Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_08_09_2019 by Guyana Chronicle

FRIDAY 9th August, 2019

' No.105724

Plan being crafted to tackle crime, drugs in school

‘Coalition ready for elections’ PAGE

–President Granger says parties, supporters have been alerted 02 PAGE

$20M extension of water supply 08 services in Reg. 5 PAGE

‘GECOM to advise on its readiness’ …after crucial August 15 meeting of commissioners

PAGE

…President assures of gov’t support, reiterates policy of non-interference

President David Granger in discussion with the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh; GECOM’s Commissioners and the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield. The President was accompanied by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, among other ministers and government officials.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

‘Coalition ready for elections’ –President Granger says parties, supporters have been alerted

PRESIDENT David Granger said the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition is gearing up for General and Regional Elections. “We are preparing and we are prepared to enter elections,” President Granger told journalists during a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. President Granger is the Leader of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R), the major party within the partnership, and Chairman of APNU. According to him, for almost nine months, the APNU+AFC Coalition has been putting certain preparations in place. “Actually, our supporters in the coalition, in our partnership, in the respective parties have been alerted to what needs to be done and things are being done,” President Granger said. President Granger is expected

to lead the coalition into the upcoming elections. Born on July 15, 1945, President Granger is a retired military officer who served for a time as Commander of the Guyana Defence Force and subsequently as National Security Adviser from 1990 to 1992. In 2010, he made a successful bid to be elected as the presidential candidate of the People’s National Congress/Reform for the November 2011 general and regional elections. He was leader of the opposition in the National Assembly of Guyana from 2012 to 2015. Granger stood as the opposition coalition’s presidential candidate in the November 2011 general and regional elections, but was defeated. He was elected President in the May 2015 general and regional elections. He attended Queen’s College, Guyana’s elite and prestigious school, like former Presidents Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan,

President David Granger

Samuel Hinds and scholars such as Walter Rodney and Rupert Roopnaraine. After leaving Queen’s College, where he was a member of the Queen’s College Cadet Corps, Granger joined the Guyana Defence

Force (GDF) as an officer cadet in 1965 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1966. He received his professional military training at the Army Command and Staff College in Nigeria; the Jungle Warfare Instruction Centre in Brazil; and the School of Infantry and the Mons Officer Cadet School, respectively, in the United Kingdom. He trained in Britain, then Brazil, then Nigeria, and eventually became commander of the Guyana Defence Force in 1979 and was promoted to the rank of brigadier. Granger was appointed National Security Adviser to the President in 1990[1] and retired from military service in 1992. Additionally, President Granger also founded the Guyana Review news magazine in 1992 and served as its managing editor. He has researched and published on military, historical and media themes, and is also the author of Guyana’s state

media: the quest for control, and A Preliminary Study of Women Soldiers in the Anglophone Caribbean. As the APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate, he will likely come up against four other contenders for the presidency, including three newcomers from the Liberal and Justice Party; A New and United Guyana Party and the Federal United Party. In the case of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), its Presidential Candidate is Irfaan Ali. His qualifications, however, have been questioned. While President Granger has received the full support of the APNU+AFC coalition, the appointment of Ali as the PPP/C Presidential Candidate was met with major disagreements and objections, particularly from its grassroots supporters.

Guyana gets its first embryologist

-- Balwant Singh aims to become biggest infertility centre in the Caribbean

Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital on Thursday announced the appointment of the first Guyanese embryologist, Ganesh Persaud, as head of the IVF laboratory at Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital. Ganesh Persaud, originally from Essequibo, is Guyana’s first embryologist. Embryology is the field of medicine concerned with the study and development of embryos. As an embryologist, Ganesh is currently working at Guyana’s only IVF lab located at the Balwant Singh’s Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Madhu Singh, Guyana’s only infertility specialist.

Ganesh moved to Georgetown at the age of 17, when he started studying at the University of Guyana. He completed his bachelor’s in medical technology and then began working at the Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Laboratory, where he worked for six years, and later became head of the laboratory there. After working with the visiting embryologists at the institution and also doing preparations for the infertility procedures at the hospital, he was inspired to specialise in this field, and applied to the Balwant Singh’s Hospital for a scholarship. Ganesh completed his training at the

Craft Hospital and Research Centre in Kerala, India. Ganesh has just returned from India a few weeks ago and is now the head of the IVF lab at Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital. Under his supervision, the lab is expected to grow tremendously over the coming years, with the hopes that the centre will become the largest infertility centre in the Caribbean. BACKGROUND ON INFERTILITY AND ADVICE Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 or more months of unprotected sexual inter-

course. The most common factors causing infertility are a low sperm count, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), other hormonal disorders including endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, and waiting to get pregnant or delaying infertility treatment. He noted that “in Guyana it is very common for patients to delay infertility treatment and to wait until they are in their late 30s or early 40s before they start the process”. He noted that “with increasing maternal age, the quality of eggs released by the ovary decreases and this makes pregnancy very hard”. Before the hospital started to

advertise the infertility services, and Dr. Madhu began speaking on this issue, a lot of patients would never seek treatment, and also not do it through the proper channels. Ganesh advises that “patients who are not getting pregnant with simple treatments like clomiphene move on to more advanced treatments like intra-uterine insemination and invitro fertilisation”. IVF is a process whereby fertilisation of an egg and sperm is completed in the laboratory, after the eggs have been harvested by the gynaecologist. He noted that “Dr Madhu’s infertility clinic has

brought relief to many Guyanese and is now frequented by patients from neighbouring countries like Suriname, and the neighbouring islands, because for the Caribbean this hospital offers the best price.” He said “the success rates produced by the clinic are on par with that of the clinics in Barbados and Trinidad, and the price is a fraction of that being quoted at those clinics.” He hopes that with his help “the IVF lab will continue to grow and eventually become the largest in the Caribbean.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

GECOM to advise President on readiness for elections

…after its August 15 meeting …gov’t assures commission of full support, non-interference

By Svetlana Marshall CHAIRMAN of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh has informed President David Granger that she will advise him on the Elections Commission’s readiness for elections after her August 15, 2019 meeting with the full commission. The recently-appointed Chairman of the Elections Commission; the GECOM Commissioners – Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, Desmond Trotman, Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick; and the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield met with President Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. The Head of State was accompanied by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Public Security and Vice-President, Khemraj Ramjattan; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC; Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon. Moments after the very brief but cordial high-level meeting, President Granger, in the presence of his direc-

tor-general, told journalists during a press conference at the Ministry, that the meeting was held at his request. The meeting between the government and Elections Commission was the first since Justice Singh took office on July 29, 2019. The agenda, he said, was very simple – to address the topic of General and Regional Elections, a concern for all Guyanese. In that regard, the chairman assured the President and his government that she will communicate the Elections Commission’s position after meeting with the full commission on Thursday August 15, 2019. The meeting of the full commission will take place one day after Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire is expected to deliver her ruling in the High Court on the constitutionality of the house-to-house registration embarked by the Elections Commission. The opposition, through Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, has challenged the legality of the national registration exercise, and has asked the court to compel GECOM to conduct elections within three months from June 18, 2019 – the day that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) validated the no-confidence motion against the government. Ultimately, it wants elections to be held before September

GECOM Chairman Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh (Photos by the Ministry of the Presidency)

18, 2019. But the attorney general has informed the High Court that in delivering the landmark ruling and its subsequent consequential orders, the CCJ made it clear that it is not within its remit to issue coercive orders and detailed directives instructing the Elections Commission or the Government to act. Guyana’s final appellate court, he argued, has made it clear that only the President, the National Assembly and implicitly GECOM, can set timelines and dates for elections. Added to that, he alluded to the fact that the Elections Commission has indicated that it is no position to facilitate elections by September 18, and has since (July 20) embarked on houseto-house registration in its quest to generate a credible list of electors.

President Granger, on Thursday, iterated that he will respect the decision of the Elections Commission as it upholds the principle of separation of powers. “Although it is early in the tenure of the new chairman, I don’t think it was inappropriate to meet at this time, to give her the assurance that the government is going to continue to observe the independence of the Elections Commission – It will not dictate, it will not interfere; it will not intrude in the work of the commission. It will observe all of the roles and responsibilities of the commission given to it by the Constitution,” the Head of State told reporters. The President made it known that he will not heed to the demands of those who are insisting that he must set a date for General and Re-

gional Elections regardless of if GECOM is ready or not. “We are not in the business of giving any direction to the commission. The chairman will advise me on the readiness of the commission, so we are not proposing any role. As far as the readiness is concerned, the chairman must advise me,” President Granger said as he iterated a position he has long held. The Head of State said he will act based on the advice of GECOM. “Once I receive advice from the chairman of the commission, I will act on that advice, and we expect that all Guyanese will respect the independent role of the Elections Commission, and that we can proceed to General and Regional Elections, in accordance with the work which that commission has to do,” he said. In the meeting, he also assured the commission that government will provide it with all necessary resources to facilitate credible, free and fair elections. Already GECOM has been allocated close to $8B. As part of the National Budget for 2019, GECOM was allocated $5.546B – this sum, however, was supplemented with an additional $3.482B in May, 2019 after the commission indicated to the President that it lacked the financial resources to facilitate early elections. “So our role is just to make

sure that the commission has resources. We didn’t cross examine the commission, and we will allow the commission to do what it is authorised to do under the Constitution,” President Granger said while fielding questions from journalists. In giving a broad overview of the meeting, the director-general explained that “it was a very brief meeting in which the President laid out what the government’s position is in relation to credible elections; to the consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice; the way forward and the political situation in Guyana.” He noted that detailed information on the topics discussed have been compiled in booklets produced by the government. The booklets are expected to be circulated within the Elections Commission. “It is important to know that His Excellency, the President, made it very clear, that the government will continue to provide all of the support necessary for elections, to the commission to execute its mandate. Additionally, the President made it clear that we were interested in early elections, and in credible elections, and the government will not dictate in any way to the commission, how they will do their work,” he summarised.

Contract approved for design, construction of US$2.25M hydro power in Kato -- millions of dollars approved for construction of schools, roads, and bridges By Svetlana Marshall A US$2.25M contract has been awarded for the design, supply and installation of a 150kw hydropower plant at Chiung River, Kato Village, Region Eight. According to Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, this multimillion-dollar project was awarded to B and J Civil Works under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. This contract is just but one of the several contracts

amounting to millions of dollars that have been approved for the constructions of schools, roads and bridges, among other critical infrastructural development. At his post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency, the Director- General disclosed that Cabinet noted the award of contracts by the country’s procurement agencies, including a $25M contract for the construction of a primary school at Eteringbang, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven. That contract, according to Harmon, was

awarded to K and B Project Management Company. Under the Ministry of Communities, $50.8M was awarded to Memorex Enterprise for the extension of the new Diamond-Grove Primary School located within Region Four. Added to that, a $49.2M contract was awarded to M and B Investments for the general rehabilitation of Bladen Hall Multilateral School at Bladen Hall, East Coast Demerara, Region Four. Approximately $18.1M was awarded for electrical upgrades to the University of

Guyana’s library’s new wing. The East Ruimveldt Market in Georgetown will also undergo significant rehabilitation. According to the Director-General, a contract to the sum of $39.1M was awarded to Mohammed Ramzan Ali Khan Construction for upgrades to the facility. It was disclosed too that 200 meters of geotextile tubes would be installed along the foreshore of Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two. That project was awarded to Ideal Engineering Services at the cost

of $31.5M. In Region Four, the Alliance Road at Timehri, East Bank Demerara will be constructed at the cost of $24.4M. The contract was awarded to Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. while Chung’s Global Enterprise was awarded $17.5M for the reconstruction of Area ‘J’ Industry Bridge, on the East Coast of Demerara. The bridge at Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara will also be reconstructed by BJ Civil Works at the cost of $18.6M. Harmon disclosed too that a $92.8M contract was

awarded to Builders Hardware, General Supplies and Construction for the construction of the New Amsterdam Magistrates and Commission of Titles’ Living Quarters in Region Six. A and S General Contractors Inc was awarded $28.7M for the supply and delivery of boulders at Broomhall, Mahaicony, Region Five. A total of $14.9M was awarded for the supply, delivery and installation of testing of equipment at the Essequibo Technical Institute under the Ministry of Education.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

President, Opposition Leader to meet today By Svetlana Marshall PRESIDENT David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo are expected to meet today. The meeting comes days after President Granger informed the Opposition Leader that neither he nor his Cabinet will resign, and neither will he set a date for elections without the advice of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). In a letter dated July 20, 2019, the Opposition Leader asked the President to issue a proclamation dissolving the 11th Parliament and fix

a date for the next General and Regional Elections on or before September 18. The opposition leader had also called for the resignation of the President and Cabinet, on the basis that a no-confidence motion was successfully passed against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government. The President responded and clearly outlined his Government’s position to Jagdeo. On Thursday, during a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger said the Opposition Leader’s interpretation

of the Constitution and the rulings and consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) differs from that of the Government. “… but the CCJ was quite clear that it will issue no coercive orders, and it cannot direct the Elections Commission when to hold elections,” President Granger told the press on Thursday. The head of state said he cannot proclaim a date for

elections without the advice of the Elections Commission – such a move, he warned can result in the “Abuja scenario”. Pointing to the West African nation of Nigeria, the President said Guyana should not put itself in a position, in which Nigeria found itself in, when its Elections Commission, informed the Nigerian Government, that it could not conduct elections, on the morning of D-Day

because it was not prepared. “I shall wait on the advice of the Commission,” President Granger made it clear. The President has repeatedly said that he will proclaim a date for elections when the Elections Commission advises him that it is in a state of readiness to facilitate credible, free and fair elections. In the High Court last week, GECOM’s attorney

Stanley Marcus reiterated the Elections Commission’s position that it cannot facilitate credible elections by September 18 as being demanded by the Opposition. He had made similar submissions to the CCJ after it had validated the No-Confidence Motion against the Government – a move that triggered the need for early elections.

Burn victim to be medevaced to US for treatment

SEVEN-year-old Shania Persaud, who was severely burnt, will soon be flown to the United States of America (USA) for treatment. More than 90 per cent of Persaud’s body was burnt while she was trapped in her home in Mon Repos, which went up in flames on August 5, 2019. Persaud miraculously

survived the fire by walking out of the house as it was burning. It was reported that she was covered in flames, but neighbours quickly went to her rescue. The child was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she remains a patient. Further treatment for her is unavailable at the GPHC,

Friday, AUG 9, 2019 - 12:00hrs - 13:30hrs Seven-year-old Shania Persaud

so The Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Foundation and the Rotary Club of Demerara took on the case to assist Persaud with getting treatment for third degree burns which she sustained. SHEA has secured treatment for Persaud at the Shriners Hospital in Galveston, Texas, but she needs to be transported by medical air ambulance. “We are currently working on securing her medical visa and raising funds to cover the cost of her expenses,” said SHEA. President of the Rotary Club of Demerara, Hansraj Singh, said the organisations have managed to raise the

5, 24, 23,12, 20

8 9

2, 3, 7, 10,13

required US$42,000 for the treatment. He said SHEA contributed US$21,000 and the Rotary Club was able to raise the remaining sum over the last two days. “We have wired the funds to the medical organisation to get the evacuation done… the aircraft is on standby… we are waiting for the visa to be prepared by the US embassy,” said Singh in an invited comment on Wednesday. The foundation is unsure how long it will take for Persaud to be treated but they are prepared to stand by her.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Fire destroys Rose Hall house, scorches another

A PENSIONER is now homeless after a fire, which started in her bedroom at around 20:00hrs on Wednesday, destroyed her house. Bhagwantie Peters, who resides at Sabsook Street, Rose Hall Town, said she lit a mosquito coil and walked out of her bedroom in the lower flat of the two-storeyed wooden house to get some water from her neighbour, but by the time she got back, she saw a ball of flame around her bed. She said that on seeing that, she panicked and ran out of the house, while calling for help. She said that neighbours and other residents quickly responded and formed a bucket brigade, but were unable to save the house, since the fire spread quickly and engulfed the entire house, and at one point threatened her neighbour Devica Incha-

nally’s house on the opposite side of the road. Even a car which was

Ms Bhagwantie Peters who lost everything when her house went up in flames on Wednesday night Sunday

parked at the bottom of Peters’s house did not escape the conflagration. The neighbourhood bucket brigade, with the aid of some sand and mud, was however, able to save Inchanally’s house, even though

Trial of accused in murder of ‘Fabulous’ to be continued on August 15 ON Thursday, the three men who were allegedly involved in the America Street murder of money-changer, Shawn Nurse, called “Fabulous”, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Providence Magistrates’ Courts. Kerwin Dos Santos, George Hope, both 24, of Freeman Street La Penitence and Kacey Heyliger, aged 23, of Kitty, are all charged with the murder of Shawn Nurse and are currently on remand. At Thursday’s hearing, the void dire continued and a caution statement was read on behalf of the number one accused, Kerwin Santos. It is alleged that, on February 4, 2018, at America Street Georgetown, Shawn

the heat had begun to break a few windows, and to scorch the front of the house.

Nurse was murdered during the course or furtherance of a robbery. Nurse, 47, of Apartment 33, Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt Georgetown, was shot during a struggle with a gunman who was attempting to relieve him of a large sum of foreign and local currencies. Nurse was plying his trade when he met his demise. Attorneys-at-Law Adrian Thompson and Collette Marks, who are representing the accused, were present at Thursday’s hearing. Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter for August 15, 2019, at 13:30 hours The Trial began in 2018.

Inshanally said she’d been at home all the time, but when she saw the fire at Peter’s house, she ran out to see what was going on, only to be told a short while later, that her house too, was on fire.

The fire while it was raging

“When the fire start over there, I run out the house,” she said. “I run till in front the road, and then someone

Shop-owner sentenced for illegal gun and ammunition PRINCIPAL Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, on Thursday, August 8, 2019, sentenced a thirty-one-yearold shop-owner to serve one year’s imprisonment for possession of unlicensed gun and ammunition. Ricolido Kyte, of Melongie Landing, Cuyuni River and formerly of Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, made his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 2, 2019, and pleaded guilty to the two charges. Particulars of the first charge stated that, on July 30, 2019 at Melongie Landing, Cuyuni River, he had a

12-gauge, single-barrel shotgun in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm license. The second charge also stated that, on the same date, and at the same location, Kyte had two matching cartridges in his possession. Attorney-at-law George Thomas who represented Kyte asked the court that he be given a suspended sentence, due to the purpose for which the defendant had purchased the gun. Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus sentenced Kyte to one year’s imprisonment since he was remorseful for what he had done and did not waste the court’s time.

come tell me my house catch. When I reach back around, dem boys de done break de gate and door down and was

throwing water.” An investigation has been launched into the origin of both fires.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

The Vote: A Precious and Powerful Resource A

S Guyana prepares for another election, the importance of the vote is brought into the spotlight. Parties have begun to vie for the votes; they are doing everything in their power to get voters to commit their votes to them, or to prevent them from committing to their rivals. This is the time when voters matter. In a democratic society, it is the voters who ultimately hold the key to power for the parties. The right to vote is a sacred right; it is a right that was earned through struggle and sacrifice. Although slavery ended in 1838, universal adult suffrage did not materialise until the 1953 election. In the interim, one could have only voted if one owned property. It meant that the vast majority of citizens were legally denied the right to choose who governed them. Consequently, one of the principal demands of the struggle for independence was the right to vote. The central point here is that the vote is a precious and powerful resource that shapes the destiny of a nation. The vote determines who governs, and who governs determines who gets what, when and how. In other words, the vote determines who wields power in a society. Those who occupy the seat of power get to decide on the allocation of common resources. They also get to make the laws which govern the society, and to decide whether those laws

are obeyed. Further, the power holders have the authority to exercise force in the society; it is they who direct the police and the military when and how to act. In the end, those who hold the power that flows from the vote are the temporary custodians of the collective power. But, the power of the governors is the result of a socio-political contract between them and the citizens. The vote is the basis of that contract; citizens trade their votes for the expectation of collective security and welfare. The government is expected to do things for citizens that they cannot do for themselves. The understanding is that if government does not hold its side of the contract by underperforming or overreaching, they can be removed from office via the vote. It is against this background that we urge Guyanese to come to grips with the seriousness of the moment, and to understand the power of their votes. In a society where the government is the largest employer and holds the monopoly on the distribution of resources, the vote takes on added power. This is compounded by the coming Oil-and-Gas economy, which will potentially put an unprecedented amount of resources in the hands of the government. Voters are then faced with the responsibility of deciding which set of potential governors actually get to manage those resources. The first step in the process is registration, whereby po-

tential voters ensure that their names are on the Voters List. Having registered, the next step is to use the vote wisely. In Guyana, given our history of ethnic voting patterns, the importance of voting on policies is downplayed. But even as one is tempted to vote in solidarity with one’s ethnic group, there is still room to consider the policies and visions advanced by the various parties. There are reports that some people are refusing to register because they feel that the political process has not made a difference for them. It is understandable that some citizens have become alienated from the political process for various reasons, and are less inclined to register. This voter apathy is a concern in Guyana and the world at large that must be addressed; it compromises the quality of democracy. A democratic society is premised on the widening of the franchise, not its contraction. But in the final analysis, failure to register is tantamount to surrendering your right to vote and to participate in deciding who governs you. Similarly, if you register but fail to vote, you are allowing others to decide who governs you. So, let us reflect on the importance of the vote as a powerful resource and a source of empowerment. We are on the verge of a defining moment in Guyana’s history that calls for an enlightened attitude to the vote.

Guyana continues to be a positive economic climate Dear Editor,

REFER to the recent interface between Attorney-General Basil Williams; Anil Nandlall of the PPP/C; Ralph Ramkarran of ANUG, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Guyana, AmCHAM, at which there was a very strong presence of the diplomatic corps and business community. Reading the remarks offloaded by both these opposition political wannabees does not spring any surprise of any magnitude, since all the occasion did was gave them another opportunity to regurgitate their distorted line of the government again becoming “illegal’’ after September 18, in the same breath that it would have become illegal after March 30, which was to have been followed by a ‘’constitutional crises”, for which the nation is still awaiting its occurrence. In fact, there were also a predicted economic downturn, and falling away of investments, which has also failed to materialize, compliments of the “only economist” that Guyana could have produced. As an aside, it is amazing that Bharat Jagdeo had commenced his grading exercise of the coalition as from 2015, with a grade result that only reflected his intention to distort and misinform on the government’s performance. However, it is ironic that as he graded, the government’s economic performance grew sustainably for the past four years, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) most recent report. And this body is neutral in its jurisdictional assessments much to the dire disappointment of the Nandlalls, Ramkarrans and Jagdeos. But back to the central issue. True to form, both Nandlall and Ramkarran sought to invoke what can be interpreted as the post – September 18 bogey of social horrors, conjured up in deliberated distorted minds of spin to give comfort to mental political security. Both opposition speakers, attempt-

ed, once again, to impute into the CCJ’s rulings what it were not – specific orders for national and regional elections; even dishonestly making out a case of a national economy and business climate being slowed down because of not adhering to the dictums of the Rule of Law. It was good that the erudite AG, the Honourable Basil Williams, with irrefutable statistics, tore these oft repeated lies and disinformation to pieces. Surely, the ever since dying, bleating sounds of a “suffering economy’’, do not reflect these political naysayers, and political doom and gloom configurators whose lust for political power continue to drive them into the abyss of daily political insanity. Instead, the more the foreboding forecasts by these grudging anti nationals – the more the foreign investors are attracted by the positive glow from the local economy, and jetting in, because of an economic climate that is humming satisfactorily. In fact, it might be a severe shock to these two opposition politicians that there have been joint ventures being contracted between many of these foreign investors and local business counterparts. Unfortunately, both Nandlall and Ramkarran continue to miss a critical feature, deliberately, of events, since the treachery of the NCM. And it is about a government that has followed the rules of due process, and unhesitatingly accepting the CCJ’s decisions, without any public statements that would serve to send mix signals to the country at large. Maybe, there were those who expected a government, falsely accused of being a military administration, of mounting a parliamentary coup d’etat, with the intimidating presence of security forces in the streets, facing off with protestors etcetera. It is the absence of such a scenario that continues to sorely abandon the expectations of Nandlall, Ramkarran and their vested interest friends; for such is never going to be the Granger administration’s mode of constitutional government. Add to this, is the fact of the international community clearly discerning an orderly pattern that will lead to a resolution of the current impasse; as well

as an opposition that is as uncooperative as it is dangerously opportunistic as is so manifest. Thus, one must ask the question, of Nandlall, just how does he see a transition from “constitutional rule’’ to ‘’political rule’’, after September 18, and to further claim that such “will allow for the upsurge in economic and social ills…..affecting businesses across the country”. This is absolute nonsense, reflecting again, the attempt to conjure up an untoward environment as alluded to above, that has failed to materialise. Editor, as a nation now being removed from the degradations of over two decades of horrible governance by the PPP/C, it is ironic that Nandlall could be so mischievous in speaking about the expectant “social ills” after September 18. This nation, is much improved, in 2019, in terms of battling the cancer of corruption; reducing the incidence of narcotics trafficking and clamping down on money laundering activities, thus denuding the economy of dirty money, making it safer for investors to do business, as eloquently outlined by AG Williams. And with effecting programmes for empowerment of the nation’s vulnerable groups, including indigenous peoples, and women; upgrading communities and adding both spiritual and material value to citizens, Guyanese now have a better reason for living and expecting the best, thus reducing the likelihood of those “social ills”. These, and other social interventions by the coalition government, explains why the negatives of Nandlall and Ramkarran will not be realized. Business is good, and getting better, because of a peaceful and orderly social environment, continuously made possible by the coalition administration. Regards Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

CCJ never issued edict on date, timelines and deadlines for election, refer actors to provisions of the Constitution Dear Editor,

N the written Judgement of the Honourable Justices Saunders, Wit, Hayton, Anderson and Rajnauth-Lee delivered on July 12, 2019, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) at item “[6]” expressly states: “Given the passage of the No-Confidence Motion on 21 December, 2018, a general election should have been held in Guyana by 21 March, 2019 unless a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly has resolved to extend that period. The National Assembly is yet to extend the period. The filing of the court proceedings in January challenging the validity of the no-confidence vote effectively placed matters on pause, but this Court rendered its decision on 18 June, 2019. There is no appeal from that judgement.”

On 18 June, 2019, this Court rendered its judgment, in which it reached a number of www.ccj.org As a nation, our stability and peaceful co-existence are largely dependent on avoiding the wrong approach in dealing with critical issues of national import. There has been no “edict” or “order” from the CCJ as to the date an election can be held. In fact, item “[7]” in that ruling says: “It is not, for example, the role of the Court to establish a date on or by which the elections must be held, or to lay down timelines and deadlines that, in principle, are the preserve of the political actors guided by constitutional imperatives. The Court must assume that these bodies and personages will exercise their responsibilities with integrity and in keeping with the unambiguous provisions of the Constitution bearing in mind that the no confidence motion was validly passed as

long ago as 21 December 2018.” We are all entitled to our political bias(es), but misrepresenting or skewing the CCJ’s ruling poses a clear and present threat to us as a nation and people. On this issue, it must matter not to us which side of the ethnic, political or other divide/diversity we consider ourselves to be, but what is the ruling of the CCJ and how we proceed consistent with same. The Rule of Law is supreme, and we must not flinch in holding it sacrosanct. In these trying times, we need each other, and must proceed through this period in a manner that will weld rather than divide us; reduce rather than escalate tensions between and amongst us. Regards, Lincoln Lewis

Kissoon on a mission to sanitise treacherous action of Charrandass Persaud

Dear Editor,

WRITE in response to issues raised in the Freddie Kissoon Column (KN Friday, July 26, 2019) captioned, “Some questions about who is taking bribes”. From reading Kissoon‘s column, it is clear that he is on a mission to sanitise the “treacherous” action of Charrandass Persaud. I will contend that that mission is a futile one. The former AFC member and APNU+AFC parliamentarian voted with the PPPC on the no-confidence motion that brought down the government. It is also obvious that Kissoon’s utterances are not the result of the pursuit of objective analysis. Instead, they are influenced by his long and close friendship with Charrandass; and that relationship is driving his crusade. While giving support to Charrandass, he is, at the same time, using his column to incite his friend and comrade to file lawsuits against Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Barrington Braithwaite. In doing so, Kissoon demonstrates consistency in showing little or no regard for contradicting his own publicly-stated principle, which decries politicians and public officials who resort to lawsuits when their actions invite public scrutiny. Like Kissoon, I don’t have the evidence to substantiate claims that Charrandass took a bribe for his vote. In spite of that fact, I refuse to conclude that he did not. And I expressed this opinion, knowing that in law, there is a convention that one is innocent until proven guilty. I am also aware of the inherent difficulties in the application of this principle, given its evidence-based logic. While this approach is generally accepted as best practice, we do so conscious that one can be exonerated by a court of law, but is still guilty of the

crime. So the fact that the evidence of Charrandass taking a bribe for his vote is not revealed does not mean that the evidence doesn’t exist, and that he is not guilty as charged in the court of public opinion of major sections of the society. I have in the past, and will continue, to publicly defend the right of any politician or political activist to break ranks with their party or government when done in a manner that enhances the political culture. Charrandass’s treacherous action has a negative impact on the political culture, and worsens the political/racial divide in the country. I am not convinced that his action was for noble reasons. My understanding of politics is that it is public business, and the electorate is the final arbitrator on the actions of political actors. And politicians, more so those in parliament, are accountable to the Guyanese people. Therefore, people have the right to know their representative’s position on issues of national importance. Since the Charrandass controversy arose, I am yet to find in the public record anything written or spoken by this gentleman expressing any grievance with the ‘Coalition’ or the government. If Freddie has knowledge of these sources, he should reveal them. I am open to being informed by this new knowledge. Charrandass’ parliamentary record before the no-confidence motion demonstrates that he was a loyal APNU+AFC MP. His speech on the 2019 Budget was consistent with his history of loyalty. He supported and praised the administration by defending its policies and programmes. Notably, he hailed the government’s achievements in Berbice, noting what it has done for the people in that part of the country, to the applause of his fellow APANU+AFC

colleagues in parliament as well as under the watchful eyes of his “handlers” on the opposite side of the House. A few weeks later, on the occasion of the no-confidence motion, he stabbed his colleagues “in the back” by supporting the PPP/C, to the dismay of his colleagues who, in agony, shouted, “No Charrandass!” Thereafter, we saw an about-turn in his rhetoric, demonising the government, accusing it of every conceivable crime under the sun, including destroying Berbice and sugar workers. How pathetic! If Kissoon wants to be taken seriously, he cannot ignore these facts, more so since he indulges in proclaiming his objectivity. It is remiss of him not to write a column that compares and analyses Charrandass Persaud’s budget speech against his rhetoric after the no-confidence vote. Until Freddie does so, his credibility in relation to this controversy will continue to be on the line. I prefer not to cite foreign examples in domestic polemics, but sometimes doing so can prove to be more effective. Most Guyanese have some awareness of the “Brexit crisis” in Britain, with MPs on both side of the House, government and opposition, publicly taking an independent position, separating themselves from their respective parties. And in Parliament, they vote as they see fit. This political controversy is currently in the public domain. If Charrandass acted as the British MPs (or had put in the public record one serious disagreement with the government prior to his action), I would have defended his right to vote as he did, while disagreeing with his judgement. In closing, Charrandass’ treacherous action, voting with the PPPC to bring down the APNU+AFC government opened him justifiably to

the accusations of taking a bribe and conspiring with the PPPC. Only the politically naive would rule out that in contemplating his action, the former MP did not consider the finan-

cial and material rewards inherent in his move, and sought to have such incentives adequately addressed by his handlers. Editor, Kissoon is well placed to inform the nation on the

source or sources paying the bills for his “hero”, or whether Charrandass Persaud is financially endowed to do so himself. Regards, Tacuma Ogunseye

Diaspora happy about ‘Reds’ recognition by CWI Dear Editor,

T long last, Joseph “Reds” Perreira, the man who did a tremendous job in broadcasting for Guyana and the Caribbean, will be honoured by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on September 3, the third day of the second Test match between India and the West Indies in Jamaica. Congratulatory messages are pouring in to the 80-year-old legend at his Castries home in St. Lucia. Notes are from former West Indies Vice-Captain, Deryck Murray; speedster Michael Holding; diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders; Guyanese Dave Martins; Desmond Roberts; and dozens of others. Like me, “Reds” came from humble beginnings, and he rose to the top in cricket broadcasting; from the hinterland of the Pomeroon to Lords cricket ground in London, the cricket headquarters of the world. He made his broadcasting debut at Bourda, in Georgetown, in 1971, and after then he never looked back, after overcoming his speech impediment. The Diaspora, especially the cricket lovers, are very pleased that CWI (formerly the West Indies Cricket Board) has seen it fit to recognise a man who has made significant contribution to the summer game. “Reds” was born in Pomeroon on the Essequibo Coast, and moved to Georgetown when he was six. He had a serious problem, because of his inability to speak fluently and confidently, but with training and determination to move to the top, he made it, rubbing shoulders with world-renowned commentators like John Arlott, Freddie Trueman, Brian Johnson, Richie Benaud, Alan Mc Gilvary, and his mentor, Tony Cozier. “Reds” covered 147 test matches, and broadcast between 300 and 400 other matches, including ODIs and first-class games. He reported from all the cricketing nations of the world except Bangladesh. He covered the 1975 Prudential World Cup, and the controversial Kerry Packer series and games in South Africa during the apartheid days. He wrote a book on his work, “Living my Dreams”. I first met “Reds” in January 1966, the date my mother passed away. He went to Berbice with Derek Whitehead of the National Sports Council to launch the Berbice Sports Council. I became closely associated with him in 1968 when he joined GBS Action Radio as a sports commentator, while I served there as a reporter in the newsroom with Cecil Griffith. “Reds” was a “go getter”, and that was responsible for his tremendous success, despite his limitation. He can be described as an all-rounder, because he was a football and rugby coach, as well as a broadcaster. He even commentated on athletics, cycling, boxing and other sports. He was a man of tremendous initiative. I recall he was sent to Port-of-Spain to cover a world championship boxing match between Mohamed Ali and George Foreman, but “Reds” apparently could not get entry to the ringside to cover the match. He went to his hotel room and reported, blow-by-blow, from the television to GBS Radio, which was broadcast live on radio from Lodge, in Greater Georgetown. There was no television in Guyana in those days, and the listeners did not have a clue that “Reds” was not reporting from the ringside. He did a tremendous job as Sports Organiser for the OECS, coordinating endless sporting events in the sub-region and elsewhere. He was excellent at getting sponsorship, and with his popularity, he was able to secure voluntary services from numerous coaches to conduct seminars and workshops. I hosted a few of his coaches while I was working in the Caribbean islands. Cricket was “Reds” favourite, and it was from his broadcasting he made his name. Thanks to Tony Cozier, who assisted him throughout his career which started at Bourda in Georgetown in 1971 in the test match West Indies against India, “Reds” rose to the top as a cricket broadcaster, but it was not easy; he had to make tremendous sacrifice in the early days to travel from country to country, because he had to bear the expenses because he was not in the original panels, but after he became a renowned commentator, it was smooth sailing. “Reds” is a man to be admired; the young people should emulate his determination. Regards, Oscar Ramjeet

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Immigrants will have no influence on elections –President Granger THE presence of foreign nationals in Guyana will have no influence over general elections in Guyana. This is according to President David Granger, who noted on Thursday that, “there is no credibility” in the claims of the opposition that the foreigners will have an impact on the elections. While addressing members of the media during a press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, the Head of State noted that Minister of Citizenship , Winston Felix, has made it clear that based on the analysis made , that Haitians are not interested in staying here, and that they want to go to a third country. “These are all allegations and

as far as we concerned we want to protect the sovereignty and integrity of Guyana,” the President said. As he elaborated on the issue, he said that Guyana does not wish to be used as a “conduit for illegal migration”, adding that there are thousands of Venezuelan migrants in the country and government is concerned about issue. He said the authorities know of the influx of Cubans but as he questioned the motive of the Opposition, he said, “suddenly there seem to be a great concern about the influx of Haitians.” “My understanding is that they are not going to be involved in influencing the elections in Guyana, nor will

President David Granger

the Cubans, nor will the Venezuelans,” the President said. On Monday, Minister Felix, in an interview with the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Service Department, 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, “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.

Several Haitian nationals told the Guyana Chronicle that they felt victimised following the publication of the articles by the private newspapers. They also called on the Guyana Times to issue a public apology for tying citizens of the French-speaking CARICOM nation, to diseases. Guyana has seen an influx of Venezuelans in recent months as the economic situation in the Bolivarian Republic continues to reach lower levels. Guyana hosted 36,400 Venezuelans as of February this year, a USAID (United States Agency for International Development) report stated in April. Nationals of the neighbouring country continue to travel to these shores, in search of greener pastures.

West Point-trained officer prepared to lead

COMMANDER-in-Chief, President David Granger, presented Lieutenant (Lt) Britany Van Lange with her instrument of commission on June 27, cementing her status as an officer of the Guyana Defence Force. Trained at the United States Military Academy (West Point), Lt Van Lange began her military career as an officer cadet on the Guyana Defence Force Standard Officer Course 48 (SOC 48). The young officer credits her short but relevant GDF officer cadet training with preparing her for BEAST, a boot-camp type of orientation to the US military. “I had enlisted to be trained as an officer of the GDF. Although the time spent training locally was short, it was sufficient to give an appreciable grounding in

things military,” she said. She added: “I am happy to be back in Guyana where this all started for me, though I must say that I have entered a somewhat steep learning curve. Even though the US training environment and military traditions are quite different from what obtains here in Guyana, this is where I have to make my training count, and I am certain that excellence will continue to be the goal I pursue.” The West Point graduate earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in engineering psychology and a minor in Eurasian studies. However, her path to this academic achievement began at the ABC Academy, Mae’s Schools and the Nations Secondary School. She then proceeded to The Bishops’ High School where

President David Granger presents Lt Van Lange with her instrument of commission

she successfully completed 12 CSEC subjects then matriculated at Queens College where she earned passes in four CAPE subjects.

An accomplished swimmer on the local and international scene, Lt Van Lange explained that, while she was studying at West Point, she

opted to broaden her athletic exposure by pursuing other sporting disciplines such as soccer, hockey, rugby, and even managing a Division

One academy football team. The academy has a heavy focus on leadership training, and, in this regard, I believed that this was important for my all-round development,” she said. “My military career is only now beginning and it is difficult to say at this point how I would see it progressing. I have so much to learn. Maybe, in a year from now, when I have become fully acclimatised to the GDF, its role and my role as an officer, I might find my niche. For now, I plan on continuing to learn and adapt, and, in that process, to demonstrate my capabilities for being the leader I have been trained to be,” Lt Van Lange offers.

$20M extension of water supply services in Reg. 5 THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is currently carrying out a $20M extension of its potable water distribution network in Region Five, Mahaica-Berbice. Regional Manager for GWI in Region Five, Keine Read, disclosed that eight communities and a total of over 700 residents in the region will benefit from a direct supply of water for the first time when the project is completed. The beneficiaries are residents of unserved areas in Farm and Catherine

villages in sub-region 1 (Mahaica/ Abary). While the other residents are from the unserved areas in Number Eight, Rosignol (Murphy Dam) Profitt, Phoenix, Kingelly and Ithaca villages in sub-region 2 (Abary/Berbice). Some persons had established homes in these areas after the main distribution network had already been established. “There are new streets in communities where residents do not have direct access because the system had been installed before they took up residence.

The programme is addressing this to reduce the inconvenience of not having direct access to the already established distribution system,” the regional manager explained. He disclosed that these additional elements of the distribution system are about 80 per cent complete and the extensions should be finished in early September. “We expect that this will make life a lot easier for the people in these areas once the work is finalised,” he said. (DPI)

Installation of pipes, work in progress at Phoenix Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Plan being crafted to tackle crime, violence, drugs in school By Tamika Garnett SOME 50 stakeholders on Thursday met to craft an action plan to tackle crime and violence in primary schools and drug demand at the secondary level. The two-day forum titled ‘National Consultation to Agree on a Crime and Violence Prevention and Miti-

gation’ is being held at Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown. The consultation is a follow up of assessments on research surveys done earlier this year at a number of primary and secondary schools across Guyana. The programme is being funded by the European

Union (EU) as a component of the 10th European Development Fund Crime and Violence Prevention and Social Development Project, and is fifth consultation held across five Caribbean countries. Consultations were also held in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Suriname.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan (left) alongside CARICOM Secretariat Crime and Security Programme Manager, Sherwin Stephenson at the head-table (Delano Williams photo)

It was decided that focus be placed on primary schools after the need was indicated following the end of a pilot project to reduce youth-onyouth violence, particularly in secondary schools across the five CARICOM member

ventions to address crime and violence in primary and secondary schools and the related communities they are in.” The assessment of the schools were carried out during February-March 2019 and targeted primary schools

SERIOUS CONCERN Over the years, research has concluded that crime and violence in Latin America and the Caribbean have increased continuously over the past two decades, threatening the security and welfare and development of the countries. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that in 2007, Latin America and the Caribbean had the highest murder rate in the world. In Guyana, crime, violence and drug use in schools have been gaining increasing attention over the past few years. In January of this year, the suicide of a female private school student was linked to an organised ring engaged in trafficking of the date-rape drug, ecstasy. The student is said to have killed herself after the drug was found in her bag. The ring was uncovered by ‘D’

A section of participants at the two-day “National Consultation to Agree On a Crime and Violence Prevention and Mitigation Training at Duke Lodge (Delano Williams photo)

states. “Reports indicate that Latin America and the Caribbean have literally reached epidemic proportions as it relates to gangs and organised crimes and the profit behind it. All of these indicate that the high rise of crime has direct effects on human welfare, and economic growth and development,” said Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, who delivered remarks at the opening of the forum on Thursday. “The objective of this broader activity under which the assessments fall is to build a capacity of schools teachers, counsellors, administrators and community leaders, for, what is called and is greatly being recognised as the way to go, evidence-based inter-

from several areas across the country, while the secondary schools were mainly from the Georgetown area. A rapid assessment of risks, threats and protective factors was done in primary schools, while drug demand reduction was done in the secondary schools across five CARICOM member states. “The primary schools included schools from Essequibo, East Coast, New Amsterdam, Linden and Georgetown and we had a number of primary school students surveyed, it came up to just over 400 students. In relation to the drug demand reduction survey, secondary schools surveyed were from the Georgetown area,” Ramjattan explained.

Division police in February. Since last year, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit registered its worry over the trend of ecstasy being sold to students at a number of secondary schools across Regions Three and Four. Violence in schools has also increased in attention. In Berbice, last year, there were two separate reported incidents of teachers being assaulted by students at the Number Eight Secondary School on the West Coast of Berbice. Also in Berbice earlier this year, a principal was assaulted by a student at a New Amsterdam school. In March, a shocking video surfaced of a New Amsterdam Technical TURN TO PAGE 11 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Gov’t looking at options to fix GFC financial woes …mulls tapping into GRIF fund, possible sale of High Street building NATURAL Resources Minister Raphael Trotman is expected to meet Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, to examine short and medium solutions to the financial challenges plaguing the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). Tapping into the Norwegian Fund and the possible sale of the High Street (former Radio Station) building are among the options being considered in the interim. The Forestry Commission is responsible for the administration and management of all State Forest land, however, it has fallen on hard times, and now finds it difficult to pay its staff, and execute certain functions. Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, on Wednesday, disclosed that after being briefed by Minister Trotman on the cash flow problems facing the Forestry Commission, Cabinet agreed that the Natural Resources and Finance Minister should meet to chart a way forward. “Cabinet agreed that the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Finance will engage to examine short and medium-term remedies for addressing this

issue. A report will be submitted to Cabinet following the ministerial engagement,” the director-general told reporters, during a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency. He explained that while the Forestry Commission continues to play a critical role in the preservation of the country’s forestry resources, it been experiencing financial difficulties for several years now. It was that the financial investment of $600M into the High Street Building has had a negative impact on the Forestry Commission’s finances, and had restricted its operations in some cases. The Forestry Commission had made investment under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) but the building remains a white elephant in a very derelict state. The commission is now analysing the possibility of selling that property. Added to that, given the significant role the Forestry Commission plays in preserving the country’s forest resources, government is assessing the possibility of tapping into available funds under the Guyana/Norway agreement, for the Forestry Commission.

“We are reviewing some of the arrangements under the agreement to see whether the Forestry Commission can be paid for the service which they provide – ensuring that our forest coverage remains as it is and that deforestation levels do not rise. This has made us one of the best countries in the world with respect to deforestation,” the director-general explained. On Monday, the natural resources minister met with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the sole bargaining agent of the workers at the Forestry Commission, and the Board of Directors and Management of the commission. During the meeting, the authorities discussed the Forestry Commission’s current financial situation, and GAWU was keen on pointing out that there have been regular delays in the payment of salaries and other benefits. While noting that the commission has been charged with additional responsibilities, GAWU told the minister that based on observation, it has not been receiving any additional resources to meet its new obligations. The GAWU

Plan being crafted ...

FROM PAGE

Institute student beating three other students with his fist and a belt. Over the years, there have also been reports of teachers and students being assaulted by other students. BROKEN JAW Last year February, in Essequibo, a student had to undergo emergency surgery for a broken jaw sustained during a fight with another student. “For a while now it has been recognised that crime and violence is a development issue. The analysis implies that policies to reduce crime should focus on improving economic condition, providing opportunities for young people, especially males, and improving trust in law enforcement,” Ramjattan noted. He added, “It is clear that the multidimensional nature and impact of drug use on the economy, on families, on health and wellbeing, on safety and security of the citizens necessitate the

engagement of a number of sectors. That’s why we’re here, health, education, justice and social welfare, to address problems associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol in schools.” Ramjattan noted that it is most laudable that the programme sees policies being crafted founded on evidence-based analysis, and not just assumptions. “Research surveys are imperative in that evidence-based policy making can help government chart their way to a sustained growth path, coherent policies, and more effective policies that can lead to regulations that allow government to take account of pertinent information for more informed decision,” the minister said. “This is a real huge development in my opinion and it is going to go a far way in prevention. Crime and violence prevention training opportunities will also be made available to parents, community leaders and oth-

er persons, and institutions working with in-school and out-of-school students to help in mentoring and facilitating development of positive social norms and values in these vulnerable communities.” Among the initiatives expected to come out of the programme is a “Champions for Change” club initiative. “The incorporation of ‘Champions for Change’ clubs and after school programmes will engage our target population in positive and rewarding activities and concurrently increase the social capital of participants. It is anticipated that a cadre of teacher, counsellors and community leaders from each target member country, will all be trained in developing a scheme of activities, planning and running the scheme of activities, problem solving and the management of resources related to the establishment of these clubs,” Ramjattan explained.

The Guyana Forestry Commission

also shared concern regarding the $600M invested in the High Street building as well as other debts,

some of which are owed for protracted periods to the commission. Nonetheless, it said that according to the

Forestry Act, any shortfall in the Commission’s expenditure should be charged to the Consolidated Fund.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

PM rebukes Gunraj for ‘disrespectful, irresponsible’ statement PRIME Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, has lambasted People’s Progressive Party (PPP) –appointed Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Sase Gunraj, for his remarks following a meeting between President David Granger and GECOM on Thursday. Gunraj was reported in the media subsequent to the meeting, saying, “It’s a colossal waste of my time this

morning and I think it’s a collective waste of the commission’s time this morning.” “Nothing that was new, no new positions to be given, no new discussions, etc… this meeting is premature… because we are awaiting a decision from the court in relation to the conduct of the house-to-house exercise as well as we’re awaiting a full meeting of the commission so I reiterate, this is just a waste of time,” said Gunraj.

Commissioner of GECOM, Sase Gunraj

According to a press statement from the Office of

the Prime Minister, Gunraj is also reported to have commented that, “what we were subject to is the regular nonsense from the executive”. In response to Gunraj’s comments, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that Gunraj was “rude and disrespectful to the executive.” “Even if it was the first formal meeting between His Excellency, President David Granger and the new Chairman, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, it Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

was indecent of the opposition-appointed commissioner to consider such a meeting “a waste of time” as Gunraj is reported to have said,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo. Prime Minister Nagamootoo added that President Granger exercised his prerogative to have consultation with the new GECOM Chairman and the commissioners, he cannot see how the consultative process can be a deemed “a waste of time.” “If the President hadn’t done so they would sing a different tune that he had ignored GECOM,” the prime minister reasoned. “For someone who holds a constitutional office as a member of the elections commission

it is unbecoming and infantile behaviour that meeting with the new chairman shows that the President is paying due respect for the independent authority of the commission. This meeting provided an opportunity for the commission to advise the president if they were in a position to do so,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained. “This is typical. PPP seems to be stuck in its irresponsible and contentious behaviour in the face of the initiative by the executive to keep the door of engagement and dialogue open, and even by holding out an olive branch,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo asserted.

Duo freed from firearm possession charge

Jason Augustine, left, and Kevin Bobb-Semple

TWO men were on, Thursday, August 08, 2019, freed from a firearm possession charge by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus due to insufficient. Jason Augustine, 29, and 25-year-old Kevin BobbSemple were on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the indictment which read that on October 12, 2018, at Croal Street, they had in their possession a black-and-silver 9mm pistol, which they were not licensed to carry. According to reports, Bobb-Semple was at the wheel of the vehicle, PNN5156, and Augustine riding ‘shotgun’ when Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks intercepted it ( the car ) and found the weapon on the back seat.

The Magistrate on Thursday ruled that, based on the evidence presented to her, the vehicle in which the gun was found was not registered to the two defendants but belonged to their employer. However, the Magistrate noted that two theories could have been established and those were that the firearm was left in the motor car by the previous user or that it belonged to the two defendants. However, no evidence was presented by the prosecutor to prove either of the theories and the Magistrate dismissed the matter against the duo. “Gentlemen do not come back to court” the Magistrate warned the men as she dismissed the charge against them.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Warrant issued for hotel proprietor A WARRANT for the arrest of the proprietor of Diamond Hotel and Bar was, on Thursday, August 08, 2019, issued by the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, after he failed to appear in court for his report date, in relation to his alleged trafficking of two Venezuelan women for sexual exploitation. Freeman Fordyce, 41, of Collingswood Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara is currently indicted for trafficking the two Venezuelan women at Club Diamond, George Street, Werken-Rust, between September 30, 2018, and November 30, 2018. Fordyce made his first court appearance in April 2019 and was remanded to prison since the Chief Magistrate had to issue a summons for him to attend court. The businessman, while out on station bail had to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, weekly while the matter was being investigated. However, he was not reporting to the police and had fled to Suriname. After being refused bail on several occasions, Fordyce moved to the High Court and was released on bail. On Thursday, Fordyce was scheduled to report to

Freeman Fordyce

court but failed to make his appearance causing the Chief Magistrate to issue a warrant for his arrest. The matter was adjourned until September 5, 2019. A few months ago, a video was circulated which showed one of the women jumping over a gate while being supported by her friends to gain access to the night club. Thereafter, ranks from the police force acted on information and went to the Club where they found a significant number of women who were all arrested and taken into custody. Fordyce was previously charged for assaulting a police officer who was attempting to arrest him. He was also given a two-year suspended sentence after he was found guilty of having an illegal pistol and ammunition in his possession.

Businessman charged with possession of drugs freed A 26-year-old Alberttown businessman who was on trial for having ecstasy in his possession was, on Thursday, August 08, 2019, freed from the charge by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, due to insufficient evidence. Darrel John, was on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for selling the date-rape drug, ecstasy, to an under-aged boy and being in possession of drugs. Particulars of the first charge stated that John, between December 1, 2017, and January 31, 2018, at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, sold ecstasy to an under-aged child. It is also alleged that, on February 12, 2018, at Lot 141 Alberttown, John had two grams of ecstasy in his possession. On Thursday, Magistrate Daly, dismissed the possession charge against John due to insufficient evidence. However, the charge against John for selling narcotics to a

Darrel John (Stabroek News Photo )

minor is still ongoing. John is represented by attorney-at-law George Thomas. The state is represented by Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) prosecutor Narissa Leander. According to reports, the child was held with the drug and when the matter was reported, a raid was conducted at John’s home and ecstasy was found in his bedroom.

Essequibo businessman lauds work of police

PROPRIETOR of Extreme Tech, Antonio Singh, has praised detectives attached to G Division for promptly apprehending two suspects who are allegedly linked to a burglary committed on his business. Singh related that, between July 12 and 13, robbers stole in excess of $3 million in cellphones and cell phone accessories from his business. He said no one was arrested; however, he had to provide his customers with new phones to keep his business going. Cops in Essequibo, in two separate cordon searches,

arrested two suspects who are presently in custody. They

According to a release, sometime between 15:01 and

The business located at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast

were allegedly involved in a burglary at the cellphone stall in Anna Regina Market.

15:50 hours Tuesday last and 05:00 hours and 05:30 hours on Wednesday, a party of po-

licemen conducted a search at the home of a 26-year-old man of Bush Lot, Region Two. During the search, eight cell phones, four phone chargers, one phone battery, one earpiece and a Rone Drone was found. Four of the phones were identified by Antonio Singh. At another search conducted at a home in Richmond Housing Scheme, one Samsung Galaxy S10 plus was found in the possession of a 21-year-old occupant. The two suspects are scheduled for court tomorrow.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Jagdeo complains about attempts to hack into his email accounts PERSONS unknown have allegedly been trying to hack into the email accounts of Opposition Lead-

er, Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo noted in a statement on Thursday at his weekly press conference, that

the attempts have been made over the past three days. Members of the public have suggested that the hackers

may be tied to a US lobbying firm the party hired back in March for a brief period. “There have been several

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo saunters outside of Capitol Hill, Washington, DC for the promised meeting by the lobby firm with US Congressmen

attempts to hack my email over the past three days, several attempts and I have been notified several times by Google,” he said. He said too that persons have been trying to create fake accounts of Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) officials. In March this year, the PPP hired a US-based lobbying firm to run its elections campaign. That company -– Mercury Public Affairs – was under federal probe as prosecutors interviewed several witnesses about the flow of foreign money to the firm and two others. Mercury was one of the groups that were re-

cruited by Paul Manafort seven years ago, to help improve the image of the Russia-aligned president of Ukraine, the New York Times reported recently. The PPP on March 5, 2019, signed a contract with Mercury Public Affairs. According to the contract, which was seen by this newspaper, the firm was expected to provide strategic consulting and management services specific to issues facing the party in areas of government relations and issues management.

Duo sentenced and fined for drug possession TWO men were on, Thursday, August 08, 2019, sentenced to three and a half years behind bars and fined $11.7M each, while their co-accused was freed from a cocaine trafficking charge. Aundre Singh, 57; Clifford Gouveia, 66, and O’Neil Charan, 39 were on trial before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The charge stated that on October 3, 2018, at the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of the Kitty seawall, between Pere Street and Queen Street, the men had 5.582 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. After months of being on trial, Singh and Gouveia were found guilty of the charge and were each sentenced to three and a half years behind bars and fined $11.7M each. Meanwhile, co-accused Charan was freed from the charge due to insufficient evidence.

Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva, represented Gouveia. In his plea of mitigation the attorney asked the court to impose the minimum penalty onto his client since he was a diabetic and was also suffering from hypertension. Attorney-at-law George Thomas, who represented Singh, told the court that his client was suffering from a medical condition which required constant visits to the hospital. Custom Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Narissa Leander, asked the court for the maximum sentence to be imposed on the defendants citing the nature of the offence and the quantity of the drugs found. Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in handing down the sentence took into consideration the effect the drugs have on users and the impact on society, and the fact that the men had full control and knowledge of the illegal substance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Gov’t prepared to mount legal challenge to ensure credible polls AHEAD of the August 14 High Court decision on the legality of the ongoing Houseto-House Registration, President David Granger said his government is prepared to accept any decision that would result in credible, free, and fair elections. “As Leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform, as Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity, and as President of Guyana, we are interested in credible elections, and this has been said repeatedly, and that is what we are aiming at. So we will accept any formula, any rule or any decision which satisfies the requirements for credible elections,” President Granger told journalists. At the time, the Head of State was responding to a question during a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. He met with the press shortly after his meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Though not explicitly stating that the government will challenge the High Court’s decision if it rules that the national registration exercise should be halted, the President said his government will take legal actions to ensure credible elections are held. “We are ready to pursue any legal action that we feel would lead to a favourable outcome to have credible elections in Guyana. Our concern is with credible elections, and we have said over and over again that if the list is flawed it must be corrected,” President Granger said. He noted that it is for the Elections Commission to decide how it will correct that list.

President David Granger addressing journalists at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

President Granger, in endorsing GECOM’s decision to embark on Houseto-House Registration, has long said that the now expired List of Electors is bloated with the names of approximately 200,000 persons who are either dead or not resident in Guyana. In the High Court, where government, through Attorney-General Basil Williams, is named as a respondent in the challenge to House-to-House Registration, it has been argued that the national registration exercise is necessary to facilitate credible elections at

this stage. Earlier this week, as arguments wrapped up in the case brought by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, the Attorney-General pleaded with the High Court to allow the Elections Commission to complete Houseto-House Registration before General and Regional Elections are held, noting that the Commission needs “couple more weeks” to conclude the exercise. . Approximately 150,000 persons have been registered since the national exercise commenced on July 20. It is expected to end on October 20, 2019. The Attorney-General told the High Court that the results desired from House-to-House Registration cannot be produced by simply doing Claims and Objections as requested by the Opposition. In fact, he said, were GECOM to abandon the exercise and resort to Claims and Objections, it would be a herculean task to respond to every claim and every objection within a period of two weeks. “If someone makes a claim or an objection, there has to be a hearing. So how are you going to adopt if we start with 20,000 or 50,000 objections, within two weeks,” the Attorney- General reasoned. In support of his argument, the Attorney-General took the court through the

many changes the National Registration Act underwent to pave the way for the conduct of House-to-House Registration – a process, he argued, is mandatory every 10 years by a decision of the Elections Commission. He said it was on that basis that the Elections Commission, in 2018, took a decision to conduct House-to-House Registration in 2019. In addition to challenging the exercise, the Opposition, through Ram, asked the High Court to issue an order compelling GECOM to conduct elections on or before September 18, but Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, in representing the Attorney-General, argued that the applicant is asking the High Court to issue an order that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) did not grant when it ruled on the No-Confidence Motion. The CCJ, he reminded, had indicated that it cannot issue coercive orders or detailed directives instructing the President, the National Assembly and implicitly GECOM, how it should act. According to the CCJ, Guyana’s Constitution stipulates that only the President, the National Assembly and by extension GECOM can dictate the precise timing of the elections. Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire will hand down her decision in the matter on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Don’t be alarmed! -Army urges residents of Upper-Berbice River to stay calm during Exercise Green Heart

RESIDENTS, who reside in communities along the Upper-Berbice River, were asked to remain calm and not be alarmed by the increased presence of uniformed soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), in the area. According to a press statement from the Department of Public Information (DPI), GDF is engaged in “Exercise Green Heart” in the areas between the Mara Settlement and the Tacama Waterfront. The aim of this exercise is to train the force in Close-Country Operations.

“As such, there is no need for alarm or panic due to the increased presence and passage of uniformed ranks throughout the communities, farms and along the river,” said DPI. Additionally, during the exercise, the GDF will be conducting medical outreach programmes for riverain communities between Mara Settlement and Tacama waterfront from August 10 to August 12. Exercise Green Heart commenced on Monday, August 5, and will conclude on Friday, August 16, 2019. The

On the go! GDF ranks undergoing their training

exercise is like any other annual Force Tactical Exercise,

which is intended to assess and test the preparedness of

troops to conduct operations in the jungle, and, at the same

time, identify deficiencies which could be corrected to ensure full competency in the environment. President David Granger had said his government has set about re-tooling the GDF since assuming office, as the force had suffered from years of organisational and other neglect. Since 2015, there have been a plethora of changes in the GDF, including improvements to the Basic Recruitment Course. Officers are now being trained in equitation to enable them to conduct horseback patrols.

Eyecare services envisioned for each region

THE Mahdia Regional Hospital is expected to have an established eyecare facility as the Public Health Ministry aims to expand the service beyond one region. The plan is to place optometrists at all district hospitals and regional hospitals by 2020. According to the Director of Regional and Clinical Services of the Public Health Ministry, Dr. Kay Shako, this is being done to ensure that a wide range of specialised services is available to all Guyanese. She made this disclosure as she accompanied Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, to a community meeting in Princeville, Region Eight. Dr. Shako explained that while ophthalmologists work in Guyana, they are a rare specialty. However, as there are more qualified optom-

we would have examined every region, so the optometrists are the medical eye specialists so to speak. They examine the eye, determine the diseases and they can order treatment for you. This will work in the primary health care setting,” the director said.

Dr. Shako informed the Region Eight residents that optometrists have already been placed at some hospitals. She assured that specialised services at the hospitals in their region will soon be a reality. “Optometrists were placed in some of our hospi-

Regional Health Officer of Potaro-Siparuni, Region 8, Dr. Chrissundra Abdool

etrists in the country, they can be deployed to various regions. An ophthalmologist is a doctor who treats disorders and diseases of the eye. The optometrist, however, is an eyecare specialist who examines eyes for both vision and health deficiency. “The new direction now is to have an optometrist…

An eyecare specialist from the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana advises a resident of Waipa, Region Eight during a medical outreach (DPI photo)

tals already, so we will get it done between the last quarter of this year, or next year you are going to be having an optometrist here in Region Eight.” Region Eight’s Regional Health Officer, Dr. Chrissundra Abdool said persons who required specialised services (eyecare, dental) are those who mostly reside in far-flung communities. She pledged to work closely with the Public Health Ministry to have these services established. “We have other basic services available, but here in Region Eight, eyecare services are needed… we need to focus on those persons in the far-flung communities; they are the persons who need our help the most. So, my vision is to ensure we get there by setting up services, one at a time.” Even as the ministry

works to bridge the gap in health care by establishing these services, specialised outreach teams are deployed to communities that are not easily accessed. This is done to ensure that the persons living in these areas benefit from quality health care. The specialist doctors who are on these teams make timely diagnoses, in most cases, saving lives. For this year, specialists have been deployed to Waipa and Karisparu in Region Eight where approximately 500 residents were able to access the specialised services brought to them. The services included dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology and general medicine. (DPI)

‘Grossly indisciplined’ town clerk sent on leave ACTING Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe, has been sent on administrative leave by the Local Government Commission for failure to carry out a “very simple instruction”. Harry could not be reached for comment on Thursday, but the Guyana Chronicle understands that Deputy Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, is now serving in the position since the decision was taken last Tuesday. Commissioner Norman Whittaker told this publication that Harry had to be written to twice by Chairman Mortimer Mingo about a matter that she failed to respond to.

According to him, a unanimous decision was taken at the commission’s most recent statutory meeting, after Harry-Munroe refused to carry out a very simple instruction. The chairman wrote to her asking that she explain her refusal to respond, and Harry-Munroe reportedly did not respond. The second letter from the chairman asked her to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against her. According to Whittaker, the commission found Harry-Munroe guilty of “gross” indiscipline and subsequently took its decision. Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj

Narine, was informed by letter on Tuesday of the commission’s decision, and a source at City Hall said the decision was implemented almost immediately. The mayor and Harry-Munroe did not get along very well, as the former often complained about being slighted by the latter. In fact, just recently, Narine called off a statutory meeting of the council because he said Harry-Munroe failed to send the agenda to him first. In a letter to Harry about the issue, Narine said he was frustrated and disappointed that the agenda was printed before he could see it. “It

seems as though you are taking my words for granted and I am very much displeased about the way you’re acting towards your responsibility. Please madam, do get your act together and let us carry out the business of this council in the way it should be done,” the mayor wrote. While Harry attempted to explain that there was an issue with the printing machine, Narine said he would not accept this explanation. “You cannot find excuses all the time. I will not tolerate that. If you’re finding excuse for those things, you’re incompetent. We must not throw blame on the equipment.”

Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore had said Harry’s actions were disrespectful. “The tail can’t wag the dog; the dog

Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe

must wag the tail. This matter was deliberated earlier and I think the mayor spared the town clerk any embarrassment at the time. To continue to not allow the mayor his authority or his prerogative to do what he is supposed to do as chairman is disrespectful.” Meanwhile, substantive Town Clerk, Royston King, was fired from his post last January following a report emanating from the commission of inquiry into the operations of City Hall. The inquiry was conducted during the period September 24, 2018 and November 2, 2018.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

Essequibo bus drivers sensitised on code of conduct ESSEQUIBO Coast minibus operators were educated about the Minibus Code of Conduct, by senior traffic officers from ‘G’ Division. The Code of Conduct for minibus operators and other personnel was launched in February, 2019; published and disseminated within the public. According to information from the Guyana Police Force, officers attended a meeting which was organised by president of the Minibus and Hire Car Association, Mohamed Nazmul. The meeting was held at the Anna Regina Car Park, Essequibo Coast on Wednesday. The aim of the meeting

was to educate drivers on the code of conduct and more so their responsibility as drivers. Apart from discussing the code of conduct in-depth, the new fare structure was also handed out to the drivers. In attendance were 40 drivers from the community. The Minibus Code of Conduct addresses the operators’ mode of dress, language and behaviour. This means that operators are not allowed to wear inappropriate clothing, expose themselves, use indecent language and treat passengers in a hostile manner. The document mandated operators to wear a uniform, along with an identification badge, which should include

Essequibo drivers welcome new fare structures

Drivers flock the bus shed to get registered

A driver after being registered

By Indrawattie Natram SOME 50 drivers are currently registered with the Essequibo Mini Bus and Hire Car Association as they welcome the new move by the Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar, to introduce a new fare structure. On Wednesday, the drivers flocked around the bus shed at the Anna Regina Car Park to get registered. They paid a fee of $500

to become a member of the association and an additional $100 for a copy of the fare. Only fares issued by the association and bear a stamp along with the signature of the secretary and chairman will be valid, secretary of the association, Naith Ram said. He said when members are registered, then an election will be held when new members will be elected. Asked what are some of the benefits of being registered with the association, Naith Ram said complaints by drivers are easily followed up. He said only recently the association met with the new commander of ‘G’ Division, Cristal Robinson and several issues concerning traffic officers and drivers were raised. He said the commander assured him that whatever are the member’s concerns, they will be addressed. Chairman of the association, Nazemul Mohammed, also called on drivers to get registered and to contact him if they are having issues on the roads. Drivers and commuters commended Minister Rajkumar for putting a fare structure in place for drivers to follow.

Minibus operators engaging officers of the police force on Wednesday

their names. They are also expected to help the elderly, if needed, and not force them to hurry to be seated. Minibus operators are also required to treat foreigners, who speak different languages, in a respectable and hospitable manner. The code of conduct also states that persons, who belong to vulnerable groups such as children and the differently-able, should be treated with care.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

One week to CARIFESTA XIV! I

n exactly one week, the best of Caribbean Culture and Arts will be on show in Trinidad and Tobago as the 14th edition of the biennial Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) is hosted from August 16 to 25. A Guyanese contingent of 100 dancers, writers, actors, singers and musicians intend on taking the Twin Island Republic by storm. In fact, of the Caribbean countries that will be participating in the 10-day festival, the Guyanese team is intent to making everyone want to visit Guyana and experience the rich, diverse culture in this country. As part of CARIFESTA, as well. each country is tasked with pulling off a country night to illustrate that country’s culture. This is usually a melee of the various genres represented by the country-folk amalgamated into a single performance. This year however, Guyana aims to wow the crowd with its ‘Guyana Night’ showcase. And how the contingent intends to do so? Well, they have actually been rehearsing as

a cohesive bunch, specifically for this night. Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain affirmed that this is expected to stun the other countries and the visitors. The performance is set in the Stabroek Market square and showcases all of the major Guyanese festivals celebrated throughout the year, in one compact performance. 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 together. The Guyana Night will be held on Sunday, August at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. Read the Guyana Chronicle newspaper daily and online for full coverage of all the CARIFESTA XIV activities! Enjoy some scenes from the rehearsal of the ‘Guyana Night’ presentation which is slated for Sunday, August 18.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

19-year-old Taariq Clarke doing wonders with his camera W E stress time and time again on the importance of youths, and investing in their development. Too often people believe that investment has to come from somewhere or someone in order to become successful, failing to realise that investing in oneself is far more important, and also has the ability to take you farther down the road of success. Proving this by all means is Taariq Claarke. At just 19, Clarke is an exceptional photographer and videographer, who is creating a stir on social media with his creations. ‘The Buzz’ couldn’t help but give recognition where it is due, and pulled Clarke in for an interview. The young man said that he began taking photos since he was six years old. He shared with us that he was on vacation in London to attend his uncle’s wedding, and it was that uncle who lent him

his camera to take pictures. Turns out that those pictures were so good that some of them were actually used as the official wedding shots.

Taariq Clarke

Building from that, he stuck to photography, and after saving, he purchased his first camera when he finished high school, and started practising photography as a business. Clarke describes himself as an ambitious young man. He has been practising photography on a professional basis for nearly four years now. He said that because of his artistic eye, he developed a passion for photography and cinematography. Realising the need for constantly improving yourself, and mastering different levels of your art, he does not only do photography, but is now a maker of videos, ‘ads’, short films and more. His recent video was the music video of the ‘Ding Dong Creaketeh’ remix with Jumo Primo, Eze Rockliffe and Stichie. Minus the fact that the song was always one of Guyana’s favourites, since

it speaks to our culture, the quality that Clarke produced told the story so well that a one-time view was not enough.

consistent, since I’m doing something I absolutely love. More so, it is always pleasing to convincingly know that I’m one step closer to being rec-

Behind the scenes of the Ding Dong Creaketeh video shoot

“My main goal is always to grow creatively in my professional field of work… The love and obsession associated with developing and perfecting the quality of my work encourages me to be

ognised internationally. And I wanted to diversify what I do, so I invested time and money to better myself at what I do and love, and now I am able to bring more creativity to the table,” the young man said.

He enjoys not putting out easily digestible material, Clarke said, as he always wants to captivate the minds of viewers and clients. There’s no shortcut to success, he said. Rather, you have to stay committed and continuously invest in yourself to improve and propel into the person you want to be. In addition, Clarke said he had to get into photography with an open mind and a thirst to continuously learn more. Most of all, he never aimed to be like anyone else, because they already exist. He tries to be the best version of himself, so people can appreciate his unique form of artwork that he brings to the table. This, he encourages everyone else to do. Apart from his amazing photography and videography work, Taariq is also reading for a degree in Architecture at the University of Guyana.

Anushka Sharma joins husband, Virat, in Guyana

NE of India’s biggest movie stars, Anushka Sharma is here in Guyana with her husband, Virat Kohli, an Indian cricketer who currently captains the India national team, and is here for the West Indies versus India series. Sharma and Kohli were spotted in Georgetown on Wednesday at Shanta’s Puri Shop on Camp Street, and a photo of the pair posing in front of the shop’s signboard went viral on the

Virat and Anushka with a fan at the Pegasus Hotel

Spotted at Shanta’s Puri Shop on Camp Street. (Photo taken from ‘ViratGang’ Facebook Page)

Internet. Sharma has also posted two photos of her views from ‘Shanta’s’ on her Instagram Story. The couple is reportedly staying at the Pegasus Hotel, and was also seen dining in another restaurant in Georgetown, along with India’s fast bowler, Khaleel Ahmed. Sharma, 31, said to be one of India’s most popular and highest paid actresses, has worked with some of the biggest names

Dining at another restaurant in Georgetown

Bollywood Actress, Anushka Sharma has worked with some of the biggest names in India

in Bollywood, including Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a Filmfare Award, and was featured by Forbes Asia in their 30 Under 30 list of 2018. Some of Sharma’s movies include Jab Tak Hai Jaan, PK, Dil Dhadakne Do, Sultan, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and Jab Harry Met Sejal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

‘Filling the Void’ promises not to disappoint

HE return of the art exhibition, ‘Filling the Void’ is set for Sunday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, and patrons are asked to prepare their minds to be blown away by what the team of young people have spent months to put together. This event was created a year ago by two Guyanese young men with exceptional talent and vision, Shamar Spooner, 20, and Shamer Hescott, 23, whose aim is to showcase the works of artistic young people like themselves here in Guyana. This year, ‘Filling the Void’ has transcended into a multi-faceted art event, with the aim of not just increasing the recognition of artists, but to provide networking opportunities for attendees. Spooner said that they have now expanded the art on

display to not only paintings, but they have incorporated robotics, jewellery, aerial production, architecture and more. The exhibition starts at 15:00hrs, and the cocktail networking reception starts from 18:00hrs. Spooner said that ‘Filling the Void’ is known to be a night of elegance, as it encompasses fine arts, haute couture outfits, and a relaxing ambience that encourages everyone to network and build new relationships. It allows both patrons and artists to express themselves, whether through a painting or by taking a fashion risk. It aims to bring more attention to the creative arts sector in Guyana, while preserving and developing young artistic Guyanese. Spooner has his own clothing line, ‘Upper Echelon’, and Hescott is a pho-

tographer and videographer. “This event promotes entrepreneurship among youths, as they are able to benefit from their intellectual property, since they will be able to sell them at the event and receive in full, their payment. The young creatives are recruited for the event at no expense, but the materials they use to create their artwork,” Spooner told ‘The Buzz’. “In its second year now, the event has quickly become a much-anticipated one for young artists and aspiring ones, and just persons who want to support,” he added. Also this year, Spooner said they have collaborated with Impressions, and the event will pattern that of a red-carpet gala affair, and persons are asked to come out in their very best, as the carpet will be lined with photographers, who will be ready

to capture moments to make the event a memorable one. In a previous interview with ‘The Buzz’, Hescott had shared how and when the idea was birthed. “Shamar Spooner and I were on vacation in Barbados in April,” he said, “and on our way back, we had the idea to do an exhibition. And we started thinking of what to display, and we realised that we knew a lot of great young artists who are not so recognised for their work, and we wanted to show everyone what they were capable of, and also what we were capable of. Shamar came up with the name ‘Filling the void’, in a sense of the void being us young creatives not getting enough credit and recognition for our work in Guyana, so we wanted to fill that void, hence the name of the event.

Guyana Police Force ‘Clash of the Queens’ goes down tonight at the NCC

FTER a 30-year hiatus, the Miss Guyana Police Force pageant is back in full swing, and is slated for tonight at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), starting from 19:00hrs.

Over the past couple of months, each of the 10 divisions in the Guyana Police Force held their own pageant, during which a queen was crowned to represent them. The pageant tonight

will see the clash of the 10 queens, hence the name ‘Clash of the Queens’, vying for the coveted title of Miss Guyana Police Force. The 10 queens, who are all police officers, are: Toney Bentley of ‘F’ Divi-

The 10 Divisional Queens vying for the Miss Guyana Police Force title

sion (Interior Locations); Keaisha Erskine of ‘E’ Division (Linden); Kerrianne Clarke of ‘G’ Division (Essequibo); Aheley Peters of ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara); Tonya Clarke of Special Constabulary; Timeka Rodrigues of Presidential Guard; Tanya Wilson of ‘A’ Division (Georgetown/ East Bank Demerara); Althea Gittens of ‘D’ Division (West Demerara); Joanna Wright of ‘B’ Division (Berbice); and Tavia Bookie of Headquarters. As with every other pageant, these queens have selected platforms for which they will be advocating to bring about social change in the country. The platforms they will be championing this year are: Cyberbullying; Suicide; Human Trafficking;

Domestic Violence; Cancer Awareness; Sexual Harassment in the Workplace; HIV/ AIDS Awareness; Drugs and Substance Abuse; Youth Empowerment; and Teenage Pregnancy. This segment of the pageant is said to be a major part of the scoring, as they are expected to show how they, as policewomen, can use their influence to help stamp out those societal ills, and bring awareness to the ones that can be alleviated. Deputy Commissioner “Operations”, Maxine Graham, who is the coordinator of the pageant, told ‘The Buzz’ that this pageant was part of the Force’s activities many years ago, and that many attempts were made over the years to bring it back, but extra efforts were made this year, since the

Force is celebrating its 180th Anniversary. The return of the pageant is part of their anniversary’s programme of activities. The Guyana Police Force Pageant was first held in 1972, and the last was held in 1989. Graham had taken part in the last pageant and won the Best Smile award. She currently serves as President of the Guyana Association of Women Police, under whose umbrella the pageant is being coordinated. Ticket prices for the event are: $2,500 for Auditorium front; $1,500 for Auditorium rear; and $1,000 for Balcony. They can be purchased from Police Divisional Headquarters; the Police Consumers Co-op on Robb Street, Lacytown, and at the NCC.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

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

TODAY **DJ Energy and Escape Fridays present “Skinz” at District Ultra Lounge featuring Guyana’s top DJs. Music by DJ Energy, Seen Up, Venom, Gully Ras and Diamond

TOMORROW **Are you ready for a sexy summer story? Pulse Entertainment presents “Secret - Masquerade Party” at the Boardroom Sports Bar, District Ultra Lounge and Level Bar and Co all at the Giftland Mall. Dress in your best outfits for that forbidden night, have a night you’ll never say happened! Dance the night away to seductive beats by secret DJs. FREE mask for the first 200 persons to purchase a ticket. Ticket: $2000 **The Annual Glow Party “Electro Glow 4.0” is going down at District Ultra Lounge, featuring live Marcus Williams from Trinidad. Over 5000 pieces of Glow Accessories will be given Away. Enjoy Johnny Walker bottle specials **Calling all bikers and motorcycle lovers. Sonic Hunters Bikers Club presents “Rush 10W-30” at Palm Court. Party with the Sonic Hunters Club and feel the rush with music by Gully Ras and Diamond, DJ Energy, DJ Shizzle, and DJ Akelo **Team Chinese Assassin presents their All Black Party” at Club Sowiya in Anna Regina. Music by Chinese Assassin and other top DJs passing through. Tickets: $800 (pay more at the door) SUNDAY **Xtra Beer presents “Creek Party: Soca on the Highway” at Aziza Akousa outside Splashimins on the Soesdyke Highway. It’s going to be crazy. Music by Platinum Sound’s DJ Magnum, Gully Ras and Diamoind, Bobby Kush, alongside the Xtra Beer DJs. Get Xtra Beer specials all day long. **District Ultra Lounge presents “Soca and Bollywood Sundays” featuring Selector Andy, WR Reaz, Selector Chino. Ladies free before 9pm. Bacardi drink specials all night. **Polar Beer and Inferno Entertainment presents “Polar Sunday: Day Rave Edition” at Tower Poolside from 2pm sharp. Music by Slingerz Family and Polar DJs. Admission: Easy **G-Money in association with Leprechaun Entertainment presents Summer Sundays at Club Privilege (Main Street, Georgetown). Free entry for first 50 ladies. Throwback music and finger foods. Music by One Drop from NY, DJ Denzil, Selector Dexter and a special guest DJ and one-man band.

Jazz DeAgent

HE music fraternity in Guyana continues to grow, as every day a new artiste emerges with their own style, taste, and passion. This week’s personality is 25-year-old Andrew McLeod, who goes by the alias ‘Jazz DeAgent’. McLeod said that he has been singing since he was 17, but only recorded his first song last year. His passion, he said, lies in music, and regardless of the ups and downs in life, he will continue feeding his passion and producing music that people will love. The young man said that his inspiration every day comes from the late Bob Marley and Michael Jackson, whose legacies live on to this day. Even though the two inspirational legends are of different genres, McLeod said that he believes in diversity, and does not limit himself to one. As such, he produces Dancehall, Soca and Reggae music. His advice is: “Follow your dreams! Always go for what you want; success is a must! You can follow this young artiste’s music on his Facebook page ‘Jazz DeAgent’, Instagram as Jazz_DeAgent, and YouTube as Jazz DeAgent. If you like what you see and hear, you can book him by contacting him @ +5926641408 or Email:mcleoda990@gmail.com.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday August 9, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

Estwick sees positives despite ‘washed out’ first ODI

15:12hrs: THE exact moment that the Guyana leg of India’s West Indian tour ended. That was the time the first One Day International (ODI) between India and the West Indies was abandoned at the Guyana National Stadium, Pouderoyen yesterday. Those fans gathered at the Providence stadium were still hopeful after three lengthy rain breaks and intervals that they would have witnessed more than 13 overs of action but that was not to be. The irony of the situation is at 15:19hrs the sun was back to its piercing best. But the West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick unearthed some positives from the situation - Evin Lewis batting today and getting to 40; our fielding im-

proved tremendously from the World Cup, so there are lots of positives that can be taken, “We tend to look at all the negatives when we lose but we need to take a step backwards and see that we are improving and once we are improving then that’s the key thing.” “That was very pleasing. Obviously Evin has struggled in the T20s and it was refreshing to see him get a score. We just congratulated him in the dressing room.” After winning the toss, the Indians inserted the hosts West Indies to take first strike, though the first ball took some time as the first of the rain break pushed play back by close to an hour and a half. When they finally took

to the field, they were able to muster only 9/0 after just 5.4 overs before the second interruption of rain. Lasting for more than an hour this time, the rains lashed Providence hard but the damage had been done to the northern run-up area which required more treatment than other areas. Eventually, things got going again at around 13:10hrs and the West Indies resumed what would be the longest session of the day. Evin Lewis immediately began the assault on India, taking a liking to Khaleel Ahmed by slamming him for two fours and six as Gayle reserved himself to turning over the strike. Lewis had become the aggressor and he showed it by putting away the loose

balls. Gayle wanted to be in the action and tried to burst the clouds off a looped Kuldeep Yadav delivery but instead dragged the ball onto the leg stump, sending him back to the pavilion for 4 off 31 balls. Playing just 299th ODI, the Jamaican was dismissed for a low score and an even longer wait to become the West Indies highest ODI run-getter. When Gayle departed with the score on 42, Shai Hope joined Lewis in the middle with the duo moving the score to 54-1 before the rain interrupted for the final time Lewis was left unbeaten on 40 and Hope on 6. The series now heads to Trinidad and Tobago for the second and third ODIs.

13th Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships

Visiting nations to descend on Bartica today ahead of weekend’s action

THE visiting nations that would be contesting the 13th edition of the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships (JCCC) are expected to descend on the host town of Bartica, today. Most of them arrived in Guyana yesterday and would be heading to the race destination. The Guyanese are already there and have been going through their paces as they prepare to represent with pride at this historical event for Guyana - the first time the Land of Many Waters is hosting a regional cycling

event. Juvenile and junior riders from Bermuda, Barbados, St Martin, Suriname, Dominica, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, United States Virgin Islands and Grenada would be testing one another in tomorrow’s Time Trials and Sunday’s Road Race. Bartica Mayor, His Worship Gifford Marshall, commented: “We are eagerly awaiting our first major international event since Bartica became a town.

American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Smooth Tales Race 2 Freedom Prince Race 3 Much Trouble Race 4 Shandian Race 5 Spinoff Race 6 Raggedy Annie Race 7 Armament Race 8 Dream Passage Race 9 Pat On The Back Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Clear Destiny Race 2 One For Nick Race 3 Onezy’s Dream Race 4 Walkabout Creek

Over the next two days we will be given a lifetime opportunity to display our true potential as a town. This activity is another highlight of our Green Agenda, which places emphasis on “active mobility”. It is our hope that sports will become a greater priority within our township as we continue to improve our sports tourism package. We wish all the teams well and most importantly, an enjoyable and successful championship.” Team Guyana: Juniors

– Ajay Gopilall and Ralph Seenarine. Juveniles – David Hicks, Mario Washington, Jonathan Ramsuchit and Jerimiah Joseph. Ladies – Clivecia Se[ncer and Selena Stephen. Alternates – Steve Bhimsen, Sherwin Sampson and Elisha Rutherford. The Time Trials tomorrow will commence at 08:30hrs while the Juvenile Men’s and Women’s Road Race will pedal off at 08:00hrs on Sunday with the Junior Men Road Race starting two hours later.

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:25 hrs Para Handy 08:55 hrs Alwahsh 09:35 hrs Streak Of Silver 10:05 hrs Gun Hill 10:45 hrs Kentucky Blue

10:10 hrs Orion’s Bow 10:40 hrs Ulster 11:10 hrs Amazing Alba 12:10 hrs Euro Implosion

English Racing Tips Thirsk 08:50 hrs Ebony Adams 09:20 hrs Kilham 09:50 hrs Grimsdyke 10:20 hrs Trouble Shooter 10:50 hrs Dan’s Dream 11:20 hrs Society Star 11:50 hrs Radjash Musselburgh 09:10 hrs Kwanza 09:40 hrs Makyon

Newmarket 12:25 hrs Nina Bailarina 13:00 hrs Lexington Quest 13”:35 hrs Volkan Star 14:10 hrs Outbox 15:15 hrs Ice Lord Irish Racing Tips Curragh 12:15 hrs Recall The Show 12:45 hrs Glamorous Power 13:15 hrs One Last Look 13:50 hrs Siskin 14:25 hrs Servalan 15:00 hrs Powersville 15:35 hrs Great Grey

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

Amla, only SA batsman to score a triple Test ton, retires from international cricket

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) - Hashim Amla, the only South African to score a triple Test match century, yesterday announced his retirement from international cricket, just days after fast bowler Dale Steyn said he was quitting Tests. Amla, 36, said he was retiring from all international cricket after a 15-year career, during which he hit 55 centuries in 349 matches across all formats. He followed record-breaking fast bowler Steyn who on Monday said he was retiring from Test cricket, although he remains available for international white-ball cricket. An elegant right-handed top-order batsman, Amla overcame a shaky start in international cricket, during which

Hashim Amla scored 9 282 runs at an average of 46.64 in 124 Test matches

his technique was criticised, to become one of South Africa’s all-time leading batsmen. He hit 55 centuries in a 15-year international career including South Africa’s highest Test score of 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012. Amla scored 9 282 runs at an average of 46.64 in 124 Test matches and 8 113 at 49.46 in 181 one-day internationals. He also made 1 277 runs in 44 Twenty20 internationals at an average of 33.60. He hit 28 centuries in Tests and 27 in one-day internationals. His Test tally included four double centuries. Amla said he thanked “the fans for energising me when times were tough and for celebrating with me when we succeeded together”. Amla made his Test debut

against India in Calcutta in 2004-05, scoring 24 and 2. In the same season he played in two matches of South Africa’s home series against England but was dropped after scoring only 36 runs in four innings. Some critics believed that his backlift, which took his bat out at an angle of close to 45 degrees, was a flaw which would prevent him from having a successful international career. He modified his technique, although still retaining a distinctive loop in his backlift, and returned to Test cricket 15 months later with his first century, 149 against New Zealand. He became an ever-present in the South African team. His early struggles were recalled in a tweet by former team-mate AB de Villiers.

“So many doubted u early on, but your fighting spirit, humility & incredible oneof-a-kind talent took u to the top of the mountain,” said de Villiers. Initially regarded as a Test specialist, Amla only made his one-day international debut in 2008 but soon proved that classic stroke play, mainly as an opening batsman, was as effective as power-hitting in the limited overs game. When he was at the peak of his career, between 2010 and 2016, he had an average of above 50 in both Tests and one-day internationals, while maintaining a scoring strike rate of better than 90 runs per 100 balls in one-day games. In recent years, though, Amla’s form dropped off and he struggled at the recent World Cup in England

and Wales. His last Test century was in October 2017 and he made only two one-day international hundreds after that date. Amla captained South Africa in 14 Test matches between 2014 and 2015-16 but seldom appeared entirely comfortable in the role. His captaincy career started promisingly with three series wins, including one in Sri Lanka, but after a difficult tour of India in which South Africa lost three of four Tests, he resigned as captain midway a home series against England when South Africa were 1-0 down after two matches. Amla said he would remain available for domestic cricket as well as the second edition of the Mzansi Super League Twenty20 competition, which is due to start in November.

United offload Lukaku, Spurs strengthen as window shuts By Simon Evans

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United succeeded in offloading striker Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on a transfer deadline day which saw plenty of business but few jaw-dropping deals from Premier League clubs. Belgian Lukaku, who spent two years with United after £75 million move from Everton, joined Inter for a fee reported to be around 80 million euros. United had been keen to move on the forward who disappointed last season and whose style of play did not suit the approach being taken by Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

With United unable to sign a replacement, the pressure will be on 21-year-old England forward Marcus Rashford to deliver the goals in a more central role than he has previously operated in. United had already invested heavily to bring in centre-back Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £80 million, making him the most expensive defender in the world. Solskjaer has also added right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and winger Dan James, while some fringe players may yet move out while the European transfer window remains open until September 2. Tottenham Hotspur famously spent nothing in the window a year ago before

reaching the Champions League final but tied up two deals for manager Mauricio Pochettino on deadline day. A rg e n t i n a m i d f i e l d e r Giovani Lo Celso joined from Spanish side Real Betis on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent switch. Highly-rated 19-year-old Ryan Sessegnon was bought from Fulham for a reported initial fee of £25 million - the left wing-back signing a fiveyear deal.

Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku after the International Champions Cup match - v Inter Milan at Singapore National Stadium, Singapore, July 20, 2019.

(REUTERS/Feline Lim)

ARSENAL ACTIVE Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal were also active, spending a reported £25 million on Celtic’s highly-rated Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney. Media reports said Unai

Emery’s side were also trying to bring in Brazilian defender David Luiz from Chelsea but could lose midfielder Alex Iwobi to Everton in a deal worth up to £40 million, although neither of those deals had been confirmed before the 1700 local (1600 GMT) deadline. Former England striker Andy Carroll has rejoined his boyhood club Newcastle United, 8-1/2 years after leaving them to join Liverpool in a then British record transfer. The injury-plagued 30-year-old was a free agent after being released by West Ham United at the end of last season. Watford signed Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr from

French club Rennes on a five-year deal for a club-record fee. Watford did not disclose the cost but French media reported it was in the region of £32 million, eclipsing the £18.5 million the Hornets paid for forward Andre Gray in 2017. Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who has struggled to get game time in the two years at Stamford Bridge since his move from Leicester, joined Burnley on a sixmonth loan deal. Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy moved from second-tier Huddersfield Town, who were relegated from the top flight last season, to Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan.

Danger of revenue cut from ICC pushes BCCI to contact British law firm THE International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering cutting into the annual revenue it will give to the BCCI, as it continues to find ways to recoup the money it lost as a result of the tax paid during the 2016 World T20 held in India. The 10% tax paid by the ICC to Indian tax authorities has resulted in a revenue loss of $20-30 million. The minutes of a Committee of Administrators (CoA) meeting held on July 6 state that while these events were previously tax exempt, the Indian government’s stance changed in 2016, which forced the BCCI to withhold 10% of the amount payable by the broadcaster, Star Sports, to

the ICC. Early last year it had emerged that India could be in danger of losing out on hosting the 2021 Champions Trophy (since replaced by the T20 World Cup) as well as the 2023 World Cup. The ICC management had been directed to seek alternative venues if the issue wasn’t resolved. “The Board agreed that ICC management, supported by the BCCI, will continue the dialogue with the Indian Government but in the meantime directed ICC management to explore alternative host countries in a similar time zone for the ICC Champions Trophy 2021,” the ICC had said in a release in February 2018.

The minutes of the CoA meeting held last month state that the BCCI “made all efforts” with the gov-

ernment to try and ensure a tax exemption but three years on, the tax authorities have not budged. In the last

decade alone, the Indian government allowed tax exemptions for the 2006 Champions Trophy as well

The BCCI officials at the IPL opening ceremony (BCCI photo)

as the 2011 World Cup. For the 2006 event, Ehsan Mani and the late Jagmohan Dalmiya, had directly negotiated an exemption with the Indian government. On the basis of that negotiation, the government had passed legislation in the tax act which allowed international sporting events to be exempted. This applied as recently as 2017, when the FIFA Under-17 World Cup got a tax break for broadcast equipment imported by FIFA host broadcasters. The BCCI will now seek the opinion of an English law firm about their legal options, since the 2016 event agreement between the board and the ICC was governed by English law.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

2019 OMSCC Inter-county softball

Gittens (103 not out) spurs Demerara Legends to emphatic win By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada -- A brilliant undefeated 103 by Chien Gittens spurred Demerara Legends to an emphatic 99-run victory over Berbice in the 2019 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-40 Inter-county softball tournament, played at St Bede’s ground, Scarborough here last Saturday. Asked to take first strike on a bright and sunny Caribana day, the strong Demerara batting outfit notched up a formidable 197 for four in their allotted 20 overs before reducing their opponents to a paltry 98 all out in 18.2 overs. Gittens, who came in at number three, following the early loss of Eion Katchay (four), dominated a second-wicket partnership of 126 with skipper Richard Driffield (41), flaying the hapless Berbice bowlers to all parts of the parched outfield. Adding to his versatility, Gittens also came back to grab two for 14 in two overs, crowning a fine all-round performance which easily earned him the man-of-the-match award. His fine knock included 10 fours and four sixes while Driffield struck three fours and

a six. Captain Mohan Harihar was the best of the Berbice bowlers with three for 28 from his three overs. Berbice were never in contention, losing wickets at regular intervals with only

Persaud and Wallie Bacchus, as Berbice folded meekly. In semi-final action, Berbice made light work of Essequibo as did Demerara Legends over West Demerara. The left-handed Driffield

Man-of-the-match Chien Gittens receives his award from OMSCC umpires coordinator, Dickey Singh

Troy Gobin (17) and Anand ‘Mutt’ Singh (14) showing any form of resistance. Apart from Gittens’, there were also two wickets each for Rabindra Diaram, Suren

was again among the runs with a top score of 77 at top of the innings as Demerara Legends reached a formidable 197 for six in their allotted 20 overs, the total being the identical

Australia welcomes transgender women to play elite cricket By Rachel Savage LONDON, England (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Cricket Australia welcomed transgender women onto its elite teams yesterday as it issued guidelines for their inclusion, amid a toxic battle over fairness in female sport.

the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “They’re actively encouraging people to get out of their rooms ... and actually come and give a sport a try. They don’t need to hide away from the world anymore.” Cricket Australia’s rules are the same as those of the

Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts, transgender cricketer Erica James and Dr David Hughes (Getty Images)

Australian cricket’s governing body will allow male-to-female players to compete if their testosterone, a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin, which affects endurance, has been below a certain level for at least a year. “It’s fantastic,” Erica James, a 44-year-old trans woman who stopped playing cricket when she was 15 because she did not want to play on a boys’ team, told

global governing International Cricket Council, (ICC) adopted in 2017, and the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 2016 guidelines. There are no restrictions on female-to-male players. There are few elite trans athletes but the row has been fuelled by rare successes, such as New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard’s two gold medals at the Pacific Games in July.

British Olympians Sharron Davies and Paula Radcliffe have criticised the inclusion of trans women in sport, saying they retain unfair physical advantages. “Mostly the negative comments are coming from people that this policy does not have any impact on,” said Alex Blackwell, a former captain of Australia’s women’s cricket team, who was among those consulted by Cricket Australia on the policy. “The most important thing is the players whom this policy impacts are ready for it and on board.” Blackwell was the first gay Australian cricketer to come out in 2012 and said her experience encouraged her to support trans players. She accepted James into her Universities Women’s Cricket Club in 2016, after James had searched for trans-friendly teams online. “Her contribution to my cricket club has been hugely positive,” she said of James. There is little scientific research into trans people in sport. A 2015 study of eight male-to-female runners by medical physicist and trans woman Joanna Harper found their race times slowed so much that they retained no advantage over non-trans women.

score they made in the final. Driffield’s knock was spiced with three fours and five sixes while Rakesh Dyal spanned a quick 44 with two fours and five sixes and Gittens stroked three fours and

of defeat suffered by Berbice in the final. The other semi-final saw Berbice whipping Essequibo by 45 runs after Shazam Baksh (60), Troy Gobin (52) and skipper Mohan Harihar (22)

In Essequibo’s reply, Anand Norman (34 not out), Amernauth Sukhoo (24) and Azeez Baksh (23) were the principal scorers. Baksh grabbed two for 22 from his three overs.

The victorious Demerara Legends pose with their winnings

two sixes in 33. Ryan Beepat took two for 22. Opponents West Demerara could manage only 98 in 18.2 overs, going down by 99 runs, coincidentally the same margin

led them to 192 for six in 20 overs. Baksh struck four fours and three sixes and Gobin six fours and a six. Baksh and Gobin added 131 for the second wicket.

OMSCC vice-president Feizal Bacchus expressed thanks to the participating teams and also praised the sponsors who made the tournament possible.

Patel takes five after Gunathilaka, Samarawickrama push their claims

NEW Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel claimed 5 for 41, as his fast-bowling teammates toiled, on the first day of the tour match in Katunayake. Making a claim for places in the Sri Lanka Test squad, meanwhile, was opener Danushka Gunathilaka, who topscored for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board President’s XI, with 98 off 97 balls, putting on 154 in 26 overs alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama, who hit 80 off 90. Sri Lankan Test tracks have become increasingly loaded in favour of spinners in the past few years, with seamers at times appearing largely superfluous. New Zealand got a taste of what may come at Galle next week, as Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner

all went wicket-less, having bowled nine overs apiece. Aside from Ajaz, off-spinner Will Somerville was the only New Zealand bowler to make a breakthrough, finishing with an analysis of 1 for 70 from his 13.5 overs. Leg-spinner Todd As-

Ajaz Patel celebrates a wicket with Kane Williamson. (SLC photo)

tle and left-arm spinning all-rounder Mitchell Santner bowled six overs apiece and did not take a wicket, as the Board XI racked up 323 for 6 in the day. Thanks largely to the breakneck opening stand between Gunathilaka and Samarawickrama, the Board XI’s run rate was 4.9 - with only Santner, among New Zealand’s bowlers, going at less than four an over. Late in the day, Ashan Priyanjan also struck an unbeaten half-century. He, like Samarawickrama, is seemingly not in contention for a Test squad place, having been left out of the preliminary squad. The teams eventually went off for bad light after 65.5 overs. Earlier in the day, play had been delayed for two hours on account of a wet outfield. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Hazlewood, Starc among the wickets in Australia tour match

JOSH Hazlewood took three wickets and Mitchell Starc two, as Australia kept the upper hand on day two of their tour match against Worcestershire. Hazlewood and Starc are aiming to prove their form before the second Ashes Test, which starts on Wednesday, and took 3-34

and 2-56 respectively. Australia were held up by Alex Milton (74) and Charlie Morris (53) before the hosts declared on 2019, 65 behind. Australia reached 92-1 at the close, leading by 157. Opener Marcus Harris was unbeaten on 62 and all-rounder Mitchell

Marsh 22 not out after being promoted to number three. But opener Cameron Bancroft failed again, making just seven before falling to Charlie Morris. Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser both took two wickets for Australia. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League EBFA leg

Friendship All Stars, Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi Tech are latest winners

A HELMET-TRICK from Grove Hi Tech’s Rasheed Evans and a hat-trick from Romeo Bradford of Diamond United were the highlights of the latest round of play in the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League played at the GFF Facility, Providence, EBD. Evans’ exploits led Grove Hi Tech to a comfortable 6-0 win over Swan FC; he found the back of the nets in the 12th, 19th, 39th and 47th minutes. Tucking in one apiece were Jomal Thom in the 23rd and Orwin Hunte in the 45th minute. Friendship All Stars needled Soesdyke All Stars, thanks to Marlon Dey’s strike in the 34th minute. Goals from Anthony Ifill in the 8th minute and Ryan Roberts in the 38th minute were good enough to deliver full points for Agricola Red Triangle over Timehri Panthers Sports Club ‘B’, who got their consolation goal from Akel Grant-Stuart in the 56th minute.

Friendship All Stars FC Under-17 team with their coach

Anthony Ifill (left) and Ryan Roberts of Agricola Red Triangle FC

Samatta Point/Kaneville and Diamond United battled to a mouthwatering 4-4 draw. Samatta Point scored through Dasul Garraway who was on the score sheet twice (13th, 74th) with one each off the boots of Shawn Moseley (41) and Jadon Forte, one minute later. Romeo Bradford took on Samatta Point team almost single-handedly as he fired in three goals in the 22nd, 39th and 46th minutes with the other coming off the boot of Corwin Griffith in the 19th minute. Matches will continue this weekend at the same venue with double-headers tomorrow and Sunday. Timehri Panthers ‘A’ will open against Swan from 13:00hrs on tomorrow with the second match between Mocha Champs and Timehri Panthers ‘B’ from 15:00hrs. On Sunday at the same time, Soesdyke Falcons will come up against Grove Hi Tech, followed by a clash between Agricola Red Triangle and Samatta Point/Kaneville.

Biles to USA Gymnastics: ‘You literally had one job and you couldn’t protect us’ SIMONE Biles, wiping away a tear, acknowledged to reporters Wednesday at the U.S. Championships how hard it is to compete for an organisation that “had failed us so many times.” Biles, who is going for a historic sixth all-around title this weekend in Kansas City, Missouri, again took USA Gymnastics (USAG) to task for failing to protect her and other athletes who were abused

by team doctor Larry Nassar over the course of decades. The 22-year-old Biles announced in January 2018 on the eve of Nassar’s sentencing for sexual assault, that she too was abused by the Olympic and national team doctor. Hundreds of others have said they were also abused. Biles has continued to speak out about the scandal and the organisation’s failures as she’s racked up

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, August 9, 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) Marlon Samuels (67), Dwayne Bravo (66), Kieron Pollard (62), Chris Gayle (58) (2) Ravi Ashwin (52 wickets) (1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: Where and when did the WI & India first contest an ODI game in the Caribbean? Who were the captains involved?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

19 consecutive all-round victories. She was asked about it during media availability ahead of the championships.

Simone Biles

Her comments came days after a congressional subcommittee found negligent behaviour by former U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics executives that enabled Nassar. “The more I learn, the more I hurt,” she wrote. “USAG failed us. USOC failed us. Many failed us. And they continue to fail us.” Biles, a four-time gold medallist at the 2016 Rio

Olympics, told reporters Wednesday seeing news about the scandal is difficult and can “hit you like a train wreck,” per NBC Sports. She continues to try and heal, but the lasting trauma makes certain aspects difficult. “And it’s just really sad, every time I go to the doctor or training I get worked on, it’s like I don’t want to get worked on. But my body hurts. I’m 22 and at the end of the day that’s my fifth rotation. And I have to go through therapy but it’s just hard and we try to work through it. It will take some time. “I’m strong. I’ll get through it. But it’s hard.” Nassar, who also assaulted gymnasts in his role at Michigan State University, is serving a life sentence and earlier this week his former boss at MSU, William Strampel, was sentenced to one year in jail in part for failing to properly oversee Nassar. (Yahoo Sport)

Pan Am Olympic champ Thompson wins 100m, BVI land first-ever gold

Elaine Thompson

LIMA, Peru (CMC) – Reigning Olympic double sprint champion, Elaine Thompson, added yet another title to her collection when she stormed to victory in the women’s 100 metres at the Pan American Games here Wednesday. Running out of lane five, Thompson initially struggled to get clear of the field before pulling away after 60 metres to cross the line in a time of 11.18 seconds, in chilly conditions at the athletics stadium. Trinidadian Michelle-Lee Ahye took silver in 11.27 while Brazilian Vitoria Cristina Rosa finished with bronze in 11.30. “It was cold but I know everyone out there was cold. I just came out here to use this as preparation for the world championships,” Thompson said afterwards. “It’s my first time (here). I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a high profile athlete here representing myself and my country.” Jamaican Natasha Morrison was sixth in 11.40 and Trinidadian Kelly Ann Baptiste last in 11.52. Thompson’s success was one of two gold for Jamaica on Wednesday, as Natoya Goule snatched gold in the 800 metres in two minutes 01.26 seconds. Cuban Rose Mary Almanza Blanco finished second in 2:01.64 while Uruguay’s Deborah Rodriguez took bronze in 2:01.38. Barbadian Sade Sealy missed out on a podium finish when she came in fourth in 2:02.23, Trinidadian Alena Brooks was sixth in 2:02.75 while another Barbadian, Sonia Gaskin, finished last in 2:05.68. There was disappointment for the English-speaking Caribbean in the men’s 100 metres final as only Antiguan Cejhae Greene cracked the top three when he took bronze in 10.40 seconds. American Michael Rodgers won gold in 10.09 with Paulo Andre de Oliveira of Brazil nailing silver in a time of 10.16. Earlier Tuesday, Jamaican Fedrick Dacres successfully defended his Pan Am title when he won the men’s discus in a championship record throw of 67.68 metres. The 25-year-old, who also captured gold at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast last year, threw the winning mark on his second attempt. American Reginald Jagers was second with 64.48 while Cuban Jorge Fernandez finished with bronze with 64.24. Chantel Malone, meanwhile, pulled off an upset in the women’s long jump when she beat Olympic champion Colombian Caterine Ibargüen to deliver British Virgin Islands’ first-ever Pan Am gold medal. The 27-year-old measured 6.68 metres on her first attempt as Ibargüen struggled and finished fifth with 6.54. American Keturah Orji captured silver with a leap of 6.66 while Jamaica’s Tissanna Hickling was third in 6.59.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 9, 2019

Windies-A face uphill task after Gill’s 204, Vihari 118

TA R O U B A , Tr i n i d a d (CMC) – Teenager Shubman Gill punished West Indies-A with his second first class double-hundred, leaving the hosts with a huge victory target and a battle for survival on today’s last day of the final four-day ‘Test’. The 19-year-old lashed an unbeaten 204 and captain Hanuma Vihari added 118 not out as India-A piled up an imposing 365 for four declared, in their second innings at the Brian Lara Stadium on the penultimate day here yesterday. Set an imposing 373 to win, West Indies A safely navigated the 15 overs possible to end on 37 without loss with left-hander Jeremy Solozano unbeaten on 20. They require a further 336 to win and avoid a series whitewash after losing

the first two matches. Resuming the day mired in trouble at 23 for three, India-A added a further 27 runs before

Nineteen-year-old Shubman Gill struck his second career double-hundred

losing nightwatchman Shahbaz Nadeem for 13 in the morning’s ninth over, as he played back to off-spinner Akim Fraser’s first ball and was bowled

‘Windies cricket not interested in me’

Legendary opener Desmond Haynes frustrated by CWI rejection

WINDIES legend Desmond Haynes has accused Cricket West Indies (CWI) of turning a cold shoulder to his aspirations of joining the regional cricket team’s coaching staff.

West Indies legend Desmond Haynes

Haynes, once part of the most successful opening duo in West Indies cricket history, has expressed an interest in serving the regional team in the capacity of coach for the last couple of years. Despite receiving ringing endorsements from several former legends,

by an enormous off-break. However, that dismissal was the last sighting of success for a frustrated West Indies-A as Gill and Vi-

Haynes was first overlooked under the Dave Cameron administration when Cricket West Indies (CWI) appointed Richard Pybus. Under the new Ricky Skerritt-led association, which later pledged to use regional talent to fill vacancies, he was again overlooked as Floyd Reifer was named interim coach heading into the ICC World Cup. “I sent in an application and the CEO said he’d pass it onto Jimmy Adams (West Indies’ director of cricket). So nothing’s happening. It’s that lack of respect – I think I deserve a reply just saying, ‘Desmond, we’re working on it’,” he added. “It got to a stage where I sent an application in February and they name an interim coach in Reifer; they’re preparing for the World Cup and they get (Ramnaresh) Sarwan to help with the batting. They’re obviously sending a message that they definitely don’t want me around West Indies cricket.” (Sportsmax)

hari plundered the attack in adding 315 in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand. Gill, resuming the morning on five, punched 19 fours and two sixes in

an innings lasting 248 balls in nearly 5-½ hours while Vihari faced 221 balls in just short of 4-¾ hours and counted 10 fours and a six. India-A reached lunch on 190 for four with Gill completing his hundred to be unbeaten on 101 and Vihari on 51, and the pair kept Windies-A wicket-less in the second session while adding a further 88 runs. By tea, Gill had reached 146 with Vihari closing in on his 18th first class on 92, and both completed their landmarks in the final session. First, Vihari reached triple figures with a searing straight drive for four, off fast bowler Chemar Holder (2-88) in the fourth over after the interval. And the right-handed Gill, who has already played two One-Day In-

ternationals, brought up his double hundred in the first over after the final drinks break when he

steered part-time seamer Jermaine Blackwood to backward point for a couple.

SCORECARD

INDIA-A 1st innings 201 WEST INDIES-A 1st innings 194 INDIA-A 2nd innings (o/n 23 for three) P. Panchal lbw b Holder 3 A. Easwaran lbw b Holder 6 M. Agarwal b Cummins 5 S. Gill not out 204 S. Nadeem b Fraser 13 H. Vihari not out 118 Extras: (b-11, lb-2, w-1, nb-2) 16 TOTAL: (4 wkts decl., 90 overs) 365 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-14, 3-14, 4-50. Bowling: Cummins 10-3-28-1, Holder 22-3-88-2, Reifer 16-342-0, Fraser 24-1-104-1, Cariah 13-0-72-0, Blackwood 5-0-18-0. WEST INDIES A 2nd innings (target: 373 runs) M. Hodge not out 15 J. Solozano not out 20 Extras: (lb-2) 2 TOTAL: (without loss, 15 overs) 37 Bowling: Umesh 5-1-17-0, Avesh Khan 3-1-5-0, Gowtham 4-110-0, Nadeem 3-1-3-0. Position: West Indies-A require a further 336 runs for victory with all 10 wickets intact.

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Championship kicks off tonight

ALL roads will lead to Jubilee Park tarmac tonight when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Championship officially commences. In the opening match, UpTop-Bosses will oppose Paradise-A from 19:00hrs, while Melanie-B will lock horns with Showstoppers from 19:30hrs and Brothers United battle Sophia at 20:00hrs. In the fourth fixture, Ballers Empire face-off with Albouystown-B at 20:30hrs, while Beacons oppose Sparta Boss at 21:00hrs and High Rollers engage Sparta Boss from 21:30hrs. In the final two matches, Trafalgar challenge Broad Street from 22:00hrs and defending champions Gold is Money take aim at Bartica Police at 22:30hrs.

The respective winners will advance to the quarterfinal round. The two-day tournament

bouystown-B, Sophia, Broad Street, Leopold Street and Sparta Boss) will represent

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

which concludes on August 10 features 16 teams competing in an elimination format. Six teams (champions Gold is Money, Al-

Georgetown, while four representatives from West Demerara (champion Brothers United, Showstoppers, Ballers Empire and Up-Top-

Guyana’s Pan Am medal drought continues, as Abrams fails to podium in the 400m final

ALIYAH Abrams ran 7th in the women’s 400m final in Lima, Peru, as the Land of Many Waters’ medal drought continues at the Pan Am Games. Abrams, who was the first Guyanese athlete to qualify for a finals at the games, clocked 52.63 secs in the race which was won by Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson (50.73 secs). Mexico’s Paola Moran Errejon ran a Personal Best (51.02 secs) while Courtney

Bosses) will compete. Two teams, champions Beacons and Police, will rep-

Guyana’s Aliyah Abrams in Peru at the Pan Am Games. (Photo by Patrick

Smith/Getty Images)

Okolo of the USA ran 51.22 secs to finish with the bronze. Meanwhile, Brenessa Thompson competed yesterday in the Women’s 200m but the country’s National record-holder in the event (22.94 secs) failed to make it out of heat two of three, when she finished fifth with a time of 24.20 secs. Winston George will not be competing at the games after picking up an injury in Lima.

resent 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 an official release from tournament coordinator. Three Peat Promotions, “The anticipation for the national championship is at an all-time high. Several teams will be invading the Georgetown district to prove their championship credentials which will produce an exciting and thrilling championship.” The release further said, “We expect the teams and the fans to come out in their droves to represent, as the visiting teams have been arduously preparing for this moment in which they put their abilities against the traditional giants of the sport.”

Estwick sees positives despite ‘washed out’ first ODI Page

Veteran Windies opener Chris Gayle has his stumps disturbed by India spinner kuldeep Yadav

The crowd support for yesterday’s first ODI at the Providence stadium. (Adrian Narine photos)

Page

13th Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships

Visiting nations to descend on Bartica today ahead of weekend’s action Team Guyana for the 2019 JCCC in Bartica

Biles to USA Gymnastics: Page ‘You literally had one job and you couldn’t protect us’ 30 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2019