Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_07_16_2019

TUESDAY 16th July, 2019

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No.105700

'It’s an honour to serve' …President says determined to bequeath better Guyana to next generation …presents laptops, printers to NGSA pupils at birth anniversary thanksgiving

Bridging hinterland and coastland …President commissions $186.3M hinterland tertiary students' dorm

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President David Granger shares piece of his 74th birth anniversary cake with his wife, First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger, during a State House luncheon on Monday (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

No respite for Ali High Court refuses to stay fraud charges proceedings

President, Opposition Leader to meet shortly PAGE

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…as Western diplomats urge adherence to CCJ PAGE ruling on selecting 16 GECOM chair

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Bridging hinterland and coastland …President commissions $186.3M hinterland tertiary students dorm

…aimed at reducing disparities through education

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Granger commissioned a $186.3M Tertiary Students’ Dormitory at Liliendaal on Monday as his Government continues to reduce the disparities between the hinterland and coastland through education.

The multimillion dollar state-of-the-art facility was built to accommodate 120 students – 64 males and 56 females – from the hinterland, who are pursuing tertiary education in various fields at institutions in Georgetown.

In his address which followed the dedication of the building by The Right Reverend Charles Davidson, Bishop of Guyana, President Granger said the establishment of the Tertiary Students’ Dormitory was in keeping with the 10-Point Plan of Action for Hinterland Development, which he had laid out at the 2015 Conference of the National Toshaos’ Council. The Head of State explained that the ‘Plan of Action’wais aimed at reducing inequality between residents of the hinterland and the rest of country by eradicating poverty, promoting employment and economic prosperity and by enhancing access to public services. “The Plan of Action has guided Government’s actions to empower hinterland residents through education, employment, economic enterprises, energy, infrastructure, land rights, poverty-reduction, public services and cultural development,” he noted.

For the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, education is the surest and swiftest way to reduce inequality, because, as an equalizer, it helps to unlock increased economic opportunities for citizens. As such, the Administration has placed significant attention on ensuring there is access to quality education. Noting that education is an entitlement, President Granger said, however, that it could only be realized if every child has access to primary and secondary education; attends school and attains the ultimate objectives of

President David Granger

education by completing his or her schooling.

“Guyana’s education policy emphasizes the three ‘A’s – ‘A’ for access; ‘A’ for attendance and ‘A’ for attainment. This means that every child must be assured of access to school; must be enabled to attend school and be equipped with the knowledge to attain a satisfactory standard of education. The opening of this dormitory adds a fourth ‘A’ – accommodation,” President Granger said.

He noted that accommodation is being improved by the provision of accommodation for students, and the opening of the $186.3M dormitory facility at Liliendaal is an excellent example of Government’s commitment to providing access to education by making accommodation readily available.

“The establishment of this tertiary education dormitory attests to Government’s commitment to improving educational opportunities for hinterland students. It reflects our intention to ensure a more equal society by reducing the disparities between the hinterland and coastland through education,” President Granger told government and non-governmental officials and students who gathered to witness the commissioning of the dorm.

“Government, through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has done well to make this facility available. It will ensure a more conducive environment for hinterland students attending the University of Guyana

President David Granger and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, assisting Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams in cutting the ribbon – a symbolic gesture to mark the opening of the Tertiary Students’ Dormitory. Also in photo are Minister of Education, Dr Nicolette Henry; Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton; and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock among other officials.

and other tertiary institutions,” the President added.

Dormitories have been constructed at 19 locations across nine regions, and as a result, more hinterland students are benefiting from educational services that are not accessible in their communities. However, President Granger said he looks forward to the day when every regional capital town – Anna Regina, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma and Mahdia – will establish a first-class college to enable hinterland students to enjoy the best secondary and, later, tertiary education within their communities.

He assured those present that,

that day will come.

ACADEMIC REVOLUTION Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, in giving a detailed overview of the project, said the $186.3M modern facility will create an academic and vocational revolution in the lives of indigenous and hinterland peoples throughout the country.

“This is not just a building. It is a vessel – an opening –that will allow for the TURN TO PAGE 3 ►

One of the rooms inside the multimillion dollar dorm

The Tertiary Students’ Dormitory (Photos by Delano Williams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

'It’s an honour to serve' …President says determined to bequeath better Guyana to next generation …presents laptops, printers to NGSA students at birth anniversary thanksgiving

PRESIDENT David Granger, on Monday, presented to five successful National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) students, laptop computers and printers as he celebrated his 74th birth anniversary.

The President was the guest of honour at a birthday luncheon hosted by the People’s National Congress (PNC) at the Baridi Benab, State House compound.

The beneficiaries are Suraj Persaud of Chateau Margot, Dhaniram Ramotar of Parika and Shaquan Fullerton of Rosignol, all of whom gained places at Queens College, while Saskiyah Wilkinson of Diamond and L-Dee Johnson of Clonbrook, gained places at the Bishops’ High School.

The laptops and printers were presented as birthday presents from the PNC to the President. The provision of the equipment to the five students is in keeping with President Granger’s thrust to improve access to education.

The President said being able to enhance children’s access to education is the best gift he can give to the nation’s children. “Today marks the fourth anniversary for the Public Education Transport System (PETS) or what some

of you know as the Three B’s and I have 29 buses on the road now and now every river has at least one boat taking children to school free, so the programme is working well.

I feel very humbled with everything that has taken place.

The students are the best persons to give the computers and this is the best occasion to present computers to the children,” he said.

The Head of State, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in

2018, also thanked his wife of 49 years, Mrs. Sandra Granger, his medical team, Cabinet members and all other persons who supported him during his treatment and recovery. President Granger said that as he recovers, it is his desire to continue building a country where unity, prosperity and sustainability are a norm.

“I am full of gratitude to all these people without whom I would not have been here but I am recovering. We

have inherited the biggest, most beautiful, most bountiful country in the Caribbean.

It is an honour and privilege to be the Head of State, but it is a tremendous responsibility because I feel duty bound to bequeath what we have to the next generation. We are the trustees; it is not ours,” he said.

Representatives from the People’s National Congress (PNC), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC)

His Excellency, President David Granger and Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo at the birth anniversary luncheon.

Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, giving remarks at the event

extended greetings to the Head of State. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Vice Presidents Khemraj Ramjattan and Sydney Allicock, other Ministers of the Government and Members of Parliament, along with some members of the President’s family also attended the luncheon.

Ramjattan deemed His Excellency a “moral leader.” “His every statement in Cabinet and in the Press or in an address to the nation comes forth so well and it is demonstrated by his actions,” Minister Ramjattan said. Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon

reminded guests that it was through President Granger’s vision and leadership that the country is on the path to becoming a more cohesive and unified country. “That was the quality of the man; he determined what we needed in Guyana was national unity and that national unity was a priority. So, it was no mistake that the Ministry of Social Cohesion was formed.

Many people spoke of social cohesion, but he directed to give meaning and effect to it because he recognised that unity is important in this country.”

Bridging hinterland and ...

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economic and social transformation of indigenous communities by indigenous and hinterland people, across Guyana. Such is the vision of a caring and thoughtful Government led by a caring and thoughtful leader. This is testimony to the fact that your Government is committed to creating a “real-time” development environment for our people, thereby departing from the past trend of giving “handouts” and making us dependent instead,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said.

Noting that human capital development is a ‘front burner’ subject of any Government’s agenda, the Minister said she is pleased that the APNU+AFC Government has placed significant resources into the development of the Education Sector.

Garrido-Lowe said the opening of the dorm is an indication that more indigenous

youths can be trained in various skill and academic areas as they seek to develop and transform the very villages from which they come.

Noting that Guyana is at the cusp of economic transformation, one based on a shift in paradigm into a green state, the Junior Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister said such development requires innovative thinkers that would help the country to pursue technological advancements that are eco-friendly and cost efficient.

“With oil proceeds imminent, our economy will be stimulated and more industries will be required to service the needs of the country. This is where the expertise and knowledge will be needed as jobs will be made available, albeit, on a more competitive basis.

We recognize that our com-

munities need more input and expertize. We need more educators, health workers, civil engineers, geologists, botanists, anthropologists, professional agriculturists, food scientists, and business people. We need to nurture and develop professions that will push the Green State Development Strategy into actuality,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said.

The Minister explained that, for far too long, the quest to access higher education by persons living in the hinterland has proven to be extremely challenging, especially as it relates to living accommodation in Georgetown.

“Those who would have attempted this hurdle would tell you of the painstaking challenges they would have met living with guardians, when they were otherwise fortunate to be given a schol-

arship to pursue studies on the coastland. Some of the stories were indeed troubling, and in some cases, unbearable to the extent that many had to abort their studies and head back home to their respective communities.

Students from the hinterland regions, who are undertaking studies on the coast on their own accord, are said to be paying between twenty-five (25) to forty-five (45) thousand dollars per month for small spaces – just to complete their studies,” Minister Garrido-Lowe detailed.

While Government cannot promise accommodation for all at this time, the Minister assured those present that the Tertiary Students’ Dormitory will give 120 students an opportunity to pursue tertiary education. This will be a continuous cycle which will positively impact the lives of 215 indigenous communities

countrywide, Minister Garrido-Lowe added.

To open up greater opportunities to indigenous students, the Minister said her team is consulting with tertiary institutions such as: Carnegie School of Home Economics, Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Government Technical Institute (GTI), Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC), Burrows School of Arts, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and even the University of Guyana (UG). Currently there are 26 students attending some of these institutions and are being accommodated, in the meantime, at the Indigenous hostel. The Tertiary Students’ Dormitory will be opened ahead of the start of the new academic year 2019/2020.

Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

said while the President’s 10-Point Plan was developed and made public in 2015, today it is bearing fruits. With just four years in Government, Minister Allicock said Government has taken active steps to address several developmental issues but said “everything takes time.” He said Government is committed to the country’s development, and is ready to partner with all to foster that development. Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry; Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton; and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott were among the officials present at the commissioning ceremony.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 16, 2019

A tale of two pardons

TREASON, as we all know, is a capital offence involving the plotting to overthrow the government of a country, especially one that was democratically elected.

Here in Guyana, being accused of committing such a heinous crime can have very diverse outcomes, as history would prove, particularly during the tenure of the former People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration.

A case in point is the trial of Retired Army Major, Bruce Munroe and his wife Carol-Ann Munroe, who were both charged with treason but have since been acquitted, and have been calling of late for a public apology and compensation from former president Bharrat Jagdeo for the horrific ordeal they experienced during the 15 months, from 2010 to 2012, they were incarcerated on remand while awaiting

trial.

And the only reason they were both eventually exonerated of the crime, is because the court found that not only were the charges baseless, but lacking in sufficient evidence as well.

What’s interesting, however, is that while this couple's fate was left in the hands of the judiciary, whose members, without political and racial bias, dropped the charges, which the couple has always insisted were trumped up, history has proven that the fate of two sets of treason accused was left to the politicians, and while they were both accorded

Presidential Pardons, the tale of the experiences leading up to the pardons and the reasons they were pardoned are extremely contrasting.

FROM PRISON TO POWER In 1993, not long after the PPP regained power, former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan pardoned former Assistant Superintendent Balram Persaud, who, along with several other persons, were charged with treason for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Desmond Hoyte administration; conducting military exercises in 1989 in

TUESDAY 16 July, 2019 04:30hrs ~ 06:00hrs

Retired Army Major, Bruce Munroe and his wife Carol-Ann Munroe

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Social Actitivist, Mark Benschop

the jungles of Suriname; and training men and obtaining material to execute the coup.

The others implicated and charged in the conspiracy were Anand Sanasee; former GDF clerk, Rabindraunaught Singh; former Army Warrant Officer, Ramdeo Tootnaugt; Feroze and Mahindranaught Gomanie called ‘Chicken Rohan’. The allegation was that these men, all of whom owed an allegiance to the State, had conspired to overthrow the government by force. The men were reportedly arrested at Persaud's home in the compound of the Ruimveldt Police Station.

According to the charge, with the help of other persons unknown, they’d conspired to train a number of persons physically and militarily, in the use of firearms, and caused to be administered to a number of persons an obligation, in the nature of an oath, intended to bind them to secrecy in relation to the said intention and activities.

They were all refused bail

by Magistrate Claudette La Bennett. According to reports, the police had found pipe bombs at strategic locations around Georgetown, including at Army headquarters, Camp Ayanganna on Thomas Lands. Some of the men were reportedly armed when they were arrested in a boat at the Georgetown seawalls.

And while it was alleged

that there were physical and substantiated evidence that these men were involved in a coup and these evidences stood up in the court of law, the men, all affiliates of the ruling PPP, were immediately pardoned by the PPP, once it took office. As a matter of fact, it was one of the promises the Party had made to its supporters while on the campaign trail back in 1992.

Sanasee had reportedly escaped custody and was a fugitive during that time. He, however, returned to Guyana when the government changed, and according to reports, the charges no longer stood, as there was no longer any intent to commit the crime.

After being pardoned, Persaud quickly rose in rank, and at the time of his death in 2016, was serving as an Assistant Commissioner. The others returned to a life of normalcy, where they were protected and freely made a livelihood for themselves, free of political discrimination or stigmatisation.

THE BENSCHOP SAGA The tale of another treason accused who was pardoned by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, is that of political activist Mark Benschop. After spending over five years in solitary confinement, Benschop, who was awaiting retrial at the time, was granted an unconditional pardon by Jagdeo in 2007. The case against Benschop, who was tried in 2004, was that in 2002, he colluded with others to overthrow the government through a violent demonstration at the then Office of the President, during which two persons were shot dead.

That trial ended in a hung jury.

In a telephone interview on Monday, Benschop said TURN TO PAGE 5 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 16, 2019

No respite for Ali

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High Court throws out application to block 19 fraud charges

JUSTICE Franklin Holder, on Monday, dismissed the application of fraud-accused PPP Presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, which was filed to quash the 19 fraud charges levelled against him.

According to his application, Ali contended that the charges were vague and constituted an abuse of process; as such, he was seeking from the High Court, several orders against Police Corporal Munilall Persaud, an investigator attached to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Commissioner of Police, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack He was seeking an order of Certiorari quashing the decision of the DPP to charge him with the offence of conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law, on the basis that it was irrational, biased, and influenced by improper considerations and motives; an order of Certiorari quash-

ing the information of oath, of Munilall Persaud, on the 19 charges.

Ali was also asking for an order of Prohibition restraining the Chief Magistrate, or any other magistrate from hearing or attempting to hear the charges as filed by the Corporal; and a declaration that the particulars of the charges do not constitute an offence known to law and one that there is no statutory or common law duty to obtain a valuation prior to the sale of the property.

However, Justice Holder was not convinced on the grounds that were presented by his battery of attorneys, Devindra Kissoon, Anil Nandlall and Neil Boston SC. In fact, Justice Holder ruled that the fourth named Respondent, DPP be removed as a party and stated that Ali may raise his complaint to the Magistrate through the criminal process and that his constitutional rights under Article 144 (4) were not breached as he had also alleged in his application.

According to reports, the charges that were brought before the court last November, stemmed from the sale of lands at the Pradoville two scheme, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, where he (Ali) is accused of defrauding the state of over $174M after selling the lands at extremely undervalued prices.

The investigation into these charges had reportedly been happening for two years.

The issue came to the fore when the coalition government commenced several investigations into suspicious financial transactions of state officials, which bordered or amounted to corrupt practices and/or abuse of office. It was found that several persons close to the last government had received prime seafront lands belonging to the state at extraordinarily low cost.

It was reported that the “Pradoville” recipients, the majority of whom held very high positions within private or state organisations, received and later built posh or luxury homes on the prop-

A tale of two...

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the reason he was pardoned because President Jagdeo felt he had spent enough time in prison, and his punishment for speaking ill about the government should come to an end. He said he immediately refused the pardon, but after his lawyers and others urged him to accept it, he did. One of the most important reasons he accepted, he said, was so he could go home to his son, whom he had not seen in five long years.

He described himself as one of the biggest threats to the PPP at the time, and claimed they did everything in their power to silence him, from cooking up frivolous charges against him, to sending him and his family a number of death threats, placing him under house arrest, and being locked up on several occasions. "It was a very painful period, not only for me, but for my family,” Benschop said, adding: “I am certain no other person in Guyana would have gone through what I went through.

Those were very painful and traumatic experiences… The objective was to destroy me, not just physically, but mentally and psychologically.

But the real contrast in these two cases of pardon, however, and even with the Munroes, was what happened after the incarceration.

According to Benschop,

while the ‘Persaud coup’ enjoyed immunity from any form of suffering, as the then administration put everything in place for them to return to a normal life, for him and the Munroes, the stain to their names have not been wiped away.

They experienced difficulty becoming financially stable again. Bruce Munroe had difficulty being hired, and Carol-Ann Munroe’s private school was eventually shut down, as persons did not want to be affiliated with a school where its principal went to jail. Benschop described Mrs Munroe’s treatment as unforgiveable, all the more so because she was innocent. He said it pains him when these same politicians who are guilty of these unjust ways are now advocating for good governance, democracy, respect for the rule of law and the Constitution, when they were task masters of violating the constitutional and human rights of so many.

Carol Ann Munroe was placed in solitary confinement because of political instructions and was shackled by the hands and feet, an act that should not be meted out to women. This instruction was allegedly given by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

The treason accused expressed joy to see how different the political atmosphere

Former Assistant Superintendent Balram Persaud

is today, and that persons, irrespective of race, political affiliation or creed, can freely protest and demonstrate in the streets of Guyana, on social media or through mass media, without fear that they will be persecuted or prosecuted. Benschop is also calling for an apology from those responsible for his trumped-up treason charges, his five years in solitary confinement, and the sufferings of his family during that time as well as a Commission of Inquiry in the deaths of the two protestors who were shot at the Office of the President in July, 2002.

erties after paying as little as $114 per square foot; citizens, on the other hand, were being made to pay as much as $500 a square foot for ordinary land.

The “Pradoville” arrangement was made during PPP’s term of office, 2010-2015.

Jagdeo’s property is easily the largest plot of land with the biggest mansion, equipped with a pool and other amenities. The matter became even more controversial when it was related that taxpayers’ money was used to develop the land and remove a transmitter belonging to the National Communications Network at a cost of around $100M to develop the scheme for the prominent persons going to live there.

There was even more controversy surrounding the seafront properties, since there was no advertising of the state lands and it appeared that all the recipients who got property were handpicked by the then government.

In September 2010, parcels of land each measuring

0.3030 of an acre were sold to Robert Persaud, Shaik Baksh, Clement Rohee, Lisa Ramotar, Dr. Compton Bourne and Priya Manickchand for GUY$1.5M. Jagdeo purchased two acres for 9.8M and Jennifer Westford bought 0.3186 of an acre for GUY$1. 5; Ghansham Singh paid GUY$1,502,000 for 0.3005 of an acre. Andrew Bishop, Roger Luncheon, Rajendra Singh, Safraz Khan, and Ramesh Dookhoo each purchased 0.3005 of an acre for GUY$1.5M. George Hallaq and Nada Hallaq each paid GUY$5 million for 0.8422 of an acre, and Future Developers International (Guyana) Inc., whose sole director is Dr. Rajendra Singh purchased 0.5534 of an acre for GUY$3 million.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Hack paid GUY$1.4M for 0.2767 of an acre, and former Chief of staff of the Guyana Defence Force Gary Best paid GUY$1.5M for 0.3005 acre.

The argument of the Presi-

dential candidate however, is that selling a plot of land without seeking valuation from a valuation officer is not against the law.

The criminal case at the Magistrates’ Court was placed on hold in January of this year, pending the outcome of the civil proceedings. Now that it was dismissed by the judge, the matter will return to the Magistrates’ Court to continue with the criminal trial, as interim stay is removed. In addition to his application being thrown out, costs were awarded to the second named respondent and the third named respondent in the sum of $100,000 each. The second and third named respondents were Commissioner of Police and the Chief Magistrate, respectively.

The Commissioner of Police and the Chief Magistrate were represented by the Attorney General’s Chambers, while Persaud was represented by SOCU’s attorney, Leslyn Noble.

Rapist sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment A 63-year-old man was on Monday, July 15, 2019, sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after confessing to Justice Simone MorrisRamlall, at the High Court, that he raped a 4-year-old girl in 2016.

Gregory Ramkissoon called "Skeage" threw himself at the mercy of the court and admitted that, on January 4, 2016, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual activity with a 4-year-old child.

Ramkissoon was represented by Ravindra Mohabir, while the state was represented by prosecutors Tuanna Hardy and Sarah Martin.

Justice Simone Morris- Ramlall sentenced Ramkissoon to 20 years’ jail with the possibility of parole after serving 15 years.

Gregory Ramkissoon called "Skeage"

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Misplaced accusations

THESE are interesting times in the political life of this country. It is a phase in its political history that has assumed what can be described as a revealing brand of the kind of morality that constitutes our make up as a people, as a nation, and how we truly engage the national milieu, when confronted by challenges.

But examining the background dynamics with the advent of oil, and the many vested interests that are salivating at the prospective huge financial windfall, reason and honesty have fled, certainly through the window only to be replaced by a deliberate self–subversion.

Not only did the No-Confidence Motion vote (NCM) of December 21 mark a significant watershed in Guyana’s parliamentary politics, but it also introduced and revealed a dimension in the landscape of its traditional adversarial politics.

It is known that if a citizen is unsuccessful in a matter in a lower court, he or she has the right of approaching a higher court for reprieve. It is an advice that some of the lawyers who today are critical

of the government, are aware of, and would have similarly advised their clients. So what was the difference this time?

Absolutely none, except that the NCM was the centrepiece of the larger plot to remove the government by any and all means, and that regardless of the known right/entitlement of the government to appeal – this was now being disavowed for politically expedient ends.

In fact, it would seem that there was a pervasive environment of convenient amnesia, in not recalling this immediate aspect of law–the right of appeal–although the government had signalled its intention to seek redress at the High Court. It was a right to which, as an organ of state, the government was entitled, and exercised in the same manner as any citizen.

In fact, it is here recalled, that this intention to challenge, even progressing to the final stage of the CCJ, had been clearly expressed at the first meeting in 2019, between President Granger and the leader of the parliamentary opposition. It was, therefore, known to the latter.

Ironically, it was the same

measure to which Bharrat Jagdeo and party employed, after the government’s appeal had been upheld at the Court of Appeal, and which the PPP/C challenged at the CCJ. And there was also the government’s recourse to the CCJ, in the matter of the Third Term Appeal, which it eventually won.

And so, the question must be asked-- how could the government have been accused of being “authoritarian’’ and “illegal”, when all that it did was to have availed itself of due process that is the sine qua non of natural justice?

In fact, it is conveniently forgotten that the Appeal Court’s decision had fully, at that material time, restored the legitimacy of the president’s government, a fact thereafter underlined by the Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland. It must be made clear that President Granger never disagreed with the ruling of the CCJ, that the NCM of December 21 had been properly carried. In fact, he, on being informed of the court’s decision, immediately informed the nation of the government’s acceptance,

and further followed the Court’s advice on the need for consensus between the parties in this constitutional matter, as well as awaiting the Consequential Orders, which he has accepted, even signaling his and government’s intention, before such final orders were given.

Perhaps, if those who now seek to level the dangerous accusations against the President of “being in breach of the Constitution”, which means disrespecting the Rule of Law, had not been intoxicated with political opportunism, with the intention to whip up anti-government sentiments, they would have known that Article 106(6), although it speaks of “the resignation of the President and cabinet if defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members…” cannot be read and interpreted in isolation of Article 106(7), which allows for continuity until a new government is elected, before the president resigns.

And if, as one media house so believed, that such period means a stand-still of the affairs of state, then it can only mean an invitation to

anarchy. No state, not even the most advanced in its social architecture, can function without an authority and a continuation of vital services.

At least, not the kind of country which the APNU+AFC coalition would have inherited from the former PPP/C regime, with its multiplicity of serious socio-challenges. No government that takes its responsibility as serious as the current administration, will abdicate its sworn responsibility of governance. It would seem from all appearances that this very media house that has levelled such an unfounded allegation against the President and government, has forgotten that the administration has accepted its “interim’’ status and even offering ‘’to consult with the opposition on matters which require the agreement of both sides’’.

Surely, this cannot be a President who is not observing the current status of his government, as so erroneously contended; nor is compounding “his transgression’’, because of his “not demitting office’’, when Article 106(7) provides authority for him and cabinet to

continue, even in an “interim state’’, as alluded above.

It is unfortunate that there is a political convenience that brazenly emanates from those very voices making such accusations against the person of the President and his cabinet. And rather than continue to be on a political bandwagon that is on a journey, attempting to create the electoral crime of a corrupt National List of Electors, which portents can only cause a serious national collision between government and citizens, this media house should begin to caution and warn its political horse of such grave dangers that can be consequent of its naked attempt of national political dishonesty.

The fact that Guyana, despite the deliberate and orchestrated attempts to incite a social rebellion, which has failed miserably, has remained peaceful even through these testing times, is because of a President and government that have followed the law, as any good citizen should, and continue to do so in the name of good governance, and for country.

Noise nuisance at Aurora

Dear Editor,

Aurora, a place to know, Aurora a small village on the Essequibo Coast, about three miles away from Supenaam.

MOST of the residents, numbered about 900, are involved and heavily dependent on agriculture-related activities, namely rice farming, ground provision farming, gardening, cattle and poultry rearing and some logging.

The religious convictions of the people are very strong; there is a mosque with a strong following, two Hindu Temples, an Anglican Church, and an Assembly of God Church, and a Seventh-Day Church. There is also what used to be the Aurora Church of Scotland School, now the Aurora Pri-

mary School. A school that is known to educate judges, magistrates, ambassadors, lawyers, doctors, engineers, pastors, pandits and majies, Members of Parliament and other professionals and tradesmen and many entrepreneurs, namely Brian Tiwari, Roopan Ramotar, Ramzan Ally Khan, Wazir Hussain and others.

The police station is next to the schools (Primary and Nursery) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is close to the police station, the health centre and the post office are all walking distance away. This village has the most hospitable people you can find, and I can also say the cleanest community countrywide, and I am not blowing my own trumpet, or being over patriotic, be-

cause the evidence is there in abundance, and the residents are being allowed to enjoy the amenities of their home and the peace and tranquillity and the atmosphere of the surrounding; the sand beaches and the Atlantic breeze without thinking about major or minor crimes, we can park our vehicles by the road-side with the window down and the only problem you may have is if the rain falls.

But recently, things are beginning to change for us the residents who live in a particular area where this night spot is located and from where the lewd, loud and vulgar music is played daily from about 3:00 p.m. to the wee hours of the morning, the fights that take place regularly, plus the heated arguments that

are spiced with obscene language; this building is very close to the public road and men can be seen urinating by the side of the road, be it day or night, and at times the public road is partly blocked by vehicles; drivers of vehicles at times open the trunk where the boom boxes are located and turn the volume of their music to the max.

This situation has been existing for a little more than a year, and despite repeated calls and visits to the Aurora Police Station, which is less than a quarter of a mile away where complaint is made, nothing has changed; as a matter of fact, the situation is getting worst, motorcyclists (bikers) with their bikes with exhaust without silencers or exhaust that is fabricat-

ed to make that noise, one wonders if riding a motorcycle without a helmet and number place is no longer an offence under the Motor Vehicle and Road traffic Act Chapter 51:02, frequent this night spot where Spanish-speaking girls are either employed or hang out and boys, suspected to be under age, frequent.

The police, on receipt of a report of noise nuisance, would either come long after the report is made, by which time the vehicle or motorcycle in question, would have left or they would not come at all; the lone rank that takes your call or most times you will meet at this station, will tell you that he alone is there and he cannot leave, which is understandable, but he will call the patrol to have

them go there; this patrol may come hours later or not at all.

This transformation of this community is taking us in the wrong direction.

The atmosphere is certainly not conducive for bringing up children, be it boys or girls, and while I would agree that people would need to have fun, it must at all times be within the confines of the law, and not at the expense, annoyance, inconvenience and discomfort of other persons. This unwanted situation is worsening so rapidly it is more than sufficient reason for this letter to be written.

Regards Archie W. Cordis Resident and Senior Citizen

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

The return to office of the coalition is good for the national interest

Dear Editor,

I HAVE not engaged the writings of “Peeping Tom” for some time, partly because I have seemingly been banned from the letter pages of Kaieteur News (KN).

Notwithstanding KN’s unexplained, imposed ban on me, I continue to read and have grown accustomed to the Peeper’s pro PPP rhetoric.

His recent column in KN on Saturday, July 6th, 2019 captioned, “The paper tiger” forced me to rethink my position on how to deal with the Peeper as he continues to express himself in KN, in his ongoing role as the PPP/C’s mouthpiece.

It is clear that the PPP/C informers were present at the WPA community meeting in Buxton on Thursday, 11 July, and furnished the information on the meeting to Peeping Tom. I have no quarrel with this action since it is fair politics. However, what I

find interesting is the lack of sophistication between the collaborators. I am also intrigued by the amount of time and political energies the detractors of the WPA have been giving to the party’s functioning, even as some, including the Peeper, have described it as being “The paper tiger”, “dead” or “Dead meat”. If these descriptions of the WPA are really true, the question I am forced to ask is - why do they waste their precious time with a non-existent entity? The truth of the matter is they don't believe their own propaganda and are bothered by the impact that this non-existent entity has on the evolving political process.

In his column, Peeping Tom listed a number of positions that he attributed to the WPA, which he claimed we have abandoned “...in order to retain a place in the ruling coalition”. He continued, “Even though the WPA has been marginalized

and humiliated within the coalition, it is still desperate to grovel at the feet of the PNC/R and the AFC so as to devour the scraps of political spoils which is being thrown its way.”

This position denies the WPA of any political worth and in so doing, reduces it to simply window dressing in the coalition, and in the logic of the peeper – worthless. Given this view of the party, why worry about what the WPA does or don’t do?

Peeping Tom’s handlers, the PPP, know very well that in their quest to defeat the ruling coalition and return to office, the WPA is the “spoiler”. This realization is what is behind their desperate efforts to negate the potential damage the WPA can do and is doing to that party’s chances of winning the forthcoming elections.

In my opinion, the PPP’s leadership has not learnt from this country’s contemporary political history. One re-

calls that in the run-up to the 2011 General and Regional Elections, they had resorted to a similar, unsuccessful propaganda campaign. This one will have no effect on the WPA’s efforts at ensuring a victory for the APNU+AFC when the elections results are declared. The historical compromise between the WPA and the PNC/R in 2011 opened the door for the subsequent APNU+AFC coalition that defeated the PPP in the 2015 elections.

Haunted by the WPA’s “ghost” the PPP and Tom are having political nightmares of their pending defeat in the upcoming elections. They have and are investing a lot of political capital in trying to drive a wedge between the WPA and the PNC/R. This has proven to be a failed tactic in the lead up to 2011 and 2015. It will not work now.

WPA’s politics is not driven by the personal interest of its leadership or by narrow partisan politics, instead,

we are guided by an informed and objective assessment of what is in the national interest. The PPP’s rule over 23 years spawned a number of problems in Guyana, the existence of which could not be denied or ignored.

These included economic and social marginalisation of large sections of the society with particular emphasis on the African and Indigenous communities, and the poor and powerless. Added to this was their deliberate criminalisation of the state, their political and economic alliance with known drug-lords and corrupt businessmen, their sponsoring of the phantom death squads and the unprecedented slaughter of the innocents, in their attempts at gaining political hegemony of the state and the society. It was the above that convinced the WPA that the nation’s best interest depended on the defeat of the PPP by its opponents. That eventually occurred in 2015.

Peeping Tom is correct with his observation on the WPA present attitude on the upcoming elections. He stated, “In other words, it is saying that the vote in the forthcoming elections should be against the PPP/C regardless of how one feels about the coalition”. Yes, Tom, this is our unapologetic position.

The return to office of the coalition is good for the national interest, while a PPP/C victory will be a “national disaster”. This is our view, more so, with the coming of the oil and gas sector and its enormous wealth, which Jagdeo and the PPP and their corrupt allies are waiting to grab and control for themselves.

WPA says they must be stopped from doing so. Our call to the electorate is to vote for the APNU+AFC list of candidates at the elections when they are held.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

What constitutional crisis!

Dear Editor HYDAR ALLY is a dyedin-the-wool member of the PPP/C, despite attempts in his many letters to present a profile of being reasonable and balanced in his opinions/views of whatever political issue he has wished to present.

Unlike the mostly uncivil and openly racist tenor of most of the PPP/C letter writers, Ally has maintained his civility in expressive tone.

It is his democratic right to support the political party of his choice.

However, like all of the other supporters, he continues to obfuscate the truth of his party’s well-known record of its wicked and vile form of governance for its twenty-three years tenure, continuing as opposition with the worst display of dangerous propaganda, taken from the cesspool of filthy lies, in somewhat pious language designed to accord it a positive light. Added to this deceptive tactic is the sad fact that he cannot be objective in his

views of the party’s political behaviour. But who can, and remain as a member, given the tradition of spite, abuse, and vindictive attacks that is sure to be heaped on that member?

In his latest missive, “This delay could plunge Guyana into a state of constitutional crisis’’ of Kaieteur News, July 14, 2019, he, like his political master Bharat Jagdeo et al, attempts to spell out what the Consequential Orders mean for the government. It is his freedom of expression, a right denied many Guyanese when his government ruled, except that the president David Granger-administration does not need such advice and interpretation to understand what the orders mean, given the fact that they have declared publicly, even before issuance, of readiness to accept same.

In fact, Ally is reminded here that what the Court has said is no different to its position on June 18, 2019, and can be described as an anti-climax, since it did not

respond in the manner which his boss, Jagdeo, had demanded – impose decisions of a political nature that instructs the Executive on certain actions. Quite right that he has recognized: “The ruling and accompanying consequential orders have re-asserted the primacy of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. Down the corridors of time, this ruling will be remembered as a victory for constitutional rule and, by extension, democratic governance”. Yet, these very precious tenets are what Jagdeo deliberately tried to deceptively pressure the Court into destroying by his outrageous requests.

Ally’s second point, “One consequence of this ruling is that the government is now obliged to hold elections before the end of September in keeping with the provision of the Constitution”.

Here is Ally, fully singing the undemocratic chorus of the PPP/C’s line. This is a disgusting and daring refrain of political unrealism, which has no accompanying chorus

or music. One would have agreed with Ally’s very optimistic expectation, if there were already an installed GECOM chairperson, and if the absolute imperative of the house-to-house registration had been completed, the electoral body prepared and ready to administer national elections, and having so advised the President, who constitutionally is the only person to announce a date for this constitutional process.

But Ally must be brought back to earth with this harsh reminder: his call for immediate elections means not having an accurate Voters’ List and the disenfranchisement of thousands of young Guyanese who would have earned the right, via eligibility, to register for such an exercise. It is only a well known, undemocratic politician like Jagdeo who would want to commit such a human right sacrilege. Surely, this is a departure from the beliefs of Cheddi Jagan, which the current PPP/C pretends to observe. What hypocrites! Cheddi’s ghost

is sure to visit his Freedom House party headquarters anytime soon!

For Ally to suggest external help from the Commonwealth Secretariat, advocating ‘’credible names of persons with experience in the management of elections’’, should be a definite no for Guyanese. And I say this, with all due respect that as a member of this fraternal body, Guyana has received assistance in varied fields, benefitting our national development.

Brutally, Ally is reminded that this current impasse has been created by his leader and party’s treacherous plot to remove this coalition government from power, a plot that was hatched from the inception of its taking office. And further, time will not be wasted in outlining the political crookery, misinformation, and criminal lies in this treasonous process, which Jagdeo has created, all in the pursuit of personal political power. Therefore, to seek such assistance is to help an unworthy and an-

ti-national opposition leader to clean up a mess that he has unnecessarily heaped on the nation.

If Jagdeo is that responsible leader of the political opposition, and committed patriot, let him sit with the President in a consensual manner, in the national interest, and work towards mutually accepted solutions committed to solving Guyana’s problems. It can be done, but not by shifting the goalpost, and spouting divisive messages. Guyanese want to get on with the development that is ushering in national renewal.

And as a reminder to Ally et al – THERE WILL BE NO CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS, a PPP/C creation of its perfidious imagination. Not as long as there is a president Granger coalition government, committed to serving the country and ALL the people, and adhering to the Rule of Law. Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

CCJ orders a triumph for Guyana Constitution …so says Belizean Senior Counsel, Eamon Courtenay …still taken aback by court upholding Charrandass’ vote

By Lisa Hamilton BELIZEAN Senior Counsel, Eamon Courtenay who represented Attorney General Basil Williams in the no-confidence case at the Caribbean Court of Justice said the consequential orders handed down by the court represent a “triumph for the Constitution of Guyana.”

“The ship of State that is Guyana has but one captain; that captain is His Excellency the President. [It is] not for others, whomever they may be, to believe that they can determine when an election should be; that they can direct the president [on] when he should dissolve Parliament; that he can direct the Elections Commission about how to prepare for an election,” Courtenay told the Guyana Chronicle minutes after the CCJ handed down the orders.

Through his attorneys, Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes and Anil Nandlall, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, in his submission, had asked the CCJ to order that elections be held within three months from June 18, 2019. In other words,

the Opposition Leader asked that the court set September 18, 2019 as the deadline for new elections to be held but the CCJ, in upholding the submission of Attorney General Basil Williams, ruled that only the President, the National Assembly, and implicitly the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can set timelines and a date for elections.

“The decision represents the court recognising the limits of its own powers as a part of the Constitutional system of the State of Guyana. It would have been strange and odd for the court to have intervened to the extent as requested by the Leader of the Opposition’s Counsel on his behalf for coercive orders to be made against the State; against the President; against the Elections Commission,” added Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde who represented General Secretary of APNU, Joseph Harmon in the case.

The two attorneys have referred to the experience of representing their respective parties in the case altogether as a “rewarding” one which has enriched the jurisprudence

Belizean Senior Counsel, Eamon Courtenay

of Guyana and the Caribbean. Moving forward, Senior Counsel Courtenay stated that it would only be wise for the Leader of the Opposition to put aside the previous flawed notion and work towards a suitable way forward for the country.

HAMMERING OUT NAMES Presently, President David Granger and the Leader of the Opposition are still “hammering out” a list of six names of eligible names to fill the slot of GECOM Chair. “It’s up to all actors, including the Leader of

the Opposition, to act in good faith to ensure that democracy thrives and succeeds in Guyana. What we have here is that the court and justice is finished and it is now back to the people and the government of Guyana to lead the way,” Courtenay said.

“Those submissions with respect were displaced by my learned friends and I think what the court did and what they have said is that they respect and affirm the constitutional role of the President, the Guyana Elections Commission and all the actors who have been working diligently

to ensure that elections should be held.”

He stated that the actions of the President thus far have demonstrated a willingness to facilitate the process for the selection of a new GECOM Chairman which will pave the way for the holding of fresh elections.

The Senior Counsel stated that throughout the legal process, for which the team the Attorney General put together had little time to prepare for, was an eye opening experience to the uniqueness of Guyana’s Constitution. “I was not aware, although I had heard, how different and unique the Guyanese Constitution is,” he began.

“I think we were able to say to the court that they must recognise that there is a unique blend between the Presidential and Parliamentary system in Guyana. In truth and in fact, you have a different Constitution; I think the court realised that and appreciated it and I think that is why you have them realising today that what the Leader of the Opposition wanted rests with the Executive, rests with the Parliament

and not with the court.”

CHARRANDASS Although pleased with the court orders, Courtenay said he was still trying to come to grips with the fact that the CCJ upheld Charrandass Persaud’s vote against the government.

He however said that it is now up to the people of Guyana and those at the helm of leadership to decide whether their laws should be so structured to allow for an unlawful Parliamentarian to cause such a political ripple effect.

“I find it difficult still to appreciate how someone like Mr. [Charrandas] Persaud who knowingly deceived the people of Guyana; knowingly misled the Parliament of Guyana is able to cast an effective and lawful vote. But, I believe in the rule of law and I accept the decision of the CCJ,” Courtenay stated, adding: “Perhaps the people of Guyana will look at their Constitution to see whether they would allow people like that to cause the ramifications that have flowed from that gentleman’s participation in the elections and the vote.”

BV Quamina Primary celebrates 30% pass rate increase at NGSA THE performance of students of the BV Quamina Primary School at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) saw commendable improvement, with the school celebrating a 30 per cent increase in its pass rate, moving from 60 per cent in 2018 to 90 per cent this year.

Some 46 students from the school wrote the April 17 – 18 national examinations, which tested students in Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies.

The school’s top student was Danu Mangal who scored 504 marks, which earned him a place at St. Rose’s High School.

Eight students: Kevlyn Garraway, Jada McPherson, Demain Damon, Dexzial Prince, Teanna Williams, Christian Rodney, Alancia Harris, and Shanya Macey scored between 440 - 471 marks and earned places at the Annandale Secondary School.

Rounding out the top ten at the school was Kelissa

BV Quamina Primary School Grade Six teacher, Sharon Somersett-Matheson with the graduating students

Adams, who achieved 434 marks and will be attending Cummings Lodge Secondary.

Mangal also copped the prizes for best performing student in English, Social Studies and Science. Demain Damon received a trophy for being the best student in

Mathematics.

At a graduation ceremony recently held at the school, the students credited their success to the capabilities of their teachers and the support of their parents who helped them with their studying habits and extra lessons. They

gave thanks to their other family members and more specifically, to God. Extra-curricular activities were encouraged by speakers at the ceremony, who encouraged the creation of more rounded students. The school has received Table Tennis

equipment and soccer balls from the Parent-Teachers Association.

The parents voiced their support for the marks accomplished and the schools achieved, insisting that they are proud of their children and will continue to offer

support within the new secondary school environment.

President of the BV Quamina Primary School Parent-Teachers Association (PTA), Wayne Barrow, says the school is very proud of the achievement.

“The children attributed the success to the teachers pushing them beyond their limits and the extra lessons during that NGSA year. The teachers felt that they had a greater number of focused and attentive students who wanted to do better than the students of the previous year,” Barrow said “The children worked to achieve their goals and were happy to have achieved them, we are proud of them. I am impressed with the work of the teachers and students and with the parents who supported their children. Given that sort of increase, I believe that we will have a handful of senior secondary schools next year,” Barrow noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 16, 2019

Guyana to become ‘testing ground’ for mobile apps …youth to benefit from job opportunities

GUYANA will soon become a testing ground for mobile application companies, as STEMGuyana in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, will soon launch a global mobile app testing service.

According to a release from STEMGuyana, this global testing application would include services in market research and analysis, focus group research, User Interface and functionality testing and local product launches. And this service will seek to target app development companies in the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada.

“App testing and Marketing are very costly functions in ABC countries and very often developers are forced to launch without the critical feedback needed from users to help them to identify, debug and improve their apps before launching in major markets,” STEMGuyana

co-founder Karen Abrams said, adding: “Consequently, many apps fail or fall short of expectations of users, resulting in very high failure rates.”

In Guyana, however Abrams noted that the relatively high cost of data and limited phone storage resources, make Guyana a “perfect testing ground”, since only the very best apps will survive rigorous testing, exhaustive marketing and Guyana’s selective customer base.

What also makes Guyana suitable for testing, according to the ‘tech’ heavyweight, is that the country has a unique proximity to large targeted international markets, it has an English-speaking population and has access to foreign products and programming, which makes the local consumers knowledgeable. The country also has a large diasporic presence in these targeted countries.

Guyana of itself has established a large network of technology, and youth who are capable of using the technology, throughout the country. At the recent exposition of an app that will soon be launched locally, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes alluded to this venture of making Guyana a ‘testing ground’. “We want to be able to start saying to the rest of the world, ‘You have an app you want to test; pay somebody in Guyana to test your application here first, so you’ll know how you need to tweak it; how you’ll need to change before they introduce it to other markets,’” Minister Hughes highlighted. This, she said, could create yet another employment avenue for Guyanese. Abrams highlighted the employment opportunities that will be created as well.

According to the release, STEMGuyana intends to employ youth from its national network of STEM club trainers in its app testing service.

Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes shares a photo with ‘Coily’ team members, including its Primary Developer, Asha Christian, fourth right (Delano Williams photo)

“This is just one way we intend to bring employment to young people across Guyana,” Abrams related, and disclosed: “When we pitched the idea to Minister Hughes, she immediately embraced it and offered to help make this vehicle for technology employment available to youth across Guyana.”

The idea to conduct app testing in Guyana came as

STEMGuyana Co-Founder, Asha Christian embarked on creating the Coily Hair mobile app, which will be launched in Guyana on July 27.

This app allows users with similar hair types to rate and review ethnic hair products, lets local hairstylists market their services to local customers and visitors to Guyana who live or work

in their communities and allows large and small hair products manufacturers to expand their markets of highly rated products globally. ‘Coily’ will be officially launched at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where about 1000 persons, including local businesses in the field, will be invited to ‘test out’ the app.

…working with farmers to reduce list of imported items

onions a success, NAREI is looking to replicate the effort with potatoes. The institute has identified two varieties of potatoes which will do well in Guyana.

Dr. Homenauth said the only setback to the cultivation of potatoes was the storage of planting materials.

Potato is a commodity which has to be stored at a certain temperature because it cannot go above 6-7 degrees.

In the past the institute did not have a facility to store planting materials, but last year they acquired assistance to construct a facility. The facility is being constructed and is expected to be fully operational within a month.

“With this facility we will

be able to store large quantities of planting material…we have identified some of the areas where we will cultivate potatoes… you need to have a temperature difference of 6-7 degrees between day and night or else the seed will not germinate properly,” he said.

He believes that the institute is getting where it wants to be and once they are capable of producing potatoes, it can be done competitively based on the current prices to import potatoes.

“If we can capitalise on that market it will make a big difference…if we could get into that farmers in Guyana will be in tip top shape,” said Dr. Homenauth.

Added to that, STEM-

NAREI takes aim at US$250M import bill GUYANA’s US$250 million food import bill could soon be reduced, as the National Agricultural Research and Extension institute (NAREI) continues with its effort to create import substitutes and increase production for food security.

For years, Guyana has been importing items such as corn, soy beans, potatoes, wheat, onions, garlic, milk and milk products, and even spices. These products, along with canned items, have contributed to the exorbitant food import bill.

The issue of a large food import bill is not specific to Guyana, since it was reported that the yearly cost of bringing in food to the Caribbean remain anchored at US$4 billion.

With the aim of exiting the high bracket, NAREI has started to explore the possibility of producing commodities such as corn and soy bean, specifically for the livestock feed industry, which expends in excess of US$20 million on imports.

“We have to look at import substitutions…we have to look at it on the basis that the food import bill is over US$250 million,” said Director of NAREI, Dr. Odhu Homenauth during an exclusive interview with the Guy-

ana Chronicle on Monday.

He believes that if local farmers can manage to produce corn and soy beans on a large scale, it would have a major impact on the bill and the lives of farmers because the money will remain with them.

“We have been promoting the investment in the savannahs, where it is suited to do those commodities,” said Homenauth, adding that they have also been exploring the cultivation of onions, garlic, potatoes and spices.

Among the spices which they have started to experiment with is turmeric, which they started to grow in small quantities because of planting materials.

Last year, NAREI along with farmers started processing turmeric and by the end of this year the institute hopes to produce a quarter of what is imported. The larger aim, he said, is to reduce the quantity of imported turmeric by 50 per cent in 2020.

There are similar intentions for ginger, as there are plans to establish ginger processing facilities in Hosororo, Region One (Barima-Waini).

While there are plans to reduce the importation of certain items, Dr. Homenauth said Guyana has stopped importing sweet pepper because

a lot of local farmers are involved in production of the commodity.

He said the same goes for cauliflower and broccoli, since farmers from Black Bush Polder and Linden are producing those commodities for the local market.

In addition, NAREI in collaboration with farmers has successfully cultivated onions. The institute said they hope to plant some 20 acres of onion this year.

“We are on target because we could do two crops…we identified farmers from across the country and we have 12-15 acres so far,” said Dr. Homenauth, adding that next

Director of NAREI, Dr. Odhu Homenauth (Adrian Narine photo)

year the institute will look to improve mechanisation and boost production.

With the cultivation of

Second victim in Soesdyke accident identified THE second person who died in the accident on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway has been identified as 43-year-old Faye Williams.

Williams, of Waiakahra, and 44-year-old Royston Stewart died after the vehicle they were in collided with motorcar PVV 535. The woman was reportedly one of four passengers of hire car, HC 2554, which was driven by Stewart.

According to a close friend of Stewart, motorcar PVV 535 was reportedly heading towards the Soesdyke/Linden Highway junction while the car driven

by Stewart was heading in the opposite direction. The Guyana Chronicle was told that motorcar PVV 535 was in the process of overtaking another vehicle that was heading in the same direction when it came into the

path of the hire car.

As a result of the collision, Williams and Stewart died while the other passengers sustained serious injuries. Stewart, of Sandville, Kuru Kururu, Seosdyke-Linden Highway, died while receiving medical treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation (GPHC).

Dead: Royston Stewart

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 16, 2019

UG launches ambitious gasifier project …aimed at producing 10-12kW of clean energy

THE University of Guyana (UG) is leading the way in the development of eco-friendly technology with its launch of a bioenergy gasifier which will provide clean, renewable energy to the university through the use of biomass materials.

These materials include wood, grass pellets, coconut shells, rice-hull pellets and other biomass sources which can be used to produce electricity and biochar, a charcoal-like substance used as a soil amendment.

The launch was hosted on Monday at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the Turkeyen Campus where students have been pursuing courses dealing with the maintenance and enhancement of soil fertility.

The project was partially funded by ExxonMobil

at a cost of G$4M; a grant from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) at G$2M and Progress in Education for Sustainability and Development Opportunities for Aquaculture in the Caribbean (PESCADO) funds.

Researcher in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and project team leader, Dr. Lawrence Lewis explained that the project was birthed out of an opportunity given to students to restore and rehabilitate mined-out areas.

When the group of students began growing trees, they acquired a lot of biomass because the species of tree required much pruning. As such the group then built two pyrolysis kilns to pyrolyse – burn inversely and without oxygen--- the biochar which produces syngas.

It led them to the idea

of acquiring a bioenergy gasifier which has the capacity to produce electricity; 10-12kWatts of clean energy from this gas.

The faculty then sought support from its University of Guyana Science and Technology Project (UGSTP) to acquire the bioenergy gasifier machine designed by Dr. Lewis and team. If placed within certain mined-out communities where there is high content of carbonaceous materials, it has the opportunity to improve hinterland agriculture and create employment opportunities while restoring degraded areas.

“This project is aimed at helping communities to be energy efficient, food sufficient and at the same time restoring our trees in Guyana,” Dr. Lewis said.

The project is over two years in the making and

Standing from right near the gasifier are: The Department of Chemistry’s Patrick Ketwaru; Chair of the UG Council, Major General (Rtd), Joseph Singh; the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry’s Dr. Lawrence Lewis; Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Owen Bovell; ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager, Rod Henson; and UG Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Paloma Mohamed (Samuel Maughn photo)

Researcher in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and project team leader, Dr. Lawrence Lewis demonstrates how the bioenergy gasifier operates (Samuel Maughn photo)

will now begin its test and application phase over the next 12 months. Soon, the bioenergy gasifier at the university will provide clean and renewable energy to the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry from biomass found on campus thereby enabling a significant reduction in the University’s electricity bill.

Meanwhile, the biochar produced will be used as a soil ameliorant and can aid Guyana in its international commitment to mitigate climate change by storing carbon in the soil in a stable form.

The gasifier will also be used to train stakeholders in organic agriculture and power generation and students in bioenergy technology.

Making remarks on behalf of the international oil company was Country Manager of ExxonMobil Guyana, Rod Henson who stated that these are the

types of innovative initiatives ExxonMobil is eager to support.

“This is one of the many investments in new technologies with the potential to increase energy supplies, reduce emissions and improve overall efficiencies and those are the things we want to do.”

Henson said that the oil company has worked with dozens of leading universities globally to find solutions to the world’s energy demand and Guyana is leading by example on how creativity can help to minimise waste.

Outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Owen Bovell stated that the faculty is grateful for the contributions made to the project which will build national capacity in the areas of biochar and bioenergy.

Bovell stated too that the project will help reduce the carbon footprint at the university and the

country and will spur topical discussions on the issues of climate change, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

Speaking, too, Chairman of the UG Council, Major General (Rtd), Joseph Singh stated that the university is moving in the right direction in terms of the application of theoretical knowledge.

He said that the project launch sends a message to the country about the importance which must be placed on reusing and recycling waste for the benefit of the environment.

The project’s technical team led by Dr. Lewis and Dean Bovell also received support from Verlyn Klass of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE).

Probe into release of ‘Satan’ from prison completed – Prison Director

THE findings of a Board of Inquiry into the accidental release of “Satan” from prison recently, will be made public soon, according to the acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels.

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) had released murder accused 35-yreaold Alvin Reid, known as ‘Satan,’ by mistake and

the police are now seeking the public’s assistance to recapture him.

The Guyana Police Force recently issued a wanted bulletin for Reid, and said that he is wanted for the murder of Malika Hamilton, which occurred in August, 2016, at Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara.

According to Director

Wanted: Alvin Reid called ‘Satan’

of Prisons, the Board of Inquiry will determine the outcome for ranks that were on duty whom handled the release of the prisoner. The director said when the murder accused is apprehended he will face no additional charges for the blunder that led to his release.

“There is a valid warrant for his imprisonment.

So it is not a situation where he has to be taken

before the court and all of that. Also, I still have to go through the report and prepare a synopsis,” he said.

“Satan” was, in September 2018, commit ted to stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Malika Hamilton, whose body was fished out of the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara, on August 12, 2016. It is alleged that she was reported

missing after going for a swim with the accused and another male. Police arrested “Satan” a few days after Hamilton’s body had been found, having found him hiding in a barrel at a relative’s house. He was subsequently charged and remanded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

A response to Charles Ramson Jr. attack on President Granger Dear Editor, I AM not a biblical person but I am tempted to quote the scriptures, John 8:7 which states,” Who is without sin can cast the first stone.” This is in response to Charles Ramson Jr who, in a letter published in Stabroek News on the 15th July 2019, titled, “CCJ finding that President Granger breached the constitution is quite significant” Mr. Editor, I usually quote the author verbatim to dismantle his/her argument, but in this case, these words are such garbage that they would cause environmental and intellectual pollution if recycled. In essence, this self-appointed oil and gas consultant and academic is suggesting that Mr. David Granger is not a fit and proper man to be President of Guyana. We all know that Charles Ramson Jr was misleading Guyana that he is an oil and gas consultant and academic and he studied at Russell Group Universities (top universities) in the UK. I literally prove he was lying.

Anyway, let me ask this gentleman, with damaged

credibility, the following questions 1. Was Mrs. Janet Jagan fit and proper to be President when she threw the court documents over her shoulder at her Presidential swearing-in ceremony?

2. Is Irfaan Ali fit and proper to be President with 19 criminal charges against him and credible concerns about academic fraud?

3. Was Bharrat Jagdeo fit and proper to be President when under his reign the Phantom squad unlawfully murdered hundreds of Guyanese as revealed by Court documents in America? Also under his reign, the Americans labelled Guyana as a narco-state.

4. Also, Charles, when you had aspirations to become President, in your “fear no man statement,” you admitted that there were serious allegations of corruption during the PPP’s 23 years reign. Do you still hold those views? Are they fit and proper to run this country?

Anyway, back to Charles Ramson Jr. I warned him to be quiet because I had built up a dossier on him. He wishes to be throwing stones, so

let me put this to him and see if he now has the testicular fortitude to engage me.

On the 19th August, 2018, Charles Ramson Jr was reported in the Kaieteur News to have received a full scholarship to a five-day Executive Course on Oil, Gas and Mining Governance at the University of Oxford Blavatnik School of Government.

I have to come to distrust anything coming from Charles since I found him to be misleading the Guyanese public that he is an Oil and Gas consultant and academic.

As a result I did my research on this course.

I will quote the course brochure verbatim with regards to the prospective participants profile.

Participants Profile “This course is open to policy leaders in the public and private sectors, alongside those in senior research and non-profit roles, who are committed to better governance in natural resources, and in a position to influence the governance of these sectors. Participants should have at least twelve years’ experience and be in a senior

leadership position or advisory role.”

Prospective participants include•Ministers, chiefs of staff, heads of extractives state-owned enterprises, commissioners, heads of agencies, departments and other public bodies involved in the management of oil, gas and mining and the revenues they generate as well as their deputies and advisers •Executives, directors, chiefs and heads at oil gas and mining companies, at headquarters or country office levels, as well as their deputies and advisers •Leaders from management consulting firms providing advice to governments in resource-rich countries in extractive sector policy design and implementation or public financial management •Vice-presidents, deputy managing directors, and heads of departments at multilateral agencies such as the IMF and World Bank; and •Chief executives, directors and senior fellows at think tanks and non-partisan bodies.”

Clearly, this course was designed for high flyers. The crem dela crem in the Oil and

Gas world. Kind of people like Dr. Jan Mangal et al.

Which one of the prescribed qualifications Charles has.

Answer: Absolutely none.

The total cost of the course is £8000, excluding transportation. That works out to be $ 2.24 million.

Again I will quote from the brochure verbatim with regards to scholarships.

“A limited number of scholarships covering the full cost of tuition and travel are available to public sector applicants from select resource-rich countries: Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda”.

You may have noticed that Guyana is not a part of those listed countries for full scholarship. How did Charles secure one? Don’t tell me he is now masquerading as Mexican. Again, I will quote the course brochure verbatim with regards to partial-scholarship. “In addition, the Blavatnik School will offer a limited number of partial-bursaries on a competitive basis to applicants.

Applicants must cover their

own travel and incidental costs. A bursary application must be completed by the closing date to be eligible for these awards. We strongly encourage female applicants to apply, with a number of bursary and scholarship opportunities currently available to help support current and rising female leaders in the natural resource sector”.

Again. How can Charles earn a partial bursary when he lacks the minimum entry requirements for the course with a preference for female applicants?

I humbly request that Charles explain to the Guyanese public what he did.

I will end the way I began.

Who without sins can cast the first stones. Charles, I have lots of stones for you.

Finally. Happy birthday Mr. President. Trust you live to see many more.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital

Peter Wickman's comments on Guyana's purported voters list are misguided Dear Editor REGIONAL political scientist and pollster, Peter Wickham, was quoted in Demerara Waves news on July 14, 2019, as saying that Guyana's APNU+AFC coalition government should go to the polls with the current voters [list] which was used in 2015 when the coalition won.

Evidently, Peter does not have a sufficiency of knowledge and information to make an informed judgement on the legality and acceptability of the purported voters list. Thus, his pronouncements are therefore misguided for the following reasons.

1. There is currently no lawful voters list. The list to which you and Guyana's opposition party, the PPP, have been referring does not exist. It expired on April 30, 2019, by dint of law or legislative fiat.

2. The law mandates that such voters list be compiled by house-to-house registration of all citizens who are 18 years and over within an eligible date set out by law. The claims and

objections period is not for registration. It is mandated by statute to make corrections to the list that has been compiled through house-to-house registration.

However, during this period, persons who were absent from there homes during the registration process may present themselves to the designated district office to be registered.

3. Elections Commission officials have acknowledged that the names of thousands of persons who have died remain on the expired list; possibly over 100,000.

4. Possibly over 15,000 young people who turned 18 since the last elections in 2015, and are now eligible to vote, are not on the list. The National Registration Act mandates the government to register the citizens. It doesn't place the burden on the citizen to go find the relevant office and register or lose their franchise. You should know by now that the opposition is resisting house-to-house registration because it wishes to suppress the youth vote which comprises 56% of the electorate.

Young people will vote against

the PPP en bloc 5. The expired list contains the names of thousands of persons who have moved abroad and are no longer eligible to vote, unless they return to Guyana, establish residency and register. The list also contains thousands of errors in relation to persons who have relocated within Guyana or have married and changed their names.

6. The aforementioned demonstrates a list that is unlawful, deeply flawed and bloated, and consequently, unacceptable for credible elections. If the Elections Commission attempts to proceed to elections with [the] said list, it will be enjoined by the court from doing so and will encounter significant rebellion from the population.

7. Finally, Guyanese are the experts on our voters list and our elections. We should be allowed to make our own decisions in this regard. As a political scientist, Peter would know best that one cannot make judgements on a matter without first being proficient on the relevant facts. I, there-

fore, find his comments appealingly misguided and unenlightened. I hasten to suggest that he becomes more engaged and acquire consider-

ably more facts to make objective and informed commentary on our politics.

Regards

Rickford Burke President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Repositioning the education sector …President says gov’t …90% of children now master reading, injected over $170B so far mathematics skilled compared to 37% in 2016

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Granger said his government has commenced the process of repositioning the Education Sector in the country, and already over $170B has been spent on education over the past four years.

“It is being accorded the highest priority,” President Granger told a gathering during the commissioning ceremony for the $186.3M Tertiary Students Dormitory at Liliendaal on Monday.

Under the President Granger Administration, spending in the education sector has moved from 14.8 per cent of the national budget in 2014 to 17.0 per cent in 2017. The numbers are being reflected in the transformation that continues to take place across the country, the President said.

“Four years ago, our education system was afflicted with many challenges – falling exam results, high drop-out rates, overcrowding and decrepit infrastructure.

Our children were leaving education without the necessary skills to find a job,” the Head of State pointed out. Statistics show that in 2016, only 36 per cent of the country’s children master reading and maths skills. To-

day, the number of children that master those very skills has increased to 90 per cent.

The President assured those present that the government’s plan for education, over the next five years, will secure a better future for all Guyana but in the interim, there are short term initiatives that are being rolled out. “Government is not content to await the successful outcome of its long-term educational policies. It is also making short-term interventions. The establishment of this tertiary education dormitory attests to government’s commitment to improving educational opportunities for hinterland students. It reflects our intention to ensure a more equal society by reducing the disparities between the hinterland and coastland through education,” he explained.

Guyana’s education policy places major emphasis on access, attendance, attainment, and accommodation with the overall aim of ensuring every child has access to quality education.

Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, in her address, said from 2015 to now, Guyana is in a different place with respect to the education sector. “I am on record to say and I will repeat, again in 2014 we saw an education

sector in crisis... the majority of our students in the hinterland were struggling to get through and satisfy the exit requirements for nursery, primary and secondary schools. Today, I am pleased to say that we have begun the process of turning things around,” Minister Henry explained.

According to statistical data emanating from the Education Ministry, in 2013, the ministry found that very few children were equipped to begin learning, particularly those in remote areas.

“In fact, around 60% of the children failed to meet the basic prerequisites for reading, fewer than 10% could demonstrate any understanding of text and 40% showed very little or no ability to identify any numbers from 1 to 10,” Minister Henry detailed.

Today, with less than five years in office, the government, she posited, has been able to turn those figures around. According to an article published on December 3, 2018, in the apolitical journal, a global platform, Guyana is turning of the tide in Early Childhood Education. Current data indicate that almost 90 per cent of children now master reading and mathematics skilled compared

secondary schools and 34 technical and vocational institutions have been connected to support remote-access learning and online research to help students with their academic assignments and homework. Smart classrooms have already been installed at Bartica, Mabaruma, Lethem, Three Miles and Santa Rosa.

President David Granger

to 37 per cent in 2016. The Education Minister said the government is committed to educating all of the country’s children, regardless of their location.

Meanwhile, President Granger, in marking the country’s development under his stewardship, said Information Communications Technology (ICT) is boosting access to modern education.

ICT hubs have been established in 171 communities, including the hinterland communities of Aishalton, Annai, Baramita, Bartica, Iwokrama, Kato, Karasabai, Masakenari, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Matthew’s Ridge, Mahdia, Paramakatoi, Sand Creek, Santa Rosa, St. Ignatius and Waramadong. Approximately 175 primary schools; 106

SCHOLARSHIPS Additionally, the government is increasingly putting systems in place to ensure that students have access to education. One such system is the provision of government-supported scholarships, which provide opportunities for hinterland students to attend secondary and tertiary education. Since taking office, the government has increased the number of scholarships awarded each year. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has increased the number of hinterland scholarships from 120 in 2014 to 186 in 2018.

Added to that, Hinterland students, also, have been among the beneficiaries of the 1,599 tertiary-level scholarships offered by the Department of the Public Service since 2015.

“Attendance at school is equally important. Government’s policy is to ensure that

every child attends school and stays in school. We have made progress in ensuring that our children attend and stay in school with the launch – exactly four years ago on 15th July 2015 – of the Public Education Transportation Service (PETS) which started as the 3Bs project. Twenty-nine buses, ten boats and more than 1,400 bicycles have been distributed so far under PETS to make it easier for children to attend school,” President Granger said.

He stated that the measures implemented to improve school attendance have resulted in a decline in hinterland school dropouts, explaining that an average of 10 primary school students per week dropped out from hinterland schools in 2014; however, it declined to an average of 3 persons in 2017. An average of 17 secondary school students dropped out weekly from hinterland schools in 2014, he added, while noting that this, too, has declined to an average of 5 per week in 2017. Emphasis has also been placed on the training of teachers, on the basis that it is vital to improving students’ performance. Almost 1900 teachers were trained and added to the teaching profession

Nalco says chemicals to be stored at warehouse not dangerous

…to meet concerned residents this week NALCO Champion Guyana said the chemicals that will be stored at the proposed warehouse at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt will be similar to common household items such as rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, gasoline and diesel.

The company provided this clarification on Monday, days after residents from Houston Gardens, Rasville and Roxanne Burnham Gardens objected to the chemical facility being set up anywhere close to the city.

Nalco Champions Guyana, an international oil and gas company, has applied for ‘Environmental Authorisation,’ from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for the operation of a chemical warehouse facility at John Fernandes Ltd. Inland Terminal at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and for the transportation of chemicals from the Inland Terminal to John Fernandes Water Street Port. The chemicals would thereafter be transferred to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels offshore Guyana.

Nalco Champion Guyana, on Monday,

said its plans for a chemical storage facility in Georgetown will provide an important service as the country embarks on the production of oil and gas. The proposed facility at John Fernandes Ltd. Inland Terminal will only house chemical products, Nalco Champion Guyana’s Country Readiness Manager, John Waldvogel said, while further clarifying that there will be no manufacturing at the site. The stored chemicals at the location would be very similar to common household items such as rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, gasoline and diesel, he emphasized. “We recognize the importance of being a responsible neighbour in the community and operating in compliance with all Guyanese regulations at our proposed facility,” said waldvogel.

As part of this review, the EPA will conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment to ensure that Nalco Champion’s planned operations are safe for the community, the agency noted. To provide further clarity, Nalco Champion Guyana, and John Fernandes Ltd., the company that owns the site of the proposed warehouse, are planning to host a public meeting with concerned residents later

this week to address their concerns.

“Our top concern is ensuring safety of the environment and the communities in which we operate,” Nalco Champion Guyana’s Warehouse Manager, Eric Scott said.

He added: “Our people also live and work here and we recognize that our neighbours may have questions about our operations. We are committed to working with the EPA and look forward to the opportunity to share more information with the local community and address any concerns it may have regarding our operations and the safety plans we have in place.”

Scott noted that Nalco Champion responsibly operates similar locations in hundreds of communities and has a proven track record of safe, sustainable operations and community involvement.

“Nalco Champion, an Ecolab company, provides safe, sustainable chemistry programs and services to the upstream and midstream oil and gas industry, refineries and petrochemical operations in more than 170 countries around the world. Through onsite problem solving and the application of innovative technologies, we maximize production, optimize water use and overcome complex challenges in the world’s toughest energy frontiers,” the

company noted.

Last Saturday, concerned residents provided more than 13 reasons why the chemical warehouse should not be erected in Houston Gardens or anywhere in the city. Noting that Industrial Site is an unsuitable place to have a chemical warehouse, the residents pointed out that thousands could be affected if there is a chemical leak, many of them children.

In addition to the fact that residential communities are located in the westerly, northerly and easterly directions of the proposed chemical storage facility, the residents are contending that there is no evacuation plan or any system for effectively warning residents of any dangers to human, animal, or environmental health, that can occur anytime at the warehouse. “All lands in Houston Gardens, as well as their surrounding areas, are zoned as residential and or agricultural,” they further pointed out, and urged that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) includes confirmation from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) on whether lands identified for the warehouse have been altered to reflect commercial or industrial purposes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

First Lady launches First Aid, CPR workshop

F

irst Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Monday declared open a oneweek training session in general First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the proper use of an Automated External Defibrillator for 40 participants in her Care for the Elderly workshop at the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS).

The training is one component of the threepart workshop, which started on July 9 at the Regency Suites.

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (centre) and Director-General of the Guyana Red Cross, Ms. Dorothy Fraser (second from left) with facilitators and participants in the First Aid component of the Care for the Elderly Workshop

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, delivers her remarks to the participants of the three-component Care for the Elderly Workshop

A section of the of participants of the three-component Care for the Elderly Workshop, at the one-week training session in general First Aid, at the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS), Barrack Street, Kingston.

'Girl Stand-up' Teen Empowerment Camp to inspire girls, raise self-esteem & confidence Naomi Marshall TEENAGE girls of Linden are set to benefit from a twoday camp as the Impacting Communities Changing Lives (ICCL) organization gets ready to host its fourth “Girl Stand-up Teen Empowerment Camp.

The camp, which will be held at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre from July 23-24, 2019, aims to inspire girls to raise their self-esteem and confidence. The event, which is set to target 75 teenage girls, ages 14-17, is free of cost and attendees will be provided with lunch, snacks and drinks.

ICCL is a non-governmental organization which launched Girl Stand up Teen Empowerment in 2016. According to

Daniele Hicks, Co-Founder of ICCL, the organization wishes to see strong girls grow into women, which is the foundation of creating a life they desire and deserve and which will positively impact their communities She noted that during the camp, the attendees will be exposed to the topics that are not in the school’s curriculum such as, “building confidence and self-esteem, having dreams, setting a vision board, having the right attitude, how to cope with social issues, how to handle one’s emotions, entrepreneurship, health and wellness and body image.”

“One of the reasons why we chose those topics is because we're aiming to focus on areas of development that are not taught in schools. A lot of the

time, kids just replicate the attitudes and work ethics they see around them and in some cases, the traits they pick up are not necessarily those of an ideal/successful individual.

Therefore, it is our goal to educate young girls about the importance of being confident along with its benefits,” Hicks explained.

She pointed out, “Also, we believe that the topics highlighted play an integral role in the shaping of a successful person. The topics contribute to ensuring that you have fulfilling life. In addition, it's our passion to help girls unleash their maximum potential and so this conference encourages girls to have big dreams and work towards accomplishing them.

When they feel confident they

Attendees of Girl Stand up Teen Empowerment Camp 2018

tend to believe in themselves more and make better choices.”

Additionally, the organization will also be carrying out a workshop on July 25 for teen mothers.

To inspire the attendees and make the event successful, the organization will be partnering with Beverly Braithwaite-Chan, Chief Executive

Officer at the Davis Memorial Hospital; Marva Langevine, Founder of Guyana Golden Lives; Kibwe Copeland, Founder of Clear Path and Wil Campbell, Therapist.

Interested persons can contact Daniele Hicks, Co-Founder of ICCL, on 592-630-9649.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

President honour for 74th Birth Anniv Photos by Ministry of the Presidency

President David Granger all smiles during a special birthday celebration at State House

As is customary, President David Granger used his birthday as an opportunity to present educational gifts to future leaders of the country. Little Dhaniram Ramotar from Parika who gained a place at Queen's College at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) was one of the beneficiaries

President David Granger addressin in honour of his birth anniver

L-Dee Johnson a pupil of Clonbrook Primary School, who gained a place at The Bishops High School at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), was one of five children from across the country who received gifts from President David Granger on the occasion of his 74th birthday

Minister of Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence c celebrate His Excellency David Gr

Attendees at the Luncheon hosted in honour of President David Granger's 74th birth Anniversary enjoy the cultural presentation performed by the National School of Dance

President David Granger enjoying part of the cultural p

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

red versary

ng attendees at the Luncheon held rsary Monday at State House

chaired proceedings at the Luncheon to ranger's 74th birth anniversary

presentation at his birthday Luncheon at State House

The President thanked his wife for her partnership and care over the 49 years of their marriage, particularly over the past year

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

President, Opposition Leader to meet shortly …as Jagdeo accused of shifting the goalpost …Western diplomats urge adherence to CCJ ruling on selecting GECOM chair

By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Granger and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, are scheduled to meet shortly to discuss the nominees for the position of Chairman of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

According to a source, the date for the meeting has been set, and it is now a matter of deciding on the time.

The two leaders last met on Thursday July 4, 2019 – a meeting which resulted in them agreeing to have their technical teams meet to “hammer out” the six names, but those meetings came to a halt after the Opposition’s team shifted the goalpost, and declined to consider any of the president’s nominees. On Monday, the United States of America Ambassador to Guyana, Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, H.E. Greg Quinn; and the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, Ambassador Jernej Videti? issued a joint statement calling for the constitutional players to abide by the declarations of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the appointment of a new Chairman of the Elections Commission and in the conduct of elections.

“The Caribbean Court of Justice – Guyana’s Supreme Court – has spoken. It is important for the rule of law that all invoked actors abide by its ruling and the relevant

provisions of the Constitution. We urge everyone to do so expeditiously,” the ABEU implored.

Ahead of the upcoming meeting, President Granger shortlisted two names from the list of eight he had earlier submitted, through the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon, to the Opposition Leader for his consideration.

The President’s nominees are Attorney-at-Law Kesaundra Alves and Justice (Ret’d) Claudette La Bennett.

Last Friday, President Granger expressed a willingness to appoint a Chairman of the Elections Commission

by Monday July 15, if the Opposition Leader acted in a consensual manner and in good faith. But to date, the Opposition Leader has been sending mixed signals on the nominees proposed by him and the president. In a letter addressed to the Director General on July 13, the Opposition Leader’s Chief Negotiator Gail Teixeira, on his behalf, acknowledged the two nominees proposed by the President, but on Monday he told reporters that he will not only consider those two names but the other six names submitted by the President.

“I’ll take it in good faith that he (the President) submitted eight names and I thought that all eight were not unacceptable or acceptable to him,” he told reporters, while emphasising that he will consider all the names submitted by the President and not the

two shortlisted.

Added to that, the Opposition Leader has reportedly sought to misrepresent what the teams of negotiators from both the Government and the Opposition had agreed to during a “hammering out” process last week. The teams met three times, and had shortlisted 13 names from a total of 19 submitted prior to their engagement. From that 13, five names were shortlisted from a list proposed by the Opposition Leader and the remaining eight were proposed by the President.

However, in the letter to the Director General, Teixeira wrote: “As a result, the Leader of the Opposition is seeking clarification with regards to the status of the six names that were ‘shortlisted’ during the three meetings between the representatives of the President and himself.

Are these six names deemed ‘not acceptable’ or are they

considered ‘unacceptable’ to the President?”

Based on the letter to Harmon, the Opposition Leader included on its list of six, at least one person that the Government’s representatives had rejected last week on behalf of the President.

When questioned about the rejected name or names, the Opposition Leader said it did

President David Granger

Justice (Ret’d) Claudette La Bennett

Attorney-at-Law Kesaundra Alves

Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo

the six rejected nominees from the Opposition Leader’s list of 11.

not matter where his nominees at this stage are five or six. For him, it is minute.

“Whether five or six are acceptable to the president it is immaterial. We just needed to get clarity on those six,” Jagdeo said while claiming that the President’s team led

by Harmon had shortlisted a list, and that list does not reflect the position of his team.

This, however, is contrary to the statements of his chief negotiator, who, at the end of the last meeting, said the Opposition had no issue with

He later told reporters that he was not confined to the 11 names that were shortlisted to five. “Remember we were not confined to the 11 names that was the first round. The first round was that we resubmit the names of those who agreed to have their names resubmitted, we go through that, and assuming that we had come up with four or five, then we could go through another round of more names, until we have a list of seven or eight names from which I could choose,” Jagdeo said.

However, Jagdeo’s position contradicts the recommendations of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) when it ruled on the appointment of Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson. The CCJ has advised that the President and the Opposition Leader arrive at

a consensual list of six during a process of consultation before the formal submission is made by the Opposition Leader to the President in accordance with the Constitution. In delivering the landmark judgment on June 18, 2019, President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders said the President and the Opposition Leader ought to have met prior to the submission of the list and consulted on names.

It was explained that consultation between the President and the Opposition Leader would have allowed for consensus and submission of a list of six persons who would have reached the eligibility requirements. Paragraph 26 of the ruling states: “The Court decided that the most sensible approach to operationalising the Article was for the Leader of the Opposition and the President to communicate with each other in good faith and perhaps even meet to discuss, eligible candidates for the position of Chairman before a list is formally submitted. The aim of these discussions must be to agree (to) the names of six persons who fit the stated eligibility requirements and who are not unacceptable to the President.”

Modern asphalt plant for Guyana by September WORKS are moving apace for Guyana to soon be equipped with the most modern asphalt plant operating within the Caribbean Region which will significantly reduce costs in the construction of asphalt concrete roads.

On Monday, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure stated that the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) has begun the design for the installation of the plant while the construction aspect is expected to go out to

tender shortly.

According to DHBC General Manager, Rawlston Adams, the equipment can meet the demand of both local and international markets and full installation should be completed by the end of September, 2019.

On Monday Adams along with Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma, paid a visit to the Demerara Shipping Wharf where he inspected the equipment shipped from

Germany to Guyana in preparation for installation commencement.

“All of the parts for the plant have arrived in Guyana and it’s only a matter of time before the Corporation finalises all of the paperwork and begins delivering the equipment to Garden of Eden,” Adams stated.

It is anticipated that the new asphalt plant will be able to produce approximately 160 tons of asphalt per hour which is some four times faster than the current asphalt plant.

Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) General Manager, Rawlston Adams inspects the new equipment

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 16, 2019

Alleged killers of money-changer and daughter remanded A GRIEVING widow on Monday, July 15, 2019, sat at the Sparendaam Magistrates' Court, watching, as the five men, who allegedly killed her husband, moneychanger, Aaron Latchman, and her 18-year-old daughter, Arianna, were arraigned in court.

The men Mark Rufino called 'Mark', a 25-yearold labourer of Parika, East Bank Essequibo; Paul Chan, called 'Long Hair' or 'Anthony', a 37-year-old conductor of Dennis Street, Sophia, East Coast Demerara; Troy Abrams called Rastaman', a 44-year-old vendor of Middle Street, Agricola, Eank Bank Demerara; Lloyd Sadloo, a 37-year-old vendor of Mocha Arcadia, EBD and Sean Thomas called 'Yankee', a 41-year-old electrician of William Street, Kitty, were all charged jointly for the capital offence.

The gang appeared before Magistrate Alicia George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court professing their innocence by telling the court that investigators had ‘cooked up” the charge against them.

The Magistrate read the capital offence to the men which stated that, on July 4, 2019, at Robert Street, Better Hope (North), ECD, they allegedly murdered the Latchmans during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

The defendants were all

Dead: Aaron Latchman and his daughter, Arianna

unrepresented by attorney and were remanded to prison until August 15, 2019.

Relatives of the Latchman’s family were present at court to support Tracey Waheeda, who was the wife and mother of the two victims.

The woman, who sat patiently watching the five men arrive in court, cried as she addressed the media demanding justice to be served as she praised the police and their investigation.

“I can’t even sleep in the night…This is very hard, we are trying” the grieving woman said.

Also present in court were the relatives of the five men who showed support for the defendants, telling them to “hold the faith, everything gon be alright” According to reports, on July 4, 2019, Aaron Latchman and his daughter had just returned from the city when the robbers pounced on them. Eyewitnesses said the bandits approached the

The grieving widow Tracey Waheeda

From Left to Right : Mark Rufino called 'Mark' and Paul Chan, called 'Long Hair' or 'Anthony'

businessman and demanded cash and valuables but he refused and a fight started between him and them.

A number of shots were fired and both Aaron and Ariana Latchman were shot multiple times before falling to the ground.

The father and daughter were picked up and rushed to a city hospital where they

were pronounced dead on arrival.

An autopsy performed on Aaron Latchman revealed that he sustained multiple gunshot injuries while his daughter sustained a single gunshot injury. The man was shot thrice during the scuffle in his yard.

This newspaper had earlier reported that the

Lloyd Sadloo

Troy Abrams called Rastaman'

Sean Thomas called 'Yankee'

killers allegedly told police that the suspect held in North Ruimveldt lived at Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara and after the businessman and his daughter were killed, he took them to a house in Sophia where they “split the money, $150,000 each.”

Police said the motive of the murder was robbery and

not an execution.

Police information technology experts had enhanced security camera footage of the gunmen who fled the scene after killing the Latchmans.

The bandits appeared to have been familiar with Aaron Latchman’s routine and were reportedly waiting near his home.

New water system at Paramakatoi nears completion

GWI CEO, Dr Richard Van West Charles (second right) looks on as water gushes from one of the pipes in the village of Paramakatoi.(GWI photo)

A NEW water system, which the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) commenced constructing in the village of Paramakatoi in the Potaro-Siparuni in 2017, is now at an advanced testing stage.

According to a release from

the GWI, the project was initiated through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the water utility company and the Paramakatoi village council.

GWI Chief Executive

Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van-West-Charles, accompanied by technical personnel, travelled to Paramakatoi on Sunday and trekked through the jungle to get a first-hand look of the recently completed water system so as to ensure all

systems are in place for distribution to the community and for commissioning. “While there, he turned on the valve to release water into the community to commence the testing phase of the new water supply system,” GWI said.

During a meeting with residents, Dr. Van West-Charles said it manifested who we are as a cooperative republic, as the input from all stakeholders involved was remarkable.

He expressed appreciation to Christopher Cheong, a resident hired by GWI as a Clerk of Works, for his leadership in realising the new water system.

The Managing Director noted that the project presented many challenges, which engineers managed to overcome.

According to GWI, the project fits directly into the Green State Development Strategy since it is solely powered by photovoltaic systems and it is also a realization of Sustainable Development Goal number 6, Dr. Van West-

Charles added.

According to Executive Director of Hinterland Service, Ramchand Jailal, the source for the new water system is two springs which come together in a catchment area.

It is then pumped half way up the hill using solar energy and stored in a reservoir. From there, another pump sends the water to a set of 12 storage tanks at the top of the mountain, where it is chlorinated then gravity-fed to the community through a total of 9km of transmission and distribution pipelines. Two photovoltaic systems will power the water system during the day, while a generator will support the supply of power to the system.

Additionally, GWI intends to set up an office in the community and provide training for the maintenance of the water supply system. This will in turn provide employment for residents.

Toshao of Paramakatoi, Gideon John and Deputy

Toshao, Luelyn Sandwell expressed their gratitude to the Managing Director and GWI staff for not giving up on the project when it seemed impossible to get done. They specifically thanked Dr. Van West-Charles for taking time to travel the distance and walk the miles to ensure it was satisfactorily completed.

GWI also noted that the team visited a well site in Campbelltown, Mahdia that was completed in April, 2019. Since then, approximately 1200 residents have been receiving improved water access, some of whom received first-time access, with 20 hours of service a day.

The well was drilled at a depth of 426ft. Prior to this, residents exercised rainwater harvesting and purchased water from mobile trucks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 16, 2019

Guyana to field 100-strong delegation to CARIFESTA THE 100 Guyanese who form the official Guyana contingent are getting ready to represent this country at the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) XIV which will be held from August 16 to 25, in Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana’s Coordinator for CARIFESTA XIV Andrew Tyndall told this newspaper that preparation, particularly within the performing arts is well underway. “We’re looking forward to taking up the group and representing Guyana, and make all of Guyana proud at the festival,” Tyndall said, explaining that it is for this reason much emphasis is being placed on preparing all delegates.

“The major area of preparation would be in the performing arts, which covers dance, music and drama,” Tyndall explained. The rehearsals for the drama, dance and music cohorts, specifically, began weeks ago but the rehearsals for the Guyana Night presentation, which will feature the entire per-

forming arts delegation, began on Sunday, July 14.

“We really look forward to that [Guyana Night] presentation because it is that presentation that looks at the festivals of Guyana and it paints a picture of the Guyanese society from the background of our festivals,” the coordinator said.

This ‘Guyana Night’ presentation, Tyndall said, will encompass and integrate displays of all of Guyana’s cultural and religious festivals with the aim of illustrating the cultural diversity the country boasts. A major aim of the Guyana Night presentation will also be to encourage Caribbean citizens and all attendees of Carifesta to visit the country to experience what Guyana has to offer, according to him.

But while this Guyana Night presentation is set to wow the crowd in Trinidad next month, Tyndall disclosed that the Department of Culture will be hosting a local presentation of that performance. “We would

Flashback! Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry alongside few Guyanese delegates at the Road Parade of CARIFESTA XIII which was held in Barbados in 2017 [DPI photo]

want persons to come out and get a taste of what we are carrying to CARIFESTA and see that we are taking the best of the best to represent Guyana at this cultural festival,” the coordinator highlighted.

The date for this is yet to be finalised however.

Aside from the major Guyana Night presenta-

tion, the individual cohortswhether dance, drama, music, visual arts, fashion, inter alia- will also have their individual days to perform and wow the CARIFESTA crowd. Of the lot, the coordinator mentioned that the Guyana Dance Company has already been working to ensure that their presentation

Medical Council pays historic visit to Cuba A 10-member delegation of the Medical Council of Guyana recently paid an official visit to Cuba with the aim of strengthening Guyana-Cuba relations in the health sector.

The team visited on June 29-July 8, 2019.

This is the first time that the Council has visited Cuba since Guyana and Cuba established diplomatic relations in December 1972. The delegation comprised Dr. Navindra Rambarran, Chairman; Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Frank Anthony; Dr. Mahendra Carpen; Dr. Marisa Seepersaud; Dr. Chris Prashad; Dr. Karen Butters; Ms. Juanita Johnson, Secretary to the Medical Council; Mr. James Bond, Attorney for the Council; and Mr. John Adams, M.P., representative of the Ministry of Public Health.

The delegation held official meetings with high-level representatives of the Calixto Garcia Hospital and the La Pradera International Health Facility and also toured those medical centers. The delegation met with representatives of the Unidad Central de Collaboracion Medica (UCCM) and a small team from MINSAP, headed by the MINSAP Head of Department responsible for International Training, Dr. Guillermo Perez Esquivel.

Guyana's Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, said on Sunday, June 30, the delegation held a formal meeting at the Guyana Embassy with post graduate students, many of whom had issues, queries and comments. “It was a useful encounter

Having a chat outside the Guyana Mission in Cuba are, from left, Ambassador Halim Majeed; CMO, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud; and GMC’s Drs Navindra Rambarran, and Frank Anthony. Backing the camera are post-graduate medical students, Drs. Malaika Singh (left) and Menawattie Rajkumar

and many irritants were settled,” he said. The envoy explained that very important issues relating to the signing of the MOU between the two Ministries of Health, the drafting of a broader Cooper-

ation Agreement, the purchase of pharmaceuticals and vaccines from Cuba, and an annual scientific conference with Cuban assistance were examined.

at the ‘Decades of Dance’, which is the signature dance show at Carifesta, will not be easily forgotten. Preparation is well on its way for the National Steel Orchestra, Tyndall noted too.

On the administrative side of things, with exactly one month left before the Caribbean Festival commences,

he related too that Guyana is nearly done with the accreditation process and will be looking to finalise travelling and accommodation arrangements.

While the official delegation stands at 100 persons, there will be several more persons heading to the Twin Island Republic from Guyana as artisans and independent performers in the performing arts, specifically. The theme for this year’s CARIFESTA is “Connect, Share, Invest,” which the Carifesta committee says focuses on both the tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage and development and seeks to embody and facilitate the objectives of CARIFESTA XIV. In the past, Guyana participated in the areas of Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Dance, Fashion, Music, Craft, Culinary Arts, Film/animation, and Drama.

Guyana to host regional consultations on developing standards THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) secretariat, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), will be hosting a regional consultation on developing standards for the teaching profession for the Latin America and Caribbean regions.

According to a press statement from CARICOM, the purpose of the consultation will be to gather input from key education stakeholders including teachers, teacher organisations, education planners, teaching regulatory councils, teacher educators and researchers.

They will be asked to review and comment on the evolving guidance framework and to suggest ways to refine it and recommend approaches for local adaptations.

The consultations serve as a form of social dialogue to ensure that teachers and their organisations are part of the decision- making processes in the development and implementation of instruments that affect the profession.

Consultations will be held in each of the five UNESCO regions.

The first regional consultation workshop covered the Africa region and took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 18-19 March 2019.

The next regional consultation will cover the Latin America and Caribbean regions and is scheduled for 17-19 July, 2019, in Georgetown, Guyana.

There will also be a consultation on the development of CARICOM Standards for Teachers, Educational Leaders, and Teacher/Educators at this consultation.

Following each regional consultation workshop, a group of international experts will meet to review and discuss the input generated from the stakeholder discussions.

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Guyanese brothers indicted in gift-card scam

QUEENS, New York-based Guyanese brothers, Christopher and Bryan Nathoo, and their wives, were among 13 people who were indicted on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 in an alleged US $24M gift-card scam that operated since 2015, and investigated by the NYPD Grand Larceny Division.

A release from the District Attorney, Queens County, 125-01 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, New York, stated that Acting Queens District Attorney, John M. Ryan, was joined by New York City Police Commissioner, James P. O’Neill, and New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent, Linda A. Lacewell, to announce the indictment by a Queens County grand jury, charging the 13 individuals with enterprise corruption, grand larceny, conspiracy, money laundering and other crimes for allegedly running a complex gift card “washing” scheme.

The scam that allegedly generated roughly one million dollars every month for two years included buying credit card numbers from the dark web, going on shopping sprees with the legitimate gift cards and using an online option to exchange gift cards for cash, as well as laundering money through a Bronx check cashing establishment.

The main defendants in the operation, Christopher Nathoo, 33, of Glen Oaks, and his brother, Bryan Nathoo, 30, of Dix Hills, NY, along with the other 11 defendants, face a 192-count indictment with enterprise corruption, grand larceny, conspiracy and other crimes.

The others are Ajay Bangay, 28, of 133 Street, Queens--the alleged manager of Fence; Annarissa Nathoo, 32, of Arista Drive, Suffolk County, Long Island -- an alleged shopper; Hama Nathoo,

32, of 256th Street, Queens -- an alleged shopper; Amelia “Millie” Salamalay,27, of 189 Street, Queens-- an alleged Fence employee; Rashaad Solomon, 22, of Patchogue, Suffolk County, Long Island -- an alleged shopper; Fredie Polo, 58, of Andrea Place, Staten Island-- an alleged shopper; Mayir “Alex” Kressner, 37, of Canary Drive, Lakewood, New Jersey-- an employee of Card Cash; Aqueel Khan, 40, of Old South Road, Queens -- alleged money launderer; Volney Myers, 33, of Hungry Harbour Road, Queens-- the alleged swiper/boss; Lavau Auguste, 26, of 101 Avenue, Queens – an alleged swiper and Evan Christian, 23, of Forest Road in Nassau County, Long Island -- an alleged swiper.

If convicted, many of the defendants could face prison sentences ranging from one year to 25 years.

“This indictment is the culmination of a three-yearlong investigation into a multi-faceted illegal operation that bilked millions of dollars from banks and department stores, and caused extreme damage to the credit scores of innumerable citizens.

“The defendants charged in this case ‘washed’ gift cards purchased with fraudulent credit cards to fill their pockets and bank accounts with millions of dollars — the bosses allegedly even did home improvements using these scrubbed gift cards. This criminal enterprise has been shut down and the defendants face prison time for their alleged greed at the expense of others,” Ryan was quoted as saying.

According to the charges, in 2015, the NYPD began to investigate an illegal operation (a “fence”) based in Jamaica, Queens, that was originally located at 150th Street, and eventually moved to Liberty Avenue. The fence, which was

allegedly run by Christopher and Bryan Nathoo, allegedly bought gift cards purchased with fraudulent credit cards and then re-sold those gift cards to Cardcash.com, an online gift card exchange business. However, the investigation found that the scheme was far more elaborate than this.

The illegal enterprise allegedly had specific roles for each individual involved, including fence manager, swipers, shoppers, fence employees, money launderer and more. Those who were swipers acquired stolen credit card numbers from the dark web and embossed the information onto blank cards. The swipers would then use these fake credit cards and go to stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom’s and Target and buy legitimate store gift cards for varying sums. The swipers would then sell the legitimate gift cards to the fence.

Once the cards were in the fence, according to the indictment, gift cards would then allegedly go through a “washing” process, where the swipers or shoppers would go to department stores, buy merchandise and return the items for either a “cleaned” gift card or store credit, which would further remove it from the fraudulently purchased gift card, making it less likely to be connected to the fraudulently purchased one and deactivated by the bank.

The charges alleged, too, that the Nathoo brothers recruited their wives, Hama Nathoo and Annarrisa Nathoo, respectively, to take on some of the shopping responsibilities. Hama Nathoo allegedly used the “cleaned” gift cards for personal purchases, including buying Home Depot gift cards and buying items to renovate the couple’s home, while Annarrisa Nathoo also allegedly used “cleaned” cards to make online purchases for herself and also used the gift

The seized gift cards (Photo courtesy of the DA's office/QNS News)

cards to remodel the couple’s new home purchased in Suffolk County.

Many shoppers in the operation would, it is alleged, repeatedly buy merchandise, return it for another gift card and repeat the process over and over again to get further and further away from the first fraudulently purchased gift card. The shoppers were said to be paid $10 an hour or $100 for the day, and they would

allegedly pay the swipers a percentage for each gift card.

The indictment states that one employee at Cardcash. com allegedly handled the Nathoo brothers business exclusively, and bought the illegal enterprise’s gift cards, earning the website a profit of up to 20 per-cent of the value of the gift cards. At times, the employee met with the Nathoo brothers to deliver checks, which were then laundered through shell

companies — that existed in name only — with the assistance of the manager of Uniondale Check Cashing in the Bronx. The Bronx check cashing establishment would collect a two per-cent take for each transaction, with the manager pocketing one percent for himself.

The operation allegedly generated approximately $1 million in profits every single month, in 2016 and 2017, as a result of this scheme, with profits said to have dipped in 2018. However the operation still made money, the charges noted.

During the court-authorised searches on July 10, 2019, by the police, they allegedly recovered more than 8,000 gift cards from various retailers, as well as Visa, Master card and American Express gift cards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

FROM BACK PAGE

Seamers fight back after Let’s Bet Sports running with Aussie bats collapse

Jefford’s Classic

Sam Curran finished with 6-95 // Getty Images

THE Australian XI hold the upper hand after two days against the England Lions but their grip on the match could have been tighter had it not been for a rapid collapse in the morning session.

Tim Paine’s side lost 6-17 in 47 balls to be bowled out for 397 with England Ashes aspirant Sam Curran the chief destroyer, taking 5-25 in the morning to finish with 6-95 in front of selectors Ed Smith and James Taylor.

It’s the second time on the Australia A tour the visitors have suffered a collapse – they lost 7-60 against Sussex in Arundel last week.

Australia’s 2015 Ashes tour was marred by batting collapses, with the little urn effectively lost after Michael Clarke’s team were bowled out for 136 at Edgbaston and 60 at Trent Bridge in back-toback Tests.

Second-drop Travis Head watched the carnage unfold in Canterbury as he added just nine to his overnight total to walk off the field unbeaten on 139 to move closer towards an Ashes berth.

The Australian bowlers toiled hard on Monday to have the Lions 6-232 at stumps, trailing by 165 runs, with Curran 32 not out.

New-ball pair Jackson Bird (2-36) and Chris Tremain (2-69) were the pick of the visiting bowlers, with allrounder Mitch Marsh collecting 1-38 while spinner Jon Holland picked up the wicket of former Australia U19 player Sam Hain to end the day’s play.

Depending on which side you were on, it was either a dream or nightmare of a morning.

After Marsh struck a few lusty blows he was given out caught

behind having seemingly edged a full ball from Curran with his bat brushing the turf at the point of impact.

The umpire promptly raised his index finger to the shock of Marsh, who lingered at the crease before beginning a slow march back to the pavilion, shaking his head in disagreement.

Marsh’s wicket sparked the stunning collapse as Curran ripped through the lower order from round the wicket of the Pavilion End at Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground.

Curran had Paine trapped in front for a five-ball duck, Michael Neser edging to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes without scoring, Tremain castled two balls later and clean bowled Bird after the seamer struck a couple of boundaries.

The left-armer had 5-25 in 32 minutes and it didn’t take long for skipper Lewis Gregory to bowl No.11 Holland to end the innings one delivery shy of 100 overs.

Ball continued to dominate bat as Bird bowled Kent opener Zak Crawley in the seventh over.

There are only two kinds of leaves in cricket: good and bad. Evans’ against Bird was the bad kind.

Australia’s fast bowlers took a little while to adjust to the dramatic slope of the ground but once they did they proved potent and difficult to score off.

The visitors should have walked off for lunch with two Lions wickets but Joe Burns, who put down two catches against Sussex, dropped Sibley on three at second slip, denying Tremain his maiden wicket on tour.

The Victoria wouldn’t have to wait too much longer to add to his barren wicket tally when he

extracted an edge from the bat of Foakes that was gladly accepted by his opposite gloveman Paine.

Tremain doubled his tour haul in his next over, agains finding the edge, this time from Sam Northeast to Marcus Harris at third slip.

As Matthew Wade audibly pronounced on the field, the ‘boys were humming’, but the dominance didn’t equate to wickets as the sun broke through overcast skies and Sibley and James Bracey built a solid partnershi Their stand of 89 lasted more than two hours either side of the tea break before Kurtis Patterson held on to a sharp chance at backward point to dismiss Bracey for 37.

Both set batsmen were back in the pavilion eight overs later when Marsh trapped Sibley in front for a well-made 74 that took four hours to construct.

Wade let out a loud ‘he’s on here’ after Marsh ended his follow-through near the batsman for Hain’s first ball, and while the energy was up in the field further wickets were hard to find.

Curran and Hain knuckled down for the final hour, picking off the bad ball and hitting a six each off the miserly Jon Holland (1-37 from 21.5 overs) and the part-time off-spin of Head.

But in the final over of the day, Holland had Hain caught behind for 39 to give the spinner reward for a controlled performance all day.

Day three is set to be an intriguing day, the final day for the Lions players to impress before the team for England’s Test against Ireland and an Ashes training squad is announced on Wednesday.

THE Jefford’s Classic, set for August 11, has attracted the support of the Guyana Lottery Company’s betting platform-Let’s Bet Sport. The event is set for the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

At a simple, but significant ceremony on Monday morning, Brand Ambassador of Let’s Bet Sports, Rawle Toney, and coordinator of the Classic, Edison Jefford, spoke of the new partnership.

Toney, addressing the media, said Let’s Bet Sports felt it “imperative to be involved in the mainstay of track and field, moreso a mainstay of track and field in Linden.”

“Let’s Bet Sports is happy to be affiliated with a company and a brand that would have stuck to its word, stating that irrespective of all that’s happening in track and field in Linden and at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, that they would not move (from that venue),” Toney asserted.

He added: “By next year this time we should have the completion of a synthetic track (in Linden), so it’s good to see Edison and his team would have stuck to their plan, hoping that the track would come to fruition, and Let’s Bet Sports, as I men-

tioned earlier, we’re cementing our place alongside the Jefford Track and Field Classic for the very first year and it would definitely not be the last.”

Jefford pointed out that the support from companies like the Guyana Lottery Company “augers well for the development of our athletes.”

“This goes directly to the two million dollars in cash that we will offer our athletes on August 11. I know for sure they (the athletes) will be ready to burn the track, if you want to put it that way.”

Unlike what previously obtained when clubs benefitted, the cash incentives would now go directly to the athletes.

The top three finishers would receive $40,000, $25,000 and $15,000 respectively. The event will get underway at 09:00hrs and admission is $1,000 for adults and $500 for children.

Let’s Bet Sports apart, the event has garnered the support of the National Sports Commission, ANSA McAL Trading, Exxon Mobil, DeSinco Limited under Swiss Brand, Antarctic Maintenance and Repairs, YK Investments Pawn Shop, Jude Bike Shop and Power Producers Distributors Inc.

FROM BACK PAGE

‘Extra run’ claims...

Asked whether it mattered to him, Giles said: “Not really.”

He added: “You could argue the last ball that [Trent] Boult bowled was a full toss on leg stump and if Stokes’ hadn’t just been looking for two he probably would’ve banged it out of the ground anyway.

“We are world champions; we have got the trophy and we intend to keep it.”

Retired Australian umpire Simon Taufel, who was named the International Cricket Council’s Umpire of the Year on five successive occasions from 2004 to 2008, called the award of the extra run a “clear mistake”.

The ICC said umpires took decisions on the field based on their interpretation of the rules and that it did not comment on them.

Stokes went on to help En-

gland match New Zealand’s total of 241 before they won one of the most amazing games of cricket ever played following an additional ‘super over’.

Both teams ended the extra over with 15 runs but England were crowned champions by virtue of having scored more boundary fours and sixes - 26 to New Zealand’s 17 - in the entire match.

New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls brushed off the decision as part of the sport.

“It doesn’t mean anything to us now. It’s the game; things happen,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Sometimes you get the rub of the green. England had a great tournament, they have been the dominant team for the last four years so they deserve to win it.”(BBC Sport).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

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Boxing legend Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker dies following accident

PERNELL Whitaker, who forged a reputation as arguably the greatest defensive boxer who ever lived, died late Sunday in Virginia Beach, Virginia, when he was struck by a car while crossing a bridge. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

He was 55. A gold-medal winner on the legendary 1984 U.S. Olympic team, Whitaker was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006, his first year of eligibility. He won world championships at lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and super welterweight. He was the lineal champion at lightweight and welterweight.

At his peak, he was almost impossible to hit, fighting out of a crouch and swiveling like a corkscrew out of the way of punches.

“He was an original and will be remembered as one of the most talented boxers of all-time,” his promoter, Kathy Duva, said. “ … While he was far from a perfect human being, he was pretty close to a perfect fighter.

In the ring was where he was most happy and in control. I will choose to remember him in the pocket, making his opponent miss and letting the world know that nobody could touch him.

“I love him very much, in spite of and because of his flaws. I’m going to miss him very much.” Whitaker, who was 40-4-1 with 17 knockouts and a no contest, was also on the wrong end of two of the worst decisions in boxing history.

The most famous of those was his Sept.

10, 1993, majority draw in San Antonio, Texas, with Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. for the WBC and lineal welterweight title. Whitaker seemed to badly outbox Chavez, who entered the fight 87-0 with 75 knockouts, but two of

Pernell Whitaker grimaces as he listens to the judges’ decision following his title fight with Julio Cesar Chavez in San Antonio in 1993. (Getty Images)

the three judges called it a draw.

In his account of the fight in the Sept. 20, 1993, edition of Sports Illustrated, the late William Nack wrote, “Whitaker’s boxing exhibition was a tactical and technical virtuosity that at times led Chavez on a bewildered, groping circuit of the ring, as if Chavez were chasing wisps of ringside smoke. That Whitaker, in a perverse reward for his brilliance, needed to plead for respect and recognition underscored how badly justice had been served.”

While he was too proud to admit defeat, the great Chavez admitted he’d had difficulty

in the bout.“I feel a little bit beat up,” Chavez said. “It was a difficult fight. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do anything better. I still think that I forced the fight, I kept going forward. There was something I kept doing wrong.”

The draw with Chavez, though, was not even the worst bad decision of Whitaker’s career. His first loss came five years earlier in France, when he seemed to outbox Jose Luis Ramirez but dropped a split decision.

The New York Times, in its March 13, 1988, edition, wrote, “Whitaker … appeared to have an easy time from the start and was peppering the champion with right jabs

throughout the fight.”

He came back and defeated Ramirez the next year to capture the IBF and WBC lightweight belts. Among the elite fighters Whitaker defeated in his professional career were Hall of Famers Buddy McGirt and Azumah Nelson, Ramirez and Roger Mayweather.

In 1995, he became just the fourth boxer to win world titles in four weight classes when he moved up to super welterweight and outboxed Julio Cesar Vasquez to win the WBA title.

Whitaker never defended that belt, moving back to welterweight and defending his WBC belt five more times. That led to an April 12, 1997, showdown in Las Vegas with Oscar De La Hoya. Whitaker was 33 at the time and slowing down, while De La Hoya was 24 and on the rise.

Whitaker, though, was typically brilliant and out-landed De La Hoya 232 to 191.

Whitaker denounced the decision after as similar to those disappointments he’d suffered against Ramirez and Chavez, though in a Las Vegas Review-Journal poll of journalists who’d covered the fight, 14 scored it for Whitaker, 11 for De La Hoya and one had it a draw.

Nonetheless, Whitaker believed deeply he’d won and said, “I was robbed. What happened to me tonight was what happened to me before.”

Whitaker had personal issues outside the ring and was convicted of cocaine possession in 2002. He had five children, though he was predeceased by his son, Pernell Jr. He is survived by sons Dominique, Dantavious and Devon and daughter, Tara. (Yahoo Sport)

Archer, Stokes, Root & Roy selected in World Cup team of the tournament ENGLAND World Cup winners Jofra Archer, Joe Root, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes have made the team of the tournament.

England beat New Zealand in a super over on Sunday after one of the most amazing games of cricket ever played.

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson who was named player of the tournament - has been given the captaincy of the XI, which is selected by an International Cricket Council panel.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is also in the side.

India opening batsman Rohit Sharma and seamer Jasprit Bumrah are included, with Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan the only player from outside the four semi-finalists selected.

Alex Carey has been chosen as the wicketkeeper, while Australia team-mate Mitchell Starc - who was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 27 - completes the XI.

WORLD CUP TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT 1. Jason Roy (England) 443 runs at average of 63.28 2. Rohit Sharma (India) 648 runs at 81.00 3. Kane Williamson, capt (New Zealand) 578 runs at 82.57 4. Joe Root (England) 556 runs at 61.77 5. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 606 runs at 86.57, 11 wickets at average of 36.27 6. Ben Stokes (England) 465 runs at 66.42, seven wickets at 35.14 7. Alex Carey (wk) (Australia) 375 runs at 62.50, 20 dismissals 8. Mitchell Starc (Australia) - 27 wickets at 18.59 9. Jofra Archer (England) - 20 wickets at 23.05 10. Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) 21 wickets at 19.47 11. Jasprit Bumrah (India) 18 wickets at 20.61. (BBC Sport)

Jason Roy scored 443 runs at an average of 63.28 during the World Cup.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Thomas in driving seat as Tour de France rivals lose time

By Julien Pretot

ALBI, France (Reuters) - Champion Geraint Thomas and his Ineos team found themselves in the Tour de France driving seat after gaining considerable time on a handful of rivals as crosswinds caused chaos in the peloton in the climax of Monday’s 10th stage.

Thomas was on the right end of a bunch split 35 kilometres from the finish of the 217.5km ride from St Flour with France’s Thibaut Pinot, Dane Jakob Fuglsang, Colombian Rigoberto Uran and Australian Richie Porte trapped behind.

Ineos were the driving force at the front of the bunch and with the help of sprinters’ teams and Nai-

ro Quintana’s Movistar, they increased the gap to 1:40 in the final kilometres after Pinot and company came agonisingly close to making it back.

Belgian debutant Wout van Aert won his maiden Tour stage in a sprint finish with Thomas, Egan Bernal and Quintana in the main group, as well as Briton Adam Yates and Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk. “We were in the perfect position when it split - we all committed when we needed to,” said Thomas, who moved up to second overall.

“When they tried to close it as quickly as possible but couldn’t manage it, that’s when the elastic snapped and we really gained a bit

of time.

“It’s a good gap now - and we’ve landed a good blow on a day when you wouldn’t really have expected it. To gain a minute and a half due to a positioning error on their part is great from our point of view. In the end it’s a really good day for us.”

Spain’s Mikel Landa, who featured in the first group, crashed when a rider lost balance next to him and he crossed the line with a 2:08 deficit. “(French champion) Warren Barguil touched my wheel and lost his balance,” said race leader Julian Alaphilippe, whose brutal acceleration in the crosswind caused the decisive split.

The move caused a major

Team INEOS rider Geraint Thomas of Britain

shakedown of the rankings, with Thomas 1:12 behind France’s Alaphilippe.

Thomas still leads Bernal by four seconds but Pinot slipped down to 11th, 1:21 behind Thomas going into the first rest day.

Kruijswijk is fourth, 15 seconds behind Thomas, with Yates in seventh place 35 seconds adrift of the reigning champion, and 17 seconds ahead of eighth-placed Quintana.

It was the worst possible scenario for Pinot, one of the world’s best climbers who was hoping to battle it out with Thomas in the mountains, as he lost a massive amount of time on the flat.

“Nothing to say, it was a shitty day,” said a tearful Pinot, who started the day as the bestplaced of the overall contenders after gaining almost half a minute with a brilliant attack in Saturday’s eighth stage.

West Coast GCC cricketers Lord and Shun lead Red Star CC to another win Warriors storm to ninth consecutive win Guyana for the league, which is scheduled to conclude in late October.

Ryan Shun scored back-to-back half centuries this weekend.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday July 16, 2019) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 1. England 2. Kane Williamson (NZ) Today’s Quiz: 1. Who scored most runs in World Cup 2019?

2. Who took most wickets?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Devon Lord spun his way to three wickets and 41 unbeaten runs.

GEORGETOWN club cricketers Devon Lord and Ryan Shun were instrumental in leading their team, the Red Star Cricket Club to another victory when the Etobicoke and District 50-Over Cricket League continued on Sunday in Toronto, Canada.

Lord, who is the GCC second-division captain, and Shun, who is a batting all-rounder for GNIC, both made runs, while the former also spun his way to three wickets.

The pair travelled from

POSITIVE BATTING Red Star batted first against 4REIGNAZ CC and scored 304 before they were bowled out in 50 overs.

Shun, who has been in form, steered the team back from a wobbly start of 3-8.

Batting at number three, the 23-year-old slammed three consecutive boundaries to start his innings. In total, he struck six fours and a six in a score of 61.

Lord, who batted at ten, then played a few shots to push the total past three hundred. The all-rounder struck three sixes and a four in an unbeaten score of 41.

Needing 305 for victory 4REIGNAZ were somewhat stable at 77-3 before the left arm spin of Lord destroyed the middle order, which resulted in them folding for 128. Lord nabbed 3-23 from 10 overs.

On Saturday against the Melbourne CC, both cricketers had contributed to the win.

Shun had scored an unbeaten 63 in a rain-reduced clash, while Lord had spun his way to four wickets.

This is Lord’s second year playing for Red Star, while Shun is playing for the first time this season.

Yutesh Avi Dhanpaul scored a 14-ball unbeaten 50 for the Warriors.

THE West Coast Warriors’ dominance in the 30-over Commonwealth Cricket League in New York continued on Sunday with victory number nine.

The unbeaten side, made up of local and overseas-based Guyanese, demolished Horizon Cricket Club by nine wickets at 73rd Park.

Horizon CC batted first and scored 110-9 in a match reduced to 25 overs.

Anil Sookdeo led the Warriors’ attack with 3-7, while Chanderpaul Persaud nabbed 2-25.

Anwar Khan led Horizon CC with 23 runs.

In reply, Zeeburg Sports Club cricketer, Yutesh Avi Dhanpaul exploded with the bat. The all-rounder slammed a 14-ball unbeaten 50 to help the Warriors to a quick win. Batting at three, Dhanpaul scored five fours and four sixes to ensure the side reached 111-1 in 12.4 overs.

Jetendra Kishore added 25 unbeaten runs.

Balbinder Shivpersaud, another Zeeburg cricketer, was the only batsman dismissed. The opener, who had scored six consecutive half centuries prior to this clash, finished with 28.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 16, 2019

27

PM May hosts victorious England World Cup cricket team LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May hosted the World Cup-winning England cricket team in the garden of her Downing Street residence on Monday, describing their win as “one of the great sporting spectacles of our time”.

England ended their 44year wait for a first 50-overs world title by beating New Zealand in a nailbiting final Super Over on Sunday.

May, a keen cricket fan, was at the match and, after the win, posted a video clip on Twitter of herself dancing.

The prime minister, who is due to stand down next week, greeted the players in front of her residence and posed for pictures with the team and the trophy.

“When the odds were against you in the biggest game of your lives, you simply and stubbornly refused

to lose. It is that determination, that character, that has made you world champions.

But, more than that, you have made history,” May told the players during the drinks reception, according to remarks released by her office.

“You have helped the nation fall in love with cricket once again,” she said, adding that the match was “a final for the ages”.

Since being unceremo-

The England cricket team meet Theresa May – Downing Street, London: England’s Eoin Morgan and Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May with the trophy as they pose with the team outside number 10 REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

niously dumped out of the 2015 edition of the tournament in Australia, the England side have reinvented themselves as one-day

Reifer heroics futile as Windies A lose again

Raymon Reifer ‘s half-century went in vain

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Raymon Reifer’s defiant half-century went in vain as West Indies A produced another inept batting display to slip to their second defeat in four days to India A here Sunday.

In pursuit of 256 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, West Indies a slumped to 190 all out in the 44th over, to lose by 65 runs and fall behind 2-0 in the five-match one-day series.

Tottering on 108 for seven in the 30th over, Reifer, promoted to number three, stroked a top score of 71 to rescue some pride for the hosts.

Tail-ender Romario Shepherd hit an accomplished unbeaten 34 while Sunil Ambris got 24, but the Windies A top order failed once again in a spineless display.

The innings was wrecked by fast bowler Navdeep Saini who claimed five for 46 while leg-spinner Rahul Chahar supported with two for 47.

India A had earlier gathered 255 for eight off their 50 overs after being sent in, with Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scoring with 85 and opening partner Shubman Gill stroking 62.

Captain Manish Pandey got 27, wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan chipped in with 24 while Hanuma Vihari struck 23. Fast bowler Shepherd was the leading wicket-taker with four for 36.

Looking to level the series following their meltdown in Thursday’s opening one-dayer at Coolidge Cricket Ground, West Indies A were immediately put on the back foot as Gaikwad and Gill put on 151 for the first wicket.

The 22-year-old Gaikwad faced 102 balls and struck five fours and two sixes while Gill counted four fours and a six off 83 deliveries.

Shepherd trapped Gill lbw in the 31st over to break the stand and his departure triggered a slide that saw India lose three wickets for two runs in the space of 10 balls.

Pandey and Vihari rebuild in a 59-run fourth wicket partnership but West Indies A kept the brakes on the innings and the visitors were unable to accelerate at the death.

The hosts were then set back early when impressive left-arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed removed left hander John Campbell for five with the score on 11 at the end of the second over. Reifer and Ambris steadied the innings, however, putting on 36 for the second wicket as West Indies A started to find their touch.

Ambris had struck three fours in

a 31-ball knock when he was lbw for the second match in a row, hit in front by Navdeep at 47 for two in the 12th over.

The wheels then suddenly came off the West Indies A innings as six wickets tumbled for 61 runs. Captain Roston Chase edged a cut at Chahar and was caught at the wicket for two in the 13th over and lefthander Jonathan Carter (10) sliced Navdeep to Chahar on the ropes at third man in the 18th over.

With no addition to the score, Rovman Powell gloved the second ball he faced from Navdeep and was caught at the wicket without scoring, at 77 for five, and Test wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich lasted eight balls for his five runs before he was spectacularly yorked by Navdeep, leaving the innings in disarray.

The left-handed Reifer then staged a recovery, punching seven fours and three sixes in an innings lasting 103 deliveries.

Crucially, he put on 24 for the seventh wicket with Rahkeem Cornwall (13) before adding a further 69 for the eighth wicket with Shepherd. Reifer started cautiously before blossoming to reach his half-century in style, carting Chahar over long on for six and then lifting him over square leg for a four two balls later.

With the partnership beginning to threaten, he was run out

by Axar Patel’s direct hit from gully in a mix up over a single with Shepherd in the 41st over, ending West Indies A’s hopes of a comeback win.

cricket specialists and had headed into the World Cup as overwhelming favourites.

The match, which En-

gland won by the thinnest of margins after a tiebreak Super Over, was watched by more than 8 million people in Britain.

Guinness GT group stage to start on Friday night

Action in the Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ last Saturday night at the Burnham Court.

FOLLOWING two pulsating nights of eliminators in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Championship, the group stage will officially commence this Friday (July 19) at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac.

After starting out with 32 teams, the 16 eliminator winners have been divided into four groups of four.

According to tournament coordinator-Three Peat Promotions, “The impending group stage might be the most competitive in the history of the event as several teams have already displayed their championship quality and aspirations during the elimination round.”

They further said, “We envisage a highly-competitive group round where any of the teams can progress to the quarterfinal stage due to their quality.

The fans will certainly be treated to pulsating action.”

The round-robin stage will also be hosted on Saturday (July 20) and July 26. The top two finishers from each section will advance to the quarter-finals and the subsequent semi-final rounds.

Winners of the event will collect $500,000 and the championship trophy, with the second, third and fourth place finisher copping $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy. They will also automatically seal a place in the National Championship in August.

To date, Beacons [Bartica Champion], Melanie-B [East Coast Demerara winner], Brothers United [West Demerara/East Bank Demerara winner], Trafalgar [Berbice champion] and High Rollers [Linden champion] are the teams to have secured automatic berths to the national championship.

St. Louis’ double helps St Lucia sink Bermuda 2-1 BERMUDA, considered as one of Caribbean’s strongest women’s football sides, went down 2-1 to St Lucia for their second defeat in the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship Qualifiers.

The result for St Lucia saw them picking up their second win of the Group A matches, following a nail-biting 4-3 win over Suriname on the opening night.

Watched by a vocal crowd at the National Track and Field Centre, Krystan St Louis scored both goals in quick succession; first in the 10th minute, and then three minutes later (13th minute) as the St Lucians picked up what seemed like an easy three points.

Substitute Ryley Simmons scored Bermuda’s lone goal of the evening in the 87th minute.

Guyana, who had defeated Bermuda 2-0 on Saturday last, were in action last evening against Antigua and Barbuda and up to press time of this report, the Guyanese girls were up 1-0.The goal coming from the captain Brianne Desa. (More details in tomorrow’s edition).

St Lucia’s Krysan St Louis (#7) who scored both goals in her team 2-1 win, is about to take on Bermuda defender Jenna Rempel (#3) during their CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship Qualifiers. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Let’s Bet Sports running ‘Extra run’ claims brushed off by with Jefford’s Classic Ashley Giles See Page 20

England get freak six runs after incredible Stokes deflection

Let’s Bet Sports Brand Manager Ian DeBarros (first from left) and Let’s Bet Sports Brand Ambassador Rawle Toney made a presentation to Edison Jefford, organizer for the Jefford Track and Field Classic, to announce their affiliation with the event that will be celebrating 10 years.

ENGLAND’s director of cricket Ashley Giles says he is unconcerned at claims England were given an extra run in their World Cup win over New Zealand.

A fielder’s throw hit Ben Stokes’ bat as he dived to com-

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plete a second run in the final over and went for four.

England were given six runs but Stokes and Adil Rashid had not crossed when the throw was released, so the law appears to say that was one too many.

TURN TO PAGE 20 TUESDAY, JULY16, 2019