Guyana Chronicle Epaper 04 26 2019

FRIDAY 26th April, 2019

Cabinet reshuffle No.105619

–– Dawn Hastings-Williams appointed Minister of State; Haimraj Rajkumar, Minister of Business and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Public Service Minister PAGE

03

–– Broomes reassigned to Ministry of the Presidency; Patterson-Yearwood to Ministry of Agriculture and Ferguson to Ministry of Communities

CCJ dismisses Datadin’s move to shut down Parliament 17 PAGE

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin

Four nabbed for cocaine in fire 11 extinguisher PAGE

Newly-appointed Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams addresses the concerns of a resident of West Coast Berbice during the Government Public Day activity held at Fort Wellington

After 18 years, Public Day draws 02 Berbice woman hundreds at Fort Wellington gets house lot 12 PAGE

PAGE

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Public Day draws hundreds at Fort Wellington

By Svetlana Marshall HUNDREDS residents from every nook and cranny in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) converged at the Regional Democratic Council compound at Fort Wellington on Thursday to ‘cash in’ on the Government’s Public Day. From the time the gates were opened, residents flooded the compound in their quest to access ser-

of people visiting their desks with key concerns.

Outgoing Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the turnout was encouraging.

“People are responding to these outreaches, and what it means, is that, taking the government to the people is a very important aspect of the way in which we conduct government business,” Harmon told Guyana Chronicle.

He said the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance

Presidency’s tent, Harmon noted that several concerns were raised based on services provided by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). A number of land issues were also brought by residents. “Of course there are always these reports which seem to suggest that there may be some levels of corruption at the lower level in relation to the services provided to people,” Harmon

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence meeting with a resident of Region 5 during the outreach at Fort Wellington vices within the Ministries of Agriculture, Communities, Health, Education, Public Telecommunication, Presidency, Finance, Indigenous People’s Affairs, Public Infrastructure, Social Cohesion, Social Protection, Legal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Business. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were among agencies that had a stead inflow

for Change (APNU+AFC) Government intends to take the ‘Bringing Government to the People’ outreach across the country. The outgoing Minister said upon the conclusion of every outreach, the information garnered is analysed and solutions are devised to ensure that the concerns of citizens are addressed and systems within the public sector are strengthened.

At the Ministry of the

explained. He said a percentage of the land matters that surfaced was referred to the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission while others needed legal attention. “But I think that it has been a very rewarding morning so far and it is basically against a backdrop of an opposition that is telling people stay away from these exercises. This is for their benefit. This is basically dealing with the issues that affect them in their daily

lives,” Harmon said.

Harmon said the Parliamentary Opposition – People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is doing a disservice to the country and its people, when it advises them not to participate in the government’s public day, which opens up critical services to the people.

Another outgoing Minister Dominic Gaskin, who was responsible for Business and Tourism before his resignation earlier this month, said he was pleased with the overwhelming response from the people of Region Five.

Gaskin said among the issues brought by the residents was one clear case of an alleged corruption. Based on the complaint filed, an entrepreneur, in his quest to access a small business grant, was informed of informed of the need to have a Compliance Statement or a Tax Liability Statement; however, he was reportedly told by a GRA staff that such a document would require $150,000.

Gaskin said the fee associated with the statements is very nominal. As such, the matter was referred to the GRA that was present at the outreach.

Another resident expressed concerns about the delays experienced in renewing their investment agreement with GO-Invest for a business venture.

Over at the Public Health Ministry’s tent, qualified and experienced residents from the region sought not only employment but training and elevation within the Public Health Sector. Public Health Minister Volda See page 3

Outgoing Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Outgoing Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin speaking with a resident who had a concern

Minister of Public Telecommunication Catherine Hughes attending to resident with a disability during the very successful Public Day. (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Cabinet reshuffle 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

–– Dawn Hastings-Williams appointed Minister of State; Haimraj Rajkumar, Minister of Business and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Public Service Minister

–– Broomes reassigned to Ministry of the Presidency; Patterson-Yearwood to Ministry of Agriculture and Ferguson to Ministry of Communities

By Alva Solomon PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday announced several new ministerial appointments as well as the reassignment of several junior ministerial portfolios as government reaffirms its commitment to serve the people and the nation.

Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar Member of Parliament (MPs) Haimraj Rajkumar has been appointed Minister of Business. He replaces fellow Alliance For Change (AFC) colleague, Dominic Gaskin.

Dawn Hastings-Williams, who previously served as Minister within the Ministry of Communities, and recently as Minister of Public Affairs, has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency.

Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, an executive member of the Working Peoples’ Alliance

(WPA) has been appointed Minister of Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency. Sarabo-Halley replaces Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

The President also announced that Member of Parliament (MP) and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has been reassigned

ural Resources. It is her second reassignment since the government came to power.

Broomes started off as Junior Minister of Social Protection.

According to the President, the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is the country’s supreme law. He said adherence to the Constitution is

be elected as a Member of Parliament. This ruling was affirmed by the Court of Appeal on March 22, 2019.

Minister in the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes

Minister of Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley an essential element of democratic governance and the maintenance of public trust.

“Your Government is committed to upholding the Constitution unreservedly,” the President stated. He made reference to the January’s ruling by Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire in the case of Compton Reid v.

Speaker of the National Assembly et al, when she declared that it was unconstitutional for a person holding dual citizenship to

as Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, replacing MP Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, who has been shifted to the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for rural affairs.

MP Simona CharlesBroomes is now the minister in the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for youth affairs. Broomes had served as Junior Minister within the Ministry of Nat-

following the resignations of the four ministers, as is the usual practice, the ministerial portfolios, when they become vacant, would be held by sitting members of Cabinet who previously acted when those ministers were on leave or out of the jurisdiction. Such is expected to be the case of the foreign affairs portfolio.

Constitution states that “A member of the National Assembly shall vacate his or her seat therein – if he or she resigns it by writing under his or her own hand addressed to the Speaker or, if the Office of the Speaker is vacant or the Speaker is absent from Guyana, to the Deputy Speaker.”

Another section of the

Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency, Dawn Hastings –Williams

Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Patterson Yearwood

Minister in the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson

the Courts’ rulings, accepted the resignations of Mr. Carl Greenidge, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Dominic Gaskin, Minister of Business; Mr Joseph Harmon, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Minister of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency.

These resignations take effect on 25th April 2019,” the President stated.

Cabinet stated recently that for the ensuing period

While expressing appreciation for the services given by the four officials, the President noted on Thursday that their contributions have been to the nation’s benefit. Following the resignation of the ministers, President Granger had explained that the replacement of MPs can be done only when those MPs submit their letters of resignation to the Speaker of the National Assembly as prescribed by the Constitution of Guyana.

Article 156 (1) (A) of the

Article stipulates that an MP ceases to be a member of the National Assembly if he or she declares in writing to the Speaker or to the Representative of the List from which his or her name was extracted, that he or she will not support the list from which his or her name was extracted.

Once a resignation letter is submitted to the Speaker, by virtue of Article 156 (4), he will declare the seat of the Member of the National Assembly vacant.

DUTY-BOUND “I have a duty to ensure that the Government acts in accordance with the Constitution at all times. I have, in accordance with

Public day draws hundreds ...

From page 2

Lawrence said she and her staff were approached by many young qualified persons interested in participating in the series of training programmes being offered by her ministry.

These programmes include training of X-ray Technicians, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Environmental Health Assistants, Pharmacy Assistant and Audiology Practitioners. “The good thing about it is that

they are all qualified seeking to be a part of that training, wanting to be a part of the Ministry of Public Health,” Minister Lawrence said.

The Public Health Minister said added to that a number of persons who are

already employed within the Public Health Sector approached the ministry to upgrade their status. “I feel so happy about that. This is at a point where people don’t want to leave rather people want to upgrade. So

we have been able to provide them with the necessary information and guidance as to how they could do that,” Minister Lawrence said.

All the required forms were provided to them. Residents also sought medical attention

for various chronic illnesses.

On Sunday, the Government will take its ministries and agencies on Sunday to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) for another Public Day.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Sudan risks counter coup without deal on transition: opposition leader KHARTOUM (Reuters) Sudan could face a counter coup if military rulers and the opposition do not reach agreement on a handover of power to civilians, leading opposition figure and former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi said on Thursday.

Mahdi, Sudan’s last democratically elected premier, said hardliners in ousted president Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s National Congress Party (NCP) and its allies in the army would

try to exploit the uncertainty to seize power. “For them to attempt a counter coup is most probable. All the time they are conspiring,” Mahdi, 83, said in an interview with Reuters at his sprawling villa surrounded by gardens in the capital Khartoum. “The whole group is well versed in conspiracy.

The conspiratorial mind is ingrained in them.”

Mahdi, who studied at Britain’s Oxford University, was himself overthrown in a

bloodless coup by Bashir in 1989. Bashir fell after weeks of mass demonstrations and the Sudanese Professionals’ Association, the main protest organizer, called for a million-strong march to take place later on Thursday to press for civilian rule. Mahdi predicted that Sudan’s generals would relinquish power if the current stalemate were broken.

“I think their intentions are good,” he said of the senior army officers who overthrew Bashir on April 11, three decades after he himself seized power, and then formed the TMC. Advertisement “They are not interested in a military government,” he said, an outcome which the African Union has said would be unacceptable.

The spokesman for Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) said later on Thursday it would retain

“sovereign authority only” while civilians hold the post of prime minister and head all government ministries. On Wednesday, the opposition and the TMC agreed to form a committee to resolve their disagreements, amid tensions over how long it would take to move to civilian government in Sudan, where widespread impoverishment has been entrenched by systemic financial mismanagement, corruption and cronyism.

SOME CONCESSIONS The generals have offered some concessions, sacking some officials, announcing the arrest of others, including two of Bashir’s brothers, and ordering steps to curb fraud. But they have insisted that, while they are willing to accept a civilian transitional government, ultimate authority will remain in their hands until elections

Friday, April 25, 2019

-

are held up to two years from now. Mahdi’s moderate Islamic Umma party is engaged in the negotiations. Asked if he was interested in ruling Sudan now, Mahdi said: “I will not take part in government until and unless we have elections.”

As two bodyguards stood by, he reflected on the turbulent history of Sudan under Bashir including multiple armed rebellions, economic crises and allegations of war crimes in Darfur, Mahdi recalled what he said was the day that the Islamist Bashir began leading Sudan to failure. “I was praying at home. Dawn prayers. And they surrounded my house,” he said of the 1989 coup which took him completely by surprise. “I think they wanted to kill me.

To capture me and pretend I had tried to escape or resisted.”

After Mahdi was initially jailed, he said he was taken to a what he described as a ghost house. Three men confronted him. “You can save yourself if you record here that democracy has failed,” he quoted them as saying. “They wanted me to give legitimacy to their coup.”

He refused. “They took

me back to an execution cell.”

For the next two years he was jailed and put under house arrest. Mahdi said he had met with intelligence chief Salah Gosh and acting NCP chairman Ahmed Haroun on April 10, the day before Bashir was ousted, after they asked to see him.

The two men threatened to use force to disperse a protester sit-in outside the Defense Ministry, he said. Mahdi said he told them he would join the sit-in to help protect the protesters.

“At this point Haroun said, ‘You will not find them because they will be crushed,’” said Mahdi.

Reuters could not independently verify this account.

Gosh could not be reached for comment, while Haroun was arrested and jailed after Bashir’s removal. Bashir is now languishing in the same, high-security Kobar prison where he sent Mahdi 30 years ago, and where the veteran autocrat held thousands of political detainees. “Kobar is a collection of who’s who in Sudanese politics,” said Mahdi.

10:30 hrs

Wednesday, APR. 24, 2019

11 13 15 23 24 26 5

APR. 12, 2019

D 4

6

8

13

20

0

4

5

6

2

2

1 1

3

6

13

14

7 11 19 20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

More than 20 Venezuelans drown after boat capsizes on way to Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Apr 25, CMC –The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard Thursday said it was engaged in a search and rescue mission after a Venezuelan vessel sank on its way to Trinidad and Tobago with at least 25 people on board.

The Coast Guard said that it had received a report at 11.40 pm (local time) Wednesday, indicating that a pirogue named B/P JHONNALY JOSE, with registration number ARSI-CA-0067, had left Venezuela on Tuesday and was reported to have overturned whilst at sea.

The Coast Guard in a statement said that 25 people were on board the vessel with the last known position of the vessel being two nautical miles (3.7 km) East of Patos Island, an island in the north-western Gulf of Paria and a part of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

“Additionally, we have been informed that a total of four persons have been rescued and 21 persons are currently still unaccounted for,” the statement said. The Coast Guard said that the island is located within the “Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre of Venezuela and as such it is their responsibility to coordinate search and rescue operations within that geographic area.

“However, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard has been engaged and in accordance with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard’s roles and responsibilities with regard to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) as well as our diplomatic links with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard assets have already been actioned to aid in the search and rescue operation and further vessel deploy-

ments will be coordinated, once required.”

The statement said that the Coast Guard would continue to work “closely” with its Venezuelan counterparts to ensure an effective search and rescue operation. On Thursday, the Trinidad Express newspaper said that the vessel with the illegal immigrants, including two children, may have drowned after their boat overturned while undertaking the three and a half hour journey.

The newspaper quoted a Venezuelan woman residing here as saying that her sister, who was on board the vessel was coming here to help her. “My sister was coming to Trinidad to help me. It is very bad in Venezuela. There is no food, no hospital and people are becoming desperate,” she told the Trinidad Express newspapers. “My sister contacted me on Tuesday and said she was leaving.

I understand the survivors contacted the other relatives and told them that the boat overturned and some people were missing.”

Several Venezuelan nationals have come to Trinidad to escape the economic and political situation in the South American country where the United States is leading an offensive to remove President Nicolas Maduro from office. The Trinidad and Tobago government said it had agreed to open a two-week registration for Venezuelans to allow them an initial stay of six months in which they can also work in the twin island republic. Venezuelans, who arrive here legally or illegally, will benefit from the process and National Security Minister Stuart Young said the Venezuelans would undergo medical examinations and at the end of the six months, will have their situations evaluated before another six-month period becomes available to them.

5

BVI Premier Fahie reveals plans to assassinate him ROAD TOWN, Tortola, Premier Andrew A. Fahie Thursday said he has been receiving death threats since he won the general elections in the British Virgin islands in February.

Premier Fahie told Parliament that there have been three major threats to his life and that the matter is now classified a national security issue.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, Michael B. Matthews is aware of the threats to assassinate him.

“Since becoming Premier it is now documented through authorities that I have received three major threats of assassination. And I want to

tell these three entities here today, that you aren’t going frighten me from doing the business of the people,” he told legislators.

“We have sat down with the Commissioner of Police, we have sat down with private security… and we have made sure that the security that is needed, that will happen as the Premier of this Territory.

“I don’t like to know that taxpayers have to go through that. As a matter of fact Mr Speaker, I bring it up because I noticed that before I got to make a speech, there are those making fun of it. But I don’t take nobody making fun of my life,” he said.

Fahie, 48, led the Virgin

Islands Party (VIP) to power eight years after it was swept out of office and he told Parliament even before being elected, there had been prophecies from religious leaders that he would lead the territory and that came to pass.

He said the death threats to his life have also been prophesied and he was not going to take the threats lightly. “I had to re-arrange how my life has been going and it has not been a nice time…

One time I even paused and say, is this even worth it. “I use to be around this place free, free as a bird representing the people of the First [District] in this House doing what I got to do. Now be-

cause of some greedy people, that’s who they are, because we have a tip-off what it’s about… some greedy people, want to see if they can assassinate the Premier,” Fahie said, adding that the police were working on several leads.

He said given the death threats, personal security had now become paramount and hence the reason for his bodyguards. “I will live doing the will of God and I will die doing the will of God and yes we have the security and when the threat came to me I didn’t take it on Mr Speaker, I said nonsense,” he told legislators.

St. Lucia maintains LIAT must be restructured The St. Lucia government Thursday reiterated its position that it would support the financially troubled regional airline, LIAT, unless there are changes to the structure of the Antigua-based airline.

“LIAT must change,” Prime Minister Allen Chastanet told reporters ahead of next week’s meeting of LIAT shareholders and directors in Barbados amid concerns of a worsening financial crisis that could probably lead to the airline being grounded.

“Obviously it’s a big concern to all of us and I am hoping that at the upcoming meeting they will be able to find a resolution,” Chastanet told reporters, noting that the airline is now confronted with the fact that it must change.

“Even how it is governed must change. I think there is an absolute need and ability to have a successful airline in the region, but it must be able to intertwine business practices as well as its responsibility to provide air services to the countries,” Chastanet said.

The Antigua and Barbuda government Thursday said it would “resist’ any collapse of the cash-strapped regional airline and that it has developed a “strategic approach” which will be further discussed in Barbados at month end.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that Cabinet had discussed the impending meetings of LIAT’s shareholders and directors to be held in Barbados next Tuesday. “The

Cabinet again reiterated the importance of the regional carrier to regional integration, connecting people and goods and services. The Cabinet pledged to resist any collapse of LIAT and any move to re-create its replacement,” Browne posted on his official Facebook page.

Antigua and Barbuda is one of four shareholder governments of the island. The others are Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, earlier this month said that the regional carrier may be forced to close its operations after Caribbean governments appear reluctant to provide the necessary cash injection need to keep the airline flying.

Speaking on a Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) programme, Gonsalves said only Grenada so far had responded positively to the call for US$5.4 million to help the airline deal with its current financial problems. Chastanet reiterated his earlier position that Castries wanted fundamental changes in terms of how LIAT is governed, how its plans will be implemented before making any commitment to provide funds that will support “a ‘new engaged LIAT. “If in fact it is going to be business as usual, we would not be in a position to support LIAT,” Chastanet said, adding that he is very confident that there are other airlines

that could very easily fill the gap left by LIAT. “There are other airlines. If in fact LIAT were to shut its doors, they would be willing to step in and make up the difference, and maybe that’s what we need. We need a fresh start,” he said, recalling that LIAT shareholders were given three options – privatise; closure or restructure. “They have tried restructuring several times and that hasn’t worked. LIAT was given a complete new lease on life a few years ago. Their

debt was forgiven; new planes were brought in and it was completely recapitalised and here we are back in the same position,” he said.

Chastanet had over the years complained about competition, saying “well, LIAT has not had any competition for the last seven or eight years. “ So the fact it that it comes back to the structure of LIAT, in my humble opinion, is what the problem is,” he told reporters.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Observing World Malaria Day

S

INCE June 2015, when the APNU+AFC coalition was elected to office, much has been accomplished in the health sector. One of government’s most significant successes has been in the fight against malaria. On Thursday, April 24, Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing World Malaria Day. It is certainly appropriate to reflect on how far Guyana and the rest of the world have come in the fight against one of the world’s most dreaded diseases.

Malaria, which is both preventable and curable, is spread by mosquitoes. When a malaria-infected person is bitten by a particular species of mosquito, the insect picks up the disease and becomes what the experts call a malaria-vector. When that mosquito bites another person, the infection is passed on to that new victim, and the cycle of infection continues. There are various types of malaria which may be caused by various micro-organisms. Some types of the disease are more dangerous than others.

Malaria, though, generally, is caused by micro-organisms that attack the body’s system, often resulting in death, after causing severe symptoms including fever, vomiting, tiredness, aches, terrible discomfort, and disability.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that annually, there are some 219 million cases of malaria in 87 countries. Of those, more than 420,000 people die of the horrific disease. And, perhaps, most saddening of all, half of the number of those killed by the disease are children below the age of five years old. In other words, 200,000 children die of malaria every year. Clearly, ma-

laria is a significant health issue that requires a robust response.

Since Guyana remains on the list of 21 countries considered by the United Nations to have malaria endemic to its population, the APNU+AFC government has responded aggressively. In 2016, Guyana’s coalition government, through the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, initiated the National Plan of Action for Malaria Elimination. The Plan, which extends to 2020, is intended to eradicate malaria within Guyana’s borders. At the end of 2020, the success of the initiative will be assessed and a new plan will be formulated, or, the current one may be extended or modified.

The Guyana government’s success in the fight against malaria has been nothing short of phenomenal.

According to the WHO, due to the efforts of government, Guyana has succeeded in reducing the incidence of the disease by far more than the benchmark 50 per cent — a remarkable achievement. Amazingly, “We see [the number of] Guyanese cases falling from 45,000 every year to only 11,000,” says Dr. William Adu-Krow of PAHO/WHO, an expert on tropical diseases. Dr. Adu-Krow added that it is entirely possible for Guyana to completely eradicate malaria. Such a development would bring enormous relief to Guyanese, particularly those who live and work in hinterland communities where malaria is most prevalent.

Today, as the world observes World Malaria Day, there is remarkable news. Scientists report that a ma-

laria vaccine has finally been developed after decades of research and numerous trials of various approaches to the problem. This first successful vaccine named RTS,S, will be launched in the coming weeks in Malawi. It will initially be made available to children up to two years of age. In the following weeks, the vaccine will be introduced in Ghana and Kenya. This pilot project is intended to test the efficacy of the widespread use of the vaccine in malaria-prone populations. It is intended that some 360,000 persons be vaccinated annually during the first phase of the groundbreaking project.

In the coming years, Guyana is certain to benefit from this new development, the importance of which cannot be overstated. The current administration has said, “The Government of Guyana remains committed to the continued provision of the required resources while counting on support from key partners such as the Global Fund, USAID, and PAHO/WHO.” Evidently, the APNU+AFC coalition administration has made great strides in its efforts to improve health services to Guyanese throughout the country’s regions. Such successes have been possible only as a result of government’s political will, dedicated resolve, and timely implementation of ambitious programmes. As government continues to work in the interest of citizens, Guyanese are urged to take full advantage of the improved, more readily available services being made accessible to all.

Why are GAWU leaders living a better life than the average sugar worker?

Dear Editor,

A

BOUT three weeks ago, Stabroek News and Kaieteur News published a letter by the general secretary of GAWU in which he criticised my position on the sugar industry and expressed his opinion that I took no position on the dismissal of 7,000 sugar workers and claiming that I was trying to be relevant when I really was not in the current political climate.

Underlying his claims against me, he uses (former) President Cheddi’s name and good graces in the history of the sugar industry to relegate me to the dustbin of irrelevancy while trying to score points as to the great job he’s doing as

GAWU’s representative.

Editor, I would like to ask him some questions, since he is so relevant and so informed about the sugar industry: 1. Why is it that the dues over the years from the poor sugar workers have kept him and his fellow “union leaders” living a much better life than the average worker?

2. Why is it that he had nothing to say when Jagdeo as President, squandered US$300 million on the Skeldon fiasco?

Money which could really have helped to alleviate the plight of all sugar workers!

3. Why is it that he and his fellow leaders in GAWU and the PPP government never prepared the sugar industry for its collapse, with all the writing on the wall, for anyone who

cares, to see?

4. When Mr. Raj Singh from New York was brought

by Jagdeo to run Guysuco and paid top dollars, he significantly did nothing to save the sugar industry but helped to destroy any chance to change direction and help the workers; why were you so silent about such a waste of time carpetbagger?

5. What do you have to say about the conflict of interest where GAWU representatives were part and parcel of the government which pays all sugar workers and Komal Chand actually sat in Parliament with the employer while supposedly representing the poor exploited workers; that is unheard of in the history of trade unionism?

6. Why is it that you drive

a car and the average sugar worker rides a bicycle? And do you care?

7. Why is it that when Robert Persaud was Minister of Agriculture, put there by Jagdeo, and his only contribution to betterment for agriculture was the meaningless slogan of “grow more food” while showing absolutely no concern for the sugar workers, you had nothing to say? Robert Persaud made himself rich on the backs of the sugar workers and, just like Raj Singh, he was a waste-of-time carpetbagger.

8. Why do you use President Cheddi’s good name to excuse your failing the sugar workers for many years now? Jagan doesn’t belong to GAWU or the PPP, but to our

Republic. Take note: Matahma Gandhi was the great leader of the Congress party and affiliated unions in India, but today Congress Party can’t win elections; Gandhi belongs to India, not the corrupted Congress party. Wise up, Mr. general secretary, and stop using Jagan’s good name to fool the public.

9. Why is it that you never spoke out on the other failures of the PPP government which you supported like Donald Ramotar’ s fiber optic cable fiasco, Jagdeo’s numerous fiascos like Fip Motilall’s road, the forestry fiasco, the airport and his good friends with private planes and special hangers, the Rusal fiasco, the computer “giveaway” fiasco, the collapse of President Ched-

di’s dream project at Black Bush, and the list could go on and on, all impacting on the welfare of sugar workers who deserved better?

Editor, I hope that this letter will be answered by such a relevant union expert as the general secretary of GAWU who should stop his ridiculous propaganda and pay attention to the urgent needs of all sugar workers.

Political chicanery does not elevate the betterment of their lives but, in reality, it hems them in and leaves them in economic trouble while weakening their great contribution to our dear Republic.

Yours faithfully, Cheddi (Joey) Jagan Jr.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

7

GAWU’s coziness with the PPP not healthy Dear Editor,

I

WON’T waste much time responding to the GAWU’s letter where they tried to dismiss their glaring political conflict of interest, regurgitated their alleged commitment to sugar workers. Sir, any objective person will see that something is very wrong when political persons have control over state-paid workers. This situation might have been acceptable when Guyana was liberating itself from external powers, but it has been going on for so long that no real

look has been given to this situation. Yet, I assure you that it is now absolutely necessary, given Guyana’s politically linked racial divide, in the interest of unity, democracy and transparency to review the GAWU/PPP relationship.

I do not wish to “tarnish” or “discredit” any person but to simply state the facts. GAWU, the issue is not GuySuCo, it is not the sugar workers and it not the Skeldon Factory that is up for scrutiny, it is clear that those who managed or represented various interest have failed.

The former People’s Pro-

gressive Party destroyed the sugar industry and made it dependent on the State. The situation became grave when US$200M, US$50M more than the entire CJIA upgrade project, was spent on one factory that never functioned up to par. Whatever electricity and other resources came out of the massive investment as GAWU claims, did not ease the woes of GuySuCo as Jagdeo claimed.

He said that the mega factory would do the job of several dilapidated factories and that he would personally make the factory work when questioned about its mammoth cost. It nev-

er worked and that investment went down the drain, crippling the industry further.

It was PPP executives who were at the helm of the union when the PPP government made all the wrong and careless moves. GAWU’s direct connection to the PPP, and at hierarchal levels, makes it impossible for the union to divorce itself from the destruction of the industry. When Jagdeo said he was taking the bulk of GuySuCo’s money to invest into one factory, as he did bankrupt NIS into the Berbice Bridge, we are expected to believe that GAWU/ Komal

Chand would have done everything in his power to stop his party, right?

GAWU says its leaders are elected by its membership, but GAWU was birthed by the PPP; the PPP never lost its connection with the union, so regardless of who “the membership” chooses, that party’s influence remains as is very evident with Komal Chand at the head of the agency. As it stands, Chand is in opposition with the PPP, they need union dues to survive and they need sugar workers as an asset to be used when

necessary. Regardless of what GAWU says, these are the facts of the matter and I rest my case. If the issue of conflict of interest has taken precedence with claims of we do not want the new government to treat us like the PPP did, then the old ways and institutions need reviewing and revamping, because, like others such as the PSC, GAWU’s situation is not a healthy situation, especially for an oil wealthy country divided by race.

Regards Peter Joseph

I was never paid by the government to write letters Dear Editor,

P

LEASE permit me space in your letter column to clarify a point made by Bharrat Jagdeo in a recent press conference. It pertains to the serious questions being asked about Irfaan Ali’s

qualifications.

Initially, Bharrat Jagdeo was contending that a journalist was paid to fabricate the story. The Guyana Press Association rightfully saw it as another attempt at him attacking the free press. Now, Mr. Jagdeo is stating it is not a journalist but a person who

was paid.

As far as I’m aware, it was my letter which was aired on Prime News about Irfaan Ali’s qualifications.

As a result, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Jagdeo was referring to me. If that is the case, and I strongly believe so, I would humbly

suggest he explicitly state who is the person he is referring to and I’ll be grateful if he can provide the evidence to support such a statement of that person being paid.

Let me make this clear.

I have no links with the government. I am a well paid and respected medi-

cal consultant in the UK. I don’t need a penny from the government. What I do is out of love of country and love of poor people. That’s the reason I write. PPP agents have been making libellous statements about me on Facebook for which I have engaged my attor-

ney. They have repeated on multiple occasions that the government is paying me to write letters. That is not true and I would wish that the government comes out and make this clear Regards Dr. Mark Devonish

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Berbician-staffed EPA office commissioned

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commissioned a second office since its establishment in 1996 with an all-Berbician staff on Thursday.

The $32M state-of-theart building was commissioned by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at Whim, East Berbice, Corentyne at a simple but significant ceremony.

Harmon said the commissioning is in keeping with government’s policy and promise of taking quality services to the people. A few months ago he commissioned a Lands and Survey office at New Amsterdam.

Next month, a passport office will also be commissioned in Region Six. “Government services are being deployed in a way that it gets closer and closer to where people live and work, so travelling from Whim to Sophia to get a matter dealt with by the EPA will be become a thing of

the past. So will be with the way in which government provides quality services to the all the people of Guyana, irrespective of where they live whether on the coast or in the hinterland; so that’s an important matter in which we look at the way development is happening in the country,” he said.

He said the total cost of the two new offices will be far less than what was spent to build the controversial NIS office at Skeldon several years ago, under the previous administration.

The minister used the opportunity to call on all stakeholders to work with the EPA to ensure a healthier country.

“EPA is not just about issuing licences.

There is a more proactive aspect of the work the agency has to do and that is really about making people understand the role which it [EPA] has to play in contributing to

the healthy environment of the country, and, in this regard, it is important that town council, mayoralties, NDCs that we all understand that a healthy environment is everyone’s business and that, when we have a healthy environment, we have healthier people, healthier communities and a healthier Guyana,” Harmon said.

GOOD WORK He expressed satisfaction with the work of the EPA in preparing Guyana to handle oil spills, and, on that note, lauded the work of the agency’s managing director, Dr. Vincent Adams.

“I am satisfied with plans being put in place in the event of an oil spill since there is collaboration with other countries, local and international agencies. I’ve seen first-hand some training and drills and am happy with the proactive works

The EPA regional office commissioned at Whim Village, East Berbice, Corentyne of the Dr. Adams and the EPA,” Harmon said.

Dr. Adams said the agency has to disperse across the entire length and breadth of Guyana, pointing out that another office will be commissioned in Linden next month.

“This office with an all-Berbician staff will service the entire Berbice, both Regions Five and Six and we are aggressively pushing towards opening an office in Region 10 next month because we know of the inconvenience and economic hardships customers have

to endure to travel to Sophia whenever they need to get a matter addressed,” he said.

Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce President, Mohamed Raffik, who also spoke at the event, commended the work of the EPA in ensuring Guyana is a safe and environmentally-healthy country.

The EPA was established by the Environmental Protection Act in 1996. It has the responsibility to take the necessary measures to manage, conserve, protect and improve the local environment. This entails that

the agency takes actions to prevent and control pollution; assess the impact of economic development on the environment; and ensure the sustainable use of Guyana’s natural resources.

The EPA’s work is organised into programme areas, each with a specific focus, including: air quality and noise; freshwater; waste; biological resources, land resources, research and development, ecological and human health risk, and education, communication and awareness.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon; EPA Director, Dr. Vincent Adams; EPA Board Chairman, Dr.Patrick Williams and others applaud this young boy who cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the EPA Berbice Office

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Greater awareness, institutional support needed

9

–– to eradicate malaria, particularly in endemic rural areas, says programme manager

By Vishani Ragobeer MALARIA manager at the Ministry of Public Health, Trevor Thomas, said greater awareness and institutional support are needed to eradicate malaria, particularly in the endemic rural areas.

“Malaria is serious business; malaria is not just a public health concern, it is a development issue,” Thomas said at an event held on Thursday at the Bartica Regional Health Centre, to commemorate World Malaria Day 2019.

Malaria is a vector-borne disease, which means it is spread by mosquitoes. The disease is caused by microorganisms that attack the body’s systems, often resulting in death, after causing fever, vomiting, tiredness, aches and great discomfort and disability.

Region Seven, where the event was held, has been identified as one of the

Public Health Ministry, Malaria Manager Trevor Thomas endemic regions for malaria, where its large mining population is susceptible to the disease.

“In 2018, we had in excess of 3,000 positive cases in (Region Seven), a mark increase form 2017, which had about 2,700 cases,” Thomas said.

However, none of the cases was recorded as fatal.

Even so, Thomas shared

that persons must not become complacent since the possibility of the disease becoming resistant to the current medication is not impossible.

“Any serious attempt towards addressing malaria will require a change in attitude,” he said, while underscoring that preventative measures must be the hallmark.

Regional Malaria Coordinator, Dr. Dexter Browne, providing exact figures, shared that 13,390 smears were done in the region in 2018, which found 3, 405 positive cases of malaria.

This was an increase to the 2,774 cases recorded for 2017.

“These increases [were] mainly because of an awareness of testing done in region seven,” Dr. Browne affirmed, noting that “As testing was brought and people became aware in the mining districts, they appreciated that the treatment they received was better.”

Regional Malaria Coordinator, Dr. Dexter Browne The coordinator also noted that offering treatment to persons has been a challenge because of the geography of the region and how far apart the communities are. He, however, noted that the Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) programme offered by the MoPH has been effective in helping to detect and subsequently treat incidences of the

disease.

Through the RDT, miners and commercial shopkeepers are trained to detect if someone has a malarial infection. This programme; however, has its limitations since these volunteers are not entirely trained as the healthcare professionals are but are only trained to detect and help with the treatment of the infection.

This year, World Malaria Day is observed under the theme: “Zero malaria starts with me.”

Chief Inspector of Vector Control Services, David Williams said the annual event is a worldwide effort to raise awareness and funds for treatment and prevention of malaria. He also posited that investment and interest from the government are essential for this continued fight against malaria and the potential deaths.

General treatment and prevention of malaria are achievable, according to the

inspector, who highlighted that there must be increased usage of the certified medicines and precautionary measures such as the insecticide-treated beds and hammock nets.

“The continued campaign of prevention is proving effective and saving lives but there is still a long way to go,” he said.

In 2016, Guyana had embarked on the National Plan of Action for Malaria Elimination which extends until 2020. The plan is intended to eradicate malaria within Guyana’s borders.

And by its end in 2020, the success of the initiative will be assessed and a new plan, or extension of the existing plan, will be considered.

So far; however, it was reported that the World health Organisation (WHO) acknowledged that Guyana has recently succeeded in reducing the incidence of the disease by far more than the benchmark 50 per cent.

Prisoners dogfight Troy Thomas finally imprisoned in US while officers on duty A DAY after he was extradited from these shores, fugitive Troy Thomas, 33, finally saw the inside of a New York jail cell after fleeing here to escape a murder rap eight years ago.

According to a report in the New York Post, Thomas made an appearance in court on Thursday.

The tattoo-covered Guyana native said nothing Thursday afternoon as cops dragged him in front of a judge in Queens.

He is accused of gunning down Frank Keith in 2011 outside a house party in South Ozone Park, cops said. Keith later died at New York Hospital, Queens.

Police in Guyana picked up Thomas last year on the request of US authorities but he did not exhaust his extradition appeals until this week.

The report stated that Thomas’ transfer to the US set a new precedent for Guyana, which has not previously extradited to the US, according to an NYPD spokesperson.

It took a year of negotiations between the country’s government and the US Embassy, officials said.

“The Government of Guyana’s actions over the past year clearly indicate its dedication to law and order and established norms of international criminal justice – Guyana is moving in the right direction,” Ambassador Sarah Lynch said in a

Troy Anthony Thomas being escorted at a New York court on Thursday, one day after he was extradited from Guyana (New York Post photo) statement.

Thomas, of 32nd Street, South Ozone Park, Queens, New York, U.S.A., had tried to fight the extradition since early 2018 when he was picked up by the police in an early morning raid and has been fighting extradition in the High Court.

Earlier this month, Justice Navindra Singh refused the Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by Troy Thomas at the High Court.

The FDA was filed to challenge the authority of Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus to commit Thomas to custody.

DIRECTOR of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, has confirmed that an investigation has been launched into what appears to be prisoners participating in a “human dog fight” at the Lusignan Prisons unknowing to prison officers there.

Reports indicate that the prisoners who were held at one section of the holding bay made their way to another section to participate in the friendly competition.

In a video widely circulated on social media, the men could be seen having cloths tied around their neck and advancing at each other as dogs would do.

The video, which was laced with profanities, was reportedly recorded on Wednesday afternoon on an iPhone.

During the ‘dog fight’, a number of prisoners could be seen cheering on the men whose turns ‘came up for battle’.

In the video, the fighters were referred to as pit bulls and other vicious dogs and were seen scaling barbwire partitions and then allowed to ‘attack each other’ in a seemingly friendly way but which bore all the hallmarks of actual dog fights.

The Guyana Prison Service has been trying to rid its holding facilities and jailhouses of contraband including mobile devices but the task appears to be an uphill one as these items continue to pop up weekly.

Prisoners during the dog fight at the Lusignan Prison In the past, prisoners, especially those being held in the holding bay at Lusignan, have been finding some of the most amusing ways to spend their time in the facility as they await their trials and court dates.

They have been featured in celebratory mode on occasions such as Fathers’ Day and New Year’s Day drinking alcoholic beverages and having a merry time.

10

Family loses cash, motorbike and laptop in robbery

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019 A family from Huist Dieren, Essequibo Coast was robbed of cash, a motorbike and a laptop when thieves invaded their home around 03:00 hrs on Thursday.

According to Ravindra Sahadeo, when he woke around 05:00 hrs, he discovered that the door of the lower-flat of his home was open.

He then called on his wife and asked her if she had left the door opened.

In response, she said no and immediately got up and launched an investigation.

It was then the family discovered that their motorbike, CJ 2561, along with a new laptop and G$145,000 was missing.

Everyone was asleep at the time of the robbery.

“We are shocked having learned the laptop we recently purchased, our motorbike also, I can’t believe this,” Sahadeo said.

The family said they then made a report to the Aurora Police Station.

Detectives visited the home and fingerprints were taken. Police are investigating the incident.

The window that was broken by thieves to gain entry into the house

Judge to sum up in Sparendaam Squatting Area murder case COME May 7, 2019, Justice James Bovell-Drakes is expected to sum up the evidence in the trial of Junior Anthony Henry, who is alleged to have murdered Michael Hamilton at Sparendaam Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara.

Henry, called ‘Oswald’, 28, formerly of Third Street, Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was charged and is currently on remand. The indictment alleged that Henry, on October 7, 2013, at Sparendaam Squatting Area, killed Hamilton. Henry denied the charge when it was read to him at the Demerara High Court.

He is represented by attorneys-at-law, Lyndon Amsterdam and Latoya Roberts, while the State is represented by prosecutors Tiffini Lyken and Sarah Martin.

According to the police, at about 17:30 hrs, on the day in question, 22-year-old Hamilton, of Sparendaam Housing Scheme, ECD, was allegedly shot and killed by the suspect, Henry.

It was also stated that investigations had revealed that Hamilton’s sister was at home when she heard an explosion and, when she looked outside, she saw her brother running after Henry.

The police said that as Hamilton got closer, Henry turned around and shot him in the chest, before making good his escape, leaving the aggressor to be taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The men reportedly had an ongoing feud over a woman, said to have been Henry’s girlfriend.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Family of Lethem accident victim seeks justice SIX months after Sylvester De Mendonca of Lethem, Region Nine, was killed in a motorcycle accident at the St Ignatius Village Bridge, the driver of the vehicle which struck him down has not been charged.

The family of De Mendonca, who died on October 9, 2018, has since been calling for justice but to no avail thus far.

His mother, Athena Xavier, told the Guyana

Dead: Sylvester Junior De Mendonca Chronicle that the police are wilfully dragging their feet on the investigation.

Reports indicate that the 23-year-old died on the St Ignatius Bridge after colliding with a pickup that was crossing from the opposite direction at the same time.

According to the police, the motorcycle was proceeding north along the St Ignatius Public Road at a fast rate of speed and upon approaching the bridge collided with the pickup.

The bridge can only accommodate one vehicle at a time. His body was picked up and taken to the Lethem Public Hospital Mortuary.

The driver of the pick-up, Ramesh Barker, 45, was taken into police custody and later released on station bail.

Top cop receives ‘Visionary Man of The Year Award’

THE United Bridge Builders Mission Inc. (UBBM) has presented Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, with the “Visionary Man of The Year Award” for his outstanding work as a law enforcement officer.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, and Chief Executive Officer of Food For The Poor (Guyana), Kent Vincent, were also recipients of awards. They received the “Most Influential Activist” and “International Humanitarian Service” awards respectively.

The simple but significant ceremony was hosted

by Mr. and Mrs. Quinn at their official residence and the awards were presented by no other than founder of the UBBM, Bonita Montague.

UBBM is located at lot 81 John Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. The body is a local non-profit organisation founded in the US some 26 years ago.

The founder is also the CEO and a former policewoman who served the Guyana Police Force for over 19 years.

Commissioner of Police Leslie James expresses his appreciation after receiving the “Visionary Man of The Year Award” The organisation seeks to provide support to persons affected by HIV/AIDS, empower women and youths, and advocate against domestic violence.

Bonita Montague said

the awards are usually bestowed on individuals for outstanding service to the community. The UBBM plans to work with the Guyana Police Force in needed areas.

The ceremony culminated with a cocktail reception hosted by the Commissioner of Police at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, Eve Leary.

Also in attendance were a few honorees of the night.

These persons were Vanessa Kissoon, Florence Alilah-Bourn, Wendy Hermonstine; Bernadett Barker, Secretary of UBBM, and Lennox Mboya-Wood, Director of UBBM.

Four arrested for cocaine in fire extinguisher THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has arrested four men following a raid at a house in Timehri, East Bank Demerara on Tuesday

The fire extinguisher containing the concealed cocaine

night.

CANU, in a statement, said the raid unearthed suspected cocaine concealed in a fire extinguisher believed to be

destined for placement on an aircraft for an international destination at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

According to CANU,

the suspected cocaine weighed 1.890 kilograms.

The four men in custody are Dinesh Dias, Anthony Collins, Seenarine Mathura and Mohamed

Inshan.

The men were charged and are expected to make an appearance at the Providence Court today.

Anthony Collins

Mohamed Inshan

Dinesh Dias

Seenarine Mathura

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Gov’t injecting $1.4B into housing in Region 5 … woman gets house lot after 18-year wait

By Svetlana Marshall

A 45-year-old mother of one, whose land application was in the system for 18 years, was allocated a house lot on Thursday when the government took its Public Day to Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) – a district that is currently seeing an injection of $1.4B to develop hundreds of residential lands.

Jewel Torrington was among the hundreds of persons who flocked the Regional Democratic Council compound at Fort Wellington to capitalise on the opportunity to access government services and interact with ministers of government on critical issues affecting them.

At the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) tents, where hundreds of persons from across the district engaged the staff on a range of housing and land issues, Torrington was among applicants who were handed allocation letters by the Min-

ister of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Adams-Yearwood.

Bubbling with excitement, the mother of one told the Guyana Chronicle that she had applied for a plot of land since 2001 but at the time, was told that priority was being given to persons with three or more children. Torrington, nonetheless, submitted her application and completed the interview.

Over the past 18 years, she repeatedly enquired about her application, and was asked to do two additional interviews.

For her, Thursday’s Public Day was her last attempt. “I am here because I thought that this was my last resort. I applied for a land since 2001.

I attended three interviews prior to now. The interviews happened like every five years but I was never allocated a plot of land,” Torrington recalled.

When she submitted her documents on Thursday, she was allocated a plot of land on spot. “You don’t even have to ask, it is exciting. I heard other

Jaikallie Itwaru was allocated a plot of land approximately 12 years ago but has been unable to construct a house for her and her daughter, who has a disability (Adrian Narine)

persons talk about the system, that it works, so I had all confidence that I was going to be allotted a plot of land today, so I am most grateful,” Torrington told this newspaper.

Twenty-three-year-old Ottui Moore was also allotted a plot of land. She had applied in 2017 when the CH&PA had conducted an outreach and had been on the waiting list since.

“I am very happy because my dream was to get my house first and then to buy a car because you cannot live in a car and that is my philosophy.

So I am very excited and happy,” Moore told the Guyana Chronicle.

Jaikallie Itwaru, a 49-yearold mother of one, who hails from Bath Settlement, was among those in the waiting line at the time of the interview. Itwaru told this newspaper that she acquired a house lot approximately 12 years ago but due to her financial circumstances, she has been unable to construct her home.

On Thursday, it was her intention to solicit financial support from the CH&PA or any of its partners, such as Food For The Poor to build a house.

“I am a cleaner at the RDC and I have a house lot but I can’t build because I don’t have the money to build, so I am here in search of help,” Itwaru said. She, along with her daughter who is unable to walk due to her disability, lives at relatives, but according to her, it can be very uncomfortable at times. “It is time I get my own house, but like I said, I really can’t afford it,” she added.

Donette Cummings, from Seafield (Number 42 Village) West Coast Berbice, is a mother of two children, and Thursday marked the first time she applied for a house lot. The 50-year-old woman explained that she returned to Guyana several years ago after living in St. Maarten but never applied for a house lot until now.

Cummings said it is time she becomes a home owner, and

Twenty-three-year-old Ottui Moore was also allocated a plot of land. In this photo she is receiving her allocation letter from outgoing Minister of Housing Valerie Adams-Yearwood. (Adrian Narine photo)

The housing units that were built by CH&PA in Experiment. (Adrian Narine) the application in the system is the first step to getting there.

Chandanie Baijnauth, a 36-year-old single parent of one was also among those who accessed the services of the CH&PA. More than 10 years ago, she had applied for a plot of land but was told that her name could not have been found in the system. As such, she submitted a fresh application during the outreach.

HOUSING AT EXPERIMENT Minister Yearwood said the response from the Mahaica-Berbice District was overwhelming, explaining that the majority of the persons who visited the CH&PA tents were there to enquire about house lots.

Minister Adams-Yearwood said given the demand for housing in the region, CH&PA will be developing residential lots in Experiment, where it constructed 20 housing units.

“The lots at Experiment, they are not ready. We will have to put in the infrastructure but we are offering it to the people (and) as soon as we complete the plan, the design, we are offering the allocation.

They can pay and we will give them a letter with a commitment as to when the lots will be ready for construction.

Many people are coming with their monies they are ready to pay their 50 per cent,” Minister Adams-Yearwood explained.

CH&PA Chief Executive Officer, Lelon Saul, explained that unlike the other regions, the majority of the lands in Region Five are privately owned, while the others are owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Mahaica/

Jewel Torrington was among persons who were allocated house lots on Thursday during the outreach at Fort Wellington. Her allocation comes 18 years after she had applied (Adrian Narine photo) Mahaicony/Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) and the Mahaicony/Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS).

To attend to demands of the region, CH&PA built 20 housing units at Experiment and regularised Blathylock – a settlement within Blairmont, however, only a few opted to take the housing units.

At the time of the interview, only 10 of the units, which include two bedroom elevated houses ($7M), two bedroom flat houses ($6.5M) and three bedroom flat houses ($9M) were sold. The remaining 10 were not sold.

“The culture of people in this region is to build their own home, they prefer that, and what we find is that people prefer serviced lots rather than having a built unit,” Saul explained. $1.4B INJECTION As such, CH&PA will is injecting $1.4B into the

region to develop residential lands in the region.

The CEO explained that the authority will be expanding the Experiment Housing Scheme to accommodate approximately 200 lots. At Blairmont, another 200 serviced lots will be created.

Added to that, CH&PA is in discussion with the MARDS to acquire lands for homestead. According to Saul, the agreement will be finalised within two months and it is the hope of CH&PA to acquire 20 to 50 acres of land.

“The beneficiaries will be given pretty large house lots, up to about quarter of an acre where they can build the housing units and they can engage in subsistence farming and animal husbandry,” he detailed.

CH&PA has also approached the MMA/ADA for lands. At the time of the interview, there were only 15 serviced lots that are readily available.

Residents from Mahaica-Berbice turned out in their numbers to access CH&PA services (Adrian Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Disproving the doubts:insight into the Belt and Road

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Amid a surging trend toward global interconnectivity propelled by the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), noises pop up from time to time as to how this grand vision of the BRI may have its bearing on the world.

The Belt and Road, referring to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiated

by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.

Eyeing high-quality cooperation in boosting common prosperity, the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is due to be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing. Some 5,000 participants from more than 150 countries and 90 international organizations have confirmed their attendance.

Facts have come to show that the BRI is a peaceful, open and green road of winwin cooperation, as well as a revitalized historical route leading to a community with a shared future for humanity.

DEBT TRAP VS. DEVELOPMENT DIVIDEND “Debt trap diplomacy” has been a big buy for those with Cold War mindset, demonizing China’s loans as “creating economic dependency on Beijing.” Facts show, however, that the BRI is helping lift countries out of a “trap of no development” rather than duping them into a “debt trap.”

To start with, developing countries in the stage of economic take-off, especially those in Asia and Africa, are in urgent need of capital for infrastructure investment.

What China has done is to extend a helping hand to such programs, based on the principle of “mutual respect, justice and fairness, and win-win results.”

In terms of project selection as well as investment and financing cooperation under the BRI, all concerned parties

will make decisions prudently after joint consultation, risk assessment and feasibility studies.

“For those with difficulty in debt repayment, China seeks proper settlement via friendly consultation, and never coerces them into repaying the debt,” said Yang Jiechi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

cooperate with China Merchants Group in operation, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the press recently.

For better sustainability of infrastructure in B&R countries, which requires huge and high-stakes input and returns over a long time, China is quickening its pace to help BRI participants with auxiliary facilities and systematic development planning, to im-

ment with no one left behind, and Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, an expert on international security from Britain, believed no dangers were detected in Chinese investment and that B&R cooperation is transparent.

Nothing could better exemplify the success of the initiative than the significant traction enjoyed by the BRI. To date, 126 countries and 29 international organizations

(Photo taken on Aug. 22, 2018 shows a view of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge in the Maldives.)

A further look at a country-specific debt portfolio reveals the lack of fairness of the debt-trap rhetoric.

For instance, Sarmad Ali, managing director of Jang Media Group, the largest media group in Pakistan, said that the debt incurred by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the framework of regional connectivity under BRI cooperation, accounts for only around 6 percent of Pakistan’s total external debt and liabilities.

CPEC is not only a drive for development, but also injects huge amounts of capital into Pakistan, he added.

Some Western critics tend to blast China for “intentionally creating” the debt problem of Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port and its handover, but such allegations are no more than a fabrication out of thin air.

Sri Lanka has “limited experience” in absorbing capital and management, and that’s why the country decided to

prove the external conditions for their economic prosperity.

BLACK-BOX OPERATIONS VS. A TRANSPARENT PLAN Western critics are inclined to use “black-box operations” to describe B&R cooperation, saying that China has an opaque system when it comes to initiative-related decision-making.

However, officials and experts say from notion to action, the BRI advocates and adheres to the principle of transparency and inclusiveness.

“China has kicked off the initiative, but it is up to others to join and play the game together,” said Ruan Zongze, executive vice president of the China Institute of International Studies.

Director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Jose Graziano da Silva praised China for pursuing inclusiveness develop-

have concluded BRI-related cooperation agreements with China, including Italy, a member of the Group of Seven.

There is no single dominant party, but equal participants; no operations under the table, but openness and transparency; no “winner taking it all,” but mutual benefits and a win-win situation, said Wang Yiwei, a professor with Renmin University of China.

Furthermore, the projects under the Belt and Road framework are in line with the basic norms of international laws and regulations and abide by internationally accepted business logic and operational models.

Just as President Xi said, the BRI is “a plan in the sunshine.”

HEAVY POLLUTER VS. GREEN CHAMPION Is China exporting “surplus production capacity” via the BRI, as doubted by some? Facts show the BRI is

an epitome of a green champion rather than a diversion of pollution leading to “environmental risks.”

“Green finance is becoming steadily more influential in the Belt and Road, and China is playing a prominent role in this trend,” stated a Standard Chartered article about the BRI published on its website in 2018, expecting BRI to be the “opportunities to serve the greater good.”

In line with China’s persistent endeavor to “draw a redline” on pollution control, enterprises are required to play a principal role in ecological governance and are encouraged to release annual reports on environmental performance in abiding by relevant laws and regulations in B&R countries, as laid down in a China-issued guidance on promoting green BRI. As a manifestation of nature-human harmony, Cambodia’s Sanghe II hydropower station, its largest hydropower project jointly developed with China, has set aside an artificial passageway for fish migration after careful environmental impact assessment, to avoid soil erosion and biodiversity degradation.

The Ethiopia-China Joint Laboratory at the Ethiopian Leather Industry Development Institute, by the same token, gives effective treatment to tannery wastewater, a successful marriage of sound economic payback and ecological sustainability.

“China’s experience in renewable energy technology application can also be replicated via BRI cooperation in the Middle East, Africa and other regions, to inspire green development paradigms,” said Erik Solheim, former executive director of United Nations Environment Programme.

GEOPOLITICAL STRATEGY VS. GLOBAL PUBLIC GOODS With its growing popularity, the BRI is blamed by some with ulterior motives as one of China’s instruments in its geopolitical conflicts with other major countries.

13

In fact, as one of the most well-known international public goods and platforms for global cooperation, the initiative aims to achieve common prosperity rather than boost the so-called “Chinese clout.”

“China does not have a clique of allies to cajole or enemies to coerce. The Belt and Road construction is aimed at achieving the common development of all countries rather than seeking spheres of political influence,” said Wang Yiwei.

He said the BRI is not like Marshall Plan, and China is not trying to buy friends. “No political conditions have been imposed on participants in the initiative, nor is it ideologically oriented,” Wang added.

It should be noted that many countries and regions actively dovetailed the BRI with their own development plans, ranging from the EU’s Junker Investment Plan to the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, Turkey’s Middle Corridor projects, and Kazakhstan’s Bright Path.

BRI-related investments can lift up to 34 million people from moderate poverty with respect to the baseline, among whom 29.4 million are from countries and regions along the BRI route, according to a recent World Bank report.

Thanks to the accelerated Belt and Road cooperation, the Maldives had its first inter-island bridge, Belarus was enabled to produce passenger vehicles, and the landlocked Kazakhstan was connected to the Pacific Ocean via the logistics base in China’s Lianyungang city.

Changyong Rhee, director of the International Monetary Fund Asia and Pacific Department, believed the BRI has benefited the world in fostering infrastructure need in the low-income countries and also promoting regional cooperation and connectivity in trade investment, human mobility and finance. It is a “very important contribution” to the global economy, Rhee said.

UN chief says Belt and Road Initiative “very important opportunity” UNITED NATIONS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that the Belt and Road Initiative is a “very important opportunity” to the world.

With such a huge volume of investment for international cooperation as the Belt and Road Initiative, it is a “very important opportunity for enhancing the capacity to implement the sustainable development goals and an important opportunity to launch green perspectives in the years to come,” Guterres said during an interview with Chinese journalists at the UN headquarters before leaving for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

“When we look at the sustainable development goals,

when we look at the 2030 agenda, we see that we are not making enough progress.

Financing for development is not enough. There is not enough money. There is not enough support to developing countries in order to be able to reach the sustainable development goals,” the UN chief said.

Guterres also said, “The climate change is running faster, and we are not able to fulfil the promises that were made in Paris. And we are very worried that we are not seeing around the world enough political will to reverse this negative trend.”

“When we have such a huge volume of investment in international cooperation, it is obvious that its significance is extremely relevant, especially in the perspective of the im-

plementation of the agenda 2030,” Guterres said.

The Belt and Road Initiative can have a stronger impact on the economies and societies of the countries concerned and support those countries that benefit from the Belt and Road, in order to make sure that those projects are honestly integrated in their economies and their societies and fully contribute to their development, he said.

The Belt and Road Initiative can be an extremely important tool to reverse the trend of climate change, “which is still running faster than we are,” Guterres said, adding that “we need a lot of investments in sustainable development, in renewable energy, and a lot of investments in infrastructure that respect the future, and truly sustainable.”

CHINA’S UNIQUE PROGRESS Commenting on China’s development over the past 70 years, from one of the poorest countries in the world to the second largest economy in the world, the UN chief said that the extraordinary success of China’s economic growth in the last decades is “probably a unique example in the world,” if one looks at what has been in the history of development.

“That has allowed China to become the second most important contributor to the UN activities from a financial perspective,” he said. “The contribution to peacekeeping operations is, of course, extremely relevant for us, and we are very appreciative of the very meaningful increase of Chinese support to peacekeeping.”

Anything that contributes to connecting different countries would make trade easier. Information sharing and knowledge sharing give a very important contribution to fair globalization, Guterres said.

“That is exactly the opportunity that I believe the Belt and Road represents,” he said, adding that it is very important in this forum to discuss and maximize the positive impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative.

CLIMATE CHANGE On climate change, which is listed high on the UN chief’s agenda, he said this forum is very important because he has been asking the heads of state or government not to come with words, but with plans.

China has had extreme-

ly important investments to develop its own renewable energy and develop other aspects of a green future, Guterres said.

“We were able to agree on an implementation plan of the Paris Agreement, and China has played an extremely important role as a bridge builder, as an active instrument of consensus, and we are very grateful for that,” he said.

He expressed the hope that at the forum China will come with very strong commitments in relation to the future, adding that “we need more ambition against climate change.” As a global economy in terms of purchasing power, China’s contribution is extremely important and the Chinese leadership is extremely welcome, the UN chief said.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

AFC hails appointment of new business minister

THE Alliance For Change has congratulated Member of Parliament and Chairman of the party’s Regional Management Committee for Region 2, Haimraj Rajkumar on being appointed Minister of Business.

Rajkumar replaces Dominic Gaskin, the AFC Treasur-

er, who served as Minister of Business from May 2015 to date. In a statement, the AFC thanked Gaskin for his “stellar service both as Minister of Business and Member of Parliament and looks forward to his continued engagement in the development of Guyana.”

Leader of the party, Ra-

phael Trotman, commended his former ministerial colleagues who voluntarily agreed to accept and uphold the requirements of the constitution and congratulated and welcomed Rajkumar into the ministerial enclave. The party also congratulated Working People’s

New Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar Alliance executive Tabitha Sarabo-Halley on her appointment as Minister of Public Service.

Haimraj Bernard Rajkumar will celebrate his 53rd birthday today, April 26th, having been born in 1966, Guyana’s year of independence.

He has been a practising attorney for 12 years, having graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 2007 and was admitted to the Guyana Bar in the same year. Rajkumar’s law practice is based on the Essequibo Coast. He graduated with an LLB from the University of Guyana in 2005.

Rajkumar also holds a diploma in Pharmacy from UG and served as a pharmacist for over 15 years on the Essequibo Coast. Additionally, he holds a diploma in Marketing from UG. Rajkumar is married and has two children.

He was appointed Member of Parliament in May 2015.

Meanwhile, in a statement the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) said it welcomes the statement issued by President

Granger that the Coalition Government sees “adherence to the Constitution…an essential element of democratic governance and the maintenance of public trust.” The statement, which prefaced government’s stated respect for Article 155 (1) (a) that bars dual citizens from being elected to the National Assembly and upheld by the High and Appeal Courts, is a step in the right direction, the umbrella trade union said in its statement. “GTUC is encouraged the Coalition has placed on record that it is committed to upholding the Constitution unreservedly” and therefore expect full compliance. This is critical to good governance, social cohesion and national peace.

According to the body, of immediate interest in the new appointments is that of the Minister of the Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency. “GTUC wishes Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley well and holds expectation that while she may bring to the table youth, newness and fresh ideas she also brings association of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), and trust that this will be represented in a working-class focus.”

The GTUC said the minister has the opportunity to create a harmonious working climate which is essential in this sector which turns the wheel of government. “As the WPA’s representative, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in the Coalition Government, she can best uphold the party and the working-class ideology of co-leader Dr. Walter Rodney.”

Additionally, GTUC said with the developmental trust

of oil and gas and a green economy government needs a stable industrial environment, noting that the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), that represents workers in the Public Sector, has been marginalised under successive PPP governments since 1999 and this state of industrial unease is yet to be corrected under the Coalition.

“This young newcomer has the opportunity to create a more harmonious environment for her government labour relations and is called on to place industrial harmony high on her agenda given the significance of this to government performance.”

PPP MUST RETURN As the National Assembly convenes today, GTUC also called for the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to return to the House.

“Here the party can best represent and fight for its constituency in a climate conducive to good governance and lifting Guyana’s politics up to a level of civility. It is important for Guyana to function in a state of normalcy as we await the judicial ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

“Let us give Parliament the respect it deserves. As a reminder, all Members of Parliament have been in receipt of taxpayers’ money as salary and other associated benefits.

The honourable thing to do is to demonstrate their right to this by returning to the House, the nation’s highest decision-making forum, where they can best represent the people.”

‘Cabbage vendor’ remanded for murder RICKLAND Bovell, a 22-year-old cabbage vendor of Swan Village, East Bank Demerara, was on Thursday remanded

by Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly murdering one of his customers.

Bovell was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that, on April 19, 2019, at the Timehri Docks, East Bank Demerara, he murdered David Toney.

Prosecutor Neville Jeffers objected to bail being granted to the defendant due to the nature of the offence. The prosecution is further contending that on the day in question, at about 15:30hrs, Bovell was engaged

in a heated argument with Toney and his parents over the payment of cabbage that he took. It was during this argument, the defendant whipped out a knife and stabbed the victim.

Toney was then picked up by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An investigation was launched into the matter which led to the arrest of the accused.

The magistrate upheld the prosecutor’s submission and remanded Bovell to prison until his next court appearance on May 15, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Visa restrictions on Cubans will hurt business –– says Region Three commerce president

REGION Three Chamber of Commerce President, Halim Khan, has said any imposition of visa restrictions on Cubans visiting Guyana would be equivalent to promoting an embargo on free trade here.

The chamber president made the remarks in wake of a move by the Cuban Government to abolish the non-visa requirement for Cubans visiting Guyana.

This essentially means, if this request is granted, Cubans wishing to come to here would need a visa.

According to Director of the Division of Consular Affairs and Cuban Resident Abroad, Ernesto Soberon Guzman, the move by Cuba is not to stop Cubans from coming to Guyana, but to

ensure a smooth and legal flow of traffic.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, has since said that Cuba’s request has been taken into consideration and all efforts will be made to support that country’s migration flow.

However, Khan has expressed some concerns. He said while there is an intention to put a restriction on Cubans travelling to Guyana, Panama has taken steps to attract Cuban shoppers as it realised many are visiting Guyana to seek bargains.

Khan explained that with the large number of Cubans travelling to Guyana in search of bargains, Panama has taken steps to allow greater flexibility in travel for Cubans who are engaged in merchandising

PUC salutes girls in ICT IN observance of International Girls in Information Communications and Technology (ICT) Day, celebrated on Thursday, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has saluted all current and future girls in ICT in Guyana.

In a release on Wednesday, the Commission noted that International Girls in ICT Day aims to encourage and empower girls and young women around the world to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICTs. It stated that such encouragements enable girls, young women, and companies to gain the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector. “The PUC, as part of its commitment to gender equality, has in its employ ten women who continue to blaze the trail whilst executing our regulatory, investigatory, enforcement and advisory responsibilities,” the release said.

“Some of these areas may have once been considered unconventional career paths for females,however, the women of PUC continue to forge new frontiers.”

This year, the PUC is collaborating with the CARICOM Secretariat and other regional partners for a year-long programme to create awareness and provide mentorship for young girls and women. It will encourage them to explore careers in the regulatory arena and to understand the benefits to be derived from greater participation in the tech industries.

Some of the activities throughout the year include exhibitions, eMentorship programmes and Open Days, aimed for students, parents, teachers and academia.

and tourism.

He noted that entry requirements for Cubans have been altered by the Panamanian government, with the new migratory policy providing Cubans with a “tourism card” which allows them to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days without any visa requirements.

The Region Three Chamber president explained that Cubans have been travelling to Haiti,

Panama, Mexico, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, purchasing commodities such as clothing, household items, hardware, and personal care products, which are said to be retailed in Cuban stores.

Khan said based on his knowledge in Panama, the Colon Free Trade Zone has a “Little Havana” where Cubans spent US$310M in 2018 and are on track for increase spending in 2019.

“This type of economic injection is needed in Guyana and if a burden is being placed on Cubans visiting Guyana then that will ultimately affect all businesses in the country,” Khan said.

The prices for goods in Guyana are far cheaper compared to Panama.

Locally, it is estimated that Cubans purchase some G$500M in goods annually.

According to Khan, not only are cambios reaping the benefit from the Cubans’ heavy presence in Guyana, but other businesses as well, such as hotels, food establishments and taxis.

Further, he explained that Cubans who require American visas now also have to visit Guyana, instead of Colombia as of June, 2018.

“Now they have to get a visa to come to Guyana

15

Region Three Chamber of Commerce President, Halim Khan if they also want a visa to travel to the US; I don’t see the sense in such a restriction from Guyana,” Khan noted.

He said that in many conversations with Cubans, the sentiments are negative pertaining to issuing a visa restriction for visits to Guyana.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Reg. 4 NDCs urged to adhere to procurement laws

NEIGHBOURHOOD Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) have been urged to adhere to procurement laws and other financial regulations by the Region’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The call came at a oneday training, hosted on

Wednesday, at the Beterverwagting /Quamina Primary School which targeted 105 officials from 17 NDCs. It came about following the observation of Regional Executive Officer, (REO) Pauline Lucas, that there was a need for training in the aforementioned regards.

Speaking at the gathering, Regional Chairman, Gen-

eviève Allen, reminded councillors and administrators that they were accountable to their respective Constituencies.

She warned that residents will only come forward and pay their rates and taxes if they develop confidence in those who are entrusted with managing the NDC. “They will only pay if they

Regional Vice Chairman Earle Lambert addressing participants have confidence that you are going to spend the resources that you receive in a wise manner; in a manner that is equitable across your entire Local Authority Area (LAA),” Allen said. “I often say that the work of the councillors is more than sitting around the horseshoe table and I will continue to repeat it. It is working on the ground among the people who are expected to benefit from the services provided by the council.”

The Regional Chairman implored participants to use the information received to govern their councils in a transparent manner and to ensure that after their term of office that they would have left a legacy that many can emulate.

Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman, Earle Lambert stressed the urgency and critical need for such a workshop in improving the skills and knowledge of leaders at the NDCs. He urged

the participants to not see the workshop as just another workshop but one which has the potential to truly empower them.

He said that such workshops are rare and the resource persons drawn from the region to conduct the workshop are all highly skilled and knowledgeable in the respective areas.

The Vice Chairman, who also heads the Regional Works Committee, hinted that, because of inexperience and ignorance, many times he is disappointed to see the way several of the NDCs conduct their business.

This, he highlighted, is related to the issue of procurement. Speaking too, Lucas expressed her disappointment that several NDCs have been blatantly and deliberately breaching procurement regulations.

She was also unimpressed by the manner in which some NDCs were holding meetings and managing their council’s

A section of the audience

finances.

The REO pointed out that procurement makes up for 90 per cent of funds used with the remaining 10 per cent for salaries and other minor expenses.

She urged participants to familiarise themselves with the Procurement Act stating that knowing and understanding the Act was their first responsibility in providing value for funding their NDCs have received.

“Everything that you do must be out there and when the auditors come you must be confident that you didn’t do anything contrary as the auditors are there to do their job. None of us is perfect so the auditors will tell you where you went wrong and the next time you will not make the same mistake,” Lucas said, adding: “We must strive to be transparent in everything that we do and I am appealing to the overseers that you are expected to be transparent in whatever you do.” On the topic of conducting meetings, this training came from the Region’s District Development Officers (DDOs) in Rickford Profit and Sherlock Hudson.

Regional Development Officer (RDO), Reshme Chetan, dealt with the Committees of the Council while Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO), Ramnarine Singh, explained the roles of administration.

Singh also dealt with the issue of financial management which was identified as a grey area among several of the NDCs. At the training, Allen congratulated the participants for seizing the opportunity to attend while she thanked the RDC for recognising the need for training and organising same.

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

CCJ dismisses Datadin’s move to shutdown Parliament

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Friday dismissed an application filed by lawyers for recalled MP, Charrandass Persaud; Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo; and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, asking the Trinidad and Tobago-based regional court to block the sitting of the National Assembly today.

In its terse ruling, the regional court stated that unless it reverses the decision of the Court of Appeal of Guyana dated the 22nd day of March 2019, which declared that the motion of no-confidence passed in the National Assembly on the 21st day of December 2018 was not validly passed, the status of the government and the National Assembly of Guyana is unaffected by the result of the vote on the motion of no-confidence of the 21st day of December 2018, presently before it.

The CCJ said that it would be imprudent in the circumstances, “for this Court to take the most unusual step of restraining the National Assembly from sitting as urged by the applicant.” The move by attorneys for the applicants was described by legal luminaries as inviting the regional court to breach the doctrine of separations of powers. On Wednesday, during a pretrial hearing on the three appeals challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal, Attorney for Persaud, Sanjeev Datadin, made an oral submission to the CCJ to block the Friday, April 26 sitting of the National Assembly.

While the National Assembly is expected to consider the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Tax Laws) Tullow Guyana B.v. Eco (Atlantic) Guyana Inc. and Total E and P Guyana BV Order, there is no legislation related to finances that would be considered on Friday.

There are, however, several reports, on past contractual arrangements, and reports on a number of government entities.

Additionally, six bills will be introduced and read for the first time. These bills are:

Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill, Procurement (Amendment) Bill, Customs and Trade Single Window System Bill, Custom (Amendment of Schedules) Bill, National Accreditation Council (Amendment) Bill and National Accreditation Council Act 2004 (Validation) Bill. Earlier, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, told this publication that Datadin was attempting to mislead the court into believing that the National Assembly on Friday would consider finances for the conduct of General and Regional Elections by the Guyana Elections Commission.

On the sideline of an engagement with diplomats from the UK and the US at his Chamber, Minister Williams told reporters that Datadin was attempting to “influence the court.” “This is a blatant attempt to influence the court and malign the government, and I don’t know why these attempts are being made to influence the court,” the attorney general said. He said the CCJ is a competent legal institution, and the government, unlike Datadin, does not get involved in such acts. “We leave [the matter to] the court because we believe that they have competent people who are qualified to administer justice as our final court,” the attorney general said.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, government, in its affidavit in answer to Datadin’s application sworn to by State Solicitor, Jennifer Ayana Mc Calman, stated that Anessa Chow, Attorney-at-Law for Persaud, could not have sworn to an affidavit on his behalf and appear in the proceedings for him as this is ethically improper. Mc Calman’s affidavit was presented

by Eamon Courtenay SC, Counsel for the Honourable Attorney General. She argued that there was no affidavit from Persaud in support of the application, noting that Persaud left Guyana for Canada on the 22 December 2018, the day following his vote in the National Assembly on the no-confidence motion. “To the best of my

knowledge, information and belief, he has not returned to Guyana. Mr. Persaud is no longer a member of the National Assembly. He was removed on or about January 3, 2019 and he has not challenged his removal,” Mc Calman’s affidavit contends.

“I have carefully read the notice of application and its supporting affidavit and I have not been able to discern any evidence or ground that shows how Mr. Persaud would be affected by, or prej-

udiced by, the sitting of the National Assembly.”

Additionally, Mc Calman’s said Chow states that she became aware of a sitting of the National Assembly on April 18, 2019, but did not offer any explanation as to what steps, if any, her client took, or any steps which she took to seek to stop the sitting of the National Assembly, since learning of the planned meeting.

She also argued that the orders sought in the Notice of Application are

extraordinary and that having regard to the separation of powers doctrine and the limited jurisdiction of the court to intervene prior to parliament acting as recognised in Bahamas District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas and Others v. The Hon. Vernon J. Symonette M.P. and seven Others [2000] UKPC 31 Mr. Persaud has no arguable case to support the application.

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Journalist loses home in midday fire

NATIONAL Communications Network (NCN) journalist, Mia Ritchie, is counting her losses and wondering about her next move after her Lot 6, Thorne’s Drive, Durban, Backlands home was completely gutted by a midday fire on Thursday.

Ritchie resided at the house with her nine and 11-year-old children and was at work when she got the news around 12:45 hrs that her home was one fire.

When she got there, firefighters were already battling the blaze; however, the home was already destroyed.

“I was at work, I wasn’t here. My supervisor came in and told me someone called to say the house is on fire, so I called my neighbour and she confirmed it. When I got here, the Fire Service was there but the entire house was engulfed,” Ritchie related.

Ritchie is uncertain about the extent of her losses. The three-bedroom flat was fully furnished and nothing was saved.

A section of Mia Ritchie’s destroyed home (Delano Williams photo) “At this moment I’m incapable of even going there, I’m just distraught over the fact that everything is gone, everything, nothing was saved. Someone just offered me somewhere to go. I just have to come down from this to figure out how I’ll move on,” Ritchie said.

No one was at home at the time of the fire and investigations are ongoing as to its cause. Speculations are that the fire could have

been electrical in nature but Ritchie recalled that she used no appliances prior to leaving home.

“When we left this morning we had black out, so we didn’t use any iron, the fan wasn’t on; the only thing in the house that was on would’ve been the refrigerator that is usually left on,” Ritchie explained.

She added: “They didn’t find any [cause] immediately so I guess with further

investigation they might be able to pick up something but, as it is right now, they don’t know what caused

the fire.”

GFS sub-officer, Marlon Wilson, explained that from all indications, the fire started in one of the bedrooms and spread rather quickly; however, the Fire Service was able contain the blaze within minutes of arriving.

“When we got here, the fire was in the master bedroom and what happened is that the fire spread via the ceiling to the other rooms.

We were able to surround the fire from the north and southern side and we were able to put it out. Water wasn’t a problem, we had adequate water. Within the first 15 minutes of getting here, we were able to contain the blaze to the structure. But the fire had already

A distraught Mia Ritchie outside of her home after the fire (Delano Williams photo) spread to other parts of the building. Investigations into the cause are continuing” he said.

The Fire Prevention Unit will revisit the home and do a thorough assessment.

Teen remanded for simple larceny

TREVOR Gasper, aged 18, and known as Brandon Gasper, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sunil Scarce, on Wednesday, at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, charged with simple larceny.

Gasper is accused of committing the offence on Sunday, April 21, 2019, at the Providence National

Stadium during a show.

The court was told that, on the day in question, Gasper stole a Samsung cellphone valued at $148,000 from Sonia Sankar.

Gasper was remanded pending sentencing, when a probation report is produced.

Gasper will attend court again on May 10, 2019

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

60 Linden youths to receive employable skills

THE Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be embarking on its second annual Work Readiness Programme this year, training some 60 youths for the world of work.

The six-month training is an initiative of the Office of the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, and will cater for youths in Linden, Kwakwani, Ituni and other outlying areas.

In a release on Wednesday, Morian said the region continues to battle with unemployment.

He said that while his office has been successful in initiating and creating a number of job opportunities, the Work Readiness Programme will add to efforts towards significantly addressing unemployment challenges.

Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Chairman Renis Morian along with Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephens “We have some young persons that were part of the Work Readiness Programme in Region 10 who are being trained right now to work at the Immigration Office in Linden,” Morian said.

He added: “Most of the young persons who did the last programme are em-

ployed as teachers, nurses; some at offices and some enrolled into the University of Guyana, so we are pushing that so I have sent the proposal and awaiting funding.”

Morian is hoping that the private sector will come onboard to support the project and urged organisations

within the sector to contact the RDC if interested.

The programme gives a stipend of 15,000 per month to every participant to pay for transportation, among other expenses.

“I am appealing to private agencies and organisations to collaborate with my office as with or without funding or support from the private sector, we are moving ahead with this programme,” he declared.

The regional chairman stated that his office has secured some funds but the programme is expected to cost some $3.5M. A portion of this figure is dedicated to the payment of the programme’s coordinators who are required to closely monitor the participants.

Through the programme, counselling, sharing and evaluation are done twice per month.

“It is geared towards strengthening their skills as many of them possess great skills but lack guidance which we are seeking through the coordinators of the programme, to assist them with,” Morian reassured.

He added that with the plan, the RDC has envisioned that for the year, they will see another 50-60 persons entering the job market.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

MMA not taking away lands –– focussed on maximising production, says Min. Holder

By Telesha Ramnarine SOME Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) farmers are complaining that the land fees and charges imposed for drainage and irrigation by the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ ADA) are too exorbitant.

But Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, has said that the intention of the MMA/ADA is simply to maximise the potential of the region.

Minister Holder spoke to

the Guyana Chronicle at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) compound, where a government outreach was organised for various ministers in the government to be able to interact with members of the public.

One farmer, of Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), preferred not to give his correct name, but said everyone knows him as ‘Cow Boy.’ He is contending that the MMA has suddenly taken away land from him, which he had been using for a number

of years to care for his cows.

“I paid up to 2017 for the land, and when I went to pay last year, they (MMA) said they won’t take money because they will take back the land. They said that I have too much land,” ‘Cow Boy’ recalled. However, he insists that the amount of land he has to work with is not adequate for him to care for all of his animals.

Rice farmer, Basil Bazilio, of Number 28 Village, WCB, also referred to the challenges farmers are experiencing with

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (right, centre) interacting with the public on Thursday (Adrian Narine photo) ing cattle farmers since the the MMA, in terms of the 1970s. rates being charged. He said RICE PRODUCTION He told this publication he knew of others who are Bazilio observed that complaining that the rates are the region is doing very that the farmers are facing a exorbitant, and that he per- well with rice production number of problems when it sonally believes that they are and that the yields have comes to protecting their aniabout $5,000 too high. increased over the past two mals because certain systems Minister Holder offered, years. For instance, he said are not in place to prevent though, that since the estab- a new variety of rice on the stealing and so forth. “So lishment of the MMA/ADA, market has been yielding we are in a struggle with the the productivity of the region about 40 bags on average thieves,” he said.

According to him, the has increased tremendously. per acre.

“MMA is not taking away This rice farmer believes farmers would like to be land. The sole idea is to max- that the government can granted individual plots of imise production in this area. continue to help rice farm- land to care for their animals

Rice farmer Basil Bazilio

Farmer ‘Cow Boy’

MMA’s interest is to lease as much of the land as possible for agriculture,” he said.

The minister explained that people must pay for the land because it is from land rent and charges for drainage and irrigation that MMA is able to finance itself. “People must pay for the land; they must not squat on the land because when they do that, MMA gets no income.”

He said the income is needed to maintain the 738 miles of drainage canals, along with hydraulic machines, etc. “So it’s a massive undertaking,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Bazilio, who was mentioned earlier, observed that the drainage and irrigation canals are now being cleaned, after having been blocked up for a number of years. “So they’re getting a lot of relief in this area. The dams are what need to be done now; they need better dams.

They need to shape the dams and grade them.”

ers by looking to see how it can cut costs on fuel, along with fertilisers and other chemicals.

Minister Holder reminded that Region Five currently produces 45 per cent of the nation’s rice and has the largest number of cattle in the entire country. The region is probably the most productive agricultural region, he posited.

“The rice sector, nationally, is doing pretty well.

This country exports about US$348M of agricultural products and rice accounts for US$200M of that.

It’s our number one export crop. In fact, rice production has gone up from about 20-25 bags per acre, to now 37-40 bags per acre.

From this last crop, I was quite pleased,” he expressed.

BETRAYAL Chairman of Bath Cattle Farmers Association Keith Dhanraj, who himself is a farmer, has been represent-

Bath Cattle Farmers Association, Chairman Keith Dhanraj so as to minimise thievery and overcrowding on a particular space.

Dhanraj said this issue was raised under the previous administration, which failed to do anything about it. “This was the attitude of the past administration; very betraying.

They betrayed their own people… and only pretended like they love people; they didn’t. They had the opportunity to do it, and they never did. When they put us on the land and it was time to uplift the documents, they said the documents were burned in MMA’s office.”

Meanwhile, Minister Holder informed that a number of new pumps will be installed across the country, including four in Region Four, in order to boost drainage and irrigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

23

Personality of The Week:

GrrVant Kinco

W

RITING songs, singing and recording are dominant hobbies amongst the youths in Guyana, but there are those who are least concerned with the song, and are focused more on the rhythm that complements the song.

This week’s personality is a 20-year-old young man

who said he started making beats out of curiosity.

Shamar Grant, who calls himself GrrVant Kinco, said that growing up, he would always listen to music, but somehow never hears the lyrics.

“When I listen to music, all I was hearing was the beat. I legit used to blank out all the vocal sounds… I

got introduced to producing and beat making at 16, and I took it a tad serious at 19,” Grant said.

He told ‘The Buzz Magazine’ that he sacrificed two consecutive August vacations from school to develop the craft of beat making.

“YouTube taught me how to make beats. I had to sacrifice my holidays just to

IT’S time for the weekend again people, and it’s time to keep you in the loop with what’s ‘buzzing’ in and around Guyana.

Today

Head om down to the Pegasus poolside’s Ignite Bar and Grill every Friday and Saturday for fun, food, and entertainment!

The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Latin Night”.

Get two Desperados Tequila Beers for $1000.

Tomorrow

592Tees presents “Bear Fete”, the ultimate custom print T-shirt party at Hooters Bar, featuring a surprise Guyanese artiste and music by DJ King Keeve and Don King. Purchase a t-shirt from 592Tees for $3000, and enter party for free and enjoy factory price on drinks all night. Admission $1500 without T-shirt.

The Inner Wheel Cub of Georgetown presents its annual Easter Hat Show and Garden Party at the Promenade Gardens from 15:00hrs. Come out and see uniquely-designed hats depicting different creative ideas. The competition is open to males and females, young and old. Pastries and cakes will be on sale: Admission: $500 ($2500 includes tea) Fook Entertainment presents VIP Bar Crawl. Enjoy partying at some of the top clubs in the Georgetown district. All-inclusive package includes transportation to the different clubs, cutters etc. Admission: $5500.

It’s time to show off your talent. Aracari Resort presents Karaoke and Dance this and every Saturday. Enjoy karaoke, dance and dinner, featuring Reyaz Rafeek and Group.

Aura Sky Lounge presents Seductive Saturdays! Doors open at 20:00hrs!

Sunday

Women Across Differences presents Easter Brunch, Exhibition and Fashion Show at the Herdmanston Lodge. Join WAD as they celebrate adolescent mothers’ success stories. Enjoy food, up-cycled fashion designs you haven’t seen anywhere else, and, of course, a fun girls day out.

The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Dinner with 70s and 80s music. Sundays were meant for 70s & 80s!

get a full understanding of how to fully structure, compose, what to use, and how to make my own sound. And throughout the years of my production, I have tried many sounds… I listen to new genres without any idea of how to make those types of beats and recreate it my own way,” Grant said.

When he started creating and posting his work, he said that the reaction he got from friends and other listeners had him in awe. And it motivated him to continue along the path.

However, the young man noted that though his work is good, and people love it, he is doing it as a hobby, until his sound is known. The ultimate goal is to have his own company.

In the meanwhile, he says he has a regular 9-5, and he empowers other young people and try to help them find their passion.

Shamar Grant also known as GrrVant Kinco

Beat Maker, GrrVant Kinco

“I would always encourage persons to keep working on their craft and commit to what they love. To other young persons who would want to get into beat-making, they have to remember that producers are never the main light of the song, so popularity should never be the aim. But be consistent, and eventually your sound will reach the right ear. They

have to also make sure that they understand the business side of this “industry” before entering; get a manager and a distributor. And lastly, be hella creative,” Grant admonished.

His sounds can be found on his website https://linktr. ee/prodbykinco, SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/ kincol and INSTAGRAM: @prodbykinco.

Shenseea booked, confirmed for LTW int’l night

A

MIDST rumours that the most trending female Jamaican artiste Shenseea will not be performing at the Linden Town Week (LTW) International Night, slated for Tuesday April 30, promoter of the show and LTW event coordinator Anthony White has confirmed that Shenseea is booked and will definitely be performing along with Munga Honourable.

“Shenseea will be in Guyana on the 29th, so she is booked and confirmed,” White said.

The female dancehall artiste herself dropped a confirmation video on Wednesday, where she reiterated that she will be performing at the MSC Ground. Rumours of Shenseea’s cancellation arose after she herself made a video and posted on social media stating that she has been banned from performing by her doctor after suffering from some form of vocal cord damage.

She said she was on medication, and was advised by her doctor not toirritate her throat with loud speaking, which would include stage performances.

Shenseea and Munga will be performing at the ‘Dancehall vs Soca’ show, and a plethora of DJs, including DJ Energy, are booked for the night, in addition to the ‘Stitchie One- Man Band’.

XTRA Beer is the promoter of the show, and Brand Manager Anthony White, related that thousands of persons are expected to be at the show and therefore both private and public security will be in place.

This is the second show featuring international artistes performing at LTW 2019.

Last Sunday, the King of Dancehall, Beenie Man, performed to a packed crowd at the MSC Ground. LTW 2019 will conclude on May 1, and is being celebrated under the theme, “Rekindling our Culture”.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Buju Banton ‘preach’ peace at Trinidad concert Buju Banton during his performance in Trinidad and Tobago

(Trinidad Guardian) The at­mos­phere at the Queen’s Park Sa­van­nah was lit, es­ pe­cial­ly with the over­pow­ er­ing scent of mar­i­jua­na at Sun­day’s I Am Leg­end Con­cert but with­in all the fun, Gram­my-win­ning leg­ end Bu­ju Ban­ton sobered the au­di­ence in call­ing the coun­try out on its ram­pant mur­ders.

Com­m and­i ng the full at­ten­tion of one of the most di­verse au­di­ences for a reg­ gae con­cert in Trinidad, Bu­ ju, re­al name Mark Myrie, took time out from his set to tell them that they need­ed to have a talk.

“Don’t you think there are things that we need to talk about? Like all these mur­ders and all these kill­ ings. We’re not ac­cus­tomed to that, what is go­ing on in Trinidad? Now, we know Trinidad from a time when we could walk and go every­ where in peace.

“What is go­ing on now?

Kid­nap­ping, mur­der. I don’t mean reg­u­lar mur­der, butch­ er-shop mur­der. What is go­ ing on? The youths, un­der­ stand your­self, or else you will find your­s elf be­ing a ma­nure that grows a tree that no­b ody eats a fruit from.

Think about it,” he said.

The artiste, who boasts of a reper­toire of groovy love hits, bub­bling dance­hall and con­scious reg­gae, called on cit­i­zens to re­flect on their lives.

“Can I re­al­ly sus­tain my fam­i­l y in this house­h old based on the in­come I am re­ceiv­ing? And then we ask our­selves, what if I should take sick, how will I com­ pen­sate for that un­ex­pect­ed event? And then we ask our­

selves, what is life?”

Bu­ju Ban­ton was im­pris­ oned in the US for al­most 10 years on a charge of co­caine traf­fick­ing. He was re­leased on De­c em­b er 7 from the McRae Cor­rec­tion­al In­sti­tu­ tion in Geor­gia. But when he emerged on stage at 10.25 pm, al­most six hours af­ter the con­cert start­ed, it was al­most like his ca­reer nev­er halt­ed.

The husky voice, the en­ er­gy and the abil­it­y to cre­ate a stir were still there. So an­tic­i­pat­ed was his per­for­ mance that some of the oth­er acts suf­fered from a sub­dued au­di­ence.

On­ly Kes the Band, up­ com­ing Ja­maican sen­sa­tion Kof­fee and the vet­er­an Lu­ ciano were able to make deep im­p res­s ions on the night.

Ear­li­er on, artistes Atak­lan and Mr King got the show rolling with their lo­cal reg­ gae of yes­ter­year. Kes the Band took the reg­gae-lov­ing fans back to Car­ni­val with his “Sa­van­nah Grass,” “Wot­ less” and “Nah Let Go.” He al­so re­mind­ed them of his crossover hits like “End­less Sum­mer” and “Tues­day on the Rock” and showed ver­ sa­til­i­ty by per­form­ing a few reg­g ae hits, in­c lud­i ng an im­pres­sive per­for­mance of Siz­zler’s “Dry Cry.” What tru­ly ful­filled the au­d i­e nce was the many moods of Bu­ju Ban­ton and his Shiloh Band as they per­ formed for just un­der two hours. Start­ing off with a brief Our Fa­ther prayer in song, he first belt­ed out his 1997 hit, “Hills and Val­leys,” for which he com­m and­e d the au­d i­e nce like a choir while fire­w orks filled the back­ground. He fol­lowed up with con­scious lyrics from

his songs, “Close One Yes­ ter­day” and “Mighty Dred.”

He then took the au­di­ ence back to his youth­ful dance­hall days with “Cham­ pi­on,” his lover’s reper­toire of “Don’t Cry” and “Wan­na Be Loved” and al­though there was no Beres Ham­ mond to col­lab­o­rate with for their famed “Falling in Love All Over Again,” the au­di­ ence filled in. He brought on Wayne Won­der on­to his set for their pop­u­lar “I Don’t Know Why.” Lo­c al artistes, in­c lud­ ing Isas­h a, Zig­g y Rankin and Prophet Ben­jamin were stage front with their ladies rock­ing the night away. You were sure it was the reg­gae con­cert of the decade with the amount of mar­i­j ua­n a smoke ris­ing above the stage, leav­ing non-smok­ers feel­ing high. This hap­pened de­spite the pres­e nce of Com­m is­ sion­er of Po­lice Gary Grif­fith and al­most his en­tire Spe­cial Op­er­a­tions Re­sponse Team along with Guard and Emer­ gency Branch of­fi­cers in ri­ot gear.

Bu­j u Ban­t on’s abrupt end at 11.53 pm left pa­trons con­fused as to whether their night was done.

While the night was en­joy­able, there were com­ plaints from pa­trons who had to form long lines in the VIP area to pur­chase chits for the bar. Those look­ing for a re­minder of the epic night pur­chased con­cert T-Shirts for US$40.

And while se­cu­ri­ty at the event was ever present, event se­cu­ri­ty vent­ed their dis­plea­sure at a few po­lice of­fi­cers who used their po­ si­tions to get their friends in­to the con­cert for free.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Guyana All-Star concert steals the show --at the Bartica Regatta

B

ARTICA Regatta 2019 was undoubtedly a resounding success, with a total of four nights of shows, back-toback, in addition to the other activities.

Last weekend, the town came alive with thousands of patrons attending events coordinated by the Bartica Town Council and Regatta Committee.

On Friday evening, the Christian community had their time with a grand gospel explosion at the Bartica Community Centre which featured gospel artistes from across Guyana, with the main act being Saiku Andrews.

Then on Saturday evening, Platinum Sqaure was

packed to capacity with people who went to see Demarco in action.

But it was Sunday evening that had the buzz for the weekend. Not even the crowd on Monday night for Soca

Queen, Destra, and chutney sensation, KI, could have compared to the turnout on Sunday night.

The Bartica beach was bursting at its seams, y, as patrons were entertained by

Kwasi ‘Ace’

Kady Kish releases new song named ‘Soca Baby’

some of Guyana’s leading artistes, among them Jumo, Kwasi Ace, Big Red, Steven Ramphal and Brandon Harding. And they all put on quite a show, and their audience evidently en-

joyed it.

The beach, the steps, the pavilion, every clear space around the stage area were packed with people, who were jumping, dancing and screaming in support of Guy-

Brandon Harding

Y

OUNG Guyanese soca sensation, Kishana `Kady Kish’ Ferguson, has released a new groovy soca single that has been rippling through the airwaves and social media.

The 21-year-old entertainer said that the song was a collaborative effort between her road manager, Chenille Bowen, and Guyanese artiste, Tennicia DeFreitas.

The song talks about persons saying that Kady is too young to party, even though they grudgingly admit and that she was born to do what she does, which is to entertain and bring the vibes. As it says in the chorus, “Don’t bother me”, which is Kady’s stock response to negative comments about her talent.

Kady said that she is a lover of soca music, hence the name ‘Soca Baby’, and she loves bringing her energy and personality out through her songs.

She said that though persons may think she is too young, she does it for the love she has, and the happiness she feels to lighten people’s day with her pumped up personality and music.

Kady returned to the scene after a two-year hiatus under new management, Vizion Sounds Records, and has been delivering quality music ever since.

She is also a vocalist in the Heatwave Band. Since her induction into Heatwave, the band has had its first release, “De stage”, of which Kady has a lead part. She performed on several shows throughout the ‘Mash’ season, and is expected to hit the stage again with her new release.

“To persons who want to do music, especially young girls, my advice to you is to stay focused, and don’t sell yourself short. It is not going to be easy at all; you just need to stay focused on what you want to achieve, and you will not be distracted. Everyone has their time to shine! You can rule your destiny if you remain strong and believe in yourself. Someone has done you wrong, let success be your greatest revenge,” Kady said.

25

Young local soca sensation, Kishana `Kady Kish’ Ferguson

‘Jumo’

ana’s local talent.

The show was hosted by local comedian, Chow Pow, who constantly acknowledged the hard work that artistes in our country put in, with not enough credit for what they do.

But the people of Bartica certainly appreciated the energy, and showed much love as the artistes did their thing.

‘The Buzz Magazine’ spoke with some of the patrons, who expressed much gratitude to organisers who designated a night specifically to celebrate the local talent.

The people were happy that they could have enjoyed a night with all things Guyanese.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

A wide variety of dance performances will be put on by the Dharmic Nritya Sangh

Ben Parag live in concert this ‘Arrival Day’

T

Ben Parag

HE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will be hosting ‘Ben Parag in Concert’ this ‘Arrival Day’ as the organisation celebrates its 45th anniversary, and as the country commemorates the 181st year of the arrival of Indians in Guyana.

Parag, born to Guyanese parents in New York, is now a well-known performer based in Mumbai, India.

The concert is being held on Sunday, May 5, at 9:00hrs, at the late Pan-

dit Reepu Daman Persaud’s Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar.

Other performers will include Artie Sookhai-Khelawan, who won the first runner-up place in ‘Emerging Voice’; Ganindra; and a wide variety of dance performances by the Dharmic Nritya Sangh.

President of the Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle that based on her conversations with Parag, the show will feature music that will

Parag with Dr. Persaud on a previous visit to Guyana appeal to everyone in attendance.

Parag has communicated that he wants to do the kind of music that will appeal to all those present, and to put his own personal touch to the songs. “The music is to be broad-based. He was trained in classical music for ten years, and will also be doing gazelle, folk, old and new Bollywood, and might even throw in some chutney,” Persaud said.

Dinner will begin at 18:30hrs. Although the

event may not be as big as those held at the Guyana National Stadium and the National Cultural Centre, Dr Persaud says the show will be done with the same style and standards, and that it would be good for young people to come out in support of it, as it may be able to serve as a good example to them.

Despite being so young, Prag has managed to achieve quite a lot, and hence will serve as a good inspiration.

Parag received the sixth spot in the Star Plus TV

Ben Parag during a recent performance

Reality Show in India, called Dil Hai Hindustani, and has performed before some of the most famous judges. His performances were lauded by Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Vidya Balan, among other popular actors. Karan Johar even commented that Parag sang one of his songs better than its original singer.

Tickets are $5000 each, and will include dinner.

A limited number of VIP tickets are going for $6,500 and are still available. Ticket locations include the Dharmic

Kendra, Red Mango, and Unique Innovations at Giftland Mall. Persons can also call 227- 6181 and 219 1900 for tickets.

Parag’s mini tour in this part of the world will take him to Trinidad and Tobago next. His show was sold out the last time he performed in Guyana.

His parents are Guyanese with roots in Black Bush Polder and the East Bank Demerara. Parag was born in 1997 after they migrated to New York.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Local entertainer Sheron Cadogan-Taylor

27

Purple Arts Productions presents…

–A Treat for my Mother 4

A

Young Gabriella Trotman is set to perform

Production Director Simone Dowding

WA R D - w i n n i n g Guyanese actor and producer Simone Dowding is readying herself to put on part four of ‘A Treat for my Mother’, to be held in celebrtion of ‘Mother’s Day’ at the National Cultural Centre.

Dowding, owner of Purple Arts Productions, will direct the production which is to be held on Sunday, May 4, at 20:00hrs.

What is different about the show this time around is that it will feature new and different performers. Some

of the entertainers billed to perform include Calvin Burnett, Colin Ambrose, Daria Barrow, Timothy Bourne, Delisha Wright, Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, and Donald Wallerson.

Dowding is also excited to have on board young Gabriella Trotman, a singer who is just about eight years old, and who is the granddaughter of oral historian and promoter of Guyanese Literature, Petamber Persaud.

Mark Hall, one of the top local musicians, will also be

on hand to sing and play the piano.

Speaking with The Buzz, Dowding said she has also made place for a fashion segment, which will feature displays from young talented Guyanese designers.

Just as in previous years, this year’s show will also feature door prizes, with the best dressed mother in purple walking away with gold jewellery from L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons.

A graduate of the Burrowes School of Art and other institutions, Dowding has ended up with a total of 13 certificates, and has won the Theatre Guild’s Best Actress Award in 2012 for the play, “Old Story Times”.

Having joined the Theatre Guild more than 30 years ago, she works primarily with children through her production house, providing them with opportunities she never had

Performer Delisha Wright

as a child.

Having worked on the popular Link Shows, Dowding has also done House of Pressure, Miriamy, Eleventh Finger, and Jezebel, just to name a few.

Tickets for the May 12 show cost $2,000 and $1,500. The show will start at 10:00hrs sharp.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ – A ‘must-see’ movie

Nothing to Laugh About 12 for May 31 N OTHING to Laugh About 12 has officially been set for May 31 to June 3 at the National Cultural Centre, and the going promise is that “part 12 is going to definitely top the others”, and will include a dance competition titled, “96.1 Voice FM Dance Splash”, a new feature to the show.

on scripts, and as usual, we’re touching on all the events that happened,” Maria said. “We’re making fun of everything and everyone, across-the-board, as always.

It’s going to be fun; it’s going to be about everything that’s trending. Once it’s trending, we got it. Once you mek yuhself a fool, we got yuh,” Maria promised.

Famed Nothing to Laugh About characters “Radica” (left) and “Credit” played by Leza Singh and Michael Ignatius respectively

Producer of the show, Maria Benschop confirmed that the show is so on, that patrons can expect their usual dose of the best in jokes.

Nothing and no one will be spared, she promised.

“We’re now working

Patrons can expect to see the return of many, if not all, of their favourite characters who always seem to have just the right acting and antics to keep their fans wanting for more and coming back every year.

This includes reoocuring characters such as “Chiney Man”, played by Mark Kazim, “Credit” and “Radica” played by Michael Ignatius and Leza Singh, respectively, as well as other actors/ comedians such as Mark Luke-Edwards, fellow producer, Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, Chris Gopaul, and of course, it’s not Nothing

because the producers always seem to deliver.

The show remains a highly-anticipated, often sold-out and held-over event on the Guyanese entertainment calendar.

For the dance competition this year, Benschop shared that the event will involve eight finalists chosen following auditions with the

Actors Chris Gopaul and Gerard Gilkes during a Nothing to Laugh About scene in a previous show

to Laugh About without an appearance by Kirwyn Mars (Sir Mars).

Notwithstanding the organisers always promising that every year will be the best year, fans have not yet gotten tired of the tagline,

initial applicants, with the winner being announced on the final night of the show.

Persons interested in being a part of the competition can call the 96.1 FM office on 231-7888 or 226-9986.

The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to 22 films, Avengers: Endgame.

Avengers: Endgame features a stellar cast, including Academy Award® nominees Don Cheadle, Robert Downey Jr, Josh Brolin, Bradley Cooper, Mark Ruffalo, and Academy Award® winner Brie Larson, along with Chris Evans, Scarlett

Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, Benedict Wong, Chris Hemsworth, Danai Gurira, Tessa Thompson, and Karen Gillan.

The film is directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo with screenplay by Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus.

Avengers: Endgame is based on the Marvel Comics’ superhero team The Avengers, produced by Marvel Studios and set for distribution by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Based on: The Avengers by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

31

Mo Farah, Haile Gebrselassie Florida matches pulled, as CPL sets September start date in dispute over alleged theft

By Stephan Sookram

FOUR-time Olympic champion Mo Farah and Haile Gebrselassie are involved in a dispute over an alleged theft at a hotel belonging to the Ethiopian athletics great in Addis Ababa.

The Briton said he had money, a watch and two phones taken from his room, and that Gebrselassie did not help him.

“I was just disappointed with Haile,” said 36-yearold Farah.

Gebrselassie, 46, responded by accusing Farah of “blackmail” and “defaming” his reputation and business.

Farah made the claims at the media preview event of Sunday’s London Marathon.

“Just to be honest, it’s Haile who owns the hotel and when you stay for three months in that hotel, it was very disappointing to know that someone who has that hotel and that kind of support couldn’t do nothing,” said Farah, who had been training in Ethiopia.

Gebrselassie accuses Farah of ‘disgraceful conduct’.

Farah alleged that the items were stolen on March 23.

In a statement sent to BBC Sport via his agent, double Olympic 10 000m champion Gebrselassie said he was considering taking legal action against Farah.

He said a text message he received from Farah before the London Marathon news conference was an attempt to “blackmail” him.

Gebrselassie said guests staying at his hotel are asked to declare if they are carrying more than $350 (£271) in cash, so they could

be given the option of keeping the money in a safe box or giving it to officials for safe-keeping.

He claimed that Farah chose to hold on to his money, which meant his hotel was not legally accountable for it.

Gebrselassie said the alleged theft was reported and that five of the hotel’s employees were investigated but released without charge, adding that police “found nothing on the reported robbery case”.

lassie’s claims, a spokesperson for Farah said: “Mo is disappointed with this statement and the continued reluctance by the hotel and its owner to take responsibility for this robbery.

“Mo disputes all of these claims, which are an effort to distract from the situation, where members of his hotel staff used a room key and stole money and items from Mo Farah’s room (there was no safe as it was faulty, and

FLASHBACK: Mo Farah (left) and Haile Gebrselassie (centre) raced against each other at the 2013 Great North Run.

Gebrselassie, who won four world titles, said Farah was given a 50% discount on his hotel rates, but left without paying his service bill of 81 000 Ethiopian Birr (£2 170).

He also said his hotel staff reported “disgraceful conduct” by Farah and his entourage and that he was reported to the police for “attacking a married athlete in the gym”.

Gebrselassie said a criminal charge was dropped because of his own mediation role.

‘FARAH WANTS MATTER RESOLVED’ In response to Gebrse-

Mo requested a new one).

“Police reports confirm the incident and the hotel admitted responsibility and was in contact with Mo’s legal adviser.

“The hotel even offered to pay Mo the amount stolen, only to withdraw the offer when he prematurely left the hotel and moved to other accommodation due to security concerns.

“Despite many attempts to discuss this issue privately with Mr Gebrselassie, he did not respond but now that he has, we would welcome him or his legal team getting in touch so that this matter can be resolved.”

(BBC Sport)

South Africa sweat on injured Steyn for World Cup CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa face an anxious wait over the fitness of experienced seamer Dale Steyn after a flare-up of an old shoulder injury ruled him out for the rest of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, putting his World Cup prospects in doubt.

The 35-year-old Steyn felt discomfort having played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, just his second game of the competition after he was signed as an injury replacement for Australian seamer Nathan Coulter-Nile.

“Upon assessment and subsequent investigations, a flare-up of his right shoulder was confirmed,” South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement yesterday.

“With the World Cup around the corner, it is our priority to get him back to full fitness before the squad departs on May 19.

Dale Steyn

“He will consult with a shoulder specialist upon his return and a recovery plan will

be put in place.”

Steyn, arguably his country’s greatest fast bowler, was sidelined from South Africa’s one-day international side for two years with shoulder, hamstring and foot problems before returning in October 2018.

He was last week named in a 15-man squad for the World Cup being held in England and Wales, having previously appeared at the tournament in 2011 and 2015.

Steyn is viewed as a key part of a three-man pace attack that also includes Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, this season’s leading wicket-taker in the IPL. South Africa will open their World Cup campaign against England at The Oval on May 30.

FLORIDA will not see action when this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) gets going in September.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Pete Russell told a media conference yesterday that the organisation has opted to pull that country from its 2019 edition, citing a lack of crowd support for some of the games. Instead, all games will be played in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, the tournament will commence in September instead of its regular August month styling.

According to Russell, “The September month allows us a clean window of action because we want all of our West Indian stars available.”

India is set to tour the West Indies in July and August 2019 immediately after the World Cup. Russell also maintained that they will play the same number of games as last year as to not drag the tournament out.

As it relates to games for Guyana’s hosting, the COO contended that they are still in negotiations with the government.

He noted that “the hope is that we can get the same number of games. The playoffs that we hosted here last year were a great success”.

LESS INTERNATIONAL, MORE LOCAL PLAYERS The 2019 edition of the tournament will also see a reduction in the number of international players, with teams only being allowed five and a total of four in the starting eleven.

This, according to Russell, is to keep the West Indian flavour.

Instead, the franchises will now choose two players from a West Indies development squad (which will be selected by the West Indies selection panel).

At least one of those two players will have to be in the starting eleven at any time.

This move is not a direct response to the Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt’s comment about the structure of the CPL. “We (CPL) were lining this up under Mr Dave Cameron.

We meet with the CEO of CWI in Barbados on Monday.”

TALLAWAHS TO REMAIN JAMAICAN The Tallawahs will remain a Jamaican franchise according to Russell who told the media, “The Jamaica Tallawahs are firmly rooted in Jamaica.”

Some media indicated that the franchise would have been bought by a Florida-based company but that seems to have fallen through.

There is also no increase of teams from the 2018 edition with Russell fearful of the tournament becoming too congested and people losing interest.

“Sometimes less is more,” he said, adding that, “Some tournaments like the Big Bash run for long periods and we don’t want that.”

The CPL COO was also quizzed on the possibility of female involvement in the tournament and responded by saying they are considering it.

He stated that they are looking to have an exhibition game before the final, “Maybe a North vs South team or we get senior West Indies female players to choose their team.”

He said the CPL is interested in having female competition but that is up to CWI.

Sterling wins ... each year, try and develop not just on the field but off it.

“I was just speaking about my personal experiences, I didn’t expect it to get so much attention.

“I just wanted to bring it to the attention of my audience on Instagram. It’s been really pleasing to see people listening and trying and do better.”

England manager Gareth Southgate presented the award and said Sterling’s actions had made “a massive impact on British society”.

“I’ve worked with Raheem now for around five years and to have seen his

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Majestic Fever Race 2 Silent Gold Race 3 Rockbarton Race 4 Broadway Bonnie Race 5 Dhafeera Race 6 I Have Feelings Race 7 Sky Vision Race 8 Pay For Peace American Racing Tips Keenland Race 1 Snaggletooth Race 2 She’s Got It All Race 3 Indian Counselor Race 4 Smile Bryan Race 5 Passionof The Nile Race 6 Wooderson Race 7 Jais’s Solitude Race 8 Athens Queen

FROM BACK PAGE

maturity as a person has been lovely to watch,” said Southgate.

“This is about his own personal improvement, his improvement on the field and his recognition he can make a difference off the field. That has been increasingly powerful over the last six months and had a massive impact on British society I think.”

Sterling suffered allegedly racist abuse from Chelsea fans during City’s 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in December, prompting an Instagram post in which he questioned newspapers’ portrayal of black players.

In January, it was revealed

he wrote a letter to a young City fan who was racially abused, urging the supporter “stand tall, don’t let them take away your courage”.

He was also racially abused during England’s European Championship qualifier in Montenegro in March, along with international team-mates Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Earlier in April he was hailed as “an iconic British sports star” and “a trailblazer” after being named sportsman of the year at the 2019 British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards. (BBC Sport)

Race 9 Sky Full Of Stars

10:45 hrs Load Up Time 11:15 hrs Misfits 11:45 hrs Mam Trasna 12:15 hrs Equus Dancer

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:30 hrs March Music 09:05 hrs Coyote Creek 09:35 hrs Zevenastic 10:10 hrs Foreign Source 10:45 hrs Searching English Racing Tips Doncaster 08:40 hrs Felix 09:15 hrs Atlanta’s Boy 09:50 hrs Shades Of Blue 10:25 hrs Princess Power 10:55 hrs Canford Bay 11:25 hrs Carnwennan 12:00 hrs Turanga Leela Perth 08:30 hrs Vision Du Puy 09:05 hrs Christmas In April 09:40 hrs Schiehallion Munro 10:15 hrs Drinks Interval

Sandown 08:50 hrs House Of Kings 09:25 hrs Crystal Ocean 10:00 hrs Bangkok 10:35 hrs Beat The Bank 11:05 hrs Leodis Dream 11:35 hrs Sparkle Roll 12:05 hrs Private Secretary Irish Racing Tips Kilbeggan 11:55 hrs Trappist Monk 12:30 hrs Andalusa 13:05 hrs Shimmer And Shine 13:40 hrs Amadeus 14:10 hrs Mega Mindy 14:40 hrs Slemish 15:10 hrs Botani

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Reliance Hustlers to tour Suriname for series of T20 matches

Ramphal pumps US$2500 into Berbice cricket THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) recently benefited from US$2500 from overseas-based Guyanese Brian Ramphal The half-a-million Guyana dollars contribution would be used by the board to host the 2019 Award Ceremony, a Social Development Seminar for young cricketers and a 100 balls tournament in the New Amsterdam/Canje sub-association.

The confident Reliance Hustlers team with captain Trevis Simon at left.

SKIPPER Trevis Simon will lead a formidable Reliance Hustlers team on their second tour of neighbouring Suriname for a series of T20 matches against MCC Warriors from May 3-6.

The local team have been in fine form this season and are second in the points standings in the current Central Essequibo T20 cricket league.

Opener Mark Austin is the top run-getter with a

century and three half-centuries in the competition.

He will receive strong support from former national Under-17 batsman Rovendra Parasram, Narendra Mandolall, Anthony Ifill and Pavendra Persaud.

The seam-bowling department will be spearheaded by Satesh Persaud and Sedeshwar Shivambar while Simon and Pavendra Persaud will provide spin variations.

In an invited comment, Simon disclosed that “the

players are eager to showcase their talent and gain further exposure. A lot is expected in terms of building our young team, who have already shown immense maturity and character”. Simon is also chairman of the Reliance Grounds Committee.

The full squad reads: - Trevis Simon (captain), Mark Austin, Narendra Mandolall, Pavindra Persaud, Rovendra Parasram, Jageshwar Latchman, Sedeshwar

Assuria golf tournament set for tomorrow

Shivambar, Keron Boodram, Anthony Ifill, Beshan Narine, Satesh Persaud, Rajeev Kissoon, Rajendra Benni and Shiva Ramjewon. The Manager is Romesh Shivambar while former Essequibo senior inter-county opening batsman Dinesh Joseph will serve as coach.

Meanwhile former national youth player and Suriname’s senior national captain, Mahindra Boodram, will lead the MCC Warriors with the matches scheduled for the Snellen Park.

Brian Ramphal

President Hilbert Foster hailed the continued contribution of Ramphal, whom he described as a true friend of Berbice cricket.

The board was grateful to Ramphal and other overseas donors like Dr Puran Singh and Dr Tulsie Dyal Singh.

Their assistance, he stated, has assisted cricket to move from a period of stagnation to a very progressive

BCB honours Ramnauth

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) recently honoured Guyana’s Under-15 opening batsman Rampertab Ramnauth for his outstanding performance at the recent Cricket West Indies (CWI) Under-15 tournament held in Antigua.

The board, with the support of the 10 cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and Vickram Seubarran, president of the

Port Mourant Cricket Club, presented Ramnauth with a trophy, a framed certificate, a cricket medal and a financial gift. “ Yo u h a v e m a d e u s proud with your outstanding performance for Guyana and have proved beyond any doubt that the Ancient County still produces outstanding cricketers to follow in the legacy of Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon,

President of the Lusignan Golf Club Aleem Hussain collects a cheque from a staff member of Assuria General Insurance Companies.

THE long-anticipated Assuria General Insurance Companies golf tournament is set for tomorrow at the Lusignan Golf Course (LGC).

At the insurance giant’s headquarters, General Manager Yogindra Arjune, along with several staff members, was on hand to hand over the sponsorship cheque.

Members of the company will be at the LGC to interact with spectators

and players to provide information and answer any questions about insurance needs.

The tournament will feature three categories - 0-9; 10-19 and 21-28. There will be prizes for the Best Gross, Best Net. Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin. Lots of prizes will be given in addition to trophies, with players and guests being treated to food and drinks, compli-

ments of the sponsor.

Assuria commenced operations in Guyana in 2012 and has quickly grown to be a dominant player in the industry, with offices in Berbice, Georgetown, Diamond and Linden.

It is the only company that offers everyday service (Giftland location) and usually processes claims in a short time as long as all paperwork is submitted.

path of development.

The board in 2019 has already launched 15 tournaments in just four months with another six to be unveiled in a few weeks. The board is aiming to host over 30 tournaments at the different levels.

Ramphal stated that he was delighted to be associated with cricket in Berbice and was confident that his investment will be used for the intended purpose.

He disclosed that he was very impressed by the hard work and vision of the BCB leadership during his visit to Berbice late last year.

He received BCB highest Award ‘Tribute to Hero’ and was able to see firsthand, the impact his contribution had made. He pledged his commitment to the BCB once it maintained the high standard it has set over the last year.

Over the last 14 months the proactive BCB has raised over $15M in cash and kind not only to host over 40 cricket tournaments but also to transform the fortune of Berbice cricket.

The 2019 Award Ceremony would be held in late May while the Brian Ramphall 100 balls tournament would be launched shortly for teams in New Amsterdam/Canje. Powerhouse Tucber Park and Young Warriors would be debarred in an effort to encourage the other teams in the Sub-Association to excel.

BCB treasurer Dr Cecil Beharry presents gifts to Rampertab Ramnauth.

Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran. Your performance, along with Isaiah Thorne’s, put to rest the false claim by a few that cricket in Berbice is a farce,” BCB president Hilbert Foster said.

Foster urged the promising batsman to use his recent performance as a stepping-stone to a successful career. The BCB would continue to invest in every one of its players, while making sure that everyone has enough matches to play at every level.

Berbice, he stated, has legendary status in the cricketing world and his administration is working hard to uphold the high standard. Ramnauth, in an invited comment, said that he was proud of his achievements. He acknowledged the contribution of the Port Mourant Cricket Club and persons like Seubarran, his coach Leslie Solomon and his parents in the development of his career.

Meanwhile, the BCB president and his executives took the opportunity to meet with representatives of first and second division teams in Berbice to discuss some major upcoming cricket tournaments.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

33

Premier League

United miles behind as City, Liverpool take title to the wire

By Simon Evans

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The North West can claim to be the current capital of English football but while Liverpool and Manchester City head into the finale of an extraordinary Premier League title race, the biggest brand of all, Manchester United, are in crisis.

City’s 2-0 win over United at Old Trafford on Wednesday not only moved Pep Guardiola’s side a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the league, with just three games to go, but also served as a stark reminder of United’s fall.

It is a painful time for United and their fans - either the title goes to City, once considered by former Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson as the “noisy neighbours” and for many years irrelevant in the battle for trophies, or Liverpool, the team down the M62 motorway whom United fans truly love to hate.

Liverpool have not won the title since 1990 but under coach Juergen Klopp they have lost just one league

game this season and have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the second year in a row.

City are looking to retain the title they won in record-breaking fashion last year and secure their fourth Premier League crown in eight years. If they win their last three games, they will do just that.

world class players delivering entertaining, attacking displays that are delighting a global audience.

United, who last won the Premier League in Ferguson’s final season before his retirement in 2013, are in sixth place and in danger of not qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Ferguson enjoyed a 26-

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Oleksandr Zinchenko after the match.

(Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine) To add to the agony, City year United reign during and Liverpool are playing which he won 28 trophies some of the finest football including 13 league titles but the Premier League has ever since his departure the club seen with a collection of have sacked three managers

and are now, under former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in need of a major rebuild.

The 2-0 scoreline on Wednesday barely reflected the gulf in class between a United side lacking quality and character and a City team packed with leaders of the highest technical level.

“They have set the standard in the last two seasons,” said Solskjaer after the match. “What Pep Guardiola has done with his players is remarkable and we are so close to it in the vicinity so we feel it every day.

“There is a difference in quality. That is why they are top and we are where we are. They have set the standard. Living in Manchester we cannot be happy with that. It is up to us to close that gap and overtake them,” added the Norwegian.

Solskjaer could easily have said the same of Liverpool, a team that matches attacking flair with aggressive tenacity - exactly the combination United were famed for in the day when the Norway international was among their strikers.

FINANCIAL CLOUT United can certainly match their rivals when it comes to having the financial resources to compete at the pinnacle of the game - indeed all three clubs have wealthy foreign owners.

City are owned by City Football Group, a holding company in which Abu Dhabi United Group owns an 87 percent stake with the remaining 13 percent held by the China Media Capital consortium.

Liverpool are owned by Fenway Sports Group, an American company which also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and a number of smaller U.S sports properties.

United have foreign backers too in the Florida-based Glazer family, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League, and the club boasts a range of commercial agreements and sponsorship deals with major global brands.

But while Liverpool and City have used their wealth to assemble outstanding squads and football operations that work in close harmony with their managers, United’s structure has

become bloated and appears to lack direction.

There is much speculation about the club appointing a Director of Football or Technical Director and, if they do, the chosen person will have to give serious thought to restructuring and streamlining the set-up, especially to improve recruitment.

United’s shortcomings were clear on Wednesday with the club having reportedly spent over £50 million for Brazilian midfielder Fred, who has struggled to hold down a regular place or show he is of top Premier League quality.

In contrast, City’s £43.5 million investment in Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva looks like a bargain as his inventive and energetic play has been central to the team’s 11-match winning streak and their fine league campaign overall.

United will need to start finding their own Bernardo Silvas, as well as jettisoning those players who are not up to scratch, if the fans are to be relieved of the pain of watching their team being dominated by their local rivals.

Jamaica to host CONCACAF Juventus to ditch stripes after 116 years!

Caribbean Club Championship MILAN, Italy (Reuters) versy. favour, especially as they new kits is seen as a key MIAMI, United States (CMC) – Jamaica’s Stadium East will play host to next month’s CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship, the confederation has announced.

CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio

Haitian sides AS Capoise and Real Hope FA will clash with Jamaican clubs Portmore United and Waterhouse FC from May 12 to 19 at the venue located in the capital Kingston, with the winner earning direct qualification for next year’s CONCACAF Champions League.

“The 2019 edition of our CONCACAF Caribbean

Club Championship will continue raising the competitive level of our Expanded Club Competitions Platform,” said CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio.

“Along with the Caribbean Shield and ongoing club licensing efforts in the Caribbean, this competition provides fully professionalised leagues with clear pathways to the top levels of CONCACAF international tournaments.”

The runners-up and third-place finishers will qualify for the 2019 CONCACAF League while the fourth-place team will take on Caribbean Club Shield champions, Suriname’s S.V. Robinhood, in a playoff match to determine the third club from Caribbean in the CONCACAF League.

The tournament is the second major CONCACAF event set for the country, with the National Stadium also to host two games in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.

- First it was the club emblem, where the distinctive bull was removed to make way for a minimalist white letter J on a black background.

Two years later, Juventus may be preparing to make an even bigger break with tradition and ditch their famous black-andwhite striped shirts after 116 years.

Gazzetta dello Sport as well as a number of social media feeds yesterday published what they said were leaked photographs of the 2019/20 “home” strip. In a dramatic departure, the shirt featured one black half and one white half, divided by a thin pink line.

Juventus would not confirm the kit change. “We never comment on leaks or rumours,” a spokesman told Reuters, but the pictures, which included the shirt being worn by firstteam players, Paulo Dybala and Federico Bernardeschi, quickly stirred up contro-

The English language blog “Black and White and Read All Over” said that the change “pretty much means Juventus will be ditching their history for a year in the hopes of making more of a fashion statement than anything else.”

did not want to be confused with Palermo - who wear pink until this day.

One of the Juventus players, Englishman John Savage, had connections to Notts County and in 1903 asked if they could send a replacement. The English club agreed and ever since,

Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after Fiorentina’s Germsan Pezzella scores an own goal and Juventus’ second (REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File photo)

Founded by students in 1897, Juventus initially played in pink but that colour quickly fell out of

Juventus have been playing in their familiar zebra stripes.

Although the release of

part of modern football marketing, it is rare for teams to do more than tinker around the edges of the so-called “home kit”.

One notable exception was Brazil. Their combination of gold shirts and blue shorts is one of the most iconic kits in football but they only adopted it in 1953.

Previously, they played in white which became seen as unpatriotic due to the lack of national colours.

Following their failure to win the 1950 World Cup on home soil, the Correio da Manha newspaper ran a competition to design a new kit, won by 19-year-old Aldyr Garcia Schlee. Brazil have worn his Canarinho (Canary kit) ever since.

Liverpool used to play in red shirts, white shorts and white socks only adopted their all-red kit in 1964 when the-then manager Bill Shankly thought it would have a psychological impact on opponents.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

Frank’s heroics hand Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection Mayor’s Cup win

By Joe Chapman

HAYNES and Lewis Winners Connection proved superior from the penalty spot with a 4-2 score, thus ending the year-long unbeaten reign of Upper Demerara champions Eagles United, to capture the inaugural Linden Town Week Mayor’s Cup football championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground on Tuesday night.

In front of a large crowd the battle for the $400 000 first prize was on, The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate after regulation period and even the extra period failed to decide the winner.

It was left to striker-turned-goalkeeper Shaquille Frank to do the honours and be the hero. He brought off two stunning saves to go with his goal which saved the match for Winners Connection.

That tactical decision by the Winners Connection to remove Nicholas Gentle for the second straight game bore fruit and it was Frank who delivered once again with his

brilliant saving.

The Eagles United took the lead through Quasi Quintin in the 35th minute after goalkeeper Nicholas Gentle failed to collect a drive safely. His fumble allowed the alert Quintin

However, Winners Connection took the game to their opponents and their captain Marmalque Davidson was solid in his forays with Frank.

But it was the lanky Frank who found the back of the net in the 53rd minute to tie things

of attack but this was countered by a marauding Winners Connection, who looked pretty sound in their response with attacking plays.

This game was about two sides showing great courage and it saw the first regulation

Celebration time for Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection, with Mayor Waneka Arrindell third from right standing

to nudge Eagles into the lead. The Linden champions maintained their attacking mode and were leading 1-0 at halftime.

up for a 1-1 score as the crowd on hand got into the game.

Eagles United looked dangerous as they maintained their positive mode

play period knotted 1-1.

Play continued to decide a winner but this did not materialise in the 15 minutes ordered by referee Stanley Lancaster.

It went down to penalty kicks and Frank, who was on the front line, switched to go instead between the uprights, where he saved the first attempt by Eagles United after Winners had hit in their first penalty of the mandatory five.

Then both teams scored, before Eagles United goalkeeper watched a shot by the Winners side go high and over the cross bar and it was 2-2 after three kicks.

But Winners scored on the fourth kick and Frank again chose the right side to thwart the kick by the Eagles player.

The fifth by Winners placed the game beyond their opponents and claimed victory 4-2.

The last kick by Eagles was not necessary.

In the third-place playoff game the Net Rockers romped past Capital FC 2-1 behind goals by Royston Fraser in 28th minute and Joel Isaacs in the 70th minute while for Capital FC the lone goal was scored by Tyric McAllister in the 39th minute..

In the supporting first game of the night the Na-

tional Under-17 shrugged off the Linden Under-20 Selection 2-0.

The presentation of the prizes for the Mayor’s Cup will take place at a later date.

Winners Connection hero Shaquille Frank

Hope, Dowrich get time in Parag’s brilliant 47 from 31 balls helps RR beat KKR by three wickets middle ahead of Tri-Nations RAJASTHAN Royals (RR) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by three wickets in match 43 of IPL 2019 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Chasing 176 runs, the visitors were given a flying start as openers Ajinkya Rahane (34) and Sanju Samson (22) added 53 runs in 5.2 overs.

However, RR lost both their openers in quick succession once Dinesh Karthik introduced spin from both ends. Rahane was dismissed

by Sunil Narine whereas Samson was castled by Piyush Chawla.

KKR clawed their way back further when Narine castled RR captain Steve Smith for 2. Ben Stokes (11)

Riyan Parag made a brilliant 47 and helped Rajasthan Royals beat Kolkata Knight Riders.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Rishabh Pant-37 sixes (Delhi Capitals) (2) Dinesh Kathik-18 (14 catches; 4 stumpings-KKR) TODAY’S QUIZ: (1) Who is the first player to win the Man of the Match award TWICE in IPL 2018?

(2) Who is the first player to register a century in IPL 2019?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

and Stuart Binny (11) were dismissed cheaply.

However, young Riyan Parag rose to the occasion as he scored a match-winning knock of 47 runs from 31 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes).

Jofra Archer’s cameo (27 not out off 12 balls) ensured RR reached home with 4 balls to spare. With this win, RR still stay in contention for the playoffs. Earlier, KKR scored 175-6 in 20 overs courtesy an unbeaten 97 by Dinesh Karthik.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Shai Hope and Shane Dowrich missed out on half-centuries while left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer extended his wicket-taking form, as West Indies completed their final warm-up match here yesterday in preparation for the Tri-Nations Series in Ireland starting next week.

After bundling the Barbados Cricket Association XI out for a paltry 109 in the 40th over with Reifer claiming three for 17, the Windies opted for batting practice and gathered 246 for nine off their 50 overs.

Hope struck a runShai a-ball 47 with eight Hope fours, adding 71 for the third wicket with Roston Chase (35) after the Windies found themselves slumping on nine for two in the second over, following the cheap departure of John Campbell (8) and Darren Bravo (0).

When five wickets tumbled for 54 runs, Dowrich held the lower order together with 46 off 50 balls with five fours. He posted 38 for the eighth wicket with Reifer (35) and a further 60 for the ninth with Ashley Nurse who belted 37 from 36 balls.

West Indies Under-19s left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop was the best BCA bowler with three for 30.

The match was the second in three days following Tuesday’s opener also against the BCA XI, as part of the ongoing preparation camp at 3W’s Oval.

West Indies leave next Tuesday for the Tri-Nations Series in Ireland involving the hosts and Bangladesh, and which runs from May 3 to 17.

The series is their final one before the ICC World Cup from May 30 to July 14 in England.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 26, 2019

35

No room for sentiment, Fourth Corona Futsal says Fazeer Mohammed treatment for players tournament to begin May 4 … Nowhoto preferential turned up for WC qualifiers

FOR the first time since its inception three years ago, the Corona Futsal tournament will feature club teams alongside ward teams.

Twenty-four teams will take to the National Gymnasium over eight nights of action to determine who will hold the Corona trophy.

“There are a lot of players from clubs that went over to wards and they are a lot of clubs that want to participate under their structure and so we thought it a good idea or platform to see the ward teams play against what we call the structured clubs,” Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca told the press yesterday.

He stated, “Over the years, we would have enjoyed a very good working relationship with the officials of Top Brandz Distributors, obviously to be here for the fourth year.”

Mendonca noted that there are no restrictions from the Petra organisation regarding whether players play for teams or wards.

That is left up to the clubs and wards to decide.

Eleven club teams from Georgetown will join 13 ward teams.

The structure will be elimination among the 24 teams, which is a straight knockout. The remaining 12 teams will be placed in three groups of four for the round-robin phase.

After three nights of round-robin competition, the top two teams in each group

REGIONAL cricket commentator and analyst, Fazeer Mohammed, has rubbished claims that players who showed up to play for the ICC World Cup qualifiers should have been given preferential consideration when the final squad was selected by C r i c k e t We s t I n d i e s (CWI) on Tuesday.

Petra co-director Troy Mendonca, second from left, stands with Top Brandz Brand manager Colin Stuart. The two are flanked by Sean Embrack (extreme left) and Mark Alleyne. (Stephan Sookram photo)

along with the top two thirdplace finishers will move into the quarter-finals.

To p B r a n d z B r a n d Manager Colin Stuart encouraged everyone to come out and support the event, adding, “Top Brandz has always been supporting sport in Guyana and we are pleased to be a part of this tournament.”

Apart from the opening date, matches are scheduled for May 7, 11, 14, 18, 25 with the final set for June 8.

Prizes will also be given to those teams that top their group stage, with $40 000 going to the winners, $30 000 for second, $20 000 for third and $15 000

for fourth.

The tournament’s first prize is $500 000, $250 000, $125 000 and $75 000 with prizes for the MVP and one lucky spectator.

There will be beer specials on game nights featuring the company’s five brands of beverages in Corona, Budweiser, Bud Light, Modelo Especial and Modelo Negro.

There will also be fan giveaways on game nights.

On the first night, Wo l v e s U n i t e d a n d Tucville open the clashes from 19:30hrs with Kingston and North East La Penitence meeting from 20:15hrs. Leopold Street

will oppose Flamingo from 21:00hrs with Back Circle and Camptown expected to contest at 21:45hrs. Sparta Boss will also be in action from 22:30hrs against Black Pearl then GT Panthers and Bent Street will close the action off from 23:15hrs.

On the second night Pele will play California Square in the opening fixture, with GFC and West Front Road clashing in the second game.

Broad Street take on Mocha, Order and Discipline play Future Stars, Beacons take on Sophia and Eastveldt face Tiger Bay. Games are set for the National Gymnasium.

Marlon Samuels

Of the 16 players who took part in the qualifier in Zimbabwe last year, which secured the team a place at next month’s World Cup, nine have been included in the final squad.

Two-time T20 World Cup winner Marlon Samuels is the most notable absentee in a list that included Jason Mohammed, Devendra Bishoo, Nikita Miller, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell and Kesrick Williams.

In this instance, scribbled on the final list sub-

mitted to the ICC on Tuesday, the most notable inclusion would perhaps be that of Andre Russell who turned down the chance to represent the region at the qualifiers, after stating that he had not sufficiently recovered from injury.

The situation has sparked debate in some areas, particularly the exclusion of Samuels, who had not played cricket for some time, due to an injury but expected to be fit for the World Cup. In an interview with the SportsMax Zone, however, Mohammed insisted cricketing reasons should be the only consideration in selecting the squad.

You remember in the days of the Kerry Packer era when the West Indies lost their Packer players for a period and the likes of Alvin Kallicharan and even Malcolm Marshal and so on came into the West Indies squad. From the moment that was sorted out and the World Cup came up in 1979 all the top players were back,” Mohammed added.

“There is no room for sentiment in competitive sport. I understand recognising the roles played but are we selecting a squad as a favour for turning up or are we selecting a squad to be competitive or even getting to the winning stage of the World Cup?” (SportsMax)

CWI not looking to burn bridges, insists new boss Skerritt ICC hails Aguilleira as a global ‘role model’ following retirement NEWLY appointed president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Ricky Skerritt has insisted the association is not looking to burn bridges with discarded officials, despite making several quick changes since taking office.

Interim coach Richard

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

Pybus, West Indies assistant coach Vasbert Drakes and the entire Courtney Browne-led selection panel were among the casualties when the new board began to enforce its mandate last month.

Some of the parties have, however, taken exception to their dismissals and threatened legal action against CWI. While he insisted he was not yet briefed on the legal situations, Skerritt was quick to point out that the organisation was not interested in alienating the recently dismissed officials and other positions could be open to them in the future.

“What I would say is that each situation has been handled on its own merit and there is no intention to make

things more difficult for any past players than it has it to be,” Skerritt told the SportsMax Zone.

“Whatever the beliefs, we are about cricket. We are about helping players; we are about helping past players.

We are about inclusiveness and we want past players involved in developing cricket and providing services of different kinds,” he added.

“If somebody is not used now as a selector it doesn’t mean he can’t be used later as something else. If somebody is not used as a coach it doesn’t mean he can’t be used later as some other kind of professional in cricket. We are not trying to burn any bridges with anybody.”

(Sportsmax)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – Cricket’s world governing body, ICC, has praised the career of Merissa Aguilleira, following the Wednesday’s announcement of the former West Indies Women captain’s retirement.

In a statement yesterday, chief executive Manu Sawhney hailed Aguilleira as a global “role model”, while pointing out her successful tenure as skipper.

Aguilleira led West Indies in 74 of her 112 ODIs and in 73 of her 95 Twenty20 Internationals.

She also oversaw their trip to the final of the ICC 50-over World Cup in 2013 in India where they

lost to Australia.

“Merissa has been one of the most renowned women cricketers,” said Sawhney.

Former Windies Women skipper Merissa Aguilleira

“Her success as captain and player is there for everyone to see and I am sure

she would have been a role model for many aspiring cricketers the world over. I congratulate Merissa for a wonderful career and wish her all the best in whatever she pursues in the coming years.”

The 33-year-old Aguilleira also led West Indies to the semi-finals of three T20 World Cups in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and was a member of the 2016 side which captured the title in India.

A wicketkeeper, the Trinidadian tallied 1 752 runs in ODIs at an average of 20, while claiming 78 catches and 26 stumpings. In T20s, she gathered 768 runs at an average of 14, completing 38 catches and 34 stumpings.

Government applauds CARIFTA contingent

Director of Sport Christopher Jones, NSC’s Merrano Isaacs and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, along with some members of the Track and Field team at Thursday’s reception at the Pegasus Hotel

THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Department of Sports, last evening hosted a reception at the Pegasus Hotel for the Swimming, Chess and the Track and Field teams that participated in the various CARIFTA Championships held over the Easter Weekend.

Guyana ended the

CARIFTA Games (Track and Field) with a record ten medals – four gold, two silver and four bronze. Aleka Persaud was the star performer with three gold and two bronze in the pool.

In Chess, Guyana finished fifth in the ten-country competition, amassing a total of 36.5 points.

Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for

Sport, Dr George Norton, told the gathering at the Savannah Suite Pegasus Hotel that the Government of Guyana, and more so the people of Guyana, were all proud of their accomplishments, even those who didn’t make it on the podium.

Chantoba Bright, who won Gold in the Girls U-20 Long Jump, and Silver in the Girls U-20 triple

jump, received special mention from Dr Norton, as the minister noted that the Lindener should be applauded for finishing her time at the CARIFTA Games as Guyana’s most decorated athlete to ever compete at the event.

Bright, 19, during her four years competing at the CARIFTA Games, bagged a total of nine medals – three

gold, four silver and two bronze.

Her three gold medals came in the Long Jump, while she won three silver and two bronze medals in the Triple Jump. She also, in 2018, won silver in the Girls U-20, 400 metres relay, running alongside Joanna Archer, Kezra Murray and Kenisha Phillips.

Dr Norton also singled

out Anisha Gibbons, who won Guyana’s first ever gold medal in the Girls U-17 Javelin.

The Minister, along with Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, said the government will continue to support the athletes in their respective disciplines, while encouraging them to stay focus.

(Rawle Toney)

Sterling wins award for Florida matches stance against racism pulled, as CPL

MANCHESTER City’s Raheem Sterling said he hopes to set an example for younger players as he received an award for his stance against racism in football.

The England forward has criticised newspapers’ portrayal of black players and wants stronger punishments for fans who racially abuse players.

He was honoured at the BT Sport Industry Awards on Thursday.

“When the next generation come through, you have to set the example,” the 24-year-old said.

“Coming through at Liverpool I had people around me like Steven Gerrard I looked up to. Looking at him I thought what can I do within myself to be half the person and player he was.

“You take little things and TURN TO PAGE 31

sets September start date 31 Page

Raheem Sterling( left) received his award from England manager Gareth Southgate

Chief Operations Officer of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Pete Russell speaks to the media during yesterday’s press conference at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019