Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_07_08_2019

MONDAY 8th July, 2019

Jagdeo submits 11 names for GECOM chair No.105692

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–– nominates Teixeira, Nandlall to represent him during negotiations

Two die in separate accidents 03&08 PAGES

Sydney James nearly sank me –– says acquitted treason accused Bruce Munroe

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President plugs putting a ‘top school’ in 15 each region PAGE

Dancers perform at the Guyana Police Force’s 180th anniversary held at Durban Park on Saturday night (Carl Croker photograph)

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Sighting of wanted man ‘Maverick’ raises alarm

POLICE have issued a wanted bulletin for wellknown trouble maker Maverick DeAbreu, but some in the society are concerned that the wanted man is still being allowed to roam frely at popular night spots.

DeAbreu is wanted for his assault of gay rights activist Joel Simpson on June, 2019 and, on Friday, the police invited anyone with information which may lead to his arrest to make contact.

Simpson, who is the head of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), was beaten by a group of individuals who have since been labelled “homophobic.”

Meanwhile De Abreu is before the court for wounding popular Trinidadian soca artiste, Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Wanted: ‘Maverick’ DeAbreu Blanc in 2017 and has been rumoured to be involved in several other physical confrontations.

On Sunday, a concerned citizen told the newspaper that since the issued bulletin, while they have reportedly spotted De Abreu in public and reported such, the man still seems to be untouchable.

“The other night I saw him at Blue Martini. I called the police informing them that there was a wanted man there. I gave them full details [on the] clothes he was wearing, who he was with etcetera.

About 20 minutes after the police came they went to him and his friend. He and about two of them had weapons and I’m positive those weapons are illegal.

He and his friend left with the police. I thought that the police were taking him to the station for questioning [but] about 10 minutes after, I saw him and his friends come back to the bar. This time they were looking around as if they were looking for the person that called the police, but they looked around for about 15 minutes and then left,” the individual stated.

An affiliate of the source told the newspaper that DeAbreu was spotted at several popular nightclubs and hot spots over the weekend with visible weapons and in the presence of known “hitmen.”

Together, they are concerned that not enough is being done to track down De Abreu who seems to have little regard for the law.

The Guyana Chronicle has not yet received reports of the man’s arrest.

De Abreu, 29, was last listed as residing at Lot 56, Broad Street, Charlestown.

The police have requested anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of De Abreu to contact telephone numbers 226-1389, 227-2128, 226-7476, 226-7065, 227-2603, 227-1611, 227-1149, 2271270, 225-6940 to 9, 225-3650, 226-1928, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Be wary of pitfalls in oil, gas industry –– CDB economist tells gov’t, other stakeholders

By Vishani Ragobeer

DIRECTOR of Economics at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Dr Justin Ram has urged that local stakeholders, particularly the government working in tandem with the private sector, to be wary of typical pitfalls of the oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the launch of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)’s Business Guyana magazine, Dr Ram noted that the oil and gas, or petroleum industry, is one which allows for significant revenues to flow into a country. But, he said that this inflow can also lead to serious ramifications if not managed well.

“The oil industry is going to be booming. Those working in the oil industry... will be earning more money because they are internationally competitive, but when these folks get money in their pockets, they will want to buy things in society and people will know they have money, so prices are likely to rise,” he said.

However, he went on to explain that the rise in prices will pressure employers to increase the wages they pay their employees in other sectors, aside from oil and gas. Subsequently, he said, this increase in wages does not always equate to an increase in productivity and as such, those other non-petroleum sectors in the economy can start to become uncompetitive in the regional and international markets.

“Those wages need to be kept in step with productivity,” he stressed, and later added, “If productivity is improving at the same rate that your wage is improving, then I have no problem.

But I know the history especially in oil-producing country tells us, is that this doesn’t usu-

CDB economist Dr Justin Ram ally happen.”

KEEN ATTENTION According to the CDB representative, foreign exchange policies and government investment priorities are two typical areas of policy shortfall that should be given keen attention.

With the foreign exchange policy, there is usually a high local demand for foreign currency which would lead to either a decline in reserves or a slowed accumulation of the currency. What governments would usually do is avoid devaluing the currency to protect importers instead of doing something ideal, which is to adjust the currency to remain in line with the change in relative value.

On the investment priority side, he noted that there will be significant government revenues and surpluses and suggested that the government invest in labour productive capacity (such as building factories to create more jobs), instead of investing in “flashy” infrastructural and high-end housing schemes, as is typically done.

“You want to be investing in other forms of capital that would add to the productive capacity

of the country,” he said. Dr Ram also posited that Guyana needs to ensure economic growth by facilitating diversification and prudent fiscal management.

The CDB representative highlighted that particularly with resource extraction, policy makers need to ensure that the country is well compensated. He suggested that persons be cognisant of the Net National Product (NNP), which he explained is the rate of return on all assets of the country.

These assets, summarised by Dr Ram, include the human capital, man-made capital, social capital, financial capital and environmental capital, which includes the oil resource.

And according to him, if Guyana wants to ensure that the NNP is growing over time, then it has to ensure that its asset base is maintained.

“If you are going to be depleting the environment [capital], you need to ensure that whatever money you are getting from that, you are investing in other forms of capital so that your overall capital base remains the same, or is increasing and that will protect NNP,” he said.

Other policy areas that can be improved to boost Guyana’s economy, in the wake of the emerging oil and gas industry, according to the CDB representative, include: improving the ease of doing business, managing inflation, managing the exchange rate, engaging in sustainable expenditures, government saving for stabilisation and posterity and effectively managing the non-oil deficit to safeguard from the ‘Dutch Disease’.

He also suggested that the Natural Resources Fund make some provisions for small and micro enterprises, in an attempt to spur entrepreneurial activities and deepen the capital market available for them.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Jagdeo submits 11 names –– nominates Teixeira, Nandlall to for GECOM chair represent him during negotiations

By Svetlana Marshall

LEADER of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, re-submitted 11 names to the Ministry of the Presidency for consideration for the chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), from the three lists of 18, he had originally submitted.

The names of the 11 nominees were submitted on Saturday in a fresh round of consultation for the nomination and appointment of a chairman of GECOM following the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ’s) landmark ruling that the appointment of Justice (ret’d) James Patterson, in October 2017, was flawed.

During a high-level

meeting last Thursday, President David Granger and the Opposition Leader agreed that the latter can submit names from the three lists of 18, which were rejected before the appointment of Justice Patterson. It was also agreed that their respective technical teams would hammer out the names of persons for the post of GECOM chair before the Opposition Leader formally submits a list of six nominees to the President in accordance with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution.

In a letter, seen by Guyana Chronicle, addressed to the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency on Saturday July 6, 2019, Opposition’s Spokesperson, Gail Teixeira, on behalf

RESIDENTS of Cullen, Region Two, woke up to witness a horrific accident which caused the death of Premnarine Rampersaud after the car he was travelling in crashed into a Flamboyant tree in the village.

Rampersaud was a resident of Lot 90 Second Avenue, Bartica. The other passenger of the car suffered a broken limb while the driver of the car fled the scene. The accident reportedly occurred around 7:00 hours Sunday morning.

According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, the car was heading in the southern direction when the driver of HB6973 lost control and slammed into a tree. After hearing the loud impact, residents rushed to the scene where they immediately put one of the passengers in a car and trans-

ported him to the Suddie Public Hospital. Other residents were assisting the other passenger out of the car.

“His feet pinned down, we were trying to get him out but it was difficult. It was so fast, we tried saving his life but he was pinned down; we called the police and the ambulance, but no one showed up until one hour after” residents said.

A truck driver, who was passing, managed to pull the car out from the tree when residents managed to lift the body of Premnarine out of the car. He was immediately rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead by doctors.

His wife, who visited the scene, screamed loudly when she saw him; she was very traumatised. She screamed, “Oh God, is that I bring out here for”.

Retired Mayor General, Joseph Singh of the Opposition Leader, presented an “appropriately adjusted” list of names for consideration. Those nominees are: Conservationist, Annette Arjoon-Martins;

One dead, one hospitalised in Cullen accident

Dead: Premnarine Rampersaud She mentioned that they were not from the Essequibo coast and they were visiting for an occasion.

The deceased body was transported to the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police are continuing their investigations.

The car after crashing into the tree on the Essequibo Coast

retired Justice of Appeal, B.S Roy; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Gerry Gouveia; retired Mayor General, Joseph Singh; Attorney-at-Law, Kashir Khan; former Senior Magistrate, Krishnadatt Persaud; conflict resolution specialist, Lawrence Latchmansingh; retired Major General, Norman McLean; Onesi La Fleur, PSC executive Ramesh Dookhoo; and retired Puisne Judge, William Ramlall.

“The Ministry of the Presidency would already have the Curriculum Vitae (CVs) for each nominee on record since the Opposition Leader submitted these in 2017,” Teixeira told Harmon in her correspondence.

The Opposition spokeswoman said Jagdeo nominated her and Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall to consult with the President’s team during the period of consideration.

“With regards to the establishment of a smaller group to meet, I wish to inform you that the Opposition Leader has selected two persons – myself, Gail Teixeira, and Anil Nandlall, M.P., to represent him in these discussions.

We look forward to the submission of the President’s selection of his representatives as soon as possible,” Teixeira informed the director-general.

WILLINGNESS TO MEET She indicated the Opposition Leader’s willingness to meet with President Granger at any time, noting that he is prepared to join the smaller group meetings, if required.

“In conclusion, I reiterate our hope, and particularly that of the Leader of the Opposition, that the meeting between the Government and the Opposition will commence on Monday July 8, 2019,” Teixeira said.

Article 161 (2) of the Constitution states that the Commission’s chairman “shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdic-

tion in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.”

President Granger last Thursday recommitted to appointing a Chairman for Elections Commission in keeping with the requirements of the Constitution.

He also committed to adhering to the guidelines outlined by the CCJ in its landmark ruling on the appointment of a chairman for GECOM, which requires consultation not only with the parliamentary Opposition parties but with the President and the Opposition Leader before a formal submission of six names is made to the President.

In October 2017, President Granger had appointed Justice (ret’d) Patterson, Chairman of the Elections Commission after he had found that the three lists of 18 names submitted by the Opposition Leader were unacceptable to him. He had activated the proviso within Article 161 (2).

“Provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court of who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge,” a section of Article 161(2) states, placing in the hands of the President, the power to appoint a chairman of GECOM outside of the list provided by the Opposition Leader, once that list is unacceptable.

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Conflict resolution specialist, Lawrence Latchman singh NO ARBITRARY REJECTION However, President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, in handing down the ruling, said the President could not have rejected the lists because they were simply unacceptable to him.

“In our view, employment of the double negative, ‘not unacceptable’, signals that an onus is placed on the President not to find a nominee unacceptable merely because the nominee is not a choice the President would have himself made. By a majority, the court found, the President should only find a nominee unacceptable for some good reason on objective ground,” Justice Saunders said.

He explained: “If a President were permitted, capriciously or whimsically, without proffering a good reason, to reject eligible nominees, this would frustrate the proper working of the Constitution, defeat the intention behind the amendment to Article 161(2) and pave the way for unilateral presidential appointment.”

According to the CCJ, the President and the Opposition Leader ought to have met prior to the submission of the list, and consulted on names, noting that such a move would have allowed for consensus and the submission of a list of six persons who would have reached the eligibility requirements.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Victims ofcharity Son Italy migrants: New shipChapman docks despite ban bombing remembered

(BBC) A charity boat car- terior minister, has said again rying 41 rescued migrants he will not allow migrants to defied a ban on docking at disembark.

Italian ports, but hours after "I saw that the German govarriving, no-one has been ernment wrote me a letter today

By Vanessa Braithwaite (Amendment) Bill, which has allowed off. asking to reopen the ports and to seen Guyana moving from As fell in Lampedusa, all the of migrants IN night remembering the 43 let a place being disembark," blacklisted the crew and passengers the he said on Facebook with live innocent souls of thoseofwho to being in acompliance Alex remained watched "No, no, no,practices. absolutely perished thataboard, fateful day, stream. international best by 55 police. years ago, when the not."Since then, significant Last have year, also he closed Despite warnings,launch it sailedwas to strides Son Chapman beenItalian made to rescuethat ships and Italy the porttoonpieces, Saturday because blown Minister of ports in ensuring Guyana enLegal Affairshygienic and Attorney actsintroduced and enforces which fineslaws for anyone of "intolerable condi- has General, Basil Williams, sailing can protect thewaters country from into its without tions" aboard. joined Lindeners Saturfinancial crimes such as monMatteo Salvini, on Italy's in- permission. day in a commemoration ey laundering and the financceremony. Present were ing of terrorism. several regional officials To ensure there is no reincluding Member of Par- gression, Guyanese, the attorliament, Jermaine Figueira ney general said, must ensure and Regional Chairman, that such terrorist acts of the Renis Morian. past must never again occur.

In his feature address, He contended: “As we Williams pointed out that commemorate, the reason is never again must terrorist not to incite hate but to not to acts such as those, fueled forget our past”. by racial and political hate, The massacre was as a must occur in Guyana and result of a series of racial that the coalition government unrest around the country in has made significant strides the 1960s. While there are in countering terrorism to forces still trying to incite raensure that they do not occur cial tension, especially during again. this election period, citizens This, too, can be very dif- must ensure that those fateful JulyGuyana 7, 2019 - events 08:00hrs 09:30hrs ficult to Sunday, pull off since are-not repeated. can now tap into technology The APNU-AFC govthat can solve such terrorist ernment would have made mysteries. significant strides to ensure “We have the technology national unity and cohesion today to run that down. We have been restored, said the have actually looked at coun- attorney general, who urged tering terrorism and there are citizens to stay the course and many weapons to counter ter- not return to the dark days of rorism and one of the things the past. is that people don’t know up “We could safely say that to this day who did it ... but 55 years later, those tensions we could be able to pinpoint continue to exist because it with the type of technology they have been kept alive we present today in my area and fueled. Guyanese must of countering [the] financing stand against these forces of terrorism, we could be and remember that racial diable to get to the root of the vision was a system adopted matter,” he said. from the pre-Independence Countering terrorism acts era where the divide and has been one of the hallmarks rule mechanisms succeeded. of the coalition government That mentality resulted in and those strides made have incidents such as the Son been given international rec- Chapman massacre. We are ognition. on a trajectory to happiness,” Among the measures has Williams told the gathering been the enactment of the as he reiterated the governAnti-Money Laundering and ment’s strides to ensure GuyCountering the Financing anese live as one people, one of Terrorism (AML/CFT) nation and with one destiny.

The Alex is run by the Mediterranea charity, which tweeted that its exhausted crew were living through a "surreal situation", and prolonging the wait was "an unnecessary cruelty".

"It's an unbelievable situation," spokeswoman Alessandra Sciurba said at the quayside. "There are people at risk of fainting, the toilets are not working. It's as though we are kidnapped."

"Nothing is happening about disembarkation and nobody knows what will happen."

Meanwhile, another NGO ship, the Alan Kurdi - operated

by German charity Sea-Eye - is

afloat in international waters just outside Lampedusa, carrying another 65 people.

Why is Italy refusing permission to dock?

Italy has been one of the main destinations for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the North Africa route, mostly from Libya.

People smugglers often load inflatable dinghies and other craft unsuited to the journey with dozens of people, many of which end up adrift and in need of rescue. Mr Salvini, from the right-wing League party, takes a hardline stance against migrants and rescue ships - something that has seen both his and his party's popularity increase.

In February, it was reported that Italy had rejected a record Attorney General Basil Williams addressing the gathering 24,800 asylum applications The attorney general also Morian encouraged Lindenbetween October 2018 and expressed happiness that ers to use the template of January. together as did those the government would have coming a poll published put in place funds for those whoAnd executed the plan in to the Italian newspaper who perished to be honoured bomb the vessel, notCorriere for deby erecting a monument at struction, but for good.

Christianburg, Linden. A The Son Chapman massamodel of the Son Chapman cre, he noted, was a well-orvessel is currently being de- chestrated plan that aimed at signed. A monument of the destroying the lives of LinLinden martyrs who were deners. In the same way those gunned down during the responsible came together Linden unrest in 2012 is also to destroy, Lindeners were being erected. urged to use the same spirit Member of Parliament as a catalyst for progress Jermaine Figueira said that and to shun division among commemoration of the mas- themselves. sacre is important as it is Chairman of the Coma part of local history and memorative Committee, it should be honoured and Charles Sampson, gave anremembered. He, too, ex- ecdotes of events that ocpressed satisfaction that a curred in Linden that led up monument will be erected. to the Son Chapman massacre. While these events are INHUMAN ACT often peddled as the Wismar “This most heinous act of massacre, which reports say terrorism is arguably the most claimed the lives of hundreds inhumane act to have been of East Indians who were committed on so many peo- forced to flee the mining ple at the same time and in town, Sampson said that the same space in our coun- those events were exaggertry’s history and the Carib- ated and aimed at labelling bean,” he said, adding: “This Lindeners as murderers and terrorist act had certainly left vicious people. It is these many invisible, deep-rooted false stories, he opined, scars etched in the hearts, which resulted in retaliation, and memories of surviving causing the Son Chapman loved ones, friends and by massacre. extension, fellow Lindeners.”

Regional Chairman Renis VICIOUS ATTACK

Della Sera on Saturday said 59% of Italians approved of Mr Salvini shutting Italy's ports off to NGO-run vessels.

Last month, new laws According to a Wismar passed by his government by report, the Wismar massacre emergency decree created fines stemmed from racial vioof up to €50,000 (£45,000; lence on May 25, 1964, $56,000) for vessels that sailby to Africans against the minority Italian ports without permission.

East Indians in Wismar. In Yet just of a week a difthe course theseago, attacks, ferent ship, the Sea-Watch 3, a number of Indians were forced a landing on Lampedusa murdered, scores of others after being stranded sea for brutally beaten andatinjured, two women weeks. Its Carola and andcaptain, girls publicRackete, arrested andacts acly raped. was These violent cused of endangering the lives were accompanied by large of police andwhich tryingsaw to sink scale arson the their boat. of more than 200 destruction A judge herplaces freed, houses and ordered business though by sheIndians. still faces separate owned According Sampson, charges of aidingtopeople smugwho lived in the Wismar glers and resisting authorities.

Housing Scheme at theinsists time The interior minister and witnessed events that such boats bethe intercepted first hand, there must coast be a instead by the Libyan re-writing ofhas history as the guard, which received EU truth must be told of what funding to boost its capabilities. occurred during 1960s in However, thethe Italian judge Linden, which has somehow in Ms Rackete's case ruled that downplayed seriousness neither Libya the nor Tunisia were of the Son Chapman massasafe countries for migrants. cre. After the Son Chapman When the Alex announced tragedy, the report also noted its intention land presence at Lampethat despiteto the dusa on Saturday, Mr Salvini of heavy military troops in took to Twitter to declare law Linden, retaliation continued enforcement agencies "ready to on the Indians who remained intervene". in Linden.

In an apparent to As the story reference goes, apthe court order which freed Ms proximately 16:00 hrs on Rackete, heJuly added: a serious Monday, 6th"In 1964, the Son Chapman vessel, which was a wooden cargo vessel owned by the late Norman Chapman, had just left the docks of Hurudaia, a timber grant settlement 16 miles up the Demerara River, after letting off three passengers.

The vessel was captained

by Herman Softleigh on that day. The persons on board, inclusive of passengers and crewmen, were all enjoying the cool afternoon breeze and the surrounding scenery of the banks of the river.

Unfortunately, this solitude was shortly interrupted about 300 yards from Hurudaia by a loud explosion which took the lives of 43 persons, inclusive of two

country, arrests and seizure... would be immediate: what will the judges do this time?"

Why are ships heading to Italy specifically? children six Demba emItaly and is often the closest ployees-all Africans.

PanEU country when migrants are demonium broke as the rescued off the coastout of Libya.

27 persons and six crewmen, Many rescue ships and orwho were on the decks of the ganisations do not consider boat, survived the explosion Libya a place of by swimming to safety shore under while applicable international law. others were rescued by nearWhen the anby vessels asAlan theyKurdi watched nounced it was following the “Son Chapman” sink. the AlexIttowas Lampedusa a titanicdespite scenethe in risk,Demerara it tweeted:River "We as arenews not the intimidated byhorrific a Minister of Inspread of the tragedy. terior insteadinto headthe towards Anbutinquest tragthe nearest portthat of safety." edy revealed because of "The law the sea applies, rumours thatof persons were even whentosome planning bombgovernment the vessel, it did not leave with a full representatives refuse to believe complement of passengers as that." some werethis scared travel.

Earlier week,tomigrants Some passengers opted to being held in a detention centre travel with another launch, - which is where many returned The Emperor, the killed regular migrants end up or - were in Sprostons-owned an attack which hit thesteamer, building The they RH wereCARR in.

Sixty-two tesThose who witnesses make the jourtified during the six days ney across the water are also at of the inquest which began risk - with many boats sinking on March 16, 1965. Among or ending up adrift. those who testified were The International Orgasurvivors.

Some testified nization for Migration (IOM) that they had heard the ruestimates thatto 681 people have mour prior the bombing died the Mediterranean of theinlaunch.

One witness Sea so far in 2019 – 426 of testified that he had heard them in the central region a conversation in a hotel between and Tunisia room in Libya Lombard Street and Italy. that he knew the voices, and later saw the same men he identified the following morning. Some witnesses testified that they saw three suspicious men on the Son Chapman who came off the vessel at a stop shortly before the launch was blown up. The theory that a bomb was thrown into the launch was refuted as it was established that the bomb had to be placed with the cargo in the boat for the vessel to have sunk the way it did. The attorney general contends that the truth will be revealed. Sampson also reiterated that it is time the Son Chapman commemoration be given national recognition.

Wednesday July 3, 2019

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July 5, 2019

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03 04 17 19 20

07, 12, 15, 16, 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

House-to-House Registration necessary for credible elections –– Gov’t tells CCJ

ATTORNEY-General Basil Williams, in his submission to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), said House-to-House registration is critical for the conduct of credible elections, noting that there is no evidence to suggest that elections can be held in the absence of such a crucial process.

Last month, the CCJ validated a no-confidence motion against the government, triggering the need for early elections in accordance with Article 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution.

Since that landmark ruling, the CCJ invited the parties in the consolidated case to make submissions for consequential orders that should follow the ruling.

In his submission filed on July 1, 2019, the attorney general, through his Attorney, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, invited Guyana’s final appellate court to order that the Guyana Elections Commission proceed with National Registration.

He said the court should order that “the registration of persons for the purpose of ascertaining who is qualified to be an elector is by ‘house to house’ visits as provided for under section 3(1) of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act of 2000.”

The CCJ was also invited to order that “General and Regional Elections shall be held on the National Register of Registrants/ Central Register under the National Registration Act which Register is to be prepared by ‘house to house visits’ pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of the National Registration Act as amended by the National Registration (Amendment) Act No 31 of 2007.”

In support of his recommendation, the attorney general told the Trinidad-based CCJ that more than a decade ago GECOM took a decision that Houseto-House Registration was

critical for credible elections.

“A decision was taken by the Commission over 10 years ago that houseto-house registration was necessary for ensuring compliance with the Commission’s mandate under Article 162 of the Constitution, namely to issue all such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of the Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the conduct of registration of electors and the conduct of elections of members of the National Assembly,” the attorney general explained.

He said the facts show that on July 24, 2018, the Commission unanimously decided that house-to-house registration would be conducted in 2019 in preparation for the next General and Regional elections which was constitutionally due in 2020.

The Commission subsequently requested, and the National Assembly approved, funds to facilitate National Registration. The funds were approved in November 2018 during the consideration of the national budget.

“By a decision by the entire Commission taken at a statutory meeting on 19th February, 2019, the then Chairman (Justice James Patterson) issued the letter dated 21st February, 2019 to the President (David Granger) advising inter alia as follows: (i) Credible elections could not be held on or before 21st March, 2019 as this was logistically impossible; (ii) Since 2014, the Commission had made it known that it would take approximately 6 months from the time of notification of an election to prepare for and hold credible

elections; (and) (iii) All financial resources for the holding such an election would need to be available to the Commission to meet that time frame,” the Attorney General detailed.

It was also pointed out that the Commission’s secretariat had indicated that in the case of early elections, at least five months would be required to hold credible elections whilst abridging certain time frames for registration and objections.

In another letter dated March 19, 2019, the then Chairman wrote to the President, and informed him that GECOM was handicapped in taking pivotal formal decisions for commencing the process towards holding the elections due to the fact that certain Commissioners began withdrawing from all of the Commission’s statutory meetings since February 28, 2019.

It was also pointed out that the Secretariat had advised that it was impossible, at the time, to compile an electoral list with a qualifying date as at April 30, 2019 for use from May 1 to October 31, 2019. He said the Commission had also advised the President that it would be in a position to hold an election by late November, 2019 if it received the additional funding requested.

Against that background the attorney general reminded the CCJ that GECOM is constitutionally independent.

“GECOM exclusively exercises ‘general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly,’” Williams explained while noting notwithstanding anything to the contrary, GECOM can postpone the holding of an election.

He also drew the Court’s attention to the fact that it also ruled on June

Attorney-General Basil Williams 18 that the appointment of Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM was unconstitutional. That therefore means that GECOM is now without a chairman until one is appointed by

President Granger based on a list submitted by the Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo following a series of consultation.

“Put simply, it is submitted that unless and until a Chairman of GECOM is appointed GECOM is constitutionally incapable of lawfully directing, supervising and administering the elections that are required to be held,” the attorney general told the CCJ. Williams submitted to the court that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that the officers and employees of the Secretariat of GECOM are not discharging their functions in order to ready the electoral apparatus for elections. According to him, on the contrary, the evidence strongly suggests that they are at work and time is

required for the work to be completed.

“There is no doubt that all the parties accept that elections must be held.

The state of readiness (or un-readiness) of GECOM to conduct credible elections cannot be ignored.

The Court is simply not in a position to close its eyes to the evidence from GECOM,” the attorney general submitted.

On May 1, 2019, GECOM in an affidavit of then Chairman James Patterson submitted that the Court must carefully consider the Commission’s unchallenged evidence.

The CCJ was also invited to order that President Granger set a date for elections after consultation with GECOM, in accordance with the Constitution.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Roger Khan and inquiry into ‘ The Troubles’ WE have learnt that convicted drug-trafficker Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan will be released from a U.S. prison today after spending around 15 years there for narcotics trafficking. The sordid story of Khan and his connections to the opposition are well known to this country. If deported, he will find a very different society and authorities that are not tolerant of his activities.

Back in 2003-2006 Khan had set up a criminal network here including active policemen and a number of former ranks, ostensibly to go after criminals, but at the same time protecting his narco-trafficking interests.

He was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname in 2006 while

fleeing local police, and was later handed over to U.S. authorities.

Although the PPP government had sought to distance itself from Khan, the drug-trafficker had stated publicly in an advertisement in local newspapers that he had been fighting crime on behalf of the Bharrat Jagdeo-led government. Khan had also implicated former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy in his escapades, and documents bearing the then minister’s signature authorising the purchase of a sophisticated wire-tapping device were produced in U.S. courts during Khan’s trial.

The descent of this country during the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, which

President David Granger has described as the ‘ Troubles’ was the “darkest hour” of this nation’s recent history that was characterised by drug-driven chaos and bloodshed. Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011, during which there were three massacres: Lusignan, where 11 people were killed; Bartica, where another 12 were killed and Lindo Creek, where seven miners were slaughtered. Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings-- with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro-Guyanese males were gunned down.

President Granger has on many occasions signalled his intention to mount an inqui-

ry into the violence which gripped Guyana during that period; perhaps with Khan returning, this might be the most opportune time. Victims of the violence of that period came from all ethnic groups, but African-Guyanese young men were hit hard. Thus, that community would obviously have an interest in such an inquiry.

We support such an inquiry. This nation needs to know who the players behind that deadly period were in our recent history. Hundreds of African-Guyanese lives were lost. The community of Buxton was virtually dislocated. Policemen were shot down. Innocent Indian Guyanese were killed and attacked. A government minister and his family were

murdered. Outside of the violence of the 1960s, this was the most violent period in our recent history. What was behind the violence?

Was it politically motivated?

What was the agenda of the players?

These and other questions are unanswered. The PPP has always sought to make mileage out of the murders of Indian Guyanese, but refused to properly investigate the murder of its own minister. There are hints that some of the then rulers were connected to the operations. If so, who were they? And to what extent were they involved and why?

The once proud village of Buxton was transformed into a killing field. People were randomly murdered.

Women were raped. Children were turned into child soldiers. Under-age girls were bought by gunmen.

Schools were disrupted.

Even today, a decade later, the scars of that experience are still fresh. An entire generation of Buxtonians has been negatively affected.

Parents, children and relatives still mourn their loved ones. The village is still to shake off the image of violence. Some people are still afraid to go there.

Guyana has had too much bloodshed, too much state-sponsored violence. It is time we learn what really happened, so that we can correct the wrongs done to ordinary working-class folk. We are behind you, Mr President.

Figueira takes dig at GCCI Dear Editor, THE forensic audits undertaken when the Granger Administration took office revealed that the former PPP administration engaged in the greatest assault on Guyana’s patrimony and treasury.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly and former PPP member, Ralph Ramkarran, SC, made some unexpected utterances on his blog after leaving the party. ‘The Conversation Tree’ (June 23, 2013). ‘The respected former Speaker who came from the bosom of the PPP “beast,” declared that Guyana’s new name would soon change to the

“Kleptocratic Republic of Guyana,” as he alleged that the former administration and local businessmen were “taking advantage of their positions and political connections to enrich themselves.” Not the poor and down-trodden in all parts of Guyana.

No! Their focus was on themselves.

In 2013, The then Joint Opposition Parties called for the government to establish a Public Procurement Commission and to publish the names of all contractors and businessmen who were the beneficiaries of government contracts for sums in excess of G$1B. For obvious reasons such as those given by

Ramakarran, the PPP refused to set up a Public Procurement Commission which would ensure that contracts were awarded in a fair and equitable manner.

Note that same was only established under the David Granger-led coalition administration, to ensure that every Guyanese is given an opportunity to succeed and benefit from his/her country’s patrimony.

It is known that the officials of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) have done much work in carrying out its mandate and many will be charged and will be found guilty when their day comes.

Additionally, they have recently started to investi-

gate the award of oil blocks given to JHI, Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas, and Ratio Energy in March 2015 ( Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks).

International Oil and Gas Consultant, Dr Jan Mangal recently said, “The issue before us is an obvious one.

Everyone in the industry knows Guyana has been defrauded with the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks” (Kaieteur News Jun 07, 2019). He further stated, “Whenever you see illegitimate companies and individuals being awarded blocks around the world, you know something is wrong.” Dr Mangal believes that the probe would set the tone for Guyana’s oil industry, and would send a message to the international

community that Guyana is transitioning to a “rulesbased country” where corruption will not be tolerated; where corruption will be vehemently challenged with the rule of law and our independent judiciary.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has recently expressed the view that “such an investigation would have the potential to harm the investment climate in Guyana”. Wow! Could you believe the nerve of these very funny people? (The Guyana Times newspaper, June 13, 2019). Dr Jan Mangal, the international oil and gas expert expressed a contrary view, that I dear say is most profound, ”Those who ben-

efit from this type of fraud will say Guyana should not rescind the blocks and that Guyana will scare away investors and there are many of these beneficiaries of fraud, outside and inside of Guyana.”

(Kaieteur News Jun 07, 2019). These two conflicting statements are self-explanatory and it begs the question, what do the boys down at the GCCI have to hide? What are they scared of that will be revealed?

Are they in the category of the businessmen whom Ralph Ramkarran knows and whom he so eloquently wrote about?

The United Nations beTURN TO PAGE 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

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A dark day in our country’s history Dear Editor,

ON that day, July 6, 1964, a launch owned and operated by a known PNC supporter Norman Yacoob Chapman, while plying its normal Georgetown-Wismar/Mc Kenzie route exploded in the vicinity of Hurudaia in the Demerara River Forty-seven persons, including a pregnant woman, all of one group and known PNC supporters, perished. I point no fingers, except to some facts for the benefit of the forgetful old and the young.

The Constitutional Conference for Independence was held at Lancaster House, London, in October, 1963. The three Leaders, Peter D’Aguiar, Dr Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham could not agree on the main issues.

The PPP delegation did not agree with the PNC’s suggestion for a plebiscite to allow the people to decide; instead, Dr Jagan asked the British Colonial Secretary Mr Duncan Sandys to break

the deadlock, stating in his own words that he had great faith and confidence in the British sense of fair play and justice.

Reluctantly, and threatened with a further delay for independence, the PNC and UF leaders signed a document supporting Dr Jagan’s request.

We know the result.

Clearly, Dr Jagan and the PPP were unhappy, if not furious with the Sandys solution and returned home promising, again, in his own words, a ‘hurricane of protest.’

G.A.W.U was also agitating in the sugar belt for recognition. On May 25, 1964, there were serious eruptions in the Wismar/ Christianburg, McKenzie (now Linden) community.

Over seventy-five percent (75%) of Indo-Guyanese were roughed up and forced to flee their homes and businesses.

What triggered this, were the murders, rape and arson in parts of the East Coast Demerara and West Coast Berbice, from where

the majority of bauxite mine workers had come.

It was a terrible situation.

Shortly after, a top official from Freedom House promised a gift to the people at the Wismar/Christianburg area.

As we remember this anniversary, let us prevail upon our leaders to avoid mis-steps of earlier days.

Let’s be reminded of the following wisdom:- “ And I can see no reason why anyone should suppose that in the future the same motifs already heard will not be sounding still …put to use by reasonable men to reasonable ends, or by madmen to nonsense and disaster.”

Joseph Campbell, Foreword to the Masks of God: Primitive Mythology, 1969 Just two days ago, I dispatched a correspondence published in the media of Thursday, July 4, 2019, appealing to our leaders to put Guyana first. If I can put it another way, to display the highest level of sagacity and patriotism, thereby overcoming what appears to be

universal weakness.

Barbara Tuchman in the introduction to her boo, “THE MARCH OF FOLLY” from Troy to Vietnam, laments “ A phenomenon noticeable throughout history regardless of place or period is the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests.

Mankind, it seems, makes a poorer performance of government than of almost any other human activity. In this sphere, wisdom, which may be defined as the exercise of judgement acting on experience, commonsense and available information, is less operative and more frustrated than it should be.”

She then begs a question “ Why do holders of high office so often act contrary to the way reason points and enlightened self-interest suggests? Why does intelligent mental process seem so often not to function?”

I hope that the young people of Guyana, irrespective of race, colour, creed and station in life would demand that our leaders really

Figueira takes dig... came very concerned about the level of theft of state assets in developing countries and hence created a treaty known as “The United Nations Convention Against Corruption” (UNCAC), ratified in 2003 and signed by 140 UN territories. Guyana became a signatory in 2008. UNCAC is a robust Convention of standards, rules and measures aimed at eradicating corruption. It is the UN’s Global Response to the issue of Corruption and places heavy emphasis on asset recovery.

The convention primarily focuses on the following areas: preventive measures, criminaliSation, law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, technical assistance, ensure the existence of a body or bodies to prevent corruption, create a public procurement system, enhance transparency in public administration, prevent cor-

ruption among members of the judiciary,take measures to enhance the accounting and auditing standards in the private sector, make sure penalties for corrupt acts reflect the gravity of the offence, promote the participation of civil society in the fight against corruption, implement a comprehensive regulatory scheme to prevent money laundering and establish procedures to freeze, seize and confiscate the proceeds of corrupt acts. I repeat, to freeze, seize and confiscate the proceeds of corrupt acts.

Taking the aforementioned into consideration, the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) was birthed from the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Even though Guyana signed the treaty with the United Nation in 2008 and was obligated to put measures in place to aggressively fight corruption

and to recover state assets that were illegally taken from the state, former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar refused to abide by the tenets of the treaty.

In Guyana, the treaty was not honoured, but it was honoured by all other countries who were signatories. Again in 2015, as soon as the coalition administration came to office, the United Nations treaty was honoured by establishing what was known as SARU (State Asset Recovery Unit now SARA) and passed several other pieces of sweeping legislation in an effort to fight corruption.

I have concluded that wicked men who have grown accustomed to plundering the wealth of this nation are trying to stymie the government’s efforts to fulfil the tenets of the UNCAC treaty by fighting anti-corruption efforts. The

FROM PAGE 6

reason why the boys at the GCCI are trying to lobby for SARA not to investigate the “giving away” of the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks which are worth hundreds of millions of United States dollars is a no-brainer.

The make-up of the GCCI has some well clothed and at times well-spoken members whose interests should be questioned. Some of them are nothing but a bunch of ?

Guyana under the David Granger-led coalition government is better equipped to continue serving this nation for the benefit of all Guyanese.

We must never allow ourselves to forget that most evil, wicked and corrupt PPP administration.

Regards Jermaine Figueira Member of Parliament Region 10

put Guyana first, for if we mess up or do the sensible thing, it will be the kids in school and now leaving school who will be either the victims or the beneficiaries of our actions today.

I repeat, do not let the CCJ and the niceties of our constitution take up any more of our time and resources, but rather concentrate on how the less than a million people, resident in Guyana, can make Guyana, Good, Glorious and a Giant among Nations.

As I dictate this letter, I learnt of Mrs Patricia Abraham’s passing in Canada just a few weeks before her 99th birthday.

Mrs Abraham was the wife of Alexander Arthur Abraham who, with seven of their nine children, perished in the fire set to their home in Hadfield Street on June 12, 1964. She somehow jumped through a window and was the only survivor.

Two of the nine children were away at the time.

Recall, Arthur Abraham was at the top of the public service – Perma-

nent Secretary, in the Office of the Premier (Dr Jagan).

Abraham was suspected of passing documents to the United Force Leader, Peter D’Aguiar and so, he was ‘promoted’ (SIC) from the Premier’s Office to the Ministry of Works.

Her passing closes another chapter in our troubled history. On behalf of my wife and children, I offer sympathy to her family and relatives. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.

I end with the contention reiterated in Isaiah Berlin’s Historical Inevitability. The historian, Berlin maintains, cannot escape “that minimum degree of moral or psychological evaluation, which is necessarily involved in viewing human beings as creatures with purposes and motives (and not merely as casual factors in the procession of events).”

The old folks will say, “put sense through our thick skulls to push out the nonsense.”

Regards Hamilton Green

A rare pink diamond and gem Dear Editor, GROWING up as a kid and passing the No. 19 Village, Berbice, it was always a magnificent view to admire this huge building from the public road and I always thought some wealthy family owned it and one day I hope to witness/ view it closer.

Some years ago, I managed to visit a couple of times and lo and behold, it was the most breathtaking experience to actually see it closely and I just imagined myself being part of history. I have always had a passion for historical artifacts or anything historical and hands down, this historical architecture known as The East Lothian House

with 99 windows and one closed off, is a rare pink diamond and a gem. The current owner from a private audience did indicate to me that at some stage it will be demolished, because it will cost a fortune to restore and that is sad.

I am not sure what the Guyana Tourism Authority’s stance is with the preservation of historical architectures still around, but my personal belief is that if we use the hammer guys to tear them all down, I honestly don’t think we are serious about tourism.

Attached is a photographic image of the historical architectural treasure in Berbice.

Regards Trevor Pemberton Pic save as house

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Broomes to help LGBTQ youth become self-employed

MINISTER of Youth Affairs, within the Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes, has pledged to help youth within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community become self-employed.

The Minister made this pledge at a recent engagement with members of the Guyana Trans United, which is an LGBTQ+ representative body, at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday.

Importantly, this engagement was hailed as “historic” by a member of the GTU and rights advocate, Cracey Fernandes, since it was the first time representatives of the community were able to engage with a Minister at the Ministry of the Presidency.

“We the members of the LGBTQ community feel we are part of the good life. We might have specific problems, particularly in the equal opportunities in the workplace... but we have a good relationship with the current government,” Fernandes said.

Minister of Youth Affairs, within the Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes at the meeting with members of the Guyana Trans United and LGBTQ+ youth [Vishani Ragobeer photo] He also added that with the previous administration, the LGBTQ had to protest in order to engage the government.

At this engagement, Fernandes told the Minister that the group has applied for a plot of land, located at Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, in an attempt to use this land for agricultural purposes so

that young LGBTQ+ persons could have access to some form of employment.

With this purpose in mind, he requested the Minister’s help in finalising the process of acquiring that land and subsequently, some support to develop this land to create opportunities for agriculture and entrepreneurship.

Minister Broomes congratulated them for thinking

outside of the norm, vis a vis employment opportunities, and said: “One of the things I think you all need to look at is your independence.”

She further explained that unemployment is a problem that is not limited to the LGBTQ+ community, but it is one that affects a wide cross section of the Guyanese public. However, she acknowledged that this minori-

ty group faces the extra hurdle of discrimination because of its Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI).

“I really respect all of you as Guyanese,” she said while pledging the government’s assistance. Specifically, she promised to engage Minister of Rural Agriculture, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood and Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally.

Additionally, she stressed that all of the youth should apply for house lots. This, she indicated is aligned with President Granger’s vision of each citizen having his/her own home and she said that she would also reach out to Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson, on behalf of them.

“I’m assuring you that there will be no discrimination,” Minister Broomes said, adding: “It’s not about no handouts or anything, once you got the breath, the sky’s the limit.”

DISCRIMINATION The young people pres-

ent at the gathering also highlighted that discrimination continues to be a problem that they face.

Keon Groenhart related that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) needs to change how they respond to the LGBTQ community, since when persons go to the force to access justice, they are often treated poorly.

To this end, Fernandes said that there needs to be continuous training with the GPF, noting: ““If we don’t have continuous training in the system by members in the community we will not be able to harness the kind of human rights satisfaction and respect for every citizen.”

Upon hearing this, Minister Broomes shared that she was going to write the Commissioner of Police to let him know that this matter of discrimination is a serious one, since these persons are all Guyanese and they have a constitutional right to justice.

“That is still something of concern and I’m going to write to the Commissioner and let him know,” she said.

Youth dies in Golden Grove accident Remembering the Son Chapman tragedy

AN early morning accident at Golden Grove, West Berbice, has resulted in the death of a young man while his friend has been hospitalised in a critical condition.

Dead is Lincoln Carmichael, 21, while his friend, whose name was given as Shamar Hercules, also 21, has been hospitalised in a critical condition. Both men lived at Seafield, West Berbice.

Reports are that the two young men were travelling in a Nissan Bluebird motorcar around 04:00hrs on Sunday when Hercules, who was driving at the time, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole.

Hospitalised: Shamar Hercules They were seen hanging out with friends earlier at the village of Hopetown prior to the accident. Reports are that the driver may have

Dead: Lincoln Carmichael been speeding since the car crossed the roadway and crashed into the utility pole.

Police are investigating the accident.

The aftermath of the deadly accident

TODAY, 55 years have passed since that fateful day when more than 40 of Linden’s own were massacred on the Demerara River as they travelled home on the Son Chapman launch at 16.00hrs on Monday, July 6, 1964.

It has been said that ‘To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.’ How very true!

The men, women and children who died on the Son Chapman 55 years ago live on in the hearts and minds of their families and friends and the people of Linden.

Many of us alive today never knew the men, women, and children of the Son Chapman massacre. Yet, we remember them and reflect on their experience because by their deaths we have an example of what hatred and brutality can lead to --- senseless loss of life and endless suffering.

Incidents such as the Son Chapman massacre and the July18 tragedy of 2012 must

never again occur. We must take the lessons taught by tragedies such as these to guide our actions in the here and now. For our society to allow such tragedies to re-occur would be indicative of our collective unwillingness to learn and grow as a society.

The survivors of the Son Chapman -- six crewmen and 26 passengers -- must also be remembered for they represent God’s never-ending mercy and the resilience of the people of Linden.

This experience has made us stronger. The people of this region are known for staring adversity in the face and overcoming May God rest the souls of the men, women and children of the Son Chapman.

And may God bless the people of Linden and Region 10.

Regards, Sharma Solomon

Why Yadram and Kallicharan not selected for Windies training camp?

Dear Editor, THE outstanding performances of Nicholas Pooran in the World Cup should come as no surprise to any serious follower of world cricket. Unfortunately, he had to wait a long time before he was given an extended run in the team.

World batting star batsman A B De Villiers, as far back as 2017, had predicted that Pooran would be a future star in West Indies cricket if given the opportunity. One hopes that outstanding talents such as Bhaskar Yadram of Guyana and Kirsten Kallicharan

of Trinidad will not be ignored as Pooran was for so long. Neither of these players was selected to the emerging players camp announced recently by Cricket West Indies.

These two have much to contribute to West Indies cricket; they must be given the same chances as others who are no more talented than they are. After all, aren’t we all West Indians?

Regards Tony Boodhoo Ontario

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Mahaicony sea-defence breach being addressed

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure has activated the full force of its Sea and River Defence Department to respond to severe erosion giving way to flooding in farmlands in the Mahaicony area.

and Danzigt areas, which serve as barriers to the Bellamy Canal from the Atlantic Ocean.

With the barrier now broken in some areas, neighbouring farmlands have experienced flooding which can

Works recently completed at Prospect, Mahaicony area On Sunday, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Kevin Samad told the newspaper that the ministry is aware of the situation and will be addressing same with the placement of boulders, rip-rap structures and damreinforcement works.

Samad confirmed previous media reports that the issue lies at earthen embankments between the Broomhall

prove detrimental to crops.

“Some flooding of rice and pasture lands [have occurred] since the Bellamy Canal is at full capacity due to heavy rainfall over last few days. The Bellamy sluice is discharging into the Mahaica River and is working at both low-tide periods within 24 hours to ensure rapid drawdown,” Samad stated.

The erosion cycle in the

Ongoing emergency works to secure vulnerable stretches

Mahaicony area has also been attributed to a loss of large stretches of mangrove forest, which was a natural defence against the raging tide and rising sea level.

The chief sea and river defence officer informed this newspaper that works are ongoing at the Prospect and Broomhall areas to secure vulnerable stretches.

Some 2,000 tons of boulders have already been delivered to vulnerable sections at the areas for placement

9

along the sea dam.

However, a situation has developed at the Danzigt area, resulting in the breaching of 125 metres of earthen dam --- the primary sea defence structure protected by mangrove forest along the entire Mahaicony district As such, another 1,000 tons of boulders will be delivered on Wednesday at the breached section at Danzigt.

“A contract was recently See page 10

Some 125 metres of breached sea dam at Danzigt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Children learn from all around WHEN a man sits down to reflect on his childhood, he usually can say outright which males influenced him the most, in either a negative or positive way. Likewise, most women will be able to tell you from whom they garnered advice and confidence during their developmental years, or about the person they chose to emulate because they found them inspirational.

While it’s true that parents are meant to have the greatest influence over their children, when children are not getting the input and direction they need from their parents, they will veer towards adults who seemingly appeal to them. The child may be unable to discern whether the appeal has a negative or positive affect. All they may realise is the fact that there is a void in their life that needs to be filled.

Many pre-adolescent and adolescent children find themselves on the wrong side of the law, having been influenced by the wrong type of role model: when really, if they had received some encouragement and attention at the appropriate time from the right person, their lives might have taken a totally different route. Parents should choose their friends wisely. It is never a good idea to have too many acquaintances visiting the home and befriending your children. Deciding who your close, trustworthy friends are and who you prefer to

keep at arm’s length may be difficult for people who live with extended family or in close quarters with family members. It is hard to control who your relatives bring into a shared environment.

But parents should have the authority to set the precedence of how their households are run and to choose the people they prefer to be around their children. They should aim to do this as best they can, even in trying circumstances. If something feels wrong about a person, then they are not obligated to have that person in their home or around their children.

Children have been sexually abused and molested by people in their own families, by neighbours and by so-called family friends. It is difficult to tell exactly who is a perpetrator or when or how they might strike. Therefore, adults should pay heed to the adage, ‘Every smiling face is not a friend’ and stay focused on protecting their children in the home, as well as outdoors.

In addition to looking out for their children, parents can empower them not to feel intimidated by situations. They can teach their children that it is alright to say ‘no’ if they are asked to do anything they feel is inappropriate. If they are feeling uncomfortable in someone’s company, they can say ‘please call my parents I am not feeling well,’ or they can ask to be taken home.

Above all, children must be encouraged

not to keep secrets from their parents. Not children do not speak out about many only do perpetrators know which children things, unless there is a suitable platform, are best to pick on, they are also aware of such as an understanding smile and a lishow to keep children quiet by threatening tening ear. to hurt their family members, or by bribing To do right by children, adults must be their victims. cognisant of the various people, situations Children will only feel confident and circumstances to which they expose enough to protect themselves if they their children and how they are possibly have competent, understanding parents being influenced. They should anticipate who trust them and who listen to and ac- the needs of their off-spring, so they can knowledge their concerns. When a child guide them accordingly and holistically feels ridiculed or belittled, unimportant or --- minimising the necessity for their child misunderstood by parents, (or caregivers) to seek surrogate role models, who are not it is unlikely that the child will disclose always positive influences. If you are conany untoward behaviour or uncomfortable cerned about the welfare of a child call the incident that may have occurred.

CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at There is no doubt that there are adults, childcaregy@gmail.com quite possibly some even reading these A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDvery words, who have had one or two CARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, ‘close shaves’ in their lives with a would- MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECbe sexual perpetrator: and even those who TION are survivors of an unpleasant sexual encounter during their childhood that was never From brought to light, yet it still page 9 affects them to this day.

When adults talk about the sexual ordeals that they suffered as children, their elders always question why they did not come forward or speak out about what had awarded for permanent riprap works in the Prospect happened at the time. But area. However, some boulders will be diverted to Danzigt to seal the breached section,” Samad said.

“A long boom excavator was mobilised yesterday to assist rice farmers to reinforce dams around their rice fields to prevent intrusion. Works will commence today [Sunday] for the farmers. A walkthrough will be done [on Sunday and Monday] with the rice farmers and sea defence officers to ensure effective emergency interventions. A second excavator attached to the ministry will be mobilised by Tuesday to work along with farmers.”

Meanwhile, he reported that waters are now receding in the Bellamy Canal and connecting canals.

On July 9, 2019, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will open a tender at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the construction of 350 metres of riprap structure between Prospect and Broomhall.

This marks Phase 2 of a project previously commenced with the awarding of a contract for the construction of 325 metres of riprap structure as Phase 1.

The total length of construction between Prospect and Broomhall is 675 metres or over 1,200 feet of works.

Added to this, a tender was opened on July 2, 2019 for the supply of 2,500 tons of boulders to address the breached area at Danzigt, which adds to the 1,000 tons expected on Wednesday.

Samad stated: “The areas will continue to be monitored by the Sea and River Defence Department to ensure quick response to secure the breached and vulnerable sections and to arrest the erosion of the sea dam and to prevent consequential flooding. The contractors have three excavators on site currently fortifying vulnerable sections.”

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has also been apprised of the situation and will be assisting where necessary.

He acknowledged that while “intense rains” over the past few days have been affecting the pace of works, the neap-tide period expected for the next 10 days will allow for an advance with the emergency works before the next spring-tide period.

Mahaicony sea-defence...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

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St John the Baptist Primary still ‘top school’ in Reg. 7 WHEN the results of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were released recently, it proved that the St John the Baptist Primary School in Bartica is still a force to reckon with, having secured five of the top ten spots in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Leading the posse with 512 marks is Sumehra Jardine, followed by Simeon Sears, Malachi Mahadeo, Cianna Ketwaroo, and Angelena Johnson with 481, 477, 474 and 473 marks respectively.

St John has laid the foundation for some of the best products of the country, among them President David Granger, and continues to produce high-fliers in various aspects.

Since the appointment of the ‘Coalition’ government in 2015, President Granger has been injecting a steady flow of cash and kind into the region so as to ensure that the children there have ample access to education, and are adequately equipped with the tools necessary to excel.

The region has been in receipt of a “big bus” to take the children to and from school, while a number of students got bicycles. Boats were also given to Bartica, the region’s Seat of Administration, to ensure that the children in the riverine communities can attend school regularly.

During a recent visit to Bartica, President Granger reportedly stopped by at St John’s to encourage the children to always put their best foot forward.

While there, he committed to continue providing transportation to students

across the country, particularly boats to those who live in riverine areas, so they can get to school.

And, as has been his wont since taking office in 2015, President Granger pledged that as long as he remains in office, there will be no gap between the coastland and the hinterland when it comes to educational opportunities, and as such, the residents of Region Seven can look forward to much more being done to improve their lot.

“Bartica is not ‘bush’; it is a part of Guyana like any other part; like Rosehall, Corriverton or New Amsterdam. Bartica is the administrative centre of a region which is bigger than the Netherlands; you cannot administer a region from a village. Bartica has and will get more public services; it has a large population. Bartica has every reason to be a town,” the President had said when last he was there.

With St. John the Baptist’s graduation ceremony set for Wednesday, President Granger has already signaled that he’ll be there in person to deliver the feature address.

HIGH ON TECHNOLOGY The five high-achievers not only came from the same school, but also the same class, which is a significant achievement for their teacher, Ms. Allison Jack, since it was her first Grade Six class.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that her method of teaching involves mostly the use of technology.

She said that the children understood the concepts of the work better, through

Septuagenarian beaten, robbed A SEPTUAGENARIAN was beaten and robbed after two armed bandits invaded his Carriage Road, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice home on Friday Amin Sibdhanny, 77, along with his relative Surujdai Bridgelall, were at home conducting a business transaction, just about 19:20hrs when two masked men armed with small handguns entered the lower flat of their two-storey wooden and concrete home, demanding cash and valuables.

As the bandits made demands, they beat the victims about their heads and other areas of their bodies. The robbers reportedly escaped with $520, 000.

When police arrived at the scene, the injured men were taken to Fort Wellington Hospital where they were medically examined, treated and sent away. The police are investigating the incident.

visual representation, creative videos, and more, all of which she got from YouTube.

Ms. Jack said that though her method of teaching is a bit on the expensive side, owing to the poor Internet connections in Bartica, she makes it her duty to invest

in data so as to ensure all her lessons are understood.

The effectiveness of the method was proven, the teacher said, as her entire class did well at their exams.

And even though this was her first Grade Six class, she said that given the success of the technological

– President to deliver feature address at graduation method, she would like to encourage all teachers to utilize the variety of creative tools and materials that are available on the Internet.

And in keeping with President Granger’s alluding to the country being transformed into a digital State, several ICT hubs have been

created and several schools across Guyana received IT labs so that students can have access to technology.

Jack said that if guided and used correctly, these can be used to the advantage of children, and improve their academic performance in school.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Family of dead nurse wants answers

By Wendell Davidson

RELATIVES Schenise Apple, 26, the young nurse whose body was found hanging at the nurse’s hostel, in Mahdia, Region Eight, are demanding answers from the authorities regarding her death.

Police Commander `F Division, Kevin Adonis, on Sunday said there was no new information on Apple’s death. According to the results of the post-mortem on Friday, Apple, formerly of Lot 323 Block 22, Linden, Region 10, committed suicide.

However, relatives of the dead woman are not convinced that the young woman took her own life, claiming that such behaviour is not consistent with her disposition. They feel that attempts are being made to cover-up something disquieting.

In addition, her father Dexter Copeland has expressed disappointment with

how, “everything regarding my daughter’s death, from the reported discovery to now,” has unfolded.

“There are more questions than answers and I need to get to the bottom of it all.

Schenise and I and her mother were very close. She was anxiously awaiting the return of her mother from overseas, so she can get her new phone and other things she requested. We last spoke with her on Sunday, she was in high spirits, why then, why would she do something like that? I am still in a daze, I am still confused,” said the father.

He added: “To date, I have not been officially told what is the cause of death, unlike other persons who were there awaiting the autopsies on the bodies of relatives. They were told, so why weren’t we? I, nor any relative, was not allowed to witness the examination; instead, a policeman (name given) approached and showed me photos on his personal phone

who was serving her country dutifully, should be treated with such disdain?” he asked.

The father said he was in the town to be at a football match and his daughter had indicated to him before that she would have been tired after her shift and would instead rest.

The late nurse Schenise Apple

of the body cuts on her wrists and feet, that it is claimed she inflicted herself. Is this how it is done, photos are taken on the personal cellphone of the

policeman who witnesses an autopsy.”

Copeland said he also finds baffling that he and relatives are the ones who have since the incident been reaching out to both the hospital officials and the police.

Not a single police or hospital official has visited us or called by telephone. No even those at Mahdia with whom she worked.

“I am the one who made contact. Is this the way the relatives of a public servant,

SHOCK The next thing, he said, he heard his daughter is dead.

“The body was sent from Mahdia on Tuesday, I saw it myself, I did not see cuts I am now being shown. I saw a laceration on the neck and on the back and the fingers looked blue. On Wednesday, when initially we were told that the post-mortem would have been done, myself and other relatives went to the GPHC (Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation) morgue. I identified the body and I did not see those marks they are claiming. I was not allowed to remain to witness the examination. I was told to wait by a counter outside.

It was to have been done by a female, said to be a pathologist, who said not long that because of the circumstances a senior person will have to do it,” the father said.

He said he was invited to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), where a senior officer had shown him

the same pictures that the policeman had taken and was asked to give a statement, but refused.

“I have questions to ask, I have photos with my daughter hanging that has been circulating on social network, and my family and I have been analysing them with what the policeman had. I want to know why no family member was invited to witness the autopsy, why was the body brought from Lyken’s Funeral Home on Friday and it was not stored at the hospital mortuary? Is there something fishy that efforts are being made to cover-up?” he asked.

The father disclosed that even after his daughter was supposed to be dead, “her cellular phone was still active.” Someone, pretending to be her, texted her boyfriend who resides in Linden. However, the tone of the conversation was not consistent with how he and the young woman would normally communicate with each other, the father noted.

Copeland said he intends to seek justice for the second of his five children, after he, her mother, her sibling and other bid her farewell on June 16. He is not buying the story that his daughter “committed suicide.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Sydney James nearly sank me –– Munroe claims ‘jealous’ SOCU head was behind treason plot against him

RETIRED Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Major Bruce Munroe, who was charged for treason in 2010, has accused head of Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Sydney James, of being behind the plot.

According to Munroe, James conspired to ensure his (Munroe’s) voice was placed on a recording that would later be used against him in court.

SOCU is currently under public scrutiny. Munroe said that it was James who allegedly sent the informant, former GDF officer who was dishonourably dismissed, Quincy Critchlow, to implicate him in a treason offence.

“That was the man who sent Quincy Critchlow to entrap us,” he said.

It was noted during the trial, that James provided Critchlow with the audio recording device to tape Munroe, in the alleged plot. It was on Benschop radio programme Straight up that Bruce related that the bitterness between the two had quite a long history and while he never personally had an issue with James, jealousy played a bitter role in James trying to bring him down.

Munroe was progressing in rank and was sent on numerous training courses overseas.

The ‘David and Saul’ saga between the two started after ranks started to tantalise James that his junior rank, which was Munroe, was progressing faster than him and given more opportunities to travel.

According to Munroe, James thought he was the better candidate on two occasions. At that time James was the head of the Military Criminal Investigation Department (MCID).

“My reflection on this whole thing, seems as though it came years upon years of issues... i didn’t had issues with Mr. James but i think he had issues with me, going all the way back to 1996 into 97,” he said.

Munroe further related: “When these kinds of torment and tantalise come, I would always try to excuse myself and don’t get involved in those kinds of things and is things like these led up in those kind of bad relation-

Head of SOCU, Sydney James ships.”

The treason accused said he always felt uncomfortable around James and persons warned him of James’ capabilities. It was when the trial got to its climax, then it was all unfolding, the role James allegedly played in the entire saga.

LIKED GLORY James boldly testified against Munroe and vehemently asserted throughout the testimony that he was guilty of treason. His informant, Critchlow, Munroe said, was a person who always liked glory and was in need of money, after he was kicked out of the army. He said he even approached him to assist him in looking for a job.

James appeared multiple times on the stand and gave evidence to the nature that the accused were purportedly plotting to use explosives and other materials of a violent and destructive nature to disassemble the then Jagdeo regime.

They were reportedly halted before the commencement of their scheme after they had been reported by Critchlow who alerted the relevant authorities with a recording on their plot.

During cross-examination by Attorney Nigel Hughes, Critchlow admitted that he had been hired to set up three black people. He said he was

told what questions he should ask the three persons during the taping of the conversations.

He, however, declined to name to names of who hired him.

When James took the stand, Munroe said, “I started to put two and two together... my wife and I started to hold our hand and started to pray.”

While everyone in the courtroom, including Bishop High School law students realised that there was no evidence against the Munroes, it was only James who kept his position that Munroe and the other accused were trying to overthrow the government.

At the time, Munroe said he and his wife started to muster confidence that no evidence was against them.

NO SUBSTANCE “In the long run, we started to gain confidence that whatever he was saying had no bearing and no substance and somewhere down the line, we continued to pray and believe and we would be out of there and eventually, we did,” he said.

Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry found the accused not guilty of the charge in 2012, as she cited that important elements necessary to support the charge were omitted.

Based on what the Constitution stipulates, it had to be clear what the treasonous acts were and would therefore deem the persons traitors.

According to the law, for the act of treason and the manifestation of the intention, in other words, there must be an act, an overt one at that, where it clearly shows what the persons would have done to be treasonous. In this case, this was not done.

James was sworn in as head of SOCU, in September of 2014, under the previous administration, after he gave the testimony in the treason case.

He also testified in the CoI into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney. SOCU is a special police unit that probes corruption and money laundering. An audit into the misuse of operational funds at SOCU was recently conducted following instructions from Commissioner of

Retired Major Bruce Munroe with wife Carol-Ann Munroe Police Leslie James.

The audit has reportedly uncovered serious irregularities, including the falsification of records. Since the APNUAFC took office, SOCU was given the role to investigate fraudulent conversion of state assets under the previous administration. While a number of PPP officials were charged, none has been convicted to date.

Meanwhile, the Munroes are calling for an apology and compensation from the PPP administration and those responsible for their trumped up treason charge. As a result of their ordeal, Mrs. Munroe said her family has been through a roller coaster, more so financially and since then, they never recovered.

“We have never recovered; it is always a struggle from that day forth.

They could have apologised, I felt if they had given a public apology, I would have felt good and my wife would have felt good, if our names were publicly cleared from this wrong doing, or so- called wrong doing. I’m sure it would have gained them more respect,” Mrs. Munroe said.

While their wounds remain fresh, Mrs. Munroe said that an apology is what they deserve.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

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President plugs putting a ‘top school’ in each region

PRESIDENT David Granger is hoping to one day have a “top school” in each of the country’s ten administrative regions, so as to do away with the stigma of who’s bright and who’s not.

“I hope that one day we wouldn’t be speaking about top five schools, but top ten schools. Every region should have an ‘A Grade’ School, so that persons wouldn’t believe that they need to come to town to get a good education,” he said. “I am hoping that we’ll be able to provide quality education within the regions, so that children can stay within their region for secondary level education,” President Granger told Bishops’ High School (BHS)’s Shania Madramuthu during an interview on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The subject came up during a candid discussion with Madramuthu on his vision for the education sector, which is to have a nation of fully educated people.

NO MORE ‘BRIGHT’ OR ‘DULL’ It all began with what he thought about this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA)’s results, and

Bishops’ High School’s Shania Madramuthu, interviewing President Granger

President Granger said that while he congratulates all those pupils who have done very well, he believes that the ‘exam’ should be seen as a normal part of a child’s education, and shouldn’t be used to label them as either ‘bright’ and ‘dull’.

It’s a stigma, he said, that the government is working assiduously on dispelling; to erase the distinction between the so-called “top schools” and those that are not regarded so highly.

President Granger said that ideally, his vision for

Guyana is to have a completely educated nation, and that as far as he and his government are concerned, education is of paramount importance to every facet of life.

“To start with, it is the basis of equality. I believe we should have a more egalitarian society. I believe that the distinction between the coastland and hinterland should be erased. The distinction between rich and poor should be erased, and the distinction among ethnic groups and the distinction between genders should all be erased,” Presi-

dent Granger said.

“I think education is a great equaliser, and I am very confident that if all Guyanese were exposed to the same quality of education, we’d have a more happy society; happy households and happy communities. So, above everything else, I think education guarantees equality,” he added.

THE GREATER EQUALISER And in his belief that the public school system is a greater equaliser, given that

children and teachers are more exposed to children from different backgrounds, he is of the opinion that integrating these backgrounds is where equality starts.

“It is also, in my view,” he said, “that education is important for empowerment.

If you’re uneducated, it is difficult to get a job; to be employed or self-employed, especially now that we live in a very competitive world. So I think educated nations and educated people will stand a better opportunity; a better chance to reach prosperity and have a good life.”

Noting that an educated nation is also good for the economy, the president said, “If you have a lot of educated people, it means that there will be a lot of opportunities for technological development and industrial progress.”

INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION He said that is in light of the foregoing that the ‘Coalition’ government has, since taking office in 2015, invested over $172B in the education sector.

He said that the first thing they noticed was that the

President David Granger

school dropout rate was extremely high. He said that according to the statistics, in the early 2000s, children were dropping out three or four a day, and a lot of young people were not employed.

Thankfully, all that has since changed, as the government has been doing everything financially possible to improve the system.

He listed as being among those investments to which he referred the 5Bs Initiative, as well as the improvements effected to over 100 schools, and the building of new ones in both rural and hinterland areas.

Merundoi using puppetry to effect social change MERUNDOI Inc, in collaboration with UNESCO, is conducting a series of workshops under the theme, “Puppetry: A Viable Industry for Social Change”.

The workshops are intended to build the capacity of specific vulnerable populations such as victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), the elderly, teachers, social workers, and youths in the field of puppet-making techniques.

Those techniques include the use of the marionette, rod, shadow and glove to do manipulation; script-writing; creating backdrops; scene-setting; props and producing live shows.

The master puppeteers that are facilitating the training are Michael ‘Ole-ManPappie’ Khan, and Natasha ‘Janie Gyal’ Azeez.

Azeez told the Guyana Chronicle that the workshops are targeting those who will use puppetry to enhance the methods at their disposal

to effect social and other changes.

“The objectives of the puppetry workshops include training male and female teachers capable of using puppetry to enhance teaching methods, and to train students in the Art of Puppetry; training of male and female Social Workers in the use of puppetry as a tool for counselling victims of trafficking; training of victims of trafficking in using puppetry as Art Therapy to relieve trauma; training of female senior citizens in the Art of Puppetry to upgrade their skills and enhance the art of storytelling; and training male and female youths in the Art of Puppetry as a new skill in the creative industries that can be used for entrepreneurship and employment,” Azeez disclosed.

Thus far, two workshops have been held and concluded. The first was held on June 10 – 14, 2019, and targeted members of the 60-Plus Blazers Club at the Catholic Life Centre on Brickdam. The

Members of the 60-Plus Blazers Club hard at work

second was held on June 24 – 28, 2019 at the Palms Geriatric Home, also on Brickdam, which saw participants being drawn from the National Library, The Guyana Rainbow Foundation (GUYBOW),

and Youth Challenge Guyana among other agencies.

The third workshop will commence today at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Homestretch Avenue, and end on Friday. Its target

audience is teachers from all across Guyana, while a fourth workshop is scheduled to run from July 22 to 26, and cater for members of the theatre world.

Said Azeez, “Feedback

thus far is one of joy, as participants welcome this initiative with high enthusiasm and an expectation of follow-up workshops of this nature.

“In addition, participants were elated to display their unique puppets, and present their stories on a professional puppet stage equipped with lights and sound. At the end of these workshops, Guyana will have four professional puppet stages.”

Both Khan and Azeez will be commencing follow-up puppet presentations shortly at the Botanical Gardens, The National Art Gallery (Castellani House) and other suitable open-air spaces, where members of the public can visit and learn how to make simple puppets.

For this aspect of the initiative, Azeez said, all materials will be provided, and participants of all four preceding workshops will be present and will do live performances for the audiences.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Advertise in Guyana Chronicle Classified Ads. For All Your Classified and Space Ads. Call 225-4475.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

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Fury vs Wilder rematch on February 22, 2020

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury’s first fight ended in an enthralling draw which led to the American retaining his title

United States players celebrate after the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France final match between the Netherlands and the United States at Stade de Lyon on July 07, 2019 in Lyon, France.

(Photo by John Todd/isiphotos.com/Getty Images)

United States snags fourth Women’s World Cup title (BBC) - THE United States won the Women’s World Cup for a record fourth time as they eventually overpowered the Netherlands in Lyon.

Megan Rapinoe’s penalty and Rose Lavelle’s fine run and finish gave the defending champions victory in the second half, after resilient first-half defending from the Dutch.

Veteran winger Rapinoe’s calmly-slotted opener came from a spot-kick awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, at the end of a tournament in which the system has been a major talking point.

Barcelona defender Stefanie van der Gragt’s high boot caught USA striker Alex Morgan and French referee Stephanie Frappart pointed to the spot after assessing replays, and the holders did

not look back after taking the lead.

The European champions, reaching the final in only their second World Cup, kept the favourites at bay in the first half as former Arsenal goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal produced four excellent saves.

But the USA, playing in their third consecutive final, continued their reign as the world’s finest side as they added to their titles of 1991, 1999 and 2015.

Rapinoe’s goal also meant she won the Golden Boot after finishing with six goals and three assists, while she also took the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player.

PEERLESS USA’S DOMINANCE CONTINUES Victory for the USA

saw their English-born boss Jill Ellis, from Hampshire, become the first coach to lift the trophy twice.

Her side’s second consecutive world title was a hard-fought one, but they have been the best side in a 24-team tournament that was fiercely contested, despite facing more serious trophy contenders than four years ago.

They laid down a daunting marker in their first match of the competition as they cruised to a 13-0 win over Thailand the biggest-ever victory at the finals.

Comfortable successes over Chile and Sweden followed, before they faced three much more detailed tests of their title credentials in the knock-

out rounds but battled to a trio of 2-1 wins over Spain, hosts France and England.

Rose Lavelle scores a fabulous goal to make it 2-0 to the USA In 2015’s final in Canada, the USA took a 4-0 lead over Japan inside 16 minutes, as a Carli Lloyd hat-trick helped them win 5-2, but the Dutch posed a far stiffer test.

Sarina Wiegman’s side, who beat Sweden in the last four on Wednesday, did well to absorb pressure from the USA in the first half and counter attack with pace when they could.

However, the Oranje created very few clear chances over the 90 minutes and winger Tobin Heath spurned multiple opportunities to extend the USA’s lead late on.

(BBC) - BRITAIN’S Tyson Fury says his highly-anticipated rematch with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will take place on 22 February, 2020.

Fury, 30, stopped German Tom Schwarz in round two last month in his first fight since a draw with Wilder in December - which the Englishman felt he won.

Wilder is slated to defend his belt against Luis Ortiz but beating the Cuban would allow a rematch with Fury.

“The rematch has been confirmed and signed, 22 February,” said Fury.

Speaking at a Q&A event at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre, Fury added: “It’s on, the rematch. This time I am going to knock him out.

“This time I haven’t been out the ring for three years, this time I haven’t been abusing too much alcohol.”

Wilder’s fight against Ortiz, another return bout, is expected to take place in September.

The 33-year-old American returned to action in May with a sensational first-round knockout of Dominic Breazeale to retain his WBC world heavyweight title in New York.

Meanwhile, Fury’s British promoter Frank Warren said he is likely to fight again in September or October, possibly in New York, before a rematch against Wilder.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Messi’s Copa America criticism ‘unfounded’ say South American football bosses

Australia’s Khawaja out of World Cup

(BBC) - AUSTRALIA’S Usman Khawaja is out of the World Cup with a hamstring injury, says coach Justin Langer.

Khawaja, who had been batting at number three, picked up the injury during Saturday’s defeat by South Africa.

“I feel that sad for him that he’s going to miss the World Cup semi-final,” said Langer, who added that Matthew Wade would come into the side.

Usman Khawaja played in all nine of Australia’s World Cup group games, scoring two fifties

Messi and Argentina have repeatedly criticised the refereeing at the Copa America and the use of VAR

(BBC) - SOUTH American football bosses say accusations questioning the integrity of the Copa America are “unfounded” and “represent a lack of respect”.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi claimed the competition was “corrupt” after he was sent off in their 2-1 third-place play-off win over Chile on Saturday.

“The cup’s fixed for Brazil,” he added.

The Argentine Football Association complained about “serious and gross refereeing errors” after Wednesday’s 2-0 semi-final defeat by hosts Brazil.

Messi was shown a red in the 37th-minute against Chile, following a clash with Gary Medel, who was also dismissed.

“We don’t have to be part of this corruption,” said the Barcelona forward. “They have showed us a lack of respect

throughout this tournament.

“Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don’t allow people to enjoy football, they ruined it a bit.”

The South American Football Confederation Conmebol later released a statement, which did not directly refer to Messi, saying: “A fundamental pillar of fair play is to accept the results with loyalty and respect.

“It is unacceptable that as a result of incidents typical in competitions, involving 12 teams, all on equal terms, unfounded accusations have been launched that lack the truth and question the integrity of the Copa America.

“These accusations represent a lack of respect for the competition, all the participating players and the hundreds of professionals of Conmebol.”

Jesus delivers COPA! (BBC) - GABRIEL Jesus scored one goal and assisted another before being sent off as Brazil won a first Copa America title in 12 years, beating Peru 3-1.

Manchester City forward, Jesus, set up Everton to volley in the opener before scoring the decisive second.

Paolo Guerrero had briefly given Peru hope when he equalized from the penalty spot minutes before Jesus struck.

Jesus was shown a second yellow with 20 minutes left but Richarlison’s late penalty sealed the win.

Victory will have been a huge relief for Jesus, who was in tears when he was sent off, kicking a water bottle and then pushing over the VAR monitor as he left the pitch.

It is the ninth time Brazil have won the Copa America and is their first tournament success since winning a gold medal at the 2016

Dani Alves of Brazil and teamamtes celebrate with the trophy after winning the Copa America Brazil 2019 Final match between Brazil and Peru at Maracana Stadium on July 07, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Marcus Stoinis is an injury doubt for Thursday’s semi-final against England at Edgbaston.

Stoinis, who has been struggling with a side strain, was also due to have a scan on Sunday to determine the extent of his injury.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been called up as cover for Stoinis.

Khawaja is the second player to withdraw from Australia’s squad after Shaun Marsh broke his arm in training on Thursday.

“It’s such a pity for Khawaja, for someone who’s been so integral to how we’ve been playing,” said Langer.

“But Matthew Wade is coming in, he’s in great form, he’s had a great 12 or 18 months back home but he also just scored two hundreds [for Australia A] so he’s in great nick.

“Mitch Marsh is going to come in on standby for Marcus Stoinis just to see how he comes up. If they have to come in they’ll be ready to step up.”

It is a second call-up for Marsh as cover for Stoinis.

He had been due to start a four-day game for Australia A against Sussex at Arundel on Sunday.

Olympics.

The victory also maintained their record of winning the Copa America every time they have hosted it.

There will have been few Brazilians celebrating as wildly at the final whistle as Jesus, who went through the rollercoaster of emotions during the match.

The striker has, at times, struggled to deliver on the international stage - he failed to score a goal in five games at the 2018 World Cup - but was the standout performer in the first half of Sunday’s final.

His cross for Brazil’s first was excellent, holding the ball up on the right before spotting an unmarked Everton at the back post, then picking out the striker with a pinpoint delivery.

Peru, who had upset the defending champions Chile in the semi-finals, were back on level terms just before the break when their all-time top scorer Guerrero converted a penalty, awarded by VAR for a handball by Thiago

Silva.

But Jesus took centre stage once again, tucking a neat finish in at the near post deep into first-half stoppage time.

Jesus was furious when he was sent off, with a water bottle joining the VAR monitor in being the focus of his frustration Brazil looked in control from then on, but the game took another twist midway through the second half when Jesus jumped into the back of Carlos Zambrano.

Referee Roberto Tobar had no hesitation in producing the second yellow.

The 22-year-old was in tears as he left the field and sat on the steps inside the tunnel, fearful that his dismissal would aid a Peru comeback.

But he was able to celebrate when Brazil were awarded a penalty four minutes from the end after Everton was fouled

by Zambrano. Substitute Richarlison kept his cool to convert from the spot and end Brazil’s Copa America trophy drought.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

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West hails ‘crucial’ junior tournaments CMC – MANAGER of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) High Performance Programme, Graeme West, has described the several age group competitions held at the regional level as “crucial” for the development of players.

West, who is currently in Trinidad to monitor the West Indies Rising Stars Under-17 Championship, said those tournaments helped to prepare players for entry into the senior team.

He said the Regional Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 competitions, were also used to help track the progress of players.

“All the age-group tournaments are huge to us in terms of identifying talent and the progress some of these players are making. It is incredibly important that I come to these tournaments and see those players that stand out and that are impressing.

“Clearly we have a high number of players we are trying to keep an eye on. A lot of players that are here [Regional Under-17 Championship) have played with the West Indies Under-15 last year, so it’s really our only opportunity each

Hislop among several calling (TTFA) John-Williams to resign Graeme West believes the regional junior tournaments are critical

year to check in and see how they are moving forward,” West Said.

He pointed to players such as Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul and Shimron Hetmyer, who all passed through the junior competitions.

“The great thing with our system is that really talented, young players can move through the system very quickly.

We’ve seen that since the 2016 World Cup with guys like Alzarri, Keemo and Hetty, who’ve moved very, very quickly into the senior team.

“So that’s a great example for young players, as to what they can achieve in such a short space of time,” West said.

He said the junior tournaments also allowed for new players to be monitored.

“We’re trying to increase the pool of potential and to have them move from junior level to adult cricket. It’s really about starting to identify the players here that we can invest in,” West added.

CMC – ESPN commentator and former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper, Shaka Hislop, is among several former players who are calling for president of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) David John-Williams to resign.

Another former goalie Kelvin Jack and former women’s team captain Maylee Attin-Johnson have also asked John-Williams, who was elected president in 2015, to step down.

not disguise our poor performances on the pitch or, quite frankly, off the pitch.”

In a statement, the outspoken Jack referred to TTFA’s football programme as “a laughing stock among our rivals”.

“There are moments when change must be pursued and that time is now.

David John-Williams’ continued ineptitude is having a negative effect that has debilitated football in TT. “Our young players

Pooran skips 300 places to top 100 ODI batsmen CMC – FOLLOWING a solid ICC World Cup performance, West Indies middle-order batsman Nicholas Pooran has jumped over 300 places and is now among the top 100 One Day International (ODI) batsmen in the world, according to the latest MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings.

Pooran was the Windies’ topscorer at the World Cup, scoring 367 runs in nine matches at an average of 52.42, with one century and two half-centuries.

His performance has resulted in the 23-year-old leapfrogging from outside the top 400 to number 92.

Despite a subpar World Cup outing, Shai Hope’s ranking did not move and he still remains the region’s highest-ranked

batsman at 14.

Shimron Hetmyer (26), Chris Gayle (49), Evin Lewis (76) and Marlon Samuels, who is ranked 83rd, are the other West Indians in the top 100.

Windies’ skipper Jason Holder has still managed to maintain his sixth-rank among ODI all-rounders.

Among the bowlers, Holder slipped to 38th but is still the highest ranked West Indian among ODI bowlers.

There was no movement for Kemar Rach (50), Ashley Nurse (65), Carlos Brathwaite (91), Devendra Bishoo (93) and Oshane Thomas (94).

The West Indies are still ranked ninth in the ODI rankings on 47 points, seven more than 10th place Afghanistan.

Nicholas Pooran is now among the top 100 ODI batsmen in the world

Several former players have asked TTFA president David John-Williams to resign

All three issued public addresses, which were relayed during a media conference called by presidents of regional football associations, ordinary TTFA members and various other stakeholders in the local game, at the Hotel Normandie, St Ann’s, The trio criticized John-Williams’ authoritative leadership style.

“I’d like to add to the voices of disapproval (at) the way in which football has been progressing of late. There seems to be a dictatorial approach to all things concerning decisions made; total disregard for voices and opinions of those who were elected and appointed into positions within our TTFA board and supporting administration,” Hislop said.

“I also take this opportunity to say (that) ‘We are building a home of football’ is not a long-term plan. ‘We are building a home of football’ is not an excuse for a lack of transparency. ‘We are building a home of football’ does

need the correct environment to improve and to grow. The current TTFA leadership is incapable of providing such,” Jack said.

Attin-Johnson, who has often been critical of John-Williams, blamed him and the administration for depriving the next generation of players “their dreams and opportunities”.

“It is extremely imperative that the person/persons given the responsibility to run football in our country has the ability, aptitude, experience, knowledge and humility to properly execute this responsibility to improve the inefficiencies plaguing our football.

“In the past, football in our country has experienced difficult times, but never as woeful and disastrous as the present.

This current administration has taken our football beyond the depths of despair. Its members have acted in ways that have undermined and destroyed the bedrock of the sport in our country,” Attin-Johnson maintained.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

Billingy wins the double at Mini Cadet and Pre Cadet TT Championships

―Moore, Narine and Van Lange also secure titles JASMINE Billingy won her second title when the curtain came down on two-day of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) National Mini and Pre-Cadet Table Tennis Championships yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The nine-year-old, who won the Mini-Cadet (11-and-under) title on Saturday, added the Pre-Cadet (13-and-under) title on Sunday. Malachi Moore, Gavin Narine and Jonathan Van Lange also registered wins.

Moore won the Mini-Cadet title; Narine won the Novice Division, while Van Lange emerged as the male Pre-Cadet champion.

Billingy registered a 3-0 victory (11-3, 11-3 and 11-9) over her Titans clubmate, Samara Sukhai, in the final of the Pre-Cadet girls’ competition. In the semi-finals, Billingy had

gotten past Tatyana Mohamed 3-0 (11-9, 11-5 and 11-9), while Sukhai had defeated Akira Watson 3-0 (11-7, 11-5 and 11-7).

Watson (the second place finisher in Saturday’s Mini-Cadet competition) and Mohamed finished joint third.

MALE DIVISIONS Moore continued his dominance in the Mini-Cadet division with a 3-0 win against Ebo M’Neil in a tense battle.

Moore triumphed 11-9, 13-11 and 11-8 in the closest final of the competition.

Moore had defeated Christopher Chung 3-0 (11-5, 11-6 and 11-8) and M’Neil had surged ahead of Aaron Fraser 3-0 (11-5, 11-2 and 11-5) in the semi-finals. The losing male semi-finalists were also awarded joint third place.

Kwakwani Secondary into NSBF Boys U-14 and Girls Developmental finals KWAKWANI Secondary School surged into the finals of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG)- organised National School Basketball Festival Boys U-14 and Girls Developmental division when the semi-finals were played on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The Berbice River school, one of the most dominant in the 14-year Festival’s history, was able to surge ahead of the Bishops’ High School by a 45-27 margin in the Boys U-14 semis and by a 25-18 margin against Queen’s College in the Girls division.

Meanwhile, Marian Academy girls team continued their flawless run in the Festival with a walkover win against Saint Stanislaus College. Saints boys were, however, able to get past President’s College (PC) 2817 in the other U-14 semi-finals.

STRONG FIRST HALF In the Boys U-14 division, Kwakwani slowed down their Georgetown opponents with Gevon Ross pulling down 16 of his 21 rebounds and scoring seven of his nine points early. The dominance in the paint resulted in numerous second shot opportunities.

Matthew David, who finished with 13 points, five rebounds and five steals, had scored eight points in the first period for an early 26-7 Kwakwani lead.

Kellon Phillips and Travis Lewis finished with nine points each for the winners.

The Georgetown school, who finished with a better second-half score (20-19), were led by Matthias Arindell who scored a game- high 17 points (10 of which were scored in the second half) and 11 rebounds.

winners, while D. London scored nine points and eight rebounds for PC. In the female clash, Kwakwani were able to register a seven-point win, with Shania Sears leading the charge with nine points.

Naiomi Barkoye finished with a game-high 11 points and 16 rebounds, but only

Action in the U-14 semi-finals between Kwakwani Secondary and Bishops’ High on Saturday night

Saints were able to hold PC to only six points in the second period, which carried them to their 11-point win.

David Bailey (also 14 rebounds) and Brandon Mckay scored 10 points each for the

Luanna Mohan (seven points, five rebounds and four steals) lent support.

The finals of the Festival is scheduled for next Saturday at the same venue.

Like Moore, Van Lange also continued his reign when he played in the 13-and-under division. The dominant 12-yearold player claimed a 3-0 win in the final against Krystain Sahadeo. Van Lange won 11-1, 11-6 and 13-11.

In the semi-finals, both players surged to comprehensive wins. Van Lange defeated Dhanesh Persaud 11-4, 11-9 and 11-8, while Sahadeo defeated Colin Wong 11-9, 11-6 and 11-9). Wong and Persaud finished joint third.

In the Novice division, the round robin battle ended with Anna Regina Multilateral schoolmates, Narine and Jarett Goddette, battling in the finals. Thirteen-year-old Narine won 11-2, 12-10 and 11-8.

Meanwhile, the GTTA 15-and-under and 18-and-under Open Junior Challenge will serve off from 10:00hrs this morning at the same venue.

Thomas puts time into rivals as Teunissen retains yellow (BBC) - GERAINT Thomas gained time on his rivals for the overall Tour de France victory by finishing second on stage two’s team time trial with Team Ineos.

The British-based team were first out and completed the 27.6km race around Brussels in 29 minutes 18 seconds.

Jumbo-Visma won the stage by 20 seconds, so surprise stage one winner Mike Teunissen extends his race lead.

But defending champion Thomas’ team was quicker than Adam Yates, Jakob Fuglsang and Thibaut Pinot.

Yates, who rides for Mitchelton-Scott, and Astana’s Fuglsang, both finished 21 seconds slower than Ineos, who also have Egan Bernal - joint team leader with Thomas - chasing the overall win, while Pinot’s Groupama FDJ lost 12 seconds.

Ineos who never won a team time trial stage at the Tour in their former guise as Team Sky tweeted: “It wasn’t to be for the stage victory but this has to go down as a great day at the Tour de France 2019.

“We finish second in the TTT [team time trial], taking time out of a number of GC [general classification] rivals in Brussels.”

‘We joked that might happen’ Thomas, a time trial specialist, led the eight-man Ineos team down the start ramp and they set what proved to be a hugely com-

petitive time to propel their Colombian rider Bernal up to seventh in the general classification (GC), on the same time as the Welshman who climbed 103 places to eighth.

“I lost 20 seconds to [Steven] Kruijswijk, who’s a threat as well, but with all the rest of the GC contenders we gained time, which is good,” Thomas said.

“As a team, it shows we’re in a really good place.

It was just a shame to be hanging around all day to be beaten by the last team, but we joked this morning that might happen.”

It was also a good day for Britain’s Alex Dowsett, who won a record-equalling sixth national time trial title in May. The 30-year-old helped the unfancied Swiss team Katusha-Alpecin finish fifth as he moved up to 23rd in the GC standings.

Vincenzo Nibali, the most successful Grand Tour rider in this year’s race, having won the 2014 Tour, two Giro d’Italia titles and one Vuelta a Espana, lost 16 seconds on Thomas and Bernal after his Bahrain-Merida team finished ninth.

The 34-year-old Italian, who finished second in the Giro d’Italia in June, could yet challenge in his favoured terrain when the race hits the Pyrenees and Alps in the second and third weeks.

It was also a disappointing day for Australia’s Richie Porte as his Trek-Se-

gafredo team finished 18th of the 22 teams, one minute and 18 seconds behind Jumbo-Visma, leaving him almost a minute behind his main rivals for the yellow jersey.

Stage two result: 1. Jumbo-Visma 28mins 57secs 2. Ineos +20secs 3. Deceuninck-Quick Step +21secs 4. Sunweb +26secs 5. Katusha-Alpecin Same time 6. EF Education First +28secs 7. CCC +31secs 8. Groupama-FDJ +32secs 9. Bahrain-Merida +36secs 10. Astana +41secs General classification after stage two 1. Michael Teunissen (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) 4hrs 51mins 34secs 2. Wout van Aert (Bel/ Jumbo-Visma) +10secs 3. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) Same time 4. Tony Martin (Ger/ Jumbo-Visma) 5. George Bennett (NZ/ Jumbo-Visma) 6. Gianni Moscon (Ita/ Ineos) +30secs 7. Egan Bernal (Col/ Ineos) Same time 8. Geraint Thomas (GB/ Ineos) 9. Dylan van Baarle (Ned/Ineos) 10. Elia Viviani (Ita/ Deceuninck-Quick Step) +31secs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 8, 2019

23

GT Motorsports Georgetown Grand Prix…

Ten-Pow; Seejattan star in rain-buffeted round two

By Stephan Sookram

A wet GT Motorsports track proved challenging for some but Justin Ten Pow and Shan Seejattan were not among those affected.

in the air; especially since everyone had to go to wet tyres for the first time.

Though cautiously as they might, they got underway with Zach leading them out. When the flag dropped, the drivers seemed to forget

she crossed the line, leading Nathan Rahaman and Jeremy Ten Pow, in that order.

Race three brought out the fireworks and while Zachary Persaud was leading, a race incident between himself and Jeremy on the

Race one went to Matthew with John second and Elan Rahaman third; with race two ending with John leading Matthew home ahead of Elan.

For race three, the juniors opted to join the senior battle and they did not disappoint. As per the races before, John got away, leading Matthew and pulling out a gap.

However, on the entry to the bowl, a gentle nudge from the older Phang spun the younger one around al-

with ease leaving Mahendra Boodhoo (two seconds and one third) and Vishal Sawh (one second and two thirds) in the spray of his tires.

longed to Ramroop, who lives in Trinidad, with Naresh Alves and Jorge finishing second and third in race two.

RILEY RAMROOP UPSTAGES THE COMPETITION At the beginning of the day, the name Riley Ramroop would not have been known to many but with two wins and the Champion Driver award by the end of the day, he was well known around the circuit

TEN POW CONTINUES 60CC STRANGLEHOLD There were battles within the war but when the rain settled, there was no unseating Justin TenPow from his throne atop the 60CC Kids cup class.

He was in frequent battles with Benjamin Phang

Shan Seenattan

Justin Ten Pow

Truth be told, they flourished under the damp conditions when the second round of the Georgetown Grand Prix took place on Saturday evening at the organizer’s Georgetown-based track.

With the qualifying rounds rushed to avoid the impending downpour, there was no shortage of spills, thrills and skills.

PAIGE BREAKS THE STEREOTYPE The juniors were the first up and with Zachary Persaud qualifying on pole, there was a hint of intensity

it was wet and went racing.

Zach took advantage of some midfield battles to pull out a lead which the pack never recovered, with Paige Mendonca finishing second and Nathan Rahaman finishing third.

In race two with the 50% inverted grid, Paige was on pole and picked up her maiden X30 win; her drive featuring another fantastic display of Karting.

After a disastrous round one earlier this year, this was just what the doctor ordered for the 11-year-old Mendonca who was ecstatic when

last lap dropped him all the way to fourth, allowing Paige second and Nathan third.

Paige got the loudest applause when she created history by becoming the first female to win the X30 junior class Champion Driver of the day.

THE BATTLE FOR PHANG SUPREMACY The X30 senior battle came down to who was the superior Phang on the night; the younger, smoother John or the older, more aggressive Matthew?

lowing the juniors to get by.

The senior Phang also picked up the Champion Driver award.

SEEJATTAN’S WORLD Shan Seejattan had no competition in the X30 master’s category. He snapped up three wins and the overall Champion Driver category

A hectic first race which saw the lead changing a lap on average, resulted in Ackeem ‘flat top’ Thomas winning ahead of Jorge Luid Ramiez (Safino). Interestingly enough, four competitors did not finish that race which took place in pouring conditions.

The remaining races be-

but three wins on the night meant that Justin, who will now be sponsored by Massy Industries, would be champion driver.

In race one, he finished ahead of Nicholas Sawh and Mattew Daby with Race two ending with Sawh in second and Phang in third.

Santos FC triumphs over Dynamic FC to hoist Inaugural GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup SANTOS FC’s U-20 team proved that the future of their club is looking bright as they eased past Dynamic FC 3-1 yesterday in the final of the Inaugural Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/KFC National U-20 Independence tournament at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence.

Meanwhile, pre-tournament favourites, Fruta Conquerors FC, had to settle for third place as they thrashed Botofago FC 6-2 in that playoff earlier in the day.

Santos’ Orin Moore had an eventful final as he opened proceedings with a goal after just six minutes but would be shown a red card in the 90th minute of the game; however, after Moore’s sixth-minute opener, Dynamic FC’s Julius Hamilton equalized in the 12th minute but a double-strike either side

of half-time ensured that Santos had a comfortable

3-1 cushion.

The exciting Ronaldo

Rodrigues struck in the 45th minute to hand Santos a 2-1

Dynamic FC’s John Gonsalves (No. 8) on the attack against Santos FC in the final of the GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup tournament at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence

lead heading into the halftime break and the talismanic Stephen Reynolds struck soon after the whistle was blown to signal the start of the half, the ball hitting the back of the net in the 46th minute.

There would be no more goals but when the whistle blew at full-time, Santos had more than earned the title of the best U-20 team in Guyana after a tough road to the final.

Earlier, Fruta Conquerors FC dispatched Botofago FC 6-2; the former still smarting from their semi-final loss to Santos, were all business from the first whistle but it was Botofago who struck first through the boot of Tyrell Lewis in the 30th minute.

Ravon Bayley would draw Fruta level just five minutes later but an unfortunate Own Goal (OG)

from Botofago’s Nergal McBean in added time just before the break sent Fruta 2-1 up.

In the second half, Ryan Hackett struck in the 57th minute to make it 3-1 for Fruta but Shane Haynes replied almost immediately (58th minute) to haul one back.

Thereafter, it was all oneway traffic as first, Nicholas McArthur struck in the 84th minute before Leon Richardson (86th minute) and Wayne Baker (88th minute) struck in quick succession to put the game beyond doubt.

For their heroics, Santos captured $500,000, a trophy and medals while Dynamic FC pocketed $300,000, a trophy and medals.

Fruta Conquerors FC claimed $200,000, a trophy and medals for their thirdplace finish and Botofago received a trophy and medals.

Jesus delivers COPA! Page

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Gabriel Jesus of Brazil celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during the Copa America Brazil 2019 Final match between Brazil and Peru at Maracana Stadium on July 07, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

Santos FC triumphs over Dynamic FC to hoist Inaugural GFF/KFC U-20 Independence Cup Page

22

The 2019 Mini-Cadet and Pre-Cadet winners: From left, Gavin Singh, Jasmine Billingy, Malachi Moore and Jonathan Van Lange

Page

23

Billingy wins the double at Mini Cadet and Pre Cadet TT Championships

GT Motorsports Georgetown Grand Prix‌

Ten-Pow; 23 Seejattan star in rain-buffeted round two Page

The X30 Junior class was hot with Paige Mendonca (15) earning the Champion Driver award

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MONDAY, JULY 8, 2019