SATURDAY 3rd August, 2019
' No.105718
51,000 Cubans,
...Haitians part of large regional arrivals SEE STORY ON PAGE 14 ►
Trinis landed here
...Americans highest with over 45.000
$1Billion spent on urban road upgrades in Reg. 8
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, listening to the concerns of one of the miners of Mahdia, Region Eight, who participated in Government’s Outreach on Friday. Minister Trotman formed part of a team of ministers, government officials, and public servants who journeyed to the district to provide much-needed services and hear the concerns of residents. (DPI Photo)
PAGE
08
– Min. Patterson
- Residents applaud gov’t
Opposition MP accused of attempting to rape minor placed on bail PAGE
09
—victim offered money to settle matter
Two die in separate accidents SEE PAGES 08 & 13
‘Don’t try to sway us’ …Joint services council warns against politicking
…reminds ranks of professional code of ethics 03 PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
House-to-house registration, pending elections already ventilated at the CCJ – Solicitor-General
SOLICITOR General, Nigel Hawke, on Friday, again called on the High Court to dismiss the Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, challenging houseto-house registration, on the grounds that the issues raised in the application were fully ventilated at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Hawke, who is representing Attorney General, Basil Williams – the fourth named respondent in the case – was among attorneys who made oral arguments before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire in the High Court on Friday. The solicitor general told the court that once the CCJ ruled that the December 21 no-confidence motion was validly passed in the National Assembly; it invited all parties in the consolidated cases to make submissions on the consequential orders that should follow. Ram, he pointed out, was among those represented. He noted that among the reliefs sought by Ram was one which invited the CCJ to order the President to issue a proclamation setting a date for election no later than September 18, 2019 but the CCJ, Hawke said, refrained from making such an order. Emphasising that the matter was already ventilated at Guyana’s final appellate court, the solicitor general told the chief justice that Ram has now turned to the lower court to secure an order, which was not granted by the CCJ. “It was ventilated at the
bilities with integrity and in keeping with the unambiguous provisions of the Constitution bearing in mind
Senior Counsel Stanley Marcus
Solicitor General Nigel Hawke
CCJ, and the court said it cannot,” the solicitor general reiterated. In ruling on the matter, the CCJ said: “Article 106 of the Constitution invests in the President and the National Assembly (and implicitly in GECOM), responsibilities that impact on the precise timing of the elections which must be held. Therefore, it would not be right for the court, by the issuance of coercive orders or detailed directives, to presume to instruct these bodies on how they must act and thereby pre-empt the performance by them of their constitutional responsibilities. It is not, for example, the role of the court to establish a date on or by which the elections must be held, or to lay down timelines and deadlines that, in principle, are the preserve of political actors guided by constitutional imperatives. The court must assume that these bodies and personages will exercise their responsi-
sion (GECOM) is illegal because it is intended to scrap the now expired List of Electors, and replace it
that the no-confidence motion was validly passed as long ago as December 21, 2018.” Ram, through his Attorney, Anil Nandlall, challenged the constitutionality of house-tohouse registration. In the High Court on Friday, Nandlall told the chief justice that if house-to-house registration exercise is allowed to continue to its conclusion, it would jeopardise significantly the holding of elections. It is his belief that elections should be held three months from June 18 – the date the CCJ ruled on the no-confidence motion. Added to that, he argued that the house-to-house registration exercise undertaken by the Guyana Elections Commis-
The law allows for a claims and objection period where a person could go and have their names registered and they could be added to the list –– Roysdale Forde with a new one generated from the nationwide exercise. According to him, in doing that, persons would be de-registered. But Attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde, who is representing the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, in association with Senior Counsel, Neil Boston, told the court that the Elections Laws provide for a new list to be generated.
He noted that once a new list is generated, the laws provide for a period of Claims and Objec-
it-self. In the absence of a Chair, the CEO assigned Marcus to the case. “He was
Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde
tions, during which persons who were unable to register during the national excise, could present themselves for registration. “The law allows for a claims and objection period where a person could go and have their names registered and they could be added to the list,” Forde told reporters shortly after making his case to the court. GECOM is expected to complete the national registration exercise on October 20, 2019. Meanwhile, Senior Counsel Stanley Marcus, in responding to claims made by Nandlall that he has no authority to represent GECOM, questioned Ram’s decision to file legal proceedings against GECOM, when he was fully aware that it had no chairman at the time. He said chairman or no chairman, once legal proceedings are filed GECOM has every right to represent
the most senior official at the time, therefore he had to take action,” Marcus told reporters outside of the court. “Even if it is, even if it is, he was entitled to act, he is the most senior person, he is performing the houseto-house registration, and there it is, this action was brought to stop it. The law says if there are certain circumstances that require you to act out of necessity then any law that affects it would have to excuse you,” the senior counsel said. He had put forward similar arguments in the court. The Guyana Bar Association also presented oral arguments in the Case. On Monday at 9:00hrs, the High Court will continue to hear arguments in the case challenging the ongoing house-to-house registration.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
‘Don’t try to sway us’ …Joint Services Council warns against politicking …reminds ranks of professional code of ethics
Commissioner of Police, Leslie James
Army Chief-of-staff, Brigadier Patrick West
'
Two days after the Guyana Police rebuked PPP presidential hopeful, Irfaan Ali about remarks relative to the operations of the joint services, the Joint Services Co-ordinating Council on Friday warned against persons trying to sway its members, cautioning that these informal efforts can affect the morale of ranks and contribute to the compromise of discipline and security at this time. Ali, in his attempt to outline plans for ‘men and women in uniform’ in a recent newspaper article suggested among other things that ranks were experiencing political interference, favoritism in career path and advancement. The article suggests too that policemen and women are being made to use obsolete equipment to execute their duties while operating under poor conditions, and are provided with limited support for their families and community among others. In a statement the JSCCsaid it has noted commentary in various sections of the media regarding the administration and welfare of members of the Joint Services and wishes to urge that no one, except the heads of the respective services, is authorised to speak on matters relating to the provision of services to ranks including education, career development and other benefits. “Informal pronouncements by anyone should not be the medium to try to sway or influence members of the services at this critical juncture, lest these informal efforts affect the morale of ranks and contribute to the compromise of discipline and security at this time,” the council stated. It added that while on their bases or stations, members of the Joint Services are not permitted to display on their person in any form, any items or symbols that demonstrate any form of political allegiance. Additionally, members of the Joint Services are not permitted to engage in any type of political campaigning at their
PPP Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali
places of work or during their tours of duty. “Notwithstanding, members of the Joint Services like all other citizens of Guyana, have the constitutional right to exercise their franchise whenever elections are held. As such, all Officers and Ranks of these services are entitled to receive voter education and to learn about the process involved prior to casting their ballot for any party of their choice,” the statement ended. On Wednesday the Guyana Police Force, denounced the statements by Ali. “It is apposite to note that the Guyana Police Force has embarked on a reform programme and is currently engaged in the implementation of a Three-Year Strategic Management Plan 2019/2021, which is a continuation of a previous FiveYear Strategic Management Plan,” it said in a statement on Wednesday. It noted too that the implementation of the Strategic
Management Plan is guided by five (5) pillars – operational priorities, human development, partnerships, performance and infrastructure. These pillars, it explained, are designed and intended to ensure the realisation of a professional, accountable and modern Police Force. “As regards, Operational Priorities, the Force received a number of vehicles and other operational modernized equipment to bolster operational capacity and to enhance efficiency in service delivery. Further, the recently highlighted CCTV Camera System which is a part of the SAFE CITY PROJECT will contribute immensely in the fight against criminal activities. Additionally, the Mounted Branch of the Force is also decentralized to fight crime,” the Police Force said. The Force said it now has Human Resource Departments in each Police Division, and capacity building of ranks is continuous through
The Electronic Data Management System (EDMS) was implemented to efficiently store and manage crime data. Recently, the police data management capabilities were further enhanced with the introduction of the Police Records Management Information System (PRMIS) that serves as a criminal records database'
professional, technical, specialist and tertiary levels of training. It pointed out that between the periods 2014-2019, hundreds of ranks obtained higher education from the Certificate to the Masters Level from the University of Guyana and other institutions of higher learning. The Police Force disclosed too that it has an active Group Health Insurance and a Mortgage Relief Programme for the rank and file. “The Force has a Human Resource Development Plan, and policies have been formulated to address critical human resource issues such as promotion and appraisal. Further, a Human Resource Strategy has been developed to ensure requisite training for ranks, delivery of professional services, review of terms and conditions of work, and accurate measurement of performance, including monitoring and evaluation,” it further outlined.
The Guyana Police Force has also established the Strategic Planning Unit, the Occupational Health and Safety Unit, and the Divisional Complaints Units, among others to optimise its efficiency and effectiveness. Added to that, it said that a number of police stations have been refurbished and others are being refurbished at present. The police stations, it stressed, are equipped with the requisite resources to execute their mandate efficiently and effectively. “The Electronic Data Management System (EDMS) was implemented to efficiently store and manage crime data. Recently, the police data management capabilities were further enhanced with the introduction of the Police Records Management Information System (PRMIS) that serves as a criminal records database,” it stated. At present, the Guyana Police Force is realigning its Divisional Boundaries with
the existing Administrative Regions where additional Divisional Headquarters are being constructed. In addition, the construction of a new Training Facility at Dora, Soesdyke, Linden Highway is also underway. “The Force has several Community Action Councils and Social Crime Prevention Projects with Community Relations Officers in all the Police Divisions. These are intended to foster direct relationships with the citizenry, agencies and other formal bodies. At present, the Force engages communities through ‘Face the Community Meetings’, the facilitating of Job-Skills Training for At-Risk and Under-privileged Youths, and conducting Medical Outreach within Police Divisions across the country,” it outlined. In its defense, the Police Force said it has a Performance Assessment Plan in place which was introduced to boost and to assess its performance to ensure accountability and professionalism. To this end, it said all Divisional and Branch Commanders and other key Department Heads meet fortnightly, where strategies are examined for operational efficiency and general results-based management. These are all in keeping with international best practices. “In addition to the foregoing issues and guided by the Police Act Chapter 16:01, ranks of the Guyana Police Force are reminded of the critical role they play in society. They are also encouraged to embrace professionalism at all times during the execution of their duties. Further, they are also reminded of the importance of remaining apolitical so that their decision-making capabilities are not blurred. Moreover, any direct appeals as highlighted in the press statements are to be resisted,” Police Force said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
INF nuclear treaty: Nato 'to avoid arms race' after US-Russia pact ends (BBC) Nato will aim to avoid a new arms race with Russia, its secretary general says, after the US formally withdrew from a key nuclear treaty with Moscow. Both Jens Stoltenberg and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have blamed Russia for the Cold War treaty's collapse. Nato and the US accuse Russia of violating the pact by deploying a new type of missile, which Russia denies. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force banned missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500km (310-3,400 miles). The INF treaty was signed by US President Ronald Rea-
gan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987 but its collapse more than 30 years later has raised fears of a new arms race. Why has it ended? Last year the Americans said they had evidence that the new Russian cruise missiles fall within the range banned by the treaty. Accusations about the 9M729 missiles - known to Nato as SSC-8 - were then put to Washington's Nato allies, which all backed the US claim. In February, President Donald Trump set the 2 August deadline for the US to withdraw from the pact if Russia didn't come into compliance. Russian President Vladimir
"With the full support of our Nato allies, the United States has determined Russia to be in material breach of the treaty, and has subsequently suspended our obligations under the treaty," he added. Russia's foreign ministry confirmed the INF treaty had been terminated "at the initiative of the US", in a statement carried by the official Ria news agency. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, pictured in 2017, have pulled out of the INF treaty
Putin suspended his country's own obligations to the treaty shortly afterwards. "Russia is solely respon-
sible for the treaty's demise," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS? Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the transatlantic alliance would "respond in a measured and responsible way to the significant risks posed by the Russian 9M729 missile to allied security". But, he added, Nato "does not want a new arms race" and confirmed there were no plans for the alliance to deploy landbased nuclear missiles of its
own in Europe. Last month, he told the BBC that the Russian missiles were nuclear-capable, mobile, very hard to detect and could reach European cities within minutes. "This is serious," he added. "The INF treaty has been a cornerstone in arms control for decades, and now we see the demise of the treaty." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that "an invaluable brake on nuclear war" was being lost. "This will likely heighten, not reduce, the threat posed by ballistic missiles," he added, urging all parties to "seek agreement on a new common path for international arms control". Analysts fear that the collapse of the historic agreement could lead to a new arms race between the US, Russia and China.
SATURDAY 03 August, 2019 - 05:30hrs ~ 07:00hrs
Wednesday July 31, 2019
04 07 16 15 24 18 2
August 2, 2019
M
03, 04, 07, 10, 17 07, 08, 13, 16, 18
7, 1, 1
1, 2, 3
03 05 08 09 12
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019 From PAGE 4
Brazil deforestation row: Space research head Galvão out (BBC) The head of Brazil's National Space Research Institute says he will be sacked after a public row with President Jair Bolsonaro over the scale of deforestation in the Amazon. Ricardo Galvão had accused the far-right president of "cowardice" for questioning the institute's data. It showed an 88% increase in deforestation in June compared with the same month a year ago. Mr Bolsonaro said the institute was smearing Brazil's reputation. Brazil's ministry of science and technology has confirmed Mr Galvão's departure, although it is not
clear whether he had quit or been fired. Mr Bolsonaro, who took office in January, has accused Mr Galvão's organisation of trying to undermine the government. However, the National Space Research Institute (Inpe) says its data is 95% accurate. Scientists say the Amazon has suffered losses at an accelerated rate under Mr Bolsonaro's government, with policies that favour development over conservation. As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global
Scientists say the Amazon has suffered losses at an accelerated rate since Mr Bolsonaro took office
warming. Official figures suggest that the biggest reason to fell trees there is to create new pastures for cattle. Over the past decade, previous governments had managed to reduce deforestation with concerted action by federal agencies and a system of fines. But Mr Bolsonaro and his ministers have criticised the penalties and overseen a dramatic fall in confiscations of timber and convictions for environmental crimes. Several scientific institutions, including the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, have defended Inpe and the accuracy of its data.
Health centre: ‘You are not a resident’ …Injured Jamaican denied treatment
(TRINIDAD NEWSDAY) A JAMAICAN living in TT said after being treated at the St James Medical Complex and being given a referral, she was turned away weeks later by the Tunapuna Health Centre, where staff told her she could not be treated because she is not a resident of TT. Kathleen Lewis, who said she is a pending resident of TT, said, "They told me because I am not a resident I can't get through, and I should go to a private facility."
She said on the night of July 15 when she exited a PTSC bus in Chaguaramas she fell into an open hole, and suffered deep cuts to her left leg. "It was dark and it is a really bushy area. I could not see that there was an open hole there. My foot was stuck. Painful as it was, I had to pull it out. I screamed out and the driver came out to help me. I thought my leg was broken." She said a supervisor told the bus driver to stay with her until the ambulance came, which took an hour after it was
called, Lewis said. She was taken to St James, where she was treated. "I did X-rays and everything, then I got 14 stitches." She was then given a referral and told she could have her stitches removed at any health centre. "I went to St Joseph Health Centre on the morning of July 25. They told me based on where I live, I should go to Tunapuna Health Centre and I should walk with my passport." She said when she went to
Tunapuna Health Centre the following day, she was refused treatment. "Apart from them telling me that, their attitude toward me was so bad, I wanted to cry. I was so embarrassed." After explaining what she was told at St James and showing her referral, she was still denied treatment. A staff member told her, she said, "'You're still not a resident of TT.' So I broke down." She called the Ministry of Health and after explaining her situation, was told to return to the health centre . "The lady I spoke with
told me I can go back, they are expecting me." But Lewis said when she returned to the Tunapuna Health Centre she was verbally attacked by doctors and office assistants, who told her, "You are unfair for doing that. Why did you call the ministry? This means nothing we have on the documents makes sense, we should just throw them away." She said after enduring minutes of verbal abuse, a nurse came to her aid and removed the stitches. Lewis has since received an e-mail from Dr Maryam Richards of the Ministry of Health, who apologised on
behalf of the ministry for what happened and told Lewis the matter will be investigated as she is, in fact, not disallowed from receiving treatment by virtue of her residential status. Arrangements were also made for Lewis to have a medical review to ensure her recovery is complication-free. "I am happy I got the help I needed," she said, "but I wanted to share the story, because if I didn't make the calls I don't know what would have happened to my leg. And I want people to know that it is not okay to treat other human beings this way."
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
International Cooperation
G
UYANA is a member of the international community, and, as a young nation, has played a significant role in influencing principles and decisions at various fora; not forgetting that it has given leadership to the conceptualising and building of the regional integration process upon which CARICOM has been established. Guyana’s role and influence in the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War need to be remembered. The nation’s presence in that body assisted in shaping the diplomatic message on the world stage, and aided the protection of this country’s sovereignty, in that it was not wedded to the geopolitical dynamics between the
East and West, but secured cooperation on issues and principles. It was this relationship that enhanced the country’s image and brought with it solidarity on several issues that were in our national interest. This positioning resulted in Guyana acquiring significant support in the defence of its borders against claims made by our neighbours, Suriname and Venezuela. The country also benefitted from technical support, aid and trade from places like the ABC countries, Eastern Europe, Asia and Cuba. Our participation in the liberation struggles of Southern Africa was clearly defined by us and effectively articulated at the international level, and this played a signif-
icant role in bringing an end to apartheid. That was the period when Foreign Policy was defined and driven by a proficient group of Foreign Service cadres of the ilk of Rashleigh Jackson. Even though Guyana was a young nation, small in size, population and economy, our intellectual prowess was of such that the nation was able to hold its own among others in influencing and developing major strategies on the world stage. International cooperation is premised on universal principles and practices, and the practices will shift based on a nation’s developmental thrust, guided by the principles at the international level. In recent years, reference has been made to the ‘Green Economy’, which has its
genesis in a White Paper prepared by a group of British experts in the 1990s. This has since morphed into an international position which describes growth in an economy-based on the Human Development Index (HDI). This new model of development has impacted on Guyana. The Green Economy is shaped by three pillars, namely: (i) Environment, (ii) Labour policies consistent with the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Core Labour Standards, and (iii) Sustainable development. Prior to the world embracing this new philosophy, Guyana had distinguished itself as a forerunner. Under the leadership of President H. Desmond Hoyte, Guyana sought to address environmental issues by making
Iwokrama available as a model for addressing extraction of our forest and its impact on sustainable development. The full implementation and sustainability of the Green Economy is dependent on all international institutions not only publicly recognising the elements of the Green Economy, but beginning the process of measuring growth and development based on HDI. The nation needs to advocate and agitate that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should change its tools of measuring development. Whereas the growth in the Green Economy must be measured by HDI, and the international financial institutions continue the practice of measuring growth by a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Guyana is once again
presented a scenario to influence and win cooperation to have the measurement changed. Measuring growth in a Green Economy has to address issues such as education, health, jobs created, how many persons have been brought above the poverty line, respect for international labour policies and laws, management of the environment both in the extractive sector and solid and liquid waste, etc. While international institutions and countries engage in cooperation with Guyana consistent with specific interests, this nation, too, shoulders a responsibility to make sure that our national interest is advanced and embraced in shaping international policies and laws.
Samuel Hinds has been a tragic figure of PPP/C politics M Dear Editor,
ERVYN Williams’s “Former Prime Minister guilty of hypocrisy” in the Guyana Chronicle, July 29, 2019, rings true in every detail of what has been stated in that letter. As a matter of fact, Hinds should be ashamed to utter such high-class nonsense, rightly described as “hypocrisy” in Williams’ letter. Editor, all that Hinds has done, like so many, if not all, of his colleague party members, is to regurgitate the daily crap mouthed by PPP/C leader, Bharat Jagdeo. It is a contention that has no wings to fly. But this is the classic example of Jagdeo’s continuous twisting the CCJ’s Consequential Orders, branding it with his own deceptive interpretation. It is a national tragedy that because
of dishonest intentions and dangerous political opportunism by many, undisguisedly underpinned by race, that such a political fraud is allowed to perpetuate in some quarters. In fact, it is swallowed hook line and sinker in an unquestioning manner. Samuel Hinds has been a tragic figure of PPP/C politics, in terms of his perception of both sides of the political divide in Guyana. I doubt whether he ever got the respect he ought to have been given, because of the known fact that a clique of Indo Guyanese videographers in the old Office of the President were known to openly refuse to accompany him for coverage whenever he executed the duties of acting president, during the years of PPP/C governance. One recalls also when his responsibility of the energy sector had been unceremoni-
ously removed from his remit owing to an issue that had really not been his fault. If memory serves, it was restored to his portfolio sometime after. He was never his own man, even in the sense as promising to be the promised bridge between African Guyanese and the government. He failed abysmally, as illustrated by the GUYMINE ISSUE. As a Lindener, he oversaw the closing down of the bauxite industry and the sending home of hundreds of workers that eventually sank the once leading community to depths of economic depression. Editor, one should include here, in the many stanzas of this SOCIO-ECONOMIC strangulation of the bauxite town, the cessation of the non-taxable overtime for the bauxite workers, EARNED AFTER REPRESENTATION TO THEN PNC GOVERNMENT, AND
WHICH IN TURN GRANTED THE SAME DISPENSATION TO THE SUGAR WORKERS, BUT WHICH THE PPP/C GOVERNMENT DID NOT STOP. Again, one can refer to the patently, disgusting and disrespectful treatment of the Bauxite industry workers by RUSAL, with over 150 workers suffering termination, and Hinds did absolutely nothing. Not even supporting calls for arbitration, as called for by the workers. Continuing, how could he, as this supposed “bridge’’ between African Guyanese and the government which he had served, have been deathly quiet as scores of his African Guyanese countrymen were regularly murdered by death squads? Did he ever voice his displeasure, discomfort and concern for the racist marginalisation, again, of the people for
whom he had pledged to build a “bridge?” Is he aware that the marginalisation has been so bold and calculatedly brutal that all of the nation’s resources had been transferred to one section of the nation, thus leaving Afro Guyanese to look for economic opportunities as mere strangers? These are some of the questions for this former PPP/C government prime minister. I would, as a Guyanese that would have keenly noted the nation’s political landscape for some time, be hard-pressed to describe Hinds’ contribution to Guyanese politics and government, although he would have had the distinction of being CARICOM’s longest- serving Prime Minister. The question, therefore, would be – just who was Samuel Archibald Hinds during those long years of criminalised PPP/C government? What did he really contribute towards Guyana? And how
could he justly repeat the mantra, asking the President and cabinet to resign when he had refused to vacate a seat which he had been fully aware his party did not win, and which rightly had been the AFC’s? It was reported in the media that despite assurances given by Gocool Boodhoo that the necessary adjustment would have been made, it never did materialise, resulting in what had clearly been another example of rigging, compliments of Boodhoo and the PPP/C. And Samuel Hinds would have been a functioning member of the PPP/C GOVERNMENT DURING SUCH TIMES. Regards Aditya Panday
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
Minibus conductor jailed …for robbing foreigner at knifepoint
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Faith McGusty on Friday sentenced a 26-year-old Route 40 mini-bus conductor to two years imprisonment for the knifepoint robbery of a foreign national. Farley Reid, also called ‘Ernie’ of 'B' Field, Sophia, Georgetown was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge. Reid confessed that on
July 31, 2019, at Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, while being armed with a knife, he robbed Conner Haynes of an iPhone X worth $290,000. Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris told the court that the victim is a foreign national visiting Guyana. On the day in question, the victim was walking along Parade Street when Reid confronted him armed with a knife.
Farley Reid also called ‘Ernie’
Reid, Morris said, snatched the victim’s phone and ran away; he was however nabbed by two public-spirited men in the area; he was searched and the phone was found in his possession. “I’m not no robber man! I don't know what meet in my head to snatch a phone. I does work honest, but due to financial problems I get frustrated" Reid told the court.
Reid, who was unrepresented by counsel, told the court that he works hard to make a living and operates a small shop at this home in Sophia; he also told the court that he is an up-andcoming singer. The magistrate considered the facts of the case and Reid’s early guilty plea before passing sentence.
Civil Society Forum declares priorities Dear Editor
T
he Civil Society Forum (CSF), a group of Non-State Actors organised under Article 13 of the Constitution and independent of any political policy, programme or identity, met on July 27, 2019 to determine the priority issues and necessary actions that must be taken to achieve specific milestones towards national development. The group, whose overarching objective is to es-
tablish an inclusionary democracy that serves as a vehicle for citizens to participate in the decision-making processes of the State and to make effective contributions to the country, agreed that a comprehensive framework, including civic empowerment and participation, constitutional and legal reform, and the improved efficiency of State institutions are the key areas they are prepared to commit their collective efforts and expertise to, for the good of Guyana.
CIVIC EMPOWERMENT & PARTICIPATION The forum believes that to effectively facilitate the inclusive engagement and participation of citizens, which will inform the Forum’s work, actions such as consultations, research, education, legislation and the development of a measurable ‘Citizens’ Agenda’ must be undertaken. CONSTITUTIONAL & LEGAL REFORM (INCLUDING ELECTORAL REFORM)
Given the link between dysfunctional legal/constitutional arrangements and our recurring political crises, the CSF affirmed that constitutional and legal reform, inclusive of electoral reform, is paramount to Guyana’s evolution toward a truly inclusive democracy. Actions will be taken to address the party list system, the possibility of post-election coalitions, and the composition of GECOM, among other priorities. STATE INSTITUTIONS
Increasing the efficiency of State Institutions was seen by the forum as a key issue to address. Opportunities for technical appointments and increased citizen participation were determined as practical solutions to improving the performance of State institutions. Finally, the Civil Society Forum also acknowledged that the strengthening of the CSF itself was essential for the success of the forum’s work. Active measures are currently being taken to develop opera-
tional modalities that foster inclusivity, non-partisanship and hope, as the unshakable foundation upon which the group builds its own value system. The forum agreed to establish a Steering Committee that would be responsible for taking such steps that lead to the goals of the Forum being achieved. Regards Civil Society Forum Guyana
PPP must be held responsible for instigating violence against GECOM staff Dear Editor,
I
condemn the serious acts of violence against Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff doing house-to-house registration. This violence is committed by PPP supporters. Over the last few weeks, GECOM enumerators have been assaulted, bitten by dogs, threatened and harassed by PPP supporters. This deplorable violence was instigated by Guyana's opposition leader, Bharrat Jagdeo,
and the PPP, who have been publicly calling on their supporters not to cooperate with GECOM staff. GECOM has now called on the Guyana Police Force to protect their staff. Jagdeo and the PPP are solely responsible for, and must be held accountable for this violence against GECOM staff. I call on Police Commissioner, Leslie James, to launch an investigation into this unconscionable violence and obstruction of
government administration, and to institute criminal charges against the perpetrators and their co-conspirators in the PPP. I remind GECOM staff, that while they must call the police in situations where violence is threatened or used against them, they also have a right to use force to defend themselves and protect their lives. They should also file both criminal charges and civil lawsuits against the perpetrators. It is
Road repairs needed
Dear Editor,
I
am writing with frustration about the state of the main access road to the Industrial Area Linden. It has become almost impossible to traverse; several residents have voiced their concerns to the authority but it has fallen on deaf ears. It has gotten to the point where the taxi drivers are refusing to come in the area or
charging $1000 for a drop that is usually cost $400. During the times leading up to local government elections, some of these same folks who are now elected, promised so much and to date they haven't kept one meeting with the residents, this is one of several issues that are affecting us as a community. Regards Concerned resident
preposterous that PPP allies and support organisations like the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Indian Times of Guyana (Stabroek News) etc., are condoning these violent attacks on GECOM staff by their disinterest in, and/or refusal to condemn the assault of these innocent public servants who are executing their lawful mandates by GECOM. I can only surmise that
because they support the PPP, and are against the registration of voters, that they countenance these disgraceful acts of violence. Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP are creating the conditions for violence in Guyana. Guyanese must not allow this tactic that led to race riots in 1964 to prevail in 2019. This must resisted at all cost! I'm stunned that Bharrat Jagdeo and others in the PPP have committed serious wrongdoing since December 2018, with which they have
gotten away because of police inaction. This is undermining public confidence in the police force. It is worrisome that the APNU+AFC coalition government has not forcefully condemned, and ordered an investigation of, these dastardly, criminal acts. Regards Rickford Burke President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)
National conversation needed Dear Editor
T
he problem of families abandoning elderly relatives at state institutions is not just a national problem as attested to recent articles ('Families continue to abandon elderly relatives at G/town Hospital' and in Jamaica, 'Gov’t warns of court action to deal with people abandoning elderly people at
health institutions' KN July 31 2019). The moral obligation towards elderly parents and relatives seem to have lost its way and maybe a national conversation is needed to put the focus back on this responsibility and or obligation. Regards Shamshun Mohamed
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
Fire guts Corentyne home
The remains of the house
The house on fire on Friday
By Nafeeza Yahya The Guyana Fire Service has launched an investigation into a fire which left a family of five homeless on Friday at Lot 202, Clifton Settlement, East Berbice Corentyne. The fire, which started at approximately 11:00 hrs , quickly engulfed the wooden structure. According to
reports at the time of the blaze a mother and her three children were at home. While speaking to members of the media, John Elias related that he received a call informing him that the house was ablaze so he quickly made his way home where he saw the structure engulfed in flames. He explained that he has been renting the property
for the past four years and recently he has been experiencing fluctuations with the electricity. The man said his traumatised wife told him that she noticed sparks from the wire that leads to the meter, followed by smoke and minutes later a curtain caught afire. “It started by the electrical wire and then took
One dead, one critical in Corentyne accident By Nafeeza Yahya A SELF-EMPLOYED man met an untimely end and his young daughter-in-law was critically injured following an accident on Thursday evening on the Clifton Public Road, East Berbice Corentyne. Dead is Ramdat Yadram, 47 of Lot 165 Block 14, Tain Settlement, Berbice. At the time of his demise, he was taking his daughterin-law, Nicola Mangar 20, on a motorcycle bearing registration number CJ 1009, to her home at Lot 25 Tain Settlement when they were struck down by a speeding car. Police investigations revealed that the motorcyclist, who was heading north on the Clifton Access Road, failed to stop at the major roadway and proceeded across. He turned right on the main public road and collided with the motorcar which was heading east on the northern side of the road reportedly at a fast rate of speed. The impact resulted in both victims landing some distance away, causing severe injuries. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Veeram Yadram, Mangar’s husband, who witnessed the accident, explained that he was a short distance behind following on a cycle when he noticed his father stopped at the head of the
Dead: Ramdat Yadram
road before attempting to turn onto the main road. He said before he could reached out he heard a loud impact. As he made his way closer he found his father and his wife lying unconscious on the roadway. While struggling to come to grips, he said the driver stopped but only for a few minutes before he jumped into his car and sped off to the Whim Police Station where a report was made. The man related that before the driver left the scene, he begged him to take the victims
to the nearby hospital but the driver refused and left them seeking help. Eventually they received assistance and were taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where the elder Yadram succumbed to his injuries. Mangar, who was unconscious, was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for further treatment. Her distraught husband said while they now have to plan a funeral, they also have to pray and hope for the best since she remains unconscious up to late Friday afternoon. The young man explained that the family members were returning home after spending the afternoon at his family. He said since it was late and dark, his father opted to drop the young woman on the motorcycle as he followed behind. The sixty-one year old driver involved in the accident is in police custody assisting with investigation. A breathalyser test was done but no alcohol was discovered in his system.
the blinds and spread on the house. We have power shortage recently and high and low voltage so I told my wife to take off all the appliances so she didn’t know something was wrong with the electricity because all the appliances were off at the time,” he said. The hire car operator and part time mechanic said he valued his losses at close
to a million dollars. He said he was unable to salvage anything from the house, while noting that being able to restart life while supporting his family will be very tough. He said he has three young children including a two year old to provide for. An eyewitness recalled seeing smoke emanating from the area around the meter and quickly raised
an alarm but before a bucket brigade could have been formed the fire swept through the house in short space of time. The eyewitness stated also umpteen calls were made to the fire brigade but when the firefighters arrived it was too late.
Gov’t spent $1B on road upgrades in Reg. 8 – Min. Patterson
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and his junior Jaipaul Sharma walking through the township of Mahdia on their arrival for the ‘Government Comes to You’ Outreach on Friday
THE coalition government has spent approximately $1B on internal road upgrades in Potaro-Siparuni, Region 8. During the ‘Government Comes to You Outreach’ on Friday in Mahdia, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said the coalition government inherited roads with potholes, noting that many were inaccessible due to their poor conditions. In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister Patterson said major emphasis was placed on restoring the road networks through the country and Mahdia, Region Eight was no exception. “Where we are standing now was a dirt track, and at that time, the opposition had controlled this particular region. We actually staged a protest on this very same road because of the condition that it was in. Right in the front of the school [Mahdia Secondary] was in an abysmal state… So, one of the first projects that we embarked on in our urban upgrade was to pave Mahdia,” Minister Patterson explained. With the administration spending $1B on thus far, Minister Patterson noted that tenders are out to upgrade the continuation of the road
to the airstrip. “It is anticipated in a short space of time that when you land in Mahdia, you will be walking on nice concrete pavement,” he remarked. Meanwhile, plans are also on stream for the roads leading into the township to be upgraded. It was noted too that an engineer is responsible for loaming the road yearly. “This is in keeping with our vision of what a town should look like, not because it is a mining town that it should look that a certain way.” In 2018, the internal road network project saw the rehabilitation of several bridges, the installation of a reinforced concrete rigid pavement with curbs, a network of reinforced concrete drains and culverts, complemented by road safety elements, inclusive of road markings and signage. With regard to other plans on stream, the minister said a tender was also out for a solar farm for Mahdia. This farm will be funded by Inter-American Development Bank. “So, we have done several initiatives here, including bolstering the power and light so they can get reliable electricity.” (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
Opposition MP accused of attempting to rape minor placed on bail PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Alister Charlie, who has been accused of attempting to rape a minor in Lethem, has been placed on bail. This is according to ‘F’ Division Police Commander, Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis. On Friday, Commander Adonis told the Guyana Chronicle that the Opposition MP, who resides in Lethem, was placed on bail pending the outcome of the investigation. According to the commander, the alleged victim informed ranks at the Lethem Police Station that he wishes not to proceed with the matter. However, due to the seriousness of the allegation, the case would be sent to the Guyana Police Force’s Headquarters for legal advice. That advice would determine whether or not the police would proceed to press charges against the Opposition MP. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the minor was offered G$300,000 by Charlie’s relatives to withdraw the report. The offer was reportedly made since Thursday, however, on Friday, a businessman who is
--victim offered money to settle matter a senior PPP/C functionary within the Lethem Mayor and Town Council, met with the minor and persuaded him to take the money. On Thursday, after the incident came to the fore, the victim’s mother had confirmed to this newspaper that her son was offered money “to call off the story” but said she wants the alleged perpetrator to face the full force of the law. Police investigators at the Lethem Police Station launched an investigation into the alleged case of attempted rape of the 16-year-old boy by the Opposition Parliamentarian after a report was filed at the station on Thursday. The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday night but only came to light on Thursday morning after a man, who reportedly intervened, brought it to the attention of the victim’s grandmother. “I’m disturbed by the video that I saw this morning of my son being taken advantage,” the distraught mother of the teenage boy wrote on her social media page after learning of the incident. She
portedly said that while at the party, the PPP/C MP made sexual offers to him. It is alleged that at the party, the MP was sexually grooming the minor, and offered him oral sex, among other things.
Opposition Member of Parliament, Alister Charlie
resides in Georgetown. According to reports, the teenager, after attending a children’s party at Charlie’s residence on Wednesday, was lured to a bar and was given alcohol laced with ecstasy. He was reportedly videoed with his pants and underwear down and genitals exposed. The accused reportedly had his genitals out at the time, not only in the presence of the minor, but other persons, who were seen laughing. A man, known the family of the
minor, was passing the bar at the time, and reportedly intervened, and started recording the incident, after he was shunned by those present. The victim was subsequently taken to his grandmother’s residence. The matter was reported to the Lethem Police Station, and the school’s welfare officer was called in, in addition to the accused. The minor was also asked to give a statement. In the statement given to the police, the victim re-
ALLEGATIONS NOT TRUE MP Charlie, however, pleaded his innocence on Thursday. Even as he sat in police custody to give his statement, the soft-spoken opposition MP told the Guyana Chronicle that the allegation has no merit, and there is no evidence to show that he made sexual advancements towards the minor. He also denied giving the minor alcohol to consume. “It is a blatant lie,” Charlie told this newspaper. However, Charlie admitted that he was at the bar after the party but said he did not come into contact with the victim. “I am giving my statement here (at the police station) but it was nothing of the sort. It was nothing of the sort, and I will have to take legal action against them because this is not true,” he
told this newspaper. Stating that he is from a Christian background, the opposition MP said he would never encourage a minor to consume alcohol. “I didn’t give that child alcohol, and I would never indulge in giving a minor alcohol to drink, no,” Charlie maintained. According to Charlie, the victim’s mother is pursuing the matter because of a “joke” told to the family about what happened the night of the party. The Guyana Chronicle understands that after showing the minor’s relatives the video, the man that intervened deleted the video, and later told the police that it was a “joke”. He too was required to give a statement. The report of the incident is being made at a time when the Childcare and Protection Agency continues to express grave concern about the number of sexual abuse cases involving minors. Already for this year (January-May 2019), there are 105 reported cases of sexual abuse against boys while 387 cases of sexual abuse involving girls have been registered, the Childcare and Protection Agency has disclosed.
Youths to benefit from job-readiness camp THE Sustained Youth Development and Research Inc., (SSYDR) has launched its Employment Attack 102-job-readiness summer camp. Executive Director of SSYDR, Magda Wills, said Employment Attack 102 is geared at equipping youth with job-readiness skills over a four-week interactive training process and one week of web development training. “After the five week training, we will work with each youth to develop life plans then assist them with securing employment or other livelihood opportunities within a month of the training completion,” said Wills during a press briefing on Wednesday. The first Employment Attack 102 in 2018 benefitted 153 young people from schools and communities across Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and 10. “This year we engaged
the services of STEM Guyana, which is currently offering one week of web development training to our youth across Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six,” said Wills. This collaboration allows youth not only to gather key work-ready skills, but also to become even more marketable with new abilities to develop websites. To date, through funding at various times from ExxonMobil Guyana, SSYDR has been able to reach approximately 400 young persons across six of Guyana’s ten administrative regions. SSYDR hopes to expand to the hinterland regions within another year. SSYDR was birthed out of a five-year USAID-funded Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) project. This SKYE project came out of President Barrack Obama’s Caribbean Basin
Executive Director of SSYDR, Magda Wills (right) and Exxon’s Deedra Moe (Samuel Maughn photo)
Security Initiative, which was aimed at reducing youth crime and violence by offering education, skill building and employment opportunities for at-risk youth in Guyana. On completion of the five-year funding cycle from USAID and with the very team of professionals, SKYE transitioned into a local not-
for-profit organisation, which is fully equipped with all the tools and materials, methodologies and personnel to carry on the good work centered on livelihood opportunities for youth. SSYDR Inc. has as its vision: “inspired youth transforming themselves, their communities, their nation” and has a mission to “pro-
mote youth access to resources, opportunities and ongoing support for lifelong learning, leadership and livelihoods towards the reduction of violence, crime and poverty.” Youth from lower performing secondary schools and from lower socio economic conditions stand a greater chance of becoming unemployed as well as becoming entangled with the law. “As such, we have recognised the need for those who have recently completed their secondary education or would have dropped out after the third form, to be targeted through a system of training coupled with coaching,” said Wills. Further there are communities with problems of systemic crime that the group has chosen to target as it is their firm belief that this will aid in Guyana’s fight to development, a fight that can only be won with the reduc-
tion in youth vulnerability to poverty, crime and violence. These were all reasons placed before ExxonMobil Guyana when they designed their youth empowerment programme, which saw SSYDR working with youth from the Leopold South Georgetown area. They benefitted from training and coaching towards livelihood opportunities. ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Manager, Deedra Moe, said employment readiness should not be underestimated. “It has a multiplier effect in being able to help not only the youth, but potentially the communities to which they are returning… You really can underestimate the value of job-readiness…It is a matter of individual empowerment of making sure that you’re able to be employed and provide an opportunity into the future,” Moe said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
PNC/R backs appointment of new GECOM chair
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the biggest faction in the APNU/AFC coalition government, will respect whatever decisions are made by newly-appointed Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.
At the party’s weekly press conference, on Friday, Minister of Social Cohesion, and PNC’R Second Vice-Chairman, Dr. George Norton, conveyed the party’s support for Justice Singh’s appointment. Responding to a question on if the party would support Singh if she decides not to go
ahead with house-to-house registration – Norton said the government will follow the law. “The coalition government has demonstrated to all and sundry that it is a law-abiding coalition and we will certainly take into consideration decisions made by the chairman of the commission, who we support,”
Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh
Norton declared. In a press statement, the party applauded Singh on her appointment. “The PNC/R wishes to welcome and congratulate Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, SC, CCH, who over the years, in her public service, manifested that she is independent and a true servant of the people Guyana. We wish her well in her new endeavor,” Norton read from the statement. First announced on July 26, the historic selection of Justice Singh, the first woman to be heading the electoral body, brought to a close weeks of deliberations between President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, after the resignation of Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson. Last June, the chairmanship became vacant after the CCJ ruled that the process that led to the October
Minister of Social Cohesion, and PNC Second Vice-Chairman, Dr. George Norton (Delano Williams photo)
2017 appointment of Patterson was flawed. Singh took the oath of office on Monday, 29 July, and on Wednesday, 31 July, met with the government and opposition-nominated GECOM commissioners in separate meetings. GECOM has three government-appointed and three opposition-appointed commissioners. The two sides have been at loggerheads since a no-confidence motion against the government on December 21, which initiated the need for early elections. However, following several court challenges, it was not until June that the motion was ruled successfully passed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the final court of appeal. GECOM is currently in the process of conducting house-to-house registration in order to put together a new official voters’ list, since the
last one is no longer valid having expired on April 30, 2019. Over 70,000 have already been registered since the exercise commenced on July 20. The government-nominated commissioners are sticking to their call for the continuation of house-tohouse registration, which is currently ongoing. Opposition commissioners however are calling for houseto-house to be stopped and elections to be called by September. Following her appointment on Monday, Singh said that she will abide by the Constitution and the Laws of Guyana. “…There is only one way, in accordance with the law, and in accordance with the Constitution, and nothing else,” Justice Singh told reporters at her swearing in ceremony.
Minibus driver, conductor charged with several offences PRINCIPAL Magistrate Faith McGusty on Tuesday granted $35,000 bail each to two men who have been charged with a series of offences, to wit, disorderly behaviour, using threatening language and resisting arrest. Twenty-nine-year-old driver Kevin Lynch, of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, and 24-year-old conductor Rawle Bruce of Agricola, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charges when they were read to them. It is alleged that on July 27, 2019, at Avenue
of the Republic, Georgetown, they resisted arrest by a police officer; the second charge stated that on the same day and at the same place, they used threatening language to the same officer; the final charge is that they behaved in a disorderly manner. Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that on the day in question, Marlon Azore who is a traffic officer was on duty at Avenue of the Republic and observed that Lynch was not adhering to the traffic laws. Consequently, the officer stopped the bus and told Lynch to drive
to the Brickdam Police Station. The officer entered the bus and as Lynch was driving to the station, the conductor reportedly told him not to go to the station. Accordingly, the driver stopped the bus, Lynch and Bruce got out and started cuffing the officer and then drove away. Prosecutor Blackman objected to bail being granted to the men on the grounds of the seriousness of the offences.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
Police issue wanted bulletins for rape accused, murder suspect POLICE issued wanted bulletins on Friday for three men accused of rape and one for murder. Twenty-four year old Farouk Khan of Byderabo Road, Bartica is wanted for the murder of Perion Bobb, which occurred on April 21, 2019, at Kurubrang. Meanwhile, Dillon Fitzgerald Batson, 27, of Central Amelia’s Ward Linden, is wanted for the offence of rape which occurred on November 14, 2018, at South Amelia’s Ward Linden. The second person wanted in questioning for
Wanted: Carlos Hacket
rape is 35-year-old Winston Rodney known as ‘skinny’ of Pomeroon, he is accused
Wanted: Winston Rodney known as ‘skinny’
of raping a child under the age of 16 between July 1-31, 2019 at Lamp Island,
Wanted: Dillon Fitzgerald Batson
Kwakwani, Upper Berbice. The third rape accused is Carlos Hacket,
who is also wanted for raping a child under the age of 16, which police
Wanted: Farouk Khan
say occurred between June 1-30, 2017 at Wismar Scheme, Linden.
M&CC to set up trust fund for rehabilitation of City Hall
THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be opening a trust fund at the local banks to enable members of the public to contribute towards the rehabilitation of City Hall building. According to a release from the Georgetown Municipality, the body will be making a special appeal to citizens and other interested persons to assist in the reha-
the building. The city mayor said that the accounts will allow for persons to donate funds toward the preservation of City Hall. “We want persons to be able to contribute towards saving City Hall if they wish to. City Hall is an important piece of Guyana’s history and there has been lots of talk about rehabilitating the structure but not much has materialised. I however, would
persons may want to make a donation to the cause but would not want to join long bank lines to do so. They would therefore be able to make a donation that would be fast and easy. Last month members of the diplomatic corps joined the M&CC on their first city tour following the swearing in of Pandit Narine as mayor. The objective of the tour was to give the international rep-
bilitation of the iconic City Hall building. Georgetown Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine, said he is keen on rehabilitating the historic building and would soon be chairing a subcommittee dedicated to its restoration. To this end, the M&CC said that it will be opening a trust fund at local banking institutions to allow for contributions to be made toward
like to be the one to see City Hall get the attention that is needed so that the structure could be returned to its once prestigious state,” he said. He said that all forms of assistance would be appreciated and the municipality noted that it is for this reason that donation boxes will also be placed at banks and other locations so that persons would not be inconvenienced. He explained that
resentatives a first-hand look at some of the historical sites around the city and facilities that are owned and managed by the council. These sites included the municipal abattoir, the Stabroek Market wharf and City Hall among others. Mayor Narine noted that during the tour, discussions were had with the international community about his commitment toward restor-
ing the M&CC building. Follow up discussions, he said, are expected to take place where members of the diplomatic community will provide information on what assistance they could offer toward rehabilitating the colonial-styled structure. The mayor also noted that he would be interested
in discussing “city-to-city” relationships with the international community so that Georgetown could meaningfully gain from the mistakes and advances of First World countries with prize-winning cities. The cost of restoring the City Hall building was pegged at more than
$200million. It was said that taking design and other detailed works into consideration, it would run the council into the hefty cost. The City Hall restoration committee will include members of the private sector, the Tourism Authority, the National Trust among others.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
Nine Cuba-trained doctors back home to serve
NINE medical students who recently graduated from various universities in Cuba arrived here last Saturday. They are Drs. Aliyah Poonai, Lawrence Newton, Tacquin Wilson, Mark Singh, Michelle Persaud, Natasha Paul, Delleana Anderson, Leema Heimraj and Davendra Sewkarran. The Guyana Embassy in Havana has already advised the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Public Health of Guyana, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, and the Chairman of the Guyana Medical Council, Dr. Navindra Rambarran, of their arrival. A new batch of post-graduate medical students will arrive in Havana later this month. They are Dr. Lhee Rand Castello, Dr. Asaph Ahmad, Dr. Denisha Leitch, Dr. Keron Braithwaite, Dr. Jennifer Mahabir, Dr. Clavis Fraser-Tappin, Dr. Kofi Gray and Dr. Keneisha Gopaul.
The graduating students are seen with Ms. Heather Seelochan, Minister Counsellor at the Guyana Embassy (at extreme left) and Ms. Millicent Rose, Financial Attaché (second from left). Dr. Melissa Corlette-Sengwe, Student Affairs Officer, is at extreme right
Bartican charged with operating brothel A BARTICAN on Tuesday appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with operating a brothel. Seon Dawson, 33, of First Avenue, Bartica, denied the charge, which stated that, on June 21 to June 28, in the Upper Mazaruni River at “Red Man,” shop, he operated a brothel. Dawson
was granted bail in the sum of $10,000. According to the prosecution, acting on information a rank from the Trafficking In Persons (TIPs) unit of the Guyana Police Force and officers from the Ministry of Social Protection went to the said location and found several underage girls and foreign nationals. Dawson was arrested and taken to the
Criminal Investigations Department and he was charged after investigations were conducted, The police prosecutor did not objected to Seon being granted bail. Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty transferred the matter to Court One for August 5, 2019.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
Minibus driver killed, several injured in New Hope crash A 59-year-old minibus driver was killed and several passengers injured after a Nissan Titan pickup and a minibus collided head-on on the New Hope, Public Road East Bank Demerara on Friday morning. Dead is Oswald Roberts of Lot 489 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway. The driver of the pickup was identified as a 45-yearold resident of North East Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. Enquires disclosed that the pickup, bearing registration GRR 1909, was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of the road at a fast rate of speed when the driver lost control and started to swerve dangerously along the road. The vehicle ended up in the path of mini bus, bearing registration BWW 2940, which was proceeding in the opposite direction. As a result of the collision both vehicles were extensively damaged. The drivers of the two vehicles in question as well as injured passengers were picked up in conscious and semi-conscious conditions and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they were seen and examined by doctors. At the hospital, the driver of the minibus was pronounced dead. The injured passengers inside the minibus were identified as Andre King ,48, of lot 156 Kuru Kururu; Dave Taylor, 22, of Laluni Creek Soesdyke / Linden Highway; Sheena Chin, 23, and Gina Chin ,24, both of Lot X Kuru Kururu ,Soesdyke/Linden Highway; Candacie Vickerrie, 32, of lot 13 Kuru
Kururu,Soesdyke /Linden Highway; Glixman Adams, 69, of lot 150 Kuru Kururu , Soesdyke /Linden Highway; John Cheddie, 28 and Murrissa Mc Pherson, 29, both of lot 355 Kuru kururu, Soesdyke/Linden
Highway; Tatema Murray, 35, of lot 273 Kuru kururu , Soesdyke/ Linden Highway; Cherryan Millington, 30, of lot 150 Kuru kururu, Linden Highway; T. Deolall, 42, of lot 5 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke /Linden Highway.
An injured passenger being taken out of the front passenger seat of the crash vehicle
The Nissan Titan that was involved in the accident
Public-spirited citizens assisting the injured persons out of the minibus to be taken to the hospital
The injured pers ons were all seen and examined by doctors on duty and transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further treatment and to undergo medical surgery.
The driver of motor pickup and an occupant – Ashley Persaud of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara – were also examined at the Diamond hospital and later took self-discharge and proceeded to
the Mercy Hospital where they were further seen and examined by doctors on duty. They were admitted as patients, suffering from abdominal trauma and a fractured right arm respectively.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
51,000 Cubans, Trinis landed here ...Haitians part of large regional arrivals
...Americans highest with over 45,000 FOR the first seven months of 2019, Cuban nationals entering Guyana have outnumbered other regional travellers, including Haitians, by several thousand. There has been much debate regarding the arrival figures of nationals of the sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country of Haiti in other sections of the media as members of the public have criticised the xenophobic focus placed on the French–speaking nationals by those media houses. According to the figures provided by the authorities, for the first seven months of this year, a total of 41,272 Cuban nationals came to these shores via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), outnumbering by
almost 33,000 the 8476 Haitians who did. For each of the months between March and June this year, an average of 6338 Cubans came to Guyana via the CJIA, and according to the statistics, during that same period, the figure for Haitian nationals fluctuated, with the highest recorded being 2008 for the month of May. Last month, a total of 4561 Cubans came through the CJIA, as compared to 1779 Haitians. According to the statistics, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) nationals were the second highest number of regional travellers to set foot here via the CJIA. A total of 11,119 T&T nationals arrived between
January and July this year; the figures for each month between March and July peaked above 1600 for the sister CARICOM nationals. Nationals from Barbados totaled 2980, followed by 2900 from Suriname, making them the third and fourth highest arrivals recorded for CARICOM nationals during the seven-month period. As regards the total arrivals during the period for all nationalities, the figure stood at 135,220, inclusive of those nationals from the United States, Canada, Brazil and China among others. American nationals, at 45,994, outnumbered all other arrival figures for other nationals who entered the country via the CJIA. The increase in arrivals
to Brazil in search of better economic fortunes. In March this year, Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix condemned outright, misinformation which was
of citizenship; that instead they have to qualify by their residency status. As such, the impression that the government is
Aruba Airlines is one of several carriers that regional travellers use to come to Guyana
of Haitian nationals to Guyana over the past several months is said to be tied to an Immigration Order which
being peddled in the public domain, particularly on social media, labelling the Immigration Order for Haitians as an “election-rigging”
handing out citizenship to Haitians upon arrival so that they can be registered as voters was deemed false
Statistics provided by the authorities which gives a breakdown of the number of persons of various nationalities who entered Guyana between January and July of 2019 via the CJIA.
was passed unanimously by CARICOM Heads of Government at their 39th Summit in Jamaica in July 2018, to allow Haitians an automatic six-month stay in all CARICOM Member States. Since Guyana and Suriname are the only CARICOM member states on the continent, the French-speaking nationals are said to be taking advantage of the opportunity to travel further east to French Guiana. Others have been making the trip to Lethem and onward
mechanism. The minister sought to remind those peddling the story that it was not only Guyana where that was happening. “This arrangement is not confined to Guyana; it is being implemented by all signatories to the CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy. Haitians are members of the Caribbean Community, and we have to treat them as such,” he said. Felix explained that Haitians arriving in Guyana are not granted any form
and without merit. “This is a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation about a legitimate agreement being executed by the Government of Guyana as a member of CARICOM,” Minister Felix affirmed at th time. “Guyana is an open country; we have immigration laws, and our immigration laws are used to deal with all persons arriving from different nations,” he added.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
Mahdia commends gov't for coming to the people - PM Nagamootoo assures residents issues will be heard and addressed
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in Region 8
“I think it’s a good thing, for the government to come and meet us face to face instead of us having to travel hundreds of miles to get to Georgetown,” shared Mahdia resident, Adoline Mercuris. She applauded the administration for prioritising the needs of the people. Mercuris, who is also a miner, said she hopes to meet the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Raphael Trotman to discuss several issues related mining and allocation of lands. Jagot Jacob and Sydney Matthews echoed similar sentiments. They both expressed satisfaction with the Coalition’s approach to engaging citizens at the grassroots level. The most recent ‘Government Comes to You’ outreach was held in the mining town of Mahdia, Potaro-Siparuni. Ministers and other
government officials travelled to what is described as the ‘heart of Guyana’ to ensure residents were accessing several government services. The visit was also organised to ensure the ministers meet one-on-one with residents to address their concerns. Before declaring the exercise open, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo said: “Today is not a day for long speech-making. It is a day to receive and address your concerns because we are out here as a mobile government.” The Prime Minister noted that this form of outreach is unique to Guyana and the Caribbean, where ministers fan out to take their services to the people. Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, who also present at the outreach, echoed similar sentiments. “We are expecting that the people of Mahdia will be served by the various min-
Shop owner remanded for illegal gun, ammunition PRINCIPAL Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Friday remanded a 31-year-old shop owner to prison pending sentencing, after he pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed gun and ammunition. Colwin Knights, of Melongie Landing, Cuyuni River and formerly of Festival City, North Ruimveldt, was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Particulars of the charge read that on July 30, 2019, at Melongie Landing, Knight had a 12-gauge, single-barrel shotgun in his possession, when he was not a licensed firearm holder. The second charge read
that on the same date and at the same location, Knight had two matching cartridges in his possession. According to police prosecutor Adduni Inniss, on the day in question a party of policemen went to a shop at Melongie Landing where Knight resides. A search was conducted on the premises and the firearm and ammunition were found in his bedroom. In his explanation to the court, Knight said that he had purchased the gun for protection, because of the robberies in the area. Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ordered a probation report to be prepared for Knights and deferred sentencing until August 8, 2019.
istries and agencies; as we listen to their concerns, we can provide solutions on the spot,” she noted. The outreach coincides with the first anniversary of Mahdia achieving township status. The Ministry of Communities had indicated on August 13, 2018, that by way Order No.27 of 2018, published in the Official Gazette dated 2018.08.09, “Mahdia in the Potaro-Siparuni Region has been designated a township”. This made the mining town Guyana’s tenth municipality. (DPI)
Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally meeting with residents
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
'Palms' residents treated to fashion show, gospel concert On Friday residents of the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam in the city received a treat when they serenaded by a team of gospel artistes from parts of the Caribbean. The team is currently in Guyana conducting a tour dubbed ‘Fashion Fusion, the Gospel edition – I am S.O.C.A’. S.O.C.A is the acronym for ‘Sold Out for Christ Always, and was a movement founded by Trinidadian soca gospel singer, Nigel Lopez, who is also here in Guyana with the team. The elderly residents of the palms were well entertained with melodious singing and energetic performances from Lopez and two other Trinidadian artistes ‘Farenite’ and ‘D’Furnace’. Additionally, they were treated with a fashion display by Akilah’s Creative Expressions. Models including former Mayor, Patricia Chase-Greene displayed several pieces during the show. Faces of joy spread across the room throughout the hour-long programme, and the elderly people, though in their fragile state, still managed to shake their shoulders and wave their hands to the beat of the music. Everyone seemed to have been enjoying themselves with what the small team
Trinidadian soca gospel artiste, Nigel Lopez
put together for the elderly residents. Lopez is also a motivational speaker and he used the opportunity to minister to the residents. One of the coordinators of the tour, Akilah Atherley told the Guyana Chronicle that the fusion was made between her and Lopez, who agreed to join forces to execute the tour in Guyana. Atherley is a local designer and each year she would usually host a fashion show to showcase her work, but this year, she accepted the proposal to join with the Trinidadian team, to expand their ministry.
The tour consists of concerts in different parts of Guyana, and the opportunity will be used to empower the country’s youths. The first concert will be held on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson’s Sports Hall tarmac. Atherley said that after the series of events are completed, a percentage of the monies made will be used to do additional work to give back to the community and country by extension. These include ministry at orphanages, homes, hospitals, and the Guyana Sickle-Cell Association.
Some of the fashion pieces displayed at the concert for the elderly
Some of the residents of the Palms enjoying the concert
‘Cabinet remains active’ – Dr. Norton MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, on Friday, said that Cabinet continues to meet as government operates in an interim mode. “The Cabinet has been meeting. We met last Tuesday, which is the stipulated date. Tomorrow we will meet as Cabinet,” Norton confirmed, when asked whether government ministers have been meeting. The question was directed to him during the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) weekly press conference at Congress Place, Sophia.
“With our interpretation, and guidance from our legal experts, the coalition has no interest to go against the ruleof-law,” Norton stated. The government has been very upfront about its status as an “interim government” since July 12, the social cohesion minister said. Article 106 (7) speaks to the government remaining in office, after a no-confidence motion, until elections are held. “The government accepts that it is an ‘interim’ government but emphasises that Cabinet has not stopped functioning and government
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton (Delano Williams photo)
must continue to provide public services. According to Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, government,
notwithstanding its defeat in the National Assembly, shall remain in office and shall hold an election.
“The government will comply with the orders issued by the CCJ that, during this ‘interim’ period, it will restrain the exercise of its legal authority. This means that, while the government will continue its routine management of the country, it will also address urgent issues that are in the public interest. It is also prepared to consult with the opposition on matters which require the agreement of both sides,” Dr. Norton told reporters. The July 12 consequential orders followed the CCJ’s June 18 ruling that the December 21 no-confidence motion against the government was successfully passed. On July 12, CCJ Presi-
dent, in delivering the consequential orders, noted that there is clear guidance in Article 106 on how government should proceed. However he noted that while Article 106 (6) speaks to Cabinet resigning, the court agreed that the government still remains in office. The court stated, “upon the passage of a vote of no-confidence, the Article requires the resignation of the Cabinet including the President. The Article goes on to state, among other things, that notwithstanding its defeat, the government shall remain in office...”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday August 3, 2019
First-time visitors savour taste of true Guyanese hospitality --as scores descend on National Park for annual Emancipation celebrations By Leson Jones SCORES of overseas-based Guyanese came home this year as usual for Emancipation, many bringing with them some of their friends to savour a taste of their beloved homeland and its legendary hospitality. They came from all walks of life, some from as far away as Africa, the USA and the UK, and closer to home, good old T&T. And with a theme like “Innovatively engineering the Guyana we want to live in,” there’s no denying they would have had themselves a ball, dancing and singing and generally cavorting in wild abandon to the heady beat of the drums as they ate their fill of the delicious traditional African fare on offer at the event, offerings such as ‘konkey’, and the ever-popular cook-up rice and metemgee. Many confessed that it was their first ever time spending Emancipation Day at the National Park, and couldn’t help but express how much they enjoyed it. Paulette Henry, who’s spent the last 30 years of her life living in ‘Good ol’ Blighty’, just couldn’t get enough of the foods she’d so come to love while living here, especially those on sale at the annual African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA)-led event, which turned 25 this year. “So far,” Paulette said, “this is the very first Eman-
Paulette Henry (right), who is visiting from London, and some of her friends who are also visiting
cipation parade I have ever attended, and I’m loving the various costumes that I’m actually seeing. I love the food! The ‘konkey’ taste so good, I’m planning to take some back home with me!” She also felt compelled to leave fellow Guyanese, especially those of African descent, a word of advice. “It so important for black people in general to emancipate themselves, not just spiritually, but emotionally and educationally as they continue to grow,” she said. The Emancipation Day festivities at the National Park paid tribute to those of our ancestors who left their mark on this life; leaders like Marcus Garvey, Bob
Nigerian visitors here to celebrate Emancipation (Photos by Samuel Maughn)
A visitor from Italy, left, and his American friends at the Emancipation Day Celebrations on Thursday at the National Park
Marley and Guyana’s very own Cuffy. Several small businesses were present to display their wares, such as craft and foods, original African clothing and herbal medicines. Akachi Afia, who hails from Nigerian, was so thrilled by what he saw and experienced, that he couldn’t help but share his thoughts
about the joy he felt on seeing families dressed alike in their traditional African clothing which, to him, signifies unity. “I would like to tell everyone, don’t matter where you’re from, it’s important to stay united and don’t forget where you come from,” Akachi said.
Mahdia resident gets birth certificate THE ‘Government Comes To You’ outreach in Mahdia has proven fruitful for Patricia Persaud, who received a new birth certificate. Persaud said getting her birth certificate was a must because she intends to get registered during GECOM’s House-to-House Registration process. “I’m here today so I could uplift a birth certificate so I could get to be on the Voters’ List [and] to get to register for a new ID
Card because it’s very important,” she said. Persaud knows that having her new ID card would allow her to conduct business more efficiently. Describing the outreach as very convenient, she said: “I’m really grateful that people could come here today, and everyone is so nice. The ministers are here, and the Mahdia residents appreciate this.” Elated that the service came to her home town, Persaud said that
travelling to Georgetown, to secure a birth certificate, would not have been feasible at this time. The Coalition Government has been working to decentralise various public services and empower more of the local authority areas. Among these is the provision of certificates of birth and deaths and passport services. Recently, new passport offices were opened in Regions 5 and 10.
Patricia Persaud, a resident of Mahdia, who got her new birth certificate at the outreach on Friday
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
‘Fashion Fusion the Gospel’ kicks off tomorrow –designed to dra w youths closer to G od
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SERIES of Gospel shows is set to roll out across Guyana over the next two weeks to empower young people and draw them closer to God. Dubbed ‘Fashion Fusion the Gospel edition: I am S.O.C.A Tour’, kicks off with its first event on Sunday on the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Tarmac. In an interview with ‘The Buzz’, coordinator of the series of events, Akilah Atherley said that she is excited for what Guyana is about to experience. She explained that this event is usually held every year to showcase her designs, ‘Akilah’s Creative Expressions. However, instead of just making it about fashion this year, she decided to expand and fuse it with the Trinidadian ‘I am S.O.C.A’ movement. S.O.C.A stands for Sold Out for Christ Always, and is headed by Nigel Lopez, a Trinidadian Soca Gospel artiste. So the shows will consist of fashion, singing, poetry, drama, dance and more. Lopez will also be headlining the concerts, Atherley said. “After I reached out to Nigel to be part of my show, he decided we should do something for the people this year other than just the usual fashion show. We decided to make it a tour where we can help young people better their talent, and use their talent for God and find something constructive to do for themselves as well as give back to society,” she said, adding: “This show is basically set to empower young people to the ministry of song, dance, poetry and fashion. We set up a tour August 4 to 17, around Guyana. “We’re going to be teaming up with the different
churches to get this done, and they all will be helping as young people. We have 20 models modelling. Two of the models are the Mayor of Linden, and we have the former Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green. And we also have a few doctors and university students, and different types of people coming together under this one umbrella to get the mission done.” In addition to the series of shows in the different towns, Akilah said that the team will also be conducting charity work at several hospitals and Homes, and at the Guyana Sickle Cell Association. “The artistes are going to be meeting with some of these patients, one-on-one, and ministering to them and trying to see how best they can assist them in whatever way they can. The reason we chose the Sickle-cell Association is because Nigel is a motivational speaker for the Trinidad Sickle-cell Association, so he wanted to come to Guyana and do the same for the people here that are troubling with sickle-cell,” she said. The tour is billed to start on August 4 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, then on August 9 in New Amsterdam, August 11 in Linden, and August 16 in Bartica. There will be five international artistes and 10 local artistes on the shows. “Next year we are planning to go to the interior locations, because the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs helped sponsor us partly this year, so they wanted us to go to Mabaruma next year and some other places,” Atherley said. The Georgetown tickets can be found at any local church near you. Tickets cost $3500 and $5000 VIP.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
Guyana vs Jamaica clash gaining momentum –Magnum prepared to face Pink Panther Di General T
HE excitement for August 31 is building up here as one of the biggest international sound clashes is setting foot on these shores for its inaugural hosting at the National Park. Supreme Promotions out of Jamaica is bringing to Guyana the ‘Revelation Sound Clash’ and some of the biggest names in the game to challenge Guyana’s best. Two of the names confirmed thus far are Pink Panther Di General, and Guyana’s King of clashes, DJ Magnum. In an interview with ‘The Buzz’, both champions expressed how fearless they are of the challenge that lies before them. Pink Panther said that he started out clashing since 1989 with Black Cat Sound System in Jamaica, and after winning five consecutive world clashes, he was given the name ‘Di General’. In fact, Pink Panther has won a total of n i n e sound clashe s , and
holds the record for the most wins in the history of sound clashes. He credits his many wins to the fact that he has his own style, and is very creative in sound clashes. After travelling and winning in countries like England, Canada and New York, Di General said that he is not afraid of the challenge that awaits in Guyana, but is excited to come for the very first time. “I know I have a lot of fans in Guyana, and I’ve been wanting to come for a long a time now, so I’m very excited about this one. But fears? I’m not scared of anyone; this is my thing; I do this all the time. Even though this will be my first time in Guyana, remember, I’ve been around the world doing this same thing, so I’m not afraid of strange territories,” Di General told ‘The Buzz’. A LONG-AWAITED OPPORTUNITY Given that this is a long-awaited opportunity, and his first time in Guyana, he said that the people can expect a proper show, because he will be bringing his ‘A’ game. Meanwhile, Guyana’s champion, DJ Magnum talked about always wanting the opportunity to challenge ‘these dinosaurs’. “It was always my plan to be on a stage against these dinosaurs, and with this, the world is going to know that Guyana has a bad sound system that’s deep in the clash
culture,” Magnum said. He has no fear at all going up against these veterans coming to his turf, as the coming of social media has made the clash world an even playing field. “So, it’s just another clash for me, but on a way higher level.” Magnum told the Buzz. “I grew up listening to Links and Cat, so I’m very excited to know that we gonna be facing-off on one stage,” he said, adding that he is going to bring to the stage the Magnum that his fans love, and prove to the world that he is the “original speech gad.” Aside from the clashing of the different sound systems and artistes from the
two countries, Tommy Lee is set to be the main act for the evening, in addition to several other exciting ones. This event comes as the introduction of ‘Sting’, to Guyana, and, if successful, will be an annual event. ‘Sting’ is a popular Dancehall show in Jamaica, created by Isaiah Laing over 30 years ago. Some of the biggest names have played and performed at the famous Boxing Day show, and Dancehall icons such as Ninja Man, Buju Banton, Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel and Mavado were made on Sting’s stage. After a hiatus of a few years, ‘Sting’ is said to be returning this year in Jamaica on December 26.
However, Guyana’s introduction will go off first. In fact, just like the open stage that is given at ‘Sting’ to provide a stage for new acts to be discovered, that same opportunity will be extended to Guyana’s local acts. Artistes will be given the opportunity to take the stage on August 31, and the top three acts will be selected to travel to Jamaica to perform at the return of the Sting show on December 26, 2019. Laing told ‘The Buzz’ that the entire show, which will be held at the National Park, will be videotaped and rebroadcast on various international platforms, and the Dancehall culture in Guyana will be revamped and recognised worldwide.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
Jamzone 2019 promises not to disappoint A
FTER 18 successful years in the business, Hits and Jams’ Jamzone Summer Break is here again, with three exciting nights of activities to commemorate its 19th year of existence. At a press conference on Friday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Hits and Jams Director, Kerwin Bollers said that Jamzone has claimed merit of being called the greatest calendar event in Guyana during the August vacation, and this year is going to be filled with a whole lot of excitement. The weekend of activities kick-starts from August 16 with the Soca Night Water Colours Beach J’Ouvert on the Kingston Kitty Seawall, behind the St. Stanislaus Ground. This event will involve paint, water and powder, and patrons will be entertained by the Boom
FM DJs. Appearances will also be made by Mandela, Christo, Brandon Harding and Jumo. Following the J’Ouvert is the Dancehall Night Concert on August 17. This mega-concert is to be held at the National Park, and will feature Popcaan as the main act, while Munga and Gage will also be sharing the stage. The beach event follows right after the Dancehall showdown, and is the ‘wash-down’ for the long weekend of activities. This will be held at the HJ Water World in Providence on August 18. The excitement gets even better, as by way of giving back to their supporters, Hits and Jams will be giving away a brand new car in a novel three-in-one-promotion. One lucky patron will be given the opportunity to win this car by entering a draw.
To enter the draw, persons have to purchase a three-inone Jamzone season pass for $6,000, which allows access to all three of the events. This is also a steal-of-adeal ticket, since it amounts to $8,000 if you purchase the event tickets separately. With the three-in-one ticket, you will receive a coupon to fill out to enter the draw to win the car. The winner will be announced on the day of the last event.
50 Cent…
‘Power’ being overlooked by Emmys is racial
SherryAnn Dixon comes home –set to deliver motivational speech at the Marriott
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Creator-executive producer Courtney A. Kemp (left) and Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson at the Starz ‘Power’ panel at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour on Friday in Beverly Hills, California
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EVERLY HILLS, California (AP): 50 Cent said he thinks Power being overlooked by the Emmys over the years is racial, despite the success of the popular Starz series, which has a predominantly black cast. “I’d like to say it’s racial. That’s the easy way to get out of things,” said the rapper and executive producer of the series during a panel discussion on Friday at the Television Critics Association Press Tour. “People who are running and connected to these ceremonies are not necessarily cool people,” he said. After 50 Cent’s comm e n t s , P o w e r c r e a t o r, Courtney Kemp, who accompanied him on stage, sarcastically said, “So now, we’ll never get one.” Power stars Omari Hardwick as a man who is trying to leave behind
his life as a drug kingpin and go ‘legit’. The series has become one of Starz’s most popular shows, but the popularity of the series hasn’t translated into Emmy nominations. MUSIC SNUB 50 Cent said he experienced being overlooked before during his music career, especially when his debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin was released in 2003. “This project is the same material I used for my music,” he said. “I didn’t receive an award for best new artist, when I had the largest debut for a Hip-Hop album. I sold more records for a first-album today. I look at it the same. I’m going to make the numbers. The viewership before we’re done with it, they’ll be looking around saying ‘Yeah, we (expletive deleted) up again.’”
FINAL SEASON Power will air its sixth and final season in two parts, Starz said. The first half, with 10 episodes, will begin as previously announced on August 25. The concluding five episodes will start airing in January. Kemp said the Emmy snubs were “disappointing”, but she was happy that the show has gotten recognition from their “core audience”, including the NAACP Image Awards. “I thought we were doing something new and fresh,” Kemp said. “I was hoping that the Emmy voters would take notice, and they didn’t. You just accept it and move on. But we’ve been winning Image Awards now for quite some time. It feels as though our core audience does love and respect the show. Not every show gets the attention it deserves.”
Bollers said that these set of activities makes it is a well-balanced event this year, and it caters for all. Since its launch in 2001, the event has evolved and revolutionized the local entertainment industry, further reaping great benefits for Guyana’s tourism sector. Some of the sponsors for this year are Liat Airline, Stag beer, Extra Beer, Royal Castle, Fast Graphics, and Demerara Distillers Limited.
UYANESE-born award-winning motivational Speaker SherryAnn Dixon will be giving a motivational presentation at the Guyana Marriott in Georgetown today. SherryAnn, who lives in London, is an award-winning journalist, transformational lecturer, and keynote speaker who is passionate about empowering people towards becoming confident. She represents women in her community, and without skipping a beat, she has moved from magazine editor to being an internationally sought after public speaker. She has, on a number of occasions, delivered addresses at the House of Lords, House of Parliament in London and The United Nations in New York. SherryAnn has edited three magazines, namely, Essence Magazine, Pride Magazine and SHE Caribbean, and has written for many publications, including The Guardian, Sunday Observer, The Times, The Guyana Chronicle and Stabroek News, Upscale Magazine and The Voice. She has done numerous television and radio shows, including Lorraine Kelly (LK Today) and BBC Worldwide, helping to dispel the myths surrounding health and beauty for women of colour. With her wide span of knowledge of empowerment issues, SherryAnn has now become a much sought-after inspirational and transformational speaker and mentor, sharing her life skills and vast knowledge to empower individuals in the UK and worldwide. But most importantly, SherryAnn Dixon it’s her thirst for mentoring that drives her. In December 2014, she was commended by The Mayor of London in acknowledgment of her inspiring work with women in her community by presenting her with a Certificate of Appreciation at the London Peace Awards. In 2017, she was invited to speak at The United Nations on the subject of why every child and, particularly women, should be mentored. Her first motivational-speaking event here in Guyana will see her sharing her life’s experiences and tips on improving self-confidence.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
‘Trini Boys’ on mission to spread Samuel Medas launches ‘Ready’ the gospel through music –throws weight behind GT’s Samuel Medas L By Vishani Ragobeer
By Vishani Ragobeer
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OEL ‘Positive’ Murray, Jaron Nurse and Mark Isaacs are three renowned Gospel singers hailing from the Twin-Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago who are on a mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through their music. For the internationally acclaimed ‘Positive’, his aim is to bring God into the hearts of people. “We live in a world where the love has been gone for some time now, and men are becoming lovers of themselves, and we just need to get back to that place where the heart of God is within us,” ‘Positive’ said. The man is not only a beloved vocalist, but a prolific songwriter and genre-bending producer as well. And, he is no stranger to Guyana, with thousands of avid church-goers, particularly young church-goers, able to sing his songs word-for-word. The singer, however, disclosed that he grew up in a place of poverty, and it was only the Presence that caused him to be successful in life. As such, his aim is to encourage people to seek out God, so that they, too, can find fulfillment. Much like ‘Positive’, Jaron Nurse related that he had his own fair share of struggles before ‘finding the light’.
Trinidadian Gospel singers: From left are, Mark Isaacs; ‘Positive’, and Jaron Nurse [Vishani Ragobeer photo]
“I tell people my testimony will always be louder than my music, because I came from a broken home, where my dad was on drugs and my mom was mentally ill. And it was Jesus who made a difference in my life,” Nurse said. Even though he, too, is recognised as a prolific vocalist, he said that his greatest mission is to travel and spread the word of the Gospel. And then there’s Mark Isaacs, the quiet one of the bunch; that is, quiet until he takes to the stage and lets the Holy Ghost use him as a vessel. He said, “My message is simply to bring people closer to Jesus Christ through music. I believe that everybody is
called to do something; that each of us has something that we can give.” The trio was in Guyana last weekend as part of the One Mega concert, which was organised by Guyana’s own Gospel singer, Samuel Medas. They were also here to support Medas as he launched his fifth studio album. In fact, Isaacs posited that Samuel launching his fifth studio is nothing short of amazing. “This is just the beginning,” Marcus said. “Sammy is such a talented and humble human being, and he sets the example for us who do the same type of ministry, in terms of work ethic, and
Hey guys, this is a short one this week, but all the same, we still got you covered. So, here goes! TODAY
**Everyone loves an all-black party. Set4Life Entertainment presents “Rush All Black” at District Ultra Lounge. FREE Rush Energy Drink on entry. Everyone FREE before 21:30hrs. Music by DJ Country Boy. Heineken specials all night. **Head on down to the Pegasus poolside’s Ignite Bar and Grill every Friday and Saturday for fun, food, and entertainment! **Want to find your Summer fling? Pulse Entertainment Presents “Taboo: Summer Fling” at the Palm Court. Dress your best and come find your summer fling as you party to the best sounds by DJ Ryan and DJ Hutson. Tickets: Early-bird $1500 (Pay more at the door!) **District Ultra Lounge presents “Exclusive: What’s up gurl”, featuring 2019 Mackeson King Crowd DJ Competition Winner, DJ Kev. Enjoy Johnnie Walker specials all night. **City sky and L.A family presents ‘Clean and Suacy’ at Tower Suites Poolside. Head out and enjoy saucy mixes by Guyana best DJs. **The Vintage Lounge presents “Brazilian and Latin Saturdays”. Enjoy food and drink specials. Music by DJ Tranquilo Santos. Doors open from 17:00hrs. **Aura Sky Lounge presents Seductive Saturdays! Doors open at 20:00hrs!
TOMORROW
**District Ultra Lounge presents “Soca and Bollywood Sundays”, featuring Selector Andy, WR Reaz, Selector Chino. Ladies free before 21:00hrs. Bacardi drink specials all night. **Marvelous Entertainment presents Marvelous Sundayz at its new location 592 Spot and Night Club (John and Norton Streets). Ladies free all night. Music by Stereo Sonic, Fusion and Boom DJs. **Free-up yourself for the big Emancipation After-Party at Vision Venue, Haslington North, on the East Coast. Enjoy fun Karaoke with DJ Dale; dance your feet off with Baby Spoon one-man band, and special guest DJ, Junior Ras. Admission $500. **G-Money, in association with Leprechaun Entertainment present Summer Sundays at Club Privilege (Main Street, Georgetown). Free entry for first 50 ladies. Throwback music and finger foods. Music by One Drop from NY, DJ Denzil, Selector Dexter, and a special guest DJ and one-man band. **The Vintage Wine Bar, Restaurant and Lounge presents “Dinner with 70s and 80s music. Sundays were meant for 70s & 80s music!
how we should carry out ourselves.” Nurse, on the other hand, said that Samuel is someone who does more than inspire him. Rather, he affirmed, he is like his older brother. “Sammy is the reason why I will get a cheque from Youtube, or I’ll get a cheque from iTunes, because he took his time to make sure that I have certain stuff in order,” Jaron related. As to ‘Positive’, who met ‘Sammy’ about six years ago while visiting Guyana for the first time, he is continuously inspired by his “excellence”. “He has continued to produce excellent music filled with anointing and purpose, and I just love the vigour,” Positive said, adding: “I think that God is using him in this time and season, and in this generation right now to bring young people closer to him.”
OCAL Gospel artiste Samuel Medas is aiming to continue his work in spreading the gospel with his fifth studio album, called ‘Ready’. “I think this is one of my most profound projects,” Samuel told the Buzz. “The depth of the lyrics and the excellence of the music hasn’t changed over the years, but I feel like this album really is going places.” Medas also highlighted that some of what he talks about in his album is a bit different from before. He contended that he had to live and experience more before he could channel those emotions into his music. ‘Ready’ consists of 12 songs, which were produced over the past year. But according to Samuel, he did not initially intend making an album; what he was doing was just creating songs over the past two years. His fourth album was produced in December 2017, and by February 2018, he started producing new music again. The songs contained in ‘Ready’ were produced by a myriad of persons, each replete with their own musical blends and styles. As such, the artiste posited, “The sound is different; the feel is different; the vibe is different.” It just so happened that the music he created started to resonate with persons as well, and each became a ‘hit’ in their own right. The only thing left was for him to get ‘Ready’. Commenting on the response he has been receiving, Medas noted that after 10 years in the business, he has become a well-known figure, and as such his supporters are there for him. “The struggle is not so much getting it out there. As long as you break into the market, and people know your name and you keep being consistent, after a while, you don’t have to try as much to get your music out there, because the demand is there for it,” he explained. Cognisant of that, he would like to advise other young Guyanese artistes who are keen on getting into the industry or developing their platforms, to just be consistent. Live on purpose,” he emphasised, “Don’t be the kind of young people that say ‘Que sera, sera; whatever comes to me is what we’ll be.’ Opportunity is meant for those who will take it by the horns, and success is whatever happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Aside from being consistent with making music, Samuel has also been consistently performing in Guyana and in other territories. In fact, on Wednesday, he started his tour with his band, and this will continue until September. The album is available at Ridley’s on Robb and Wellington Streets, and the music will soon be available on Online streaming platforms like iTunes and Spotify.
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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday, August 3, 2019)
COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Dinesh Ramdin-68 (2) Mahendra Singh Dhoni-98
Today’s Quiz:
(1) How many T20 International runs Mahendra Singh Dhoni has scored to date? (2) How many T20 International runs Dwayne Bravo has recorded to date?
ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE
American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Our Country Race 2 Grumps Little Tots
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
West Indies/India T20 series begins today (ESPNCRICINFO) - ONE of the things Virat Kohli spoke about in his press conference before leaving India was the opportunity the cricket calendar - with three forms of the game - afforded in getting over defeats that sting. India have had almost a month to lick their wounds after the loss against New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 semi-final. Now, with the World Test Championship getting underway and the T20 World Cup in 14 months, there are already fresh challenges to prepare for. Their tour of the Caribbean begins with the three-match T20I series, with the first two matches in Lauderhill. The last time these teams played at Lauderhill, one match was rained out, and the other ended in a thrilling manner, with West Indies winning by just one run. Three years on, the current series forms an interesting clash of cricketing ethos. While India have often brought an ODI approach to 20-overs cricket, West Indies played large tracts of the World Cup as if in T20 mode. These games could be the first ones in which each team begins putting together pieces for the T20 World Cup next year. India have an influx of younger players, with some changes enforced by absence and injury. West Indies are without Chris Gayle, whose international future even in the medium term seems uncertain at best. That could be a blessing, because it will allow West Indies
to try out a replacement, keeping the T20 World Cup in mind. IN THE SPOTLIGHT You could argue that there is never a moment when Virat Kohli is not under the spotlight, but there are a couple of factors that could intensify the focus on him.
and three ODIs without Dhoni in the team. But with Dhoni’s future uncertain, the Indian think-tank might need to get used to life without the senior pro, and that puts greater onus on Kohli, the captain. The last time Sunil Narine played for West Indies was back
The rumblings about a rift between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma formed much of the pre-series talk in India (Associated Press)
The rumblings about a rift with vice-captain Rohit Sharma had kept swirling, until Kohli emphatically denied them. Whether there is a rift or not, or a bromance, or a normal disagreement between colleagues that is commonplace and transient - there will be extra meaning attached every time Kohli and Rohit come within each other’s radius. India are without MS Dhoni for this tour. Ever since Kohli became the full-time limited-overs captain in early 2017, he has played just four T20Is
in September 2017. Since then Narine has been part of various T20 leagues - the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, the Bangladesh Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League - but hasn’t played an international match. He opted out of selection for the World Cup, citing concerns about his fitness to last 50 overs and bowl his full quota of 10, but he’s back in national colours for his favourite format. Narine has also evolved as a potent batting force, though he’s unlikely
to get to bat in the Powerplay, where his hitting has been at its most effective.
TEAM NEWS India have some new faces in the squad, but there’s still an abundance of options who are most at home batting in the top three. Regular openers Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan are back together with Dhawan having recovered from his broken finger, and there’s Kohli. In addition, they have KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey. At least two of those three seem certain to bat out of position, which can be a distinct contrast in a 20-overs game. The wrist-spinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested, which should give the team management the choice to try a number of exciting options. India XI (probable): Rohit
Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (capt.), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey/Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wkpr), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar/Navdeep Saini, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar. Andre Russell was expected to be one of the players igniting West Indies’ World Cup campaign, but the only things that flared up were his knees. He has since had surgery and was named in the T20I squad, subject to a fitness test. On the eve of the first T20I, Cricket West Indies (CWI) said the all-rounder experienced some discomfort during the GLT20 Canada, and has been replaced by Jason Mohammed. Even without Russell, captain Carlos Brathwaite has plenty of power - hitting and bowling - at his disposal. West Indies XI (probable): John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran (wkpr), Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron
Pollard, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Sunil Narine, Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul/Oshane Thomas. PITCH AND CONDITIONS Overnight rain meant the covers had been on all through the morning on the eve of the match, forcing India to cancel their practice session. They did train on Thursday even though they could not yesterday. There is a general threat of rain, but thunderstorms in south Florida usually come nearer the late afternoon or evening, and both T20Is here are scheduled for 10.30hrs. The pitch is expected to be one where batsmen prosper, with the ball coming on to the bat nicely.The pitch is expected to be one where batsmen prosper, with the ball coming on to the bat nicely.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
Hamilton fastest in Hungary (REUTERS) - FORMULA One champion Lewis Hamilton lapped fastest overall for Mercedes in Hungarian Grand Prix practice yesterday as rain limited meaningful track action in the afternoon. With soggy fans huddled under plastic ponchos and umbrellas, Red Bull’s Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen ended the day one-two on the timesheets in the drizzly second 90-minute session with Hamilton third. The Briton’s morning lap of one minute 17.233 seconds was still the day’s best, with Gasly producing a 1:17.854 effort on the fastest soft tyres in the afternoon when the track
was still suitable for slicks. “This afternoon I only got a few laps on the hard tyre, then we stopped because running in the wet is kind of irrelevant when you know that the race is most likely going to be dry,” said Hamilton. Toro Rosso’s Alexander Albon crashed soon after the first spots of rain, the Thai acknowledging driver error after going onto the grass at the last corner in an incident that brought out the red flags briefly. Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas sat out the opening session while his mechanics changed the car’s power unit but returned after lunch to post the fourth
fastest lap. The lost track time was still a setback for the Finn, who crashed out at a wet Hockenheim last weekend just when he looked likely to make inroads into Hamilton’s
overall lead and ended up 41 points adrift. Bottas set his best time on a medium tyre, while five-time world champion Hamilton used the slower hard rubber in the second session.
FORMULA One champion Lewis Hamilton lapped fastest overall
Hamilton, recovering from a bug that laid him low in Germany last weekend, has won a record six times in Hungary including last year from pole. “I wanted to come back into the weekend feeling better and getting straight on it. The balance was quite nice straight from the get-go,” he said. Verstappen, the in-form driver with two victories from the last three races, was second on the morning timesheets but only a thousandth of a second ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. The Dutch youngster, who spun twice in that opening session, is expected to go well in Hungary, a track that should suit his car’s characteristics.
“I think it was a good day for us and although Mercedes seem to be a little bit ahead we’re very close which is positive,” said Verstappen. “The car seemed to work well in both wet and dry conditions.” Gasly was fourth fastest in the morning, with Danish driver Kevin Magnussen fifth for Haas and Charles Leclerc sixth for Ferrari. “I think we had some room to improve,” said Vettel of his morning performance. “Hard to see where we are compared to the others. We’ll see tomorrow. “In both conditions we should be thereabouts. Mercedes look very strong out of the box, straightaway.”
Burns century puts England in control (REUTERS) - RORY Burns smashed an the 21st over as the bails failed to dislodge, unbeaten maiden Test century as England much to the dismay of the Australian fieldgained the upper hand in the first Ashes ers, who crowded around Root in disbelief. Test by finishing day two on 267-4, trailing Root was initially given out caught behind, Australia by just 17 runs yesterday. but another poor decision from the umpires Jason Roy’s first Ashes innings never really was overturned by the Decision Review Sysgot going as he was out for 10, before Joe Root tem. benefitted from a stroke of luck after a superb After lunch, Burns clipped the ball delivery from James Pattinson beat him and fine to the boundary to reach his first clipped the wickets but the bails half-century against Australia as Endid not come off. gland pressed on. Root and Burns went Burns and Root continued to play on to record the series’ their shots, becoming the first pairing first century-partnership, to make a century partnership this but the England captain failed series, before Root reached 50 off to make three figures, falling to 110 balls. Peter Siddle for 57, with Joe Denly Root, though, again failed to (18) and Jos Buttler (5) unable to provide turn a half-century into a hunsupport. dred as he was brilliantly caught Burns reached his century off 223 balls, one-handed by Siddle, with Denly following nine dot balls and stuck on 99. He the next to go, trapped lbw by Patwill resume his innings on 125 not out, tinson. alongside Ben Stokes on 38. A fine catch from Cameron Ban“I have done that before in county croft brought an end to Buttler’s stay cricket so I do have experience to at the crease but, after a nervy wait, draw upon,” Burns said. “It was a Burns became the first batsman to wonderful experience and hopefully make a hundred on his Ashes I am not done yet.” debut since Tim Robinson - this Resuming on 10-0, Roy match’s fourth umpire – in edged through the slips in just 1985 as the day belonged to the second over off the bowling the inexperienced opener. of Pattinson, before Steve Smith held “It was just one on to one off the same bowler in the eighth. of those days,” AusBurns got away with a leg-before-wicktralia team adviser et appeal which replays for this tour, Steve showed the ball was going Waugh, said. “Lots on to hit the stumps, be- Rory Burns cuts through of near-misses; tomorrow is fore Root’s luck was in in the off side (GettyImages) when it really counts.”
United sign Maguire from Leicester (BBC) - MANCHESTER United have reached an agreement to sign England centre-back Harry Maguire from Leicester for £80M - a world record fee for a defender. The 26-year-old is expected to complete a medical at the club at the weekend. He will become United’s third summer signing following Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, who arrived from Crystal Palace and Swansea respectively. Maguire made 69 Premier League appearances for Leicester after joining from Hull City in 2017. The deal means Maguire becomes the world’s most expensive defender, eclipsing the £75M Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.
United had a long-standing interest in Maguire but they backed away from a deal 12 months ago because they felt the £70M that would be needed for a transfer to be concluded was too high. He signed a five-year contract at Leicester last September and manager Brendan Rodgers made it clear at the end of the season he felt Maguire could develop even more if he remained at the club. Maguire began his career at Sheffield United in 2011, making 139 league appearances for the Blades before joining Hull in 2014. He was part of the Hull side that earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2016 but left for Leicester in a £17M deal following the Tigers’ relega-
tion 12 months later. The defender made his England debut in August 2017 and was part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He becomes one of seven central defenders on the books at United, joining Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made signing a central defender a priority this summer. Three weeks ago, United were still assessing other options but slowly these had fallen by the wayside, leaving Maguire as the single option. Solskjaer believes Maguire has not only the playing style but also the leadership qualities United’s current squad requires.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
Dharry moves up to his highest WBA ranking … hopes to fight world champion Yafai
ACE Guyanese boxer Elton Dharry has moved up to sixth position after climbing two spots in the July 31 ranking of the World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight division. The U.S.-based Guyanese boxer, who won the Central American Boxing Federation (Fedecentro) World Boxing Association and Central American Boxing Federation (FECARBOX) World Boxing Council (WBC) champion titles two months ago after he defeated Panama’s champion and former title challenger Gilberto Cacique Mendonza by unanimous decision in Panama, is elated with his highest-ever ranking. “I’m happy to move up in the world ranking, I’ve worked extremely hard for it.”
tive bouts. He told Chronicle Sport yesterday that his team is working on getting the big fight against current world champion Khalid Yafai. “My team is waiting on a response from the World Champion team. We are trying to get Khalid to fight me next. I hope he accepts the challenge.” Dharry, who has been undefeated since 2010, had found it hard to get fights in his recent form. Prior to his defeat of Mendonza, he had two boxers agreeing then later declining to fight. The Leguan-born is however optimistic that British boxer Yafai might fight him. “This is the first time that his promoter said that he’ll consider it.” If Yafai’s fight does not materialise, Dharry said he is willing to take on any champion in the division. “I’ll fight Juan Estrada (WBC champion) too if the offer comes in. I’m willing to fight any of the champions in my division.” In the latest ranking, Dharry has moved past June’s number one-ranked competitor Norbelto Jimenez. The HOPEFUL WORLD Dominican dropped seven spots. CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH Argentine boxer Juan Carlos Reveco also falls unDharry, who fights under der the Guyanese in the latest ranking. Reveco Havoc Boxing Promotions, Elton Dharry is now ranked sixth in the was ranked fourth before he dropped four has won his last 21 consecupositions. WBA super flyweight division
Russell out of T20 series against India (CMC) – INJURY-plagued all-rounder Andre Russell has been forced out of the threematch Twenty20 International series against India following a flareup of his troublesome left knee. The 31-year-old informed selectors he would be unavailable for the series after experiencing discomfort while at the ongoing Global T20 Canada in Toronto, where he featured in one match for Vancouver Knights without bowling or batting.
capable of good performances and we back him to perform at this level and win games as well.” Mohammed, 32, is a slightly strange choice as replacement, averaging 18 from nine T20Is, with a highest score of 23 not out. He managed only 198 runs at an average of 24 with a single half-century in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) last season. Russell’s inclusion in the initial squad last month had raised several eyebrows especially after limping out of the World
Brathwaite to fill captaincy role left vacant by Gayle at Patriots THERE have been a lot of changes in the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots team for 2019. Robin Singh is the new coach as Chris Gayle leaves for the Jamaica Tallawahs as a very different-looking squad will line up for the new season which gets underway on September 4. One of the players, who have been with the Patriots from the formation of the franchise in 2015, is Carlos Brathwaite, who will be back in Patriots colours for the upcoming season. This year he will be captaining the side. He says he cannot wait for the season to get underway. “I’m very excited! I think we had a good last couple of years where we challenged really well on the field. We went to the final and then we made it to the playoffs as well, so, this year it is about trying to continue that same thought process, that same set of game plan and try to be as attacking as we could potentially be. Obviously, we had Chris (Gayle) and Evin (Lewis) at the top.” “Chris is now gone so we need to find a replacement for Chris, probably not in the same style that he would play, but with the results that he would normally bring to the team. Obviously, that’s another big character gone in the dressing room as well. We have to manoeuvre slightly differently, but we need the same results where we challenge for the top four and then once we get to the
top four, we challenge for the title.” Gayle was a big part of the recent success the Patriots have achieved, but he has now moved back to his native Jamaica Tallawahs. Brathwaite says he had a huge impact in the Patriots dressing room and on him as a player.
Carlos Brathwaite
“I think people look for the shouting and the ‘hurrah’ and Chris is not necessarily that. He’s calmer, collective, cool. He leads by example. He has the respect
of everyone in the dressing room, so whenever he speaks you know his words are worth the weight in gold. I think a lot of people take his coolness and his calm persona for granted but there’s very much a whole heap of respect in all the dressing rooms I’ve been fortunate enough to play alongside him, Everyone in the dressing room gives him maximum respect.” Even without Gayle, Patriots have a very strong and experienced squad for the 2019 season. They have six players who took part in the recently concluded Cricket World Cup, including Brathwaite. With the likes of Sri Lankan all-rounder Isuru Udana, Pakistani stalwart Mohammad Hafeez and West Indian talents like Lewis and Fabian Allen, Patriots will be looking to make it to the knockout stages for a third successive year. Brathwaite says that mix of international and local talent is such a huge part of the CPL for players, with the tournament allowing Caribbean players to develop their game as well as to leave a lasting impression on overseas stars. “CPL gives you the chance to perform on a big stage. As a local it’s kind of different travelling around and there are only four spots available for overseas players. You always have to try to be one of the four as opposed to being one of the seven.
“So firstly, it gives you the opportunity to play in franchise cricket as one of seven, and then it gives you the opportunity to learn from four or five other guys in the dressing room coming from a different background; different culture; different ways of training; different ways of living life. “It helps you to mature as a person and then on the field it’s good to get ideas and different ways of thinking and playing the game. So, I think as a person, it helps massively, and I rate it right up there with some of the best leagues in the world that I’ve played with.” “What I really like about the dressing rooms in the past is that the overseas players leave with two or three favourite local songs, so we more than impart our culture on them which is very important as well, because we need people to see the side of the Caribbean that is not always seen - the side away from cricket. So, I think it’s very good for the different islands to spread our culture as best as we can through cricket. “You also meet with players that you would’ve played and shared a dressing room with in CPL, in other franchise tournaments as well. And that makes it easier to gel. So CPL has been massive, not only for me, and not only for a lot of boys in the Caribbean, but also for the region as a whole.” The tournament runs from September 4 to October 12 2019.
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is out of T20 series with injury
Russell will now be replaced by batsman Jason Mohammed who last played a T20 International 16 months ago when he led a second-string side on a three-match tour of Pakistan. “We welcome Jason Mohammed into the squad for the first two T20 matches here in Florida. He is a player with lots of experience in all three formats and did well for Trinidad & Tobago as well as Guyana Amazon Warriors,” said West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer. “It is not easy to fill the shoes of someone like Andre Russell, who has dominated T20 cricket all over the world and helped West Indies win the ICC T20 World Cup on two occasions. “We believe Jason is
Cup after struggling with his fitness in a handful of matches, and then undergoing surgery. Selectors said at the time he would undergo a fitness before being cleared to face the Indians. West Indies take on the tourists in the first of two matches at the Central Broward County Stadium here today before playing the second match tomorrow. The series wraps up in Guyana next Tuesday. SQUAD – Carlos Brathwaite (captain), John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Anthony Bramble, Jason Mohammed.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
Champion of Champions Dominoes competition set for tomorrow at Turning Point
THE Turning Point Sports Club will be the battlefield when more than 20 teams clash in the Champion of Champions Dominoes competition for prizes in excess of $400 000. The competition, which is organised by Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire and Dion Carter, will be played in three rounds of aggregate points followed by a sudden-death round. So far the qualify ing teams include Gold is Money, Spartans, Mix
Organiser Dion Carter (left) collects a sponsorship cheque from STAG Beer’s Brand Manager Nigel Worrell as Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire looks on
Guyana U-19 beat Leewards by 119 runs … Barbados, Windwards secure victories
AFTER their humiliating defeat in round two of Cricket West Indies (CWI) ‘Rising Stars’ Regional Under-19 tournament, Guyana bounced back to whip the Leeward Islands by 119 runs in the third round on Thursday at the Cumberland ground.
Sachin Singh
Opener Sachin Singh topscored with 51 and Kevlon Anderson got 42 as Guyana got up to 176 all out in the 50th over after choosing to bat first. Uri Smith picked up five for 19 while Elroy Francis finished with three for 21. In reply, Anderson (3-18) and Qumar Torrington (3-18) grabbed three wickets apiece as Leewards folded meekly for 57 in the 28th over. Meanwhile, Barbados easily disposed of Jamaica to remain unbeaten and on top of the standings but Trinidad and Tobago suffered their first defeat at the hands of Windward Islands. Playing at the Arnos Vale Stadium, Barbados overhauled a target of 133 to get home in the 28th over and win by five wickets, with Nyeem Young anchoring the run chase with an unbeaten 42 off 35 balls. He struck five fours and a six, posting 58 in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Kevin Wickham who stroked a runa-ball unbeaten 22. Antonio Morris had
carved out 25 in a 42-run, fourth-wicket partnership with Demetrius Richards (17). This pulled Barbados around from 17 for three in the sixth over. Earlier, Jamaica got 43 from Michael Thompson and 41 from Matthew Comerie as they were dismissed for 132 off 38 overs. The pair put on 82 for the ninth wicket, a stand that averted a total collapse for Jamaica after the innings lay in strife at 31 for eight in the 17th over. Seamer Matthew Forde was the leading bowler with four for 15. T&T, meanwhile, failed in their pursuit of 204 and crashed to a 69-run defeat at Park Hill. Leonardo Francis (21) and Mbeki Joseph (16) gave T&T a decent start by putting on 39 for the first wicket and when six wickets tumbled for 39 runs, joint top-scorers Rivaldo Ramlogan and Ronaldo Forester (22) added 33 for the seventh wicket. However, off-spinner Malakai Xavier snared five for 26 and fast bowler Tijourn Pope, three for 27, to wreck the lower order. Opting to bat first earlier, unbeaten Windwards got half-centuries from West Indies Under-19 batting star Kimani Melius (59) and Teddy Bishop (53) as they marched to 203 for seven off their 50 overs. Melius hit 10 fours and two sixes off 60 balls, posting 45 for the first wicket with Jaheil Walters (6) and a further 34 for the second wicket with Bishop. When two wickets fell for seven runs in the space of eight deliveries, Bishop struck three fours and two sixes off 106 balls in a 56-run fourth-wicket stand with Tahj Tavernier (26) to revive the innings.
Up, Phantom, All Season Angels, Providence Sports Club, All Season and All Season Punters. The winning team will pocket $200 000 and a trophy while the runners-up will receive $100 000 and a trophy as well. The third-place finishers will walk away with $50 000 and a trophy while fourth-placers will receive $20 000. The MVP will collect $10 000 and a cellphone for
his/her efforts while the best female player will win $20 000 and a voucher. The entrance fee is $15 000 per team and each team will be given a case of STAG Beer upon entry. The sponsors on board are STAG Beer, RRT Enterprise, iBet Supreme, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc, Magnum Tonic Wine, New Nigel’s Supermarket, G Bacchus, McBeth NY and Hilary Davidson Designs & Technologies.
Providence stadium ready to host WI/India games – Ghanshiam By Rajiv Bisnauth
ASSISTANT Manager of the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, Mahinder Ghanshiam, has confirmed that the venue is fully prepared and ready to host its leg of the series between the West Indies and India. The two teams clash in the last of three T20 Internationals, starting at 10:30hrs on August 6, then two days later, they meet in the first of three ODI matches, commencing at 09:30hrs - the first time in three decades the two sides will contest an ODI in the South American nation. “We are fully ready and prepared right now ... we are putting the finishing touches to what we do best. So, as we speak, most of the systems are in place and we are fully ready to host these matches,” Ghanshiam said.
To this end, ground staff are confident that once there is no continuous rain on match days, the games will not be affected in any way. Meanwhile, an official from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has confirmed that ticket sales are moving at a fast rate. Tickets for children aged 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket for all matches. Senior citizens – aged 60 plus – on presentation of a form of national photo identification at local box offices are also eligible for free tickets while stocks last for all matches, except the two MyTeam11 Mahinder Ghanshiam Twenty20 Internationals in Equipped with the best the United States. The India cricket team drainage system among the International venues in the will return to Guyana for the West Indies, the outfield first time since 2002 and will looked lush green and bil- make a maiden appearance at liard-table smooth, despite the national stadium, Provithe prolonged rainy season. dence. When Chronicle Sport visited the venue yesterday, the place was a hive of activity with workers putting the finishing touches to the various areas of the stadium.
The One-Day International will be the third between the two sides here. Prior to the ODI on August 8, India have only played ODI cricket here twice, in 1983, when they beat the West Indies by 25 runs at Albion and at Bourda in 1989 when West Indies won by 101 runs. The Windies and India will also play two Tests from August 22 to 26 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua and from August 30 to September 3 at Sabina Park in Jamaica – during the fiveweek tour. The India cricket team toured the Caribbean in June and July 2017 to play five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and a Twenty20 International (T20I) match. India won the ODI series 3-1. The West Indies won the one-off T20I match by nine wickets.
Fury to fight Sweden’s Otto Wallin
(BBC) - British former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has agreed terms to fight Sweden’s Otto Wallin. Fury, 30, looks set to compete in Las Vegas for his second consecutive fight after his impressive stoppage win over Tom Schwarz in June. The bout has not been officially confirmed but has been scheduled to take place on September 14. Wallin, a 6ft 5in southpaw, has 20 wins - 13 via knockout and one no-contest on his record. This will be Fury’s second bout on his lucrative contract with ESPN and he will be a heavy favourite against an opponent who has not mixed in the same class. But managing risk while again showcasing Fury to an American television audience was always likely to be a balance struck, given a win could pave the way for a highly lucrative rematch with WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in early 2020.
Former IBF, WBA and WBO world champion Fury is currently in a training camp in Marbella.
WHO IS OTTO WALLIN? Of boxing’s four major global sanctioning bodies - IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC - Wallin is ranked fourth by the WBA and 11th by the IBF. His last bout in April was judged a no-contest when an accidental first-round head clash with Nick Kisner left the American cut and unable to continue. The bout in Atlantic City was the first Wallin had contested outside of Europe. Facing Fury in Las Vegas will prove an altogether different spectacle with a dramatic peak in interest and pre-fight media demands. DOES WALLIN MAKE SENSE FOR FURY? Fury - who has 28 wins and a draw to his name - was initially expected to have a prompt
rematch with Wilder following their thrilling draw in Los Angeles in December. But his decision to sign a multi-fight deal with ESPN left him and Wilder on rival broadcast networks, a move which was expected to complicate negotiations.
Wallin is Sweden’s number-one heavyweight and has previously been called into Anthony Joshua’s training camp as a sparring partner Fury told BBC Sport leading up to his Schwarz bout that Wilder no longer responded
to his text messages but in the weeks after the bout he stated an agreement was in place for the pair to meet again on February 22, assuming both come through matches in the interim. Promoter Bob Arum, whose Top Rank organisation work with Fury in the US, has repeatedly expressed his desire to build the Briton’s profile in the country in the early stages of his ESPN deal, heightening demand and earning potential for any Wilder bout in the process. Perhaps the person to be most satisfied with the way things have played out will be Fury’s trainer Ben Davison, who oversaw his dramatic 10st weight loss before taking on Wilder first time around. Davison was one of few voices who said he would prefer Fury did not jump into an immediate rematch with the WBC champion and instead wanted his fighter to work on shaking off ring rust given he had been inactive from November 2015 to June of 2018.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, August 3, 2019
Divine Entertainment Summer Super Cup Final
Eagles, Botofago clash for $600 000 prize tonight By Joe Chapman
THIS evening’s Devine Entertainment Summer Super Cup invitational football championship should be a gem when the number oneranked Eagles United go up against third seed Botofago for $600 000. The match, set for 21:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground is also for the championship trophy and bragging rights in the tournament. This final will be preceded by a collision between Net Rockers, who are seen as the second-best team in Upper Demerara, and Capital FC from 19.00hrs. The final will, as expected, see the fans from both teams compete for the top prize. These two teams had met in the GT Beer semifinal in December when Eagles United prevailed by a 5-4 penalty
shootout route. This time the top-ranked Eagles will no doubt start as favourites but they must be wary of what Botofago will
mond, told Chronicle Sport, “As it relates to insight on outcome ... I foresee a wellplayed game. These are two of the better teams in Linden and
Eagles United Donovan Francis
Botofago’s new signing Duquan Hercules
bring to this competition. Speaking about their attitude going into this final vice-president of the Eagles United FC, Aulston Thor-
a high level of skills will be on display. Our strikers and theirs are both fast and skilful. Both teams’ defences are solid.” He continued, “The re-
sult will come down to who wants it more on the night. However, he was quick to add, “Colwyn Drakes, who scored a hat-trick in our last game, is in good scoring-form shape. He is a player to watch but captain Kellon Primo is hungry for goals and our defence has been tested and solid.” Not to be forgotten are Donovan Francis and Deron Charter, who have shown the ability to score goals on the big stage along with a defence that hinges around Benny Neblett, Kendolph Lewis, Romain Adams and the young Omar Brewley who can overlap. Their rivals’ president Colin Moore remarked, “To give you some insights into the final, I must tell you that we always treat every game as a final, meaning that we don’t underestimate any team. We give every team
Jamual John cops LonLam 3rd Cycling Classic in Linden TEAM Coco’s wheelsman Jamual John rode away with the Seniors title at the 3rd edition of the LonLam Cycling Classic in Linden on Thursday. Starting in a field of over 30 cyclists, John got back to winning ways in the 25-lap feature event. However, he was robustly challenged by second-place finisher Michael Anthony and Briton John who grabbed the third podium spot. Meanwhile Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith and Christopher Cornelius were fourth and fifth respectively. Of the five sprint prizes up for grabs, Jamual John and Anthony had two apiece while Marcus Keiler had one. Nigel London was the top Veterans cyclist while Andy Spencer and Desmond Patterson finished second and third respectively. Elisha Rutherford won
the Juniors title ahead of Anphany Munroe and Julian Gordon who placed second and third respectively. The LonLam Classic is the brainchild of the Lon-
don and Lambert family and was sponsored by GWI, Gideon Consulting and General Construction, TGI Cakes, Michael Williams Foundation, Da-
vid McDougall Scholarship, Omadelli Catering, MNS Studios, Queen T Events, R&N Consultancy, COTS Foods and Bissoon & Son.
The Overall winners of the LonLam Cycling Classic pose with their trophies and prizes
ExxonMobil U-14 Schools Football Tournament 2019
Boys, Girls finals on today
BOTH Boys and Girls finals of the 2019 ExxonMobil U-14 schools football tournament will take place today at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. The day’s action will start with the Boys’ third-place playoff between Queenstown Secondary and Dolphin. The two losing semifinalists, who were two of the more outstanding sides in the tournament, will meet to determine who will cart off that third-place trophy. Following that, last weekend’s Girls’ finals will then be played. Inclement weather had forced the shift of the event after the third place playoff was barely completed.
In that game from 14:00hrs, New Campbellville will play East La Penitence and new winners to the annual tournament will be crowned. New Boys’ champions will also be crowned when Cummings Lodge Secondary face off against Carmel Secondary. The last two teams standing will go head-to-head for a chance to win funding for a project at their learning institution. Apart from the title sponsors, Ministry of Public Health, under its Chronic Diseases Unit and the Demerara Distillers Limited under the PEPSI brand are on board.
their respect but we fear no team. We do our talking on the field. He continued, “The mood right now is good for the team to go ahead and win the final. Once the conditions are good, people are going to witness a great game because everyone knows that Botofago FC and Eagles United always produce exciting games.” Moore singled out Jamal Haynes as one of the key players up front for Botofago but said his availability is based on his recovery from an injury. Also, their captain Jahshaun ‘Sarwan’ Moore will be the link at midfield to control the tempo of the encounter. He said the new acquisition from Capital FC, D u q u a n H e rc u l e s , h a s proved his potential and has been a boost with his longrange shooting ability which
must be watched. He said the experienced Tevin David, Trevon Archibald, Floyd Headley and John Allicock are players who have stepped up to the opposition and would be confident that their talent-loaded side will win tonight’s big game. The man between the uprights for Botofago is Wayne Wilson. On the tag of underdogs Moore quipped, “We are not perturbed by that, we are accustomed to being in this situation. It serves as motivation for us.” While this is the game of the night, Net Rockers would be looking forward to winning their game against Capital FC as they are looking to maintain their ranking among the three clubs in the mining town. The losers of this final get $400 000 and third-placers between Net Rockers and Capital FC will collect $200 000 and the losers $100 000.
Providence stadium ready to host WI/India games – Ghanshiam
West Indies/India T20 series begins today Page
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Head curator of the pitches at the Guyana National Stadium, Wasim Habib inspects one of the pitches o be used
ExxonMobil U-14 Schools Football Tournament 2019
Boys, Girls finals on today Page
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New champions will be crowned today in the ExxonMobil U-14 Schools Football Tournament 2019
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Sunil Narine is set for a return to international cricket after nearly two years. (AFP)
United sign Maguire from Leicester Page
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Harry Maguire has been capped 20 times by England
Eagles, Botofago clash for $600 000 prize tonight
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2019