demanding the approval of a $109m (£85m) loan to better equip them.

They entered the building as President Nayib Bukele was about to address lawmakers. Earlier, he gave them

seven days to back his loan plan.

Opposition politicians called the appearance of armed men in parliament an unprecedented act of intimidation.

El Salvador has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Most of the violence is

carried out by criminal gangs that operate across Central America.

President Bukele took office in June 2019, pledging to tackle the legacy of gang violence and corruption in the impoverished Central American nation.

The 38-year-old leader wants to use the loan to im-

prove the equipment of police and the armed forces in the fight against crime.

In particular, the funds would be used to buy police vehicles, uniforms, surveillance equipment and a helicopter.

But over the weekend, most MPs opted not to sit for a debate over the proposed

bill.

With no quorum in parliament, the president called on his supporters to descend on the parliament building, the BBC’s Central America correspondent Will Grant reports.

About 50,000 pro-government demonstrators turned out.

President Bukele told

them to be back in the streets within a week if MPs did not debate the bill.

His political opponents accused him of threatening them and turning increasingly authoritarian.

Pele: Brazil legend ‘embarrassed’ to leave house because of ill health (BBC) Legendary Brazil forward Pele is reluctant to leave his house because he cannot walk unaided, his son has said.

The three-time World Cup winner, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, was taken to hospital with a urinary infection last

year.

Pele, 79, has had problems with his hip for some time and now needs a frame to walk, with many of his recent public appearances in a wheelchair.

“He is very sheepish, reclusive,” his son Edinho told TV Globo.

Pele scored a world record total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

His health has been a concern in recent years and he had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to

hospital for the second time in six months.

“Imagine, he’s the King, he was always such an imposing figure and today he can’t walk properly,” Edinho explained.

“He’s embarrassed, he doesn’t want to go out, be seen, or do practically any-

thing that involves leaving the house.

“He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or ideal rehabilitation. So he has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression.”

This June marks

the 50th anniversary of Pele’s final World Cup title, won in Mexico with what many believe to be the greatest team of all time.

Al-Rawi: Stiff penalties for Gambling Bill necessary (TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi defended the stiff penalties included in the report on the Gambling, Gaming and Betting Bill 2016 saying the provisions were necessary to strengthen the ability of the police to pursue criminals who may be using casinos to launder cash.

Al-Rawi responded to remarks from Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh during a debate on the Bill at Parliament on Friday who accused the government of “over-criminalising” the report.

Citing reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which suggested a poor regulation of private members clubs and casi-

nos in TT, Al-Rawi said the measures were necessary to ensure the police could properly investigate these institutions.

“They say in relation to recommendations 22 and 28, that we have no supervision for private members clubs, as the IMF says TT is the only country in the world with an economy of our size to have an unsupervised regulatory environment.

“In the Financial Action Task Force and the anti-corruption drive under Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley one of the largest areas, the Financial Action Task Force, produced a written report to say the abuse that can be had for people with the proceeds of cash.

He said in his experi-

ence that there was a lot of room for abuse in unregulated casinos where criminals could benefit from laundering cash.

Al-Rawi also asserted

that due to aggressive legislative measures aimed at cracking down on money laundering, over $36.8 million in cash was seized and 17 cases before the courts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Opportunities in agriculture PRESIDENT David Granger, during the current elections campaign, has been stressing the need for citizens, and especially our youths, to find business opportunities in the agriculture sector and pointed to the agro-processing industry which, he said, is a key element of government’s strategy to ensure food security.

This, he said, will reduce food imports thereby making more local food available in processed form. Moreover, the President said agro-processing has the potential to transform rural and hinterland communities and augment the national product. Food security is now the buzzword across the global community, which has become much more literate about the linkage between food and issues of development. No longer is this term and concept nestled in discourses among erudite agriculture scientists and armchair economists.

It has, correctly, become part of popular discourse and thinking that cut across social class and other social divides. Here in Guyana, thanks mainly to young environmental activists and advocates, our governments have embraced it as both rhetoric and policy.

The World Food Program (WFP) defines food security in the

following way: “People are considered food- secure when they have availability and adequate access at all times to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” It also lists “Food availability “, “Food access” and Food utilization” as pivotal central planks of food security.

As more and more people have been advocating for this country to ‘grow more food’ it is worth reflecting on the extent to which our country meets that test of food security. As a traditional agriculture-based society, we often take food availability for granted.

This is understandable given the relatively high production of food here compared to other countries across the globe. We are blessed with lots of land and water which are key ingredients for food production. Thus, despite declines in some areas of production, we have ostensibly continued to produce enough food for local consumption and trade.

But food production is only part of food security. Do Guyanese have adequate access to food and if they do, is that food nutritious enough to lead to proper health.

Many in the poorer classes of our society would argue that adequate access to food is dependent on

their financial capacity to access those foods. Given the relatively high rate of poverty that still exists in Guyana, it is fair to conclude that this must be an area of food security that should be targeted by government.

Those who produce the food we consume would also have something to say about food security. In a rapidly changing world where powerful governments subsidise agriculture in their countries, does our government do enough in that area? Does the government even have the financial capacity to adequately meet that challenge?

These and other related questions must be pondered by the government as it attempts to reshape our agricultural thrust to meet the demands of the new technological age.

We know of the negative impact of globalisation on small, local agriculture-based economies such as ours. It is now cheaper to import some foods into countries such as Guyana, than to produce them locally. This has been a negative development for us as far as local farmers are concerned. How the government gets around this thorny issue is yet to be seen, but it is one that must be confronted.

Cheap, imported food has not

improved access by poor communities, but it has sadly contributed to the utilisation of sub-standard food. Mass-production of food has severely hampered food security.

Of course, local food production would be enhanced by the expansion of manufacturing initiatives. This has been a troublesome area, as our entrepreneurs have not been as robust in their exploration of this sector. It is another area that cries out for adequate interrogation. The hinterland thrust of the government is welcomed. From all indications, there are vast acreages of land in the hinterland which could be used to produce both traditional and non-traditional foods.

We have always talked about a hinterland agriculture thrust--the Forbes Burnham government made some strides in this regard in the 1960s and 1970s, but these were not sustained. It would help to study these experiments to tease out what worked and what did not.

Even as we think of food security, we cannot escape the sugar industry which has been the bedrock of our agricultural sector. It is a painful process that is pregnant with history, hurt, nostalgia, ethnicity and party politics. Yet, it is a necessity. The government must be

commended for confronting it head-on, risking political capital in the process. We must confront agriculture not just as economics and food production, but as culture. Many in the African Guyanese community, for example, have advocated the return of the Village Economy which was essentially an agriculture-based economy. But they have had to confront the fact that the new generations do not have the same relationship to agriculture as previous ones. Most of the farmlands were abandoned during the previous government, while the limited farming that persisted was hampered by poor infrastructure. Towards this end, the current government programme-- Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) programme-- which targets selected countries, can be seen as a pilot programme that could tell us the extent to which agriculture could again capture the popular imagination.

The $318.6 M Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) project is aimed at fostering additional growth in the agriculture sector.

To date, no one has acknowledged being a classmate of Irfaan’s Dear Editor, THE PPP is no longer the party that Cheddi Jagan of the Political Affairs Committee and, Forbes Burnham of the Guiana Labour Party, founded on January 1, 1950. Just imagine, on January 1, 2020, the PPP would have been in existence for 70 years.

There was no celebration, no commemoration, and no recognition of the party’s founder leader, the party’s achievements, or its ideology.

For this to happen in an election year makes absolutely no sense; in fact, it should be a worrying signal to supporters and members of the PPP. I suspect this has something to do with the disappointment of PPP supporters in

the handpicking of the party’s Presidential Candidate, who is currently before the courts on 19 charges of fraud; who the Canadian Government disallowed from entering their country until his fraud trial in court is complete; and who is unable to prove the authenticity of his undergraduate and postgraduate certificates he claimed he studied for in India.

This situation is rightfully worrying to members and supporters of the PPP, and citizens of Guyana. Why didn’t Mr. Ali complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Guyana? To date, no one has acknowledged being a classmate of Mr. Ali at either the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University of India, nor from

the University of Suderland in the UK where Mr. Ali claimed he received his Bachelor’s degree. This is worrying indeed; it doesn’t send a good example to Guyanese youth neither supporters of the PPP, who voted for more qualified and capable Presidential Candidates.

We have also not heard any mention of one of the party’s founding leaders, Cheddi Jagan during the PPP’s 2020 election campaign, either in campaign material or speeches. It’s not surprising that the PPP continues to lose votes in places like Berbice at every election Guyana has had between 1999-2015; that is during the Presidencies of Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. There also seems to

be a real spilt within the PPP with regards to its current crop of executive leaders and the direction the party continues to head in under the leadership of Bharrat Jagdeo.

Bharrat Jagdeo’s PPP is not the same as Cheddi Jagan’s and Burnham’s PPP, much less Jagan’s PPP. On the one hand, the Jaganites prefer to rebuild the party, focused on and linked to its vision and standards before 1999, a party of working-class Guyanese focused on building genuine unity, not the promotion of divisiveness, political vicitimisation, criminal networks and massive financial corruption. The Jadeoites, on the other hand, seem to think that Bharrat Jagdeo is the supreme leader of the PPP;

the only thing that matters is Apaan Jaat (that is Indian for Indian and African for African/racially divisive politics), and only what he demands must happen.

It is no secret or fake news that the PPP-led Government, under the Presidencies of Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar, all but destroyed this country and everything Cheddi Jagan worked for in the PPP. The plethora of failed projects, financial fraud, Government corruption, extra-judicial killings, involvement with criminal gangs and individuals and, the violence all people’s of this great land experienced from 1999 to 2015 is still fresh for us all.

The party was initially a multi-ethnic party sup-

ported by Guyana’s working and intellectual classes at the time. During this era, Guyanese resisted the British rule of Guyana, we united to the right for self-governance and self-determination after years of slavery and indentured servitude. Sadly, voices of dissent within the party have been muzzled by the Jagdeoties and Mr. Jagdeo himself. And for this reason, the party has suffered tremendous damage, both domestically and internationally.

Regards, Andrew Small

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Irfaan Ali’s degree question resurrected from the dead Dear editor, THIS should have been buried over a year ago, but I suspect the actors were struggling to come up with a believable cause of death. Most Guyanese were eager to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Sadly, that was not forthcoming, so they went along their merry way enjoying the ambiance of the APNU-AFC Government infrastructure countrywide developments.

Then, just like it disappeared, it reappeared. The medium on this occasion was not the Prime News, but rather the High Courts. It was plastered all over the major dailies; some reluctantly. If I were an editor, this would have been the headline, “Irfaan Ali’s degree questions resurrected from the dead”.

You see, I am more for the eyecatching and the outrageous.

To get a flavour of the mood of the locals, I ventured into, with much trepidation, the comments section of the Stabroek News, since the other dailies’ comments sections are sparsely utilised by the readers, for reasons unknown to me. As I read the comments, with bulging eyes and regular gulps of air, I started to wonder if we had imported Donald Trump’s anencephalic sup-

porters. The common theme running through most, if not all, of the comments is that this is not a big issue like it is being made out to be. Mind you, the language used was impregnated with poor grammar, atrocious spelling, and Guyanese rural area vernacular, hence I distressingly concluded that this cohort is not Harvard University scholar material.

One of the characters articulated, with more stupidity, that it is the last desperate act of the APNU-AFC before they lose the upcoming elections. I was tempted to request his poll, but then better sense prevailed, recognising that he is likely from a lower “IQ”.

The said gentleman probably missed the memo on Irfaan’s first degree from a non-existent Business College of West Demerara, or more likely he has no reading skills.

Then there was this bloke who I suspected dropped out of school as soon as he learned to say “mama”, who fallaciously argued that soon, lying about your age would be a crime.

Yes, young man, it is; just go misrepresenting your age in a court of law with the intent to mislead, and you will find out.

Among all the cretinous and laborious comments was one from a young man who correct-

ly stated that lying about your academic credentials would result in your being deselected as a Presidential Candidate in most political parties except the PPP. Clearly, Dr. Franklyn Anthony has been reading my letters. Let me explain, if it is at all possible, to those irrational characters why academic fraud should not be taken lightly.

Imagine taking your child to the hospital where she was diagnosed with appendicitis.

Your normally jubilant daughter was transferred from A&E to operating theatre. You were assured, Bob Marley-style, that everything is going to be all right. Two hours later, a tearful nurse informs you that your daughter died, tragically.

The surgeon inexplicably damaged a blood vessel, and your daughter bled to death. Further investigations excruciatingly unearthed that he’d faked his medical degree which unfortunately was not picked up during his 20-year employment by the hospital. Was this gentleman faking his medical degree not a big issue?

Now, let’s say your husband was wrongfully charged for murder. You knew that your husband was innocent; very innocent, I must add. You paid a lawyer to defend your husband, who had already spent

three years on remand. The case was finally called up, much to your relief. It took three months to be completed, and to your horror, your husband was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. You knew something went wrong, so you spend the next ten years investigating the matter. Disturbingly, you agonisingly discovered that the lawyer had faked his qualifications. Your husband succeeded in securing a retrial, but it took two additional years. In total he spent 15 years behind bars before he was finally released.

As a result, he missed his children’s high school and university graduations; he missed lots of major events with his children. Was the lawyer faking his qualifications not a big issue?

Finally, you owned a multi-million-dollar family business with a staff of thirty.

You have a wonderful accountant who is always prompt at work and the last to leave. After 10 years, the GRA contacted you about outstanding taxes.

On investigation, you discovered that your loyal accountant was anything but loyal. Akin to Chris Brown’s smash hit, “these accountants ain’t loyal.”

Your disloyal accountant was not paying the tax as he should have. Actually, he’d stolen the monies. Further investigation

revealed that he is a fraudster who faked his accounting degree, since he dropped out of university. Because of the amount owed to the GRA, you had to take out a loan, dissolve your business, and sell the property to pay your outstanding tax. Your thirty employees were all made redundant. Was the accountant faking his degree not a big issue?

I can go on and on, but I trust those who are defending Irfaan Ali faking his degree gets the point. Academic fraud and plagiarism are taken seriously by all universities around the world. When I did my dissertation for my Master’s, my academic work and that of other students were analysed by computers to check for plagiarism. Found guilty, and we would have been expelled from the university. To fake one’s qualifications is a criminal offence for obvious reasons. When someone claims that they are qualified for a job when they are not, it can cause irreparable harm to others. If we can revisit the third case to emphasise two points, you will see that it highlighted dishonesty on two levels. First, the “accountant” was dishonest about his qualifications, then he was dishonest with the company’s finances. This is another

issue about academic fraud that cannot be ignored. Those who commit academic fraud are more likely to be dishonest in other areas. These are just some of the issues of academic fraud that should not be taken lightly.

Most Guyanese recognise this fact, hence it is not being put to rest.

It is without a doubt that Irfaan Ali allegedly committed academic fraud with at least his first degree from the non-existent Business College of West Demerara.

The evidence supports the fact that he is likely to be dishonest in other areas. If you do trust him, that is clearly your right and you can employ him to manage your mini-supermarket. I tell you this, most right-minded Guyanese would not trust him to manage the US$multibillion oil sector. Placed to manage the oil-and-gas sector, and I can guarantee you that he will do much more than build a mansion in two years.

And, shockingly, we haven’t even touched his 19 criminal charges as yet.

Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS

Shuman is about political power rather than development for Guyana, inclusive of Indigenous communities Dear Editor,

LENNOX Shuman is an ambitious young Guyanese with political aspirations, which has been taken to its officially-announced level, with the formation of his Liberty and Justice Party (LJP). But he is arrogant, as is clearly displayed by statements publicly made some time ago, when he said that if Amerindians do not get what they should have, there would be a political cost of political support. Also, he would have been known to criticise the coalition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, for allegedly not doing enough for Indigenous peoples. This was a call to political opportunism, since it was clear that he was making a pitch for leadership, issuing state-

ments about socio-economic development for his Indigenous brethren from a purely uninformed position, because of absence from Guyana, although he had served as Toshao of his community for a period.

What Shuman perhaps did not understand, or perhaps not realise, was that the Hinterland Development Strategy, deployed throughout Indigenous communities since 2015, had begun to bring about impacting changes that were removing this segment of the Guyanese nation from its subsistence level of dependency to a gradual level of self-sustainability through a multi-pronged programme of empowerment of Indigenous women; bringing economic projects to communities for providing citizens with employment opportunities of a self-sustainability nature, for

themselves and communities; the opening of skills training centres that have attracted scores of Indigenous youths, many of whom would have since graduated to their own businesses; ICT facilities, and radio communications which today have facilitated a better informed Indigenous people and their communities, but which have also been reducing the mental distance between hinterland and coastland.

Billions have been spent on vital infrastructure such as roads and bridges, providing for better inter-connectivity among hinterland communities, while fostering economic activity; electrification; building of more schools and health centres, that have been moving the nation’s largest geographic space from its traditional backwater, into the highway

of modern development; and the upgrading of scores of aerodromes. And there is more to sing the praises of the coalition’s socio-economic development programmes, in the form of gushing commendations from Indigenous community leaders, who continue to hail the marked development progress being experienced within their regions, compliments of the coalition government.

But fast forward to Shuman’s candidature as presidential nominee for his party, apparently finally settled with GECOM, and his statement about preventing either of the two larger parties from gaining a parliamentary majority. Does one detect a subtle hint here of garnering votes from Indigenous communities because of mere ethnic identification? In asking this question, one must

have discerned Shuman’s silence on criticising the government, simply because of what it would have done for hinterland communities and Indigenous Peoples, what no other administration prior, had ever done for these well deserving people. And this would have also included the right to making their own communal decision, especially with regards their Village Improvement Plans, a right denied them by the former PPP/C. Of course, it is Shuman’s right to dream big on the national political stage, but where is his programme for the hinterland, especially, and by extension, Guyana? He must say, in quite clear terms, what different can he do for Indigenous Peoples and their hinterland communities that the ‘Coalition’ has not done, as well as how

does he tie it in with the whole of national development.

Mr. Shuman must be reminded, as well as all the other parties and their leaders, inclusive of the PPP/C, that it is one thing to aspire to, and gain, political power; but, the biggest challenge is always the vision to utilize this most potent of personal acquisitions: whether for selfish and criminal ends like the PPP/C had done for its over two decades of office; or for the benefit and whole of the nation and people, irrespective of ethnicity/race and political affiliation, such as what the APNU+AFC government has overwhelmingly proven, in just over four years of being entrusted with the mandate to govern.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

David Arthur Granger: The best, most qualified candidate; most viable option for re-election

Dear Editor, I HAVE worked for His Excellency the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Brigadier David Arthur Granger, in the capacity of Regional Councillor at Upper Demerara Berbice. Since in Opposition, and for the past years, he is a humble character, who has always brought his ardent chess skills to the political arena, continuing to mesmerise the public with great ideas and vision.

Guyana is at a critical juncture of its development, as we see His Excellency lay out the Decade of Development. We cannot allow ourselves to return to the state we were in prior to 2015. The

President has since ensured that the focal point of his administration is the education sector, ensuring that it is well financed, and that the personnel is in place to move the sector forward.

Through consultation with the Administration of the Cyril Potter College of Education, His Excellency has ensured that they have a spanking new G$51M science laboratory, with support from the Chinese Government. This new addition is expected to ensure that the highest quality of educators are produced from the institution. He made it clear that for us to move seamlessly into technological development, our teachers must first be

properly trained and given the tools needed for success.

It is with his vision, that we have reconfigured the education system, having our highest budgetary allocation in the history of Guyana at G$52.2B in 2019; spending over G$150B since being elected. With the main interests of the sector being improved infrastructure, upgrading of facilities, advancements through Information and Communication Technology, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and robotics, just to name a few.

The restructuring of the Automatic Promotion Policy has been initiated; a policy that was not properly crafted

by the previous administration, allowing for low matriculation rates across the country. There has been Curriculum recrafting taking place for the first time since the 1970s, critical areas of the sector that needed decisive leadership, to ensure Guyanese are given a quality education.

It is always fun to remember the story of the Five B’s initiative; the President was offered by his friend a birthday gift of his choice; and he, without hesitation, stated, he would like to have, Buses, Bicycles, Breakfast, Boots, Bookbags, Boats for the children that found it difficult to attend school; surely His Excellency could have opted for

a fancy vehicle for himself, but that is the character of this humble gentleman.

Studies have shown that it is this initiative that has ensured the significant decline of dropouts, and the students are in school on time. Parents have been able to save in excess of G$30,000 a month per child, through the initiative of our Brigadier.

These policies have led us to achieve the highest pass rate in the Caribbean at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations at over 70 per cent; with the highest pass rates of English Language and Mathematics in the history of Guyana.

As we go to the polls on 2nd March, 2020; I, Doug-

las Charles Gittens, hereby endorse His Excellency, Brigadier David Arthur Granger, the best, most qualified candidate, most viable option for reelection as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, a man of class, integrity, respectability, accountability and quality leadership.

Regards, Douglas Charles Gittens Candidate Geographic List of Candidates A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change Upper Demerara Berbice

Withstanding aggressive crusaders re-writing history Dear Editor, I WAS in the village of Eccles on the East Bank Demerara over the weekend and heard from more than one resident that at a PPP/Civic Rally in the said community, speaker after speaker attacked the ‘Coalition’ for allegedly mismanaging our country.

In the nature of things, that is the right and expecta-

tion of political parties during an election campaign.

I have no difficulty with such spirited rhetoric, but when the PPP speakers, as they did at Eccles, attempt to diminish the role I played in the social and political development of Guyana, they have certainly gone beyond the boundary. One speaker even went so far as to say that as Former Prime Minister who,

on several occasions carried out the duties of President, that that person ought not to be in receipt of a pension.

Everywhere in the civilised world, individuals who served at a high level of Government are granted a pension. The danger of such reckless utterances is that our young people and those who are voting for the first time, may be influenced by such

one-sided and unjustified statements made in public.

Young voters and those with short memories, listening to what was said at Eccles may ignore the mayhem and madness engineered by the PPP whenever they were in Government. The PPP forgot to mention that during their recent tenure, due to their roaming death squads, Police deaths increased by an astronomical one thousand (1000%) percent. Yes, one thousand (1,000%) percent.

For example, recall, the circumstances of the deaths of Superintendent Leon Fraser, 2002, ambushed and shot dead at Yarrowkabra, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Sergeant Harry Kooseram, 2002, shot at Strathspey Public Road, East Coast Demerara, Constable Rayon Roberts, 2003, shot and killed in Bent Street, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakier, 2008, shot and killed in the Bartica Massacre and Constable Baldat Becramsingh, 2010, shot and killed at Lamaha Springs, La Penitence, Georgetown.

These among others lost

their lives, compliment of the infamous Phantom Squad, the brainchild of the PPP Minister of Home Affairs. I recall, bodies of PNC supporters fished out from the Mahaicony Creek, after being killed by home-grown Terrorists.

Recall, PPP activist, who had his hands blown off while transporting a bomb in West Demerara. Earlier, we must not forget the bombing of the Sun Chapman, July 6, 1964, in the Demerara River, which took the lives of forty-three PNC known supporters who were on their way to their homes in the Linden Community. Of course, we had faeces thrown in the face of Freddie Kissoon for speaking out against the atrocities of the PPP. Mark Benschop was incarcerated for exposing the calumny of the PPP regime. Ronald Waddle, Minister Sash Sawh, Courtney Crum-Ewing’s lives were all snuffed out because they dared to oppose position taken by the PPP Top Brass.

These are mere samples of the destruction and distrust

that descended on our Nation as a result of the People’s Progressive Party being in office.

The above are all verifiable and sound recorded in the book “Pain to Peace,” 1953 – 1964. It is clear that the PPP speakers on the campaign trail have adopted the philosophy of Paul Joseph Goebbels, Adolph Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda during the horrible Nazi regime in Germany, who believed that if you repeat the most absurd and inaccurate of Statements, often enough, it will soon be accepted as gospel truth. Today, our greatest challenge is for citizens to withstand the aggressive crusaders who are re-writing history and have become experts on oil and gas, all intended to be smirched with character of our President and the Leadership of the Coalition.

Regards, Hamilton Green

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Police pull out of Berbice River standoff --leaving barricade to whims and fancies of disenchanted BCGI employees THE police that were stationed at Ladernsville, where workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) are vigilantly guarding a blockade across the Berbice River, are said to have been removed from the area.

Workers report that while the police continue to visit from time to time, they are steadfast in their demand that the company either decides to negotiate with their Union or leave the country. BCGI is a subsidiary of Russian aluminum giant, RUSAL. The workers are maintaining the barricade across the river so as to prevent the company from removing any more equipment or materials from its Kurubuka Mines.

“Desperate situations call for desperate measures, and our measure will remain in place until they either decide to change their attitude and come to the table effortlessly, or they go their way. We don’t intend to have them around any longer,” Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) Secretary, Leslie Junor told the Guyana Chronicle.

The workers have been blocking the river since the company laid off 142 of them

on January 23. The company has since officially fired 326 more of its employees, and suspended its operations altogether. Nonetheless the company continues to lobby for the unblocking of the river.

Last Thursday, the workers clashed with residents when they tried to remove the barricade. The workers, with the support of residents in surrounding communities, are vigilantly guarding the blockade.

“We are maintaining our

Efforts are being made. People have recognized how far RUSAL has pushed their workers to cause this to happen at this moment.”

The employees believe the company simply wants the river unblocked so it can remove its remaining machinery and bauxite at the mines. Last week the company shipped a number of machines out of Guyana, according to reports from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

just breaching the laws, exploiting workers, not honouring timed documents,” he said. “They just do things to get persons to produce, and when they are finished, they lay you off. It’s like they’re treating us like dogs. When you have food, you call us; when you don’t have food you chase us,” he added.

RUSAL, through BCGI, began operating in Guyana in 2004. However, relations with its Guyanese employees first became contentious in

Police earlier clashed with BCGI/RUSAL workers at Ladernsville, where workers are blocking the river

BCGI workers have blocked a section of the Berbice River so as to get the company to listen to their grievances

positions, and it will remain so until there is positive results,” Junor said, adding: “So far, we are satisfied with the way things are going.

Junor said that the company has, over the years, been disrespectful and very dishonest to workers.

“We are tired of them

2009, when over 50 workers were fired. To this day, employees consider that situation still unresolved.

That year, the company

also stopped recognising and negotiating with the Union.

Recognition was restored in 2019, as part of a resumption agreement, following four weeks of strike action by employees.

Since then, the company and the employees Union have still been at loggerheads over agreements on salary increases.

Notwithstanding the workers being fired, GBGWU General Secretary Lincoln Lewis says a salary agreement still needs to be

arrived at and paid retroactively, which would see changes needing to be made to the severance and other benefit payments made to workers.

“I believe that the Authority are clear in their mind as to what the workers are about. More so, they are conscious that this is a matter of national character that borders on the raping of our national sovereignty,” Lewis said.

22-year-old Shamar Roberts

17-year-old Kevin Freeman

time playing and practising for football and other sports and less time looking for mischief.

With the change in environment, he added, there has also been a change in attitude among the youths in the community.

Minister within the Ministry of Presidency with Responsibility for Youth Affairs stated that, in order for the youths in rural communities like Agricola to blossom, they need to first see a change in their environment and also opportunities for self-development.

“I really love young people and even in communities like Agricola persons had so much to say about Agricola. I came in Agricola, I went first corner, second corner, third corner, I

talk with them in their space in their language, I sit down with them, they need support, they need change in the environment and support in terms of facility,” she stated.

The Minister added that, she has spoken with a coach in the area who has indicated that he will be training young athletes who attend both Primary and Secondary Schools.

The Minister also related that the contractor who was working on fencing the football field indicated that he would be employing a few of the young men who had decided to assist in the rehabilitation of the football field.

Agricola on the rise ~youths defying the odds to change community’s reputation WHENEVER someone speaks of the community of Agricola, he/she automatically thinks of crime and anything negative that comes to mind.

However, two young men, 17-year-old Kevin Freeman, an aspiring soldier and 22-year-old Shamar Roberts, both residents of Agricola, have decided to find work with a contractor who was hired to carry out works on the community’s playfield to make whatever little difference that can be made.

Recently, the Government has embarked on a community developmental project in Agricola which has seen the reconstruction of several internal roads in the area to provide better accessibility to the residents and persons traversing the area.

Besides the works carried out on the roadways, works are currently being done, as stated above, at the community’s playfield to create a safe haven for the youths, especially the young men in the community.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the work site, this publication met two promising young men, who made use of

Kevin Freeman, related that he was looking for work temporarily and decided to render his assistance, since Agricola

Agricola, the two promising young men hard at work at the construction site at the Agricola Football Field

their spare time by rendering their assistance to the carpenters who are currently fencing the playfield to make it more secure for the community.

Speaking with this publication, one of the young men,

is his home.

He added, that most times when people speak of Agricola it’s always something negative.

However, he noted that, many success stories can come from the community and he intends

to be one. He stated that he recently completed his secondary education and intended to pursue a career in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to serve and protect his country.

However, he stated, further, that he had some free time and decided to occupy his time working on the community project since it would benefit him and other young men like himself.

While, Freeman is not yet eligible to vote, he applauded the current coalition Government for its initiative to invest in rural communities like Agricola to ensure that youths, especially the young men who are often misled by the demons of crime and violence, are given an opportunity to change the outcome of their lives and their future.

Meanwhile, Shamar Roberts noted that, with the completion of the playfield, he believed the community would see a decrease in crime, since young men would spend more

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Venezuela threats influenced oil contract with Exxon …UK law firm says gov’t renegotiation above board

AN independent investigation into the Government’s signing of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement with ExxonMobil has further discredited previous reports that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman was influenced by a “lavish Exxon meeting” into the signing.

The report, conducted by UK-based global law firm, Clyde & Co, showed that the signing was influenced, in part, by the government’s intent of maintaining a strategic relationship with ExxonMobil and its partners as the country’s territorial integrity was at threat by neighbouring Venezuela. Noting several other factors, the report concluded that “the 2016 Agreement was negotiated and orderly executed in accordance with the [Petroleum] Act and the Regulations.”

The report is another which discredits portions of a recent report by investigative company, Global Witness, which theorised --- without proof --- that Trotman, who signed the Exxon deal in June 2016, has possibly been compromised. Clyde & Co was contracted by the Ministry of Natural Resources on September 2, 2019, to conduct an independent investigation into the decision-making processes and systems leading to the signing of the 2016 agreement and report on its findings. It presented the report on January 30, 2020.

The Company outlined that the investigation took on four phases which included documentation enquiries and online searches; interviews /additional documentation; draft report /additional information and the publication of the report. Interviews were had with Trotman; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Head of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison; Legal Adviser to the Minister, Joanna Simmons-Homer; and Petroleum Division, Christopher Lynch.

“The investigation was conducted by us on an independent basis as we had no prior involvement in relation to the 2016 Agreement with the MoNR (Ministry of Natural Resources), GGMC or the government,” the Company stated.

THE VENEZUELA THREAT In its report, the Company recounted that in June 2018, the 1999 Agreement

major US oil and gas company whose interests are likely to be protected by the US government and CNOOC is China's third-largest stateowned oil company.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

and the 1999 Licence were due to expire and the Contractor Consortium --- Esso Exploration and Production

Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Hess Guyana Exploration Limited (Hess) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) -- had already renewed the 1999 Licence twice (in 2012 and once in 2015) which is the maximum number of times allowed under Guyana’s Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. “The MoNR and the government concluded that a strategic relationship with the Contractor Consortium would be important to the development of oil and gas in Guyana and also of particular strategic significance in light of the ongoing territorial controversy with Guyana's neighbouring country, Venezuela,” the report outlined.

It explained that the government’s and the ministry’s desire was to see the Contractor Consortium complete their exploration activities so that the full extent of the then evident resources could be identified and that EEPGL and CNOOC would continue to act as “a deterrent to Venezuela and as a check against the ambitions of Venezuela's government.”

In December 2018, Guyana’s territorial integrity was violated when a Venezuelan Navy corvette – the Karina PC-14 – made a hostile in-

cursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The incursion took place at approximately 144 kilome-

EXXON OBJECTED The report indicated that while the ministry and the GGMC had considered various alternative solutions, including expedited exploration, consultations with the government concluded that the best approach would be to enter into a new petroleum agreement and petroleum prospecting licence with the Contractor Consortium.

The Company said that both the ministry and the GGMC made efforts to negotiate the terms of the 2016 Agreement and improve its terms but the Contractor

UK-based global law firm, Clyde & Co

tres (km) from the boundary which separates Guyana from Venezuela and saw attempts by the Navy corvette to land a helicopter on the unarmed oil survey ship.

In a firm statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Venezuela’s aggression as a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and general international law.

President David Granger noted, too, that in 2013, a petroleum exploration vessel – RV Teknik Perdana –conducting a survey in the Roraima block offshore, was intercepted by a Venezuelan Navy frigate and ordered to cease its activities. “Incursions have occurred not only in our maritime space but also on land. Illegal mining, illegal logging, illegal arms, narcotics, people and wildlife trafficking and the smuggling of precious minerals have continued; they have to stop,” the President insisted, adding: “Incursions must be deterred; insurrections must be suppressed; the State must remain secure.”

Meanwhile, EEPGL is a subsidiary of Exxon which is the largest US oil and gas company closely associated with the interests of the US government; Hess is also a

Consortium were “not receptive to the amendments proposed” and “objected to most of the MoNR's and GGMC's proposals”.

The Company’s report showed that the Contractor Consortium put pressure on the Guyana Government to swiftly secure the agreement for several reasons which benefitted the oil company.

The report disclosed: “The Contractor Consortium appears to have put a lot of pressure on the government and the MoNR to secure the 2016 Agreement in a short time scale. The reason given related to commitments for drilling rigs that the Contractor Consortium said would need to be stepped away from if a new agreement was not signed. It seems to us likely that EEPGL were also strongly driving to have a new agreement signed prior to the Liza-2 well results becoming fully known and understood by the government, presumably because knowledge of a "world-class" discovery could have altered the Government's negotiating position.”

However, the report indicated that, overall, the Agreement contained improvements in comparison to the

1999 Agreement. It noted an increase in royalty payments which was double the royalty in the 1999 Agreement and would be paid from the Contractor Consortium's share and not the government's share of production. The Company also highlighted the rental charges and the $18 million "signature bonus” noting that it was a “positive development in the country's petroleum contracting history” as this was the first time that a contractor had agreed to pay a signature bonus in Guyana.

TROTMAN ABOVE BOARD It also pointed out that Minister Trotman prepared and submitted to the Cabinet, a Cabinet Memorandum setting out the background

to the suggested course of action with the 2016 Agreement. It stated: “The Cabinet, therefore, were provided with a briefing in accordance with standard practice. The Cabinet Memorandum was discussed and the proposal was approved by the Cabinet.

We conclude that the 2016 Agreement was negotiated and orderly executed in accordance with the Act and the Regulations.”

This account flies in the face of the recent Global Witness Report which suggested, although admitting it had no proof, that Trotman, who signed the Exxon deal in June 2016, may have been compromised. Regarding the visit to ExxonMobil in Houston prior to the contract signing, the report also confirmed Cabinet notes, which indicated that ExxonMobil and GGMC would provide partial funding for the costs of the visit of the Ministers to Houston.

Although the Global Witness article zeroed in on what they termed as a “lavish Exxon meeting” which possibly swayed Trotman, the independent report stated: “In our experience, it is common for international oil companies to fund, or part-fund, the visits of representatives from governments and other state

organisations for legitimate business-related travel.”

While analysing that the negotiations of the 2016 Agreement took place over roughly one month and could have taken a different approach with extensive negotiations to improve the fiscal terms, the report noted that such an approach was not in the forefront of the government's mind but the pressing concern with regards to Venezuela was present.

It also considered that a more hard-line approach with the Contractor Consortium would carry the risk that the Contractor Consortium would not have agreed to the revised terms and may have relinquished the acreage outside the discovery areas in June 2018. The report also explained that four years prior to the expiry of the 1999 Agreement, the GGMC understood that the Contractor Consortium would not be in a position to complete all the planned exploration.

Desirous that the Contractor Consortium completes exploration activities so that the full extent of the then evident resources could be identified: “The MoNR, therefore, entered into discussions with the Contractor Consortium in order to find a solution which allowed the Contractor Consortium further time to conduct exploration in the Stabroek Block.”

The Company’s report also included the history of oil exploration and discovery, pointing out that from 1975 until 2014, around 40 exploratory wells were drilled (both onshore and offshore) in the region between Guyana and Suriname with no commercial results. As a result, the 2015 Liza-1 discovery by ExxonMobil was a “turning point in the history of oil production in Guyana”.

“Despite half a century of various attempts at exploration and production, this was the first success and the first concrete proof of commercial deposits of oil offshore Guyana,” the report indicated.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Integrity Commission maintains Jagdeo, Irfaan in default

…defends publishing names, says action within legal framework of body

By Alva Solomon THE publication of names of public officials who have not filed declarations with the Integrity Commission is done within the legal mandate of the body.

This is according to Chairman of the commission, Former Magistrate Kumar Doraisami. The chairman was responding to questions regarding the publication of the names of several former Members of Parliament, including People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, among former Opposition MPs, as well as government officials who have been delinquent in their declarations for the period July 2017-June 2018.

Doraisami said that the commission was complying with Sections 18 and 19 of the Integrity Commission

Act, adding that on Saturday, the body will publish the information in the Official Gazette. Section 18 of the Act states-“The Commission or

be considered necessary for the purposes of section 17 (b) and the declarant shall comply with the request within the time specified therefor by

Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Former Magistrate Kumar Doraisami

the President, as the case may be, may, in writing, request a declarant to furnish such further particulars relating to his financial affairs as may

the Commission or the President, as the case may be.”

If the official fails to comply, the commission will take the necessary step which is

quoted in Section 19 of the Act. That Act states that –“Where a person who is required to do so fails to file a declaration in accordance with this Act or to furnish particulars under section 18, the Commission or the President, as the case may be, shall publish the fact in the Gazette and in a daily newspaper.”

PPP candidates, Anil Nandlall, Dr. Frank Anthony, Priya Manickchand, Nigel Dharamlall, Harry Gill, Pauline Sukhai and Clement Rohee, are among the delinquents on the list. The names of several government officials, including Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence also appeared on the list.

Rohee subsequently not-

ed on his Facebook account that he has been complying with the commission regarding his declarations. However, Nandlall in a Facebook post took aim at the newspaper report. He said that he was instructed by Jagdeo and Ali to take legal action against this newspaper over the news item published on Sunday. Doraisami, when informed about the intended action of Nandlall, noted that “he probably didn’t read the newspaper.”

Two weekends ago, the names of several government officials, who did not file or complete their declarations with the Integrity Commission, appeared in the Official Gazette. The move took prominence in sections of the media and several officials of the Opposition PPP, including Manickchand, played-up the issue on social media.

Doraisami told the Guyana Chronicle last weekend that

persons are of the belief that the body is “politicking” regarding the publication of the names the weekend before.

However, he noted last December a decision was made not to publish the names of delinquent officials until January this year, since the body wanted to exhaust its ability to ensure the officials filed their declarations. Unfortunately, the chairman said, most of those persons whose names were published two weekends ago are persons who hold positions within the government. “We don’t work based on the whims and fancies of people out there, we comply with the Act, it is just unfortunate that we have an elections next month,” Doraisami said. He said that some persons have taken the necessary steps to file their declarations since the publication of their names.

No new Petroleum Licences until 2021

IT is unlikely that Guyana will open another petroleum exploration licensing round before 2021 as several safeguards must be put in place to ensure the country gets the best out of all production activities.

Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Bynoe, said on Monday that the country must first complete the revision of its Petroleum Laws, complete its own survey of the remaining oil blocks and examine the necessary Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) which applies to each block.

Regarding the first, he stated: “We will have to push back the issuing of any further licensing round to a later date and, the reason being, it would be foolhardy of us to rush ahead now that we are moving towards revising our laws to move towards another licensing round.”

The Department anticipates that the country’s Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 1986 will be replaced, amended or supplemented and has signed a contract for its review with American law firm, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and local law firm, Cameron and Shepherd. A sum of $1.2M has been supplied by the World Bank to cover the one-year contract for consultancy and the provision of legal advice to the DE on all matters.

“The 1986 Act is not currently fit for purpose in 2019, for example, it is extremely silent on gas, and we do recognize that associated gas remains a

significant discovery for Guyana going forward,” Dr. Bynoe had explained a few months prior. Together, the firms are expected to focus on a wide range of regulations pertinent to the sector such as legislation for local content, legislation to govern downstream and midstream activities, regulations for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and more. Dr. Bynoe said that the joint venture accentuates the DE’s commitment to the practice of local content which also ensures that local expertise is bolstered over time.

Meanwhile, the procurement process is almost completed for the conduct of 2D and 3D seismic surveys of Guyana’s maritime boundaries to ascertain what petroleum valuables lie within. “[We must] be able to ascertain what prospectivity there may be as well as what shapes these blocks should have.

That needs to be in place before we go to any oil licensing round, otherwise you’re licensing blindly,” he explained.

The DE has also made it clear that it will not be returning to another licensing round with its old PSA and has therefore crafted a Best Practice Production Sharing Agreement Template to guide future PSAs. It will guide the crafting of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) to be applied to different investment climates. “So, for example, if you are investing in deep water with all the risks that that take, that would be a different investment climate to investing offshore

Some of the blocks already awarded offshore Guyana

and the same for the near shore. So you could very well have three subtly different PSC (Production Sharing Contract) structures for different investment environments,” DE Energy Adviser, Matthew Wilks had explained in 2019.

The template also addresses best practices when dealing with issues such as royalties, prof-

it sharing and occupational health and safety.

“All of these are other elements before we go to another licensing round that we would wish to see in place so that when we go to another licensing round we are going with a complete package,” Dr. Bynoe said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Linden erects monument to remember protesters killed during PPP rule …Mayor Arrindell, others say wounds still fresh

By Vanessa Braithwaite IN an effort to pay homage to the three Lindeners who were killed by police while protesting for cheaper electricity, the people of Linden have built a monument to honour the martyrs: Shemroy Bouyea, Allan Lewis and Ron Sommerset.

The men were shot dead on July 18 on the MacKenzie/Wismar Bridge.

The monument, which is a concrete structure with the design of an iron fist, symbolises the united fight of Lindeners during that period. It is located at the July 18th memorial site, just a stone’s throw from where the trio was killed. Funds for the construction of the monument were made in the 2019 budget and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordon,

who related that the call for same was often made during the annual memorial ceremony and candle light vigil, by relatives and friends.

On Sunday evening, at the APNU-AFC rally, Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, said that the wounds of the 2012 rally are still fresh and have left indelible mark on each and every Lindener, so that they will never forget the days when Guyanese were shot down for demonstrating their democratic right of protesting. "You know, you lived it, you faced it, you endured it Linden! and so we know what it feels like when people decide that they are going to shoot our youths when we stand up to protest. Nobody has to come and tell us that, we know what it felt like," she said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by former Mem-

ber of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, who described those days as dark. "Comrades we lived in a country, where protestors, innocent protestors like Mark Benschop, his freedom was taken away from him; we lived in a country, comrades, where Crum Ewing, Ronald Waddell, Shemroy Bouyea, Ron Summerset and Allan were brutally murdered, because they were exercising their democratic right."

The anger and hurt of the 2012 struggle have been continuously made on the campaign trail, since it demonstrated one of the most trying and tumultuous time in Linden's recent history. Not only did the three Lindeners die, but many more were injured and some were even left with terminal wounds as a result of the occurrences of July 18.

The Linden Martyrs Monument

At a recent Amelia's Ward meeting, former Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon, who was at the forefront of the protest line called out Prime Ministerial Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party, Brigadier Mark Phillips, for not representing his fellow Lindeners, during a struggle, as a senior officer in the army, but now is campaigning for the same Party that was allegedly responsible for the death of three Lindeners.

Solomon alluded to the 2012 struggle, as one of the saddest times recorded in the history of Linden. "The inquiry said on the day of the 18th, it was only the state, the police, those who directed the police, were doing the shooting, those who were there to protect you were killing you, this brother who now supports this merciless force, instead of coming through this town and even a slight acknowledgement of those brothers who were murdered by the party, this brother never even gave an acknowledgement," Solomon said.

Phillips who identifies as a Lindener went at great length at the PPP Linden rally to explain why he is hoping to pull Linden votes for the party. During his speech at the rally, he spoke extensively on why Lindeners should vote for the PPP, but according to Solomon, not once, did he allude to the most trying time

in the history of the township and how the very party was the one who called for the electricity hike, which aimed at oppressing the people even further.

Solomon questioned how a Lindener can choose the party that was responsible for the death of his fellow Lindeners and never represented the rights of his people when the political powers at that time, instructed law enforcement officers to open fire on the protestors.

Solomon revealed that at that time, he was Regional Chairman and met with senior army officers who related that they were instructed to open fire by political forces. "We must send that message loud and clear, because if you identify as one of us, you must feel what we felt; we felt that for 32 days, a government not only killing your citizens, not only killing your brothers and sisters but suppressing and oppressing your brothers and sisters," the former RC said.

Only last week relatives of the three men came together and sued the State for $450 M, claiming that the police were reckless and used unnecessary force in the killing of their relatives.

Two of the men were shot in the chest while one was shot in the back. It is believed that the shooters were standing about 15 feet away from the protesters when they opened fire. The lawsuit was

filed by attorney-at-law Darren Wade on behalf of the following claimants: Rodwell Lewis the son of Allan Lewis, Jacqueline Bouyea the mother of Shemroy Bouyea and Margaret Somerset the mother of Ron Somerset APPRECIATED Relatives of the martyrs expressed high appreciation for the monument. At the announcement of its construction, Rodwell Lewis, said he was happy that the monument was finally coming to a reality since there were requests made since 2012 for this to be done. A street in the Wismar Housing Scheme was named ‘Allan Lewis Avenue’. The mother of Shemroy Bouyea also welcomed the decision.

“I am happy about it and I think it is a very good thing,” she said.

Former Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon who was also at the forefront of the protest said the monument was sincerely welcomed by the relatives of the men and residents as well. She said it was long overdue and will surely signify the ultimate price paid by the trio. In addition to the Linden martyrs monument, another monument was constructed at Christianburg in memory of those who perished in the Son Chapman massacre. Both monuments cost $8.4 M.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

The makings of Pradoville 1 and Pradoville 2 PRADO, which is a Japanese Toyota Land Crusier was one of the vehicles mostly used by members of the PPP’s elite at that time. A lot of these vehicles are big, strong and possibly having a choice appearance. Consequently, many people in Guyana felt that there was the making of an extravagant lifestyle, while many of the ordinary people had serious economic issues in their lives. Also, this was essentially at a time when the PPP government was perceived to be corrupt and excessive.

However, the brazenness of the PPP was yet to be seen in even more powerful ways.

They had a plan to develop two elite communities for top members of the regime, apparently using the assets of the State to so do. These two communities were to be named Prado-ville 1 and then Prado-ville 2. In fact, up to this day many people still think that these names – Pradoville 1 and Pradoville 2 are just labels; sort of substitute or ‘nicknames’ used for ease of reference when describing the schemes, but they are actually the real names.

However, the naming of the two communities was seen as real presumptuousness of the PPP. At a time when the Prado vehicles were being used by the elitist PPP and

was much talked about, it was the same time that they were going ahead to team up and sell prime land that belong to the State at rock-bottom price.

This matter was taken to the High Court, but it is alleged that Ali said he had no intention to step down from his ambitious landing, where he is attempting to fight for the presidency of Guyana.

NO CONTEST Everyone in Guyana is aware of the fact that President David Granger has established himself as an incontestable personality, against the likes of Mr. Irfaan Ali. Even those who may say that they do not like Mr. Granger, respect him very much. The people of Guyana agree on the fact that he is a man of integrity and that he shows much regard for the people he has been assigned to lead. On the other hand, Mr. Irfaan Ali has not even demonstrated an obligation to show the people how he achieved the disputable academic credentials he claims to have.

Instead, Mr. Ali has said that he has no intention of pulling back or stepping out of what should be considered one of the most important and dignified contest in any country. Aspiring to become president; getting involved in the general elections – as the presidential candidate, is

usually considered as a serious matter.

FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY Leading any country is never a simple task. More so, in a country such as Guyana, at this juncture of its social and economic positioning, integrity would mean everything. The New York-based Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, that is the second largest in the world, has named Guyana as the fastest growing economy globally. It noted this country’s projected growth rate would be 16.3 per cent during the four-year period 2018-2021.

The NASDAQ report sees Guyana as a middle-income country with a per-capita income of $5,194; having a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) size of $3.63 billion (2018 Rank: 160), a growth rate of 4.1 per cent in 2018 and 4.6 per cent in 2019.

Guyana’s economy is expected to grow by 33.5 per cent and 22.9 per cent in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Additionally, Guyana’s economic capacitY does not depend on oil and gas as a single major economic factor, even though it is very important. Agriculture and agro-processing; manufacturing; mining of gold and other precious minerals; timber and other economic resources

Cane Grove couple charged with murder of neighbour A MAN and his reputed wife were, on Monday, remanded to prison for the murder of their neighbour, 48-yearold Gopaul Seeram, who was beaten to death at Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara earlier this month.

Dhanraj Ganga Ramkishan, 29, and Deommattie Shobma Salikram, 43, appeared before Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court, and were not required to plead to the charge.

The charge alleged that the couple, on February 4, 2020, at Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, murdered Seeram. The couple was remanded to prison until February 28, 2020.

According to reports, Seeram lived with his wife, Shakeela Kishore, and their child at Cane Grove, EBD while the sus-

pects lived next door.

According to reports, on the day in question, Salikram called Kishore to check and see if her husband, Dhanraj, was at home, but Salikram declined the call.

However, later that day Salikram confronted Kishore and the two women ended up in a heated argument.

During the argument, Ramkishan and Seeram got into a fight. Ramkishan and his wife allegedly armed themselves with pieces of wood and attacked Seeram about his body. Kishore rushed to her husband’s aid, but was also attacked. She however managed to escape.

Seeram was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Mahaicony Hospital. He was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

are all crucial to the country than ever before. And the APNU+AFC coalition has worked over the last four years on developing and sustaining these areas.

Guyana is a country

poised for economic prosperity and even the most naïve would see and want to confess that this is a greatly blessed nation. However, activating these blessings would demand shrewd, hon-

est leadership, who can be trusted with the country’s resources. For what is needed at this time is resource blessings and not resource curses.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

139 youths graduate with varying vocational skills …from the national training programme for youth empowerment

ON Friday February 7, 2020, some 139 youths graduated from the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Protection’s Board of Industrial Training, with various skillsets in fields such as Information Technology, catering, cake dec-

orating and welding.

The programme specifically targeted young people who were unable to complete their secondary education and needed a second chance at edifying themselves with the necessary skills, to venture into the world of work or entrepreneurship. The courses commenced between

the period of November and December 2019, with 165 applications, from which some 39 individuals dropped out.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Protection, Mohan Ramrattan, during his featured address, spoke to the process of becoming stronger or more confident in controlling one’s Graduates pose with official from the board of industrial training

Mohan Ramrattan giving his remarks

Donald Ainsworth giving his remarks

Supporters of the graduates during the graduation cremony

life.

He also made note of the fact that 60 percent of the graduates were females, while stating that he hoped young women, in the future, would take advantage of the training programmes in the non-traditional fields for women such as the welding programme.

“Goal number four of the United Nation’s SDGs is relevant to us gathered here today as it includes the promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all. Guyana is working to ensure that all citizens experience this,” Ramrattan posited.

In his final remarks, he urged the graduates to practise the teaching of Proverbs 23:12, which states, “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge”.

In an interview with the

Guyana Chronicle, graduating student, Keron Sampson, who performed exceptionally in the catering course, expressed, “the course was a bit challenging at first, but I broke through the iceberg and did my best. With my certificate, I am about to apply to Tower Hotel for a position as a junior chef and in the future maybe open my own restaurant,” he said.

For the past 18 years, BIT has generated over 20,660 artisans and semiskilled workers who have been added to the workforce. However, the recent expansion of the programme, by the current Government, saw the programme reaching lengths throughout all the regions of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Govt’s first lift of crude next week-Dr Bynoe GUYANA’S first lift of approximately one million barrels of oil is scheduled for early next week which will represent part of this country’s profit oil allocation of 12.5 per cent while the country will receive its 2 per cent royalty on gross production of all oil produced.

Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Bynoe, confirmed same on Monday reminding that the monies from the sale of Guyana’s crude and its cash-based royalty will be deposited into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Account being managed by the Bank of Guyana. To date, the Liza 1 field has produced over 2.7 million barrels of oil of which ExxonMobil has had its first two lifts. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) witnessed the first two crude lifting exercises and have reported that “the lifts went very well”.

Dr Bynoe said that the Department has established a working relationship with the Guyana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) and has committed to providing the GYEITI all the data and information required by the EITI Standard, with full observance of the Laws of Guyana.

“The Department of Energy and the GYEITI has committed to continuing their collaboration to ensure

Seated from left are: Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Representative, Lancelot Wills; Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Bynoe and representative of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Jermaine Softley. (Adrian Narine photo)

that compliance, transparency and accountability are resident within the country’s burgeoning oil and gas sector for the benefit of the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” Dr. Bynoe said.

DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE Meanwhile, at the Liza 1 field, ExxonMobil has increased its resource estimate for the Stabroek Block to over 8 billion oil-equivalent barrels. Dr. Bynoe reported that efforts towards the construction of the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) are

progressing smoothly with its hull completed and sailed from Shanghai on December 2019.

Development drilling is projected to commence in February 2020 once the conditions of approval are met. For the time being, topsides fabrication is progressing; several trees/tubing heads have been completed, with the first two trees having been shipped to Trinidad from Brazil, with trees 3-8 expected to be shipped shortly. Installation vessels are undergoing preparations for start-up of first installation campaign aimed at March 2020 while the Operator is working with the

DE to include Guyanese expertise in various stages of the Unity’s completion as per the Field Development Plan (FDP) approval.

Regarding the Payara FPD, the DE Director said that the procurement for recruiting the third party reviewer was completed in December 2019 and the FDP plan review has been progressing well. “The DE is aiming to be able to recommend a position to its Minister on the FDP

by March 2020,” he stated.

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING In aims of ensuring efficient

management of Guyana’s petroleum sector, the Department of Energy (DE) continues to administer contracts to industry specialists and has hired an additional 21 technical and administrative staff to meet the needs of its Department.

At a press conference on Monday, DE Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe, announced that the Department has contracted a Petroleum Development Management Specialist and a Natural Gas Specialist to provide expertise in the areas. They will add to the DE’s technical staff complement as well as its existing Crude Marketing Expert, Commercial Expert, Oil and Gas Expert, and Legal Expert. Negotiations are still ongoing for the procurement of a Petroleum Accounting Specialist and Contract Administration Specialist which will further assist the DE to reduce potential value leakage.

Apart from recruiting a contract management specialist, with assistance from the IDB, the DE has also completed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) process mapping manual, which it will soon launch via an electronic platform for easier application and implementation. With the assistance of the IDB it has also completed its Functions Manual, Organizational structure, and budget and is now moving to implement some of the recommendations contained therein.

Cleaner remanded on a break and enter charge A 60-year-old man was, on Monday, February 10, 2020, remanded to prison after telling the court that he went down the chimney then break into the shop.

Victor Munan, a cleaner of Campbellville, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Senior Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus and pleaded guilty, with explanation, to the charge, when it was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on February

1, 2020, at Sheriff Street, Georgetown, he broke and entered the food shop of Deon Dudnaught and stole two bottles of gas valued at $23,000, a quantity of foodstuff valued at $35,000 and $9,000 cash.

“They owe me $21,000 and every day they telling me tomorrow so I go into the place and take them things,” Munan said.

Police prosecutor told the court that, on the day in question, around 16:30

Victor Munan

hours, Dudnaught secured his business and went away.

Around 17:30 hours, Dudnaught woke and observed that something was wrong.

He then went to his business, made checks and then discovered that it was broken into and the articles were missing. The matter was reported to the police.

Munan was contacted, told of the allegation to which he admitted, saying, “officer I break the place because this man owe me money”.

The court also heard that Munan was also caught on closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) entering the business place. He was arrested and charged.

Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus remanded Munan to prison and adjourned the matter until February 11, 2020. The Magistrate also asked the probation officer to speak to Munan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

A dream come through …

Brickery residents grateful for gov’t and GPL initiative

By Naomi Parris SAMANTHA Salvador, a mother of one, had declared that she will be purchasing a television set for her sevenyear-old son, Jonathon McLennan, after her community in Brickery on the East Bank of Demerara, had finally received electricity after 25 years last Monday.

However, Samantha was given a surprise the following Monday when she received a television set, free of cost, for her son from a gracious donor.

With tears of joy, Samantha expressed immense gratitude towards the donor who opted to remain anonymous; the woman who was overwhelmed with joy noted that she is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support she has received.

She added that her son will now be able to experience a luxury he has never had before.

Meanwhile, Jonathon, who was very happy, could not hide his excitement as he saw the brand-new television. The child, who was preparing for school, stated that he could not wait to return home so he could watch cartoons on his television.

Additionally, Nadia Brandt, another beneficiary of the government’s initiative, noted that she is beyond pleased with the government’s efforts to assist residents in the area who were living without electricity for a long time.

“I feel so great …about five years now I was waiting for light, I applied but they [Guyana Power and Light] kept turning me down,” Brandt stated.

Brandt, who usually walks and sells fruit juices and homemade snacks, noted that she no longer has to ask her mother for assistance in making her juice since she is now able to blend her fruits in the comfort of her

A picture of Brandt’s electricity circuit board

own kitchen.

“Normally, I used to have to wake up my mom to ask her to use her current to blend my juices and stuff, but now I can do it on my own,” she added.

Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes, had related that she had been tasked by President Granger to look into the challenges affecting residents in neglected communities on the East Bank Demerara; Minister Broomes noted that she became aware of the residents’ plight and immediately responded.

“Well, for me like always, once people are happy I’m happy; since I took office, this is what I’ve been doing; serving the people. I don’t take people for granted, so this is not about a campaign or a rally, this is about the livelihood of people, women, children,” she told this publication when she revisited the residents in the area on Monday.

The Minister further noted that she was especially touched and heartened by Brandt’s story since she relates with her from a woman’s and a mother’s stand point, “There was a woman there, providing, earning her living and all she needed was what I think is rightfully something she should have been receiving…sitting and waiting

for electricity for five years it’s regrettable.”

Minister Broomes, who has always expressed her love for the grassroot people, further added that she is grateful to share such heartfelt moments with her fellow Guyanese as the country continues to grow.

“I really thank God for [the opportunity], I thank God that Guyana is moving in a place from its entirety from darkness into light, more and more as you go out there…I walk with people, I sit, I live, dwell where they dwell, so I know some of the harsh reality that people face daily,” she stated.

The Presidents vision for every Guyanese , Minister Broomes added, is not just a talk but is something that he is sincere about, hence she is always out in the field doing ground work in rural communities to ensure that every boy, girl, woman, man and every youth has access to the basic necessity, like electricity, water, education and health care.

The project, which was a collaborative effort between the government and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), saw residents, who lived in Brickery without electricity for over 2530 years, receiving electricity, within three days, for the first time.

Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes, presenting Jonathon McLennan and his mother, Samantha Salvador, with a new television set on behalf of a donor who requested to remain anonymous

Nadia Brandt chatting with Minister Broomes during a follow-up visit after residents in the area received electricity for the first time

Man dies in Mahaicony accident POLICE are investigating the death of a 57-year-old man who died following an accident at Planters Hall, Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday night.

Dead is Terrence D’Aguiar, of Lot 2 Cottage, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara According to the police, around 18:00hrs on Sunday, a minibus bearing registration BXX3501, owned and driven

by a 49-year-old resident of BB Eccles, East Bank, was proceeding west along the southern side of the roadway, when, as alleged by the driver, D’Aguiar, a pedal cyclist, who was also proceeding

west, made a sudden right turn in front of the minibus and collided with the vehicle.

The pedal cyclist fell onto the road and sustained injuries to his head and neck. He was picked up by the driver

in an unconscious condition, placed in the mini bus, and taken to Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty who pronounced him dead on arrival.

Police said a breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver but no trace of alcohol was detected. He is in custody assisting with the investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

39 students graduate from Region Two ICT training and robotics workshop -The certificate will lead to employment – First Lady Sandra Granger

By: Indrawattie Natram THIRTY-NINE adolescent and out-of-school youths hailing from 12 communities in Region Two, on Monday, graduated from an Information Communication Technology (ICT) workshop sponsored by the Office of the First Lady, Sandra Granger, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Participants were trained in ICT, Literacy, Numeracy, Entrepreneurship, Sexual Reproductive Health, and Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics

Multilateral School (ARMS), the First Lady said that the certificate will lead graduates to employment and will open opportunities for those who pursued the courses. Mrs. Granger congratulated all the participants and said she was impressed with the performance and pass rates for the courses. The First Lady also mentioned that Guyana was moving at a fast pace and it was important for young people to equip themselves with the necessary ICT skills.

She, therefore, encouraged young people to enroll in the programme and to enhance their skills in the field.

She also used the opportunity to thank the Minis-

First lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, along with Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikarran being welcomed by Region Two children.

Youths from Henrietta posing with robotic kits from Mrs. Sandra Granger

Best Graduating Student, Joneka Walcott, receiving her trophy from First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger.

The participants of the workshop.

(STEM). During the graduation, participants received a BIT accredited certificate signed by the First Lady herself.

Addressing participants of the programme in the auditorium of the Anna Regina

try of Social Cohesion for funding the workshops and for providing the necessary resources needed to empower the youths. Mrs. Granger also thanked the Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikarran, for organizing and

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, with the graduating batch of ICT students.

mobilizing the youths in his area.

“You can use the skills gained to further enhance your lives… help your family. Essequibo has great Agriculture potential… use technology to improve your livelihood,”

Mrs. Granger said.

Delivering the feature address was Deputy Chairman of BIT, Mr. Donald Ainsworth who said the accredited certificate will enable youths to become more marketable in society.

“The certificate that you are uplifting has real value.

Use it to enhance your life,” Ainsworth said.

Jaikarran said that Region Two has set the bar for the classes achieving higher pass rates than other

regions. He told participants the skills they gained from the workshop will be lifelong ones and urged them to multiply them. He thanked the Office of the First Lady for making the workshop available in his region.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Fire Chief cautions homeowners about dangers of bush fires --urges they find other means of ridding land of unwanted vegetation

THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is again appealing to residents, particularly those in new housing schemes on the East Coast and West Bank Demerara to refrain from burning the bushes on their plots of land as a means of clearing it.

They say that not only is the practice unhealthy, but it also poses an environment hazard.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle pleaded for residents to consider alternative means of clearing their land.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle

“What is happening,” he said, “is everybody is lighting fires to clear their lands, espe-

cially in those areas that are now earmarked for housing, and even in some instances for pastures and agricultural purposes. They are clearing some of these lands, and it’s a concern for us.”

Last year, Gentle had noted that the majority of calls to the Fire Service were for outdoor vegetation fires. In 2019, he said, the Service got a total of 1,418 calls to help put out outdoor vegetation fires.

“East Coast and West Demerara are the biggest areas, especially in the ‘Parfaite Harmonie’, Recht Door Zee areas,

and between Vryheid’s Lust to Mahaicony,” he said, adding: “While we understand the need to do these things, they have to use other methodology to clear the land.”

He said that while the bush fires at reference have not led to the burning of any homesteads, they are nonetheless harmful, given the smoke emanating from them.

“While these fires are no threat to life and limb, they have an environmental impact, and they are even obscuring traffic, and threatening lampposts and telephone

infrastructure,” the Fire Chief said. “It’s a lot of discomfort and environmental issues. We have people with asthmatic conditions; old

persons in homes; children and even some of these ‘Day Cares’ are being affected,” he added.

Trio to face trial for alleged murder of taxi driver

SIX years after the murder of taxi driver Raphael Campbell, the trial into this death is expected to commence soon at the Demerara High Court.

Shawn Edinboro, Michael Bishop and Shawn Collins are jointly charged for the alleged murder of Campbell between January 2 and January 3, 2014 at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The men will soon face a Judge and jury at the High Court. According to reports,

on January 2, 2014, Campbell picked up Edinboro, Bishop and Collins in Camp Street. He allegedly took the passengers to East Coast of Demerara, where he was slain and his vehicle was stolen by the three men. His body was found on January 3, 2014. Police subsequently launched an investigation and the trio were stopped at a roadblock on the Soesdyke/Linden highway, while in the stolen vehicle.

Matters against teacher withdrawn ON Monday, February 10, 2020, weeks after teacher and parents were charged for a series of offences, based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the charges against the teacher were withdrawn.

Tiffani Hinds, a teacher, on her first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ From left: Soyini Gardener, Court, pleaded not guilty to Kendacie Peters and Sherwin the charges, when they were Dalrymple read to her. court that, based on the advice Particulars of the first from the DPP, they would be charge stated that, on January 15, 2020, at St Agnes Primary unable to proceed with the School, at Church and Thomas charges against the teacher.

Magistrate Sherdel IsaaStreets, Georgetown, she ascs-Marcus then withdrew the saulted Soyini Gardener.

The second charge stated matters against her.

The matters against the that, on the same day, and at the same place, she provoked parents Sherwin Dalrymple, Soyini Gardener, with intent to Soyini Gardner and Kendacie Peters, will commence in insult or annoy her.

Police prosecutor told the March 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Soil testing for new Mackenzie/Wismar bridge on-going SOIL-testing, which is part of the feasibility study for a new Mackenzie/Wismar bridge, is currently being done in close proximity to the present bridge.

The site chosen was proposed by many Lindeners during a public consultation by consultancy companyPolitecnica hired by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Regional officials were consulted on the soil-testing process by way of a circular.

This is part of ascertaining the environmental impacts the construction of the bridge will have on the proposed site. This phase of the feasibility study is to prepare the final design of the bridge.

A public consultation was held to determine Lindeners’

position on the bridge, where they preferred it to go and its design.

Many residents leaned towards the bridge being constructed in close proximity to the existing bridge, somewhere along the West Watooka corridor. Others requested that the bridge be constructed at the Christianburg area.

Whatever site is chosen, the residents stressed on the need for sufficient space for vehicles, especially large trucks to turn and to avoid traffic build up around the area, as is occurring now at the existing bridge. The consultancy firm also explained that there may be need to move structures to accommodate the construction. The Environmental Protection Agency is also

playing a role in ensuring the environment is not severely affected by the construction.

Lindeners made calls for the bridge to be durable and wide enough to take on heavy-duty vehicles such as lumber trucks, which are a regular feature in the township, high enough to accommodate bauxite ships and be disability-friendly with the necessary accessories to make their travel safe and easier. With the current issue of trucks traversing the existing bridge overweight, it was suggested that scales be placed at both ends of the bridge. The new bridge will be built according to AASHTO standards and will have two lanes and walkways.

“Shots” sentenced to 12 months in prison for escaping custody ……. Currently on remand for murder of court tout TERRENCE PITT, called “Shots”, was, on Monday, February 10, 2020, sentenced to twelve months in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, after pleading guilty to escaping from lawful custody.

Particulars of the charge stated that, between November 11, 2019 and November 12, 2019, at Georgetown, while in custody pending investigation for murder, he escaped from lawful custody.

Pitt, on his first appearance before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, was not required to plead to the charge.

Pitt was also charged for

Terrence Pitt called “Shots”

murder of a court tout.

He was also not required to plead to the charge which stated that, on October 5, 2019, at Festival City, North Ruimveldt, he murdered Darrel Breedy, during the course

of a robbery.

Magistrate Ann McLennan ruled that Pitt must make his next appearance on February 14, 2020.

Soil-testing machinery at the proposed site for the new Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Banks DIH donates cash to 27 charitable organisations DEEDS of Covenant disbursements were presented by Banks DIH Limited to twenty-seven organisations at the annual ceremony held at Thirst Park on February 6, 2020, the company said in a release.

Mr. Andrew Carto, Human Resources Director, said the presentation of Deeds of Covenant to faith-based and other organisations is part of the Company’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it operates.

“This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility as we

Representatives of organisations pose with Chairman Mr. Clifford Reis and directors of Banks DIH Limited at the ceremony.

embrace the work of these organisations that perform charitable work across Guyana.” he added.

Mr. Clifford Reis, Chairman/Managing Director and Mr. George McDonald made the presentations to the representatives. Sister Julie Matthews of St. John’s Bosco Boy’s Orphanage who spoke on behalf of the recipients expressed gratitude to Banks DIH Limited for providing assistance to the organisations.

“We are encouraged by the financial support given

by Banks DIH in assisting us to serve the society in a meaningful way,” she added.

The 27 organisations were Missionaries of Charity, St. Andrew’s Kirk, The Scouts Association of Guyana, Girl Guides Association, St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, The Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day

Adventist, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Uncle Eddie’s Home, Salvation Army, Gentlewomen’s Relief Association, St. George’s Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, Guyana Red Cross Society, Guyana Society for the Blind, Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, St. Thomas Moore Men’s Home, St. Philip’s Parish Church, St. Vincent De Paul Society, St. George’s Cathedral (School Feeding Programme), Dharm Shala, Guyana Sanathan Dharma Maha Saba, Shaheed’s Boys and Girls Orphanage, St. Ann’s Orphanage, St. John’s Bosco Boy’s Orphanage, Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre and Our Lady of the Mount Charities.

Taxi driver accused of stealing chains remanded MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, on Monday, February 10, 2020, remanded a 29-year-old taxi driver accused of larceny.

Seon Haywood, of Crane Housing Scheme, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.

It is alleged that, on February 9, 2020, at Water Street, Georgetown, he stole two gold chains valued at $70,000, from the person of Celene Teekaram.

Police prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Haywood and told the court that, on the day in question, Teekaram was walking along Water Street and Haywood was walking behind her.

The court heard that Haywood snatched Tee-

Seon Haywood as he walked into the court yard.

karam’s chains from her neck and tried to escape.

Teekaram raised an alarm and police on patrol gave chase. Haywood was apprehended. A search was conducted on him and the articles were found.

Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Haywood to prison and adjourned the matter until February 17, 2020.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Bangladesh erupts in joy after biggest cricket triumph Dhaka (AFP) - Thousands of fans flooded the streets of Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka and the prime minister Monday promised a public celebration after the under-19 team won the World Cup in the nation’s biggest cricket triumph.

Bangladesh stunned four-time winners India in the final of the Under-19 World Cup late Sunday in South Africa to record a three-wicket victory over the favourites.

The elated supporters, some wearing the team jersey and painted from head to toe as a tiger -- the national team’s nickname -- held spontaneous victory parades and shouted “Bangladesh, Bangladesh”.

National newspapers hailed the teen cricketers, with one publication likening Bangladesh captain

Akbar Ali to Mughal emperor Akbar the Great.

“Young Tigers Rule the World”, roared the frontpage headline of the largest-circulating English newspaper, The Daily Star.

“The Young Tigers created arguably the most seminal moment in its cricketing history at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom yesterday, ending their wait for a major global trophy,” the Star wrote.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said a “mass reception” would be held for the team once they return to Dhaka.

“They beat four-time champions India. These boys are very brave,” she told a weekly cabinet meeting.

“This is the best gift in Mujib Borsho (year),” Hasina said, referring to the year-long celebration of

what would have been the 100th birthday of Bangladesh’s founding President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is her father.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is expected to announce financial rewards for the players.

“We cannot express this achievement in words. A World Cup is World Cup... we were close many times in the past but it did not happen,” the governing body’s spokesman Jalal Yunus said.

The under-19 team played 30 youth one-day internationals in two years before the tournament, winning 18 matches.

Their best showing at the World Cup ahead of the tournament was a third-place finish as hosts in 2016.

Kevin Persaud aiming for bike glory in 2020 WITH less than a week to go before the start of the 2020 circuit racing season, one rider has already outlined his plans for the year.

Kevin Persaud says that he has set his sights on the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Super-Stock and StreetBike championships this year.

Speaking to the media, he said, “I am fit and ready for Sunday action in both classes. I’ve been doing some personal work and I think that I can make a good start to my championship charge.”

According to Persaud, he will be riding a 2012 Honda 600RR in the Street Class and a 2012 Kawasaki ZX6 in the Super-Stock class.

“We haven’t had to do much preparations on the bikes as they are both running really well, we just have to change the tyres, oil and probably brake pads

and we will be ready for Sunday,” he added.

While he did not single out any particular competitor, the seasoned local and Caribbean competitor believes that it’s a fresh slate come Sunday and a chance to go for glory.

“I think a lot of Guys are going to be gunning for the championship this year, but I need to keep my head down and do the best I can. I have confidence in myself.”

“Apart from circuit racing, I am also aiming for ATV drag and 600cc championship this year,” he added.

His sponsors are Miracle Optical, R Kissoon Contracting Services, Motor Trend, Palm Court, Sign Tech Towing Service, Buy Me Auto Sales , Chico Ramas, Prems Electrical and BM Soat Auto Sales.

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SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH 1st innings 233 Pakistan 1st innings Shan Masood Abid Ali

b Taijul Islam

100

c Liton Das b Abu Jayed

Azhar Ali

0

c Nazmul Hossain Shanto b Abu Jayed

Babar Azam

34

c Mohammad Mithun b Abu Jayed

143

Asad Shafiq

c Liton Das b Ebadat Hossain

65

Haris Sohail

c Tamim Iqbal b Taijul Islam

75

Mohammad Rizwan c Mahmudullah b Rubel Hossain Yasir Shah

10

lbw Rubel Hossain

5

Shaheen Afridi lbw Rubel Hossain

3

Mohammad Abbas Not Out

1

Naseem Shah

2

Extras

Run Out Saif Hassan

1b 3lb 2nb 0pen 1w

Total

7

(122.5 overs)

445 all out

Fall of Wickets : 1-2 Ali, 2-93 Ali, 3-205 Khan, 4-342 Azam, 5-353 Shafiq, 6-374 Rizwan, 7-415 Shah, 8-422 Afridi, 9-442 Sohail, 10-445 Shah Bowling: - 3 (1nb),

Ebadat Hossain

25 - 6 - 97 - 1, Abu Jayed 29 - 4 - 86

Rubel Hossain 25.5 - 3 - 113 - 3 (1w 1nb), Taijul Islam 139 - 2.

41 - 6 -

BANGLADESH 2nd innings Tamim Iqbal

lbw Yasir Shah

Saif Hassan

b Naseem Shah

34 16

Nazmul Hossain Shanto lbw Naseem Shah

38

Mominul Haque

41

Taijul Islam

lbw Shaheen Afridi lbw Naseem Shah

Mahmudullah Mohammad Mithun Liton Das

0 29

lbw Mohammad Abbas

Abu Jayed

5

c Asad Shafiq b Yasir Shah

Ebadat Hossain

Total

0

b Yasir Shah

lbw Yasir Shah

Rubel Hossain

Extras

0

c Haris Sohail b Naseem Shah

3

Not Out

0

0b 0lb 0nb 0pen 2w (62.2 overs)

2 168 all out

Fall of Wickets : 1-39 Hassan, 2-53 Iqbal, 3-124 Shanto, 4-124 Islam, 5-124 Mahmudullah, 6-126 Ali, 7-130 Haque, 8-156 Hossain, 9-165 Das, 10-168 Chowdhury Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 17.4 - 6 - 33 - 1 (1w), Naseem Shah

16 - 6 - 39 - 1 ( 1w), Mohammad Abbas

8.2 - 2 - 26 - 4, Yasir Shah

17.2 - 3 - 58 - 4.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Pakistan inflict innings defeat on Bangladesh in Rawalpindi ISLAMABAD (Reuters) Pakistan needed less than 90 minutes on Monday to claim the last four Bangladesh wickets and steamroll the tourists by an innings and 44 runs inside four days in the opening Test in Rawalpindi.

Resuming on 126-6 after conceding a first-innings lead of 212, Bangladesh could not make Pakistan bat again and were all out for 168.

Yasir Shah (4-58) claimed two of the last four wickets but 16-year-old Naseem Shah was named man of the match after becoming the youngest bowler to claim a test hat-trick on Sunday.

The onus was on Mominul Haq (41) to try to erase the deficit but the Bangladesh skipper fell lbw to Shaheen Afridi in the very first over of the day. Mominul reviewed the decision but could not get it overturned.

Mohammad Abbas trapped Rubel Hossain (five) lbw before Yasir hastened Bangladesh’s collapse.

The leg-spinner dismissed Liton Das for 29 and then induced Abu Jayed into a wild slog with Asad Shafiq running back from slip to collect the top edge.

Home captain Azhar Ali hailed Pakistan’s effort and was particularly pleased with how smartly they had used the

Race 3 Better Vibes Race 4 Attuck Race 5 True Light Race 6 Seeking A Mile Race 7 Attack Angle Race 8 Vow’s Son

Sixteen year-old Naseem Shah was named man of the match after becoming the youngest bowler to claim a Test hat-trick on Sunday

review option in both Bangladesh’s innings.

“One of those games where we can be proud of our reviews, credit to (wicketkeeper Mohammad) Rizwan and the other guys for supporting me there,” he said.

“Usually we’re not good at it but this is a very good start for us to carry forward.”

Bangladesh were playing catch-up after being bowled out for 233 in the first innings but Mominul felt things could have been different if some of his team mates had converted their starts.

“It was a flat wicket and our batting was quite disappointing,” he said.

“It becomes very difficult for any team if batsmen get

out after getting the starts.

No team can come back from such situations.”

Pakistan’s Naseem, who turns 17 this week, did not bowl on Monday because of rib injury.

“I had an MRI yesterday, nothing serious. I just pulled a muscle there,” he said at the presentation ceremony.

“Getting a hat-trick in front of your home crowd is special. I want to thank the fans and will continue to give my best for the country.”

Bangladesh will travel home before returning for the second and final test of the series in Karachi from April 5.

thali Raj, former New Zealand men’s captain Brendon McCullum and West Indies

BCB/RHTYSC Nand Persaud Female 50 overs Tournament.

Gajnabi smashes brilliant 152 as Rose Hall Town Metro beat West Berbice by 324 runs

WEST Indies female all-rounder Shabika Gajnabi smashed a majestic 152 to spearhead her team, Rose Hall Town Metro, to a crushing 328-run victory over West Berbice in the opening round of the Berbice Cricket Board RHTYSC/RHTYSC/ Nand Persaud Female 50-over cricket tournament.

Playing at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town, Gajnabi, who failed to gain selection to the West Indies women T20 World Cup squad,

stroked 24 fours and two massive sixes as she added 220 for the second wicket with Marian Samaroo, who scored 45.

Captaining the RHT Metro team in the absence of Shemaine Campbelle, Gajnabi won the toss and elected to take first strike. Kimmone Thomas and Samaroo put on 30 for the first wicket before Thomas was bowled by T. Isaacs for 06.

The rules state that every wide bowled shall result in two runs for the batting side

and would not be bowled back.

Samaroo played the supporting role to her West Indies counterpart, Gajnabi, who looked a class above the other batters.

Kassie Munroe chipped in with 40 not out while other useful scores came from national under-19 player, Oma Matadin 15, Aleema Arokium 16, Erva Giddings 15 not out and Dian Prahalad 12. Extras contributed a healthy 120 runs as the inexperienced West Berbice

Mahoning Valley

Race 2 Miss Otis

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) New Zealand women’s cricket captain Sophie Devine became the first player to pass 50 in five successive Twenty20 internationals on Monday when she scored 105 in her side’s 69-run win over South Africa in Wellington.

The 30-year-old scored 72 against India last February and had innings of 54 not out, 61 and 77 earlier in the series against South Africa.

India batswoman Mi-

New Zealand women’s cricket captain Sophie Devine

American Racing Tips

Race 1 Friendly Wager

New Zealand’s Devine first to hit 50 in five straight T20s opener Chris Gayle are the only players to have passed 50 in four successive Twenty20 internationals.

“The last 12 months I have really challenged myself to be consistent with my performances,” Devine said after the match on her home ground at the Basin Reserve.

“If I looked at my batting a couple of years ago I could have a match-winning contribution but it wasn’t as regular or often as I would have liked.”

RACING TIPS

It was also just the second Twenty20 international century by a New Zealand woman. Suzie Bates, who was batting with Devine, is the other.

“To bring up a T20 hundred is a pretty special occasion but to have Suzie Bates out there, I remember being there for hers,” Devine said.

“To bring it up at the Basin Reserve ... is a moment I won’t forget.”

The victory clinched the five-match series 3-1 for the

bowlers struggled under the heated atmosphere. Bowling for the visitors, T. Isaacs with 2 for 62 and D. Frank 3 for 65 were the best bowlers.

Needing to score an improbable 425 from 50 overs to win, the West Berbice team made 100 all out in 33 overs against an experienced RHT Metro bowling attack that included two bowlers who played for West Indies and several Guyana players.

National player Kantana Mentore top scored with an

‘White Ferns’ with the final game in Dunedin on Thursday.

“It was really nice to put on a really clinical performance with bat and ball,” Devine added, with the side looking strong heading into the Twenty20 World Cup later this month.

“It could have been easy to cruise a little bit but we really wanted to make sure that we put our foot on their throat and not let up and to do that in pretty comprehensive style is pleasing.”

unbeaten 30 while Isaacs returned with the bat to score 15. Erva Giddings 2 for 15, Sherika Campbelle 2 for 17, Plaffina Millington 3 for 19 (10 Overs) and Dian Prahalad 3 for 30 were the wicket takers for the RHT Metro team, who would now play New Amsterdam/Canje in the second round of the tournament.

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:20 hrs Meryl 08:55 hrs Amex 09:30 hrs Samarra 10:05 hrs Sir Frenchie 10:40 hrs Miss Orange

Punchestown 09:20 hrs Yanworth 09:50 hrs Cedarwood Road 10:25 hrs Francin 11:00 hrs Ask Mary 11:30 hrs Zero Ten 12:00 hrs Rocky’s Silvere 12:35 hrs Mount Melleray

English Racing Tips Chelmsford City 09:35 hrs Poppy May 10:05 hr Old Harbour 10:40 hrs Elusif 11:15 hrs Cottonopolis 11:45 hrs Tone The Barone 12:15 hrs Estrela Star

Newcastle 12:20 hrs Le Musee 12:50 hrs Gordalan 13:20 hrs Elusive Heights 13:50 hrs Reckless Endeavour 14:20 hrs Coast Of Alfujairah 14:50 hrs Kayat 15:20 hrs Discovery Island 15:50 hrs Rich Approach

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

McGill Super Stars brush past Christ Ambassadors in WDCA T20 opener

A solid all-round effort by Azar Deen propelled the McGill Super Stars Sports Club to an 80-run victory against Christ Ambassadors Sports Club in their opening game of the West Demerara Cricket Association 2020, T20 campaign over the weekend.

In a match reduced to 15 overs per side because of a late start, McGill won the toss and opted to bat at the Bellevue Sports Club ground.

Azar Deen was outstanding with both bat and ball.

Deen top scored with a quick-fire 48 unbeaten runs.

He got support from Daniel Basdeo (27) and Abdul Razack (23).

The Canal Number One unit paced their innings well, but lost two wickets in the powerplay. Skipper Sudesh Persaud (10) was caught at long on off the bowling of medium-pacer, Lester Christian, in the third over with 25 on the board, while former Guyana Under-19 Cap-

tain, Travis Persaud (13) was struck LBW to Kevin Paul to leave the score at 32-2 in the 4th over.

Abdul Razack and Azar Deen then joined forces to put together a 33-run third-wicket partnership, taking the score to 65 in the eighth over before Razack fell LBW to Emmanuel Martin.

Deen then shared in a few other partnerships, including an 18-ball 41 fourth wicket

with Basdeo, which pushed the side further ahead. With Deen leading the charge, McGill managed to reach a commanding 150-5 off their 15 overs.

Christ Ambassadors SC had a slow start to their innings. The opening pace and spin combination of former nationals, Basdeo and Travis Persaud, proved too much for the CASC batting line-up as they failed to keep up with the run rate.

Christ Ambassadors

never recovered. Former national U-19 all-rounder, Kheshram Seyhodan, picked up two quick wickets, while Deen, with his medium pace, also nabbed a pair, which eventually left CASC at 70-6 at the end of their innings—way short of their intended target.

Fletcher stars as Volcanoes, Red Force draw ROSEAU, Dominica, (CMC) – Andre Fletcher just missed out on a hundred in his first domestic four-day game in nearly three years as the rain-hit fourth round encounter between Windward Islands Volcanoes and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force finished in a predictable draw here Sunday.

Resuming the final day at Windsor Park on 71 for two after the entire third day was lost to rain, Volcanoes reached 293 for eight in their first innings in reply

Andre Fletcher missed out on a century

to Red Force’s 373 for eight declared.

Fletcher, on two at the start, top-scored with 88 while veteran opener Devon Smith made 67 and 20-year-old wicketkeeper/ batsman Emmanuel Stewart, 56, the trio combining to ensure there were no unlikely surprises.

Following a near twohour delayed start due again to weather, an outright result would have always been improbable and Fletcher and Smith ensured there were no early wickets as they ex-

tended their overnight third wicket stand to 63 before being separated.

Fletcher struck nine fours and two sixes off 219 deliveries while the left-handed Smith stroked nine fours on a 164-ball innings.

Hosein broke the stand when he bowled Smith on the back foot with one which spun back sharply and when leg-spinner Yannic Cariah also bowled Alick Athanaze for 14, Volcanoes had lost two wickets for 25 runs to be 156 for four.

However, Fletcher remained firmly entrenched, anchoring a 111-run fifth wicket partnership with Stewart, to deny Red Force any immediate further success.

Both eventually perished in successive overs with the score on 267, Fletcher caught at the wicket off Hosein and Stewart taken at short leg off off-spinner Bryan Charles, after facing 104 balls and striking seven fours and a six.

Holder, Harding fire Pride to crushing innings victory BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – New-ball fast bowlers Chemar Holder and Keon Harding sparked a stunning Leeward Islands Hurricanes collapse as Barbados Pride stormed to an emphatic innings and 81-run victory inside three days of their fourth round contest here Sunday.

Starting Sunday’s penultimate day at Warner Park on 10 without loss and still needing a further 207 runs to make Pride bat again, Hurricanes failed to withstand a devastating assault from Holder and Harding who snached five wickets between them, and crashed to 136 all out in their second innings.

Fast bowler Chemar Holder finished with three for 33..

Bowling with pace and accuracy, Holder finished with three for 33 and while Harding claimed two for 27, spells which reduced

the hosts to 24 for five at one stage.

Colin Archibald, better known for his left-arm seam, rescued pride for Hurricanes

with a whirlwind 53 off 32 deliveries while left-hander Amir Jangoo struck 42, but neither innings could avert the inevitable result especially with the damage already done.

Holder struck in the morning’s first over with no runs added to the overnight score, removing the lefthander Powell to a catch at gully by substitute Justin Greaves.

With seven runs added, Holder accounted for the other opener Montcin Hodge for four, the right-hander flirting with a good length delivery and nicking a catch behind to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.

When Devon Thomas shouldered arms and lost his off-stump to Harding for four 14 balls later, Hurricanes were in strife at 20 for three.

Captain Jahmar Hamilton lasted two balls for his one while Rahkeem Cornwall got a first-ball ‘duck’ but Jangoo halted the slide by posting 37 for the sixth wicket with Jaison Peters (18).

Medium pacer Kevin Stoute broke the stand with the last ball before lunch when Peters edged a slash at a wide long hop, leaving Hurricanes on 61 for six at the break.

The end for Hurricanes appeared imminent when

Terrance Warde (2) perished after the interval at 70 for seven but Archibald launched a brazen counter-attack to temporarily stun the visitors.

He smashed four fours and four sixes, adding 62 for the ninth wicket with the patient Jangoo, who faced 89 balls and struck three fours and a six in just over 2-½ hours.

A protracted rain break then halted Hurricanes’ revival at 130 for seven but once play resumed, the last three wickets fell for six runs with debutant left-arm spinner Camarie Boyce taking two.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Lara and Tendulkar roll back the years as bushfire relief fundraiser brings in millions

SACHIN Tendulkar and Brian Lara rolled back the years as Cricket Australia raised over 7.7 million Australian dollars (£3.9million) in the fundraising Bushfire Cricket Bash on Sunday.

At Melbourne’s Junction Oval, a Ricky Ponting XI beat an Adam Gilchrist XI by one run, with superstar lineups turning out in support of the relief effort.

Former Australia captain Ponting made 26 from 14 balls and West Indies great Lara plundered 30 in the 10-overs-a-side match, as the Ponting XI made 104-5 from their allocation.

In the reply, Gilchrist scored 17 before he was bowled by former Australian

Ricky Ponting’s team got the better of an Adam Gilchrist XI in the Bushfire Cricket Bash, as the match raised millions for charity.

rules star Luke Hodge, before Shane Watson cracked three

sixes in a nine-ball 30 and

Ponting, Lara, Watson

Andrew Symonds added 29.

and Symonds all retired

to give others a chance to shine in the charity contest, which saw bowlers including Peter Siddle, Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram and Dan Christian come in for some uncharitable treatment from batsmen.

Brett Lee’s 2-11 from two overs bucked the trend, as the former Baggy Green paceman took the wickets of Gilchrist XI stars Brad Hodge and Yuvraj Singh.

Tendulkar, who was named coach of the Ponting XI, made a crowd-pleasing cameo between innings when he faced an over shared by Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland.

The Gilchrist XI then needed five from the final

ball of their 10 overs, but ex-Aussie rules footballer Nick Riewoldt, attempting to club a six, could only scramble a three to leave his team just short on 1036.

Cricket Australia centred the match around its Big Appeal campaign, with television coverage taking the match to a large audience, and its fundraising was boosted by an online auction.

At least 33 people died in Australia’s bushfire crisis, with wildlife taking the brunt and homes and large areas of land being destroyed.

Ryan Dey elected GRFU president NATIONAL player Ryan Dey was elected president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), following Sunday’s Annual General Meeting and Elections.

Held at the National Racquet Centre, the elections saw Dey, a member of

the Panthers Rugby Club, going toe-to-toe with his former vice president, Major Earl Edghill and coming out on top.

Immediate-past President, Peter Green, did not seek reelection.

Dey, after the election, thanked Green for the

hard work he has done over the years and committed to elevate the standards of Guyana’s Rugby.

J o s h u a G r i ff i t h a n d Kevon David will serve as Dey’s vice presidents, while Terrence Grant is the secretary.

Quacy Bremner

From left to right; Michael Whitehead, Natasha Andrews, Kevon David, Joshua Griffith, Ryan Dey, Tiffany Spencer, Quacy Bremner, Sherlock Sam and Shane Grant-Stuart

(treasurer) and Godfrey Broomes are the other members of the Executive

Committee.

Michael Whitehead, Natasha Andrews, Sher-

lock Sam and Shane Grant-Stuart are the Committee Members.

Pride dislodge Jaguars to top Regional Four-Day standings BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Barbados Pride have stormed to the top of the standings in the Regional Four-Day Championship following their

crushing innings win over Leeward Islands in Basseterre on Sunday.

They entered the fourth round encounter at Warner Park one fifth of a point

behind five-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars but with their innings and 81run victory inside three days are now at the summit of the six-team table on 65.2 points.

The vicCRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday February 11, 2020) tory was Pride’s COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683third on the 9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, trot followCampbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ing their shock openAnswers to yesterday’s quiz: ing round (1) Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND) defeat to Windward (2) India Islands VolToday’s Quiz: canoes last month in (1) How many teams took part in the recent ICC Under 19 World Cup proper?

Kingstown.

Jaguars, (2) Who were the losing quarter-finalists? meanwhile, Answers in tomorrow’s issue slipped to second on

New Four-day Regional leaders Barbados Pride.

49 points, after suffering their second defeat of the season with a seven-run loss to Jamaica Scorpions in Georgetown.

In a low-scoring game at the National Stadium where neither team reached 200 in either inning, Jaguars failed to chase down a modest 182 for victory on Sunday’s final

day after resuming on 155 for nine.

Jaguars are 7-½ points clear of third placed Trinidad and Tobago Red Force who drew with Volcanoes in a rain-ravaged affair at Windsor Park.

Volcanoes, meanwhile, lie fourth on 40.4 points while Scorpions have

moved into fifth spot on 36.8 points after posting their first win of the season following two draws and a defeat in the two previous rounds.

Hurricanes are bottom on 29.2 after suffering their defeat of the season.

In the next round starting Thursday, Pride host Red Force in the long-standing bitter rivalry at Kensington Oval, Jaguars travel to Grenada to take on Volcanoes while Scorpions host Hurricanes at the Trelawny Multipurpose Complex in northwestern Jamaica.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Return of Jason ‘AK 47’ Barker to highlight outdoor boxing competition at National Gymnasium

FORMER Caribbean Super heavyweight champion Jason ‘AK 47’ Barker makes his return to the ring on Sunday evening after a period of incarceration.

Barker, who learnt to box in prison while serving time for robbery under arms, is out on parole. He would be the main attraction for the Guyana Boxing Association’s opening meet for 2020.

The outdoor bout, which is slated for the tarmac of the National Gymnasium, is the first such event in five years.

According to president of the GBA Steve Ninvalle,

boxers from gyms across the country should be a part of the action.

The highlight though would be the return of ‘AK 47’, who is set to battle national heavyweight champion Darren France. Barker, who had won the regional title in 2016, was initially sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2008 at the age of 20.

When he represented Guyana in Barbados a few years ago, he was still serving his sentence, but was allowed to compete; once back home, he returned to prison. Barker has been a

model inmate and during an interview with Chronicle Sport in 2017 (the same year he was nominated for Sportsman of the Year), had noted that his entire outlook on life had changed.

He said that he regretted his previous actions. “I’m a change man; I’m not the same person that walked into this jail. Boxing saved me and I want to repay the people who believed in me, to give me this chance to show the world my talent, especially my coach and president (Steve) Ninvalle.”

Some 14 bouts are sched-

uled for the meet with a number of boxers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) and the Rose Hall Jammers, among others, expected to compete.

Ninvalle said that the meet will keep the boxers in action between now and National Novices, which is scheduled for April.

Overall, the GBA head noted that 2020 would be a packed year for the sport.

Jason Barker would lock horns with Darren France in the feature bout

Minister Norton expresses condolences on the passing of Jude Bentley

Jude Bentley lost his life on Saturday morning.

THE Hon. Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton wishes to extend sincerest condolences to the relatives, friends, fans and well-wishers of national cyclist, Jude Bentley.

Bentley’s passing has undoubtedly saddened the entire sports fraternity, particularly the Cycling community and the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.

Bentley’s contribution towards the development of sports has been exemplary and he will forever be remembered as the thriving rider that he was.

It is our hope that his family will take comfort

in the outpouring of love and prayers that has been coming from all across the country.

May his soul find eternal peace.

Warner, Perry win top honours at Australian Cricket Awards LESS than a year after completing the ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, David Warner was crowned the Allan Border medalist despite his horror Ashes series while Ellyse Perry took the Belinda Clark medal at the annual Australian Cricket Awards in Melbourne.

Warner, who became clearly emotional during his acceptance speech, pipped Steven Smith by one vote (194 to 193) and Pat Cummins to the main men’s award following a prolific World Cup campaign and outstanding home summer which included his first Test triple century against Pakistan in Adelaide.

The awards for international cricket are based on votes from players, umpires and the media on a 3-2-1 basis from each match for the period January 8, 2019 to January 9, 2020.

Those performances on either side of the Ashes, which included impressive T20I re-

Ellyse Perry, winner of the Belinda Clark medal poses with David Warner, winner of the Allan Border medal Getty Images

turns which earned Warner that honour as well, were enough to counter an England series where he made just 95 runs in 10 innings. Over the voting period, Warner was Australia’s leading cross-format run-scorer with 1815 (881 in Tests, 647 in ODIs and 287 in T20Is). He had previously won the Allan Border Medal in 2016 and 2017.

“I’m taken aback by this It’s been quite challenging,” he said as his voice cracked.

“It’s hard to put a finger on

where I should start. But as I said before, I want to thank Cricket Australia for that opportunity. The work that you guys did…I think was absolutely fantastic and I thank you again for that.

“I want to really thank my home club team at Randwick-Petersham for giving me that opportunity to go out there and play grade cricket. I realised a lot of things during that time off that we don’t actually understand or realise

when we’re in this bubble, the importance of what this game is and the smiles on the faces that we bring to a lot of people.

“It’s just been remarkable to come back. With the World Cup, to not go the whole way was disappointing.

The Ashes, retaining that was fantastic -- I obviously didn’t turn up and I apologise for that -- but I really had the hunger and determination to come back and do the best for our team. To come back and have a summer like that and just contribute, it really put a smile on my face -- and I hope it did for you guys as well.”

Perry, who had also previously won the Belinda Clark medal twice, took the major women’s award ahead of Alyssa Healy - who claimed the ODI and T20I titles - with her standout performance in the Ashes Test, where she scored 116 and 76 not, being a key part of her year which also saw her take 7 for 22 in the third ODI of the multi-point Ashes series

which Australia won comfortably. Across all formats, Perry scored 783 runs at 97.87 and took 28 wickets at 16.50.

“It’s actually a huge surprise,” Perry said, “especially considering how successful the team has been this year but also the outstanding individual performances, none more so than Midgy [Healy], but it’s been a really special 12 months, one which we’ll all savour for a long time to come. The most exciting thing is every 12 months we have seems to get bigger and better and new things come our way so a very special time to be involved.”

The other main winners in the men’s awards were Marnus Labuschagne, who took the Test player title after his magnificent run since coming into the team as a concussion sub for Smith at Lord’s, and Aaron Finch who was named ODI player of the year after making 1141 runs at 51.86 with four centuries.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Full list of awards Allan Border Medal: David Warner Belinda Clark Medal: Ellyse Perry Men’s Test player: Marnus Labuschagne Men’s ODI player: Aaron Finch Men’s T20I player: David Warner Men’s domestic player: Shaun Marsh Men’s Young player: Wes Agar Women’s ODI player: Alyssa Healy Women’s T20 player: Alyssa Healy Women’s domestic player: Molly Strano Women’s young plaer: Tayla Vlaeminck Community champion: Corinne Hall

Bangladesh erupts in joy after biggest cricket triumph 27 PAGE

The victorious Bangladesh team celebrate their win // Getty Images)

Kevin Persaud aiming for bike glory in 2020 27

Pele is depressed, reclusive due to health issues, says son

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French soccer player Kylian Mbappe and Brazilian soccer legend Pele pose ahead of their meeting in Paris, France April 2, 2019. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Kevin Persaud practising

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian soccer great Pele is depressed over his poor health and reluctant to leave the house because he cannot walk unaided, his son Edinho said in an interview published in Brazil on Monday.

Pele, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers in history and who will be 80 in October, has had hip trouble for years and now needs a frame to walk.

Many of his recent public

appearances have been in a wheelchair.

“He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or ideal rehabilitation,” Edinho told TV Globo.

“So he has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression. Imagine, he’s the King, he was always such an imposing figure and today he can’t walk properly.

“He’s embarrassed, he doesn’t want to go out, be seen, or do practically anything that involves leaving the house,” his son added. “He is very sheepish, reclusive.”

Edinho said he had argued with his father because he had not done the physiotherapy called for after a hip operation.

Pele, the only player to win three World Cups, spent most of his career with Brazilian team Santos before moving to New York Cosmos in the 1970s.

This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of the striker’s third World Cup title, won in Mexico in 1970 with what many people believe is the greatest team of all time.

Return of Jason ‘AK 47’ Barker to highlight outdoor boxing competition at National Gymnasium 31 PAGE

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020