Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_7_29_2019

MONDAY 29th JULY, 2019

50,000

No.105713

registered MoTP slams Ramkarran distortion of facts 08

house-to-house registration picks up momentum SEE STORY ON PAGE 03 ►

– citizens response good despite PPP threats

‘We are moving up!’

Wakapoa residents laud govt’s development initiatives

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– accuses him of furthering poisoned view of alleged delay tactics

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Fly Jamaica 09 changes hands PAGE

Gov’t delivers on promises to 11 Leguan residents PAGE

A section of the gathering at the community meeting at Wakapoa Primary School, Lower Pomeroon River, on Sunday (DPI photo)

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‘We are moving up!’

– Wakapoa residents laud govt’s development initiatives

WITH four years under its belt, the Coalition Government has come in for high commendation from residents of Wakapoa village, lower Pomeroon River, for a quality of service, they say, is second to none.

Nestled in the St Lucians Mission, some 26 miles down the Pomeroon River, with a population of just over 3,000, the mainly farming community has seen a remarkable transformation in every sector over the last four years.

Such developments were never seen, although the community lived through a 23-year era of the previous administration.

At a meeting Sunday at

Community leader Telford Fredricks

and Annette Ferguson were asked to relay a “thank you”

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson interacts with a resident (DPI photo)

the community’s primary school, Ministers of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

message to President David Granger for the extraordinary

work his administration has been doing over the last few years.

Speaking on behalf of residents, community leader Telford Fredricks said despite its remoteness, the government’s hand was not short in reaching the community and providing optimum service.

“We are on the way. We have achieved a lot. Our school is better staffed. The medical section is operating much better. They [government] feel for us. I want to pass on a message to President Granger that we are thankful for what he has done,” he told the ministers.

Fredricks said the government has done “two times the amount in four years compared to 23 years of the PPP”.

These include the provision of two school boats, the construction of four bridges, and a new medical centre and doctor’s quarter, along with the rehabilitation of the nursery school. Works are also beginning on a road project link in upper Correia.

Minister Bulkan, in return, lauded the residents for underscoring the developments by the administration.

One of the major differences between the administration and the former, he said, is that the coalition government believes that Guyana belongs to everyone.

“We did not look at the results at the last General Elections and decide that we will only give government support to communities that supported us. That is not how governments work,” Minister Bulkan said.

Meanwhile, Minister with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson, noted that

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Venezuelans join clean-up drive

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

the government is an administration for all.

“I want you to understand that your government is not a government that caters to the needs of just one group; we are looking after the needs of everyone,” she assured.

The minister said the government has been making significant strides in every aspect of development.

“There were communities in the hinterland regions that were locked out of information. Today, there are countless radio stations. So that our people within the hinterland and Indigenous communities can hear what we say. Our people can now access information. Even the ICT hubs have found their way into the far-flung communities,” the minister said.

Further, Minister Bulkan addressed the ongoing Guyana Elections Commission’s House-to-House Registration, urging residents to be registered.

He reiterated that the government only wants credible elections, which can only happen if there is a credible list from the House-to-House process.

“We are not running from elections. We are proud of our achievements.

Our position is, bring it on, bring it on, we ready,” Minister Bulkan challenged.

(DPI)

The group of Venezuelans during the clean-up exercise at the Georgetown seawall

IN what is seen as a form of appreciation for the hospitality they have received in Guyana thus far, a group of Venezuelans on Sunday carried out the first of a weekly clean-up exercise along the Georgetown seawall.

The exercise was undertaken in two phases and according to one of the organisers, Lisa Browne, the event was well attended; she noted that everyone provided support in whatever way they could.

“We had one group here from 8 am this morning of about 30 persons until 11 am and another group came out from 4pm this afternoon and we had more people,” Browne said.

She said that teams combed through the rocks outside the seawall as they commenced the exercise from the Kitty roundabout heading north.

Browne said she thought of the idea sometime last year and two weeks ago she made a post in a Venezuelan Facebook group and the

response was positive from the inception.

She said the group is conscious of the environment and the care that it should receive. It was noted too that whether persons can attend the exercise or not, being conscious of the environment matters most.

Browne said too that the group was also thankful for being able to move to Guyana, given the economic woes Venezuela is experiencing.

“Basically, we have to be thankful for the people here in Guyana, they have received us well and we have to show some form of appreciation, “ she added.

The group included families and some prepared food while others assisted with water and beverages as the teams cleaned the area.

More than two dozen bags of garbage were collected and the team intends to continue the exercise next Sunday, while there are plans to pursue similar voluntary ventures in the near future.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

50,000 registered house-to-house registration picks up momentum

OVER 50,000 individuals nationwide have now been registered in the house-to-house registration exercise and are now eligible to vote in the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

These individuals are also now eligible to receive the new Identification (ID) Cards which will be distributed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by the October 20, 2019 deadline.

On Sunday, GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Warde told this newspaper that a total of 51,054 registration transactions have taken place since the commencement

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A GECOM enumerator assists 20-year-old Joel Evans in the registration process (Adrian Narine photo)

of the exercise on July 20, 2019.

While the over 1,200 teams deployed still have more ground to cover, many have also begun the process of revisiting residences where persons may not have been home at the time or may not have been in possession of their documents. Upon conclusion of this exercise, a new National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB), which is reflective of the current Guyanese population, will be created.

Subsequently, the Official List of Electors (OLE) will be extracted for the purpose of conducting General and Regional Elections.

Don’t allow Jagdeo to destabilise Guyana – Dr. Hinds urges, says house-to-house registration will lend to credible elections

By Svetlana Marshall AT A time when Guyana is on the verge of an economic transformation that could see a positive ripple effect in critical sectors, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), it would appear, is attempting to drive the country into a state of crisis, says political scientist, Dr. David Hinds.

The December 21 No-Confidence Motion has triggered the need for early elections, but with the Voters’ List now expired, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), an independent constitutional agency, has embarked on house-to-house registration, a process that would result in the generation of a valid and credible Voters’ List. But the Opposition, in its quest for early General and Regional Elections, is demanding that the process be scrapped, and elections be held, using the expired Voters’ List. In fact, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo has called on Guyanese to boycott houseto-house registration, with his party threatening that it will not recognise any voters’ list arising from the national

registration process. Dubbing the actions of the Opposition “political sabotage”, Dr. Hinds said the motive of the PPP/C ought to be questioned.

Posing questions of his own, Dr. Hinds said: “What is the ulterior motive? Is it that you want to push this situation to crisis point? Are you doing everything to push this situation to crisis point, so it can blow out of proportion? Then who does it benefit?

Opting to answer the questions himself, Dr. Hinds said during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle: “It may benefit the PPP in the short term; it may benefit Mr. Jagdeo in the short term, but I think, in the long-term, it does not benefit this nation.”

He is of the belief that the Opposition is setting the stage for a political collision at a time when the country’s oil-and-gas industry is on the horizon.

Said he: “We can ill afford to be on the brink of the greatest opportunity we have had in 400 years to deal with some of the structural problems that we have brought with us from the

Middle Passage to the present; that on the eve, you are putting this country at risk by creating this uncertainty and instability. I think that is a greater crime than telling your people not to register,” Dr. Hinds said, adding that it is important for constitutional and political actors to “marry principle with practicality” when interpreting the Constitution and the rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), as suggested by Justice Jacob Wit. Dr. Hinds noted that while the CCJ, in validating the No-Confidence Motion against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, read and interpreted Articles 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution together, here in Guyana, some “jurists” tend to read the sub-articles separately, when, in fact, they should be read together.

MUST BE READ TOGETHER When read together, the sub-articles state that upon the passage of a No-Confidence Motion, elections must be held within three months, or at a later time, as approved by a two-thirds majority of

the National Assembly.

“They have to be read together, because, if you read them together, you will recognise that holding an election in 90 days is not absolute,” Dr. Hinds emphasised, noting that in crafting the Constitution, the authors took into consideration that there might be factors that would not allow for credible elections to be held within 90 days, hence, the proviso was inserted to allow for an extension. GECOM’s inability to hold elections within three months is one such factor, the political scientist reasoned.

On the basis that GECOM is not in a position to facilitate credible, free and fair elections within three months, Dr. Hinds said that the Opposition, together with the Government, should extend the period for elections by a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly. He warned that using an expired Voters’ List amounts to electoral fraud, and that that, too, can result in litigation.

“There is a society; there is a place called Guyana, and we know that Guyana has had troubled elections. So one has to be very careful in Guyana about elections, because there are consequences that are deep here, that may not occur in other societies. So it is very important that we get the preparations for the elections

right,” the political scientist said, adding: “It is for that reason I think that the house-to-house registration is the better option. I am not saying that Claims and Objection would not help in cleaning the list; it would help, but the problems with that list are complex.

You have people who, for example, did not collect their ID cards; 20,000 of them.

That is four seats; you cannot play around, because elections are decided by one seat.

Where are those people? Are they dead? If nothing else; if that alone was wrong with the list, it would be enough to have a new list. But there are other things; people have migrated; they have died.”

President David Granger and his Government, in endorsing house-to-house registration, have argued that the now expired voters’ list is bloated with over 200,000 dead people, and those who have since migrated.

Dr. Hinds, like the government, is calling on all Guyanese to participate in the national registration exercise, noting that once this process is completed, elections would be held shortly after. He warned that at this critical juncture, Guyanese must unite and resist any attempt at plunging the country into a state of instability or uncertainty, adding that should this come to pass, it would have

Political Scientist, Dr. David Hinds

social, economic and external implications.

Dr. Hinds also used the opportunity to encourage the government, and the parties therein, to appeal to PPP/C supporters as the country heads to early elections.

“I think people like myself and others should be appealing to the PPP supporters; we may not get their votes, but we would put them in a state of mind where they would not allow themselves to be used in an unpatriotic manner; to be used in a criminal manner, and to put their country in harm’s way.”

GECOM has indicated to the Courts that it would be ready to facilitate elections after December 25, 2019, by which time houseto-house registration will have been completed, and a credible voters’ list generated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 28, 2019

Dozens of mourners ‘killed by Boko Russia protests: Thousand arrested at Moscow rally Haram’ at a funeral in north Nigeria

(BBC) Police in Moscow have detained more than (BBC) At least 65 people 1,000 people at a rally, in one have lost their lives after of the biggest crackdowns suspected Boko Haram in years. militants D e m o n s topened r a t o r s fire w e on re adragged funeral in Nigeria’s away from the city north-eastern of Borhall as securitystate forces used no. batons against the crowd.

Gunmen arrived on moPeople were protesting torcycles and in vans at the against the exclusion of village near the state capital, opposition candidates from Maiduguri, Saturday, eyelocal polls.onThe opposition witnesses say. say they were barred for A number of mournpolitical reasons. ers Some were reportedly killed of the candidates straight away, while others banned from standing in the died trying to chase off had the 8 September election been detained earlier.

Officials disqualified

attackers.

There has been an increase in Islamist attacks across the region.

Local government official Muhammed Bulama said he thought the latest attack was in revenge for the killing of 11 Boko Haram fighters by the villagers two weeks ago.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and more than two million displaced over the past decade of conflict.

Boko Haram, loosely

Riot police detained hundreds of protesters on Saturday

about 30 people, saying were made at the banned gei Sobyanin, has called the Boko Haram started an insurgency in northern Nigeria 10 years ago they had failed to collect rally, officials say, while demonstration a "security translated, means “Western forbids reported Muslims to take West.

Theand group is fighting threat", promised to monitors 1,127 enough valid signatures to that education is banned” and part in any political or social to overthrow the government maintain public order. detentions. stand. promotes a version Islam activity associated withSerthe and create state.

AngeranisIslamic widespread Moscow's Mayor, At least 1,074ofarrests It has been active not among opposition supporters at the way the city is run and the ruling United Russia party.

Opposition leader Alex-

Monday, July 29, 2019 02:00hrs.-03:30hrs.

SUNDAY 28 July, 2019 - 01:00hrs ~ 02:30hrs

ei Navalny, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, only in Nigeria, but also in was jailed for 30 days on the neighbouring countries of Wednesday after calling Chad, Niger and Cameroon. forBoko Saturday's unapproved Haram has been demonstration. notorious for kidnapping Mr Putin was a trip schoolchildren and on attracted to the media Baltic attention Sea on Satglobal in urdayfollowing for a dive in a sub2014 the abduction mersible.

"There a lota of almost 300 girlsarefrom school in the town Chibok, of problems on of Earth, so intoBorno, the state the diminish theirwhere amount militant one hasgroup to gohas up been and most deep active.

2015, it was ranked down,"Inhe remarked. the world’s deadliest terror What happened this group by the Institute for Saturday?

Economics and Peace. more Last Saturday, Territory controlled by than 20,000 Russians took the group has declined in to the streets, demanding recent years and it has splinfair into elections, andfactions. dozens tered competing were arrested.the Islamist However, It is unclear many militants remainhow active in people turned up for the the region, defying attempts new rally the on by theunauthorised army to bring 27 July but theend. numbers insurgency to an seem to have been sharply down.

According to police, about 3,500 people gathered, including about 700 journalists.

Police in riot gear pushed back the crowd from barriers surrounding the mayor's office in central Moscow, hauling off detainees to police stations.

A number of protesters could be seen bleeding while at least two members of the security forces reportedly received eye injuries from pepper spray.

Saturday July 28, 2019

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July 26, 2019

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09 16 17 18 19

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Prime minister meets World Bank delegation

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, and Dawn Hastings, Minister of State, met with a high-level delegation from the World Bank Group on Monday last.

The World Bank Group, headed by Tahseen Sayed, Director for the Caribbean and Latin American region, reaffirmed its commitment to expand positive engagement with Guyana as the country heads to first oil.

The World Bank assured of their support for capacity building over time, engagements in the areas of policy, legislative drafting, education, agriculture, development financing, environmental protection, global best practices, the sovereign wealth fund and the Extractive Industries Transpar-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, and Dawn Hastings, Minister of State with members of the World Bank Group (DPI photo)

ency Initiative.

Sayed reminded that the World Bank has already granted US$20M ($4.2B) to Guyana for technical support, and assured that over a three year period between $25M and $90M could be made through a concessional window.

The prime minister spoke to the issue of the current situation following the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling. He also explained the importance of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), the Guyana Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and transparency and accountability as facilitated within the framework of the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GEITI). He added that while Guyana has a

plan under its “2040 Available Vision”, it will abide strictly to the fiscal rules that guide expenditure.

Other members of the group comprise Ozan Sevimli, Resident Representative for Jamaica and Guyana; Judith Green, Principal Investment Officer/Head of the English-Speaking Caribbean for the International Finance Corporation, a World Bank subsidiary agency; Abha Prasad, Programme Leader for the Caribbean; Susana Moreira, oil and gas specialist; and Hubert Forrester, operations officer.

The prime minister’s delegation included Legal Adviser (Governance), Tamara Khan and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Deeann Ali. (DPI)

Calls for Legislative intervention for TT law students

(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) CONGRESS of the People (COP) political leader Carolyn Seepersad Bachan has called for “immediate legislative intervention” for citizens affected by a recent High Court decision blocking them from using section 15 (1A) of the Legal Profession Act (LPA) to enter the local legal profession.

Justice Vasheist Kokaram, in a 125-page decision last Friday, deemed the section to be unconstitutional as it discriminates against non-nationals who want to practise law in TT.

The Section allowed TT law students to enter the profession without the require-

Leader of the Congress of the People Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan

ment of a legal education certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, if they underwent six months of in-service training under a practising attorney, once they had the LPC and BPTC (Legal Practice Course and Bar Professional Training Course).

Kokaram held that the section placed an additional burden on non-nationals seeking admission to the Hugh Wooding Law School, who must write an entrance examination, or wait additional years to be called to the bar in England and then

seek to get their certificate of fitness before being admitted to the local Bar. In a media release, Seepersad-Bachan who was recently called to the local Bar said while she is not making any comment on the judgment, she notes there are several unanswered questions which need to be addressed including the “possibility of obstructed access to practice in the local courts.”

“Many questions have been raised on the disenfranchisement of so many students, the investment of money and time, the many

modified family and living arrangements, and above all, the possibility of obstructed access to practice in the courts of Trinidad and Tobago.”

“The travesty is further highlighted by the fact that the Hugh Wooding Law School has not been able to accommodate the majority of persons outside the Faculty of Law, UWI. In many cases an external programme would not have been the preferred option, but an option born out of necessity.”

She said the COP “sympathizes” with those per-

spective lawyers who will be affected by this decision and called on government, though the Attorney General, to “offer some form of redress by immediate legislative intervention.”

“We call on the Government to consider an urgent sitting of Parliament, as the impact of the timing of this judgment is crucial, given that many students are about to, or have already begun their in-service training, and others are presently preparing for being called to the Bar at the next sitting later this year.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Jobs depend on sanitation

MOST Guyanese are aware that sanitation, including a reliable supply of clean water, is essential for good health, clean communities, and a healthy environment.

However, it is frequently overlooked that job creation and sustainability depend on efficient sanitation services.

It is therefore commendable that the APNU+AFC administration has committed itself to the provision of good sanitation, as this will have a direct, positive impact on employment opportunities, particularly as it relates to young Guyanese.

It is logically clear how sanitation affects jobs. For example, one remembers that under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime, the various municipal markets were dumpsites.

One recalls too, that during

the reign of the PPP, Georgetown, generally, was one huge, stinking, rat and mosquito-infested dump; and the PPP government did nothing to fix the problem. Perhaps, PPP officials were too busy acquiring personal wealth as they built their extravagant mansions in “Pradoville.”

Under those conditions during the PPP era, what businessperson would have wanted to invest in Guyana?

It is clear that lack of sanitation causes disease, and sick adults cannot go to work; sick children cannot go to school and get an education in order to get good jobs when they grow up.

Of course, the dump that was Georgetown became a flooded nightmare every time it rained. Again, persons could not get to work; and let us not forget that in those horrible days, many

businesses were affected and were forced to remain closed, resulting in employees losing pay.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states that, “An estimated three out of four jobs that make up the global workforce are either heavily or moderately dependent on water. This means that water shortages and problems of access to water and sanitation could limit economic growth and job creation in the coming decades, according to a UN report. The 2016 edition of the United Nations [UN] World Water Development Report, Water and Jobs, also notes that half of the world’s workers -- 1.5 billion people -- are employed in eight water and natural resource-dependent industries.”

UNESCO states too, that,

“[Sanitation] and jobs are inextricably linked on various levels, whether we look at them from an economic, environmental or social perspective. [One edition of the] UN’s World Water Development Report breaks new ground by addressing the pervasive relationship between sanitation and jobs to an extent not yet seen in any other report,” said the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) spoke directly to Guyana’s situation; one of the agency’s reports asserts that, “The conditions which Guyana is likely to experience through Climate Change will impact diminishing [sanitation] resources, causing increased malnutrition, waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, and vec-

tor-borne diseases such as malaria.

The manifestations of climate change if not addressed now, will affect the survival, growth, development and participation of children, thus hindering their optimum performance and achievements.

Prevention and mitigation of these threats are inextricably linked to the achievement of the goals and standards set out in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).”

Fortunately, Guyanese woke up from the nightmare of the PPP’s appalling governance in 2015 when citizens elected the APNU+AFC administration into office.

One will recall that within a few days of taking office,

the government launched a clean-up exercise. One remembers that businesspersons, private citizens, religious organisations, and youth clubs enthusiastically joined the administration to clean the city. Guyanese should never allow our beautiful country to return to that state of dirtiness.

The international reports cited here also mentioned climate change as a major factor in maintaining sanitation. It must be noted that President Granger’s Green State Development Strategy comprehensively addresses how Guyana will fight climate change and its negative effects. Guyanese are indeed fortunate to have a visionary, caring, and action-oriented government that has dedicated itself to providing a better life.

Shuman’s concern a figment of his ‘fertile imagination’ Dear Editor SO, Lenox Shuman is another political aspirant who has just made what amounts to his first substantive political statement, via his political party, the Liberty and Justice Party(LJP): “Shuman’s party joins fight against house-tohouse registration.” Guyana Chronicle of July 27, 2019.

His main thrust in his letter, is that his Amerindian “brothers” and “sisters”, stand to be affected by the current exercise of house-tohouse registration, because a significant number of them

are employed in “mining’’ and ‘’logging’’ throughout Guyana which, if Shuman is to be understood, means that their geographic locations will prevent them from being registered.

One takes this as his reason for objecting to the legal pre-election procedure. He further seeks to support this objection, and reason, by alluding to Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield’s statement that the expired list can suffice for elections by a claims and objections period.

As a result, he has decided to mount a court challenge.

First of all, it is quite clear that Shuman is mouth-

ing the dangerous nonsense of the political opposition and all the other vested interest forces, and that he has become a proxy for a wellknown, former “conscience of the nation,” whose pretence has finally been blown open as a result of this now concubinage with the very political criminals that he had once criticised.

Secondly, it is interesting to note that this former toshao is describing Indigenous people as being “marginalised”, while expressing concerns that their employment itinerary will cause them to be affected by the current house-to-house

exercise.

Editor, it is his right to agitate for his people but, immediately, Shuman is guilty of gross hypocrisy here, since he must know, as he surely does, that the coalition government, since 2015 has poured finances, going into the billion-dollar range, into removing Amerindian communities and their citizens from a state of socio-economic primitive existence that became a fact under the 23 years of PPP/C governance. In fact, one wonders where was Shuman when the PPP/C was insulting Amerindians with outboard engines and chainsaws, thus

ensuring their political subservience; never encouraging their community leaders to effect Village Improvement Plans for the socio-economic advancement of their communities, as the coalition government has since 2015 been doing.

I will be the first to admit that very much still needs to be done for the Indigenous peoples; but, in the same breath, a tremendous amount, qualitatively, has been done by way of programmes enacted for empowerment of Amerindian communities and their citizens for secure livelihoods by the coalition government, rather than a dependency model as fostered during the PPP/C regime. One only has to look at the Hinterland Employment Youth Ser-

vice (HEYS) programme which, since its enactment, has been giving life skills training to hundreds of Amerindian youths, in addition to start-up finances for business ventures, rather than the $30,000 monthly paid to a dubious category once branded as “community support officers” for mere PPP/C propaganda dissemination. Improvements to, and the building of aerodromes, bridges and roads for improved connectivity.

Then there is the installation of ICT HUBS; radio stations for informing hinterland communities, because they have a right to know, rather than being deliberately kept in the dark, as had been the case during the PPP/C TURN TO PAGE 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

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PPP/C conveniently City should be reclaimed from acknowledges ‘Fantastic Four’ unlawfulness rule of law Dear Editor,

IT can be clearly seen that the opposition PPP/C and its supporters are contradicting themselves every day. Please allow me to respond to a letter which was published in the Kaieteur News, dated July 25, 2019 by Rudolph Singh, titled, “Who is in charge at GECOM?” and states that, “Patterson was squatting at GECOM. After he was pronounced to be illegal, his structures (house-to-house registration) should be demolished.”

Clearly in my understanding it seems to me as though that Mr Rudolph Singh is very contradicting and confused in what he continues to spew daily in the letter columns.

Let us take the case of Charrandass Persaud and the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2018. Even though Persaud was not eligible to be a member of parliament due to his dual citizenship, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) still ruled that his vote was validly

passed.

Therefore, it means that Retired Justice Patterson’s decisions are still legal and binding, to go ahead with the house-tohouse registration. If the then chairman’s actions cannot be respected by the opposition in Mr Singh’s opinion, he should avail himself of the facts from GECOM’S many public pronouncements; he would know that this decision for house-tohouse registration, was taken by full agreement of the elections commission since February 19, 2019, and given effect via Order No. 25 of 2019, June 11, as published in the Official Gazette dated June 11, 2019. The Official Gazette shows that an order was documented for the registration exercise to commence on July 20 and end on October 20, 2019. This is before the CCJ’s ruling on June 18, 2019.

It would seem to me that the rule of law is applicable only when it suits the PPP/C’s narrative.

Sincerely yours, Ceion Rollox

Dear Editor AS an earnest taxpaying citizen of Georgetown, can the council inform us when the current Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown will embark upon correcting the wrongs and repairing the extensive damage that was wilfully done to our capital city by a former senior administrative municipal staffer?

If one were to take a stroll in the Bel Air Park neighbourhood, along where the empty lots known as R3 and R4 are located, one can still observe the remaining evidence of the venal attempt at land grabbing by the ‘Fantastic Four.’ There is an old shipping container and a dilapidated and teetering guard hut defacing one side, whilst the other side has been made into a swamp that breeds mosquitoes and cultivates copious amounts of wild brush, weeds and trees, due to it being recklessly excavated when the gang was trying to illegally convert this dedicated open space into

FROM PAGE 6

Shuman’s concern... regime; and the creation of municipal towns, designed as capital towns for influencing economic growth in the administrative regions, inclusive of Indigenous peoples.

The above are just a sample of some of the socio-economic programmes which continue to effect changes to hinterland communities and the indigenous population, with the effect of gradually closing the gap between the coastal and the hinterland, in terms of socio-economic development, health and standards of living. One must now demand of Shuman where was his voice of protest against PPP/C degradation and disrespect of his “brothers and sisters” when the then government rode rough shod, trampling over the rights of his brethren, and their cries were being met with abuse and threats?

Surely, he must know that no such behaviour is part and

parcel of the coalition understanding of governance.

Thirdly, Indigenous peoples have always been spread, throughout their geographic space, in terms of employment opportunities.

The latter, to the best of knowledge and memory, has never been a constraint/humbug in their ability to access the facility of house-to-house registration for participation in national elections. Thus, Shuman’s “worry” is of the greatest invention of a most fertile imagination, which the court must find, when his challenge comes to court.

Fourthly, the methodology of claims and objections is not a known safe, thorough or even effective means for updating a national list of registrants, from which a final voters’ list is prepared.

This process is likened unto a sieve filled with holes. It is a recipe for national injustice to thousands, which cannot

be allowed to happen under a government that believes in the rights of citizens.

Finally, to the Shumans – what you bring to the national table thus far, smells of that old familiar programme of political opportunism by those who do not believe nor subscribe to the rights of Indigenous peoples and improvements to their communities and daily lives, much less in a vision which pertains to ALL GUYANESE. Further, politics should be about service to the people, and improvements to their lives, and not about disgusting arrogance and authoritarian behaviour, such as you chasing a religious representative out from your community, which had been reported in sections of the national media.

Regards Earl Hamilton

a dedicated upscale housing plot for themselves. The area needs to be restored into an aesthetically pleasing open space.

The same goes for the Farnum ground in the Subryanville area, where another illegal land-grab attempt was made.

In the downtown area there are old cut-up railway tracks that have been placed along some sidewalks, which serve no useful purpose other than to have given ‘the boys’ some jobs and some free money to cut up and bolt down this scrap metal.

This should be removed and sold to the scrap metal dealers.

And then there is the unfinished and now derelict ‘Presidential Park’ at the eastern extremity of Church Street and North Road, which was an unrefined attempt to pander to the politicians. This eyesore needs to be either completed by the relevant agency, or torn down. Should this area not be returned to a green space as part of our city’s and country’s green agenda?

And further west of these

same two roadways there is the area that was assigned to street barbers, cosmetologists and beauticians, many of whom are unlicensed.This area is now nothing short of a shantytown with a number of rickety, makeshift tents barely standing, adorned with scraps of multi-coloured plastic, cloth, and canvas, and which is ironically named ‘The Beauty Promenade.’ In the interest of developing our tourism industry, this area should be cleared and cleaned in addition to the dog kennel-type structures that were constructed a little farther west, supposedly a ‘Farmers Market’ for wholesalers who bring their produce for sale on Thursdays and Fridays from the rural areas should also be torn down.

Surely, this depravity should not be allowed to continue so long after the ‘King and Queen’ were sent packing.

We need to take back our city from this unlawfulness.

Sincerely, Anu Bihari

Former prime minister guilty of hypocrisy Dear Editor, RECENTLY, the PPP engaged in a demonstration during which they called for early elections. Unlike in a period of time not so long ago, no one was shot by members of the Guyana Police Force. The PPP demonstrators were exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate. That right is respected by the David Granger administration.

But sir, I was taken aback by the words of Mr Samuel Hinds, a former Prime Minister and President of this country. Mr Hinds called on President Granger and his cabinet of minister’s to resign immediately.

Not so long ago the same Mr Samuel Hinds while prime minister had occupied

a Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) parliamentary seat which the Alliance For Change had won. Mr Hinds squatted on that seat while the matter engaged the attention of the courts of the land. I could be wrong about this and pardon me if I am, but I recall that this matter was never determined by the court. Rather, it was overtaken by time, having yet been undetermined by the time another national election was held.

Did Mr Hinds honour calls for him to relinquish the seat he was allegedly illegally occupying? Did it matter to Mr Samuel Hinds that he was holding the office of prime minister while the world watched as he held fast to a parliamentary seat to which he was allegedly not entitled?

Did it matter to Mr Mr Samuel Hinds that a short while before he commenced occupation of that Region 10 parliamentary seat, the High Court of the land had vitiated the elections of the immediate past Parliament? Did it matter to Mr Samuel Hinds that he had only recently been forced to step down from the office of prime minister so that another could have taken his place, be elevated to the presidency only to reappoint Mr Hinds to the office of prime minister?

Mr Editor, would it not be fair to say that Mr Mr Samuel Hinds’ call for the President and his cabinet to resign is in fact an act of hypocrisy?

Yours faithfully, Mervyn Williams, MP Ministerial Adviser.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

MoTP slams Ramkarran distortion of facts ― accuses him of furthering poisoned view of alleged delay tactics

The Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) notes with much concern the statements made

by Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, S.C. in his blog titled “The President is transporting Guyana into a dystopian reality” published in the 28th July 2019 edition of the Stabroek News.

Mr. Ramkarran, who is also a co-founder of A New and United Guyana (ANUG) a new political party has seemingly joined the anti-government critics who have sought to distort President David Granger’s actions relative to the appointment of a Chair of the Elections Commission and the holding of General and Regional Elections (GRE).

The Ministry on 27th July addressed some of the said matters raised in that day’s malicious Stabroek News editorial titled – “Temporising”.

President Granger on 19th July 2019 in an interview done on ‘The Public Interest’, was asked whether he believes the rejection of his nominees by the Leader of the Opposition would hamper the way forward relative to the “hammering out” of the list of nominees to be formally submitted to him by the Leader of the Opposition.

He replied: “Well, it is a recipe for gridlock. The important thing which the CCJ aimed at is to ensure consensualism. That is to say, there must be a spirit of compromise, there must acceptance of the be a role of the president in hammering out the list and similarly both sides are to aim at having a list of candidates which are not unacceptable to the President. Unless we accept that principles we are going to end up in gridlock and that is what we are heading for if the Opposition continues to deny the President a role in hammering out that list.”

The Head of State, later in that interview, acceded that the use of the term ‘gridlock’ may be have been too strong an expression. He committed to meeting the Leader of the Opposition to resolve any problems that may have arisen during the “hammering out” process.”

“Although, I used the word gridlock it might be a strong expression. I do feel that there might be a misunderstanding on the part of the Opposition, and I am prepared to sit with the Leader of the Opposition to arrive at an interpretation of what the CCJ said.

As far as I am concerned, the CCJ was quite clear and

it means that the President must have a role; must have a role. That is the word the CCJ used “must” have a role and I would resist any attempt to prevent me from exercising the function that has been given to me by the CCJ. The role of the President in the crafting and hammering out of the list must be respected,” said the President.

‘hammering out’ process between the Government and Opposition appointed working groups achieved in four meetings between 8th and 17th July and which resulted in Justice Claudette Singh, S.C, CCH, being named as GECOM Chair on 26th July.

Mr. Ramkarran’s suggestion that the President had no right to be involved in the

Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, S.C.

The Head of State did not insert himself into the “hammering out” process. It was the CCJ which, in its ruling on 18th June, called for a consensual approach rather than unilateral one on both sides.

The CCJ said that the most sensible approach to appointing the Chairman of the Elections Commission was for both the President and Leader of the Opposition to communicate with each other in good faith and to discuss the eligible candidates for the position of Chairman before the formal submission of a list.

The Court said that the two sides “must” agree on the names of six persons who fit the eligibility requirements and are “not unacceptable” to the President.

The Court held that, once the President and the Leader of the Opposition have ‘hammered out’ a list of names “not unacceptable” to the President, the list of six persons must then be formally submitted to the President by the Leader of the Opposition. The President, in turn, must select the Chairman from among those names.

The Court said that such an approach would give the President a role and would remove the possibility of a unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the Elections Commission.

This was exactly what the

selection process is ludicrous.

President Granger has never indicated that he would select his own nominee. What he made clear is that he has a role to play in the shortlisting of persons “not unacceptable” to him.

“It would be spurious if the opposition insists on exclusively crafting that list or unilaterally crafting that list. The CCJ ruling makes it impossible for that to occur,” President Granger said in 19th July interview while noting that he is not a “passive participant.”

The President, on 4th July, had met the Leader of the Opposition to discuss the appointment of a Chairman of the Elections Commission. The two sides discussed the means of selecting a new Chairman in accordance with the judgment of the CCJ and to ensure that the Commission would be able to function in an uninterrupted manner.

It was agreed at that meeting, that the Leader of the Opposition would submit a list of names of persons for the President’s consideration and, later, Ms. Gail Teixeira, Chief Whip of the Opposition, indicated to Mr. Joseph Harmon, Director General, Ministry of the Presidency, that “the Leader of the Opposition was not averse to the President informally suggesting names in

their proposed engagement for his consideration.

Mr. Ramkarran in his blog referred also to a Stabroek News report on the President’s meeting with members of civil society dated 26th July.

He said based on President Granger’s statements on the issue of non-interference in the work of the Elections Commission and the fact that no coercive orders were issued by the CCJ, “the President could still refuse to dissolve Parliament and fix a date for elections.”

The Ministry of the Presidency wishes to remind Mr. Ramkarran that the President has repeatedly committed to the holding of credible, free and fair elections in the shortest possible time.

Moreover, Justice Adrian Saunders, President of the CCJ on 12th July said, “Article 106 of the Constitution invests in the President and the National Assembly and implicitly in GECOM responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the Elections which must be held. It would not therefore be right for the Court, by the issuance of coercive orders or detailed directives, to presume to instruct these bodies on how they must act and thereby pre-empt the performance by them of their constitutional responsibilities. It is not, for example, the role of the Court to establish a date on or by which the elections must be held, or to lay down timelines and deadlines that, in principle, are the preserve of political actors guided by constitutional imperatives.”

The Head of State has abided by the rulings of the Court and has repeatedly stated that it is for the Elections Commission to guide him on its readiness to conduct GRE. Thereafter, he shall name a date for GRE. During both of his meetings with the Diplomatic Corps and Civil Society, the President reminded that “The independence of the Elections Commission is safeguarded by the Constitution. It is insulated from political influence, instruction and interference. The President cannot influence, the President cannot instruct, the President cannot interfere, the President cannot tell the Elections Commission when elections must be held neither can the Courts.”

President Granger outlined clearly the Constitutional provisions. He said, “The Constitution (at Article 62) charges the Commission with the conduct of elections:

“Elections shall be independently supervised by the Election[s] Commission in accordance with the provisions of article 162.”

The Constitution (at Article 162 (1)) states: “The Elections Commission shall have such functions connected with or relating to the registration of electors or the conduct of elections as are conferred upon it by or under this Constitution or, subject thereto, any Act of Parliament; and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Commission(a) shall exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly; and (b) shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid.

(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Constitution, if the Elections Commission is satisfied that the holding of an election pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of article 60 or article 160(2) on the day appointed therefor would be attended, either generally or in a particular area, by danger or serious hardship it may, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition by notice published in the Gazette – (a) postpone the holding of the election to a day specified in the notice; or (b) postpone the voting in any area specified in the notice to a day so specified.”

The Elections Commission has total control over the elections process.

It is clear from the aforementioned constitutional provisions that while it is the Elections Commission which supervises elections and has to execute its mandate independently, the President must first be advised by Commission of its readiness to conduct elections.

President Granger wrote then Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice (ret.)

James Patterson on 25th February acknowledging his letter dated 21st February.

The Chairman admitted that the Commission did not

have the capability to deliver credible GRE within the threemonth time-frame beginning 21st December and that both additional funds and additional time were needed.

The Head of State said in his response: “The Government of Guyana is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Commission is provided with the financial resources and has sufficient time to conduct credible elections.”

The President wrote further, “I urge the Commission, therefore, to commence preparations for the conduct of GRE.” President Granger assured the Commission that his Government would “initiate measures to provide the funds required and to seek the approval of the National Assembly to ensure that an agreement can be reached, given both the Constitutional requirements and GECOM’s capability.”

It would be whimsical for the President to name a date for elections and the Elections Commission is unprepared. At all times President Granger has committed to having elections in the shortest possible time.

President Granger has not deviated from the Court’s guidelines or ruling. He has accepted that his Government is an ‘interim’ government due to the passage of the no-confidence motion.

The President has emphasised that Government must continue to provide public services. The Constitution of Guyana at Article 106 (7) states that, notwithstanding its defeat in the National Assembly, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election.

The Government, the President said will comply with the orders issued by the CCJ that, during this ‘interim’ period, it will restrain the exercise of its legal authority.

President Granger said while the Government will continue its routine management of the country, it will also address urgent issues that are in the public interest. It is also prepared to consult with the Opposition on matters which require the agreement of both sides.

Having regard to the aforementioned, it boggles the mind that Mr. Ramkarran would proceed, like the Stabroek News he writes for, in a stupid excursion aimed at furthering the distorted view that the President has delayed the elections process.

(MoTP)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

9

WPA urges ‘marrying of principle with practicality’ IN her new post as chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Rt’d) Claudette Singh will be faced with tremendous pressure leading up to elections, but her decisions are crucial and must be guided by the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJs) doctrine of “marrying principle with practicality.”

These are the words of advice of the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) which, on Sunday, lauded the appointment made by President David Granger on July 26, 2019.

With the position now filled, it should allow for a smooth flow of the processes necessary for the conduct of new General and Regional Elections.

In the light of this, the WPA said it welcomes the new GECOM chair while pointing out that it is clear her tenure would not be an easy one.

“With no known affilia-

GECOM Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh

tion, she begins her job with some needed capital. She will be overseeing an election which, from all indications, would be keenly fought.

WPA hopes that in the final analysis, her stewardship would take the Commission further along the road of impartiality. Because she holds the casting vote in an institution that reflects the political divide, she has the dual role of leader and mediator. Justice Singh’s first task has to do with the contentious issue of what to do with the voters list. She takes up office in the middle of a fierce debate over

house-to-house registration which was ordered by her predecessor. There would obviously be enormous pressure on her to discontinue.”

Since the July 12, 2019 Consequential Orders of the CCJ, Guyana’s two main political parties have met several times.

Completing the first leg towards free, fair and credible elections, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo submitted a list of six names to the President from which Singh’s was chosen on Friday.

“That they arrived at this consensus without any overt external intervention is an indication that Guyanese are capable of solving their problems on their own. This needs to become the rule rather than the exception… we hope that this decision is a signal that hyper-partisanship is giving way to political maturity,” the WPA acknowledged.

Furthermore, the party stated that Guyana will face more challenges ahead as it moves in what can be deemed

the most important election since 1953.

The WPA claimed that sections of the civil society elite and the media who encouraged the opposition leader to ignore the recommendation of the CCJ and to insist on unilateralism over cooperation did not aid the situation. The WPA chided these groups, stating that such actions have contributed to the gridlock experienced over the last few weeks.

“WPA respects the right of all organisations to speak up on national political issues, but thinks that civil society organisations and

Fly Jamaica changes hands A TEAM of investors, including Jamaican aviation veteran Glenn Logan, led by Yann LeProvost of the Frenchbased company W&Y SAS, has taken over the operations of the problem-plagued Fly Jamaica Airways.

The new owners, who took over the reins on Friday from Guyanese operators Paul and Roxanne Reece, have promised to address issues affecting the carrier, including the payment of salaries, ticket refunds, and the payment of outstanding debts.

“This is significant for many different reasons: To restore confidence in the Jamaican people, the flying public, and the tourism industry in Jamaica,” Logan said. “I want to say that we are not just going to concentrate on the ethnic market, but also the tourism market.

It is essential for the survival of the tourism market for us to concentrate on this. This is the key component for the survival of the airline,” he said in an interview with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

He said plans are underway for flights to resume in September.

Logan comes to Fly Jamaica with years of experience in the aviation industry, having worked with Air Jamaica, Air Canada, and other airlines in Canada. He is also credited with starting the Canadian charter, Canada 3000 Inc., and establishing a small airline out of South Florida.

“This is why the investors have confidence in what I am doing,” Logan said, adding that the new Fly Jamaica, which will be headquartered in Kingston, will initially focus on destinations in North America.

“Toronto, New York,” he said, “will be the primary North American destinations, with plans to expand to Fort Lauderdale in the future.

We are also working right now with some French tour operators, as well as operators in Germany and South

America. It is imperative that we gear up as quickly as possible to meet the deadlines of the tour operators in Europe.”

According to Logan, plans are also underway to open an office and start departures out of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

“We have already had talks with personnel from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB); they are excited to work with us,” he said, adding: “And within the next two weeks, there will be new posters; a new Fly Jamaica logo, and a complete rebrand of the airline. Things will be different; we are looking at the operations of some very successful carriers, such as AirAsia and Sun Wing Vacations in Canada.”

Logan noted, too, that acclaimed Jamaican Attorney-at-Law, Michael Vaccianna played an instrumental role in getting the deal done.

“Things will be different with this airline,” the Jamaican businessman said. “This will be a lateral integration. We will have Fly Jamaica vacations; we intend to have a hotel.

We will focus on ground handling. This will ensure that money circulates within the company.”

Fly Jamaica Airways, which was based here in Georgetown, Guyana, started operating on February 14, 2013.

However, the carrier was grounded following an incident at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on November 9, 2018, when the 757 Boeing aircraft, destined for Toronto, Canada, encountered difficulties and made an emergency landing with more than 100 passengers on board.

In March, the airline made all staff redundant, with then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul Reece saying that the redundancy was due to the lack of planes to carry out operations, and the failure of the company to recover in the aftermath of the November emergency landing.

(CMC)

– welcomes appointment of new chair

individuals should also serve as mediators. The display of partisanship and their stance against cooperation and consensus were not their most shining moments,” the release stated.

It added: “Having said that, WPA calls on the political forces to tone down the political pressure and allow GECOM to do its work.

GECOM should not be the arena for settling political scores. Compromise and consensus should drive the deliberations and decision-making. Guyana can ill-afford a dysfunctional elections body at a time when the stakes are

very high.”

Currently, the elections commission is in the process of conducting the over $3B house-to-house registration exercise.

It is being conducted nationwide simultaneously and has already registered over 50,000 individuals, many of whom were not a part of the previously expired Official List of Electors (OLE).

The activity, budgeted for in 2018, is intended produce a new OLE fit for credible elections, being void of the dead and non-resident and inclusive of those now eligible.

Man missing after boat capsizes in Pomeroon River

BOAT operator Kendol Rodriguez is missing after the boat, which he was operating, capsized in the Pomeroon River early Sunday morning.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force, prior to the incident, 42-year-old Joseph Thomas entered Rodriguez’s boat after leaving a wedding which was at Kabakaburi in the Upper Pomeroon River.

Thomas, who was under the influence of alcohol, boarded Rodriguez’s 14 feet wooden Ballahoo which was powered by a 15-horsepower engine.

According to police, a few minutes into the trip, in the vicinity of Siriki, Rodriguez reportedly began to steer the boat from left to right, causing it to capsize.

Both men fell into the river and Thomas reportedly held on to the side of the boat but Rodriguez could not be seen. Thomas was later rescued by persons in a passing boat and they immediately started the search for Rodriguez, but the boat operator was not found.

Thomas is in custody assisting with the investigation, while the search continues for Rodriguez.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Things you should know about grooming WHEN an adult of ill intent sets out to groom a child, the child has no idea that an act of deception is taking place, and they are being preyed upon by a sexual predator. On the contrary, children tend to fall straight into the trap that is being carefully prepared for them because they are innocent; they cannot see the immoral thoughts that linger behind the kind acts and the smiling face of the culprit.

Grooming is when an adult builds an emotional relationship with a child to gain the child’s trust for the purpose of sexual abuse or exploitation. Children can be groomed Online by a strang-

er, or by someone they see and know very well. They can even be groomed by a family member or friend.

There have been occasions where families have been deceived into believing that a person is upright and trustworthy, only to find that the so-called ‘family friend’, religious person or tutor has been grooming a child in the family, right under their noses. Grooming is a slow, methodical, intentional process.

Outwardly, the perpetrator pretends that he is a special friend to the child, and may offer things like gifts or praise and attention. He works his way into the hearts and minds of vulnerable children, especially teenagers

with low self-esteem, and eventually he will have them under his control.

Grooming can take place in any type of establishment where an adult has a trusted position with children and young people: Churches and religious houses are not exempt. A number of stories have emerged over recent years, where famous international athletes, even footballers, have claimed that they were groomed by their coaches and sexually abused while in training to learn the rudiments of their sport.

Children realise they were groomed when they have matured enough to possess the intellect to reflect on past events and put them

into context. This is when it becomes apparent just how gullible they were, and how beguiling and convincing their ‘groomer’ had been.

It is hurtful to feel that a person would steal a child’s innocence in this way, with the sole purpose being his own gratification. Cases are being brought to trial every day, decades after the incident would have taken place, because the psychological pain caused by the abuse is real and ever-present for the survivor.

The signs that a child is being groomed are not always obvious, especially with teenagers. Some adolescents are normally secretive and moody anyway, so if they were having covert conversations with a perpetrator, it would not necessarily change their behaviour.

However, parents have the right to ask questions, and to delve into every aspect of their child’s life.

They have a right to know who their children’s friends are; where they go, and with whom they are likely to come into contact. Groomers are tactful in their methods of control; they can influence children into lying and be-

having out of character; e.g. convincing them to take and send explicit pictures. They usually control their victims by making them believe that they care for them more than anyone else.

By asking questions, parents can garner a fairly good idea of whether there are any red flags that may need investigating. If there are any characters lurking around their child that arouses suspicion, they should not get too alarmed or frighten the child in any way. Parents can intervene discreetly, by advising their child about healthy relationships, and why it is good practice sometimes to avoid certain people, or keep them at arm’s length. Parents should monitor the situation until they feel sure that their child is safe. Even if it means having a diplomatic word with the suspect so he is aware that an adult is safeguarding that child. It pays to be protective; nothing should be taken for granted where child safety is concerned.

Grooming Online is prevalent worldwide as young people meet and talk with their peers from all four corners of the world. In reality, many Online identities are

fictitious, and sometimes young people have no idea who they are really talking to, or what the person’s ulterior motive might be. It is sad to have to think negatively about children’s Online activity, but statistics from the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCCC) shows that there have been over 3000 new grooming offences since last year; and that, on average, most groomers target girls between 12 – 15 years old.

Although these statistics are not based on Guyanese children, the trend of grooming Online is growing, and therefore is yet another precaution that parents need to consider when they allow their children to spend hours Online.

In Guyana, the grooming of a child is illegal, and perpetrators can be charged and imprisoned under the Sexual Offences Act (2010).

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 2270979, or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION.

Berbice detective under investigation – after being caught on camera ‘planting’ drugs

A CONSTABLE attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in ‘B’ Division has been placed under close arrest after surveillance footage emerged of him planting drugs at a SuperBet premises in Reliance, East Canje, Berbice.

According to the police, an investigation has since been conducted, and advice on the incident will be sought at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that there have been several reports in the past about the said officer pulling similar stunts and then demanding cash from his hapless victims to settle the matter.

On July 20 last, the rank, who was accompanied by a fellow policeman, went to the business place, when, on the pretext of conducting a police search, he was seen throwing ‘something’ towards the counter, then picking it up and declaring he’d found it during the search.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that on

this occasion, when the officer demanded that the proprietors pay him to “done the story”, arrangements were immediately made to hand over the cash on Monday, but after he subsequently learnt that the business had surveillance cameras, he did not turn up as planned, but instead called to ask to review footage recorded on the day of the shakedown.

After refusing his request, the owners reported the matter to the officer’s superiors, whereupon the rank was placed under close arrest last Friday morning but was released later in the day and sent home pending investigations. Efforts to contact Commander of ‘B’ Division Paul Langevine for a comment on the matter have proven unsuccessful.

Word is that it was not the first time that the said rank, who has been stationed at various police stations along the Corentyne Coast, been involved in a ‘sting’, but he has always been transferred.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

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Gov’t delivers on promises to Leguan residents Before and after the upgrading of the road

Leguan resident, Nandani Narine

Leguan resident, Mohamed Sultan

PUBLIC Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, in May, had promised to look into the road situation at Endeavour - Amsterdam Village, Leguan, and today, residents are high in praise for the minister’s intervention.

On his visit to the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) island, Patterson had listened to the concerns of several residents, including one Mohamed Sultan, who told him and his team that the Amsterdam

Road had not been upgraded in some 20 years.

He’d also told the minister: “When you come here today, I realised that we are going to get an action man.”

Nandani Narine, who has been residing in Leguan some 64 years now, had told the Guyana Chronicle back in May: “Our concerns were looked at and we’re hopeful.

We left the meeting very, very hopeful.”

Kicking into action, the ministry, through its Special Projects Unit, upgraded 3,000

feet of crusher-run road to asphaltic concrete road within the Endeavour- Amsterdam Village on the island.

The ministry’s Sea Defence Department also constructed a walkway for residents in the community of Endeavour.

At the Guyana Sea De-

fence Department, where residents had gathered in May, Minister Patterson had explained that overweight trucks utilising the roadways is a concern for the government, which is looking into solutions to curb the trend.

He promised that the Amsterdam to Canefield road

‘No order issued against me’ WHILE the legal representative of former Deputy Solicitor General, Prithima Kissoon, seeks to tie Attorney-General (AG), Basil Williams to the recent court case of non-payment of salary, the AG has informed that the Court did not indicate he was a party in the matter.

On July 25, 2019, Chief Justice Roxane George S.C. ruled in favour of Kissoon in a matter against the State whereby Kissoon had challenged the withholding of her salary by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Legal Affairs (MOLA) and the AG. In a press release on Saturday, attorney representing Kissoon, Nigel Hughes, said the AG caused his client to be sent on administrative leave by the Public Service Commission (PSC) pending an investigation into her alleged conduct on matters which she had conduct over while acting as deputy solicitor general.

The details coming out of the case also state that Kissoon had left the jurisdiction after requesting permission to do so from the MOLA’s PS; the PSC secretary and permanent secretary, Ministry of the Presidency, Department of the Public Service.

Hughes stated that the ministry’s permanent secretary later wrote to Kissoon’s lawyer informing that she had left the country without permission and therefore her salary would be withheld and that the Attorney General’s Chambers had “advised and instructed” that Kissoon’s salary be withheld pending the PSC’s course of disciplinary action.

However, on Sunday, the AG made it clear that the Chief Justice’s decision is instructive in relation to governance in the government sector and did not issue an order against the AG. He pointed out the judgement of the chief justice which stated: “I also do

not consider that there is sufficient evidence to warrant any order being made against the AG.....”

Furthermore, the attorney-general said the chief justice’s judgement did not single him out in the matter.

“In fact, upon a proper perusal of the judgement, there is not a scintilla of evidence relating to the AG. Further, there is no evidence that the AG ever participated in this matter though purportedly represented by the erstwhile Solicitor-General Ms. Kim Kyte and erstwhile Principal Legal Adviser, Ms. Archer- Caulder. There is no evidence that the learned chief justice ever inquired as to the AG’s ‘perpetual absence,” he clarified.

The AG also stated that it is clear from the judgement that the permanent secretary’s intervention is a matter in which the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) had jurisdiction.

This, he indicated, resulted in the government’s case

against Kissoon as put by the Court which stated: “ ...regarding the investigation of her conduct of court cases”

would be upgraded to crusher run, while the entire Amsterdam would be completed in phases.

Since 2016, the ministry has expended in excess of $300M on road improvement and development in Leguan, covering almost eight miles of the road network on the

island.

Even with the upgrade, Minister Patterson had previously taken the opportunity to plead with residents to care the infrastructure in the community, and to desist from damaging the roadways with agriculture machinery.

– says AG regarding court’s ruling in Prithima Kissoon’s case being delayed and not tried by the PSC. Bringing the court case to an end, the Chief Justice

had ordered the MOLA’s PS to pay the former deputy solicitor general her withheld salary.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Development on stream in Region Nine – infrastructural development high on the agenda

By Navendra Seoraj DEVELOPMENT is on stream in Region Nine and the regional administration is working to ensure that the local infrastructure is enhanced.

Prior to 2015, there were many attempts at infrastructural development, but the work was not done to any good standard, said Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine, Carl Parker, in an invited comment on Thursday.

He said when the current administration took over in 2015, in a very short while the infrastructure started to crumble and with the region being as big as it is, it was a task to really arrest the situation.

“We are now getting there with the construction of better roads, even though the road leading into Lethem from Georgetown is in a bad

state… that is expected once the rain falls, but internally we are doing better roads and bridges,” said Parker.

Just recently, a bridge leading to Yupukari, which was burnt, was redone with reinforced concrete and a wood decking.

The region is also embarking on a project to build two bridges in the Moca Moca farmland area. Those bridges will enable the community to access their farmlands which stretch over 5,000 acres.

On the health front, the region is also making good strides. The region had budgeted for the extension of the Lethem Hospital, but the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, plans to retrofit the hospital.

“With PAHO’s plan, we now have to approach the Ministry of Finance to divert

funds from the Lethem Hospital to the Karasabai Health Centre,” said Parker.

DENTAL X-RAY UNIT At the centre, the region will be doing a room to house the dental x-ray unit so that the residents of South Pakarima can have access to complete dental services.

The region will also be extending the pharmacy since the current facility has inadequate space to store the amount of drugs to cater for all the residents in Karasabai.

Parker said mobilisation has also been improved since the region acquired two ambulances. One of the ambulances was sent to Aishalton and another was sent to Annai. The region now has five ambulances which they have acquired since 2015.

“It is our hope that every sub-region can have an ambulance…we have some

savings this year from our land and water transport allocations and we will approach finance to use that savings to acquire another ambulance,” said Parker.

He went on to say that there is more in the pipeline for Annai, as the region plans to extend the maternity ward. The region recently commissioned a maternity waiting home in Annai, so the extension of the ward will complement the new facility.

The regional administration also plans to extend the hospital at Aishalton, as part of an effort to provide more services. Part of the extension will be to rehabilitate and extend the doctor’s quarter.

STRUGGLES IN EDUCATION While the health sector remains on a positive course, there have been some challenges in the education sector, said Parker.

He said the region’s results at the last National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were testimony to the fact that the education sector needs special atten-

tion.

Although assistance is needed on a technical level, Parker said the region was able to reduce the number of untrained teachers from 73 per cent to 55 per cent since 2015.

He said the administration has been working with all stakeholders to ensure that classrooms are child-friendly and to ensure that sanitary facilities are functional.

“We have rehabilitated a lot of sanitary facilities… what we discovered was that the facilities were built but not linked to any water system, so it was just a building,” said Parker, adding that they have not only rehabilitated the facilities, but ensured that they are in working order.

The regional administration has also been working closely with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to drill wells. Wells were drilled in Aishalton, Nappi, Aranaputa and other communities.

“What we have done, apart from drilling wells, we have run pipelines to ensure that homes in those com-

Region Nine REO, Carl Parker

munities are having water,” he said.

Development is very much on stream, said Parker, noting that to aid in all of that, the regional administration has rehabilitated and extended the regional administration building because they have more persons entering the regional system.

“We had to increase the complement of staff although we do not have the quality we would want, but it is providing jobs for young people out of school and we have a very young workforce…, at least 65 per cent of the workforce is below 35 years,” said Parker.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

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Advancing knowledge, transforming lives through hinterland green enterprise centre

HINTERLAND residents will soon be able to access tertiary education right within their regions. The government plans to construct technical institutes in Regions 1, 7 and 8 following the signing of a $5M contract to conduct feasibility studies in these areas.

These institutes will be similar to the $200M Hinterland Green Enterprise Centre currently under construction at Bina Hill, Annai, Region 9, and will address the high demand for job opportunities in the hinterland.

This plan was announced during a stakeholders’ consultation to update the residents of Annai and other partners on the aim of the Green Enterprise Centre and how they can benefit.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock and Permanent Secretary, Sherie Samantha Fedee, were among officials present at the meeting which was held at Bina Hill.

According to Minister Allicock, the project is part of a programme the government is executing to transform public infrastructure in the hinterland, thereby ensuring that the hinterland residents benefit from the same services as persons residing on the coast.

Minister Allicock explained that Green Enterprise Centre will focus on project design and start-up, management, sustainability, and leadership training, as well as access to business support services. Its main objective is to stimulate economic growth by creating innovative leaders with the capacity and know-how to lead businesses in the challenging environment of the hinterland, whilst driving upstream demand for local products and services.

“This Green Centre aims

to produce well-rounded Indigenous youths who are equipped with the skills to help to propel the development of Guyana…

We must have persons who have that capacity to bring imagination into reality, and put things in place that will not be destructive to our environment and to do that we need a place where our young people will be trained and certified and get to that standard of expertise in all areas,” Minister Allicock added.

The project’s overarching goal is to support the transition of a ‘green economy’ by utilising Indigenous and traditional knowledge to develop and document sustainable business practices for use in enterprises across Guyana.

“If we are going to benefit from what Guyana has to offer, we need to have persons so developed that they would be able to be part and parcel of the development of this beautiful country, and more so, the hinterland.

We have to be part of the process of discussion and the implementation of these plans,” Minister Allicock said.

The North Rupununi was chosen as the location of the Hinterland Green Enterprise Centre because it has the highest density of protected areas in the country. The location allows the proposed centre to influence the knowledge and technical expertise available at the Iwokrama Rainforest Centre. It is also a proposed area of community conservation.

The 20,000 square feet two-story concrete and wooden Green Enterprise Centre will comprise eight classrooms, a modern computer and science laboratory and a large auditorium and lecture room.

(DPI)

The Hinterland Green Enterprise Centre under construction in Annai, Region 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Beyuka Irekida’ promotes Indigenous culture through words and music

The Castro Brothers performing at Beyuka-Irekida

THE second Beyuka Irekida – meaning a musical gathering in Arawak, was held at the Indigenous Heritage Village Sophia on Friday. The event, hosted every last Friday of the month, showcases the culture of the Indigenous Peoples through song, dance, art, handicraft and food.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, joined the wide cross-section of persons gathered at the Indigenous Heritage Village.

“We welcome all musicians, all artists, those who want to recite a poem, those who want to tell a story about your village, about the legends and myths of the hinterland, of the Indigenous People; we want to educate our people, we want to learn the various Indigenous languages,” she said.

There were performances from several Indigenous artistes and a fashion show by local Indigenous designer, Vanda Allicock-Calistro. Food and drinks were also on sale.

It was highlighted that 2019 has been de-

clared the Year of Indigenous Languages by the United Nations. The aim is to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous Languages across the world and to establish a link between language, development, peace, and reconciliation.

Event Coordinator, Ovid Williams, said a calendar of events to observe the year was officially launched in January at Aishalton in Region Nine. “We have activities to revitalise the languages that are going extinct – Warrau, Arawak, Loko and the Carib languages.

Williams explained that the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs is also working to preserve the Indigenous Languages that still exist – these are the Waiwai, Macushi, Wapician, Patamona, Akawaio and the Arakuna Languages.

“We have printed some books and some dictionaries. We will soon be launching the Patamona dictionary in September coinciding with the Indigenous Heritage Month celebrations,” he said.

The ministry has completed the translation of the Arawak Alphabet to establish a writing system so that persons of Arawak descent can document their culture.

Looking ahead to activities to observe Indigenous Heritage Month, Williams revealed that there will be a grand music festival in September, however, this will be preceded by preliminary rounds in the various regions before the finals, which will be held in

An Indigenous model, showcases a design by Vanda Allicock- Calistro

Georgetown.

Other plans for the month include a storytelling competition in the Moruca Sub-District to capture the rich history of the Indigenous Peoples. There will also be a children’s art competition where winners will be awarded cash prizes and have their pieces featured on a calendar. There will also be a short story competition regarding Indigenous stories and legends.

“It is all about celebrating our Indigenous languages and this activity [Beyuka Irekida] is just one of many that will promote the language, culture and talent of Guyana’s Indigenous People,” Williams remarked.

The inaugural Beyuka Irekida was held on June 28. (DPI)

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Winners awarded at launch of Guyana Annual Magazine 2019

stressed.

Moving forward, nevertheless, Swain noted that the Editorial Board of the Magazine aims to host workshops to help all participants, particularly the young participants, develop their creative abilities. Moreover, the annual intends on having a radio programme which will be made into an audiobook, as well.

The managing team of the magazine also wishes to collaborate with the creative enterprises in Guyana to host a ‘Guyana Literature and Art Festival’.

These “big plans” the Guyana Annual has for the future, she however noted are largely dependent on sponsorship.

Editor of the Guyana Annual Magazine, Danielle Swain

By Vishani Ragobeer OVER 30 local creatives were awarded for their work in short story writing, poetry, photography, visual art, playwriting and cartoon creation, as the 2019 edition of the Guyana Annual Magazine was launched on Saturday.

The Guyana Annual was founded in 1916 with the title “Chronicle Christmas Annual” which evolved over the decades and finally became “The Guyana Annual”. The publication strives to keep alive Guyanese art and literary traditions.

In 2018, competition aspect of the magazine was reintroduced, which saw Guyanese submitting their literary works to be judged and published in the magazine.

On Saturday, at the National Library, several persons were awarded for their submissions to the 2019 edition of the Guyana Annual Magazine.

The winners this year are: Daryll Goodchild, A.J. Seymour Prize for Open Short Story; Scott Ting-A-Kee, Mahadai Das Prize for Open Poetry; Shamar Semple, Bobby Fernandes Prize for Photography; Raquel Ferreira, Stephanie Correia Prize for Open Visual Arts; Gabrielle Mohanmed, Bertram Charles Prize for Playwriting; Analise Samaroo, Pauline Melville Prize for Junior Short Story; Dhaniram Beepat, George Simon Prize for Junior Visual Art; Brianna Gopie, Grace Nichols Prize for Junior Poetry; Devi Persaud, Sheila King Prize for Short Story Writing for Children; and Vishani Ragobeer, Hawley Harris Prize for Cartoons.

Kasy Sookram was also awarded for creating the cover of the 2019 Guyana Annual Magazine.

SUPPORTING THE ARTS Editor of the magazine, Danielle Swain, related to the gathering on Saturday that support for the magazine and for the promotion of the arts locally has been lacking.

“Part of the problem, I think, which isn’t exclusive to Guyana, is that the arts are seen only as a by-product of society,” Swain said. Furthermore, she noted that the arts can be used by all persons in “constructive ways” to appreciate life and all that it encompasses.

“Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying that STEM and the other areas are not important,” she said, adding that: “What I am reiterating is that the creative arts are just as important.” She also noted the seeming disinterest in promoting the local creative sector and the arts which reflect Guyana’s culture and society may also be linked to some amount of cultural erosion. Swain shared that Guyenterprise was asked to assist with publishing a book that was written by a young girl in the hinterland.

However, she noted that the characters within this book were described as having blue eyes and blonde hair – characteristics unfamiliar to Guyanese. And this, she said, points to why efforts like the Guyana Annual should be supported.

“We need to read our stories so that we can be empowered to tell our stories, to know that it is indeed possible. If we don’t, others will continue to tell our stories for us,” Swain

The 2019 edition of the Guyana Annual

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Construction of medical bonds more feasible – Min. Lawrence

The Central Supplies Unit in Kingston, Georgetown

THE government’s decision to construct medical bonds is a “cost-effective and convenient option as opposed to renting and having items stored at several offsite locations”.

This is according to Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence, when she appeared on 94.1 FM’s radio programme the ‘Hot Seat’, alongside her coalition colleague, Prime Minister, Hon. Moses Nagamootoo.

The minister noted that the move to construct bonds for the storage of drugs, medical supplies, equipment and other items utilised by the public health sector has been regarded as more feasible since there has been a need for more storage capacity.

More importantly, with the new system for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies which was introduced in 2018, the ministry will require much more storage facilities than it would have already had. This new procurement process ensures that that drugs for the incoming year are procured in the current year.

“The government, through the Ministry of Public Health, procures drugs for our health system across the 10 administrative regions.

We are not talking about a couple of boxes or a couple of bottles, we are talking about billions of dollars in drugs and medical supplies… so the sensible thing to do is to ensure that we invest in storage capacity,” Minister Lawrence explained.

Citing the recently commissioned $539M Central Supplies Unit Bond in Kingston, the minister debunked the claim that “business was being taken away from pri-

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

vate businesses”.

She said the coalition government aims to “ensure that we [government] spend smart, that we get value for our money and that we continue to provide the adequacy in terms of us being able to meet the storage regulations of Guyana. So, all of that is captured in what we have done.”

Additionally, a new multimillion-dollar annex of the Materials Management Unit (MMU), valued $161M was also commissioned in June, where Minister Lawrence, at the opening ceremony, pointed out that the investment made was most fitting, as large sums of money had to be spent on rental of storage space.

The Public Health Minister said the construction of bonds will help the ministry to better manage the items within its purview, particularly as the ministry continues to expand its medical services across Guyana. Minister Lawrence explained that with this sort of investment, comes the demand for more medical supplies. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Fernando, Mathews star as Sri Lanka wrap up series win

(ESPNCricinfo) - SRI Lanka made an auspicious start to life after the 2019 World Cup, clinching the ODI series against Bangladesh with one game to spare.

They won the second ODI by seven wickets after

their bowlers put together a great team effort. Their batsmen saw off tricky periods in their chase, but mostly dominated the visitors who posted 238 for 8 after deciding to bat first.

It is Sri Lanka’s first series win at home in threeand-a-half years, and it came via a combination of young and experienced players.

Avishka Fernando’s stunning 82 came off 75 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, and he gave Sri Lanka the perfect start in their chase.

He added 71 for the first wicket with Dimuth Karunaratne and 58 for the second with Kusal Perera, before Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis steered Sri Lanka home with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 96.

Avishka jumped to life in the sixth over when he cracked Shafiul Islam for three fours in a row, punching him off the backfoot twice before pulling one high through square-leg.

He struck Mustafizur Rahman for two more fours in the eighth over, before pulling him in his next over for his first six.

Karunaratne’s dismissal in the 12th over hardly slowed down Avishka, who slog-swept his second six and

struck two more fours.

He was dropped on 77, albeit with Mosaddek Hossain making the best of a tough catch running in from deep cover.

Avishka, however, fell in the next over, miscuing a Mustafizur cutter, having put Sri Lanka in a strong position.

There was a slight wobble in the 25th over when Kusal Perera, having made 30, was caught at cover off Mustafizur, but Mendis and Mathews ensured a smooth ending to the chase.

They played out four overs without forcing the issue, but the introduction of a part-timer, Sabbir Rahman, released the pressure, with a boundary coming off his second ball and shifting the momentum towards Sri Lanka.

Mathews and Mendis soon picked up fours off Shafiul, Soumya and Mustafizur, and steadily took Sri Lanka to the target in 44.4 overs. Mathews finished unbeaten on 52 off 57 balls with seven fours while Mendis was not out on 41 off 74 balls with four fours.

They may have had to chase far less had Mushfiqur Rahim not rescued Bangladesh from the depths of 116 for 7.

Mushfiqur and Mehidy Hasan changed the course

of the innings with an 84run partnership for the seventh wicket, Mehidy playing the aggressor with six fours in his 43.

Mushfiqur’s plan, meanwhile, was to bat deep, and it worked out well as he remained unbeaten on 98.

He didn’t go too hard at the bowling until a 16-run penultimate over, when he hit two fours and a six off Isuru Udana.

His approach was dictated by the wickets Bangladesh had lost, and a sluggish R Premadasa Stadium pitch that offered turn for the spinners.

Akila Dananjaya, in his first match back for Sri Lanka, made full use of the pitch, finishing with 2 for 39.

N u w a n Pradeep and Isuru Udana also took two wickets each but the home side started to flag after the 35th over, and enabled the Mushfiqur-Mehidy partnership to flourish.

But in their first match after Lasith Malinga’s exit, Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Pradeep stepped up really well.

Albeit through a tame full-toss, Sri Lanka’s first wicket came when Soumya Sarkar was trapped lbw.

Tamim was bowled for

the sixth game in a row, dragging Udana on to his stumps in the ninth over.

Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah fell to Dananjaya, who made the ball rip from outside off stump plenty of times in his first spell.

I t w a s also i n his over that Sabbir Rahman was run out after a mix-up with Mushfiqur. Mosaddek Hossain fell to a Udana bouncer, leaving Bangladesh six down in the 33rd over.

Mushf i q u r ’s

fight managed to make it a more interesting game but ultimately Bangladesh were at least 30 runs short.

Avishka Fernando celebrates his fifty Associated Press

Mangal, Dinanauth and Adams are in Laparkan Invitational Golf champions

Mike Mangal, Deoram Dinanauth and Carlos Adams emerged as the champions in their flights respective flights of the Laparkan Invitational Golf champions Starting under fair weather, the eager golfers took to the Course at Lusignan on Saturday but to the players dismay, a heavy downpour halfway during the tournament caused play to cease after only 9 holes were accounted for.

Nevethelss, golfers utilised the afternoon with review of the day’s play and being coached on improvement of their game by veteran former Captain Patrick Prashad.

Laparkan, of 2-9, Lombard St, Georgetown, phone

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:15 hrs Love Talk 08:50 grs Bel Canto Chorus 09:25 hrs Srtreak Of Silver

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The company providies solutions for your transportation and logistics needs, and has membership in over 6 (six) international freight forwarder organizations.

Laparkan has several agencies that enable its efficeint operations including an Air and Cargo division, Freight Forwarding division, Office Equipment and Supplies division and a Shipping division.

The company has been

a contributor to the Lusignan Golf Club especially in areas of freight/cargo delivery.

In the 20 – 28 Flight, winners were 1st - Carlos Adams (31/13), while 2nd place was a tie between Pope Emanuel London (33/11) and Paton George (33/10) , with Pope Emanuel winning on the last 6 holes countback.

In the 11 – 19 Flight, Deoram Dinanauth (33/9) placed 1st, while George Bulkan (36/9) placed 2nd.

In the 0-9 Flight, both Mike Mangal and Alfred Mentore tied at 36/5 for the winning spot, but Mike scored better on countback of the last 6 holes giving him the 1st place, and giving Alfred 2nd place.

10:05 hrs Jay’s Halk 10:40 hrs Pierina

11:30 hrs Vive La Difference 12:05 hrs Jacob’s Pillow

English Racing Tips Ayr 09:00 hrs Makyon 09:30 hrs Forever A Lady 10:00 hrs Lord Lamington 10:30 hrs Zylan 11:00 hrs Jackamundo

Windsor 12:00 hrs It’s How We Roll 12:35 hrs Saras Hope 13:05 hrs Smokey Bear 13:40 hrs Ocala 14:15 hrs Big Lachie 14:50 hrs Open Wide

Dr Joaan Deo, representing Captain Chatterpaul Deo, was heartened at the performance of the golfers, and noted that

the support, skill level displayed and camaraderie augur well for the development of the game in Guyana.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, July 29, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Ravi Ashwin-52 wickets (2) Samuel Badree-54 wickets

Today’s Quiz:

(1) When and where did the WI & India first contest a T20 International game against each other?

(2) Who were the captains involved?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE 15:20 hrs Mums Hope Irish Racing Tips Galway 12:20 hrs Authorized Art 12:25 hrs Convara 13:25 hrs Shekhem 14:05 hrs Fancy Footing 12:40 hrs Mr Adjudicator 15:10 hrs Ideal Pal

American Racing Tips Fingerlakes Race 1 Gentle Spirit Race 2 Catch My Breath Race 3 Nonnie Connie Race 4 Leap To Glory Race 5 Decisively Race 6 Wharf Cat Race 7 Lake Party Race 8 Smooth Operator Race 9 Big Mama Drama

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Verstappen is King in Germany

Australia clinch Twenty20 series of Women’s Ashes

Tammy Beaumont was bowled by Georgia Wareham

Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 takes the chequered flag and the win during the F1 Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 28, 2019 in Hockenheim, Germany (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

(BBC) - RED Bull’s Max Verstappen took his second win of the year in a chaotic and incident-strewn German Grand Prix held in intermittent rain.

The Dutchman led a topsy-turvy result in which Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took second from last on the grid and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat was third.

Lewis Hamilton had a day to forget, finishing 11th after two mistakes.

But the Briton did not lose any ground to team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the championship after the Finn crashed.

It was a dismal way for Mercedes to end a weekend when the team celebrated 125 years in motorsport and their 200th Formula 1 race.

But the Mercedes drivers were not the only ones to fall foul of the treacherous conditions in a race that featured a remarkable six safety cars - two of them virtual - and the winner made five pit stops to change back and forth between wet and dry tyres.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed when looking in strong shape for at least second place. Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg went off at the same place, the treacherous penultimate corner, which was also where Hamilton made one of his errors.

After the race Hamilton was classified as finishing ninth following 30-second penalties handed to the Alfa Romeos

of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi for driver aid infringements. Hamilton therefore gained two points in the title race over Bottas. The action also ensured Williams scored an unlikely point for the first time this season, with Robert Kubica 10th.

VERSTAPPEN SUPREME AS MERCEDES SLIP UP Through the chaos, Verstappen drove an almost flawless race, tracking the Mercedes in third place through the first half of the grand prix and then moving to the front as the world champions’ race fell apart.

Red Bull made all the strategy calls correctly and Verstappen judged the conditions perfectly to take a well-deserved victory which made him look the class of the field - although even he had a big spin, one corner before the bend that took out Leclerc, Hulkenberg and Hamilton.

Mercedes’ race began to fall apart when Hamilton ran wide at the penultimate corner, slid across the slippery run-off and hit the wall.

Unlike Leclerc, who had gone off into the gravel the lap before when looking poised to take second place and was unable to get out of it, Hamilton did rejoin the track but with a damaged front wing.

Bernal wins Tour de France for Colombian (REUTERS) - EGAN Bernal became the first Colombian to win the Tour de France when he retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey after Sunday’s 21st and final stage won

by Caleb Ewan of Australia.

The 22-year-old Bernal, the youngest rider to win the race in 110 years, gave Team Ineos — formerly Team Sky — their seventh title in the last eight editions.

He beat team mate and defending champion Geraint Thomas of Britain with Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk coming home third.

Also the winner of the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider, Bernal did not win a single stage, but he was first at the top of the Col de l’Iseran when the 19th stage was stopped because of hailstorms and landslides in the Alps.

Kruijswijk’s Jumbo-Visma team shone throughout the race, winning four stages through Dylan Groenewegen, Wout van Aert, Mike Teunissen and the team time trial.

Briton Adam Yates failed to impress but his Mitchelton-Scott team also claimed four stages. Yates’ twin brother

Simon won two stages while Matteo Trentin and Daryl Impey took one apiece.

France’s Julian

Spain’s Jonathan Castroviejo (L) and Great Britain’s Geraint Thomas (R) congratulate Colombia’s Egan Bernal (C), wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, as he celebrates his victory on the finish line of the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs Elysees, in Paris, in Paris on July 28, 2019 (Photo by

Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images)

Alaphilippe, who wore the yellow jersey for 14 days but cracked in the Alps and ended fifth overall, was the race’s most exciting rider.

The world number one, who had looked to become France’s first winner since Bernard Hinault in 1985, was voted this year’s most aggressive rider after also winning two stages.

“Alaphilippe changed the deal of this Tour de France, no question about it,” said Tour director Christian Prudhomme.

“There was also the absence of (four-times champion) Chris Froome, which gave hope to many riders.”

Slovakian Peter Sagan wrapped up a record seventh green jersey for the points classification, surpassing the previous mark he held jointly with German Erik Zabel.

Frenchman Romain Bardet won the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification, a consolation prize after dropping out of overall contention early on.

© Getty Images (BBC) - AUSTRALIA clinched the Twenty20 portion of the Women’s Ashes with a comfortable seven-wicket win over England at Hove.

Tammy Beaumont top-scored with 43 from 39 balls as England posted what they hoped would be a potentially competitive 121-8 on a slow pitch.

With the Ashes already gone, England briefly had hope of a first series win when they reduced the tourists to 35-3.

But Meg Lanning (43 not out) and Ellyse Perry (47 not out) saw the Aussies past their target with 13 balls to spare.

It means Australia take an overwhelming 12-2 lead on points in the multi-format series, with just one game remaining - in Bristol on Wednesday - giving them the chance of going through the entire tour without losing a game.

This was not a humiliation in the manner of England’s 194-run capitulation in the final one-day international at Canterbury, or their 93-run hammering in the first game of this T20 series at Chelmsford.

But there was still a sense that Australia remained in control of proceedings - as summed up by Amy Jones’ dismissal in the first over of the day after England won the toss.

Jones has been one of England’s success stories of the past 12 months. Having spent much of her international career in the shadow of fellow keeper Sarah Taylor, she has established herself at the top of the order - hitting five half-centuries in six ODIs against Sri Lanka and West Indies this year.

However, she has now received 10 balls from Perry’s right-arm pace in white-ball cricket in this Ashes series - and been dismissed four times by the all-rounder, this time offering an easy catch to cover.

With opening partner Danni Wyatt soon caught at deep mid-on, trying to hit into a strong wind, and Natalie Sciver bowled round her legs, it was left to Beaumont to anchor the innings as wickets fell around her.

Perry did not return after her opening spell as Australia discovered the conditions suited their slower bowlers, while England found boundaries hard to come by.

And after Beaumont was bowled reverse-sweeping Jess Jonassen’s left-arm spin and captain Heather Knight popped a return catch to leg-spinner Georgia Wareham, no-one else took up the baton to push England towards a winning score.

Indeed, only one four was hit in the entire second half of the innings as Australia put the squeeze on although Lauren Winfield and Sophie Ecclestone hit sixes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Rising Stars” is CWI’s commitment to Windies youths

GAW home games ticket sales postponed

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

CMC – THE rebranding of the West Indies Under-19 championship to the “Rising Stars” Under-19 championship is an indication of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) continued commitment to the development of its junior players.

That is according to CWI president Ricky Skerritt, who has insisted that the name change is a testimony to that.

“Re-branding the Under 19 to ‘Rising Stars’ is just one indication of how serious we are about focusing on our young cricketers. Putting cricket first includes investing now in our youth so we can reap better results in the future,” Skerritt said.

The regional competition bowls off tomorrow in St Vincent and will be used to select the team which will represent the West Indies at the January 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.

Director of Cricket at CWI Jimmy Adams too spoke to the importance of hosting youth competitions in the region.

“The value of our Under-19 tournament cannot be overstated given its position within the development pathway.

Most, if not all, of our international players going back 20-30 years were identified in this tournament and it continues to be a critical phase of our Talent ID program,” he noted.

Graeme West, the High Performance Director, revealed that they had invested heavily in 18 players over the last year.

He said following the tournament, the 24 best players would be selected to play in three additional games, where the top performers would be chosen for next year’s World Cup. “From my perspective, we have had 18 players in set up for the last year that we have invested in through camps, so I’m looking forward to seeing their progress along with new players that can emerge from the pack for Under-19 World Cup consideration.

“We are looking to pick 24 players at the end of the tournament who will stay on for three additional games, which we will look to narrow down for activities later in the year,” West explained.

The opening round of matches all at 9:30 am are; Windward Island vs Guyana, Leeward Islands vs Jamaica and Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago.

The championship culminates on the August 7th with the final (round), followed by an additional three “Best vs The Best” matches to identify the leading Under-19 talent.

Emrit, Bravo helps Winnipeg Hawks beat Vancouver Knights

CMC – THE Trinidadian pair of Rayad Emrit and Dwayne Bravo both produced solid performances as their Winnipeg Hawks rebounded from defeat to trounce the Vancouver Knights by eight wickets here Sunday.

three off just 15.2 overs.

Bravo also made a worthy contribution of 36 not out from 17 balls, to take his side over the line.

Earlier, Chris Gayle had topscored for the Knights with 45 runs from 27 balls at the top of the order, as they

the best Hawks’ bowler, snaring three wickets for 40 runs from his four overs.

Needing over 10 runs an over for victory, the Hawks found themselves in early trouble, losing the quick wickets of Shaiman Anwar for four and Umar Akmal for

Dwayne Bravo scored an unbeaten 36 as the Winnipeg Hawks won their game against the Vancouver Knights

The Hawks, who fell to the Montreal Tigers on Friday, produced a sensational batting performance to easily overhaul the Knight’s challenging total of 208 for five from their 20 overs.

Led by a scintillating, unbeaten knock of 77 from 38 balls from JP Duminy and 77 from Chris Lynn, the Hawks romped to 210 for

posted what appeared to be a formidable total.

Gayle hammered two sixes and seven boundaries, and he was well supported by fellow Jamaican Chadwick Walton who made 30, as well as Rassie van der Dussen (39) and Shoab Malik, who finished unbeaten on 28.

Medium-pacer Emrit was

nine to slump to 15 for two.

H o w e v e r, Ly n n a n d Duminy launched a savage attack on the Knights’ bowlers during a 143-run stand in only nine overs.

And when Lynn eventually lost his wicket with a further 51 runs required, Bravo’s breezy knock ensured there would no late drama.

THE Guyana Amazon Warriors OPCO has announced that the commencement of ticket sales for the Franchise’s home games have been postponed.

In an urgent release sent out late Sunday evening, the body said that new release would be issued regarding the new date for the commencement of ticket sales “CPL OPCO wishes to advise that the sale of tickets for the Guyana Amazon Warriors home matches of the 2019 Hero CPL, which was due to commence tomorrow, Monday, 29th July, 2019, has been postponed to a date to be announced.”

“A Media Release will be issued soon advising of the new start date of ticket sales.”

“CPL OPCO apologizes to all our fans and especially to our overseas supporters for any inconvenience caused,” it concluded by saying.

On Saturday, the body released an email saying that ticket sales were to begin on Monday.

Prices in the initial release r a n g e d from G$5,000 f o r the green stand, G$5,000 for the Red Stand, G$3,000 for the Orange Stand and G$2,000 for the Grass Mound.

The game dates that were being advertised were Thursday September 5 (Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St. Lucia Stars at 18:00), Saturday September 7 (Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Kitts Patriots at 20:00), Sunday September 8 (Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Tridents at 17:00), Thursday October 3 (Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs at 18:00) and Friday October 4 (Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders at 20:00)

Brathwaite is expecting a stern challenge from India CMC – WEST Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite is expecting a stern challenge from India when the two sides meet in the US for their upcoming Twenty20 series.

The Windies will meet India in the first T20 in Lauderhill, Florida, on Saturday and then again on Sunday. The third and final T20 will be played on August 6 in Jamaica.

In recounting the last time the two teams met in the US, Brathwaite said the contests were fiercely contested, with 400 runs being scored in one game.

“I’m expecting similar fight, similar grit, similar competition between the two teams.

Obviously, West Indies and India have had good battles in the past and I expect nothing less in the two games in Florida,” the skipper said.

Brathwaite said he was excited to have the services of Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard at his disposal and would be counting on their knowledge and experience.

The two Trinidadians were recalled to the 14-man squad after a hiatus from the regional outfit.

“They are two leaders in the dressing room and it’s a joy to have them back with their vast experience and ability. They are winners – both have won the ICC T20 World Cup for West Indies and they have also won franchise tournaments around the world, including the Caribbean Premier League.

“So, we are hoping to portray that positive flair and brand of cricket and for them to share their knowledge and ideas and also bring that energy to the team,” Brathwaite added.

The skipper said he was also looking forward to the addition of newcomer Anthony Bramble.

He said the exciting wicketkeeper/batsman was exactly what the West Indies were looking for.

“We needed a second keeper … Shai Hope has been rested and Nicholas Pooran has been elevated to the lead keeper for this series … so, Bramble came into the reckoning and I’m happy to see him get an opportunity.

“We wanted to find someone who is young and who can fit into the role. He led the West Indies B Team and he also plays all three formats. He had some performances in Canada and from all reports his performances were good. If he does get a chance to express himself and show the world why he was the man selected to do the West Indies’ T20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite job,” Brathwaite said. is expecting some fiercely contested matches against India

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

NRA 150th Imperial Meeting…

Captain Braithwaite elated with Guyana winning The Junior Kolapore

CAPTAIN of the Guyana team that competed and won the Junior Kolapore match at the NRA 150th Imperial Meeting in England, Lennox Braithwaite has expressed delight at winning the prestigious trophy.

Braithwaite who is also there as Captain of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council team said that despite challenging conditions which was experienced by almost all the shooters and challenges with the ammunition, the team rep-

resented Guyana with pride and he is proud of their performance as well as that of team Coach, GuyanaNRA Vice Captain, Dylan Fields.

Guyana totaled 558 points along with 51 V’s to beat Falklands Islands five points back on 553.44v with the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago settling for third place with 549.37v.

Following are the individual and overall scores of the top three nations.

Captain Lennox Braithwaite Coach Dylan Fields

NAME Lennox Braithwaite

300x 49.8v

500x 48.6v

600x 48.6v

TOTAL 145.20v

Dylan Fields

49.5v

49.8v

46.3v

144.16v

John Fraser

46.4v

45.3v

44.2v

135.9v

Sigmund Douglas

43.1v

46.3v

45.2v

134.6v

183.13v

558.51v

134.6v 188.20v FALKLANDS ISLANDS Captain: GK Goodwin NAME M. Dodd

300x 48.3v

500x 49.7v

600x 49.4v

TOTAL 146.14v

C. Berntsen

47.5v

45.3v

48.7v

140.15v

KJ Aldridge

45.3v

44.2v

47.0v

136.5v

GK Goodwin

41.4v

46.2v

44.4v

131.10v

188.15v

553.44v

181.15v 184.14v TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Captain: Norris Gomez Coach: J Hakim NAME

The winning Guyanese quartet of (from right ) John Fraser, Dylan Fields, Lennox Braithwaite and Sigmund Douglas

GMR&SC International Drag Race Championship…

DEL ICE CO sponsors 12, 11 second class LOCAL Ice Company, DEL ICE CO, is another company that has joined the party for the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) International Drag Meet.

The company came on board in a big way by sponsoring $100,000 in cash prizes for the winners of the 11 and 12-second time bracket.

A statement from the GMR&SC read, “We are pleased to re-welcome DEL ICE CO on board for our international drag race meet 2019.”

“They continue to be major sponsors in the motorsport world and we continue to

thank them for putting their faith in us a club.”

“They will come on board to sponsor the winner of both the 11 and 12-second classes with cash prizes of $100,000 dollars. The executive committee of the GMR&SC is proud to be associated with the brand.”

As many as six drivers are in talks with the GMR&SC over shipping logistics for the event while Suriname has not indicated how many cars would be making the voyage.

Admission to the event for spectators has not been set, with the club expected

Meanwhile, the August 25 event is already gaining traction with competitors from Suriname and Trinidad indicating their interest in being a part of the quarter-mile run.

to release more details in the coming week.

However, several local giants are expected to take the strip including the team Mohamed’s Enterprise GTRs Godzilla and Goliath; Sean Persaud’s Toyota Caldina and the Trans Pacific’s Toyota Alteeza and Paul Daby’s Mazda RX7 Second Generation.

Other sponsors include R.Kission Contracting, Deryckv Jaisingh Trucking Service and Machinery Rentals, Mohameds Enterprise, BM Soat, Prem Eletrical, E-Networks, Trans Pacific Auto Sales, Cyrils Taxi, Blue Spring Water, Choke Gas Station, Miracle Optical, Tropical shipping and Hand in Hand.

International Drag racing action returns on August 25th

N. Gomez

300x 48.6v

500x 46.3v

600x 46.2v

TOTAL 140.11v

O. Daniel

44.3v

47.4v

47.5v

138.12v

J. White

44.0v

50.2v

43.3v

137.5v

C. Gomez

45.3v

45.5v

44.1v

134.9v

181.12v

188.14v

180.11v

549.37v

Seaton and Sanmoogan end World Aquatics Championships with PB performances ―Baksh says all swimmers did their best

N AT I O N A L s w i m m i n g coach Sean Baksh is impressed with the performances of national swimmers-- Andrew Fowler, Jamila Sanmoogan and teenager Leon Seaton-- who represented Guyana at the just concluded 2019 FINA World Aquatic Championships, in Gwangju, South Korea.

Of the trio, Sanmoogan and Seaton swam their last races on Sunday (Saturday night Guyana time).

“I’m very pleased with the performances of all three swimmers. They did their best.”

The national swimmers all had personal best performances in at least one of their races at the top swimming event.

Fifteen-year-old Seaton, who started off Guyana’s time in the pool with a personal best (28.54s) in the 50M butterfly, registered another PB performance when he swam the 50M backstroke in a time of 29.92s. The youngster’s previous best in the event was 30.54s. Seaton finished ahead of 12 swimmers in the race.

Sanmoogan, who is currently on a scholarship in Colombia, followed up her 50M butterfly performance on Friday with a PB in the 50M

freestyle on Sunday.

The 22-year-old registered a time of 28.72s, just faster than her previous best of 28.86s to finish sixth in her heat and faster than 32 swimmers in that event.

Baksh said that the swimmers were outstanding.

freestyle and will continue to improve....Andrew’s 100 freestyle was a big improvement for him and now that he is on Scholarship in the USA, he is going to have much better performances in the near future.”

Twenty-three year-old Fowler had finished third

The trio with their interpreter (left) and former national swimme, Fabian Binns (centre) who is now in the United States Air Force stationed in Korea

“Leon was ranked among the fastest starters in the backstroke...and he has exceeded his Carifta performance here which is a step in the right direction....Jamila has shown improvement in her

in Heat 4 of 13 with a time of 54.72s on Wednesday, almost two seconds faster than his previous best of 56.33s, which he swam at the Commonwealth Games last year in Australia.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 29, 2019

Western Union sponsored Malteenoes Cricket Academy bowls off this morning

Grace Kennedy’s Marketing Assistant, Dennis Heywood (left), hands over the sponsorship cheque to MSC President Winston Semple

Berbice Mechanic Narine Dasrat realizing dreams of being a race-car driver

IN A case of literally moving from fixing cars to being behind the wheel of one on the circuit, Berbice mechanic Narine Dasrat has, over the last few years, been making a name for himself.

Most recently, he picked up two first place finishes and a second place finish in Round 2 of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club National Race of Champions.

Dasrat, who hails from Edinburgh in Berbice, first got into racing in 2015 but took a couple of lengthy breaks before attending the CMRC meets consistently over the last two years.

He always harboured dreams of being a race car driver and is relishing his experiences on the track thus far.

In his Honda Civic, Dasrat competes in the Street Tuner, Group 1 category; however, he missed round one of the National

Race of Champions earlier this year due to personal reasons.

He bounced back at Round 2 a little over a week ago at the South Dakota Circuit, piloting his craft to two first place finishes and a second place in a show of improvement.

Coming from a county more known for cricket than motor racing, Dasrat related that as he continues racing, he keeps learning more, but there is still so much to be learned in terms of driving tactics and the handling of the car on the circuit.

His biggest supporters over the years, whom he credits as the persons/entities that are making his dream a reality are Narine Auto Mechanic, Mohamed F. Ahamed Construction Works, Silver Lining Tyre Shop, Timo De Bug and Mohamed s. Roshandin Diesel Pumps & Injectors Services.

Berbician Narine Dasrat flies the chequered flag after one of his two first place finishes in his Honda Civic

A LARGE turnout is expected when the Western Union-sponsored Malteenoes Cricket Academy bowls off this morning at the historic Thomas Road venue.

According to information from the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), all systems are in place for the two-week event, which will have both male and female participants from the ages of 6-18 sharpening their cricket skills, while learning about public speaking, social grace and drug abuse.

Executive member of the MSC, Troy Lewis, told Chronicle Sport yesterday that over 50 youngsters have already registered for the academy and a lot more are expected today, since registration is still open.

The club treasurer added that four coaches (Orin Bailey, Quacy Nedd, Darien Best and Sabrina Munroe), will administer cricket, while a number of other persons will oversee the additional programmes. “…Etiquette training, drugs and protection people will be here, Child Care and Protection Agency will be here, a wide range of stuff.”

At a presentation ceremony on Friday, Grace Kennedy, under its Western Union brand handed over a cheque valued at $243,000 to the club along with sports apparel and water bottles.

According to the company’s Marketing Assistant, Dennis Heywood, “Grace Kennedy, a company that has been doing business in Guyana for 26 year, is proud to play our role as good cooperate citizens in the development of youth, sports and communities across Guyana”.

Heywood, who is the University of Guyana second-division cricket captain, added that: “This sponsorship is in keeping with Grace Kennedy’s support of youth development through sports and education.

The academy, which ends on August 9, will run during the week from 9:00hrs to 15:00hrs.

According to Lewis, the fees are as follows: girls 6-12 ($2000), boys 6-12 ($3000), girls 13-18 ($3000) and boys 13-18 ($4000).

The camp’s dress code is white t-shirt, long track pants and white boots (at least 70%).

Green Machine finish last at Pan Am Games GUYANA finished their disastrous outing at the 2019 Pan Am Games, at the bottom of the eight-team table in Lima, Peru.

Playing against the USA on day one of the Rugby component of the Pan Am Games, Guyana went down 62-0. On day two of the tournament, Guyana were soundly beaten 59-0 by Brazil and then trashed 87-7 by Chile.

On the final day of the tournament, Patrick King

had two tries, Dwayne Schroder had a try and Godfrey Broomes made good of two conversions, but the ‘Green Machine’ went down 19 – 33 to rivals Jamaica.

In their final game of the competition, they lost 24 – 0 to Uruguay.

The 2019 Pan Am Games showing would be considered as one of Guyana’s poorest showing on the International stage.

Mangal, Dinanauth and Adams are in Laparkan Invitational Golf champions

From left: Alfred Mentore, Paton George standing in for Pope Emmanuel London, George Bulkan, Guy Griffith, Mike Mangal, Deoram Dinanauith and Carlos Adams (See story on page 23)

Jamal Angus goes airborne against the USA at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru

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Green Machine

finish last at Pan Am Games GMR&SC International Drag Race Championship‌ Page

DEL ICE CO sponsors 12, 11 second class

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GAW home games ticket sales postponed

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Captain Braithwaite elated with Guyana winning The Junior Kolapore

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MONDAY, JULY 29, 2019