Guyana Times - Friday, March 29, 2019

Region 2 remembers Guyana’s P15 first female President Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3878

FRIday, MARCH 29, 2019

PRICE

Constitution clear on majority – Justice Kennard

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Byderabo woman P10 stabbed by ‘berserk’ friend dies

See story on page 7

– husband, son remain in stable condition

…says no mention of “absolute” majority

Govt being “duplicitous” by failing to remove its dual citizenship MPs – Jagdeo Page 3

Rose Hall Estate workers protest unfair treatment

$80 vat included

Page 16

...will settle for severance if no improvement

Decomposed body of P15 fisherman found hanging from tree at Parika

Berbician labourer P15 electrocuted while clearing wires Mining P12 accounts for 85% of deforestation rates

Motorcyclist loses Page battle for life at 10 GPHC, pillion rider still hospitalised

– driver of car was intoxicated at the time of the collision

IPED records 7% growth in loan portfolio Page 9

– approved $3B in loans for 2018

ECD man arraigned with 2009 murder

P8

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3 Govt being “duplicitous” by failing to remove its dual citizenship MPs – Jagdeo news

friday, MARCH 29, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, March 29 – 11:40h-13:10h and Saturday, March 30 – a night retraction from 01:00h and a day retraction from 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, March 29 –12:30h-14:00h and Saturday, March 30 – 12:40h-14:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY

Light cloudy skies can be expected throughout the morning and early afternoon, followed by sunny intervals in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 10:53h and 23:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.05 metres and 1.98 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 04:19h and 17:13h reaching minimum heights of 1.24 metres and 1.14 metres respectively.

WEDNESday, march 28, 2019

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O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has accused the Government of using the recent Court of Appeal ruling only where it is convenient, while ignoring the fact that both courts have upheld the constitutional requirement for membership to the National Assembly not to be dual citizens.

Addressing his weekly press conference, Jagdeo told the media on Thursday that if the Government claimed to respect the court ruling, then they should not have dual citizens attend the Parliament, and they should all immediately resign as Ministers of the Government.

Jagdeo reasoned that these MPs cannot hold the ministerial posts by virtue of being members of the National Assembly. He said too that Carl Greenidge should not have acted as President, while adding that both he and Minister of State Joseph Harmon should have resigned.

“You cannot be convenient in arguing for upholding the ruling of the court and then deal with this matter in such a duplicitous manner as I’ve said before, with no decency,” the former President added.

The Government dual citizenship MPs are Carl Greenidge, Rupert Roopnaraine and Dominic Gaskin who hold British citizenship, and Joseph Harmon who holds United States (US) citizenship.

Jagdeo pointed out too that Government is still challenging the matter regarding former MP Charrandas Persaud’s vote as a dual citizen in the National Assembly and is now arguing that they will continue to conduct business as usual and will rely on the votes of dual citizens.

On the other hand, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary said “our dual citizens” will not attend any sittings. Dual citizens PPP MPs are Gail Teixeira, Odinga Lumumba and Adrian Anamaya. But Jagdeo also pointed out that Lumumba would be giving up his foreign citizenship.

He is a US citizen.

“Whether we will attend any sitting before the matter is definitively ruled on, we will not attend any sitting in that period,” Jagdeo pointed out, explaining that Government did not want to abide by the ruling of the Chief Justice, but now wants the country to respect part of the ruling.

Jagdeo and the PPP have always committed to ensure that the laws regarding dual citizenship for MPs are up-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

held. While Jagdeo said the PPP has no intentions of returning to the National Assembly, when asked how he hopes to deal with the situation if they had to return, he said, “We will uphold the law.”

The controversy concerning persons with dual citizenship in the National Assembly surfaced after former Government MP Charrandas Persaud voted in favour of a No-confidence Motion, which was tabled by the Opposition and validly passed in the National Assembly.

A private citizen, Compton Reid, challenged the validity of the vote cast

by Persaud in the National Assembly on the basis that he breached Article 155 of the Constitution which bars MPs from having dual citizenship.

This argument also

formed part of the opinions presented to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland in the hopes that he would reverse the ruling – something the Speaker ultimately refused to do.

According to the acting Chief Justice Roxane George, by swearing allegiance to another State, a dual citizen is not qualified to be elected to serve in the National Assembly.

She noted that while

Persaud should not have been a sitting parliamentarian because of his dual citizenship, at the time of his vote on the motion, he was a valid MP; hence, his vote was valid.

The Court of Appeal has also upheld the constitutional requirement for membership to the National Assembly, namely that dual citizens are not eligible.

This issue is not peculiar to Guyana, because most recently the world was made aware of a similar situation in Australia.

That country was pitched into a political crisis in 2018 after a court ruled that a senator was ineligible to sit in Parliament because she had failed to renounce her British citizenship, triggering a spate of MP resignations.

Some 14 parliamentarians have resigned or been ruled ineligible since mid2017 when renewed scrutiny on a constitutional clause set politicians scrambling to prove they only had Australian citizenship.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Reducing TB cases

I

t is well known that tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world’s top health challenges, with an estimated 10 million new cases in 2017 and 1.3 million deaths. Over 95 per cent of TB deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, poor communities, and vulnerable groups.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), while there has been significant progress in the fight against TB, with more than 54 million lives saved between 2000 and 2017, the battle is only half-won, as some 4000 people lose their lives each day to this leading infectious disease.

At a recent international forum, which was organised to help complement the functioning of, and assist in capacity building among national TB laboratories, Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, boasted that Guyana is currently winning the war against tuberculosis (TB).

She said that in spite of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causing a spike in the number of TB cases dealt with, the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) were working round-the-clock to heighten the Isoniazid Preventative Therapy in citizens living with the deadly disease.

Even though Guyana still has a far way to go, this country can boast of tremendous progress made in its fight against TB, and all efforts must be made to ensure these gains are not reversed. It could be recalled that the actual number of new TB cases diagnosed by the National TB Programme (NTBP) rose steadily throughout the 90s. However, with some key interventions by the previous Administration; such as the implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment Short (DOTS) programme (2002-2007), annual cases declined from 2008, and stabilised for four years thereafter due to further DOTS expansion.

Based on official statistics, the case notification rate over the past five years decreased from 92 per 100,000 in 2012 to 70 per 100,000 in 2017. This is quite an achievement, and kudos must be given to all the stakeholders who are working to further reduce TB cases in Guyana.

Some years ago, the DOTS System was successfully implemented in all the regions of the country, and it has been essential to ensuring case detection and standardised treatment, with supervision and patient support. That said, the national rate is still below the target for WHO END TB Strategy 2025 of 90 per cent.

According to analysis by the WHO of the TB epidemic, “momentum is growing at country and community levels – including in the 30 countries with the highest TB burden (over 85 per cent of the global burden). A number of countries are strengthening the strategic agendas of their TB programmes, by adopting newer tools, extending access to care, and linking with other parts of Government to reduce the financial costs borne by patients. Other countries are partnering with researchers to speed development of diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines, and to improve delivery”.

However, despite these advances, formidable challenges remain, including fragile health systems, human resource and financial constraints, and the serious co-epidemics with HIV, diabetes, and tobacco use.

Ending TB will only be achieved with greater collaboration within and across Governments; and with partners from civil society, communities, researchers, the Private Sector and development agencies. This means taking a whole-ofsociety and multidisciplinary approach in the context of universal health coverage.

Funding also remains a crucial component. All partners can help take forward innovative approaches to ensure that everyone suffering from the disease has access to TB diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Governments and NGOs may have the best ideas to tackle TB, but it makes very little sense if there are inadequate financial resources to ensure their effective implementation.

The authorities here must continue to build on the gains made over the years regarding efforts to reduce TB cases in keeping with the WHO targets.

Young models prepare backstage before the Feng Sansan Collection show at China Fashion Week (Telegraph photo)

Why the Appellate Court’s ruling is flawed?

Dear Editor, The controversial Appeal Court’s ruling against the No Confidence Motion (NCM) resolves around the meaning of the word “majority” as intended by Article (106). No one in the Appellate disagrees that the greater number in the National Assembly constitutes a majority. The median or the 50th percentile of a set of numbers, by statistical and mathematical reasoning, is half the sum of all numbers plus one, or equivalently 1/2 (n+1).

In the case of the fifty (52) Members of Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu, one half of 53 (26.5) and then rounded up yield 27 as the majority. In the case of Guyana with 65 sitting Members of Parliament, one half 66 (65+1) is 33, the number that constitutes the majority as in the case of the Republic of Vanuatu.

However, in the Guyana case, the median was not applied. Instead, Chancellor Cummings-Edwards and Justice Gregory disaggregated the median formula

into two overlapping stages to define the majority by taking one-half, rounded-up and then plus one to yield a majority of 34. This twostage hybrid is mathematically and statistically flawed by international standards.

Why? In the first stage, the number is rounded-up, and again the rounded value is added to one to overstate the majority by one.

Therefore, based on the median principles in determining the 50th percentile, 33 is the majority of 32 in the 65-Member Parliament;

and, reflects the true effect of the constitution.

Chancellor CummingsEdwards and Justice Gregory have been misguided in their ruling, but for Justice Persaud who correctly uphold the ruling earlier reached by Parliament and validated by the High Court.

Yours sincerely, Dr Dev Rawana, PhD Professor of Economics and Statistics

Unfamiliarity

Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) recognised from a letter which appeared in the March 24, 2019, Guyana Chronicle from Dr Joey Jagan, certain accusations were levelled, apparently aimed to tarnish our Union’s reputation and character.

Our Union could not help but notice that Dr Joey’s letter appeared in close proximity to the 101st birth anniversary of his father, the indefatigable Dr Cheddi Jagan who was very much associated with the work and victories of our Union during his lifetime.

Also, the letter comes on the eve of Janet Jagan’s memorial activity at Babu Jaan – another outstanding GAWU supporter. Of course, this truism should not be unknown to Dr Joey Jagan. The innuendos contained in his letter, we contend, are baseless, and serve only to demonstrate his clear unfamiliarity with the

workings of the sugar industry, though this is surprising considering that both Cheddi and Janet Jagan were closely associated with many of the struggles of the industry’s workers.

Contrary to Dr Joey Jagan’s seemingly, warped thinking the GAWU has never shirked from its responsibility to advance the conditions of workers under its representation. In fact, the Union is committed to ensuring that the well-being of all workers is improved.

This has been reflected by the Union’s activism, not only at the bargaining table, which has brought many benefits and gains to our members. In the letter he charged that “…sugar workers were treated with contempt…”. But we wonder if Dr Joey doesn’t find the treatment by the current Government of workers most contemptuous.

He must know, as it is widely known, that some 7000 sugar workers have

lost their jobs during the tenure of the coalition. He should know too that sugar workers remain the only group of workers in the State sector not to have gotten even a dollar as pay increase while those on the top echelons of the Administration approved obscenely humongous increases in their pay and perks.

He would know that the GAWU, a Union Dr Cheddi Jagan served as honorary president for many years, has seen its members being denied paid-release to attend their Union’s congress but such facility has not been denied to other unions and workers. Even Forbes Burnham didn’t treat sugar workers as the inheritors of his party are treating them now-a-days.

Apart from successes scored in our consistent representation with the industry’s overlords we have also, on our own or together with our unions in FITUG raised our voices to advocate poli-

cies and programmes to help our working-people generally. Such a stance is inherited from Cheddi Jagan, among others, and continues to guide our efforts today.

Dr Joey continues to show his unfamiliarity with the workings of our Union with the assertion that our Union’s leadership was part of the Government.

Contrary to those preposterous lamentations, the GAWU, as it said before, has members who are supportive of all the political groupings in Guyana. We respect and uphold our members right in this regard.

We cannot say with any certainty what has motivated such remarks about GAWU in the letter by Dr Joey. Maybe, it’s an attempt to be relevant at this time. If so, he really has a long, long way to go.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

The re-toppling of Guyana’s democracy: The choice ahead Dear Editor, The split decision by the Court of Appeal overturning two previous rulings affirming the December 21, 2018, No-confidence Motion is a grotesque upending of justice, dressed up in pig-lipstick.

All the pseudointellectual talk of Simple v Absolute in this straightforward majority situation in which every Member of Parliament was present, is just that: pretentious gobbledegook. It is: I stick my finger in the eye of the common people and dare them to say the emperor has no clothes – because only smart people can see the fine robes that his lordship has spun and their ladyships have blessed. In Guyanese style, humour one of our man-on-the-street countrymen asked tongue in cheek, “If 33:32 was not majority passage in Parliament, can you tell me if the 2:1 court ruling on this highly important matter is really a majority ruling?”

You can put lipstick on a pig; but it’s still a pig. Nothing can cover that up. Some may split hairs on how much direct architect or object of tribute Granger was in this one.

However, the end result is the same; it is egregious and portends badly.

The court challenge was one in a string of Granger Administration’s manoeuvres designed to keep delaying elections and buy time.

Time which, in the manner of his military stratagem training, has been used in the past to stealthily deploy an increasing preponderance of physical and material advantage at key decisive points such as the

He has, however, been silently executing on his singular goal, while the clatter and noise occur above.

By design on his part and omission on our part, the clatter and noise is what has caught most of the attention of critical review. His party’s many blunders, their scandals, their economic incompetence, and their ridiculous half-person argument, have crowded out the nefarious manoeuvres occurring below. We have failed to paint the complete big picture of these consequential moves to undermine democracy that have been engineered into place at almost subsurface level; the various pieces of which individually are worrisome and combined reveal a war gaming strategy focused on a foreboding ultimate goal.

For example, concurrent with their offensive campaign of compromising and infiltrating primary targets, his Administration has continuously deployed other military inspired stratagems to keep the Opposition off balance and consume its resources in attending to fires (SOCU); diversions; feints (duplicitous acceptance of NCM then reversal) and psychological and economic warfare.

In some cases, multiple ob-

Tzu’s maxim: all warfare is based on deception.

Verifiable evidence of the Administration’s efforts to subvert democracy is in plain sight in their altering of the geography of the Opposition’s support and on the ground representation in fourteen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 2018. It was a consequential foray but lightly reported on.

To put it simply, they gerrymandered the LGAs using Crack and Pack and Hatcha-Seat operations.

Large People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) constituencies were combined thereby reducing the number of area seats, while small A Partnership for National Unity constituencies were split creating more area seats. The adjacent charts give a quick visual of this.

The result was that if the exact 2016 vote were replicated in 2018 the PPP/C would lose 29 seats while APNU/ Alliance For Change would remain unchanged.

As is known, the PPP/C won sweeping victories in the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) because of dissatisfaction with the Administration.

But in those fourteen LGAs the number of PPP/C affiliated Councillors declined by 14 per cent.

The result was that if the exact 2016 vote was replicated in 2018, the PPP/C would lose 29 seats while APNU/AFC would remain unchanged

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Local Government, the Judiciary and security forces – all of which have influential roles and are potential levers to lean on.

Keeping his party in power, regardless of whether they have the support and confidence of a majority of Guyanese, has been his solitary goal in Government – all be it that his years in power have been a disaster for the management of the country as a whole; he has no cohesive plan for the well-being of everyday-people and has vacated himself from these duties.

jectives are achieved at the same time. The attack on the Opposition’s morale, economic warfare, and consumption of Opposition resources and attention were simultaneously achieved by the raising of taxes on agricultural equipment.

This was then repeated with even greater effect with the closure of the sugar estates. These stratagems could all have been directly lifted out of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Similarly, his delaying tactics and duplicity throughout the three-month ordeal following the passage of the NCM is a prime demonstration of Sun

Their actions combined show an administration intent on holding office whether or not they achieve that through free and fair elections. The ger-

rymandering of LGE, though significant in its own rights, may have been just a dry run for bigger operations.

Also, the presence in the country of Cambridge Analytica still remains an

open question. All parties deny working with them. The company provided psych ops strategy to governments and military organisations worldwide.

It was forced to discontinue operations in 2018 when its involvement in the Facebook data breach scandal was uncovered and its dirty tricks in other countries began to be revealed.

This is not the first time that Guyana has started down this road. The last time it did so the main party in the APNU coalition also formed Government; to the misfortune of the country. The hallmarks of that administration have resurfaced in the Granger Administration: the subversion of democracy and bad economic management. These sent the country into a tail-spin that ended up with Guyana being the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It also became one of the most indebted nations in the world under Finance Minister Carl Greenidge now Foreign Affairs Minister. There was a mass exodus of Guyanese to other countries, which now almost like in a dark comedy, manifests itself politically as the dual-citizenship issue.

Before the downward spiral, Guyana was seen as having all it takes, and on the cusp of becoming a prosperous nation.

There was sunshine, abundant land and water, gold, bauxite,

sugar, rice, diamonds and timber. The people were capable and spoke English.

Now that promise has again come to the fore with newly discovered off-shore oil. We all hope it is fulfilled. The danger is that this Administration’s history indicates not only a bent towards autocracy and mismanagement, but that any benefit would accrue to just a small elite, while the majority outside the chain are relegated to abject poverty. Case in point Nigeria, with rich oil reserves and other parallels with Guyana. To take a quote from a description of the sit-

the long-term agriculture by the promise of instant oil rewards. Closer to home, another example of the misfortune that can befall even oil-rich countries is Venezuela. They have the largest proven oil reserves in the world, yet Venezuelan citizens are seeking refuge on Guyana’s muddy shores.

The management of any economy is a complex business. Throw in the vagaries of the oil industry and you have exponential challenges. This Administration has shown that they are neither equipped nor willing to deal with those challenges. In addition, the

uation in the book A Swamp Full of Dollars: The more widely better communications, the possibility of travel and ostentatious consumer goods have become available in the Niger Delta, …the more the villagers who live above the oilfields have noticed the difference between their circumstances and those of the people who exploit their natural riches.

Nigeria is ranked as having the 11th largest proven oil reserves in the world. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world. A top world producer of groundnuts, palm oil and other agricultural products before the discovery of oil, the country was lured away from

country is again at risk of being railroaded down an undemocratic path.

We have seen what the Granger Administration has done with the time they’ve had.

Further delay of the election and the benefit of incumbency provides more opportunity for less free and fair elections.

Hopefully the international attention that their actions have attracted will contain the situation to some extent.

People will have to choose and they will have to make their voices heard.

Sincerely, Ron Cheong

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Foundation

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W

o you sweat, chew your pencil, and feel butterflies in your stomach as your teacher hands out a test? A lot of people (adults included) get freaked out when it’s time to take a test.

It’s natural to feel some stress about taking tests. In fact, sometimes a little adrenaline (a hormone made by your body during times of excitement or stress) is a good thing to jumpstart you.

Here are some tips for taking tests:

e all want to be happy. But we sometimes think of happiness as a thing that happens to us – something we have no control over. It’s easy to link the idea of happiness with the situation we’re in. We might tell ourselves, “If only things were different, then I’d be happy.”

But that’s not really how happiness works. Research shows that just a small portion of happiness (only about 10 per cent) depends on a person’s situation. So where does most of our happiness come from?

Born happy?

Part of happiness depends on personality. Some people have a naturally happy nature. We all know people who are cheerful and optimistic most of the time. Their upbeat personalities make it easier for them to be happy.

So what does that mean for people who are born with a personality that’s on the grumpy side? They might see the faults in people and situations instead of the good. Their mood might be glum more often than it’s cheerful. But if they’d like to be happier (and who wouldn’t?), it is possible to get there.

Happiness is up to us Researchers have found that more than half of happiness depends on things that are actually under our control. That’s really good news because it means everyone can be happier.

A big part of how happy we are depends on our mind-set, the habits we practise, and the way we live each day. By learning the key ingredients of happiness, we can use them to become happier.

Why happiness matters Happiness is more than a good feeling or a yellow smiley face.

It’s the feeling of truly enjoying your life, and the desire to make the very best of it. Happiness is the “secret sauce” that can help us be and do our best.

Here’s what researchers found when they studied happy people: Happy people are more successful.

Happy people are better at reaching goals.

Happy people are healthier.

Happy people live longer.

Happy people have better relationships.

Happy people learn better.

First, be sure you’ve studied properly

It sounds like a no-brainer, but if you’re sure of the information, you’ll have less reason to be worried.

Get enough sleep the night before the test

Ingredients for a happy life Happiness is so important in our lives that it has its own field of research called positive psychology.

Experts in this field have found that there are key things that make people happier: Positive emotions Joy. Gratitude. Love. Amazement. Delight. Playfulness.

Humour. Inspiration. Compassion. Hope. Creativity. Interest.

Excitement. Enjoyment. Calm. We all like to have these positive feelings.

Besides feeling good, positive emotions do good things for our brains and bodies. They lower stress hormones, help ease anxiety and depression, and improve our immune system.

Feeling some positive emotions every day has a big effect on our happiness and well-being. That’s why it’s so important to do things that give us positive feelings. Even simple actions like playing with a child or a pet or going for a walk outdoors can inspire these feelings.

Knowing how to manage our negative emotions is also key to happiness. Difficult emotions are a fact of life. But the way we handle them makes all the difference. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org) To be continued

Your memory recall will be much better if you’ve had enough rest. In a scientific study, people who got enough sleep before taking a Maths test did better than those who stayed up all night studying.

Listen closely to any instructions. As the teacher hands out the test, be sure you know what’s expected of you.

Read the test through first

Once you have the test paper in front of you, read over the entire test, checking out how long it is and all the parts that you are expected to complete. This will let you estimate how much time you have for each section and ask the teacher any questions. If something seems unclear before you start, don’t panic: ask.

Focus on addressing each question individually

As you take the test, if you don’t know an answer, don’t obsess over it. Instead, answer the best way you can or skip over the question and come back to it after you’ve answered other questions.

Relax

If you’re so nervous that you blank out, you might need a mini-break. Of course you can’t get up and move around in the middle of a test, but you can wiggle your fingers and toes, take four or five deep breaths, or picture yourself on a beach or some other calm place. As we all know, it can be easy to forget things we know well – like a locker combination. The difference is we know we’ll remember our locker combination because we’ve used it hundreds of times, so we don’t panic and the combination number eventually comes back. During a test, if you blank out on something and start to get tense, it suddenly becomes much more difficult to remember.

Finished already?

Although most teachers will let you hand a test in early, it’s usually a good idea to spend any extra time checking over your work. You also can add details that you may not have thought you’d have time for. On the other hand, if you have five minutes until the bell rings and you’re still writing, wind up whatever you’re working on without panicking.

These tips should help most people, but some can get serious test-taking terror. If you’re one of them, you may need to talk to a parent, teacher, or counsellor for help.

Good luck! (kidshealth.org)

7 Constitution clear on majority – Justice Kennard news

friday, MARCH 29, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

...says no mention of “absolute” majority

F

ormer Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, has stated that the Constitution of Guyana is clear in what constitutes a majority, pointing out that there was no mention of an “absolute” majority but a majority of “all elected members of the National Assembly”.

Last Friday, however, the Court of Appeal by a 2:1 majority ruled that the Opposition’s No-confidence Motion was invalid since it

majority of all the members of the National Assembly and so, one have to interpret that and insert it in every context… One has to look at the spirit of Constitution and the Constitution says majority (of all members)”.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states that “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote

House Speaker had deemed the motion carried by a 3332 majority, 33 must always be obtained for such a motion’s successful passage.

“In our 65-member National Assembly, a majority of all elected members, in accordance with the principle of ‘one over all rivals combined’, is 33 members,” the Chief Justice reasoned.

According to Justice Kennard, he is in “total agreement” with the Chief

Court of Appeal

needed an “absolute” majority of 34 votes in the National Assembly, and not a “simple” majority of 33, to successfully pass.

However, Justice Kennard posited that nowhere in the Constitution of Guyana were the terms “absolute” or “simple” majority mentioned. In fact, he noted the Constitution only spoke of a majority of all elected members in the National Assembly, which would be 33 of the 65 members.

“The Constitution is clear; it doesn’t say absolute majority. It speaks about

of confidence.”

But after the December 31, 2018 passage of the Opposition-sponsored Noconfidence Motion, the coalition Government challenged the validity of the motion and after failing to get the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, to reverse it, they approached the High Court.

However, acting Chief Justice Roxane George in January upheld the passage of the motion, ruling that it was validly passed with the 33 majority. She noted that apart from the fact that the

Justice’s interpretation.

“There is no question about that; her decision was a very firm one,” the former Chancellor asserted. He added that with the Appeal Court having overturned the High Court’s ruling by a majority dissenting decision, it is now for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to have the final say on what the Constitution meant with regards to majority votes on a motion of no confidence.

“But to me when one looks at the Constitution and what it says, does the

Constitution use the world absolute, definitely not,” Justice Kennard stressed.

He went on to say that the framers of the Constitution and even those on the Constitutional Reform Commission, which included distinguish individuals such as Ralph Ramkarran and Justice Desiree Bernard, would have known that the words “simple” and “absolute” could have been inserted to qualify a majority. But instead, they stayed away from that and defined that a majority to be of “all the elected members” of the National Assembly, which is 33.

“So you see, one cannot read into the Constitution what is not there; one cannot review the question, when the question (never) arose of whether it’s ‘absolute’ or what not,” Justice Kennard stated.

While appellate Judge, Justice Rishi Persaud, during last week’s ruling dismissed the Government’s appeal and upheld the Chief Justice’s ruling that the motion was validly passed with a 33 majority, his two colleague appellate Judges allowed the State’s appeal.

Both Justices Yonette Cummings-Edwards, the acting Chancellor; and Dawn Gregory opined that while 33 is the majority of the 65-member National Assembly, the successful passage of a no-confidence motion requires an “absolute” majority of 34, and not the “simple” majority of 33 that has been used to pass

Former Chancellor, Justice Cecil Kennard

ordinary business in the House.

According to the two appellate Judges, half of the National Assembly would be 32.5 and since there is no half vote then that would be rounded up to 33, which is a “simple” majority of the House, and so in order to make it “absolute”, one more has to be added to bring about a 34 majority.

This was the argument submitted by Grenadian Queen’s Counsel, Dr Francis Alexis, who was hired by Government. He had reasoned during his oral submissions that the incorrect formula was used to determine the votes needed to validate the passage of the motion.

But according to the former Chancellor, the Constitution in other countries was crafted to fit practices in that jurisdiction and as such, Guyana cannot import interpretations that do not fit with constitutional practices here.

“We should not have grabbed onto what the court would have ruled in another jurisdiction. I don’t know what the Constitution of other countries says, but our Constitution is clear on this. Nowhere in the Constitution, is the word ‘absolute’ mentioned, Justice Kennard insisted.

Following last Friday’s ruling, the coalition Government has indicated that it will continue with the State’s business as usual and is preparing to resume sitting of the National Assembly.

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that the People’s Progressive Party Opposition would not be attending Parliament until the CCJ rules. Earlier this week, a team of lawyers led by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, appealed the Court of Appeal decision. A case management hearing on the matter is scheduled for today.

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friday, MARCH 29, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

3 other witnesses testify in Co-op Crescent murder PI

T

hree other witnesses took to the stand on Thursday as the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the alleged murder of 55-yearold Lindener Leroy Barron continued at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The matter is being heard before Magistrate Wanda Fortune.

Engineer Rawle Watson, former Police Corporal Omyanna Layne, and clothes vendor Romain Haynes all testified.

Travis Hazel, also called “Fifty”, of Lot 24 Silvercity, Wismar, Linden, is on trial for the September 15, 2018 alleged murder of Leroy Barron.

He is being represented by Counsel Stanley Moore, while Police Prosecutor Venetta Pindar is representing the state.

At commencement of the

Murder accused: Travis Hazel

PI on Tuesday, five witnesses testified, including brother of the deceased, Kevin Barron, former ambulance attendant Fiona Mingo, Police Corporal Tyrone Van Hearsel, and Police Constables Alex Sancharie and Devon Greene.

The witnesses were all

questioned in relation to their involvement in the alleged incident, with Mingo being the first to testify.

It is alleged that on the day in question, while at Co-op Crescent, Mackenzie, Linden, Hazel inflicted injuries upon the deceased during an altercation, and those injuries resulted in his death.

Initial investigations had revealed that there was an argument between Barron, who was known to do odd jobs around the Mackenzie Market, and the defendant, during which the the defendant allegedly armed himself with a piece of wood and handed the now deceased a severe beating, before fleeing the scene. The deceased reportedly received several lashes to the head.

He was later taken to the Linden Hospital Complex

Judicial thinking…

Murdered: Leroy Barron

(LHC) in an unconscious state, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post mortem (PME) examination later gave the cause of death as brain hemorrhage due to blunt force trauma to the head. The matter will be heard again on April 24.

ECD man arraigned with 2009 murder

A

fter 10 years of evading Police apprehension, 38-year-old Zaheed Mitchel of Lot 255 Sixth Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arrested and arraigned for a 2009 murder of a Good Hope, ECD resident.

The suspect made his appearance before Chief

Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday. Mitchel was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between July 11 and 12, 2009, he murdered Ramzan Alli of Good Hope.

According to Police reports, the now dead man

left his home on July 11, 2009 and did not return.

The following morning, the body of Alli was discovered in the trunk of a rental car with a black plastic bag duct taped to his head.

The discovery was made along the Coldigen Railway Embankment, ECD. The accused was repre-

Remanded: Zaheed Mitchel

sented by Attorney Damien DaSilva. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that the accused was only recently arrested and confessed to the crime under caution.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force is making efforts to have Mitchel’s girlfriend arrested and deported from the United States since based on initial reports, she was also involved in the crime.

Mitchel was remanded to prison until April 15, 2019, and the matter was transferred to the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

T

…on the elections brouhaha oday, the CCJ has a “Case Management Conference” to indicate to the PPP and the Govt the timelines for their submissions in the appointment of the GECOM chair appeal. This comes in the midst of the latest political brouhaha which also landed into the CCJ’s lap. This emphasizes that we’ve chosen the CCJ as our final court of appeal on even our domestic legal problems.

Of the 15 Caricom members, only Barbados, Belize and we’ve done this. The rest retained the British Privy Council for their final appeals! Our political leaders from both sides of the divide were more “West Indians” than Jamaica and Trinidad, and insisted that Judges from countries that weren’t even CCJ members judge us!! There are no Guyanese on the CCJ bench right now.

The argument was that “local” legal minds would be more attuned to our local idiosyncrasies, and consequently be able to apply the law in a more nuanced fashion. Not everyone, including the eminent and recently departed distinguished legal scholar Fenton Ramsahoye, was so convinced. It’s been pointed out that in such small territories, where there are all sorts of local connections and intersecting interests, the Justices may have “skin in the game” and consequently give decisions based not on the law, but on their personal inclinations.

“Textualists” hold that judges should just “apply the law as written”, while “originalists” insist they should also hark to the “intent” of the framers – the “spirit” of the law.

“Realists”, on the other hand, accept that judges invariably have personal perspectives, and should therefore state “where they’re coming from”. For instance, they could be looking at the consequences of their decision in light of changed conditions. And your Eyewitness has barely scratched the surface of the tools – such as precedents - of judicial decision making!!

So, dear reader, you can begin to understand that when judges give their rulings, it could go in any direction!!

So, on the GECOM Chair ruling, which tool might best be used? Well, the insertion of Art 161 (2) was only done just before the 1992 elections. The text is pretty clear, and we know for sure the intent was to impose some sort of “give and take” in the appointment, between the President and the Opposition Leader. Was this achieved? When the President rejected all three lists, could he act unilaterally and still satisfy the text?

What are the Judges “personal inclinations”?? …on majorities (again!)

With the above background on judicial thinking, maybe we can figure out what went down in our courts, and what might be ahead in the CCJ on the NCM vote?? Let’s start with Art 106 (6): “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” Now you can’t get clearer text than this, can you??

What was the intent of the framers when they inserted the Article in 2001?? Well, we’d inherited a similar one from the British in our Independence Constitution in 1966, but Burnham removed it in his 1980 Constitution. Introduced in 2000, the intent was that governments must show they’ve retained their democratic credentials after being elected.

The word “majority” in and of itself always meant “the greater portion”, and an odd number of seats was chosen over the years (1961 to 1980, 53 seats; since 65 seats) to prevent a tie by having “1” as the tiebreaker to give “the greater portion than all others”. The formula is 65-1 divided by 2 = 32 +1 = 33!! No need for half bodies!!

The redundant adjective “absolute” was introduced to muddy the waters and produce a “preconceived” result! …on these mega sentences OK…your Eyewitness accepts that some crimes are beyond reprehensible. But what’s the point of these 100year sentences being doled out nowadays?

Especially when they’re now being routinely appealed and reduced?? Spinning wheels?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

News

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IPED records 7% growth in loan portfolio – approved $3B in loans for 2018

T

he Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) has reported a seven per cent growth in its gross loan portfolio at the end of 2018, with $3.008 billion recorded last year compared to $2.806 billion in 2017.

During 2018, IPED processed and disbursed some 4091 loans at the value of $2.663 billion compared to 4218 loans at $2.684 billion in 2017.

This, according to the agency, is a decline of three per cent and one per cent in number and value respectively.

Meanwhile, the total num-

ber of loans outstanding as at December 31, 2018 decreased to 3938; that is, a three per cent decline from the 4064 loans in 2017.

IPED Chairman Komal Samaroo, addressing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) said, “IPED continues to be a pillar in the growth and development of the ordinary man and woman in their quest of owning their own businesses.”

The financial agency went on to reveal that the overall quality of the loans portfolio has recorded a marginal improvement with Portfolio at Risk

(principal balance of loans in arrears for more than 30 days as percentage of gross loans) being 16.16 per cent in 2018 compared to 18.35 per cent in 2017.

It added too that non-performing loans, as a percentage of gross loans, improved from 10.2 per cent in 2017 to 9.8 per cent last year.

Furthermore, IPED disclosed that data obtained from loan applications processed in 2018 indicates that micro and small businesses supported by IPED employed approximately 8627 persons.

In fact, it was noted that

Jagdeo wants CCJ ruling on noconfidence appeals before May

H

aving filed an appeal in the no-confidence case at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is hoping that a decision could be made before April month end, which coincides with the expiration of the current voters’ list.

In addressing the media about the recent court ruling, Jagdeo noted that the appeal has been filed with the CCJ and a decision on the date for the ruling is expected shortly.

“We have filed a challenge to the matter at the CCJ and so tomorrow that matter will be discussed in a case management activity and then a date would be set for the hearing.

We expected that that would be done before the end of April,” Jagdeo stated On that note, Jagdeo said his party does not want to return to Parliament and if the CCJ upholds the No-confidence Motion, then every activity would be illegal, including the parliamentary sittings.

“And we do not want to be complicit in illegalities by the Government,” he added.

Jagdeo said the Court of Appeal ruling departed from what the Constitution prescribed, from the clear intent of the framers of the Constitution and from the intent of legislators on the night of the vote.

He said, “That is why we thought it was such a weak argument (33-34) that we never really talked about it in a great… because how do you overturn what the legislators felt, by some obscure calculation and call it constitutional Mathematics.”

Jagdeo said, “The Constitution did not say ab-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

solute majority or simple majority… when the court inserts this, they are rewriting the Constitution and the intent of the framers of the Constitution… it would be tantamount to the Judiciary rewriting our Constitution and taking the place of the Legislature.”

He said if the Appeal Court’s decision is allowed to stand by the CCJ, it will have grave impacts for the region. He said, “Now, any no-confidence motion that is passed, a precedent can be found and used for a challenge… a challenge that could insert strange Mathematics into the situation.”

He said the ruling departed from what the Constitution prescribed, from the clear intent of the framers of the Constitution and from the intent of legislators on the night of the vote.

According to him, the Appeal Court Judges has an obligation to review what took place, more so what was said, in the lead up to the vote on December 21, 2019, and on the night of the vote itself.

He said there was accep-

tance that 33 votes was the necessary majority for the passage of the No-confidence Motion.

“On the night of the vote, after the Speaker declared that the motion was passed, there was no objection….nothing to say that 34 votes were needed,” Jagdeo said.

The Opposition Leader also referred to what was said by Alliance For Change (AFC) leaders, as well as then Opposition Leader David Granger, in 2014, when the AFC brought a Noconfidence Motion against the then Donald Ramotarled People’s Progressive Party Administration.

“The fact that they (the A Partnership for National Unity/ AFC coalition) changed their minds in a political issue,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo noted that “no evidence” was provided to show that the framers held another view – one that said 33 of all 65 elected MPs was not the majority needed for the passage of the No-confidence Motion.

He added that the Constitution is clear in its language. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states that, “The Cabine,t including the President, shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Jagdeo through his attorneys on Tuesday filed a notice of application for special leave to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in relation to the decision of the Guyana Court of Appeal on the no-confidence cases.

They are asking for the case to be heard expeditiously.

IPED Chairman Komal Samaroo

of the total applications processed last year, loans to female principal borrowers were 33 per cent, a decline from 35 per cent in 2017. Additionally, youth borrowers also decreased by one per cent when compared to the six per cent recorded in 2017, while borrowers without real estate collateral also took a plunge with 72 per cent last year against 76 per cent in 2017.

Nevertheless, IPED in a statement said despite challenges experience, its financial position has strengthened over the past year and continues to be stable. “The year 2018 came with its fair share of challenges but vigilance, strategic decision-making and innovation has allowed us to emerge with satisfactory results,” the finan-

cial institution stated.

To this end, IPED boasts of an eight per cent growth of its total assets, that is, $3.720 billion last year against $3.498 billion in 2017. This, it said, is financed by $3.267 billion in 2018, compared to $3.221 billion the previous year, of accumulated funds and surpluses.

Meanwhile, total liabilities increased to $454 million, representing a 63 per cent hike from $278 million at December 2017. The agency also revealed that it drew down a loan of $200 million from Demerara Bank Limited and $41 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in 2018. These, it noted, were used to fund the growth of the loans portfolio.

In addition, IPED noted that its financial performance improved last year with a total surplus of $102.5 million, against $85.7 million in 2017, that is, an increase of $16.8 million or 19.6 per cent. The total interest income for the year was $539 million compared to $512 million in 2017, an increase of $27 million or five per cent. It added that total investment and other income was peg at $57 million at the end of 2018, compared to $55 million the previous year. This presents an increase of $2 million or four per cent; while the total expenses for 2018 were $490 million compared to $479 million in 2017, an increase of $11 million

Founding Chairman Yesu Persaud

or 2.3 per cent.

On the other hand, Samaroo also announced at the AGM that founding Chairman Yesu Persaud, had retired from the board in January.

“His leadership and sterling contribution over 32 years to the development and growth of IPED, an institution focused on improving the livelihoods of micro and small business entrepreneurs, will not be forgotten,” Samaroo said of his predecessor.

IPED is a not for profit organisation but manages its financial affairs to ensure that the institution is sustainable and self-sufficient. All surpluses will be used to enhance our outreach to micro and small businesses in 2019 and thereafter.

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friday, MARCH 29, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Motorcyclist loses battle for life at GPHC, pillion rider still hospitalised

– driver of car was intoxicated at the time of the collision

A

23-year-old motorcyclist who was battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after being struck down by a taxi two nights ago, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon. His

The vehicles involved in the accident

friend, who was the pillion rider at the time of the accident, remains hospitalised in a serious condition.

The dead man has been identified as Ramairo Wilson of Lot 121 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Based on information received, at about 18:45h on Tuesday, Wilson and a friend were travelling on a motorcycle at Vreed-enHoop, WCD when they were struck down by a car bearing registration number HC 3989. The car was be-

ing driven by a 39-year-old Pouderoyen, WCD resident.

Reports are that the driver had just purchased bread from the area, and was proceeding along the roadway, but suddenly made an about turn. The motorcycle was then about to pass the car,

but a collision occurred instead.

The motorcycle reportedly slammed into the right front fender of the motorcar, resulting in Wilson and his 23-year-old friend (pillion rider) being flung to the northern side of the road.

According to the Police, the two young men sustained head and other bodily injuries.

Wilson was picked up in an unconscious state, while the pillion rider was semi-conscious. They were both rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where Wilson was examined and referred to

the GPHC in a critical condition. However, Wilson’s friend was admitted at the WDRH. The police say the driver was taken into custody immediately following the accident, and a breathalyzer test conducted on him revealed that there was alcohol in his system.

Wilson had never regained consciousness since the accident, and succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon. His body is at the GPHC mortuary awaiting a post mMortem. Meanwhile, the driver of the hire car remains in police custody.

(Kristen Macklingam)

Byderabo woman stabbed by ‘berserk’ friend dies

– husband, son remain in stable condition

O

ne day after being brutally stabbed by a family friend following a birthday celebration at Byderabo, Region

Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni), the 56-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The woman’s husband and her 15-year-old son were also attacked and injured by the suspect, who subsequently committed suicide. In addition, the now dead woman’s 14-year-old daughter was allegedly molested by the now dead man.

It was reported that on Tuesday night, the now dead woman’s husband hosted his birthday celebration, and the suspect, 23-year-old Raphael Charles, along with others, was consuming alcohol.

At about 02:30h on Wednesday, the woman and her husband, along with their daughter, retired to their bed, leaving their 15-year-old son and the suspect watching television.

Shortly after, Charles allegedly armed himself with a knife and slashed the teen to his neck, before going to the bedroom which the boy’s parents and younger sister were occupying.

Charles marched into the bedroom and dealt several stabs to the now dead woman and her husband.

They, however, managed to escape, and ran out of the house, leaving their teenage daughter on the bed.

According to the Police, the suspect allegedly sexually molested the girl, after which she managed to run out of the home. Soon after, the man was seen using a rope to hang himself from a beam inside the house.

The injured persons were taken to the Bartica District Hospital, where they were admitted and then referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention.

The suspect’s lifeless body was cut down; he is said to have been a mute.

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Key pieces of legislation for oil and gas need to be reviewed – Minister Trotman

W

hile the country continues to pay keen attention to preparations for first oil in 2020, there are still some integral pieces of legislation that need to be reviewed and implemented to ensure that Guyana is ready for the oil boom.

This is according to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who told the media on Thursday that there were two sets of legislation that have to be reviewed in order to prepare for the emerging oil and gas sector.

The first is the Exploration and Production Act of 1986. A review of this Act was first announced

last year by Head of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe.

“For the most part, the Exploration and Production Act has been reviewed.

I know there are pending amendments to be confirmed and regulations for petroleum have also been reviewed by the Commonwealth Secretariat and its legal team. Those are with the Department of Energy,” Dr Bynoe noted.

The Petroleum Act, among its many stipulations, speaks to licensing, cancellation of blocks, and to the conditions subject to which licences are granted.

Furthermore, regulations for the Environmental

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

Protection Agency (EPA) and labour standards have also been completed

and are also now with the Department of Energy.

“That is something that

I can say we had done before I handed over. So yes, legislation needs to be updated, but legislation as you would appreciate is something that has to constantly evolve. So even when you start production, you would see some loopholes or some situations that need to be addressed and these will have to be addressed,” Minister Trotman explained.

He emphasised that although the Commonwealth Secretariat completed the redrafting of these pieces of legislation over a year ago, they may need to be updated.

Guyana is now home to the world’s biggest new

deep-water oil discovery.

US oil giant ExxonMobil has been keen to push development of the oil reserves. Production could begin in 2020 with the production of some 500,000 barrels of oil a day.

With more and more companies pushing to invest in the country’s burgeoning oil and gas sector, the Government is also moving to review its production sharing agreement.

The Department of Energy has already developed a new template for the contracts, in light of the heavy criticisms it faced over the agreement it signed with principal explorer ExxonMobil.

Mining accounts for 85% of deforestation rates

M

ining activities are accounting for 85 per cent of Guyana’s deforestation and degradation rates while logging is responsible for 2.5 per cent yet the country continues to keep its deforestation rates relatively lower than many others.

According to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, with plans moving apace to preserve Guyana’s forests – while mining and logging

continue to have a negative impact –the country had its lowest rates of deforestation.

“It shows that we are striking a good balance between mining and forest operations and rather forest conservation. So under our agreement with Norway in 2017, we certainly recorded the lowest rates – which is historic. So Guyana has been pointed out, as recording good figures, good stewardship of its forest,”

Trotman said.

The Minister explained that there could not be mining activities without some disturbance of the land and this was not an indictment on the part of miners, but a simple fact. According to the Minister, better stewardship and management have resulted in lower rates of deforestation in Guyana.

“Also, correspondingly with lower rates of deforestation, we are also seeing higher yields in gold

production. So, between 2016 and 2018, we have crossed the 600,000 ounces’ mark repeatedly. Before 2015, the highest declarations of gold were 456,000 ounces and we are now over 600,000 ounces, so gold production is up, but deforestation is down.”

Minister Trotman acknowledged that while there was notable progress in these areas, works still needed to be conducted in the area of reclamation in relation to gold mining.

“But the miners will tell you that they are only recovering right not even 50 per cent of gold, so they are going back to some

of those tailings as they call them to rework them, so the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are working to narrow that gap.

So, yes, it is a high rate, but at the same time, as I said, we are doing better in terms of our deforestation rates as well,” he noted.

In 2016, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government had accused former President Bharrat Jagdeo of distributing all of Guyana’s productive forest; hence, allowing the rape of the country’s forest.

However, Jagdeo debunked those claims, stating that the Norwegians, every year to determine payments, send international assessors and these were people who come here and examine the deforestation rate for the year.

This is a reference to the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) concept, in conjunction with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which involved Guyana managing its forests and reducing deforestation in order to reduce carbon emissions while getting paid for it.

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friday, MARCH 29, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Over 500 youths incarcerated, 22.9% unemployed – President

The unveiled plaque commemorating the event

By Leah Hernandes

T

he high rate of social ills in Guyana’s youthful population, especially the incarceration and unemployment of young people, is expected to be reduced significantly in the coming years as the Government of Guyana launches its Youth Corps.

The aim of the Youth Corps is to eradicate unemployment and ultimately the incarceration of young people via education, empowerment, equality, and employment.

This was disclosed by President David Granger, who was at the time delivering the feature address at the much-anticipated launching ceremony at the Kuru Kuru,

Linden-Soesdyke Highway on Thursday.

During his address, the President acknowledged that Guyana’s youthful population, over the past years, has been plagued by a number of difficulties especially with the incarceration of over 500 youths.

“We acknowledged that the dropout rates from primary and secondary schools; the migration rate of university graduates; the rate of teenage pregnancies and the rate of youth incarceration – with more than 500 young people within our prisons and correctional institutions . These rates must be reduced and if possible, eliminated ….Youth unemployment, as at December 2017, stood at 22.9 per cent.

One in every three young persons, between the ages of 15 and 24, is not in education, employment, or in training (NEET). This is an unacceptable situation,” the President stated.

He, nevertheless, reassured students and other young people that with the launch of the Guyana Youth Corps and the guidance of the national youth policy, their talents would be boosted and opportunities for self-actualization widened, noting that overall this would contribute to national development.

“This vision emphasises the four cornerstones of our national youth policy – education, equality, empowerment and employment. The energy of young people is evident everywhere. Their enthusiasm and exuberance cannot be restrained or repressed. The Corps will amplify their talents and expand the opportunities for self-actualisation,” the Head of State said.

Meanwhile, Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, during his brief remarks, reiterated that the Youth Corps was geared at enhancing the lives of young Guyanese and

President David Granger (centre) and Government Ministers pose for a picture with students of the Kuru Kuru Training Centre

showed Government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s youthful population.

“As we launch the Guyana Youth Corps, a comprehensive initiative geared at enhancing the lives of young Guyanese by encouraging them to take charge of their future throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. Since taking office in 2015, your government had strengthened and pioneered to educate and empower you, the youths of this country,” Dr George said.

The Guyana Youth Corps was first established on January 1, 1968 as a means of solving the youth unemployment problem. It operated for seven years, during which time, approximately 1200 youths benefited from the programme. The Youth Corps was then absorbed by the National Service on January 1, 1975, which itself was dismantled in 2000.

Under the new programme, youths will be trained for one year. The levels of training will include apprenticeship, train-

eeship and internship, and the programme will span all 10 Administrative Regions.

However, the main office and campus will be at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre.

The auspicious event was commemorated by the unveiling of a plaque and was graced by the presence of Government Ministers, including Education Minister Nicolette Henry, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, and Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton among others.

Preparations for CARIFESTA XIV high on agenda for RCC

T

he experts responsible for advising technical officers and Ministers on the hosting of CARIFESTA are currently meeting in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 27th Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee (RCC) began on Wednesday with an opening ceremony at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre in Port-of-Spain, and would continue until today.

Preparations for CARIFESTA XIV, which is being held in Trinidad and Tobago August 16-25, 2019, will be a major agenda item. Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyam Gadsby Dolly, gave the feature address at the opening.

Caricom Secretariat Culture and Community Development Programme Manager, Dr Hillary Brown, and RCC Chairman, St Kitts and Nevis Director of Culture, Troy Mills, also spoke at the opening. Director of Culture, Trinidad and Tobago, Tej Ramlogan gave a welcome statement.

Minister Gadsby Dolly, in her remarks, used the opportunity to remind the audience of the economic value of culture in the Region. She said Trinidad and Tobago was currently experiencing rigid fiscal constraints, and the innovation and sheer volume of creative entrepreneurs emerging from that situation was extraordinary.

“In our country, there has been a significant increase in the number of local markets for craft artisans, artistes and culinary entrepreneurs throughout

The RCC with Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Community Development and the Arts, Dr Nyam Gadsby Dolly (centre)

the past three years, with an active push towards environmentally sustainable business practices – green practices,” Dr Dolly said She said further that Trinidad and Tobago intended to market the Region’s various cultures to the world by bringing buyers to the Festival, creating spaces for discourse and platforms for developing the various art forms on display. According to her, this CARIFESTA was not about Trinidad and Tobago, as the country was simply the host of another stage in CARIFESTA’s growth and positioning as a festival to rival some of the world’s leading festivals.

“The success of CARIFESTA XIV will be the success of the Caribbean Region, and we in Trinidad and Tobago are determined to deliver this to you,” she said.

In her speech at the opening, Dr Brown said that the Caricom Secretariat was very pleased with the pace

of the preparations and the achievements to date by the Host Country Management Committee in relation to marketing and promoting CARIFESTA and developing the conceptual map and

logistical arrangements for the Festival.

These, she said, included an innovative new element introduced by Trinidad and Tobago of involving major artistes such as Machel

Montano, The Voice and others as Brand Ambassadors for CARIFESTA. She also commended the host country for negotiating an excellent line-up for the “Island Beats” Super Concert well ahead of the Festival.

“We are all looking forward to experiencing a really fantastic CARIFESTA, and please be assured Minister, that we are all here to provide our full support to the Host Country Management team, so ably led by Ms Susan Shurland, to ensure that CARIFESTA XIV will be both successful and memorable.”

The RCC will also be discussing additional matters at this sitting, including

creative industry development and a Draft Regional Development Strategy for the Cultural Industries in Caricom developed in 2012. The Cultural and Entertainment Services Strategy for CARIFORUM, completed in 2017, will be reviewed and discussed.

Reparations for Native Genocide and Slavery and the use of cultural development in the Region’s strategy to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive and equitable sustainable development, will also be featured on the meeting’s agenda.

The RCC first met in June 1987 in Trinidad and Tobago.

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Natural Resources Ministry makes donation to NTC A

s part of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), the Natural Resources Ministry on Thursday handed over a quantity of furnishings and supplies to the National Toshaos’ Council, valued some $5 million.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman handed over the office equipment to NTC Chairman Nicholas Fredericks.

During the simple ceremony, Trotman explained, “We’re just handing over some equipment under the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, which is a project funded by the [Inter-

S RAIGHT The state of borrowing from the bank

By SASE Singh, M.Sc. – Finance, ACCA

T

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman with executives of the National Toshaos Council

American Development Bank] IDB and administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources.”

He noted that this project enabled the Ministry to provide support to the organisation. Land has been allocated for the construction of an NTC Secretariat and pledges were made to assist in that regard.

Through the funded project, two senior members of the Council are paid, along with the rental of the NTC office until the end of 2019.

Fredericks emphasised that the supplies would enable them to effectively function and perform their role.

One month ago, an-

nouncements were made for consultations after the completion of the first draft of Guyana’s National REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) Strategy.

Facilitated by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF-REDD+) Project, this round of consultations includes a national twoday workshop with representatives from all 10 Administrative Regions.

It targets stakeholders from Government, Private Sector, civil society, Indigenous people and forest-dependent communities.

The workshop will provide information on the design of Guyana’s REDD+ Strategy and get stakeholders’ input to improve the draft as well as identify how they can participate in future implementations.

Stakeholders will get the opportunity to express their ideas on what the REDD+ Strategy options for Guyana could look like when implemented and identify gaps in the current designs. In the coming months, the consultations will extend to Regions One (Barima-Waini); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), after which there would be another round of national cluster workshops in Georgetown to verify the draft strategy.

Last April, the Ministry contracted a consortium led

by Winrock International and Conservation International to design Guyana’s REDD+ Strategy and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) report, including an Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF).

These are all critical components of Guyana’s REDD+ Readiness Preparation Plan (R-PP) that prepares the country to access future funding to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

he economy is struggling, that is an established fact. Over 30,000 jobs were lost since 2015, growth in real wages remains sluggish (just ask the teachers how the negotiations are progressing), and foreign exports accounted for only 40.3 percent of the nation’s GDP in 2018 (the worst performance since 1960). These signs indicate the state of an unhealthy economy.

This article looks at the borrowing by the respective sectors from the local banking system, to ascertain who are investing and who are not. The data is sourced from the Bank of Guyana Report – Table 2.13.

Overall, borrowing from the local banking sector went up by 6.4 percent as at the end of January 2019, compared to January 2018. This performance was supported by a massive G$3,622 million (11.5per cent) expansion in the distribution and trading sector to G$35,568 million. Sadly enough, this sector experienced the least job losses since Team Granger assumed power. It reflects an unfortunate situation wherein Guyana is now more a trading post than a mecca of valueadded production of products. That is a strategy that will surely bring hardship to the people, since it exists at the whims and fancies of the major trading powers of the world, who will set the prices for all products traded. The nation is on a fast track to economic enslavement to the dominant producers of the world. And Guyana continues to import pigeon peas from Jamaica and plantain chips from Costa Rica.

These are signs of this economic meltdown.

On the production side, there is much to celebrate in the rice sector, and the borrowings from the commercial banks reflect this situation.

The rice sector borrowings increased by G$1,868 million (22.9 per cent) more, to G$10,028 million as at the end of January 2019, compared to a year ago. Most of this borrowing occurring at the rice-planting end of the value chain, which means more people went back to the land compared to a year ago. This is good news for Guyana, since it points to a possibility that the rice sector is absorbing some of the employment fallout from the sugar sector, albeit seasonally, at lower wage levels, and without benefits like NIS. This begs the question, how active are the NIS inspectors in monitoring the rice sector to ensure that the seasonal workers are being covered?

Another area that saw an expansion of borrowing was the housing sector, for the first time since Team Granger arrived. The Housing Sector experienced an increase in borrowing from the commercial banks of G$1,658 million (18.8 per cent) to G$10,482 million over the period under review (Jan 2018 to Jan 2019). Team Granger finally seemed to have gotten the message that the economy cannot grow without the housing sector doing better every year.

On the flip side, the borrowings in the sugar sector declined by G$1,792 million (50.6 per cent) to G$1,752 million in the year under review. This reveals a reduction in the cash flow needs of the sugar sector as the operations contract and shrink. The third party impact across rural Demerara and Berbice is devastating, as I witnessed with my own eyes in Corentyne, East Coast Demerara and West Demerara.

The economic energy in all the villages I visited illustrated economic degeneration as if they were in an economic coma. The worst of these villages appear to be in the Wales/Patentia and Canje/Lower Corentyne areas. But my biggest shock was on my visit to Buxton. It reflected an economic atmosphere in regression.

The borrowing in the transport sector also declined by G$458 million (9.0per cent) to G$4,620 million over the review period to January 2019.

This decline endorses the word on the street that the minibus people are not travelling as they used to in the past because they have less cash in their pockets. Plus there seems to be an oversupply of minibuses in the country. As people experience declining disposable income after rent/mortgage and food bills are covered, we now have a new casheating phenomenon, higher utility bills. There is not much cash left to spend on travelling.

Lastly, the beverage, food and cigarette sector reduced its borrowing from the local banking sector by some G$447 million (8.7per cent) to G$4,720 million. This is a clear indication that the food and entertainment sectors are struggling as a result of the working class now having less cash in their pockets.

The bottom line remains that, for the rest of 2019, the economy seems to be on a slow march as it stumbles along in this period of political uncertainty. The regime is forced to falsely prime spending by borrowing 25 per cent of the budget to artificially prop up Government spending. The Guyanese economy cannot progress without the nonrice agriculture, mining, construction, and manufacturing sectors firing up;Please and clearly, they are still in a coma.

Guyana under Granger! share your thoughts at Wither sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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friday, MARCH 29, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Berbician labourer electrocuted while clearing wires A

21-year-old labourer is now dead after he was allegedly electrocuted while clearing electric cables in Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Thursday.

The dead man has been identified as Andre Fullerton of New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Reports are that Fullerton was employed by Ramoutar

and Sons Contracting Services located in Enterprise Village, ECD. He was said to have died around 12:25h at Section B, Clonbrook while removing wires from a lamp post.

A co-worker of the now dead man, Nicholas Henry, reportedly told the Police that he and the now dead man were working together when an exposed wire

came into contact with the unprotected inner part of Fullerton’s right forehand.

Henry stated that the wire touched the area between Fullerton’s wrist and elbow, and he was immediately rendered unconscious.

Fullerton was reportedly taken down from the pole by his co-workers, who then rushed him to the CC

Nicholson Hospital on the ECD. He was pronounced dead on arrival. While Fullerton’s body was being processed, a suspected burn mark was observed on the inner right forehand.

The young man’s body was transported to the Lyken Funeral Parlour to await a post-mortem.

Decomposed body of fisherman found hanging from tree at Parika

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he partially-decomposed body of a 46-year-old fisherman was found hanging from a tree in front of an abandoned lot on Thursday afternoon.

Selwin Pratt was discovered in front of Lot 183 Parika Trainline, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) near his brother’s property.

Eyewitnesses reportedly discovered the body in a kneeling position, indicating that foul play could have been involved.

The dead man’s brother stated that a strange smell was detected when walking on a nearby dam, but this did not cause any suspicion, since it could have been the

The body being removed from the scene

carcasses of fish.

However, when he was returning with some animals, his sibling’s body was discovered.

“We smelling a scent

when walking on the dam...

Until I go to look after the cow, then I see my brother,” said the brother.

The man said he was told that his brother went to the

East Coast of Demerara and as such, he did not worry about his whereabouts. The man says he sees no reason as to why Pratt would harm himself.

“They said he gone on the East Coast and I thinking that he gone there to work the fishing boat,” he explained.

Guyana Times understands that the fisherman was a father of one and had no definite place of residence since he would reside with relatives. The Police are awaiting the result of the post-mortem to determine their next move as they continue to question persons in the area.

Region 2 remembers Guyana’s first female President

Laying a wreath for Janet Jagan

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ssequibians turned out in their numbers to pay respect to the first female President of Guyana, Janet Jagan, at a wreath laying ceremony organised at the Cheddi Jagan Play Park in Anna Regina, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Janet was also the first female President in South America and this period marks her 10th death anniversary.

“Bowjie”, as she was popularly known to Essequibians, was an icon and inspiration to many, especially the women who she fought tirelessly for equality and justice.

The Mayor of Anna Regina, Rajendra Prabhulall

reflected on the many contributions made by Jagan, as he said her struggle for a democratic Guyana must not be allowed to be trampled upon.

The Region Two PPP supervisor, Vishnu Samaroo gave a detailed talk on the life of this great woman who gave up her comfortable life in her homeland the USA and married former President Cheddi Jagan.

She came to Guyana and fought alongside her husband and the PPP for a better Guyana for all.

Tributes were also done by the Progressive Youth Organisation, Women’s Progessive Organisation and the Rice Producers’ Association.

Bartica landfill to be completed by 2020 – Mayor

…current site does not cater for liquid waste

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he new Bartica landfill at 14 Miles in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) should be operational by next year, providing waste management services on a larger scale than the Byderabo site.

This is according to Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall who told Guyana Times on Thursday that the works are moving apace.

The Communities Ministry had provided funds back in 2017 for a landfill site to be developed at Bartica.

An area at 14 Miles was selected and the Mayor is certain that it will be complet-

ed by 2020. For now, there is a site which is operated by private contractors and the Council is monitoring the situation so that activities are carried out in an environmentally friendly manner.

“The landfill site at 14 Miles is a work in progress and that should be completed sometime in 2020, if not 2019. We continue to manage the site in Byderabo.

There was a private contractor that was given the contract to take care of that site and works are continuing on the 14 Miles site. We’re managing Byderabo and ensuring that it’s in an envi-

ronmentally friendly manner,” said Marshall.

He noted that the new landfill site will be much larger than the current operation at Byderabo. It will also initiate other infrastructural projects within the township to access the sites.

At present, there is no facility to dispose liquid waste, which will add one more function to the new 14 Miles landfill operation once completed.

“It will improve our infrastructure because in order to get to 14 Miles, we’ll definitely have to develop our roads and purchase

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall

some new trucks. Presently, there is nowhere in Bartica for us to dispose of our liquid waste so that site will facilitate such,” the Mayor explained.

An overseas-based firm, ESP Inc, was involved in the preliminary studies for the design of sanitary landfill sites at Mahdia, Linden and Bartica, covering a total cost of GY$125 million.

For this, soil investigations will were scheduled at various proposed sites including 14 Miles, Bartica, Region Seven; Kara Kara, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); Bon Success, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Red and White, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Khan’s Hill, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini); White Creek, Port Kaituma, Region One; and Onderneeming,

Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dumpsites that will be upgraded to landfills are Byderabo, Bartica, Rose Hall, Lusignan and Haags Bosch.

Conditional approval was given by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a proposed site at Khan’s Hill in Mabaruma and Sia/White Creek at Port Kaituma.

Back in 2018, approval was also given to the Lethem municipality. A service contract to the tune of $36.3 million was awarded to International Imports and Exports to manage the town’s solid waste for 18 months.

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FRIday, MARCH 29, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rose Hall Estate workers protest unfair treatment ...will settle for severance if no improvement

Union reps and workers

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ane harvesters who previously worked with the defunct Rose Hall Estate and are now attached to the Blairmont Estate have downed tools for the past two days.

They are demanding a pre-arranged pay rate for the short cane they are being ordered to cut. The workers have since accused management of discriminating against them, and have threatened to request severance payment if working conditions are not improved.

Upon closure of the Rose

Hall Estate 15 months ago, 120 of the workers were retained and sent to the Blairmont Estate. To date, only 76 of them remain on the job. The workers from 6P Gang say they are being treated unfairly.

On Wednesday, they claimed that the cane they are asked to harvest is thin and short, and as such, they cannot get the weight they should get. In light of this, they are demanding compensation with respect to obstacles in the field.

They are requesting that

the compensation bring them to the equivalent of 2.5 tonnes per worker, since the cane they are required to harvest cannot give them that.

One of the workers, Kurt Kaiyub, told Guyana Times that they were given a larger portion of work to complete on Monday, but they have since refused to do it.

“The amount of cane we have to cut, we will not make the tonnage per man as we cater we should make. The previous week we worked six days, and none of the workers make fifteen tonnes,” he explained.

Management has not given in to the workers’ request and has suggested alternative work. However, the workers are arguing that the alternative work is unreasonable, and they cannot complete the required task, hence they will earn less.

The workers have taken their concerns to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Regional Representative, Harvey

Tambron.

In an invited comment, Tambron told this publication that the issue is not new. “The workers are demanding that there be adequate transportation from where they are being picked up to the work site and back home. This should be efficient, efficient in the sense that it must not be any less favourable than when they were working at Rose Hall.”

Meanwhile, workers walked out of a meeting between them and the management of Blairmont after management refused to provide transportation for those workers who have to cross the Berbice River Bridge. In fact, according to the workers, when they boarded the lorry which took them to work, they were taken to Blairmont, and made to wait for several hours.

“There is no proper treatment there for us. All we are receiving every morning is pressure, but we bear it up to work for our family. It now get overbearing.

Yesterday [Wednesday] we had an issue in there… we deserve more payment for

A group of workers refusing to work

the cane because it is short; it is about four feet tall,” one worker explained while noting that the issue was communicated to the Foreman.

They were then told that the Estate has a policy of not paying extra for obstacles in the fields. The workers then asked for transportation to take them home, but were put on a lorry which did

not move until after several hours.

“Are they trying to frustrate us to leave the work?

If that is it, please, I want my severance”, one worker stated. Other workers also called for severance pay.

A meeting is expected to be held with the workers today at the Union’s New Amsterdam office.

Hundreds attend Region 10 health workers benefit from ETI career job fair "Zero Maternal Deaths" training

Health workers and facilitators at the seminar

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edical professionals attached to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are currently undergoing a three-day workshop in support of zero maternal deaths caused by haemorrhaging.

The initiative which is being hosted at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) is organised by the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). The workshop which commenced on Wednesday wraps up today.

Medical professionals including doctors, medics, midwives and community health workers are all participating.

Facilitators said participants will benefit from training on how to estimate blood loss, recognise signs of shock and ways in which maternal patients can be stabilised.

It also includes education on the use of non-surgical methods utilising simple, low-cost medical materials in an effort to stop bleeding.

Speaking with Guyana Times, National PAHO consultant, obstetrician/gynaecologist, Dr Padmini Singh noted that it was discovered that one of the leading causes of maternal deaths is due to postpartum haemorrhaging, hence the need for training medical professionals.

“What we have identified in Guyana, one of the main reasons that women die is postpartum haemorrhage. So be-

cause of this, we decided it’s a very important training that the medical personnel should have...it helps personnel to identify that the patient is in shock and the patient is bleeding. So the first and most important thing is to recognise the condition,” she explained.

Dr Singh added that the programme has already been undertaken by various countries in the Caribbean and Latin America and would have all seen positive results. In like manner, she said Guyana is also hoping to do so.

“We are very passionate about the reduction of maternal deaths... We don’t want to see any of our pregnant women dying... that’s why we’re training our personnel, to recognise the deficiencies and work on those to strengthen the system,” she noted.

Dr Singh said PAHO is also lending technical support to the Public Health Ministry for training to be extended across all regions of Guyana. All have benefited so far, she explained, except for Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) which is expected to benefit next month.

Participants were also educated on the use of medication to prevent and control bleeding.

Dr Singh noted that PAHO has also provided assistance in the provision of anti-shock garments (garments used to stabilise patients, to have them safely transferred from a primary to referral institution).

Dr Singh, who is also working on the Maternal Mortality Reduction Project, stressed that all medical personnel have an important role to play in maternal death reduction.

“With us teaching all of these methods and giving these tools... we hope that eventually we can prevent maternal deaths by haemorrhage,” she posited.

Meanwhile, Women’s Health Coordinator attached to the Public Health Ministry, Dr Umadai Rattan noted that while participants are already knowledgeable on the topics, the workshop serves as a means of re- enforcement.

She said more significantly, participants were educated on the use of the recently introduced anti-shock garments, as well as how to manage emergencies and emergency team work. She too stressed that the issue of maternal deaths is an important one for every country.

“It’s an issue recognised worldwide...maternal health is everybody’s business. It starts at home. It’s not just for the hospital, it’s not just for the mom. It’s a community platform because when a mom dies it not only affects the family but the community and the country. So we’re asking everyone to be on board...,” she noted, citing the importance of increasing awareness.

Dr Rattan said apart from theory and practical aspects, the workshop also focuses on perinatal information system, which the Government of Guyana is moving towards very soon.

“We’re going to try to make the information system electronic. So if you’re a mom that’s in Lethem and you happen to come to the Georgetown or Linden Hospital and you don’t have your clinic card with you, we put in your identification number or your name and we get all of your information,” she explained.

She emphasised that the training also taught key professionals how to manage as emergency first responders. Dr Rattan said the Ministry is also working on system strengthening through capacity building.

Students flocked the job fair on Wednesday

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he Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) on Wednesday last hosted its 18th annual Career Day and Job Fair in its compound at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

The event saw the participation of businesses, service providers and schools occupying 30 booths in full demonstration.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the event was declared open by former Principal of the institution and current Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, who lauded the coordinator and team for a job well done.

“Activities of this nature are not easy to undertake so I must congratulate the organisers. These kinds of activities provide the opportunity to our secondary school children in choosing a career path and it also reinforces the need to ensure that our young people stay focused on achieving the goal of becoming someone with merit in society. On that note, I must thank the participants also for bringing your products and services to the exhibition.”

Jaikaran also pledged the region’s support in ensuring the activity grows with each passing year. “We will collab-

orate for the years to come and make this activity bigger and better. We must do that in order to attract more participants and patrons.”

Current Principal of the institution, Rawle Pearce noted that the fair has always served to provide the necessary information to the public. “This has always been a meaningful investment on the part of ETI. Our job fairs provide the guidance to young people so that they can make informed decisions and that is the purpose and we are happy to know that we have always served our purpose.”

Hundreds of young people from across the region were in attendance and some of the entities that participated are Guyana Police Force’s G Division (Essequibo coast-Islands), Republic Bank, GBTI, New Building Society, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Public Health Ministry, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Revenue Authority, Banks DIH, the Guyana Energy Agency, DDL, the Education Ministry, NIS and Guyana Power and Light Inc. All participating entities received certificates of participation from the Regional Executive Officer of the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

guyanatimesgy.com

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friDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

ix years ago, one of the most versatile entertainment groups was born with the aim of giving Guyanese the ultimate party experience. Six years later, its aim and purpose have broken all expectations and has set a solid foundation. From mixing and juggling, Team MMR meets all your party needs.

From décor to weddings, this dynamic group headed by “Party Boss”, WR Reaz will take care of all your needs. His selector, Andy, has been controlling the console thus providing the right remedy to dominate any party with his style and versatility whether at Palm Court, District Ultra Lounge or the Guyana National Stadium.

This dynamic duo has been breaking all barriers with only six years under their belts. This is an achievement that must be celebrated. The success, however, is all due to the support the group receives from their fans and dedicated sponsors here in Guyana and further afield.

Without the fans, Team MMR would not have had a successful six years in the entertainment business. As such, the group will be celebrating its 6th anniver-

M

iss Earth Guyana is back and better than ever. In 2018, the largest national environmental event saw its return to Guyana in full swing, with the competition taking off. Ultimately, out of the group of Earth warriors that vied for the coveted title, Xamiera Kippins was crowned Miss Earth Guyana 2018.

Her successes were well noted when she represented Guyana on the international stage in the Philippines as she copped the gold and silver medals for her national costume, depictReigning Miss Earth ing the Ole Higue and her Guyana Xamiera Kippins

I

talent, respectively.

With that same momentum, the Miss Earth Guyana Organisation will be inaugurating 10 new Earth warriors on March 30 at the Theatre Guild during the Miss Earth Guyana 2019 sashing ceremony.

The pageant this year, which will follow the theme of “Flora in Guyana” will see the young women representing flowers from all across Guyana as they advocate for the protection and preservation of the environment through their “Beauties For A Cause” Project.

The night promises a series of performances from the likes of Tiffani Boner, AW Lyrical, Mr Guyana African

n what is expected to be a battle to board the plane, Empire Media Inc will be hosting its first ever “Destination Badda Dan Sound Clash” on Saturday, March 30, at the Sports Hall tarmac.

Destination Badda Dan is a qualifying clash that will see the winner going to Switzerland to represent Guyana at the 123 Badda Dan Sound Clash.

The Badda Dan Clash is one of the biggest sound clashes in Europe, where sounds from various countries compete to be crowned the Badda Dan Clash Champion.

Empire Media Inc, known for hosting successful clashes since its birth in 2016, was given the opportunity to host the Guyana leg. The March 30 showdown will see six sounds

sary in fine style on Saturday evening.

The party is billed for the newly established XS Bar and Lounge located at Lot 1 Public Road, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.

This will be the party of the year as several top Guyanese celebrities are expected to pass through including Chutney Monarch Steven Ramphal; DJ Golden Chyld; Selector Biggs; Selector Chino; DJ Blaxbee; DJ Rocko; and the Party Boss himself, WR Reaz; who will be performing his latest tune “Pretty Girls”.

Ladies will be admitted free until 21:00h and the door will open at 19:00h.

Upon entry, the first 30 people will receive free Bacardi shots while everyone will get a slice of the cake. The event is made possible by R Maye Hardware Guyana Inc; BM Soat Auto Sales; Pestex Environmental Solutions; Bacardi; Amada’s Bridal Guyana; Cloud 9 Inc; Motor Trend Service Centre; Jumbo Jet; Muneshwar’s Travel Service; Buy Me Auto Sales and Spares and Red Cloud Smoke Shop.

This is one event you cannot miss!

Roots – Eon Peters, Dynamic Tassa Troupe and others; all culminating in the sashing of the delegates for the Miss Earth Guyana 2019 Competition.

The show begins at 18:30h and tickets cost $1500 while entrance at the door is $2000.

Miss Earth Guyana 2019 is sponsored by DemBake, Nand Persaud Group (Guyana), Precise Printing and Stationery Supplies and Massy Stores Guyana; and partnered by Who’s Who in Guyana Business, Makeup Glamour, MARSAE, Java Coffee Bar, Ministry of Social Protection and Dynamic Tassa Troup.

competing. Combatants include Notorious International Sound, Afrikan Vybz Sound, Trinity Sound, Thunderbolt Sound, Platinum Sound and Slingerz Family.

The “Destination Badda Dan Sound Clash” will be judged by the fans while the rules will be enforced by the host.

Early juggling will be provided by Evolution Fraternity and Sel Shaq Sound.

Tickets for the event are $2000. For more information you can check the Facebook page “Empire Media Inc” or call telephone number 680-6720 or whatsapp 862-233-0494.

No weapons will be allowed and strict security will be in force.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

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artica Easter Regatta 2019 was launched on Thursday with the unveiling of a series of sport competitions and other activities; all set to take place in the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) township on Easter weekend.

From April 14 to 22, the town will come alive with visitors from all across the country. However, the main feature will be the Bartica Regatta Pageant where a selection of nine young women will be vying for the coveted crown of Miss Bartica; a position which will be held for one year until the next pageant.

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, told media operatives that these activities are circled around the promotion of tourism in the region.

“We believe that Guyana’s rich tourism history can be found in the hinterland of Guyana. Because of this, we take much pride

and much effort in promoting this year’s regatta with emphasis on what Guyana has to offer,” said Marshall.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the organising committee, Cianna Persaud said this year, they are highlighting traditional sporting activities.

“The traditional river swim and the Regatta Sunday marks what Regatta is all about. Regatta is boat racing. Regatta is sporting events and we’re going to ensure that our sports never die.”

Director of Sport Christopher Jones was also among the stakeholders, who lauded efforts by the Committee to provide an unforgettable experience to travellers. He also mentioned that Bartica has been leading the way in the tourism sector in many ways.

“Bartica has been excelling in promoting sport, sport tourism, hospitality and what Bartica has to offer,” Jones stated.

Some of the sporting activities scheduled during that time include volleyball, cricket, basketball, football, swimming and bike racing. The organisers have also introduced the first ever bird whistling contest. There will be a boat cruise on Easter Sunday for persons who are just interested in a day of exhilaration.

The Bartica Easter Regatta has been around for decades and what started as a small activity has grown over the years from solely boat racing, to a multi-entertainment extravaganza.

It is also a fantastic opportunity to boost tourism in Bartica, which has for years been hailed the gateway to Guyana’s hinterland.

Last year, the township recorded a significant increase in persons to the list of events that were slated, calling it “one of the biggest” Regattas ever witnessed.

Alia Sutherland

Subrina Persaud

Shania Khan

Tonya Harris

Tinisha Duiva

Silma Lindore

Jerusha Ferrell

Joyann Wong

Amel Griffith

friday, MARCH 29, 2019

19

Indian Premier League

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Mumbai hold on after Bumrah magic, no-ball controversy

asith Malinga was not even supposed to play this game. But he did, and he sealed Mumbai Indians’ first win of the season in controversial circumstances, defending 17 runs off the last over against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Off his last ball, when Shivam Dube needed to hit a six to take the game into a Super Over, Malinga overstepped, but the umpire missed the obvious no-ball, leaving the home side shaking in disbelief.

The result was particularly harsh on AB de Villiers, who was stranded at the other end on 70*. Before this match, de Villiers’ team had never lost in the IPL when he remained unbeaten during a chase.

Despite an

Malinga and Bumrah were instrumental for Mumbai’s win

outburst from RCB captain Virat Kohli, the result stayed, meaning Mumbai had ridden their luck for a five-run win, their first of the season. RCB held the edge at various points in the match, but Mumbai withstood a four-wicket burst from Yuzvendra Chahl, and later a 49-run partnership between Kohli and de Villiers, to eventually come out on top.

Mumbai start brightly

Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock were both quick off the blocks, after RCB chose to field.

They reached their fifty partnership during the Powerplay, with Rohit bringing out his silky drives and flicks, and the walking front-foot pull. De Kock, who was dropped by Colin de Grandhomme in the sixth over, was also timing the pace bowlers well, but Chahal’s crafty googly sneaked past AB de Villiers gave RCB a glimmer of hope his attempted re-

verse-sweep in the seventh over.

Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav added 33 runs in the next 4.1 overs, before Rohit -- who had struck eight fours and a six in his 48 -- fell pulling Umesh Yadav.

Suryakamar then began a rush of big hits, most notably smashing Moeen Ali for a four and six at the end of the 13th over, before Yuvraj Singh struck Chahal for three big sixes over square-leg and long-on.

Yuvraj, however, fell the next ball trying for a fourth consecutive six. Thankfully for Mumbai, Suryakumar kept finding the boundaries as the visitors eyed a total in the vicinity of 200.

Chahal disrupts the innings

Suryakumar fell midway through the 16th over, caught by Moeen, who ran back from cover. Chahal then dropped Krunal Pandya, but made up for it by removing Kieron Pollard next ball, and eventually got Krunal in his next over. At 147 for 7 in the 18th

over, Mumbai were staring at a below-par finish, but Hardik Pandya provided a much-needed counterattack, slamming a 14-ball 32 to power the visitors to 187.

over, conceding just five runs and dismissing de Grandhomme. It left the hosts needing 17 off the final over, to be bowled by Malinga.

Bumrah v Kohli

Dube blasted the first ball over long-off for a six, before Bumrah dropped him running back from short third-man. Malinga, however, used his decade-old muscle memory of bowling full, accurate balls, leaving both de Villiers and Dube flustered with deliveries going under their bats. Malinga had just about done his job, even if the umpires hadn’t quite done theirs.

When RCB b e g a n their chase, the battle within the batt l e was a very one-side d one, as Kohli cracked Jasprit Bumrah for consecutive fours off the first three balls he faced.

He hammered Hardik for two fours too, before Parthiv Patel went after Krunal in the sixth over.

Even after Parthiv fell to leg-spinner Mayank Markande in the next over, Kohli and de Villiers added 49 runs for the third wicket. Soon afterwards, however, Bumrah, brought back for one over, nailed a superb bouncer at Kohli, who miscued the pull and was caught at square-leg.

Malinga hangs on, just about

(Cricinfo)

AB to the rescue, until…

Just before Kohli got out, de Villiers, who was dropped on zero

by Yuvraj Singh, had found his gear with a six each off Markande and Malinga. He then smashed the veteran Sri Lankan for 20 runs in the 16th over, with a four and two sixes over long-off and midwicket.

De Villiers also went after Hardik, collecting 18 off the 18th over. The big hits included two sixes going over cover and squareleg. RCB would have fancied their chances at that point, but Bumrah bowled an exceptional penultimate

Yuvraj Singh hit three consecutive sixes before getting out

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed Manchester United Manager

M

anchester United have appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent manager on a three-year contract.

The Norwegian, 46, arrived at Old Trafford on an interim basis in December to replace Jose Mourinho.

Solskjaer spent 11 seasons as a United player, scoring the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final. “This is the job that I always dreamed of doing and I’m beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long term,” Solskjaer said.

“From the first day I arrived, I felt at home at this special club. It was an honour to be a Manchester United player, and then to start my coaching career here. “The last few months have been a fantastic experience.” When Solskjaer took charge, United were

off the top four.

But they have lost only once in 13 league games since - at Arsenal this month - and are now two points behind the London club, who occupy Ole Gunnar Solskaer has the final a 73.7%-win rate in all

s i x t h in the Premier League and 11 points

competitions as United Manager

Champions League qualifying spot.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said Solskjaer’s appointment was “richly deserved”.

“Since coming in as caretaker manager in December,

the results Ole has delivered speak for themselves,” he said.

“More than just performances and results, Ole brings a wealth of experience, both as a player and as a coach, coupled with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.” Solskjaer became the first United manager to win his first six league games, beating a record held by Sir Matt Busby.

United reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2014 when they overturned a 2-0 firstleg deficit thanks to a stoppage-time penalty at Paris St-Germain this month.

Solskjaer’s assistant Mike Phelan still has a contract with Central Coast Mariners in Australia, although it is anticipated

he will also stay on at Old Trafford.

The Solskjaer effect Solskjaer is United’s fourth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Ferguson led the club to their 20th topflight title and David Moyes was earmarked as the Scot’s long-term successor.

He was awarded a six-year contract but was sacked in his first season.

Former Netherlands and Barcelona boss Louis van Gaal left after two seasons in charge despite winning the FA Cup in his final game. Mourinho delivered League Cup and Europa League success in his first season, and a Premier League runners-up spot in his second.

This season, United’s points tally was closer to the bottom of the league than the top, when Solskjaer - who started his

coaching career as reserve team boss at Old Trafford - returned. The team had scored only 29 goals in their opening 17 Premier League fixtures under Mourinho while also conceding 29, with many fans critical of the Portuguese’s style of football.

A thumping 5-1 victory in Solskjaer’s first match at Cardiff - where he was relegated from the Premier League during an eightmonth spell as manager in 2014 - immediately raised morale. That was swiftly followed by victories at Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea with a return to a more attacking style of play.

“Over a few short months’ fans have witnessed a turnaround that even the most optimistic could not have predicted,” read a Manchester United Supporters’ Trust statement. (BBC Sports)

20

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friday, march 29, 2019

Region 6 makes light work of Region 10in sports exchange

T

he Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) of Region Ten and Six recently met in what was described as the inaugural Inter RDC Sports Games.

The meet, which was held in Linden, saw RDC employees from both regions competing in 10/10 softball cricket, football, circle tennis and dominoes, and saw players representing the Education, Administration, Subtreasury, and Engineering departments among others.

The lively and eagerly contest one-day sports meet was well received by a number of persons in Region Ten, with Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon urging his colleagues to buy into the initiative. He stressed that it’s a perfect platform for employees to better know their colleagues in the various regions. “This is an excellent initiative right off, and we at RDC Region Ten will seek to invest in this inter-RDC Games as we firmly believe that it’s an opportunity for the various RDC employees to know each other. This initiative can only get stronger once the other regions come on board and recognise that such initiatives are critically important if we are going to collectively boost the regions’ capacity,” Gordon said.

The Region Ten REO said that while he was expecting

Player of the women’s cricket match, Education Officer Youlanda Mentis, who scored a well-played 51, receiving her medal from Region 10 AREO Leola Narine

to see his Region Six counterpart Ms. Kim Stephens, despite her absence, he is very satisfied with her employees’ performance. He stressed that the day’s activities went well, with Region Six capturing three of the four titles on offer.

“My colleague REO from Region Six isn’t here, but I can tell you that her staff

competed fiercely and competitively, and this is good for the spirit of strengthening relationships. I would like to see where REOs from the various regions setting aside monies within their budgets to visit other regions each year, so as to enhance and compete with their counterparts from other regions. The employees need

this form of interaction and relaxation; they need to engage with their colleagues in various regions; they need to build relationships as public servants. I firmly believe that such initiatives augur well for the holistic growth and development of our employees working at the various RDCs within the public service sector,” he declared.

REO Gordon singled out Region Six Sports Officer Godwyn Allicock whom he said played a pivotal role in the successful execution of the Sports Day and Exchange programme. He said he would like to commend the officer, whom he said deserves all the commendation, as not only was the event successful, but it was one that other regions can model after in the future.

“This was a superb initiative by Mr Allicock, and I must say that he has done exceptionally well. Let me be the first to congratulate him, as he literally did all of this on his own with some support and assistance from our AREO, Ms. Leola Narine,” REO Gordon said.

The Regional Executive Officer said that he is also pleased that the visiting team from Region Six was able to have a tour of his region, while being able to sensitize and inform themselves on a number of things occurring within the Region. “Not only did they come to engage us in sporting activities, but they also took time to tour and better understand a lot of historical facts within the region, and that is refreshing,” Gordon added.

In the 10/10 Softball Cricket Match, Region Six took first strike, and with the help of Brandon Roopchand who scored a

quick-fire 59, posted a total of 116 runs. However, in reply, Region Ten, while losing wickets quickly, saw a masterful and well played unbeaten 51 from Education Officer Youlanda Mentis, who was ably supported by Elford Griffith. However when the overs ran out, they were short by nine runs. In the Circle Tennis match, it was a much easier victory for the Region Six team, who demonstrated why sports is considered very important to them. In the football match, despite scoring the first goal, Region Six found the going very tough, as Region Ten avenged their two losses in the cricket and circle tennis matches with a 3-1 drubbing of Region Six. The final sport to be contested saw Region Six with 69 games coming out on top in the dominoes competition, with Region Ten RDC on 49 and Region Ten Education on 42 occupying the two other positions.

Delon Roopchand and Abas Nerupan of Region Six both had the maximum 18 games.

Trophies and medals were presented to several players for stellar performances, while Region Six held on to the three major trophies that they won.

They have accepted a return exchange from Region Ten, which according to RE+DC AREO is expected to be later this year in the ancient county.

BCB/Elizabeth Styles Under-21 Cricket Tournament

Kevin Sinclair

Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets reach final S ince 2000, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS and the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club have been rated as the top two cricket teams in Berbice, and have faced each other in numerous finals. They will soon face each other again in the 2019 Berbice Cricket Board/Elizabeth Styles Under-21 Final.

Albion Community Centre defeated Young Warriors Cricket Club by a whopping 247 runs at Albion, while Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets got past Tucber Park Cricket Club by 63 runs at the Hampshire Ground.

At the historic Albion Ground, the home team won the toss, batted first, and amassed 284 all out in 49.2 overs.

Captain Adrian Sukwa top scored with a well

played 70 to continue his rich vein of form. He received solid support from Sarwan Chaitnarine 40, Kevin Umrao 46, Jeetendra Outar 23, Reyad Karim 21, and Ramesh Kasinauth 28. Bowling for Young Warriors Cricket Club, Ricardo Ramdehol with 2 for 33, J. Persaud with 3 for 55, and J. Frank with 3 for 34 were the successful bowlers.

West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevin Umrao’s 4 for 04 and Mahendra Chaitnarine’s 4 for 15 then combined to bowl out Young Warriors Cricket Club for a meagre 37 from 13.2 overs as only Alex Algoo with 15 and Ricardo Ramdehol with 10 reached double figures.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, the 2018 Runners-up to Blairmont Community Centre, batted first after winning the

toss against Tucber Park Cricket Club. They were given a solid 100-run opening partnership in 17 overs

by Kevin Sinclair and Junior Sinclair, before the latter was dismissed for 33.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets eventually ended on 256 all out in 48.1 overs.

Kevin Sinclair top scored with 69, while Jonathan Rampersaud with 20, Mahendra Gopilall with 24, Chanderpaul Govindan with 17 and Sylus Tyndall with 16 supported. Medium pacer Gevon Schultz took 3 for 35 and off-spinner Melvin Singh took 2 for 37 to bowl well for the visitors.

Needing to score at just over five runs per over, the visitors were restricted to 193 all out in 44.2 overs, as left arm spinner Keith Simpson took 4 for 29, and was well supported

by Kevlon Anderson with 2 for 28, Junior Sinclair

with 1 for 21, and Jonathan Rampersaud with 1 for 38.

National Under-17 batsman Leon Swammy played a gem of an innings to end on 66 not out, while Steve Deonarine with 15 and skipper Garfield Benjamin with 43 all batted well.

The Final would be played at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground on a date to be announced. The tournament is being sponsored by the U.S.A. based cosmetics company Elizabeth Styles.

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M

assiah (NO 71) showed their class to defend their title in the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association’s (UCCA’s) Inter Primary Schools 10 overs’ softball cricket competition which was played last Friday at the Crabwood Creek Cricket Ground.

The competition, which was sponsored by Devendra Ramgoolam of R and R Auto Rental Service of the Upper Corentyne, saw 14 teams taking part in the competition, which was an in-

crease from last year. In the first semifinal, the winner of zone one, Crabwood Creek Primary, took on the winner of zone three, Leeds (NO 15) Primary. CWC won the toss, batted first, and scored 130 off their allotted ten overs, with Andrew Persaud scoring 85.

Leeds, in reply, were only able to accumulate 43 all out, with Jason Achree taking 3-16 to give CWC an 87-run victory to book their spot in the finals.

In the second semifinal, defending champions Massiah Primary hammered

Lesbeholden Primary by 110 runs. Batting first, the defending champions posted 153-3 in 10 overs, with Akram Assad top scoring with 83 and Hoopchand Dhanraj scoring 30. In reply, Lesbeholden were bowled out for 43, with Airon Yacoob bagging 3-12 and Akram Assad 3-16.

In the grand final between Massiah and arch-rivals Crabwood Creek, Massiah won the toss and elected to bat first. They were able to score 109-4 in their 10 overs, as Divesh Ramkissoon blast-

Circulation Department on Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

ed an unbeaten 54. He was also given support by Akram Assad 24, and Dharmindra Persaud, 20. Bowling for CWC, Lionel Seegobin took 2-14.

In response, CWC were restricted to 80-5, as Jason Achree was the only one to top score with 20. Bowling for Massiah were Airon Yacoob with 2-20, and Akram Assad with 2-16 to help the defending champions retain their title.

Massiah Primary thus received a $25,000 gift voucher, while CWC received a $20,000 gift voucher. These vouchers will go to the players to purchase stationary and school supplies at Office Express. The competition was coordinated by the Executive of the UCCA, Dennis De Andrade, Sidney Jackman, Lakeram Latchman, Deodat Thakurdin, Lawrence Mentis, Chatterpaul Lionel and Narendranauth Bairam.

The Inter secondary school hardball competition is set to commence soon, as well as the 40 overs second division competition for teams in the Upper Corentyne.

GNDF Ivanoff Vodka Nationwide Domino Tournament set for March 31

Contact our

Members of the GNDF pose with DDL Wines and Spirits Brand Manager Maria Munroe

T

he Guyana National Domino Federation (GNDF) will present their second Ivanoff Vodka Nationwide Domino Tournament commencing on March 31, 2019 at the Transport Sports Club located on Thomas Lands.

Speaking at the simple ceremony, president of the GNDF, Faye Joseph, said the federation

is extremely excited that DDL, through their Ivanoff Vodka brand, have decided to come on board once again to support the tournament. Joseph also stated that the tournament has an entrance fee of $9000, and upon entry, each team will receive one bottle of Ivanoff Vodka. The tournament will see participation of teams from Regions 2 to 7 and 10, as they do battle in

their respective zones. The winner of each zone will receive the top prize of $20,000, while second and third place will pocket $15,000 and $6000 respectively. After competing in their respective zones, the winners will then compete in the play-offs on May 26 and 27 for a first place prize of $300,000 and trophy.

Second and third place will receive $200,000 and $100,000

and trophy respectively. The MVP for the tournament will receive $10,000, while first love in the final will take home $5000.

Also speaking at the ceremony was DDL Wines and Spirits Brand Manager Maria Munroe, who said, “Demerara Distillers Limited, under its Ivanoff Vodka Brand, is pleased to partner with the GNDF. Together we would like to ensure that this tournament is one of our main events in sporting activities. It is our belief that this tournament will attract both male and female participants across the country. Ivanoff vodka would also like to urge good sportsmanship throughout the tournament, and would like to wish the players good success as they compete”.

For more information, persons are asked to contact Rueben Cato on 681-0430 or Wendel McPherson on 6948307.

Guardians take 2nd Division title

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Part of the proceedings during the handing over ceremony to champions Massiah Primary

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21

sports Massiah Primary win UCCA Inter - Primary Schools Cricket Competition

T

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

– to face Kobras in 1st Division final

he Guyana Amateur Basketball Association got the 2nd Division Championships out of the way as play resumed at the Burnham Hard-court. It ended with the Plaisance Guardians walking away with the title after an intense finale against the Eagles.

Supporters from Georgetown and Plaisance came out in their numbers to witness the action, and the match was entertaining from the first point. Guardians are no strangers to the Eagles, having beaten them on more than one occasion. For Eagles, however, it was quite a different scenario, as they looked nervous heading into their first

Terrence Daniels scored 33 points to give the Guardians the 2nd Division title

major match in 2019.

The Guardians won the tipoff, as they shook off shook the

nerves and played as a unit to finish the first quarter ahead, 22-18.

The Eagles upped the ante in the second quarter to have a one-point lead, as the Eagles outscored the Pacesetters to lead 34-33 at the half. What looked like a victory for the Georgetown side turned out to be the beginning of a comeback for the Guardians, as they dug deep and employed every tactic to force Eagles to play defensively. Despite giving away a few baskets in the third quarter, the Guardians managed to extend their lead to 58–52 heading into the final quarter.

Once the lead was achieved, Guardians kept the upper hand in the final quarter to even-

tually win the title by sixteen points, with the final score reading 79-63. Top scoring for the Guardians were Terrence Daniels with 33 points and Delroy Critchlow with 15.

Earlier in the night, the Guardians defeated the Pepsi Sonics in the First Division to book their spot in the division one final, as they won 67-62.

The see-saw match was a thriller throughout its duration, as neither side relented in their pursuit of victory, and the lead kept steadily transferring between them.

The Guardians will now face the Kobras in the finale, while the Sonics will face the Eagles in the third place playoff.

22

friday, march 29, 2019

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Ninvalle honoured for AMBC appointment

F

ollowing his second appointment to a major position in international boxing for 2019, Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle was yesterday honoured for his outstanding achievements.

After having been elected president of the GBA in 2009, Ninvalle in 2014 became the first person from the English-speaking Caribbean to be elected to the executive committee of the (International Boxing Association) AIBA. In 2017, he became the first person from this hemisphere to be elected to the five-member AIBA executive bureau. Then in January 2019, Ninvalle was appointed chairman of the Caribbean Steering Committee. In February, he ascended the ranks to become chairman of the AIBA Youth Commission, and in March he became vice president of the 43-member North American Boxing Confederation (AMBC).

Those were the words of Seon Bristol on Wednesday evening at the Windjammer Hotel, as he detailed some of Steve Ninvalle’s

Steve Ninvalle

accomplishments over the past 10 years.

Bristol, proprietor of Briso Promotions, who took the onus upon himself to honour Ninvalle, explained that such activities need to be done when our countrymen excel.

“I emphasise these things for the fact that quite too often we tend not to take ad-

BCB/Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Cricket Tournament

vantage of recognising our people. When I say ‘our people’, I mean our Guyanese; this has nothing to do with creed, race, religion or anything of the sort. But as we strive and grow in what we specialise in, it is important for us to recognise these things,” Bristol explained.

Given opportunity to speak, Steve Ninvalle said, “I hope this signals a change, that our sportsmen will actually be honoured at home.” He went on to disclose that he intends to use his position to better boxing in the Caribbean Region.

“I would want to use this election, my new position in AMBC, to serve: one, Guyana better; to serve, two, the Caribbean better; and to serve the Americas better. You are as good as what you do always, and sometimes we wear hats but we don’t tend to achieve what those hats are supposed to do. So I would hope that I would have the necessary support, because we will need support if we’re going to do any better,” Ninvalle said.

Meanwhile, The GBA President revealed

that one of his first areas of concern is one that hits close to home. Explaining that some boxers are still unsure of their Pan Am qualifiers fate, Ninvalle shared that he intends to work in order to make travel readily available for Caribbean boxers.

“I plan to use this position that I have to make sure that not only boxing in Guyana wouldn’t remain ambivalent or undecided at the last hour, but right through the Caribbean and Latin America. Because of the fact that, psychologically, we put a burden on sportsmen when they’re undecided after doing this hard training.”

Nine Guyanese boxers are currently under the tutelage of Francisco Roldan and Terrence Poole as they prepare for the Pan American qualifiers. However, the boxers are still unsure whether enough funds will be raised for their travel next week.

In addition to the kind words, Ninvalle was presented with a plaque on behalf of Briso promotions.

Queensway fuels GSSF once again

Rose Hall Town Tigers crush Courtland Cricket Club to join Fyrish in the final

A

brilliant half-century from former national player Delbert Hicks spearheaded Rose Hall Town Tigers to a crushing eight wicket victory over Courtland Cricket Club in the Semifinals of the 2019 Berbice Cricket Board/ Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Cricket Tournament.

Playing at the Fyrish Ground in Lower Corentyne, Rose Hall Town Tigers were superior in all departments as they marched to their first ever final.

Courtland Cricket Club batted first, and were soon in trouble when they lost Leroy Thomas for naught without a run on the scoreboard. He fell to the bowling of Khemraj Mahadeo. J. Cort and F. Crandon then added 50 for the second wicket to offer some hope for the home team. However, off spinner Turbo Jagdeo then took five quick wickets to totally wreck the Courtland

inning. They were bowled out for 131 in 16 overs, with T. Cort 18, F. Crandon 28, Troy Mathieson 16 and Seon Crandon 26 being the principal scorers. Extras contributed fourteen runs.

Rondall Lewis with 2 for 27, Mahadeo with 1 for 15, and Delbert Hicks with 1 for 35 supported Jagdeo in a good bowling display by the Rose Hall Town Tigers.

Needing to score 132 runs off 100 balls to reach the final, Rose Hall Town Tigers lost former national junior player Brandon Prashad for naught. However, fellow opener Mark Papannah batted well to score 35, with five boundaries and a massive six. Delbert Hicks and former Guyana Under-19 player Khemraj Mahadeo then powered Tigers to 133 for 2 with 4 balls remaining.

Hicks was unbeaten on 52, with six boundaries and two sixes, while Mahadeo ended on 31, with one boundary

and three sixes. T. Johnson and W. Crandon each took a wicket, for 43 and 33 respectively.

The Final would be played at the Fyrish Ground on Sunday from 13.00 hours.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has said that the B CB would be using the Final to not only promote the game in the area, but also as a fundraiser for the Board.

The Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Tournament is being organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in the Lower Corentyne area.

It is one of thirty tournaments expected to be organised by the vibrant BCB at the Junior, Female and Senior levels.

The Berbice Board blacklisted power houses Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Bakewell from taking part in the tournament in an effort to allow other teams a chance at winning a tournament.

The supervisor at Queensway Security Service Inc handing over the sponsorship cheque to GSSF President Ryan McKinnon, in the presence of other employees of the company

Q

ueensway Security Service Inc. has, for the fourth consecutive year, come on board to support the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation. The leading security company has, over the years, continued to recognise shooting as a sport, and has committed to fostering the con-

tinued growth of the sport in Guyana. This was highlighted when Queensway Security Service gave sponsorship to the growing Foundation for their upcoming Steel Challenge Tier 1 Shooting competition.

At a simple handing-over ceremony at the Company’s Head-Office at 153 Regent

Road and Oronoque Streets, Bourda Georgetown, Ms. Dawn Grey, Supervisor at Queensway Security Service Inc., presented the sponsorship funds to GSSF President Ryan McKinnon, who thanked the security company for the usual support given to the G.S.S.F.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, march 29, 2019

23

CWI Women’s T20 Blaze…

King, Cooper hit half-centuries as Guyana downed in 5-wicket defeat – Campbelle hits unbeaten 77 in vain

By Brandon Corlette

A

lthough it was a different format, it produced similar results, Guyana opening their T20 Blaze campaign with a five-wicket defeat against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium in the second of the three matches played.

Led by Shemaine Campbelle’s unbeaten 77 from 56 balls, Guyana reached 157-4 in 20 overs. In reply, Trinidad and Tobago achieved the target in 18.4 overs finishing on 161-5.

Player of the match, Stacy Ann King, stroked 59 while Britney Cooper smashed 52 for the Trinidadians.

Having won the toss, Shemaine Campbelle elected to bat first, as the newlook opening pair of Sheneta Grimmond and Tremayne Smartt took the centre stage among the vocal handful of spectators present.

Guyana got off to a busy

start, as Grimmond and Smartt added 29 runs for the opening partnership in four overs.

Grimmond was out via a return catch to spinner Anisa Mohammed for 21 from 17 balls, smacking four crisp boundaries. At the power-play, Guyana were 36-1 batting at a run-rate of six per over. Smartt and Shemaine Campbelle consolidated in a 36-run partnership that ended when Smartt was out stumped for 22 from 25 balls.

Campbelle, who got off to a slow start, progressed nicely throughout the innings.

After she was dropped twice in the 40s, she shifted gear, hitting boundaries at will. After

Merissa Aguilleira is clean bowled (Brandon Corlette photos)

Campbelle lost Shabika Gajnabi for seven via the run out route, she added 54 runs for the fifth wicket partnership with Akaze Thompson.

Campbelle smoked Anisa Mohammed into the deep

mid-wicket fence for a maximum, and finished the innings hitting Karishma Ramharack for two sixes down the ground and two fours in the 24-run final over.

Once more leading from

Stacy Ann King was in top form during her composed knock

the front with the bat, Campbelle hit six fours and three sixes in 77 from 56 balls, but lacked significant support once again. Bowling for the Trinidadians, Anisa Mohammed had 2-35, while Lee Ann Kirby had 1-22.

In Trinidad’s run chase, they got off to a flyer, as the openers Stacy Ann King and Lee Ann Kirby hit 68 runs in 6.3 overs, the Guyanese bowlers failing to intimidate the explosive duo. Kirby was dismissed for a swashbuckling 31 from 19 balls when she was removed by Akaze Thompson.

Vice-captain Renice Boyce came in, and played a fine cut shot for four before she was out caught at midoff by Mandy Mangru off

the bowling of Smartt for six. New-comer Shania Abdool (02) came and went cheaply, but the innovative Britney Cooper partnered King and added 58 valuable runs for the fourth wicket.

Stacy Ann

King, t h e 35-year-old Trinidadian w h o played 66 O D I S and 76 T20Is for Windies, swept the ball and rotated the strike brilliantly. Her partner Britney Cooper improvised hitting reverse sweeps and scoop shots.

She made Shabika Gajnabi her target, smashing five fours in six balls.

After Gajnabi was taking to the cleaners, Cooper overcame an illness which caused her to throw-up, and played a match winning knock of 52 not out. King was leg before to Kaysia Schultz for 59 from 48 balls, reaching the boundaries five times and clearing it once.

Cooper sealed the game in style, hitting a boundary into mid-wicket. Bowling

for Guyana, Kaysia Schultz and Mandy Mangru, who were introduced belatedly in the attack, got one wicket each. Tremayne Smartt and Akaze Thompson also had one Shemaine Campbelle continued her good form

wicket each in a losing effort.

Guyana will meet Leeward Islands today, March 29, 2019, at the National Stadium at Providence from 9:00h local time.

CWI T20 Blaze…

Dottin’s blitz, Matthews’ all-round performance give Barbados 99-run win – Morgan, McLean half-centuries lead Jamaica to victory

Where is Deandra Dottin’s Player-of-the-Match trophy? (Brandon Corlette photos)

By Brandon Corlette

D

eandra Dottin continued from where she left off in the Super50 tournament, when she blasted her way to a player of the match 63 from 23 balls against Leeward Islands as Barbados started the T20 Blaze on a winning note.

Barbados won the toss, and opting to bat first, mustered up 206-6 in 20 overs.

In reply, Leeward Islands fell short by 99 runs, being restricted to 107-5 in 20 overs.

The Bajan openers Hayley Matthews and Danielle Small added 46 runs for the opening wicket partnership. Small was

out via the run out route for seven, but Matthews played top cricket shots during her 45 from 23 balls, hitting eight fours and one six.

Kycia Knight (02) fell cheaply, but Dottin entered and announce herself with a boundary off the first ball.

In a Jenisen Richards over, the Barbados unit took 36 runs, with Dottin being the dominant force. The eighth over went for 4, 4, 1wd, 5wd, 4, 7nb, 6, 4, 1.

Dottin followed up that over, taking 20 runs from the 10th over and adding a quick 80 runs for the fourth wicket partnership with Kyshona Knight (08). When Dottin left with the score on 137-4, Aaliyah Alleyne on 14, Charlene Taitt on 35 not out, and Shai Carrington on 14, secured for Barbados a daunting 206-6 in 20 overs. Bowling for Leeward Islands, Amanda Edwards was the pick of the bowlers with 2-24 in four overs, bowling 13 dots.

In Leeward innings, Shebani Bhaskar top-

scored with 40 from 41 balls, which proved to be insufficient when the 20 overs expired. Bowling for Barbados, Hayley Matthews had 2-21 in four overs bowling 13 dots, as her team began the T20 Blaze with a 99-run victory.

Jamaica v Windwards Island

Jamaica’s captain Stafanie Taylor won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 185-2 in 20 overs.

The Jamaicans got off to a solid start, with openers Natasha McLean and Jodian Morgan added 123 runs for the opening stand.

The duo had a watchful start with the assistance of extras. Windies player Natasha McLean hit the ball cleanly during her 56 from 49 balls, which included five fours and two sixes.

Big-hitting all-rounder Chinelle Henry hit 10 from seven balls, while Stafanie Taylor added the icing on the cake with an unbeaten 19 from nine balls. Jodian Morgan top scored with an

u n beaten 72 from 57 balls, which included 10 fours and two sixes.

Pearl Etienne had 2-33 bowling for Windward Islands.

In reply, Windwards managed 123-8 in 20 overs, losing by 62 runs; Juliana Nero top-scored with 61 from 48 balls, hitting nine fours and receiving support from Afy Fletcher, who scored 35 in a losing effort. Bowling for Jamaica, fast bowler Chinelle Henry had 2-20 in four overs.

The action will continue today, March 29, with Guyana clashing with the Leeward Islands from 9:00h, Trinidad and Tobago will meet Windward Islands at 14:00h, while Jamaica and Barbados will clash from 19:00h local time at the National Stadium at Providence.

It was a halfcentury for Natasha McLean

friday, march 29, 2019

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

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CWI Women’s T20 Blaze…

King, Cooper hit half-centuries as Guyana downed in 5-wicket defeat Page 23

Page 22

VIVO IPL 2019…

Match #10

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Time: 10:30 hrs

Ninvalle honoured for AMBC appointment

Time: 10:30am

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