Guyana_Chronicle_EPaper_04_06_2019

TUESDAY 4th June, 2019

No.105658

‘Oil blocks giveaway’

…SARA probes to zero in on possible breach of petroleum agreement SEE STORIES ON PAGES 02&03 ►

…to seek external assistance to help investigate matter

‘No upsurge in crime’

Cops to charge Agricola vigilantes …as investigation continues into fatal accident

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–Top Cop says public reacting to a ‘few’ sensational crimes

No dismissal of Public Service staff PAGE

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…MOTP says probe launched into allegations against some officers

Major consortium in line to purchase Rose Hall Estate …but lack of critical info from GuySuCo hindering sale of other estates

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02 (From Right) Divisional Commander Marlon Chapman, Commissioner of Police Leslie James and the team of Senior Officers during a recent walkabout in the Stabroek Market area

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday June 4, 2019

SARA to seek external help to probe oil blocks award THE State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) is likely to seek external help as it investigates the alleged questionable award of oil blocks to companies by the People’s Progressive Party, in the dying days of its term in office.

On May 22, 2019 news broke internationally that the Agency is investigating conflicting received information regarding the awarding of oil blocks offshore Guyana to “junior” companies yet to begin noteworthy activities.

Since then, the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/c)-led Administration responsible for the awarding of the Canje and Kaieteur blocks now under much scrutiny, has taken to the media to distance themselves from the dots being connected. It is being reported that a short while before the 2015 General and Regional Elections, the PPP/C Administration

signed over the awards for the blocks.

Ratio Guyana, which holds 25 per cent in the Kaieteur Block; JHI Associates Inc. (JHI) which holds 17.5 per cent in the Canje Block and Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc. (MOGI) which holds 12.5 per cent in the same, have since been labelled as “inexperienced” in deep water exploration oil and gas experts. SARA is presently pursuing a complaint

by Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal who questioned the Administration’s actions since in 2017. When the internal investigation is completed, according to an informed source, it is likely that SARA will seek out “whatever help we need”.

Mangal is among some who have recommended that SARA work along with independent experts to ensure that the investigation, “more complex than anything SARA has

done before”, is successfully executed. The source told the newspaper that many are unaware that SARA already has international assistance and partners to serve in this regard.

In fact, in accordance with Article 54 (1) (c) of the United Nations’ Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) under which the SARA Bill is guided, the Agency can seek out international mutual, legal agreements and persons qualified to assist in investigations.

Furthermore, the SARA Bill (2017) is designed to facilitate the recovery of illicitly obtained property through civil processes with the primary objective of reducing the consequential damaging effects of corruption on sustainable development. The source reminded that the Agency has worked in the past with world-renowned bodies such as the Caribbean

Institute of Forensic Audit (CIFA).

CIFA, established in 2008, is the only Caribbean-based Institute dedicated to providing training in anti-fraud and forensic accounting throughout the region and has provided training to industry professionals in some 100 organisations in 11 Caribbean territories.

Until help is sought out, SARA will be investigating contradictions in information being presented on the awarding of the oil bocks.

Much of the investigation is fueled by the questioning actions of the former Administration.

The source reasoned: “Elections were on the 11th [of May 2015]; on May 8 the PPP said that oil had been found. In order for them to know that oil had been found on May 8, somebody would have had to tell them before.

We’re trying to find out when

did that happen. Was it on April 18th when we have a YouTube tape on them being on the rig talking to Exxon?

But, they had to know that oil had been found and, if that’s the case…why would you then give the blocks away and why would you give them away just before an election?”

Former President, Donald Ramotar has since claimed that he had no knowledge that Guyana had oil before awarding the blocks. However, the informed source opinioned that the sequential occurrences seem “suspicious”.

Former Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud acknowledged the same in 2018 when he told the Stabroek News: “I know it looks suspicious but I thought we would have won the elections anyhow and that it was just the continuation of an already started process from 2013.”

In a recent media release, Ramotar supported that applications for exploration in the Kaieteur Block came in 2012 while applications for the Canje Block came the following year. He said that they were processed and approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations around late 2013. However, the informed source questions this account stating given that JHI Associates Inc. (JHI), holding 17.5 per cent of the Canje Block, was only registered in May, 2015. At this stage, it is unknown how long the investigation will take. Nonetheless, upon completion, the courts will be the ones to decide on what becomes of individuals or entities found to be involved in fraud.

Major consortium in line to purchase Rose Hall Estate …but lack of critical info from GuySuCo hindering sale of other estates for ratification from Cabinet. PricewaterhouseCoopers Managing Director said the Indian-Ghanaian-Guyanese consortium intends to remain in the Sugar Cane Industry.

“Their primary intention is to remain within the sugar cane industry. They intend to produce sugar, they intend to produce cosmetics or input for cosmetics and they intend to produce liquid sugar,” Baghaloo detailed.

the consortium will be making technical and legal input while the Ghanaian partners are responsible for logistics and the factory. Indian partners that also make up the consortium are specialized in sugar production and machinery.

Baghaloo disclosed that he met with Cabinet for the first time on March 19, and updated the Ministers of Government on the prog-

“I indicated then, and my position remains the same, that there would likely to have a conclusion on the privatization on one of the estates, by the end of July, and that by the end of November this year, we would have a better (understanding) as to when we will be able to privatize the two other estates,” he said.

Noting that the discussions have progressed

Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU), Colvin Heath-London and PricewaterhouseCoopers (Jamaica) Managing Director Wilfred Baghaloo addressing reporters at NICIL’s Camp Street House. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

By Svetlana Marshall AN Indian-Ghanaian-Guyanese consortium is in line to purchase the Rose Hall Estate but the lack of critical information from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on the Skeldon and Enmore Estates is making it difficult for those two estates to be marketed, Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU), Colvin Heath-London said on Monday.

Addressing reporters

alongside PricewaterhouseCoopers (Jamaica) Managing Director Wilfred Baghaloo, London disclosed that the Indian-Ghanaian-Guyanese consortium is the “front runner” among the three companies that have bid for the Rose Hall Estate, located in Rose Hall, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six).

According to London, negotiation with the consortium is expected to conclude by the end of July. PricewaterhouseCoopers, an International Financial Services Provider, is negotiating the sale of the three estates – Rose

Hall, Enmore and Skeldon – on behalf of NICIL-SPU. “Surprisingly out of the three estates, Rose Hall has received most of the interest and out of the three companies that are interested in Rose Hall, PricewaterhouseCoopers is finalizing discussions with one of the companies. Those discussions are at a delicate stage,” the SPU Head told reporters at NICIL’s Camp Street Office.

It is the hope of the SPU that PricewaterhouseCoopers would be able to successfully conclude discussions on the sale of the estate to allow

The Rose Hall Estate is among three estates identified for privatization and divestment through the NICIL-SPU.

It was noted that the partners in Guyana that make up

ress of the sale of the three estates.

smoothly thus far, Baghaloo, TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday June 4, 2019

‘Oil blocks giveaway’ …SARA probes to zero in on possible breach of petroleum agreement

By Lisa Hamilton AS part of its investigation into the awarding of oil blocks offshore Guyana, the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) will be looking into whether “junior” companies, awarded contracts by the former administration, are in breach of their Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) agreement.

According to the Petroleum Agreement signed by former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) President, Donald Ramotar and seen by this newspaper, Ratio’s PPL expired on April 28, 2019.

Ratio Guyana holds 25 per cent share in the Kaieteur Block and is currently one of the companies under investigation by SARA. Within the Petroleum Agreement, signed April 28, 2015, Ratio was required to carry out prospecting operations in the contracted area over a period of four years.

Under the heading ‘Exploration Programme and Expenditure Obligation’, these requirements were broken down in 24-month phases.

Phase One included the acquisition of 2D seismic data from previous surveys conducted and, at the end of the 24-month period, either relinquish the entire contract-

ed area or 25 per cent of the contracted area according to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. Phase Two required the contractor to drill at least one exploration well.

“At the end of the second renewal period of three (3) years, the Contractor shall relinquish the entire Contract Area except for: (i) any Discovery Area in respect of which the Minister is informed under section 30 of the Act, and (ii) the area contained in any Petroleum Production Licence and any other portion of the Contract area on which the Minister agrees to permit the Contractor to conduct further exploration activities,” the agreement stated.

Asked whether Ratio would have met any of the goals within the exploration programme, an informed source told the newspaper: “We’ve not seen the plan they would have had to turn in…we don’t know if anything has been done and that’s part of the investigation; they were supposed to have done something, according to the document, within four years.”

The source also reasoned that JHI and Mid-Atlantic, having similar contracts which were given out only

a month apart, are likely to be in a similar position. As such, the source stated that SARA will soon be speaking with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Department of Energy and operators of the blocks for more information.

Speaking on what implications can arise should research verify that the companies were negligent in this regard, the source stated that, ultimately, the courts will decide. “What we are doing right now is doing baseline research.

We’re looking at timelines to see when things happened and, based on that, we’ll be able to ask appropriate questions and seek the appropriate international help,” the source said.

“We are following our Bill. Whatever information we find, we take to a court, SARA does not make a judgement; I don’t think people understand that. We can’t go and seize anybody’s property from your bicycle to your pen to your house to your computer. Everything we do has to go to a court and then the court makes the decision based on the probability of the evidence.”

The source relayed that, currently, baseline research is ongoing whereby time◄ From page 2

Major consortium in line ... like Heath-London, is optimistic that the negotiation would be successfully concluded in July.

“We have progressed quite nicely with the discussion but nothing is complete as yet. We are now sharing our draft agreements with their legal team and we will see what their legal team response is,” Baghaloo said.

The Managing Director of PricewaterhouseCoopers is expected to return to Cabinet this month to provide them with an update on the negotiation with the Indian-Ghanaian-Guyanese consortium, and the expressions of interest for the two other estates.

Stating clearly that PricewaterhouseCoopers was con-

tracted by NICIL-SPU to privatize the three sugar estates on the basis that they will remain within the sugar cane industry, not necessarily in the sugar industry, Baghaloo said several challenges have been encountered, as is expected, and have been detailed to Cabinet.

“We have a unique feature where we have closed three estates, and we are asking the private sector to take ownership of those three estates, while government retains the ownership of three estates. That creates many challenges,” he posited.

He said investors are asking several questions.

One, are the three estates identified for privatization the least profitable among

the set? Secondly, why only three estates are being privatized? Thirdly, how would the Government maintain an environment that would allow the private sector to fairly compete with public sector entities for scarce resources such as access to market, people and transportation?

Those are the primary concerns of companies, Baghaloo posited.

According to him, Cabinet was written to on the need to create an enabling environment, and several follow-up letters were dispatched with the last letter sent on May 14.

In addition to those challenges, Baghaloo said he wrote Cabinet complaining about the lack of informa-

lines are being reviewed and verified to guide appropriate interview questions.

Should incriminating information be found, SARA would not take on the role of judge or jury as the entity is obligated only to refers its findings to the courts. While some companies stall, others which have stakes in other oil blocks offshore Guyana, such as ExxonMobil and Tullow, have begun operations or have plans to do so.

ExxonMobil is well underway towards oil production in early 2020 while Tullow has announced US$80M plans to drill 3 wells; the first to be drilled this month. Such developments have resulted in comparisons from the welllearned to the average citizen who questions the awarding of the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks to companies since labelled as “junior” and “inexperienced”.

“The concessions are in deep-water. Canje and Kaieteur are in ultra-deep water which means it’s deeper than where Exxon has found oil,” the informed individual stated. “You would expect that any company that has been given such a concession would of had a proven track record, would of had a balance sheet, would of had assets

other than this and would of had the ability to develop the block themselves in the same with that Exxon and its partners can develop the Kaieteur Block itself.”

ExxonMobil holds 35 per cent of the rights in the Kaieteur Block; Ratio Guyana holds 25 per cent; Cateleya holds 25 per cent and HESS holds 15 per cent.

In the Canje Block, ExxonMobil holds 35 per cent; Total holds 35 per cent; JHI holds 17.5 per cent and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas 12.5 per cent.

The source also noted that two of the participants in Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas had blocks previously as a part of CGX Energy.

Founders of JHI and MOGI, John Cullen and Dr. Edris K. Dookie, are the original co-founders of CGX Energy. According to the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GEITI), the Guyana Government awarded a Petroleum Licence to CGX in the offshore Guyana Basin in 1998.

In June 2000, CGX commenced drilling operations when Surinamese naval gunboats forced the jack-up rig off the Eagle-1 well. Following legal proceedings at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the

maritime border dispute with Suriname was resolved.

Years later, following a resolution, CGX was awarded a Petroleum Licence for the Corentyne Block on November 27, 2012 and then, in February 13, 2013, the company was awarded a Licence for the Demerara Block. “The company initiated various exploratory surveys but over the years, work has been paused as further options are reassessed. In December 2017, CGX committed to a restructured programme of work covering the Corentyne and Demerara Blocks,” the GEITI website stated.

In light of the known challenges, the well-informed source questioned: “Two of the participants in the Mid Atlantic company had blocks before as part of CGX; why then would you even give them additional blocks?”

While JHI and Mid-Atlantic released a joint statement on June 1, 2019 defending their experience in offshore petroleum exploration, the source corrected that is issue is not the possession of an experienced team but the work plan of the companies.

tion, which has proven to be a challenge. He said information is necessary to foster discussions on the sale of the Skeldon and Enmore Estates, which for a large part would require information on the value of the assets.

“The challenges that we have augur primarily around information that we need from GuySuCo, financial information for each of the estate; to date I have not received that. I have received the audited account for GuySuCo, that’s one thing; I need information for each of the estates, the valuators need information on major equipment, who are the suppliers, the last time the equipment were maintained,” the PricewaterhouseCoopers Managing Director detailed. In the case of Skeldon, he said, several companies have expressed their interest; however, they require in-

formation on the factory, and the equipment therein.

“With Skeldon, the challenge is proper information on Skeldon, the age of the equipment, the manufacturer of the equipment; we are still struggling to get information on the co-generation (plant), particularly the historical performance of it,” he pointed out.

Negative reports on the Skeldon Estate and Factory are now among concerns of the investors. As such,

it calls for greater due diligence and even investment.

“We have interest in Skeldon and we continue to have interest in Skeldon but it has not reached the level of negotiation that we have had with Rose Hall,” Baghaloo posited.

In the case of Enmore, the lack of cane supply is among the factors that makes it least attractive among the set, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers Managing Director.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 4, 2019

Kremlin rebuffs Trump on Syria, says military action in Idlib is justified MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin rebuffed criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump of Russian and Syrian government military action in Syria’s rebel-held Idlib prov ince, saying on Monday it was needed to

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shut down rebel attacks being launched from there.

Trump on Sunday urged Russian and Syrian government forces to stop bombing Idlib, following a Friday Kremlin statement that signaled Moscow would continue

08, 22, 04, 13, 15

to back a month-long Syrian government offensive there.

The assault has raised fears of a humanitarian crisis as Syrians displaced by the fighting seek shelter at the Turkish border. More than 200,000 people have fled

2, 2, 9

since strikes began at the end of April, according to the United Nations. Advertisement When asked about Trump’s criticism on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said militants were using Idlib as a base to launch attacks against civilian and military targets, something he called unacceptable.

“Of course strikes by

4, 2, 7

militants from Idlib are u n a c c e p t a b l e a n d m e asures are being taken to neutralize these strike positions,” Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

He said Turkey bore responsibility for ensuring such attacks from Idlib did not happen under a deal reached between Russia and Turkey in September. The Syrian offen-

1, 4, 5, 9, 14,

sive has strained that agreement which created a demilitarized zone in Idlib and called for it to be free of all heavy weapons and jihadist fighters. Turkey has called for a ceasefire in Idlib, the last significant rebel stronghold, to prevent more civilian deaths and a possible new surge of refugees fleeing the fighting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 4, 2019

Donald Trump gets the royal treatment on state visit to UK LONDON (Reuters) - Britain rolled out the royal red carpet for Donald Trump on Monday, with Queen Elizabeth leading the pomp and pageantry in honor of the U.S. president whose interventions into London’s political crises threatened to overshadow the visit.

From a banquet with the 93-year-old monarch, who also gave him a guided tour of historical items at Buckingham Palace, to tea with heir Prince Charles, Trump and his wife Melania were to be treated to the full royal spectacle of a British state visit.

The three-day trip is cast as a chance to celebrate Britain’s “special relationship” with the United States, boost trade links and reaffirm security cooperation. But the proudly unpredictable 45th U.S. president’s views on Britain’s exit from the European Union, on the possible successor to Theresa May as British prime minister and a row over China’s Huawei have cast a pall over the visit.

Even as he flew into the British capital, he reignited a feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan - who had written on Sunday that Britain should not be rolling out the red carpet for Trump - describing the mayor as a “stone cold loser”. “London part of trip is going really well. The queen and the entire royal family have been fantastic,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

“The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong.

Great love all around. Also, big Trade Deal is possible once UK gets rid of the shackles. Already starting to talk!”

The state visit was promised by Prime Minister May back in January 2017 when she became the first foreign leader to meet Trump after he took office. The first day of such a visit is customarily taken up with a series of royal engagements and ceremonies.

ADVERTISEMENT At Buckingham Palace, Melania - in an elegant, white below-the-knee Dolce & Gabbana dress with navy blue collar and belt and a custom hat by Herve Pierre - stood alongside the queen and Charles’s wife Camilla, while Charles and the president inspected the guard.

After lunch with Elizabeth and other senior royals, the queen gave the Trumps a guided tour of artifacts of American historical interest from the royal collection. She also showed him some of her family’s golfing memorabilia in a nod to the president who owns two Scottish golf courses.

The queen’s second son Prince Andrew then accompanied him to Westminster Abbey, coronation church of English monarchs for 1,000 years where he laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, before tea with Prince Charles at his home, Clarence House. The day culminates with a lavish banquet at Buckingham Palace, where men wear white tie coats with tails and women evening gowns.

UNCONVENTIONAL Away from the pageantry, Trump is set to make his trip the most unconventional state visit in recent British history.

He has already waded far into Britain’s turbulent domestic

U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth review items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain, June 3, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria politics, where more than a dozen candidates are vying to replace May, who announced last month she was quitting after failing to get her EU divorce deal through parliament.

Trump, who has regularly criticized May’s Brexit tactics, said Britain must leave the bloc on the due date of Oct. 31 with or without a deal. He praised May’s Brexit-supporting rival, former foreign minister Boris Johnson, saying he would be a “great” potential prime minister and also called for arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage, a scourge of May’s ruling Conservative Party, to conduct talks with the EU. Brexit is the most signifi-

cant geopolitical move for the United Kingdom since World War Two and if it ever happens then London will be more reliant on the United States as ties loosen with the other 27 members of the EU. Advertisement HUAWEI TENSIONS At a meeting with May, Trump will also warn Britain that security cooperation, a cornerstone of the western intelligence network, could be hurt if London allows China’s Huawei a role in building parts of the 5G network, the next generation of cellular technology.

The Trump administration has told allies not to use its

5G technology and equipment because of fears it would allow China to spy on sensitive communications and data. Huawei denies it is, or could be, a vehicle for Chinese intelligence.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Britain last month it needed to change its attitude towards China and Huawei, casting the world’s second largest economy as a threat to the West similar to that once posed by the Soviet Union.

Britain’s relationship with the United States is an enduring alliance, but some British voters see Trump as crude, volatile and opposed to their values on issues ranging from

global warming to his treatment of women. Slideshow (24 Images)Hundreds of thousands protested against him during a trip last year and a blimp depicting Trump as a snarling, nappy-clad baby will fly outside Britain’s parliament during the visit. Other protesters plan a “carnival of resistance” in central London and Jeremy Corbyn, the socialist leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party who declined an invitation to attend the state banquet, said he would join them.

Responding to Trump’s latest criticism of the London mayor, Khan’s spokesman said: “This is much more serious than childish insults which should be beneath the President of the United States.

Sadiq is representing the progressive values of London and our country...” Trump said instead of demonstrations, there had been “tremendous crowds of well-wishers”.

“Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the Fake News will be working hard to find them,” he said on Twitter. Outside the palace, a handful of supporters sported “Make America Great Again” hats and “Trump 2020” shirts. A small number of protesters were also present. The second day of Trump’s trip will focus on politics, including a breakfast with business leaders, talks with May in 10 Downing Street, a news conference and a dinner at the U.S. ambassador’s residence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Furthering historical ties

GUYANA, since its Independence, has enjoyed warm relations with African countries, particularly those in the geographic belt of the Southern Sahara, establishing diplomatic relations with most of them after independence.

Those of a matured age may recall the first of two visits to Guyana of that grand statesman of African politics, and one of the continent’s staunch champions of the struggle against the iniquitous system of apartheid, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, former president of Zambia, making what was to be the first state visit of any African Head of State to Guyana, in the latter part of 1965, before Guyana’s Independence.

Guyana was to become host to several such visits from some of Africa’s most prominent and noted leaders: Kaunda again in 1975; Botswana’s Sir Seretse Khama; Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe; His Majesty King Sobhuza from Swaziland; Nigeria’s General Yakuba Gowon; Tanzania’s Dr

Julius Nyerere; and Guinea’s Ahmed Sekou Toure.

There were even visits from Namibia’s Sam Nujomo, before he became president of his country, that had been a part of the larger struggle of the African Liberation Movement against the then system of racist separatism

by South Africa, and another icon of the Zimbabwe struggle for Independence, Joshua Nkomo, before he became a member of Robert Mugabe’s cabinet, for a short while.

Therefore, the recent announcement by President David Granger of the imminent State visit to Guyana of the President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, should be seen as a most welcomed continuation of that tradition that would have cemented fraternal ties between Guyana and the African continent, as well as strengthened bilateral relations.

In fact, it must be emphasised that it is no mere coincidence that Guyana will be hosting Ghana’s president, given the background of the historic ties that have

existed with this giant of the West African continent. For among the tens of millions of African slaves who were brought to the Caribbean and South America, especially Brazil, many were from the Akan tribe who would have settled in Guyana.

Thus, Afro Guyanese culture owes its many facets of identification with Ghana: the ever-popular Anansi stories; popular dishes such as metemgee and konki; and names such as kwesi and Kofi, very popular among Afro Guyanese males, are all from the Akan people.

President Granger, in his address to the 2017 Afro Guyanese edition of Ghana Day Celebrations, spoke about the need for “Guyanese to do much more research into their own history and that of the Akan people and of modern Ghana if they are to find linkages between Ghana and Guyana.”

It is a position which we wholeheartedly support, given the fact that historically, there has been a disconnect between the general African flow that was forcibly up-

rooted from their homeland and brought to the New World, inclusive of Guyana, and aspects of their historical cultural roots. And this is despite the fact that there exists currently much more awareness among Afro Guyanese as to historical–cultural circumstances and what should be done to remedy same.

Apart from the fact of the very enduring cultural influences that Ghana has bequeathed to Guyana, this country has also been very pivotal for the political-ideological influence that it gave to Guyana’s early political collective, especially the giants, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Cheddi Bharat Jagan, both late presidents of Guyana.

It was the late iconic leader, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who championed his country’s Independence, and whose intellectual insight into the construct and intention of colonialism that enabled him to precipitate the quest of his fellow anti-colonial leaders’ struggle for political independence from

the various colonial powers for their individual colonies.

As the foremost exponent of Pan Africanism, his ideas ran counter to the colonial overlords; although they were the basis for the early political guidance of both Burnham and Jagan, which also fired the duo’s zeal for independence from what was then British Guiana. It is instructive that both these later national leaders were present at the historic Independence ceremony and celebrations of the Gold Coast, when it became Ghana in 1957; with Nkrumah, at a later period, seeking to mediate the political differences between the two Guyanese leaders.

However, there is no doubt that Burnham, in his quest to make Guyana economically self-sufficient, was reminded by the great Ghanaian leader’s doctrine that political Independence is meaningless without economic Independence.

Last November, Guyana and Ghana signed what can be described as an open skies’ agreement at the Third African Diaspora

meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. This is a very timely Air Services Agreement, as it will reduce air travel time between Ghana and this side of the Atlantic from four days to a mere four hours, as reported.

With also a Technical Cooperation Agreement for the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise in the critical area of civil aviation finalised, bilateral relations are indeed pivotally placed for greater advancement which can only benefit the two nations.

Guyana looks forward to this visit, for not only will it rekindle spiritual ties with a part of the African continent that has great significance for a section of Guyana’s socio-cultural life; rekindle that very special bond that has always existed between the two countries, in addition to attracting further interest from other countries within the African continent, but also in exploring other mutual economic agreements, especially at an opportune time as this.

Probe into award of oil blocks provides for the underpinning of our democracy

Dear Editor,

TODAY, I read with great interest in a section of the media that the city’s Chambers of Commerce head says SARA probe of oil blocks is a waste of time.

This probe and that of Pradoville and others is merely an attempt to say that

justice is properly served.

As the inheritors of Guyana’s 83,000 square miles, we the descendants of brutalised and dehumanised slaves and disadvantaged indentured labourers reserve the right to preserve our patrimony so that we can bequeath to our descendants every square inch of land, and all of our natural

resources given to us by the Creator.

This means that the allocation of the nation’s property must be done in a decent and proper manner.

When someone, therefore, publicly states that SARA’s probe of oil blocks is a waste of time, it runs counter to wisdom, propriety and patriotism.

I may have been among the first to call young Eddie Boyer to congratulate him on his appointment as President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

I was excited that GCCI was now being headed by a young progressive business magnate. I was excited and happy as one who believes

that young people should be given an opportunity to take Guyana forward to the highest plateau, recognising past mistakes, traditional prejudices and some of the follies of our past.

In the absence of a Truth Commission, Guyanese are entitled to have someone get to the bottom of some lurid stories of impropriety we’ve

heard about.

SARA was established to get to the bottom of these stories we hear about in the marketplaces, cocktail parties, and when we sit to sip and chat. This exercise, or probe, provides for the underpinning of our democracy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

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CIOG President reflects on Eid al Fitr 2019 RESPECTED Brothers and Sisters, Elders, and my Non-Muslim friends As salamu alaikum wa rahamtullahi WaBarakaatuh. Eid Mubarak Eid Mubarak Eid Mubarak!

The blessed month of Ramadan in which the Holy Quran was revealed to our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has ended, and is now followed by a time of celebration, reflection and gratitude.

On this joyous day of Eid al Fitr, I wish, on behalf of the Executives and Staff of CIOG, to join with you in this spiritual celebration. **Ramadan was not just abstention from food and drink; It was an exercise in patience and discipline, and it was an opportunity to

spend our time praying and beseeching Allah (swt) for His (swt) forgiveness and mercy. Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran (2:183): O you who believe! Fasting is ordained for you, as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint and God consciousness. The month of Ramadan provided the opportunity to renew our relationship with the Holy Quran, and to strengthen our connection with the Lord of the Worlds through all the various forms of Ibadaat.

The performance of Taraweeh, recitation of the Holy Quran, giving extra charity, extending a lending hand; all of these are considered acts of Ibadaat. We restrained ourselves physically and mentally, engaged in self-introspection, and

subdued our egos in order to get closer to Allah (swt).

Now we celebrate. In our celebration, let us not forget those among our brothers and sisters for whom Eid Day is just another ordinary day. There are those who open their cupboards on Eid Day and find them bare.

There are those in hospitals who will go through a bleak and lonely day with no one visiting them. Friendless, deprived of company, they will have no one to offer them solace or comfort. Let us reach out and share; let us see to it that all our brethren welcome the day of Eid with happiness and hope.

Those who believe and do good deeds, the Gracious God will create love in their hearts. (Al Quran 19:96).

Today does not herald the end of worship or letting FROM PAGE 6

Probe into award...

As one who is anxious to support the young generation and the likes of Nicholas Boyer, a young man I quite like, I’d therefore like to offer him the benefit of my three generations of experience in public affairs.

For now, I’d like to recommend that he py heed to the following; words of wisdom written by the prophet, Khalil Gibran.

“The WISE MAN is he who loves and reveres God. A man’s merit lies in his knowledge and in his deeds, not in his colour, faith, race or descent. For remember, my friend, the son of a shepherd who possesses knowledge is of greater worth to a nation than the heir to the throne, if he be ignorant.

Knowledge is your true patent of nobility, no matter who your father, or what your race, may be.

Learning is the only wealth tyrants cannot despoil. Only death can dim the lamp of knowledge that is within you. The true wealth of a nation lies not in its gold or silver, but in its learning, wisdom and in the uprightness of its sons.”

Young Boyer and others ought to be aware of events which took place on December 28, 2009 in relation to

the disposal of 103 acres of land at Plantation Liliendaal, Pattensen and Turkeyen; lands which my slave ancestors made usable by their sweat, blood and tears.

They dug thousands of miles of canals and built dams on the coastal plains with their hands, using shovels and spades. There were no bulldozers, hymacs or trucks during slavery.

This great task took place before William Wilberforce, Politician, Philanthropist, Member of Parliament and Leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade, and others secured improved conditions on the sugar plantations in British Guiana before 1834.

This was in addition to the efforts of the slaves themselves by uprisings and rebellions; the most notable being in 1763 and 1823.

The second stanza of our National Anthem is instructive, in that it says it all: “Green Land of Guyana, our heroes of yore, Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore; This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we All sons of one mother, Guyana the free.”

When SARA, therefore, was asked to investigate what appears to be a capricious transfer of those lands by the likes of Dr. Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington, I expect organisations such as GCCI, religious, social and political groups to applaud such efforts and not to dismiss it as a waste of time.

Let us not forget that when the slave trade was curtailed in 1807, the British administrators did not compensate the slaves, but instead compensated the slave owners.

A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. (Marcus Garvey) For our young people everywhere, ponder these words of the great Mahatma Gandhi, who said the future depends on what we do in the present.

Our young people who have been elevated to positions of responsibility must be in the vanguard for justice and moral revival and must appreciate the deeper philosophy which has led to the call in Guyana for reparation.

Regards, Hamilton Green

go of the concerns of the Akhirah. On the contrary, it heralds a new beginning of heightened Taqwa for the believers who have done so much during Ramadan, and are ready to transform their lives as a result. O servants of the Most Merciful, this is the true cause for joy and celebration today. The fast of Ramadan reminded us how it feels to be hungry; the Eid al Fitr shows the real meaning of selflessness, goodwill, and community.

As Muslims, we have the moral responsibility to work towards uniting our country by promoting harmony and peace.

As Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran (Chapter 41:33): And who is better in speech than the one who calls [his fellow men] unto Allah, and does what is just

and right, and says, “Verily, I am of those who have surrendered themselves to Allah?” I take this opportunity to encourage you to invite our non-Muslim brethren to join in our Eid celebrations. It is our duty to promote the core Islamic values of co-existence, tolerance, and khidma; to be in the service of others. Let us decide today, and every day, to nurture harmonious relationships in our families, communities and our nation.

As such, we will not only reap material benefits, but we will also be grounded by spiritual and ethical values rooted in Islam.

I close with the pillar of reliance of trust in Allah Hasbunnallu Wa Nia’ Mal Wakeel Allah is enough for us; and how excellent a guardian is He (swt).

I take this opportunity again to congratulate you for having fulfilled the honourable obligation of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan. We beseech Allah SWT to accept all our good deeds, and forgive all our shortcomings, (Ameen). Kullu Aam wa Antum Bikhair Eid Mubarak Very best wishes to you –Eid Mubarak WaSalallahu wa salam alaa Nabiyina Muhammad wa Alaa Aali hi wa Sahbihi Ajmaeen And peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and His family and companions.

Regards, Shahabudeen Ahmad, President Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 4, 2019

GuySuCo receives $7.4B from $30B bond …but NICIL says information on 'spending' not forthcoming

By Svetlana Marshall TO date, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has received $7.4B from the $30B bond intended to recapitalise its operations, but it is unclear whether the money is being used for its intended purpose. According to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the stateowned company that secured the bond on behalf of GuySuCo, the financial information is not forthcoming.

NICIL’s Acting Head, Colvin Heath-London, during a press conference at his Camp Street Office on Monday, disclosed that a total of nine bond disbursements were made to GuySuCo between July 13, 2018, and April 5, 2019, totalling $7.4B. GuySuCo has since requested an additional $1B. But while disbursements have been made to GuySuCo, the bondholders and trustees are not pleased, according to Heath-London. “The bondholders and the trustees are not happy with the information coming from NICIL; because as part of the ar-

rangements, we are supposed to provide to the trustees and the bondholders evidence of what the proceeds from the bond are being used for; we have not been able to do that to date. GuySuCo is still to provide that detailed information,” Heath-London told reporters.

He clarified that while GuySuCo has provided a broad overview of how the monies are intended to be spent, a detailed financial report on each disbursement has not been submitted to date.

According to the Trust Deed signed on May 24, 2018 between NICIL and the Hand in Hand Trust Corporation Inc., “ the net proceeds from the issue of the Bonds shall be applied exclusively by the Company towards financing of the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s long-term project and capital expenditure to acquire two co-generation plants, to upgrade existing factories to produce plantation white sugar, to build storage and packing facilities, as well as to contribute for two years towards general ongoing operational costs.”

However, thus far, Guy-

NICIL’s Acting Head, Colvin Heath-London

SuCo has reportedly requested monies to cover operational expenses, such as payment of salaries. “We are still awaiting confirmation on what the monies were actually used for as the bondholders have recently requested from us,” Heath-London posited.

Nonetheless, he said NICIL, in “good faith” has been releasing finances to GuySuCo. Heath-London said given the meeting with President David Granger and the Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, he is optimistic that there will be a change in the situation. But

he admitted that this is not in keeping with international best practices.

“It is not in keeping with financial best practices. We fall outside of the realm of financial best practices,” he posited. Heat-London said at this stage it is important to resolve the issues surrounding the release of critical information ought to be provided to the bondholders and trustees.

“As it is, if we continue this way, we are pushing NICIL and, by extension, the Government of Guyana in default, and we have been written, and we have been chided by the bondholders and the trustees to this effect.

So we are working to bring the situation under control,” Heath-London said.

According to him, the “standoff” affects Guyana’s creditability on the regional and international markets.

“As simple we may think this transaction is, there are a lot of financial institutions, regional and international, that are plugged into how Guyana is operating under this bond, and whenever we may go into the market or the financial space again to tap

into funds, they may treat us based on how they perceive we operate bond,” he opined.

Heath-London said all questions relating to GuySuCo’s failure to submit the requisite information must be directed to that corporation and the Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder.

It was pointed out too that the bond is “backed” by NICIL’s assets and not those belonging to GuySuCo. “The bond in no way, shape or form backed by any of GuySuCo’s assets, it is a purely NICIL bond, and whatever happens on the default on this bond, it would be the NICIL’s assets and subsidiary that would suffer from that default,” Heath-London explained.

Nonetheless, he said that NICIL was able to make its first interest payment to the tune of $783.750M on May 22, 2019. NICIL procured the $30B Syndicated Bond based on the advice of the funding requirement for a specific plan to recapitalize GuySuCo. “This plan included the procurement and development of co-generation and plantation white plants at the

Albion and Uitvlugt Estates.

Prior to procuring the bond, the plan was discussed and agreed to by both NICIL and GuySuCo over the course of many months in 2017-2018,” NICIL said in a statement issued at the press conference.

Notably, NICIL said the bond was entered into with the recognition that the agreed activities would have enabled GuySuCo to generate enough funds to put NICIL in a position to repay the bond in the stipulated time period. “GuySuCo now intends to use the money for different purposes and NICIL has not been given any evidence by GuySuCo that the alternative set of activities will generate funds at the rate and in the amount that assures NICIL it would be able to repay the bond in the agreed time frame,” NICIL said.

They left in ruin many State properties Dear Mr. Editor, I WISH to express my gratitude for allowing me space in your newspaper on May 28, 2019 to express my sentiments in regards to some of the good and commendable work of Mr. Colvin Heathrow London, who now heads NICIL. I mentioned in my letter that good deeds always need commendation.

Right after my letter was published on May 28 in regards to this goodly gentleman’s work and vision for this country, by virtue of his resuscitating Watooka House, and, as I was told, the facilities at LBI and Skeldon Estates, there appeared an article in the Guyana Times on May 30 with the headline,

“Fleecing Guyana”, challenging the integrity of NICIL and to an extent Mr. London.

We have long disintegrated into a country with elements who are bent on destroying everything good, all for cheap political mileage. I want the Guyanese at home to realise that there are Opposition elements who use the press for propagating discord and adding a bitter taste to anything sweet in our lovely country. These same people sat idly by when the Marriott Hotel was built by NICIL. In fact, they were holding the reins of power when that happened.

The Chinese were brought to this country to build the Marriott, while local people were struggling for jobs. NICIL, prior to

2015, was a bitter taste in the mouths of many Guyanese. NICIL had a reputation which was fraught with underhand dealings and backroom deals. Now, as soon as Mr. Colvin Heath-London decided that he is going to show Guyana the good side of the people at the helm of NICIL, here comes the Opposition machinery of propaganda and slander.

I read with utter disgust some of the issues raised by the newspaper in question about the administration of NICIL. The bandwagon of Political opportunists filled with greed, hate and an insatiable desire for power are using every tool available to do harm to the psyche of the Guyanese people.

The fact of the matter

speaks for itself. Mr. London and NICIL have no hands in the destruction of sugar in Guyana; in fact, the gentleman was appointed to see if, by virtue of his qualifications and expertise, he could salvage the remains of NICIL after the PPP regime used it as their personal inheritance.

They left to ruins many government properties under their control, inclusive of the Watooka Guest House, which has now been restored.

This goodly gentleman, Mr Colvin Heathrow London intervened and saved the heritage of the Watooka House at Linden and many other government entities.

The question the naysayers should ask Mr. Colvin Heathrow-London is: Where did you get the money from

to do all of this???? Tell us Mr. London! Time will not permit me to tell all that’s on my mind, but I do believe that the particular newspaper seeking to destroy the good name of NICIL and Mr. London should tell the Guyanese people and the world how the sugar industry suffered since in the 1980s, when young sugar canes were being burnt by the Opposition’s unthinking supporters who seemed not to realise they were destroying the very thing that feeds them.

What a shame!

I urge our President, Mr. David Granger to keep the presence of men of worth and vision like Mr. Colvin Heath-London. It is men of this calibre that is needed to forge Guyana ahead, and

change the face and image that the previous administration has left of NICIL and its administration.

Finally, may the Government pay keen attention to those in its closest circle to know the wolves who are preying on their openness to rectify the wrongs done in and to this country and its people by the past regime.

The people of this country need justice for the evil done in the name of Government under the past regime for 23 long years.

To NICIL and to Mr. London, keep the faith, and deafen your ears to the chants of the wicked.

Regards, Leontine Allicock

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 4, 2019

Cops to charge Agricola vigilantes …as investigation continues into fatal accident

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is reviewing all video recordings obtained from Saturday’s deadly crash at Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and persons who assaulted the driver of the truck will be charged and placed before the courts.

This is according to Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, during a press conference held at his Eve Leary office on Monday. The accident resulted in the death of sevenyear-old Ciara Benjamin after she was crushed by a truck, GWW 962, while standing on the median in the vicinity of Agricola, EBD, Public Road.

The driver, 38-year-old Danion Welcome, has not yet been charged but remains in custody. Following the accident, Welcome was severely beaten by residents and suffered a fractured skull and other injuries to his head, arms, back and neck.

“I wish to make it very clear that we are investigating recording of persons who may have assaulted the driver and, once so identified, we will be taking action in terms of charges,” James said.

He added: “I want to call on all Guyanese to express some restraint, there might be an accident where a loved one or a member of your

Duo jailed for cocaine in frozen fish

community might have been involved, or lost their life, but you ought not to engage in what is referred to as vigilante justice; no less a person than the Head of State has made it very clear that there should not be vigilante justice.”

Following the accident, James said police ranks from the traffic department were dispatched, but what ensued thereon was that residents in the immediate area became irate and meted out their anger on the driver. “On arrival of the police, the driver was safely escorted from there… he was taken for medical attention and is currently in

AFTER a year on trial, two men were, on Monday, June 3,2019, sentenced to serve four years in jail along with a fine of $25M each, for the trafficking of over 20 pounds of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) cargo area.

Amir Ally, a 31-year-old businessman of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, and Baldeo Persaud called ‘Denish,’ a 33-year-old canter truck driver of 47 Kingston Street, ‘C’ Field, Leonora, West Coast Demerara were both on trial before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The men were found guilty of a charge which read that, on February 6, 2018, at the Laparkan Cargo Shed, they trafficked 9.366 kilo-

grams of cocaine.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Kunyo Sandiford, led evidence in the trial.

Ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were able to arrest Baldeo Persaud after reviewing telephone records from alleged mastermind Amir Ally. Ally was stated as the shipper while Persaud transported the boxes of the cocaine-laced fish to the airport The cargo containing the fish was searched by CANU officers at the Laparkan Cargo Shed at CJIA where the discovery was made, concealed in the bellies of the frozen fish destined for the United States of America.

scene of the accident.

“If anyone has any information, they can call our hotline numbers,” he said.

“You can write your own statements and bring it to the police or come in and a police will write it.”

Further, the Commissioner said: “Persons out there in possession of information or who would have witnessed something, we would like to hear about that and receive that information; all we are asking for is for persons to assist us with the investigation. I am sure somebody would have seen the accident and if there is anybody in the community of Agricola

would have seen, they can come forward and tell us.”

Meanwhile, he urged citizens using online media platforms to be responsible about the types of videos and pictures they upload, especially to Facebook.

“There should be some levels of sensitivity since it was a child who lost her life following the accident. We need to be responsible with the images and recording that we upload on the internet,” he said. Traffic Chief, Linden Isles said statements are still being gathered as investigations continue.

Court to rule on no-case Cosmetologist in submission against Maryann Daby court for resisting, SENIOR Magistrate Leron 17, 2019, for her ruling. which she was not licensed is expected to rule on Waldron had made a to carry. assaulting policemen Daly a no-case submission made no-case submission on the Daby, 26, the Finance

Joseph McCalman

Amir Ally (left) and Baldeo Persaud

our custody pending the conclusion of the investigation,” he said.

He explained that because police were not out in their number in the early stages of the accident, someone hurled an incendiary device which entered the truck’s cabin that resulted in a fire. He said subsequently, 15 additional ranks and a senior officer from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) were dispatched to the scene.

Describing the accident as horrendous, the police chief said the GPF is undertaking a thorough investigation to have a proper idea of what exactly occurred at the

THE owner Hair Tech International and Cosmetology School was, on Monday, June 03, 2019, arraigned before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for resisting arrest and assaulting two police officers.

Joseph McCalman of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on six charges and pleaded not guilty.

Particulars of the first set of charges read that, on May 31, 2019, at Lacytown, Georgetown, McCalman resisted arrest from police officers Jason Pryce and Daniel Collins, who were acting in the execution of their duties.

The court further heard that, on the same day in question, McCalman unlawfully assaulted the two police officers. It is alleged that during the same time, McCalman behaved disorderly in public.

The last charge read that McCalman, on the same day, at Lot 9 North Road, Georgetown, called Gavin Bowen a name, other than his name, with the intent to annoy him.

The Acting Chief Magistrate released McCalman on a total of $40,000 and the matter is adjourned until June 24, 2019.

by attorney-at-law Mark Waldron in favour of his client, Maryann Daby, who is charged for attempting to murder a policeman, and the unlawful possession of a gun and ammunition.

On Monday, June 03, 2019, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Police Prosecutor Richard Harris, replied to the no-case submission and contended that a sufficient case was made out against Daby for her to lead a defence in the Preliminary Inquiry.

Magistrate Daly adjourned the matter until June

grounds that the victim, Kissoon, did not identify Daby as the shooter, and that the gun she is alleged to have used was not tendered in court.

It is alleged that, on May 13, 2018, at Albert Street, Thomas Lands, Daby discharged a firearm at Police Constable, Christopher Kissoon, with intent to commit murder.

The two other charges with which she was slapped alleged that, on the same day, she had in her possession a .32 pistol and six matching rounds of ammunition for

Manager of United Commodities, is currently out on $750,000 High Court bail. The incident reportedly occurred in the compound of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) at Thomas Lands. According to the police, on the day in question, Constable Kissoon had cause to approach Daby after she was seen firing shots in the air, and as he drew near, she placed the gun to his forehead and promptly pulled the trigger. Fortunately for him, the gun was empty.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Amphibious excavator commissioned …deployed to East Demerara Water Conservancy

The brand-new amphibious excavator was put straight to work, clearing out a section of the conservancy

The amphibious excavator as it pushes off from shore with anchors raised

GUYANA’s first amphibious excavator has been commissioned at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) in Flagstaff, Cane Grove, East Coast of Demerara.

This is in keeping with commitments made last year by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, to acquire the landmark piece of machinery which costs more than $60M and will be used exclusively for works in the conservancy. The excavator is capable of working in waterways as deep as sixteen feet and is fully self-propelled. This gives the machine the ability to work in critical areas, bringing significant relief to drainage and irrigation in those very hard-to-reach areas.

The brand-new amphibious excavator was put straight to work, clearing out a section of the conservancy. Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, who commissioned the excavator, shared thoughts on the expectations of the machine.

“This acquisition is expected to assist in executing works in those hard-to-reach areas that are at risk of flooding and will bring relief to residents and farmers whose economic activities are usually disrupted by flooding caused by intense rainfall and overtopping of the sea defence.”

Sharing his satisfaction with the presence of the machine, Omesh Jaikarran, a farmer from the village of Hope on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), believes that this is a great move as

it would have major positive impacts for him and other farmers in the community.

“I see this here as a very improved facility towards farmers and drainage and irrigation, in helping to clear the canals. So, we would be able to get access to water easily and maintenance to our drainage and irrigation most of all.”

The machinery was acquired with the use of residual funds from Phase two of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JCIA)-sponsored project aimed at rehabilitating the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). These rehabilitation works are critical as the EDWC supplies water to all the plantations and estates on the East

Regional Chairman of Region 10, Renis Morian and Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder

Coast of Demerara and the East Bank of Demerara.

It also provides water for

80 per cent of Georgetown and, without it, we would not be able to have enough

water in the Capital City, according to Minister Holder. (DPI)

Guyana Stores wrongfully Anti-crime strategy being formulated dismissed workers …in court for failing to pay severance

A representative of the Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) was on Monday charged for allegedly failing to pay severance to two former employees who were wrongfully dismissed.

The matter was called before the Acting Chief Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, where a GSL representative was present in court and pleaded not guilty to eight charges.

One of the plaintiffs in the matter is Kevin McCully,

who was employed by the GSL, but was wrongfully dismissed and was not paid off.

The first charge alleged that GSL on December 16, 2018, while being the employer of Kevin McCully, an employee paid on a monthly basis, failed to pay him a severance of $119,340.

The second charge alleged that, on December 14, 2018, GSL failed to pay McCully the benefit of $53,040.

The second charge alleged that on December 14, 2018,

GSL, failed to give a notice of termination to McCully.

The second plaintiff in the matter is Andre Thomas, who was employed at GSL as a porter but was wrongfully dismissed and was not paid off. The first charge alleged that GSL on December 14, 2018, while being the employer of Thomas, a porter employed on a monthly basis, failed to pay a severance of $119,340 to him. The second charge alleged that on December 14, 2018, GSL

failed to Thomas a benefit of $53,040. The second charge alleged that on December 14, 0218, GSL, failed to give a notice of termination to Thomas.

The Company was also further charged for failing to produce the record of wages of Thomas and McColly to the labour officer, Lance Duncan. The Acting Chief Magistrate released the GSL representative on self-bail and adjourned the matter until June 24, 2019.

for Stabroek Market

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the City Constabulary are in discussions to implement a strategy to address crimes occurring in the Stabroek Market area, Georgetown.

Following a visit to the Stabroek area recently, Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, and a team of Senior Officers, on Monday, met with Chief Constable Andrew Foo, at Eve-Leary, to iron out the strategy.

The strategy is expected to be implemented soon.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement officers were in a walkabout last week which commenced from the Public Buildings and encompassed the numbers 40, 45, 44 and 42 Bus Parks.

A courtesy call was also made on the Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle where they discussed strategies on how to combat the various issues faced by the sister Service. This visit marks a significant step in maintaining law and order in the Capital City.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday June 4, 2019

Central Bank projects 4.4% growth …agriculture, mining sectors expected to rebound

THE Bank of Guyana (BoG) has projected that the local economy will grow by 4.4 per cent this year, due to growth in the major economic sectors.

The bank, in its fifty-fourth annual report, noted that the agriculture sector is expected to increase by 3.2 per cent, due to the increases in production of rice by 3.4 per cent, the output of sugar by 3.2 per cent and other crops by 4.0 per cent.

According to BoG, the mining and quarrying sector is forecast to expand by 3.4 per cent due to increases in the production of bauxite by 10.0 per cent and gold by 1.7 per cent.

In addition, the services industry is estimated to grow by 3.7 per cent on account of higher outturns of wholesale and retail trade by 5.0 per cent and transportation and storage activities by 3.5 per cent.

The construction and manufacturing industries are projected to increase by 10.5 per cent and 3.8 per cent respectively. Despite the many positive growth, the inflation rate is forecasted at 2.5 per cent because of moderate increases in food and fuel prices. The BoG’s Financial Stability Committee is, however continuously assessing

a number of risk indicators pertinent to the financial and economic systems.

“The technicalities are mainly maneuvered through its financial stability frameworks to ceaselessly help build financial system resilience,” said the BoG. The bank had received support from the World Bank to the tune of US$6 million to modernise Guyana’s Payment System infrastructure.

Part of the improvements entailed implementing a new Payments System Act with supporting regulations and modernisation of the Payment System infrastructure.

The latter included the implementation of Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and Central Securities Depository (CSD) systems.

The modernisation efforts from paper-based instruments to electronic payments will result in significant cost savings and efficiency improvements while reducing operational, credit, legal, liquidity investment and custody risks. As Guyana continues to grow despite the odds, global growth in 2019 is projected to decline to 3.5 per cent, partly because of the negative effects of tariff increases enacted in the US and China. Additionally, economic expansion in emerg-

ing markets and developing economies is expected to hold steadfast in 2019 at 4.5 per cent.

Latin America and the Caribbean are expecting growth of 2.0 per cent in 2019. The recovery in the region will be supported by improved demand from external trading partners and accommodative financial conditions on account of a less volatile international financial market and resilient capital inflows.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s economic growth rate was stronger at 4.1 per cent for 2018 when compared to the 2.1 per cent growth in 2017. This outturn was on account of higher production of bauxite, livestock, forestry and other crops as well as increases in construction, manufacturing and service activities. Favourable commodity prices, greater investment expenditure and moderate domestic demand were major factors influencing growth. However, the output of sugar, rice, gold and fishing declined, reflecting poor weather and road conditions as well as lower domestic demand from regulatory requirements.

Lodge bandit died of multiple gunshot wounds – Autopsy JUNIOR Nurse, 25, called “Bow Foot” of Hill Street, Albouystown who was killed during an armed confrontation with police in Norton Street Lodge, Georgetown Thursday last died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, an autopsy done on Monday confirmed.

Nurse, along with his accomplices Shawn Browne Jr and Leslie Griffith, was killed during the shootout .

A post-mortem will be done on Browne Jr and Griffith this Wednesday and Friday respectively.

The Ministry of Public Security has commended the work of the Guyana Police Force in its response to the bandits. The shootout stemmed from a robbery when the bandits invaded the home of a family but were held up in the house as a police patrol

Dead: Junior Nurse

was summoned and responded promptly on the scene.

Police recovered three guns and many spent shells from the crime scene.

According to the Public Security Ministry, the responsiveness of the Police Force certainly resulted in the prevention of harm to an innocent family. “Unfortunately, but with every justification, it

resulted in the demise of three individuals whose intentions were to rob and probably kill,” the ministry stated.

The ministry said it is very thankful for the community support which was received Thursday evening; firstly, for giving of relevant and necessary information to the policemen involved in the actions taken; and, secondly, for rallying around the Police Force’s efforts in rescuing that family.

“Community support is extremely necessary to fight crime in Guyana. This support realised success in Black Bush Polder recently as it did on this instance. The battle is not yet won. But the collaborative efforts of the public, the Police Force and the ministry will continue unabated until it is,” the ministry stated.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday June 4, 2019

No dismissal of Public Service staff …MOTP says probe launched into allegations against some officers

THE Ministry of the Presidency is debunking claims that the entire Personnel Department at the Department of Public Service and its Chief Accountant were

dismissed.

On Monday, Deputy Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP), Ariana Gordon, told Guyana Chronicle that, while al-

legations have been levelled against the public service employees, they were not dismissed.

“The civil servants in question have not been dismissed. Some allega-

tions have been levelled against them, and those (allegations) would be the subject of an investigation,” Gordon told the Guyana Chronicle.

Reiterating that the

public servants were not dismissed, Gordon said that “the Government of Guyana is very respectful of the rights of civil servants.”

Reports suggest that

newly appointed Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, on Friday, terminated the services of the public servants but the MOTP is refuting the claims.

Deliberations continue on Guyana/Suriname ferry Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, is expected to meet with his Surinamese counterpart this week to discuss putting systems in place for a continuation of the Guyana/Suriname ferry service.

Since the M.V. Canawaima began experiencing challenges, leading to its suspension on May 25, 2019, the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

have been in discussion with the Government of Suriname on devising a way forward.

On Monday afternoon, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, met with Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, Ebu Jones to continue discussions on the same. In a media release, the Ministry of the Presidency stated that the issues have engaged the attention of both

In photo from left are: Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, Ebu Jones and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon

Heads of State and it is now time for the discussions to ensue to arrive at an amicable solution.

In the meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has done its part by deploying the M.V Sandaka to transport persons from May 31 to June 2 who have been stranded.

However, the operation ceased yesterday, June 3, 2019.

“We have done what we need to do in so far as our obliga-

tions under the arrangement is concerned and so it is really now a matter of getting the two sides together to sit down and recognise that this is a service which the people are depending on,” Harmon stressed in a recent media briefing.

He had added that, if it comes down to that, the Guyana government may have to put a vessel in place in the interest of the public.

‘Pride Parade’ a positive stance against discrimination – SASOD

By Elvin Carl Croker THE second annual ‘Pride Parade’ kicked off from the Independence Park (Parade Ground) just around 4 pm Saturday with a number of persons of the LGBTQ community decked in carnival-like attire.

The small band of revelers tramped through the city waving the rainbow flag which is a symbol that identifies the LGBTQ community.

Gyrating to the popular song “I’m stepping out”, LGBTQ members spiced up the atmosphere with spirited gymnastics dance moves and boisterous chants as scores of its members stepped through the streets of Georgetown in their own unique style.

The parade drew a number of curious onlookers who lined the streets, perched from windows and their vehicles to have a look at the revelers in their costumes as they spared no time to entertain them.

The ‘Pride Parade’ took a little over an hour journey departing the Independence Park (Parade Ground), south down Carmichael Street, then turned east into Church Street, south into Vlissengen Road and ending at the

Square of the Revolution where Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson, along with others made brief closing remarks.

The parade saw support

from the diplomatic community and other non-governmental organizations.

The parade is part of the Guyana Pride Festival. The organisers said

that the Pride Parade is a positive stance against discrimination and violence towards LGBTQ+ people to promote self-affirmation, dignity, promote

equal rights, increase visibility, build community and celebrate gender and sexual diversity. The Guyana LGBTQ Coalition is comprised of the Guy-

A section of the crowd at the parade

ana Rainbow Foundation (GuyBow), Guyana Trans United (GTU) and Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday June 4, 2019

Floodwaters wash away Aishalton access road

A SECTION of the main access road, which links the village of Aishalton with the border town of Lethem, was washed away due to persistent rainfall, cutting off vehicular traffic to the key Deep South Rupununi village.

Toshao of Aishalton, Michael Thomas, told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that the rains have been pouring in the area over the past several weeks and certain areas have been flooded. He said the flood waters were severe initially and this caused some degree of damage to the road but he noted that last week, the situation worsened.

Thomas said a culvert buckled under the water pressure and the road consequently washed away; the area remains inundated. The village leader said that the situation was compounded by the weight of trucks which pass through Aishalton on their way to mining areas in the Deep South.

“This morning I went on site, 12 miles away from the village. It has caused a lot of hiccups in terms of traffic coming into the village,” he said, adding that fuel and foodstuff are among the goods which are in demand in the area.

The washed away section of the roadway which connects the Deep South Rupununi village of Aishalton with the border town of Lethem. (Michael Thomas photos)

Thomas said that an official from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was in the area last week to look at projects and he would have been aware of the situation.

“It is still raining, it is not yet the peak of the rainy season and there are three more months of rain, so we can only imagine what may happen,” Thomas lamented.

He said that while there are hundreds of culverts along the roadway between the village and Lethem, the area which washed away lies along a long stretch which is surrounded by swamp water.

But there is an alternative route which some villagers have been using to get to and from Aishalton, and that roadway connects the village with the village of Awaranauwau. Howev-

er, Thomas said that some 40 miles of travel, which translates to an additional 4-5 hours, would be added to what usually obtains along the original route.

In addition, Thomas said that the Toshao of Awaranauwau has complained that the roadway passing through that village is being eroded, particularly by the trucks which have been using the alternative route

to get into Aishalton. The situation is nothing new to the villagers since the annual rainfall usually brings flooding but Thomas noted that this year, fixing the particular area which washed away is beyond the capabilities of the village council.”It requires heavy equipment,” he said.

Heavy and persistent rainfall has been the cause of flooding in many hinter-

land areas in recent weeks.

Recently, flash floods in the town of Mahdia forced residents living in low-lying areas to relocate as many counted losses. The town council is working to relocate as much as 14 families to higher ground. Last week, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) had stated that it was monitoring the situation at Mahdia and also at Aishalton.

‘No upsurge in crime’ –Top Cop says public reacting to a ‘few’ sensational crimes “THERE is no upsurge in crime in the State of Guyana,” but there have been a few sensational crimes which were reported in the media, according to Commissioner of Police, Leslie James.

During a press conference Monday at his Eve Leary office, the police commissioner assured Guyanese, the diaspora and visitors here that crime is not on the increase. “Our numbers are reflective from reports that are made to us, our statistics are borne from reports made to us,” he said. “We can only report what was reported to us; to date compared with last year for the corresponding period, we are operating at a (minus) -2.7 per cent.”

Acknowledging that the recent U.S. travel advisory which stated “violent crime, such as armed robbery and murder, is common” and that “local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents,” the Top Cop said he spoke with an official of the U.S. Embassy and indicated that crimes reported to the Embassy were not reported to the Police.

“I have contacted one member of the US embassy in Georgetown and flowing from my action, what is apparent is that matters which were not reported to the police might have been reported to them, and I did say very, very clearly that all matters

Commissioner of Police, Leslie James (Samuel Maughn Photo)

of crimes ought to be reported and it is only then we can have a proper representation of the truthful situation,” the commissioner said. Further,

the Commissioner said that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has engaged in reform, and a strategic plan which commenced in 2019 and goes

up to 2022.

James said there is a Police Reform Board which consists of the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; members of the police executive leadership team, and two other persons from civil society.

He said that the board has terms of reference which the body will be guided by and there have been recommendations for a traffic advisory board, along with a training board, in keeping with the strategic developmental plan.

“With regard to infrastructural development, I can say part of what is in that plan is what we have clamored for, and from all indications, we are likely to obtain what we are referring to as, fit for the purpose materials and fit for the purpose vehicles,” the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, the police chief said that the GPF is always concerned with its response time to the reports of crimes. “I would urge that whenever any citizen of the state of Guyana experiences or encounters any lacklustre response or poor response after a call is made to our 911, there are channels within the Force that reports of such can be made,” James said.

The Commissioner of Police explained that each police divisions has an operations room and the phone numbers (227-1611, 2271149, 227-1270, 225-6940 to 9) are public and citizens can make contact with ranks stationed.

James said that each Divisional Commander has the ability to interface with the media or public in all police divisions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday June 4, 2019

Training quickening prosecution of TIP cases …Coordinator says THE time taken to prosecute Trafficking in Persons (TIP) cases has significantly reduced following training with magistrates and police prosecutors across Guyana, Coordinator for the C-TIP Unit, Ms. Tanisha Williams- Corbin, has said.

The first-of-its-kind training was undertaken by the Ministerial Task Force for TIP, and the Ministry of Social Protection’s Count-

er Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit played an integral role in the execution of same. Williams- Corbin said the training is one of the many activities undertaken by her department during the first quarter, as part of its efforts to better raise awareness of the seriousness of the crime.

She noted that, during the training, magistrates and prosecutors were edi-

fied from a victim-centred approach which has helped them to better understand TIP cases and the need for speedy prosecutions.

“Magistrates and prosecutors are now familiar with the work of the C-TIP Unit and other agencies equally involved in the fight against TIP. They were also exposed to images which reflected the living and working environs of victims which in most cases are deplorable and always exploitative. Challenges including victims’ fears and

Coordinator of the Counter Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit, Ministry of Social Protection, Ms. Tanisha Williams- Corbin

the psychological effects the trafficking experience has on them were also discussed during the presentation made by the Ministry of Social Protection. This training has resulted in shorter periods for TIP matters to be heard before the Magistrates’ Court, which is a very good initiative and a positive step for Guyana,” Ms. WilliamsCorbin explained.

A first-of-its-kind TIP training was also held with shelter operators who provide support to victims of TIP. The operators were educated on how to better provide care and support to TIP victims, using the trauma-informed approach.

Much needed training was done with labour officers from the Labour Department and with medical officers, teachers and members of civil society in Region Two. The C-TIP Coordinator explained that her Unit has conducted a number of trainings, since capacity building is one of the most effective

ways to address TIP. “Yes we do have to respond appropriately but if we can prevent the crime from happening that is the most effective approach and the best one.

So we found that building capacity is the best way to prevent the crime from happening. We also had training with minibus operators in Bartica and we’re hoping to bring same to Georgetown and other regions, particularly the buses running the Mahdia area and areas that are prone to TIP”, the Coordinator explained.

The Unit continues to work closely with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to conduct raids and even training. Police Officers in Region two were recently trained, an activity which was spearheaded by the Ministerial Task Force on TIP. The C-TIP Unit has been and continues to provide support for identified TIP victims and to assist them with repatriation and integration into society.

Fault in GPL submarine cable causes blackout in several areas Several areas in Georgetown, East Bank Demerara and Berbice experienced hours-long blackout Monday evening as the Guyana Power and Light de-energised the submarine cable which links the Kingston and Vreed-en-Hoop stations.

In a notice, the power company said, on Sunday night, the submarine cable which links Kingston and Vreed-en-Hoop stations developed a suspected fault along sections located approximately 0.5 km offshore from our Kingston operations. According to GPL, while investigations and consequent remedial work are being effected, the cable will remain de-energised.

“Our Vreed-en-Hoop operation supplies an average of 14MWs of electricity to our Kingston operation for further utilisation within the eastern half of the DBIS. In the absence of the submarine cable, our Company is unable to transfer this capacity to the eastern half of the DBIS.” Additionally, GPL said two generating sets at our Kingston Power Plant are unavailable due to maintenance requirements. As a result of this, a load shedding exercise

is being temporarily instituted this evening, from 18:00 hrs to 23:00hrs and will affect the following customers.

BERBICE Auchlyne to # 53 Bygeval to Seafield GEORGETOWN Festival City, North Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt Park and Gardens, Lamaha Springs, Stevedore, Tucville, GuyHoc Park, Lamaha Park, PP QQ Scheme, Roxanne Burnham Gardens & GuyHoc Gardens.

EAST BANK DEMERARA Garden of Eden to Soesdyke Junction Soesdyke Junction to Yarrowkabra on the Linden Highway “The management of GPL Inc. has convened a team comprising of officials from GPL, deep water divers and CMC to urgently assess the situation. Our Company remains cognizant of the inconveniences associated with this load shedding exercise and will endeavour to minimize the duration. Additionally, we will continue to provide updates as they become available,” GPL said in its notice.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 4, 2019

Next stop is Bartica --as gov’t chalks up seventh outreach to date

THE town of Bartica is slated to host the next ‘Bringing Government to the People’ outreach, which is scheduled for June 18 and 19.

The event will see President David Granger and his cabinet of ministers spending the entire two days meeting and talking with Barticians and whoever else happens to be in town at the time.

According to Mayor Gifford Marshall, after Bartica was made a town, the President had outlined a vision, a vision he had in mind for not only Bartica, but for all the new towns in the hinterland.

And it is this vision, he said, that is beginning to unfold, and the township is very appreciative. “The entire vision,” Marshall said, “is to have capital towns. And the intention of the capital towns is basically to bring vital services to the people.

We are very grateful that Central Government is not only talking the talk, but they are walking the walk.

“Bartica, over the last three years or so, would have seen a significant move by Central Government to transform the infrastructure to ensure that the needs of the people are

met right here in Bartica.”

Due to those developments at reference, Mayor Marshall seized the opportunity to commend the government, saying that the people of Bartica and those living in the riverine areas are looking forward to seeing the president and his ministers once more in their hometown.

“Further, what we have been told,” the mayor said, “is that Cabinet will be held for the very first time in the township of Bartica, and this, too, is a tremendous plus for the new town and the people of the town. It demonstrates, too, the confidence the government has in the people of Bartica and the people of Region Seven.”

According to Technical Coordinator of the ‘Bringing Government to the people’ exercise, Ronald Austin Jnr., of the Office of the Presidency, the Bartica meeting is the seventh such event to date, and that on the first of the two-day sojourn, Cabinet will be held in the morning, followed later the very day by the outreach proper in the compound of the Mayor’s Office.

Austin sid that during the outreach, persons will be

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 - 05:00 hrs

given the opportunity of visiting the booths of the various ministries and agencies and have their issues sorted out.

Then, on the following day (June 19), the ministers will spread out across the township’s 19 communities to host meetings with the people. “The government believes in decentralisation.

The government is 10 regions, and has to have direct contact with the regions,” Austin said, adding: “Our President considers Bartica a very special place, and it is leading in the ‘greening’ initiative. Bartica is miles ahead in the implementation of this. So, in addition to the outreach, Cabinet will be

held there for the very first time.”

He made it a point of saying that these outreaches are being treated as a project, whereby data is collected, and follow-up are being done to see if issues are resolved. He said that during these exercises, there is always a monitor-

ing and evaluation team on hand, and their job is to assess the efficiency of these outreaches. The team, he said, will be providing colour-coded graphs, showing resolved and unresolved issues, and this is being done to ensure that every citizen is satisfied, and all needs are being met.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday June 4, 2019

GLDA disappointed in T&T ban on local poultry - says duck disease has been contained to six farms

THE Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has expressed disappointment in the “premature and excessive” response of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago to place a ban on all poultry products, both raw and cooked, coming from Guyana.

GLDA in a press statement, noted that they observed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries

of Trinidad and Tobago had issued an advisory banning the importation of poultry, raw and cooked, from entering into the island from Guyana According to www.looptt. com, Trinidad’s Minister of Agriculture, Clarence Rambharat, explained that the ban was instituted as Guyana had advised of the existence of Duck virus hepatitis in a part of the country.

“While a disease incidence report to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

may elicit a country response, we are disappointed at the premature and excessive response of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago,” said the GLDA. The GLDA does not consider this advisory to be ill-advised as the sale, nor does consumption of poultry meat pose any health risks.

The GLDA assured the public that the issue with the duck disease, suspected to be, but has not been confirmed, Duck Hepatitis Virus, has

been contained and restricted to six duck farms on the coast of Guyana.

“Measures implemented, including the closure of our hatchery, the only one in Guyana that hatches duck eggs commercially, have assisted in containing the disease. The disease has not manifested itself in the other poultry sectors-- chicken, turkey and Guinea bird-- and has only been observed in ducklings between the ages of 3 to 15 days old,” said the authority.

The GLDA said it will continue to perform and uphold its responsibility and mandate to provide wholesome meat and meat products to the consuming public.

It was reported that the GLDA’s surveillance team has seen an increased mortality rate of the ducklings being hatched at the facility and it has also been told by some farmers that a similar occurrence was taking place on a number of farms throughout the various regions.

The GLDA said that the high mortality rates were recorded primarily in the Muscovy breed of ducklings, generally between the ages of two to three weeks. To date, it said that it has not received reports of high mortality in adult Muscovy ducks and other breeds such as Pekin and the Kunshan.

“The ducklings most af-

fected are from the farms that toll hatch at the GLDA hatchery, therefore, as a result of this unusual occurrence, the GLDA is currently conducting an active surveillance exercise throughout all 5 coastal regions and (is) monitoring the breeding flocks of the affected farmers. We are hereby seeking the cooperation of the duck farmers to conduct the surveillance exercise”, the GLDA notice said. While the GLDA continues to do its work, the ban appears to have no economic impact on the local producers.

“We don’t export chicken out of Guyana,” said David Fernandes, a member of the Guyana Poultry Producers Association. Fernandes said the association will give a more comprehensive explanation in a subsequent press statement.

Teni Housty is new Bar Association President

New President of the Bar Association, Attorney Teni Housty

THE Bar Association of Guyana has elected Attorney-at-Law Teni Housty to be President of the association for the fiscal year 2019-2020.

The association conducted the election at its Annual General Meeting on May 31, 2019 in Court 1 of the Victoria Law Courts, Georgetown.

Housty’s election marks his third term as President of the association, having previously served two consecutive terms from 2008-2010.

He was admitted to the Bar in 1996 and is a member of the Chambers of Fraser & Housty. In addition to being President, he has served in varying capacities in the Bar Council of the association since 1999.

Outgoing President, Kamal Ramkarran, having just

completed two consecutive terms (2017-2019) was ineligible for re-election by the rules of the association. He was elected unopposed to the post of Vice-President.

Robin Stoby, S.C. was also elected as Vice-President.

Pauline Chase was unanimously elected as Secretary for the third consecutive term while Keoma Griffith was elected as Assistant Secretary for the second consecutive term and Siand Dhurjon as Treasurer. Rafiq Khan, S.C., Rajendra Poonai, S.C., Jamela Ali, Sanjeev Datadin, Arudranauth Gossai and Alanna Lall were all elected to serve as Council Members on the remaining six seats on the Bar Council.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

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Raptors left to rue disastrous third quarter in loss to Warriors

By Frank Pingue TORONTO (Reuters) The Toronto Raptors had the Golden State Warriors on the ropes but were undone by an awful third quarter that allowed the two-time defending champions to escape with a win on Sunday that squared up the NBA Finals.

The Raptors led by five points at halftime but came out of the break colder than a Canadian winter as the Warriors took control of the game with an 18-0 run en route to a 109-104 victory that tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

“Third quarter. We didn’t play well enough. We missed too many shots. They got out in transition and got a little bit of confidence go-

ing,” said Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who fouled out with nearly four minutes left in the game.

“Third quarter. We lost the game there.”

Toronto, playing in the first NBA Finals in the franchise’s 24-year history led by as many as 12 points during a first half and looked to be mostly in control with the Warriors unable to find much of a rhythm early.

But the Raptors, who enjoyed a stirring victory three days ago in the first NBA Finals game played outside of Canada, had nothing go their way for nearly six minutes to open the third.

During the dismal stretch, Toronto missed

their first eight shots of the quarter and turned the ball over five times as their lead evaporated in front of a stunned home crowd.

“We didn’t score the ball in like the first five minutes, four and a half minutes, obviously led to them getting out in transition early and a lot of layups and open looks, and that was pretty much the game right there,” said Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, who scored a game-high 34 points.

“You can’t do that with a championship team on the other Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam side.” The Raptors fi(43) in game two of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena. Man- nally got on the board in the third quarter datory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

when Cameroonian forward Pascal Siakam hit a driving floating shot with just under seven minutes left in a period in which they were outscored 34-21.

Toronto did claw back to within two points of the Warriors with 26 seconds to play but it proved too little too late for a team that will rue what was a missed chance to take control of the best-of-seven series. “Just started (the third quarter) too slow. You can’t do that against this team,” said Toronto guard Fred Van Vleet.

“Missing every shot doesn’t help, whatever, 10 possessions in a row we didn’t score. I’m not even sure. It didn’t feel like we were even getting in the paint to control the tempo or the flow of the game.”

FROM BACK PAGE

Windies bringing Waugh says West Indies fearless approach to will provide realistic Aussie clash: Coach Reifer gauge for Australia FROM BACK PAGE

LONDON – Steve Waugh has warned Australia that the West Indies’ array of stroke-makers and aggressive bowlers will pose the first serious threat to the World Cup holders.

Former Australia captain Waugh was impressed with the no-nonsense way his country defeated minnows Afghanistan by seven wickets in their opening match on Saturday.

But the 54-year-old believes the West Indies will provide a much sterner test when they meet at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Led by flamboyant opener Chris Gayle, who thumped 50 runs off 34 balls, the West Indies wasted little time polishing off Pakistan by seven wickets after bowling them out for 105 in their first match.

It was an impressive show of strength from the two-time champions, and Waugh is intrigued to see how Australia fare against one of the tournament’s most talented but unpredictable teams.

The West Indies will provide a more realistic gauge on how the team are tracking, for they possess a squad full of match-winners that can dominate if they gain any sense of ascendancy in a match,” Waugh wrote in a column on

the International Cricket Council’s media page.

“They are the most watchable team in the tournament, with a batting lineup that can kidnap any bowling attack with brute force.

“No ground is big enough when this behemoth of a batting order clicks into overdrive, but they also have a vulnerability against high-quality bowling as they tend to play one-dimensional at times.”

As well as their powerful batsmen, two-time World Cup winner Waugh was also impressed by the West Indies’ pace attack, which bludgeoned Pakistan into submission with a bouncer barrage.

Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas and Jason Holder proved too hot for Pakistan to handle and Waugh said: “For the first time in a long while, they have fast-bowling depth.

“Every side in this tournament will be wary of playing the Windies, and I wouldn’t want to face them in a knockout match.

“They are the sort of team that, if they get on a roll and build some momentum, then they could win it all.”

(Cricketer International)

NOTTINGHAM, England, (CMC) – Reigning world champions Australia will hold no terrors for a confident West Indies, when the two teams clash at Trent Bridge in their second outings in the ICC World Cup here Thursday.

The last time the two teams met in a OneDay International three years ago, West Indies went down by 58 runs in the final of a Tri-Nations Series in the Caribbean involving South Africa.

West Indies also came off the worse in the last bilateral series six years ago Down Under, suffering a heavy 5-0 whitewash but head coach Floyd Reifer says West Indies would be taking a “fearless” approach to the upcoming contest.

We are not worried about them, we’re just focussed on our game,” Reifer said here Monday.

“We’re focussed on playing our brand of cricket. These set of guys are creating the brand of cricket they want to play which is an aggressive, smart, confident, fearless cricket and that’s the brand we’re continuing to play no matter what who is the opposition.”

West Indies sent a strong warning to opposing teams when they crushed Pakistan in their opening game here last Friday. Bowling with pace and hostility, they bundled out the Asian side for 105 and then raced to their target inside 14 overs.

Australia, meanwhile, chased down Afghanistan’s 208 in Bristol to make a comfortable start to their title defence last weekend.

Reifer said despite the opening win, his side were remaining grounded, focussing more on their execution than thinking about results.

“We’re taking it one game at a time. Like I said, we’re not under any pressure. We’re just enjoying our cricket and focussing on playing the brand of cricket that we want to play,” the former West Indies captain explained.

“We’re focussing on restoring the pride in West Indies cricket so we have our reasons, we have our purpose for being here and we’re just taking it one game at a time. At the end of the day we’ll be there July 14 [in the final].”

Reifer said West Indies’ performance against Pakistan had been a pleasing one, especially with the team producing a clinical effort in the bowling and fielding departments.

“The performance was very good. What was really good about it is that the guys went out there and executed the plans,” he pointed out.

“I thought we bowled aggressively, we stuck to our plans. The spell that (Andre) Russell bowled was the game-changing spell. I thought he bowled really fast and put the Pakistan batsmen on the back foot.

“Oshane Thomas bowled some quick balls as well. He came in and kind of polished off the job but all in all it was a very good team performance.”

He continued: “In the field as well, we fielded well. The guys had a lot of energy in the field, the attitude to the fielding was there and all in all I thought it was a very good performance by the team.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Ruiz rematch will be make-or-break for beaten Briton Anthony Joshua

By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) - Anthony Joshua described his stunning defeat to underdog Andy Ruiz Jr. as “a minor setback” but some in the fight game are wondering where Britain’s damaged heavyweight hope goes from here.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has already said there will be a rematch, possibly in England or Wales later this year, and that is a mustwin for the 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion.

The alternative hardly bears thinking about and in the meantime the possibility of much-talked about bouts against WBC world champion Deontay Wilder and former champion Tyson Fury are on hold.

Former IBF cruiserweight world champion-turned-commentator Glenn McCrory told TalkSPORT radio on Monday

that Joshua might never recover from one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history.

“He’s bottom of the pile.

He got beaten up by Andy Ruiz,” he said of the weekend fight in New York.

“I think he’s finished. It’s not just the defeat, anybody can get defeated, but the nature of it.

“Andy Ruiz is not an elite athlete, he is not a heavyweight great. He will not go down in icons of legends at all, but he is a tough kid and he seized his opportunity.”

Everybody has plans until they get hit in the face, as Mike Tyson famously observed, and that certainly applies to Joshua now that he has lost his aura of invincibility as well as his belts.

The 29-year-old had hoped to conquer America on his debut at Madison Square Garden and instead comes away having handed his four titles (IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO) to a chubby

Madison Square Garden, New York, United States - Anthony Joshua is given the count Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Mexican-American drafted in as a late replacement.

If the IBF decides to enforce a mandatory challenger before a rematch, then the heavyweight division could be further fragmented and the prospect of an un-

disputed champion further away than ever.

Floored four times by Ruiz before the seventh round stoppage, Joshua can take some hope from history, however.

Heavyweight champions

Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko all suffered major title upsets in their careers before coming back strong, even if their images were changed forever.

Tyson’s 1990 defeat to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in

Tokyo still ranks as the biggest of them all, while Lewis lost to Oliver McCall in 1994 before a rematch win.

Ukrainian Klitschko, beaten by Joshua at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2017, lost to Corrie Sanders in 2003 and Lamon Brewster in 2004 before returning to the top.

“This is all part of the story and the journey,” Joshua said on Sunday. “This is all part of the legacy. It’s about how strong I come back.”

The result, and winning back the belts, will be the primary objective, but Joshua must also convince his critics that he has the boxing skills and stamina to challenge the likes of Wilder and Fury. z“Great fighters come back and improve. Some fighters never come back the same. The future will show how Anthony Joshua responds,” Hearn told British media.

Olympic 800m champion Regal Masters, Wellman Masters through to final Caster Semenya can compete after Swiss court ruling

REGAL Masters and Wellman Masters reached the final of the Fisherman Masters/Chand’s Printing Service softball competition which was contested last Sunday at the Malteenoes Sports Club.

Regal Masters beat Savage by 166 runs. Batting

first, Regal Masters managed 239-7 off their allotted 20 overs. Unnis Yusuf struck 110 with five fours and 12 sixes, while David Harper slammed five fours and seven sixes in a fine 93.

Vivekanand Ramsaywack took 2-52.

The pair shared a

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday June 04, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 1. 10 2. 14 Today’s Quiz: 1. How many World Cup matches ENG & South Africa have now contested to date?

2. How many ENG has won?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

third wicket stand of 188 after Regal Masters were reduced to 26-2.

Savage were bowled out for 73 in reply.

Troy Ramsaywack made 46, while Wazir Baksh got 14 as Khalid Haslim picked up 3-5 and Troy Kippins 2-20.

Meanwhile, Wellman Masters beat HS Masters by eight wickets. HS Masters took first strike and made 118 all out in 20 overs.

Troy Lewis stroked an even half century, while Saheed Gittens made 32 including one four and three sixes. Latchman Kallicharran captured 3-18 and Rawle Reid 2-23.

Wellman Masters replied with 121-2 in 15 overs. Mahase Chunilall led with 47 which contained one four and five sixes and came off 37 balls. Greg De Franca scored 35 with two fours and three sixes and Kallicharran made 22 not out, inclusive of three sixes.

CASTER Semenya will not need to take testosterone-reducing medication to compete after a Swiss court temporarily suspended a new IAAF ruling.

The Olympic 800m champion, 28, last month lost her challenge to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the implementation of a restriction on testosterone levels in female runners.

The ruling would have affected women competing from 400m to the mile.

“I hope following my appeal I will once again be able to run free,” she said. “I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision.”

Following the decision

by CASa, the South African took her appeal to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, citing the need to defend “fundamental human rights”.

Her legal representative Dr Dorothee Schramm said:

Caster Semenya has won the Olympic 800m title twice and the world title three times.

“The court has granted welcome temporary protection to Caster Semenya. “This is an important case that will have fundamental implications for the human rights of female athletes.”

In a statement to BBC Sport, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland said it had “super-provisionally instructed the IAAF to suspend the application of the ‘Eligibility Regulations for

the Female Classification for athletes with differences of sex development’ with respect to the claimant, until the decision on the request for issuance of provisional measures”.

It added: “At present, it is not known when the Swiss Federal Supreme Courts will issue an interlocutory order concerning these provisional measures.” The IAAF said it had yet to receive notification of the new decision from the Swiss court.

In its initial judgement CAS found that the new rules proposed by the IAAF - athletics’ world governing body - for athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) were discriminatory, but concluded that the discrimination was “necessary, reasonable and proportionate” to protect “the integrity of female athletics”. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 4, 2019

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Pakistan triumph as England fall short despite Root, Buttler tons NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Pakistan beat England by 14 runs at Trent Bridge on Monday as the World Cup’s first centuries from Joe Root and Jos Buttler were not enough to help the hosts and pre-tournament favourites overhaul the huge target of 349 set for them.

England had won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat, banking on the pace of fast Pakistan’s pacer Wahab Riaz (R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Chris Woakes.(AFP) bowlers Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer for early wickets “Everyone was believing England spinner Moeen Ali and no doubt hoping to rec- we could do this. We were finally broke up the pair, getreate the way the West Indies playing good cricket but not ting Fakhar stumped on 36 on skittled Pakistan out for 105 on winning crucial stages of the his way to a three-wicket haul, Friday. game. Everyone chipped in to- while Woakes grabbed three Instead, the visitors put that day and gave everything which more and also took four catchwoeful performance behind was required to win the game,” es on a day when England were them and racked up 348 runs Hafeez told the BBC. otherwise uncharacteristically for eight wickets, delighting “It was a total team effort. It ragged in the field. their cheering fans in the stands is a very happy dressing room.”

Babar and Mohammad with 29 fours and six sixes.

Fakhar Zaman and Imam- Hafeez steadied the ship for Mohammad Hafeez was his ul-Haq delighted their vocal Pakistan with a partnership of side’s top scorer with 84 off 62 supporters by belting a string 88 runs as the visitors set Enballs, while Babar Azam made of boundaries off Archer and gland a larger score than any 63 and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed Woakes in an opening partner- side had ever chased down in belted a quickfire 55. ship of 82. the history of the competition.

The best successful World Cup run chase to date came in 2011 when Ireland made 329 against England.

In reply, England steadily lost the wickets of their top-order batsmen Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes to leave the side on 118 for four and give Root and Buttler a mountain to climb. The two did their best, each eventually reaching three figures. Root hit 10 fours and one six on his way to 107 before scooping an easy catch off Khan to Hafeez at third man.

Buttler smashed a four to notch up his own hundred a few overs later, only to fall to the very next ball.

As the balls-remaining count dwindled, Moeen and Woakes swung valiantly at everything they could. But after they were both caught out in successive balls, Mark Wood and Adil Rashid were left stranded at the crease as the target slipped beyond their reach.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN innings Imam-ul-Haq c Woakes b Ali Fakhar Zaman st †Buttler b Ali Babar Azam c Woakes b Ali Mohammad Hafeez c Woakes b Wood Sarfaraz Ahmed (c) † c & b Woakes Asif Ali c Bairstow b Wood Shoaib Malik c Morgan b Woakes Wahab Riaz c Root b Woakes Hasan Ali not out Shadab Khan not out Extras: (b 1, lb 8, w 11) Total: (eight wickets; 50 overs) Did not bat: Mohammad Amir Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-111, 3-199, 4-279, 5-311, 6-319, 7-325, 8-337 Bowling: C Woakes 8-1-71-3, J Archer 10-0-79-0, M Ali 10-0-50-3, M Wood 10-0-53-2, B Stokes 7-0-43-0, A Rashid 5-0-43-0

44 36 63 84 55 14 8 4 10 10 20 348

ENGLAND innings J Roy lbw b Shadab Khan 8 J Bairstow c †Sarfaraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 32 J Root c Mohammad Hafeez b Shadab Khan 107 E Morgan (c) b Mohammad Hafeez 9 B Stokes c †Sarfaraz Ahmed b Shoaib Malik 13 J Buttler † c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Amir 103 M Ali c Fakhar Zaman b Wahab Riaz 19 C Woakes c †Sarfaraz Ahmed b Wahab Riaz J Archer c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Amir 1 A Rashid not out 7 M Wood not out 6 Extras: (lb 3, w 5) 8 Total: (for nine wickets; 50 overs) 334 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-60, 3-86, 4-118, 5-248, 6-288, 7-320, 8-320, 9-322 Bowling: Shadab Khan 10-0-63-2, Mohammad Amir 10-0-67-2, Wahab Riaz 10-0-82-3, Hasan Ali 10-0-66-0, Mohammad Hafeez 7-0-43-1, Shoaib Malik 3-0-10-1

Aleem, Tiwari declared champions in Torginol Paints golf tournament CLUB President, Aleem Hussain and Mahindranauth Tiwari won their respective flights when the Torginol Paints annual golf tournament concluded last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club, Played in two flights-- the handicaps 0 – 13 and 14 – 28-- the tournament was rich with the friendly rivalry and exciting challenges that are characteristic of tournaments at the LGC. Hussain, Patrick Prashad and Dr Philbert London ensured that their desire to stay in the winners’ Row was realised.

Results are as follows: 0 – 13 flight-- Aleem Hussain (72/10) – 1st; Kassim Khan (who broke a tie with the third place winner by one stroke in the back nine) (73/9) – 2nd; and Patrick Prashad (73/9) – 3rd. Striving hopefuls were Ayube Subhan (75/13); Mike

Mangal (76/10) and Mohanlall Dinanauth (76/6). Speciality prize of Nearest The Pin was won by Kassim Khan.

In the 14 – 28 Flight, a fierce tie played out a little too late in 6th position between Shanella Webster-London (79/15), Rabindranath Persaud (79/17) and Balgobin Ragnauth (79/21). The winners in this Flight were: Mahindranauth Tiwari (67/15); Lekhnarine Shivraj (71/17); and Dr Philbert London (72/24). 4th and 5th place went to Maurice Solomon (75/24) and Guillermo Escarraga (77/21).

Three representatives of Torginol Paints were on hand to congratulate the winners: Messrs Jairaj Rajpat, Robert Singh and the Manager-- Rajesh Ramgolam.

After congratulating the winners of

From left: LGC treasurer, Aasrodeen Shaw along with Kassim Khan, Mahindranauth Tiwari, LGC President Aleem Hussain, Lekhnarine Shivraj, Mr Jairaj Rajpat, Robert Singh and Manager, Rajesh Ramgolam of Torginol; Dr Joaan Deo (for LGC Captain Chatterpaul Deo), Maurice Solomon and Mohanlall Dinanauth.

the day’s tournament, they reiterated Torginol Paints

commitment to continue supporting golf in Guy-

ana and the Lusignan Golf Club.

Halep and Djokovic storm into French Open quarter-finals

By Martyn Herman PARIS (Reuters) - Defending champion Simona Halep continued to tighten her grip on the French Open as she demolished Polish teenager Iga Swiatek to reach the quarter-finals on Monday.

The Romanian, who claimed her first Grand Slam title on the Parisian clay a year ago, has taken a while to hit her stride this time and was taken to three sets in the first two rounds.

Since then, however, the 27-year-old has looked in superb form, dropping four games in her last two matches. “I can’t say I feel bad (for my opponent), because I played my best tennis,” Halep said after a 6-1 6-0 win that set up a quarter-final against American teenager

Amanda Anisimova. Of the top eight women’s seeds, only Halep, number seven Sloane Stephens and eighth seed Ashleigh Barty, who beat Sofia Kenin 6-3 3-6 6-0 on Monday, have reached the quarter-finals.

Australian Barty will face big-serving American Madison Keys who maintained her consistency in Grand Slams with a 6-2 6-4 defeat of Czech Katerina Siniakova.

With Anisimova beating Spain’s Aliona Bolsova, three American women have reached the last eight. “I can’t describe how excited I am,” Anisimova said of her upcoming clash with Halep. “I couldn’t ask for a better match up. I’m just extremely happy and excited for the next round.”

The men’s draw has been far more predict-

able.

Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic continued his untroubled progress as he beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-2 6-2 to reach a 10th successive quarter-final at Roland Garros — the first man to achieve that feat.

The Serbian, on course to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously, has yet to drop a set this year and described the last two sets against Struff as “perfect”.

Things might be about to get tougher for Djokovic, though, with Germany’s Alexander Zverev up next after the fifth seed beat Fabio Fognini in four sets to equal his run in Paris last year. Six of the top eight men’s seeds have reached the quarters. Eighth seed Juan Martin

del Potro lost to 10th seed Karen Khachanov on Monday.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori edged out home favourite Benoit Paire in five sets, having resumed two sets to one ahead after the match was suspended by bad light the previous day.

Paire served for the match in the fifth set but Nishikori scrambled over the line to earn himself the dubious honour of a meeting with defending champion Rafael Nadal who has looked in commanding form so far as he bids for title number 12.

French hopes in the singles were extinguished as Gael Monfils was handed a claycourt lesson in a three-set defeat by last year’s runner-up Dominic Thiem of Austria.

GAPLF remains firm in respect to Petterson’s 12-month suspension

By Michelangelo Jacobus

international ambassadors for Guyana, we press our athletes to display discipline, self-control and to adhere to the regulatory measures of the IPF and GAPLF”.

FOLLOWING his ill-advised participation at a strong-fit competition in Barbados on May 5-6 which resulted in a subsequent 12-month suspenWARNINGS sion from competitions, After the emergence of powerlifter Carlos Petan article in Stabroek News terson-Griffith has been Sports which alleged the the centre of attention in victimisation of Petterson, recent days with mixed GAPLF President Ed Caesar reactions from the media pointed out that the embatand the powerlifting fratled athlete has in the past ternity. been issued three warning GAPLF’s Tracy Shamsurdeen; Committee Member, David Gomes; GAPLF President Ed Caesar; Committee Mem- letters for matters which are In a bid to bring clarity ber, Martin Webster; GAPLF Vice-President, Nadina Taharally; and PRO Runita White. (Adrian Narine Photo). to the situation, the Guyana not related to the issue at hand.

Amateur Powerlifting Feder“As an executive, we have who competes or participates in an interna- to not support Carlos Petterson’s trip to ation (GAPLF) held a press conference last tional powerlifting or Bench Press competi- Worlds in Sweden, since he competed at the since moved forward to progressively work evening in the Boardroom of the Guyana tion not organised, sanctioned or approved event without the expressed permission of with Petterson to ensure that he is promotNational Newspapers Ltd (GNNL) where it by the IPF shall not be permitted to take part the GAPLF. Petterson will not compete at ed within our sport, we recognize that his was revealed that Petterson-Griffith’s sus- in any IPF international or regional compe- the Worlds competition in June, 2019 or any success at the World Championships would pension is final. tition for a period of 12 months from the other IPF- sanctioned events for a period of have been a success for the federation, Constitutional violations but we refuse to allow an athlete who has date of that non-approved competition.”

12 months (May 5, 2019 to May 5, 2020).

The competition that he attended includbeen made aware on three occasions, with Alongside that, the GAPLF’s constitued a powerlifting aspect (All three lifts were tion states in Section 12, Article 1, point 4 his acknowledgement being on record (of DISCIPLINE done at the event: Squat, Bench Press and “The stated reasons for suspension are not a At the presser, in a statement to the me- the exact provision, 149.9 of the IPF ConDeadlift) and as such, the GAPLF had to closed list and the Executive members shall dia, the GAPLF Executive noted; “The IPF, stitution), to violate our rules and rest in make a decision as it was found that Petter- collectively exercise their discretion when as well as the GAPLF, stresses discipline the comfort of accusing this Executive of son violated both the International Power- opting to suspend a member of the GAPLF. and fair dealings with our athletes. The victimization for his blatant disregard to lifitng Federation’s constitution along with The following may be subject to sus- GAPLF, under the 2019, 2018 and 2017 rules”. the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federa- pension: 4. Any lifter who participates in executive body, has never treated any one Caesar ended; “The Federation cantion’s constitution. not sit back and allow this disregard for a contest with other countries without the athlete differently from the other”.

In Article 14.9 of the IPF Constitution, permission of the GAPLF.” It continued, “As a federation, we rec- rules to persist as this will bring future it states, “Participating in Non-IPF CompeThe Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Fed- ognize that we are nothing without our ath- consequences and further disregard by tition, any lifter, coach, referee or official eration (GAPLF) has made the decision letes; but in promoting our athletes who are other athletes”.

Waugh says West Indies will provide realistic gauge for Australia See Page 21

West Indies captain Jason Holder bats during a net session here Monday in preparation for Thursday’s World Cup clash against Australia. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Windies bringing fearless approach to Aussie clash: Coach Reifer See Page 21

West Indies’ Oshane Thomas celebrates taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz.(Action Images via Reuters)

Pakistan triumph as England fall short despite Root, Buttler tons Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See Page 23 TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2019