Guyana Chronicle_Epaper_04_08_2019

MONDAY 8th April, 2019

WITHOUT MERIT No.105601

–– High Court throws out Ram’s 03 challenge to hike in tendering threshold PAGE

Getting ready for Easter Children making kites at a youth camp held at Jamoon Drive on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Attorney Christopher Ram

Manari 03 Bypass a boost to commerce in Lethem PAGE

Man surrenders after failed bid 02 to kill ex-lover PAGE

Ultrasound 12 free at Buxton Health Centre PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

NA man surrenders after failed bid to kill ex-lover

By Leroy Smith

BUSINESSWOMAN Avia Abrams, 48, survived an attempt on her life early Sunday morning by her estranged lover, ex-Guyana Defence Force officer, Desmond Hamer, 52.

The incident occurred at Third Avenue, Beach Front, Bartica, Region Seven.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the man, who resides in Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, travelled to Bartica to kill the

woman.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the two had a child together before they were separated.

Relatives indicated that Hamer first went to the woman’s home where he thought she was but encountered her son, who he told he wanted to borrow money to spend the night at a hotel.

The money was given to Hamer by the young man who claimed that prior to Hamer showing up at the house and attempting to make his entry through the back door, the gate of

Desmond Hamer the property was closed.

They are of the view that he jumped the fence to gain entry to the yard.

After leaving the home,

Hamer reportedly went to the beach front where Abrams operates a food business. There, unknowing to her, he slashed the tyres of her vehicle.

When Abrams closed shop for the day and was heading home, she saw someone with his head covered running towards her and she raised an alarm.

As the person got closer, she realised that it was her former lover and he was armed with a gun.

She attempted to get out of the vehicle, but he forced her back in and

Avia Abrams tried to shoot her in the head. However, she managed to fight him off.

In the process, Abrams was shot in the hand.

Those of her employees who were close by also raised an alarm by screaming and villagers began coming out.

Sensing that things would have gotten ugly, the ex-army officer fled the scene and made his way to the police station and surrendered to detectives.

The businesswoman was taken to the hospital where she was treated, and had a bullet removed from her hands.

The man is in police custody as police continue their investigations.

Without merit

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

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–– High Court throws out Ram’s challenge to hike in tendering threshold

CHIEF Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire on Friday condemned claims by Attorney Christopher Ram that the issuance of contracts by the APNU+AFC administration in excess of $15M was illegal.

Ram, represented by Attorney Anil Nandlall, had filed a Fixed Date Application (FDA) early last month, seeking several High Court declarations.

Among the declarations was any procurement in excess of $15 million approved by a purported Cabinet is unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void, and is of no legal effect.

Ram also wanted the court to issue an order re-

straining permanent secretaries within all government ministries from making any payment towards any contracts in excess of $15 million approved by a purported Cabinet.

The grounds of Ram’s claims stemmed from the passage of the no-confidence motion against the government last December.

He outlined in the FDA that Section 54 (1) of the Procurement Act gives Cabinet the right to review and approve all contracts in excess of $15 million. However, due to the passage of the no-confidence motion, Ram said, in his application, that Article 106 (6) of the Constitution

of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana provides that: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”.

Due to the aforementioned, Ram concluded that the Cabinet was purported, hence, no authority to issue contracts.

However, after the State’s Affidavit in Response was filed, Attorney Rajendra Jaigobin from the firm of Mohabir A. Nandlall and Associates, applied to withdraw and discontinue the claims of Ram.

It was then the learned Chief Justice asserted that the claim was absolutely without merit and ought not to have been filed since the role of the Cabinet in procurement matters had ceased with the introduction of the Procurement Commission by the legislature.

The Chief Justice pointed out that the applicant selectively referenced section 54(1) of the Procurement Act, but failed to also reference section 54 (6) which prescribes: “Cabinet’s involvement under this section shall cease upon the Constitution of the Public Procurement Commission except in relation to those matters referred

to in sub-section (1) which are pending.”

This was the very stance of the government when the issue of illegality was raised by the Opposition.

The Deputy Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, (NPTAB) Mark Bender had publicly said that the recent issues raised by the Opposition about the legality of the move to increase thresholds are extraneous.

He had said the sections of the Procurement Act being referred to by the Opposition are irrelevant to the issue at hand. He said the thresholds for methods of procurement are contained in the regula-

tions of the Procurement Act. However, Section 61 of the Act states as follows: “The minister shall, with the advice of the National Board or the Procurement Commission, make any regulation that may be necessary for the administration of this Act.” “I submit, therefore, that the increase in the thresholds is legal,” Bender reaffirmed.

In addition to condemning the claims, the Chief Justice ordered that a cost of $300,000 be paid by Ram for filing a completely unmeritorious claim.

The State was represented by the Attorney General Chambers.

Boost to commerce –– Manari Bypass set to increase commercial activities in Lethem

By Vanessa Braithwaite MINISTERS of government, residents and regional officials of Lethem are optimistic that the recently completed Manari Bypass that was commissioned on Saturday will positively impact businesses in the township and neighbouring villages, and will have a ripple effect on the economy of the Rupununi.

Regional Chairman of Region Nine Bryan Allicock said the Bypass creates easier access to Lethem from other villages such as Nappi, Hiowa and Parishara, since residents no longer have to go all the way around, thereby cutting travel time by half- an-hour, Allicock said that transportation cost will also decrease and therefore farmers and other entrepreneurs will spend less to reach their markets and this will be reflected in a drop in prices.

There are many farmers in those communities who presently have issues marketing their products which include ground provision and cash crops. There are also persons who rear cattle and pigs as well as fishermen.

“It is easier to get out there to get their things purchased and to do purchasing.

It would be a reasonable cost taking things from Lethem,

The Manari Bypass which was commissioned on Saturday (DPI photo) rather than importing from market,” he said. This new- miners. Mining is one of the Gaskin said they must look Brazil,” Allicock related. ly-constructed Bypass will main economic activities in at the bigger picture.

“It has to be seen as part Minister of Indigenous allow for the cottage indus- Region Nine.

People’s Affairs Sidney Al- tries in the surrounding vilMinister of Business of the bigger picture, it is a licock said his ministry and lages to grow, thus empower- Dominic Gaskin said while long-term picture, every step by extension the govern- ing the entrepreneurs and the the Bypass is a small section in the right direction,” he ment, has been pushing for village economies at large. of the bigger thoroughfare, said. The Linden to Lethem residents to develop their Allicock also said Guy- it will form part of the Road will not only open opcommunities with cottage in- ana was recently named the paved Linden to Lethem portunities for Lethem, but dustries. For these industries number one eco-tourism des- Highway, that works have for the entire country. It will also be a boost to tourism in to flourish there needs to be tination in the world. For the commenced on.

Region Nine, which has been proper connection between tourism industry in Region classified as one of the most markets.

Nine to bloom, there needs BIGGER PICTURE “If we don’t have good to be better access roads to While residents may beautiful regions in Guyana.

A Lethem businessman, roads, if we don’t have prop- transport tourists. In addition, be looking at the immedier connection, then we will the Bypass, he said, will cre- ate gratification they will who is also an executive never be able to meet the ate better opportunities for receive from this Bypass, member of the Rupununi

Chamber of Commerce, alluded to the future benefits the bypass will bring when it is paved.

“We will spend less time up there than down here, and that would be less money on transportation, definitely,” the businessman said. He explained that because of the terrain, some types of goods have to be transported by air and because of the heavy air fare, the prices are often jacked up. **This will significantly decrease when the road is paved. While this Bypass will assist businesses in Lethem, he said for him, he is more appreciative, that it will save lives.

Sharing similar sentiments was one resident Iva Dundas, who said she believes that persons travelling into Lethem to conduct business may have been hesitant to do so, after the scary experience of driving across the very narrow and unsafe pathway that took many lives. Now that it is safer, it would encourage more persons to travel to Lethem by trail, to conduct business. The Manari Bypass project was completed by JR Ranch to the tune of $80M. It was constructed two meters above flood level.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 8, 2019

Pakistan accuses India of plotting fresh military attack (BBC) Pakistan says it has “reliable intelligence” India is planning a military attack this month, something India dismissed as “war hysteria”.

Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi made the comments on Sunday.

Already tense relations between the two deteriorated this year when Paki-

stan-based militants killed dozens of Indian troops in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India responded with air strikes on what it said was a militant training camp in Pakistani territory.

Soon afterwards, Pakistan shot down an Indian jet in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and captured its pilot.

He was handed back to India

days later.

The aerial attacks in February across the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Indian and Pakistani territory in Kashmir were the first since a war in 1971.

Both nuclear-armed nations claim all of Muslim-majority Kashmir, but only control parts of it.

What has Pakistan said?

Tensions seemed to have eased after the clashes, but on Sunday the Pakistani foreign minister said his country had intelligence to suggest an imminent Indian attack.

“There are chances of another aggression against

Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter jet in February amid high tensions following a car bomb attack in Indian-administered Kashmir

Pakistan and according to our information this action can take place between April 16 and 20,” Mr Qureshi told reporters.

The foreign minister said he made the allegations “with responsibility”, arguing the aggression aimed to raise “diplomatic pressure” against his country.

Pakistan has also summoned India’s deputy high commissioner to protest against what it says are India’s plans.

How did India respond?

Foreign officer spokesman Raveesh Kumar said Pakistan had “a clear objective of whipping up war hysteria in the region”.

“This public gimmick appears to be a call to Pakistan-based terrorists to undertake a terror attack in India,” the spokesman said.

He insisted that Pakistan “cannot absolve itself of responsibility” for the militant car bomb in Kashmir.

India has long accused Pakistan of giving safe haven to militants from the

Monday, April 8, 2019 05:00hrs. - 06:00hrs.

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group, which said it was behind the attack in Pulwama.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has denied his country had any role in the bloodshed. He has offered to cooperate with an investigation if India could provide evidence of Pakistan’s involvement.

India is due to vote in general elections late this year, and opponents of Prime Minister Narendra Modi allege he is using tensions with Pakistan to boost support for his party. Mr Modi’s BJP party has strongly denied the suggestion.

Pakistan detained dozens of suspected militants after the Kashmir attack, including relatives of Masood Azhar, the founder of JeM. The allegations of an imminent Indian attack came on the same day Pakistan released the first batch of about 360 Indian prisoners.

The 100 people set free on Sunday are mostly fishermen who strayed into Pakistani waters.

Saturday 6, April, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

Nappi reservoir project brings relief to farmers

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Ministry of Natural Resources, through collaborative efforts, is targeting several developmental and infrastructural projects in the Upper Takutu region, all in an effort to bring relief to residents and to create avenues for them to enjoy equal opportunities, as is provided on the coastland.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, outlined several projects that have been completed and are currently underway in the region. One very important project that is bringing relief to scores of residents, is the Nappi Water Reservoir.

This reservoir is the largest in the country and is a source of water, for particularly farmers who are suffering tremendously, during the current dry spell.

It has not rained in Region Nine since August 2018.

The reservoir, though located in Nappi, is serving other satellite villages, especially Hiowa and Parashara.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources is very pleased to be working in this region; we have collaborated with residents and others to deliver the Nappi reservoir, which is considered as one of the largest reservoirs in the country of

its kind and in this extreme dry season, I can tell you that the residents of Nappi are extremely pleased that there is water,” Trotman said.

In an invited comment, Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock affirmed that some 90 farmers are benefitting from the reservoir. It is a real relief to the farmers and residents who can also use it for domestic purposes. The villages, especially those in the deep South Rupununi, are suffering tremendously from the dry spell. “At the moment, other villages are suffering, all their ponds have dried up,” he related.

Allicock is currently lobbying with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), for deep wells to be drilled, at least in one village in the deep South.

All of the wells are hand dug and are drying up.

Residents are forced to dig deeper to source water, which is not sufficient for use.

CHALLENGES In this dry season, the cassava which is the main crop, cannot reach maturity stage and when they are harvested young, much is not retrieved when processed. In the South, many fruits are falling from trees due to lack of water and cat-

tle have to walk miles to get water to drink. In this regard, Allicock has commended the MNR for stepping in for farmers in Central Rupununi.

He related that another reservoir will be done in South Rupununi, in the near future.

While agricultural development may be the main priority, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sidney Allicock, said that at first the residents were not seeing the bigger picture of what the reservoir will bring. “Now people are able to see the value of it because it [is] a benefit for water, for agriculture and the biggest part is tourism; that is ideal for tourism… it is beautiful for tourism,” Allicock said. He is intrigued about this because his ministry has been giving support, through grants, for tourism development in the villages, especially the traditional villages which he is aiming to transform into tourism destinations. When there are social activities in Lethem, these villages can benefit was well, as their tourism potential will be exploited at that time.

Allicock said that with the water reservoir, the fishing industry was also boosted, which speaks to food security.

OTHER PROJECTS M i n i s t e r Tr o t m a n highlighted several other projects that his ministry has partnered with to execute.

These include the rehabilitation of roads in the deep South, to facilitate the drilling of wells, the rehabilitation of the road from Mabura to Lethem; and the

construction of a safer road at the Peira turn. While the contract for a new Manari bridge has been awarded, Trotman said his ministry will lend support to the strengthening of the current bridge, in time for the Lethem rodeo. His ministry is also working arduously to provide better mining opportunities for miners in

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Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, the Rupununi.

“Minister Patterson and I are aware of the problems and we are working to fix them, one kilometre and one hectare at a time; we are working on giving you “the good life” that we promised,” Trotman affirmed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 8, 2019

Statesmanship THIS chapter of Guyana’s history will soon be written for posterity. Its most signal recall will be the honour and dignity in which President David Granger and his A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government navigated the political and constitutional turbulence that the noconfidence vote (NCV) has engendered.

The December 21, 2018 NCV ensued from a no-confidence motion moved in the 65-seat National Assembly by opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who is leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The APNU+AFC coalition constitutes a one-seat majority government with 33 seats in the House. The opposition PPP has 32 seats. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, declared the motion passed with 33 votes for and 32 against. Then government backbencher Charrandass Persaud defied his party and voted with the opposition. The ephemeral defeat required the government to resign and call elections within 90 days, as prescribed by Article 106

(6) and (7) of the Guyana constitution.

Immediately after the vote, Mr. Persaud fled to Canada. By then the government had obtained prima facie evidence which suggested he had pursued US $1 million in gold for export.

Simultaneous allegations that Mr. Persaud ostensibly received a multi-million US dollar bribe to vote with the PPP exacerbated suspicions.

A criminal, national security investigation, which remains extant, was ordered by Police Commissioner Leslie James.

Article 106 (7) of the constitution states that notwithstanding the defeat, “the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly, determine and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” The no-confidence provisions catapulted to national prominence, as it fuelled much debate in the legal and political fraternities and became the basis for con-

sequential legitimation.

Mr. Jagdeo and his political allies attempted to corruptly pervert the constitution. They claimed that Article 106 (6) mandates the government to resign immediately and call elections within 90 days. Closeted, anti-government crusaders transformed themselves into noisy carnival barkers, and invaded our polity with mendacious propaganda. Legal practitioners, who had previously offered themselves as honourable citizens, renounced their heretofore argued opinions which are indelibly etched in the public square. Instead, they proffered manifestly perverted interpretations of the law to inseminate cultural identity politics.

Amidst the enterprise to drive our society into anarchy, the government reigned.

It’s adamancy of the nullity of the NCV led the coalition government to challenge the validity of the vote in the Supreme Court. The pillars of the government’s argument were: (i) members of the Assembly cannot vote against their party’s list. (ii) Mr. Persaud’s vote was invalid because he possessed

dual citizenship and is ineligible to be a member of the Assembly, and (iii) the NCV did not attain the majority vote entrenchment required for passage, as envisaged in Article 106 (6).

On January 31, 2019, Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, upheld the NCV. She also ruled that persons with dual citizenship were ineligible to be elected to Parliament.

However, she invoked the doctrine of necessity to validate Mr. Persaud’s vote in accordance with Article 165 (2) of the constitution. The government prevailed on appeal to the Guyana Court of Appeal (COA). The COA held that the NCV did not attain the required majority 34 votes entrenchment. The PPP instantly appealed the COA’s ruling to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), where the matter is sub judice and has been fixed for argument on May 10, 2019.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jagdeo has been proving himself to be a rabid demagogue. He has been travelling around the country telling supporters that the government is illegal and is refusing to call elections which the PPP will

win. He has also engaged in reckless and potentially criminal conduct, to generate instability, polarisation and anxiety. Most reprehensibly, Mr. Jagdeo has called on his supporters to attack President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo - a disgraceful provocation of violence that must be denounced by all.

The coalition government’s mature, resolute and dispassionate governance successfully piloted the country through the implosion of planned PPP destruction. Throughout this national ordeal, the government led by example. President David Granger, who is intensely battling cancer and receiving treatment in Cuba, emerged as the consummate statesman who guided himself by the principle of meticulous constitutional adherence. He never spoke an ill of his political opponents or complained about their personal attacks.

He confidently reassured the world that the nation was in good hands and that his government will obey the constitution and rule of law.

The President governed on an even keel, maintained national tranquility and continuously demonstrated fidelity to the constitution. He did not follow Mr. Jagdeo into rabbit holes of no return. He advised the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to commence preparation for elections in the event the COA upheld the no-confi-

dence vote. Moreover, President Granger caused the resignations of four government ministers with dual citizenship, to bring his government into compliance with Article 155 (1) (a) of the constitution, as well as the rulings of the chief justice and the COA. The President’s shrewdness and towering leadership left Mr. Jagdeo and the PPP dangling precariously over the cliff of constitutional breach. They potentially violated criminal law. They violated Article 106 (7) of the constitution by refusing to amend the 90 provisions to fulfil the mandate of the elections commission. PPP Members of Parliament with dual citizenship, Gail Teixeira, Adrian Annamayah and Odinga Lumumba have refused to resign in violation of the constitution and orders of the courts. It is this same propensity for lawlessness, disregard of the rule of law and abuse of power that galvanised the people to vote the PPP out of office in 2015.

The Guyanese people know President Granger. He has been tested and proven to be a wise, even-tempered visionary who leads by example and demonstrates fidelity to the law. This is the embodiment of a true statesman and leader. He has earned the trust of the people. They respect his nobility and will entrust him with a mandate to lead our nation into modern development.

Safety should be the first consideration Dear Sir, TODAY’S newspapers all scream about more profits and jobs for Guyanese when Goldfields goes underground. Sounds good, and seems like a win-win for all Guyanese, but we have to examine very carefully what is being said here by this crew.

We have been plagued with mine-pit failures all over Guyana, many of which re-

sult in death and serious injury. The Aurora mine is no different. There have been smaller occurrences, but, thank God no deaths! Just recently, there was a breach of a pit wall; next was a boulder falling down on a pick-up, injuring a driver.

There is a trick that is practised in some companies, especially those that want to put out grand figures that there are zero loss-time accidents. The way it works is: This guy

gets injured at work; crushes his hand in an accident. The company does not report the accident; but their medical personnel treat him and put the chap to sit around all day with nothing to do but get paid, with no reports made to the relevant monitoring agencies about the injury. Theoretically, the chap is still at work. So all the hype of zero safety record can sometimes just be a big hoax and scam.

When one considers that these hoaxes do occur in so-called “reputable” companies, then it is critical that the relevant government agencies take special and extra care to check out everything that the Goldfields people tell them about underground mining. We never had a large underground mine in Guyana before, but we have read about the deaths and injuries that occur in them.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 8, 2019

Minister Trotman responds to Kaieteur News article

Dear Editor,

AS before, I find myself compelled to respond to a news article appearing in the Kaieteur News, and on this occasion, under the caption: ‘Resistance by oil companies is no excuse to continue contract secrecy.

Consultant accuses government of being ‘disingenuous’. Without fear of contradiction, I can state the facts as follows: 1. The Cabinet of the Government of Guyana took a collective decision that I, as Minister, should write to all petroleum companies which are licensed to operate in Guyana, informing them of government’s desire to publish their contracts, and to seek their approval and collaboration. President David Granger neither advised, nor “instructed”, me to take this course of action.

2. Every single petroleum operator responded in the affirmative, and over the course of several months, the Ministry of Natural Resources was able to publish these contracts.

3. With respect to concessions in the forestry and mineral sector, the heads of the respective agencies, the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Geology Commission were written to with the instruction that all contracts be sent to the Ministry. From this exercise, it was learnt that some contracts were entered into by various agencies during the life of the previous administration, and as such were not all in their possession. It should also be remembered that these regulatory agencies have separate and concrete procedures for the granting and monitoring of licences under which every company currently operates.

4. During the life of the current administration, no new awards were made in the petroleum sector, and only one large- scale permit was issued in the mineral sector, and that is for manganese mining. Where forestry is concerned, based on the President’s decla-

ration of Guyana transitioning into a ‘green’ state and his pledge to add an additional two million hectares to the pool of conserved forests, we have thus far refrained from granting any large-scale forest permits.

5. The Ministry of Natural Resources has written to the principals of every foreignowned and large-scale operator, and some responses have been received, and yet, by no means have we abandoned our quest to publish everything. In fact, this is an ongoing process that engages several ministries, the GYEITI (Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative), and several international financial institutions.

6. It is disingenuous of Kaieteur News to take straightforward answers to straightforward questions and twist and contort them to suggest corruption and malfeasance by government ministers and officials.

It should be recalled that several months ago, members of the Parliamentary Opposition exercised their right to ask questions about whether any ministers or officials had holdings in the mining and forestry sectors, and the answers to these questions were published by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Parliament Office. It is strange that Kaieteur News made no mention of this.

The Ministry of Natural Resources will endeavour to manage the sector in as open a manner as possible, and strenuously refutes any and all allegations and insinuations that it is obscuring the details of contracts to benefit members of the current or past administration.

Lastly, both Kaieteur News and Dr. Jan Mangal are free to make contact with me at any time, as was done in the past, for explanations or access to available information.

There is no “Jack-in-the-box” waiting to spring out to reveal some sordid deal.

Sincerely, Raphael Trotman Minister of Natural Resources

Safety should be...

FROM PAGE 6 I am sure that few Guyanese persons have ever visited or worked in an underground mine before. We just do not know anything about underground mining, so we will need to be properly trained to work safely. We all want jobs, but we do not want to be trapped underground either.

We know that it was Jagdeo that gave Aurora the licence to operate in Guyana, but the APNU government gets to collect the royalty. So we begging the government not to let them get away with any

and everything. Insist that all the agencies that have to do with monitoring safety and issuing licences for underground mining be extra careful with any issuance. Double check on everything these people tell you. Right now I am home, having been injured at work (unreported). I’m getting paid, though.

Please consider that Guyanese lives matter; it is not all about royalty.

Regards, M.Williams

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Ali’s ‘estates reopening promise’ not viable

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

–– economists contend

AS People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate Irfaan Ali once again floats the re-opening of the sugar estates should his party regain power, not only do economists disagree with the idea, but they wish to see the public educated on why this is not the best option for Guyana.

In the Stabroek News Sunday Edition, while speaking on his plan to create 50,000 jobs should he be elected, Ali stated that “11,000 jobs resulting from the reopening of closed sugar estates” would come through him being in power.

His party members have long criticised the government’s move towards the privatisation, divestment and diversification of the Skeldon, Rose Hall-Canje, East Demerara and Wales Estates of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), beginning with the retrenchment of

some 4,000 workers.

During its governance, the current Administration had spent some G$37B in bailing out the “financially hemorrhaging” industry to protect the livelihoods of workers.

Eventually, Government had stated that it could not continue to bail out the sector or GuySuCo, which had amassed a debt of over $82B at the expense of other sectors also in need of development.

Former sugar workers have since been paid their severance in full. Some have joined the work force at the Blairmont, Albion and Uitvlugt estates; others have taken up jobs across the agriculture and other sectors, while some turned to self-employment.

Since then, and more so in the current political season, the PPP has directed much of its campaign prom-

CDB economist, Dr. Justin Ram ises to the retrenched sugar workers visible in social media ads, and with Ali’s most recent comments.

However, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle earlier in the year, Director of Economics at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)

Dr. Justin Ram, assessing the situation, made it clear that for the industry to remain viable, there must be some form of restructuring.

“The sugar industry has been important to Guyana for quite some time, and if the sugar industry is to remain viable, of course there needs to be some restructuring, because it is important that the sugar industry can stand on its own two legs, meaning that it can be commercially viable,” he said.

Expounding further, the economist stated that the environment in which the sugar industry operates must be conducive for it to survive through the utilisation of technology to allow it to become competitive in the modern world.

“Ultimately, like all of our industries in the Caribbean, we have to be globally competitive. It is not about servicing a protected market; you have to be globally competitive, and that means utilising the right labour skills; utilising the right type of technology to drive efficiency, improvements of productivity.

That, I say, is true for the sugar industry, and it is true for all the industries within Guyana, and certainly across the region,” he said.

OPPORTUNITIES Since its decision to reposition the sugar estates, the Government has long made known its belief that numerous opportunities are available through agricultural diversification.

“We have to produce our commodities more cheaply, otherwise, we will not be able to compete. Whoever is in the Government, we want to save the sugar industry, but it must be efficient and competitive. We are not working to destroy the industry; We are working to develop the industry. And the industry has been contracting. Some countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, [and] Belize have seen their industries contract. Some have disappeared altogether, because the cost of production was too high. Guyana is trying to preserve its industry,” President David Granger in 2017 explained to residents of Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five).

This is a position that Economist, Sydney Armstrong shared with the news-

paper in a recent interview where he hailed the downsizing of the sugar industry as “the way to go”.

He stated that the only issue he has with the matter was the transition towards downsizing, which he believes could have been conducted more tactfully.

“But it’s inevitable that we move towards downsizing sugar or getting GuySuCo into value-added processing... Guyana is producing sugar somewhere about US$0.24 cents/US$0.25 cents per pound, and Brazil is producing it for about US$0.14 cents per pound.

Tell me, where are we going to be competitive, and when? What we need to do is to downsize to a level that we can manage, and have it profitable so that it can be sustainable to itself,” he said.

PRIVATE SECTOR Meanwhile, the CDB director has also advised that the private sector must be brought in the loop to increase opportunities for employment through the sector.

“I would imagine that the government would have looked at all of the options, and part of it could mean that there needs to be a greater level of private sector involvement in the industry.

Remember, you want the industry to be viable. Then that means that there’s greater opportunity for employment directly related to the industry. and for indirect employment from the linkages to that industry. So I think that’s what Guyana needs to look at,” Armstrong said.

A report and recommendations, based on three bids already made on the GuySuCo estates pending privatisation, was in January 2019, handed over to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s (NICIL) Steering Committee.

The documents were compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the consultant firm hired by NICL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) to oversee the privatisation of the Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon Estates.

The information, after being assessed by the Steering Committee and Cabinet, will result in a final pronouncement from the government regarding moving forward.

In the meanwhile, while the decision was a tough one, Armstrong believes that

PPP presidential candidate Irfaan Ali more can be done to help the public better understand the pros and cons or restoring the sugar estates to their most recent state.

“What the government needs to do,” he said, “is to sensitise the young and the rational-minded as to cost and the benefits associated with keeping the sugar industry up and running to the level that it once was. [They must speak to] the amount of money; $5B a year being spent on an industry which is not profitable. Project five times $5B. Do you know what that could do for health, education or other agriculture aspects? [They need to show] that if we continue along this path, this is where we’re going to end up. However, this is an alternative that we’re heading to.” Speaking briefly on the matter, Economist Rawle Lucas had summarised: “It’s unfair to be subsidising one group with other people’s money, and there’s no real return coming in to the economy.”

Nonetheless, criticisms come from the opposition even as GuySuCo, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial Employees (NAACIE) met since in 2011 with workers at the LBI factory to discuss its closure and their re-employment.

In the same year, the factory was closed under the PPP, and workers were re-employed at the Enmore Estate.

Assessing these realities in contrast with the current push, Armstrong reasoned: “Sugar has always been political. Politics, at the end of the day, kept the sugar workers and the control of the last administration.”

Stronger efforts to trap sexual violators

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

–– Region Four puts attention on medical evidence

By Wendella Davidson

THE Region Four Health Department is aware of the importance medical evidence plays in sexual assault cases.

It has also observed that the judiciary has upped the ante in seeking to clear the backlog of such cases.

Cognisant that the work done at health centres by medical personnel and the evidence gathered by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are significant in legal cases, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Quincy Jones said the region is on an aggressive drive to boost the quality of its work in this regard. “… a lot of what they [ the judiciary] do is dependent on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the health

centres, because we provide the medical-related evidence.

If you don’t have quality medical evidence and the protocols are not observed, a case could be lost,” he explained.

As a result, Dr. Jones said the region’s health department is collaborating with the judiciary to strengthen evidence in sexual assault cases. They have, with the assistance of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), acquired stateof-the-art rape kits.

Additionally, through the office of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Jones noted that UNICEF, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Public Health Ministry have assisted in conducting training on how to use the protocol for the

examination of sexual assault cases.

Dr. Jones said under the stewardship of Volda Lawrence as Minister of Social Protection, a protocol was developed in 2016 between the Ministries of Social Protection, Public Security and Public Health. That 2016 pact was adopted and the region’s health staff were sensitised as part of the first phase.

The second phase now underway, entails identifying specific sites for sexual cases, as according to Dr. Jones, due to the paucity of human and material resources, it is not feasible to have such activities held at all the region’s facilities.

“As a quality-control measure, these cases will be at specific sites. So far the only site being currently

used in the region is the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, a 24-hour facility that is equipped with all of the skilled personnel,” he said, adding: “As we improve in terms of capacity-building and the acquisition of a family health specialist, other sites would be opened up.”

ALARMING R e c e n t l y, R e s i d e n t UNICEF Representative, Sylvie Fouet declared as “alarming”, data that indicates Guyana has recorded 400 cases of sexual abuse against children in the first quarter of this year.

The number of cases recorded in 2018 was 1000.

Fouet was speaking at the launch of a Forensic Psychology and Sexual Offences Special Training series, coordinated by the Supreme

Court, the University of Guyana and UNICEF. “The training will help court personnel to engage children who are abused, because it is not an easy task,” she said. The UNICEF representative also signalled the need for more to be done in order to address the scourge plaguing the society.

She believes that building capacity will help Guyana to find solutions and ultimately result in the reduction of those numbers and even the prevention of such cases.

As part of its contribution, UNICEF assisted in the launching of the sexual offences court. In partnership with the court, the agency will be expanding the sexual offences court’s services to Berbice and Essequibo.

The training will complement the initiative to close

9

Regional Health Officer, Region Four, Dr. Quincy Jones the gap between service and treatment of not just children, but women who have been abused.

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards echoed those sentiments, noting that training is important, since insensitive treatment of victims can result in secondary trauma.

“The complexities of such cases required specialised training on the part of all involved…. Persons engaged in working in this field also need debriefing exercises because they, too, can suffer from secondary trauma,” Justice Cummings-Edwards had said.

She further stressed the need for an intensive approach to training persons to help them to respond better to such cases.

Karasabai benefits from improved water supply

THE community of Karasabai, Region Nine is now benefitting from improved water supply through recent renovation and installation works from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

On Friday, senior GWI officials, including Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles visited the community to observe the drilling of a new well to improve the water supply there.

According to a release, the community previously relied on a water-supply system constructed through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and another existing system.

However, the GWI team found that there was a flaw in the design of the system which could not satisfy the needs of the community; a defect was also observed in other Region Nine villages.

As a result, the Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal, reinforced the call for all funding and execution agencies to ensure that they consult with GWI prior to the commencement of projects which seek to provide potable water services to citizens.

The release stated that the newly drilled well in Karasabai will be connect-

Sand Creek are benefiting from a new well and other infrastructure following visits from GWI to the village.

“The newly drilled well in the area has significantly improved access to the nursery, primary and secondary schools, dormitory, the health centre and

The water supply system constructed by BNTF that has some flaws ed to the storage tanks on explained. the existing trestle; Dr. Van It added: “Visits to the West-Charles noted that the schools also revealed that pipelines on the trestle will there are plumbing issues be changed and the larger at the sanitary blocks, no tanks will be placed. sinks and a lack of water acIn addition, GWI will cess at these facilities. GWI also install another larger will work with the Regional pump to ensure water is Democratic Council and adequately supplied to the Ministry of Education to community, while other de- correct these issues.” velopmental works were Meanwhile, the GWI carried out on two wells near team also visited the Kezee the airstrip in the village Eco Lodge in Karasabai, during the visit. where access to water is pe“The wells can provide riodically a challenge. approximately 100 cubic GWI has devised a plan, metres of water per day utilising the Weyee Creek to serve the community, nearby, to treat the water, which includes primary, using it as a source of water secondary and nursery supply for the lodge. schools, the health centre Added to this, approxand households,” the release imately 1,020 residents in

households, which amount to approximately 1,020 persons. A photovoltaic system, equipped with 18 solar panels, was installed to power the new water supply system. Water will now be supplied from this system to fill the community’s tanks,” the release said.

The GWI team on its visit met with Karasabai Toshao Shawn Kartright; Deputy Toshao, Andrew Albert; District Development Officer, Marlon Edwards; and Headmistress (ag) of Karasabai Primary/ Secondary School, Michelle George

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 8, 2019

The tip of the iceberg IF you have ever wondered about the type of cases that are brought to the attention of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), here

are some examples. Last week a mother put her two children out on the street while a young man, of undetermined age, was brought before the

courts on a ‘possession of narcotics’ charge. Meanwhile, on another note, a concerned father took a plane from Canada to Guyana with regard to

his nine- year- old son and an unrelated domestic violence dispute happened to take an interesting twist. In addition to these four cases, over 60 other new cases from different regions of Guyana were referred, facilitated and dealt with

by CPA officers at the agency during the past week. If you would like to hear the outcome of the four above-mentioned, read on.

The CPA rescues children who are at risk, and cares for those who have been abused, neglected and abandoned, in order to protect them from further danger. There is a steady flow of cases that come into the agency every day; each one is assessed, recorded and distributed to the relevant team leaders for investigation.

Last week, when a mother physically abused her two small children and put them out of the house, concerned citizens brought the children to the CPA. Immediately, an investigation was launched to find the mother and other family members, so that a clearer picture could be established pertaining to the overall safety of the children.

The mother, who was eventually located and interviewed by a CPA officer, was nonchalant towards the whole situation.

It was therefore determined by senior staff, that leaving the children with their mother was clearly putting them at risk: they were therefore placed with a family member while a thorough assessment of their circumstances could be carried out.

The CPA works alongside families to ensure that parents are given the opportunity to learn new parenting skills in order to keep families together. Some families gladly cooperate for the sake of their children, while others do not take kindly to any

type of assistance, advice or change.

A mother of three fled her marital home with two of her children after being physically attacked by her husband. When the matter was reported to the CPA, the safety of the children in her care was of paramount concern. The woman, when eventually found, agreed to meet with officers but did not want her husband present at the meeting: however, after a while, she hesitantly agreed for her husband to attend.

The officer who worked on this case explained, ‘even when we intervene we just don’t look at the negative factors of the case presented to us: we look for what is positive and what we could work with.

We found two caring parents who take pride in their home and family; yet there were issues of miscommunication that had caused discord and violence from both parties.’

When children witness domestic violence, the long-term effect on their development and future relationships can be detrimental. In this case, the parents engaged in meaningful discourse with the CPA officer and decided to stay apart for the time being. In addition, the father made a request to be counselled, alongside his wife.

At the CPA the legal officer is kept on her toes dealing with several children’s cases. Where there are allegations of child abuse, the child must be removed from that environment; and where there are safety measures put in place, and families have attended skills training and counselling sessions, a child who may have been physically abused should be considered for reunification. All these matters have to pass before a court and there is a lot of paperwork involved. Likewise, when a young person is

charged with an offence, the CPA may be asked to intervene for various reasons.

In the case where a child’s birth was never registered, the legal officer explained, ‘Due to information received, it was established that the young offender in question was about 16 years old… it is therefore our duty to furnish the DPP with all the legal requirements for his case to be tried under the Juvenile Act, which includes providing a birth certificate and various evaluations and reports.’

Our final case concerns a father in Canada who was unhappy with the reports he received from his Guyana-based family in relation to his nine- year-old son. His family felt the boy was not benefitting from the money he was sending for his son’s upkeep and so urged him to contact the CPA. The father not only contacted the agency and spoke to CPA staff, he went one better and flew to Guyana to meet with CPA officers and to see his son.

At first, the mother was very uncooperative and did not want to meet at the agency to discuss their child. However she eventually attended a meeting where, with a little guidance, they were able to iron out some problems to the extent where the father was given access to his son that very day. He was able to spend time with the boy and take him to and from school for a week, to his heart’s content.

CPA officers work assiduously to protect children from harm and in cases of abuse, to help children get back on track.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MNISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

Greater ease using river–– says transport today Minister Ferguson

OVER the years, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, has been working to maintain a high standard of river transport for citizens.

Speaking with the newspaper recently, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, stated that more improvements are to come.

“Serving as a government, you’re not just serving because one region would have voted for the ‘green,’ that means that all efforts or emphasis should be given to that region. When you become minister, you’re a minister for everybody. You have to treat everybody equally,” Ferguson stressed.

She stated that when the government took over the Transport and Harbours Department in 2015 there were many deficiencies regarding maintenance, fuel and employee-related issues.

With the re-establishment of the T&HD Advisory Council, which dormant for some 19 years, the ministry enabled the body, in accordance with Section 5 of the Transport and Harbours Act, to serve as a ‘middle man’ for ministers and operators.

It has since been working to address challenges relating to T&HD staffing and administration; policies and regulations and the improvement of the overall efficiency and

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson (Samuel Maughn photo) “Some of these vessels would have been outfitted with proper seating accommodation; they also have the luxury of viewing a video by way of television and it really means a lot for the travelling public; and so far the feedback that we have been receiving is that persons are happy with what they have seen so far.”

To ensure that the overall The Lady Northcote vessel functioning of the T&HD. Meanwhile, doing its part, the ministry continues to invest in maintaining the ferry services operating routes in Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to ensure long-term service.

The MV Barima in Region One has recently been rehabilitated; the MV Kimbia is being rehabilitated and is expected to be in service by the second quarter of 2019; the two vessels plying the Region Two route have received maintenance works on

their engines.

Minister Ferguson said that works are also being conducted on the almost 70-year-old vessel, Lady Northcote, to maintain its seaworthiness and ability to meet the needs of residents in Region One. “It brings a sort of relief to the travelling public, not only through easier travel, as passengers are more comfortable, but it cuts down the time in which the vessels would take from areas like port Georgetown to Region One,” Minister Ferguson said.

Phase One of the stelling has been completed. It is to feature a waiting area for passengers, along with several mini-marts at the back

experience is a comfortable and safe one, over the years the government has been working to improve the stellings and wharves at several locations.

From 2015 to present, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has injected over G$240M into first-phase renovations at the Bartica See page 14

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 8, 2019

Free ultrasound at Buxton Health Centre

By Wendella Davidson

EAST Coast residents can now benefit from free ultrasound services being offered at the Buxton Health Centre (BHC), a Level Two primary healthcare facility.

This is as a result of regional health officials having upgraded the facility’s critical services to avoid residents having to utilise valuable time to travel to the City to access the said services, according to Region Four, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Quincy Jones.

Cuban-trained physician, Dr. Renata Jones, who is at the helm of the facility, told this publication during a

During the medical interview/examination, the doctor may determine that there is a particular pathology, or disease, that necessitates having an ultrasound for the practitioner to get a better idea of what is ailing the patient.

That procedure is done on the abdomen; preferably on a soft tissue, such as the breast, to see if there is any blood clot in the veins or poor blood circulation.

Noting that an ultrasound is the act of performing medicine, the RHO emphasised that doctors heavily rely on the sonographer to make a diagnosis.

Dr Jones, however, went on to explain that though

The recently acquired ultrasound machine. Dr. Abel Frias (fifth from left), Dr. Alex Ali and Dr Renata Jones with nurses at the Buxton Health Centre

The rehabilitated Buxton Health Centre, East Coast Demerara (Samuel Maughn photo)

visit there on Thursday that she is overwhelmed by how residents from Buxton and its catchment area, and even communities further away, have been utilising the health centre’s services.

Ultrasound services, which previously had to be obtained at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), are offered three days per week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by Cuba-born Dr. Abel Frias, an ultrasonologist.

Explaining the process to access the service, the RHO said, first the patient has to have a referral from either Dr. Renata Jones, Dr. Alex Persaud at the BHC or any doctor functioning at any of the health centres on the East Coast or East Bank.

machines like the one at the Buxton Centre are not designed to produce cardiography, they can do the basic two first views on a cardiography ultrasound, which are the simplest views.

“So, when a patient is referred, the nurses book the patient and assign the earliest possible date for the procedure to be done, which can be within a day or two,” he said.

He said that whenever the ultrasonologist is available, he invariably attends to about 20 patients, many of whom are sometimes referred by the GPHC, or go there from outlying communities such as Mahaica and Mahaicony. At every session, Dr Jones said, a nurse works along with two doctors and a medex.

It was further explained

that when a patient is referred from an outlying health centre, after the ultrasound is completed, instead of having the patient return to the doctor at the outstation from where the referral originated, the doctors or medex on site at the BHC would treat that patient.

It is only when it is determined that further medical attention is needed that the patient is sent to the GPHC. OTHER SERVICES The government-run facility also provides a wide range of free health promotion activities, and offers basic medical and dental services.

Along with Dr. Jones, two doctors, a medex, four nurses, inclusive of a head nurse, a midwife, a pharma-

cist and a pharmacy assistant, a dentist and a dental assistant, a dentex and a regional health officer, among other personnel are attached to health centre. The Nurse-inCharge is Rundeen Joseph.

According to the CHO, the main purpose of the facility, particularly where the case of a patient is of a serious nature, is to stabilise and refer such cases to the GPHC for further attention.

“Most of the pathologies that are investigated are surgical in nature, for example gall stones and kidney stones that require some follow-up at the secondary care level for surgery. But, as the need arises, if a case which is life-threatening is presented where the patient would need emergency medical attention within the first

half of an hour of realisation, that patient is transferred immediately to the GPHC after they have been stabilised. However, there are some emergency cases that do allow for the nurses at the centre to do more prepping and stabilising than others,” the RHO explained.

In addition to the full complement of primary-care services offered at the Buxton facility, there is also the Well Child Consult, which entails updating the services for persons not acutely ill, outpatients for persons who are not acutely ill and chronic care, said Dr. Renata Jones, who took up the appointment two months ago.

There is also a child health clinic that oversees babies and infants visiting for vaccination schedules; treatment for chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes; an ante-natal clinic; a laboratory that functions only on Wednesdays; dental and environmental services. VCT will soon be added to the list.

FAMILY MEDICINE SPECIALIST Meanwhile, the recently rehabilitated Buxton facility is on schedule to house a Family Medicine Clinic, the RHO pointed out.

He added that through the GPHC, a programme is currently being run for persons desirous of being trained as

family medicine specialists.

The lone family medicine specialist is stationed at Grove, East Bank Demerara where the training is being conducted and among the students are some residents of the community and one from the Buxton community.

And, with the students slated to graduate in November, the RHO said he had already placed a request for one of the graduates to be sent to the Buxton Health Centre.

The RHO said, too, that he has made an offer for the BHC to be utilised as a family medicine training facility.

Regional health officials will ensure that the health centre satisfies the requisite criteria to facilitate such training. He noted that should the on-thejob training materialise, they will be in a better position to retain the residents, ultimately benefiting residents and their families.

Recently, a new health centre was constructed at Eccles, East Bank Demerara at a cost of $28M. Residents of the community previously travelled to nearby communities Agricola, Herstelling and Mocha, to access the services.

Staff for the new Eccles Health Centre have already been identified and are currently undergoing training at the Grove facility. The centre is slated to be commissioned this month-end.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday April 8, 2019

Hundreds turn out at kite-making camp JUNIOR Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes hosted a “Make It and Take It” kite-making camp at her Jamoon Drive residence on Sunday.

Over 200 children turned out to the event when the minister provided all of the materials and guidance for the children to make their kites themselves. Though distributing kites to children is something that the minister does annually, this was the first time the children were given the opportunity to interact and make the kites themselves.

“We were looking at something new, something longer lasting than a hand out, an experience. Every Easter I would normally distribute and give kites, but I would’ve preferred that the children make the kites; we were looking at something new that makes an impact

Minister Simona Broomes

and is longer lasting, so the idea came about,” Broomes noted.

Several parents also turned out to join in the fun and help their children make their kites. Broomes was very pleased with the turnout, noting that it exceeded her expectations.

“We had a little over 205 kites based on the materials distributed. I was blown away; I knew children would come out, but it was beyond what I had imagined. It gave me major satisfaction,” she said.

Broomes began her benevolence on Saturday when

A group of children building their kites together (Samuel Maughn photo)

she first began distributing kites in the Tucville Housing Compound area.

In Guyana, kite-flying

is synonymous with the Easter holiday, with droves of families turning out to picnic and fly kites. Some

businesses host kite-flying competitions, encouraging children and adults alike to get creative with their kites.

UG behavioural research centre ready for opening

The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre of Behavioural Sciences and Research at the University of Guyana

THE Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre of Behavioural Sciences and Research at the University of Guyana is set for opening this month.

Construction of the centre was completed a few weeks ago by Buddy’s Construction, a local general construction company which was responsible for the completion of many large-scale

construction projects in Guyana.

The next step will be the furnishing of the building and the official opening of the centre for use by students, faculty and UG management.

The Foundation, after spending millions of dollars in the information technology sector, working with government institutions such

One of the lecture rooms at the Centre

as the Guyana Police Force and NGOs, to provide free computer training to the public while simultaneously working in New York with the public schools, enhancing their existing computer centers, has embarked on assisting the mental health sector in Guyana.

During construction, Dr. Jay Sobhraj increased the donation to ensure that the

quality of the construction is not compromised. Many who witnessed the construction, including the university staff, had an opportunity to see the inside of the building after completion, and were impressed with the design and the quality of the construction, while students cannot wait to start using the facility.

The newly-designed

centre will accommodate a Psychology department, lecture halls, a Clinical Psychology Clinic, a Student Medical Centre, a student gym, a book store, students religious offices, and a food court. The building was designated for use by the psychology majors and will also be used for other majors such as engineering and science and liberal arts.

In March 2018, founder of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, a U-S based Guyanese entrepreneur, Dr. Jay Sobhraj, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Guyana worth approximately $80million to renovate an existing building known on the University Campus as the “Spicy Dish” building.

Ex-solder escapes from prison

FORMER Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Private, John Lambert, 24, who is serving a four-year jail sentence, escaped from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara on Sunday.

Lambert, who is serving time for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, resided at Lot 158 North Haslington, East

Coast Demerara at the time of his sentencing.

He was being held in the holding bay (number three) when he escaped from the confinement by scaling a fence on the south-eastern end of the compound at around 03:39hrs Sunday, prison officials say.

A number of shots were fired at

the fleeing prisoner after he refused to heed verbal warnings, cautioning him to desist from escaping lawful custody; however, he still managed to escape.

The discharge of rounds alerted other ranks who were on duty and an emergency mechanism kicked in but, by then, Lambert had made good his escape. Police have since

launched a search for him.

In a statement, both the police and the prion service noted that Lambert was admitted to prison Friday last. In addition to his sentencing, he was also ordered to pay a fine of $30,000 when the ruling was handed down to him at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

Escapee: John Lambert

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

Closed-captioning for hearing-impaired LISTENING to the television plays a huge role in the lives of hearing-impaired person and one of the greatest advantages for these persons is the benefit from closed-captioning.

This allows them to see text of what is being said on news programmes, television shows and movies.

The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has plans to encourage local broadcasters

to do closed-captioning for such persons, chairman of the agency, Leslie Sobers said.

He said too that, kudos would be in order for broadcasting stations which employ the skill of signers for at least one major daily newscast, and for those who cannot undertake it daily but on specific times in the week.

Sobers gave a reminder of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2012, which stipulates that certain things must

be put in place to assist persons with hearing disabilities.

He, however, noted that there is no established school that teaches sign language and there are not many persons here who are versed in signing. As such, he said, it will be a bit of an unrealistic expectation for broadcasters to do signing immediately.

However, he reiterated that broadcasters who would go the mile to employ signers should be complimented.

According to the GNBA chairman, the agency is also considering other ways of recognising broadcasters whose performance is well above the others. The ideas being floated include an awards ceremony, or for the recipients to be granted a discount in the payment for their licences.

Such recognition, he added, will also have a bearing on the broadcasters’ obligation to be always on top

of the game and encourage others to emulate their performance.

Sign language (also signed language or simply signing) uses manual communication and body language to convey meaning, as opposed to acoustically conveyed sound patterns.

This can involve simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker’s thoughts

GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers

Greater ease using river ...

From page 11 Stelling and is now moving ahead into the second phase.

Upon completion, over $700M in investment towards a modern stelling will see the location being outfitted with restrooms, a waiting area for passengers, an administrative office and booths for vendors to ply their trade.

“We needed a modern facility where persons can sit and relax as they wait on the ferry. It’s all in the package of improving the image of Bartica and we’re also working on our tourism package. If we’re going to work on tourism, then we must be able to have the right facilities for tourists,” Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall had told the newspaper recently.

Over at the Parika Stelling, similar modernised features are expected to take place with funding from the United Kingdom (UK); the upgrading of the Leguan Stelling is expected to pick up pace by the end of 2019 into 2020.

The condition of these facilities has long been an eye-sore and point of complaints for many citizens who traverse the routes daily; and being able to gradually address them is what Ferguson says being a minister is all about.

“Coming to the minister, laying your issues before him and her; and being able to have those things addressed in an expeditious manner means a lot not only to the individual who would be the final beneficiary, but at least you have that opportunity to ensure that the difference is created in the life of an individual,” she said.

“I have visited many comminutes in all the regions and the state in which we would have seen it while I was a Member of Parliament trying to make a difference on the opposition benches is different now that I have a chance to serve as a government minister. We are able to change the outlook of a number of communities… with the oil and gas industry coming on stream, I see Guyana rising from its ashes and I know better things are in store for our communities.”

Meanwhile, still on matters relating to Guyana’s waterways, Ferguson stated that from 2015 to date, the government has placed much emphasis on the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) through the procurement and rehabilitative works on pilot launches.

A ‘pilot launch’ is used by members of MARAD to pilot in passengers or a crew from large ships which visit Guyana.

In 2019, the government intends to increase this fleet and will also work to maintain other existing launches through the provision of navigational aids; the fixing and demarcation of floating buoys and beacons and the procurement of spares.

As Guyana steps into the oil and gas industry, Minister Ferguson said that Guyana’s maritime laws are on the agenda for modification in 2019 and beyond.

“Our current laws do not allow for this whole new industry that will be coming on stream, so we would be moving to have our legislation reviewed and revised, so as to incorporate this new industry,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

161 youths to receive business grants

SOME 161 Region 10 youths are to receive business grants totalling over G$8M to aid their small-business ventures as the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) Programme continues to make huge strides countrywide.

On Friday, Vice-president and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, visited the Coomacka Resource Centre in Linden where he launched the programme.

Each participant will receive a grant of $50,000 to aid small businesses in the region; these include snackettes, grocery shops, poultry-rearing, car washing, ice cream shops, beauty salons and supplies, game shops, DVD shops, electronic shops, welding and joinery, fuel and farming.

According to a release from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Minister Allicock, addressing the gathering of youths, commended them for staying the course with the HEYS programme.

“This movement is about educating and respecting one another…it is an incentive enough to move you forward into your dreams. You can use these opportunities to create new products, new activities, like your chicken farms [and] fish farms. Plant purple potato and other nutritious crops, use pieces of lumber …. use the opportunity to turn them into valuable pieces for sale,” the minister advised, to applause from the audience.

Speaking of the positive impact the HEYS programme has had on her life, Sheniza Singh of the Three Friends community, stated: “Life since HEYS has been good for me, because I learned a lot from the training. The money I will be getting I will use that to help expand my business and I would like to thank our President and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for bringing HEYS to our community; and I would like HEYS to come back so that other youths can benefit.”

The HEYS programme is the ministry’s flagship youth programme, aimed at giving indigenous/hinterland youths a second chance at life through training and funding.

It is currently ongoing in 112 hinterland communities countrywide and has

Youths at the Coomacka Resource Centre in Linden among those beneficiaries of grants through the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) Programme impacted some 4,000 youths from 2015 to present.

Another beneficiary from the Coomacka Mines by the name of DeAndrae Daniels, at the event, expressed her gratefulness for the programme and thanked Neighbourhood Democratic Council Chairman Dexter Harding for directions given to develop their businesses.

Another testimony about the benefits of the programme came from Kelly Blunt, a participant from Siberia/Old England, who stated: “Life before HEYS was very hard. I used to depend on my mother who is a single parent to take care of me. I used to get very frustrated many days and then HEYS came to my community and I was very lucky to be a part of the programme. I am now my own boss. I started with ice cream and cone; I saved my stipend to buy my freezer and my scoop, and I saved my stipend again to buy other stuff...I still suffer from seizures, but my life is easier now.”

After listening to the testimonies, Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, noted how privileged she is to see the camaraderie demonstrated by the respective communities.

She commended the youths for remaining in their communities and for playing an integral role in their (communities) development.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer Orin Gordon noted that the exercise is a manifestation of a promise made to the youths of Linden for further development.

Based on observation and statistics, he stated that HEYS has moved from a programme to becoming an “irreversible movement.”

According to the ministry, the HEYS programme continues to positively change the lives of youths across the hinterland and by doing so, is ensuring delivery of the ‘good life’ promised.

Vice-president and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

Choupo-Moting’s miss squanders early league title for PSG (BBC) - ERIC Maxim Choupo-Moting was guilty of arguably the worst miss in the history of football as Paris St-Germain squandered the chance to wrap up the Ligue 1 title against Strasbourg.

Christopher Nkunku’s shot was going in until former Stoke forward Choupo-Moting needlessly got a touch on the line and stabbed it on to the post.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting somehow turned his team-mate’s goal-bound shot against the post with the score at 1-1

PSG led through Choupo-Moting but Nuno da Costa levelled and Anthony Goncalves put the visitors ahead from 20 yards.

Presnel Kimpembe equalised for PSG. But the capital side needed to beat Strasbourg to wrap up the title with eight games to go. They can seal it if they draw at second-placed Lille next Sunday.

Choupo-Moting had started ahead of 27-goal Ligue 1 top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who was rested but came on in the second half.

Thomas Tuchel’s side, who were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Manchester United, have the chance to win the double when they face Rennes in the Coupe de France final on Saturday, 27 April.

They have won the cup four seasons in a row.

PSG, who have won five of the past six Ligue 1 titles, had won all previous 15 league home matches this season.

NBS promises to continue ...

FROM PAGE 21

on-of-champions contest between the top teams in Berbice (in the bank-sponsored competition) against the best teams in the GCA/NBS competition.

Although the contest is still in the planning stage, Dr. Gopaul did announce that it will be a T20 format.

GCA president Roger Harper said that the upcoming battle would give the youngsters, both in Georgetown and Berbice, more exposure.

To the NBS he said, “We are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership, we look forward to your support.”

GEORGETOWN FINAL On Friday evening, GCC defeated Everest by 162 runs in the final of the GCA/NBS 40-over Second-Division Competition.

Winston Forrester, who spanked nine fours for a 68-ball 62, was named man-of-the-match, while Ronaldo Alimohamed, who sent back the middle order with 3-26 from six overs, collected the best bowling performance trophy. Saheed Mohamed, who had16 stiches due to an injury to one of his fingers during the semi-final, kept Everest in the game with three outstanding catches, and he was duly rewarded.

Meanwhile, Police’s spinner Jason Heyliger finished the tournament with the best bowling figures (5-11 versus Transport). Also picking up trophies were Transport’s Azeem Azeez (who finished with a tournament-high 23 wickets), DCC’s Sachin Singh, who finished with the highest runs in the tournament (171) against Diplomats and the most runs in the tournament, and UG’s Melroy Stephenson, who finished with eight catches.

Singh, a national U-19 cricketer, also finished as the MVP of Zone A after tallying 436 runs at an average of 72.67 runs per innings. He also took one wicket and two catches.

Meanwhile, Transport’s batsman Sunil Singh finished as Zone B’s MVP after tallying 230 runs at an average of 59, to go with four catches.

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(ESPNCricinfo) - RAJASTHAN Royals paid the price for a turgid innings, on what Kolkata Knight Riders proved was a very good batting track.

Despite losing only three wickets, and having had a second-wicket partnership worth 72, Royals mustered only 139 for 3 in their 20 overs.

No team in IPL history has made a poorer score for the loss of three wickets or less.

Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes just could not get going in this match. They faced 34 and 14 balls respectively, but neither could strike at more than 110.

Only Steven Smith managed a half-decent ouput, scoring 73 not out off 59 deliveries.

Even that is not exactly a stellar innings, though.

In response, Knight Riders were brutal.

Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn blazed through the opening overs, hitting 65 off

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

KKR beat Rajasthan the Powerplay for no loss.

Narine had 47 off 25 balls when he was dismissed, but with the score at 91 in the ninth over, the result was almost a foregone conclusion.

team to victory with a 26 not out off 16 balls.

They had a whopping 37 balls remaining when a wide from Stokes sealed the result.

Sunil Narine pumps one into the leg side © BCCI

Lynn hit 50 off 32, and was the other batsman to be dismissed in Knight Riders’ chase.

Robin Uthappa eased the

A third of the deliveries Sunil Narine delivered were dot balls. Piyush Chawla was even better - 13 of his 24 balls were dots.

It is not as if Royals did not venture big shots off them.

These bowlers were just too good, beating the Royals top order in the air as well as off the pitch.

Harry Gurney was outstanding in his first IPL match this season as well, conceding only three from the 16th over, and only eight from the 20th, despite giving away a four to Steven Smith.

Although Smith would eventually muster 73 off 59, his batting in the early overs was perhaps more suited to ODIs than T20s.

He was on 39 off 40 at one stage, for example, despite never appearing to be in any particular discomfort at the crease.

Smith was a little more adventurous in the last six overs of the innings.

But more risks earlier on from a set batsman might have set Royals on track to a competitive score.

Iyer condemns RCB to another loss (ESPNCricinfo) - ROYAL Challengers Bangalore slumped to their sixth straight loss in IPL 2019.

They first struggled to 149, and then saw Shreyas Iyer wallop 67 after a costly let-off on a two-paced pitch.

This knock helped Delhi Capitals overcome a late wobble to secure a four-wicket win. It was their third win in six games this season.

Virat Kohli managed to face just 33 balls for his 41 despite staying at the crease until the 18th over, before falling to Kagiso Rabada to start a triple-wicket over. This ensured Royal Challengers didn’t get a finishing kick.

Tim Southee struck three balls into the chase to give Royal Challengers a spark with the ball.

They should have had Iyer off the last ball of his first, but for a costly fumble by Parthiv Patel, who reacted late.

Prithvi Shaw took the attack to him in the next over by hitting him for four suc-

cessive fours and Iyer went on to hit his first half-century of the season to take Capitals to within striking distance.

off a length. The thick edge flew wide of Shikhar Dhawan at slip, but he couldn’t capitalise on the let off and was

Shreyas Iyer laces one into the off side © BCCI

They lost two more wickets to induce some nerves, but Axar Patel finished off the chase by hitting a boundary with seven balls to spare.

Kohli was nearly out to the first ball he faced when Chris Morris got one to rise

pinned off strike for much of the next 90 minutes as batsmen came and went. He faced just 33 of 103 RCB’s deliveries during his time at the crease.

Parthiv slashed Morris to third man, where Sandeep Lamichhane took

a sharp catch running forward to end the second over.

AB de Villiers then became Rabada’s first victim of the day on the last ball of the Powerplay.

He miscued a slower delivery to Colin Ingram, who pouched a catch running back from mid-on.

Marcus Stoinis, promoted to No. 4, tried to flat bat Axar Patel over long-on but couldn’t clear Rahul Tewatia in the 11th.

Moeen Ali showed a bit of intent against Lamichhane, charging him for one of three sixes in his 32 off 18 but was then stumped failing to read a googly.

Kohli’s strike rate remained under 100 at the start of Lamichhane’s final over in the 17th as he struggled to generate any rhythm from the lack of strike.

He swatted Lamichhane twice over the leg side for six, but was out soon after to Rabada as Royal Challengers tumbled.

Pybus HPC approach was “deeply troubling”: Sir Hilary CMC – UWI Vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles has described interim West Indies head coach, Richard Pybus’ perception of the now defunct high performance centre as “deeply troubling”, and says the Englishman failed to understand what was required to develop the modern West Indies player.

Sir Hilary, a leading regional academic who has written prolifically on West Indies cricket, charged that the HPC project was curtailed at a time when it was beginning to produce results and had ultimately denied young player access to a “treasure trove of knowledge”, especially from the legends of the game.

Cricket West Indies’ decision to close the HPC came during Pybus’s three-year tenure as Director of Cricket.

“He entered into this region at a time when we were developing our strategic response to our problem in the Caribbean and were getting results,” said Sir Hilary, a former Cricket West Indies director.

“We had just brought a young generation of cricketers who were benefiting from the power and pedagogy of the academy so his entry and representation of a negative attitude towards the project was deeply troubling.

“He came possessed with a view that young West Indian cricketers did not need to be exposed to the mind game in the way in which those persons such as the elders and the legends had indicated that they must.”

On the contrary, Sir Hilary argued that the mental aspect had been one of the main areas of concern at the time, pointing out that several former foreign West Indies coaches like Bennett King and John Dyson, had made similar assessments.

“One of the expressions that came out of that cohort (foreign coaches) was that young West Indian cricketers were not mentally ready for the international game … that we were very child-like in our performances on the field,” Sir Hilary explained.

“They could not understand the poor quality of our on-the-field behaviour, and they saw this as a result of the mental and intellectual decline of young men in the Caribbean and they were very clear about it.”

Pybus has been a controversial figure in the Caribbean every since his appointment as Director of Cricket in November 2013. He oversaw the contentious ‘West Indies first policy’ which required all players to feature in domestic tournaments in order to be eligible for international selection, and also presided over the closure of the UWI Cave Hill-based HPC. Pybus stepped down from the post in 2017 only to return as high performance director the following year, charged with improving “high performance programmes and standards within franchise cricket”.

Last January, he was controversially appointed West Indies men’s head coach, following the departure of Australian Stuart Law. Reiterating that the closure of the HPC was tantamount to “an act of vandalism”, Sir Hilary said the institution had provided the ideal environment for a West Indies global resurgence.

“For young men not to be given an environment where they could sit with the legends and have access to that knowledge,” Sir Hilary contended.

“To hear Wes Hall talking about bowling until the blood came through his boots because the West Indies must not lose this match, and to have access to that tremendous treasure trove of knowledge about how excellence was built up in the West Indies, and to deny the youngsters the environment in accessing that – accessing information, knowledge, legacy, to understand what is really at stake.

“I said it was an act of vandalism precisely because you tore down an institution that was there to guide the young people into the future.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

Watford’s Deulofeu shatters Wolves FA Cup dreams (BBC) - GERARD Deulofeu delivered a sensational display after coming on as substitute to inspire Watford’s dramatic comeback from two goals down to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers after extra time in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

With 11 minutes left, Wolves looked on course for their first FA Cup final since 1960 as they led through Matt Doherty’s first-header and Raul Jimenez’s superb chest down and volleyed finish.

Deulofeu, the maverick talent who had never quite fulfilled his potential at Barcelona, Everton and AC Milan, was sent on to rescue Watford after that second goal and fulfilled his mission in spectacular style.

He produced an audacious angled flick to give Watford hope and they drew level in injury time as captain Troy Deeney drilled home from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Leander Dendoncker.

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CPL not enough to revive West Indies Cricket− Skerritt

CMC – NEWLY-installed Cricket West Indies president, Ricky Skerritt, believes it will take more than just the Caribbean Premier League to revive cricket’s popularity in the region.

He said while the tournament had gained mass-based support, the challenge before CWI was to return cricket to a place of prominence within the West Indian culture, once again creating heroes with the ability to inspire a generation.

And the former St Kitts and Nevis government minister said he would be sitting down soon with CPL principals to discuss the tournament.

“At the CPL games, there are thousands of young fans having a tremendous party, but that’s not enough to bring cricket’s popularity back,” Skerritt told cricket website, Cricbuzz in a wide-ranging interview.

“We also need to have young people wanting to play cricket, not only to ensure we have a wider cadre of players coming through, but also to ensure cricket regains its prominent place in our culture.

“We need to have more role models like we did while growing up. When you saw a (Sir Vivian) Richards walk out, we knew he was going to fight a battle on behalf of millions of people in the Caribbean and win it.

“Young people here have more role models in soccer than cricket today. We need to create an environment

where youngsters are playing cricket and, therefore, aren’t just partying in the stands without having a reasonable idea of what’s taking place on the field.”

The CPL was inaugurated in 2013, replacing the Caribbean T20 which was run exclusively by CWI, and is principally run by foreign interests. Featuring six franchises with an array of international and domestic players, the tournament has grown in popularity to become one of the leading T20 domestic leagues across the globe.

And while Skerritt said the tournament played a key role in regional cricket development, he pointed out there were improvements which could be made.

“The CPL is a good thing but the CPL needs to be better for West Indies cricket than it is currently,” he noted.

“The commercial side of the league and its competitiveness with other cricket in the region has caused some concern. The extent to which personnel are brought in from outside is not always understood by local boards.

“The CPL, though, is a CWI product. We don’t own it completely, but we do have a small share in it. I’ll be meeting with the CPL people soon and there was already some talk to do more for emerging players so that their system helps West Indies cricket go back to the top of the world.”

The CPL is in its seventh year and is set to bowl off in September.

NBS promises to continue second-division sponsorship in Georgetown --GCA, Berbice looking to host champion-of-champions

THE New Building Society has promised to continue their support of the second-division competition in the capital city owing to the excellent organisational structure by the Georgetown Cricket Association over the last seven years of the NBS second-division 40-over competition.

On Friday evening, director of the bank, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, expressed his appreciation to the GCA for the work that they have done.

He said that the GCA has demonstrated leadership and foresight in the running of the NBS competition. “[Roger] Harper, president of the GCA, has demonstrated leadership in cricket and we have recognised that.”

The former Minister of Labour added that the tournament “could not have been better”. Due to the “excellent” work by the officials, Dr. Gopaul indicated that the NBS would continue the sponsorship.

The director added that the game has transcended the on-field battle. “We believe that the game must not just be seen as a sport, but as a unifying tool.”

The Emirates FA Cup, semifinal, Watford versus Wolverhampton Wanderers; Gerard Deulofeu of Watford celebrates as he scores his sides 3rd goal in the 104th minute of Extra Time to make it 3-2 (Photo by John Patrick Fletcher/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Deulofeu, however, was the catalyst and he showed composure and quality to provide the decisive contribution, steering a finish beyond John Ruddy in the 104th minute to send Watford to their first FA Cup final since 1984; they will meet Manchester City on 18 May. Watford, to their eternal credit, never lost hope for one minute of this thrilling FA Cup semi-final even when Wolves looked to have victory in their grasp with a two-goal lead.

They had created chances but needed a spark to give meaning to all their good work - and it was the 25-year-old Spain international Deulofeu who provided it.

Deulofeu was regarded as a teenage superstar in the making at Barcelona but could not deliver in a second spell at the Nou Camp after a fine season on loan at Everton.

He produced occasional flashes of brilliance when he returned to Goodison Park but fell short and made his way to Vicarage Road to have another crack at the Premier League.

Under the careful guidance of manager Javi Gracia, he has hinted at greater consistency - but this was his finest hour in England.

Inevitably, Watford’s captain and leader Deeney also made his mark, winning a penalty then showing great nerve to lash his spot-kick past Ruddy.

Watford’s fans were a mixture of sheer elation and disbelief - and can now start plotting their return for the FA Cup final.

This was a performance of heart, quality and flashes of brilliance. They were deserved winners.

BERBICE VS GT Additionally, NBS will look to have a champiWinston Forrester collects his Man-of-the-Match award from Director of NBS, Dr. Nanda Gopaul.

TURN TO PAGE 19

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

Noble House Seafoods Second-Division two-day cricket…

MYO register 10-wicket win despite Enmore’s century

THE Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) registered a 10-wicket win at home yesterday despite a century from captain of Ace Warriors, Rawl Enmore, on the final day of their clash in the Noble House Seafoods Second-Division two-day cricket competition.

On Saturday, the home team had raced to a 130run lead, but Enmore, who batted well in the second innings, had kept his team in the game. On Sunday morning, the skipper continued his dominance, but he had little support. With his stroke play, the team did add 65 extra runs, which forced MYO to bat again— but that target was reached in quick time without the loss of a wicket.

Scores in the game: Ace Warriors 89 all out in 23 overs and 162-9 in 28 overs; MYO 219 all out in 39.1 overs and 34-0 in six overs.

On Saturday, MYO’s teenagers, Joshua Gardner and Bryion Bowen had combined for all 10 Ace WarRaul Enmore scored the first century riors first innings wickets. Gardner, with his off-spin, for Ace Warriors this season. captured a match-high 6-36, while pacer Bowen took

4-33 from eight overs to restrict the visiting side under three figures.

MYO, in reply, were led by Skipper Khemraj Ramdeen, who scored an aggressive 59 (12x4s).

Although the home team were looking to finish the match early, Enmore, who led from the front in the second innings, continued from his 60 not out at the close of play on Saturday to score Ace Warrior’s first century this season. Enmore’s 109 included 14 fours and five sixes. He, however, lost his wicket to opening pacer Anthony King, who grabbed three of the four wickets that fell yesterday (one of the Ace Warriors’ batsmen did not turn up). Except for Enmore, only E. Persaud with 10 managed to reach double figures.

In total, King finished with 4-32 from seven overs, while Shaffik Ishmael finished with 4-35 from seven overs.

When MYO batted a second time, Rudolph Singh scored 11 not out and Chris Ramdeen 16 Anthony King did the damage for the home team with the ball on Sunday. not out.

Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Milo schools Football tournament 2019

Victoria, BV and Plaisance through to East Coast Zone main draw

Victoria, BV ‘B’, Plaisance ‘B’ and Guyana Water Incorporated [GWI] were among the teams to progress to the main draw in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets, East Coast Demerara edition, following playoff wins yesterday.

champions BV ‘B’ extinguished Belfield Stars 2-0, while Plaisance ‘B’ overcame United Ballers 2-0 on penalty kicks, following a scoreless regulation time interval.

However, GWI would provide the unlikely result of

Following the conclusion of the playoff round, the 16 teams that will contest the three-day tournament are defending champions Uprising, along with Paradise ‘A’, BV ‘A’, Melanie ‘B’, Buxton Diamond, Mahaica Determinators, Victoria Church Yard,

Contrasting paths decide Lodge, CWSS as finalists

Goal! One of the seven goals Lodge scored against President’s College in the second Semi-final of the MILO schools football tournament

Action in the Guinness Greatest of the Streets tournament.

Urged on by a sizable crowd at the Haslington Market Tarmac, newcomer Victoria secured two hard-fought victories to earn their place in the main tournament.

Victoria fielded a young but determined side and defeated the experienced Vryheid’s Lust outfit 2-0 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended scoreless. In their second matchup, Victoria needled Paradise ‘B’ 1-0.

Meanwhile, former

the match-day, dismantling Nabaclis by an impressive 5-0 scoreline.

In other results, newcomer Non Pareil edged Plaisance ‘A’ 2-1 on penalty kicks, after a scoreless regulation time interval failed to decide the outcome.

Former winners Melanie ‘A’ defeated Police ‘A’ via walkover, with debutant, Liliendaal Hustlers, defeating Police ‘B’ in the identical manner.

Belfield Warriors, Haslington Hypers, Melanie ‘A’, BV ‘B’, Liliendaal Hustlers, Plaisance ‘B’, GWI East Coast, Victoria and Non Pareil.

The championship will officially commence on Friday (April 12) at the same venue, with the final two nights slated for April 13th and 22nd respectively.

Fixtures for the opening night will be released in the coming days.

THE dye has been cast.

L i n d e n ’s C h r i s t i a n burg-Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) will play Lodge Secondary in the final of the 2019 Milo Schools Football tournament.

Both teams had contrasting paths during their semi-final matchups on Sunday afternoon at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

In the first game, eventual winners Christianburg-Wismar were made to work for their win against Annandale Secondary.

In spite of Andre Mayer’s 7th- minute goal which would initially prove to be the deciding factor, Annandale had several good chances.

The tenacity of the Linden-based goalkeeper kept CWSS in the money as they get closer to the grandest stage of the tournament.

In the other game, it was Lodge’s railroading effort that put President’s College to the sword.

The Georgetown-based side seemed to score at will, netting seven times during the

course of the game.

A brace on either side of the half from Dorwin George (37th and 76th) led the line with single strikes from Rasheed Roberts (27 th ), Turston Gordon (44 th), Nicolas Trotman (70th), Leroy Sealey (84th) and Marcus Bamfield (90th).

Next Sunday’s final will begin from 17:00hrs at the same venue.

The tournament is also sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health through its stop gender-based violence campaign.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 8, 2019

Erva Giddings deserves a Windies recall

By Colin Bynoe jr ERVA Giddings, who began playing cricket in 2007 for the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, was initially named in the West Indies squad for the Pakistan tour in 2008 to play against the Pakistan women’s cricket team. The tour was later cancelled due to security concerns.

Fast forward eight years and she made her One Day International (ODI) debut in 2016 against the mighty England women’s cricket team in a five-match ODI series in which she featured in two games, taking one wicket (1/7).

For reasons unknown, Erva Minerva Giddings has been overlooked for selection in ODIs and T20

internationals for Cricket West Indies Female Teams.

Notwithstanding, Giddings has been a consistent performer for the Guyana

female team over the years; she continued to argue the case recently in the Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup, being the

Erva Giddings receives player-of-the-match award in Women’s T20 blaze.

leading quick with a tally of 10 wickets. She also sent a strong message to the selectors in the Women’s T20 Blaze with 10 wickets.

Giddings, who is a quality left-arm seam bowler, showed her worth in the women’s T20 Blaze where she ended the tournament with 10 scalps, one less than the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Hayley Matthews, who is an off-spinner.

Her excellent performance came from five matches with an average of 7.9 and a miserly economy rate of 4.65 runs per over. Also, her efforts were rewarded with three consecutive player-of-the-match honours. Meanwhile, Giddings demonstrated that she can hold her own with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 34

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Erva Giddings bowls on debut, West Indies V England, 1st Women’s ODI, Trelawny, October 8, 2016

not out against Tr i n i d a d in the Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup. Giddings recall will add precious value and a tad of variation to the Women’s unit with the likes of Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell, who would normally share the new ball.

Despite approaching the winter of her career at 33 years old, Giddings is still a major force to reckon with.

She takes early wickets and, with suitable conditions, swings the ball. Time will tell if her performance had an impact on the selectors and will stake a claim for her recall.

‘Padlock’ seals 8th annual Baker’s Tucber Park beat Police in NA/Canje 100-ball cricket Memorial Cycling Classic Tucber Park’s off-spinner Kwesi Mickle took six wickets for seven runs.

Cyclists at the start of the 8th Annual Bakers Memorial Cycling Classic

BERBICIAN cyclist Andre ‘Padlock’ Green made a welcome return to the top of the podium yesterday when he captured the 8th annual Baker’s Memorial 60-mile cycling classic ahead of a tough field of competitors.

Under brilliant sunshine, the cyclists, 38 in total, took off from in front of the Bakers’ residence at the GTT Junction in Linden, took a lap around the mining town before heading down to the turn back point at Moblissa on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and back to the point of origin for the finish.

From the onset, it was clear who would be on the podium as Green, along with Paul De Nobrega, Curtis Dey, Romello Crawford and Briton John quickly established

the lead group, leaving the peloton behind.

However, it all came down to endurance and an explosive finish on Green’s part; he finished strongly to deny Dey on the backstretch, crossing the finish line with the clock stopped at two hours 33 minutes .83 seconds.

Dey, who is known for his power sprint to the death of races, had to settle for second this time around while De Nobrega came in third.

Meanwhile, Crawford, Rastaff O’selmo and Briton John were fourth, fifth and sixth, in that order.

The race was organised by the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycling Club and sponsored by Squadra, Clear Waters Inc, Sports Plus and the Baker family and friends.

TUCBER Park A team registered their second win in as many games after defeating Police by 59 runs on Saturday in the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Friends of Berbice Cricket 100-ball Second-Division cricket competition for teams in NA and Canje.

Turber Park Cricket Club ‘A’ team, won defeated GUYMINE by five wickets in their opening round, batted first against Police.

Led by Malcom Mickle,

who smashed 63, TPCC were able to reach 139-6 from their allotted balls.

For the opening wicket, Mickle and Steve Deonarine put together 101 runs, with the latter hitting 40.

In reply, Police crashed out for 80 after Kwesi Mickle took over. The off-spinner grabbed six wickets for seven runs. Anthony D’Andrade supported with 2-0 while Leon Swamy and Winslow Roberts finished with one wicket each.

Milo schools Football tournament 2019

Contrasting paths decide Lodge, CWSS as finalists Page

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Blocked! President’s college saw one of its attempts against Lodge secondary blocked by the keeper (Samuel Maughn Photos)

‘Padlock’ seals 8th annual 23 Baker’s Memorial CPL not enough to revive 21 West Indies Cricket- Skerritt Cycling Classic Page

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Andre ‘Padlock’ Green captured the 8th annual Baker’s Memorial Cycling Classic ahead of Curtis Dey.

The popular Caribbean Premier League has attracted large crowd support.

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019