Issuu

FRIDAY 22nd February, 2019

Inquiry awaits Roger Khan No.105556

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Roger Khan

… Min. Ramjattan assures Rupununi residents

… calls on citizens to be ready to come forward with information Young pilot dies 04 PAGE

–as plane crashes at Eteringbang

‘Reinstate 09 the workers’ PAGE

Welcome Home

Newly-crowned WBA Super Middleweight Gold Champion, Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen surrounded by schoolchildren on arrival in Guyana on Thursday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri

Champ! see story on BACK PAGE

… Gov't tells RUSAL execs.

PSC secretary warns executives about 05 biased statements PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Gov’t praises UNICEF for assistance with protecting children By Lisa Hamilton

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, says that the Government of Guyana remains fully committed to its partnership with UNICEF as, together, much has been accomplished in protecting the rights of children. He made these remarks on Thursday during the Annual Review of the 2018 joint annual work plan of UNICEF and Guyana, hosted at the Marriott Hotel. With the help

of UNICEF, Greenidge said that a considerable number of measures and programmes have been implemented, while several others are now being considered. Some of these he listed were the approved Juvenile Justice Act in 2018; the adoption of a reintegration policy for teen moms back in school, and the adoption of a policy to prevent and eliminate child labour, among others. Others include the establishment of ‘One Stop

Centre’ for victims of child sexual abuse, and supporting advocacies for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The Government of Guyana is pleased with the achievements made and remains committed to the protection and provision of a good life for all Guyanese, and more specifically, to our children; the future generation which the government endeavors to protect and nurture through the implementation of policies and

programmes to safeguard their future and the future of Guyana,” Greenidge said. He added that the Government of Guyana has been consolidating the legal architecture for comprehensive child protection and family law, through the passage of a number of pieces of legislations. These include the Status of Children Act; the Child Protection Act; the Adoption of Children Act; the Sexual Offences Act; the Custody, Contact, Guardianship and Maintenance Act; Countering Persons in Trafficking Act and the National Childcare Labour policy. However, the foreign affairs minister noted that realities such as domestic violence, abuse, alcoholism, poverty, poor infrastructure and emotional trauma, continue to threaten the social, physical, emotional and mental well-being of Guyana’s children. As such, he urged: “We must all, as government and partners, stakeholder and

others, work earnestly to eradicate these ills from our societies. Needless to say, government has a key role to play in this process and for that reason it is critical for us to make progress towards the achievement of these goals.” For 2018, UNICEF expended at total of US$1.1M. 2019 marks the third year of UNICEF’s five-year programme of corporation in Guyana. In the past three years, the government and UNICEF worked along in the components of lifelong learning; safety and justice; monitoring and evaluation; adolescent development; emergency, and more. In her remarks to the audience, UNICEF Guyana and Suriname Representative, Sylvie Fouet, highlighted its accomplishments over the year in collaboration with the Government of Guyana. These, she stated, were the movement towards restorative justice in Guyana; the operationalisation of the Children’s court; the expansion of early childhood

development health services, advancements to combat bullying in schools and others. “Together …we can co-create solutions for increased results for children; build deeper partnerships [between UNICEF and the government] and also with and for teenagers and young people, and engage with the private sector,” Fouet said. While the stakeholders involved do not have all the answers, she stated the work must continue to ensure every child’s right to health, education, protection and participation while leaving no one behind. At the day’s session, stakeholders were also able to discuss the challenges and successes of 2018 and address possible changes moving forward. UNICEF signed its first five-year programme with Guyana in 1994 and has continued since then to ensure that the rights of children in Guyana are respected.

Police destroy cannabis farm

POLICE on Wednesday destroyed cannabis plants which were under cultivation at 10 miles, Millies Hideout and at Linden, Region 10. According to police, several ranks went to the area and found the cannabis under cultivation.

They also found several make-shift camps containing a quantity of dried cannabis, one hammock, and three mattresses with makeshift beds; a quantity of kitchen utensils and some clothing. They were destroyed by fire. No arrest has been made thus far.

The plants which were under cultivation

The plants and camp were destroyed by the ranks

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Inquiry awaits Roger Khan

… Min. Ramjattan assures Rupununi residents … calls on citizens to be ready to come forward with information

By Vanessa Braithwaite IT is more than likely that convicted drug lord, Shaheed Roger Khan, who is expected back in Guyana by July 2019, will be investigated for criminal activities done locally. This was related by Minister of Public Security, Kemraj Ramjattan, at a recent meeting in Lethem. Residents were expressing fear as to what may transpire in the country upon Khan’s arrival – some reminiscing on the dark days of drugs, murders and extra-judicial killings. Ramjattan said that he is cognisant of the fear that is being permeated as the time is drawing near, and would have preferred for the U.S Government to not give Khan a remission in his sentence. While some of the crimes under Khan’s criminal escapade are publicly known, Ramjattan said that one of the shortcomings in having him prosecuted is the absence of written statements and evidence given under oath. “Guyanese do not want to come forward to make statements, they don’t want to come forward to make the case; we can have so many people who

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo themselves will make the complaints, but when asked to give written statements, they don’t come forward,” Ramjattan told the residents. While expressing confidence that the situation may be different this time around, the minister said he will be allowing due process to take its course. “There are a number of gruesome things that happened during that period of time, but I am allowing due process to take its course; namely the commissioner of police and other police from the criminal division, they will certainly take it from there,” he said. Whatever is done, Ramjattan assured concerned residents that a lawless state will not prevail. President David Granger

has referred to the Roger Khan-era as the “Troubles”; a period presided over by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. The President said it was the “darkest hour” that was characterised by drug-driven chaos and bloodshed. Jagdeo was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011, during which there were three massacres: Lusignan, where 11 people were killed; Bartica, where another 12 were killed, and Lindo Creek, where seven miners were slaughtered. Besides, there were countless extra-judicial killings – with some activists estimating that around 400 Afro Guyanese males were gunned down. Back in 2003-2006, Khan had set up a criminal network here including active policemen and a number of former ranks, ostensibly to go after criminals, but at the same time, protecting his narco-trafficking interests. He was nabbed in neighbouring Suriname in 2006 while fleeing local police, and was later handed over to U.S. authorities. Although the PPP government had sought to distance itself from Khan, the drug-trafficker had stated public-

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy ly, in an advertisement in local newspapers, that he had been fighting crime on behalf of the Bharrat Jagdeo-led government. Khan had also implicated former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy in his escapades, and documents bearing the then minister’s signature authorising the purchase of a sophisticated wire-tapping device, were produced in the U.S. courts during Khan’s trial. FACE CONSEQUENCES However, at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo, now opposition leader, sought to wash his hands clean of the crimes committed by Khan, contending that his

government had nothing to do with the drug lord. “The PPP had absolutely nothing to do with Roger Khan,” the opposition leader declared. He said once there is supporting evidence, the State should take the necessary steps to bring Khan to justice. “If he is released and he did crime in Guyana, he must face the consequences too. We are not afraid of that,” Jagdeo told reporters. Trying to deny Khan’s claims that he fought crime for his government, Jagdeo said he had the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force and the Joint Services on his side. “We don’t need 20 or 100 phantoms when we had men who were authorised to carry, and empowered by our laws and constitution to fight bandits,” Jagdeo stressed. Although evidence submitted in a US court had linked his minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to Khan, the opposition leader again denied any connection, saying: “That has never been proven with official testimony. That has never been proven. Leslie Ramsammy said he never did.” Former President Bharrat Jagdeo was quoted in the media as saying that he had nothing to do with the con-

Convicted drug lord Shaheed Roger Khan victed drug lord; he is not afraid of his release and is in agreement for an investigation to be launched into crimes he allegedly committed in Guyana. Khan was captured in Suriname on June 15th, 2006 and was convicted and jailed in 2009 for drug trafficking. Khan was also linked to Colombian narco traffickers, terrorism, murders and other high-profile cases. He first caught the public’s attention when he was arrested by police and soldiers at Good Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara, in a bullet-proof vehicle with high-powered weapons and cellular phone interception and triangulation/ location equipment.

UNICEF to target 12000 persons for relief at border locations By Lisa Hamilton

IN 2019, UNICEF intends to target a total of 12,000 migrants and residents, including children, in border regions who are likely to be affected in areas such as health and education through the influx of Venezuelan migrants to Guyana. The initiative forms a part of its Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) 2019 Action plan and will also target child protection, social inclusion, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), social and nutritional goals. At the annual review of the 2018 joint annual work plan of UNICEF and the Government of Guyana on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel, UNICEF’s Officer in charge of Emergency and Disaster Risk Management, Ian Jones, spoke to the media about these plans. The overall target includes 4,800 children, with primary focus on Regions 1, 2, 7 and 9 and secondary focus on Regions 3, 4, and 10. They will work in close collaboration with a multi-agen-

cy committee spearheaded by Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix. Through the interviewing of migrants who have entered Guyana, it was discovered that in Regions 1 and 7, the majority of migrants are families while mostly single adults come through Region 4. However, UNICEF says that it still has no concrete figure regarding the number of Venezuelans entering the country beyond the official immigration figures. The constraints affecting the availability of these numbers are due to the fact that some migrants may not come through the official entry points or airports. “A lot of them, especially indigenous Warrau people, are making their own routes by canoe, so it’s only when we actually go to the communities with the Immigration Department, are we actually able to do the registry,” he explained. Jones said that just last weekend there was a multi-agency field assessment conducted in Region

One (Barima-Waini) where they met with migrants in various communities with the immigration department registering who were there. To give an example of how the population is changing in the region, he said that in Region One at Whitewater Primary School, which was built for 170 students, now holds up to 240 students. “It’s not the case where they can be officially enrolled, but they’ve been accepted into the schools,” he said. “This is one of the reasons why we’re looking to provide the support to the Ministry of Education to build up the resilience for these schools in these border areas.” WATER FOR MIGRANTS Meanwhile, UNICEF has recently teamed up with the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) to provide support for water supply and sanitation as an influx of persons in already challenged regions can cause further complications.

This will initially be provided to seven communities in Region One and three communities in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) which are the border regions most affected by the migration. “We’re not looking at the traditional response and emergencies where you’re handing out kits. We’re looking at building up the roots, the actual capacity in the host communities so that they can be better hosts,” Jones said. “Now the schools, their capacities are being stretched, so we’re not going to just say ‘we’re only going to get furniture for migrant children’ but we’re also looking at furniture and support for the host community children.” The funding to support these measures comes from UNICEF mainly through government partners and non-government partners such as the Guyana Red Cross Society. “So far, through the Humanitarian Action for Children through UNICEF and the regional office, we’ve received US$500,000. A big amount of this money will

be going through the water and sanitization aspect; the hardware and also through the Ministry of Education for building up the capacities of the schools,” Jones said. UNICEF is also supporting the Ministry of Social Protection and the Blossoms Inc. NGO to build its capacity in border regions for the setting up of ‘One Stop Centre’ for victims of child sexual abuse. “We‘re looking to support building up the capacity and then the incidents will be reported through the regular systems,” he said. “What you tend to find is when you build up the capacity for reporting, then you get a spike in the number of cases. So, if you see a big spike in the number of cases, it’s not the issue where now, suddenly, the abuse is increasing, it’s just now there’s a facility to be able to report.” When it comes to health and nutrition, UNICEF teams up with the Ministry of Public Health and regarding education, apart from the ministry, it teams up with the University of Guyana (UG)

UNICEF’s Officer in Charge of Emergency and Disaster Risk Management, Ian Jones (Delano Williams photo) and the Catholic Church. The body also collaborates with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and MapAction. UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children sets out UNICEF’s 2019 appeal and its efforts to provide 41 million children with access to safe water, nutrition, education, health and protection in 59 countries across the globe.

Young pilot dies By Alva Soloman

A CESSNA 206 crashed at Eteringbang near the Venezuelan border on Thursday, killing the pilot. The young pilot has been identified as Randy Liverpool, a former Air Traffic Controller. The aircraft belonged to Domestic Aviation and according to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the accident occurred around 17:45hrs. Reports are that the aircraft was shuttling at

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

–– plane crashes at Eteringbang

the time and was seen flying at a low altitude before falling into the jungle below. Captain Orlando Charles, the owner of Domestic Aviation, confirmed the aircraft belonged to his company. He was in the meeting when this newspaper contacted him on Thursday evening. Liverpool, who lived in Norton Street, Georgetown, started flying several years ago while at-

tached to Wings Aviation, Ogle Airdrome. He started his career as a pilot after undergoing training at the GCAA’s ATC facility at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport CJIA). The young man had always expressed an interest in aviation, and friends reported that he even undertook work study attachments at the airport prior to his career in aviation. He recently

Randy Liverpool

The aircraft which crashed on Thursday became a father, relatives confirmed. His death has left many of his former ATC colleagues, relatives and friends in shock.The GCAA have since commenced an investigation into the accident. The aircraft crash was the second this week. On Monday, two persons, including the pilot of a Cessna 182, came out alive after the aircraft crashed aback Canal Number Two while en route to the Eugene F Correia International

Airport, Ogle from the western border village of Arau. The aircraft, bearing registration N807B, reportedly ran out of fuel. The pilot, Captain Lincoln Gomez, had said that “it’s a miracle” to be alive. Lone passenger, police officer Mark Grimmond, expressed similar sentiments. The body of a man, Christopher Matthews, who died after he fell off of a mountain, was onboard the plane at the time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

PSC secretary warns executives about biased statements … tells Nascimento to be ‘quiet’

By Svetlana Marshall

AMID the political fallout over the validity of the no-confidence motion, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), while criticising the government, has called for the President to set an early date for National and Regional Elections, but its Secretary, Komal Singh, has cautioned the commission’s executive about its overreach. In a letter to the executive body earlier this week, which this newspaper was able to obtain, Singh said over the last month, the PSC “exposed itself and its members to a charade of negative comments from the public,” explaining that the commission’s relationship with government and the opposition has been questioned not just on one, but on several occasions. Singh said while it is important for the PSC to hold the country’s leaders accountable for actions that will have negative impacts on the commercial

sector, it is critical for the commission to maintain amicable relationships with the leaders. “With that in mind, the PSC and its members need to be mindful of how we deal with certain situations, especially when it has to do with politics,” he cautioned the executives. He added: “I firmly believe that with immediate effect and until further notice no sub-committee or any member or the EMC alone should address any issue that have to deal with the current political climate by themselves.” According to him, all political issues should now go to the full council before a decision is made to address any matter relating to the current impasse. DOUBLE STANDARDS “While I do agree 100 per cent that we have a responsibility to make sure our leaders follow the constitution of this country, it is not within our mandate to be the leaders to make

sure this happens. Our role (is) to continue to be impartial,” Singh told his colleagues. “We have not been the leader in the past when we had constitutional breach, so why should we be the leader now? I am sure there was a very good reason in the past why the PSC was never so vocal,” the secretary reasoned. He said if members of the commission are interested in preserving the PSC as an engine of growth, they should, instead, lobby government for a better business environment. At the conclusion of his letter, Singh singled out Kit Nascimento. “Kit, I do not support your position and I urge you (to) desist from doing so unless you get full council approval,” Singh said. Nascimento has been engaged in the very practice the PSC secretary has warned against. In his most recent statement, Nascimento launched an attack on President David Granger

and his administration. According to him, the government, since the December 21 vote of no-confidence, has continuously ignored the Constitution. “In fact, our President has placed his government in a position of grievously violating the Constitutional provisions of Articles 106 (6) and has signaled a similar intention with regard to Article 106 (7) to function outside of the country’s supreme law which he swore to uphold,” Nascimento stated. Nascimento said while he and President Granger share “a long and valued friendship,” the government’s behaviour, with regard to the effect of the no-confidence motion respecting his Cabinet and government, is unacceptable. He opined that calling

for respect of the Constitution was well within the mandate of the PSC to ensure stability and well-being of the business community. President Granger and his ministers have long maintained that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government is not in violation of the Constitution. Speaking on the issue some weeks ago, President Granger said his government was elected to office, and remains legitimate. “The Speaker has spoken, and we respect the Speaker, and we also have spoken. We met with the opposition, and we agreed that the National Assembly has work to do. I have not dissolved Parliament, neither have I resigned. There is no such thing as an interim

PSC Secretary Komal Singh government or caretaker government. According to the Constitution, I remain President, until the next president is sworn in,” the Head of State said. While Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire has upheld the decision of the Speaker of the National Assembly that the motion was validly passed, the government has appealed her decision. The matter is now engaging the attention of the appellate court.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Workers’ rights must be respected THIS week’s firing of 61 workers of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) and the subsequent hardline stance taken by the top management cannot be countenanced and is deserving of all the condemnation it has received thus far. The various statements of condemnation from civil society, political parties and trade unions were given further boost when high-level government officials made it clear that Guyanese workers must be treated in a respectful manner and at all times the country’s labour laws must be upheld, at a meeting on Thursday with the executive members of the Russian Aluminium (RUSAL) company. In a statement by the Ministry of the Presidency, it was pointed out that the meeting was aimed at identifying ways in which the ongoing industrial strike taken by workers and their subsequent dismissals can be resolved amicably. Minister of State Joseph Harmon was accompanied by Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally; Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman; and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour, Mr. Keith Scott. “There are two objectives to this: the Guyanese workers must be treated

in a respectful and fair manner at all times… their rights must be respected and at the same time, the company must function and ensure it makes profits for its shareholders. It is a question of finding common ground and ensure that our workers’ rights are respected. We must find common ground to move forward. The issues must be dealt with in a clear way,” Harmon was quoted in a release as saying. The problems with the workers and this company go back years and it is more than timely they be resolved. Whereas Guyana faces threats to our territorial integrity with Venezuela coveting Essequibo and Suriname part of Berbice, the sovereignty of Guyanese being threatened by foreign force within our borders is equally serious and deserving of national response. Even while this latest sacking of the workers is being resolved, there is an existing dispute between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) who are the workers’ elected representative, and the management of the company. The union has accused the company of not wanting to respect the laws as they relate to the workers’ rights to a union of choice and collective bargaining. Stories of workers being dismissed for taking industrial actions

Jagdeo land lies Dear Editor, IT has been brought to my attention by several individuals that Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, in addressing the death threats to Mr. Trevor Benn, the Commissioner of the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission,

boldly proclaimed I had received 3000 acres of land. His conscience in nurturing his supporters to violence and death threats are well known. Last year, I was the target of death threats over the phone until I forcibly replied, after which I was accused of threatening his min-

against unsafe practices, denial of collective bargaining, and protesting their meals being prepared under unhygienic conditions, have attracted media coverage in the past. Allegations of being threatened by an aggressive ‘spade-wheeling’ manager, and the industrial accidents and deaths occurring within this mining community were also covered. The company, which is owned by the Government of Guyana and RUSAL Aluminium and managed by the latter, for its part has accused the union of violating the collective labour agreement. It has taken a decision since December 2009 to de-recognise the union, which the union claims constitute a violation of Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act (1997). These reports are enough to cause concern about what is happening to these workers. The back and forth between the union and company have been on-going for far too long when evidently, the workers have concerns that they need to be addressed. Irrespective of which side of the issue people may be inclined to agree with, there must be no disagreement that Guyanese are deserving to be treated with respect and dignity in their homeland. The presence of this decade-long dispute is indicative that something is amiss and this must be looked into as a matter

isters. Apparently, he believes everyone is afraid of him. I AM NOT. To the point of Jagdeo’s weekly crass abuse of the truth, I have never applied for 3000 acres of land and have never received 3000 acres of land. Of course, he has given away to several of his friends 60,000 acres of land at 12.5 cents us for 199 years and I can show those documents. I had not intended to reply to Jagdeo’s continuous abuse of the media and the truth but I decided to for two simple reasons. First, his supporters always believe his lies and libel

of utmost urgency. The Ministry of Social Protection is being urged to recognise the protection these workers are clamouring for. As Guyanese, there is no place we can truly call home other than here. It is in our home where our protection and safety can and must be assured, in spite of the challenges going on around us. As a peaceful people, just as we don’t seek trouble with our neighbours and other countries, the standard we set ourselves must be equally reflected in how we allow others to treat us, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Where these are circumscribed in our constitution and laws, at all times these must be defended and protected with all our might. It can never be over-emphasised the dual and intertwined importance of sovereignty and integrity to the nation’s survival, respect and development of its people. The last place Guyanese should feel alien is here. Those workers have said they want their union to represent them. Advisedly, a recognition certificate exists and the GB&GWU is the recognised union. Where the workers have once again had cause to take industrial action for both the recognition of the union of their choice and for better working conditions, their pleas must no longer be ignored.

even though he is a known liar. Second, and more importantly, the media has a responsibility to verify facts, to ask Jagdeo for proof when he makes these statements. Instead, the media has become a willing conspirator against the truth in the weekly press conference held by Jagdeo. Isn’t there some professional code of ethics? Regards Eric M. Phillips

RUSAL top management must be charged for violating labour laws Dear Editor, AS a political activist, I have avoided inserting myself in workers disputes with their employers, particularly those in the private sector, to avoid the accusation of politicising legitimate industrial disputes. I have over the years been paying keen attention to the ongoing disputes between Rusal’s workers and its management. Based on what has transpired over time, relations between the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) leave much to be desired.

The firing of sixty-one (61) workers, who are members of the GB&GWU, engaged in a strike and protest action against BCGI, over the unilateral decision by that company’s management to impose a 1% increase in wages requires very strong national, regional and international condemnation. The history of this Russian company since the commencement of its operations in Guyana in 2004 is one of the brutalisation of its workforce and contempt for the country’s sovereignty. The principals stationed here have given the impression that they are above the law and have dared to declare, by their actions, a refusal to recognise the fundamen-

tal rights of their employees. The time has come when the Government of Guyana and all patriotic Guyanese, who are offended by the behaviour of Rusal, must say to the owners and management officials of this and all other business entities similarly inclined, that enough is enough. It is now a national imperative that our government take a stand in the interest of workers, not only at Rusal, but in all other business enterprises, whether large or small, and say to them, that they are operating in a new dispensation and their behaviour of viciousness and violence to workers will no longer be ignored and tolerated. The physical and mental assault

of workers, followed by the arbitrary dismissal of more than 60 of their employees in 2009 and now, the firing of 61 others, are examples of the cycle of violence and abuse of Guyanese being practised by Rusal. No self-respecting nation should tolerate these acts. The time has come when the Government of Guyana must demand better treatment for its citizens, charge the top management of Rusal for violations of the country’s labour laws. Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Charles Ramson jr should leave Professor Pollard alone Dear Editor, I READ a letter in the Stabroek News by Charles Ramson Jr. arguing a poor legal case of Professor Pollard comments offend sub justice. Mr. Editor, everyday this clown-show is getting more actors. Where was Ramson when his mates, both in the PPP and PSC, were making comments in the very active legal case? This is a real sad state of affairs for a once presidential hopeful and self-appointed oil and gas consultant and academic, now relegated to the occasional letter writer. Poor chap. I did my research on Charles when I found out that he had aspirations of being President. I found that out in 2010 after he threatened to sue me when I said [the] PPP is corrupt. I kept my findings under wrap until last year when he put himself forward as presidential hopeful. I singlehandedly destroyed his bubble of oil and gas consultant and academic. A title he gave himself. Arrogance personified. I provided scientific facts and evidence why he was not. The closest he could ever come to the oil industry is working at one of the local petrol stations as a petrol attendant; Charles, the only academic who is not affiliated with a university or done research in [the] said area. Anyway, I kept the rest of my findings to myself after I realised that his presidential aspirations were as dead as LSF Burnham and Dr Cheddi Jagan. But then with today’s proclamation, he has overstepped the mark. As a result, I will release a little of what I know. Stabroek News of 20th February, 2007, ran an article titled, “Guyanese student achieved first class honours in top UK university.” The Guyanese student was Charles Ramson Jr. and the top university was Buckingham University. Buckingham University is a complete useless university that attracts useless, poor quality students. Let me tell you why. Buckingham University was initially University College at Buckingham (UCB) which was opened in 1973. At that time it was not a university. Margaret Thatcher, in an attempt to create private universities, pushed for UCB to get university status. This was achieved in 1983. The first private university with a plan to have many more. The university struggled to attract quality students since entry requirements to all universities are set by the government and students would rightfully choose established universities known as red brick universities. As a result, Buckingham University focussed on the academic scrapheap in Asia and Africa. If the potential students don’t have the grades or English requirements for entry to the university, then the university ran a one year programme to get them “up to standard.” In effect, giving poor students more time to get the grades. As a result, local students would only choose that university as last resort. Also, university fees are set by the government, hence all universities, whether poor or good, have the same fee structure. Therefore, Charles Ramson going to that university was likely because he did not have the grades to get into a top UK university, since all would have the same fee. Stabroek News had this to say in the same article. “Buckingham is rather a special university: the only private one in Britain.” Let me explain that to you Stabroek News. They are not special. They are a complete failure hence the government abandoned

the idea of further private universities. That’s it. Leaving them as the first and the last as of 2012 when the coalition government of the Conservatives tried to resuscitate it but encountered lots of resistance from established universities who argued that it was tried before and failed. Why would it be a success now? Charles Ramson then attended Nottingham Trent University and Aberdeen University. Both these universities were once polytechnics i.e. institutions that offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses but could not function independently. They had to be affiliated with established universities. In 1992, the UK conservative government, in an attempt to expand the university pool, made all polytechnics universities. Even though they are now universities, the stigma of being former polytechnics made them less attractive to local students. Only those that cannot get into the top universities will actually go to those universities. So what are top UK universities? Top UK universities are the Russell group universities. The top 24 universities in the UK. The locals and EU students rush to those universities. Professor Duke Pollard and Nigel Hughes, both excellent lawyers, studied at University of London which is a Russell Group university and a top UK university. My point is that Charles Ramson never studied at a top university in the UK. Absolutely never. All the universities he attended are all poor and not in the Russel group universities. He should stop misleading the Guyanese public that he studied at top UK universities. He has the financial resources to attend those universities but lack the academic ability. Who would choose to go to a poor university that has the same fee structure as a top university if they have the grades? Money was never the determining factor. Academic ability was. When Stabroek News wrote garbage without doing research that Charles Ramson Jr. graduated from top university with top grades, that need to be taken with a massive bucket of salt. Just like how Kaieteur News went along with Charles calling [himself] oil and gas consultant and academic without requesting his credentials for same. Stabroek News did the same with your top university misrepresentation. Charles Ramson, I have more files. I have files on the oil and gas conference you attended last September in the UK. I contacted the organisers and was provided useful evidence. I kept it with the hope that you will be the PPP presidential candidate. You were not, but I still have it. You can try getting my nephew, Edwin Foo in Japan to defend you again. He got his first child a few weeks ago. He may be a bit busy now. You may finally have to come out and defend yourself without your daddy. Leave Prof Pollard alone. You are not in his league to be offering legal advice. Like everyone else, he is entitled to his opinion just like your mates in the PPP and PSC. Regards Dr. Mark Devonish, MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

PPDI to expand operations

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

… records stellar performance in 2017

THE Power Producers and Distributors Incorporated (PPDI), having surpassed all the performance guarantees given to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) in 2017, is planning to expand its operations. Chairman of PPDI’s Board of Directors, Mark Bender, said given the performance of the state-owned

entity in operating and maintaining four of GPL’s power plants, PPDI plans to expand its services. Currently, PPDI operates and maintains four power plants at Garden of Eden (22 MW), Kingston Number One (22mw), Kingston Number Two (36.3 MW) and Vreed-en-Hoop (26.4mw). “We are currently

negotiating with GPL to take over more of their plants,” Bender said, while fielding questions from Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, during PPDI’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Public Infrastructure Ministry since its establishment in December, 2016. Minister Patterson is the stakeholders’ repre-

sentative. Bender said PPDI, in keeping with its strategic plan, intends to tap into the Oil and Gas Industry. “We know that one of the issues being considered, and one of the projects being considered, is a project to produce electricity for the grid from natural gas,” he said, while noting the intention of the power company to play a major role in the supply of energy using natural gas. Already, PPDI is building its human resource capacity through training locally, regionally and internationally. In presenting the 2017 Annual Report, Bender told those present that PPDI’s

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson approved by the National tionally we contributed to Procurement and Tender the coffers of the nation by Administration Board for paying taxes of $108.5M,” implementation. Dr. Fraser reported. Despite skepticisms, He said PPDI, in 2017, PPDI in 2017 rose to the invested heavily into invenoccasion. “The management tory in an effort to improve and staff were able to meet its maintenance of the plants. the challenges and deliver A total of $464M was inon their mandate as regards vested in inventory, the CEO the agreement with GPL. disclosed. The Audit Office “When the company was of Guyana had audited the operations of the company. Minister Patterson, in offering brief remarks, applauded the power company for successfully executing its functions in 2017, and for acquiring ISO certification. He recalled prior to the establishment of PPDI, GPL’s generators were procured and maintained by Wärtsilä Operations Guyana Inc. However, the agreement with Wärtsilä was scheduled to expire at the end of 2016. Ahead of that expiration the administration came to Chairman of PPDI’s Board of Directors Mark Bender the realisation that Wärtmaking a point in the presence of CEO, Dr. Arron silä’s staff was 100 per cent Fraser (Photos by Delano Williams) Guyanese; they were all trained to conduct routine formed to replace Wärtsilä maintenance; and there was performance was “outstandOperations Guyana Inc., room for financial resources ing,” and has set the foundathere were reservations in to be saved for the benefit tion for it to make a meansome quarters as to wheth- of stakeholders. He noted ingful contribution to the er it was a good decision. that under Wärtsilä, many development of the power The management and staff Guyanese were sent to varsector in Guyana. have proven beyond doubt, ious parts of the region to “The company surpassed that they are up to the task offer assistance in maintainall the performance guarand had the combined skill ing generators supplied by antees given to the Guyana set and motivation to make Wärtsilä. Power and Light Inc., namePPDI a successful compa“We also discovered that ly, plant availability, plant ny,” the chairman said. several of our Caribbean lube oil consumption and Going forward, he said countries after a period of plant heat rate, and plant rethe power company will time with…Wärtsilä, transiliability hovered around 98 continue to build its net- tioned over to local ownerper cent, Bender reported. work in its quest to secure ship and we thought that the He said that the Board new contracts to provide time was opportune (for us of Directors remains comoperations and maintenance to do) likewise,” the public mitted to good corporate services as well as to be- infrastructure minister said. governance, and in 2017 come an independent power When PPDI started its opestablished a number of producer. erations in 2016, it had 114 sub-committees namely auPPDI’s Chief Execu- employees. Today the comdit and finance, tenders and tive Officer (CEO), Dr. Ar- pany has 143 highly trained procurement and human ron Fraser reported that for and certified employees. resources and technical. He 2017, the company earned a Minister within the reported too that an internal profit of $277M. “That prof- Ministry of Public Infraauditor was hired to ensure it was supported by revenue structure, Annette Ferguthat the internal controls are of $2.3B. Total expenses for son was also present at the adhered to. A procurement the year were $1.9B. Addi- AGM. manual was developed, and

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Sacked RUSAL workers to be reinstated … high-level gov’t team urges company to recognise GB&GWU

SEVERAL government ministers on Thursday met with foreign executives of Russian company RUSAL, and together they reached an agreement of sorts on the fate of the 60 workers that were fired, whereby the government team was able to impress upon the visitors that all 60 workers should be reinstated, and that the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) ought to be recognised as the official bargaining agents on the workers’ behalf. Government was represented by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and Ministers Amna Ally and Keith Scott of the Ministry of Social Protection, and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. According to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP), the government’s team made it clear that Guyanese workers must be treated respectfully at all times, and that likewise, the country’s labour laws must at all times be upheld. Coming out of the meeting, the MoTP said, there was a decision that a team from the Ministry of Social Protection (MoSP), headed by Ministers Ally and Scott, will travel to Aroaima today to meet with the aggrieved employees, who, in defiance, are still occupying the company’s mining area. Representing RUSAL at Thursday’s meeting were its resident Representative Vladimir Permyakov, and Sergey Kostyuk, Director of its Alumina and Bauxite Department. Russian Aluminium (RUSAL) owns 90 per cent of the Bauxite Company

RUSAL’s Russin executives (from right) Company Representative in Guyana, Vladimir Permyakov and Director of Alumina and Bauxite Department, Sergey Kostyuk, meets with Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and others of Guyana Inc., (BCGI), which last Monday fired 61 employees with immediate effect after they went on strike on Friday, February 15. One employee has since been reinstated, but the fate of the others is still in the balance. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Minister Ally explained that while the company has made no guarantees just yet, both sides are in agreement that they want to see the issue to be amicably resolved. “That meeting was our first engagement, and we’ve not come to any concrete decision,” Minister Ally said, adding: “We explained to them what the purpose of the meeting is, and we’ve made some demands of them, the main one being the reinstatement of all 60 workers who have been dismissed. We’ve also said to them that the issue of the recognition of the union cannot be an issue any longer, because a legitimate poll was conducted, and the union was

identified. The RUSAL people have said that they’re going to discuss these matters with their principal, and we expect a feedback before Saturday.” The government also wishes to see the company address the issues which prompted the employees to go on strike in the first instance. “What we’ve said to them,” Minister Ally said, “is that we would like for this matter to be settled amicably. We also spoke to them about union and management [discussing] their outstanding issues. The fourth [issue] was that it is inhuman to displace so many families, and we would like all four anomalies to be corrected. There’s been no commitment, but [today] we are going to Aroaima to meet with the workers.” In addition to meeting the employees, the MoSP will also be providing support to the dismissed workers, particularly in the provi-

sion of basic amenities. “We are a caring government, and a caring ministry. We have to find a way to give support and we cannot just leave them there. We have to be able to give them some sort of support for their livelihood so it shouldn’t be interpreted adversely,” Ally is quoted in a MoTP statement as saying. The striking employees are protesting the Russian management’s imposition of a one per cent wage increase, among other grievances, including unsafe working conditions at the company. It was reported that subsequent to the strike, BCGI last Friday issued an edict evicting a number of workers and their families from Maple Town, Aroaima, a residential community owned by the company. However, on Tuesday, the company sought to clarify that it did not ask the Maple Town residents to leave, and it is the employees striking on location at the mining site who are

No resolution yet in UG, unions wage row A RESOLUTION on the current impasse between the University of Guyana (UG) administration and its workers’ union has not been forthcoming even though the two bodies met with the UG Council on Thursday to resume negotiations. A joint release from the two unions indicated that the workers’ were grateful that the pro-chancellor had

initiated the meeting. “Unfortunately, [Thursday’s] engagement did not produce a result that all the parties could sign on to, but the unions are committed to discussing the issues raised during the meeting,” the unions said. “We have indicated that we are willing to meet again, and we await word from the administration and council about their

positions,” it further indicated. The unions began protesting at the Turkeyen Campus recently, with members calling for a financial audit to be done at the institution. They claimed that funds are being misappropriated, instead of being used to develop the teaching space. This protest was also

done because the unions did not accept the three per cent salary increase for UA (academic) staff, and a four per cent increase for UB (support) staff, which was imposed last November and retroactive to January 1, 2018. The university had stated that it cannot afford further increases and had asked the unions to act responsibly.

being commanded to vacate. Engagement with the company began last Tuesday when Permyakov along with the company’s Personnel Manager, Mikhail Krupenin, and Local Adviser, Mohamed Akeel, attended a Department of Labour meeting with Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle. Following Tuesday’s meeting, BCGI established that their position is that the contracts of the employees do not provide for them to be absent from work, not even in the case of a strike; and the company reiterated that it does not recognise the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU), which represents over

90 per cent of the company’s employees. Permyakov deemed the strike by employees as an “illegal action”, and believes the company was within its legal right to fire the workers, notwithstanding the fact that Guyana’s constitution states that “no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom to strike”. The Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) also issued a statement on Thursday reaffirming the government’s stance on the situation, and the outcome of the meeting. During the meeting, Minister Harmon said government views the ongoing dispute as serious and noted that it was among priority matters on the agenda at the ministerial plenary. “There are two objectives to this: the Guyanese workers must be treated in a respectful and fair manner at all times; their rights must be respected and at the same time, the company must function and ensure it makes profits for its shareholders. It is a question of finding common ground and ensure that our workers’ rights are respected. We must find common ground to move forward. The issues must be dealt with in a clear way,” quotes Harmon, in a MoTP press statement.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Western diplomats hold talks with GECOM

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) met with the Chiefs of Mission of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and European (ABCE) Union on (Thursday February 21, 2019) to discuss the agency’s preparedness for the conduct of General and Regional Elections. At the request of the diplomatic delegation, the meeting was held in GECOM’s boardroom where the diplomats met with the GECOM Commissioners and Chairman, Justice (ret’d) James Patterson. Representing the ABCE Union were Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America,

Terry Steers Gonzalez; High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana Lilian Chatterjee; Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana, Ray Davidson and Minister Counsellor / Deputy Head of Delegation, European Union Philippe Coessens. Coming out of the meeting, the commissioners said that there were no talks regarding timelines or demands or suggestions from the union as they sought mainly to familiarise themselves with the recent unfolding. “Questions were asked that caused the commissioners to respond based on the discussions that are now known to be in the

public. [Like] what are our views on GECOM’s state of preparedness, what are our views about house-to-house [registration] and things like that,” Commissioner Vincent Alexander told the media. Opposition Commissioner Sase Gunraj added: “We informed them, as we have been doing all along, of the issues concerning the holding of elections; what we see as possible delays that are being thrown up, including the latest issue of funding.” On Tuesday, the commission had decided that to facilitate an election there would be need for appropriation from Parliament. The decision came after Chief Elections Officer

In photo (diplomats only) Seated left to right: Terry Steers Conzales - Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America; Lilian Chatterjee - High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana; Ray Davidson-Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana and Philippe Coessens - Minister Counsellor / Deputy Head of Delegation, European Union (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, was tasked with seeking out the Ministry of Finance on whether the $3B allocated for house-to-house registration in 2019 could be used to fund elections this year. The Finance Ministry had responded stating that the 2019 appropriation for the elections commission was not subject to alteration by the ministry and the $3B sum cannot be transferred without prior approval of the National Assembly. However, Opposition Commissioner, Bibi Shadick does not believe that there was need to return to Parliament. She told media operatives that GECOM’s fund

was a lump sum to the agency from the consolidated fund, and there was no need for an amendment or subtraction of the funds, but simply have the funds transferred to the priority which, she highlighted, as new General and Regional Elections. “I know for a fact that the monies which are given to Constitutional agencies are spent by those agencies to carry out what their duties are and if some of those duties become priorities or emergencies, then the money has to be used for that,” Shadick said. Meanwhile, Alexander chose to clear up statements made in the media claiming

that GECOM is, in one way or the other, acting against the Constitution. “What is required of us in the first instance is to state our preparedness and that is what we sought to do. So, to accuse GECOM of flying in the face of the Constitution is not to understand GECOM’s role. GECOM doesn’t set an election date, GECOM responds to a set election date and the fact that emissaries were sent was a clear understanding by those who sent them [knowing] that they had to find out about GECOM’s state of preparedness,” Alexander said.

Heal Guyana reaches out to political leaders –– On bridging ethnic divide

HEAL Guyana, a non-governmental organisation seeking to promote peace and unity locally, has reached out to key political leaders who it said have been historically “plagued” with the challenge of bridging the ethnic divide during pre-election periods. In a statement, the organisation said this move is in keeping with its ongoing drive to promote peace and unity regardless of political preferences among all citizens. Founder, Sharon Lalljee-Richard, has expressed that it is important for all Guyanese, especially political activists from all parties, to understand that it is never helpful to descend into racial stereotyping and race-hate of any kind. “This old way of thinking leads to the misguided assumption that if one resorts to race as a means of earning political points, that sort of behaviour achieves the desired outcome, in favour of the party one supports. But in reality, what actually occurs is that potential voters who party leaders hope to persuade to support their policies and leadership, get turned off by the use of hate

and division and the entire political party gets branded in an unfavourable way, which results in lost votes among a wide cross-section of Guyanese”, Lalljee-Richard stated. She continued that race-baiting is the most dated and unproductive public relations strategy to use as a means of influencing voters in today’s world, apart from the immoral and socially destructive considerations surrounding the behaviour. “Our local statistics show that the majority of voters are now young people. Young people in this country are smart, because they have access to real information which educates them on how to reason constructively. You will not find them advocating or buying into negativity that promotes the racial divide. They are looking for sensible solutions that remedy the real issues we face, as Guyanese.” Lalljee-Richard offered that political parties must evolve in order to deliver if they are to be respected by the new breed of Guyanese voters who expect results. “Many leaders already know this, but there have been difficulties achieving this on

Founder of Heal Guyana, Sharon Lalljee-Richard the ground.” She said her non-partisan organisation, which was established during December of 2017, has extended an invitation to the leaders of the APNU/AFC and the PPP/C to collaborate with them in order to achieve peace and unity during this very sensitive time in Guyana’s history. “Each leader will be asked to share their individual views and their party’s official position on where they stand and what sort of behaviour they expect of their followers, going forward into the election season and by extension, afterwards as we continue to work together as one people, one nation; determined to achieve a bright future for ourselves and country.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Dr O’ Toole laments mischievous social media reports

SCHOOL of the Nations Principal, Dr Brian O’ Toole, said claims on social media attributed to him regarding the identity of the man who shot him at his home just over three weeks ago are not true. In recent days, the names of several persons appeared on social media with the claim that they were allegedly involved or connected with the shoot-

ing. Social media reports suggest that Dr O’ Toole had identified the shooter but kept silent, fearing for his life. The school’s principal in a statement said any thoughtful follower of the events will understand that his ability to identify the attacker needs to be a private matter between him and the police. Dr O’Toole was also

Friday, February, 22, 2019 –– 05:00 hrs

confused about statements attributed to Crime Chief Lyndon Alves, who reportedly said cops will not be investigating anything said on social media regarding the shooting. “My understanding is that very dangerous threats were clearly made on social media from an identifiable source threatening widespread mayhem and destruction. Is that not a crime in itself? The quote attributed

to the crime chief that they are not investigating ‘anything on social media’ is of concern as so many signs appear to point towards exactly that, dangerous video games that blur the reality between fact and fiction. Surely, such leads need to be examined very carefully. It could also be, of course, that this is simply another example of inaccurate reporting,” he said. The reports also noted

that the police are ‘awaiting O’ Toole’s return’ to Guyana for a ‘further interview’. “I am presently undergoing an operation in the USA on a paralysed hand. It will be weeks before I am able to return to Guyana. Is it, therefore, possible to have this important interview in the USA. We hope for more positive news,” the ‘Nations’ principal said.

Nations Principal, Dr Brian O’ Toole

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Women charged for swearing falsely

TWO women were, on Thursday, February 21, 2019, arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for swearing to false information. Shiroon Mohatoo of Sideline Dam, La Penitence, and Sandra O’Reilly of Middle Road, La Penitence were separately charged. The charge against Mohatoo alleged that, on June 24, 2006, at Georgetown, while being an applicant for the grant of a Letter of Administration for the administration of an estate for William Judeep Persaud (deceased), she knowingly swore to false information in an oath of intended administratrix #620/06. Meanwhile, it is alleged

Sandra O’Reilly

Shiroon Mohatoo that O’Reilly, on September 17, 2008, at Georgetown, while being the substitute attorney for Marie Ali and Juliet Josephine Sophia DeSouza, who were named as executors and trustees of William Judeep Persaud (deceased), she swore to false information in affidavit of vesting title. The women both pleaded not guilty to the charges. Mohatoo was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva, while O’Reilly was represented by Everton Singh-Lammy. With no objection raised by police prosecutor Stephen Telford, the women were granted $20,000 bail each. The matter was adjourned until February 25, 2019.

Good Hope man on alleged fraud charges

A GOOD Hope, East Coast Demerara taxi-driver was on Thursday, February 21, 2019, arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on two fraud-related charges. Rabindranauth Doodnauth, 27, made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Particulars of the first charge alleged that, on January 8, 2019, at Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Doodnauth, Rabindranauth while being solely entrusted Doodnauth by Samuel Lloyd with a Toyota Fielder Wagon, HC 5946, valued $2M, fraudulently converted it to his own use and benefit. Particulars of the second charge alleged that, on the same day, Doodnauth, with intent to defraud, obtained $6,000 from Lloyd to purchase an Ambassador Taxi logo, knowing same to be false. Police Prosecutor, Stephen Telford, made no objection to Doodnauth being granted his pre-trial liberty, but asked that conditions be attached. Telford explained that similar investigations were pending against the defendant. The chief magistrate released Doodnauth on $200,000 bail and ordered him to report every Monday and Friday to the Brickdam Police Station. The matter was adjourned until March 8, 2019. According to reports, Lloyd entrusted his Toyota Fielder Wagon HC 5946 to Doodnauth for him to work with the Ambassador Taxi Service. However, it is alleged that Doodnauth collected the motor vehicle and pawned it. Lloyd, after receiving no communication from Doodnauth, reported the matter to the police. Doodnauth was later arrested and he took the police to the individual with whom he had had pawned the vehicle.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Distribution of mining lands advanced –– Mining lotteries to commence in March

AS part of its efforts to ensure the fair distribution of mining lands to applicants, the Minister of Natural Resources has tasked the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Closed Area Committee (CAC) to move forward with the distribution of mining lands.

According to a Ministry of Natural Resources’ press statement, the process will be done by means of a series of mining lotteries which will commence on Friday, March 22, 2019. The criteria, methodology, and timelines for the mining lottery were finalised by Minister of Natural

Resources, Raphael Trotman; GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennisson and CAC Chairman, Abiola Henry, along with support staff at a meeting held at the ministry on Thursday. “It was the general agreement of the parties that there will be a few lotteries held in the different mining districts,

Remanded for uttering forged passport

A 54-year-old Dominican Republic citizen was on Thursday, February 21, 2019, remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for uttering a forged Peruvian passport to a local immigration officer at Moleson Creek, Berbice. Jose Rodriquez pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on February 19, 2019, at Moleson Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, with intent to defraud, he uttered a Republic of Dominica passport to an Immigration

officer, purporting to show that same was issued by the Peru Immigration Services. With the aid of an interpreter, Rodriquez told the court that he was a businessman and came to Guyana to do some shopping. Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummell objected to bail being granted to Rodriquez on the grounds that the defendant had no ties to Guyana and posed a flight risk. The Chief Magistrate remanded Rodriquez to prison until February 26, 2019.

Jose Rodriquez

which will give preference to residents of those districts”, said the ministry. GGMC is in the process of finalising the list of eligible persons. With this list provided, persons within the districts would be able to pull from blocks in a specific district. Those unallocated areas remaining within the districts after this initial exercise will be made available to others. The lotteries will also facilitate persons who would have applied several years ago. The mining lottery will

be a three-month process. This will include the publishing of the names of persons eligible to participate, and public notices stating that the Ministers of Natural Resources and the representatives of the GGMC and CAC will be in the mining areas conducting the closed lottery process. The first lottery will be held in the Georgetown area on March 22nd, 2019. This will be followed by others in areas such as Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, Bartica and Mahdia, among others,

within the months of April and May, 2019. The lotteries will be specific to mining districts, allowing small miners within the districts who have applied to have a chance to have access to available mining properties. Miners who will benefit from this exercise are encouraged and further expected to utilise the lands given, in ways that are safe and environmentally sustainable, and ensure that the laws of Guyana are abided by.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

338 suspected TIP victims assisted within three years

–– 67 per cent are foreign nationals says Minister Felix THE Ministry of Citizenship, through various agencies and departments, has assisted 338 suspected victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) between March 30, 2015 and February 20, 2019. “Guyanese as well as per-

sons of other nationalities are being trafficked in Guyana… the US State Department reports that are released each year, continue to highlight Guyana as a source, transit and destination country of the crime of TIP and a country where internal trafficking is

present,” said Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, during his presentation at the opening of a TIP workshop at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) yesterday (February 21, 2019). Guyana’s Constitution protects its citizens from,

and criminalises, all forms of human rights violations. Article 140 of the Constitution states that “no person shall be held in slavery or servitude” and Article 141 outlines that “no person shall be subjected to torture or inhumane or degrading punishment.” “Trafficking in Persons is an inhumane crime and it continues to threaten our most valuable resource; our men, our women, and even our children are being exploited in varying ways…

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix

Participants at the seminar on Thursday

We, the Government of Guyana continue to make stringent efforts to combat this inhumane crime. In fact, for the past two years we have attained and maintained a Tier One ranking according to the annual US [United States] State Department Report. This is the highest ranking a country can achieve. This means that the Government of Guyana is going in the right direction in so far as fighting human trafficking is concerned,” the minister said. He pointed out that between 2015 and 2019, more than $134M has been made available by the government as subventions to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which are providing assistance to victims of human trafficking. According to the minister, the figure does not reflect the annual budgetary allocations for each government agency to combat TIP. Meanwhile, TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

Solicitor General never resigned –– tells SN to issue retraction and apology for falsity with his belongings and left the area in a taxi. A vehicle had been assigned to him.” However, Hawke has discredited these reports. “The report has a litany of inaccuracies. They said I left in some taxi; it was my brother who came to pick me up. I left with my bag, my books that I usually [carry]. They said I left the vehicle

Solicitor General Nigel Hawke (Adrian Narine photo)

By Lisa Hamilton SOLICITOR General Nigel Hawke has called on the Stabroek News to recant and issue a public apology regarding its false article that he resigned, with immediate effect, on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, following the Court Appeal matter regarding the no-confidence motion. The article in question was published in the newspaper’s Thursday, February 21, 2019 edition and titled: 'Solicitor General Resigns'. Although the Stabroek newspaper hinged its report on being "reliably informed", Hawke confirmed to the Chronicle Newspaper yesterday (Thursday, February 21) that the report was both misguided and void of the truth. “When I saw the article, I was taken aback because I knew, for a fact, that there was no resignation and the first thought that came to me is how would we have FROM PAGE

sunken so low. The first and carnal rule of journalism is simply [where] they could have confirmed from me and if not me, the better place to confirm was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry as to whether she’s in receipt of a resignation,” he said. His disappointment expressed in the newspaper’s ethics and standards was coupled with his regret that the viral story caused his family much worry. “This thing has caused much trepidation to my family. It’s gone viral; people calling me: my mother, my grandmother, my father, everybody,” he said. The article, which Mr. Hawke believes was intended to create mischief, stated that: “Shortly after returning from court, he [Hawke] was locked in a closed- door meeting with [Attorney General Basil] Williams for about 15 minutes. Reports are that the former magistrate, who spent some time in Belize, emerged from the building

338 suspected TIP ... United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka made it clear that victims of human trafficking must be treated as victims of a heinous crime and not be made to face further persecution. She also lauded the government for taking a strong, no-tolerance stance against TIP and for always cooperating with the UN system to address human rights violations and sustainable development. According to the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005, the term human trafficking is defined

as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring and/or receipt of persons by means of threat, force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or position of vulnerability or by giving or receiving payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another or for the purpose of exploitation. Human trafficking has many forms of exploitation including, sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, forced begging, organ removal and servile marriage.

that I was assigned. The vehicle sometimes is left there many nights. Sometimes I go home with it; sometimes I don’t, that’s the reality,” he cleared up. Hawke regrets that there were hints of connections, linking the issues which arose, during the appeal challenging the ruling of the High Court in the no-confidence

motion cases on Wednesday, to his presumed resignation. “The way that they put the story over is as though, because of the error or the inadvertent slip in the Court of Appeal, that somehow I resigned. But I was not involved in the filing of those matters,” he said. He added that such a time in the country’s history was not for the sowing of “seeds of discord” but for the nation to come together toward a

solution to the matter at hand. “I’m asking Stabroek News to do the correct thing: issue a public apology to me; recant the story because it is absolutely false and inaccurate. It is calculated clearly to cause mischief,” he stated. “I’m really disappointed that Stabroek News would do that and, in fact, I’m of the view that if they don’t want to recant it, I will take advice from my lawyers.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

Harding ready to put Guyana on the map

OW that he has successfully defended his Carib Soca Monarch crown as promised, Linden’s Brandon Harding is looking to take his talent far and wide, and put “Guyana on the map” with his music. Harding gave an electrifying performance of his Soca “Alone” at the National Park, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, to successfully defend his title in the Carib Soca Monarch competition. “I’m going to put Guyana on the map, regionally and internationally,” Harding pledged, moments after his Soca Monarch win. Though in the lead up to the competition finals it was thought that Jumo “Rubberwaist” Primo would’ve been Harding’s biggest competition, it was actually newcomer, Stephen Ramphal, who gave Harding the biggest run for his money, finishing a mere one point behind. Ramphal had an exhilarating performance of his piece, “Soca in Meh Vein”, and his second-place finish came as no surprise and was questioned by none. Jumo fell short in his delivery when it mattered the most, notwithstanding his song “Tribute” being among the best of the night, and he ended in fourth position when the dust settled in the competition. Harding admitted that he was not afraid of how close he came to losing to Ramphal, adding “I said Ramphal could’ve won because I respect him

as an artiste, but I did my best, I prayed, I did this one for my uncle Oscar Harding, he passed away two weeks ago, he was my manager.” Harding said he would not commit to being back to defend his title next year, but knows that whatever he’s doing, when the time comes is going to be big. “It’s not something that I would answer now, but I’m never afraid, there’s always a possibility of me coming back to defend,” Harding said. Like Ramphal, this year, last year Harding was the newcomer at the competition that took everyone by storm. Since then the recently re-migrated Harding has been busy performing at several events internationally. “Since I won, I left the country due to bookings out the country and I went to a few other countries performing. I’ve been to Trinidad, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Vincent, Barbados, Antigua and the USA. It’s been busy out of Guyana for me, but I’m now back, I’ve moved back home,” Harding noted. “It is my career, this is what I’ve been doing from the time I know myself. This is the only thing that I Lindener Brandon Harding know, music. This is the only thing that I live. successfully defended his title

at the 2019 Carib Soca Monarch competition (Delano Williams photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

BLACK HISTORY MONTH, SURVIVING IN THE FUTURE... reality check and legal armour

t is impossible to expect empathy but if it is extended respect it, but be able to discern deception, and to understand deceit, it will require knowledge – our ancestral knowledge always warn, “know wuh yuh dehpon, judge a man by he works nah by wuh he seh,”.“Understand that there is no free money, socalled instant charity most times is a bribe.”“Carefulwho geh yuh food fuh eat, lime can’t cut food wuh cook in death kitchen,”

controlled antagonisms simply because these are not discussed, much less the elements of discord identified and its rhythms understood, the experiences of slavery, revolt, maroon-age and emancipation and that of indentured servants are not catalogued in landscapes towards what is sacred with the experiences of concerned populations. Most new world nations at some stage were defined as “Creole” cultures, this simply means language,

did prove the more functional in our context. The hypocrisy has become chronic, few letter writers who sign their names and are not purely politically polarised ever point to an issue and present a balanced analysis, most use the lazy team of “Oh the PNC and PPP are responsible for all our woes,” because many are courting favours here or there, know the truth and choose to not offend, because indeed the truth is a burden and it will offend. Within a

of the tragic idiocy of the Banana Republicwith its flawed and tainted oligarchy. Why did this happen, can be found in the realms of culture. There is a need to employ a reference taken from Russia, a nation with several centuries of serfdom,with orthodox Christianity the overseer of the masses,the 1917 revolution terminated the empire of the tsars and their overseer religion, but did not change the culture of managing the organic state. In fact in

a make belief racial superiority in a country where that is considered out of context and comedy text, yet he believes it, and what it applied was never questioned in the perspective of its relevance to other groups as the Afro and Amerindians in this nation, he continued to boast of being a better quality of person than his own colleagues whose names he mentionedthrough hisridiculous caste system status. We are not a serious country, if we assume

him. I run a small business, and that has never crossed my mind as a must be done, there are opposing cultural differences, doing a deal that merits a commission is one thing, contriving a mechanism to corrupt someone is another.The model difference of state management between the two parties have to be explored, I have written before on the excited declaration of a politician that boasted on a televised interview that over 85% of his constituency are

among other schoolings that are brief, profound, life sustaining and ancient. Guyana is populated by peoples who adhere to two distinct cultural hegemonies and world views, that of patriarchal and matriarchal, this must be defined.A:Matriarchal relates to cultures that place women on an equal position of negotiation and Mothers as integral influences and are beyond physical reproach by offspring. B:Patriarchal places the male as the sole pivotal influence and benefactor; the female is a liability that must be bartered off with dowry or as a bargaining parcel. These definitions however are extracted from pristine cultures that came to Guyana, and there are still influences that fuel

religious and cultural integration and values exchanged. Creole is a term attributed to successive generations born outside of theirformer geographic spaces of origin, and though connected to those ancestral memories and customs, have interacted with and borrowed from other influences consciously or unconsciously, and it is who we are as long as you can read this column in English. The major problem in Guyana rests with the cultures of the two major political parties. This is the tremendous task to defeat the guardian of the maze that forbids even talking about those differences of management that emerge from those cultural founts; in respect to principles, methodology and which

small country, with a constrained business sector, a lack of empowering laws, and access to financing an uphill struggle, a political party in power controls whether you work, pay your bills, prosper or flee the country.That is why this conversation must begin and expand. I have lived under both systems, and I am willing to debate this with any authority on its merits, and from my cultural origins, [not necessarily racial] where the PNC was in the seventies and eighties, they morphed, evolved and recreated systems and also lost ground from initial templates, the PPP from the nineties to over the new millennium had learnt nothing. They demonstrated a profound fossilisation and became the case study

soviet states like Ukraine it got worse. Structures were changed in Russia, but not the soul of its people, similarly as with the PPP, as defined by Sydney King [Eusi Kwayana] in respect to his accusation directed at Cheddie Jagan “He cannot even fight against his own slavery, cannot even carry out a revolution within himself,”. For a political management revolution especially in the administrating of diverse peoples from opposing cultural streams, there must be cultural historical references to draw upon. A profound example is the interview with my colleague Leonard Gildare and Anil Nandlall who made veiled threats about gunmen against a Newspaper and described himself as a ‘Chatree’ boasting of

that not to engage declarations of institutionalised racial bias will mean that it will wither away – we are wrong. Nandlall said that in October 2014. Courtney Crum-Ewing was murdered in March 2015,no one bothered to ask Rajput Narine, Nandlall’sex-body guard, who was a suspect,if he shared the same belief about himself as Nandlall? Culture must not be restricted only to the Arts; it embodies the world view of individuals and peoples. A business friend told me last year that he had an engagement with a new employee at a government institution he frequented, he described the person as a well mannered Christian individual, he concluded by assuring me that he has to find a way to corrupt

illiterate. I was informed later from a school mate in that party, what he meant, that these masses would look to his party for the only legitimate opinionof their future, but as the trade-winds of change would dictate, that political power driven policy did prove destructive for that constituency. The opposition’sposition to deny – literary, artistic, industrial and scientific works, trademarks, service marks, commercial names and designations, all rights resulting from intellectual activity in 2019 is bizarre. Their retrogressive model of political stockyard control of peoples must be isolated by legal frameworks in the interest of we, who reject it. This subject must continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

‘Calypso is my life’

HILE calypso music is a seasonal enjoyment for many, Guyana’s 2019 Calypso Monarch says it is his life. Sharing his story with `The Buzz’, Kenroy Fraser, who goes by the stage name ‘The Mighty Believer’, said that the love for calypso was embedded in him as a little child, since he grew up hearing his father play that genre of music all day, all night. `Lord Canary’, `Rebel’, `Lady Stella’, `Chalk Dust’ and `The Mighty Sparrow’, are but a few of the calypsonians who he grew up listening to. However, he started singing in church, when his pastor realised he had a voice. “My pastor heard me sing one time, and she started giving me Joseph Niles’ songs to sing in church. But is my thing, so I started writing my own stuff, in my style of music. That’s when I started singing gospel calypso in church,” Fraser said. In 2004, when he was 19, Fraser entered into the Junior Calypso Monarch competition, and has since then been competing. He won the Junior Monarch in 2005, placed third in

2006 and 2007, then, he competed in the senior category in 2008. After using two years as his years of experience, the calypsonian said that his trial period was over in 2010. “I started taking the competition seriously. I said to myself “this is action time”, and I got third in 2010 and 2011, second in 2012 but I didn’t compete in 2013. I returned and was awarded third place in 2014 and 2015, second in 2016, fourth in 2017 and in 2018 I didn’t space,” Fraser shared. After his daunting experience last year, Fraser said he came back with a strong determination to win the crown in 2019, and he was successful. The 34-year-old Berbician said that calypso means more to him than people perceive. “Calypso is my life. Anytime you pass by me, and I’m at home, you hear calypso playing. I see calypso as a way to get messages out there to people. Calypsonians are the people’s mouthpiece. As much as people would see things in the newspaper or the television, when you sing about it, people tend to get the message more,” he posited.

Growing up with his parents and six siblings (five brothers and one sister), in Belladrum, West Coast Berbice, Fraser said he was exposed to rich culture, deeming ‘country life’, as ‘the best life’. His love for Berbice, and by extension, Guyana, is what the calypsonian said inspired his winning 2019 calypso song. “I would have toured the world a lot, and being in the beautiful countries; Brazil and America, I trained with the US Coast Guards for quite a number of years, and I don’t think they’re more beautiful than Guyana. And I don’t think that much of our people see the true beauty that our country possess,” Fraser said. “So this year ’s song ‘Guyana must be a paradise’, was centered on that fact. And the song tells you why Guyana must be a paradise,” he added. Now that Fraser has the coveted title, he said that his main focus now is to defend the crown in 2020. In fact, the monarch said he aspires to win the most crowns, and would also like to be a calypsonian who won the crown, three consecutive years.

Guyana’s 2019 Calypso Monarch, Kenroy Fraser aka `The Mighty Believer’

In addition to that, Fraser said that he is looking towards releasing his first album by mid this year. Sharing the meaning behind his stage name, ‘The Mighty Believer’, Fraser said that it is simply because he strongly believes in himself and his ability. “Competing year after year in the competition, from since 2004, is enough proof that I believed that one day I will be where I am today, the Calypso Monarch,” he said. He admonishes all to “believe in yourself, and you have to love what you’re doing. What made me successful is because I started off, not as a winner, but I knew I was a winner… People tend to quit when they don’t get what they want, but you have to believe that one day you will get it, keep trying harder and you will be successful.” Though calypso is his life, Fraser said, his love for music was paired with his being ambitious, in that he is a Marine Engineer by qualification, a small scale contractor with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and also manages his own poultry business.

It’s time for the weekend again people, and it’s about to be the weekend of all weekends for 2019 thus far. The `Mash’ activities finally culminates with the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade down the streets of Georgetown, all the way from Camp Street and Carifesta Avenue to Durban Park. There’s so many ways you can be a part of the excitement, from joining a costume band, to getting on a party truck. Whatever you do, just get out there. TODAY Guyana are you ready for the most anticipated `Mash’ event, the ultimate J’ouvert Experience returns! It’s Stag Beers Stage 7 at the National Park tarmac. Power, water, Stag and feting, all to live performances from `Lil Rick’ and Guyana’s own 2019 Chutney Monarch Stephen Ramphal, Kwasi Ace and many more. Music by DJ Energy, DJ Shizzle, Father Moey and more. This is one you don’t want to miss. GT Beer presents its biggest J’ouvert party “Wet Fete” at the National Stadium from 8pm. Play in two zones: party with powder and paint in the dry zone, or enjoy glow foam with water sprinklers and water cannon in the wet zone. First five patrons will enjoy a free GT Beer. Music by regional DJs P-Starr Perry, Kidd Frost, Nick Pena, alongside local DJs Gully Ras and Diamond, DJ King Keev, DJ Breeze and others. Admission: FREE Trini Wallz Entertainment and Georgetown District brings to you “Madness J’ouvert” at Congress Place. Come experience the best J’ouvert with dry, wet and oil sections. Music by P Starr Perry, DJ Energy the party king, Gully Ras and Diamond, and DJ Fingers. Tight security all night. Everyone FREE. Unity Events presents “No Behaviour” at District Ultra Lounge. Doors open from 9pm and ladies free before 10pm. Music by DJ Shizzle, DJ Ryan, and DJ Country Boy. Admission: $2000 If you’re up in Berbice Paradise Basketball Court is the place to be. Narco X Eso in collaboration with Banks Beer presents “Bacchanal and Powder J’ouvert 2019”. Music by Thunderbolt and DJ Antsman TOMORROW Get ready people, the moment you’ve been waiting so long for is here! It’s the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade. Get on a party truck, join a parade, picnic, or just come out for the walk and be a part of the festivities and excitement. Mash revellers get ready to experience Mash 2019 the right way! Join the Pulse party truck and get a free pass to Pulse after party at Palm Court! Party packages available in regular and VIP. Admission: $5000 (Regular), $10,000 (VIP). It’s time to turn up the praise, the number one Mashramani Gospel Concert is back, it’s “Gospel Fest 2019” at the National Exhibition Complex, Sophia. Featuring top international and local acts including, `Blessed Messenger’, Samuel Medas, Jaron Nurse, `Peks the Band’, and many more. It’s going to be epic. District Ultra Lounge presents an Ultra Saturday Special Edition “Mash It Up”, featuring live DJ Kidd Frost, DJ PStar Perry and DJ Country Boy. Ladies free before 10pm. Buy four shots tequila, get one free. SUNDAY 704 Sports Bar presents “Pizza + Beer” this and every Sunday. Buy one pitcher of draft beer and a 10” pizza and get one serving of Chicken Tenders at half price and another pitcher of draft beer free. The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Dinner with 70s ad 80s music. Sundays were meant for 70’s & 80’s!

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

`Blessed Messenger’ out of Trinidad is scheduled to be one of the headlining performers at Gospel Fest 2019

HRISTIANS and supporters turning out on Mash night for the return of “Gospel Fest”, can expect yet another year of energetic gospel vibes, when it goes off on Saturday at the Sophia Exhibition Complex. The annual event was not held last year due to sponsorship issues, but the organisers hope to make a big bang with this year’s hosting, where local gospel singer,Samuel Medas, is scheduled to be honoured for the remarkable strides he has been making in the music industry, over the past few years. Aside from Medas, headlining the night will be regional performers `Blessed Messenger’ and Jaron Nurse both from Trinidad, while among the local acts will be performances by Seon Fraser, Christina Richardson, `Peks the Band’, and `PSG Glasgow’ out of Linden. `The Buzz’, earlier this week, caught up with one of the

Mash Night ‘Gospel Fest’ returns event’s organisers, Cordell McClure,who promises that the event is going to be in keeping with the `Mashramani’ hype that is going to be in the atmosphere this weekend. “Patrons can expect a very good show. It’s going to be very energetic because most of the artistes are more socabased type singers, which is in keeping with the concept of the `Mash’ night. We know `Mash’ is more of a ‘jump up’ type of setting, so we try to mirror that from the gospel perspective. That’s why we won’t really bring the worship artiste on a ‘Mash’ night, we try to keep with the flow, so the artiste we bring are more the energetic ones,” McClure pointed out. Commencing in 2015, `Gospel Fest’ emerged as a chance for Christians across the country, to get out and be able to be a part of the Mash excitement, in an atmosphere that

`Blessed Messenger’ out of Trinidad is scheduled to be one of the headlining performers at Gospel Fest 2019

Guyanese gospel singer, Samuel Medas will be honoured at this year’s ‘Gospel Fest’ on `Mash’ night

promotes their religion. The show returned in 2016 and 2017, however a hosting last year was not possible because of the lack of adequate sponsorship. The organisers are, therefore, all the more happy to see this year’s show go off. “There’s always a challenge with getting sponsorship for gospel events. But we feel very good this year and we’re hoping that we can sustain it going forward. The response has been tremendous, and people have been waiting, so we’re very excited about it,” McClure noted. The event is being run off by the Kaneville Full Gospel church headed by Pastor Kwame Wilson. Over the years the event has seen performances by a number of top-billing Caribbean gospel artistes, including DJ Nicholas, Sherwin Gardener and Positive.

‘Queen of Pan’- Jovanka Williams

O VA N K A W i l l i a m s is known as the local ‘Queen of Pan’- and why not? At 27, she is at the forefront of the new age of `Steelpan’ in Guyana. Years ago, when she attended the St. Gabriel’s Primary School, the Parkside Steel Orchestra was housed there. She shared that she was in Trinidad slightly before, through her church, and she was given a brief introduction to the instrument - and when she returned, she opted to join the orchestra. But this orchestra had established a junior band at the time- the Pan Wave Steel Orchestra, and she joined there. “Basically it’s like she grew up with the band,” she said. Since then, Williams has made pan a part of her daily life and has sought to refine her individual skills and as part of a band.

“Pan is everything for meI live it, I play it, I teach it and I’m still learning from others as well,” she shared. Currently, she is a member of three steelbands- the Caribbean Airlines Parkside Band, the National Steel Orchestra and the Kunjazz Steel Ensemble. And each band carry a great degree of respect. The Parkside Band and the National Steel Orchestra have been going head-to-head for the large band title in the annual Panorama competitionthough, this year, they both lost to the Guyana Police Force Band. And, `Kunjaz has been staking its claim in the smaller band category. In fact, this year, the `Kunjazz Ensemble ‘got its ‘threepeat’ in the PanJazz category held at the Theatre Guild, days before the highly anticipated Large Band Competition. “When it is Panorama ses-

sion, it is very hectic and we have long nights,” Williams shared. She has won several duet competitions. But in her own, as a soloist player, she has been very prolific- earning the senior solo title four times. “I know everybody was looking out for me in the senior soloist competition this year, but I took a pause because I needed to take a break - and focus on the large band category,” she said. This year, she played alongside Don Johnson in the Duet Competition and with the KunJazz Ensemble in the smaller competition, while she played with the Parkside Orchestra in the larger competition. “I’m going to be back next year,” she said however. And on that note she warned that her competition should start preparing from now.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

Panorama excites

The Guyana Police Force Band playing their tribute [Samuel Maughn photo]

HE annual Mashramani Panorama competition has proven yet again why it is one of the events to look forward to, during the month of February. The competition began last Thursday with the smaller categories, at the Theatre Guild Playhouse. The younger pan players were up first in the Junior Soloist category. Luana Barkoye, the sole female in this category, managed to ease her way to third place. It was Vijay Sharma who took second while Daniel Daly took the top spot. In the Senior Soloist category, Michael Smith Jr., playing his ‘Lightning’ rendition and Reon Miller in his Chinese-themed ensemble, tied for the third place. It became a close race between Darius Austin and Hanani Ben Lewi, but the judges had decided that the opening performance given by Lewi was superior. The rivalry between Hanani and Darius was short lived, as they had to team up in the Pan Duet category, right after their individual battle. Their partnership earned them second position,

The GBTI Buxton Pride band [Vishani Ragobeer]

losing only to Clayton Daniels and Tareque Mentore. And, closing off the night at the Theatre Guild was the much larger, Pan Jazz category. Here, the pan bands had to reinterpret jazz songs and present it on the metal instruments. The Kunjazzz Ensemble clearly beat out the other two competitors- even as the Parkside Steel orchestra, featuring Hanani’s antics and command of the pan, tried valiantly. The Pan Jammers settled for third place. On Sunday however, it was pan like never before, as the schools and bands went all out- in their costumes, dances and performances. The small school bands started off the competition in a much more mellow way, but the purple-dressed President’s College knew how to get the crowd going (though they only copped second, losing to the Dolphin Secondary). By the time the afternoon turned into night and the larger bands took the stage, it was pandemonium. The Bishop’s High

School apparently brought the entire school population out to support their ‘Mama, I don’t want to be born’ while, ‘West Dem’ came dressed ready to protect ‘We own’ from Venezuela. But even these two could not beat the Ray Sparman led GBTI Buxton Pride Orchestra. And as expected, the Large Band category had the crowd on their feet at all times, as the National School of Music, Steel Orchestra, the Parkside Orchestra and the Guyana Police Force battled for supremacy. Last year’s winners- the National School of Music came outfitted with their masqueraders and colourful ensemble-while in direct contrast was the Parkside orchestra, dressed in white, keeping it simple and crisp. But neither of them could compare to the sheer ingenuity of the Police Force Band (also led by Sparman), as they panned Jomo Primo’s Tribute! You better believe when the results were announced, everyone surrounded the police band and the ‘Tribute’ was given again.

‘STAGE’, the best Jouvert event is set for tonight

LL roads will lead to the National Park Tarmac, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, this evening, for the greatest J’Ouvert experience. ANSA McAL’s “STAGE”, has returned for its seventh year, to give Guyanese the opportunity to ‘celebrate, after

hard work’. The company introduced this event in 2013, naming it “Stag Stage”, after one of its imported beverages, ‘Stag’. Over the years, “Stag Stage” featured some of the biggest names in Soca music- `Destra’, Nadia Batson and `Farmer Nappy’, locally and regionally

and bringing to Guyana rejuvenating performances, which put Guyanese in the spirit of Mashramani. It has also provided a platform for Guyanese artistes to showcase their talent to the people of our country. “Stag Stage” was later renamed “Stage” but the change

in name did not change their magnificent execution. N o w, ” S TA G E ” h a s worked its way up to the most anticipated ‘night before Mash’ event, as it sees the attendance of thousands of patrons who come out to celebrate the festive season. This year, the lineup is Lil Rick from Barbados; Guyana’s 2019 Soca and Chutney Monarchs, Brandon Harding and Steven Ramphal, respectively; Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson; Michelle ‘Big Red’ King and the

Heatwave Band. There will also be several of Guyana’s most trending DJ’s; Ènergy’, `Shizzle’, `Father Moey’, Àvinash’, Ànisah’ and `Ryan’. With `Casual’ as the host of the event, it is expected to be nothing short of an amazing experience. Patrons are encouraged not to wear any extravagant clothing, since it will be a “dirty” celebration, with paint, powder, water and stag. Gates will be opened at

18:00hrs with show time set to commence at 20:00hrs. Tickets will not be sold but customers can purchase a stag special, and receive a ticket. The ‘Stag Special’ may vary at various bars. There are limited VIP tickets on offer, you have to purchase a case of Stag beer and you will receive a free VIP ticket. The promoters are urging persons to come out as early as they can, to enjoy the biggest fete of the Mashramani season.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, February 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

‘Red Carpet’ welcome for Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen By Rawle Toney

HE was cheered from the time he came through the doors of the VIP Lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, met by jubilant fans, friends and family, who all turned up to usher the recently-crowned World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight ‘Gold’ Champion, Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen. Allen returned to Guyana yesterday after securing a unanimous decision win over Derrick Webster when the two fighters met for a 10-round encounter at the Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, USA on Friday 15. “This is our champion!” a section of the crowd chanted, while some were anxious to take photos with the 33-year-old Brooklyn-based Guyanese fighter. “I’m speechless!” Allen stated, “But honestly, thank you guys for the love,” Allen told the gathering before he departed the Airport, bound for Georgetown where a reception was being held in his honour at City Hall. However, Allen was further taken back when scores of school children lined the roadways, some holding placards

with his name, others with the slogans “Our World Champ”, while some stated “Lennox Allen, we are proud of you!” He stopped at every school whose students came out on the East Bank of Demerara, had a photo opportunity and signed some autographs. Allen, who will be the Government of Guyana’s guest of honour at the Flag Raising Ceremony tonight at Durban Park, arrived at City Hall where he was met by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; Mayor Ubraj Narine; Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore; president of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Peter Abdool and other officials. “This is what we want to see from our young people, we are very proud of you and I want to congratulate you on behalf of the Mayor’s Office,” Ubraj said. Jones called Allen a “beacon of hope for young boxers and other young people in Guyana to emulate,” with the Director of Sport stating that the Government of Guyana will honour Allen fittingly. “Next time I come home, I want to return home with the WBC, WBA and the IBF titles,” Allen said after the officials had finished exchanging pleasantries.

Guyana to be without AEK Athens ‘talisman’ Delroy James

THE Guyana Senior Men’s Basketball Team arrived in Colombia but will be without the highly-anticipated services of AEK Athens power forward Delroy James, as the country open their campaign at the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 pre-qualifiers today against Paraguay. James, according to a release from the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), was unable to have his Guyana passport renewed. The release stated that James was unable to present his expired passport in person because he was in Brazil with his club AEK where he propelled them to victory in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup last weekend. Guyana Team manager Alex Graham, upon arriving in Bogotá said: “We tried everything to get Delroy’s passport, everyone in the Federation called everyone they know, I called everyone I know, and other called people who know people. We were told different things at different times but in the end we don’t have Delroy on the floor fighting for Guyana and that is a major loss for the country.” Graham further stated, “I wouldn’t call names, but I expected

that those with the power to help would at least meet with us to discuss how, within the law, regulations and practices, we could have worked together to find a way for James to represent Guyana. But we couldn’t make it happen.” Guyana head coach, Andrew Hercules, said, “It is a huge disappointment to lose Delroy James, as Guyana is at this level for the first time and James’s experience in the USA, Europe, and South America would have been useful along with his incredible skill set. However, my job is to win with the team I have and that is my focus now.” After their clash against Paraguay today, Guyana will play Colombia tomorrow and will close off their ‘Group B’ campaign against Bolivia on Sunday. The team will be represented by 19-year-old Yonnick Tappin of Victory Valley Royals, who will be making his international debut, his Royals teammates Orlan Glasgow and Harold Adams, Gordon James (USA), CBC MVP Stanton Rose, as well as Anthony Moe (USA), Travis Belgrave (Eagles), Travis Burnett (Cobras), Timothy Thompson (Colts), Kevon Wiggins (USA) and Shaine Webster (Colts).

England recall Billings, Malan for T20 series against Windies ENGLAND have recalled Sam Billings and Dawid Malan for the three-match Twenty20 series against the West Indies starting on Tuesday, March 5. Wicketkeeper Billings and batsman Malan return to the T20 squad for the first time since last year’s tour of Australia and New Zealand. All-rounder Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler will be rested. Opener Jason Roy will also miss the series to return home for the birth of his first child. Roy will leave the tour after the fifth and final match of the on-going one-day international series against the Windies. The Surrey batsman scored 123 from 85 balls in the first game to help England reach their 360-run target.

England’s three T20s will take place on March 5, 8 and 10, and Billings will be aiming to use those games, along with a stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for

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Chennai Super Kings, to push his claims for a place in this summer’s World Cup squad. “There’s not just 15 guys who are looking for a World Cup spot,

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there are probably 25-30 guys who could easily get in,” he said prior to being picked in the T20 squad. “There is healthy competition all the way down. “It’s in my hands really. I’m actually pretty calm about it, there’s not much I can do apart from enjoy my cricket.” ENGLAND T20 SQUAD: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Tom Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Liam Plunkett (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), David Willey (Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

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BCCI mulls asking for Pakistan World Cup ban IN a dramatic and unprecedented move, the BCCI has prepared a draft letter asking the ICC to ban Pakistan from participating in the upcoming World Cup. ESPNcricinfo understands the letter, which was prepared on Wednesday, will be discussed at a top-level BCCI meeting today then taken up with the concerned ministries of the Indian government. In the draft, BCCI argues that Pakistan should be banned from the World Cup given the Indian government’s stand that the country is supporting terrorism in India - the latest incident being the Pulwama militant attack where 42 Indian soldiers died after a suicide bomber rammed into their convoy in Kashmir. Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister and Patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has denied that allegation and asked India to share actionable evidence. The draft is believed to have been overseen by Vinod Rai, the chairman of the Committee of Administrators (COA), who asked BCCI chief executive officer Rahul Johri to address it to ICC CEO, David Richardson, and Steve Elworthy, World Cup’s tournament director. That the letter has not reached Richardson and Elworthy already is because Diana Edulji, the former India women captain and the other member of the CoA, wanted the matter to be discussed at today’s meeting before taking a final decision. Neither the letter nor the World Cup issue was on the meeting’s agenda, which was originally going to discuss the IPL and other routine issues. Along with Rai and Edulji, today’s meeting will be attended by Johri along with the senior IPL and BCCI officials as well as the BCCI’s legal team. Neither Rai nor Johri has made any public comments yet and neither has responded to ESPNcricinfo’s queries. Edulji, who was in Delhi yesterday to attend a hearing in the Supreme Court concerning the implementation of Lodha Committee recommendations, said all stakeholders including the Indian government would be consulted on the matter. “We will discuss the procedures to be followed and the way forward,” Edulji said. “We will consult the ministry of external affairs, ministry of home affairs and the sports ministry. We will also look at how things have been done in the past.” The Pulwama militant attack has triggered a strong reaction from the Indian public and many, including prominent cricketers, have called for the BCCI to boycott playing Pakistan in the World Cup. India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet on June 16 in a World Cup group match in Manchester. This week, Elworthy revealed that close to half-a-million applications for tickets were received once the ballot was opened, easily the most sought-after game with twice the demand for the final on July 14. At the event to mark the 100-day countdown for the World Cup, Richardson had told ESPNcricinfo that the ICC had not received any communication from either BCCI or PCB on the World Cup. He said the ICC would continue to monitor the developments. The matter is not on the agenda of the ICC’s quarterly meetings, scheduled from Monday in Dubai. Johri will represent the BCCI at the chief executive committee’s meeting while BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Choudhury will be on the ICC Board meeting, where the issue is likely to be taken up. How the process for banning a team at the request of another works is not quite clear. There is not known to be any clause in the ICC’s constitution that allows such a step; on the contrary, article 2.3 (H) states that “each member (is) entitled (subject to meeting any relevant qualification criteria) to participate in certain cricket events organised or sanctioned by the ICC”.. Neither would there appear any straightforward contractual method to do so. Under the Members’ Partnership Agreement (MPA) that governs the participation of Full Members in global events, and signed by all boards in 2015, it is contractually binding that all countries participate in these tournaments. Excluding one country would carry significant legal and commercial consequences. The commercial consequences of an India-Pakistan game not happening would also be significant. Richardson had pointed out that if India wanted to forfeit points, ICC would review the tournament guidelines and the MPA to ascertain whether it was for a justifiable or non-justifiable reason. It is understood that to make its case stronger, BCCI would need a clear government directive even in the scenario of forfeiture. 11:45 hrs Love Lane 12:20 hrs Cobolobo 12:50 hrs Sky Pirate 13:20 hrs Get In The Queue Lingfield 09:50 hrs Pink Flamingo 10:25 hrs Duhallow Noelie 11:00 hrs Areen Heart 11:30 hrs Holdenhurst 12:05 hrs Top Power 12:40 hrs Cracker Factory

Warwick 09:10 hrs New Quay 09:40 hrs Nebuchadnezzar 10:15 hrs Song Saa 10:50 hrs Doitforthevillage 11:20 hrs Uno Mas 11:55 hrs Mahlermade 12:30 hrs Whitehotchillifili

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

Sri Lanka shine with the ball before South Africa fight back P O RT E L I Z A B E T H , South Africa (Reuters) Sri Lanka seamers Kasun Rajitha and Vishwa Fer-

nando took three wickets each to bowl out South Africa for 222 on the first day of the second and final

Test yesterday, but the hosts struck back late in the day with the ball. The tourists were 60 for

three at the close, still trailing by 162 runs on a wicket that is providing assistance for the fast bowlers, as well as some turn for the spinners. Opener Lahiru Thirimanne (25 not out) and nightwatchman Rajitha (0 not out) will resume on day two, seeking to take Sri Lanka into the lead as they aim to become the first team from Asia to win a Test series in South Africa. Duanne Olivier (2-25) bowled Oshada Fernando (0) and had Kusal Mendis (16) caught to make early inroads into the Sri Lanka batting, while Kagiso Rabada grabbed the wicket of captain Dimuth Karunaratne (17) as the hosts fought back with the ball. Having won the toss and elected to bat, it was a disappointing batting display from South Africa again. Their innings was dominated by a brisk 86 from Quinton de Kock and 60 from opener Aiden Markram. “It was tough up front, the Sri Lanka bowlers didn’t give us much to work with,” Markram told reporters. “For the first 20 overs the ball did quite a bit, then we built a partnership and suddenly there was some lateral movement off the wicket. You never really felt in. “But 222 is less than what we wanted and less than how the pitch played, so we only have ourselves to blame as batsmen. Hopefully we can make the second innings count.” South Africa were in early trouble at 15 for three as the excellent Fernando (3-62) removed Dean Elgar (6) and Hashim Amla (0) in consecutive deliveries, both bowled with balls that swung back into them and smashed into the stumps. Temba Bavuma (0) was run-out for a second time

South Africa opener Dean Elgar had his stumps rattled by Vishwa Fernando early in the day. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

in three innings as South Africa wobbled, before Markram and captain Faf du Plessis (25) took the score to 73 before the latter was bowled the last ball before lunch. Markram and debutant all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (9) were both trapped lbw by Rajitha (3-67), who then also grabbed the scalp of Keshav Maharaj (0), caught by wicketkeeper Niroshan

Dickwella. de Kock scored freely as he put on 59 for the eighth wicket with Rabada (22), before being bowled by spinner Dhananjaya de Silva (2-15) and South Africa’s innings folded soon after that. Sri Lanka won an epic first Test by one wicket in Durban, a result that ensures South Africa’s streak of seven home series wins will come to an end.

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings Dean Elgar b Vishwa Fernando 6 Aiden Markram lbw Kasun Rajitha 60 Hashim Amla b Vishwa Fernando 0 Temba Bavuma run-out Kasun Rajitha 0 Faf du Plessis b Dimuth Karunaratne 25 Quinton de Kock b Dhananjaya de Silva 86 Willem Mulder lbw Kasun Rajitha 9 Keshav Maharaj c Niroshan Dickwella b Kasun Rajitha 0 Kagiso Rabada c Niroshan Dickwella b Dhananjaya de Silva 22 Dale Steyn not out 3 Duanne Olivier c Niroshan Dickwella b Vishwa Fernando 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-6, nb-4) 11 Total: (all out, 61.2 overs) 222 Fall of wickets : 1-15, 2-15, 3-15, 4-73, 5-130, 6-145, 7-157, 8-216, 9-221. Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 13-2-33-0 (nb-1), Vishwa Fernando 18.2-2-62-3, Kasun Rajitha 15-2-67-3 (nb-3), Lasith Embuldeniya 5.3-0-26-0, Dimuth Karunaratne 4.3-1-12-1, Dhananjaya de Silva 5-0-15-2. SRI LANKA 1st innings Dimuth Karunaratne c Quinton de Kock b Kagiso Rabada 17 Lahiru Thirimanne not out 25 Oshada Fernando b Duanne Olivier 0 Kusal Mendis c Quinton de Kock b Duanne Olivier 16 Kasun Rajitha not out 0 Extras: (lb-1, nb-1) 2 Total: (three wkts, 20.0 overs) 60 Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-34, 3-59. Bowling: Dale Steyn 8-2-20-0, Kagiso Rabada 7-3-14-1, Duanne Olivier 5-1-25-2 (nb-1).

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

Bakewell, RHTYSC celebrate 20 years of partnership “TODAY we are widely considered Guyana’s most dynamic and successful youth and sports club but none of our success over the years on and off the cricket field would have been possible without the support and investment of Bakewell. The company is without doubt, one of the main foundations for our remarkable success and for this, we are very

grateful”. Those were the words of the long-serving Secretary/ CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Hilbert Foster, at a simple presentation ceremony as Bakewell renewed its sponsorship of the club’s Under-17 and Second Division teams for the 20th successive year. Bakewell in 2000 became an official sponsor of the Rose

Hall Town Under-17 and Second Division teams. The two teams over the years have won over 25 major championships including six in 2018. The titles won were the Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17,

Rhonda Lewis Memorial 20/20, Roy Fredericks Memorial, Magic Moments 20/20 Lower Corentyne, Raffik Construction 100 Balls and the Nasir Memorial 5/5 tournaments.

The teams, under the inspirational leadership of Guyana youth player Kevin Sinclair, have also reached the Final of the Berbice New Building Society 40-Overs tournament which attracted

Charles leads Anna Regina ‘A’ to Mahadeo/Ramballi Under-17 title By Elroy Stephney

NATIONAL Under-15 all-rounder Sheldon Charles’ splendid half-century provided the impetus for a commanding victory against Anna Regina ‘B’ in the final of the Ramballi/Mahadeo inter-secondary Under-17 cricket competition played on Wednesday at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance. Watched by a fair-sized and vocal crowd including students and teachers from Anna Regina Secondary, the 30 overs affair was blessed with brilliant sunshine and a solid pitch that generated consistent bounce. Anna Regina ‘A’ then won the toss and batted without hesitation. Openers Sheldon Charles and Kamesh Lall went about their partnership quite confidently. Charles was fresh from scoring three half-centuries from as many matches and again he was in sublime touch by striking the ball sweetly to all parts of the ground. On the other hand, Kamesh Lall powered his way with a flurry of boundaries. The partnership then produced 142 before Lall fell for 49 including 3x4 and 2x6. His departure did not limit Charles’ acceleration as he continued his superb display. He eventually counted nine fours during his wonderfully crafted 87 to steer his side to an imposing 222-6 from the allotted overs.

Anna Regina A celebrating with their prizes..Region 2 REO Denis Jaikaran is at right.

Fast bowler Alex Ally had figures of 3-25 from 6 overs along with Renaldo Baharally who captured 2-20 from his 5 overs of off-spin. In reply, Anna Regina ‘B’ never threatened the score and laboured to 106 all-out from 28 overs with Renaldo Baharally returning to top-score with 23 (3x4) and Ovenlyn Sampson 19 (2x4). Off-spinner Avinash Shivpersaud 3-16 from 6 overs and leg-spinner Raj Ramballi 2-19 also from 6 overs engineered their opponents’ strangulation and eventual destruction. At the presentation Anna Regina ‘A’ received the winners’ trophy and medals while the runner-up also received a trophy and medals. Sheldon Charles received trophies for being the tournament’s best batsman with 266 runs while he was also adjudged the man-of-the-match in the final. The ‘best bowler in the competition’ prize went to Alex Ally who captured 11 wickets. Certificates of Appreciation were also presented to the sponsors. Among those present were Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikaran (Sr), Assistant Regional Executive Officer Yvette Hastings-Tafares, Principal Personnel Officer Bibi Rameeza Mullah, Secretary of the ECB Autto Christiani, National Under 19 Manager Andy Ramnarine, ECB Senior Coach Forbes Daniels, Managing Director of Imam Bacchus Group of Companies. Sam Bacchus, and Deputy Headmistress Kumarie Lall. The tournament was sponsored by Harischan Ramballi and Yog Mahadeo of the Mahadeo Foundation.

RHTYSC Surendra Kissoonlall receives the sponsorship cheque from Bakewell General Manager Rajin Ganga as Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu and Mahendra Gopilall look on.

over ninety teams. Since 2000, the two teams have successfully completed over 1 000 personal development programmes under a wide range of sub-headings including sports, coaching, education, anti-drugs, anti-suicide, charity, community development, youth development, publication and anti-crime. Over the years, the two teams have produced dozens of players for Berbice and Guyana with some going on to play for the West Indies. Among those players were Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Clinton Pestano, Shabika Gajnabi, Dominique Rikhi, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Eon Hooper, Jeremy Sandia, Delbert Hicks, Khemraj Mahadeo, Shailendra Shameer, Askay Homraj and Murphy La Rose.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

Skerritt, Shallow to contest CWI top positions FORMER West Indies team manager, Mr Ricky Skerritt, and president of the St Vincent & The Grenadines Cricket Association Inc., Dr Kishore Shallow, have announced their candidacies for the CWI president and vice-president positions in the upcoming CWI elections. Both nominations were supported by the Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) and Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB). The experienced Skerritt, 62, and youthful Shallow, 35, both have impressive leadership track records and share a lifelong love of cricket. They have created a robust 10-point ‘Cricket First’ Plan that identifies the strategies needed to regain global competitiveness and dominance. It focusses on the skill and character development of young players with extensive use of science, technology and innovation. Once elected, Skerritt has promised to immediately seek the reallocation of resources currently used for centralised activities by CWI to where it matters most with local grassroots cricket, coaching development, and

the territorial governing bodies. “By my estimation, too much cost is being wasted on administrative and non-cricket-related activities including the high price of running an elaborate office for the president,” said Skerritt. “The budget for the president’s office has been growing alarmingly in recent years, and I intend to reallocate a sizeable portion of that budget to grassroots cricket,” he added. The 10-point ‘Cricket First’ Plan presents strategies to simplify but strengthen administration, improve the regional franchise programme and increase support for younger cricketers through international exposure and a more decentralised High Performance System. The plan promises a realignment of team selection criteria with a renewed focus on talent-spotting and development. It also calls for a repair of internal and external stakeholder relationships. Dr Shallow said he was convinced to join Skerritt as a vice-president candidate because he holds the simple view that “West Indies

cricket is far better than our current status suggests”. “Ricky and I share the philosophy that the actual cricket must be placed first, with absolutely no compromise. West Indies cricket remains an extraordinary global brand which by all calculations has significantly underachieved. By leading a harmonised effort of all stakeholders, we would be well on the pathway to overdue success,” posited Dr Shallow. In addition to the relevant 10-point plan, Skerritt and Shallow are expressing strong opposition to recent moves by the incumbents to create an ‘executive status’ for the elected office of the CWI president Mr Skerritt said, “After six years as president, Dave Cameron’s intention to implement sweeping changes to the democratic process of decision-making within West Indies Cricket is troubling. His desire to lead CWI as a full-time executive is not reflective of the West Indies cricket ethos. By advancing his plans for an autocratic leadership structure, which marginalises the role of commercially recruited executives, the incumbent has

Former Windies team manager Ricky Skerritt.

placed his personal thinking diametrically opposed to the values of West Indies cricket.” In another action focused on the adherence to organisational best practices, Team Skerritt and Shallow have confirmed that they will also propose a six-year term limit on the presidency. Dr Shallow has himself recently successfully caused the enactment of an unprecedented term limit amendment to the constitution of his local association. “I am convinced that a presidential term limit will remove much of the uncertainty and anxiety caused by the cricket politics and excesses that too often surround the office of president,” said Dr Shallow. Twelve votes, two each for six member territories, are at stake in the upcoming CWI elections which are set to take place in Jamaica on March 24.

Walcott rescues Pride, Warrican strikes key blows to rattle hosts KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC) – Two key strikes by Test left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican left Barbados Pride with a share of the honours, on the opening day of their eighth round match against Windward Islands Hurricanes here Thursday Rolled over for a disappointing 215 in their first innings after electing to bat, Pride struck back when Warrican removed the dangerous Devon Smith for 18 and then Kavem Hodge for four, to leave the hosts stuttering at the close on 49 for two. Smith had struck three fours in a 33-run opening stand with teenaged partner Kimani Melius (19 not out) before he was bowled by Warrican. And Hodge faced 24 balls before he too was bowled by Warrican, about 25 minutes before the close at the Arnos Vale Stadium. Wicketkeeper Tevyn Walcott had earlier struck his second half-century in his three innings when he carved out a polished 66 to rescue the visitors.

Hurricanes recover to reach 296 for five on opening day BASSETERRE, St Kitts, ( C M C ) – We s t I n d i e s hopeful Jahmar Hamilton led three batsmen with half-centuries as Leeward Islands Hurricanes recovered from a shaky start to keep Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the field for the entire first day of their eighth round match here Thursday. At the close at Warner Park, the hosts were 296 for five, thanks to a top score of 68 from Hamilton, 67 from Devon Thomas and an unbeaten 64 from Terrance Warde. Youth World Cup star Keacy Carty stroked 44 while the irrepressible Rahkeem Cornwall was on 34 not out.

Sent in, Hurricanes were tottering on 14 for two early in the morning after left-arm seamer Daniel St Clair (2-32) knocked over both openers cheaply. First, he bowled the inform Montcin Hodge for two in the day’s fourth over with eight runs on the board before sending back captain Kieran Powell for five in the eighth over, with 14 runs on the board. However, the experienced Thomas came to his side’s rescue by anchoring a 101run, third wicket stand with Carty, which kept the Red Force bowlers without any further immediate success. Thomas faced 103 balls in just over 2-½ hours and

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday, Febrary 22, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: JASON HOLDER-202* (BARBADOS) JOE ROOT-122 (ST. LUCIA)

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: HOW MANY WI WERE DISMISSED ‘STUMPED’ IN THE RECENT WI/ENG TEST SERIES? HOW MANY ENGLISHMEN WERE DISMISSED ‘STUMPED’ IN THE SERIES?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Test left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican

Jahmar Hamilton top scored with 67 for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

struck eight fours and a six while Carty counted five fours in a 96-ball innings. When both fell within the space of 33 deliveries to leave the score on 141 for four, Hurricanes found salvation through another century stand as Hamilton and Warde put on 109 for the fifth wicket. Hamilton, who toured with West Indies last year without playing a game, struck six fours and a six off

124 balls in nearly 2-½ hours at the crease while Warde played the anchor role, consuming 167 balls in almost 3-¼ hours and hitting seven fours. Hamilton became leftarm spinner Khary Pierre’s second wicket of the day at 250 for five but Warde found an ally in Cornwall to add a further 46 in an unbroken sixth wicket partnership, and further frustrate Red Force.

Arriving at the wicket with Barbados tottering on 60 for five, Walcott put on a crucial 82 for the sixth wicket with veteran left-hander Jonathan Carter who made a chancy 42. Walcott faced 114 deliveries and struck nine fours while Carter counted six fours in 99 balls at the crease. Carter rode his luck, however, dismissed off a Sherman Lewis (2-40) no-ball on 25 in the second over after lunch and then dropped in the same over off a caught and bowled chance, with no addition to his score. He finally perished to a catch at the wicket off the impressive seamer Joseph Thomas (3-55) but Walcott added a further 39 for the seventh wicket with Warrican (25) before departing. Lewis and Thomas had earlier combined to wreck the Pride top order, in a devastating opening burst. Test pacer Lewis bowled Rashidi Boucher with the third ball of the morning without a run on the board and then had other opener Shayne Moseley caught at the wicket for nine at 31 for two. Thomas then struck in successive overs, trapping captain Shamarh Brooks lbw for 21 before having Aaron Jones caught at the wicket for four. Left-arm spinner Larry Edward (3-29) got all-rounder Shamar Springer for six to leave the visitors floundering before lunch.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, February 22, 2019

Slingerz, Alpha court case against GFF dismissed THE High Court action that was filed by Colin Aaron, representative of Slingerz Football Club, and Odinga Lumumba, representative of Alpha United Football Club against the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was dismissed on Monday (February 18), by Madame Justice Jo-Ann Barlow. Collin Aaron and Odinga Lumumba had sued the GFF for damages for breach of contract, special damages in excess of $88M, interest pursuant to the Law Reform Miscellaneous Provisions Act Chapter 6:02 of the Laws of Guyana, such other orders as the Court may deem just and proper, and costs. According to the Claimants’ case the two football clubs suffered losses after they withdrew from an Elite League tournament that was organised by the GFF. Their withdrawal from the tournament resulted

from their disapproval with GFF adding two Elite Clubs that were not members of the Elite League for participation in the tournament. They contended that the inclusion of these two clubs was in breach of a contract that they had with the GFF and was also in breach of the constitution of the GFF. The Claimants contended that they did not agree to the Regulations of the 2016 round of the matches and therefore did not sign them. They contended that the 2015/2016 Rules and Regulations formed a binding contract between themselves and the GFF and the GFF could not change any part of those Regulations for 2016. The Court on examination of the 2015/2016 Rules and Regulations showed that they are just what the name suggests. They are guidelines that set out the framework

Pestano hurts Scorpions after Jaguars batting fails Seamer Clinton Pestano grabbed four for 16 four from 6 overs.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, ( CMC – Clinton Pestano’s four-wicket burst hauled leaders Guyana Jaguars back into their eighth round contest against Jamaica Scorpions after a batting collapse left them in danger of falling behind, on the opening day at Sabina Park here Thursday. Defending a paltry 158, Jaguars showed the mettle of champions as they reduced the hosts to 108 for six at the close – still 50 runs ahead heading into Friday’s day two. At the heart of the revival was the wily seamer Pestano who claimed four for 16 from six devastating overs, as a stunned Scorpions reeled at 30 for five. The 26-year-old claimed the first three wickets to fall with captain Paul Palmer (0), Chadwick Walton (7) and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood (13) all going cheaply. However, Derval Green, who has so far top-scored with 40, and Assad Fudadin, unbeaten at the close on 31, both counter-attacked in a sixth wicket stand of 68. Green lashed seven fours in a cameo 38-ball stay while Fudadin has faced 53 deliveries and counted six boundaries. Sent in earlier, Jaguars’ innings never found momentum and suffered from a lack of partnerships, as wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble top-scored with 36, Vishaul Singh got 27 while captain Leon Johnson chipped in with 24. Two small partnerships helped put the total beyond 150. Stumbling on 44 for three, Vishaul Singh and Johnson added 45 for the fourth wicket to revive the innings. And when both left-handers were part of a slide that saw four wickets tumble for 10 runs, Bramble and Romario Shepherd (16) put on 42 to steady the lower order. Bramble was his usual aggressive self, striking six fours off 49 deliveries.

within which the tournament was to be conducted and did not elevate that document to a contract in the legal sense of the word. The Defendant (GFF) like

Odinga Lumumba

any parent body of a sporting fraternity is empowered to make regulations in relation to its competitions. Article 75 (4) of the GFF Constitution provides that the Executive Committee of the GFF may issue special regulations in relation to competitions. The power to issue special regulations is not limited to regulations accepted by individual members. It may be from time to time that not every member is in agreement with the regulations as formulated. That, however, does not give a member the right to have those regulations modified to suit that member. Chaos will ensue if every member can dictate to those mandated to draw up the regulations what they want included or excluded from the regulations. The Claimants, having been dissatisfied with the changes in the Regulations, chose not to participate in the

tournament. They withdrew their players from further participation. The GFF contended that the inclusion of the two Elite Clubs could not prejudice the Claimants since those clubs like the Claimants were Elite Clubs but were not promoted to become members of the Elite League. The Defendants contended that they were merely added to expand the pool of Elite Club players in the tournament. It was further contended on behalf of the GFF that there was no contract between Claimants and Defendants in relation to the Elite League tournament. Witness Statements were filed by Colin Aaron and Odinga Lumumba while GFF president Wayne Forde had also filed a Witness Statement and gave evidence. The Claimants had con-

tended that by not playing in the Elite League tournament and being barred from playing in the CONCACAF tournament caused them to suffer loss. Their inability to participate at the CONCACAF level was occasioned by CONCACAF viewing them as not being in good standing with the GFF, following their action of withdrawal from the second season of the Elite League tournament. The Court found that there was no evidence of any contractual arrangement between Claimants and Defendant in relation to the Elite League tournament and therefore no breach of contract by the Defendant, nor was there any breach of the constitution of the GFF and dismissed the claim. Mr K.A. Juman-Yassin, SC and Mr Teni Housty, Attorneys-at-Law appeared for the GFF.

GFF concludes successful FIFA-facilitated medicine workshop

A group photo of participants at GFF’s FIFA-facilitated Medicine Workshop.

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Tuesday (February 19) wrapped up a successful two-day FIFA-facilitated medicine workshop held for physiotherapists and doctors attached to the nine Regional Member Associations - the first to be held for medical professionals in Guyana following a 23-year lapse. The workshop, which was held at the Guyana Olympic Association’s Conference facility, was led by Head of FIFA Medical and Anti-Doping Department, Alexis Weber, and included FIFA Medical Instructors, Dr Andre Pedrinelli and Dr. Jairo Cortes Rojas, along with the Group Leader of FIFA Medical Office, Anja König. The workshop was attended by 27 participants, who were engaged in both theoretical and practical exercises. “We have a mandate as a fraternity to take care of our players, fans, officials and all other stakeholders who serve the game,” GFF president Wayne Forde said in closing remarks at the event. He added that building capacity to deliver quality care is among the mandate of the GFF’s Executive Committee: “It is the mandate of the GFF Executive Committee but, beyond the mandate, it is a moral responsibility of ours to ensure that those of you who are charged with the responsibility to ensure that we can respond appropriately to anyone who is injured or seems to be experiencing difficulty with their physiology during the conduct of the game or any other, is treated with the best and highest level of care we can deliver.” The workshop addressed areas such as the role of team doctor, medical bag, sideline gear, the role of the physiotherapist, minimum stadium requirements, injury prevention, pre-competition medical assessment, head injury and concussion, anti-doping regulations, and emergency

medicine in football. It also offered an overview of the FIFA Football Medicine Diploma, for which participants were invited to enrol, and a brief about FIFA and its development programmes. Quacy Paddy, physiotherapist attached to the Upper Demerara Football Association, was high in praise for the workshop: “I found this workshop very, very interesting. It opened my eyes to a lot of issues that are lacking in our football fraternity in Linden and areas that we need to strengthen and improve. I also had a refresher on some conditions that would require medical attention both on and off the pitch. It also opened my horizon to the treatment protocol for concussion and sudden cardiac arrest. I learned about transporting patients on and off the field and how critical it is, and the importance of time on these cases.” Essequibo-Pomeroon Football Association’s Jason Boyce said learning the importance of prevention rather than treatment stood out for him: “This programme was very beneficial to me as a physiotherapist, as I’ve never really viewed the content as presented by the facilitators. One of the most outstanding areas was the emphasis on prevention of injuries rather than treatment. They have given us advice on how to prepare for injuries as well as content on how we can prevent injuries. I plan to return to my association, share the knowledge as well as mobilise players to develop themselves to prevent injuries from happening on and off the field. In terms of difference of approach following the workshop, I would be more careful before the matches rather than waiting to see what will happen in the match, that is, examine the players and see whether they are healthy enough to play the match in the first place, as an example.”

President Granger’s message inspired me - ‘Too Sharp’ Allen By Rawle Toney JUST minutes before Lennox Allen stepped into the ring against American Derrick Webster on February 15, he received a phone call from His Excellency President David Granger; “Good luck, you have my support and that of an entire nation. Guyana is proud of you!” That message, Allen told Chronicle Sport upon his arrival yesterday, motivated him to the point where he felt that he had to deliver since he was fighting for not only the WBA super middleweight ‘Gold’ title, but for an entire nation. “I got the message when I was preparing for the fight – in fact, it was a couple minutes before I stepped into the ring. I was just focussing on getting into the ring and doing my job, winning the fight, but when I got the message from the President, my focus shifted from winning the title for myself, to win the title for Guyana,” the charismatic boxer noted. According to Allen, with his perspective of the fight changing, things became easier for him, telling Chronicle Sport, “When I went into the ring, the entire fight I was so focussed, I knew I would’ve won. I mean, his advantage was that he had a few more fights under his belt. Other than that, I was in really great shape. I was hungry for the belt because I know the opportunities it could open up for me both financially and professionally.” Allen knocked down Webster in the third round (for a 10-8 round), and was ahead on the scorecards from that point onwards in the fight which took place at the Grand Casino, Hinckley, Minnesota, USA on Friday (February 15). At the end of the contest, two judges scored the fight 98-91, while the other had it 97-92, all in favour of Allen, giving the Guyanese who goes by the alias ‘Too Sharp’ a Unanimous Decision victory. Allen, 33, who started his boxing career at Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym, has now improved his ring-record to 22 wins and one draw in 23 outings; maintaining his unbeaten streak. The defeat was Webster’s second in 30 fights, winning 28, 14 of which came by knockouts.

WBA super middleweight ‘Gold’ champion, Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen, being swarmed by some delightful students who lined the roadways to welcome him. (Rawle Toney photo)

Guyana to be without AEK Athens ‘Red Carpet’ welcome for ‘talisman’ Delroy James 27 Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen Page

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Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen flanked by Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore (first from left), Mayor Ubraj Narine and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones. (Rawle Toney photo) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019

Delroy James