Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_08_07_2019

WEDNESDAY 7th August, 2019

' No.105722

AG ties Guyana’s

‘bloody’ history to PPP

SEE PAGES 08&09

…rejects allegations of threatening violence

…Warns party against disinformation, fake news

Burnham’s legacy of free education will continue

Drug Lord: Roger Khan

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Haitians lament victimisation

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-- following articles published

by Guyana Times and Kaieteur News 02 PAGE

…President Granger tells commemoration service

$460M to shore up Mahaicony sea defence

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Guyana to ‘light-up’ CARIFESTA XIV President David Granger pays a floral tribute during the commemorative service in honour of the 34th death anniversary of former President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham at the Mausoleum, Place of Heroes, Botanical Gardens, Georgetown (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Haitians lament victimisation -- following articles published by Guyana Times and Kaieteur News

By Alva Solomon SEVERAL Haitians here believe that they are “being victimised” even though they “have not done anything wrong” following publication of a number of stories carried by privately-own newspapers – Guyana Times and Kaieteur News A group of young Haitians told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that the news items have made their families back home in the French-speaking nation, concerned about their safety in Guyana.

They also noted that lack of issuance of work permits by the authorities as a major reason their countrymen are moving onto other neighbouring countries in search of work.

Sondy Ceran, a Haitian businessman and former school teacher, who has settled here since 2015, told this publication that the two private media houses have unjustly targeted his countrymen. The group called on Guyana Times to publicly apologise for tying Haitians to various diseases.

Ceran, whose full name is Elyseeceran, said he is the leader of a local Haitian migrant group and in the absence of a consulate in Guyana, that body has been assisting their countrymen who have been travelling to these shores in search of a better life. He said the support group teaches Haitians how to speak English and also addresses their needs while they are here in Guyana.

“We don’t feel safe at all, the news has really made us look bad,” Ceran said as he deemed the articles published by the two news entities as highly inaccurate.

“They have been misinformed of what the Haitian community is about here,” he said.

Ceran said that the news items gave the impression that the Haitians are committing crimes in Guyana even as he noted that Citizenship Minister, Winston Felix, has rebuked such statements in his recent public comments on the matter.

“I just want Guyana Times to know that they are influencing the Guyanese people to think very bad

about us, to target us wrongfully,” he said in passionate tones.

LOOKING FOR WORK BUT NO WORK PERMITS The 25-year old Ceran explained that Haitians have been coming to Guyana to work and he noted that

they renew their permit. He said during the six months of stay, many try to obtain a work permit but he reiterated that the pass has been difficult to obtain.

“So that is why the Haitians leave because they cannot sit and not work,” he said.

news link of the items published by the two newspapers and he said he was immediately disappointed.

“The way the newspapers tried to describe us, it was bad, we are not bad people and the way somebody tries to paint you the way that you are not , it is very bad and it affects

A group of Haitians who are working in Guyana. Sondy Ceran, the leader of a Haitian migrant support group which assists nationals from that country, is second from left (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

in 2015, he made a decision to move to these shores in search of greener pastures. He said he initially taught French at Queen’s College before setting up a furniture business.

Ceran, who is also an active member of the local gospel-singing community, said after establishing himself, he realised that Haitians have been coming to Guyana in search of work and to study in large numbers. Many, he said, have been travelling in-transit to nearby countries.

“The fact is some stay one year, or more, as soon as they realise they do not have a work permit, they leave,” he said, adding: “There is a problem with getting that work permit so the Haitians move on to another country. We are not into smuggling or trafficking as the news has it.”

He explained that many Haitians spend the six-month timeframe as stipulated by Guyana’s immigration laws and after that time has passed,

POLITICAL SEASON Ceran said he and other members of the Haitian community have been in tune with the current affairs here. He said they understand that it is a politically -charged season in Guyana and politicians would try to grab at any issue to gain political points.

“Kaieteur News thinks that Haitians have been smuggled here to vote, I am here for four years and I don’t have a Guyanese passport, we are not here to vote, we cannot vote,” he said.

Another member of the group, Cleeford Lamy, 23, was emotional as he noted that the recent articles reduced him to tears when they were brought to his attention.

Lamy, who almost shed a few tears during the interview, said he has been studying at the Accountancy Training Centre (ATC) in the city for almost a year.

He said someone sent him a

me a lot,” he said as he perfected his speech in English.

Lamy teaches French here. He said on Tuesday he cried in front of his class when a student asked him something related to the news items peddled by the two newspapers.

The young musician, who plays in a local band, said his Guyanese friends have been supportive of him; however, he realises that there is a stigma attached as a result of the news.

“You are not supposed to be so blind regarding patriotism, patriotism to fellow man,” he said, adding that he has a Guyanese girlfriend.

QUALIFIED After studying, Ceran said he read for a Diploma in Psychology and later studied in the field of law and business management. He said there are many Haitians who come here looking for work and whom he noted, are highly qualified.

He said there are nurses with

years of experience and training who have been working here and because of the lack of the work permit have taken up jobs as security guards.

MOVING TO BRAZIL AND IMMIGRATION RECORDS Ceran said the local private newspapers have published photographs of persons boarding buses and others walking along the Lethem trail while generalising the persons depicted as Haitians.

“They are not Haitians, we have been looking at the photographs in dismay, those people are not Haitians,” he said.

He said one newspaper captioned a photograph of a bus and stated that the persons walking next to the vehicle were Haitians. It was noted that the person who took the photograph reported that the photograph was taken off of her Facebook page by that newspaper with little regard to accuracy of the persons depicted.

He explained that indeed many Haitians have been moving to Brazil from Guyana and he pointed out that it is within their right to move, once they can legally do so.

He said the major problem that he has recognised regarding the records of them leaving Guyana lies in fact that their passports are not being stamped by the immigration authorities at Lethem since many travel past the offices there in buses and cars.

However, he noted that the Brazil Federal authorities would inspect their documents as soon as they enter that country at Bom Fin and he noted that they are issued a six-month visa on entry there.

“The problem is not our fault, it is not our fault that the immigration at Lethem is not doing their work,” Ceran said.

AIRPORT ARRANGEMENTS Ceran said when the Haitians travel to Guyana, there are arrangements made with persons to pick-up the foreign nationals at the airport.

He said a photograph is sent to a local contact person who would send such photos to the Guyanese TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Burnham’s legacy of free education will continue …President Granger tells commemoration service PRESIDENT David Granger has made a commitment to continue former President, Forbes Burnham’s legacy of free public education.

“Forbes Burnham gave effect to free public education by expanding opportunities for all…he entrenched free education as an entitlement in the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” said President Granger, while paying homage to Burnham during a commemoration ceremony for the former President’s 34th death anniversary at the Place of Heroes on Tuesday morning.

Burnham reinforced the basis of universal primary and secondary education and moved tertiary education from being the privilege of an élite few to an entitlement for everyone.

President Granger said the former President built modern multilateral schools in Pomeroon-Supenaam at Anna Regina, Demerara-Mahaica, and Mahaica-Berbice, East Berbice-Corentyne at New Amsterdam and Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice regions and Georgetown.

“They still stand today as

Turkeyen, all with the aim of providing the best education for the post-Independence generation,” said the President.

He went on to say that Burnham increased overall attendance and school enrolment by building new primary and secondary schools. The former President built the first residential schools for Indigenous children at St. Ignatius in the Rupununi and Mabaruma in the Barima-Waini.

The former President managed to develop such a diverse education system despite being born in a colonial society in which schools were controlled largely by the churches.

According to President Granger, many of the schools which were controlled by churches were overcrowded and under-equipped.

With such a system already in place, Burnham had to lay the foundation for evolvement of the education system after being elected as the first Minister of Education in British Guiana in the shortlived administration of 1953 and later, as Premier.

Burnham, who was also

nation: “Education is the cornerstone of equality and one of the chief instruments for the abolition of snobbery and the removal of discrimination.

“He aspired to establish an educational system in which rural and hinterland schools would be as efficient as those on the coastland. He believed that if the nation was to improve its citizens’ quality of life, it had to provide them with a high quality of education,” said President Granger.

Burnham’s first decade in office was one of tremendous transformation of the public education system, making it more resilient and relevant to

Guyana’s first Prime Minister and Executive President and founder of the People’s National Congress (PNC), believed that public education was the cornerstone of social justice. Burnham had announced in a broadcast to the

the national situation at the time and to people’s aspirations for the future, said the President.

President Granger last signalled his intention of restoring free education here when he told participants at

audience that the enslaved Africans, who once toiled on the plantations, were denied access to educational opportunities that would provide avenues for social mobility. Even so, however, they pooled their money to purchase villages and create their own livelihoods.

And according to him, it was education that “unlocked opportunities” to free them from the cycle of inter-generational poverty. “Once you break that cycle through education, educated people will have educated children and the world will progress,” he posited. Moreover, he noted that education does not only refer to knowledge in academia, but also the inculcation of morals and values. To this end, he said the villages established by Africans were

Haitians lament ... bus drivers. He said the same occurs when the Cubans travel here, and as such, there is a coordinated effort made by the drivers to receive Haitians and Cubans when they arrive here.

Ceran reiterated that a major bugbear is the absence of a Haitian consulate in Guyana and he noted that the local migrant group is working to ensure that the government in Port-au-Prince establishes

President David Granger making remarks at the commemoration ceremony (Delano Williams photo)

A section of the audience at the commemoration service

President David Granger and other members of his Cabinet at the event

monuments and testimony to his commitment to regional public education…he built community high schools and technical institutes, opened the first campus of the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education at

an Emancipation programme last week that education is an integral component of emancipation and independence, while pointing out that greater access must continue to be facilitated as it is a key component of national development.

“Emancipation means independence [and] emancipation means education," President Granger said at the Glory Light Tabernacle's Sunrise Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning. The occasion was in observance of the 181st anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

Explaining his statement, the President reminded the

such an office here with the help of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“We are citizens of CARICOM,” the young man noted.

On Monday, Minister Felix, in an interview with the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Service, condemned as “inaccurate and deceptive,” information published in both the Kaieteur News and Guyana Times

on the arrival and departure of Haitian travellers here.

The articles have alleged that Haitians are being smuggled, are victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and that there are levels of collusion to have the Haitians registered to vote at the upcoming General and Regional Elections (GRE).

The Kaieteur News reported on August 1, 2019 under the headline,

the crucibles of education of good conduct and of religious conduct.

Added to this, President Granger also noted that it is his aim to restore the right to free education, in accordance with the Constitution.

According to Article 27 of the Constitution of Guyana: “Every citizen has the right to a free education from nursery to university, as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.”

This article falls in Chapter II, which connotes the principles and basis of the political, economic and social system. Also detailed in this section is every person’s right to sovereignty, the right to own personal property, the right to free health and social care, inter alia. Guyana,

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under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, offered free education from nursery to university. However, today, only education offered from nursery to secondary is free.

In the light of this, an informal group of young people have banded together, earlier this year, into what is called the “Free University of Guyana Movement.”

Already, the incumbent government has been attempting to foster greater access to educational opportunities.

President Granger, through a programme started in observance of his birthday a few years ago, crafted the Public Education Transport System (which was formerly known as the 5Bs Programme).

Minister of Social Cohesion and Vice-Chairman of the PNC Dr. George Norton shared similar sentiments, noting that Burnham was a brilliant man who pioneered a free system of education from nursery to university.

“He was a futuristic thinker who promoted sustainable development and self-sufficiency long before the global fight towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) began,” said Dr. Norton.

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“Out of 8,600 Haitians, only 13 left Guyana legally – Guyana is being used as stepping stone – Minister Felix.” These numbers are patently false, the minister said.

Instead, he said, during the same period 8,476 Haitians arrived in Guyana and 1,170 departed the country. Forty-eight were refused leave on landing.

The Minister of Citizenship pointed out that the Guyana Police

Force has made checks and to date, has found no evidence to indicate even a single instance of people smuggling or Trafficking in Persons (TIP), relative to the Haitian travellers.

As a matter of fact, he said, the force, since 2014, has not found a single case of Haitians being victims of either of the alleged crimes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

U.S. ready to target other countries for supporting Venezuela's Maduro LIMA (Reuters) - U.S. national security adviser John Bolton on Tuesday said Washington was ready to impose sanctions on any international company doing business with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a sharp escalation of U.S. pressure on the leftist

leader.

Bolton, addressing a summit on Venezuela in the Peruvian capital Lima, emphasized that tougher international action was needed to speed up a transition of power in the country, where more than four million Venezuelans have fled economic

collapse.

“We are sending a signal to third parties that want to do business with the Maduro regime: proceed with extreme caution,” Bolton said. His speech came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that freezes the assets of the Venezuelan government and bans any transactions with it, an act that could ensnare its dealings with Russia and China as well as with Western companies.

Bolton, one of the Trump administration’s most influential hawks on Venezuela, told reporters the move forces companies around the world to choose whether to risk access to the United States and its financial system for business with Maduro. Asked by a reporter how Venezuela would respond to

the executive order, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said: “I’m going to paraphrase Donald Trump ...

All options are on the table.”

Advertisement Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada asked U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council on Tuesday to intervene.

“This is an act of war by the United States,” Moncada told reporters. “Venezuela is not a threat to anyone and the United States is fabricating this aggression just to take the oil.”

The 15-member U.N. Security Council will be unable to take any action as the United States is one of the body’s five veto powers, along with Russia, China, Britain and France. It was the first U.S. asset freeze

Wednesday, August 7, 2019 - 10:00 hrs & 11:30hrs

against an entire government in the Western Hemisphere in more than 30 years. But it was also a reminder that successive rounds of U.S. sanctions have so far failed to peel away the crucial support of Venezuela’s military for Maduro, who took office in 2013 following the death of his political mentor President Hugo Chavez.

Continuing the state controls started under Chavez, Maduro has overseen one of the worst economic collapses in recent world history, leaving his nation of 30 million people with severe shortages of food and medicine despite sitting on the world’s largest oil reserves.

In private, Bolton had told Peruvian officials the measure would have the effect of about tripling current sanctions related to Venezuela, a Peruvian government source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The executive order stopped short, however, of a full U.S. trade embargo of the kind imposed on Cuba, experts said, by excluding Venezuela’s still sizeable private sector. The order maintains some exemptions for companies that do business with state oil company PDVSA [PDVSA.UL], and licenses published on Tuesday reiterated that companies like Chevron and Halliburton can continue to do business with PDVSA in Venezuela through Oct. 25.

Some experts said the move could lead to pushback from other countries, and would require a lot of time and money to prove foreign companies are undermining sanctions. “How much is the U.S. government willing to spend in diplomatic capital in economic costs in the United States, in order to further its Venezuela policy? said David Murray of the Washington-based firm Financial Integrity Network, an expert on sanctions compliance.

RUSSIA: ‘ECONOMIC TERROR’ Most Western and Latin American democracies

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accuse Maduro of rigging elections last year and are calling for him to step down so the country can hold a fresh presidential ballot. The summit, organized by Peru, a regional leader on demanding democratic reforms in Venezuela, had aimed to build support for new elections with Maduro’s allies. Yet Russia, China, Cuba, Turkey, Bolivia and Iran all boycotted the summit.

Russia’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Washington’s asset freeze was illegal and amounted to “economic terror”, the RIA news agency reported.

The order also could inflame the U.S.-China trade war if it hits Beijing hard, with Venezuela owing China oil deliveries as repayment for loans through 2021, said Fernando Cutz, a former top aide to Trump on the National Security Council.

Bolton warned Russia against doubling down on its support for Caracas, and urged China to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s legitimate leader if it wanted to recoup debt owed by Caracas, since a new government in Venezuela might not want to honor agreements made with countries that helped Maduro hang onto power.

Bolton said Washington had taken steps to ensure the sanctions did not hurt Guaido and his allies, nor prevent access to humanitarian goods. Trump’s Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross also spoke to the Lima summit, promising U.S. support and cooperation to help Venezuela rebuild its oil sector, institutions and economy once Maduro leaves office, without giving details. The plan has a goal of reversing Venezuela’s decline in oil production within a year, and calls for a long-term deal with the International Monetary Fund, Ross said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Man shot dead by bandit Police are investigating the murder of a man who was reportedly shot during a robbery at Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara on Tuesday night.

The man, who has been identified only as “Owen”, was shot to the head while engaged in a scuffle with the men who allegedly robbed him.

According to a resident, the victim is not known to the area and may have picked-up passengers earlier in the night at the public road near Providence in his car, a black Toyota bearing registration PRR 3313.

Reports are that around 21: 00hrs, while in the vicinity of Cemetery Road, Mocha, Owen was attacked by the bandits as he was leaving the area .The man attempted to run behind the bandits but one of the men shot at him. He died on the spot.

Residents noted that there are several security cameras in the area where the man was attacked. The fleeing bandits left a bicycle and one side of a pair of slippers behind.

Police are investigating the incident.

H2H picking up steam in Reg. 2 ESSEQUIBIANS are getting registered day by day, in their quest to comply with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s countrywide house-tohouse exercise.

House-to-house registration is in keeping with a decision of the Commission on February 19, 2019, and in accordance with Order No. 25 of 2019, dated June 11, 2019.

Enumerators working in various locations throughout Essequibo have told the Guyana that the process has been going smoothly to date, and that persons are complying.

When asked if persons are reluctant to get registered, one enumerator who works in the Rivers town/Annandale district said that persons are actually going to the school locations and enquiring when they will be visiting their homes.

Persons who have already been registered said that they were happy they did. One resident from Suddie explained that the process is very simple, and that once you have your documents at the ready, then the process is fast. She said that she was not finding her birth certificate but her passport was used instead.

“It was very simple; they took my fingerprints and my photograph,” she said, adding: “I don’t think that registration should have politics; I want my new ID card so I am ensuring I get registered.”

GECOM had said in a release that registration is a legal requirement, according to the National Registration Act, chapter 19:08, and that therefore, all are eligible to get registered.

The current house-tohouse registration is a new

Enumerators conducting registration in Region Two

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registration exercise, and all eligible persons must register, even if they were previously registered, the elections management body stated.

Upon the conclusion of this exercise, a new National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB), which is reflective of the current Guyanese population, will be created. Subsequently, the Official List of Electors (OLE) will be extracted for the purpose of conducting General and Regional Elections.

Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation or registration, 14 years and older by October 31, 2019, or a citizen of a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for a period of no less than one year preceding the qualifying date, are all eligible for registration.

Credit union hosts training on cash flows MEMBERS of the Guyana Cooperative Credit Union League were on Tuesday sensitised on the processes of Statement of Cash Flows (SCF) and its importance to the effective functioning of organisations.

The session was held at Regency Suites on Tuesday.

According to Auditor, Financial Executive and Consultant, John Seeram, who was the main presenter at the seminar, the forum was guided by three main objectives.

These are: (1) to get persons to understand the SCF and its relationship to the statements of financial position and comprehensive income; (2) to learn how to prepare a SCF; (3) and to analyse and use the SCF to

make meaningful decisions.

Seeram lauded the Guyana Cooperative Credit Union League for hosting the training seminar, noting that in accordance with international accounting standards, credit unions are required to

prepare financial statements.

These statements are the Statement of Financial Position (SFP), Statement of Comprehensive Income (SCI) and the Statement of Cash Flows.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Examining our history correctly APPROXIMATELY 64 per cent of Guyanese people today have not had first-hand experience of the events of the 1960s, 70s and some parts of the 80s. It is for this reason that those who are opinion shapers are obligated to help this group to understand that era by objectively putting into context events that had occurred, and situating those events within the socio-economic and political climate at the time, both local and external.

To do otherwise is to deny this demographic development which is required for personal and national growth, and fostering an environment of peaceful coexistence.

More importantly, this generation is part of the present leaders, and will be the main leaders of tomorrow, and therefore deserve to be equipped with the requisite tools to make the future better. The temptation for finger-pointing, though it be can lucrative, is more reflective of settling scores, or proving points at the expense of the nation moving forward. For, if the young, who constitute the majority, is denied the opportunity of history being examined through appropriate lenses, unnecessary frictions can be created which threaten friendships, familial associations, and the strengthening of the nation’s fabric.

Distorted examination has the potential of entrapping the minds and making persons

captive of the actions of an era that today is not being used as a barometer for moving the country forward, but as a tool for settling old political grievances, perceived or real.

The esteemed Nelson Mandela, who stood up against the South African apartheid regime in defence of the coloured population to be treated equally was harassed, considered a terrorist, tried and imprisoned. The Western powers, led by the United States and Britain under the leadership of Ronald Regan and Margaret Thatcher, supported the Apartheid regime against the will of the majority in the society. While the South African majority were denied the right to participate in electing leaders of their choice, this denial was not without the support of the two nations considered by the world as purveyors of democracy and co-founders of the United Nations, which declared that all men are equal and should be treated with dignity and respect.

And given this reality, the wholesale replication of the perceptions expressed by the United States and Britain has to be put into context by examining the activities of these two major players, internally and externally.

For while these countries are used as standard bearers in determining acceptable and unacceptable standards of behaviour and engagement, historical and present evidence show that they, too, are not without blemishes.

As the external spotlight has been placed on Guyana’s politics, making known events of the 60s and 70s, there still exists the Confederate flag flying on government buildings in some southern states in the United States.

The confederate flag evokes painful memories of an era in American history characterised by racial hatred; African-Americans denied basic fundamental human rights and freedoms such as the right to vote, free movement, and to be treated equally. Through activism by the citizens of South Carolina supported by national pressure, it led to actions that resulted in Governor Nikki Haley in July 2015 signing a bill to remove the flag from the Capitol grounds, where it was flown since the 1960s.

The point being made here is that there is nothing unusual or uncharacteristic of Guyana’s political evolution/development, but an understanding of this can only be achieved when put into proper perspective, including doing comparative analyses with other countries, including those considered beacons. The electoral path the country has travelled has not been without contentions and contestations. From disagreement of changing the system from First-past-the-post to Proportional Representation, allegations of rigged elections, refusal to accept elections results, court vitiation of elections, electoral challenges in the court, to the attempt and

awarding of seat to the wrong party are features of this society, similar to that of others.

In 2008, the Barack Obama campaign had to deal with accusations of taking on characteristics of the infamous Chicago corrupt and ruthless politics. In 2000, there was the issue of the hanging chads, where Democratic candidate Al Gore was denied the presidency by 500-plus votes in an election it was generally felt he won, because the Supreme Court controlled by Republican judges ruled to refer the matter to the Florida Republican-controlled government which made a decision in favour of the Republican candidate, George W. Bush.

Notwithstanding the deficiencies in the systems of the developed societies, they use these events and pitfalls to refine and improve systems to bring about growth or preferably what they call "a more perfect union." Here in Guyana, there is need to be mindful that these issues are characteristics of human nature. For, in looking around the world, it would be recognised that Guyana is not singular in its politics and actions; what Guyana may be singular in is the obstinacy to be wedded to the past and refusal to put the past in context; learn from the past and move on. (Reprinted)

None but ourselves can free our minds

Dear Editor,

EMANCIPATION is not just the liberation of the physical state of a man, but also his mental, spiritual, social and economic position.

"We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. The mind is your only ruler, sovereign. The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind.” Marcus Garvey.

Guyana is on the cusp of enormous wealth since our independence, and we should be preparing for

such, but instead, some are fighting not only to be in the seats of power but the arrogance they possess leaves much to be desired. The major opposing political party, some members of the PSC, and some privileged social actors who benefited from the favours of the then ruling cabal project an attitude that seems to suggest that they are the chosen people to rule this country, and they should determine who should come and go to these shores.

They now find it difficult to continue to conceal their true racist makeup. The camouflage public mask they wore is now off for all to see. But know this, as it was posited many moons

ago so eloquently by the Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie 1 in an address to the United Nations General Assembly on October 4, 1963 and made even more popular by Reggae superstar Bob Marley, “Until the philosophy which holds ONE RACE superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war. “And until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation, until the colour of a man's skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to RACE, there is war. And until that

day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality, will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained... now everywhere is war.”

The Oxford dictionary defines racism as “Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.”

As we have defined racism, I wish to add that pointing out the many atrocities committed against people of African descent by the former PPP administration and their apologists is not racism as some usually cause, neither is it the promotion of violence or

promotion of division. It is an undeniable fact that people of African descent in Guyana have been systematically marginalised under the PPP administration. Gay McDougal, United Nations Special rapporteur, completed a detailed report on the marginalisation of African Guyanese by the former PPP Administration, they cannot deny this. So now the PPP cabal and their supporters have embraced new tactics.

The grande architect of racism and discrimination, along with his apologists, have launched attacks and character assassinations on successful African Guyanese businessmen, but since these attacks were unsuc-

cessful, new attacks are being levelled against our Haitian CARICOM brothers and sisters who are of African descent.

Mr. Editor, there may be nothing worse under heaven; there could be no greater crime than to attack a man's integrity than to take away his freedom unjustly. The Haitians, their legal presence in this country, besides their Cubans, Chinese, Brazilians, Indians, and Venezuelans counterparts, seems to be terrifying Jadgeo, some members of the PSC, and those who want the PPP cabal establishment to return to the seats of power, so they can reign supreme.

This particular idea they TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

A gross misuse of constitutional office Dear Editor, RENOWNED international Guyanese engineer, Charles Ceres, has brought a suit against Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo for libel.

Anyone au fait with the details of this matter will fully agree that it had been an attempt by Jagdeo to defame and slander the person of a citizen, an African Guyanese, who by dint of academic achievement, hard work and industry, has, with the passage of time, built a mighty reputation for quality work and reliability internationally.

As a result of such, he has today become the self-made person that he is. Added to this, he has been aiding in the making of many young Guyanese by sending them to University to qualify in the vital field of engineering skills, for contributing to national development.

And this is without any

of the contracts, although he would have given his patriotic assistance during the great flood of 2005. The irony is that this great Guyanese, according to his account, was never awarded/given any contract, particularly by the PPP/C regime, despite his undoubtedly far superior technical expertise being recognised internationally. Surely, the Bible cannot be wrong when it says that a “Prophet is never honoured in his own country”.

Without a doubt, Ceres has been able to successfully and truthfully defend himself, publicly, which he had a right to, against Jagdeo’s slander, rebutting every one of the wicked and vile lies hurled against him. It was a clinical display, done with all the facts presented, tearing to shreds Jagdeo’s outrageous claims accusing Ceres of being part of a “land grabbing scheme” since the Coalition lost the December 21, NCM. What is interesting has

been Jagdeo’s given reasons as defence, filed by his attorney, against this suit brought

by Ceres. Of course, both Jagdeo and his attorney are aware that immunity cannot, in this instance, be a protection against prosecution, because of the offence being committed after Jagdeo’s two terms in office. So, with the usual PPP/C penchant for deception, Jagdeo’s counsel said the following “The Opposition Leader will be relying on the defence of justification, fair comment and qualified privilege. In his capacity as Leader of the Opposition, the PPP/C General secretary and Member of Parliament, Mr. Jagdeo has certain responsibility to speak publicly on certain things.” Further, he said: …”We are relying on these technical legal matters as a defence.”

Of course, Jagdeo has a constitutional responsibility to speak on matters of public import. However, his tenure FROM PAGE 6

None but ourselves ... romance and fantasie about will not happen, thanks to fresh house-to-house registration and the leadership of David Granger.

In response to their malicious crusade against our Haitian brothers and sisters, the Minister of Citizenship is quoted in the Kaieteur News of Thursday, August 1, 2019 as saying, “The situation is being blown out of proportion, which is targeting Haitians unfairly. That they seek to mislead the public with generally false allegations that seek to tarnish the good name of the Department of Citizenship…

All CARICOM nationals arriving in Guyana are granted six months to remain in the country, with the possibility of extension.”

One can no longer be maniacally bewildered by Jagdeo and his cronies who are strategically selective in their efforts to bring about a race narrative. The data shows as evidently there was no outrage when Indian nationals from the Blue Wave group were granted 60,000 hectares of land at US$12.50 (GY$2500.00) per hectare, per year for 199 years ( 107,639 square feet =1 hectare; total land granted 6,458,340,000 sq. feet or 600 square kilometers). When the Brazilian miner was given a lease and 18 licenses for 2.2 million acres of our land to exploit rare earths; when 289 only East Indian brothers and sisters were given land in the MMA (Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary) prior to 2015 without paying a cent; and when

the Chinese company Bai Shan Lin was given thousands of hectares of land to build a State within Guyana in the Essequibo region, where was the outrage?

Four hundred mostly African Guyanese were killed without a fair trial or any formal gathering of evidence of criminal conduct (for a list of the 400 names please check my Facebook page). Courtney Crum-Ewing, former Queen’s College student and former soldier of the Guyana Defence Force who protested in front of the Ministry of Legal Affairs during the PPP administration, was mysteriously killed, and Ronald Waddell, the holder of a law degree, politician and social activist who was very outspoken against the PPP was also mysteriously murdered.

Again the PPP apologists kept quiet while mayhem became the new norm.

They were very quiet when African Guyanese contractors were not given contracts, when Jagdeo was systematically marginalising African Guyanese and their communities.

Guyana was once a drug-fueled economy, a major transshipment point for narcotics and yet his apologists kept quiet.

Now, some CARICOM nationals who happen to be of African descent arrived in Guyana, and there is an outrage. Anyone who is in doubt could check with the Ministry of Citizenship and they would be given information as to how easy it is for a CARICOM national to apply for a CSME

certificate and be given indefinite stay in Guyana to live and work. Many people, especially our Indian brothers and sisters, fled this country under the terrible reign of Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP, seeking refugee status and permanent stay in other countries, but now Jagdeo and his apologists are outraged because Haitians are in Guyana?

In 2017, Guyana saw 247,330 tourists; in 2018 we received 286,000 tourists; and from January to May 2019, some 122,967 tourists arrived in Guyana and Jagdeo and his apologists choose to highlight and vilify a small fraction of those tourists - Haitian CARICOM Nationals who happen to be of African descent. How can one not conclude that some characters do not see Guyana as One People, coming together as a nation with a common destiny of living a good life. Some only see Guyana through the lens of race, and do not desire for social cohesion to work.

But that will not happen under the leadership of David Granger as President. Let us endeavour to respect our fellow human beings, especially our brothers and sisters from the First Nation, to free themselves from slavery; the worse atrocity to have been bestowed on a people.

Regards, Jermaine Figueira Member of Parliament Region Ten

as opposition leader has been an altogether new interpretation as to the traditional duties and functions of such an office: Emitting deceptions in the form of misleading and disinformation of national situations; inciting racism with a view of subverting the national peace; constantly disrespecting the person of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; and most famously of all – constantly attempting to attribute the criminal actions that have been undeniably associated with his government, to the office and functions of the current government, while leading a social movement, comprising of political mercenaries, criminal vested interest types, and a plethora of anti- nationals, seeking to

overthrow the duly elected government of the Republic.

This has been his If such is the justified “qualified privilege” and “certain responsibility” of the opposition leader to “speak publicly” as proferred by Jagdeo’s counsel, then Nandlall must be informed that his client Jagdeo has grossly misused his office for both public and dangerously mischievous ends, which threatens the public peace.

In this regard, one must add this fact: That no political leader has the right to use his parliamentary or constitutional privilege to character-assassinate the person of any citizen; or seek to ascribe actions to his/her person that will bring their personal integrity and character into

disrepute. And this is what Jagdeo would have done in the case of his accusations against Mr. Charles Ceres; a misuse of his public office for ends not in keeping with the national interest. Or to be specific, using his constitutional office as cover or excuse for vilifying upstanding citizens.

Thus, Nandlall’s statement of defence is not only unreasonable, but false in its making, and untruthful in what it does intend to convey. How can this ever be “fair comment?” For it has been an opposition leader, who has made such falsifications/ outrage a political staple of his constitutional office.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

‘Stop distorting the CCJ ruling’ …AG slams opposition for re-litigating issues already determined by CCJ

…warns party against disinformation, fake news

By Vanessa Braithwaite ATTORNEY General, Basil Williams believes that the opposition is abusing the court process by ‘re-litigating’ the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) decision in its application calling for the High Court to set timelines for the holding of elections and for it to put an halt to the ongoing house-to-house registration exercise.

Williams made the comments Monday evening during a panel discussion hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce at the Marriott Hotel. The panel was shared by Williams, Se-

nior Counsel, Ralph Ramkarran and Attorney-at-law, Anil Nandlall. “It is unfortunate that there is now a situation in our legal system, where the lowest court of the judiciary is asked to re-litigate an issue that was already properly dealt with and orders were passed down by the highest court of the judiciary – the CCJ,” Williams told the audience of diplomats and business leaders. In fact Nandlall went as far as telling the High Court earlier on Monday that it should not confine itself, as was done by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) by ‘failing’ to set timelines for the hosting of General and Regional Elec-

tions following the historic no-confidence motion against the government.

As he wrapped up his arguments on Monday in the case brought against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram for the conducting of houseto-house registration, Nandlall told Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, that the CCJ must have regretted not setting a timeframe for the holding of elections.

The High Court, he posited, should not make a similar mistake.

The CCJ, while validating the no-confidence motion against the government, said

Attorney General, Basil Williams

it is not within its remit to issue coercive orders and detailed directives, instructing the constitutional players how to act. While the Article 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution state that elections should be held within three months or during an extended period as agreed by two-thirds of the National Assembly in the form of the resolution, the timeframe has not been extended. The government has invited the opposition to return to the House to extend the time, in accordance with the Constitution, on the basis that GECOM is still preparing for elections, but it has objected.

Williams told the forum that, “this is an unfortunate situation our country is now faced with.” The AG accused the lawyers responsible for taking the case up, of completely distorting the solid reasoning of the CCJ, which was based on the constitution, relative to the interim state of the government

and the holding of house-tohouse registration.

Article 62 of the Constitution of Guyana, has mandated the independence of the Elections Commission and clearly outlines its responsibility, that is, to independently supervise elections in accordance with the provisions of Article 162.

According to Article 162 (1), GECOM shall exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly; and shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid.

"In fact, what we have now, is a most anomalous sit-

uation where the lowest court in our structure is sitting on review and has been asked to take a review, on the decision of the Apex Court, so it is turning the whole system upside down but of course we know that good sense will prevail," the AG argued.

Williams stressed that the lowest court, cannot re-litigate issues that has been determined in the highest court, but in fact, has a duty to uphold its ruling. This attempt to regress a situation that will allow for free and fair elections, the AG said, will not see fruition. "And so all of this, the type of disinformation, fake information, it ought to stop, it doesn't do well for the country. You know that we are properly in office, we are there as an interim government, we have acknowledged that," he argued.

In its consequential orders, the CCJ ruled, that it would be wrong for it to set a deadline or date for the holding of elections in Guyana when the Constitution invests that power in the President, the National Assembly and implicitly in GECOM. The Chief Justice will hand down her decision in the matter on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 13:30hrs.

Elderly woman seeks High Court intervention in case against NIS High Court Judge, Justice Damone Younge, has ordered that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) revisit the claims of a 66-yearold widow, after the Scheme had disallowed her the payment of survivor’s benefits.

ISMAY Lake’s husband, Vibert Lake, died on July 14th, 1990, leaving behind a child who was 11 years old at the time of his death.

Vibert Lake had made in excess of 1,000 contributions prior to his death, but being ignorant of the NIS process, Ismay did not make a claim for survivor’s benefit until November 2016, twenty six years after Vibert’s death.

Her claim for survivor’s

pension was denied by the NIS. She was informed that the time for claiming the benefit had passed.

Ismay Lake appealed the decision, contending that her claim should not have been disallowed in its entirety but disqualified for the period from the date of her husband’s death to six months before the claim was made.

Lake took her fight to the High Court before Justice Younge against NIS General Manager and the Board. The elderly woman was represented by attorney-at-law Darren Wade.

Justice Younge stated that the applicant was entitled to survivor’s benefit consequent

on the contributions of her husband, who was deceased.

Also, the applicant was not disqualified as a dependent of her deceased husband since, at the time of his death, she was a widow.

The Judge also ordered the remitting of the applicant’s matter to the General Manager for reconsideration of her claim and a determination of whether the reason given by the widow of the delay in the filing of her claim, together with the specific circumstances of her case amounted to good cause being showed for the delay.

Finally, cost to the applicant in the sum of $75,000 to be paid within 21 days.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

AG ties Guyana’s bloody history to PPP

9

…rejects allegations of threatening violence ATTORNEY General, Basil Williams, has rejected what he deemed as libelous statements made by the People’s Progressive Party accusing him of threatening violence if house-to-house registration is not allowed.

He pointed to the party’s sordid record in government with three massacres and their alleged operation of several state-sponsored death squads.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the PPP said it condemns the alleged threats of violence by Williams, noting that during a panel discussion organised by the American Chambers in Guyana (AmCham Guyana) on Monday, Williams threatened “dire consequences” if house-to-house registration is not allowed to proceed – fallaciously insisting that house-to-house registration is the only means of obtaining a credible Voters’ List.

But Williams, in denying the claims, said the PPP/C – a Marxist Leninist Party – should be the last to speak of violence. “The PPPC presided over the worst kinds of violence ever seen in the history Guyana or any CARICOM member state.” “Extra-judicial killings conducted by a variety of state-sponsored death squads including the black clothes squad, Gajraj squad, and the phantom squad.”

Williams added that massacres were also the order of “their misrule including the Lusignan massacre; the Bartica massacre and the Lindo Creek massacre.” He noted that the PPP/C handed over the public security of this nation to drug lords and enlisted convicted drug lord, Roger Khan, to fight crime on the state’s behalf. Khan himself had confessed in a full page advertisement in the local newspapers about this.

“The PPP/C 's reign of terror left over nine hundred dead.

In its wake included its own Minister, Satyadeo Sawh, for which no inquest or inquiry was held.”

Back in 2003-2006, convicted drug-trafficker, Shaheed Roger Khan, had set up a criminal network here including active policemen and a number of former ranks, ostensibly to go after criminals, but at the same time protecting his ‘narco’-trafficking interests. He was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname in 2006 while fleeing local police, and was later handed over to U.S. authorities. Although the PPP government had sought to distance itself from Khan, the drug-trafficker had stated publicly in an advertisement in local newspapers that he had been fighting crime on behalf of the Bharrat Jagdeo-led government. Khan had also implicated former Health

Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in his escapades, and documents bearing the then minister’s signature authorising the purchase of a sophisticated wire-tapping device,

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Drug Lord, Roger Khan, had said he was fighting crime on behalf of the PPP government

The late former, Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj

were produced in U.S. courts during Khan’s trial.

Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011, during which there were three massacres: Lusignan where 11 people were killed; Bartica where 12 were killed and Lindo Creek where seven miners were slaughtered.

Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings – with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro-Guyanese males were gunned down.

Education curriculum reform a must – Min. Henry Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry, has noted that curriculum reform is an essential part of the push to further develop Guyana’s education system.

She was at the time sharing some insights into the various developments and aspects of the local education system during her appearance on a radio programme. The Education Minister said that while the country is “on its way” to becoming a reference point for education regionally, much more still must be done.

She, however, highlighted various measures that the ministry has implemented; Smart Classrooms, Early Childhood Programmes, the reintegration of teen-mothers into the school system, ICT trained teachers, employment of specialist educators, standardised training in modern techniques and the strenuous efforts to bridge the gap between the hinterland communities and the coast.

“All of these will combine to help break the cycle of poverty,” the Education Minister noted.

Several interventions have already begun showing results, the minister added. Among these was her ministry’s initiative of employing retired Mathematics teachers and specialised educators to reverse the downward examination grades. This, she noted, saw a fair amount of success. The fact that hinterland

students are performing better, on average, was also highlighted by Minister Henry.

“Children in more hinterland communities are getting comparable results and placing in the top five secondary schools…

We will certainly bridge that gap with more strategic focus.” The Education Minister revealed that presently, her staffers are engaged in widespread consultations as part of the move to reform the education sector and strategically plan for the future. The planned reforms, she explained, will update and improve the educational sector, in ways not done for more than four decades.

Noting the “balancing act” to match capacity building with available resources, Minister Henry said that with the advent of “first oil”, the Coalition Government is prepared to make the investments wherever needed. She added that the government will continue to strive to ensure that all have equal opportunities for a sound education, and as far as possible. The Education Minister appeared on the National Communications Network’s Voice of Guyana radio programme earlier on Monday. (DPI)

Williams said the PPP/C has a reason for distorting his account of the history of Guyana's post-election violence under their watch.

“They infiltrated peace-

ful protests marches with their agents provocateurs who went on a rampage of burning down Indo-Guyanese businesses and beating up Indo-Guyanese people.

They then used their propaganda machine to blame other political parties.”

“No amount of propaganda could however change the CCJ's refusal to grant coercive orders sought by the PPP/C against the Pres-

ident, the Parliament or GECOM,” Williams noted stating that CCJ President, Adrian Saunders, was very clear when he refused to fix September 18, 2019 as the date for elections or any date at all. “The learned Chief Justice also declined to give any timelines or deadlines to GECOM saying it would be presumptuous so to do,” Williams’ statement ended.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Capital punishment should be imposed on guilty pirates --Former magistrate tells COI HE didn’t beat around the bush; he cut straight to the chase: “It’s serious enough!

Don’t waste time; get rid of them!” said former Magistrate Krisendatt Persaud on Tuesday as he advocated for the capital punishment to be

handed down on those found guilty of piracy.

The occasion was Day two of the hearing into the piracy attack of April 27, 2018 in Surinamese waters which claimed the lives of over a dozen Guyanese fishermen.

During Magistrate Per-

saud’s years of service on the bench, he would have dealt with many such cases, and it mattered not to him, whether they occurred in Guyanese or Surinamese waters, as he brought the perpetrators in guilty just the same, and even handed down a few sentences

Boat Owner Mohamed Hussain Aaron

on occasion.

It was this sort of expertise that he brought to bear when he stood before the Commission of Inquiry at the the Number 68 Primary School and presented his five-point plan as to how he sees the authorities on both sides of the border combatting piracy.

For starters, he recommends the establishment of a proper recruitment process for persons wanting to work on fishing boats.

He explained that labourers are taken without having proper character references, and the fact that a large percentage of them are on drugs, they may corrupt other staff and at the same time create difficulties.

On that score, he suggested that background checks and screening are essentials, as well as Police clearances and character references.

He said, too, that if employers are aware that someone is a known criminal they would do well to avoid having such persons in their employ, as it would only create conflict.

Secondly, Persaud said that due to the porous nature of ports, a Police Officer should be placed at the exit points, which, he said, will aid in the control of the amount of drugs being carried out for either personal consumption or for the purpose of trafficking, and at the same time ensure that the process becomes regularised.

Thirdly, providing that fishermen reach the criteria, they should be issued with licensed firearms to protect themselves at sea. However, CoI Counsel, Darren Wade made the point that given that these fishermen operate in Surinamese waters,

Former magistrate Krisendatt Persaud

it would lead to a breach of law in that country. In light of that, Persaud contended that for the system to work, both countries should forge a consensus, whereby they cooperate for the protection of the fishermen.

Fourthly, fishing boats should be equipped with communication devices, whereby if under distress, they can easily and immediately call for help. The former magistrate noted also the need for cooperation between Guyana and Suriname over the management of the Corentyne River, and for the territorial dispute to be resolved as early and as amicably as possible.

He also suggested that a system be put in place that allows for rationing, as the area where most Guyanese fish has become so saturated, it would, over time, limit the catch per vessel, which would in turn lead to conflict among the fishermen.

Persaud noted that cooperation among fishermen wouldn’t be such a bad idea, as it would eliminate confusion and competition.

And, with the saturation in fishing areas, the need to fish freely in the Corentyne River was highlighted, hence the call for cooperation between the two countries.

“If there is competition, they should be able to fish freely in the Corentyne River; our territory should be fully opened,” Magistrate Persaud said.

An important point that was highlighted during the hearing was that Guyanese boat owners and fishermen are subjected to Surinamese fishing regulations, in that as part of the agreement to ply their trade, they must sell their catch in that country.

Meanwhile, boat owner and fisherman Mohamed Hussain Aaron, who has been in the business since 1975, also testified at the COI on Tuesday.

Aaron said the issue of piracy affects him severely.

In 2016, he lost four workers to the piracy, while over time, he was attacked three times. He called for stricter penalties to be imposed on the perpetrators so that it would deter others from committing the act.

The boat owner noted also the issue of drug use by fishermen is a grave concern that should be addressed. He said that on one occasion, he had to fire three workers who were caught using the illicit substance.

Aaron stressed that drugs are fuelling a lot of issues at sea, and if left unresolved will lead to the collapse of the fishing industry. Like the others who presented themselves before the Commission, Aaron also made a plea for both countries to impose stronger punishments when perpetrators break the law and commit the horrendous act of piracy. He notes also local police should place more emphasis when the crime is reported to them.

The hearing will continue today and Friday from 09:00 – 15:00hrs at the Number 68 Primary School, after which the COI will return to the Skeldon Training Centre next week for another round before they head to Suriname.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

28 young people to participate in MNR’s apprenticeship programme TWENTY eight young people will have the opportunity to experience Guyana’s interior regions and learn about the natural resources sector and job opportunities in the sector.

The individuals, who hail from various regions, will have the opportunity to do so during the Ministry of Natural Resources’ third Youth in Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme which was launched at the Herdmanston Lodge on Monday.

Participants, over the next four weeks, will travel through Guyana’s dense rainforest to various mining camps to see how precious and semi-precious minerals are extracted from the earth.

They will also be able to interact with mentors and professionals who will share their knowledge and experiences of working in extractive industries such as the oil and gas sector.

Personnel Manager of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Sonya Reece, said youths apart from being gainfully engaged in workshops, seminars and work study, will also get to experience sustainable management practices within the natural resource sector and the extractive industry.

Young people have been able to explore the wonders of the natural resource sector since 2017, when the ministry official-

ly launched the apprenticeship programme.

The programme, which caters for young people between the ages of 15and19 years old, has grown and expanded over the years. Reece said there were just 15 participants in 2017 and that number grew to 25 in 2018.

This year the ministry received 70 applications from persons from across the country. Persons were able to access application forms from the ministry’s website, all regional offices, mines offices of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the University of Guyana and other organisations.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, was excited about the number of participants who will take part in this year’s programme.

“We will expose you all to the wonders of the natural resources sector…we welcome you into the fold of the ministry and under our wings,” said Minister Trotman, adding that the participants will be exposed to places and people.

He said the aim is to touch their hearts and minds so that the participants will be able to see each other differently.

The programme will allow participants to see nature, the natural resources and the communities in a whole new way.

Inquest into the 2009 death of motorcyclists to commence today A CORONER’S inquest is expected to commence into the death of two men, who were killed during an accident on La Belle Alliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast in 2009.

An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, held to determine the cause of a person’s death.

In Guyana, a sitting magistrate, who acts as coroner, then empanels a jury, after which an inquiry is conducted.

Magistrate Esther Sam at the Ann Regina Magistrate’s Court will preside over the case with a five-member jury to determine whether anyone was criminally responsible for the death of Mahendranauth Deonnarine and Nankishore Persaud.

Some 12 witnesses are expected to be called and hearing will commence on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

According to reports, on July 5, 2009, both Deonnarine and Persaud were on their motorcycles riding along the La Belle Alliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

Deonnarine was riding in a northern direction and attempted to overtake a motor car, but instead collided with Persaud’s motorcycle. The police had arrested the driver of the motor car but he was later released. The Inquest will determine if the driver of the car was criminally responsible for the two men’s death.

Sticky-fingered firefighters granted bail for simple larceny FOUR firefighters charged with stealing articles from a crash-landed Fly Jamaica aircraft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in November 2018, appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court charged with simple larceny.

Aubrey Frank, Jamie Kingston, Royden Kennedy and Collis Williams pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted $80,000 bail each by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Williams, of Coverden East Bank Demerara, who is accused of stealing one Iphone worth U.S.$350 and a Samsung phone valued at U.S $380, previously appeared in court last Friday.

The virtual complainant Captain Basil Fergusson, who was piloting the aircraft, testified via skype on Friday.

Captain Basil Fergusson, who resides in Kingston, Jamaica, told the court that the aircraft had developed problems and had to return to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for an emergency landing. Additionally, captain Fergusson stated that he had his personal possessions, which included an Iphone and a Samsung S5 phone, in the cockpit of the aircraft. The captain said

after the plane had come to a halt, the established procedure was followed: the emergency crew at the airport boarded the aircraft, while the pilot, co-pilot, flight crew and the passengers evacuated the plane.

Captain Fergusson testified that there were present in the cockpit of the aircraft, himself and the co-pilot Keon Bryan and 128 passengers.

After the emergency crew, which included firefighters of the Guyana Fire Service, gave clearance that all was well in terms of safety, Captain Fergusson, his co-pilot Keon Bryan and the chief flight attendant were then invited to board the plane. Fergusson said that when he entered the aircraft, he observed that passengers’ bags were open and his bag had been removed from the cockpit.

On Friday as well, Williams said that when he re-entered the aircraft, he had observed several articles on the floor; he said he picked them up and handed them over to the officer-n-charge.

The matter will continue on August 7th at Providence Magistrate Courts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

GRDB deploys teams to respond to paddy bug threats PADDY bugs have hit rice crops earlier than usual, said General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Nizam Hassan.

“It usually shows up around flowering time, but it came earlier,” said Hassan during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday. It was reported that a number of rice farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were battling with paddy bug infestation in their fields.

The GRDB confirmed that paddy bug infestation is a problem for almost all the rice-growing regions, but the board and famers, after recognising the potential threat, started spraying the infested areas with contact

insecticides.

“It has proven to be effective based on feedback from farmers and from the board’s own observations,” said Hassan.

He said paddy bug management officers are working with extension officers to monitor and keep the situation under control. The board has been providing chemicals and paying persons to spray crops for farmers.

The chemicals are given to persons who are tasked with spraying, not farmers.

GRDB has been rolling out these initiatives based on guidance and recommendations from the Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice, which had sent two consultants to assist the GRDB in its efforts.

Deputy General Manager of GRDB, Allison Peters, said the consultants visited and held outreaches to see the levels of infestation, in order to make recommendations for this, the second crop and the next crop.

After conducting their assessment, the consultants recommended that there should be spraying and the board should look at integrated pest management.

“They also recommended that farmers should spray within the growing period, which is one month or six weeks,” said Peters.

The consultants and the board had observed that farmers were spraying their crops before they saw the bugs and this allowed the bugs to create a resistance to

General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan

the chemicals.

In that regard, the board said there should be no spraying before the vegetative stage, meaning farmers should not spray within the first 30 days of sowing.

The GRDB also recommended that farmers should consider seed treatment, since it gives the plant vigour to withstand pests.

“Assistance is out there for farmers, all they need to

Deputy General Manager of GRDB, Allison Peters

do is make contact with the board or contact the various paddy bug officers,” said Peters.

It was reported that the GRDB had said that famers have been assisted with monitoring their fields for paddy bugs for a number of years.

GRDB extension officers monitor farmers’ fields daily for a ten-day period before harvesting and based on the levels of paddy bugs, they

advise farmers on whether to spray their fields or not.

Following the re-emergence of higher levels of paddy bugs, a dedicated Paddy Bug Management Officer (PBMO) was employed and placed in each rice-growing region. The PBMOs work along with the extension officers to enhance the management of paddy bugs.

Murder suspect shot after threatening cop THIRTY-six-year-old Marlon Bradley known as “Maley”, who is a suspect in the murder of a popular mechanic in Guyhoc Park, was shot on Sunday night after he resisted arrest and pointed a gun at a police constable.

Bradley is a suspect in investigations into the murder of Reginald ‘Reggie’ Atherly popularly known as “Diesel Boss”, who owned and operated a mechanic shop at his Lot G26 Guyhoc Park house, East La Penitence, Georgetown home on July 27.

According to police, a group of policemen were on patrol at the Stabroek Market Square when they saw Bradley of East La Penitence, Georgetown and of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara walking on Cornhill Street towards a route 32 minibus.

As a result, a detective corporal approached the suspect in an effort to arrest

The firearm retrieved from the suspect

Dead: Reginald ‘Reggie’ Atherly popularly known as ‘Diesel Boss’

him when he whipped out a handgun from his crotch and pointed it in constable’s direction.

The police constable then drew his service pistol and discharged a round in Badley's direction. He fell to the ground and was apprehended.

Police retrieved a .32 Taurus pistol with eight live .32 rounds of ammunition.

The murder suspect was picked up and escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

$460M for Mahaicony sea defence works THE Ministry of Finance has approved a $460M contingency allocation to undertake permanent riprap works and to secure other vulnerable sections within the three Kilometres stretch along Fairfield and Dantzig, Mahaicony.

This is according to Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Kevin Samad, in a press missive on Tuesday.

In commenting on the recent challenges the Ministry of Public Infrastructure faced in implementing flood-prevention measures in Mahaicony, Samad said degradation of the natural sea defence system had occurred over the last six months.

He explained that due to the erosion and deposit cycle characteristic of Guyana’s coast, progressive movement of mud and silt from the Mahaicony foreshore has resulted in the rapid depletion of the mangrove fringe.

This, he said, has left the earthen embankment in several sections completely exposed to direct wave action.

Whereas, he said, the area was, for many years, protected by a natural flood protection system, it has become necessary for a resilient man-made sea defence to be constructed.

Further, he explained that the rainy season also continues to have adverse impacts on the progress of works since the access dams are currently in a deplorable state.

He said the emergency works are ongoing, and to date, over 7,500 tonnes of boulders have already been delivered within the Prospect/Dantzig area via barges

by A & S General Contractors Inc. Commenting on the ministry’s plan of action, the Chief Sea and River Defence Officer stated that a contract was recently awarded to A & S General Contractors Inc. to construct 325 metres of permanent rock revetment structure at the Prospect area at a contract sum of $160M. This, he said, is to supplement a previous emer-

gency intervention that was implemented along the Prospect area earlier this year during the months of March and April 2019.

“The contractor has commenced supplying rock materials to execute the revetment works with over 3,000 tonnes of rock armour already delivered to site at Prospect. Additionally, on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, a tender was opened at NPTAB to construct an additional 350 metres of rip-rap structure between Prospect and Broomhall under phase two of the project,” he noted.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to reassure residents and farmers of the Mahaicony area that continuous efforts are being made to monitor the sea defences and interventions are being arranged to reinforce expeditiously, vulnerable sections to prevent flooding.

New lab for Kato Cottage Hospital –– making services more accessible to North Pakaraimas residents –– as Reg. 8 RHO envisions comprehensive health service delivery LABORATORY services in Region Eight, Potaro-Siparuni, are soon to be more accessible to residents as plans are on stream to establish a laboratory at the Kato Cottage Hospital.

This is according to Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Chrissundra Abdool, who envisions quality health services being made available for all persons in the region. She noted that there is a need to expand the services beyond the township of Mahdia.

“We are planning to establish a lab in the Kato community that is over in the North Pakaraimas so that will also help us improve our laboratory services so instead of now having samples coming to Mahdia, those samples can be read off right there in the North Pakaraimas.”

This much-needed service will be critical, especially to the pregnant women living in the district. “It’s a service that the people in the North Pakaraimas need especially our mothers-to-be, so they would need to get tested

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Potaro-Siparuni, Region 8, Dr. Chrissundra Abdool

ever so often.”

Dr. Abdool explained that this lab is expected to become a reality in 2020.

The process for transporting blood and other samples to Mahdia or Georgetown usually takes several days, which can affect the efficiency and accuracy of the test results.

“When sending labs [samples] out it takes a few days but not only that, you have a few hiccups and we

need to remember these are blood samples so they are only viable for a certain amount of time and in addition to that we have to be very careful about how they are being transported,” the RHO explained.

Currently, there are laboratory services available at the Mahdia district hospital on a 24-hour basis, with plans to further upgrade the facility. For 2019, a biochemistry analyser and a haematology analyser were purchased.

The hospital has also acquired a dental unit for improved dental service.

There are plans for the acquisition of more dental units which will be placed at Mahdia, Kato and other health centres in the region.

Ophthalmology services are also being planned. Dr. Abdool said, “we are trying to establish these things to widen our services offered so that the people can have as much access in Region Eight similar to [that in] Region Four.” (DPI)

Placement of boulders to secure vulnerable sections of earthen embankment of the Mahaicony sea defence

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

CCJ upholds COTED’s decision on imported cement …but urges actions to help protect regional cement manufacturers THE Caribbean Court of Justice (‘CCJ’) on Tuesday delivered a judgment which upholds the classification decision of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (‘COTED’) on cement, known as Rock Hard Cement, imported and/or distributed within CARICOM by Rock Hard Distribution Limited, Mootilal Ramhit and Sons Contracting Limited, and Rock Hard Cement Limited.

These proceedings in the CCJ’s Original Jurisdiction mark the finale of complex litigation which has resulted in five separate judgments and numerous orders thus far, the CCJ said in a release.

Tuesday’s judgment settled the dispute as to whether Rock Hard Cement ought to be classified as ‘Building cement (grey)’ and be charged a CARICOM tax of 15 per cent when imported into the Region, or as ‘Other hydraulic cement’ in which case a levy of zero to five per cent would be payable. Earlier this year, COTED decided that Rock Hard Cement was to be classified as ‘Other hydraulic cement’ in line with the advice received from the World Customs Organisation’s (‘WCO’) Harmonised System (‘HS’) Committee.

The State of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad Cement Limited (‘TCL’) and Arawak Cement Company Limited argued that COTED’s decision-making process was procedurally flawed and that COTED’s reliance on the WCO’s advice went against the economic objectives of the CARICOM tax. On this basis they contended that Rock Hard Cement should be classified as ‘Building cement (grey)’ and be subjected to the 15 per cent tax as Rock Hard Cement was in direct competition with TCL’s regionally-produced ‘Building cement (grey)’.

In its judgment, the CCJ upheld the COTED classification decision as being binding on all Member States in keeping with Article 29(1) of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC). The court found that COTED was fully

entitled to place heavy reliance upon the WCO advice, given the role of the WCO in harmonising rules on international trade within the context of the World Trade Organisation.

While it upheld the COTED classification decision, the court also commented that recent developments in the cement industry made it appropriate for a study to be done by COTED to assess whether the tariff rate for imported ‘Other hydraulic cement’ ought to be increased to give additional protection to regional cement manufacturers so that regional cement manufacturers might obtain an appropriate level of protection.

The court indicated that the conduct of such a study would be entirely in keeping with the CARICOM Treaty obligation on COTED to keep the tariff under review (Article 83 (5) of the RTC). The CCJ also recommended greater collaboration in undertaking global trade commitments, as for example, in their commitments to the World Trade Organisation, and it suggested the implementation of a project aimed at harmonising the classification of goods based on WCO standards in a move to increase CARICOM trade. This judgment was delivered for the consolidated matters of Trinidad Cement Limited and The State of Trinidad and Tobago and Rock Hard Distribution Limited, and Mootilal Ramhit and Sons Contracting Limited (TTOJ2018/001), Trinidad Cement Limited & Arawak Cement Company Limited and The State of Barbados and Rock Hard Cement Limited (TTOJ2018/002), Rock Hard Cement Limited and The State of Barbados and The Caribbean Community (BBOJ2018/001) and Rock Hard Distribution Limited and The State of Trinidad and Tobago and The Caribbean Community (SLUOJ2018/001).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

GCOPD helping 50 students with disabilities items that might assist with this venture. The list includes, but is not limited to, school bags (all age groups), notebooks, pens, pencils, water bottles, erasers, pencil cases, crayons, sharpeners, socks and vests, among other school items.

“Your kind donation will be highly appreciated as we partner to ensure that 50 children with disabilities

The GCOPD recently received a donation from the ‘Give another Child Foundation’ and from friends in the US

THE Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has kicked off its backto-school drive, and has secured approximately half of all of the items needed to aid 50 children as they return to school in September.

The intention is to aid children with disabilities, along with children who have parents with disabilities, who are less fortunate and find it difficult to secure all of the items needed for the new school year.

“We had an initial target of 50. So far, we got 25 school bags along with books, sanitary napkins, and some T-shirts from the ‘Give another Child Foundation.’ We also got school bags and other stationery

from friends in the US. It’s a big thing and I want to thank these persons,” Programme Coordinator, Ganesh Singh, told the Guyana Chronicle.

The GCOPD is partnering with Young Voices

Guyana and Access Guyana on the initiative and is calling on the public to support the “2019 Back-to-School Drive.”

Support is being solicited through the donation of any

The items included backpacks and all stationery items needed for school

Miner charged with stealing granted bail THIRTY-SIX-year-old miner, Anson Mendonca, was, on Tuesday August 6, 2019, placed on $150,000 bail, having been charged with stealing a caterpillar swing gear.

Mendonca appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that, between April 1, 2018 and August 2, 2019 at Jack and Vieira Backdam, he stole a caterpillar swing gear valued $2.2M, property of Joseph Gonsalves.

Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield made no objection to bail and told the court that the stolen items were recovered at Charity on the Essequibo Coast in

three fertilizer bags, in the presence of Mendonca. Information received indicated that Mendonca took the items there to sell them.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan placed Mendonca on $150,000 bail and transferred the matter to the Matthews’ Ridge Magistrate court for November 4, 2019.

and children of persons with disabilities are fully prepared and equipped to return to school in September,” GCOPD had said.

Persons who wish to donate can contact Ganesh Singh on 1-592-652-8975 or ganeshyvg@gmail.com.

The GCOPD is a collaborative forum which was established in January 2008 and is made up of represen-

tatives of different organisations for persons with disabilities. Its members meet regularly to support each other with the objective of building a stronger disability movement in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Young Voices Guyana promotes that every person with a disability deserves the right to a meaningful education and independent life.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

How Chinese electric buses are transforming commutes in Chile SANTIAGO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- There's lots of love for Chinese electric buses from commuters in Chile's capital Santiago.

Incorporating Chinese-made electric buses into Santiago's transportation fleet "has been tremendously positive in many ways," said Gloria Hutt, Chilean Minister

of Transport and Communications.

"What mattered most to us was the evaluation of the passengers, which was excellent," said Hutt, noting that the commuters gave the Chinese buses an average 6.3 rating on a scale of 1-7, which surpassed Santiago's subway, the capital's former best-rated

mass transit system.

Some 203 Chinese-made electric buses have joined the city's transit fleet since December 2018, helping cut down air pollution and noise and reduce future public expenses.

The red-and-white fleet is 100 percent electric, air-conditioned, and equipped with

Wi-Fi and USB ports.

Passengers "have really taken good care of them ... they feel the journey is much better," said Hutt, noting the lack of scratches and graffiti.

Incorporating Chinese-made electric buses into Santiago's transportation fleet marked a "very radical" transformation in the quality

of the capital's mass transit system, she said.

The fleet's operating costs are "significantly lower" than the ones powered by conventional fuel, which is expected to spur other bus operators to turn to electric vehicles. The batch also contributes to the government's environmental goals, said the minister.

Each bus can cover 260 km with a 3-hour full charge, which is enough for a full day's operation.

To accommodate the fleet's charging capacity, the city is updating bus terminals with higher technological features such as better charging stations, according to Hutt.

A corridor in Santiago has started installing these charging stations, said Hutt, nothing that the ministry

plans to install a similar corridor in each of Chile's regional capitals.

Another 183 Chinese buses are due to begin operating in October, and the ministry is in talks to purchase 60 more.

Such measures are part of the city's forward-looking Metropolitan Mobility Network, which comprises electronic buses, subways, suburban trains and a bike-sharing scheme. The private sector in China and Chile is increasingly interested in electric mobility in Chile, which Hutt called a "gain" for the government. "More and more new brands are arriving, so we have a greater range of supply."

China slams latest tariffs as 'bullying' Chinese officials and experts said that Washington's plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods starting Sept 1 is irrational and irresponsible, hurts the interests of China and the world and is not in the long-term interests of the US. The trade friction and new planned tariffs are harmful for both China and the United States, and the global economy overall, and this has been proven by capital markets around the world, according to Tong Jiadong, former vice-president of Nankai University in Tianjin. China should be fully prepared to fight a long battle in order to win the opportunity of further development in the future, Tong said.

Zhao Zhongxiu, president

of Shandong University of Finance and Economics, said China is facing a strategic opportunity to turn pressure into positive growth momentum, as external pressure has become a normal circumstance.

"China has demonstrated the endurance of its economy through the trade dispute," Zhao said, adding that disagreements in trade, technology and finance in the past have shown that countries can have trouble enduring such pressure if they don't have their own strategic advantages. Zhao suggested that China can rely on the development of high-tech industries to offset the economic impact brought by the trade friction and seize the opportunities generated by fast-growing industries such as information technology, TURN TO PAGE 17 â–ş

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

China's booming tourism market fosters new jobs BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's booming tourism market has helped foster new career opportunities as people's travel demands upgrade, the People's Daily overseas edition reported earlier this week.

New jobs such as travel video creator, private travel planner and tour guide that can be filled online are picking up popularity among freelancers, some of whom might not have a travel work background, according to the newspaper.

Zhoima and her husband used to run a snack shop in Daocheng County of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The business barely allowed them to make ends meet.

As short video platforms thrive in China, Zhoima has turned herself into a content creator by posting videos of natural sceneries and food unique to the region.

Now the couple are preparing their residence to offer homestay service to tourists and followers who want to experience the life demon-

strated in Zhoima's popular videos.

Xing Shuangqing had been working as a tour guide with a traditional travel agency for nearly two years. After he noticed the increase in independent tours and the rising demand for customized tourist products, he changed his job to be a private travel planner based in Beijing to help tourists learn and see more about the city.

Xing told the newspaper that he believes such new types of travel jobs can survive in the new round of technological innovation.

Artificial intelligence cannot replace humans in providing customer-friendly and interactive travel experiences, Xing was quoted as saying.

Statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed that China's tourism sector created 79.9 million direct and indirect jobs in 2018, accounting for nearly 10.3 percent of the total employed population.

China slams ...

FROM PAGE

aviation and artificial intelligence to expand the output value of high-tech industries and maintain a stable GDP growth rate.

China can also use its huge market, rich human resources and institutional advantages to achieve a higher level of opening-up and enlarge its trade volume with other partners such as the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union, Russia and Brazil, said Yu Miaojie, an economics professor at Peking University's National School of Development. The 10-member ASEAN became China's second-largest trading partner, after the European Union, in the first half of this year, overtaking the US for the first time since 1997, according to the General Administration of Customs.

The trade dispute with the US has also pushed Chinese manufacturers and service providers to expand their global presence via international industrial capacity cooperation, transit trade and other commercial activities at a faster pace, especially in economies participating

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in the Belt and Road Initiative, Yu said. Ambassador Zhang Jun, permanent representative of China to the United Nations, told media on Friday that the US announcement further deviates from the right track and US consumers are paying more.

"Practices of unilateralism, protectionism and bullying hurt the world ... and will not solve the problems of the US," Zhang said. He said China is not fighting for itself alone, but also for an open, transparent, nondiscriminatory multilateral trading system.

Walter Mondale, formerly US vice-president under president Jimmy Carter, joined signatories to a letter expressing concern over US trade policies. Mondale, along with 100 others, added his name to an open letter to US President Donald Trump and Congress over the weekend. "We are deeply concerned about the growing deterioration in US relations with China, which we believe does not serve American or global interests," the letter states.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Guyana to ‘light-up’ CARIFESTA XIV

Members of the National School of Dance performing to Vanilla's "One Dance" as part of the rehearsals for the ‘Guyana Night’ event of CARIFESTA XIV (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

By Vishani Ragobeer

T

HE Guyanese contingent of 100-strong is currently working on refining its group performance to wow the crowd at the 'Guyana Night' showcase which will be held on August 18, as part of CARIFESTA XIV. The 14th edition of the biennial Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) will be held in Trinidad and Tobago this year. There, Caribbean countries will congregate in the Twin Island Republic to showcase their diverse cultures.

As part of CARIFESTA, each country is tasked with hosting a country night to showcase its culture. 'Guyana Night' will be aiming to show all of the festivals found throughout the year in Guyana, but in just one night.

The performance is set in the Stabroek Market Square and is described by the Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain, as simply a

"mixture".

"I think it will blow people away, especially Guyanese living in Trinidad, because it is a good way of bringing Guyana back to them and evoking some memories," Boatswain said.

The Guyanese performers are integrating various genres into one cohesive performance, and as such, the director noted that she expects a great deal of positive feedback.

Member of the National Drama Company, Keon Heywood, is the orator that ties the entire production together in that cohesive manner. He noted that all of the performers worked hard on this production so far, combining the genres of drama, poetry, dance and music.

For him, CARIFESTA is not only an opportunity for local creatives to showcase the best of the rich Guyanese culture but, it is also a time to learn other techniques and styles from the country's fellow Caribbean brothers

The Guyana Night showcase is complemented by a colourful Masquerade performance (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

and sisters.

"This is a great opportunity to make everybody blend, not only to make it a cohesive performance, but to have people respect one another as performers

and entertainers," the Guyana Night Creative Director, Esther Hamer said.

While the Monday night showing was only another rehearsal for the local performers, Hamer noted that they will

be "sharpening" the performance over a few more rehearsals.

CARIFESTA XIV gets underway on August 16 and will conclude on August 25.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

New Horizon hands over community centre to Amelia’s Ward

By Vanessa Braithwaite FOR the first time in history, residents of Amelia's Ward, Linden; one of the largest communities here, can now boast of having its own community centre, which according to Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell, will aid in its socioeconomic development.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the Main' Street, Central Amelia's Ward, address and many residents joined the regional officials and more importantly, the U.S military officers of the New Horizon 2019 team who funded and undertook the project. In recognising that it is the first of its kind in Amelia's Ward, Mayor Arrindell pointed out that all the necessary stakeholders will play a role in ensuring that it is used for the development of youths, women, children and seniors, as well as for sports development, since a basketball court will be constructed in the near future.

"What you have done today, is to help to build a community and it is not just a centre, this centre will aid in the socio-economic development of Amelia's Ward... this is the first of its kind, so I encourage you residents of Amelia's Ward, let us maintain this site, let us use it for what is it here for, let us protect it," she said.

The New Horizon 2019 Captain, Colonel Ken Bratland, said that he hopes the building can be used for generations to come, and that it can act as a cornerstone to the community of Amelia's Ward. He anticipates that wonderful things will happen

Linden Mayor, Waneka Arrindell, receiving the keys to the community centre from New Horizon 2019 Colonel, Ken Bratland, while other U.S military and GDF military officials look on

Resident of Amelia's Ward, Jamella Simon, assists the Mayor of Linden and other officials with the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon

at the facility and urged the residents to make the best use of it.

GREEN AGENDA MUST

BE PRIORITISED The residents were urged to incorporate the ‘green state development strategy’ in the community projects

as the ‘green’ agenda is being operationalised at the community level, across the country. The sustainable development goals must also

be taken into account, so not only the residents would benefit, but the community's environment as well.

Community Develop-

ment Council's Technical Coordinator, Mr Eugene Gilbert, described the New Horizon Project as not just surface-based, but speaks to a philosophical foundation of caring for others and shows that military forces are not only about war and guns, but also about the development of people.

While the regional officials spoke of becoming custodians of the building, Gilbert encouraged the parties to allow the building to be run by the community, through the establishment of a trust.

"These centres should be set up as independent entities in the form of a trust, managed by a board of directors or a board of management with some authority, to maintain the facility," he advised.

This board should now be responsible to mobilise resources from various agencies for community development.

At the end of August, another centre at BlueBerry Hill and a women's empowerment centre at Richmond Hill will also be commissioned. On Monday a community centre was commissioned at Yarrowkabra. These are all part of the New Horizon 2019 projects. Last month, the team successfully held a surgical mission at the Linden Hospital Complex where 39 gynaecology surgeries were completed. A massive two-week medical outreach which benefitted hundreds of Linden residents, was also held in July.

Green Power Solutions now authorised dealer of SunPower panels GREEN Power Solutions Inc. has today announced a new partnership with SunPowerTM, a leading manufacturer of high efficiency solar panels, to distribute SunPowerTM solar technology in Guyana.

Green Power Solutions Inc. is a subsidiary of the Nand Persaud Group.

According to the company, the SunPower panels are rated highly in the global market by consumers and have received many international awards.

“We are so happy to be on board with SunPowerTM… they are global leaders in solar panel innovation and technology. This is definitely a win for renewable energy in Guyana and we cannot wait to do more,” said Green Power Solutions Inc.’s CEO, Darren Ramdial.

According to Nand Persaud Group Marketing Executive, Cynthia Jagnandan, innovation is central to SunPower’s core, with solar technology developed and tested in Silicon Valley.

She explained that SunPower’s MaxeonTM solar panels offer higher efficiency and durability than conventional solar panels currently available on the market, providing homeowners more electricity over time.

The Marketing Exec said SunPower’s innovative MaxeonTM solar cells generate more energy than conventional solar cells, and are durable, even in extreme weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Jim Dawe, who is the VP of Global Sales, noted that “SunPower is

Green Power Solutions Inc.’s CEO, Darren Ramdial

proud to partner with Green Power Solutions Inc. in Guyana due to their experience with solar in the market and focus on high quality solutions.”

It was explained that SunPower customers can expect to receive up to 55 -60 per cent more energy in the same space compared to conventional solar panels, a savings potential that is already being taken advantage of in more than 500,000 homes worldwide.

SunPower panels are available for sale at Green Power Solution’s head office at Lot 1 Tain, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

Green Power Solutions Inc offers nationwide distribution of all products via its delivery network.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

NGO condemns ‘crass’ Guyana Times story

FOLLOWING the publication of an article in the Guyana Times headlined ‘Influx of Haitians into Guyana raises major health concerns’, CEO and Founder of United Bridge Builder Mission (UBBM), Bonita Montaque has expressed grave resentment with the contents of the said article.

Montaque explained that her NGO and several others have been doing continuous work over the years to put an end to the stigma against people living with HIV/ AIDS, and have been seeing improvements. This article however, dug up wounds.

Montaque said.

“People living with HIV/ AIDS still feel the stigma and discrimination. This has dug very deep wounds once again, and the fear now rises. So this statement must be refuted, must be rejected and their stats are incorrect.

In fact, it is misrepresenting the facts and is farthest from the truth. We are demanding an apology,” she exclaimed.

nese out of jobs.

Montaque said that the article has some other motive than protecting the Guyanese population. “I am really furious about the false reporting in the article. I’m not sure where they got their stats from, but our stats, the national stats, do not indicate any health crisis as a result of Haitians being here. I find this report very offensive.

We have fought HIV for years. HIV and the epidemic, is nothing for people to use in their political agenda,” she said.

Assuming that the stats relating to the percentage of

CEO and Founder of United Bridge Builder Mission (UBBM), Bonita Montaque

The article from Guyana Times presented stats, quoting organisations such as PAHO/WHO and Civil Defense Commission (CDC), insinuating that the current influx of Haitians is putting

Guyanese at health risk, particularly at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. The article also implied that the coalition government’s decision to extend stay of Haitians in Guyana, are putting Guya-

HIV positive Haitians were correct, Montaque pointed out that this is not how issues are solved or addressed. Haiti, she said, has been one of the first Caribbean countries to fight for emancipation, and they have done quite a lot for their independence. “And for Guyana to denounce and discriminate against our Haitian brothers and sisters, or against any group of people, it’s totally unacceptable and does not represent the Guyanese people,” she further added.

Even if the statistics were correct, “the reporting is careless, reckless and intended to create a

pandemonium among our Guyanese people. For that we demand an apology, and a withdrawal of the article.

There is no evidence of persons being infected or at risk because of any visiting population. We’ve got Cubans, we’ve got Venezuelans, we’ve got people from all over, in Guyana. I am hoping that the politicians do understand that they have got a responsibility to ensure that their rhetoric and campaign are tailored to address the issues, and not the people. We fight AIDS, we don’t fight people,” Montaque said.

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3rd T20I at Providence

India complete Windies whitewash with 7-wicket victory

By Rajiv Bisnauth WORLD T20 champions West Indies have suffered the embarrassment of a whitewash at the hands of India after losing the final game of the three-match series yesterday by seven wickets at Guyana National Stadium, Providence. This is India's fourth clean-sweep of a three-match T20I series.

Playing only for pride in the dead rubber, after India won the first two games in Florida over the weekend, the Windies were again outplayed in all departments of the game. The result yesterday is the West Indies second consecutive whitewash in T20I, after they were beaten in similar fashion by England earlier in the year.

After restricting the Windies to 1466, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant then struck commanding half-centuries to seal the win, with India reaching 150-3 in 19.1 overs.

Both Kohli and Pant played a well-measured and well-calculated innings after they were in a tricky position at 27-2.

Pant ended with an unbeaten 42-ball 65 with four boundaries apiece, while Kohli struck 59 off 49 balls, inclusive of six fours.

Earlier, Kieron Pollard played the sort of innings that has made him a multi-millionaire, and one of the game's foremost Twenty20 freelancer.

The right-hander was at his brutal best, hitting six maximums in his knock of 58. Pollard's blitz, along with Rovman Powell's cameo 32 towards the backend of the innings, gave the Windies some hope at the halfway stage of the game.

After the game was delayed for more than an hour due to a wet outfield, the Windies were asked to bat first, a decision which saw their top three falling in the powerplay - all to pacer and man-ofthe-match Deepak Chahar.

Openers Sunil Narine and Evin Lewis, as well as local star Shimron Hetmyer, were the batsmen dismissed to yet another dismal top order batting

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display in the three-match series.

Narine was caught at mid-on, while both Lewis, who unsuccessful challenged the on-field umpire decision and Hetmyer went leg-before-wicket.

It was a period which brought the innings close to stagnation, However, the veteran Pollard and Nicholas Pooran (17), then steadied the ship with a substantive half-century partnership to lift the Windies innings.

After 14 overs, West Indies were hovering at around six per over, but a late flourish has meant that their score is above-par on a tricky surface. However, Navdeep Saini accounted for both set batsmen, Pollard and Pooran, and just when, India looked to finish on a high, Powell's cameo powered the hosts to a decent total.

In the chase, India lost their openers early. Shikhar Dhawan hasn't had the best of series and his poor run of form continued yet again. He was sent back in the second over by left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell, while spinner Fabian Allen outfoxed KL Rahul.

At that point both Kohli and Pant paced their innings beautifully, bided their time, played risk-free cricket for a while before stepping on the gas.

They stitched a 106-run partnership for the third-wicket and notched up their respective fifties before Virat threw it away towards the end.

But Pant took it till the end and polished off the target with five balls to spare. There is nothing much to write about West Indies' bowlers who were really pinned to the mat by that spectacular partnership and they were left gasping for breath.

While next year's T20 World Cup is 14 months away. both West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite and head coach Floyd Reifer did hint towards long-term planning, where more young talent will be exposed. They had made one change to their lineup, with the big-hitting Fabian Allen replacing left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Khary Pierre.

On the other hand, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar made his debut, while Rohit

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SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES innings E. Lewis lbw b D. Chahar 10 S. Narine c Saini b D. Chahar 2 S. Hetmyer lbw b D. Chahar 1 K. Pollard b Saini 58 N. Pooran c Pant b Saini 17 R. Powell not out 32 C. Brathwaite c Washington Sundar b R. Chahar 10 F Allen not out 8 Extras: (lb 4, w 4) 8 Total: (6 wickets, 20 overs) 146 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-13, 3-14, 4-80, 5-105, 6-119.

Bowling: B. Kumar 3-0-19-0, D. Chahar 3-1-4-3, N. Saini 4-0-34-2, R. Chahar 3-0-27-1, W. Sundar 3-0-230, K. Pandya 4-0-35-0.

INDIA innings Shikhar Dhawan c Cottrell b Thomas 3 K. Rahul stp. Pooran b Allen 20 V. Kohli c Lewis b Thomas 59 R. Pant not out 65 M. Pandey not out 2 Extras: (w-1) 1 Total: (3 wickets. 19.1 overs) 150 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-27, 3-133.

Bowling: S. Cottrell 4-0-26-0, O. Thomas 4-0-29-2, F. Allen 3-0-18-1, S. Narine 4-0-29-0, C. Brathwaite 2.1-0-25-0, K. Paul 2-0-23-0.

Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja were rested. Krunal Pandya was named player-of-the-series.

After the game Brathwaite said: "I think we didn't start off well with the bat, but kudos to Polly. As a team, I think we are still progressing. I thought 146 was a bit below par but the bowlers fought. Today (yesterday), we finished well with the bat. We didn't play well as a unit. We are still trying to find out the perfect combination."

The two teams will be in action again tomorrow in the first One Day International here.

09:50 hrs Custodian 10:20 hrs Be Bold 10:50 hrs So Macho 11:20 hrs Volcanic Sky 11:50 hrs Johnny Cavagin 12:20 hrs Calder Prince 12:50 hrs Highly Sprung Kempton 12:30 hrs Seraphim 13:00 hrs Dubai Warrior 13:30 hrs Eshaasy 14:00 hrs Illumined 14:30 hrs The Pinto Kid 15:00 hrs Land Of Oz 15:30 hrs Alicia Darcy

Irish Racing Tips Sligo 09:05 hrs Eastern Racer 09:35 hrs For The Trees 10:05 hrs In From The Cold 10:35 hrs Anythingyouwantobe 11:05 hrs Opening Verse 11:35 hrs Kastasa 12:05 hrs Takechancejimmy 12:35 hrs Musalal

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Tweaky Blinder: Caps doffed for Lyon’s 350th Test scalp NATHAN Lyon’s journey from Adelaide Oval groundsman to world-class off-spinner continued Monday as the veteran reached another milestone by capturing his 350th Test wicket at Edgbaston.

Lyon became just the fourth Australian to reach the mark after Shane Warne (708 Test wickets), Glenn McGrath (563) and Dennis Lillee (355).

The 31-year-old picked up the seven wickets he needed to join the exclusive club in the first Ashes Test in Birmingham, capturing 3-112 in the first innings before spinning a web around England’s batsmen in the second innings with 6-49,

his first five-wicket haul in England.

It was a classic off-spinner’s dismissal that brought Lyon his 350th Test scalp – bowling around the wicket, he drew left-hander Ben Stokes forward, extracted his trademark turn and bounce out of the dry surface and took the outside edge of the bat on the way through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

Lyon now has 14 five-wicket hauls and has taken 10 wickets in a match twice, while he was the leading wicket-taker in Tests in 2017 with 63 scalps.

India pair, Ajinkya Rahane and Chesteshwar Pujara, have been his most popular victims, out nine times each,

while England duo Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali have been dismissed by the tweaker on eight occasions.

Moeen has been Lyon’s favourite victim of late, removing him eight times in his past 10 completed innings against Australia.

Remarkably, all nine of Moeen’s dismissals have come in the last 11 innings the pair have played each other.

So prolific has Lyon been that no bowler has taken more Test wickets than Lyon’s 350 since he debuted in August 2011 against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Ahead of capturing his 300th wicket in South Africa last year, Lyon was asked to

The 350 Club (from left): Warne, McGrath, Lillee and Lyon (Getty)

nominate his favourite Test wicket to date, and could not look past his brilliant delivery to the Little Master six years ago.

“One that stands out was bowling Sachin Tendulkar

through the gate,” Lyon told cricket.com.au in February 2018.

“I think all the videos have been deleted off YouTube so I can’t watch them anymore, but I can tell you it

was at Chennai (in 2013), a pretty good ball actually.

“There have been a few that stand out, but it’s more about series wins for me at the moment.”

Archer follows up six-for with century in blistering Sussex showing JOFRA Archer further pressed his claim to replace England’s James Anderson in the second Ashes Test by following up his six-wicket spell for Sussex’s second XI with a century.

The Barbados-born fast bowler is widely expected to fill the void left by Anderson, who has been ruled out of the second Test against Australia at Lord’s because of a calf problem that limited him to

four overs in the first Test defeat at Edgbaston.

Archer lacks match practice with the red ball having battled through England’s triumphant Cricket World Cup campaign with a side strain.

After being left out of the 251-run loss, Archer was released to Sussex to play in their seconds’ match with Gloucestershire and made a devastating impact yesterday.

He took 6-27 from

12.1 overs with the ball as Gloucestershire were skittled our for just 79 and then showed his superiority over the opposition with the willow.

Despite the seismic gap in the quality of opponent, Archer’s performance should make it tough for England to omit him from the team for the second Test, which starts next Wednesday.

Joshua wants to get boxing passion back ahead of Andy Ruiz Jr rematch ANTHONY Joshua says he is determined to get his “passion” back for boxing ahead of his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr later this year.

The British heavyweight lost his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles with a shock defeat by Ruiz on June 1.

That was the first professional loss of Joshua’s career and the 29-year-old is desperate to prove it was a one-off.

“I feel strong enough and I feel I can correct my wrongs,” Joshua told Sky Sports.

“I need to be around as many boxing people as possible because right now I need to soak in the experience and knowledge - and get that passion back.”

Joshua’s first bout with Ruiz took place at Madison Square Garden in New York and was the Briton’s first fight in the United States.

His promoter wants the rematch to take place in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium, but Ruiz has insisted he does not want to fight in the UK. “It doesn’t matter to me where it is,” Joshua said.

“I would love it to be in Cardiff but it’s going to be on neutral ground, Ruiz is the champ so he will make some calls in that situation but I’m going to battle for it to be in the UK because it’s my stomping ground.

“Walking out in Cardiff in front of 70, 80, 90 thousand people screaming and rooting for you to win, that type of energy that goes through your body is unstoppable and I think that could give me the little bit of edge I need to win those belts.”(BBC Sport)

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

TV umpires to call front-foot no-balls in ICC trial

TV umpires may soon become the sole adjudicators of front-foot no-balls if planned ICC trials prove successful.

The ICC will identify a number of limited-overs series over the next six months in which to implement a system where the TV umpire - and not the on-field umpires - will call no-balls for overstepping.

The system has been trialled before, notably in the ODI series between England and Pakistan in 2016 but it will be rolled out on a much broader scale this time.

“Broadly, yes (the same technology as 2016 will be used),” Geoff Allardice, the ICC’s general manager cricket operations told ESPNcricinfo. “The idea is the third umpire will be presented an image of the front-foot landing within a few seconds.

He would communicate to the on-field umpire that a no-ball has been delivered, so every delivery on the field would be played as a fair delivery until called otherwise.”

During the previous trial a Hawkeye operator presented a still image to the third umpire independent of the normal broadcast.

“The footage is shown on

a slight delay, it goes to super slo-mo as the foot approaches the point of landing and then it freezes,” Allardice said.

“The routine works well, with the third umpire judging the no-ball off a picture that is not always shown on the broadcast.”

In 2016, it ended up tak-

er, the more TV umpires get used to it.

The move has come from the ICC’s cricket committee, who want as many limited overs matches to use this system as possible. But that, as Allardice explained, is not a straightforward task.

“The Cricket Committee

Nigel Llong and Virat Kohli have an argument over the ‘no-ball’. (BCCI photo)

ing on average eight seconds between the foot landing and a call being made as to whether or not it was legal by the TV umpire.

The ICC was happy the decision was made quickly enough, though there were a couple of instances where a tighter call took longer, though the hope is that the process will become quick-

recommended that we do it in all ODIs and T20Is. In 2018 there were about 84 000 balls delivered around the world in those formats in men’s international cricket.

So to monitor the no-ball on each of those deliveries at all of the different venues is a big exercise. We just need to understand all the challenges before implementing this

across all matches.

“Can this technology be implemented consistently across the 80 venues that hosted ODIs and T20Is last year? There are different levels of television coverage across these matches, so it will be easier to implement at some matches than at others.

“We now have 104 members who play T20I cricket and many of their matches are not televised, so what do we (do) there? Thinking through all of the implications of introducing this is the exercise for us over the next six months.”

In the past, electronic line-calling systems - as used in tennis - have been discussed, though they are thought to be problematic because creases get blurry, there is movement across the crease from the non-striker, and bowlers such as Ravindra Jadeja, whose heel is usually behind the line but in the air when the foot lands.

The highest-profile instance this year of a no-ball being missed occurred not in international cricket but in the IPL, where umpire S. Ravi missed Lasith Malinga overstepping in a game between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Ban-

During the trial, the third umpire will communicate to his on-field colleague whenever a bowler oversteps. (AFP)

galore. Royal Challengers captain Virat Kohli was not happy about that call, especially since it was the last ball of the innings in a tight chase.

More recently, umpires missed a no-ball in Australia’s game against the West Indies in the World Cup, which accrued significance after the event, as Chris Gayle was dismissed next ball: had the no-ball been called, the next ball would have been a free hit.

As recently as last November, S. Ravi was at the

centre of a more prolonged spell of missing no-balls. In England’s third Test in Sri Lanka, on the third morning in Colombo, Lakshan Sandakan bowled as many as 12 no-balls, according to the broadcasters, in a five-over spell; the only deliveries that were penalised

by Ravi and the other umpires, however, were two that allowed Ben Stokes to continue his innings after being caught off them.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Australia coach Langer hails ‘best problem-solver’ Smith Faf du Plessis to stay on as BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Justin Langer has hailed Steve Smith’s ability to find a way out of even the toughest situation and says his performance against England in the first Ashes Test showed all the traits of a cricketing great.

With Australia struggling on 1228 in the first innings, Smith guided his team out of trouble with a sensational 144.

Three days later he became only the fifth Australian to score successive centuries in an Ashes Test, his fluent 142 putting the visitors in control and helping them to a 251-run win over the hosts on Monday.

It was the first Test in 16 months for Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy and banned for a year after teammate Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to change the condition of the ball with sandpaper during a March 2018 Test in South Africa.

“I said during the summer that Virat Kohli is the best player I have ever seen but that (Smith’s centuries) is just another level,” former Australia opener Langer told reporters.

Australia’s Steve Smith gestures as he leaves the field after being caught out by England’s Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Chris Woakes in Ashes First Test v England - Edgbaston, August 4, 2019.

(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)

Langer said Smith had shown “enormous character, enormous courage ... unbelievable concentration, unbelievable physical stamina, unbelievable mental stamina, all traits of great players”.

Langer said Smith always seemed to have the answers.

“You throw to him in the nets and

you literally feel like you can’t get him out and there’s no batsman like that and you just end up throwing a million balls and you are just lost for answers,” Langer said.

“I guess you would have to ask England how they feel about that and they had some interesting tactics for him ... They would have studied him closely but he just has a knack, well, he is the best problem-solver in the game.”

Australia have in the past lost multiple series after taking a 1-0 lead but Langer said that he and captain Tim Paine would ensure there is no letup. “(We) keep being honest about where we’re at; we’ve still only won one Test match. And we’ve got a captain who is that focussed in there and he’s the best wicketkeeper in the world,” Langer said.

“I thought the way he batted in the first innings, he freed up and he’s worked really hard. He’s a brilliant leader, a great bowler and I thought tactically he was superb.

“He is so focused in this series, so there is no way he is going to let it slip and I guarantee you, I’m not going to let it slip either.”

South Africa Test captain

FAF du Plessis will stay on as South Africa’s Test captain, though a new skipper could well be selected for the oneday side.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced a restructuring of the Proteas team on Sunday, confirming Ottis Gibson, whose exit was first announced on Sunday, would not be coach for the upcoming tour of India.

South Africa endured a disappointing World Cup campaign, winning three out of nine matches as they were eliminated in the group stage.

A CSA statement also hinted that an interim captain could be selected ahead of the India tour, but acting director of cricket Corrie van Zyl has confirmed du Plessis will keep his role for the Test team, if not the ODI side.

“Faf will be the captain of the Test team and then we will talk about the white-ball strategy to 2023 and how that will affect

decision-making,” van Zyl told a news conference.

“It’s important to look forward to 2023 as well. We need a strategy to 2023, so in terms of appointing the captain we will look at how we approach that. We are having a selection meeting in the next day and a half to confirm that.”

Meanwhile, CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe indicated the search for a new coach may take longer than initially anticipated.

“We will try to make sure that before the English tour starts (in December), we will have permanent employees in place,” Moroe said.

“But this is a different environment, so depending on who the director of cricket is talking to, that might delay the deadline. We’ve set the deadline but might not meet it.” Yahoo Sport)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Championship kicks off on Friday WITH a tremendous amount of fan support for the recently concluded Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Championship, the eagerly anticipated National Championship will kick off on Friday night (August 9) at the Jubilee Park tarmac.

The two-day tournament, which concludes on Saturday night will see 16 teams from across Guyana compete in an elimination format.

Six teams (champions Gold is Money, Albouystown-B, Sophia, Broad Street, Leopold Street and Sparta Boss) will represent Georgetown, while four representatives will come from West Demerara (champions Brothers United, Showstoppers, Ballers Empire and UpTop Bosses).

Champions Beacons and

Police will represent Bartica while champions Melanie-B and Paradise-A will represent East Coast Demerara.

The remaining two will come from Berbice (champions Trafalgar) and Linden (champions High Rollers).

According to a release from tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions, “The anticipation is at a fever pitch for the National Championship following a wonderful and exciting Georgetown Zone Championship.”

The release continued, “The Georgetown teams and fans are bracing themselves for an invasion of talents as the visiting teams have been arduously preparing for this moment in which they put their abilities against the traditional giants of the sport.”

The correspondence concluded, “We can ex-

Action in the Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship

pect another exciting and thrilling tournament that will captivate the audiences who are expected once again to descend on the venue in their thousands.”

The tournament will of-

Eleven countries confirmed for 13th Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships SOME 11 countries have confirmed that they are heading to Guyana later this week to participate in the 13th edition of the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships which will take place in the Green Town of Bartica.

On Monday, Mayor of Bartica, His Worship Gifford Marshall and president of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Horace Burrowes met in Bartica to further fine-tune plans ahead of what is anticipated to be Deanthony Niles and Cailan Fleming of Antigua Cycling Federation` an exciting championship

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday August 07, 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) India won by 22 runs (D/L method) (2) Krunal Pandya (India) Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the first Test of the current ENG/AUST series?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

with the future contenders of the Caribbean on show.

Bermuda, Barbados and St Martin were among the first to send the list of their riders for the championship; eight other nations have emulated them. They are Suriname, Aruba, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas and Grenada.

The first set of nations should touch down here on Wednesday - the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Bermuda and Suriname, the latter travelling overland.

Burrowes, in an invited comment, stated that despite many hurdles, GCF, in association with the Mayor and Town Council, is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the championships will be a success.

The time trials would be contested on Saturday while the road race will take centre-stage on Sunday. So far, close to 50 cyclists in the juvenile and junior categories, both male and female, will be aiming to out-pedal one another, this weekend.

A few more nations were expected to submit their travel itineraries by last evening to the GCF.

ficially be launched today, when further details will be disclosed.

Complete fixtures for the two nights of action.

Day-1 - Jubilee Park tar-

mac August 9 Round of 16 Fixtures Draft (1) Up-Top-Bosses vs Paradise-A - 19:00hrs (2) Melanie-B vs Showstoppers - 19:30hrs (3) Brothers United vs So-

phia - 20:00hrs (4) Ballers Empire vs Albouystown-B - 20:30hrs (5) Beacons vs Sparta Boss 21:00hrs (6) High Rollers vs Leopold Street - 21:30hrs (7) Trafalgar vs Broad Street - 22:00hrs (8) Gold is Money vs Police - 22:30hrs Quarterfinal Matches (9) Winner (4) vs Winner (2) (10) Winner (3) vs Winner (6) (11) Winner (5) vs Winner (7) (12) Winner (1) vs Winner (8) Day-2 - Jubilee Park tarmac Semifinal Matches August 10 (13) Winner (10) vs Winner (11) (14) Winner (9) vs Winner (12) 3rd Place Loser (13) vs Loser (14) Final Winner (13) vs Winner (14)

Scott aiming for redemption at Mainstay Regatta

Dave Scott (in the yellow Jaguar boat) takes on the Gonsalves family. (GTridez photo)

WITH the best of the best in local powerboat racing heading to Lake Mainstay Regatta this weekend, one man is setting his sights as being champion once again.

Dave Scott, who had previously held the title of champion for seven years running, was dethroned last year but is looking to stage a comeback.

He spoke to Chronicle Sport yesterday saying, “I am already prepared, I did some practice this week and I have some fine-tuning to do, but I am ready to regain

it this year.”

The well-known racer continued, “I actually was 7 years straight champion and last year I lost it because of engine failure. This is a new engine that I brought in to take the championship back.”

He noted, “I am very confident of the engine I brought in. It is one of the newer model engines. More powerful and upgraded than the one I had before.”

According to Scott who pilots the Jaguar-sponsored

powerboat, he will catch up with longtime rivals - the Gonsalves family as well as the girls Sugga (Ryan and Ruben) Quicksilver, the Belle family and Shivraj Racing.

He urged his fans to come out and support him telling Chronicle Sport that, “They can expect the usual excitement that the team brings as well as thrills and skills.”

The annual Mainstay Regatta is expected to feature more than 10 events on Sunday, August 11.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday August 7, 2019

Holder, Fraser bowl India A out for 201 on opening day TA R O U B A , Tr i n i d a d , (CMC) – Wriddhiman Saha and Hanuma Vihari struck half-centuries but fast bowler Chemar Holder grabbed three late wickets to limit India A on the opening day of the final four-day “Test”.

Sent in at the Brian Lara Stadium on Tuesday, the visitors were dismissed for 201, with Saha top-scoring with 62 and captain Vihari chipping in with 55.

Opener Mayank Agarwal got a start with 33 and all-rounder Shivam Dube hit 26 but India A fell away at the end, losing their last five wickets for just 12 runs in the space of 41 balls.

Holder, who took three of those five wickets, ended with three for 47 while off-spinner Akim Fraser did the early

damage for the hosts in taking three for 53.

Leg-spinner Yannic Cariah supported with two for 45.

West Indies A then stumbled to the close on 23 for one, losing Montcin Hodge for 15 to the day’s final’s delivery, bowled missing an ambitious drive at off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham.

Fraser had given West Indies A an excellent start when he took two wickets in the first session to reduce India A to 47 for three at lunch, before taking another almost immediately following the resumption.

Fast bowler Miguel Cummins bowled Abhimanyu Esawaran without scoring in the morning’s seventh over before Agarwal and Priyank Panchal

Fast bowler Chemar Holder … sparked a late India A collapse.

(11) put on 38 for the second wicket to steady the innings.

However, Fraser struck twice in successive deliveries just before lunch when he had Agarwal taken at short leg by Jeremy Solozano and followed up by trapping Shubman Gill in front first

Guyana ‘hammer’ Bahamas 5-1 for first win at CONCACAF U-15 Championship

ball.

After lunch, he then accounted for Panchal without adding, caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton.

Vihari, unbeaten on two at lunch, anchored two half-century stands to prop up the

innings. He first put on 86 for the fifth with Saha before adding a further 55 for the sixth with Dube.

All told, he faced 139 balls in just short of 3-¼ hours and counted five fours while Saha’s knock was more cavalier, coming from just 66 balls and including nine fours and a six.

Saha eventually holed out to wide mid on off Cariah and after tea, reached at 155 for five, Dube added a further 13 before miscuing a heave at the same bowler and falling to a skyer at long off.

Vihari was eighth out, dragging on a drive at Holder, to be one of four wickets to fall for just two runs.

SCOREBOARD NDIA A 1st Innings A Esawaran b Cummins 0 M Agarwal c Solozano b Fraser 33 P Panchal c wkp Hamilton b Fraser 11 S Gill lbw b Fraser 0 *H Vihari b Holder 55 +W Saha c Holder b Cariah 62 S Dube c Shepherd b Cariah 26 K Gowtham lbw b Holder 0 S Nadeem c wkp Hamilton b Reifer 6 U Yadav c Ambris b Holder 0 Avesh Khan not out 4 Extras (lb2, w1, nb1) 4 TOTAL (all out, 67.5 overs) 201 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-45, 3-45, 4-48, 5-134, 6-189, 7-190, 8-191, 9-191, 10-201.

Bowling: Cummins 12-5-22-1, Holder 16-7-47-3, Reifer 11.5-1-32-1, Fraser 15-2-53-3, Cariah 13-3-45-2.

WEST INDIES A 1st Innings M Hodge b Gowtham 15 J Solozano not out 7 A Fraser not out 0 Extras (lb1) 1 TOTAL (1 wkt, 15 overs) 23 Fall of wicket: 1-23.

To bat: J Blackwood, Y Cariah, S Ambris, B King, *+J Hamilton, R Reifer, C Holder, M Cummins.

Bowling: Yadav 5-2-11-0, Avesh Khan 3-2-1-0, Gowtham 4-2-6-1, Nadeem 3-1-4-0.

Position: West Indies A trail by 178 runs with nine wickets remaining.

Wilkinson upsets field to claim Reagan Rodrigues Memorial Road Race title

Akeem Wilkinson collects his winner’s trophy from a Ricks & Sari representative.

Guyana prior to kick off against the Bahamas, at the CONCACAF U-15 Championship.

Guyana won the match 5-1. (Photo compliments: GFF)

AFTER going down to Nicaragua (3-0) in their opening game, Guyana bounced back to hammer the Bahamas 5-1 yesterday when action in the CONCACAF U-15 Championship continued at the IMG Academy in Florida, USA. Antwone Vasconcellos put the Guyanese side in the lead just seven minutes into the day’s contest but one minute later Jordin Wilson equalised for the Bahamians.

However, Guyana regained control through Brandon Solomon in the 12th minute, while Colin Henriques (20th) and Kevin Mullin (42nd) made it 4-1 at the halfway mark.

Daniel Lowe, who came in as substitute, made it 5-1 with his strike from the penalty spot in the 51st minute.

Guyana will play their final Group F game tomorrow against Cayman Islands.

TEAM Evolution’s Akeem Wilkinson turned in an impressive ride on the roadways of West Demerara to upset a field of Guyana’s top cyclists and win the 15th edition of the Ricks&Sari/ Reagan Rodrigues Cycling road race on Sunday last..

The 46-mile race began at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara and proceeded to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before returning to the starting point for the climax.

Wilkinson followed a breakaway which included Curtis Dey, Warren Mc

Kay, Paul DeNobrega, Jornel Yearwood, Jamaul John, Horace Burrowes and Alanzo Ambrose, but the youngster worked his way back into the peloton and managed to draw level with the pack at Vreeden-Hoop on the return leg.

Down the back stretch was where Wilkinson produced his best work and sprinted to the finish line ahead of the big guns, winning the race in a time of one hour 37 minutes 55.82 seconds. Dey took second place, while Borrowes placed third followed by Alonzo Am-

brose, Lear Nunes and Jornel Yearwood in that order.

Michael Anthony grabbed two primes with Warren McKay, Paul DeNobrega, Anthony, Briton John, Andre Green, Marlon Williams, Christopher Griffith winning one each.

Ajay Gopilall won the junior category, while Jason Sampson placed second and Jonathan Ramschuit third.

Burrowes won the veterans division ahead of Nunes and Mc Kay in that order.

3rd T20I at Providence

India complete Windies whitewash with 7-wicket victory

PAGE

31

The winning India cricket team after their 3-0 whitewash against the West Indies. (Adrian Narine photos)

Rishabh Pant makes an unbeaten 65.

Kieron Pollard is bowled by Navdeep Saini.

Guyanese were in full support of the game yesterday.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019