Guyana Chronicle E-paper 07-22-2018

22nd July, 2018

CURRENCY No.105343

‘Make it do’

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Brazilian CRACKDOWN Illegal miners intercepted – Jordan says no additional funds for GECOM

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Central Bank zeroes in on non-cambio businesses trading in USD 03 PAGE

Anna Catherina gets $36M 20 Childhood Development Centre PAGE

The Early Childhood Development Centre commissioned at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Saturday

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

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Currency crackdown SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

– Central Bank zeroes in on non-cambio businesses trading in USD

By Ariana Gordon GUYANA is likely to lose foreign exchange entering the official market if local stores do not abide by the Bank of Guyana (BoG) Act 1998, which states that all monetary obligations or transactions in Guyana must be settled in Guyana dollars.

In fact, Governor of the BoG, Dr Gobind Ganga, told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that all transactions are to be conducted in Guyana dollars. He said the bank is not so much worried about one-off transactions done in foreign currencies.

“What is happening here is there are a

“The bank wishes to advise that pursuant to section (20) of the Bank of Guyana Act, 1998, all monetary obligations or transactions in Guyana shall be settled in Guyana dollars.”

While all transactions are to be done in Guyana dollars, Dr Ganga explained that a customer can enter a supermarket for example and make a purchase using US dollars, as those items purchased at the supermarket are not being exported. He described such purchases as one-off purchases.

However, where items are being purchased to be exported there is a difference.

The rules are to be applied strictly in such cases.

“One-off is if you don’t have Guyana dollars, but when the goods are being purchased with US dollars and are being exported… the

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Governor of the Bank of Guyana Dr Gobind Ganga

lot of traders coming in… we appreciate the traders… they shop largely at the Chinese stores and the Chinese stores are even putting their prices in US dollars. This is not a oneoff thing. These stores are catering to collect US dollars… even Guyanese are faced with prices in US dollars,” Dr Ganga explained.

Last week, the BoG by way of a notice published in the daily media warned against this practice. The notice said, “The Bank of Guyana notes with concern that some businesses are accepting foreign currency for the purpose of settling payments for transactions, instead of Guyana dollars.

The bank said too that only banks and licensed cambios are authorised to conduct buying and selling of foreign currency. The Bank of Guyana Act 1998 and the Dealers in Foreign Currency (Licensing) Act 1989 provide penalties for violations which include fines and imprisonment, the BoG stated.

“The bank warns that any person contravening the Bank of Guyana Act 1998 and the Dealers in Foreign Currency (Licensing) Act 1989 will be prosecuted,” the foreign transaction note stated.

According to Dr Ganga, such practices make it difficult to trace the foreign currency spent here. For example, the BoG official said it is unclear what is done with the US dollars collected by the Chinese stores. “We don’t know if they are taking to the cambios, bank and non-bank cambios.”

The official made it clear that traders are to change their foreign currency at licensed cambios, bank or non-bank. Over the past two years, there has been an influx of Cuban traders here and they purchase goods mostly from Chinese stores in central Georgetown.

President of the GCCI, Deodat Indar

least you require from them is that money goes back into the system,” said the governor.

COMPLAINTS Several complaints have been filed by citizens about the practice of the Chinese stores in particular; and Dr Ganga said once the relevant authorities are in possession of evidence to substantiate the complaints, the police would be informed and take charge of the matter.

“This thing is of concern to

us; it is becoming a big practice,” he stated, while noting that the publication of the foreign currency transaction note is to serve as a deterrent to those who are culpable.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that in one instance, a Chinese store had printed their exchange rates and was operating like a cambio.

“People are reporting these things and we have to take action,” the governor stated, while noting that the Bank of Guyana is not targeting any specific set of traders.

He made it clear that despite public statements being made about the bank’s notice and its relevance to Cubans, Dr Ganga said, “We benefit significantly from the Cubans trading, but they need to go to the cambios and change their money so that it is in the system.”

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that one store owner has been placed before the courts for violating the Bank of Guyana Act. This publication was unable to ascertain the facts and outcome of the said case.

Meanwhile, the publication of the notice by the BoG has resulted in some persons, in particular business persons, voicing their concerns on social media. One such person is businessman Terrence Campbell.

Campbell, who owns the Church’s Chicken franchise, said on his Facebook page: “Oh boy! The Cubans have kept commerce afloat and now we want to make life difficult for them. How does forcing them to the cambio help? The only benefit here is better statistics!

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Relatives protest detention of young mother

RELATIVES of a young Rose Hall Town mother who is being detained at the Whim Police Station and is forced to breastfeed her three-week- old baby there, are up in arms, claiming that the woman was wrongfully detained.

The woman at the centre of the incident is Shivanie Beharry, 27, called “Nadia,” who recently gave birth via caesarean section.

She was detained on Thursday morning following a stabbing incident on Wednesday night at the wake of the late Wayne Sudarsingh called “Wino”, who was allegedly murdered on Saturday last.

Nadia, who has her three-week-old baby boy with her at the station, is in custody with her mother Kavita Beharry, who is allegedly the prime suspect in the stabbing incident.

According to reports, a physical altercation with Nadia’s brother and a nephew of Sudarsingh had occurred earlier in the night and the matter was resolved.

However, at around 23:30 hrs, the two men confronted each other again and relatives at the wake, along with Nadia’s

family who have had a history of disagreements in the past, stepped in.

According to relatives, Kavita went with the intention of bringing her son home after he was physically abused by a relative of Sundarsingh.

However, the confrontation escalated into a brawl and it is alleged that the sister of the deceased, Maureen Sundarsingh was stabbed in the region of the abdomen during the brawl. She was rushed to hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery and remains a patient.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan related that Nadia is being detained as the police are investigating a report that she held on to the victim while her mother committed the act.

He also noted that the woman is expected to be placed on bail.

This claim has been disputed by the woman’s relatives and other eyewitnesses.

“After the two of them start up the fight again, Kavita try to pull away her son and tell him to go home, but Debbie

[a sister of Wayne] rush up and scramble her and those two tumble in the trench.

Debbie went on top and did choking her so I went to part them, but she nephew rush up and pull out a shine thing from his waist and threaten those there. I got scared and pull back and see Maureen run straight to Nadia who did trying to pull away she brother, he did coming towards his mother and Debbie, but like somebody push Maureen off and she fall down in the trench next to Kavita. Next thing I hear she says ‘look somebody stab me,’ but I did not see anybody with a knife and Nadia was not next to her,” an eyewitness related.

The witness said she and others are willing to give statements to the police, but so far no police officer from the Rose Hall Town Outpost has interviewed any of the eyewitnesses.

Residents who spoke with this publication expressed disappointment with the police for detaining the young mother, whom they claim was a peacemaker in the incident.

They also questioned the reluctance on the part of the police to take statements from eyewitnesses.

“How the girl gon keep she baby at the station? The place not healthy and that child need to be breastfed, cause he only crying for his mother,” a relative said.

The Beharrys and Sudarsinghs who live two houses away from each other have always had a history of disagreements, since Nadia’s partner once shared a union with a sister of Maureen.

The relatives of Beharry are calling on the Guyana Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Orealla students sweep NGSA ––record 100 per cent pass despite great odds

By Nafeeza Yahya

THE Amerindian community of Orealla up the Corentyne River in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is celebrating the 100 per cent success of their children who recently sat the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination.

Orealla Primary, located at the top of a hill with a student population of 104, had 14 pupils write the exam this year and all passed, earning themselves places at secondary schools across the region.

The proud villagers are extremely happy, but sad at the same time, since it also means that most of the children will have to move out of the community to attend secondary schools. The nearest one is in Corriverton, some five hours away by boat. It’s a journey that usually costs $2000 return, and apart from being costly, is also a tedious undertaking given the school hours.

Due to these factors, those with relatives ‘on the road’ usually send their kids to stay there where it is more convenient for them to attend school.

And that is exactly what the parents of the community’s top achiever, Abigale Vansertima, plan doing so she could continue her journey towards becoming a doctor.

With 475 marks, she’s earned herself a place at the prestigious Berbice High School in New Amsterdam, but her parents have already sought to have her transferred to the Line Path Secondary in Corriverton.

Just turned 12, Abigale, who won herself a scholarship, courtesy of the region’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC), will be moving in with her aunt who lives in Crabwood Creek, so she could make the journey to Line Path, daily.

Though it will take her the same 15 minutes to get to school as she did in the last six years, this time around instead of walking up a steep hill, she will be making the journey by way of public transportation.

An avid reader and a lover of all things scientific, the pre-teen said she is excited and can’t wait for September to start school.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that after carefully assessing the situation in the village, she chose to work to-

wards becoming a doctor so she can assist and give back to her community.

Said the youngster, “Usually, a lot of doctors that serve the community come from outside of Orealla. I want to be able to take care of my people in the community.”

Her delighted mother, Roxanne Pelician, 43, said that Abigale, who is the second of her three children, has done the family immensely proud, and she is happy that her hard work has paid off.

“She is a very determined child, and because she has poor eyesight, she would usually study during the daytime because we don’t have electricity throughout the whole night,” Roxanne said.

She said she is longing for the day when the community can receive electricity all day and be equipped with an ICT hub, so that the schoolchildren can get their research done.

Despite having a second-

ary school in the community, most parents opt to send their children, especially those that excel, out of the community to further their education.

And in most instances, those same children return to give back to the community in the various disciplines in which they were trained after completing their secondary and tertiary education.

In second position is Theresa Herman, who scored 469 marks and copped a place at New Amsterdam Secondary, followed by Shameed Russel, who made 465 marks and also earned himself a place at New Amsterdam Secondary.

Daniel Alexander secured a spot at JC Chandisingh Secondary with a total of 450 marks.

Orealla is located some 50 miles from Corriverton, and is one of two Amerindian settlements in Region Six, the other being Siparuta. Together, they have a population of just over 2000.

One of the top students receiving a prize at her school’s recent graduation

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Deepening of democracy IT is now official. Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has announced that Local Government Elections (LGE) would be held on November 12, 2018. The last elections were held in March 2016; therefore, when the electorate goes to the polls in 2016, it would be doing so for the second in two years, something it had done once in 23 years prior to 2016.

Minister Bulkan in announcing the date, said the holding of LGE constitutes ‘irrefutable’ evidence of the commitment and sincerity of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change’s (APNU+AFC) intention to ensure that democratic governance obtains.

He said: “There is not merely respect, but reverence for provisions in the constitution. More importantly, our commitment to rebuilding the damaged and broken system of local government we inherited is something we will resolutely pursue.

“Any functioning democracy deserves frequent elections at every level. Our inability to honour this practice in the past was a serious democratic blunder which

thankfully has been corrected.”

We now have new local government legislation which, among other things, seeks to correct the imbalance in the relationship between the central government and the local authorities. This has been a sore point in the past. It is worth noting here that the previous governing party and the present ones have had fundamental differences on what that relationship should be.

The PPP preferred one in which the central government, through the subject minister, maintained what is in effect an absolute veto over local governments, particularly on financial matters. The parties in the current governing coalition have opted for a more democratic relationship, whereby the power of the minister in this regard is greatly reduced.

Former President Donald Ramotar had, during the last Parliament, stubbornly refused to sign into law that aspect of the legislation that sought to operationalise the latter relationship. He had claimed that it was unconstitutional. That was one of several actions that eventually forced the then combined opposition to table the no-con-

fidence motion against his government, which eventually led to fresh elections and the downfall of the PPP government.

It is worth noting that that the Local Government Bill, which was in effect vetoed by President Ramotar, was one of the first pieces of legislation passed by the new Parliament and assented to by President David Granger.

With the announcement of the date, the electorate should be properly mobilised to participate in the upcoming elections. We have editorialised in the past that this is not an easy task. People all over the world do not generally vote at local elections at the same rate as they do in general elections and 2016 proved this point. There is a feeling that not much is at stake in such elections.

We argue differently. Local governments are the ones that are closest to the people, and therefore lend themselves to greater day-to-day scrutiny by the communities. These governments often determine what services are distributed in the communities, and how these are allocated. In other words, part of the government function of distributing common resources is devolved

to the local councils.

Most importantly, local governments should be the nursery for new leadership.

Often, leaders arrive in Parliament or in Cabinet without any experience in local government.

For all of the above reasons, people should be urged to vote heavily at the LGE in November. The mobilisation should start now, and it should include a popular education initiative aimed at sensitising the public to the importance of the elections.

Such education should be done preferably

by GECOM and other NGOs, but the political parties should also help in this regard.

The governing coalition, on the other hand, faces some challenges. Will the APNU and the AFC contest separately or as a coalition? Will they be able to mobilise their constituencies to vote with the same enthusiasm as they did at the general election? Governing parties are always judged on their record in government, and that record is always subject to distortion by the opposition.

The next four months will be defining ones.

Jagdeo must learn to respect PM Nagamootoo Dear Editor, IT IS well known that Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C hierarchy took issue with Moses Nagamootoo because he criticised and objected to that party’s undemocratic process for selection of its presidential candidate for the 2015 elections.

It is also now a matter of history that he exited the party after 50 years, joined the Alliance for Change(AFC) segment of the coalition government, and became the nation’s fifth serving Prime Minister.

And Editor, we are all aware that his departure from the PPP/C is what drove the electoral nails of defeat in the coffin of the PPP/C, even if by a narrow

majority.

For such a decision by Nagamootoo and its resultant electoral consequences, the PPP/C carried out a crusade of public vituperation against him, walking out from the initial House sittings whenever he rose to speak, especially on a number of occasions during his first budgetary presentations.

Party old-timer, Clement Rohee even gloated about the effect that their actions should have on the Prime Minister.

But the PPP/C has since ceased such immature but also petty, spiteful and vindictive behaviour. They have had to accept that Moses Nagamootoo is Prime Minister of Guyana; a fact.

Editor, I have had to put this issue of

Jagdeo’s continuous crusade of public vitriol and spite against the Prime Minister against the background of comments made in the aftermath of his recent consultations with President Granger.

There is no doubt that Jagdeo refused to accept Nagamootoo in his position of pre-eminence, even criticising what he has continuously claimed was the Prime Minister’s diminished role as prime minister in attempts to reduce his stature as such.

It was Jagdeo’s and the party’s way of denying him that respect, for they knew that any such meeting with him as leader of the coalition’s team would have meant absolute recognition. Jagdeo still begrudges the Prime Minister of such a

station.

Also, that proposed meeting that did not occur was to be about Constitutional Reform, as far as is understood, for which the Prime Minister would have been properly brief, and continuing such a process, where necessary, as the discussions progress.

Thus, it is another shifting of the dishonest goalpost by Jagdeo to avoid a meeting with the Prime Minister.

But Moses Nagamootoo must be respected, for he is the elected Prime Minister of Guyana; a constitutional office.

Yours EARL HAMILTON

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Freddie’s ‘half-baked’ doctors about to come of age

Dear Editor,

TODAY I happened to view an interesting feed of various regional leaders (Chair and Vice-Chairpersons) of Regions One, Eight and Nine who had a session of interaction with the media on the sidelines of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting.

The source of their concerns were mostly similar in nature, with major issues being the state of the roads in their regions; the halt of the land titling and demarcation activities in the villages of their Indigenous brethren in these regions; the lack of cooperation of Central Government and the RDCs in successfully completing proposed projects for the past and current fiscal years; and the chronic shortage of drugs and of other medical supplies to the health facilities of these regions.

I am no politician, and my views are expressed without preference for any political organisation, but as far as my eyes and ears have led me to believe, these leaders were representing regions which have recently shown strong support for the current opposition. Many have voiced opinions that the state of affairs were never as bad during the previous administration, and statements such as “Guyana is not the coast alone” and “We are also Guyanese” struck a chord with me.

Are things really worse off than before? I hope not, and if things may seem that way, I pray for major improvements.

I also happened to watch another news story where a young leader, the current Regional

Health Officer of Region Three (recently back from post-graduate studies in Israel) was speaking glowingly about improvements in the delivery of health services in his region.

He mentioned four different indices of healthcare which were improved upon for the current year, in comparison with the previous year, and the improvement in the availability of drugs in the different health facilities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) . He also asked for all persons residing in the region to first seek medical attention at their respective health centres before going to the hospitals, since there was a doctor readily available at every centre. If this is really true, great work, Dr Dudhnath.

This young RHO is the second to make this statement of “A doctor in every health centre”, following in the footsteps of Dr Quincy Jones, the RHO for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) a few weeks back. Again, I must congratulate the Health Department of Regions Three and Four.

Now I must return to the other conference where all the leaders of the three regions mentioned earlier were soliciting more doctors, and the timely deliverance of drugs and medical supplies.

Who are the RHOs of these regions, and why do these regions not have the drugs as do the other two?

Is it their fault, or is the issue with the famed MMU department of the Ministry of Public Health.

As far as public knowledge is concerned, the Honourable Minister of Public Health most recently debunked the theory

of there being a shortage of drugs in the country.

However, the situation in the outlying regions tells another tale. Is it because of the state of the roads, perhaps? I dare not think that after the huge sums of money spent on drugs and all the issues of the suppliers of same that there continues to be a drug shortage in the country.

A very worrying complaint of the Chairman of Region One (Barima-Waini) was of the influx of “refugees” in his region from our neighbouring country to the west.

These refugees are members of the Warrau tribe from the Orinoco riverine areas who escaped persecution from the nefarious Syndicato Gang and the economic hardships of Venezuela’s current situation.

There are currently more than 300 officially documented refugees living in the villages of Region One whose wellbeing depends totally on what is offered by the residents and leaders of this region.

The chairman has made it quite clear that his region is stretched to its limit in terms of what they can offer, and it is time for Central Government to take over or assist in resolving this mini-crisis.

Many of these refugees have not been adequately vaccinated, and a number are suffering from illnesses such as Malaria and Tuberculosis, and almost all from malnutrition. The

health department of the region most certainly has their hands full, and as I would like to believe would most certainly be requesting more personnel and medical supplies from the MOPH to help alleviate the situation.

Where would these doctors, nurses, lab technicians etc be solicited from?

Maybe the CDC has the answer. I’m more inclined to believe that those regions full of doctors might have to lend a few to help out the situation in Region One. This brings me to the most important part of my letter. A few years ago, these doctors who are currently filling all the health centres and hospitals in the country were lambasted as “half baked” by a certain Freddie Kissoon. These doctors, the majority Cuban-trained, were portrayed as being inept and undercooked in medical knowledge by the columnist, and many Guyanese were supportive of his opinion. Many still are.

The making of the current crop of doctors was part of an historic agreement between the then President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cuban Leader Fidel Castro to provide better healthcare to all underprivileged countries, Guyana included.

The chief financier of this project was the Cuban Government and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela led by then President Hugo Chavez. Long may

the souls of these great men rest in peace! A grand total of almost 800 doctors was to return to Guyana to help the needy and give the gift of healing which was taught by their Cuban professors. Solidarity, humbleness, professionalism and patriotism were a few of the values taught to these doctors.

Five years ago, Guyana was blessed to have the first big batch of almost 270 medical doctors return to serve the country. And served they did! Five long years of contractual obligation to the Guyana Government and the population for having invested in them.

Those five years are soon coming to an end; it’s 44 days exactly of contractual obligation that the majority of these doctors still have with the government.

On September 2, 2018, they can choose to either stay and serve more, to go private, or to sell their service to the highest bidder.

The half-baked doctors are suddenly an enticing lot. Will the health centres remain filled with doctors?

Will there be a mass exodus? Will the system be greatly affected? Questions I wish I had the answers to.

What I am most certain of is that these doctors will be valued wherever they go with their five years of

experience. Their salaries will finally be a reflection of their worth: No more being on call for 24 hours for G$1800; no more going on a plane in the dead of night to the hinterland with no risk allowance; no more going and work in the hinterland where prices are three times that of the coast, without the benefit of a hinterland allowance; no more housing allowance of a measly G$600; no more being doctor, nurse, porter, lab tech and service plus all in one; and no more lambasting of their efforts, and virtually accusing them of misappropriating public funds as was recently done by the PS of the MOPH) at a conference of Regional Health Officers.

Has the MOPH done its utmost to keep these doctors? Only time will tell.

The government, especially the MOPH, has a great task ahead of it. I do hope they would have adequately planned for the future of Guyana and the health of its people. Let the good times get better while we continue to enjoy the present.

But for the next 44 days, let us fully appreciate “The silence of the lambs”.

Yours Sincerely GUSTAVO KUERTEN

STALK AND TALK 8

FORMER American President, Jimmy Carter, is best remembered by Guyanese for his critical role in the return of electoral democracy, for which a grateful nation bestowed upon him the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH). At 92, he is, once again, taking initiatives to strengthen the fabric of Guyana’s democracy by encouraging dialogue between the Government and the parliamentary Opposition.

President Carter must have sensed that all was not well in Guyana since there has been acute polarization between Government and the Opposition; the latter under apparent siege over prosecution of former state officials for alleged corrupt practices, and rising fears that the bigger fishes could be caught in the reinforced dragnet of the justice system.

In anticipation that its leadership could be decimated by sleaze-related prosecution, the Opposition has embarked on a campaign to stalk the government, raising such spurious charges about “ethnic cleansing” and suppression of basic civil rights.

In the face of mounting optimism over an impending economic boom, the Opposition has been chanting a mantra about an imminent collapse of the economy and the financial system.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

To compound the devil’s concoction of gloom-anddoom, the Opposition has contemplated a change in the traditional forms of struggle, which could raise the spectre of violence in a country that sits uncomfortably on an ethnically divided social base.

BI-PARTISAN COOPERATION The Carter Centre which has been trying to kick-start constitutional reform could have sensed that no tangible outcomes would be possible if there is no bi-partisan cooperation and a buy-in for the process from the Opposition, since fundamental changes would require the support of a two-thirds majority of elected Members of Parliament.

Though the situation is not as bad as the Opposition wants it to be, or even close to its dismal depiction, the intervention of President Carter is important, since it could smooth over any conflicts before the proverbial first shot is fired.

Guyana surely needs a fresh wave of political renewal that only visionary leadership could provide.

Guyana cannot be stuck forever in the debilitating pastime of opposition for opposition’s sake and the outpourings of an overdose of pessimism and negativity.

This is why the Opposition has to come to the table to trash out real issues that could help to place us on the solid road towards national unity.

NATIONAL UNITY For me, national unity remains the sweetest two words on the lips of every patriot. I remember being asked in 2009 by Guyanese journalists, Enrico Woolford and Gordon Mosley, about my take on the legacy of Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan. I told them that if we have a mandate from the Jagans, it would be “to unify this country, to bring not only stability, but to bring peace”.

In my autobiographical book, Fragments from Memory, I recounted that aspect of the interview when I qualified ‘unity’ as a state of national democracy, and added: “That is a multi-racial, a multi-party and a multi-

Currency crackdown From page 3

Cubans alone.”

Maybe we want to help local bandits identify those who change large sums. Haven’t businesses been through enough? Slow economy since 2014, red tape from the City Council, blackouts from GPL and now they must endure raids from Bank of Guyana?”

Campbell called on Dr Ganga to “please issue four new banking licences and help reduce the spread between interest rates on loans and those on deposits.”

He posited that monetary policy does not work in Guyana. “When things are tough, the banks don’t lower their rates. In fact, I suspect they try to raise them to maintain their profits. Have you tried a little moral suasion on them?

This would be better use of your time. Please leave the

LAW IS THE LAW But on Saturday, when questioned about the situation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan maintained that “the law is the law and we should be enforcing the law.”

“If there are to be changes to the law, then we must do that, but until we change the law we should be enforcing the law. The law says only licensed dealers in foreign currency should be trading foreign currency and those licensed dealers pay a hefty fee every year,” declared Jordan.

He said he too has observed social media comments on the matter, but posited that “sometimes it is not thought out.”

“Those dealers pay a hefty fee and it must hurt

them to see unlicensed dealers accepting foreign currency and the authorities are not doing anything while they have to comply with the law. I have no problem with what the Bank of Guyana is doing, in fact, I asked him [Dr Ganga] to a similar thing last year when we were having issues to do with foreign currency in 2017,” said the finance minister.

Jordan noted too that the government and the Central Bank believe in suasion, after which, if wrongdoers do not abide by the law, the law would be enforced.

“I hope Dr. Ganga has the backing of what he has said. Since the last time I was telling him if you allow things to develop from small they would become uncontrollable.”

The minister said too

class State. In other words, you must have inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness at the governance level, the fullest bipartisan cooperation between the major political parties, because that is how we will bring about unity between the major races” If there is anything that is known about my political life, it is my unflinching advocacy and struggles for national unity. Whilst, at different stages of those struggles, I had fought for broad-based unity, I consistently canvassed formal talks between the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress (PNC).

an inclusive government.

But after calm returned to the streets, the anti-talks gangs dumped my speech which was reproduced in a booklet titled “Towards a Political solution – The Way Forward”. The failure to hold inter-party dialogue resulted in two years being sliced from the presidency of Janet Jagan.

PILLARS OF NATIONAL UNITY I have also played a role in the work of two major pillars of national unity – the short-lived Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) and the six-party A Partnership of National Unity

and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition and government. The greatest gain in contemporary Guyanese political history was the election in 2015 of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government which, for me, was partial fulfillment of what Cheddi Jagan had wished when he advocated a “return to 1953 when there was racial and working class unity”.

The records would show that even when I had major disagreements with what I had described as the “Stalinist Gang”, I would stoutly and consistently insist that the goals of national unity should be captured in the party’s political programme.

In 1997, during post-elections civil disturbances, I told party leaders that while the presidency of Janet Jagan was non-negotiable, everything else should be up for talks between the PPP and the PNC. I had not ruled out the possibility of

that since 2016 reports were made that “certain activities were being done by certain nationals in Guyana”.

“I hope that we will see some actions in terms of deterring this. I don’t want people to be locked up, but we want to run educational programmes to let people, especially non-English speaking people, to let them know there are lots of cambios available around the country.”

Additionally, the finance minister dismissed claims that people get robbed when they enter cambios.

“I do not buy the thing about robberies when you go into cambios, many other people are going in to change or buy money,” he stated.

Lending his voice to the situation, Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), Deodat Indar, told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday on the sidelines of a business summit held at the Pegasus

Hotel that while he cannot speak to those businesses breaking the law, but he said making the conduct of commerce difficult will be counterproductive.

He pointed to persons having to change foreign currency at nights and the possibility of being targeted.

“If you go to a cambio and people target you, that would be an issue for people who are going to change their money,” said Indar, who made it clear that he intends to communicate with the BoG to find out clearly what the issues are.

“I guess they would have information of such businesses and I don’t have that information. We need to work as government and private sector-- work towards the ease of commerce rather than what is going on,” he maintained.

The GCCI president said there must be no hindrance to commerce here as businesses in the hospitality sector

interact on a daily basis with foreigners and would receive money in foreign currency.

“They collect that money and give them at an exchange rate. That is how business is conducted. This is a matter that I would take up with the BoG to find out what is going on before I come up with an official statement from the Chambers of Commerce,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

Indar said that with the influx of Cubans here to do business, the country ought to be grateful. “My information from walking Regent Street and Robb Street- 20 per cent of their business comes from Cubans and that is a significant thing—why would you go trouble with that -- it baffles me. I believe that this commerce is helpful to our local business community.”

He said with the number of Cubans entering Guyana weekly, locals in several businesses are benefiting significantly.

OLIVE BRANCH When I became Prime Minister in 2015, I immediately extended an ‘Olive Branch’ to the Opposition for bipartisan talks and cooperation. The potential Opposition talkers instead became my perennial stalkers. I have been called all manner of names and reduced to all types of creepy animals by former Presidents Ramotar and Jagdeo. The PPP leaders have branded me as their nemesis, the arch-enemy who has engineered their downfall and possible poTurn to page 21 ►

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

‘Make it do’ – Jordan says no additional funds for GECOM

By Navendra Seoraj FINANCE Minister Winston Jordan has shot down the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s request for additional finance to fund the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

“We do not have a bottomless pit of money... everyone has money, but you cannot give any more than you get right now, so they have to cut and contrive… make it do,” said Jordan in an invited comment on Saturday.

GECOM said the $1.2B allocated for LGE is insufficient and soon it will be engaging the Ministry of Finance to boost this figure.

In a media release on Friday, GECOM said it has noted several reports in the press that the commission was allocated $2.9 billion dollars for LGE. “Please be advised that GECOM‘s entire budget for 2018 is 2.9 billion dollars of which the sum for the holding of Local Government Elections is included,” GECOM stated.

The electoral body noted that $160M was allocated for capital works and items, and $1.6 billion for the normal operations of the commission. The remaining sum of $1.2 billion was allotted for the conduct of LGE in November 2018. The elections body said in 2016, $1.5 billion was expended for LGE This means that the amount currently allocated is believed to be insufficient and GECOM will be engaging the Ministry of Finance to discuss supplemental provisions.

LAST THING WE WANT “The last thing we want is GECOM coming and saying they want more money…. It is my heartfelt position that we have enough fiscal challenges, for instance, we must find the money to pay the second half of the severance among other things,” said Jordan.

He said the commission cannot be doing the same thing for many years and not see any improvement.

The minister believes that there are lots of expenditures which are ‘unnecessary’ and ‘wasteful’, noting that a lot of things have to be considered.

“They have done back-to-back elections where billions were given and it was used to acquire infrastructure and consumables, many of which are still in the storage and so on,” Jordan said.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

GECOM needs to make better use of its money and recognise that the government does not have unlimited finance.

Jordan explained that every time an organisation requests money, the Finance Ministry has to cut another entity’s budget.

“We cannot keep doing that and we cannot be taxing people or borrowing more money than we are required to do under the budget,” he said.

FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE NEEDED The minister believes that there has to be discipline when it comes to spending, especially since oil is on the horizon and everyone wants to get involved in debt and expenditure.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan on Wednesday announced that LGE will be held on November 12.

The National Assembly recently passed a bill which harmonises the period for elections for Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities.

It was stipulated that the LGE will be held between November 1 and December 7.

Minister Bulkan said the early part of November was chosen, because government did not want the elections to clash with the reading of the 2019 National Budget, which is anticipated to be before the end of November.

LGE, regardless of any challenges, will not be postponed, chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired judge James Patterson had said in a report carried by the Guyana Chronicle.

GECOM will be moving ahead with the full implementation of all the required activities in keeping with the statutory timelines as enshrined in the Laws of Guyana.

9

ExxonMobil distances itself from NY Times article – Guyanese lash out at article’s misrepresentation of their country

THERE is a great local uproar over a New York Times (NYT) article that is being seen as derogatory towards Guyana, and oil giant, ExxonMobil has distanced itself from the article.

The article titled “The $20 Billion Question for Guyana” and written by NYT national energy business correspondent, Clifford Krauss sought to present the prospects of Guyana in the wake of a developing oil industry.

Though the article presents a comprehensive overview of the developing industry in Guyana, it also presents an exaggerated, negative narrative of the developing country.

The article opens with the strap line: “This largely underdeveloped country on South America’s northern Atlantic coast is the unlikely setting for the world’s next big oil boom. But is it ready to handle the riches?”

And the very first paragraph reads: “Guyana is a vast, watery wilderness with only three paved highways.

There are a few dirt roads between villages that sit on stilts along rivers snaking through the rainforest.

Children in remote areas go to school in dugout canoes, and play naked in the muggy heat.”

The capital city and commercial hub, Georgetown, like other towns on the coast have been referred to as a “musty clapboard town which seems to be forgotten by time.”

Addressing concerns about the article, ExxonMobil issued a statement on its Facebook page, saying: “The New York Times (NYT) is an independent media entity based in the United States. ExxonMobil did not pay for the reporter to travel to Guyana for this article.”

Instead, the company clarified, “ExxonMobil’s only involvement was our agreement to be interviewed and, at the request of the reporter, we offered to facilitate a tour of our contracted assets.”

Against the backdrop of the narrative peddled by the author, ExxonMobil affirmed, “Guyana is a beautiful place, with beautiful people. We are happy to have the opportunity to operate and live in the communities of Guyana.”

The author on his twitter, in response to Exxon’s statement, said: “The New York Times pays the expenses of its reporters.

And my piece was in no way derogatory toward the people of Guyana. Beautiful people, beautiful coun-

try. Problems, of course.

And many, many Guyanese viewed my piece for what it was: critical but balanced journalism.”

Meanwhile Guyanese have taken to social media raising their concerns. Ronald Austin Jr. tweeted the author directly, saying, “I can say as a Graduate from the University of Guyana, I have not migrated and I [am] not infected with any disease. Just to make that clear.”

This was in response to another section of Krauss’ article which states: “A vast majority of college-educated youths emigrate to the United States or Canada, while those who stay behind experience high rates of HIV infection, crime and suicide.”

An overseas-based Guyanese Oneka LaBennett, tweeted the NYT: “Misrepresenting #Guyana as a place “forgotten by time” where children “play naked in the muggy heat” denies its complexity. Dangerous distortions like this inform the perilous trajectory of my homeland’s oil boom. Do better @nytimes.”

Krauss also responded to tweets from locals and defended his work. He also said, “...It is a troubling picture for sure, but sugar coating never helps.”

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Understanding Energy...

How is oil actually produced?

– and where is Guyana in the development process?

IN THE discussions Guyanese are hearing about their burgeoning oil industry, from local content and royalties to capacity building, many people remain unclear about one critical question: How exactly is oil production going to happen?

We know oil production happens in 2020.

But what happens from now until then? Or after that? How exactly does a reservoir of crude oil in the rock under almost two kilometers of water become gasoline in a tank, and where is Guyana in that process?

In December 2016, after years of seismic analysis, exploration, and geological testing, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, applied for a production licence for the Liza Phase 1 project. The company had just discovered 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs 5,433 meters below the sea floor, and more than 193 kilometers off the coast of Guyana.

After permission and approval by the Environmental Protection Agency and Ministry of Natural Resources, EEPGL contracted Noble Corp. to provide a specialised drill ship, the Bob Douglas, that can drill the 17 interconnected wells that are part of Liza Phase 1 over the next three years.

This drilling at Liza 1 is currently ongo-

ing.

Once drilled, the Phase 1 wells will feed into four largely automated drill centres some 1500-1900 meters underwater. The system will include eight wells for producing oil, as well as six wells to inject water, and three to reinject natural gas as a way to keep the pressure up in the sandstone oil reservoirs deep underground, and keep the oil flowing.

EEPGL and its contractors are also installing the SURF (Surface, Umbilical, Risers, and Flowlines) system, and preparing the site.

SURF installation involves building a complex system of pipes, containment assemblies, and automated systems on the sea floor that will connect and support the wells.

Basically, it’s the below-surface part of the drilling operation, and involves dozens of contracting companies and substantial logistics operations onshore.

After the wells are drilled and the SURF system is set up, then comes the FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading) vessel, an enormous ship anchored to the sea floor and attached to the SURF systems that will take in the oil, process it, store it and offload it to tanker ships that can bring it to refineries and consumers.

FPSOs are some of the largest and most technically complex ships ever built. Many

are larger than aircraft carriers, and come equipped with helipads and room for hundreds of crewmembers, as well as sophisticated fire safety and leak detection systems.

Th development process will involve dozens of other ships, such as support vessels and towboats, as well as helicopters, divers, sophisticated robots, warehouses, storage yards, and support facilities onshore and offshore.

By 2020, if all goes according to plan, the first FPSO on site will be capable of producing 120,000 barrels of oil every day, and will offload its oil to a tanker ship every 8-10 days with the help of around 80 full-time crewmembers.

The expected Liza Phase 2 will involve a second FPSO with an even higher production capacity; 190,000-220,000 barrels per day, according to ExxonMobil. This part of the project will include 35-40 wells, and will firmly cement Guyana’s place as a worldclass oil producer.

Now that Liza Phase 2 planning is underway, the EPA has been conducting consultations throughout the country, where ExxonMobil and government representatives answer questions about the upcoming project and address the concerns of residents. Completed on Friday, this process is an important part of the EPA’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Phase 2.

The hearings fielded questions from residents on issues like emergency response for oil spills, and impacts on water quality.

These sessions allowed officials from the government and ExxonMobil to explain the process in detail, and gave communities a chance to provide feedback and gain an understanding of how Guyana’s new-found oil wealth will impact their lives.

These are exactly the kinds of discussions that will, hopefully, help the people of Guyana get the most out of an unprecedented opportunity for our country.

Three officers to be charged – following massive irregularities with fraud in driver’s exam THREE subordinate officers and a civilian are to be charged soon for the massive driver’s licence fraud which occurred in April 2018.

In a statement to the media, the police said a police sergeant is to be charged with 12 counts of having conspired with others to commit a misdemeanour, while a female corporal is to be charged with 18 counts of the said offence. A corporal will be charged with 20 counts of the same offence, while the civilian will be charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretence.

The police officers will be charged in accordance with Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

The charges are being laid in accordance with legal advice obtained, the police said Friday.

In April, the police force had announced that the Office of Professional Responsibility had launched an investigation into what it described as “massive irregularities” in the Guyana Police Force’s learner driver’s theoretical examination, which took place on April 12, 2018 at the Felix Austin Police College, Georgetown.

The investigation was launched after a report was made by a senior pastor serving as Chaplain to the commissioner of police (ag) indicated that after the examination had finished, his pastor colleagues reported that some 174 persons were registered to write the said examination, but 106 persons pre-

sented themselves on the said day.

However, 207 scripts were received at the conclusion of the examination and 155 of the 207 scripts were completed.

Initial enquiries revealed that a senior subordinate officer who was mandated to oversee this theoretical examination in collaboration with two pastors from the COPS and Faith Community Network partnership with the Guyana Police Force, along with three junior ranks, left the examination venue shortly after the examination commenced and did not return.

Additionally, a junior subordinate officer who ought not to have been at the examination venue, presented himself, spent some time and left.

The three constables left the examination venue prior to the counting of the examination scripts by members of the COPS and Faith Community Network after the conclusion of the examination.

Only the members of the COPS and Faith community Network that is the two pastors were left in possession of the completed examination papers. The force said based on the aforementioned, a complete breach of the Standard Operating Procedure governing the administration and conduct of the Learner Driver’s theoretical examination had occurred.

As a result, the members of the public who sat the said examination were required to resit same.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Ranks partying at Whitewater – attorney general hears RESIDENTS of Whitewater Village in the Mabaruma sub-district, Region One have complained about members of the disciplined forces who have been deployed there to protect against the Venezuelan criminal gang: ‘Syndicatos’.

Relating his concerns to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams at the National Toshaos Conference (NTC), Toshao of Whitewater village, Ernest Samuels disclosed, “Residents [are] requesting the soldiers and

police can move more down to the borders because the Syndicatos are still moving into the village.”

Samuels, supported by his colleagues from the area, complained that the disciplined forces present in the region have not been friendly to the locals and they have been derelict in their duties by engaging in activities such as drinking and partying.

While he acknowledged the suggestion of having the forces moved closer to the border, Minister Williams noted that relocating them may not be the most effec-

tive solution in curbing their behaviour.

“But it’s a serious matter,” he affirmed and noted, “They are from a disciplined service and they are supposed to act disciplined.” Williams however contended that these issues garner government’s attention periodically and the reports will be taken.

To this end, he said, “I can assure you that the President of Guyana is very, very, very strict with those types of reports,” and added that it is one which will be dealt with.

When questioned the Guyana Chronicle as to how the delinquent officers will be sanctioned, Williams said, “These things are systemic,

so you have to apply best practices. But boys will be boys, men will be men; they are away from their home but you have to have systems in place to have them focused on their tasks.”

During his presentation to the leaders at the conference, Williams also stressed his ministry’s stance against corruption and told Indigenous leaders that, “No one is above the law”, no matter their position in society and urged that Indigenous People speak out against injustices.

Specifically, he noted the role of the people in stamping out corruption which, according to him, breeds poverty.

And to this end, he stressed

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams

that leaders need to be wary of corruption.

Toshao of Orealla, David Henry said that audits conducted in the village pointed to instances of corruption and asked the AG what should be done in this regard.

The AG noted that this is a very serious issue and ef-

forts must be made to stamp out corruption and urged that the matter be reported to the relevant authorities. “If you are in a community, you have a duty to blow the whistle,” he said and noted that persons need not be afraid of Turn to page 12 ►

12

THERE is a Psalm that I believe every young Guyanese should know, regardless of religion or even if religious at all, and that Psalm says, “I shall not be moved.”

This week, the New York Times published an article about Guyana called the $20B question (USD of course). This follows an article by the Wall Street Journal about Guyana’s oil prospects, and together they have announced to the world that Guyana will shortly be the place to be.

Much of the reaction to the article, both positive and

negative, tells me that it has helped open up Guyanese’s sense of what’s possible.

Take for instance that Guyana is expected to triple its economy in five years, making it by far the fastest growing economy in the world. Take for instance that Guyana can receive up to US$20B oil revenue a year by the late 2020s; that Guyana’s entire national budget is a little over US$1B currently puts this into perspective.

This is reinforced by Rystad Energy’s prediction that we should produce about 700,000 barrels a day

by the late 2020s. That’s almost a barrel a day per Guyanese citizen, which translates to US$70 a day at current oil prices, or US$2100 a month.

And, dear readers, let’s not forget that Exxon has no intention of bringing drilling to an end. As it stands, the company has only drilled a small part of its overall offshore block.

Simple math says that if discoveries continue at this rate, there should be something like 21 wells in total, with 17 bearing oil, and four or five being dry.

I’ll say it again, “I shall

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

‘I shall not be moved’

not be moved.” In fact, barring a civil war, Guyana should forge ahead so robustly, we’ll see Guyanese abroad starting to move back in droves; once they can get over the mindset that living in the United States is somehow always preferable.

This notion leads to the other, less rosy aspect of the New York Times article, which many Guyanese were rightly annoyed by.

The Times referenced educated Guyanese as having left, and those remaining as plagued by HIV, crime and suicide.

I’ll be the first to admit those things do affect Guyanese, but something about this smacks of a worrying attitude.

I could almost hear US President Donald Trump saying those words, while uttering his famous expletive about the type of countries he believes places like Guyana to be.

Coming from a white, male author with a vaguely Northern European last name of the region Trump so admires, these words proved even more troubling.

There is another meaning to “I shall not be moved,” and that is that Guyanese need now to stand firm and reject the kind of blanket prejudice and demeaning attitude we have long been subjected to, often even by our own fellow Guyanese living abroad.

If ever there was a time for Guyanese, especially young Guyanese who have not lived so long under the thumb of this humiliating attitude, to put a stop to it, that time is now. We must differentiate between the good and the bad things about the US, rejecting the bad and embracing the good. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt stressed the importance of freedom from poverty, not merely because it alleviated suffering, but because it enabled men and women to live with dignity.

It is words like that that we will accept from US leaders.

And that is what we

need to now channel this good fortune to; a life of dignity. That means being supported enough from revenues that biting poverty is a thing of the past, but it also means not accepting the types of handouts that make us dependent on criminal, shamelessly corrupt regimes.

To live with dignity means being able to choose what’s right, not just what you desperately need. I believe the coming decade must be about uplifting the Guyanese people; about programmes like unemployment insurance to shield laid-off workers from this dark desperation; or student stipends tied to tertiary or technical education, incentivising young people to move forward.

And now I want to say that there is a third meaning to “I shall not be moved”, and that is that we as Guyanese must not accept policies meant to enslave us by making us dependent on political parties.

Votes will not be bought here. Our dignity; our common mission of uplifting each other, must be a guiding fire. Oil money that serves to bring us right back to a veiled form of slavery and indentured labour is not oil money we want. There is a new Guyana being born; one that has too long been hidden from the light.

Long live this new Guyana!

Ranks ‘partying ranks’ at...

From page 11

speaking out because Guyana has the requisite legislation and witness protection.

“The law reaches you whether you are on the coast in Georgetown, or whether you are in Kaikan. The law is the glue that holds society together [and] without the law, there will be lawlessness,” Williams affirmed.

And referring to the access to justice, Williams acknowledged that it may be more difficult for per-

sons living in the hinterland regions but shared that the President’s establishment of capital towns has also been to promote access to justice in all regions. .

He explained to this newspaper, “We are reorganising so that courts can be easily accessible in every region and persons will not straddle from Region Eight to go to Region Two [to access a court]. It’s too hard for the people.”

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

South Rupununi toshaos tackle mercury pollution

By Alva Solomon IN light of a study that brought awareness to the detection of high levels of mercury in the bodies of villagers at Parabara, South Rupununi, village leaders there are expected to ramp up awareness of the matter.

National Toshaos Council (NTC) Chairman Nicholas Fredericks told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre that there are three mining areas close to the village of Parabara from where it is believed mercury originates.

He said the findings of a study undertaken by the South Rupununi District Council and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) brought light to the issue recently.

Mercury is used in the gold-mining industry and can be a threat to human health and the environment.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the substance is toxic to human health, posing a particular threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life.

Human beings are expected to have a normal level of 10mg of the substance in

their bodies.

In 2010, a study was done in several villages in the country’s hinterland and it focused mainly on pregnant and lactating women.

Methyl mercury, a form of the substance, is of special concern for foetuses, infants and children, because it impairs the development of their brains and nervous systems.

When a woman eats fish contaminated with mercury, it accumulates in her body, requiring several years to excrete. If she becomes pregnant within that time, her foetus will be exposed to methyl mercury in the womb and this

Recently elected NTC Chairman Nicholas Fredericks

will affect the foetus’s growing brain and nervous system.

Fredericks said Parabara does not have a land title, and according to him, the area is affected by three mining areas, including one close to the Guyana /Brazil border and another river which may be one where high levels of chemicals exist in fish.

WORRYING The tests conducted were on 25- year samples, done at the villages of Shulinab, Crowdar, Aishalton and at Parabara. He said it was discovered that the tests for Parabara indicated that participants there had the highest quantity of mercury in their bodies.

He said the last test was

done in June 2017. “So we have that report which we are going to make public very soon, once its completed,” Fredericks said.

He said most likely the mercury is taken up into the area by miners from Georgetown, as he noted that both Guyanese and Brazilian miners operate in the area. He Turn to page 21 ►

14

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Eight new airstrips in hinterland completed PUBLIC Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said hinterland development is a priority as he addressed Indigenous leaders on the final day of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday.

According to Patterson, for the 2017/2018 period,

many projects have been embarked upon to improve livelihoods of the Indigenous People. Eight airstrip projects, for example, have been completed in hinterland regions through the Infrastructure Development Plan, Minister Patterson shared.

The completed airstrip projects include those at: Baramita, Region One;

Ekereku and Kaikan, Region Seven; Paramakatoi, Kato and Kopinang, Region Eight; and Annai, Region Nine. The airstrip project in Eteringbang is 85 percent complete. Three more airstrip projects will be undertaken this year, while another six are slated for 2019.

Commenting on the quality of work done at one

of the airstrips, however, was senior councillor from Paramakatoi, Sheri Balkarran, who shared that there have been issues with the drainage and other concerns.

Patterson responded that her concerns were noted and will be rectified.

Answering questions from the leaders also, Patterson also shared that the ministry is seeking to move away from the use of the rooftop solar panels towards the use of ‘utility-scale’ solar farms. These are more viable because they are greater in size and are able to generate more power which feeds into a grid. According to him, 10 hinterland communities will receive these to improve their electricity supply.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson

“Small areas will be looked at next year. The solar farms will be large enough for all villages in one area,” he said, while explaining that President David Granger has already signed a US $15M line of credit with International Solar Alliance (ISA), for this.

A number of roadway projects have also been engaged in and more are slated for next year, the minister noted, but also said that the Linden to Lethem trail remains a bugbear that the government is working assiduously to remedy.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Stanleytown residents dance

– street lights return to their community after two decades Norman Semple applauded the current APNU/AFC administration for advancing development in the New Amsterdam Township.

“New Amsterdam, which is the capital of Berbice, unfortunately falls within Region Six, (East Berbice /Corentyne), and is managed by the People’s Progressive Party, but no work was done here. I spoke repeatedly to the current Chairman, but

Street lights returned to Stanleytown, New Amsterdam on Thursday

AFTER almost a quarter of a century without street lights along the main thoroughfare, Stanleytown, New Amsterdam residents celebrated on the streets, after more than 30 electric lamps were switched on in that area on Thursday night.

While the lights will provide a safer environment for residents, it will also help in minimising accidents and vending of narcotics in the area.

Retired Town Clerk Angela Collins said the lights went out in the 1990s and she is happy to see them in action again.

Initially, the town council had the responsibility for electricity along the main and cross streets in the Berbice Township, but had encountered several challenges, resulting in the unavailability of street lightings.

While she is grateful as a citizen of Stanleytown for the lights, she is pleading for additional lighting for the several cross streets, where criminal-minded persons have retreated.

Former trade unionist

New Amsterdam’s neglect was due to politics. “…Twenty-three years of PPP, because they were dissatisfied that New Amsterdam never voted for them, even though they had controlled the region, nothing was done, except at one time the parapet was cleared, and, because the stuff was never removed, the area became a dumping ground.

“It is this Government which has cleaned up this

place, desilted the Republic Canal [reservoir] and is maintaining it. The Strand Road along Stanleytown was impassable for decades; that was rehabilitated and the Main Street and Republic Road were resurfaced in such a short period since the new government took over,” Semple said.

He said he is satisfied with the amount of developmental works done over the past three years.

Department of Public Information 16

RECAP July 12th - 18th

@dpiguyana

NTC not a political party - President

IMF commends Guyana on restrained borrowing The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has described Guyana’s “prudence and restraint towards borrowing in anticipation of future oil revenue” as “commendable”. In a July 13th report, the fund stated that this restraint comes even as the country’s “medium-term prospects are very favourable. Oil production is expected to commence in 2020, and additional oil discoveries have significantly improved the medium- and long-term outlook. Economic growth is projected to be 3.4 percent in 2018, driven by continued strength in the construction and rice sectors, and a recovery in gold mining.” 

President David Granger called on the National Toshaos Council to encourage the establishment of Village Improvement Plans to promote access to the available public services. The President, who was at the time speaking at the opening of the 12th NTC Conference, explained, reminded that the National Toshao Council is not a political party, rather an arm of the state which serves the interest of the people in the Hinterland.

The Head of State said the conference provides the ideal opportunity for Indigenous Leaders to develop long-term plans that will enable these communities to adapt to modern changes. This, the president said, is especially important given the geographic challenges that the hinterland poses to the delivery of these services. 

Shulinab’s Nicholas Fredericks - new NTC Chairman Toshao Nicholas Fredericks of Shulinab, South Central, Region Nine is the new Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) following elections at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Toshao Paul Pierre, of Kwebanna, Region One was elected Vice Chairman, Toshao Russian Dorrick of Yupukuri, Region Nine, was elected Secretary, Toshao Marbel Thomas, Campbelltown, Region Eight was elected Treasure, and Toshao Loretta Fiedtkou of Muritaro, Region Ten, was elected as Secretary/ Assistant Treasurer. This year’s election marks history, as there were major changes in the composition of the body; for the first time ever, five women were elected to sit on the council; and of the 20 Toshaos nominated, only three would have served on the previous council during the period 2015-2018. 

Early childhood centres foster entrepreneurs - Min. Jordan

ExxonMobil’s Snr. Vice-President calls on President

43% increase in rice export

Rice export in the first half of the year has gone up by 43 percent earning the country $23.2Billion. This was revealed by the General Manager Nizam Hassan of the Guyana Rice Development Board in a recent interview with the Department of Public Information noted the sharp increase of rice export when compared to last year. “When we look at the figures compared to the first half of 2017, we saw first that the total volume that has been exported is 290,000 tonnes which is 43 percent more than the 203,000 tonnes than was exported during the first half of 2017,” Hassan said. The increase has so far earned the country GYD $23.2Billion (US $111Million) this year against the value of the export for the first half of 2017 which was GYD $16.1Billion (US $77Million). 

‘Girl Power’ confab for Linden adolescents The commissioning of Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC) in Ann’s Grove and Ithaca reflects the government’s commitment to facilitating the growth of entrepreneurs. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan commissioned the centres in Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara and Ithaca, Region Five. The minister said, having a safe, educational space for children provides parents with an opportunity to become their own bosses. The centres will provide educational services to ninety children; infants to school-aged children up to five years. It also creates employment for 16 young people in the area. 

Berbice Bridge was faulty – Min. Jordan Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan reacted with some bemusement to the recent move by the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) to raise their tolls. In a Department of Public Information exclusive, the minister explained that the models, taken by the previous administration, to construct the bridge, was “faulty” and “did more harm than good for the society”. He also recalled that when the Coalition Government took office, an initial approach was made to the BBCI’s Board/ Committee to lower tolls, but this was rebuffed.

The minister said, “they took the stance that the bridge was a private company and government should take their hands off, so I don’t know what is the big rush for the government to get involved now? I don’t know why the stance has suddenly changed?” The government, the minister stated, is always willing to listen and “we will give them our feedback. They made a suggestion. It came to Cabinet and Cabinet rejected it. So, it is up to them if they want to put up more (financial) models. We had put some models to them too!”. 

RECAP - July - July 18 SUNDAYINFOHUB CHRONICLE, July1222, 2018

President David Granger received a courtesy call from Senior Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation, Neil Chapman, who was in Guyana to familiarise himself with the operations, having recently taken over responsibilities for the global upstream oil and gas operations at the Corporation’s headquarters. During a meeting held at State House, the two sides discussed matters related to the status of exploratory and development work as well as the relationship between the Government and the company. President Granger said that at the end of the process, Guyanese must be able to view the development of a petroleum industry as one that is beneficial to the national interest as he noted that the Government will be working with ExxonMobil to develop a longterm relationship. Chapman in an invited comment said that the meeting was productive, and he looks forward to building on the relationship, which was established three years ago. 

Govt to address influx of Venezuelans The Heads of several government agencies will be meeting over a period of time to strategically address the influx of Venezuelans arriving in the country via the hinterland borders.

Representatives from the Ministries of Public Health, Social Protection, Communities, Citizenship, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Civil Defense Commission (CDC) who constitute a newly formed board, met for the first time. The objective is to prepare a coordinated effort to give structure to the government’s response to the situation. Leading the meetings will be Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix. 

More than 100 girls from several communities across the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Region were part of a ‘Girl Power” conference. This event was held at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition and Conference Centre in Mackenzie, Linden.

‘For the Children Sake’ Foundation, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in Linden collaborated with Ministry of Public Health’s Adolescent Health Department to host the conference.

The feature address was delivered the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who first broke the ice with a lighthearted and motivating game that saw the girls defining each letter of the word G.I.R.L.S. Minister Lawrence expressed the view that this exercise was the first step in fulfilling the theme under which the event was hosted which is, ‘Empower, Encourage, Inspire’. 

INFOHUB RECAP - July 12 - July 18

Department of Public Information

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Three Guyanese to pursue Masters in Mexico Three Guyanese students have been awarded full scholarships to pursue Masters of Science Degrees in Geosciences and Natural Resources Management through a collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Embassy of Mexico. The students, Paul Bassoo, Ramish Baichoo and Jainel Bowen will travel to Mexico later this month to begin the 18-month programme. On Wednesday July 11, 2018, the students along with Ambassador of Mexico to Guyana, His Excellency Ivan Roberto Sierra paid a courtesy visit to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman who presented them with their official acceptance letters to the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN) where they will be pursuing their studies. 

‘Free and fair elections must be a quality of GECOM’ – Chairman

Govt recommits to the Linden/Lethem road project

Guyana and Brazil discussed the advancement of the Linden/Lethem road project during a visit

by Brazil’s Minister of External Relation, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira. Minister Ferreira’s delegation met with President David Granger before engaging Ministers of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge.

Minister Patterson explained the meeting reaffirmed timelines in the Linden/Lethem road project. Guyana is set to award the consultation for evaluation of the first phase of the project. The government has secured funding from the United Kingdom Government through its UK Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF). 

Oil & Gas, Public Infrastructure attract Brazilian investors Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM,) (Retd.) Justice James Patterson said ‘free and fair’ elections are one of the qualities that must permeate the Election Commission and those who function in it. The Justice Patterson was addressing the launch of GECOM’s Training of Trainers Programme, at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Turkeyen.

As preparations get underway for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) this November, the two-day exercise session aimed towards helping participants develop an understanding of the organisational structure that will facilitate the efficient conduct of LGE. 

Liza Phase One development on track The Noble Bob Douglas drillship has completed the first phase drilling of seven wells ExxonMobil’s new Public and Government Affairs Director, Deedra Moe, told the Department of Public Information. “They are going back in and doing the second phase, so they are on track to do that.” First oil from Liza phase one is expected in 2020. ExxonMobil is also participating with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultations for Liza Phase two development. The US oil-giant has also submitted its development plan for Liza phase two to the government and it is expected to begin in 2023 pending the approval of permits and the company’s FID. Meanwhile, Moe said the company is “finishing up” work at the Longtail field, its most recent discovery. An evaluation of the find is expected soon. 

Gains in reducing infant mortality rates

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence assured the National Assembly that every neonatal death is investigated, and efforts are continuously being made to reduce the amount countrywide.

“For every neonatal report a report is prepared and reviewed by the child mortality committee and if the report shows any discrepancies further investigation is done,” the Minister explained.

Additionally, Minister Lawrence said there was no increase in neonatal deaths for the period June 2017 to June 2018. A Ministry of Public Health release stated that during the period June 2017 to June 2018, there were 6409 live births and 119 neonatal deaths at GPHC. This is a significantly lower number from the decade-high figure of 295 deaths in 2014. The release further stated that the total number of deaths in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has decreased significantly by an enormous 55.1% from 2015 to 2016 and continues to decrease. 

President awards NGSA students with laptops

Inspired by his passion to educate the nation’s children, members of the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress, honoured President David Granger on the occasion of his 73rd birth anniversary, by making a generous donation to three students who were successful at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). The three students are, 11-year old Kenneth Edwards from Riversview Village, who topped the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region with 505 marks, 12-year old Angelina Balgobin from Bath Settlement who gained 492 marks and 11year old Natalia Squires who obtained 515 marks; securing a place at Queen’s College. Each student was presented with a laptop computer, a printer, a voltage regulator and a $25,000 gift certificate which is redeemable at Austin’s Book Store. 

Kwakwani water recedes four inches

ICT roadshow exceeds expectations A team of Brazilian investors met with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and expressed interest in long-term investments in the Oil and Gas, Public Infrastructure and Business Sectors.

During the meeting, Minister Harmon committed to further discussions with the team of investors and expressed Government’s commitment to collaborating particularly in the Public Infrastructure sector, as part of its preparatory efforts for the emerging Oil and Gas Sector. The team, which comprised Alexandre Saverin, Yucatan Reis, Luis Panelli, John Forman and Jose Mario de Castilho, was updated on recent developments in the sector, including the significant amounts of oil discovered offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil’s operations and President David Granger’s decision to create the Department of Energy. 

@dpiguyana

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Bernadette Lewis said the inaugural Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Roadshow hosted in Guyana, exceeded expectations. Speaking on the sidelines of the ICT Youth Fair at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Lewis noted that the event achieved its objective of raising awareness on the transformative power of ICTs. “It has been a tremendous time and we are very pleased with the outcome,” she noted. Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes too expressed satisfaction with the participation at the roadshow, especially at the e-agriculture forums.

Most participants, she noted, left the workshops with a renewed sense on how to refocus the traditional agriculture sector into new avenues of earning revenue and expanding family agricultural ventures. 

Residents and officials of the heavily inundated areas in Kwakwani, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Region 10, have reported that the water level receded four inches. For the past week, it was to its highest at nine feet. Residents are optimistic that the waters will continue receding. A multi-agency team led by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC)’s (ag) Director General, Lt. Col. Kester Craig visited the community after a report was made on the flooding situation. Initial assessments were made of the areas affected; Waterfront, Lamp Island, Aroaima and Ginger Island. These communities are located in proximity to the Upper Berbice River that borders Kwakwani. Approximately 300 households have been affected by the flooding. 

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Illegal Brazilian miners intercepted in Region 10

By Vanessa Braithwaite SEVERAL Brazilians were arrested by Linden police officers after they were intercepted by regional officials from con-

tinuing a purported illegal mining operation, after it was realised that two water draggers were parked in the Upper Demerara River, aback Watooka.

As a result of due dil-

igence from residents and Municipal councillors, the operation was halted and further investigation showed that the miners were not in receipt of any work permit to work in Guyana

nor did they have documentation permitting them to operate water draggers in Region 10.

The police were subsequently called in and a search was carried out on

The two water draggers that are currently parked aback Watooka in Linden

the Watooka Guest House Annex that they were renting. Two women, who said that they were cooks, were also taken into custody.

Commander of ‘E’ Division Anthony Vanderhyden said the police are currently investigating the matter and relevant procedures will be followed.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian who was on the scene Saturday morning said that officials, when they first observed the draggers last week, thought that they were water dredges heading up to Coomacka to dredge the river, but further checks revealed that they were water draggers used for gold and diamond mining. They were reportedly heading to the Great Falls area. “We asked the police to intervene. The police went and check, they don’t have work permits, we have passports that will expire on the 25th. We asked who gave them permission to work in Linden, there is none, there is no environmental assessment report, so we are here with the police,” Morian said.

WILL NOT SUPPORT He categorically said the authorities will not be endorsing any dredging up the river, as it would have serious environmental consequences.

He reflected on the time when the river was dead due to the Aluminium Plant operations, but now the river has come alive, with an abundance of fish and nearby farms and even strides for aqua tourism is being

developed in Linden.

“We will not permit no gold mining in Region 10.

They are going to use mercury in the river, the residents are set to explode, we don’t want that to happen, we are building and we going forward, we don’t want gold mining to reverse the development we have seen,” Morian further posited.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Deputy Mayor Wainwright Bethune who said that for all his years living in Linden, he never saw the presence of a water dragger and the operation of same will have serious environmental consequences, since a lot of residents use the river for domestic purposes and water is even sourced from the Demerara River. “We halt everything until we can get some kind of clarity; we stand in unison that no such mining should occur in the Demerara River, given the environmental circumstances,” he said.

Councillor Lennox Gasper who conversed with the miners though they mainly spoke Portuguese, said that they related they were operating under Pure Diamond Incorporated but were not able to say who gave permission to mine in Region 10. He is asking residents to be vigilant of illegal operations that may be raping the town and region of its mineral wealth. “Everyone within the town should always be vigilant and alert of any strange operation within the community and bring it to the attention of Turn to page 19 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Illegal Brazilian miners... the authorities; be always alert, have your eyes open and see what is going on.”

Meanwhile, when this publication tried to contact Pure Diamond Incorporated Office in Georgetown, all three lines were ringing out.

In an invited comment, junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes said that she cannot fully comment on the situation as she is not fully briefed but is urging all foreign miners to seek legality to work in the country. She said that the

Ministry of Citizenship is encouraging persons to get their work permits and so everyone should get their relevant documentation in order. When asked about the Regional Chairman’s stance not to allow anyone to mine in the river, she said that there are persons with legal and licensed mining properties and while the environment comes first and foremost, there is a procedure. Many persons would have invested in mining equipment and went through

the relevant procedures to mine in water and therefore she is not at liberty to make such a statement.

NOT GOOD Regional Chairman Renis Morian also bashed the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) for renting a government property to foreign nationals without checking their documentation. “How NICIL could rent Government property to foreigners who come to

work in the river without checking their documentation. I am disturbed to know what role NICIL is playing as a Government agency. I am disappointed that NICIL would do this without even asking the Council and the RDC if they are aware,” he reasoned.

While trying to contact Head of NICIL, Mr. Horace James, this publication realised that he was out of the country.

General Manager of LINMINE SECRETARIAT

From page 18

Emit Alves said he was approached by the miners a few days ago seeking permission to pass the draggers across the Mackenzie/ Wismar Bridge. He told them of the relevant procedures to follow and after assuming they would have done so, permission was granted. Alves said that the men also asked to rent the Watooka Annex and were given permission to do so. “If somebody want to rent your facility, would you ask them if they

have work permit? That is the job for the police and GGMC,” Alves reasoned.

He described Morian’s statement as a reckless one, since for the draggers to reach Linden, they would have had to pass through several ports and therefore was not intercepted. He believes that he was doing nothing wrong as there is the call to encourage investors in the town. “From our end, we did our part, in terms of facilitating them,” Alves said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

Anna Catherina gets $36M Childhood Development Centre

Finance Minister Winston Jordan (second left) and Region Three Regional Executive Officer (REO) Denis Jaikaran (first right) and other officials inspecting some of the equipment at the centre during a tour of the facility (Adrian Narine photo)

FINANCE Minister Winston Jordan has noted the involvement of teenagers in horrendous crimes and believes if structured early childhood development centres could stop this problem, then more should be established throughout Guyana.

“You have teenagers who are involved in vicious crimes; crime is not due to the lack of early childhood education but it appears as though a structural and sustainable approach to the development of children might have been lost along the way,” said Jordan.

He was at the time speaking at the commissioning of an Early Childhood Development Centre at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Saturday.

The construction of the facility and a training progamme for youths were funded by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and the Government. The total cost of the joint project was $36 million.

Aside from being established for persons to leave their children while they go to work, the centre was created to provide comprehensive learning spaces for children from infancy to five years old.

Minister Jordan said the aim of the facility is to provide early childhood development services to persons in Anna Catherina and surrounding communities. It is also geared at providing unemployed youths with the chance to be trained and subsequently employed as early childhood caregivers and educators.

“We are trying to make sure that children are exposed to early education to feed their minds so that they would grow up to be excellent daughters and sons of the soil; to contribute meaningfully to Guyana,” said the minister.

He added that gone are the days when the extended family, community and even the close family would be part of the child’s learning process.

While it is an anecdotal belief that the lack of interaction between the family and youths could be a factor that influences them to turn to crime, the minister believes that if early childhood centres could remedy that problem then more of those facilities will be built around the country.

The facility at Anna Catherina is the fifth of its kind to be established so far.

As mentioned earlier, another component of the project was an early childhood training programme for youths.

Project Manager of BNTF, Dikedemma Utoh said 64 unemployed youths were trained-- two males and 62 females.

Eight of the trainees were from Anna Catherina and those trainees were employed to work at the newly established centre.

BNTF has applied to the Public Service Ministry for scholarships for three of the trainees to attend the University of Guyana.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, July 22, 2018

STALK AND...

From page 8 litical destruction. Worse, the attacks are racist as they see me as a “neemakaram”, a Hindi pejorative term that literally means “traitor”, for selling out to an African-dominated coalition.

But this is the brutal nature of politics, to which I have grown accustomed. I can also relate to the feelings of low esteem by Jagdeo to sit at the same table with me as I had lived in a period of pain when, after he had left the PPP, Ranji Chandisingh was named to lead the PNC delegation for unity talks with the PPP. That was for the “No Talks” clique the unkindest cut of all.

Notwithstanding the personal vendetta, I have maintained that political engagement is good for Guyana, and I have had one-on-one sincere discussions with several persons in the PPP’s leadership. I had told them that as we draw closer to becoming a major oil and gas economy, bipartisan cooperation is strategically important to ensure that no section of the population is alienated from equitable access to proceeds from our petroleum resources. I told them that for a major political party to stay away from bi-partisan engagement would be tantamount to betrayal of its constituents.

When I saw the Opposition Leader sauntering gleefully into Parliament Chambers Thursday last, I

thought that he had some good words to share with me after his meeting with President Granger. Instead, he swiped his neck with his right index finger, motioning that someone had cut my throat. Two of his cohorts, basking in radiant smiles, mumbled to me, “we threw you under de bus”!

PHYRRIC VICTORY I was to find out later that the Opposition leader had disclosed at the meeting that he would not attend talks if the Prime Minister remained head of the government side. Reminiscent of his infamous “cuss-down politics” he told the media that he couldn’t negotiate binding agreements with me, as I was a “lightweight”.

President Granger volunteered to lead the government’s delegation to these talks. Jagdeo walked away with a pyrrhic victory, that he had sidelined me.

But talks are not about me. They are cardinal to finding a lasting political solution for Guyana. So I turned my face away from Jagdeo’s infantile tantrums.

I let his insults pass. Instead, I welcomed the decision by President Granger to lead the Government team. That, for me, was a politically correct move from which Jagdeo would be unable to wriggle out.

For me, I remain undaunted. Old people say that the elephant keeps on walking in spite of the yapping of poodles at its heel!

South Rupununi toshaos...

From page 13

said too that the villagers are now aware of the issue as it is being discussed.

“We didn’t know what the causes of these things were,” Fredericks said, noting that there are children who were born with deformities and he suspects that this may be a direct result of the presence of mercury in the water ways.

“We depend on fish a lot and we eat the big fishes which would be the ones carrying the mercury,” he added.

Fredericks said the village leaders plan to up their awareness campaign, and more importantly, village meetings will be held to

determine a way forward in addressing the issue.

The NTC chairman said the issue has not been officially communicated to the Guyana Geology and Mines commission (GGMC), but he noted at a recent Regional Toshaos Conference, the matter was discussed.

Fredericks said the issue requires urgent attention, as he noted that illegal mining may be a contributing factor to the issue. He pointed out that the mines officers should shoulder the blame, since he believes that many corrupt practices occur between the officers and miners in the area.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

ExxonMobil under-14 football Finals…

Charlestown girls; Chase boys are Champions

CHARLESTOWN girls and Chase Academy boys are the respective champions of the Inaugural ExxonMobil U-14 Schools

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Football tournament.

Under the setting sun at the Ministry of Education Ground, Chase romped to victory via a 6-1 scoreline over North Ruimveldt.

Chase were well oiled and clinical in the final third which led to their wide margin of victory, never shying away from shots, most of which were on target in the end.

On the score sheet for the winners were Devon Padmore (2nd), Sealon Sue (6th), Jaheel Alexander (23rd), Renaldo Abrams (36th), Shaquan Liverpool (41st) and Kevin Mullin (48th) minutes.

Orland Dikie was the

lone goalscorer for ‘Multi’.

The scoreline meant that chase now has $300,000 towards a project at their school while North Ruimveldt will have $200,000 towards a similar initiative.

In the third place playoff, another one sided-affair occurred as Buxton trashed St Johns College 8-0. On the scoresheets for Buxton was Tyrice Dennis (1st, 9th, 15th, 39th and 45th) with Makhaya Jervis (20th and 37th) and Antwone Layne (48th) also adding to the tally.

Vergenogen won via walk over from Tucville for fifth place.

In the distaff side, it was all Charlestown as they won over their East Ruimveldt counterparts by a 3-0 margin. Shania Easton’s double in the (8th and 40th) minutes helped the cause while Donna Lowe (25th) sealed the deal.

New Campbellville picked up third place via walk-over from South Ruimveldt.

Just like their male counterparts, the winning girls’ team picked up $300,000 towards a school project, the runners’ up got $200,000, third place $100,000 and fourth place $50,000. (sookram@guyanachronicle.com)

Africa looks for answers after disastrous World Cup RABAT (Reuters) - African football will conduct a soul-searching session at a two-day symposium in Morocco after all five of the continent’s sides failed to get over the first hurdle at the World Cup. Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria and Senegal were all eliminated in the group phase in Russia, leaving Africa without a representative in the knockout rounds for the first time since the 1982 finals in Spain.

Coaches and officials of the five countries will discuss the disappointing results at a debriefing in Rabat, organised by the Confederation of African Football and the Moroccan Football Federation today and tomorrow.

“It was a disappointment for the African teams and the African continent,” said former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amunike, who was part of FIFA’s technical study group analysing the World Cup and will be at the symposium.

“A lot of people were expecting African teams to progress beyond what they have done previously, but unfortunately thar didn’t materialise.

“The truth is that we all are aware that football has developed a lot and will continue to change, and we in Africa, if we don’t embrace the responsibility and see how we can develop our youth, will

continue to live on dreams.

“I can tell you that there is a lot of raw talent but raw talent, without polishing them, will not give you a result,” he said.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last week that Africa’s failure to get a team past the first round had been discussed by the game’s top officials and was a concern.

“You need a little luck to get past the first round at a tournament like the World Cup. Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria all played very good football. But this is a concern and we have been talking about it with the president of CAF and we will intervene,” he told reporters in Moscow.

“To have success on the pitch, you have to do well off it and it is essential to work with the African federations to ensure everything is doing well with their organisation.”

Egypt were the first African country to play at a World Cup in 1934 and since 1970 there has been a consistent African presence at the tournament, rising to six teams in 2010 when South Africa hosted the finals.

But none have reached the final four and only three African sides have got as far as the quarter-finals: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Tour de France

Fraile takes stage 14, Thomas retains yellow jersey

By Julien Pretot MENDE, France (Reuters) - Spain’s Omar Fraile powered to victory with a late burst in the last climb of the 14th stage of the Tour de France, a 188-km ride from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux, yesterday.

The Astana rider caught Belgian Jasper Stuyven near the top of the Cote de Croix Neuve, a 3-km ascent at an average gradient of 10.2 percent and did not look back as he crossed the line.

France’s Julian Alaphilippe was the fastest in the climb but he made his move slightly too late and finished six seconds behind, just ahead of Stuyven.

Briton Geraint Thomas keeps the yellow jersey after finishing ahead of his main rivals.

“Winning a Tour de France stage is the best for a pro-

Astana Pro Team rider Omar Fraile of Spain wins the stage.

(REUTERS/ Benoit Tessier) fessional rider,” said Fraile, who also has a Giro d’Italia stage win to his name.

“When I attacked I was not sure I would be able to keep my advantage. I knew Alaphilippe was coming strong.”

All three featured in an early breakaway that built a lead over the main pack of almost 20 minutes, although none of the 32 escapees were a threat in the general classification.

Welshman Thomas retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey with a one-minute 39-second lead over team mate and defending champion Chris Froome, with Dutchman Tom Dumoulin in third place, 1:50 off the pace.

Froome, who was cleared of a suspected doping offence in the week leading up to the start of this year’s race, has for years been targeted by the French crowd and yesterday had some form of liquid thrown at him as he neared the finish.

“I don’t actually recall it but I’m not surprised, we’ve had a bit of that and it’s always been water from what I’ve seen,” Thomas told a news conference.

Only Slovenian Primoz Roglic, who is fourth overall, 2:38 behind Team Sky’s Thomas, gained some time on the main contenders when he attacked in the final climb.

He crossed the line 18:01 behind Fraile, but eight seconds ahead of Froome, Thomas and Dumoulin after the Dutchman also attacked in the climb.

The move hurt Frenchman Romain Bardet, who ended up 22 seconds off Roglic’s pace. He is fifth overall, now 3:21 off the pace and faces a massive challenge in the approaching Pyrenees if he is to finish on the Tour podium for the third time.

Today’s 15th stage is a 181.5-km hilly ride from Millau to Carcassonne ahead of the second rest day and three stages in the Pyrenees that could shake up the overall standings.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Sri Lanka in control after Proteas skittled out for 125

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Keshav Maharaj returned the second best figures by a South African bowler in a Test innings but Sri Lanka took a firm step towards a 2-0 series sweep after thoroughly dominating day two of the second and final Test yesterday.

South Africa’s spin frailties were laid bare once again as the tourists collapsed for 124 to concede a first-innings lead of 214 runs at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Sri Lanka, who made 338 in the first innings, were 151-3 at stumps after deciding not to impose follow-on against the tourists who now stare at the possibility of a second successive Test defeat inside three days.

Dimuth Karunaratne was batting on 59 at stumps, his fourth successive 50-plus knock in the series, with Angelo Mathews on 12 at the

innings break to harm South Africa with the new ball, reducing the leaden-footed tourists to 15 for three.

Keshav Maharaj’s 9 for 129 is the second best figure by a South Africa bowler in a Test innings. other end.

For South Africa, left arm-spinner Maharaj took his match-haul to 11 wickets but his team were in dire straits.

Earlier resuming the day on 277 for nine, Akila Dananjaya and Rangana Herath frustrated South Africa with a dogged 74-run stand for the final wicket before Maharaj struck when the latter was

caught behind for 35. Dananjaya remained unbeaten on 43.

Maharaj’s 9-129 is the second best by a South African in Tests, behind only Hugh Tayfield’s 9-113 against England in 1957, but his success brought little cheer to a side battling their own spin vulnerabilities.

Herath and Dananjaya (5-42) returned from the

Scoreboard

SRI LANKA 1st innings Danushka Gunathilaka c Kagiso Rabada b Keshav Maharaj 57 Dimuth Karunaratne c Quinton de Kock b Keshav Maharaj 53 Dhananjaya de Silva lbw Keshav Maharaj 60 Kusal Mendis c Kagiso Rabada b Keshav Maharaj 21 Angelo Mathews c Faf du Plessis b Keshav Maharaj 10 Roshen Silva b Kagiso Rabada 22 Niroshan Dickwella c Faf du Plessis b Keshav Maharaj 5 Dilruwan Perera c Lungi Ngidi b Keshav Maharaj 17 Akila Dananjaya not out 43 Suranga Lakmal c Aiden Markram b Keshav Maharaj 0 Rangana Herath c Dean Elgar b Keshav Maharaj 35 Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-1, w-8) 15 Total: (all out, 104.1 overs) 338 Fall of wickets: 1-116, 2-117, 3-153, 4-169, 5-223, 6-238, 7-247, 8-264, 9-264.

Bowling Dale Steyn 17-3-60-0, Kagiso Rabada 20-3-55-1 (w-2), Lungi Ngidi 14.2-1-54-0 (w-2, nb-1), Keshav Maharaj 41.1-10-129-9, Aiden Markram 8.4-1-24-0 , Dean Elgar 3-1-10–0.

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings Aiden Markram lbw Rangana Herath 7 Dean Elgar c Dhananjaya de Silva b Akila Dananjaya 0 Theunis de Bruyn c Niroshan

Dickwella b Akila Dananjaya 3 Hashim Amla c Kusal Mendis b Dilruwan Perera 19 Faf du Plessis c Niroshan Dickwella b Dilruwan Perera 48 Temba Bavuma c Kusal Mendis b Dilruwan Perera 11 Quinton de Kock lbw Akila Dananjaya 32 Keshav Maharaj c Dimuth Karunaratne b Akila Dananjaya 2 Kagiso Rabada c Angelo Mathews b Dilruwan Perera 1 Dale Steyn lbw Akila Dananjaya 0 Lungi Ngidi not out 0 Extras: (nb-1) 1 Total: (all out, 34.5 overs) 124 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-8, 3-15, 4-70, 5-85, 6-114, 7-119, 8-124, 9-124.

Bowling Dilruwan Perera 12.5-1-404, Akila Dananjay 13-2-52-5, Rangana Herath 9-1-32-1 (nb-1).

SRI LANKA 2nd innings Danushka Gunathilaka c Dean Elgar b Keshav Maharaj 61 Dimuth Karunaratne not out 59 Dhananjaya de Silva lbw Keshav Maharaj 0 Kusal Mendis run-put Aiden Markram 18 Angelo Mathews not put 12 Extras: (nb-1) 1 Total: (three wkts, 34.0 overs) 151 Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-102, 3-136.

Bowling: Keshav Maharaj 17-0-902, Kagiso Rabada 4-0-22-0 (nb-1), Aiden Markram 3-1-9- 0, Theunis de Bruyn 3-0-13-0, Dale Steyn 4-1-110, Lungi Ngidi 2-1-4-0, Dean Elgar 1-0-2-0.

Dilruwan Perera (4-40) then joined the rout as South Africa lost all 10 wickets to the Sri Lankan spinners.

Faf du Plessis (48) and

Quinton de Kock (32) counter-attacked but it was not enough as the tourists once again failed to reach the 150-mark in the series.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Guyana adopts FIFA’s Domestic Transfer Matching System … GFF/FIFA-facilitated two-day training concludes THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has become the first Member Association of the CONCACAF Region to adopt the Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS), according to FIFA’s DTMS Project

FIFA’s DTMS Project Coordinator Semira Jawdat Coordinator Semira Jawdat.

This announcement was made last Friday at Olympic House during her opening remarks at a two-day training workshop, which sought to build capacity among GFF Secretariat staff, Member Associations and Clubs on the use of the DTMS. Jawdat said it was a memorable day for the GFF, stating that it was “not only training in using the system, or on exercising

it, or giving compliance advice. The day is also a new chapter for the GFF, its affiliated clubs and regional associations. It is a great moment because it’s the first member of CONCACAF to adopt DTMS”.

According to FIFA, the DTMS is “the national version of the International Transfer Matching System (ITMS). With DTMS, the federation and its clubs have the ability to manage and monitor their domestic transfer activity, generate statistics and reports, speed up the transfer process and store required documents online, safely. As an extension of the ITMS, the system allows the federation to access international and domestic transfers in one place.”

While encouraging maximum participation

Jawdat, who works in FIFA’s Global Transfers and Compliance Department, said the DTMS is meant to be responsive to unique needs of member associations.

“We’ll see how to improve the system according to your needs because the system is not static. It will try to accommodate your needs,” Jawdat said.

Meanwhile GFF’s president Wayne Forde said part of his Executive Committee’s mandate is to professionalise the sport. He expressed his satisfaction that capacity for player transfers is being done.

“We know that movement of players has been a very contentious issue in Guyana’s football for many years. We now have an opportunity to have a

platform where we can do this in a very structured and transparent manner that will certainly serve the interest of our efforts to professionalise football in Guyana,” Forde noted.

FIFA’s Training and Support Coordinator, Maria Stracke, while indicating her pleasure to share her knowledge about the DTMS, in her remarks, reiterated that the transfer process is about transparency and equity, and said “all transfers are being handled in the same way and it’s about fairness”.

Also included in the team is Hector Navarro, Legal Counsel and TMS Compliance officer. The first day of the workshop involved key representatives, who will interface with representatives from clubs.

WEST Indies legend Christopher Gayle said it means a lot to have been recognised by the University of the West Indies for his contributions to cricket.

Gayle and Patrick Patterson were the two honourees recognised on Thursday during the innings break when the UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI played Bangladesh in a day/night match at Sabina Park.

Before a small but appreciative crowd of several hundreds, Dr Akshai Mansingh, Dean of the Faculty of Sports at the University of the West Indies, Mona, read tributes to both men – first Patterson, who was absent, and then Gayle.

‘World Boss ‘Chris Gayle collects his plaque from UWI Vice Chancellor Professor Hilary Beckles while Dr Akshai Mansingh, Dean of the Faculty of Sports at UWI, Mona looks on.

GFF FIFA-facilitated DTMS Training Day 1 participants

Three Guyanese officials for CAC Games football tournament

THREE Guyanese, referees Gladwyn Johnson and Maurees Skeete and assistant referee Kevin Stephens, will be among those officiating at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games being held in Barranquilla, Colombia from July 18 to 31.

According to Stanley Lancaster, head of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) refereeing department, this is an achievement for the CONCACAF Tier Two referees, whose participation signals an opportunity for further technical assessment and development.

Lancaster said this is the second time that match officials from Guyana have been invited to participate in the CAC Games.

“This is certainly encouraging and shows the confidence bestowed on the

Good to be honoured alongside Patrick Patterson - Chris Gayle

Kevin Stephens

Maurees Skeete

Gladwyn Johnson

match officials from Guyana to sustain the rigours of competition. This opportunity will also contribute to enhanced technical development, considering the expected networking and level of competition,” said

Lancaster.

Johnson is also part of CONCACAF’S Targeted Advanced Referees Programme (TARP), which seeks to foster the technical growth and development of select referees.

The female leg of the

CAC Games began on July 18 and will conclude on July 30 while the male competition is from July 19 to 31.

This year’s CAC Games will comprise 38 countries participating in 40 disciplines.

Bangladesh coach Courtney Walsh, a past honoree, collected a plaque on behalf of his one-time bowling partner from UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Hilary Beckles, who also presented Gayle with his.

“It means a lot. I just want to thank the University of the West Indies, Professor (Hilary) Beckles and the entire team. It’s good to be recognised when you have achieved the outstanding within your career.

“I am very thankful for that and hopefully set more standards, set more records before I actually depart from the game,” said Gayle, whose contribution of 29 helped take the Vice Chancellor’s XI to 227 for 9 in their turn at bat against Bangladesh.

He said he was disappointed that Patterson was not able to make it to the ceremony but happy that he was able to be honoured alongside the long-retired tear-away Windies quick.

“It’s good to be honoured beside Patterson aka Rambo, it would have been nice to see him in the flesh. It has been a while since I haven’t seen him, two former (Excelsior students) as well, so it’s actually good to be honoured alongside Patrick Patterson. It’s a privilege to be honoured once more.”

Of note, it was Gayle’s 138 playing for the Vice Chancellor’s XI back in 2003 that propelled him back into the Windies team after being out of the squad for two years.

Earlier, Yannick Ottley top-scored with 58 and Kavem Hodge 44 as the two shared in a 91-run seventh-wicket stand, to rescue the Vice Chancellor’s XI from 89 for 6 taking them to a respectable 227 for 9. Some lusty hitting in the final over from Javon Searles who was unbeaten on 11 got the Vice Chancellor’s team to their respectable total.

Mossadek Saikat took 4 for 14 while Rubel Hossain returned figures of 3 for 40. (SportsMax)

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Amla third SA batsman to pass 9 000 Test runs … joins Kallis, Smith to reach milestone

HASHIM AMLA HASHIM Amla enhanced his reputation as one of the finest batsmen South Africa has ever produced after passing 9 000 Test runs on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Fighting to keep the Proteas afloat after they slumped to 3-15, the veteran righthander became just the third South African to reach the milestone after former teammates Jacques Kallis and

Graeme Smith.

Amla hardly sealed the feat in a manner befitting his tremendous career. Having moved to two, he drove hard towards short cover who spilled a straightforward catch and allowed Amla to run a single.

His 9000th run came in his 204th Test innings, nine more than it took Smith (195 innings) and 16 more than Kallis (188). The fastest to

9 000 remains legendary Sri Lanka Kumar Sangakkara, who achieved the feat in 172 innings.

Soon after passing the milestone, Amla became the fourth wicket to fall in Colombo, caught at short leg off Dilruwan Perera, as South Africa folded for just 124 to Sri Lanka’s spin barrage.

Kallis’ South African record of 13 206 Test runs may be out of reach but Amla, who now has 9 016 runs to his name, could yet pass Smith’s mark of 9 253.

Since making his international debut against India in 2004, Amla has gone on to make hundreds

against eight of the nine Test sides he’s faced, with Zimbabwe the only nation he’s failed to reach triple-figures against.

While his career average sits at a healthy 47.45, his form this year has failed to live up to his lofty reputation.

In 17 innings, Amla has averaged just 25.47 in Tests against India, Australia and Sri Lanka.

But fellow Proteas stalwart Dale Steyn backed the 35-year-old to bounce back, praising his calming influence in the South Africa dressing room.

“Obviously he’s a machine in terms of runs, he just churns them out regardless of

the format,” Steyn told Times Live in May. “But I find that Hash has always brought a sense of calm to the team. We all have our ways but to remain calm in extreme situations is an incredible strength.

“He’s also never shy of a bit of humour‚ very smart and calculated in his approach.

He always brings a smile to the guys’ faces.”

While he’s become one of his generation’s leading Test batters, Amla is among the very best one-day international cricketers of all-time.

He has struck 7 535 runs at a shade over 50 in 164 games with 26 hun-

dreds, having eclipsed Virat Kohli’s record as the fastest man to 7 000 ODI runs in June last year. The South African did it in 11 knocks fewer than Kohli.

In February 2017, Amla joined legends Kallis, Sangakkara, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardena in an elite group of players to have scored 50 international hundreds.

Incredibly, he did it in comfortably quicker time than those illustrious names that achieved the feat before him, with his 348 innings well ahead of second-placed Tendulkar’s 376. (Cricket Network)

Platinum Auto Expo set ‘Mid-Summer Derby’ horse race meet for August 5 at GMR&SC on today at Bush Lot United Turf Club

ABSENT from the list of entertainment for some time, Platinum Promotions will be hosting a massive Auto Exposition on August 5, at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC), Thomas Lands.

According to Organiser, Mahendra Boodhoo, the event is expected to attract some of the best vehicles in terms of glitz and glamour, while those with the fancy lights, shining rims and cleanest sound system will all have the opportunity to win prizes.

Boodhoo, a former racer and president of the GMR&SC said the occasion is for the family to enjoy, especially those with a deep appreciation for excellent-looking vehicles and those who just love to compete in such contests.

Boodhoo added that the Expo is open to all and over $1M in cash prizes and trophies will be up for grabs

Mahendra Boodhoo for winners in the respective categories.

Participants will compete in over 27 categories and word is that competitors are currently working feverishly to excite the fans with their thorough preparations.

Among the categories to be contested are: Best Antique bike, Mini Extreme

Face Out Cars, Best Rims, Best Graphic Bus and Car, Cleanest SUV, Best Technician, Biggest Bike and others.

Additionally, Boodhoo disclosed that fans will be entertained throughout the day with displays set to commence at 14:00hrs, while gates will be open from 12:00hrs.

Advanced tickets cost just $1 500 per person.

A star-studded line-up of local entertainment talent will grace the stage including Granny Ivelaw, Chiney Man and Chow Pow. Interested persons can contact the organisers on 617-2651 or 627-2369. Some of the sponsors on board are: A. Ali & Sons, GT Motorsports, Stag Beer, Caribbean Motor Spares and Ramchand Auto Spares.

Meanwhile, the launch of the event will be conducted on Tuesday, at the GMR&SC from 15:00hrs.

TODAY, at the Bush Lot United Turf Club, the country’s top locally bred horses will be in action at the ‘Rock and Come In’ Promotion’s ‘Mid-Summer Derby where they will do battle for over $2M in cash and other prizes.

The meet will involve only ‘L Class’ horses, where the winner of the feature event will pocket $400 000 while the horse coming second is set to ride away with $200 000 and third-place $100 000.

Prizes will also be given the champion jockey, trainer and the champion stable, with Ansa McAl under their STAG Beer Brand, Republic Bank, Giftland Mall, Pas Cargo, Park Square Fun City and Jumbo Jet listed as some of the sponsors of the event.

James Cheefoon, owner and trainer of Isn’t She Charming, one of the horses that will be at the starting gate in the feature event, stated that his animal will be ready to claim the top prize today, while putting all competition on notice.

Meanwhile, Dr Steven Cheefoon owner and Trainer of Flash Again, who will be competing in the featured L Class Maiden Race, also believes ‘Isn’t She Charming’ in action during a practice run in preparation for the that his horse will cross the finish ‘Mid-Summer Derby’ at the Bush Lot line first, at the Bush Lot United Turf Club.

United Turf Club on July 22

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Digicel tight-lipped on continuity of Schools Football Championship FLASHBACK: Chase Academy celebrate winning their second Digicel Schools football title.

By Rawle Toney DESPITE a commitment by its Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gregory Dean, that the country’s most prestigious schools football tournament will remain, Digicel (Guyana) remains tightlipped on whether or not, we will see an eighth edition.

On February 22, 2017, Digicel announced that it will reduce its global workforce by 25 per cent over the next 18 months, as part of its 2030 global transformation programme.

Digicel said it is designing and integrating its organisation to be fit

Gregory Dean for purpose for 2030 and beyond, stating the future organisational structure will comprise a small number of regional hubs (two for the Caribbean and

Central America regions and two for the Pacific region), housing back office centralised functions and delivering shared services, allowing staff in Digicel’s 31 markets to focus on sales and enhanced service delivery – and ensuring that resources and investments are prioritised to drive competition and innovation.

However, in Guyana, persons were of the opinion that because of the predicted changes, it could be an end to what is now seen as the ‘Holy Grail’ of schools football locally.

“There’s no issue with us continuing the tournament,” Dean had told reporters after

the completion of the seventh edition of the championship, which saw Chase Academy win their second successive title with a 6-2 win over Annai Secondary last year.

July 30 will mark one year since the last tournament was held, and local authorities are reluctant to speak on-record on if schools should start putting systems in place to build a winning roster.

Meanwhile, Dean was adamant, that for the tournament to continue, some fundamental changes will have to be made, especially with the company scaling down in operation, adding, “The staff doesn’t have the time to

run the tournament the way it’s been running for the past seven years, but, I think we just need to change the way we’ve been doing it.”

Asked if special management committee will be put in place, Dean stated, “If you look at the way we’ve been executing the tournament over the years, the staffs are the ones doing everything, going to all the regions; we just don’t have the resources in terms of staff to execute at that level.”

“There’s also a little conflict in terms of maintaining our business and also doing the tournament, so I think regardless of what it is, we want to keep doing

the tournament, but we have to change the way it’s being done,” said Dean, who is responsible for the Guyana, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao markets.

One hundred and fifty schools, drawn from the ten administrative regions of Guyana, participated in the last Digicel Schools Championship, which was won by Chase Academy.

However, the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (Multi), remain the most decorated team in the tournament, winning four titles and playing in the final of every tournament, with the exception of the 2017 edition when they finished fourth.

Digicel hosts CPL youth series camp

By Stephan Sookram TELECOMMUNICATION giant Digicel yesterday hosted a youth cricket

camp for 80 students of the West Demerara Secondary School.

Hosted as part of its CPL Youth series at the George-

town Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda, the event was facilitated by West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and other coaches.

Part of Digicel Guyana youth cricket camp where 80 students of the West Demerara Secondary School took part. The event was facilitated by Devendra Bishoo. (Delano Williams photo)

Bishoo, who is getting ready to take on Bangladesh tomorrow in the first of two one day internationals here, contended that he and the coaches are more than happy to host the initiative.

“As I said, I always enjoy spending time with the kids. It’s always an honour to share my knowledge and turn up to these events because one day, I was like them and I never used to meet many West Indies players so I know the feeling.”

Speaking on behalf of DIGICEL, Guyana’s Corporate Communications Officer, Vidya Sanichara contended that the company is always willing to support youth development “We know that cricket is something that does that, It brings the community and the youths together,

both internationally and regionally and in the community. This is our grassroots way of giving back to the students who are here

today.”

She contended that the event, an annual fixture of the company, is scheduled to continue in the future.

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Brian Lara-117 (Dhaka, 1999) (2) Anamul Haque-120 (Khulna, 2012)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first WI to claim a 5-wicket haul in an ODI against Bangladesh?

(2) Who is the first BANG player to bag a 4-wicket haul in an ODI against the WI?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 22, 2018

Windies, Bangladesh clash in first ODI today at Providence … Both captains upbeat of positive results

By Rajiv Bisnauth IN a battle of the two lowly placed teams in One Day Internationals (ODI) cricket, hosts West Indies and Bangladesh will clash in the first of three ODIs today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Bangladesh are currently No.7 in the ICC’s ODI rankings, while the West Indies lanquish in the 9th spot with 24 ranking points separating the sides.

But after drubbing Bangladesh in the longest format of the game in the just concluded two-Test series, West Indies will now look to extend their dominance.

Captain Jason Holder at a prematch press conference yesterday said keeping the winning momentum would be crucial as they look to clinch another series win against the tourists.

He believed that his team is more than ready to challenge the visitors.

“The mood in the camp is pretty good, obviously we had some time off from the last ODI series but everybody has played some form of cricket of recent, so everybody is ready to go and hopefully we can

start the series well here in Guyana,” the West Indies skipper opined.

While the Caribbean side has been on a rampant run against the tourists, Holder feels execution will be key, since the visitors are a better ODI team.

West Indies last featured in an ODI in March 2018 at the ICC CWC Qualifier in Zimbabwe, where they beat every other team they faced in that tournament, except Afghanistan who got the better of them twice including the final.

Holder feels consistency in this format of the game is a big concern, and as such the improvement in all three departments must be lifted.

On the flipside, the visitors have been outplayed in all three facets of the game and they have not been able to push Caribbean men at all in the Test series. They lost both Tests inside six days combined and not being able to play out even 50 overs clearly reflect the struggles the Bangladeshi batsmen have had.

However, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, whose return is a big boost for the team ahead of the clash, pointed out that his team must put the Test series

The Bangladesh team during their training yesterday

West Indies head coach Stuart Law makes a point to opener Evin Lewis. (Adrian Narine photos) behind and focus on a complete turnaround ahead of the ODI series.

“Basically we were outplayed in the Tests but we have a few new faces come in and join the side, so hopefully we will play good cricket over here. The combination is very good and hopefully we can do well tomorrow (today),” he said.

Mortaza is also wary of West Indies firepower, especially at the top of the order. Windies batting strength resides mainly in Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, who have been one of the world’s most devastating opening pairs in this format.

Shimron Hetmyer had an impressive outing with a knock of 86 in the second Test and if openers fail, he will be their key batsmen in the middle.

“The West Indies top order especially the openers we all know they go heavy and it is very difficult but we have to be positive’ we have to do what we can do and obviously do the right things ... bowl in the right areas, bowling in their weaknesses, and once we could restrict them to 250-260, which I feel could be a good score, we definitely stand a great chance,”

Mortaza revealed.

Today’s match bowls off at 09:30hrs, which marks the return of international cricket to Guyana since April 2017, where the Caribbean side lost the threematch ODI series 1-2 to Pakistan.

The second ODI is scheduled for Wednesday, a day/night affair, the first in Guyana. Bangladesh last toured the Caribbean in August/September in 2014 when the hosts swept the Tests and ODIs before the lone T20 was abandoned due to rain.

West Indies squad reads: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Ashley Nurse and Jason Mohammed.

Bangladesh squad reads: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam, Anamul Haque, Abu Jayed, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Abu Hider Rony.

CAC Games 2018

Britton through to table tennis quarter-finals, Men’s hockey team win

By Michelangelo Jacobus

ACTION continued in the 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games yesterday with Guyana’s National table tennis players in action while the Men’s National hockey team won their first game, against the Dominican Republic.

Guyana’s Shemar Britton advanced to the quarter-final of the Men’s Singles competition with a loss and win to keep his medal hopes alive.

He faced Puerto Rican Brian Afanador and lost the match 3-0. In the first game Afanador defeated Britton 11-6. However, in the next two games Britton

staged a fightback and lost narrowly with scores of 10-12 and 11-9.

In his second match of the day, needing a win to progress, Britton dispatched Honduras’ Jose Urbina 3-0 with games of 11-4, 11-7 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Britton’s fellow Guyanese, Christopher Franklin, also advanced to the quarter-final stage via the same route; a loss and a win.

He lost his opening match to Cuban Andy Pereira but rebounded nicely against El Salvadorian Oscar Villalta to win 3-0 with games of 11-6, 11-8 and 11-4.

The female table tennis

players had a mixed day, with Chelsea Edghill losing one and winning one while Natalie Cummings had two losses with tough encounters against Guatemala’s Hidalyn Zapata.

Meanwhile Trenace Lowe booked her quarter-final spot with two convincing wins over Barbados’ Jazel Griffith and Puerto Rico’s Daniely Rios.

Over on the hockey field, the Guyanese men got into action with a convincing 3-1 win over the Dominican Republic.

Despite controlling possession and creating a couple of goal-scoring chances in the first half, they could not add the finishing touch after Dominica

opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock. Francisco Pena was the man on target for the Dominicans.

The second half though, brought respite as first, the talented Aroydy Branford hit the back of the Dominican net in the 39th minute to get the party started before Marvin Dannett and Jamarj Assanah netted twice in quick succession (49th and 50th minutes) to seal the deal for Guyana.

The table tennis players will be in action again today, with the Doubles competition while the Guyanese men will compete tomorrow in a game against Mexico.

Shemar Britton is through to the quarter-final of the Men’s Singles table tennis competition.

Charlestown girls; Chase boys are Champions

ExxonMobil under-14 football Finals…

see story on page 25

Boys’ Champion team Chase Academy collect their trophy from ExxonMobil’s Deebra Moe (Adrian Narine photo)

Girls’ Champion Charlestown collect their trophy from ExxonMobil’s Deebra Moe

Windies, Bangladesh see page 31

clash in first ODI today at Providence

Jason Holder (left) and Mashrafe Mortaza

… Both captains upbeat of positive results

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SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2018