SATURDAY 10th November, 2018
Sod turned for
$173M Bartica
Magistrate’s Court
No.105454 The Fly Jamaica aircraft that crashed during an emergency landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Friday
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‘Keep an eye out’ 02 PAGE
…AG tells Lethem residents to look out for smugglers
High Court 09 throws out PPP LGE challenge
Fly J’ca plane … after emergency crashes landing PAGES
03,08 &10
… passengers escape serious injuries
… airline hails professional response of crew members
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‘Babs’ Curry Davanan Sukhram
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‘Keep an eye out’
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
… AG tells Lethem residents to look out for smugglers
… Gold Board GM says no place for money launderers in gold trading ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, SC, told residents of Lethem on Friday that the issue of porous borders and their susceptibility to illicit activities is being addressed by the administration, but urged greater support from the community as government continues its fight against organised crime. He was at the time addressing the opening of an
Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism National Coordinating Committee outreach and sensitisation seminar, which was held in the South Rupununi community of Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The event was meant to update the relevant national agencies on where Guyana is, in relation to its obligations under regional and international money laun-
GGB’s Ms Eondrene Thompson
dering regimes. The forum also was an opportunity to raise awareness about the risk that Guyana’s porous borders pose with regard to money laundering and terrorism financing. At the forum, presentations came from agencies such as the Bank of Guyana, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Williams spoke of the many occurrences of aircraft found abandoned, which are suspected to have been involved in illegal activities, and urged residents to continue to be vigilant. He said that given that Guyana has had discoveries of some of the largest deposits of oil anywhere in the world, it is critical that the country is not tainted by becoming blacklisted or suffering some other sanction. “It is clear that we have to gear up ourselves and sensitise our citizens to ensure that we are not used by people [who laun-
der money and who finance terrorists],” he said. BE COMPLIANT Meanwhile, General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Ms Eondrene Thompson said that persons who are interested in becoming involved in the trading of gold had better prepare to be compliant with the laws, as they will not find a haven for illicit activities within the agency. The GGB is designated a supervisory authority under the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Act. Under the legislation, the Board works with other government agencies to ferret out money laundering activities. As such, the GGB was among the agencies invited to make presentations at the event. In making her presentation, Ms Thompson said that the gold-mining and gold-trading sectors are attractive to various stakeholders, including criminals. She noted that over the last few months, many
Attorney-General, Basil Williams making his presentation persons have approached the Board stating their interest of becoming gold dealers. She said that many of them soon become dissuaded when they see the rigorous vetting process that they would have to satisfy if they want to acquire a licence from the Guyana Gold Board, and are usually never heard from again. “It means that in all of this, the Guyana Gold Board has to keep our ears to the wall; we have to carry out the due diligence and enhanced due diligence. Sometimes we hear that there is over-regulation, but Guyana cannot afford not to ship gold, because it is one of the country’s largest revenue earners,” Thompson stressed. WHITHER THE GOLD Thompson believes that with record- breaking gold declarations for the year 2016 of over 712,000 ounces, the country has the capacity to match this by the end of 2018. Acknowledging that the final 2017 figure made a dip, coming in at just over 653,000 ounces, she questioned whether gold smuggling might have been a factor. “The question we will be asking ourselves is: ‘Where is the gold going,’” she said. She also pointed out that of the vast number of jewellers, only a handful of them come to the Guyana Gold Board to purchase their gold. Ms Thompson pointed out that records show mining activity in certain areas but there is a mismatch with the expected level of production, giving rise to
the question as to where the gold is going. “Money laundering in the gold sector can be identified where there is high-volume low-value gold transactions, co-mingling of bank accounts, records and stock book, little start-up capital and minimal equipment but big gold returns, international payments of gold or scrap metal facades, no AML/CFT policy and requirements and a willingness of companies, banks, credit agencies etc. to process customers who subsidize the business. PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURES Ms Thompson said that some of the measures that the Gold Board takes to combat money laundering include compliance examination of all dealers, internal AML/CFT training for all staff members, AML/CFT training for all licenced dealers, vetting of bi-weekly declarations and receipts of all agents, certification of agents by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and the corroboration of customers’ information with the records of other entities such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and others. The role of the Guyana Gold Board is twofold: to engage in the trading of Guyana’s gold and ensure that there is adequate supply; and to regulate the sector and ensure compliance with the Guyana Gold Board Act and the AML/CFT Act.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
Fly J’ca aircraft overshoots runway after emergency landing
… passengers escape serious injuries PASSENGERS on board a Fly Jamaica Boeing 757aircraft escaped with their lives after the plane skidded off the runway at the Cheddi Jagan international Airport (CJIA) on Friday morning following an emergency landing. Flight OJ256 departed the CJIA on Friday morning bound for Toronto, Canada. Minutes into the flight however, the pilots reported to the Control Tower at the airport that they were experiencing an emergency. Airport staff told this newspaper that the plane, which bears registration N524AT, experienced a hydraulic issue soon after departure. After declaring the emergency, the pilots commenced procedures relevant to the situation; these included dumping fuel over the sea in an effort to reduce weight on impact. The aircraft then approached the main runway at the CJIA and landed on RWY06 around 02:53hrs. It proceeded down the runway and skidded to the right before coming to a halt in the sand and dirt. Fortunately for those on board, the plane stopped atop a hill with the nose visible at the edge of the hill from the surface below. When this newspaper arrived at the scene, soldiers and policemen were securing the aircraft while airport staff and airline personnel milled around the scene. Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson told reporters at a press briefing at the CJIA later on Friday morning that there were 128 persons on board, including 118 adults , two children and eight crew members. “Everyone has been accounted for; some persons were slightly injured while deplaning,” he said. Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud told the media at the press briefing that 10 persons were taken to the hospital following
the accident. He said five are under investigation for spinal injuries and noted that seven were sent to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further tests. He said three persons were being treated for blood pressure. Patterson said the investigations are ongoing. M e a n w h i l e , D i r e ctor-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Egbert Field, told the media at the press briefing that an investigator has been designated and appointed by the subject minister . Reports are that former Air Safety Director of the GCAA, Paula McAdam , who led investigations into the Caribbean Airline 523 crash at the CJIA back in June 2011 is heading the
support. A designated NTSB representative has been assigned locally, he added. Field said too that key elements for the investigation, retrieval of the flight data and cockpit voice recorder of the aircraft have been secured and will be sent to the NTSB for analysis. Field said the runway on which the accident occurred was reopened on Friday morning after the delay. Regarding the investigation, Field said that “it will take some time” as he noted that it will focus on the cause of the accident and “not to cause blame on anyone.” Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson told the news conference that the passengers were taken to a holding facility; the airline took their in-
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport ( Delano Williams photo) briefing , said the airport the tail of the Fly Jamaica the air. She said one of the was closed immediately after aircraft at the edge of the wings appeared to have the accident. He said a CAL runway and vehicles with broken off. flight which was delayed sirens rushing up and down Moments later, the couas a result of the accident, the runway. “That is when I ple saw vehicles travelling departed at 07:30hrs and that realise something wrong in to and fro while persons ran airline also decided to divert the neighbourhood, because out of their homes to obtain other flights to Trinidad. you don’t hear siren that a better glimpse of the situGhir said once the air- hour of the morning,” she ation. craft has been handed over to said. She said too she lived The accident on Friday the airline by investigators, closer to the edge of the morning occurred along the the CJIA will lend support runway in 2011 when CAL’s expanded section of the run-
Officials at the press briefing. From left , Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud; CJIA CEO, Ramesh Ghir ; Police Commissioner Leslie James; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure , Annette Ferguson ; Director- General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Egbert Field. (Delano Williams photo) investigation into Friday morning’s’ accident. Field said that the lead investigator will be assisted by inspectors of the GCAA. He said too that an official of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, under whose portfolio the airline was registered, has been informed of Friday’s accident. In addition, he said that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States has been informed and according to Field, the body is willing to provide assistance and
formation, including contact numbers and addresses. She said Fly Jamaica made provisions for the passengers to be transported to their homes or hotels. Ms. Ferguson said the airline has been advised that a few persons will be travelling to their destinations via CAL from Saturday; arrangements were being made to have their luggage relocated and recorded, after which they would be able to uplift. CJIA CEO, Ramesh Ghir , who was also at the press
The aircraft after it came to a stop. (Rabindra Rooplall photo)
in relocating it at the airport. Meanwhile, the accident was a chilling reminder to residents of the June 2011, Boeing 738 aircraft accident in which a Caribbean Airlines Boeing 738 ran off the runway in question around 01:32hrs that morning on arrival from Trinidad and Tobago. The plane had departed New York earlier. Meloma Pereira said on Friday morning she was awakened by a loud noise; when she looked up, she saw
aircraft crashed and according to her,” I was seeing the same thing all over again.” Another resident, Melissa Khan, who lives close to Pereira accident site on Friday morning. She related that she moments earlier had returned from work when she heard a loud explosion, which her husband said sounded like a burst tire. Khan said from her bedroom window she saw the plane perched on the side of the runway in the sand with its tail in
way which is undergoing expansion works by Chinese firm China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The aircraft came to a halt in a parcel of dirt and a layer of sand and according to a taxi-driver, God was once again with those on board the aircraft; he noted that appreciation must be given to the crew and praise to God for the parcel of dirt and sand which prevented the plane from falling off the ridge at the edge of the runway.
This is the view Melissa Khan saw from her bedroom window early Friday morning after the accident. (Delano Williams photo)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 10, 2018
Malibu burning: Kardashians, U.S. to restrict e-cigarette flavours Lady Gaga, Cher fear for homes to fight teenage vaping ‘epidemic’ LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration next
week will issue a ban on the sale of fruit and candy flavoured electronic
Saturday, November 10, 2018
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cigarettes in convenience stores and gas stations, an agency official said, in a move to counter a surge in teenage use of e-cigarettes. The ban means only tobacco, mint and menthol flavours can be sold at these outlets, the agency official said, potentially dealing a major blow to Juul Labs Inc, the San Francisco-based market leader in vape devices. The FDA also will introduce stricter age-verification requirements for online sales of e-cigarettes. The FDA’s planned restrictions, first reported by The Washington Post and confirmed to Reuters by the official, do not apply to vape shops or other specialty retail stores. There has been mounting pressure for action after preliminary federal data showed teenage use had surged by more than 75 per cent since last year, and the FDA has described it as an “epidemic”. “E-cigs have become an almost ubiquitous ? and dangerous ? trend among teens,” FDA Commission-
17:30 hrs
er Scott Gottlieb said in September. “The disturbing and accelerating trajectory of use we’re seeing in youth, and the resulting path to addiction, must end. It’s simply not tolerable.” That growth has coincided with the rise of Juul, whose sales of vaping devices grew from 2.2 million in 2016 to 16.2 million devices last year, according to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency threatened in September to ban Juul and four other leading e-cigarette products unless their makers took steps to prevent use by minors. The FDA gave Juul and four big tobacco companies 60 days to submit plans to curb underage use, a compliance period that is now ending. The planned restrictions on flavours in convenience stores are likely to have the biggest impact on Juul, which sells nicotine liquid pods in flavours such as mango, mint, fruit and creme, previously called creme brulee.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga were among thousands fleeing their homes on Friday as a fast-moving wildfire engulfed Malibu and nearby celebrity neighbourhoods. Kardashian, who on Thursday evacuated the home she shares in nearby Calabasas with Kanye West, tweeted on Friday that she “heard the flames have hit our property... but now are more contained and have stopped.” The entire 12,000-strong population of Malibu, which stretches 27 miles (43.5 km) along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California and up into the Santa Monica mountains, was placed under mandatory evacuation on Friday as the Woolsey fire exploded overnight. The City of Malibu’s Twitter account said the fire was burning out of control. Malibu and Calabasas are home to hundreds of celebrities and entertainment executives attracted by its ocean views, rolling hills and large, isolated estates. Current and former residents include Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks, Judd Apatow and Britney Spears. Celebrity website TMZ reported that the Malibu home of Caitlyn Jenner, America’s best-known transgender activist was destroyed by the flames on Friday. Her publicist could not confirm the status of her house, but told Reuters that Jenner was safe. Residents posted pleas on social media for help evacuating horses and other large animals, while long lines of traffic clogged the only coastal highway in and out of Malibu. Cher, who said she had lived in Malibu since 1972, tweeted that the wildfire was coming close to her home, although she said she was not on the property.
Sri Lanka’s president dissolves parliament, deepening political crisis
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night and called a general election for Jan. 5 in a move that will likely deepen the country’s political crisis. The dissolution, which is expected to be challenged in court, was revealed in an official gazette notification signed by Sirisena which also set the next sitting of parliament for Jan. 17. The move comes after an intense power struggle in the past two weeks which followed Sirisena’s sudden sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the appointment of former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman, in his place. Following the sacking, the president suspended parliament in a move which Wickremesinghe said was intended to prevent the ousted prime minister from contesting the decision in the legislature. Later Sirisena agreed to reconvene parliament on Nov. 14, but that will now not happen. Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the official prime minister’s residence saying he is the prime minister and had a parliamentary majority. Before he signed the papers dissolving parliament and calling the election, Sirisena appointed allies of his and of Rajapaksa to cabinet positions. Independent legal experts had told Reuters that parliament could be dissolved only in early 2020, which would be four-andhalf-years from the first sitting of the current parliament. The only other legal ways would be through a referendum, or with the consent of two thirds of lawmakers. Given those views, it was not immediately clear how Sirisena can legally dissolve parliament, though his legal experts have said there are provisions for him to do so. Sri Lanka’s Election Commission was quoted in some local media as saying that it will seek a Supreme Court opinion before conducting the election. Sirisena also put the police and government’s printing office under his defense portfolio, local media reported.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 10, 2018
Major drug bust in JBS’ Batista arrested with ex-Brazil central TT, prominent agriculture ministers in probe businessman detained
(NEWSDAY)- After 18 months of intelligence gathering, police have made a major drug bust at a house at Macaya Trace, Munroe Road, Central Trinidad during a sting operation which started on Thursday night and ended at 4 am on Friday. Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith who led a joint-team of units from the special operations response team and the SSA confirmed they seized a massive quantity of illegal drugs and several automatic rifles which seemed to be new. Speaking on CNC3 Morning Brew earlier yesterday, Griffith confirmed that “a very high-profile person of interest” was detained, and it was expected that several warrants for the arrest of another individual would have been executed later in the day. He said the canine unit was also to be taken in to search the premise. Griffith said the sting operation that was conducted on Thursday night from Carenage to La Brea, was after 18-months of intelligence gathering and monitoring persons of interest. He said he hopes this can be one of the windows to crack the drug trade, as well as individuals involved in the importation of illegal weapons. Meanwhile at Macaya Trace, the area was under lockdown by heavily armed and masked police officers who had blocked off the street, checking out vehicles and occupants entering and exiting. At the same residents expressed shock at the police discovery. One resident told a Newsday team that it was a normally quiet neighbourhood, although he expressed some consternation about the massive buildings which were going up in the area. The man said some nights ago, he did see a resident with a high-powered rifle, outfitted with a scope, conducting target practice with bottles. “This was weird, but other than that, this is a quiet neighbourhood,” the resident said.
RIO DE JANEIRO/SÃO PAULO (Reuters) - Police arrested a controlling shareholder of meatpacker JBS SA and two former Brazilian agriculture ministers on Friday in connection with an investigation into illegal campaign contributions. Joesley Batista, a member of the family that founded the world’s largest meat processor, is expected to be held only temporarily, his lawyer André Callegari said. He declined to elaborate on the arrest order or the investigation. Antonio Andrade and Neri Geller, who served consecutively as agriculture ministers under former President Dilma Rousseff, were also arrested, according to a list of arrest warrants seen by Reuters and confirmed by a federal court official. Geller, who was recently
elected to Congress, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Andrade,
the current deputy governor of Minas Gerais state, could not be reached for comment
FILE PHOTO: Brazil’s billionaire businessman Joesley Batista (REUTERS)
and his press office did not immediately respond to a request. Earlier in the day, the federal police and tax authorities said they were investigating allegations that a large meatpacking firm, which they did not identify, had provided illegal campaign funding to lawmakers and officials at the agriculture ministry. Police were serving multiple arrest and search warrants related to the investigation in five states and Brasília, according to the federal police and the federal revenue service, which are jointly conducting the probe. Batista’s arrest is the latest blow to JBS’s controlling family, which last year signed plea bargain agreements with prosecutors admitting to bribing scores of politicians to advance their business interests.
Chile court convicts ex-army chief for Pinochet-era crimes
The cache of high-powered rifles and a large quantity of marijuana netted during the bust. (Newsday photo)
(REUTERS) - A Chilean judge on Friday convicted the country’s former army chief for complicity in the deaths of 15 people during the early days of Augusto Pinochet’s military regime. Juan Emilio Cheyre, 70, was sentenced to three years and a day under house arrest following an enquiry by an investigating magistrate. Cheyre is the most senior figure so far to be held accountable for abuses committed after Pinochet overthrew former Chilean president Salvador Allende in a military coup in 1973. Cheyre became emblematic of the national transition
from dictatorship to democracy that began in 1990. As commander in chief of the armed forces between 2002 and 2006, he was the first to ask forgiveness for the military’s past excesses. But his tenure was clouded by an investigation into his involvement with Chile’s notorious “Caravan of Death” military committee, which traversed the country in the months following the coup, killing and ordering the murder of leftists.
C h e y r e ’s c o n v i c t i o n follows those of more than 1,000 former agents, soldiers and collaborators of the Pinochet regime for human rights abuses despite an initial reticence on the part of the authorities to reopen old wounds. Pinochet himself died in 2006 without ever being convicted of human rights abuses. Mario Carroza, the investigating judge designed by Chile’s Appeal Court to
lead the investigation, told reporters on Friday that the conviction of a former army chief illustrated the “egalitarian” justice system Chile now enjoys. “It has been an extensive and complex investigation, above all because we did not have the cooperation of those implicated,” he said. During Pinochet’s 197390 dictatorship, an estimated 3,200 people were murdered and another 28,000 tortured by the state.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 10, 2018
Modernising copyright laws a necessity
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URING October last, in his parliamentary address, President David Granger mentioned that the copyright and protection of intellectual property laws would be modernised and updated. Foremost in the President’s mind was the concern of protecting the works of Guyanese writers, painters, sculptors, musicians and other intellectual property from being plagiarised or otherwise used commercially, without the Guyanese authors or producers deriving any benefit from their works. The lack of full protection for intellectual property has been one of the inhibitions to Guyanese artistes and other producers of intellectual work producing such work in Guyana; if they re-locate to the metropolitan countries, they could enjoy the necessary protection. In the metropolitan countries, competition in intellectual products is far sharper than in Guyana and the Caribbean; and the product of Guyanese artistes and even researchers in such fields as medicine and technology may earn very little. However, when such work returns to Guyana, it would be recognised and some financial returns may accrue to the producers; such returns would only be assured if Guyana’s copyright laws are revised and updated. The Guyana Trade Mark and the Patents and Design Acts date from 1973, while the Copyright Act came even earlier in 1956. The Copyright Act of 1956, in essence, copied the then current British legislation. The fines for infringing those laws were contemptuously small and did not give any protection to local artistes; on this basis alone, the laws needed to
be updated. Further, since those laws were promulgated, the world has experienced its IT revolution with its computers, TV and various types of smart phones. The IT revolution has presented completely new challenges which are outside the scope of the old copyright and intellectual property protection legislation. In the Caribbean, the first and most celebrated case of intellectual property rights was the “Rum and Coca-Cola” case: In the 1940s, a Trinidadian calypsonian composed and sang a calypso praising rum and Coca-Cola as a drink. The song became very popular and the Coca-Cola company, one of the biggest multi-nationals in the world, adopted the song for its advertising and marketing without in any way compensating the author. The author did not have enough funds to mount any opposition against Coca-Cola in the courts. Fortunately, some Trinidadian businessmen assisted the calypsonian financially and he was able to challenge Coca-Cola; consequently, the author was compensated. The song was so important to Coca-Cola’s marketing at the time that they engaged the Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby to sing it. The Rum and Coca-Cola case educated Caribbean people in the concept and meaning of intellectual property and how valuable it could be. In Guyana, because of the IT Revolution, there grew up DVD and CD industries whereby copies would be made of foreign films and music recordings and these would be sold much cheaper than the originals. Such vending went on in pushcarts, on side-walks and even in the more established shops. School books, lengthy extracts from text books and
other copyrighted educational materials were photocopied and sold at a fraction of the price of the originals. The owners of the copyrights for these materials are mostly in North America and the United Kingdom and they find it very costly and unprofitable to institute legal proceedings in Guyana. The television stations also air pirated films and other copyrighted programme material and would be easier open to prosecution, since they are readily identified. These aforementioned groups have some fear that the modernised legislation would negatively affect them. This may, however, need not be so since the law may be favourably interpreted. There could be a positive social spin-off if there are less of these pirated films and music, since many of them are of very low quality; many of the films being indecent “blue” films. Some of the noise pollution in Georgetown would be reduced if there are less of the ubiquitous music carts. The modernising of the Copyright and Intellectual Property laws is a step in the right direction. It would be bringing Guyana into the 21st century and would be another aspect in which Guyana would be catching up with the most developed countries. It would afford protection to artistes and other creators of intellectual products, allow them to earn incomes from their work and encourage them to remain in Guyana. It would also protect the public from the vulgarity of “blue” films and other low-quality films and music. We consider the modernised legislation necessary and support government’s efforts to achieve it.
Soesdyke-Coverden NDC clears air on drainage works G Dear Editor,
REETINGS! I refer to an article in the Guyana Times, captioned ‘‘NDC pays $1.6M to clean Soesdyke trenches… but residents say no work done…Drainage works reek of Corruption - Councillors’’, and respond hereunder. First, I will wish to condemn the unprofessional way in which Guyana Times went about making this publication. I am of the very strong view that allegations and lies such as those published should first be clarified before making a press release. The behaviour pattern by this media house is as though it is the ‘‘MOUTHPIECE’’ of the PPP. The six-million-dollar expenditure to which it referred includes five million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars that was paid for the purchase of three and a half acres of land for the purpose of establishing a COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND, that will benefit the entire community. The drains to which it referred were cleaned six weeks prior to the day when the photographs were taken. It must be made known that the grass in these drains is a grass named antelope which was cultivated for the feeding of cattle and it grows at a very fast rate. Further, the person who was contracted or hired to clean these drains is a member of the PPP/C and never had any conversation with Dave Singh, the former chairman, as was reported in the release. This was confirmed with the contractor.
The citizen must be advised, that Aaron Grant-Stuart is the current vice-chairman of the council, and the Works Committee chairman; as such, all works done were reported by him as done to the satisfaction of the council, before the vouchers were prepared by the overseer for payment and as the chairman you sign off payment for works based on the recommendation of the Works Committee, the chairman of which makes such recommendations. The road repairs that were done at Grant Sand Road was done in collaboration with a resident Mr. Slyvester Andrews a businessman. Mr. Andrews undertook to offset the expenses for a bobcat to do the work, while the council provided the materials – sand ,loam and crusher run -- and transporting of same to the site of work. I wish to make it clear to the residents of Soesdyke that under the chairmanship of APNU, much development can be seen, paramount of which is the acquisition of a COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND; this the community has never had and which was made available to council at a lesser cost under the chairmanship of the PPP/C, who blatantly refused same. At the time they had the majority of councillors, so they voted against the acquisition of same. It is clear that they are thirsty for leadership, that they have no VISION. The roads that are being serviced were all in a deplorable state from since the PPP/C had the chairmanship; nothing was done to same, as a matter of fact, one of their own councillors, who resides in the back road area had to
speak against the then chairman’s attitude, when the chairman was refusing to repair two roads leading to the No. 2 Nursery School. These are things the public needs to know. In conclusion, I challenge Dave Singh the former chairman to show what accomplishments have been made under his chairmanship, other than being scandalous to the overseer by making unsubstantiated allegations that he alone was given a box of food that contained poison which he fed to his dog and the dog died. When in actual fact as was disclosed at an enquiry that he never even left the office with the food, as he gave it to a regional councillor who had arrived late for the meeting. They speak of corruption – but they should also tell the public that Mr. Raghunandand Singh, who was a former overseer at the Craig/Caledonia NDC was dismissed under The PPP/Clead government, for raising people’s property taxes by 300 percent and not accounting for the taxpayers’ money at the said NDC. They are all now running for positions at this NDC. It is my sincere hope that my response is published in the very way the allegations were published. For any further information, I can be contacted on the number listed Regards Leslie Glasgow Chairman
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 10, 2018
‘Don’t make the same mistake as T&T’ --Kamla Persad-Bissessar warns against using SWF as a ‘cash-cow’ By Rabindra Rooplall
AS the debate rages here over the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) and how the monies should best be used, the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago practically settled the matter Thursday evening with just a few choice words. Invited here by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) to speak on the subject, ‘Managing oil and gas revenues: Experiences and lessons learned from Trinidad and Tobago’, Ms Kamla Persad-Bissessar said when the subject of the SWF came up that it would not be advisable to use it to supplement recurring expenditure as has been happening of late in her native T&T. “Your SWF is an insurance policy; it is not, nor
should it be seen as a ‘cash cow’ to be raided,” she said. “This would defeat the entire purpose of such a fund, and indeed raiding the fund to supplement the annual Treasury expenditure has the potential to significantly destabilise the national economy,” she told the packed-to-capacity audience assembled at the Pegasus Hotel for the GMSA’s annual Awards and Dinner. She also had a word of caution about pricing, noting that it is a highly complex and controversial issue, and as such must be foremost in the minds of legislators and negotiators, as one does not often have the opportunity to return to the bargaining table when the ink dries on contracts. “The heart of these negotiations must always be that the people of Guyana are getting the best deal for their
patrimony; the oil and gas from their lands,” the current Leader of the Trinidad & Tobago Opposition said, adding: “I am aware that consideration is being given to the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) similar to what we in Trinidad and Tobago know as the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF).” Noting that mechanisms such as the SWF can act as a buffer, given the volatile pricing and political issues involved in the hydrocarbon industry, Ms Persad-Bissessar, who served as Prime Minister from May 26, 2010 to September 7, 2015, went on to explain that there are many economic tools that can be used to channel resources into it, among them Petroleum Production Taxes and Supplemental Petroleum Taxes.
She also said that a petroleum import clause for increased scales of taxation for supernormal finds may be worthy of consideration as an adjunct strategy to enable equity in profit sharing across the board and sustainability during low-price periods. NATIONAL POLICY On the subject of policymaking, she said: “I recommend a national policy for the development of Guyana; one that includes contributions from the Government, the Opposition, Labour, Civil Society and the business community.” Underscoring that in T&T, although attempts at this process have been made with policies such as Vision 2020 and now Vision 2030, Persad-Bissessar said these are not inclusive, and have been shown to be biased in favour of a particular politi-
Former T&T Prime Minister, now Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar during her address Thursday evening at the GMSA Annual Dinner and Awards ceremony
cal ideology. Contending that imbalanced policies do not benefit the people of a country, she went on to say: “The sale and production of resources must be able to not just move the GDP rankings, but have a tangible effect on the daily life of every single citizen in the country.” Suggesting further that leaders will need to make bold and brave decisions to move industries forward, whilst at all times ensuring that the social safety net covers the most vulnerable in society, she said the task at hand also requires vision and agility in navigating the perils of volatile pricing and resource availability.
On that score, she said, it is imperative that legislative framework be enacted, and that such legislation is robust enough to protect the country’s patrimony whilst at the same time not driving away investors with endless bureaucracy. “Such a framework is essential for ensuring that multi-nationals contribute adequately to the development of Guyana even as they invest and benefit,” she said, adding that at the same time, one needs to be mindful that diplomatic relations with other countries and agencies are fair and firm, whist ensuring that that Guyana gets the best deal possible.
Desperate times require desperate solutions Dear Editor,
D
R. Henry Jeffrey’s column “Future Notes” has over the years established a reputation as being informative, creative and at times, politically challenging. His column published in the Stabroek News in the November 7th, 2018 edition, captioned: “Well, David: What now? Sri Lanka?” has raised the bar in creative politics, beyond what in the context of the Guyanese experience is politically possible. Dr. Jeffrey, more than any other public commentator in the post-2015 general and regional elections, must be given credit for his relentless advocacy; it has reminded the nation and its political leaders that the most important issue which has divided and hindered the economic and social development of the country is yet to be addressed. Constitutional reform, which was an APNU+AFC coalition manifesto commitment is, in Jeffrey’s opinion, achievable. In pursuit of this goal, he took the opportunity to engage Dr. David Hinds’ observations in relation to power-sharing in the context of the present dynamic in the APNU+AFC coalition and government. Unlike Hinds, Jeffrey sees a glimmer of hope, which he seeks to bring into fruition by advancing his thought-provoking proposal. While I agree with his analysis and most of the conclusions, I was taken aback by the proposal he advanced to address and correct our unworkable governance system of winner-takes-all, and to ensure that the APNU+AFC honours its election promise before the end of its mandate in 2020. Mr. Jeffrey’s proposal is set out here: “Be it only at the local level, now that the parties are for the first time since 2015 individually testing their strength at the polls, the President should utilise the results to reshuffle the government, offering the prime ministership and an agreed-upon number of ministers to the party that – apart from his – gains the highest votes at the November 12th local elections. The next largest party, which
is most likely to be the AFC, should not be discarded, but in keeping with the coalition campaign promise, the process of electoral reform should immediately begin and end in time for the 2020 general and regional elections.” In advancing this proposal Dr. Jeffrey must be conscious that he is asking the President to bring about these changes by unilaterally using executive authority; this has been a main contention in the politics of the country, since the introduction of the 1980 constitution. For the President to take such an unwise action outside of a consultative framework--which must include the PPP as well as the APNU’s coalition partners, and the AFC--will expose him to criticisms of dictatorial behaviour. While the intention of the proposal is in the national interest, to move to implement it without the requisite consultations and agreement will render it politically counterproductive. Since there is no way it can succeed, by the adoption of Jeffrey’s proposed unilateral method, it is likely to do more harm than good to the APNU, the coalition, the African community, and Guyana. In short, it will serve to confirm the historical fears peddled with some measure of effectiveness by the PPP and other detractors of the PNCR, APNU, and coalition; these have sought to equate African lead rule with political dictatorship. Another problem inherent in the proposal is the Cummingsburg Accord that gave rise to the APNU+AFC coalition. Jeffrey, as an afterthought, took care to say that the AFC should not be “discarded” – how to avoid this outcome boggles the mind. Equally important is the logic that the PPP will be interested in such a proposal after a strong showing in the local government elections. Given that party’s position of demonstrating little or no interest in constitutional reform, power-sharing and national government, one will be forced to work overtime to find reasons for the PPP to agree to such a proposal. The PPP’s leadership will interpret the proposal as a ploy by Granger, the PNC and the APNU to save face for what the PPP anticipates will be a poor showing by the coalition
parties and defeat at the 2020 elections. The PPP will want to remain aloof from such a major political decision with all of its inherent jeopardies. These include them risking alienating sections of its constituency and a possible rupture of its internal party unity, given their questionable belief that victory in 2020 is assured. Without trying to put pressure on Dr. Jeffrey, I am interested in his reasoning, given the points I have mentioned above. In my attempt to arrive at a meeting of minds with Dr. Jeffrey, I can only conceive of one possible area in which the proposal may be attractive to the PPP. But here again given that party’s apparent paranoia in relation to “rigged elections,” it is difficult to see the PPP rising above this mindset. It can be argued that the PPP, as a significant part of the government, will be better placed to protect its interests and avoid being a victim of what they believe will be electoral rigging in 2020; this, despite the lack of any evidence they can point to that that is what is intended. My own judgment is that given the present balance of forces in the PPP and the present perception that the APNU has become the PNC; and the possibility of the collapse of the APNU+AFC coalition for the 2020 general and regional elections – the PPP will take its chances with “winner-take-all elections.” It will go to the polls in 2020 with the conviction that as winners, they are entitled to take all. Its desire for political domination will prevail over any other consideration. In closing, given Dr. Jeffrey’s profound knowledge of Guyanese politics and its political players, his proposal amounts to political desperation. “Desperate times require desperate solutions.” In reality, in spite of its good intention, this proposal is a non-starter. It will be dismissed by both sides as “utopian intellectualising.” Regards Tacuma Ogunseye
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
Fly J’ca passengers relive the crash –– recall hearing growling noise while mid-air
By Lisa Hamilton
IT has been confirmed that at least four passengers on the Toronto-bound Fly Jamaica OJ256 flight which crashed-landed Friday morning sustained multiple injuries. Just around 03:00hrs Friday morning, the plane with 118 passengers on board was
transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). “The plane had a problem, and they still took it up in the air,” said Davanan Sukhram, 55. “Forty-five minutes in the air, the pilot decided to come back to the Timehri Airport. “But as the plane lands down, it bounces and it starts to trip out; like you mash brakes and the brakes failed and it crashed,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. He went on to detail how he felt at the time, and how the other passengers on board the plane reacted to the situation. “We were panicked,” Sukhram said. “When I was sitting down, one of the doors from the overhead compartments fell and hit me and several other people on the head, and on the neck. “Then we were all running with speed and in excitement in the plane to catch the door to get out because there was smoke. My ribs are squished up from pushing, and
my neck, my hands, my shoulder and foot muscles are killing me. “We had to come out and walk in the sand; we had to walk about a mile from there to catch the terminals. It was very frustrating, and at that time we did anything to survive. I can’t remember seeing the two infants, because it was very confusing
LEG INJURIES Fifty-seven-year-old Janice Adams, who had to be carried by stretcher, managed to tell this newspaper how she came to injure both of her legs. “I landed on my knees,” she said. “I jumped out of the plane by the window, and I landed on my right knee.” Sukhram, whith whom the Guyana
Davanan Sukhram
‘Babs’ Curry
returning to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) due to ‘hydraulic issues’ just moments after takeoff when it overshot the runway, ploughed into the fence around the perimeter, and came to a halt at a heap of sand beyond the enclosure. The Guyana Chronicle spoke with some of the injured passengers who were waiting at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre to be
at that time.” Injured, too, was 62-yearold ‘Babs’ Curry who, while seated in a wheelchair, gave as detailed an account as possible of the fear and chaos that ensued on the plane when passengers realised that all was not well. Janice Adams
sustained injuries to her neck, and was seated somewhere in the middle of the plane when it encountered difficulties. “When I was sliding down the plane, we fell and everybody started to pack on you. I lost my glasses and I couldn’t really see,” Ms Ali said, adding: “When I fell, everybody started trampling me; on my back and my foot, and two guys tried to help me. “Everybody was trying to get out when they saw the smoke in the plane.”
A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE “It was terrible,” she said. “Before we left, they said that there was a problem with the door, so we stayed there for a while, maybe half-an-hour, and they fixed it. “After that, the plane took off, and when we got about 20 minutes in the air, we started to hear this noise like a big growling. “He [the pilot] said he was going to come back, because it wasn’t safe for us, because we’re going to go over water. So he decided to come back, and said it’s going to take 20 minutes to get back. “When we got back, the landing was terrible. I don’t know what happened. We started screaming and everything; when coming down, we heard this growling noise, and this grazing on the sand. “There was smoke, and we had to slide down the emergency slide. Some people lost their shoes; my friend glasses fell out. It was chaos; there was no light. “I took my phone and I tried to find my way among other people I could see standing around.” Explaining how she came to be wearing a brace around her neck, Ms Curry said: “I got my injury from the impact, because more than twice it was a hard hit.” Placed in the ambulance along with Curry was 67-year-old Bibi Ali, who also
Bibi Ali Chronicle spoke first, is now hoping to get word from the airlines regarding compensation for his injuries and discomfort. Although he believes the pilot saved the day, he said he doesn’t think that the plane should have left the ground given the problems it was having. “I was scared that the plane wasn’t fit to fly in the first place, because they had a problem before we left,” he said. “When the plane was lifting, you could have heard the grinding sound of the plane, and when the plane was coming back, it was struggling to land but the pilot did an excellent job. “He did the right thing to turn back the plane, or else we would have crashed in the sea and everybody would have died.” Sukhram said that it took emergency personnel between 15 to 20 minutes to arrive. He and the few other injured passengers are now at the GPHC receiving medical attention.
High Court throws out PPP LGE challenge
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
By Gabriella Chapman
HIGH Court Judge Gino Persaud on Friday dismissed a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) challenge to the creation of several Local Authority Areas. Had the challenge been successful, local government elections set for Monday, would have been derailed. The application filed in the High Court by Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) commissioner Bibi Shadick and her counsel Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall, had contended that Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan had failed to identify by name, boundaries, and number of members, of seven Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. The court challenge was filed on the grounds that the said decision is “unlawful, illegal, and in violation of the Local Democratic Organs Act, Cap. 28:09”. Attorney General Basil Williams SC, in a statement said the court’s ruling paves the way for local government elections to proceed without obstruction, interruption or delay on Monday 12th November, 2018. Minister Bulkan, who had spoken to the media a few weeks back, said the government is convinced that when people are empowered and given the opportunity to manage and develop their communities, it would result in better-managed communities. As such, their decision to adjust the specific areas are in keeping with the democratic tradition and is empowering people, ultimately for their own benefit. He believes that these changes to the electoral structures of the several NDCs and municipalities, will make the process of local governance easier. Minister Bulkan also articulated his certainty that the PPP does not believe in the system of local government, while adding that the government will be going ahead with reinstituting as well as expanding the system of local governance. Shadick had claimed that the minister activated seven new Local Government Areas (LGAs) and restructured 14 others. All of these actions she claimed were done unlawfully, and as such, she would render all voting in those areas at the upcoming November 12th polls, void. The new NDCs are: Moruka/Phoenix Park; Kitty/Providence; Nile/ Cozier; Lamaha/ Yarowkabra; Hauraruni/ Yarowkabra; Plegt Anker/ Kortberaad; and Wyburg/ Caracas. The areas that were restructured were Rose Hall; Evergreen/ Paradise; Aberdeen/Zorg-en-Vlygt; Malgre Tout/ Meerzorgen; La Grange/ Nismes; Toevlugt/Patentia; Caledonia/Good Success; Woodlands/Farm; Mahaicony/Abary; Zeelust/ Rosignol; Blairmont/ Gelderland; Ordnance Fort-lands/No. 38; Adventure/ Bushlot; and No. 52 – 74. In addition to the claims against the subject minister,
GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shadick
Shadick also alleged that the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield, had fixed the boundaries of the aforementioned NDCs and demarcated and re-demarcated the boundaries of the seven NDCs. Before announcing his decision to the court, Justice Persaud pointed out that those seven boundaries outlined by the applicant were established since 1990 and will continue to stand, unless a subsequent constitution orders that it be adjusted or amended. The Act being referred to by the PPP does not say that the minister has no power to adjust constituencies within those NDCs without consultations. In fact, Justice Persaud pointed to section 4(1) and section 5 of the said Act which states; 4(1). “The Minister may by order divide Guyana as he may deem fit into 10 regions, and may in like manner divide a region into sub-regions, a sub-region into neighbourhoods, and a neighbourhood into people’s cooperative units: Provided that the Minister by order divide any area comprised in a city or town as he may deem fit.” 5. The Minister may by order provide for – the establishment or designation of local democratic organs for any area into which Guyana
Attorney General, Basil Williams SC Chambers led by Attorney General, Basil Williams, S.C. MP; Solicitor General Kim Kyte-Thomas and the State Solicitor Ayana McCalman. Lowenfield was represented by attorney, Roysdale Forde. In a statement hours after the ruling, the PPP said it was disappointed with the ruling handed down by Justice Persaud. “This case along with others that have been filed, were done so with the sole objective of protecting our democratic process, strengthening our electoral machinery and safeguarding our citizens right to vote and to engender consultation with and participation of the citizens of our country in the electoral decision making process,” the party said.
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan has been divided under section 4; the name of any such area and its boundaries; the name of any local democratic organ for the area; the composition, constitution, location, rights, duties, obligations and responsibilities of each local democratic organ…” and the exorbitant list continued, all validating Minister Bulkan’s authority to make the decisions the PPP is against. Moreover the court found that there was no specific legal requirement in the law for the minister to publish the boundaries of the NDCs or for Local Authority Areas for every successive election as contended by Mr. Nandlall. Consequently, the judge dismissed the applicant’s claim against the minister. In relation to the allegations against the CEO, Justice Persaud said that Nandlall failed to produce any evidence of their allegations that Mr. Lowenfield has demarcated, fixed, or re-demarcated existing boundaries of the Local Authority Areas. “No documented evidence was there to prove/ support claims against the CEO.” As such, justice Persaud dismissed the claim. In the circumstances, the presiding Judge stated that there is no cause of action on any of the other claims against the two respondents, and they were therefore dismissed. Justice Persaud also ordered that the applicant pay a cost of $150,000 each, to the respondents. Bulkan was represented by the Attorney General’s (AG)
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‘They put their training into use’
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
–– Fly Jamaica hails professional response of crew members
By Lisa Hamilton
FLY Jamaica Airline spokesman Carl Bowen has hailed the “professional and efficient” response of the airline crew following Friday morning’s crash at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Early Friday morning, the Boeing 757-200 aircraft took off from the CJIA, but was soon forced to return for
an emergency landing after encountering issues with its hydraulic systems. This system is used to move and actuate landing gear, flaps and brake. Citizens as well as authorities are thankful that no lives were lost among the 128 passengers, including eight crew members, who were on the Toronto-bound plane for the some 45-minute ordeal. The plane came to a halt
at the northeastern end of the runway after colliding with a fence and a heap of sand on site, due to the construction works ongoing at the airport. Passengers were shaken up by the experience, with less than a dozen sustaining injuries to their neck, back and leg. The right wing and engine of the plane, on the other hand, were badly damaged. On board were 82 Canadians, 35 Guyanese,
Damage sustained by the plane on landing at CJIA
11 American citizens, and one each Trinidadian and Pakistani. As the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the incident, Bowen is thankful that the crew adhered to their training. “I can clearly say that the crew did such a professional job that prevented any further injury,” he said. “They put their training into use, they followed the protocol and that saved the day,” he told the newspaper. Asked about the training received for such cases, he confirmed that the staff are no strangers to “very rigorous training”, and that when things took a negative turn, were able to administer the required instructions “The reason he [the pilot] turned back was not because of the engine or anything like that,” Bowen said. “It was a hydraulics issue with the wheel, so he decided to come back. So, I’m not only talking about the pilot; I’m also talking about the cabin crew, and the way they dis-
embarked the passengers. They followed the protocol; they did a good job, that’s why we didn’t have any serious issues.” He said that as of Friday afternoon, Fly Jamaica will be providing local assistance to passengers involved in the accident. Said he: “They went through a partial traumatic episode. Arrangements are being put in place for passengers who are requesting to get out immediately, so our administrative processes are in effect to cover that.” Regarding the issue of whether there is provision for compensation, Bowen said that the process is not a swift one, but he can only now state that such inquiries would have to be addressed by the airline’s insurance body. Meanwhile, on the sideline of a press conference at Leader of the Opposition’s Office on Friday, former Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn also expressed gratitude that no lives were lost. “I’m extremely happy that there were no fatalities,” he said,
Former Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn adding: “We have to thank the skill of the pilot, and we have to be very thankful that there were no fatalities or serious injuries.” He, however, stressed the importance of extending the airport’s runway, which is currently in progress, and further insisted: “We have to keep working on our aircraft safety and operational safety for aircrafts in the country.”
Framework to guide Petroleum Sector to be completed soon By Svetlana Marshall
DIRECTOR of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, said the draft roadmap that will guide Guyana’s management framework for the Hydrocarbon Sector is expected to be completed this month. “This framework outlines the pillars for the evolution of the department and government institutions while simultaneously allowing for focused donor support. We hope to finalise this document by the ending of November 2018,” Dr. Bynoe told a news conference on Thursday. Currently, the Department of Energy is in the process of designing a new Petroleum Sharing Agreement (PSA) and revising the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the Petroleum Sector. Alluding to the vision of
President David Granger, the director said it is intended that the Department of Energy will be ultimately morphed into a ministry responsible for all forms of energy within the country. Giving an overview of the Department of Energy and its sister agencies, Dr. Bynoe explained that a Petroleum Directorate within the Ministry of Natural Resources has been absorbed. The officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources are now working alongside the other staff of the Department of Energy including the energy adviser, two accountants, the procurement specialist, an office manager and a confidential secretary. The Petroleum Unit within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) remains intact and is working closely with the Department of Energy.
“The structure of the department will evolve in a fit for purpose manner with a heavy focus on taking an approach to resource management in collaboration with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Audit Office of Guyana and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA),” he said. He added that the vision for the department is to ultimately become a ministry with semi-autonomous regulators such as the Petroleum Commission. At this stage, the director said his department is cognisant of the need to build strong institutions designed for success. It was noted that the Department of Energy has taken a pragmatic approach in responding to immediate issues while concurrently addressing it’s medium and longer term strategies. “This
approach emphasises the need to recruit short term external consultants with local capacity embedded with these external consultants aimed at building local expertise to take on a greater management role within the sector.” “Going forward, in accordance with its mandate, the department continues to seek ways to streamline operations occurring within the sector, and which are essential for private sector participation and confidence building,” Dr. Bynoe explained. In streaming the operation of the department, focus will be placed on five broad principles, that of: efficiency, transparency, predictability, balance and evidence based decision making. Dr. Bynoe said too, that since the formation of the department, it has worked to foster strong collaboration among its sister agencies,
as such the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and members of Parliament among other entities and officials. The Department of Energy has also enhanced donor coordination. “The DoE is now coordinating all petroleum sector donor activity, both of a multilateral and bilateral nature to ensure focus, cost effective, and efficient support without duplication,” Dr. Bynoe said while noting that financial and technical support for both the Department of Energy and its sister institutions are being actively pursued. In consultation with the EPA, the department has taken a decision to recruit a consultant to conduct a needs
Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe assessment of the EPA and its preparedness for regulating the sector from an environmental perspective. “Once this needs assessment is completed, we will be better able to provide the necessary support to build the capacity of the EPA,” Dr. Bynoe posited.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
Sod turned for $173M Bartica Magistrate’s Court By Alden Marslowe
AS THE expansion programme for the township of Bartica continues, the left-bank Essequibo community on Friday saw the turning of the sod for the construction of its own magistrate court complex. This followed a short ceremony attended by an impressive team of officials, including members of the Judiciary, Guyana Land & Surveys Commission, regional and local officials and the consultants and contractors of the project. Speaking at the ceremony, former resident-magistrate of Bartica, Dylon Bess, reflected on the many pleasant experiences he shared with the residents, including strong family values, a deep sense of spirituality, and support for each other. He told the gathering that it has long been recognised that the need for ready access to justice is very strong at Bartica, and this new edifice, including a Magistrate Court building, Court Registry and personnel residence, will see the fulfillment of that need. “People of Bartica, your resident Magistrate will be warmly welcomes by your charm,” he said. Mayor of Bartica, Mr Gifford Marshall, wel-
comed the visiting party and gave assurance that the new project will greatly enhance Bartica’s landscape and add value to the community. He reflected how Bartica moved from being seen as an interior “landing” to now being recognised as one of the capital towns of Guyana. “It is a vision of His Excellency President David Granger to have Bartica transformed into the Capital Town of Region Seven, and a Model Green Town to all the world,” Mayor Marshall said, adding: “It is therefore imperative that all the essential services be provided to the residents, and this new magistrate court is one of such.” Also expressing welcome and gratitude on behalf of the region was Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, who told of being an actual witness to the development of Bartica from a mining village into township. He made the announcement that apart from this present project, Bartica will soon have its own Passport & Immigration Office, a new Training & Development Centre under the Land & Surveys Commission, and also a brand new Guyana Power and Light Plant which is already under construction.
He urged the students present to qualify themselves to make use of the many employment opportunities soon to be available at Bartica. Delivering the feature address, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards complimented the residents of Bartica on where the town has come from its foundations of 1942 to the present day. She echoed the sentiments of the other speakers with regard to the need for access to justice at Bartica, retracing the times when the magistrate’s court would sit only once per month many years ago. She said that the new edifice will definitely serve to remove barriers and hindrances to the delivery of justice and service to the people. She outlined that following the identification of the plot of land, a Certificate of Title was acquired and plans were put in place for construction. The contract was awarded to M&P Investments to the tune of $173M, and construction is expected to be completed in twelve months. She closed thus, “A whole new world awaits you, Bartica. We welcome you to be a part of us. Make sure you remain on the good side of the law.” The complex is expected
A section of the gathering at the ceremony
Women Power! Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, assisted by Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan and Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, turn the sod for the new Magistrate’s Court in the presence of Bartica Mayor, Gifford Marshall (left) and Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford to house a magistrate court, magistrate chambers, lawyers’ rooms, court registry, offices and living quarters. Following the symbolic turning-of-the-sod and tree-planting exercise, the team spent some time interacting with the students in attendance, offering much
encouragement towards a career in law. In final remark and thanks, Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan applauded the vision that led to the construction of the complex and encouraged commitment towards its fulfillment. She praised the entire team, along with local
and regional officials and the Guyana Police Force. The ceremony was chaired by Chief Justice (ag), Madam Roxane George-Wiltshire. (Mr Alden Marslowe is the Regional Information Officer of Region Seven Cuyuni/ Mazaruni)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
‘Guyana proud of relationship with Republic of Korea’ —VP Greenidge … as Guyana awarded for 50 years of diplomatic relations GUYANA has received a Korean historic symbol-- the Cheonmachong gold crown-to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Korea. The handing over was done at a cocktail reception held at the Marriott Hotel on Friday evening. The crown is said to be a replica of a national treasure found in the national museum of Korea. Performing the function of Prime Minister, Vice-President Carl Greenidge said to the attendees that 50 years is indeed a milestone to recognise. “Our two countries have enjoyed 50 years of sincere and cordial friendship that is understood and underscored by the principles of mutual trust and respect. The Government of Guyana remains committed to working with you the Republic of Korea in advancing this programme of cooperation. We in Guyana are proud of the state and the extent of our relationship with the Republic of Korea and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones in the years ahead,” Greenidge said. Reflecting on the years that have passed, the VP said that the long-standing relationship has indeed been marked by successful
The Cheonmachong Gold Crown is presented to Guyana to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Korea.
engagements at both bilateral and multilateral levels. “It is therefore fitting that we acknowledge some of the significant collaborative efforts that Guyana and the Republic of Korea have undertaken since the establishment of our diplomatic relations. At the bilateral level, our fruitful bonds have been characterised by continuous and meaningful political, as well as economic cooperation,” he said. Adding that the Government of Guyana and the Republic of Korea have worked together to influence the global agenda and promote the interests of small developing states, he pointed out that the two countries have embraced common principles when addressing issues of global concern; and those include climate change, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. “As you know, Guyana is moving towards development of the Green State Development Strategy, a paradigm that can place great emphasis on economic development, while ensuring the protection of our environment and the preservation of our diversity. Also, at the international level, Guyana and the Republic of Korea have been facilitators for regional peace and security. The relationship between our two countries has always been friendly and based on mutual respect. With
this confidence that we have in each other, we have been able to maintain a high level government and personal exchanges on an active level,” Greenidge said. South Korea’s Chargé d’affaires, the Honourable Minister Counsellor Dong-il Oh shared mutual sentiment as Greenidge. He stated that the Republic of Korea recognises Guyana as one of the key countries in the Caribbean Region. “There was a strong willingness towards mutual cooperation. We respect Guyana, where CARICOM is located, to play a pivotal role in areas such as sustainable development, climate change, e-government, etc,” Oh said. Since 1991, he said, the Korean government has provided the Government of Guyana with more than 2 million dollars, worth of goods. In addition, the Korean government is always with Guyana’s people for emergency aid, in the event of disaster. He reflected on various collaborations and mutual agreements over the years and acknowledged the country’s appreciation of the relationship. The event was attended by several members of the diplomatic corps, all in solidarity with the appreciation of the golden jubilee between the two countries.
Local Content Policy before year-end … consultant being recruited to finalise document By Svetlana Marshall DIRECTOR of the Department of Energy Dr. Mark Bynoe said Guyana’s Local Content Policy will be in place long before the country starts producing oil in 2020. The absence of a Local Content Policy remains a concern, primarily for the private sector and Thursday when he held his maiden press conference as Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Bynoe assured reporters that steps are being taken to finalise the document. “The department after consultation with the private sector is in the process of recruiting an individual consultant to finalise the draft local content document,” he told reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency. The policy document, when adopted by the National Assembly, would outline the framework on which
local content will be understood, developed, measured and secured. The Energy Department Director said the private sector is satisfied that sufficient consultations have been conducted on the draft Local Content Policy and is anxious to have the process move forward. It is hoped that the draft policy, which is in its second phase, would be finalised at the end of the year. That document would be submitted to the National Assembly in the form of a White Paper for approval by the House. Grilled on whether the policy document would be in place before the production of oil by U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil, Dr. Bynoe responded in the positive. “Where I sit and where my colleagues sit, we are confident that there will be a Local Content Policy long before first-oil,” he said. Noting that issues pertaining to joint ventures would be addressed in the policy
document, Dr. Bynoe said his department is cognisant of the fact that already there are existing joint ventures; as such, the framework will be designed to capture the benefits accruing to Guyana in jobs and revenues derived through such joint ventures. He said while the Department of Energy cannot avoid risks, it can aid in mitigating those risks within the budding oil-and-gas industry. “Part of what we are seeking to encourage is substantial joint ventures. Those joint ventures therefore will help us therefore to spread those risks; it will also help with the said local firms to build capacity and will also help them to raise standards. “So we want to focus, in terms of local content, not just in terms of establishing joint ventures for the oiland-gas sector, but let’s look at it beyond that, that with or without oil and gas, if we are
able to raise our standards you will become more competitive and more marketable outside of that sector,” Dr. Bynoe explained. Local Content, in the context of Guyana, is the sum of inputs of local goods and services, including employment across the oil-andgas value chain. It is intended to ensure the education, inclusion, and advancement of as many as possible in the value chain of the oil-and-gas industry. In an effort to maximise benefits and retain value from Guyana’s petroleum resources, considerable focus will be placed on capacity development, local content and value-addition. Additionally, the policy framework is built on five themes: value maximisation, training and employment, supplier development, ownership and taxation. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is among entities
that have made submissions in this second round of consultation. GCCI has submitted to government what it calls a ‘Model Local Content Legislation.’ The model legislation, which was seen by the Chronicle, defines Guyanese companies as “Companies that are registered in Guyana where 51 per cent of the share capital are owned by citizen (s) of Guyana; where the board meetings of the said companies are held in Guyana; the head office of the company is located in Guyana and; 70 per cent of the workforce of the company follows suit with the definition of a citizen of Guyana as defined in the Guyana Citizenship Act of 1967.” Part II, Section Three of the crafted GCCI Local Content Bill stipulates that an operator or contractor must ensure that first consideration is given to Guyanese companies in the provision
of goods and/or services directly related to the petroleum industry. “In the event that a Guyanese company is not selected to provide a good and or services, the burden of proof lies with the relevant party in the form of the operator or contractor to demonstrate why [the] Guyanese company has not been selected,” Section Four reads. It also includes provision for Human Capital Development and Monitoring and Accountability. However, Director of the Department of Energy has advised against making the Local Content Policy too prescriptive. He said as the country moves closer to finalising the policy document, Guyanese must determine whether they have the capacity to take advantage of the Local Content Policy. Dr. Bynoe was accompanied by the Energy Department’s Oil and Gas Adviser, Matthew Wilks.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
GECOM Chairman raps ‘PPP’ commissioners … says request for meeting vague, without basis
GECOM commissioners nominated by the opposition leader said days ahead of the holding of Local Government Elections they have been left in the dark and repeated requests for a meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have gone unnoticed. But Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson said the request is “vague and nebulous,” noting that these “demands” are intended to derail the holding of Local Government Elections set for Monday. On Friday during a press conference at the leader of the opposition’s Church Street Office, GECOM commissioner Bibi Shadick said since Monday she has been requesting that a meeting of the commission be held before the holding of the Local Government Elections, but her request has gone unanswered. The commission comprising the chairman and six commissioners usually meets on Tuesday; however, because Tuesday was a national and religious holiday, it was anticipated that the meeting would have been held on Wednesday or Thursday. On Thursday, Shadick said she along with the two other opposition-nominated commission-
GECOM Chairman Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson ers Robeson Benn and Sase Gunraj, wrote the chairman requesting an early meeting for the ventilation of issues ahead of Monday’s elections. According to Shadick, the GECOM chairman and Chief Elections Officer (CEO) have displayed scant regard for the portfolios held by the opposition-nominated commissioners. “These elections are being looked at as a forerunner to the 2020 elections, which are very important to this country; and if this is what is going to happen for this election, then God forbid what is going to happen for the other. This is like a dress rehearsal that has gone horribly wrong,” she told reporters.
Shadick was backed by Gunraj and Benn. Gunraj told reporters that it was through the press that he had learnt of the low voters’ turnout on November 2 elections when members of the disciplined services cast their ballots. That information, he said, should have been provided to commissioners at a meeting of the commission; among other things, issues that arose that day could have been discussed before Monday when the general public is expected to vote. “I believe that any self-respecting organisation ought to have such a debriefing from such an important aspect of the proceedings so that we are all on the same page, in so far as it relates to moving forward Elections Day on November 12,” Gunraj said. For Benn, a former minister of government under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration, it is an issue of transparency and accountability. “It undermines the transparency of the process,” he posited, noting that failure to hold a meeting of commission could undermine voters’ confidence in the process come Monday. The GECOM Chairman, however, rubbished the arguments put forward by the concerned commissioners; he contended that they have provided the media with half-truths.
Opposition-appointed GECOM Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick speaking to reporters during a press conference on Friday. “Ms. Shadick is known to be uncomfortable with the truth, she dissembles a lot,” he told this newspaper, while adding “half-truth is a whole lie, and any omission is a half-truth.” Justice (Ret’d) Patterson said Shadick’s request was more of a demand, and though she “demanded,” he sought to make contact with other commissioners on the proposed meeting. Notwithstanding the fact that the request was made at the height of GECOM’s operations for the upcoming elections, Justice (Ret’d) Patterson said there was no stated reason for the meeting. “Various issues tells me nothing!” he posited. Based on his interaction with the other three commissioners, Vincent Alexander, Desmond Trotman and Charles Corbin, he respond-
ed to Shadick on Friday via writing, underscoring the importance of a stated reason. In the letter to Shadick, the GECOM Chairman reportedly stated that the request was “vague and nebulous.” “The commissioners, those with whom I was able to speak, would prefer more clarity and specificity in request. Time is at the premium they say, and for me, of the essence as well,” Justice (Ret’d) Patterson reportedly said in the letter. It was also indicated that the request came at an inconvenient time in the operations of GECOM. “The whole office of their exercise is to derail the coming elections…I am not going to be having any meeting with them unless the commissioners say so. None
of the three commissioners agree with them, so I cannot force my will on them,” the GECOM chairman said. He also rubbished the claim that the failure to hold a meeting before elections day could undermine voters’ confidence in the system. “That’s nonsense, that’s rubbish, that’s rubbish!” he remarked. Justice (Ret’d) Patterson said all is set for Local Government Elections and the PPP/C commissioners know it. “Not only is all in place but PPP knows that. My staff have been toiling way into the night to 2-3 o’clock in the morning, and doing the same the following day,” he said. On Monday Local Government Elections will be held in 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) across the country.
Reg. Five NDCs well on the way –– to fully utilising subventions THE ten Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice) were last week well on their way to completing developmental projects made possible with their government subventions. Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Sherwyn Wellington said earlier this week that the overall performance of the NDCs in the Region in this regard last week averaged around 90% completion of their $4M across- the-board allocations for 2018. Wellington said that among those NDCS in the 90% range of completion of their subvention proj-
ects were Blairmont-Gelderland, Rosignol-Zee Lust, Bath-Woodley Park, Profit-Rising Sun, Tempie-Seafield, Mahaicony-Abary, Woodlands-Farm and Hamlet-Chance. Following closely on their heels, he said, were Woodlands-Bel Air and Union-Naarstigheid NDCs. Projects being tackled under the Blairmont-Gelderland subvention, which are at various stages of completion include the construction of two streets, a storeroom at the NDC Office, and a self-acting koker for residential drainage. This NDC has reported that one street, namely Pansy Street, is 100% complete,
while the other one, Eddy Singh Street, is 90% complete. Wellington disclosed that Rosignol-Zeelust is executing the purchase of road materials to upgrade the quality of three streets in the Council area at a total cost of $4M. Woodlands-Farm has been using its subvention to construct a street at Number 7 Village, West Coast Berbice, and that project was at last week 85% complete. Bath-Woodley Park had identified the purchase and spreading of road-building materials to remove potholes, which project was last week 90% complete. This NDC had also targeted the purchase and in-
Region 5 DREO, Mr. Sherwyn Wellington stallation of High Density Polyethlene pipes (HDPE) to improve residential drainage at a cost of $1M, and construction of a walkway for residents of the village
at a cost of $500,000 for completion before the end of the year. The Union-Naarstigheid NDC subvention has seen the ongoing construction of two foot-bridges, one at Onverwagt and the other at Lovely Lass; the purchase of crusher run and tar for repairs to some streets within the NDC; and the purchase of greenheart materials for maintenance works. The Tempie-Seafield NDC is set to benefit from a new two-storey building for their Office operations, and the Profit-Rising Sun NDC from $3.2M worth of road-building materials, and construction of a revetment at a cost of $800,000, 90% of which has been completed. The Mahaicony-Abary NDC projects comprise purchase of road-building
materials; purchase and installation of drainage tubes; construction of earthen dams; and construction of a footpath, all of which are at a stage of 90% completion. Woodlands-Farm NDC projects comprising of construction of three streets at a total cost of $4M are 90% complete, as is that of the Hamlet-Chance NDC for the purchasing of road-building materials for James Avenue, Wellington disclosed. Wellington said he is confident that the ten NDCs in the Region will complete their programmes over the next three weeks, and that the residents would benefit from the improved quality of their surroundings by virtue of the completion of these community-based projects.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
‘Our message was well received’ … AFC upbeat ahead of Monday polls
BANKING on what it said have been “amazing” receptions on their campaign across the country, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is very optimistic about their chances come the close of poll for Local Government Elections next Monday. The AFC will be contesting in 38 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAA)
across the country where voting will take place. The party hosted a final press conference on Friday and spoke of their expectations for Monday’s elections. AFC General-Secretary Marlon Williams noted that the AFC has been seeing encouraging support from citizens across the country over the past few months that they have been
campaigning; this, particularly in areas where other parties have dominated over the years. “For us we are jolly and we’re going into these elections joyful and expect a good outcome,” expressed Williams. “Our reception has been amazing. We went to Linden and we went to a community that predomAFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan inantly votes for another group and they were so enthusiastic and so excited about seeing us there. We went to other communities where some people behave like they have transport over and our reception is always positive; and people are always excited about the AFC,” Williams said. Party chairman Khemraj Ramjattan said if this enthusiasm is any indication of what will happen, then they see things going in their favour. “That kind of reception we’re hoping is going to be positive votes for the AFC. It is important that those people that have been giving all that support for us all across the country [come out and vote],” Ramjattan said. “At Whim, people feel they have transport over the area they never believe that
we could’ve had candidates at a constituency level and at PR [Proportional Representation] level; same thing for Good Hope and Number 52 village and many other villages in and around Corentyne and Corriverton.” They press conference saw two of the party’s Region Four candidates also present, who spoke on their plans for their particular constituencies. “The work we’ve done in Mocha so far is tremendous,” said Valencia Wren, AFC candidate for the Mocha-Arcadia LAA. “For the past 23 years we have been very much deprived; and since we would’ve won in 2015 a lot of work still hasn’t been done, but it is our aim that we can do much more.” According to Wren, problems in her area include the need for the cleaning of drains, a proper garbagecollection system, youth employment issues, as well as land maintenance by those whose overgrown yards are resulting in snakes in the area. She is hopeful that a skills centre could be erected in the area to tackle the issue of the lack of youth employment. AFC Candidate for Daimond Place/Golden Grove LAA, Alison Mohamed was also present at the meeting; she spoke of the need for better management of finances within her Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). “There are overgrown
parapets, the roads are horrible, taxis don’t want to take you in, and I don’t blame them. The playgrounds, for the past 15 years those playgrounds have not been developed,” Mohamed explained. “I think it’s time that residents themselves take responsibility for the community that we’re in and we need to hold the people accountantable. We are the largest NDC, the one that brings in the most money and yet still we can’t get roads.
AFC General-Secretary Marlon Williams So I’m happy I’m a part of this process.” The AFC was scheduled to have a rally at the Stabroek Market Square later Friday evening, where more of their candidates were expected to speak about their plans for their varying constituencies.
Lack of quorum delays Privileges Committee decision on Edghill THE Parliamentary Committee of Privileges meeting set for Friday was adjourned due to the lack of a quorum, which defers the fate of Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Bishop Juan Edghill. The committee is now set to meet next Thursday, November 15. The committee needs at least three of the eight members to be present for a quorum; however only two were present yesterday: Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland The committee, headed by Scotland, was expected to conclude consideration of whether Edghill violated any of the Standing Orders, Customs, Practices and or Conventions of the National Assembly during remarks he made in 2015 regarding the salary increases for members of the government. In May 2016 a motion was tabled by government MP, Charrandas Persaud for Edghill to go before the Committee
of Privileges for statements made by Edghill in the National Assembly that were deemed inaccurate by the government side. Edghill in December, 2015, told the National Assembly that the increases given to government ministers totalled over $200M annually. Persaud in his motion rejected Edghill’s claim, saying that the statement misrepresented the salary increases allotted to the governing side. He also took note of the opposition MP’s refusal to withdraw the “inaccurate” statement, thereby reportedly violating his privileges and standing orders. Edghill had moved a motion requesting that the salary increases paid to government ministers be annulled. However, the motion was voted down by the government side. The committee, which also comprises representatives from both sides of the House, will determine what sanctions are available to the National Assembly of Guyana.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 10, 2018
Courts kickstarts Yuletide Season
--with annual Christmas Tree Light Up FURNITURE giant Courts pulled off yet another wellplanned, well-enjoyed Main Street Christmas Tree LightUp Friday night, leaving the hundreds that attended the event all the more excited about the coming season. After the usual line-up of performances by a cast of local artistes and dancers, patrons got all riled up for the arrival of Santa Claus, Mrs. Clause and their friends, which included Dora the Explorer, Spiderman and Minnie Mouse coming through on top of a truck. Christmas in Guyana is now officially considered started, and according to General Manager, Clyde de Haas, Courts is just as excited about the light-up as the children are to attend the event. “It’s our way of giving back,” he said. “We put up the show every year, and it’s a fixture now. “We cannot do without it; this is how Christmas starts in Guyana, so we plan to continue to do it and make it even bigger and better.” This year, the event was emceed by DJ Akeelo and Alana Bose, and saw performances from Jevonah Chester and Melissa Vandeyar, who also rendered the National Anthem at the opening of the event. The event got underway from approximately 17:45h, and the crowd quickly grew as parents and guardians and their wards quickly filled up Main Street. Performances by the Courts Choir and the National School of Dance got things jumping. There was also a poetry performance by Randolph Critchlow, and a song by former GTT Jingle Competition winner, Ryan Hoppie. Popular gospel singer Samuel Medas also took to the stage. Hip Hop dance group, Euphoria Dance Crew also made a return after first performing at the event last year. Just before Santa arrived, the night’s event was closed off with medley performances by Kwasi Ace and Calvin Burnett. Aside from Santa, patrons were also excited to finally see the lights come on, illuminating Main Street. Many of Courts’ staff were on hand to share sweets to the many children who excitedly received them.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by truck at the Courts Main Street Light-up
Just a section of the crowd that came out to savour the Courts Main Street Light-Up
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
Aspiring lawyer loses school challenge at CCJ
THE legal challenge alleging that the Law Schools’ admissions process discriminates against holders of non-University of the West Indies (UWI) law degrees was dismissed Friday afternoon in a judgment delivered at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
The CCJ said in a release Friday that in July 2018, Mr. Jason Jones filed an application for special leave against the Council of Legal Education (CLE), the Council for Social and Human Development (COHSOD), and the Council for Trade and Economic Development
(COTED). The Council of Legal Education was established in 1971 by the Agreement Establishing the Council of Legal Education, and operates three law schools in the region, namely: The Norman Manley Law School, the Hugh Wooding Law School,
and the Eugene Dupuch Law School. These law schools award a Legal Education Certificate (LEC), and the Agreement provides that no person can be admitted in the signatory countries to practise as an Attorney-at-Law unless he or she holds the LEC. Mr. Jones, a national of Trinidad and Tobago, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London, a Master of Laws in Oil and Gas Law, and a Graduate Diploma in Law. In 2015 and 2016, he sat the law schools’ entrance examinations, but was unsuccessful on both occasions. He paid the requisite fees for the examination in 2017, but did not sit the exam, as he was “too disenchanted and discouraged with the entire process”. Mr. Jones is contending that the proposed defendants have infringed, and continue to infringe, his rights and benefits under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which speaks to the free movement of skilled nationals and acceptance of qualification among member states, because, without a Legal Education Certificate, he is not entitled to practise law in the region. He alleges in his application that the automatic acceptance of persons graduating with law degrees from the University of the West Indies into the law schools, and the requirement for the holders of “non-UWI” law
degrees to sit an entrance exam to gain entrance, was a breach of the Treaty as holders of degrees from other universities must vie for a very limited number of places which become available only after the automatic admission of UWI graduates. On August 9, 2018, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) filed an application contending that the CCJ could not hear a claim against the Council of Legal Education; that COHSOD and COTED could not be sued, as they do not have legal identities; and that Mr. Jones’ application was “manifestly ill-founded” and therefore inadmissible. On September 13, 2018, the Council of Legal Education also filed an application, making similar objections to the CCJ’s jurisdiction over the Council. Mr. Emir Crowne, counsel for Mr. Jones, has accepted that COHSOD and COTED could not be a party to the application, because they had no legal identity and sought to have them substituted by the Community. The CCJ considered whether to allow the application to continue against the Community. However, the Court concluded that “None of the Treaty provisions that Mr. Jones has referred to (Articles 35, 36, 37 and 46) show even a glimmer of such a violation. “Moreover, the one form of discrimination that is prohibited and targeted by
ACSEAL President and Co-Founder, Jason Jones the Treaty is discrimination on grounds of nationality.” The CCJ considered the objection raised that the Court had no jurisdiction over the CLE. It noted that the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which was made in 2001, after the Agreement establishing the Council, makes no mention of the CLE or the Agreement. Furthermore, the Court noted that the CLE was not a principal organ of the Community and that it did not even enjoy the status of an institution or associated institution of the Community and as such proceedings could not be commenced against the CLE as an institution of Community. In view of these considerations, the Court dismissed the present application for special leave but left it open for the applicant to decide whether, and how, to seek the redress he claims.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
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Inaugural event explores blue economy strategy to drive energy transformation in the Caribbean
THE Caribbean could transform its energy sector and diversify economic activity by exploring marine renewable energy development, says Monica La Bennett, Vice-President (Operations) at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). She was speaking to over 80 stakeholders and leaders at the Blue Economy Caribbean event held in Miami on November 6, 2018. The Blue Economy Caribbean event was sponsored by the CDB in partnership with the Government of Canada. “The Region has not succeeded in leveraging its coastal resources. These remain largely under-explored, due in part, to the high capital investment costs. To fully exploit marine renewable energy sources, Caribbean Small Island developing states will require considerable external assistance as well as the implementation of appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks,” said La Bennett. The Vice-President noted that CDB has been supporting developments in the Caribbean’s energy sector through programmes such as the Canadian Support to the Energy Sector in the Caribbean Fund (CSES-C), but says that more needs to be done. She says while most of the Bank’s renewable energy initiatives so far have been land-based, the intention is to expand these efforts to include investments in ocean-based renewable energy projects. According to CDB’s study on the blue economy, published in May, approximately 70 per cent of the Caribbean’s population lives on the coast, and the blue economy—economic activities that take place in the ocean
and seas—could effectively drive economic growth and sustainable development. The Caribbean has one of the world’s largest untapped sources of renewable energy, with potential in solar, wind, geothermal and marine energy. However, many Caribbean countries remain dependent on imported petroleum products. Discussions during the event pointed to one possible solution: utilising the oceans and seas that surround much of the Region for marine renewable energy development, through the creation of a blue economy strategy. “We are hoping that through events such as this, that the rest of the world will come to understand that the oceans and the aquatic resources, lakes and rivers, are fundamental to the health of the planet—not just to the people who happen to live in those oceans—[but also] fundamental to our economic opportunities. And as we [are] discovering through some of the emerging technologies, […] open the possibility of new ways to combat some of the diseases that affect mankind,” said William Crosbie, Canadian Coordinator. The event brought together regional and international experts and policymakers, with the aim of building public and private sector consensus around blue economy investment opportunities; connecting stakeholders to sources of capital; and begin the process of building a regional marketplace for blue economy projects and financing. It took place before the start of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, which runs from November 7 to 9, in Miami.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
Tourism Awareness Month ...
GTA fair plugs domestic tourism LOCALS were encouraged to utilise the opportunities and packages offered through Tourism Awareness Month so that they can have a greater appreciation for their country and become better ambassadors. According to a representative of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ronald Smith, the organisation is attempting to foster a greater degree of domestic tourism by bolstering awareness activities. This is being done with the intention of getting more Guyanese
Though support for the awareness activity varies, Smith said the intention is just to share with people all the unique tourism destinations Guyana has to offer and to network citizens with people that organise the tours. Tour Guide and Marketing Representative of Old Fort Tours, Adrian Shiwram, shared, “[The company] is just grateful for the opportunity to promote what we do and allow us to show persons what Guyana has to offer.” He shared that Old Fort Tours specialises in day tours along the Essequibo River, but
Tour Guide and Marketing Representative of Old Fort Tours, Adrian Shiwram interacting with an interested man and his son citizens to appreciate their country. At a tourism sector fair organised at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, Smith said: “We encourage the local tour operators to come out and share their offers.” He explained that if there is a network established among the body, the operators and people, more persons would be encouraged to experience what Guyana has to offer. Additionally, he highlighted: “We encourage them [the tour operators] also to do packages at discount rates so that the locals can travel and explore Guyana.”
it works in conjunction with other private companies, i.e., resorts, to facilitate comprehensive packages. For him, he said that locals are the most interested in the tours and the support has been really great for the company, allowing them to run the Essequibo River tours every weekend and on holidays. This tour company was just one of the few that came out to the awareness event in an attempt to attract supporters and generally edify Guyanese about Destination Guyana.
An interested citizen interacts with a tour operator at the Tourism sector fair at the Giftland Mall [Vishani Ragobeer photos]
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
Remembrance Day ceremony set for Sunday
IN commemoration of the centenary observance of the end to World War I and remembering the fallen soldiers from both World Wars I and II, the annual Remembrance Parade has been set for Sunday at the Cenotaph in Georgetown. President of the Guyana Veterans League (GVL) retired Lieutenant-Colonel George Gomes told the Guyana Chronicle, “Every year, on the second Sunday in November, a parade of Remembrance is held to remember all those who gave their lives in service to the Commonwealth during World Wars I and II.” The Remembrance Day ceremony is held each year to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the two World
Wars (1914-1918 and 19331945), so that the others left behind might live in peace. The First World War ended on November 11, 1918 at 11:00hrs following the signing of the armistice; and this is the date on which Remembrance Day is observed. This year marks the centenary observance of the end of WWI. The parade features a variety of events and there will be the wreath-laying exercise which will be attended by leaders of government, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries.. Additionally, Gomes said: “We still have a number of WWII survivors in Guyana and they will be leading the parade in their wheelchairs.”
ECD man gets 23 years for killing drinking partner JOEL Narine Persaud was sentenced to 23 years in jail for the gruesome 2012 killing of his friend with whom he was imbibing at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The sentence was handed down by Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Demerara High Court after the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and not guilty to murder. According to the indictment, Joel Narine Persaud murdered Gangaram Bharat called “Bumpy” at Enmore between June 28 and July 4, 2012. Presenting the facts of the case, State Prosecutor Orinthia Schmidt told the court that the duo are known to each other and were consuming alcoholic beverages when the accused asked the deceased to leave his house. The deceased however refused the request of the accused after which a heated row erupted, causing Persaud to deliver several lashes to the head of the deceased with a sledgehammer, after which he Bharat fell. Schmidt added that to conceal his crime, the accused then burnt the body of his drinking friend and later placed it in a shallow grave he had dug in his yard. She told the court that the accused then fled to Berbice and tried to escape to Suriname, but he was apprehended by the police after which he was charged for the murder. A post-mortem revealed that Bharat died as a result of cerebral haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the head. A plea of mitigation was made by defence attorney Maxwell McKay, after which Justice Kissoon handed down the sentence after considering the aggravating and mitigating factors of the case. The state was represented by Schmidt in association with Lisa Cave.
Red poppies are worn on Remembrance Day in most countries, including Guyana. It is a symbol of sacrifice and an emblem of remembrance for the men and women who served and made the ultimate sacrifice in the different wars. The poppy is a white flower, but this symbolic red flower represents the blood that stained the flowers on the battlefield during the First World War.
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Flashback! A veteran about to lay his wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony held at the Cenotaph, Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, in remembrance of the heroes who died in World Wars 1 and 11
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Investigations continue into Freeman Street fire
INVESTIGATIONS are still being conducted into the suspicious fire that claimed the life of Arlene Moses on Thursday when her wooden Freeman Street, East La Penitence
house went up in flames, the police said Friday. Neighbours believe that it was a stove that might have been left alight that started the fire, but some are also saying that something’s not
quite right. The 54-year-old woman, who ran a shop from her residence reportedly lived with her nephew, and from all accounts, the neighbours were unable to get into the
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
What’s left of the house Arlene Moses once shared with her nephew house because it was tightly secured from the inside. One as good as said that he found it strange that she should do so, since the doors to the house would normally be open. According to the man, no one heard any screams or noise coming from the property, which indicated to
them that Moses was trapped inside. The elderly woman’s charred remains were found after the blaze was put out by members of the Guyana Fire Service. They were found at the back of the house and taken to the Lyken Funeral Home.
Strathspey accident victim still unidentified THE police are seeking the help of the public in identifying a man who is currently in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The man was reportedly struck down two Tuesdays ago on the Strathspey Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), around 19:45h by a motorcar, which was at the time being driven by a
The injured man at the GPHC 33-year-old Friendship, ECD resident. According to the police, the car (PVV 9941) was proceeding west along the railway embankment when the unidentified man allegedly ran across the road straight into its path. He was reportedly taken by public-spirited persons to the GPHC, where he has since been warded, while the driver of the vehicle who was taken into police custody, is now out on bail. The police are calling on anyone with information that could identify the injured man to urgently make contact with them.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
Pork-knocker remanded for allegedly beheading brother-in-law
ANTHONY King, a 25-year-old pork-knocker on Friday appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman charged for the gruesome murder of his brother-in-law whom he allegedly beheaded at a
Anthony King Section ‘C’ Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home. King was not required to plead to the capital offence which alleged that on November 5, 2018, at Section ‘C’ Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he murdered Justin Peterkin, 39. King showed no remorse as the charge was being read to him and was remanded to prison until November 23, when he will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. According to a police report Peterkin, an electri-
cian and father of one who resides at Paradise Village, East Coast Demerara and King visited the Golden Grove property on Monday. Shortly after the occupants David King, a 51-year-old contractor, and his daughter Cassandra King, (father and sister of the suspect) left for work, an eye witness reportedly saw the alleged perpetrator chopping his inlaw in the yard. An alarm was raised and the suspect left the scene but was promptly arrested by the police, who were summoned. The body which bore multiple wounds to the neck, head and shoulder, was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem. At the scene of the crime, a trail of blood at the entrance to the home greeted
Dead: Justin Peterkin
Lucky Jamal
AFTER spending almost a year on remand a 21-yearold former Guyana Defence Force lance corporal on Friday walked out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court a free man after having a gun and ammunition charge against him dismissed . Jamal Hazel, 22, of ‘A’ Field, Sophia, was charged for being in possession of an unlicensed .38 pistol along with nine matching rounds on January 13, at Middle Road,La Penitence, Georgetown. Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman found that the prosecution failed to prove that Hazel had knowledge, control or possession of the firearm which are key elements of the charge. These were brought to the court’s attention by defence counsel Ravindra Mohabir. Mohabir also told the court that his client was beaten and forced by the police to sign the caution statement. The magistrate then ruled that there was insufficient evidence in the case and dismissed the charges against Hazel. A few months ago, Hazel was also freed by Magistrate
Freed: Jamal Hazel Latchman of three armed robbery charges when the victims refused to give evidence against him; he was also freed from similar charges at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. According to the facts of the case, on January 13, policemen acting on information went to a house at Middle Road, La Penitence and found the gun. Hazel, was not at home, but his aunt told the police that the firearm belonged to her nephew. The lance corporal denied all of the charges while his then attorney George Thomas told the court that his client was on duty at Camp Stephenson, Timehri, when most of the robberies were perpetrated.
investigators. One neighbour told the Guyana Chronicle that the alleged perpetrator Anthony King, visited his father’s home on Sunday night. While at the home, it was said that Anthony bore a strong marijuana odour and was acting strangely, entering the bedrooms and peering under the beds.
However, his father monitored him as he slept over. The following morning, Justin Peterkin who is the father of Cassandra’s child, visited the home and commenced electrical work at a neighbour’s residence. The neighbour further explained that Cassandra, her two children and her father
had left for work leaving Peterkin and Anthony King at the home. Daniel Boutrin, a 20-year-old mason of Guyhoc Park said he visited the mother of his child and was cooking while his reputed wife was hanging clothes in the front yard. It was then he heard a sound coming from
the neighbour’s yard. Consequently, he looked into the neighbour’s yard and saw Anthony King inside the yard groaning loudly with a hammer in his hand. Minutes after, he saw Anthony King standing over Peterkin chopping away on his neck with the aid of a hammer.
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Motorcyclist killed in Mon Repos crash unidentified POLICE are investigating a fatal accident which occurred in the wee hours of Friday morning on the Mon Repos Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The accident involved motor lorry GRR 6081 driven by a resident of Beterverwagting Housing
Scheme, East Coast Demerara and an unidentified motorcyclist. Enquiries disclosed that the lorry was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the road, whilst the motorcyclist was proceeding north along the access road (on the southern
side of the public road) reportedly at a fast rate of speed. The motorcyclist suddenly turned east onto the public road, lost control and collided with the lorry’s right side. As a result of the impact, the man fell onto the road and his head came into
contact with the vehicle’s rear right wheel. The body is presently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting identification and a post-mortem. The driver of the lorry, who passed a breathalyzer test, is in custody assisting with the investigation.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 10, 2018
The motorcycle involved in the crash.
The unidentified motorcyclist
Murder accused fears for his life … after threats, attack by fellow inmates By Clestine Juan A 20-year-old murder accused was on Friday beaten by two inmates who are relatives of the victim, while being transported to the Georgetown Magistrates Court in the prison van. Matthew Parks, who is charged for the murder of Guyana Water Inc (GWI) employee Roger Alleyne, suffered lacerations to the head and left ears during the attack. One of the attackers told Parks, “You kill my brother boy…. You gon know what I gon do with you,” as police ranks took the injured prisoner from the van. When Parks appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman, his attorney Patrice Henry informed the court of the attack and explained that his client is now fearful Matthew Parks for his life. The magistrate immediately ordered that Parks be taken for medical attention and adjourned his matter until November 23. Less than two months ago Parks was hauled before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was charged for the capital offence, which alleged that on September 13, 2018 at D’Urban and Chapel Streets, Lodge, he murdered 23-year-old Alleyne called ‘El Chapo.’ According to the police, investigations revealed that Parks, who lives at Freeman Street, East La Penitence was on duty at a Mini Mart located at D’Urban and Chapel streets, Lodge, when Alleyne went to the mart to make a purchase. Police said the two men had an exchange of words due to a misunderstanding and Alleyne subsequently left. Around 17:00hrs that day, as Parks exited his workplace, he was confronted by Alleyne who was reportedly armed with a piece of wood and a knife. According to the police, a scuffle ensued and both men sustained injuries. They were escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where Alleyne underwent emergency surgery for two suspected stab wounds. He later succumbed to his injuries.
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Dottin the I’s! From page 51
14.4 overs. Medium Pacer Deandra Dottin was just too good for Bangladesh’s middle and lower-order, as she ended with 5-5, her career-best, best by a Windies bowler and in the history of the tournament. Bangladesh might have hoped for an upset as they began the 107 chase, but that hope evaporated pretty soon. Their technique was found out and their temperament was non-existent. Not even a single batter reached double figures, some dismissals exposed the amount of work they need to do with their batting. Earlier, it was the batting that let the Windies down with only Kycia Knight’s 24-ball 32, and Stefanie Taylor who never got going during her 44-ball 28 that gave the hosts something to bowl at. Jahanara Alam, who finished with three wickets, was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, but it was the spinners who dried up the scoring on a wicket predicted to be slow and low. After a first over which cost nine runs, including a six from Deandra Dottin off Alam, the visitors hit back hard with three wickets inside the powerplay overs. Alam claimed the wickets of Dottin and Hayley Matthews off consecutive balls at the start of the third over, before Salma
Khatun trapped Shemaine Campbelle lbw at 18-3. Things went further downhill for the defending champions with the dismissals of Natasha McLean and Britney Cooper, but Taylor and Knight added 37 for the sixth-wicket to prop the innings up. Rumana Ahmed (2-16) and a wicket for Khadija Tul Kubra, were the other successful bowlers. The pitch did deteriorate by the time Bangladesh batted in the second innings, and the run chase was not any ease. Apart from Dottin, the other Windies’ bowlers all kept a tight leash on the opposition, and shared the wickets around. This is the first standa l o n e Wo m e n ’s Wo r l d Twenty20 and the first global cricket event in the region since 2010. Guyana’s leg of the tournament continues tomorrow with India playing Pakistan at 11:00hrs and Australia takes on Ireland from 16:00hrs.
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Stoinis levels series for Australia (REUTERS) - All-rounder Marcus Stoinis took three wickets to fire Australia to a seven-run win over South Africa at the Adelaide Oval yesterday, ending the hosts’ record seven-match losing streak and levelling the threematch one-day international series. Aaron Finch’s side will head to tomorrow’s decider in Hobart buoyed by Australia’s first win in the short format since January and having delivered some badly needed cheer for the struggling cricket nation. Sent in to bat, Australia again laboured against a formidable South African attack and were dismissed for 231 in the 49th over after squandering a number of starts. But a lionhearted performance by Stoinis and the Australian pacemen overwhelmed Faf du Plessis’s
men who were restricted to 224 for nine off their 50 overs. “We can build on this,” said Stoinis, who took 3-35 and ran out Aiden Markram for 19 with brilliant fielding.
on Sunday, the win came after another gloomy week for cricket in Australia, where the fall-out from a culture review into the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal caused ructions off the field.
Marcus Stoinis is pumped. (Getty Images)
“It’s been a tough six months so just really happy that we can chill out now, at least for a day and then get into the next game.” Thrashed by six wickets in the opener in Perth
Yesterday, Finch had said the turmoil was causing “doubts” in his team, and the uncertainty seemed on show as four of their top six batsmen threw away their wickets after positive starts.
Afridi, Fakhar help Pakistan draw level (ESPNCRICINFO) - PAKISTAN finally managed to stop New Zealand’s 12-match winning streak against them in ODIs, and it came via one of their better performances since the 2017 Champions Trophy final. This meant they also kept the series alive heading into Dubai for the finale. Fakhar Zaman made his first half-century in Asia - it could’ve been a hundred if not for a wild slog - as Pakistan cruised to a six-wicket victory after Shaheen Afridi’s four-for restricted New Zealand to 210. Fakhar and Imam-ulHaq started solidly, but the stand was broken, courtesy of a sickening blow to the head that forced Imam off the field. Lockie Ferguson’s sharp bouncer smashed into his grille to leave him shaken. While he expressed a desire to stay on, it was clear he needed medical attention. In resetting their focus, Pakistan could not have hoped for a more imperturbable batsman than Babar Azam at No.3. He immediately set about his innings with the effortless glory that has become his hallmark. A magnificent cover drive that would have drawn purrs from a Test crowd was the shot of the day, but it was one amid a flurry of boundaries that almost completely neutralised Ferguson. Fakhar, at the other end, was batting as if his
recent struggles hadn’t happened, perhaps emancipated by the reduced pressure of a smaller chase. New Zealand needed wickets at the top to make this competitive, but the first didn’t come until Pakistan had crossed 150. Fakhar and Babar did fall within three balls of each other to find personal milestones withheld from them - Fakhar was 12 runs short of a 100 and Babar four away from 50 - but with just 55 runs away, they had ensured their side
would not be denied. Pakistan had kept New Zealand to that total due to a fantastic team effort in the field, but even so, Shaheen Afridi stood out. He had the ascendancy over New Zealand whether he came on at the start or at the finish. He was tight with his lines and menacing with his lengths. His four-for punctured New Zealand at both ends of the innings, and ensured they couldn’t run away and post the sort of total that has discomfited Pakistan so frequently in recent times.
Finch chopped onto his stumps when coasting on 41, while Chris Lynn was undone on 44, gloving an attempted hook off Kagiso Rabada to the keeper. Shaun Marsh (22) and wicketkeeper Alex Carey (47) also fell to loose shots off paceman Rabada, who finished with 4-54. A defiant 22 by tailender Adam Zampa helped Australia to a defendable total, and pacemen Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Stoinis combined to reduce South Africa to 68 for four. du Plessis and David Miller shared a 78-run stand before the skipper dragged Pat Cummins onto his stumps for 47. Hazlewood removed Pretorius for 14 to give the home side the upper hand but there was still hope for South Africa with Miller anchoring the lower order. Stoinis crushed those hopes with a fiery spell, bowling Dale Steyn for three before trapping Miller lbw for 51. The barrel-chested all-rounder roared in triumph as Miller trudged off, with the game broken open.
Ali destroys Sri Lanka
(REUTERS) - SPINNERS Moeen Ali and Jack Leach combined to destroy Sri Lanka and bowl England to a comprehensive 211-run victory inside four days in the first Test yesterday. With no realistic chance of winning after conceding a 139-run first-innings lead to England, Sri Lanka tried in vain to force Rangana Herath’s farewell Test into its final day. Yet while Angelo Mathews made his second fifty of the match and Kusal Mendis contributed 45, the rest of their batting order failed to offer substantial resistance and they collapsed for 250. Moeen claimed 4-71 as he and fellow spinners Leach and Adil Rashid shared eight of the
10 Sri Lankan wickets. Playing his 93rd and last Test, Herath was the last man out, diving into his crease in a failed effort to avoid being run-out. “Very proud, I thought the way we played throughout the four days is excellent,” England captain Joe Root said, singling out Ben Foakes, whose century on debut earned him the man-of-the-match award, for special praise. “For a guy to come in on his debut and play an innings of that substance ... really proud of him,” he added. The second match of the three-Test series is in Kandy, starting on November 14, before the final contest in Colombo from November 23.
SCOREBOARD
ENGLAND 1st innings 342 all out SRI LANKA 1st innings 203 all out ENGLAND 2nd innings 322 decl. SRI LANKA 2nd innings Dimuth Karunaratne c & b Moeen Ali 26 Kaushal Silva lbw Jack Leach 30 Dhananjaya de Silva c Joe Root b Ben Stokes 21 Kusal Mendis c Moeen Ali b Jack Leach 45 Angelo Mathews c Jos Buttler b Moeen Ali 53 Dinesh Chandimal b Jack Leach 1 Niroshan Dickwella c Ben Stokes b Moeen Ali 16 Dilruwan Perera c Ben Stokes b Adil Rashid 30 Akila Dananjaya c Ben Stokes b Moeen Ali 8 Suranga Lakmal not out 14 Rangana Herath run-out Ben Stokes 5 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total: (all out, 85.1 overs) 250 Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-59, 3-98, 4-144, 5-154, 6-190, 7-197, 8-229, 9-239. Bowling: Sam Curran 5-1-15-0, James Anderson 12-2-27-0, Moeen Ali 20-2-71-4, Adil Rashid 18.1-0-59-1, Jack Leach 211-60-3, Ben Stokes 8-2-16-1, Joe Root 1-0-1-0.
Hamilton beaten by Bottas in practice
Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg had a heavy crash.
Henry Nicholls is deceived by a Hasan Ali off-cutter, Pakistan v New Zealand, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi, yesterday.
(BBC) - VALTTERI Bottas led Lewis Hamilton to a Mercedes one-two in second practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Bottas was just 0.003secs quicker than Hamilton, and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was just 0.073secs off the pace in third. But Ferrari, who still have hopes of wresting the constructors’ championship from Mercedes, showed much stronger pace in race trim. Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg had a heavy crash at the tricky Juncao corner. The tight left-hander is one of the most important
bends on the track, as it leads on to the long, uphill pit straight. Hulkenberg ran a little wide and kept his foot down as the car ran off the kerb on to the grass, which pitched him into the wall. The incident brought out the red flag for six minutes as the wreckage was cleared. It was the only major incident in the session. The Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were fourth and fifth, ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, with Haas’ Romain Grosjean best of the rest ahead of Sauber’s Charles Leclerc. Hamilton, who is deter-
mined to break a run in which he has never won another race in a season after clinching the championship early, did not sound satisfied with the Mercedes’ performance, complaining about tyres over the radio to the team a number of times through the session. “It’s been a normal day,” he said. “We got through everything we needed to. The car felt better than in Mexico but we still have some problems we are trying to work our way through and understand, but the pace doesn’t seem too bad so we just have to keep working on it.”
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SCA president boasts of successes in 2018 By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Boasting that there were more successes than challenges in 2018, president of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA), Guyanese-born Shiv Persaud, still feels there are many areas in which the association can do a lot better. In his message observing the 38th anniversary of the SCA, Persaud pointed out that “throughout the year, our executive body made sure that our plans were executed successfully. For example, we were able to run off the SCA T20 Bash on the Canada Day long weekend. However, I strongly feel that there are a lot of greater things that can be accomplished with the special talent, intelligence, work ethic
Shiv Persaud
and expertise of our executive body.” Unavoidably absent from the association’s annual presentation dinner and dance, held recently at the Eastown Banquet Hall, Scarborough here, Persaud disclosed that with the positive trend and growth in Scarborough “I would like to see that Scarborough Cricket Association play representative cricket against other associations/ leagues that are members of Cricket Ontario and across Canada”. According to Persaud, he feels this proposed initiative will provide a platform for juniors, women and open category players to grow and improve their cricketing skills. “We are working on initiatives that can make this possible and are well supported by Cricket Ontario
who has shown a keen interest for junior and women cricketers from Scarborough to be exposed at the provincial and national levels. “We applaud Cricket Ontario (executives) for the work they are doing and look forward to be a vital member in working with them to achieve their shortterm and long-term planning goals.” Persaud called on members of the SCA to assist the entity by approaching their councillors about increasing and improving cricketing facilities. “This is something that has continued to stifle the growth of cricket in Scarborough and Durham Region. I’ve also seen a growing interest in the shorter version of limited overs from our members and prospective members.
“I feel this is a key area for us to create huge excitement and participation in the sport of cricket. For 2019, I plan to revisit our limited overs competition with the aim of possibly proposing to play 20 overs, 30 overs, 40 overs and 50 overs cricket from a proposed Fourth Division to Elite. We will also be changing the way player transfers are currently done so players and clubs can have more transparency.” The SCA president said he was delighted to be celebrating the special evening with the officials and players and looked forward to welcoming them back in 2019. “To our sponsors, we are grateful for your philanthropic contributions and do look forward for your key participation in promoting the sport of cricket. On be-
half of my fellow executives, I would like to wish you a very healthy and happy holiday.” Persaud also reserved special congratulations to all individual and team awardees on their accomplishment in 2018. “Over the past season, we have seen a record number of teams in the SCA. This particularly bodes well for the growth of cricket and we are proud to be leading this positive trend. “As we celebrate a successful 2018, we encourage everyone to continue to aspire for greater performances and achievements. This truly takes hard work and preparation and judging from the many recipients of awards, this is definitely going to lead to bigger things in the future.”
GFF National Women’s Development League on this weekend THE GFF-Always National Women’s Development League will continue this weekend in three regions as the tournament seeks to have continuous and consistent women’s football in Guyana. In Georgetown, Fruta Conquerors ‘A’ team will be looking to continue their winning ways at Tucville ground when they face off against Foxy Ladies at 15:00hrs. In the Ancient County of Berbice, action will kick off at Number 5 ground beginning at 12:00hrs with the West Side Conquerors FC against NA United FC and Cougars FC versus Orealla Falcons FC at 14:00hrs respectively. Mahdia will host one match at 16:00hrs featuring Mahdia Gold Getters versus Micam Eagles at 16:00hrs. Following last weekend’s matches, Fruta Conquerors
‘A’ consolidated their lead at the top of the Georgetown division on Saturday, beating their Fruta Conquerors ‘B’ team rivals 4-0 at the Tucville
ground. Fruta Conquerors ‘A’ captain and national team player Odessa Romeo netted twice, including a stunning long-range free kick, while
goals from Tiandi Smith and Kenesha Williams completed the victory. The league, featuring a shorter format and seven-
Fruta B Team player heads to goal, hotly pursued by the defender of Fruta Conquerors A team.
a-side matches and a record 49 teams in divisions across the country, also kicked off in Mahdia and Berbice over the weekend. In Mahdia, Micam Eagles ‘B’ triumphed 4-0 over Micam Eagles ‘A’ to take an early lead in the division, with two goals apiece from Claudette Kemfume and Shondell Bellarmine. In Berbice, New Amsterdam United put four past Orealla Falcons without reply, in the double-header opening round at Number 5 ground on Saturday. The win puts United atop the Berbice division on goal difference. Natasha Halley etched her name onto the score sheet twice, with additional goals from Ayana Walker and Chante Leacock. Rebekah Nurse scored twice in the first half for West Side Conquerors as they defeated Cougars 3-1 to go second in the division.
Kyla Benjamin opened the scoring for Conquerors in the 8th minute while Amrist Hector grabbed the consolation goal for Cougars. The GFF-Always National Women’s Development League, also sponsored by the official Ansa McAl beverage partner iCool and Gaico Construction, is part of the GFF’s strategy to develop women’s football across the country, alongside girls’ participation in the GFF-Kool Kidz Grassroots national programme and nationwide GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres. The league, which will take place in all 10 administrative regions, seeks to significantly boost player population and competitive participation across the country, and to establish the foundations for a sustained talent identification and player pathway into the national teams.
Singh’s half-century lifts Rising Stars to victory in MPL T20 competition SACHIN Singh blasted a quick-fire half-century to lead the Rising Stars Cricket Club to the semi-finals of the inaugural Major Premier League (MPL) T20 cricket competition.
The competition, which attracted 16 teams, is being played at several venues on the West Coast of Demerara. Singh scored 54 from 45 balls to lift his side in their run chase past home
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, November 10, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)
ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Chris Gayle-117 (vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007) Suresh Raina-101 (vs SA, St. Lucia, 2010)
(1) (2)
TODAY’S QUIZ: Where and when was the first ever T20 Int’l between the WI & India played? Who were the captains involved? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE
team Meten-Meer-Zorg on Tuesday. Meten-Meer-Zorg batted first and scored 114 all out in 19.3 overs after off-spinner Mavin Cheong and left-arm spinner Shane Persad took 3-20 and 2-19 respectively. Sheldon Alexander led the home side with 33 runs (1x4, 2x6s). In reply, Singh, who opened the batting, smashed four fours and a similar number of sixes to lead the Rising Stars to 120-4 from 16 overs. Support came from Nickosi Major, who smashed two sixes and a four to finish with 20 runs from nine balls. Sewchan and J. Maxwell finished with two wickets each for the home team.
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Ming gains vital support ahead of Radical Caribbean Cup
HAVING been absent from competition in Guyana for the last four years, Calvin Ming is happy to be back to participate in the final round of the Radical SR3 Caribbean Championship Series, at the South Dakota Circuit this weekend. Calvin is currently pursuing a Degree in Civil Engineering at the Florida International University (F.I.U.) for the last three years, and at the same time competing in karting, For-
mula 1600, Formula 4, and the USF2000 Championship Series in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Ming, in an invited comment, said, “I am feeling pretty good. I came in Thursday night and I had some good sessions thus far. I haven’t seen any other radicals but I think our setup is pretty solid for the weekend.” He was the NACAM, F.I.A. Formula 4 Champion for 2016-2017 and was a driver on the ‘Pabst Racing’
team in the USF2000 Series that won the team championship for 2017 and 2018. He also won the prize of $5 000, for the slickest pass in the USF2000 Series for 2018. He is being sponsored and supported for the weekend by the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, the New Thriving Restaurant, Ming’s Products & Services (MPS), Ming’s Optical and E-Network, for which he is most appreciative.
Vice-president of Princess Guyana Ramada Hamdi Karagozoglu hands over a cheque to Stanley Ming for his son Calvin.
GMR&SC Ignite set for today RACE fans and enthusiasts will have two action-packed days of racing when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages the Ignite race meet set for today and tomorrow. The event, which forms the basis for the Seaboard
Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships 2018 will see competitors from Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, United States, Canada and Europe compete in nine classes. Tickets for the 27-race programme are on sale at $2 500; children $1 000
at B.M. Soat Auto Sales, Croal Street office. Meanwhile, VIP tickets are available at Parc Rayne and Rent-a-Tent at the cost of $17 500 for adults and $9 000 for kids, for tomorrow’s action. See programme attached.
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COURTS Peewee 2018 finale
West Ruimveldt to defend title against St Pius today
In photo, participants pose after the 1st part of the Indoor Recurve 2018 Championships.
Archery Guyana hosts year-end Indoor Recurve Competition ARCHERY Guyana held the first of four year-end competitions of its 2018 Championships, at the National Gymnasium on Sunday, November 4. The indoor recurve competition began with 14 competitors in the ranking rounds of adult male, adult female and youth female categories vying for top spots. After the opening ceremony and remarks by president of Archery Guyana, Mr Mohamed Khan, the action began at 11:00hrs with 8 competitors in the Adult Male Individual category shooting in the 300 ranking round. That was followed by the Ladies in the Adult Female Individual and Youth Female Individual categories also shooting in their ranking round of 300 (a ranking round of 300 is where an archer shoots 30 arrows with a possibility of scoring all 10s). After the Individual rounds,, athletes were paired for the Mixed Team ranking rounds, with the highest scoring male paired with the lowest scoring female and vice-versa. Part 2 of the Indoor Championships will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018 when the 4 teams will compete for
gold, silver and bronze in the semi-finals and final. The next event (Outdoor Recurve) will be held on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the Carifesta Sports Club ground, Carifesta Avenue from 11:00hrs. Archery Guyana would like to thank the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for their kind permission to use the National Gymnasium and Carifesta ground. LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:ADULT MALE INDIVIDUAL ■ 1st place - Umasankar Madray 225 points ■ 2nd place - Anand Mangra 198 points ■ 3rd place - Sean Duncan 174 points ■ 4th place - Ryan McKinnon 164 points ■ 5th place – Latchman Singh 89 points ■ 6th place – Mohamed Khan 82 points
■ 7th place – Jeewanram Persaud 80 points ■ 8th place - Nicholas Hing 76 points ADULT FEMALE INDIVIDUAL ■ 1st place – Samira Duncan 104 points ■ 2nd place – Narda Mohamed 101 points ■ 3rd place – Shereeda Yusuf 65 points ■ 4th place – Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon 29 points
■ 3rd place - Jeewanram Persaud & Talitha Kissoon 93 points ■ 4th place - Ryan McKinnon & Shereeda Yusuf 91 points ■ 5th place - Anand Mangra & Jessica Callender 73 points ■ 6th place - Samira Duncan & Mohamed Khan 73 points ■ 7th place - Latchman Singh & Narda Mohamed 63 points The top 3 Scoring Teams moved on to the Eliminations Rounds and all the other Teams got a chance to battle it out for a final spot in the Elimination Round.
YOUTH FEMALE INDIVIDUAL ■ 1st place – Talitha Kissoon THE RESULTS WERE 102 points AS FOLLOWS: ■ 2nd place – Jessica ■ 1st place - Anand Callender Mangra & Jessica Callen21 points der 126 points ■ 2nd place - Ryan TEAM SHOOTING McKinnon & Shereeda RESULTS Yusuf 121 points ■ 1st place - Sean ■ 3rd place - Samira Duncan & Vidushi Per- Duncan & Mohamed Khan saud-McKinnon 137 points 92 points ■ 2nd place - Uma■ 4th place - Latchsankar Madray & Nicholas man Singh & Narda MoHing 123 points hamed 69 points.
THE curtain will come down on the 2018 COURTS Under-11 Pee Wee football tournament this afternoon at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground on Carifesta Avenue, when 2017 champions West Ruimveldt clash with St Pius from 16:30hrs in the eagerly-awaited final. In the lead-up to the final, West pulled off a come-from-behind win against Mocha Arcadia in their feature semi-final last Saturday at the MoE ground to set up today’s dream final. Mocha’s Jiheam Lewis gave the reigning champions an early scare when he fired his team ahead in the fourth minute of the 20-minute-perhalf encounter, but a second-half equaliser by Mark Philips from a corner set-piece and an extra-time screamer from West Ruimveldt skipper Jonathan Andries, ensured that they have another chance today to prove that
they are the best. Ruimveldt will face St Pius, who looked like title-contenders from the early stages of the competition. St Pius won the first semi-final during last week’s penultimate match-day after needling the much-disciplined, defensive, Tucville team, thanks to Jamal Fraser for a well-taken shot from just outside the box, one minute from fulltime. Some of the key players in the encounter will be West skipper Andries who was last year’s MVP and Mark Philips along with St Pius’ Jamal Fraser and Kaden Wellington who stands a good chance of becoming t h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). T h e d a y ’s p l a y will begin at 12:30hrs with 5th to 16th seeding matches while the third-place battle will kick off at 15:30hrs, followed by the grand finale at 16:30hrs.
Guyana now ranked 32nd globally in junior badminton GUYANA finished their mixed team championships in the Li Ning BWF World Juniors Badminton Championships in Markham, Canada with a ranking of 32 out of 175 badminton-playing nations. The young team, led by the number one-ranked female player in the country, Priyanna Ramdhani, bowed out of the competition after a defeat by a strong South African side. It was the second time that we have competed at the World Juniors after a 39th place finish at the 2005 event in Peru. Ramdhani, the Caribbean number one-ranked U-17 female player, battled hard against Megan De Beer, but eventually lost a two-set clash in the Girls’ singles. She lost the first game 24-22 and the second 21-14. The defeat sealed the fate of the Guyanese after they had lost the Mixed doubles and the Boys’ singles against the African nation. In the Mixed team doubles Jayde DaSilva and Tyrese Jeffrey lost to Robert Summers and Chelsea Yiatses 6-2,
1-6, 7-21 while in the Boys’ singles Akili Haynes lost to Jarred Elliott 5-21, 9-21. The closest the Guyanese came to victory was on Thursday when they lost to Kenya 2-3. In that clash, we were ahead 2-1, before Kenya won two straight games. The 16-year-old Ramdhani had defeated Krisha Ghia 21-13, 21-13 in the Girls’ singles, while Tyrese Jeffrey and Haynes had defeated Urjan Omit Shah and Ujval Omit Shah in the Boys’ doubles 21-19, 21-16. Guyana, the only Caribbean team that qualified for the competition, had to battle a number of tough teams during the first week of the competition, including Singapore, the USA, Denmark and Austria. A number of nations, including New Zealand, Poland, Mongolia, Uganda, Australia, Macau China and Slovakia finished below us in the rankings. The Guyanese players will now focus on the Li Ning BWF Individual Championships that is scheduled to begin on Monday.
Three of the four badminton players who represented us in the team competition
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday November 10, 2018
Kaur’s maiden T20 Australia beat Pakistan in one-sided affair ton leads India past New Zealand INDIA created history yesterday as the first team to win a match standalone Women’s World T20 when they beat New Zealand by 34 runs. In the opening game of the ICC Women’s World T20 World Cup at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, India faced New Zealand and compiled a monstrous total of 194 for 5 with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading the way with her maiden International T20 century before restricting New Zealand to 160 for 9. The subcontinent side won the toss and elected to bat, with Taniya Bhatia immediately taking the attack to New Zealand as she carved two fours through the leg-side region. However, she did not last much longer as she was cleanbowled off the first delivery in the second over; a ripping in-swinger from Lea Tahuhu. This brought 18-year-old batting sensation Jemimah Rodrigues to the crease. She proved to be an anchor for the Indian innings as Simriti Mandhana and Hemalaya Dayalan soon followed Bhatia back to the hut, dismissed by Tahuhuh and Leigh Kasperek respectively. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Rodrigues and together they destroyed the New Zealand attack with a partnership of 134 runs off 74 deliveries for the fourth wicket. Kaur in her 103 carved
Australia begin their quest for the World T20 with victory over Pakistan in Guyana. (Photo: Jan Kruger-IDI/IDI via Getty Images).
By Rajiv Bisnauth India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (right) celebrates on reaching her maiden T20 International century with Jemimah Rodrigues. (Adrian Narine photo)
seven boundaries and hit an astonishing eight maximums while Rodrigues finessed her way to 59 laced with seven fours. New Zealand’s Jess Watkin ended that partnership when she had Rodrigues stumped in the 18th over; Kaur soon followed - just after bringing up her century. She was caught by Katey Martin off the bowling of Sophie Devine from the penultimate delivery of the innings. Tahuhu was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with 2 for 18 off of 3 overs while Kasperek, Watkin and Devine had a wicket each. In response, New Zealand started brightly with openers Suzie Bates and Ana Peterson
putting on a 52-run opening partnership in just 6 overs before Peterson was out, caught by Bhatia off the bowling of debutant Dayalan. Devine, Watkin and captain Amy Satterwaite joined Bates but none was able to string together any useful partnerships with ther. Devine and Watkin were both accounted for by spinner Poonam Yadav for scores of 9 and 0 respectively to put a dent in New Zealand’s chase while Satterwaite fell to Hemelatha for just three runs. The real killer blow was struck in the 14th over when Arundhati Reddy had Bates caught by Hemalatha for 67 (50 balls, 8x4) to leave New Zealand in dire straits at 98
for 5. Maddy Green came in but lasted just three deliveries before Hemalatha had her holing out to Deepti Sharma. This brought together Katey Martin and Kasperek who offered some resistance with a 37-run partnership, which ended when Martin fell on the penultimate delivery of the 18th over. From there it went downhill as New Zealand ended on 160 for 9 with the last two wickets mustering just 13 runs. Debutant Hemalatha was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3-26 off 4 overs while Poonam Yadav snared 3-33 (4 overs) with Radha Yadav supporting with 2-31 (4 overs).
Dottin the I’s!
Pacer’s 5-5 bowls West Indies to 60-run win over Bangladesh By Rajiv Bisnauth WEST Indies’ quest to retain the ICC Women’s World T20 title is on track after the tournament favourites defeated lower-ranked Bangladesh by 60 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup fixture last evening at the Guyana National Stadium. At the start of the game, Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bowl. The defending champions put up a below-par batting performance scoring 106-8, but Bangladesh struggled in the run chase and were eventually bowled out for 46 in
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Rumana Ahmed is bowled by Deandra Dottin
THREE-time World Cup champions, Australia produced a clinical performance to whip Pakistan by 52 runs to get their World T20 campaign up and running in the second game played yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. The contest sadly turned out to be a one-sided affair after Australia piled up a winning total of 165-5. Their bowlers then kept it simple and tight, restricting the Pakistani to 113-8. Earlier, Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Meg Lanning missed out on fifties, but their knocks played a big role in their team posting an above-par score, after they decided to bat first. Australia openers made an impressive start with Healy and Mooney adding 72 off 7.6 overs. Healy made a brisk 29-ball 48 before she became Aliya Riaz’s first victim. Meg Lanning and Mooney then kept the scoreboard ticking, adding 36 off 37 balls, but neither batter tool advantage of their starts. Mooney also made 48 and skipper Meg Lanning fired a six in her 41 before she was one of two wickets to fall in the
final over. Riaz and Nashra Sandhu claimed two wickets apiece. Chasing 166 was always a tall order, taking into consideration the balanced attack at the Australians’ disposal. Just two of the top seven Pakistani batters got to double digits and none of them even threatened to take the match away from the Aussies. Youngster Umaima Sohail, playing a fearless game, looked the only batter who threatened the Australians for a short period, but her run-out for 20 off 11 balls opened the floodgates. Pakistan had lost three wickets by the end of the powerplay, and from 64-3 they were reduced to 78-8. Spinners Georgia Wareham (2-18) and Ash Gardner (1-23) got some significant turn and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy played her part in four dismissals. Medium pacer Megan Schutt had also claimed 2-13 while Sophie Molineuz and Delissa Kimmince had 1-21 apiece. Australia will now face Ireland while Pakistan face a must-win encounter against India, who are fresh off their opening victory against New Zealand.
Dottin the I’s!
Pacer’s 5-5 bowls West Indies to 60-run win over Bangladesh Page
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Salma Khatun is bowled by Deandra Dottin
Deandra Dottin celebrates with her teammates after completing her five-wicket haul. (Adrine Narine photos)
The 2018 COURTS Pee Wee title will be decided today between West Ruimveldt and St Pius.
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GMR&SC Ignite set for today
COURTS
Peewee 2018 finale
West Ruimveldt to defend title against St Pius today
Team Mohamed’s Enterprise Riders train during yesterday’s session at the South Dakota Circuit (Ackeem Thomas Photo)
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018