Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_5_24_2019

FRIDAY 24th May, 2019

CH&PA to develop 4,000 house lots

No.105647

… several communities to receive 24hr water supply

SEE STORY ON PAGE 05 ►

… as House approves $1.4B for Ministry of Communities

High-level committee to address 02 public servants’ concerns PAGE

… President holds talks with GPSU top brass

President David Granger and his ministers meeting with GPSU ‘top brass’ on Thursday (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Teen killed in accident

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Kaieteur News roundly 15 Gov’t faces billions condemned for libellous in court judgements article on Senior Counsel left by PPP 10 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

High-level committee to address public servants’ concerns … President holds talks with GPSU top brass

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday convened a meeting with executive members of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) to discuss the establishment of a High-Level Committee on the Public Service.

The GPSU’s side was led by its President Patrick Yarde, while the government’s side was led by President Granger and included the Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings- Williams; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams; Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan; Minister of Public Service, Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley; Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally and Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon.

President Granger said the meeting is a demonstration of government’s commitment to engage the GPSU in an effort to ensure that workers in the public service can earn a livable wage, enjoy better working conditions and ben-

President David Granger, ministers and other officials of government at the meeting on Thursday with executive members of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) at the Ministry of the Presidency efit from training. At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides agreed to have the committee formed by June 1, 2019. It is expected that the committee will meet and address a plethora of issues and formulate a report, which would be taken to Cabinet.

President Granger has, in the past, said the government will make all the necessary investments to ensure an efficient and reliable public service is built. According to the President, the public service cannot be disassociated from the concept of public

trust and must comprise men and women of intelligence, integrity and impartiality, if it is to enjoy public trust and achieve its administrative objectives. He has also noted that the administration is serious about implementing reforms that will create “a

brand new public service”, one which is characterised by fairness, equality, responsiveness, reliability and efficiency and it is for this reason a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service was launched in 2016.

Some recommenda-

tions from the CoI are already being implemented by the government and are geared towards improving working conditions and other factors which influence the work of public servants. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

$3.4B cleared for GECOM … as House approves $7.9B in supplementary finances

By Svetlana Marshall THE National Assembly approved $7.9B in supplementary finances – the majority of which is for the Guyana Elections Commission to facilitate the conduct of General and Regional Elections.

The approval of the finances is in keeping with a commitment made by President David Granger to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). A sum of $3,496,496,155 was requested by the electoral body to supplement the $5.546B it had already received for 2019, however, the House, on Thursday, approved $3,482, 344,000. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, in presenting the estimates to the House for consideration, said the $3,482, 344,000 represents 99 per cent of the sum requested by GECOM. In the absence of the parliamentary opposition, Minister Jordan told the House that the supplementary provision for the Elections Commission was not being sought in anticipation of the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ’s) decision on the no-confidence motion, but rather in keeping with a commitment made by President Granger.

“It is one in keeping with the President’s commitment

(made) even before the matter went to the CCJ,” the finance minister said, while explaining that GECOM had written the President requesting funding for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.

“Irrespective of the ruling of the CCJ, these monies will be made available to the Elections Commission for them to start the process of elections preparation,” he added. Noting that elections are costly, Minister Jordan pointed out that when the supplementary provision is added to the approximately $5.3B already received, it would show that for 2019, GECOM will be given approximately $8.8B in total, to facilitate General and Regional Elections which are constitutionally due in 2020.

Of the total sum, approximately $182.4M has been budgeted for ‘capital projects’ which include the purchasing of five vehicles to the tune of $48M, two boats and engines (40 Horsepower and 150 Horsepower) at the cost of $10M, and update of the Multiple Identity Document Issuing System (MIDIS) at a cost of $75M. Additionally, a number of office desks, office chairs, power surge equipment, vertical filing cabinets and canvas tents would be purchased as well.

Minister of Finance, Minister Jordan, addressing the National Assembly on the $7.9B supplementary paper (Photo by Adrian Narine) The remaining $3.3B, budgeted for ‘current projects,’ will be used primarily for the payment of wages and salaries for polling day staff, the purchase of print and non-print materials, local travel and subsistence, the purchase of drugs and medical supplies and field mate-

rials and supplies. GECOM has also budgeted for food and security services among other important materials and services.

Last November, the House cleared approximately $5.4B for GECOM when it considered the 2019 National Budget. Of the $5.4B,

approximately $3B was budgeted for House-to-House Registration, which has since commenced.

Before the Court of Appeal invalidated the ‘vote of no-confidence,’ the Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) – was pushing for GECOM to utilise the $3B intended for National Registration for the holding of General and Regional Elections, but the government-appointed GECOM commissioners had objected to such a move.

In February, after months of disagreements on the way forward, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, used his casting vote to break a tie, and voted in favor of Houseto-House Registration. That process has begun, and with the expiration of Official List of Voters April 30, the conduct of National Registration becomes even more important.

During the hearing of the consolidated appeals on the vote of no-confidence at the CCJ earlier this month, GECOM’s Attorney, Senior Counsel Stanley Marcus, told a panel of judges led

by President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, that in the event the court rules that there should be early

elections, funding would be needed.

“I don’t think I have to belabour the point that funding is necessary to administer elections,” Marcus told the judges while pointing out that the 2019 programme of the elections commission was unanimously decided upon.

That decision covered the revision of the Official List of Voters which was in use for more than a decade. “…a list that was compiled in 2008 by no stretch of the imagination could be valid for elections in 2018 or 2019,” Marcus told the court.

During that hearing, the Senior Counsel also informed the court that the Elections Commission could only facilitate General and Regional Elections after October, 2019.

It therefore means GECOM, even with the finances being provided, would only be ready to hold elections, if the need arises, in November or thereafter.

The CCJ concluded hearing submissions on the appeals on May 10, and has indicated that a date for the decision would be announced later. Justice Saunders said based on the decision of the court, GECOM’s attorney may be asked to reappear before See page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

India’s Modi wins landslide victory PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has thanked the people of India for giving him a “historic mandate” of five more years in office, after a landslide victory in the general election.

“We all want a new India.

I want to bow down my head and say thank you,” he said in a victory address to supporters of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP is projected to get

about 300 of the 543 seats in parliament.

It is likely to take a larger share of the vote than in the 2014 elections.

The main opposition alliance, which is headed by Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party, has admitted defeat.

The general election was widely viewed as a referendum on the prime minister’s Hindu na-

tionalist politics, and the victory was won despite growing unemployment, fears of a recession and a slump in industrial production.

Partial and declared results show Mr Modi’s BJP is projected to win 300 seats on its own, and combined with the party’s allies, this number reaches nearly 350.

The main opposition Congress party is expected to win fewer than 60.

A party or coalition needs at least 272 seats to secure a majority in the 543-member lower house of parliament, or Lok Sabha.

In 2014, the BJP won 282 seats - the biggest victory by any party in 30 years - and with its allies it secured 336 seats in that parliament.

The Congress, which won just 44, suffered its worst defeat in 2014 and with its allies took up just 60 seats in the lower house.

More than 600 million people voted in a marathon six-week process, which involved seven rounds of voting.

The 68-year-old prime minister was showered with rose petals by thousands of supporters as he arrived at the BJP headquarters on Thursday evening.

“This election was fought not by politicians but the people of this country - but it’s the people of this country who have emerged victorious,” Mr Modi told supporters in Delhi.

“We will never give up our ideals, our humility and our culture,” he added. He said the victory was for the whole of the country, and vowed to build a “strong and inclusive India”.

Party members cheered, banged drums and set off fireworks when the results started to emerge.

At a press conference in Delhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conceded the general election as well as his Amethi seat in Uttar Pradesh, which he had held since

2004 and his family had held for decades.

But he will still be in parliament as he contested and won another seat - Wayanad in Kerala.

The BBC’s Zubair Ahmed in Delhi says Congress Party staff, who had been hoping for a much improved performance, looked lost for words.

Messages of congratulation have been sent from a number of world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and China’s President Xi Jinping.

The BJP alliance has been projected to win more than 50 per cent of the vote in the huge northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which sends more MPs to parliament than any other state (80).

This took election observers by surprise as the party was expected to be seriously challenged by a tie-up between two powerful regional parties, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), which had previously been bitter rivals.

The BJP is doing better than expected in West Bengal, where it is projected to take 17 parliamentary seats - up from two in the last polls.

Four of India’s five southern states - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala - have long eluded the BJP and appear to have done so again in this election. They look set to take just three of the 91 seats up for grabs.

In his victory speech, Mr Modi said there were only two

castes in India now. “The poor and those who want to work to bring them out of poverty. We need to empower both.”

Growing unemployment and fears of a recession will see Mr Modi face demands to provide jobs for the millions of young people entering the labour market in coming months.

Under his first term, India’s economy - the world’s sixth largest - lost some of its momentum.

A leaked government report this year put the unemployment rate at the highest it’s been since the 1970s.

Farmers in India will also be hoping he will prioritise the agricultural industry, after a crop glut and declining commodity prices saw their incomes stagnate.

Many saw this election as a battle for India’s identity and the protection of minorities.

A strident - and at times violent - Hindu nationalism has become mainstream in the past five years, with increased attacks against minorities, including the lynching of dozens of Muslims accused of smuggling cows.

And national security was put into the spotlight after a suicide attack by a Pakistan-based militant group killed at least 40 paramilitary police in Indian-administered Kashmir in February.

India then launched unprecedented air strikes in Pakistan, prompting it to respond in kind and bringing the two countries to the brink of conflict. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

CH&PA to develop 4,000 house lots … several communities to receive 24hr water supply

… as House approves $1.4B for Ministry of Communities

By Svetlana Marshall IN a direct response to the demands of citizens, the Government, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority, will develop 4,000 new house lots across Guyana using $700M. The multi-million dollar project was approved by the National Assembly when it considered a Supplementary Financial Bill totaling $7.9B, of which, the Ministry of Communities was allocated $1.4B. Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson explained that the $700M will be used to develop the house lots in areas including Mabaruma, Meter-Meer-Zorg, Vigilance, Annadale, Mon Repos, Foulis, Hope/Experiment, Ordance, Fortland, Lethem, Kwakwani, Amelia’s Ward, Recht-Door-Zee, Prospect, and Cummings Lodge. “This allocation will specifically cater for land acquisition, surveys designs, land clearing and access,” the House was told.

Minister Ferguson detailed that in Region One, CH&PA intends to develop 275 house lots in Mabaruma while in Meter-Meer-Zorg in Region Three 1,100 house lots would be created. In Vigilance (Region 4) another 1,650 house lots would be developed.

On the East Coast of Demerara in the village of Annadale, 385 house lots would be made available to people here while in Mon Repos 220 house lots would be developed. Another 83 house lots would be made available in Foulis and 835 house lots would be developed in Hope/ Experiment (Region 5). Over

Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for housing, Annette Ferguson in Ordance, Fortland (Region 6) a total of 138 house lots would be made available.

“Lethem (Region 9), 550; Kwakwani (Region 10), 110 house lots; Amelia’s Ward (Linden, Region 10), 1,100; Recht-Door-Zee (Region 3) 275 house lots; Prospect Phase 2, 182 house lots; Providence Phase 5 (Region 4), 190 house lots; and Cummings Lodge (Region 4) we intend to develop 370 house lots,” Minister Ferguson further detailed. The Housing Minister assured the House that works would commence immediately with the approval of the necessary finances.

The $700M will supplement the $780M already approved for CH&PA for 2019. There are currently 25,000 house lot applications within the CH&PA system.

Additionally, the House approved $200M to complement the $170M received under ‘Hinterland Water Supply’ by the Minister of Communities. The $200M will be used to acquire a drill rig, in addition to the

expansion of water supply and distribution systems in Regions One, Eight and Nine. “This allocation will specifically improve Guyana Water Incorporated’s capacity to undertake well drilling and maintenance across the hinterland areas while new wells will be drilled at Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Mahdia. Further, provision is made for expansion of water distribution system in Aishalton and purchase of photovoltaic systems, pipes, well masters, pumps, motors and filters, the Ministry of Communities explained.

“Mr. Chairman, GWI has recently drilled a number of wells in the Upper Takutu-Essequibo Region, these being Lethem, Annai, Aishalton, Karasabai, St. Ignatius, Hiowa, and Kaikumbay, nonetheless, as a result of surveys that were done earlier this year, and with the prolong dry spell that is being experienced in parts of the country, it is recognised that new wells are urgently required,” Minister Bulkan told the House.

Another $214M was approved by the House to upgrade Bartica Water Treatment Plan through the installation of filters and clarifiers which will provide for the new and expanding housing

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan demands in 4 and 5 Miles.

That money will also be used to drill a new well at Uitvlugt.

NEW WELL IN LINDEN The Ministry of Communities has also received $80M to drill a new well at Amelia’s Ward to improve water supply from 8-12 hours presently to 24 hours daily.

“This project is critical since interventions to resuscitate wells connected to the water treatment plant have yielded no significant improvements in water supply.

This project supports the expansion of housing areas in Amelia’s Ward (Phase 3 and South Amelia’s Ward,”

the Ministry explained.

The House also cleared $200M for the Urban Sewage and Water Programme. It was explained that the monies will be used to drill a well at Central Ruimveldt and replace trunk mains along Church Street. It will also be used to install new mains in Albouystown.

“The Central Ruimveldt Water Treatment Plan does not have the capacity to serve the communities of West Ruimveldt, Alexander Village, South Ruimveldt and surrounding areas on a 24

hour supply, (as such) this well will provide that capacity,” the Communities Ministry noted.

It was also explained that the transmission and distribution main project in Albouystown will complement an ongoing project which started on a section of the village to remove old asbestos mains.

In the area of Solid Waste Disposal Management, $100M was approved for the rehabilitation of the access roads and bridge at Belle Vue and Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill sites.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Road construction and safety

T

HE government is being applauded for recognising the importance of building, rebuilding and maintaining proper road networks. The paving of the roads in the township of Lethem is another beneficiary of this policy.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure announced this week that through contractor JR Ranch, it has commenced asphalt testing on the construction/rehabilitation of road networks in Lethem. On Monday, 100 meters of road was selected as a sample to test the application of asphalt on the road. Based on the results from the sampled 100 meters, the ministry said it will refine the asphalt where needs be, and the official paving is anticipated to commence on Monday, May 27, 2019.

Such infrastructures, aside from being aesthetically pleasing, are important for nation-building. Roads are intrinsically linked to the growth and development of society, impacting people, communities and commerce. In the 21st Century, making the aforementioned possible has to cater for, as a matter of priority, issues such as safety, construction quality, Guyana’s low-lying coastlands, and the different types of road users, including vehicular traffic.

As a matter of fact, there needs to be a rethinking of the widely-held perception that construction only requires the

throwing of bitumen and levelling it off, without regard as to how the shoulders are treated. As government continues to develop the road infrastructure, we have seen the efforts to take into account that pedestrians, too, have a right to use the roads and that safety mechanisms, such as street signs and walkways, have been constructed along Woolford Avenue and elsewhere. In complex societies, consideration should also be given to what types of roads are needed, given location in proximity with communities, and where there are open roads or proximity to homes, what safety precautions are necessary.

Safety must continue to be a premier focus, and should be applicable to occupants of vehicles as well as pedestrians.

Speed bump zones and run-off areas on the shoulder of the road where the vehicles of disabled persons can park or be able to pull off to as against staying in traffic and impeding its flow, are also worthwhile of consideration in the construction process.

Modernisation should have a corresponding impact on construction. Such modernisations would recognise the various types of traffic, present and forthcoming, and planning for it. In Guyana, the same road is used for every type of vehicular traffic, be it commercial, industrial or agricultural. From a donkey cart to an 18-wheel tractor, to a

hymac – which has metal wheels that degrade the material used to construct the road – all are allowed usage. It means road construction has to be more durable, or there needs to be more regulations.

In other societies, for instance the United States, certain vehicles are not zoned or permitted to go on certain roads.

For instance, if construction vehicles are being transported on some roads, they are seen being towed on a vehicle that has rubber tires, which is intended to prevent damage to the road. Certain roads also have weight restrictions. Another area that has been given much attention is the creating designated walk areas; and where this may not be possible, installing speed bumps, stop signs, or police officers sitting there with speed cameras and handing out speeding tickets, with penalties stiff and enforceable. There must be severe consequences for bad use of the road in order to eliminate bad usage.

Preventing accidents through not only road safety regulations, but also having the benefit of the input of safety associations that pay attention to high-risk points for accidents, deaths, and what are possible causes is also beneficial. This can inform the implementation of systems to minimise the chance of causalities, physical or else. The review of regulations and where needs to

A fair and just demand Dear Editor,

T

HE Facebook allegations, made against the Hon-

ourable Attorney- General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams has entered a not too unexpected phase of its exis-

Bar Council condemns Kaieteur News

−for libellous story on SC Poonai Dear Editor,

T

HE Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana wholly condemns the false, irresponsible and libellous report in Kaieteur News of May 23, 2019 under the headline ‘Attorney Convicted of Fraud in Canada Appointed Senior Counsel’, which, without any justification whatsoever, attempts to bring Mr. Rajendra Nath Poonai S.C. into disrepute, and lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of society.

Mr. Rajendra Nath Poonai, S.C., was never convicted of any crime and/or disbarred in Canada as alleged nor has he ever practised law in Canada.

Regards, Bar Council

tence, with the announcement of President David Arthur Granger that the Chief Legal Adviser of the State respond to issues raised in the anonymous letter.

This latest step, as requested by the President, is not surprising, given the fact that he is an evidence-based person who prefers the facts rather than hearsay or circumstantial evidence.

The many Commissions of Inquiry that he has ordered is a prime example of a chief executive who believes in being properly and fully informed, and being guided by detailed and proper investigations before he pronounces.

As Head of State/Government, he has the right to

be concerned about allegations that are made against any of his Cabinet officers, and even other categories of high officials, especially given the nature of the allegations made against the government’s legal adviser in particular.

Editor, almost from the inception of the AG settling down into his office, there has been what can be only described as an orchestrated attempt to primarily brand him as incompetent. It did not have to take a forensic analyst to note the vicious and defamatory slander carried via these cowards on Facebook. They were wholly racist in content, as they were designed to bring his distinguished legal career into disrepute.

However, anyone read-

ing his recent media response as to what he would have encountered when he initially commenced official duties, and the appropriate action he took to protect and safeguard his Chambers, would be able to appreciate the dark forces he has had to encounter, and their retaliatory actions.

I have every faith and belief that he will acquit himself against those allegations, which his detractors, in yet another act of wicked desperation, dug up from their pit of daily nastiness.

One would have also read where the president has challenged the authenticity of the statement, by calling on the person(s) to “put their names to the allegations

and be prepared to defend them with evidence.” Of course, it is a fair and just demand; legal in every way. But as to whether such person(s) will come forward remains to be seen, given the cunning and devious manner in which such acts of political malignment continues to surface on social media. These are intended to do damage to persons’ characters in the nastiest of ways imaginable.

One pauses to think what kinds of human beings would sink to such low depths of human depravity to defame someone, all in the name of seeking political power.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

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Mother, son take the stand THE four-year-old trial into a major firearm bust against medical practitioner Satyendra Khemraj and his mother Chandrana Khemraj continued on Thursday before Senior City Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Dr. Khemraj and his mother are on trial for having 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition in their possession on February 20, 2015 at the latter’s Fifth Street, Subryanville residence

without being the holders of a firearm licence.

The pair was also charged with having a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol in their possession at the said Subryanville house without having a licence to carry it.

The son was further charged with having a slew of other ammunition of varying calibres.

Dr. Khemraj and his mother both took the witness stand

on Thursday and gave evidence. The duo is represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes while the matter is being prosecuted by Police Sargeant, Dominic Bess.

The matter has been adjourned until June 14, 2019.

According to reports, on the day in question, the police, acting on a tip-off, went to the Lot 12 Austin Street, Campbellville premises where the doctor ran a medical clinic

Dr. Satyendra Khemraj

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

--as trial into major 2015 firearm bust resumes

and advised him that they’d been reliably informed that he was dealing with arms and ammunition.

During a search of the property, the police reportedly found a quantity of ammunition which they showed to Khemraj before advising him of his rights in light of the nature of the offence he’d committed and arresting him.

He was then escorted by the police to his mother’s

house on Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, where, upon their arrival, the woman was allegedly seen throwing an object through a southern window.

Upon closer inspection, that object turned out to be a gun.

Further checks made of Satyendra’s room at the above-mentioned address unearthed even more ammunition.

We hope VC will be given a chance to finish the job Dear Editor,

W

E read a Letter to the Editor two Sundays ago by Mr Wesley Kirton, and from the perspective of younger persons, we completely agree. In a letter to the editor in February, I comment-

ed on the negative spins that were being placed on the talks, cocktails and other activities that were being curated by the University.

There are new programmes, new buildings. We’ve seen young professionals who are now lecturing at the university; this means fresh young

blood bringing new perspectives to the curriculums.

Unfortunately, as Mr Kirton said, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ivelaw Griffith has to “lobby, or have people lobby on his behalf for his contract to be renewed.” This is not the stage in the development of the university to want to

see a change in the leadership.

As young Guyanese, we have observed that at the national level, a change of leadership has always caused the country to take a few steps backwards for want of continuity. No one wants the other person’s projects to go forward; everyone wants their own legacy to take priority over something that has already been started.

And it is our hope that the VC will be given the chance to continue his renaissance project.

The university’s bathroom situation is an old one; the lack of toilet paper is an old one that needs to be fixed.

What we are sure of is that the VC did not instruct that

no toilet paper be available in the bathrooms. The energy being used to push for the VC’s contract to not be renewed should be used to work in solidarity for the growth and development of the University. If the intentions are truly for a better University of Guyana, then egos should be put aside, and a single head should be followed. Like Mr Kirton said, have discussions with the VC; be open-minded; understand the fire for Guyana that the “comebackees” have. Think for a second of the conveniences that they may have given up, or the conveniences that they have made. This should be some signal to you of the dedication

they have to Guyana.

As students of the University of Guyana, we stand for positivity; we stand for growth and development of our nation. We see clearly what the new Guyana can look like, and for this we stand behind our ViceChancellor. If his job package comes with a chauffeur; let him have it! If he wears a suit, and therefore needs the car to cool, then so be it (Anyone would if it were available to them)! Let’s stop the frivolous nonsense and focus on building our University together!

Regards, Yonnick David

Scheduled maintenance GPL and resulting disruption of power −Help is available Dear Editor,

RESPOND to the statement from GPL on the power outages affecting the coastland and the resultant power disruption. I must first say that I think that their management team is doing an excellent job, given the complexities and circumstances in which they find themselves. Unfortunately, due to no fault of theirs, they are trying to work with aged equipment which should have

I

been retired long ago, and the present power cuts are, apart from line disruptions, to try and give life to these obsolete equipment whilst the longterm strategy is forthcoming.

Due to the Giftland Mall’s power plant’s strategic location, we are once again offering our power at competitive rates to help alleviate these power shortages.

We have engaged with GPL over the last three years, and with the guidance of the GPL legal, management and over-

seas consultant have hammered out a 69-page PPA to at least eliminate all power disruptions along the East Coast corridor in times of need.

We hope that this can be signed as early as possible, so as to bring some measure of relief to the residents of the East Coast.

With Regards, Roy Beepat Chairman Giftland Group

$3.4B cleared ...

From page 3

the CCJ on behalf of the elections commission.

If the CCJ overturns the decision of the Court of Appeal, early elections would be required in keeping with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, which provides for elections to be held within three months following the defeat of the government in the National Assembly. However, government has argued that the opposition, as indicated by the Court of Appeal, did not secure an absolute majority, and therefore the vote was invalid. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, has long indicated that that the decision of the Court of Appeal will stand pending the ruling of the CCJ. Meanwhile, of the $7.9B approved on Thursday, $25M has been allocated to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). The constitutional body had requested approximately $83.3M to complement the $175.1M already received.

“This amount that is requested $83,355,678…is the difference between what the commission had submitted at the time of the budget and what was voted by this Parliament,” Minister Jordan pointed out. He said the attempt to recover the money that was not approved during the consideration of the 2019 Budget comes at a very bad time, as such only $25M was recommended.

The finance minister told the House that the $3.4B for the Elections Commission and other appropriations had to be taken into consideration, however, after much consultation, the finance ministry was able to recommend an additional $25M – the now approved sum.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Farming, packaging, enterprise key –– President Granger tells to revitalising economy Mocha-Arcadia residents

THE country’s economy can be revitalised through farming, packaging and enterprise at the village level, President David Granger told Mocha-Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD)

perous,” he added.

He said productive infrastructure is also needed in the form of drainage and irrigation, which will improve production output.

Underscoring that the

spair; things are moving and you can assure yourselves, your children and grandchildren of a bright future!” President Granger said.

Further, he said youths are befitting from skills

This Ballroom dance was one of the many cultural presentations at Thursday’s function to mark the village’s 125th Anniversary residents on Thursday evening.

The president was at the time delivering the feature address at a function at the Mocha Community Centre to mark the village’s 125th Anniversary.

He said persons need to learn how to package and market their products to a standard so they can be sold overseas.

“That is why I have appointed a minister of rural affairs in order to generate production in rural communities such as Mocha-Arcadia,” President Granger said. “I know what I am doing, and I am very confident that these initiatives will make communities more pros-

government is on a path of renewal, the President said that roads, bridges, health centres, water and proper electricity supplies are also needed to stimulate growth.

“I want to see solar power,” he said, adding: “God gave us the sun and not dieseline, because infrastructure must include energy! And the most reliable and cheapest form of electricity is solar; and that is sustainable!”

To build on this development trajectory of which he speaks, the president said, information technology is also essential since it bridges many gaps.

“Things are moving!

This is not a time for de-

training in order to become self-employed.

“These initiatives came about because of the confidence you had in me and my government; it is a bond of trust, and we will continue to work for the development of this community, just as you worked for the installation of the government four years ago,” he said.

President Granger said he wants to see Mocha-Arcadia leap forward faster and further into the future, “so that all children in this village can enjoy the ‘Good Life’. Eliminate poverty! Eliminate inequality! Everybody must be educated!”

He said the government wants to instill in the people of Mocha-Arcadia the spirit of selfhelp which characterised the community 50 to 100 years ago.

He promised that the government will continue to work with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to ensure the path to progress continues, as its objective is to cooperate with residents and not dominate them.

“We want to work with

Residents of Mocha-Arcadia residents presented the President with fresh produce and a scroll depicting ‘The Big Tree’ where the villages’ early ancestors used to meet you in a collaborative and consensual manner, and not in an oppressive way,” President Granger said, adding: “You are already on the road to economic and cultural emancipation.”

He explained that residents of Mocha-Arcadia have the knowledge of their forefathers and can achieve success over any obstacle.

A vibrant economy,

President Granger said, will eliminate poverty, and that one way of ensuring equality is through farming at the village level.

“I drank coconut water in Indonesia; from Brazil; from the Philippines... And Guyanese coconut water is the best coconut water in the world. We have to learn to package,” he told the Mocha-Arcadia gathering.

A section of the gathering at the event (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Gov’t faces billions in court judgements left by PPP … House approves $800M to help pay off DIPCON

APPROXIMATELY $750M was cleared by the National Assembly for Trinidad construction company Dipcon, pending the outcome of a court case involving the company and the government.

The sum forms part of a larger amount - $800M – approved by the House on Thursday in response to a request made by the Finance Ministry. Rising to the floor, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, said unlike previous provisions sought, he was not pleased about defending the request for $800M. “I don’t have a good feeling because the bulk of this money is slated for Dipcon due to an award that was made by the courts,” Minister Jordan told the House.

In 2015, the court had ordered the government to pay Dipcon approximately US$2.2M for infrastructural works done under the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration. The finance minister said a decision was recently taken to approach the National Assembly for supplementary finances to offset the award. “It was decided (for us) to come to this house to vote (for) this money – monies that we don’t have, monies that are needed at the time when we have to find an additional $3.3B for the Guyana Elections Commission,” Minister Jordan said, noting that the award originated before the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government took office in 2015.

Minister Jordan told the House that the $750M would be held pending the outcome of the ongoing court case. He noted that the Dipcon case is one of the many cases that ended with the State having to pay billions of dollars due to the decisions and actions of the former PPP/C administration.

In May 2014, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had ordered the government to pay Surinamese beverage company, RUDISA, US$6M, however, in 2015, the APNU+AFC Government upon entering office,

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally (Photo by Adrian Narine) secured a reduction in the award. As such, it was only required to pay RUDISA $4.5M. “Numerous judgments awarded by the court prior 2015, we have paid several of them, a number of them this House already knows, like the RUDISA judgment for the environmental tax that we flouted as a country that was awarded by the CCJ, and we have other billion-dollar awards that this government has had to find the money. But the mother of all awards is still facing us, an award that would tally around $6B for which the awardee has been after us for the last four-plus years,” Minister Jordan told the House. He said the billions of dollars being used to settle awards made by the court as a result of the actions of the PPP/C could have been used for developmental projects.

“I want this House to know because critical resources, critical resources that should have gone to pay wage increases, pay school teachers, (to build) roads, we have to keep diverting monies to pay judgments, the bulk of which originated prior to 2015, and I

think the House and public must know this,” Minister Jordan said.

Meanwhile, approximately $50M of the $800M sought by the Finance Ministry would be used to facilitate increased activities by the government such as ministerial outreaches.

The $800M forms part of a Supplementary Bill approved by the National Assembly to the tune of $7.9B. Of the total sum, $79.5M was approved for the Ministry of Social Protection. Like the Minister of Finance, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, told the House that a percentage of the money would be used to clear debts left by the PPP/C administration.

“Mr. Chairman, I wish to indicate that this is an inherited indebtedness, since 2013,” Minister Ally said as she alluded to the sum of $9.3M in security services provided by a firm. It was noted that although Brans Security Services’ contract ended

with the then government in 2014, it was never paid. The issue resurfaced during the government’s outreach in April when it was brought to the attention of the minister.

“The security service came out and laid its case, and, this government being a caring government, believes that Brans Security must be paid for services rendered, hence this request,” the social protection minister said. Also $6.5M was also approved to clear inherited debts. Minister Ally explained that RK’s Guyana Security was owed the sum by the previous administration, in addition to $8.7, which was also sought and approved.

Meanwhile, $25M was approved to assist those requesting help due to unexpected life situations.

Also, $30M was approved under the Ministry of Social Protection to facilitate the completion of the ‘Drop-in’ Centre at Sophia, particularly to address gaps in fire prevention systems there.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, speaking on the billions of dollars that the current government is now asked to clear as a result of the actions of the former PPP/C administration (Photo by Adrian Narine)

LIAT helps Antigua-Barbuda woo more visitors for summer holidays

By Michel Outridge

REGIONAL carrier, LIAT, has partnered with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) to market Destination Antigua-Barbuda over the summer holidays with a special promotional offer of a US$50 discount on ticket purchases among other incentives.

Tagged #WhatCoolLooksLike, the campaign, said ABTA Marketing Consultant Charmaine Browne-Spencer, is intended to convince potential holidaymakers of the trendiness of the destination.

Spencer told reporters at a press briefing here Monday night that the campaign draws heavily on what makes the country so special, and seeks to depict, in a creative and engaging way, “the coolness of the destination.” #WhatCoolLooksLike, Spencer said, offers consumers major savings on their vacation to Antigua and Barbuda between April and October, 2019.

But to cash in on the offer, you’ll need to use the special ‘promo’ code, WCL19, to access more information on the website: www. visitantiguabarbuda.com And with Antigua Carnival just around the corner, from July 25 to August 6, she said, e ABTA also has also thrown in for good measure, a few discount packages on its tours and other attractions.

Liat Head of Sales and Marketing, Egbert Riley told invitees to a reception at the Pegasus Guyana that despite the rumours, Liat is still on the market; that they’re still flying, and will continue to be the Guyana Carnival airline, operating with two planes out of the Ogle International Airport.

He said that although Liat is restructuring at the stakeholder level, they are still seeing positive happenings, in that revenue has grown tremendously in the past three years, and they are doing very well, overall.

Performance has also improved significantly, Riley said, as has customer service.

He said that for that matter, Guyana is the number one destination for LIAT social media fans and followers, with passenger traffic growing at a rate of 20 per cent annually.

And according to the latest available figures, LIAT moved 80,000 passengers to and from Guyana in 2018, with an average load factor of 68 per cent, one of the highest to date. Data also show that of all the travel agencies that account for 80 per cent of the revenue LIAT rakes in annully, six are based in Guyana.

LIAT Corporate Communications Manager, Shavon Maloney assured their guests that even though the company is in the re-structuring stage, they will continue their operations on schedule for the summer.

LIAT’s Corporate Communications Manager Shavon Maloney as he addressed the opening of the event at the Pegasus on Monday night, Seated at the head table are, from left: LIAT Operations Manager Orin Walton; ABTA Marketing Consultant Charmaine Spencer; and LIAT’s Head of Sales and Marketing Egbert Riley (Photos by Adrian Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

All must preserve Guyana’s biodiversity

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–– says Department of Environment director

By Tamika Garnett BIODIVERSITY protection is vital to human existence and all must play a role in this regard, Department of Environment (DoE) Director, Ndibi Schwiers said on Thursday.

She gave the advice to students at an event hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the Umana Yana to celebrate International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) “Consider it not that you are too young or old to play an active role in the protection of our biodiversity; we each have a very important role to play in biodiversity protection,” Schwiers said.

Created by the United Nations to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues across the globe, IDB is celebrated annually on May 22 since 2000. Prior to that, it was celebrated on December 29 since 1993.

With Guyana poised to see major development with the coming on stream of the oil and gas industry, over the next few years, greater focus will be placed on preserving Guyana’s biodiversity.

“Our natural and biological ecosystems are considered relatively intact [and] these must not be lost to economic growth but managed with a long-term perspective that embraces the principles of sustainable development,” Schwiers noted.

This year, IDB is being celebrated under the theme “Our biodiversity, our food, our health”.

“The theme places biodiversity at the centre of our physical, mental and social well-being. If we want to lead healthy, happy lives, the inevitable truth is that we must take steps to preserve our biodiversity,” Schwiers said.

Over the years, as a country, Guyana has made strides to protect and preserve its ecosystem, even as many studies have shown the world at large to be undergoing ecological biodiversity recession, caused by human activities.

To guard against this, Guyana is a signatory to a number of multilateral en-

vironmental agreements on biodiversity protection. This includes the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), as well as the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 2030, which features biodiversity across many of its 17 goals.

More recent, Guyana launched the ‘Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 in 2018’.

IMPLEMENTATION “Implementation begins in 2020 led by the Department of Environment. But we cannot do it alone, we need you to work with us in helping to conserve biodiversity,” she noted.

EPA Chairman, Dr. Patrick Williams made a presentation on “The Role of the EPA in Biodiversity Management and Conservation”.

Williams highlighted the need for partnerships between differing stakeholders to ensure human development does not come at a cost to biodiversity preservation.

“Managing our environment is a complex task which requires research, acquisition of skills, technology, financial support and inter-agency collaboration. Often action taken yield contrary results.

For instance, in an attempt to protect our crops and livestock from pest, agrochemicals are used. However, the chemicals destroy pests and also beneficial species, water supplies become contaminated and air quality is impaired.

[Therefore] environmental management requires the establishment of sound infrastructure, and participation with stakeholders at all levels: individuals, households, agencies, and policymakers,” Williams highlighted.

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative, Gillian Smith stressed the need for Guyanese to truly appreciate and preserve the country’s biodiversity.

“I have been in Guyana for six months and one of the things I have been struck with is how incredibly diverse Guyana is. So many plants and animals, different environments, I have never in my life seen so many

birds. I am amazed by the amount of birds that are just in Georgetown alone. That biodiversity I want you to think of it as part of your her-

itage and part of the assets that you are inheriting.

It makes Guyana unique and will provide the opportunities for Guy-

ana going forward. So you will have good resources to be able to continue to grow the country,” the Jamaican noted.

Department of Environment (DOE) Director, Ndibi Schwiers

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

PPP to launch Manifesto after CCJ ruling

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will launch its election manifesto after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rules on the no-confidence motion, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, said on Thursday, during

his weekly press conference.

After a two-day marathon session at the court on Henry Street, Port of Spain, President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, announced the court will give its decision on a date which will be made

known to the parties.

Also presiding over the appeals were Justices Jacob Wit, Winston Anderson, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, and David Hayton.

The Opposition PPP, its leader Bharrat Jagdeo, former APNU-AFC coa-

lition member, Charrandass Persaud, and political commentator, Christopher Ram, are seeking to have the CCJ – Guyana’s final appellate court – throw out the March ruling of Guyana’s Court of Appeal and restore the validity of the no-con-

fidence motion against President David Granger’s coalition government.

The Appeal Court, in a majority ruling, held that there was a need for an absolute majority of 34 votes for the

no-confidence motion to be passed, and not the 33 votes it received in December.

By a majority of two to one, the appellate court judges ruled that the no-confidence motion was not passed.

Friday, May 24, 2019 - 09:00 –– 10:30hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Foreign Secretary attends ACP confab in Brussels –– Council passes resolution on Guyana-Venezuela controversy

Officials at the 109th session of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Council of Ministers including Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge

Court to rule today on TIP case against ‘Liquid Love’ owner CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan is set to make a ruling today in the trial of Savita Persaud, proprietress of the Liquid Love bar on Station Street, Kitty, who is before the courts for trafficking two Venezuelans and withholding their passports.

Persaud is on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the matter is being heard in camera.

Two of the charges allege that Persaud, between January 31 and March 8 this year, recruited, transported and harboured the two women for the purpose of

Savita Persaud sexually exploiting them at her Station Street, Kitty premises.

Another two charges allege that she also confiscated the women’s immigration

documents for the aforementioned purpose, while the final one states that she employed a child, aged 17, on a premises that sells intoxicating liquor.

On Persaud’s last court appearance, the Chief Magistrate ruled that after going through the evidence led by the prosecutor, Inspector Neville Jeffers, in its entirety, she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a prima facie case had been made out against Persaud for the offences, hence her being called upon to lead a defence in the matter.

Teen killed in accident

A TEENAGER was killed on the Turkeyen Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Monday after she was struck down by a motorcar.

Dead is Kareema Mary Cholmondeley, 18, of lot 10 BB GEC Scheme, Hugh Ghanie Park, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Police said the fatal accident occurred at 22:30hrs on Monday.

Enquiries revealed that the

driver of motorcar PJJ 5884 was proceeding west along the southern side of the road when he saw a male pushing a bicycle on the said side of the road as he was about to pass him.

The driver then observed someone lying on the roadway but because of the short distance, the vehicle ran over the individual.

The teenager was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown

Public Hospital Corporation where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The 42-year-old reputed husband of the deceased told investigators that they were having an argument and she threw herself onto the roadway, just before the incident occurred.

Both the reputed husband and the driver are in custody assisting with the investigation; the driver passed a breathalyser test.

Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Carl B. Greenidge and Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith FOREIGN Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Carl B. Greenidge, recently attended the 109th session of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Council of Ministers, during which members of the council passed a resolution on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

During the session, held on May 21 and 22 in Brussels, the 79 ACP member States were updated on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy and they urged that all parties work in good faith to resolve peacefully, the controversy. Additionally, the council discussed the upcoming appointment of a new Secretary-General early next year, ongoing post-Cotonou negotiations, and the blacklisting of ACP States by the European

Union (EU).

Further, they reviewed the Georgetown Agreement. The council also noted that significant progress had been made in the ongoing negotiations for a successor to the Cotonou Agreement. The Georgetown Agreement, signed in 1975 in Guyana’s capital, gave birth to the ACP Group. It is currently being revised to better equip the group to engage with other countries and bodies in the international arena.

The ACP ministers are meeting today and tomorrow with their European counterparts for the 44th session of the ACP-European Union (EU) Council of Ministers during which Mr. Greenidge is expected to make a statement on Guyana’s ‘green’ agenda.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Kaieteur News roundly condemned for libellous article on Senior Counsel THE Ministry of the Presidency and the Bar Council of Guyana have condemned a fabricated story in the Kaieteur News that one of the recent appointees to the Senior Counsel had been convicted for fraud in Canada.

Headlined on the front page of the Thursday, May 23, 2019 edition the Kaieteur News was: “Attorney convicted of fraud in Canada, appointed Senior Counsel.”

The ministry said the headline and story sought not only to defame an eminently qualified legal lumi-

with Mr. Poonai in other matters particularly in the land courts of Guyana.

So to say that he has been involved in court matters in Canada is quite errone-

Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall

Editor-in-Chief of Kaieteur News, Adam Harris nary, but also to cast aspersions on the judgement and diligence of the Head of State in his appointments of Senior Counsel. Director General of the Ministry, Mr. Joseph Harmon, in an invited comment, said that the article is spurious, libellous and aimed at damaging the reputation of both the President and the newly appointed Senior Counsel.

“The government takes this allegation very seriously because what it seeks to do [and what] it is saying is that on the appointments made by His Excellency that due diligence was not done in that regard. I wish to say a few things: firstly, I personally know Mr. Poonai, S.C., I have worked with him over these years.

In fact, when I was President of the Bar Association in 2007 and the years preceding that, I worked

ous. Secondly, I am aware that Mr. Poonai was never admitted to practice law in Canada,” Mr. Harmon said.

The Director General noted that before Mr. Poonai became an attorney-at-law, he worked at the State Planning Secretariat at the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Harmon also noted that in addition to the erroneous information printed about Mr. Poonai, in the last paragraph of the article, the paper also said that the Head of State has made no comment about Mr. Poonai’s alleged criminal past.

The Director General is outraged at this assertion. “The President is a man of integrity and takes seriously his office and the responsibilities therein,” he said. “It is seeking to say that he either didn’t know about it or he knew about it and chose not to speak about it, having spoken so glowingly [at the ceremony] about the way in which Senior Counsel are held in approbation in society and the way in which they are respected, not just for their legal practice, but the merit which they bring to the profession. Apart from dealing with Mr. Poonai’s credibility, it is also seeking to state that the President himself had not exercised due diligence in the performance of his duty in

conferring Senior Counsel to these worthy attorneys.

[That couldn’t be] further from the truth and the society must take note,” the Director General said. Mr. Harmon is therefore calling on the Kaieteur News to retract its erroneous report and statements, to issue an apology and to publish

same with the same prominence with which with it gave to the spurious article.

The Director General is also again, urging media houses to take seriously their responsibility to report accurate information to the public.

Meanwhile, adding its voice to the issue, the Bar

Council of the Bar Association of Guyana also condemned “the false, irresponsible and libelous report in Kaieteur News of May 23, 2019.”

The council said the article which, without any justification whatsoever, attempts to bring Mr. Rajendra Nath Poonai S.C.

into disrepute and lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of society.

“Mr. Rajendra Nath Poonai, S.C. was never convicted of any crime and/or disbarred in Canada as alleged, nor has he ever practiced law in Canada.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Come thru

Buju!

−Buju Banton arrives for ‘I am Legend’ concert

R

eggae Superstar Buju Banton will arrive in Guyana today for his ‘I am Legend’ concert tomorrow at the Guyana National Stadium, as part of Guyana Independence Carnival celebrations.

T h e s h o w, which is being promoted by High Frequency Entertainment, in collaboration with King Leo Promotion and the Guyana Carnival Committee will see the show being added to the Reggae sensation’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ tour.

Buju Banton, whose ‘Long Road to Freedom’ tour was announced late

last year, has touched many countries in the Caribbean, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Suriname, the Bahamas and his home country, Jamaica.

Banton, who has always referred to Guyana as one of his favourite Caribbean countries he liked performing in, has not come here in over 12 years. However, he will return with his full band to give his Guyanese fans a long overdue and highly-anticipated concert.

The reggae superstar is known for hits such as ‘Untold Stories’, ‘Wanna be Loved’, ‘Champion’, ‘Deportees’, ‘Not an easy Road’ and much more.

Tickets for this event are on sale Online at www.Iamlegendconcert.com. According to the organisers, General tickets are currently being sold at US$25, VIP US$150 and VVIP US$200.

Guyanese artistes take centrestage at ‘I am Legend’ concert Guyana Carnival has been nothing short of exciting for the Guyanese and overseas patrons thus far.

However, one of the most anticipated events is the only reggae show for the season; Buju Banton’s ‘I am legend’ concert, slated for tomorrow night at the National Stadium.

People everywhere have been talking about the return of the ‘Gargamel’ to Guyana’s soils after so many years.

But apart from person’s excitement for this show in Guyana, there are several Guyanese reggae artistes who will be given the opportunity to perform on the stage the said night.

Given that the anticipated crowd for this show is thousands, this will be a great opportunity to showcase Guyana’s rich talent. There aren’t much reggae shows in Guyana to give our artistes the said opportunity, so this is

creating much anxiety among the local acts.

‘The Buzz Magazine’ paid a visit to the band room where the artistes are rehearsing and they all expressed much gratitude to be provided the stage to showcase their ability in front of a large audience.

With hopes that this will open bigger doors, the artistes said that they are all going to put their best foot forward and bring their all in their performances.

Long lost reggae group ‘First Born’ has returned to the scene and will be performing at the show. For the first time in years, all five members of the group will be performing their all-time hit songs ‘Irits’ and ‘Headline’, among others.

Also returning to the local stage, is Guyana’s biggest reggae act, ‘Natural Black’, who will be performing some

of his well-known songs and also some songs from his new album ‘Eyes ah Look’.

Mark Batson, who recently returned from Jamaica after stunning the people in the country with his exceptional talent, will also be doing his thing tomorrow night.

In addition to these already known acts, a new young female artiste, Andrea Daniels will be performing, and is looking to make her mark, and debut into the music industry.

All these local acts will be back by Guyana’s number one band, ‘The Heatwave Band’. They too are all excited for what is about to go down tomorrow night.

The promoters of the show have great expectations for its outcome, and anticipates that this will be the biggest show for the entire Carnival season.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Independence celebration starts tonite!!!

A s Guyana prepares to celebrate its 53rd year as an independent country, the Government of Guyana is hosting an independence show at Stabroek square, this evening starting from 7:00pm.

The show will feature several Guyanese artistes such as Jumo, Big Red, Mark Batson, Brandon Harding, Stephen Ramphal, Saiku Andrews, just to name a few.

These artistes will be singing their original songs, and they were asked to perform songs that celebrate and promote Guyana’s culture as well.

Director for Culture within the Ministry of Cohesion, Tamika Boatswain had said that it is important to preserve what is unique to Guyana and push the agenda of fostering patriotic citizens.

Our independence, she said, has great significance to our country, and should have great significance to our people.

Providing a stage for local acts to showcase their talent, singing songs that promote patriotism and Guyana’s culture, is just one of the many ways to show love and appreciation to the country and what it possesses.

Apart from tonight’s show, the Government will also be hosting a grand extravaganza at D’Urban Park on Sunday, where 5,000 children from across the country will be participating in the activities.

Involving the children in the Nation’s celebration, is to give them the opportunity to get a full understanding of the significance of May 26th, to Guyana, and also for them to be given to opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Boatswain said the children have been rehearsing for the past month and they are all very excited.

The children were also trained to raise the Golden Arrow Head, and they will be doing that on the 26th, after the cultural presentations.

Sunday’s activities will commence from 10:00AM. All persons are asked to come out and support this national activity.

Personality of The Week

Tennicia DeFreitas

F

rom the age of 12, to date, music has always been the passion of the now 27 year old, Tennicia DeFreitas.

This personality made her debut in the music industry in 2003, with her winning Calypso song ‘Mama’ that to this day, resonates in the hearts and minds of many Guyanese.

DeFreitas has since then been making significant strides in the industry, having performed at countless shows and events.

With her charming personality, and exceptional dance ability, this young woman made herself marketable and continues to reach for greater opportunities.

In an interview with ‘The Buzz Magazine’, DeFreitas described herself as a very simple and quiet person, but can be tons of fun once you get to know her.

She said that she has always been in love with the arts, but fell more in love with music because it gives her the ability to put smiles on the faces of people.

“Singing was not always my cup of tea, so after my first public appearance in 2003, and later on winning my first competition that said year, I realized I was gifted and have since been dedicated to making it work,” Defreitas said.

Though music is her passion, she aspires to be a world traveler. The two will go hand in hand she said, because she can share her music and talent wherever she travels to.

“The opportunity to travel and share my gifts; to leave my mark on the lives of many has always been a dream of mine as a singer. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given thus far in achieving this dream and I do believe it’s only the beginning,” the woman said.

She admonishes persons to stay true to themselves and what they believe, “stay focused on your goals and take time to learn the business. Hard work, consistency and patience are the keys to being successful.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

FWB moves to GFC!

F

reedom Family’s FWB (Friends with Benefits) party has changed venue to accommodate a larger crowd.

The party is now set for tonight at GFC Ground.

Freedom Boss, Marlon Jacobs told ‘The Buzz magazine’ that they were initially catering for 10,000 patrons, but due to the tremendous support, they have surpassed expectations.

“DCC Ground is unable to facilitate the amount of persons who would have bought tickets for the event, so we had to change venue to facilitate the magnitude. I have no regrets in this decision, I am actually really pleased and thankful for the tremendous support,” Jacobs said.

He started promoting nine years ago as a freshman in college in New York. However, his company, ‘Freedom Family’ was formed on May 24th 2014, after him and a group of his friends from school held an event dubbed ‘Freedom’, inside Club Monaco.

Since then, Freedom Family has been hosting parties every year, not just in Guyana, but other Caribbean countries and states in the US as well.

FWB is the group’s five year anniversary celebration, and is one that is tailored to show appreciation to their supporters.

“At friends with benefits 2019, patrons can expect a completely different line up of DJs, great ambiance, and lots of new faces. We are putting in the extra to ensure our fans feel the appreciation we have for their continued support they give us. They will also benefit from the drinks specials we have; buy one bottle of ‘henny’, ciroc, black label or grey goose and get a second bottle at half price,” Jacobs said.

Those are but a few of the expectations persons can have for FWB, he added. The tickets are sold out, but persons can pay at the gate and gain entry.

Each ticket purchased, allows you and friend into the party.

S

Koffee makes Guyana debut tonight at ‘Champagne Life’

he’s considered as the future of Reggae music in Jamaica and tonight, the 19-year-old super star will make her first appearance in Guyana when she performs at ‘‘Champagne life’ – the premium party for this year’s Guyana Carnival.

Mikayla Simpson, more popularly known as Koffee will join Trinidadian Soca artiste, Shal Marshall for the Ultra-Premium All White event of the Guyana Carnival, ‘Champagne life 9’ which goes down is set for BK’s residence on Garnett Street.

The event is tailored to be a night of celebration and ‘toasts’, with your friends and loved ones.

Promoter, Travis Shepherd told ‘The Buzz Magazine’ that the All White Party became a n

annual event since its debut in 2010, held to celebrate his birthday. However, this year he partnered with Guyana Carnival to incorporate the event with their activities.

Tickets for the event cost $150 US and includes one bottle of Champagne.

They are available on eventbrite. com, Next cell on Alexander Street, Kitty, HJ Box office - Lance Gibbs, Queenstown and Fireside Grill on Garnett Street, Kitty.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

BEFORE you know it, another weekend is here upon us, folks, and, as always, it’s time to keep you abreast of what’s ‘buzzing’ in and around Guyana.

Today ►

The Department of Social Cohesion presents its second annual Flag Raising Concert at the Stabroek Market Square featuring the best of Guyanese talent in soca, reggae and calypso. Live performances by 2019 Soca Monarch Brandon Harding, 2019 Chutney Monarch Stephen Ramphal, alongside Jumo, Road March queen Vanilla, Mark Batson, Big Red and so much more. Admission: Free

►

Let’s toast to the Champagne Life IX: All White Edition hosted by Travis Shepherd at BK Resident (82 Garnett Street). Performing live all the way from Jamaica Koffee, toasting to you. Food, drinks, and free bottle of champagne with every ticket purchase. Tickets: US$150 ($30,000, available at Eventbrite)

►

It’s the Premium Brunch Event of the Guyana Carnival. Pulse Carnival Band presents Brunch Mi Deh at the Marriott Poolside from 11am - 6pm.

Come Out And Have a Great Time With Ravi B, GBM Nutron, Hypeman and Sean XP. Tickets: US$100 (Includes food and drinks)

►

The most energetic moving jouve experience of Guyana Carnival.

Pulse Carnival present “Ultra Moving Jouve” at the National Stadium An all-inclusive moving jouve experience. An electrifying stage show and glow fest featuring performances by Ravi B, GBM Nutron, Hypeman. Free drinks all night. It’s going to be illuminating the road around the National Stadium Parking lot. Tickets: $3000

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Get ready to be part of something sweet. Come out with your crew for the first ever Chocolate Jouvert to hit Guyana! It’s the Stink, Dutty and Chocolate Jouvert at the National Park. Doh fraid d paint, powder, water and choclolate. It’s time to get stink, dutty and sweet. This is not to be missed ‘cause we tasting good. Free beers all night. Tickets: $3000 Freedom Boss presents their fifth anniversary appreciation party called “FWB” at its new location the Guyana Football Club Ground. Buy one ticket and get one free to bring a friend. Tickets: $4000 (Regular), $10,000 (VIP)

Tomorrow ►

Guyana are you ready for the return of Gargamel? Yes we know you’re anticipating it, well it’s finally here. Guyana Carnival presents “I Am Legend” featuring the return to Guyana of Buju Banton at the National Stadium. Tickets: $5000 (Early bird), $30,000 (VIP Early bird), $40,000 (VVIP Early Bird)

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Double D Signatures presents Carnival Cocktails and BBQ Lime at its Second Street Alberttown location. Enjoy delicious BBQ and ocktails and $300 cocktail refills while stocks last. Tickets: $1500

Sunday ►

Over 5000 youths are set to participate at the annual Independence Flag Riasing Ceremony set for Durban Park from 10am. Come out and celebrate your nation through song dance and cultural displays. Admission: Free You’ve been anticipating it all year and now it’s time to take to the streets. The Guyana Carnival Parade will take center stage as thousands come out to party down the streets of Georgetown.

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Move from the road to the rave with the Guyana Carnival “Soca Rave” at the National Park. Get ready to Jump, pump and rave to live performances by Patrice Roberts, Nailah Blackman, Voice, and Preddy. Stimulate your senses with sounds, the lighting, the screams with soca.

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It’s going to be a night of elegance, poise, talent, beauty and intelligence as Guyana finally finds out which of the six young ladies in the running will take the Miss India Guyana 2019 crown. The Mrs India Guyana 2019 reveal is also set to go down. All backed by lots of entertainment, and emceed by none other than local Fashion Icon Joel Ghansham. Tickets: $4000 (general), $7000 (VIP)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Spin to define Australia’s World Cup - Ricky Ponting

By Daniel Brettig ` “Australia’s got a very proud history. I know that’ll be something that will be spoken about within the group.” Ricky Ponting RICKY Ponting has declared that Australia’s World Cup chances will be defined by how well Aaron Finch’s team use spin bowling and also bat against it,

having only recently placed fresh emphasis on this component of their ODI set-up after ignoring it for some years.

Part of Justin Langer’s coaching group as an assistant for the tournament, Ponting provides enormous experience both of playing in World Cups - the 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 editions - but also winning three in a row from 1999 to

2007. Finch, Steven Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, as well as assistant coach Brad Haddin, were all part of the victorious team at the 2015 tournament on home soil.

That success was underpinned largely by top order runs and Starc’s furiously fast, hyper-aggressive bowling, with the Australians choosing their specialist spin bowler Xavier Doherty for

only one match in the entire tournament.

H o w e v e r, t h i s t i m e around, Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon loom as key components of the team, while Ponting also pointed out that the proliferation of spin bowlers among the world’s leading teams in the past three years also raised the emphasis on playing spin bowling adroitly.

“The thing that will define Australia’s success in the World Cup is, one, how well they bowl spin and, two, how well they play it,” Ponting told The Telegraph.

New Zealand, Ponting said that Finch’s team could recall past Australian victories to provide inspiration and knowledge of the need to avoid peaking too early.

“I guess that’s probably one of the reasons they’ve got me involved - having been around some successful World Cup campaigns,” Ponting said. “Tournament play is a different thing; it’s not just another five-game series or three-game series.

This is all about a pretty long tournament of one-day cricket.

“You’ve got to find a

Aaron Finch, Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting chat at training (Getty Images)

“That’s been their Achilles’ heel for the last 12 or 18 months. With (Adam) Zampa bowling well now, Nathan Lyon’s obviously in the squad and Glenn Maxwell’s done a good job with the ball whenever he’s played.

“And I think some of our middle order are probably slightly better players of spin now than they were 12 or 18 months ago. With Warner there now and Steve Smith coming back in, the middle order it looks a lot better against spin bowling than it probably was.”

Smith and Warner have returned to Australia’s setup after 12-month bans over the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year.

Ponting acknowledged the level of criticism the pair were likely to attract from English crowds, but said it was more important to see signs that both Smith and Warner were finding form at the right time.

“They’re both playing really well. Steve Smith still thinks he’s not probably 100% fit just yet - but he’s not far away. And Warner’s been the dominant batsman in the IPL,” Ponting said.

“Those two coming in, obviously they’re class players - they’ll have their fair share of issues to deal with from the crowds and stuff when they get over there. But they’re big boys.

They’ve been there and seen it all before. I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

Assessing the way that a successful team would navigate the tournament, which is using a round-robin and semi-finals format for the first time since the 1992 event in Australia and

way to build your way into the tournament and make sure you’re playing your best cricket at the back alley.

That’s one thing Australian teams have always done.

They’ve tended to play their best cricket in the World Cups and when it has mattered in the big games.

“Australia’s got a very proud history. I know that’ll be something that will be spoken about within the group. But it’s also a chance for this current group of players to make a name for themselves on the world stage and a chance for them all to become World Cup winners as well.”

As captain, Finch had faced plenty of speculation over his place during an extended run of low scores. But the team’s unexpected series win in India was accompanied by the first signs that Finch was returning to batting touch, and a subsequent series win over Pakistan in the UAE brought runs for the entire top order before it was bolstered by Smith and Warner.

“The fact that Aaron Finch has just had a bit of success lately as captain and had got himself back into the runs after a pretty lean 12 months with the bat, that’ll give him a lot of confidence going into this World Cup,” Ponting said. “To beat India in India for him as a captain is a big feather in his cap.”

“They’ve got a really good chance - I’ve been saying that for 12 months.

It looks like a lot of the work that Justin and the senior players have done around the group is starting to pay off.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

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Nine teams set for NAMILCO volleyball extravaganza

SEVEN male teams and two female sides will clash on Sunday in a volleyball extravaganza and fun day, as the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. (NAMILCO) celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Independence Day battle, organised by the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA), serves off at 09:00hrs at the Albion Estate Sports Complex and teams will battle for trophies,

medals and other incentives.

Among the teams scheduled to participate

AAG/EAFA to run off packed weekend of athletics

THIS Independence weekend will see a host of activities run off by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) in collaboration with the Ex-Athletes and Friends Association (EAFA).

AAG president Aubrey Hutson

There will be three track meets in total. The first will be held on Saturday morning - a Plaisance/Sparendaam one-mile race for children

within the community.

Meanwhile, later in the day at 18:00hrs, the 5K/10K race will commence. The race will be from GNS ground on Carifesta Avenue to the University of Guyana before returning to finish at the point of origin.

On Sunday, the athletes will head to the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC) at Leonora, West Coast Demerara for the relay festival.

Sixteen events are carded for the relay programme with 13 local clubs already registered. As it relates to the one-mile event, athletes under 8 years will run a 400m race, while the 9-18 year-olds will be required to run the mile.

In all, 14 tablets, eight bicycles and 65 pairs of running shoes are up for grabs, while the male and female winners of 5K/10K road race will pocket $50 000 each.

are Rollers, #52 Survivals, #47 Challengers, Port Mourant Training Cen-

tre (PMTC), Three Doors Strikers, Black Bush and Port Mourant females.

Some of the Berbice teams who are expected to compete.

In April, when the BVA teams last battled, the (PMTC) ‘A’ team and the Port Mourant females were crowned champions of the BVA ‘B’ division.

Eight male teams (Number 52 Survivors, PMTC ‘A’, PMTC ‘B’, Rollers, Black Bush Polder Gemini, D’Edward Three Doors Strikers, Number 47 Challengers and Castrol Strikers) and two female teams (Port Mourant females and Castrol Strikers) had taken part in that competition, which was held at the GUYSUCO Apprentice Hostel compound.

Former head of Kenya’s track and field team banned for 10 years

THE former head of Kenya’s track and field team has been banned from athletics for 10 years.

An IAAF ethics panel found Major Michael Rotich agreed to give advance notice of drugs tests to athletes and coaches for financial gain.

It said the “purpose of the agreement” was to “assist those athletes to flush their systems of banned substances before taking doping tests”.

Rotich managed the Kenyan athletics team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The IAAF panel said he “sought to obtain personal pecuniary benefit from the deliberate subversion of anti-doping controls, thereby distorting competition”.

It added there was no evidence Rotich provided advance notice of doping tests to specific athletes, or that any payments changed hands, but

that he “acted corruptly and in deliberate violation of core principles of the IAAF’s code of ethics”.

Major Michael Rotich initially appeared at Nairobi Court in August 2016 over the allegations.

The allegations arose from an investigation by the Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD on the eve of the Rio Games, when they secretly filmed Rotich apparently making an offer to provide prior warning of drugs tests in return for £10 000.

He said he was only going along with it because he wanted to find out who the undercover reporters were and “protect” athletes.

But the story led to his being sent home from Rio and triggered investigations by the IAAF - athletics’ world governing body - and Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Olympic women’s marathon silver medallist Eunice Kirwa has been provisionally suspended after failing a doping test.

Kirwa, who switched allegiance from Kenya in 2013, tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a banned blood-boosting hormone that improves endurance, said the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in a statement.

The gold medallist, Kenyan Jemima Sumgong, was suspended in 2017 for using the same substance but was allowed to keep her medal as she tested positive in April 2017. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

England dream of ending Windies unfazed by new 44 years of World Cup hurt World Cup format, says skipper Holder

By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - England’s relationship with the Cricket World Cup (CWC) has been one of frustration, disappointment and even embarrassment but they host this year’s tournament as the top-ranked 50-over team and favourites to lift the trophy for the first time.

From hosting the first three tournaments and reaching the final in 1979, 1987 and 1992, England slid downwards and reached its nadir four years ago when they unceremoniously exited at the group stage in Australia, the last straw being a humbling by an upstart Bangladesh.

Since then, however, the limited-overs caterpillars have transformed themselves into white-ball butterflies, acquiring an enviable assortment of big-hitters who routinely post 300-plus scores.

The single group, round-robin format of this year’s tournament also substantially reduces the risk of an exit and should ensure the strongest teams reach the last four - good news for the game’s powerhouse India.

Those two look nailed on to reach the last four but any from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and even a revitalised West Indies could easily join them.

With all 10 teams playing each other once to determine the four semi-finalists, the big teams will have plenty

of opportunities to recover from any giant-killing act they may be subjected to by outsiders Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

England’s spectacular rise is due to a change in their approach to one-day cricket and Jonny Bairstow reflected that when the opener was recently asked to choose between winning the World Cup and regaining the Ashes.

England’s ODI captain Eoin Morgan

“I am going (to pick the) World Cup because it’s been so long since we’ve had an opportunity to win one,” said Bairstow.

“I think that the amount of work that has gone into this group of players over the last couple of years, building and building, I firmly believe we’ve put an amount of effort in, that gives us the best chance.”

With home advantage comes home expectation as Eoin Morgan leads arguably the strongest England side in

the history of the tournament which has seen a co-host triumph in the last two editions.

INDIA EXPECT No burden of expectation, however, can be heavier than the one resting on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and his team mates out to win India’s third ODI World Cup. It is especially so after their performance in the last two global events on English soil where India won the 2013 Champions Trophy against the hosts and finished runners-up to arch-rivals Pakistan in the next edition four years later.

A modern batting great himself, Kohli headlines a formidable top order, while India have also acquired a potent pace attack, spearheaded by death-overs exponent Jasprit Bumrah.

Emotions will run high during their June 16 match against Pakistan following a further souring of relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours in recent times.

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, however, cannot afford to get distracted by the hype around the Manchester match-up as he seeks consistency from a notoriously fickle side.

“It’s annoying for us to keep being unpredictable, but it’s true,” former ODI captain Azhar Ali told the ICC website recently.

“We have done well in World Cups, even though no one rates us that highly in the build-up. We always produce good performances

so hopefully this will be a special one.”

Holders Australia face their own struggles as they try to put a ball-tampering scandal behind them for a successful title defence.

Captain Aaron Finch’s own battle with poor form provided the microcosm of the turmoil Australian cricket endured before series victories against India and Pakistan.

Former captain Steve Smith and opener David Warner returned from their yearlong bans over the ball-tampering incident to bolster a side who endured their longest sequence of consecutive ODI defeats in 2018.

Apart from their scoring duties, the duo, who made a successful return from elbow surgeries at the Indian Premier League (IPL), will also assist Finch in leading the side.

New Zealand will hope the collective experience of skipper Kane Williamson, batting pair Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill, and paceman Tim Southee will help the 2015 finalists secure a semi-final spot.

South Africa under Faf du Plessis are desperate to shed their “chokers” tag but find themselves already grappling with injuries to their pacemen, with Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje all nursing niggles.

Once-invincible West Indies had to come through the qualifiers but could be a surprise element with the return of opener Chris Gayle and all-rounder Andre Russell.

Durant, Cousins set to feature ‘at some point’ in NBA Finals KEVIN Durant and DeMarcus Cousins should both play for the Golden State Warriors “at some point” in the NBA Finals.

The Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers to reach the Finals for a fifth consecutive year, where they will face either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Toronto Raptors.

But defending champions Golden State will be without Durant and Cousins for the start of the series as they continue to recover from injuries.

Durant has been out since straining a calf in the first round, while Cousins tore his quadriceps in the same series.

The pair were assessed

by Warriors medical staff yesterday and are deemed to be making “good progress” but the team would not put a

date on their return.

Cousins is more advanced, having joined Golden State in practice. “ Wa r r i o r s f o r w a r d Kevin Durant (strained right calf) and centre DeMarcus Cousins (torn left quadriceps muscle) were evaluated by the team’s

medical staff earlier today,” a statement read.

“Durant, who has not yet been cleared to begin oncourt activities, continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation.

“At this point, it is unlikely that he will play at the beginning of the 2019 NBA

Kevin Durant has been out since straining his calf in the first round

Finals, but it’s hopeful that he could return at some point during the series.

“Cousins also continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation and practised with the team today for the first time since suffering the injury on April 16.

“It’s anticipated that he will play at some point during the 2019 NBA Finals, but the exact date is to be determined and depends on his progress.

“The status for both players will be updated next Wednesday (May 29).”

Durant, who has been named the Finals MVP in each of his two years in Oakland, has been widely linked with a move to the New York Knicks in free agency.

LONDON, England (CMC) – Captain Jason Holder says the new World Cup format means teams will have to work harder to win the competition but says West Indies have fully embraced the changes and believe their chances are as good as any other side’s.

For the first time in nearly three decades, each of the 10 teams will play each other in a round-robin preliminary round format, with the four top teams qualifying for the semi-finals.

“You only had five or six games previously, with a few more if you made the knockout stages so it’s exciting to play every other team this time,” Holder said yesterday at an ICC event here.

“You’ll have to work hard to win the World Cup by playing every other team – it’s the top ten in world but you want to play all the other nine to give yourself a chance.

“We’re taking it one game at a time – it’s a pretty level playing field and cricket is a game played on the day. Everyone is up to the task and knows what standard the competition is, so it comes down to who plays better on the day.”

West Indies are currently in a camp in Southampton and travel to Bristol shortly where they take on South Africa on Sunday in their first official warm-up match before clashing with New Zealand at the same venue two days later.

The Caribbean side have stern tests in their two opening encounters when they face Pakistan in their first match next week Friday in Nottingham before clashing with world champions Australia on June 6 at the same venue.

Holder said that would be his side’s focus in coming days as they put the finishing touches on their preparation.

“When the schedule came out, we didn’t look for one fixture in particular – we just looked at the first half of our schedule and turned our focus to the first few games,” he said.

West Indies are considered one of the outsiders in the May 31 to July 14 showpiece. They are ranked number eight in the world and are without a series win in five years, since they beat Bangladesh in the Caribbean in 2014.

Last year in bilateral series, they won just three of 11 ODIs and in 2017, also managed just three victories in 22 outings.

However, their 2-2 draw in the five-match home series against England earlier this year has offered hope of a turnaround in fortunes, and Holder said the squad were upbeat over the World Cup challenge ahead.

“We’re all excited for this tournament and we want it to start tomorrow. I’m pretty happy with my squad as a whole, so hopefully we can play well and enjoy ourselves.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday May 24, 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) (1) (2) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: 5 centuries Jason Holder-5 catches TODAY’S QUIZ: What was the result of the just-concluded ODI series between England and Pakistan?

Who was voted Man of the Series?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 24, 2019

Skerritt set for talks over GCB crisis

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – High-level Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials will hold talks with stakeholders in Guyana over the next few days, aimed at starting to address the governance crisis afflicting the Guyana Cricket Board.

CWI president Ricky Skerritt and chief executive officer, Johnny Grave, will discuss the matter with cricket administrators and government officials, as well as examine India’s planned tour of the Caribbean starting in August.

The move is part of a wider plan by CWI to strengthen governance at the local level, in keeping with Skerritt’s Cricket First Plan which he campaigned on during his recent bid for the presidency.

“This initial short visit will focus on discussions related to the hosting of India matches during the upcoming home series in August, but it will also hopefully give me a more detailed introduction to the legal and administrative issues that are currently prevailing in Guyana,” he said.

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CWI president Ricky Skerritt

“Guyana has produced some of the best players in the world and CWI wants its rich legacy to continue to be built on.”

The GCB has been embroiled in controversy for nearly a decade now. Elections have not been held since 2012 and only last month, the High Court here ruled the GCB executive invalid.

Skerritt last month described the Guyana cricket situation as “troubling” and “riddled with uncertainty”, but pledged CWI’s support in helping to rectify the matter.

The trip to Guyana will be the fourth for Skerritt since he was elected president in March. He has previously met with government officials in Jamaica, Leeward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago.

Skerritt and vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow defeated three-term incumbents Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan at CWI elections in Jamaica on March 24.

Simmons, Archer lead surprise CPL draft snubs Lendl Simmons

Ambitious Hetmyer eyeing World Cup as breakout moment Shimron Hetmyer

SOUTHAMPTON, England (CMC) – Big-hitting left-hander S h i m ro n H e t m y er hopes to use the World Cup to make an indelible mark on the international stage but says his main priority will be helping West Indies win the ICC showpiece.

The 22-year-old was one of seven players who joined the Windies camp last Saturday, after seeing out their full contract in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

Thus far it has been a fantastic ride for me. Actually being a part of the West Indies team for about three years now has been just fantastic. I’m just trying to go from strength to strength in whatever way I possibly can,” Hetmyer said.

“I’m just trying to play the situation and play for my team as much as possible and in whatever way possible I can make West Indies come out on top in whatever way I could, I’ll just try to do that.”

Hetmyer has been a settled member of the Windies ODI squad in

recent times and has made the most of the opportunities, averaging nearly 41 from 25 appearances.

He struck a sparkling unbeaten 104 against England earlier this year in Bridgetown, the last of his four ODI hundreds that have come in relatively quick time.

Hetmyer said he was pleased with his career to date but was aware he also needed to capitalise on opportunities to make bigger scores.

“Thus far it’s been alright. I’ve missed out on a couple of centuries also – I missed out on one against India in India last year and even against England I got only one,” Hetmyer said.

“In my career so far it’s been a fantastic ride for me because of the guys and everyone around me just supporting me in whatever way possible. It gives me the freedom to go out and do what I do best and play my shots and execute as well as I possibly can.”

West Indies went down by seven wickets on Wednesday in a practice match against Australia at the Rose Bowl here, with Hetmyer managing only 11.

The Caribbean side will further their preparation when they take on South Africa on Sunday in the first of two official warm-up matches in Bristol. They play New Zealand two days later.

Pooran excited about World Cup debut, eyeing title

SOUTHAMPTON, England, (CMC) – Rookie Nicholas Pooran hopes fulfilling his dream of playing in a World Cup coincides with a successful campaign for West Indies.

The 23-year-old was selected for the May 30 to July 14 ICC showpiece after only a single One-Day International – in which he failed to score – against England back in February this year.

“To be honest I would love to do special things for West Indies cricket,” the lefthander said.

“We have a really good bunch of guys now, a lot of young talent and we’re definitely looking forward to the World Cup. Not just myself but I know everyone else in the team is looking forward to a successful World Cup. “It’s been a while since West Indies won the 50-over World Cup but we’re confident and once you’re confident anything can happen. It would definitely be a lift to the people back home. We have a lot of passionate fans and I know they’re going to get

behind us and they’re going to support us.

“We’re going to try our best and try to bring this home.”

West Indies won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979 under the legendary Clive Lloyd and were losing finalists in the 1983 tournament, but have failed to make the grade every since.

They will enter this World Cup under the radar somewhat, with their unflattering record in recent years leading pundits to rule them out as serious contenders.

Pooran, though, believes if West Indies play strong cricket, any outcome would be possible.

“I’m very excited. It’s my first World Cup and my dream was always to play for West Indies at a World Cup,” he said.

“Hopefully we can be successful as a team. Hopefully at the end of the day if we do the right things we can be successful so I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Pooran is an aggressive batsman who has the ability to score quickly. In 11 T20 Internationals, he has already

Jofra Arhcer

EYEBROWS were raised around the region after several high-profile players failed to find a home during Wednesday’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) draft in London.

Leading the list of notable Caribbean absentees for the upcoming season were Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Sunil Ambris, Davendra Bishoo and Kevon Cooper.

The case of Simmons is particularly surprising as things seem to have spun in a 180-degree direction. Only a few months ago the player was selected as the first pick of the 2018 draft for the St Lucia Stars.

On that occasion, Simmons went for US$160 000 after entering the draft for US$70 000. The Trinidadian native entered the draft at the same price but this time around but found no takers.

The much-travelled Simmons previously played for the Jamaica Tallawahs, Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The 36-year-old Smith, who previously opened for Barbados Tridents and Amazon Warriors, also found himself without a team after entering in the US$70 000 category.

Another stunning omission, maybe the most surprising, from the team selection was Barbadian-born Englishman Jofra Archer, who was the most expensive ever Caribbean-born player for the 2018 IPL season.

The all-rounder also had several big performances in the Australia Big Bash League. The player was recently selected for the England World Cup squad. notched two half-centuries, and this year landed a contract with Kings XI Punjab in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

He also scored heavily in the Super50 Cup West Indies domestic tournament last October to grab the attention of selectors.

“I’ve worked hard over the last year and over the last couple years and my performances spoke for themselves,” said the Trinidadian.

“I wasn’t too surprised [about my selection] but I was really happy to be part of the squad. At the end of the day for me it was all about hard work … and I am just happy to be selected.”

West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran

Kenyan Mbihia arrives to participate in Independence 5k road race

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GCOS members Clive Atwell and Linden Jones, Godffrey Mbihia (centre), Collis Venture of Guybisco and Leslie Black A.A. (GCOS)

RISING Stars Athletics Club (RSAC) in collaboration with the Guyana Committee of Service (GCOS) is set to host its Independence 5k road race on Monday.

The event will begin and end at the National Park.

Over $800 000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs with categories from Under-10 to Masters. In a bid to increase the competitiveness of the event, the GCOS had invited seasoned Kenyan athlete, Godffrey Mbihia to participate in the event and yesterday, the athlete who is very keen to taking on the locals arrived in Guyana.

Mbihia, who has experience competing in Europe and North America, was in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago where he won the C To C 5k race last

weekend.

During a press brief yesterday afternoon at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) on Shivnarine Chanderpaul Drive, Mbihia, along with representatives of the GCOS, was on hand to give the media updates on the event.

Mbihia shared in his unique Kenyan accent that, “I have been running the entire Caribbean but I have never been here. I am happy to be here, I did well in the C TO C marathon in Trinidad so I am happy and confident. In sports anything can happen but I am always positive. I am here to win but only the best will win.”

According to committee member of the GCOS, Les-

lie Black A.A., Mbihia will be also be holding training sessions with local middle- and long-distance athletes in a bid to help them improve their current level.

The event that has been sanctioned by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), will begin in the National Park then proceed along Thomas Lands north into JB Singh Drive before turning left into Carifesta Avenue, left into Camp Street, left into Thomas Lands back then into the National Park for the finish The event is sponsored by E-Networks, Ministry of the Presidency, Office of the Prime Minister, Guyana Committee of Service, Guybisco and Ken Phillips.

(Antarctic Maintenance)

Windies unfazed by new World Cup Local referee/judge format, says skipper Holder Elton Chase completes ITO course and examination LOCAL referee/judge Elton Chase is on his way to becoming Guyana’s first AIBA-certified International Technical Officer (ITO).

Chase was part of a batch of 17 officials from the Caribbean who participated in an Americas Boxing Confederstion (AMBC)-sponsored ITO course and examination held in St Lucia. The course and exam concluded yesterday.

The dependable Chase was the only Guyanese on the course and president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle expressed confidence that the local official will pass with “flying colours”.

Chase is expected back home tomorrow.

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West Indies captain Jason Holder (centre) is flanked by Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed and Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib, as he speaks during an ICC captains media day, yesterday.

(Photo courtesy ICC Media)

Local referee/judge Elton Chase

Skerritt set for talks 27 over GCB crisis

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

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FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019