Guyana Chronicle Epaper 08 27 2019

TUESDAY 27th AUGUST, 2019

'Coalition will win'

No.105742

...President tells PNC/R confab APNU+AFC will win next elections ...says next decade will be one of development for Guyana 03 PAGE

APNU, AFC exchange documents on revision of Cummingsburg Accord

- as planned meeting postponed

See page 11

Mining sector becoming more 'environmentally conscious'

- Trotman says at opening of mining and quarrying conference See page 2

Barbados braces for Tropical Storm Dorian See page 5

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger on Monday opened a one-day Robotics Camp for the children of the staff of the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP). In this MOTP photo, the youngsters were eager to get started. (See story on page 4)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

Mining sector becoming more ‘environmentally conscious’ --Trotman says at opening of mining, quarrying conference

GUYANA’S Mining Sector is becoming more “environmentally conscious” and the authorities are working to restructure the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in order to focus more on geological and mining activities. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who was, at the time, addressing participants at the official opening of National Mining and Quarrying Conference at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Monday morning. “Our regulatory framework is also improving. We are revising the mining act to allow for better management of our mineral resources,” Trotman told the gathering which included Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Shar-

forms of technology that allow for “multi- element recognition” which means that even before one spade

of earth is mined, a miner can be assured of the potential returns on his / her investment. Trotman said that Guy-

ana has come a long way from the days of river mining – a feat he deemed Turn to page 10 ►

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman addressing the opening of the conference on Monday

ma and Chairman of the GGMC’s Board, Stanley Ming, as well as GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison. According to Trotman, the mining sector has become more efficient and effective beginning at the exploration stage where cutting edge

technologies have helped eliminate some of the risks associated with prospecting. As he elaborated on the advancements in the sector, he said Lidar surveys, satellite imagery, improved geophysical and geochemical analyses are among various

Awardees with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (left) and GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison (right) at the conclusion of Mining Week’s opening ceremony

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

President confident 'Coalition' will win next elections ...says next decade will be one of development

PRESIDENT David Granger, while assuring the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) General Council that his government will return to office after the next General and Regional Elections, said Guyana, over the next decade, will experience unprecedented development as the country effectively utilises its oil revenues to re-energize the economy. President Granger, Leader of the PNCR, was at the time delivering the feature address at the party’s General Council Meeting at Congress Place on Saturday. To loud rounds of applause, President Granger expressed confidence that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition will emerge victorious at the next General and Regional Elections, and will be given an opportunity by the masses to continue the work that was started in 2015 when it took office. PNCR forms a major part of the APNU. He assured the General Council that the next decade would be one of development. “We are entering a decade of development; it is not a dream. Our decade of development must deliver a plan to transform Guyana, to deliver a good life for all, to give our children an opportunity to get off the streets and go to school; it must be a decade that gives young people jobs; it must be a decade in which rural and hinterland residents could enjoy similar access to public services,” the Head of State said. With oil and gas production on the horizon, and the likely expansion of other critical sectors, President Granger said it is important that Guyanese ‘cash-in’ on the benefits. “Our vision is of a prosperous Guyana, with enough for everyone,” he posited while adding that it is his mission to create a society in which the nation’s children and old-folks are catered for in all aspects of development. “We must encourage our young people; people in the rural and hinterland commu-

President David Granger delivering the keynote address at the PNCR General Council Meeting at Congress Place on Saturday

PNCR General Council Meeting in session at Congress Place, Sophia

nities to stick with our Party; our programme and our plan, to ensure that development is not for a few but for all,” the President said. On that note, he reminded his party’s General Council that the Constitution of Guyana ensures free education for all – an entitlement his party and government would not waiver from. During the decade of development, President Granger noted that major emphasis will also be placed on the Housing Sector. “During the decade of development there must be a roof over every head…. when we speak of

housing for all, we are not speaking of an impossible dream,” he told those present. Referring to the emerging petroleum sector, President Granger said that the proceeds would be used to re-energise the economy. “The new resource will bring profit to the Guyana people. We will set-up a sovereign wealth fund; we will ensure that the proceeds from that resource will benefit the whole people; we will ensure that it becomes the trigger, the platform for economic development,” President Granger said. He added that the proceeds from the pe-

troleum sector would go towards ensuring education and employment for all. Looking ahead to General and Regional elections, the President and Party Leader called on Guyanese to be vigilant. “We have to build a more equal society. We cannot allow the agents of division to separate us,” President Granger said while warning that “these elections can be used as an instrument to separate our people; to divide our people and we must not allow that to happen.” The successful no-confidence motion against his Administration last Decem-

ber has triggered the need for early elections; however, those elections have been delayed due to a series of legal actions. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), at the time, had indicated that it was not in position to facilitate the elections within three months due to the lack of finances and trained human resources. Now that finances have been provided through the National Assembly, GECOM is faced with an invalid List of Electors, and with House-toHouse Registration ongoing, it is yet to decide its next move. The Party Leader reminded the General Council that it is GECOM’s responsibility to indicate to the President when it’s in a position to facilitate credible elections. Quoting the Constitution, he said “the Commission shall exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly.” In absence of those elections, the Government, he said, remains in an interim state. “We are observing the rules and convention which govern Interim Administrations. So as far as the executive branch is concerned, we are still functional, we are still the government.” As the nation awaits elections, he urged his members to remain in campaign mode, noting that Guyanese are looking to the PNCR for leadership. Over the past 62 years the PNCR, he said, has

learnt a lot of lessons, and has recommitted to inclusionary governance. “Many of historical detractors have become partners, because the PNC believes in inclusionary government… we (the PNC) are prepared to sit down with our former adversaries and work for the good of this country. We welcome all parties into our government, as long as they are committed to the development of our people,” the Party Leader said. The PNCR General Council Meeting was chaired by Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence – the party’s chairperson. Lawrence welcomed the participants to the second meeting of General Council for 2019. Reports for the last quarter were presented to General Council by the Campaign Managers of the ten administrative regions. A panel discussion on “The Way Forward” and plenary followed which also discussed the Leader’s address, the Chairman’s remarks and the house-to-house registration along with the Party’s preparations for elections. The proceedings concluded with a summation and charge to General Council by President Granger. The General Council is the second highest decision-making forum of the party and meets once every quarter.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 27, 2019

First Lady hosts robotics workshop

First Lady of the Republic of Guyana, Sandra Granger at the Robotics workshop - MOTP Photo.

Participants at the one-day Robotics Workshop – (MOTP Photo)

GUYANA’S First Lady Sandra Granger, on Monday, hosted a one day robotics workshop for the children of members of

staff of the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP). The First Lady, during the opening ceremony at the Cliff Anderson Sports

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Saturday 24, August 2019

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Hall, told the participants that robotics is not confined to robot building and programming, explaining that it forms part of their daily lives. “You have to think of all the things that can excite you as you grow that you can use a robot for, but never forget,

the human element is an important one because it means that we have to communicate with each other, to listen, pay attention, and to be respectful… At the same time, we learn how to work as a team,” Mrs. Granger said. The children were taught how to build and code ro-

bots. They were also about the importance of teamwork and communication and the value of those skills as they pertain to life. The facilitators of the workshop came from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana and were well equipped to answer any questions the participants

had. Principle Assistant Secretary at the MOTP, Roxanne Barratt encouraged the children to use the opportunity they were given, to gather as much knowledge as they could, to leave no stone unturned, to get their questions answered, and to leave the exercise full of knowledge. The First lady is slated to host several one day workshops this week which will all be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

02:00hrs. - 03:30hrs 14:30hrs. - 16:00hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, August 27, 2019

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Barbados braces for Tropical Storm Dorian (NATIONNEWS) With the island bracing for a midday national shutdown as Tropical Storm Dorian approaches, Barbadians rushed to supermarkets, gas stations and other businesses to stock up on supplies. As regional airline LIAT cancelled at least 15 flights today, and Caribbean Airlines five, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital announced the closure of all its outpatient clinics for today, tomorrow and

Wednesday, and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley yesterday called on the entire nation not to take the storm lightly and focus on personal safety. The Prime Minister called a mass emergency meeting at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, where key stakeholders in both the public and private and public sectors were briefed on what was expected going forward. Flanked by Minister of Home Affairs

Edmund Hinkson and acting Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams, Mottley told Barbadians: “We are asking people to take care and to ensure they do everything necessary as our utmost priority is to save lives and minimise injuries. After that we then look at minimising damage to property. We will only be successful if we do this together; this is not a governmental exercise.” (CA)

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley (second right) addressing the media conference. From left are acting director of the Barbados Meteorological Service Sonia Nurse, director of the Department of Emergency Management Kerry Hinds, acting Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams and Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson. (Picture by Jameel Springer.)

Regional airlines cancel flights --as region awaits passage of tropical storm

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Two regional airlines have cancelled several flights as residents in the Lesser Antilles monitored the passage of Tropical Storm Dorian that is expected to strengthen to hurricane status later during the day. The Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) said it had cancelled several flights including one from Barbados to Jamaica, while the Antigua-based LIAT said it too had cancelled several

flights between St Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Prime Minister Mia Mottley closed schools and government offices across Barbados as she warned people to remain indoors. "When you're dead, you're dead," she said in a televised address late Sunday. "Stay inside and get some rest." The US National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for Barbados,

St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. It also issued a tropical storm watch for Dominica, Martinique, Grenada, Saba and St Eustatius. The storm was expected to dump between 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimetres) of rain in Barbados and nearby islands, with isolated amounts of 6 inches (15 centimetres). As of 8:00 am EDT Monday, the fourth tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was centred about 205 miles (330 kilometres)

east-southeast of Barbados and moving west at 14 mph (23 kph).Maximum sustained winds were at 60

mph (85 kph). Forecasters said it could brush past southwest Puerto Rico late Wednesday as a Category

1 hurricane and then strike the southeast corner of the Dominican Republic early Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Addressing domestic violence H

UMANS like to think that we are better than other species. But, are we? While violence is the antithesis of civilised behaviour, people continue to engage in such deplorable conduct, particularly in the form of intimate-partner violence by men against women in a home setting. In other words, domestic violence against women. In August 2018, at the opening of the 20th Biennial Convention of the National Congress of Women, President Granger said, “Unless we take concerted action to eliminate violence against women, we will never remove the scourge of inequality. People will not find it even necessary to consider providing equal access for girlchildren to go to school. We need to deal with this problem of violence against girls and women. It is not easy. It is not just sexual violence; it is physical violence as well. It is chopping

and killing, murder… It is the daily subjugation and suppression of women…” President Granger was at that time alluding to one of Guyana’s most prevalent and enduring scourges. In 2017, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) received 1,787 reports of domestic violence; 482 of them were from ‘B’ Division alone, and 306 from ‘A’ Division, which includes Georgetown. Unfortunately, very few of those reports resulted in prosecutions, because, according to the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre (DVPC), “Many women make complaints to the police, but do not follow through with prosecution of the perpetrator. In most instances, abused women would attend court and testify that they no longer wish to proceed with the matter, hence the case is dismissed against the defendant.” For example, last year we reported the police had charged

a man with assault after he allegedly stabbed his spouse several times with a knife. It was revealed to the court that the man is in the habit of beating the woman. As such, the prosecutor requested that the man be remanded to prison. The request was upheld by Magistrate Leron Daly, who expressed concern for the woman’s safety. However, when the man made another court appearance two weeks later, the victim expressed her desire to not proceed with the matter. The too frequent disastrous results of such failures to follow through on reports is sometimes tragic. In 2017, the GPF reported that 10 women had been killed by the hands of the men who claimed to love them. More recently, two East Coast Demerara women were killed by their partners. The reasons for the specific incidents of domestic violence may be numerous, but the under-

lying problem may be a single issue: Many men think that women are their property. President Granger captured that idea, and its result, when he said, “The subordination of women, which still exists in so many societies, has been responsible for depriving countries of the contribution that women can make to national development; to their families and to making societies more humane.” The United Nations (UN) agrees. In the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993), the UN stated, “Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which has led to domination over and discrimination against women by men, and to the prevention of the full advancement of women.” Sadly, many women remain for too long in abusive relationships. The GPF reports that on

average, a woman leaves a relationship after up to seven to 10 incidents of violence against her. Many women say that they are economically dependent on their partners; they have no other place to go; they are staying because of children; or they don’t want their relationship to fail. In any case, the current situation is untenable, and must be addressed. Government’s policies of gender equality and empowerment of women have resulted in a number of programmes and initiatives which are intended to result in fewer incidents of domestic abuse. Training of law-enforcement officers, workshops for women, educating men, provision of safe-houses, access to counselling, and passage of legislation are all moves in the right direction. However, still too many women continue to suffer at the hands of violent men, and it has to be stopped.

Shame on PPP, Ramkarran, Shuman, and Nandlall Dear Editor,

W

HEN Madam Chief Justice Roxane George ruled in favour of the 33 versus 34 votes required to pass a no-confidence motion, the Opposition had hailed her as the best and most decent thing since sliced bread. They said the ruling had restored their faith in the country and in the independence of democratic institutions. The same kudos were proffered

for the judges of the CCJ when they had also upheld the 33 votes ruling. But Mr. Editor, the PPP and folks like Ralph Ramkarran are now singing a different political tune, full of soured grapes, all because they lost handily at the hands of the same Justice George. She is now being vilified openly; she has now fallen out of favour with the PPP, all because she dared to rule that the house-to-house registration is legal and valid, and also because she failed

to order a date for elections in keeping with demands from the PPP, and folks like Mr. Ramkarran and Lennox Shuman. For example, Mr. Ramkarran has turned his anger on Madam Claudette Singh, the Chair of GECOM. He now wants her to act; deem H2H as illegal, and call a date for elections, soonest. This is so, he said, because the same CCJ’s panel of judges, who were the darlings of the Opposition back in

May, have failed Guyana. He called their ruling “timid, indecisive and ineffectual.” So in one fell swoop, the Madam CJ, the CCJ judges and Madam Singh are all alike, in the sights of the PPP and associates like Ramkarran and Shuman. And the only reason for the current level of vilification has to do with the fact that they did not get their way in the courts. My fear is that we could have unrest if the PPP loses the general elections, as they have been

complaining about everything, once it does not go their way. I predict this will be a feature of the post-polls period. Hope I am wrong, in the interest of Guyana. I say shame on the PPP, the Ramkarrans, the Shumans and the Nandlalls for speaking from both sides of their mouths regarding the same people, just a matter of weeks apart. Anil Nandlall, the PPP’s whizz kid lawyer, in the Sunday Stabroek accused

the GECOM Chair of facilitating “prevarications and political shenaniganism,” all because she has not taken it upon herself to name a date for elections, and stop house-to-house registration. How ridiculous could these folks be! I just want to urge Guyanese to remain focused, and not be distracted by folks of such rancid political ilk. Regards, Peter Joseph

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, August 27, 2019

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Unsuccessful successful Violence against women motion of no confidence T Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

HE term "no-confidence motion" is not an alien term to me. I pursued (and completed) a political science degree at York University. During my time there, the then Prime Minister Steven Harper faced a no-confidence motion, which led to early elections. A no-confidence motion is not unique to Guyana’s Constitution; it is in all parliamentary democracy, as a method to keep the government in check. Britain, from where we inherited our Constitution, saw Margaret Thatcher, then Leader of the Opposition, brought a motion of no- confidence on March 28, 1979. She won by a single vote, and they held elections on May 3, 1979, 37 days after the motion was passed. Canada, in 2011, saw a motion of no-confidence being passed on March 25, and elections were held May 2; 39 days later. It should be noted that the Prime Minister

actually prorogued parliament twice before returning and finally facing the no-confidence motion. In the year 2018, we saw multiple motions of no-confidence brought forward. Greece kicked off the show on January 16, 2018; however, their government was able to withstand the motion of no confidence. Spain’s motion was brought on May 25, 2018; debated May 21, and June 1. The government resigned June 5. In a matter of four days, the Spanish government faced the consequences of falling to a motion of no confidence. Sweden’s Prime Minister lost a vote of no-confidence on September 25, 2018, and immediately complied with the Constitution. He was eventually confirmed on January 18, 2019 as the Prime Minister again. Sri Lanka, on November 14, 2018, elections held January 5, 2019. Sri Lanka’s government, 53 days, complied. Guyana saw her motion of no-confidence in the year of no-confidence, and the consequences are still

to be faced. Just this year, the Austrian Chancellor (head of government) was voted out of office by a motion of no-confidence on May 27, 2019. On May 28, a caretaker government was appointed, and elections scheduled for September 29, 2019. The motion of no-confidence was brought to parliament 285 days ago, debated and passed 249 days ago. This was the first time a motion of no-confidence was filed and debated by the National Assembly. The government decided to challenge its legality on three different fronts. After a myriad of court cases, it was determined that the motion was successful. Seventy days have now elapsed since the Caribbean Court of Justice ruled that to the motion of no confidence was carried. Guyana seems to be the only country to have a successful motion of no-confidence to be unsuccessful. Regards, Nalinie Singh

THE Sexual Offences Act provides for police officers to be charged if they fail to institute charges against a suspect three months after a complaint was made, and if they delay in seeking advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. What about victims who claim that instead of taking their complaints, police ridicule and insult them? In any case, why has no police been charged, as there are many cases of refusal to institute charges or delaying them? Also, it is widely reported in the media that if police do not take the complaints of victims of gender-based violence, such victims can report directly to a magistrate. However, no one has revealed any mechanism through which this would be facilitated, given that an individual cannot simply walk up to a magistrate. Magistrates and judges have gatekeepers, who are usually police officers. They would inquire of victims the reason they want to speak to the judiciary,

and they would never allow anyone access to a judge or magistrate if they are told that the person is a victim of abuse who wants to let the judge or magistrate know that the police refused to take complaints and/or to act on such complaints. TCV is aware of many victims who have revealed the ridicule and insults they suffered at the hands of the police when they went to report abuse. In fact, we even know of situations where money changed hands (bribe-taking by police) so that police would do nothing. It’s gotten so bad that many victims now refuse to go to the police, but instead come directly to TCV or other stakeholders for help. So the question remains, how will these victims gain access to magistrates and judges. Vinnetta Headley-James, the 44-year-old mother of eight recently murdered by her husband of 26 years, had been suffering years of abuse. In the media, a neighbour was quoted as ‘counseling her’. The Caribbean Voice and other stakeholders have emphasised over and

over that only those who are professionally qualified and clinically experienced can counsel. Anyone else who attempts to do so can cause greater harm. **We recall the case of a young lady earlier this year who ended up dying by suicide a couple of days after she started receiving counseling by one such quack. As well, we have also offered an expert to the government to help set up protocols to licence counselors, so quacks and make-believe counselors would face the full force of the law for their pretence. That offer is still open. Finally, anyone who has lived with an abuser must know that the abuser can easily be triggered to murder, and should therefore, as a matter of self-protection, desist from any such acts while still living with the abuser. One has to wonder, therefore, why did the victim dump the clothes of the abuser in the yard. Who would have ‘counseled’ her to do that? Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

Mayor Narine must clean the Augean stables of City Hall Dear Editor,

I

HAVE no doubt that from the youngest to the oldest citizen and resident of Georgetown must have recognised by now that Mayor Ubraj Narine has every good intention for our capital, its citizens, and visitors. It is pellucidly clear, as one of Guyana's leaders used to say, that he has been working assiduously to improve living conditions in the 'Garden City'; has opted to remain in town and 'put his shoulder to the wheel' rather than traipsing around the world, wasting millions and achieving nothing like his predecessor; has refused to accept a number of the perks and trappings that has been attached to the office he holds; and does

not have his head stuck in the clouds, whilst failing to listen to the plight of, and empathising with, the ordinary citizen as they encounter so many challenges from day to day. However, the Mayor has a giant mountain to overcome, if his dreams, desires and plans for Georgetown are to be realised. And that problem has to do with the senior officers that he has inherited from past regimes, many of whom have been cited by the Commission of Inquiry that was launched by the Local Government Commission for gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds. Unfortunately, with the exception of one, none of the other senior offi-

cers had their services terminated for their poor management of the affairs of the city; for the irregularities that were found, nor has any criminal investigation been launched as recommended. Nor has any charges been laid against the defaulting officers. In fact, quite ironically, a number of these same officers have since been promoted to higher positions or confirmed to function substantively in the positions that they were acting so poorly in. This is just a disaster for Mayor Narine. But, as they say here in Guyana, 'Seven years nah too much fuh wash speck off ah bird neck'. If I am to give Mayor Narine some advise, it would be that he needs to do like the Greek myth of the Labours of Hercules

said, and clean the Augean stables of City Hall. He needs to get a fresh batch of senior officers that would be hardworking and ener-

getic as he is; that would be competent, experienced, honest and share his vision of making Georgetown one of the most dynamic,

diverse, modern, clean and green cities on the planet. Sincerely, Mark Roopan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Jordan sets the record straight

Dear Editor,

I HAVE noted a letter in the Stabroek News of Saturday, August 24, 2019 under the heading ‘Some numbers in Minister’s half-year report raise serious questions about data quality’. Expectedly, it is not every letter to which I would respond, normally, as I believe that everyone has a right to air their opinion. However, when there are more than veiled insinuations about the competence of my staff, who are instrumental in compiling the numbers, I must spring into response mode. Before I get into the core of my response, I wish to comment on the following: “Understandably, there will always be an acceptable margin of error when dealing with statistics, especially when forecasting is involved. But this is exactly the reason why the timing of the National Budget should not be sacrificed for political expediency and optics. To intentionally or unintentionally ignore the consequences of ramming through the budgeting process for political expediency and bragging rights is to gamble with businesses’ investments, the livelihood of workers and the credibility of the data.” Mr. Editor, allow me to put into perspective what is being insinuated here. Under the Constitution, the Annual Budget Estimates must be presented to the National Assembly no later than 90 days into the fiscal year. For Guyana, the fiscal year spans the period January 1-December 31. The budgetary estimates, as approved by the National Assembly, authorise the commitments of expenditures from the first calendar day of the respective fiscal year. The constitutional requirement that gives a grace period up to the 90th day of any year to lay the Budget Estimates in the National Assembly, catered for any unforeseen or unanticipated event. Estimates that are laid in the National Assembly, with regularity, way until the end of March, are effectively relegating approvals for same to the end of April. I addressed this issue during the presentation of the 2017 Budget; my third budget presentation, on November 28, 2016. There, I noted that up until 1978, all the annual budgets were presented prior to the start of the fiscal year.

Post-1978 to 2016, all the budgets were presented after the start of the fiscal year; many of them in late March. For example, the 2012 Budget was presented to the National Assembly on March 30, 2012, just one day before the constitutional deadline; the 2013 Budget was presented on March 25, 2013; while the 2014 Budget was presented on March 24, 2014. Consequently, spending for new programmes, new projects, and the infusion of monies into the economy is constricted until the fifth month of the year, instead of January 1. Under this scenario, the 12- month budgetary cycle is being truncated to eight months, with deleterious impacts. I ask my learned critics: What could have been so wrong, from a policy and management perspective, to correct this budget presentation anomaly? And I am being lectured that I am “ramming through the budgeting process for political expediency and bragging rights…” So much for talk of efficiency in planning and execution!! I now turn my attention to specific queries. The writers highlighted the apparent discrepancies in the Balance of Payments (BoP) table, which is prepared under the guidance of the Bank of Guyana. Major variances were highlighted in the various components of the identical BoP table, as presented in the Half-Year 2018 and 2019 Reports, respectively. I have been called out for reporting a Net Current Account balance of US$578.6 million for the HY 2018 period, instead of the US$194.2 million, which I had reported previously in the HY 2018 Report, a variance of approximately 200 per cent. This example was deemed symptomatic of a series of similar discrepancies. Mr. Editor, I continue to emphasise that if you hold yourself up as a true professional and renowned analyst, you cannot cherry pick an indicator and extoll on its seeming quality and variance over a short space of time, without examining and analysing the specific components that comprise that indicator. Thus, a cursory glance at the quoted table would instantly reveal that, for the Current Account Balance, the three (3) components that have changed are, firstly, the value of exports, which increased by 0.54% between the two (2)

Reports. By the writers’ own pronouncement, this is within the acceptable margin of error. Secondly, there is the Merchandise Imports, the value of which was increased by US$115 million or 12.4 per cent between the two Reports. The writers opine that the two (2) sets of numbers should be the same on both Reports, with minor differences for rounding. It would true, generally. However, statistics is a dynamic, and if any phenomenon occurs subsequent to the publishing of the initial numbers, which result in any fundamental change, such change, which should be accompanied by detailed explanatory notes, must be incorporated and published. In the instant case, at the time of the compilation of the BoP table for the HY 2018 Report, the entities involved in the compilation of the real sector component of the BoP -- the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Bureau of Statistics (BOS) and, the final compiler, the Bank of Guyana (BOG) -- observed unseasonal spikes in the national imports, in certain categories (like Intermediate and Capital Goods) and from a focused Sector (Oil and Gas). One Cardinal Rule of Statistics is that you must compile and compare same with same; you cannot just include a ‘new family’ of imports without a fundamental knowledge of their nature, use and expected longevity in the domestic economy and, especially, when they are of the magnitude that was being observed. The main compiling agencies, therefore, required more detailed information, as Guyana adheres to all of the international standards of concepts, definitions and compilation for International Merchandise Trade Statistics, as defined by the United Nations, which declare, inter alia, that if equipment imported is to be re-exported within a year, it must be excluded from the Trade numbers. So, initially, in the absence of clarification, they were not included in the numbers. However, an eventual meeting, postHY 2018, between our main compiling agencies and Exxon resulted in a clarification from the latter that the types of increased imports, as observed, were indeed imports for the extraction process, and would remain in Guyana for the long-haul. It was decided, therefore, that effective from

2018, all of the Merchandise trade numbers had to be inclusive of these new family of imports, and would thus be fully comparable with the numbers for 2019 and beyond. The third category of significant change between the two (2) Reports is the absolute increase of imports of non-factor services, from the US$142 million reported in the 2018 Half Year Report US$415.1 million in the 2019 Half Report. The difference is explained by the payment for construction services, operating lease (equipment rental) and technical, trade-related, and other business services contracted by Esso Exploration. These amounts were listed under "other business services", as Esso Exploration was the only Oil Operator contracting these services, and were reported in May 2019, nearly a year after the completion of the 2018 Half Year Report. Private Sector Capital flows, which increased from US$75.4 million to US$481.1 million between the two reporting periods, was due, principally, to Exxon’s investment in Oil & Gas exploration-related activities. This was stated in the 2019 Half Year Report. Again, the actual amount invested by Exxon, for the two reporting periods, was only gleaned via a survey, in 2019, resulting in the changes reflected to the 2018 Half Year data for Foreign Direct Investment. Mr. Editor, to cast aspersions on the skills of the staff of our main institutions is less than acceptable. I am sure that had the two critics approached the Governor of the Central Bank, the BOG’s Research Department or any of the main entities engaged in the compilation and analyses of our main macro-economic accounts, they would have received a complete explanation. Then again, that approach would have denied them a sensational headline and reportage. The critics asked whether they could trust that the economy did grow by 4.1 per cent. Again, their selective scrutiny of an economic indicator for a particular year or period, intending to cast doubt and aspersions on data quality, should be called out for what it is. May I remind these critics that, in his last Budget presentation, in 2014, my predecessor, Dr. Ashni Singh, had pronounced, fervently, in

the National Assembly, that Guyana had just recorded its longest period of sustained positive growth, from 2006 to 2013. Were those figures acceptable? Were any aspersions cast throughout that period by the writers? None, of which I am aware. I also raise this point, Mr. Editor, because those measures, those Estimates, those indicators were compiled and analysed by the same institutions and, in most cases, the very career professionals who have been responsible for putting together the 4.1 per cent growth estimate. But if there is an ulterior motive to discredit our institutions, our career staffers, then we should not be surprised. The writers speak of and query the levels of investment in expenditure in Statistics under this present Administration. I should like to remind them that one of the first decisions made by the Cabinet, in 2015, was to provide a permanent headquarters for the country’s Central Statistical Office, after its then 58 years of existence. The previous Administration had never seen this as a priority. At that time, the Bureau was operating from three (3) rented locations. After expenditure of about $200 million, the old Customs and Excise building on Main Street, which was earmarked for sale to a private sector entity by the PPP/C administration, was made habitable and functional. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has been a solid partner in supporting the improvement and development of statistical capacity in Guyana. We are approaching the last few months (end March 2020) of a $95 million ‘Enhancing Statistical Capacity Project’, which started immediately after assumption in Office of the Coalition Government. Guyana, the Bureau of Statistics and the rest of Caricom are also direct beneficiaries of the Project for the Advancement of Statistics in the Caribbean (PRASC), which is funded by the Government of Canada and executed by Statistics Canada. It commenced in 2015 and will conclude in 2022. It is now a close working partner and mentor with our own Bureau. Indeed, I recall that at the inauguration of the Bureau’s present Headquarters, in April 2017, there was a full team from Statistics Canada

--on Mid-Year Report working with the Bureau’s National Accounts Division. Currently, it has direct inputs and technical support into the current Household Budget Survey and Survey of Living Conditions, and will soon be providing skills transfers into expenditure profiles emanating from the said Surveys and rebasing of the CPI basket. But Statistics today is not solely about the Central Statistical Office; it is about a System, because no Statistical System today would have meaning unless it can deliver on the monitoring and measurement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is why the next milestone in the Statistical Calendar will be the functionalization of a National Statistical System with Technical support from the IDB. For the first time, the Bureau, through investment in its human resources, has been able to mount, since 2017, a continuous national Labour Force Survey (LFS). Along with the LFS, it is simultaneously executing the Household Budget, the Living Conditions Survey, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, and, upon request, will be spearheading an Agricultural Census, reportedly the first since 1952. In closing, my Ministry expects intense scrutiny and constructive comments and criticisms. I have noted that there is a wide gap between those who work with statistics and those who work in statistics. Some of the former always feel that they have the solutions or are the most strident critics of the system, when they have not worked a single day in statistics. The upgrading of the quality of statistics requires continuous investment in human resources, which has to commence not with the statistical offices or units but at the University or Tertiary institutions. Maybe, the critics may wish to consider returning to our own University and offer their ‘expertise’ in the training of our young minds in this specialist field. Yours faithfully, Winston Jordan, MP Minister of Finance

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

Work on Haags Bosch II starts soon

By Tamica Garnett PREPARATORY work on cell two of the Haags Bosch Landfill is expected to begin this week, with hopes that the cell could begin accepting waste at least by January 2020, since cell one has almost reached its full capacity. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Ministry of Communities (MoC) Head of Sanitation, Gordon Gilkes, explained that the $290 million contract for work on cell two was awarded to S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services, the same contractor that eventually completed works on cell one. “Cell one has met its present capacity to the limit that it could take at this time, so we’re working towards completing the first phase of cell two by December 2019, so we can start accepting waste, even though the contract is due to be completed at the end of 2020,” Gilkes explained. “Nothing was done on the ground as yet because of the inclement weather. However, now that we have [an] ease in the weather we have written the contractor to begin work on the ground. The contract requires use of a significant amount of overseas-based materials, which have been ordered and should start coming in the country from next week. By mid-September we should be able to get all the overseas-based materials

which include geo fabric, HDPE pipes, which ought to be used at the base of the land fill for drainage. In the meantime, we ae going to start preparing the ground to put these pipes and synthetic materials.” Cell one has been taking

is estimated to be approximately 10 years. He however acknowledged the rate of waste that comes into the landfill continues to increase which puts some amount of uncertainty on the lifespan. This is further compounded by the uncertainty that

As garbage trucks drop off the garbage excavators at the landfill excavators are busy at work in cell one packing and compacting the garbage

The pickers shed at the Haags Bosch Landfill with bottles collected by dumpsite pickers

waste since 2011, and had an original estimated lifespan of approximately eight years. However, good management has seen the cell being extended. According to Gilkes, the expected life span of cell two

Some of the tires being stored separately at the Haags Bosch Landfill (Samuel Maughn photos)

exists over the waste expectations from the oil and gas industry, which comes on stream next year. However, there are means by which the waste can be reduced. “The landfill was designed probably in 2004, and

STOP the personal attack on President Granger Dear Editor, PERMIT me a few lines in your newspapers to highlight a most troubling development which must be called out for what it is, in the hope that what must be a blind spot is corrected. As I perused the Stabroek News of Monday, August 26, 2019, I came upon the headline, “Caretaker President in back-to-school drive at Liverpool”, which I found perplexing. Mr. Editor, it is public knowledge that the Government has acknowledged that it is an "interim administration", given the validity of the no-confidence motion as determined by the Caribbean Court of Justice. The Government has limited its overseas travel, and has indicated that it will not pass the National Budget, nor initiate any controversial project or policy commitment that cannot be changed. The Government has,

expected about 250 tonnes a day. Five years ago it was at about 310 tonnes per day and since then it has increased over time. So right now we are accepting in excess of 400 tonnes per day,” Gilkes revealed. “It will affect the time

however, repeatedly maintained its role to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry and the administration of services of the State. Mr. Editor, in our current domestic political situation, the Government has continually communicated and demonstrated that it will ensure credible elections are held in the shortest possible time. The Guyanese people on all sides are interested in an electoral process that is above scrutiny, particularly as we prepare for petroleum and its prospect of significant National Development for all. We can ill afford to be bickering over contested results at such a momentous time; history will be unkind to us should we fail to get it right this time. It is with much angst that I am reminded of the same Stabroek News that was denied State advertising for what was deemed its unfavourable coverage towards

the People’s Progressive Party. I searched for a headline of evidence that the previous Head of State was being dictatorial, to no avail. Mr. Editor, this naked display of what can only be deemed as a personal attack on the Head of State must come to an end. Entities responsible for disseminating information to the public, especially given our political history, must demonstrate some level of reasonable ethics. As our nation approaches General and Regional Elections, and makes an informed choice on the course of leadership, it is hoped that entities like the Stabroek News can transform themselves into the caretakers of good governance, credibility and all the tenets of good journalism. Sincerely, Ryan Maraj

span, but if we do more waste diversion, if we divert the plastic, if we divert the cardboard, the landfill would not fill as fast, and we also have to compact it. That’s why we’re encouraging persons to reduce, reuse and recycle. Once we get persons to apply

three R’s, I think 10 years is a good thing. With the Oil and Gas sector coming on stream we expect more waste. We have to review that ten years. Because presently we don’t know the amount of waste we will get from oil and gas.” Other waste such as metals, builders waste, tires, are stockpiled and stored separately and do not go to the landfill cells. A number of dumpsite “pickers”, persons who scavenge through the dump for valuables, also aid in removing certain types of waste from the landfill. At its conception the landfill was estimated to have a life of some 25 – 28 years. The entire facility covers some 150 acres, of which 64 acres go towards the cells for the storage of the waste, the 64 acres is divided into four 16 acres plots each. The infrastructure also includes a number of facilities. “We have the building scale, waste stabilization pond, areas for the storage of metals, storage builders waste, picker shed, [and] storage areas,” Gilkes explained. Notwithstanding its long lifespan, space at the landfill will soon all be used up. Gilkes said the options of what would happen next is still one being explored and considered, even as works to have more landfills established, including regional landfills, continues. “Getting land for landfill in Guyana is an uphill task. Maybe during this time, we

initiate the feasibility and viability of a waste to energy plant, producing energy from waste. Because in developed countries waste goes to a waste energy plant to burn the waste and produce electricity,” Gilkes shared, “We could also look at options of utilizing the organic waste to do anaerobic digestion. So we have to look at the feasibility of waste options because land for landfill [is]becoming more scarce and land is valuable.” The landfill currently utilises a number of methods to improve the quality of the facility, including the covering of the waste in layers, which prevents fires and helps with odour. Gilkes said the landfill is not entirely where it needs to be just yet, but with steady progress it will get there. “Covering the waste is very important. It reduces the incidents of fires, odour emanating from the waste, there are birds, and vectors, so it acts as a barrier to these things. So as to safeguard human health and environment.” Gilkes further pointed out, “We are not quite there yet, but we’ve come a long way from when we would’ve started. There are still some areas for better management or operation. Once we improve, small incremental improvements over time, eventually we will get there. Because operation of the landfill is fairly new in Guyana,”

Corriverton man fatally stabbed - suspect arrested

A 49-year-old man was found dead with three stab wounds to his chest on Monday on a street at Rampoor Village, East Berbice, Corentyne. Dead is Nigel Matthews also known as ‘Tuby,’ a labourer of Lot 14 Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice. In a statement, the Guyana Police Force said it has launched an investigation into the murder that reportedly occurred at about 01:30hrs on Monday. “Initial investigation have revealed that the deceased and four others were gambling, during which the deceased accused the suspect of flipping a card, which resulted in a heated argument,” the police disclosed. Matthews was subsequently found lying on the road with stab wounds to his chest. The 49-year-old man was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital, however, he was

Dead: Nigel Matthews also known as ‘Tuby’

pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect, the police said, is in custody assisting with the investigation. Malcolm Hernandez, a friend of Matthews, told Guyana Chronicle that he received a phone call at around

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03:00hrs from a relative of Matthews’ informing him of the incident. “When we reach there, I could see his bicycle from a distance; when I go up closer I see he head bleeding and like three stabs to his heart area, and when I touch he, he feel cold, cold! So I tell he family that he dead; so we just call the Police,” Hernandez recounted. He and Matthews shared an apartment together. Hernandez told this newspaper that before the man left their apartment on Sunday, he advised him not to go on the road because he had a few drinks earlier, but the 49-year-old nevertheless left and promised to return within half of an hour.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

Ali’s multimillion fraud case adjourned to Sept. 27 - as he makes another attempt to block the magistrates’ court from hearing the matter

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, has filed another stay of proceedings in his $174M ‘Pradoville’ land sales case, days after Appeal Court Judge, Dawn Gregory denied his application. On Monday, when Ali appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, his Attorney Devindra Kissoon informed the court that he will be re-appealing the matter before the full court of the Court of Appeal. The attorney pleaded with the Chief Magistrate for as much time as possible for him to fix a date with the Court of Appeal. The Chief Magistrate, thereafter, adjourned the matter until September 27, 2019. Last Friday, Justice Gregory denied a stay of proceedings when the matter was placed before her. Ali, at the time, was seeking an order of prohibition restraining the Chief Magistrate or any other magistrate from hearing or attempting to hear the charges as filed by the corporal; and a declaration that the particulars of the charges do not constitute an offence

known to law and one that there is no statutory or common-law duty to obtain a valuation prior to the sale of property. In July, 2019, Justice Franklin Holder had also denied a stay of proceedings after Ali moved to the High Court to challenge the 19 charges. Unsatisfied, Ali moved to the Appeal court to challenge Holder’s decisions on the stay. Both the Appeal Court and the High Court had ruled that the magisterial court has jurisdiction to hear the 19 charges against Ali for allegedly conspiring to defraud the state. The charges read that between 2010 and 2015, Ali conspired with persons unknown to defraud the Government of Guyana when he acted recklessly in presenting the value of 19 plots of state land situated at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and sold the said lands at a grossly undervalued price without first obtaining a valuation to determine the true value of the lands. Ali is accused of defraud-

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali

ing the state of over $174M after selling the lands at undervalued prices. The former minister of housing is accused of selling the lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo; former Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon; and former ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee; Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, and former army head, Gary Best and Fortune Developers Inc., Guyana. He also sold lands at the locations to former General Manager of the Guyana

Gold Board and daughter of former President, Donald Ramotar, Lisa Ramotar; former President of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo; the son of former Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul; Dr. Ghansham Singh; former Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer, Rajendra Singh; former president of the Caribbean Development Bank, Compton Bourne; Andrew Bishop, former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Shaik Baksh; Safraaz Khan and George Hallaq. Ali is also being represented by attorneys-at-law Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Jaya Manickchand and Sase Gunraj. Special Organised Crime Unit Prosecutor, Patrice Henry, is representing the State. The controversial ‘Pradoville Two’ issue came to the fore when the coalition government commenced several investigations into suspicious financial transactions of state officials that bordered or amounted to corrupt practices and/or abuse of office. It was found that several persons close to the last government had received prime seafront lands belong-

ing to the State at extraordinarily low cost. It was reported that the ‘Pradoville’ recipients, the majority of whom held very high positions within private or State organisations, received and later built posh or luxury homes on the properties after paying as little as $114 per square foot; citizens, on the other hand, were being made to pay as much as $500 per square foot for ordinary land. The ‘Pradoville’ arrangement was made during the PPP’s term of office, 20102015. Ali was the housing minister during that period. Jagdeo’s property is easily the largest plot of land with the biggest mansion, equipped with a pool and other amenities. The ‘Pradoville Two’ matter became even more controversial when it was related that taxpayers’ money was used to develop the land and remove a transmitter belonging to the National Communications Network at a cost of around $100M to develop the scheme for the prominent persons going to live there. There was even greater controversy surrounding the seafront properties, since there was no advertising of the state lands and it appeared that all the recipients

Mining sector becoming ... a dangerous endeavour. “In the 150 plus years of organised mining in Guyana, the industry has grown leaps and bounds and continues to rapidly expand, without losing efficacy and relevance even as the black gold of oil is about to flow,” he said. As regards the oil sector, Trotman said that while he is extremely confident that oil will draw parallel, it will “never replace mining for its importance and value to the people and culture of Guyana.”He said too that these days there are still ttraditional ‘pork-knockers’ and small miners in the sector and the authorities continue to appreciate their sacrifice which adds significantly to gold declarations. “I believe we are getting better at what we do in the sector,” he added. As he spoke of the progress made in the sector, he

said that the authorities were able to significantly expand

announce that preparations are in place for a mining lot-

tions above what was projected. “All miners must be

A section of the gathering at the event

access to lands for small miners by facilitating four mining lotteries in Georgetown, Mahdia, Port Kaituma and Bartica, and they have reciprocated. “I also wish to

tery to be held in Mahdia in the coming weeks,” he said. As he spoke of growth in the gold sector, he said that every month for 2019, there has been increased declara-

congratulated for this, particularly given the extended wet season we experienced this year, which, usually limits production,” he added. The Natural Resources

who got property were handpicked by the then government. In September 2010, parcels of land each measuring 0.3030 of an acre were sold to Robert Persaud, Shaik Baksh, Clement Rohee, Lisa Ramotar, Dr. Compton Bourne and Priya Manickchand for GUY$1.5M. Jagdeo purchased two acres for 9.8M and Jennifer Westford bought 0.3186 of an acre for GUY$1.5; Ghansham Singh paid GUY$1,502,000 for 0.3005 of an acre; Andrew Bishop, Roger Luncheon, Rajendra Singh, Safraz Khan, and Ramesh Dookhoo each purchased 0.3005 of an acre for GUY$1.5M. George Hallaq and Nada Hallaq each paid GUY$5M for 0.8422 of an acre, and Future Developers International (Guyana) Inc., whose sole director is Dr. Rajendra Singh, purchased 0.5534 of an acre for GUY$3M. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Hack paid GUY$1.4M for 0.2767 of an acre, and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Gary Best, paid GUY$1.5M for 0.3005 an acre.

From page 2 ►

Minister said a few of the achievements made by the ministry and its sub-agencies include Guyana’s readiness for first oil in a record breaking 48 months, increased annual gold production from an average of 450,000 ounces in 2015 to an average of 660,000 ounces in 2019, the establishment of the National Mining Syndicate body to ensure that small miners have a level field to compete on as well as the waiver of taxes on fuel, tools and small-scale mining equipment. He said that Guyana has embraced a greater appreciation for the environment and the enhanced role of responsible, sustainable and safe mining practices. In addition, the authorities have completed an expert review of all the laws and regulations pertaining to the natural resources sector - from petroleum exploration and production

-to- the purchasing and trade in gold. “The industry is changing, and we must change and adapt new and sustainable approaches as well,” Trotman told the gathering. At the event several awards were presented to local miners and other stakeholders as well as to several members of the media for their coverage of the sector. The three-day conference will continue until Wednesday and among the topics to be discussed are oil and gas developments, underground mining –the way forward for Aurora Gold Mines, Health Safety and Sustainability in mining, Green State Development Technologies for mining as well as an overview of mercury-free mining in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

APNU, AFC exchange documents on revision of Cummingsburg Accord - as planned meeting postponed

A PLANNED meeting between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to discuss the revision of the Cummingsburg Accord was postponed on Monday, hours before it was scheduled to take place. Instead, the two sides exchanged documents on the review of the Cummingsburg Accord, APNU stated in a press statement on Monday. According to the APNU, the parties will meet at a date to be fixed after consideration of the documents by their respective leadership. APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon is leading his party into talks with the AFC. In a recent interview, Harmon declined to disclose the critical issues to be discussed around the negotiating table. However, Guyana Chronicle understands that the method of selecting the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the upcoming General and Regional Elections; and the formula for the allocation of Parliamentary Seats are among critical issues that would be ‘hammered out’ by the two teams. Under the Cummingsburg Accord, which brought the two political

parties together as a coalition on February 14, 2015 ahead of the elections, the APNU nominates the Presidential Candidate and the AFC, the Prime Ministerial Candidate. Added to that, APNU was allocated 60 per cent of the seats won by the Government in the National Assembly while the AFC received the remaining 40 per cent. A reliable source told this newspaper that during the negotiation, the teams representing the APNU and AFC will determine whether they will retain the 60:40 formula as the Cummingsburg Accord is revised. This formula would also guide the allocation of ministries between the APNU and the AFC. Under the existing accord, the AFC had requested certain ministries such as the Ministry of Public Security. While Harmon declined to comment on the issues to be discussed, he reminded that the APNU and AFC, ahead of the planned negotiation, agreed on some core principles. “The discussions between the APNU and AFC are imminent but I can’t comment on any issue or aspect of what the discussions will be premised on,” the APNU General Secretary told this newspaper.

However, AFC General Secretary David Patterson said while AFC would like to have sections of the Cummingsburg Accord revised, it would like to retain the 60:40 formula and the current method of appointing the Prime Ministerial Candidate. Patterson is leading the AFC negotiating team which includes its National Executive Members Dominic Gaskin and Dr. Vincent Adams. During this round of negotiation, which is expected to last approximately four weeks once started, the functionality of the Grievance Committee and other areas within the existing Cummingsburg Accord which need strengthening are expected to be addressed. The core principles, the source said, include the vision of the APNU + AFC Coalition. Those principles also touch on areas of unity, the creation of a joint manifesto, the selection of candidates and the management of shared resources. The Cummingsburg Accord is due to expire on February 14, 2020 but, with General and Regional Elections expected this year, the parties have agreed to revise the accord ahead of the elections. Earlier this month, the AFC confirmed that there

is a broad agreement between the two parties that the existing Accord can be amended for better alignment with the Constitution and can accommodate additional guiding principles that may previously have been omitted. However, it noted that the existing Accord remains in effect, until its life expires or it is amended by mutual agreement. “The AFC remains fully committed to coalition politics in the national interest. Coalition politics in this regard reinforces our core belief of a functional multi-ethnic, ‘multi-viewic’ society to unleash the energies of all our people regardless of race, class, religion or gender enabling all Guyanese to enjoy their fullest potential,” it said. APNU General Secretary, in a recent interview, told Guyana Chronicle the partnership is also committed to the coalition, and as such, would work with the AFC to revise the Cummingsburg Accord ahead of the elections. It was the coming together of the APNU and AFC that resulted in the defeat of the PPP/C Government.

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BOG warns banks to refrain from asking customers about political affiliation THE Bank of Guyana (BoG) has warned financial institutions not to enquire about customers’ political affiliation or allegiance. “It has come to the attention of the Bank of Guyana, that customers have been questioned regarding their allegiance or affiliation to any political party,” said BoG in a press statement. According to the central bank, the conditions governing the issuance of licences do not include ascertaining the political persuasion of any customer. In that regard, the bank directed all licensees (financial institutions) to ensure that in the course of conducting business, customers are not subjected to matters unrelated to their specific transaction(s) with the institution. “Failure to comply with the directive shall result in appropriate action being taken by the bank,” said the central bank. The directive comes at a time when the country is nearing an elections period and political parties are entering campaign mode.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

Over 297,000 persons registered - as house-to-house registration continues -commissioners to submit proposals based on High Court ruling today

APPROXIMATELY 297,126 persons have been registered to date in the House-to-House Registration exercise, according to the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Warde. The national registration exercise continues as the Elections Commission deter-

mines its next step, even as the country awaits the conduct of General and Regional Elections. Today, the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh is expected to meet and receive proposals from the Commissioners on the way forward, based on a High Court ruling handed down

by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire on Houseto-House Registration and Elections. In the August 14 High Court judgment, the acting Chief Justice ruled that the ongoing house-to-house registration, being undertaken by GECOM, is within the confines of the Constitution, and is therefore legal.

Justice George-Wiltshire ruled that the Constitution and the Laws of Guyana provide for the conduct of house-to-house registration as a form of verification – a position that was argued by both the Government and GECOM. However, while validating the ongoing House-toHouse Registration exercise, the acting Chief Justice ruled that it would be unlawful or unconstitutional to remove the names of persons who are already on the List of Registrants and who were not, or have not been, or are not registered in the current exercise with a consequence of non-inclusion on the list of electors. Justice George-Wiltshire had explained that persons could only be removed from the list if they are deceased or disqualified pursuant to Article 159. In that judgment, she also ruled that residency, in the case of Guyanese, was not a requirement under the laws. Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, however, is

arguing that the acting Chief Justice erred when she ruled that it would be unconstitutional to remove persons from the National Register of Registrants if they fail to register during this cycle of House-to-House Registration. He laid out 16 grounds as he appealed, in part, judgment on house-to-house registration. A date for that case has not been set. Even as the Attorney General seeks to overturn the ruling of the High Court, in part, the Elections Commissioners are expected to make proposals based on the ruling of the High Court. These proposals are expected to influence how the Commission will treat with the ongoing registration, and the pending elections. At the end of the last meeting, Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander had explained that the Commissioners were expected to analyze the National Registration Act in conjunction with the High Court ruling. “So that we are concomitantly looking at 159, its

proviso and the National Registration Act and what it provides for… the sticky point is that we don’t have consensus,” he empathised. When asked about his hope on getting consensus, Alexander expressed caution about discussing anything in details pertaining to the ongoing forum. “I am cautious about the context, about the ongoing discussions, not to engage the public. In our political environment I think we need to use an approach that allows for internal discussions and not to have the politicians be rancored by what we have to say if it would influence what may happen internally, so yes we have propositions, but I prefer at this time not to be the one to put it out in the public,” Alexander said, noting that the little he had stated previously caused a bitter reaction from the opposition leader. He said the public should have information on something definitive and internal aspects of discussions should be left inside the meetings.

Documents handed over for City Hall forensic audit to be completed – LGC

THE planned forensic audit to be conducted into the finances of City Hall for the period April 1, 2015, to October 31, 2018, is expected to now move forward, with the last of the necessary documents handed over to the Audit Office (AO) last week. Current Acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, is said to have handed over the last of the necessary financial documents requested to the Local Government Commission (LGC) last week, and the documents have since been forwarded to the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma. LGC Chairman, Mortimer Mingo, confirmed that the documents have been handed over and noted that the Commission looks forward to seeing the completion of the audit. “We have forwarded it to the Auditor General. The Commission is eagerly awaiting to see what’s the outcome of the audit, and looks forward to bringing closure to that recommendation of the COI,” related LGC Chairman, Mortimer Mingo.

The documents were requested from Jerrick, who became acting Town Clerk after the LGC was forced to send then acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe, on administrative leave earlier this month due to her continued refusal to hand over the documents. The audit was requested by the Local Government Commission (LGC), after one was recommended in the report from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into City Hall operations, which was conducted last year. Earlier this year the LGC wrote the Audit Office to conduct the audit. The Audit Office later informed the Commission that necessary financial documents were not being submitted by the acting Town Clerk, even after AO held a meeting with the Harry-Munroe in March about the documents being needed. “The AG informed me that there was a meeting, in March, with the Town Clerk, and the acting City Treasurer [John Douglas], and at that meeting a schedule was drawn up as it

relates to the handing over of documents and records requested. But the Council had not provided any of the documents to the AO,” Mingo had explained. The Commission wrote Harry-Munroe requesting that she submit the documents directly to the LGC for them to hand over to the AO. However, she refused. Harry-Munroe transmitted that acting City treasurer, John Douglas, indicated that the financial documents may be too sensitive to hand over to the LGC. Some additional financial documents are said to have later been sent to the AO. The Commission, which comprises the Chairman and six other commissioners, unanimously agreed to conduct an investigation into the matter and send Harry-Munroe on administrative leave. Over the years, the AO had continually been hampered in carrying out of forensic audits at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council due to the non- submission of documents.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Caught in the act!

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--PPP man found illegally distributing lands in Linden

By Vanessa Braithwaite A RESIDENT of Region Ten, who said he is a supporter of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), was on Sunday caught red-handed by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission’s (GLSC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Trevor Benn and his officers, distributing lands to other residents, while promising them that his party will regularise these, when it returns to office. According to persons who were invited to squat by the man, he related to them that he was a representative of the PPP and that his party is in possession of over 500 house lots in the Phase Two and Three Amelia’s Ward location. They were urged to secure the lands and were assured that these will be regularised after elections. Scores of persons took up his offer and demarcated plots of land, while some even went a step further to fence and even construct concrete foundations. Benn said that after hearing about the operation, he journeyed to Linden and caught up with the man himself. Gathered, as well, were several residents who took up his offer to squat. In a video seen by this publication, Benn, in no uncertain terms, affirmed the seriousness of the offence to the man and the legal implications. Benn explained that the lands are not owned by the PPP but by GLSC and all residents who are guilty of getting involved, should be wary of the consequences of squatting, an illegal activity. “We cannot continue to develop like this;

GLSC CEO, Trevor Benn speaking with the illegal developer of the lands (without shirt) and other residents

we cannot continue to live like this; we cannot issue land in an unregulated way. Linden is one of the bad examples of how people squat and create problems, you don’t even have a road to drive, how you going to live in them conditions?” Benn reasoned. The PPP/C supporter said his ap-

plication has been in the system since 1995 and it was never addressed by the GLSC. According to the man, it was the lengthy wait that caused him to get involved in the sting operation. “Which ever government you support and whichever government you believe coming in, if this is the

attitude you are promoting, I do know what will become of Guyana; I really don’t know what will become of Guyana. I cannot speak to you about why your application from 95 was not processed. I cannot answer for that, the same people you say you support, must answer that for you,” Benn told him. The GLSC CEO warned the PPP supporter that if officers return and realise that there is further development, he would be held accountable. Benn urged the man and the rest of the residents to visit GLSC’s Linden branch, since the door is still opened for them to be assisted, but no one can be helped under the current situation. Some residents, who took it upon themselves to construct foundations, asked what would become of their structures. Benn, in response, said that it was not based on GLSC’s advice that the structures were built; as such he cannot promise how that issue would be dealt with since the area is not surveyed. He said many persons in other squatting areas constructed houses where roads and alleyways had to be developed and in those cases, those structures had to be broken. CEO of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Lelon Saul, when contacted by this publication, was, a few moments prior, made aware of the situation by Benn. Saul told this newspaper that CHPA does not have any unallocated house lots in Amelia’s Ward, explaining that

the GLSC is the custodians of all available lands. “We will deal with this condignly, we are urging persons not to use the current political situation to go and squat, squatting is illegal,” Saul said. CHPA is working overtime to have all available house lots in Amelia’s Ward transferred from the GLSC. At a recent community meeting in Amelia’s Ward, Saul said that GLSC is in the process of handing over 100 acres of land in North Amelia’s Ward, which will see approximately 500 house lots being allocated to applicants, as soon as they are completed. The expediency of this, however, will be hampered by the squatting situation taking place in Amelia’s Ward. “Development will take a longer time to come there, when people go and squat, because they will squat in all kind of manner,” he said. In fact, a junior GLSC officer working on the transfer project, appealed to residents at the Amelia’s Ward meeting to stop squatting on the lands, since this is playing a major role of stymieing the surveying process. He said that every day, officers are discovering lands that are being squatted on in the same area that is to be transferred. Some houses are on critical lands where roads and other infrastructure are to be placed. All the relevant agencies, he argued, also need to play a role, since these squatters are having access to water and electricity.

Several agencies participate in drug demand reduction workshop -MoPH trains participants to address drug abuse amongst teens

NUMEROUS Government agencies are expected to be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to address cases of drug abuse by teenagers in Guyana, as they participate in a workshop. The five-day workshop, which commenced on Monday at the Red Cross Headquarters in Georgetown, is being hosted by the Drug Demand Reduction Services, Ministry of Public Health. Psychologist, Ren Gonzales, the facilitator for the workshop, stated that the training is designed to give persons working with teenagers the understanding of psychology of adolescents’ development, the dynamics surrounding substance abuse and the issues confronting youths which put them at risk of taking drugs, amongst others. Project Director of the Drug Demand Reduction Services, Ministry of Public

Attendees of the Drug Demand Reduction workshop on Monday

Health, Sylvia Cort, said that the workshop is important since it builds the capacity of persons working directly with teenagers who may be at risk for substance abuse. Such persons will obtain “the requisite skills needed to nurture and to help teens to make the right decisions.”

Cort added that there is a need for more collaborative efforts in the fight against drug abuse, which cannot be won by the efforts of a single person or agency.“In order to confront this whole problem, we have to work as a team, no one person can do it, no one agency can do it and so that is why we are

coming together as a unit to confront the problem of drug misuse. If we don’t work as a team we would be fragmented,” she highlighted. Cort revealed that there has been an upsurge in the misuse of drugs amongst teenagers. She indicated that “molly”, which is new to the market in

Ren Gonzales, Psychologist

Sylvia Cort, Project Director

Guyana, is a drug of choice. Gonzales also highlighted that the family plays an integral role in the prevention of drug abuse within teens, since it should be a teen’s biggest support group. Among agencies that will be benefitting from the workshop are the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Protection, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Narcotics Branch of the Police Force, Salvation Army, Phoenix Re-

covery Programme and the National Anti-Narcotics Agency. The workshop will also cover subject areas on the various recovery methods available for drug abusers. The Drug Demand Reduction Services plans to continue building capacity within persons and agencies to fight drug abuse and will be targeting next the agencies within Essequibo.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

‘Greening’ of Bartica kicks into gear --new mega solar power plant, other projects completed

BARTICA has been chosen by President David Granger to be the model green town which will demonstrate the green vision for Guyana and has since been benefitting from government investments for its transformation. For decades Bartica’s potential have been stifled and unfulfilled, said Mayor Gifford Marshall, but since the coalition government took office in 2015, “what was once a small underdeveloped village, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art town, with an attractive tourist package.” In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Mayor Marshall spoke enthusiastically on the transformation made over the four years. The highlight of the interview, however, was the completion of the new modern 3.5MW power station on the peripheries of the town at Dagg

Point, Agatash. Marshall said that history has been created since this is the first time, the town is not being powered from the GPL generator that was situated on First Avenue Bartica, just next door to the municipality market. The old location of the electricity system was a major nuisance to the town, the mayor said. Explaining further that generators were situated on the road at First Avenue Bartica, which is a central location for businesses and people passing through the town. This eventually became a noise, air and water pollutant. In addition to being a pollutant, the extension of the township outgrew the capacity of the generators, so blackouts became frequent. All these challenges are things of the past, Marshall noted, as the mega plant is up and running. However, even

though completed, the new system is in its trial phase. Marshall explained that the set-up at the old location was subsequently moved to Dagg Point, and the operators are

intermittently switching over to the new system to generate power to the people of Bartica. In the meanwhile, Marshall pointed out that the

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall

The new Bartica Power Plant (DPI photo)

An aerial view of the beautiful Bartica (Marceano Narine photo)

quality of electricity has already been improved, which is very important for several sectors. “I must comment on the steadfastness the government has demonstrated in completing these projects in Bartica, and I trust that we will continue getting this efficiency moving forward. This mega power plant is a major improvement that is beneficial to several sectors. Education delivery will be improved, health care delivery will be improved, the business community will benefit tremendously, and of course, the overall livelihood of the people will be

Mackenzie High School’s roof fixed -RDC to distribute 200 zinc sheets to affected storm residents WITH just a few days remaining for the start of the new school year, Region Ten officials gave priority to fixing the damaged roof of the Linden Concert Hall and School (LICHAS) building, which houses students of the Mackenzie High School lower forms. Several sections of the roof were left without zinc sheets after a freak storm passed through Linden last Friday. Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph, said that in the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) effort to restore the situation to normalcy,

the school’s roof was given priority so that students could attend school, unhindered. In addition to LICHAS, other public buildings that were damaged included the Silver Town Community Centre and a communications tower at Blue Berry Hill, Squatting Area. On the residential damages, it has been determined that about 25 families have been affected in a major way. Adolph said that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) will be assisting with some amount of zinc sheets and food hampers, which

improved, because most of it is reliant on electricity,” he pointed out. In addition to the new electricity system, the township of Bartica, through a

are expected in the region by Thursday. The CDC’s contribution, coupled with what the RDC will acquire from other entities, he averaged, will amount to approximately 200 zinc sheets. On Monday, the regional representatives continued their field assessment in South Mackenzie and assured residents who suffered severe damages, that they will be assisted. In addition, an emergency meeting was held at the RDC and solutions on the way forward were discussed. According to the Department of Public Informa-

tion(DPI), the intense rainfall in Region Ten, from August 23-24. was influenced by the prevailing Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The Hydrometeorological office revealed the highest level of rainfall was recorded in the community of Watooka, Linden, which measured 30.77 mm (1.21 inches). Accompanying the rainfall were high winds across the town. The CDC continues to monitor weather patterns countrywide.

collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Infrastructure and Office of Climate Change (OCC), received over 700 LED lights for installation throughout the town. This, Marshal said, has been completed and “the entire Bartica is lit”, which adds not only to the beautification of the town but also to the safety of its people. “The usage of the LED lights reflects that there is reduced consumption, but most importantly, with over 90 per cent of the township covered with lights, security

is improved. So far the feedbacks are positive, our town is much brighter, and this is pushing development in Bartica,” Marshall noted. There are several other projects in the pipeline, awaiting budget approval. Meanwhile, the people are celebrating what they have already benefitted from over the past four years. In a previous visit to Bartica by this publication, many of its residents lauded the government for continuously pumping funds into their hometown to give them equal access and benefits as that of the coastland areas. Notably, the significant upgrade of the town is a major boost for both foreigners and locals from other regions, who would now constantly visit the township to experience its new developments. Marshall is committed to ensuring the path being paved for Bartica is one that will positively impact the people, especially the youths.

Deportee guilty of theft to do community service ON Monday, August 26, 2019, a 38-year-old man was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that, on August 24, 2019, at Regent Street, Ryan Hings stole two bottles of deodorant, valued $1900, from Bounty Supermarket. He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. It is noted that, on the day in question, Hings entered the supermarket and was seen acting

suspiciously. He was approached and a search was conducted (on him) and the items were found. The police were called and he was later charged. Hings was recently deported from French Guiana, after serving time for attempted murder. Upon his return to Guyana, he learned his mother had died and due to the Statutory Deportation Act, Hings had been unable to get a job. Magistrate McLennan sentenced him to eight hours of community service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

Gov’t distributes ‘David G’ school bags to Reg. 3 children AS the government rolls out a number of initiatives aimed at improving the Education Sector, children of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were on Monday gifted several book-bags as the new school term approaches. Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, presented the bags to the students who came out in large numbers at the People’s National Congress Reform’s office for the event in the company of their guardians. Regional Information Officer Ganesh Mahipaul told the Guyana Chronicle that the region’s improved academic performance this year was as a result of government’s support for education. In 2016, a sum of $40B was allocated to the education sector by the APNU+AFC government while the following year, the sum was

increased to $43.1B. In 2018, the sum of $44.1B was allocated to the sector while in 2019, that sum was surpassed to $52.3B. This year, Ruth Larson and Shrirish Persaud from the Academy of Excellence

copped the coveted number 1 ranking for the region with a tied score of 530 marks at the National Grade 6 Assessment. In the 2019 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, schools in the re-

gion also performed well. The Zeeburg Secondary recorded a matriculation rate of 92.68% while the West Demerara Secondary recorded a matriculation rate of 91.67%.

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon hugs a parent who collected a bag on behalf of his child at the event on Monday.

Recipients of several bags stand alongside Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency on Monday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

BCGI, Bauxite Union far from reaching an agreement – Lewis

By Tamica Garnett GENERAL Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis, said the GB&GWU and the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) are very far from an agreement, as the two sides began conciliation proceedings on Monday at the Department of Labour. The two sides are scheduled to return to the Labour Department for a second meeting next Tuesday as they work towards a solution over wages and salaries for workers at the company. “We are far from having an agreement, very far from having an agreement. I am not guided by atmosphere, I am guided by results. We are far from moving towards having an agreement on this issue of wages and salaries,” Lewis informed following the end of the almost two-hour long meeting. The union, last week, refused a three per cent pay increase offered by the Russian Aluminium (RUSAL)-controlled company and wrote the Department of Labour to initiate the conciliation process. Last week, the deadline for a response from BCGI on a Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) and salary proposal expired. The CLA and salary proposal were submitted since early May by the union.

Lewis, on Monday, accused the company of dragging out the issue. “The time between one meeting and the other is not encouraging. The culture here is you meet every week, sometimes every day, if you have to, to hammer out a situation; their situation you have to wait two

Lewis said the union is calling for equivalence between the salaries offered by BCGI and that offered by one of Guyana’s other bauxite mining company, BOSAI, which operates in Linden. BCGI operates in Kurubuka in the Berbice region. The union is contending

try. In pay in the bauxite industry in Linden and the bauxite industry in Berbice, there is a disparity, you must pay the same thing. The characteristics may be different. In Linden, if you want chemical grade bauxite, there is a mine that you have to go to, if you need metrological grade bauxite,

saying is pay the same thing,” Lewis explained. In a salary proposal, the union said it looked at the salary scale at other bauxite companies, for similar and same job categories. According to a statement from the union, BCGI currently pays minimum and maximum wages at a rate

Representatives from the GB&GWU outside the Department of Labour on Monday. From left are: GB&GWU General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis; BCGI Union Secretary, Leslie Junor; BCGI Union Vice President, Garfield Brutus; BCGI Union President, Ephraim Velloza; and Union Consultant, Ramon Gaskin (Samuel Maughn photo)

months before you can meet and you have to raise other concerns before you meet. We are far from an agreement and you are not requesting that we meet as we ought to?” Lewis noted.

that despite BOSAI having harsher conditions in their bauxite extraction, it pays wages and salaries far superior to those offered by BCGI. “We are asking very clear for parity in the bauxite indus-

you may have to go to a separate mine, but in Berbice, all the bauxite is in one mine. The bauxite in Linden is deeper. So your operation cost is less in Berbice because the mines are shallow, so all that we’re

of $335 and $655 per hour, respectively. The company has asked for time to consult with its principals in Russia. Presiding over Monday’s meeting was Chief Labour

Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, who will act in the capacity of a conciliator. The company attended the event with a six-member team that included RUSAL Executive, Vladimir Permyakov; BCGI Personnel Manager, Mikhail Krupenin; Labour Consultant, Mohamed Akeel, a former CLO; and Attorney at law, Andrew Pollard. Aside from Lewis, the union was represented by BCGI Union President, Ephraim Velloza; BCGI Union Secretary, Leslie Junor; Representative, Laston George; and Consultant, Ramon Gaskin. According to Ogle, he informed the parties that time is of the essence since five months have already elapsed since the employees ended a five-week strike. “I would’ve said that they have to come to a decision as early as possible. Time is not on the side of anyone because it is five months plus has passed since the strike. The parties must bring closure to this matter,” Ogle explained. “The Ministry is always here to intervene if they want to negotiate by themselves or for the Department of Labour to conciliate. The parties must bear in mind that the next stage is arbitration. The company said that they need time to do their verification, check with the principals and come back,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

Robbers stab teen to death in Diamond - Suspect arrested A TEENAGER who was the victim of a robbery while purchasing a serving of fish and chips on the Diamond access road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was stabbed to death Sunday night, while trying to fend off robbers. Dead is Ravildo Williams called “Michael” of lot 37 Friendship EBD. His mother, Camille Williams said the family attended a wedding in Diamond EBD and were all returning home around 23:20 hours in a minibus when they stopped for her son to purchase a serving of fish and chips from a food vendor. The mother of six said Michael was her youngest child, and it was his cousin’s wedding the family attended, and while her son was waiting on the fish and chips to be prepared, he was attacked by robbers and stabbed to death. She said her son was picked up and taken to the East Bank Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. “My son came out to purchase food and he was robbed and killed, even his

Ravildo Williams called “Michael”

sister was attacked when she saw what was going on, they lashed her to her head and she was left unconscious and only regained consciousness at the hospital,” she said. His sister, Faneiza Jairam, said that, when she saw the commotion and rushed to the scene, she was assaulted and hit on the head with an object which left her unconscious. “We need justice and those responsible should face the full penalty of the law,” she said. Reports indicate that Ravildo Williams was in the company of a female friend who witnessed the robbery that resulted in his death and statements were given to the police. Police have since arrested one of the suspects who is assisting with Investigations.

Hunt continues for man who killed mother of three A MAN who allegedly killed the mother of his three children early Sunday morning has gone into hiding, as police ramp up their search, as investigations continue. Shemain Frank was stabbed about the body at her 315 Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara home, reportedly, in front of her children. Clive Wilson, of Mon Repos, allegedly removed a number of louvre panes from a bathroom window, climbed into the home and stabbed her while she slept in bed with their three children. He then made good his escape through a back door. Frank was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. The eldest child, their 6-year-old daughter, has been left traumatized after witnessing the ordeal, and related to family members that it was her father that did the stabbing. Shemain lived at the home with her children and other siblings. The other two children are five and one year old. The murder weapon was a knife that the victim slept with. Prior to Sunday’s stabbing, the suspect had been

Dead: Shemain Frank

trying to get to see Shemain for some time but she had continually refused to see him. He tried again last Saturday. On Sunday morning a brother observed the suspect in the yard and requested him to leave. According to one relative, the duo shared a tumultuous relationship for over ten years, and at one point Shemain took out a restraining order against Wilson. The couple was living in Mon Repos at Wilson’s family’s home. However, last year, she ended the relationship and moved back to the Victoria Village home after she found Wilson with another woman, and they had a physical confrontation.

Senior, Junior Police Legal Advisers being sought IN the aftermath of retired Justice Claudette Singh being sworn in as Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is seeking a senior and junior Police Legal Advisors. In an advertisement under the Ministry of Public Security, the Force’s Senior Legal Advisor will be based at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary. Both Legal Advisors will be employed full time and will be required to advise the Police Force on all matters regarding the investigation of all crimes, including the taking of caution statements, the gathering of evidence and supervising the preparation of cases for prosecution, especially ‘high profile’ cases. According to the advertisement, they will also be required to support the Police Force in the training of criminal investigators and prosecutors; to be prepared to appear in court on behalf of

the Police Force; to be knowledgeable of the laws of Guyana and be versed in research on local and international laws and report; to make recommendations to the Police Force on any legislative changes subject to review by the Ministry of Public Security. Applications and curriculum vitae have to be submitted to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Se-

curity, Lot 6 Brickdam, Georgetown, on or before September 16 Additionally, the ideal candidates are required to make recommendations/ decisions to the GPF in relation to cases that should be subjected to appeal. Applicants for the post of Senior Police Advisor must have at least 15 years of legal experience with at least 10 years’ experience in criminal law practice and procedure. They must also be an attorney-at-law admitted to the Bar. Candidates applying for the position of Junior Police Legal Advisor must have at least 10 years’ legal experience with at least five years’ experience in criminal law practice and procedure. They, too, must also be admitted to the Bar. Candidates for both positions should possess excellent analytical and problem- solving skills, as well as oral and written communication skills and have working knowledge of the relevant computer applications.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday August 27, 2019

Sacked public service workers back on the job WORKERS of the Department of Public Service, who were sacked by Minister of the Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, are back on the job. This was confirmed by recently-appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service, Karen Van Sluytman in an invited comment, on Monday. “Those people are back on the job…they have been on the job since a little over two weeks ago,” said Van Sluytman. Minister Sarabo-Halley had dismissed the three employees – Andrew Grant, Gail Williams and Andre Dazzel – in June, 2019, shortly after she had taken office. It was not long after that President David Granger directed that a Board of Inquiry be established to advise the State on the veracity of charges of corruption, misconduct and improper behaviour against named staff. Director- General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, had disclosed that the Board of Inquiry, headed by Human Resource Consultant, Lance Carberry, concluded its work. Its findings and recommendations were sent to President Granger and have since been adopted by him. “The board found that the letters to the three public servants were unlawful and having regard to its observations

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service, Karen Van Sluytman

and findings, recommended that the letters of termination be immediately withdrawn,” the director-general disclosed. On July 25, 2019, it was determined that they be reinstated with immediate effect and “restored to their respective positions” within the Department of the Public Service. “[They] will continue to enjoy all benefits and allowances they previously enjoyed prior to the purported termination of their services,” he added. It was explained that it was not within the remit of the Public Service Minister to dismiss staff, since that responsibility lies with the Permanent Secretary. When asked if there will be any further investigations into the conduct and alleged actions of the three workers, Van Sluytman said she could not confirm at that time.

Teen sentenced for larceny CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday, August 26, 2019, sentenced a nineteen-yearold man to prison for larceny. Imran Persaud appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the offense. Particulars of the charge stated that, on June 18, 2019, at lot 332 Cummings Street, Georgetown, he robbed Cameron Sheik of $US500 along with other items totaling Guy$424 000. Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that Persaud was an employee at Sheik Home Furnishing Store, and two days before the

day in question, Sheik and Persaud had a misunderstanding and Persaud was paid off for his time. Mansfield also told the court that, on the day in question, Sheik went to his business where he saw Persaud and another male. He confronted them and Persaud ‘lashed’ Sheik to his head and took the items. The matter was reported and an investigation was carried out. While being cautioned, Persaud confessed to the offense. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, after listening to the prosecutor, sentenced Persaud to eighteen months’ imprisonment.

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FROM BACK PAGE

England hail ‘Special One’ Stoke... Some in the media were not happy restricting themselves to cricket, with Leo McKinstry in The Daily Mail saying the victory highlighted “timeless British virtues, such as stoicism in the face of daunting odds”. “Britain’s rich sporting heritage has produced many uplifting moments, from the World Cup triumph of 1966 to the glut of gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics,” he wrote. “But ranking with them, surely, is the England cricket team’s heart-stopping victory at Leeds yesterday in the third test against Australia by a single wicket, the narrowest of margins.”

“SUPERPOWER” Matt Dickinson in The Times compared Stokes’s ability to produce his best just when the situation demanded it to Argentine footballing great Diego Maradona and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. “Of more than seven billion people, it felt as if only one ginger-haired lefthander from Cockermouth could muster all the truly extraordinary mental and physical abilities, not only to save a test match, and an Ashes series, but to make us wonder if, among us, there are very rare folk who have a superpower.”

Stokes’s performance was all the more notable for coming only 44 days after his Man of the Match display helped England win the 50-overs World Cup for the first time in another extraordinary contest. Botham is now Sir Ian Botham of course and there were no shortage of suggestions on social media that Stokes, who arrived in England from New Zealand as a 12-year-old, should be similarly decorated. The punches he threw outside a Bristol nightclub two years ago that resulted in him missing England’s last Ashes tour might delay that honour, however, even

1320 Heat successful – GMR&SC THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has deemed its International Drag Race meet a success just twen-

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ty-four hours after completion. According to Committee member, Motilall Deodass, they were able to achieve a successful International event even though the lack of a ferry service kept Suriname away. “We held a fanatastic day of racing on Sunday and despite two rain breaks, we were able to complete all the races,” Deodass told Chronicle Sport. “We want to thank Team Trinidad for coming here. The rail car especially brought a lot of fans out for the weekend and we want to say congratulations to them on taking the unlimited class.” Meanwhile, in spite of setting an unseen 7.9 second time on the strip on Saturday, Andy Bissessar’s Rail Car was not the fastest car on the race day. In fact, the fastest time of the day came out of the Team Mohamed’s Black GTR (Goliath) with 8.561 though Bissessar did manage to squeeze an 8.584 during one of the runs. There were also 8.916 and 9.006-second runs by the Mad Dog Supra of Deryck Jaisingh while the fastest bike time of the day came from Micheal Mathurine/Joel Bruce of Trinidad with 9.746. There is still doubt as to who has the fastest quarter mile machine as the run between the Godzilla GTR of

FROM BACK PAGE team Mohamed’s Enterprise and the Rail car ended with an inconclusive result; the rail car jumping the light and the GTR breaking before the finish line. Representing the Trinidad team, Jadgeo ‘Mad Cow’ Seecharran commented, “We definitely love Guyana and we will be back here next year to compete again once we are invited.” Sponsors for the event included ISG, Tropical Shipping, DELCO ICE, Dereck Jaisingh Trucking Services and Machinery Rental, Associate Construction Co. Limited, Trans pacific Auto Spares and Auto Sales, BM Soat Auto Spares and Auto Sales, Mohamed’s Enterprise, A and R Jiwanram Printery, Hand in Hand, I Bet Supreme, Motul, E-Networks, Imran Auto Works, GT Tuners, Marcia’s Flight Service, Miracle Optical, Ready Mix Concrete, Innovations America, Fullworks and Blue Spring Water, Homeline Furnishing, Prem’s Electrical, Air Services Limited, Windjammer Hotel, Tropical View Hotel, KGM, First Class Auto Sales and Spares, Secure Innovations and Concepts Limited, Ramchand’s Crash Truck Service, Cyril’s Taxi Service and Choke Service Station.

if he was eventually acquitted of affray. Despite Sunday’s fireworks, Joe Root’s team still have plenty to do in the final two Ashes tests with the series tied at 1-1. Australia only need to draw the series to retain the urn. For Stokes, though, a spot in the pantheon of great English cricketers appears to be already assured on the back of his heroics over one long, hot summer.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 27, 2019

New Zealand crush Sri Lanka to level Test series COLOMBO (Reuters) - New Zealand skittled Sri Lanka out for 122 on Monday to secure a series-levelling victory by an innings and 65 runs on the final day of a rain-hit second Test in Colombo.

New Zealand had batted on for five overs in the morning, allowing BJ Watling to complete a century before declaring their first-innings closed on 431 for six in reply to Sri Lanka’s 244.

That gave the tourists, who lost the opening Test in Galle, a lead of 187 with 91 overs of play left and their bowlers provided the early strikes they needed to reduce Sri Lanka to 32 for five.

BJ Watling’s completed his seventh Test century on the fifth moring.

“A great effort to push for victory and ultimately come out on the winning side,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said at the presentation ceremony. “Naturally when the game starts coming so close, and the light’s always a factor here as well this time of the year. “But it was an outstanding effort from the first innings itself. And then the batters scored at a rate that allowed us to move the game forward. Deserve to be 1-1.” The hosts did not have regular captain Dimuth Karunaratne available to open the innings after he suffered a torn quadriceps while fielding. He was unable to bat higher than number seven, though when he did take to the field, he and Niroshan Dickwella batted resolutely for a 51-run sixth-wicket partnership that gave Sri Lanka hopes of a draw. Karunaratne fell lbw for 21 to seamer Tim Southee, however, while wicketkeeper Dickwella, who had suffered a finger injury, delayed the inevitable a little longer with a patient 51. The Sri Lanka skipper blamed his side’s batting in the first innings for defeat. “I think it was a pretty good wicket,” he said. “We needed to be patient and put a big score, 240-odd wasn’t enough. “We need some partnerships, we keep losing wickets regularly. That’s the key ... once the batters get a start, we need to get a big one.”

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings 244 New Zealand 1st innings Jeet Raval c Dhananjaya de Silva b Dilruwan Perera 0 Tom Latham lbw Dilruwan Perera 154 Kane Williamson c Kusal Mendis b Lahiru Kumara 20 Ross Taylor c Dhananjaya de Silva b Lasith Embuldeniya 23 Henry Nicholls c Dhananjaya de Silva b Dilruwan Perera 15 BJ Watling Not Out 105 Colin de Grandhomme c Lahiru Kumara b Lasith Embuldeniya 83 Tim Southee Not Out 24 Extras: 0b 4lb 0nb 0pen 3w 7 Total: (115.0 overs) 431 decl Fall of Wickets : 1-1 Raval, 2-34 Williamson, 3-84 Taylor, 4-126 Nicholls, 5-269 Latham, 6-382 de Grandhomme Did Not Bat : Somerville, Patel, Boult Bowling: Dilruwan Perera 37-4-114- 3, Dhananjaya de Silva 5-1-10-0, Suranga Lakmal 11- 2- 32-0, Lahiru Kumara 25-0-115-1 (3w),Lasith Embuldeniya 37-4-156-2. ..................................................................... SRI LANKA 2nd innings Lahiru Thirimanne Run Out Ajaz Patel 0 Kusal Perera c BJ Watling b Trent Boult 0 Kusal Mendis b William Somerville 20 Angelo Mathews c Ross Taylor b Colin de Grandhomme 7 Dhananjaya de Silva c Tim Southee b Ajaz Patel 1 Niroshan Dickwella c Tom Latham b Ajaz Patel 51 Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Tim Southee 21 Dilruwan Perera c Ross Taylor b Tim Southee 0 Suranga Lakmal c Tom Latham b William Somerville 14 Lasith Embuldeniya c Kane Williamson b Trent Boult 5 Lahiru Kumara Not Out 0 Extras: 0b 2lb 0nb 0pen 1w 3 Total: (70.2 overs) 122 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-0 Thirimanne, 2-4 Perera, 3-11 Mathews, 4-22 de Silva, 5-32 Mendis, 6-73 Karunaratne, 7-75 Perera, 8-115 Lakmal, 9-118 Dickwella, 10-122 Embuldeniya Bowling: Trent Boult 14.2- 8-17-2, Tim Southee 12-6-15-2 (1w), Ajaz Patel 19-3-31-2, Colin de Grandhomme 4-1-8-1, William Somerville 21- 6-49- 2

Watling remained unbeaten on 105, his seventh test century, when captain Kane Williamson declared. Rain had allowed just 66 overs on the first two days

of the match, and 48 overs on the fourth. The teams next play three Twenty20 internationals, starting in Pallekele on Sunday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 27, 2019

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‘Really poor’: Langer, Paine discuss DRS bungles …Skipper indicates he will hand DRS responsibilities to his teammates after the late drama at Headingley

COACH Justin Langer and captain Tim Paine have refused to blame under-fire umpire Joel Wilson for his blunder in the thrilling final stages of the Headingley Test, with both men saying Australia need to improve their use of the Decision Review System (DRS). Australia would have won the Leeds Test by a solitary run had Wilson given out Ben Stokes leg before wicket late in the match, with replays showing the West Indian official erred in not raising his finger. The umpiring mistake was compounded by the fact Australia had no course of action to review the decision after Paine had wasted his final referral in the previous over, which he later said was his one regret from the match. While conceding he hasn’t used the DRS well throughout the series, Paine suggested the correct decision would have ultimately been made had Wilson raised

his finger and allowed on to post an unbeaten England – who had one century in the drawn review available to them match. – to challenge the call. Having admitted his “I can’t fathom why DRS failings throughor how that wasn’t given out the series, Paine said out at the time,” Paine he was in no position to told the Nine Network. criticise Wilson for get“Because England ting the decision wrong had … referrals left, so if and indicated he would it was (incorrectly) given hand the responsibility out, the correct decision to one of his teammates is then made from upin the final two Tests. stairs. “I don’t think I’ve “But that’s OK, it got a referral correct the happened. We’ve got to whole series, so I can’t control what we can consit here and bag the umtrol. We’ve got to use our Nathan Lyon pleads in vain for the wicket of Ben Stokes // Getty pires,” he said. reviews better. But that “To sit down and sinone in particular is hard to gle out an umpire is unyour way, sometimes they match signals the end of his take at the moment.” necessary. He is no different don’t. involvement in the series. But Langer said the fact “We’ve been really poor A combination of Ruchi- to everyone else, he is alAustralia had no reviews left at it this whole series. We ra Palliyaguruge – who has lowed to make mistakes. should not have factored into talked a lot about getting umpired just three Tests pre“I’ve got every review Wilson’s thinking. better at our reviews. There viously – and experienced wrong so far, so I’m going to “The umpire should wasn’t so many this game as veterans Marais Erasmus give up and give it to somemake the decision he thinks there were at Lord’s (in the and Kumar Dharmasena will one else.” is right, regardless of reviews second Test), but certainly stand in the final two Tests. Paine was slammed by (remaining),” the coach said. we have control of that.” Paine was left to regret a host of former Australian “If they think it’s out, Wilson had been criti- some pivotal non-referrals Test players for reviewing a they should give it. If they cised after making a series at Lord’s last week, notably not-out decision against Endon’t, they should give it not of incorrect decisions in the one that would have sent gland’s No.11 Jack Leach in out. The review system is as first Ashes Test earlier this Stokes on his way for just six the third-last over at Headit is and sometimes they go month, but the Headingley before the left-hander went ingley, which ultimately cost

Australia a chance at overturning Wilson’s incorrect call an over later. Replays showed the ball to the left-handed Leach was pitching outside leg stump by a significant margin, and former skipper Ian Chappell said Paine “lost his brain” when he asked for the third umpire’s opinion. Another ex-Australian skipper Mark Taylor added Paine had used his reviews “frivolously”, while wicketkeeping great Ian Healy said the skipper “burnt a review stupidly”. But Paine said both he and vice-captain Pat Cummins, who bowled the ball to Leach, believed the ball might have pitched in line with the stumps. “Patty Cummins said, ‘I think it might have pitched in line, but I think he hit it’,” Paine said. “And I said, ‘he definitely didn’t hit it’, but I was worried about where it pitched. “And it was just a spur of the moment, we’ll have a dabble at it. And got it wrong.”(Cricket.com.au)

Zurich selected to stage Nishikori cruises into Diamond League Final U.S. Open second round

Zurich will host the Diamond League final in 2020 and 2021.

ZURICH will host the Diamond League Final in 2020 and 2021 as the series switches to a single-day format. Since being established in 2010, the Diamond League has staged dual finals in Zurich and Brussels. However, Weltklasse Zurich will now host the lone showpiece for two straight years while the King Baudouin Stadi-

um undergoes renovation. From 2022 to 2024 the final is set to rotate annually, with all meetings invited to apply to serve as hosts. The Diamond League board will select the 12 regular-season meetings for the 2020 season next month. “Zurich has been the home of many of the most extraordinary moments in athletics over

more than 90 years, including 25 world records, and we are delighted that it will host the pinnacle one-day meeting of 2020,” IAAF president Sebastian Coe said in a statement. “The Diamond League is vital to our future growth as it provides an annual showcase of the very best in athletics, which is why we must ensure that every contest broadcast to the world is of the highest standard. “We expect the new Diamond League format to be even more thrilling for our global audience as it builds excitement throughout the outdoor season and reaches a crescendo in Zurich.” A total of 24 disciplines will run across the 12 meetings – 12 male and 12 female – with each meet staging six male and six female events before all are present at the Zurich final. The winners at the Diamond League Final will earn automatic qualification to the IAAF World Championships. (Sportsmax)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kei Nishikori became the first man to advance to the U.S. Open second round as the 2014 finalist beat qualifier Marco Trungelliti, who was forced to retire with the Japanese leading 6-1 4-1 on Monday. Nishikori’s serve clicked from the start and the seventh seed won 90% of his first-serve points while never facing a break point against the Argentine in 47 minutes on Grandstand. The seventh seed said the abbreviated match was probably better for his body but not entirely to his liking. “That’s going to help me physically,” he told reporters. “But honestly I wanted to play a little more because I was feeling good on the court and I wanted to get a little more confidence and play more points. I think my rhythm was going.” Nishikori said the path to his first Grand Slam title would go through the “big three” of Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, who are the tournament’s top three seeds. “I hope I can be the one to beat the top three but I feel like those three guys are still at a different level,”

Kei Nishikori

he said, adding that he thought the long-awaited changing of the guard in men’s tennis was brewing. “I think a couple of guys are getting closer,” he said, mentioning himself, Dominic Thiem, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios as players on the rise. Next up for Nishikori is a second-round clash with Bradley Klahn on Wednesday after the American defeated Thiago Monteiro 6-3 6-2 6-3 in the first round.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Trailblazer Althea Gibson honoured with statue at U.S. Open By Arlyn Gajilan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A statue honouring African American tennis trailblazer Althea Gibson was unveiled on the opening day of the U.S. Open on Monday. The granite monument sits outside Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Gibson broke several colour barriers in her career. In 1950, at 23 years old, she was the first African American allowed to compete at the U.S. Nationals, the precursor to the U.S. Open. In 1956, she became the

first black player to win the French Open and the following year the first to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals. “She’s the first African American to break the colour barrier in our sport,” said one-time professional player and former United States Tennis Association (USTA) chairman and president, Katrina Adams. “By doing so, she made it possible for every person of colour after to have a chance to achieve their goals in the sport.” The statue, created by American sculptor Eric Goulder, is comprised of five granite blocks.

According to Goulder, each block represents the “boxes” society puts people in. Gibson’s image emerges from the highest one, which balances on its corner to emphasize how she transformed the world’s view of African American athletes. “Her shoulder is exposed to make clear that those who followed stand on her shoulder,” said Goulder. The final box, which is aligned differently from the others, is meant to show that the world has changed, but not entirely. Its inscription reads: “I hope that I have accomplished just one thing: that I have been a credit to tennis

ICC T20 World Cup qualifier..

All-rounder Douglas inflicts more misery on Caymans HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Allan Douglas starred with bat and ball as Bermuda inflicted another defeat on the Cayman Islands, while Canada finished the week-long quadrangular ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier Americas final unbeaten after defeating the United States by 15 runs at White Hill Field on Sunday. All-rounder Douglas, later named Manof-the-Match, helped bundle out winless Caymans for 114 with figures of five for 18 in 2.2 overs of off-spin and then put the finishing touches to a six-wicket victory with 21 balls to spare by hammering four sixes and three fours in his 28-ball unbeaten 47. The match saw the return to international duty of 35-year-old Dion Stovell, who suffered a concussion when struck on the head

while batting during Cup Match, Bermuda’s premier domestic game, at the start of the month. Stovell took two for 21 with his off-breaks and was unbeaten on 18, having featured in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 48 with Douglas, who also took three catches in the Cayman innings. Bermuda went into the game without Sussex all-rounder Delray Rawlins, who flew back to England on Saturday night after leaving the ground early. “Delray has gone … he has done the job we wanted him to do,” assistant manager Janeiro Tucker said on Saturday night after the side’s eight-wicket defeat against Canada. Rawlins scored a match-winning 63 in Bermuda’s first-round six-run victory over the US and also hit 49 against Cayman – wins that helped Bermuda CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday August 27, 2019) book their ticket, along with Canada, COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda to the final qualifier to be held in the Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & United Arab Emirates in October and November ahead of next year’s T20 CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: World Cup in Australia. Left-hander Rawlins, 21, finished 225-6158) with 130 runs, averaging 26, took four Answers to yesterday’s quiz: wickets at a cost of 96 runs and was the tournament’s top fielder with seven 1. India won by 318 runs catches. Canada completed the double 2. Ajinkya Rahane (IND) over the US on Sunday, beating their Today’s Quiz: neighbours by 15 runs after Man-ofthe-Match Ravinderpal Singh, a centu1. What was the result of the third Test of the ry-maker earlier in the week, smashed current ENG/Australia series? eight sixes and two fours in his 33-ball 2. Who was declared Man of the Match? 67 to underpin his side’s 173 for eight. The US made a spirited reply, but Answers in tomorrow’s issue fell short, closing on 158 for eight.

Flushing, NY, USA; A statue honouring Althea Gibson is unveiled outside Ashe Stadium at the National Tennis Center in NYC. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

and my country.” “This is a tribute that’s too long overdue,” said

Adams. “The sport that she loved so much didn’t love her back as much as it

could have... That changed today.” Gibson died in 2003.

Lukaku scores on debut as Conte’s Inter make a flying start MILAN (Reuters) - Forward Romelu Lukaku scored on his debut for Inter Milan as they made a flying start under new coach Antonio Conte with a 4-0 win over promoted Lecce in Serie A on Monday. Marcelo Brozovic, with an exquisite curling shot, and Stefano Sensi gave Inter a 2-0 halftime lead before Lukaku, signed from Manchester United this month, opened his account on the hour. Antonio Candreva completed the rout with a stunning strike from 35 metres. Chinese-owned Inter appointed Conte, who previously won three Serie A titles with Juventus and one English Premier League title with Chelsea, to replace Luciano Spalletti in the close season in a bid to end eight seasons without a major trophy. As expected, there was no place for forward Mauro Icardi who has been told he is not part of Inter’s plans but has yet to negotiate a move away from the club. “I am very happy and satisfied; I like working with these guys who have always shown great willingness,” said Conte. “Romelu has entered the Inter world with great humility, he is ready to work for the team.” Lecce, back in the top flight after a seven-year absence, made a bright start, forcing Brozovic to make an acrobatic clearance and then Milan Skriniar to clear away Gianluca Lapadula’s effort with goalkeeper Samir Handanovic beaten. But Inter quickly began playing the whirlwind football associated with Conte and Lautaro Martinez hit the crossbar with a free header from a Candreva cross. Brozovic broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when he curled a delightful shot into the

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

far corner from the edge of the area. Sensi, making his debut after his move from Sassuolo, added the second three minutes later, scoring with a low shot which went through a defender’s legs. As Inter continued to pour forward after halftime, Lukaku snapped up a rebound after Martinez’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Gabriel to add the third. Lecce finished with 10 men after second-half substitute Diego Farias, making his debut after a move from Cagliari, was sent off for a reckless tackle from behind on Danilo D’Ambrosio. Candreva’s dipping, long-range effort capped a near-perfect start for Conte’s side and sent Inter fans home with hope that this season they can finally challenge Juventus for the title.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 27, 2019

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Batsmen need to look in the mirror, says skipper Holder NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Captain Jason Holder has urged his batting group to undertake deep introspection in the wake of West Indies’ chastening 318-run defeat to India in the opening Test here Sunday. Set an improbable 419 runs for victory on the penultimate day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, West Indies crumbled in quick time on a flat pitch for exactly 100 – their sixth lowest total against India. Only number nine Kemar Roach, with a cavalier 31-ball 38 showed any resistance and he was just one of three batsmen in double figures. “Each batter has got to look at themselves seriously in the mirror,” Holder told media following the loss. “We’ve just got to find solutions. I think more often than not we’ve been gifting our wickets, not letting the opposition work for our wickets and I think that’s one

area we can definitely [focus] on. “If we are going to get out, we’ve got to make the opposition work hard for our wickets. I think we can go through the dismissals in this Test match and there were quite a few soft dismissals.” He continued: “Our batters definitely did not come to the party in this game. We fell short by quite few runs. I felt the wicket has been a very good wicket. “The initial phase with the new ball was probably the hardest point that a batsman should fear, I think after that it gets pretty easy. We just didn’t get enough runs in this game.” West Indies were ripped to shreds by the superb Jasprit Bumrah who produced an exhibition of high class swing bowling to finish with five wickets for seven runs from eight overs. His new-ball partner Ishant Sharma picked up three for 31 while fellow pacer

Pacer Mohammed Shami flattens Roston Chase’s off stump on the fourth and final day. (Getty Images)

Mohammed Shami claimed two for 13. In a torrid 45-ball period before tea, Bumrah sent back openers Kraigg Brathwaite (1) and John Campbell (7), before adding Darren Bravo (2) to his list of casualties, as West Indies slumped to 15 for five at the interval. “On a day like today, he proved difficult. He bowled some magic balls and he got

quite a few of our batsmen out with some very good balls,” Holder said of Bumrah. “Having said that we’ve just got to find ways to negate it. He’s a quality bowler, yes, but there are definitely solutions out there.” He added: “They bowled well. Bumrah bowled an exceptional spell and Ishant was very supportive as well

T&T retain IKD Caribbean Cup ...GKC, Barbados finish in top three

This Adrian Narine photo captures a team-demonstration during the International Karate Diagaku’s Caribbean Cup

THE Trinidadians remained top dogs on Sunday when the International Karate Diagaku’s Caribbean Cup concluded at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The defending champs did the job by snagging over 90 medals by the close of the tournament. The Guyana Karate College (GKC), one of the clubs that made up the Guyanese representation, had to settle for second place with 55 medals while Barbados finished third. The other Guyana team, Association Do Shotokan, finished

fourth Guyana’s team dominated in the senior age categories winning the Kumite, Bunkai and Embu. In addition to the athletes, there were representatives from Canada as special guests and officials. Speaking on his second place finish, vice-chief instructor Sensei Jeffery Wong believed that his team’s training over the last two months helped them produce a podium performance. “The kids really trained hard over the last two months and it

showed in last weekend’s event. I am very proud of what the children did and how they performed.” “While there is obviously room for improvement, we felt we did satisfactorily for the competition we were up against and what we met,” Wong added. Other countries that participated were Antigua, Grenada, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Suriname and Venezuela. The teams began returning home yesterday.

as Shami. It’s just one of those spells in Test cricket where the opposition gets on top of you and stays on top. “We’ve seen it happen on so many different occasions around the world. These things do happen in Test cricket but it’s just a matter for it not to happen often.” The defeat for West Indies was their 13th to India in their last 22 meetings, during

which time they have failed to notch a single win. And with a short turnaround before the second Test bowls off at Sabina Park in Kingston next Friday, Holder said it was important the team put the loss behind them quickly. “It (defeat) definitely doesn’t dent my confidence and I think the group should be uplifting themselves,” he stressed. “We’ve got a lot to be disappointed about. Obviously we didn’t perform as well as we would like. But there’s no point dropping our heads – that’s not the solution. We’ve got to find a way to bring ourselves out of this defeat, try to rally around one another and try to come back a lot better in Jamaica.” He added: “It’s just a matter for us to dig a little deeper. We’ve got to fight harder initially up front in our innings to give ourselves a really fair chance of succeeding.”

Bronze for Wong in 13-and-Under singles at Caribbean TT COLIN Wong won Guyana’s third bronze medal when action in the Singles of the Caribbean Mini and Pre Cadet Table Tennis Championships continued yesterday in the Dominican Republic. In total, Guyana finished with three bronze medals: Wong’s individual bronze, a bronze in the 13-and-under doubles between him and 18-and-under, 15-and-under, and 13-and-under national champion Jonathan Van Lange, and a bronze in the team’s division of the same age group between Van Lange and Krystain Sahadeo. JOURNEY Wong got past home team player Acevedo Andelson 3-1 (11-6, 11-6, 9-11 and 11-5), and Trinidadian Ali Sameer 3-0 (11-8, 11-7 and 11-6) in the first stage of the event on Sunday to top Group Seven of the division. Of the four Guyanese 13-and-under players, only Wong and Jonathan Van Lange advanced past the first round. Van Lange, who finished second in Group Three, defeated Puerto Rican Eliam Davila 3-0 (11-5, 11-3 and 11-9). Later in the day, Wong advanced to the quarterfinals, while

Colin Wong finished with two bronze medals at the meet.

his Titans clubmate, Van Lange was knocked out. On Monday morning, Wong defeated Trinidadian Samuel Humphrey by a 3-1 margin to advance to the semi-finals, but he lost to home team’s Rafael Cabrera 1-3. All knocked-out semi-finalists in the tournament finished joint third. Meanwhile, the lone medal hope from the 11-year-old and under division, Ebo McNeil, fell short after losing 0-3 in the quarterfinals.

England hail ‘Special One’ Stokes after Headingley miracle

Headingley, Leeds: Ben Stokes celebrates England’s third-Test victory Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

LONDON (Reuters) - England hailed a new Ashes hero for the ages on Monday after Ben Stokes dragged his country from the point of defeat to a narrow victory over Australia with an innings that almost defied belief. All the English newspapers carried a picture of the all-rounder celebrating his winning runs at a sun-bathed Headingley on their front pages, with The Sun splashing “Go Urn My Son!” and the Daily Telegraph “Howzat!”. Ian Botham’s unbeaten 149 at the

same ground 38 years ago has long stood as the gold standard of an English Ashes performance but there were plenty of suggestions that it had been eclipsed. Former test opener turned pundit Geoffrey Boycott, never one to readily suggest the game was better now than it was in his heyday, certainly thought so and described Sunday as the best cricketing moment he had witnessed in half a century. Botham himself described Stokes as “The Special One” and Michael

‘Lady Jags’ undefeated in Curacao!

Atherton, another former England captain, said the unbeaten 135 was “one of the greatest test innings”. “It was a combination of all sorts of things, craft, skill, versatility and most of all, an ‘over my dead body’ attitude without which you are not a great player,” he added. Lawrence Booth, the Wisden editor, ranked it in the top five innings in the 137-year history of the Ashes, while former Guardian cricket correspondent and Test cricketer Mike Selvey admitted it had reduced him to tears. TURN TO PAGE 23

The Lady Jags prior to kick-off against St Vincent and the Grenadines in Curacao

Advance to round-of-16 of 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship GUYANA played undefeated to top Group D of the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship first-round Qualifiers in Curacao, to move one step closer to qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Lady jags opened their campaign with a 2 – 1 win over hosts Curacao, fol-

lowed by a 6 – 2 drubbing of St Vincent and the Grenadines and then closed things out with a 3 – 1 victory over The Bahamas. Fourteen-year-old Jalade Trim finished as the team’s highest goal scorer with three goals and joined Areka Hooper (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and

Rachell Rolle (Bahamas) as Group D’s top scorers. Guyana now joins Honduras, Cayman Islands and Belize as the teams to punch their tickets to the 2020 CONCACF Women’s Under-17 Championship after finishing atop their respective groups in last week’s 2019 Concacaf Women’s Un-

1320 Heat successful – GMR&SC See Page 23

der-17 Championship Qualifier. The CONCACF Women’s Under-17 Championship is scheduled to be played from March 21 to April 5, 2020. The top three teams of the Championship will qualify for the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India from September 21 to October 4.

The inconclusive run! Team Mohamed’s Godzilla GTR in chase of Andy Bissessar’s rail car. The GTR suffered mechanical issues down the track with Bissessar earlier jumping the light.

Batsmen need to look in the mirror, says skipper Holder Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019