‘Coalition politics here to stay’ No. 104448
SUNDAY JANUARY 31, 2016
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“…coalition politics and coalition cooperation are here to stay.” Page – President Granger
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First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger presents a smiling Donique Heywood, a student of the Diamond Secondary School, with her brand new bicycle (Ministry of the Presidency photo)
‘Trap’ to fight Zika 3
- Health authorities to roll out ‘In2Care Trap’ for mosquito-borne Zika next week
From 20 mason to lone Thoracic Surgeon
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Dr. Cheetanand Mahadeo
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‘Coalition politics here to stay’
By Alva Solomon
“COALITION politics is here to stay”. Those were the words that resonated among speakers when the Alliance For Change (AFC) officially opened its “Centre for Change” headquarters at Railway Line, Kitty in Georgetown on Saturday evening. The occasion was graced by the presence of many, including President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, members of the Cabinet and members of the diplomatic corps. The event was dedicated to the memory of founding member of the AFC, the late Mrs Sheila Holder, and was addressed by President David Granger and party executives.
President Granger described the event as a transformative one. He mentioned the importance of the parties uniting to form the APNU/ AFC alliance, which won last year’s general elections and ousted the PPP from office after a 23-year rule. He said the parties merged because they were all concerned about the future. “This coalition is about the future; what Guyana would be like in the years to come”, the President noted. This year, the country celebrates its 50th Independence Anniversary, and in reminiscing, the President admitted that lots of mistakes were made, but he noted that “we are not standing still.” He said the country is moving forward because the citizens have developed a
sense of cohesion and solidarity; “a sense of nationhood to combine the energies of their people.” “Guyana is the most bountiful (and) the most beautiful country in the Caribbean,” the Head of State said as he noted the country’s failure to develop its resources. “And to make our people happier has largely been a failure of national unity”, he declared. He described the AFC as being a critical part of the Government, noting that establishment of the coalition is a step towards creating national unity. “That is going to allow us to tap into our resources and move this country further forward faster than we have been able to in the past,” he noted. The Head of State noted
SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
AFC Vice Chairman and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo looks on as the daughter of the late AFC founding member Sheila Holder is assisted by AFC co-founders Raphael Trotman and Khemraj Ramjattan in cutting the ribbon to officially declare open the AFC Headquarters at Railway Line, Kitty
“Within the Coalition, we do not seek to obliterate the view of any component. It is our commitment as a coalition to make sure that the people will always come first above personal interest, even above party interest. We have been able to create a vision for Guyana in which the national interest will prevail.”
– APNU Leader, President David Granger
that the AFC opening its headquarters is a step in concretizing the structure and work of one of the most important elements of the coalition. “As we have said, the AFC is here to stay; but at the same time, coalition politics and coalition cooperation are here to stay,” he asserted, to applause from those seated. The President noted that Guyana is a very complex country, and he said that as one moves through the 10 administrative regions, one would recognize that there are many differences. He said it is mutual respect which brought the coalition parties together, and mutual respect maintains that alliance. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo told those gathered that when the AFC came into fruition
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‘Trap’ to fight Zika
SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
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- Health authorities to roll out ‘In2Care Trap’ for mosquito-borne Zika next week
HEALTH authorities have agreed to up the guard against the Zika virus and will be rolling out the “In2Care Trap” next week. This is according to Head of the Vector Control Unit, Dr. Horace Cox. “We are looking to roll this out next week and will be working with the Health Ministry and other health agencies in a sustainable approach,” Dr Cox noted. Univar, a leading global distributor of chemistry and related products and services, designed the “In2Care Trap” as a new control tool for mosquitoes that transmit the Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Yellow Fever diseases. The Vector Control Unit is intensifying its efforts at combating the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is the carrier of the Zika virus that has been classed as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This virus has, so far, affected only one individual here. More than a dozen samples have been returned as negative from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago. According to a pest control official, the In2Care Trap takes advantage of the mosquito’s life cycle and breeding
habits. Aedes mosquitoes prefer dark, container-like breeding sites and typically lay eggs in not just one, but in multiple sites. The trap is based on the latest scientific knowledge and uses an organic odour lure to attract mosquitoes. It has a floater with bioactive-coated gauze that targets the mosquito in a 1-2 punch. It was explained that the first active element in the trap is Pyriproxyfen (PPF), a WHO-recommended mosquito larvicide that is effective in the water of the trap and kills the pre-adult stage of the mosquito. An added bonus is that PPF can be spread to other breeding sites. The egg-laying mosquito gets contaminated with PPF particles, which adhere to her skin. Because of her behaviour, she flies from one water source to another, spreading a small amount of PPF to breeding sites, which prevents the development of larvae into biting adults. The second active element is a fungus, safe for mammals and humans but toxic to mosquitoes. The fungus spores infect the mosquito upon contact and kill it within a few days. The fungus grows slowly enough within the mosquito to allow the female to continue to spread the PPF to several breeding sites
in the area. Even before the mosquito is killed, the fungus infection makes it very hard for the insect to be able to fly and blood-feed and to transmit disease. In2Care Research & Development Director, Dr. Marit Farenhorst, says; “Our aim was to develop a green solution; a tool not based on the chemicals to which mosquitoes have formed resistance. Our mixture is quite unique and uses the mosquito to kill its own offspring.” The In2Care Mosquito Trap does not need power or CO2, has little to no effect on the environment, and needs to be serviced every 6-8 weeks, using refill sachets with fresh actives and odour lure. The trap is intended to protect households and public places rather than providing personal protection. In2Care received research funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation and the EU FP7 Health initiative. It is the company’s aim to develop green and sustainable products that can contribute to the fight against mosquito-borne diseases. “High-end tourist destinations are not immune”, said the pest-control professional. “This mosquito is difficult to combat, as she lays eggs in just about any small water source, such as flower pots, discarded tyres and empty containers. It is almost impossible to eliminate all the breeding sources.” The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added Guyana and several other Caribbean countries to its travel advisory, asking pregnant women to avoid visiting because of the presence of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 31, 2016
U.S. warship sails near island claimed by China in South China Sea
(Reuters) A U.S. Navy destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of an island claimed by China and two other states in the South China Sea on Saturday to counter efforts to limit freedom of navigation, the Pentagon said. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of world trade is shipped every year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the P h i l i p p i n e s a n d Ta i w a n have rival claims. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said no ships from China’s military were in the vicinity of the guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur when it passed near Triton Island in the Paracel Islands. “This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants - China, Taiwan and Vietnam - to restrict navigation rights and freedoms,” Davis said, reflecting the U.S. position that the crucial sea lane should be treated as international waters. The Navy conducted a similar exercise in October in which the guided-missile destroyer Lassen sailed close to one of China’s manmade islands, drawing a rebuke from Beijing. Davis said the latest operation sought to challenge policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas. He said the United States took no position on competing sovereignty claims to natural-
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur patrols in the Philippine Sea in this August 15, 2013 file photo. ly-formed land features in the South China Sea. “No claimants were notified prior to the transit, which is consistent with our normal
process and international law,” Davis said. The Chinese foreign ministry responded Saturday evening with a statement on its website
condemning the action. “The American warship has violated relevant Chinese laws by entering Chinese territorial waters without prior
permission, and the Chinese side has taken relevant measures including monitoring and admonishments,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement. China’s defense ministry followed up later Saturday night with a far more forceful statement on its website, calling the American action “intentionally provocative and “irresponsible and extremely dangerous.” The ministry also said that Chinese navy vessels had immediately taken responsive action, conducted identification checks and promptly gave warnings for the ship to keep its distance. “Regardless of whatever provocative steps the American side takes, China’s military will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security,” the ministry statement concluded. The operation followed calls in Congress for the Obama
administration to follow up on the October operation. This month, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee criticized Obama for delaying further freedom of navigation patrols. Senator John McCain said that allowed China to continue to pursue its territorial ambitions in the region, including by landing a plane on a manmade island in the Spratly Islands archipelago. In a statement on Saturday, McCain said he was “encouraged” by the news. “I continue to hope these operations will become so routine that China and other claimants will come to accept them as normal occurrences and releasing press statements to praise them will no longer be necessary,” he said. McCain added that the operation challenged the “excessive maritime claims that restrict the rights and freedoms of the United States.”
Almost 40 dead after migrant boat sinks off Turkey (Reuters) Almost 40 people drowned and 75 were rescued after a boat carrying migrants to Greece sank off Turkey’s western coast on Saturday, according to local officials and the Turkish Dogan news agency. More than one million refugees and migrants arrived in the European Union last year and some 3,600 died or
went missing, forcing the EU to mull suspending its Schengen open-borders area for up to two years. The Turkish coast guard was continuing search and rescue efforts where the 17-metre boat carrying at least 120 people sank off the coast of Ayvacik, a town across from the Greek island of Lesvos, the Dogan news agency reported.
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“I am afraid the numbers will rise as divers continue the search,” Mehmet Unal Sahin, the mayor of Ayvacik, told the CNNTurk news channel by phone. “Local people woke up to the sound of screaming migrants and we have been carrying out rescue work since dawn. We have an 80-kilometre-long coast just across from Lesbos, which
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is very hard to keep under control.” At least five of those who died were children, Dogan reported, while rescued migrants were hospitalized with hypothermia symptoms. It said the migrants were of Syrian, Afghan and Myanmar origin. GREEK CENTRES Chancellor Angela Merkel, who opened Germany’s borders to Syrians fleeing civil war last summer, is under mounting pressure to halt the inflow. Merkel told a meeting of members of her Christian Democratic Union par-
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ty on Saturday that despite efforts to help refugees, it was important to stress that they had only been given permission for a limited stay. “We need ...to say to people that this is a temporary residential status and we expect that once there is peace in Syria again, once IS has been defeated in Iraq, that you go back to your home country.” Around 500,000 refugees from the five-year-old war in Syria traveled through Turkey and then risked their lives at sea to reach Greek islands in 2015. Under pressure from the European Commission about delays, Greece expects to have four of five “hot spot” centers for processing migrants operational in about two weeks, its migration minister said in a newspaper interview published on Saturday.
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Did Brazil, global health agencies fumble Zika response? (Reuters) Last January, long lines formed outside health clinics in Recife, a city in Brazil’s northeast, hit hard in recent years by outbreaks of dengue, a painful tropical disease. Doctors were on guard because federal health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned 2015 would be a bad year for dengue and possibly another viral disease, chikungunya, both spread by the same type of mosquito. But the symptoms of the hundreds of people seeking treatment did not fit dengue. Instead of high fevers and intense muscular aches that dengue is known to cause, patients were running only slight temperatures and complaining of joint pain. Many had rashes sooner than with dengue and chikungunya. “We knew this was something else,” says Carlos Brito, a doctor from Recife who told state and federal health authorities in January-February last year that they were wrong to classify all the cases as dengue. “But the authorities were slow to believe,” he said. Kleber Luz, a physician in Natal, a city 300 km up the Atlantic coast, says he gave similar feedback but got the same response. The two - who were part of a group of doctors discussing the odd symptoms in text messages - grew frustrated with the authorities’ narrow focus. They asked the federal health ministry to broaden its search beyond viruses known in the area. It took until early May for the health ministry to recognize that the Zika virus had arrived in Brazil and to alert the WHO’s regional arm, the Washington-based Pan American Health Organization. And it wasn’t until November that a Rio de Janeiro laboratory made a link between the virus and microcephaly, which can lead to abnormally small brains in developing babies. The WHO has been lambasted in the past couple of years by scientists, aid organizations, and public health experts for the slow way in which it initially reacted to the Ebola epidemic as it spread across West Africa in 2014. And so far, the hesitant response to the Zika outbreak, which has created the worst global health scare since Ebola, says much about the difficulties that the WHO and other health authorities face in combating unexpected public health threats. EXPLODING ACROSS THE REGION On Dec. 1, the WHO cited the lab evidence linking Zika to microcephaly in an advisory to its member countries. It will consider on Monday whether to declare an international emergency. The WHO said in Geneva on Thursday that Zika in the last few months has spread “explosively” to more than 20 other countries in the Americas and could infect as many as 4
million people. Whether the health authorities in Brazil and the leadership at the WHO have taken too long to get to this point is a subject of debate within the international health community. The Brazilian government says its response when it was first alerted by the doctors about the unusual symptoms they were seeing was driven by the evidence.
cephaly was made, and should have declared an emergency as soon as that was determined. “My chief criticism is of WHO in Geneva. After being widely condemned for acting late on Ebola, it is now sitting back with Zika,” said Lawrence O. Gostin, a professor of public health law at Georgetown University, who has worked with the WHO and written extensive-
toms, and across the Americas, hospitals do not have the clinical testing materials to quickly and definitively determine whether a patient is infected. “I THINK IT’S ZIKA” Luz, the Natal doctor, may have been the first person to make a link between the symptoms his patients had shown and Zika. After poring over scientific
Sueli Maria (obscured) holds her seven-day-old daughter Milena, who has microcephaly, at a hospital in Recife, Brazil, January 28, 2016. (REUTERS/UESLEI MARCELINO) “It was too early,” said Claudio Maierovitch, director of the health ministry’s Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance. “There are so many other viral possibilities and Zika had never been seen in this hemisphere.” And he said that when Zika was identified, the authorities’ response was based on knowledge of the disease. Previous outbreaks of Zika, a virus first identified in 1947 in Uganda, had occurred in small and scattered rural populations in Africa and Southeast Asia and the symptoms were relatively benign. “We based our response on the scientific knowledge available, that Zika caused a mild illness without major complications,” said Maierovitch. “But as soon as we saw that there was an association with microcephaly, we reacted in record time.” Critics say that the WHO has been slow to act after the link between Zika and micro-
ly about pandemics and policy. WHO officials say the agency’s response to Zika is driven by science, and they point out that much remains unclear, including the precise nature of any link between Zika and microcephaly. “In any unfolding crisis you’re dealing with a lot of uncertainty,” Bruce Aylward, the WHO’s assistant director-general, told reporters on Thursday. Since October, 4,180 cases of microcephaly have been reported in Brazil but only 270 have so far been confirmed, with just six so far linked by the government to Zika. Of the rest, 3,448 are still being investigated through a long process involving clinical research, laboratory testing and monitoring of the infants’ development, and 462 were dismissed as not being microcephaly. Following the spread of the disease is difficult. Many of those who get Zika can recover quickly from only mild symp-
literature about a 2013 outbreak in French Polynesia, Luz in early March sent a text to a WhatsApp group for doctors, declaring: “I think it’s Zika.” He compared the symptoms he had seen with those reported in that outbreak. Soon, several doctors in the same region began collecting blood samples from patients and sent them to various laboratories for analysis. On April 30, a laboratory at the Federal University of Bahia, also in Brazil’s northeast, said it had identified the presence of Zika in samples from one patient. The health ministry alerted state governments. On May 2, it notified PAHO. The notification put a Zika outbreak on record at the WHO. On May 7, PAHO issued an
“epidemiological alert” saying “public health authorities of Brazil are investigating a possible transmission of the Zika virus.” But concern remained limited mostly to the contagiousness of Zika, rather than whether it could be a serious threat. In its alert, PAHO wrote: “Complications (neurological, autoimmune) are rare.” ‘REAL ANGUISH’ In late May, Brito received a call from a Recife neurologist who noticed a surge of new patients with symptoms of Guillain-Barré, a little-understood autoimmune syndrome that can weaken the muscles and cause paralysis. Brito interviewed the patients, many of whom said they had previously suffered a light fever, joint pain and rashes. He collected blood samples and by June a laboratory had used genetic testing to find traces of the Zika virus. “It was real anguish,” Brito said of the patient’s suffering and the wait for official confirmation of Zika’s presence. But despite the results, there was no proof to show that it was Zika causing the syndrome. Neither the Brazilian health ministry nor PAHO heightened warnings. By September, the chat groups among doctors were abuzz over a spike in the number of babies born with microcephaly. Many mothers of affected babies recalled having Zika-type symptoms. In October, Adriana Melo, an obstetrician in the nearby state of Paraiba, noticed troubling signs in sonograms of a
34-year-old expectant mother. There were calcium deposits in the developing baby’s brain, a possible sign of viral infection. The cerebellum, the part of the brain crucial for motor control, was shrinking. Melo phoned the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a public health institute in Rio de Janeiro, and got a lab there to test the patient’s amniotic fluid. By then, the number of babies born with microcephaly was surging. The health ministry, now more alarmed, declared a national emergency on Nov. 11 and in public comments mentioned that there were possible ties between the condition and Zika. The WHO was not yet ready to draw the same parallels. On November 17, the Rio lab said it had found the virus in the amniotic fluid. On Nov. 28, after lab tests from another baby, Brazil’s government confirmed the link between the virus and microcephaly. Starting Nov. 30, WHO deployed a small team of researchers from PAHO’s Washington headquarters to Brazil. On December 1, PAHO issued a new advisory, warning countries in the region of the link between the virus and microcephaly. Two months later, the WHO is considering whether to declare an international emergency. “You have to gather the data,” says Marcos Espinal, director of the department of communicable diseases at PAHO, dismissing criticism that the regional body or headquarters could have moved any sooner.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 31, 2016
Nigel Williams
Follow the lead of your President
wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com
Dear Editor,
Editor-In-Chief
Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com
Editorial
Reflections on our condition
IN THE coming days, Parliament would debate the 2016 budget, which was on Friday presented to the National Assembly by the Hon Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. We will hear more about how much we intend to spend on our various sectors. Government would make its case, and the Opposition would try to dismantle that case. We will hear a lot of numbers and money-talk. There will be blames and counter-blames as the politicians have their say. But what we are not likely to hear much about is the overall condition of our country. Yet, as we talk about the budget, it is perhaps a good time for us to reflect on the socio-economic condition of our country. Since Independence, Guyana -- like most post-colonial societies -- has had to grapple with the realities of a world that was not created for us. The Washington Consensus, or the New World Order, which was crafted by the superpowers at the end of the Second World War, did not cater for the countries which would emerge after its launch. Emerging from the bowels of colonialism, replete with its sole emphasis on exploitation of labour and natural resources for the expansion of wealth for the colonizer, countries like Guyana have been consistently fighting to move beyond the crippling legacy of plantationhood. Saddled with monocultural economies that are geared towards producing for others, the challenge has been how to simultaneously survive and develop in a world that has militated against self-determination. The initial attempts at economic and political independence, which were grounded in a desire to improve the condition of the masses of people, were quickly smashed by a global economic model that disliked such initiatives. So, fifty years after gaining Independence, we still contend with many of the ills we faced at the beginning. Poverty among the majority of our citizens is still as rife today as it was in May 1966. And this has remained the biggest obstacle to genuine development. The gains in the area of education obtained in the first decades of Independence have been compromised by our failure to rise above the state of dependency we inherited. From the 1980s to this present time, we have been fed a diet of marketization that has structurally adjusted us backwards. Much effort and resources have been expended on trying to attract invest-
IN examining the performance of the Granger/Nagamootoo government, one gets the clear impression that President Granger pronounces on the concepts and areas the administration will embrace, and in so doing, leaves to the ministers the task of developing and implementing the programmes and activities to realise the objectives. It is noted that since this administration came to office it has been lurching from one crisis to another, with each becoming another ulcer. It is important to note that while some ministers may make a genuine effort to correct their mistakes, some are prepared to stay in the mode of violating laws and time-honoured principles and trampling on citizens’/ workers’ rights. The president has echoed words to the effect that the citizens must be treated with respect and the laws must be respected. The most recent of such statements attended to the police shooting of citizens, where in effect he said that those who are accused of criminal activities must be brought in alive and placed before the courts. In fact, this supports the position that people are important and must be treated in accor-
dance with established laws, time-honoured principles, conventions and charters. One can have very good ideas, develop a programme and a plan of action, but it can never be implemented without the people and the people’s involvement, and this has to be done within the confines of the afore-mentioned tenets. This brings us to the point of two major pronouncements made by the administration within the last week that impacted on organised and un-organised labour. The ministers involved are Keith Scott who told this nation, including the Guyana Trades Union Congress via the media that he wants one May Day Rally, while Winston Jordan in his budget presentation announced that the government will address wages and salary through the process of collective bargaining. When Guyana attained independence in 1966, the Burnham administration in the said year ratified two International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions:-Conventions No. 87 and No. 98. Convention No. 87 addresses freedom of association and speaks of non-interference of the government into the internal affairs of the workers’ and employers’ organisations. Convention No. 98
ments, particularly foreign investments. The hope and promise are that such investments would generate the necessary wealth needed to extricate our country out of post-plantationhood into the age of modernization and development. Yet, here we are in 2016, still dependent on a shrinking economic base that looks the same as it did five decades ago. Sugar, for example, which enslaved and colonized us, is still sucking the energy out of our economic being, and causing us to go after each other as if we were historical enemies. The promised investments have generally not materialized; and when they did, they came at a price that we could not sustain. In the final analysis, we have not invested in our people in any real and meaningful way. Our first question continues to be this: How will this or that initiative benefit capital? We have convinced ourselves that there is some magic in capital and the market. Meanwhile, the condition of the poor and powerless deteriorates at an alarming rate. Unemployment robs our people of dignity and livelihoods. Poverty spawns a culture of despair and need. The doom varies, but the story of helplessness cuts across communities and ethnicities.
addresses the right to collective bargaining. The Guyana Constitution enshrines these conventions in Article 147, which falls under the section identified as, “Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.” One would expect in respect for this historical move by the Government of Guyana, the current ministers would have taken time to understand not only their content but also their spirit and intent. Scott,who has responsibility for Labour,is on record as saying that he is no stranger to trade unionism, a claim the trade union community has no knowledge of. This notwithstanding, what is more of concern is this minister’s position to openly breach conventions, the constitution, time-honoured principles and practices in furtherance of an agenda to seek to direct the business of the trade union community. This will not be countenanced. Conversely, Jordan, while making the pronouncement on wages and salaries in the 2015 Budget, in 2016 he moved to correct this violation by announcing the government will respect collective bargaining and meet with the unions shortly to engage in this process. A country where laws are not respected will see disunity, mayhem and de-
struction. It is for this reason that the President and Ministers of Government are encouraged to operate within the confines of the law, and seek advice as they move to implement every element of their programme. Setting this tone for the society augurs well for national unity and social cohesion. As such, there must be strident efforts to cease operating on gut-feelings or ego. It is understandable mistakes can be made. What must not be understandable are mistakes that are made because no time was taken to understand and respect the parameters guiding actions or the refusal to correct same. Workers and citizens are called upon to hold the feet of leadership of trade unions and government to the fire, in making sure clear modalities are put in place for the commencement of negotiations; and to see to it that government upholds its role in Labour to ensure a stable industrial environment, which is only possible with respecting citizens’/workers’ rights and the rule of law. There are enough grievances affecting various groups of workers and Minister Scott is well advised to focus his attention there, consistent with the stated tenets. LINCOLN LEWIS.
Our own deliberate and not so deliberate preoccupation with political domination and revenge has helped to multiply the woes referred to here. From the self-inflicted wounds of the 1950s and 1960s to the journey into political gangsterism of recent decades, we seem incapable of divorcing ourselves from the futility of small-minded politics. Nothing seems to deter us from the path of destruction. Even as the poor weep and wail for a cessation, the captains of the ship of state take us nearer to the edge of no return. So, where do we go? We have a new set of captains in charge. We muster the energy to dream again of a new day one last time. Can we change course? The harsh global reality is still in place. Globalization, or what Professor Rex Nettleford referred to as “a new name for an old obscenity”, is alive and waiting; nothing changes. Can we resist enough to carve out a little space for our Independence? Surely we cannot continue to live forever on the margins. If we are to conquer the scourge of collective social death in the form of mental illness, bloated crime and violence, and undereducation, then we have to find another path.
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Guyanese in Queens sets himself alight
(New York Daily News) A Queens man died after setting himself on fire in front of his apartment house Friday night, authorities said. Firefighters found the victim, identified by family as Sunildatt Seudatt, already dead on the concrete yard outside 172-41 90th Ave. in Jamaica at around 9 p.m. Neighbors told family members that they tried pouring water on Seudatt, but it was too late. Relatives were at a loss as to why Seudatt, described as part of a large family of Guyanese immigrants, would kill himself so violently. One relative, who declined to give his name, said Seudatt had been depressed. He said that a daughter of Seudatt and two young grandchildren also lived in the three-story building. “I saw the fire trucks earlier. You would never think that this would be why,” said Firefighters found the victim, identified by family as Sunildatt Seudatt, already dead outside his apartment house (New York Daily Post photo) Rebekah Singh, 40, Seudatt’s niece.
Addressing corporal punishment Dear Editor,
THE subject of corporal punishment is proving to be controversial in Guyana, for several reasons. One is that the definition of corporal punishment is different for each individual, for example, some would call it child abuse and others would say it’s a necessary practice in order to teach discipline to schoolchildren. However, history can teach us so much if we could just allow our minds to stay open for a moment and critically look at what once was, and maybe it would shed some light on this debate of whether to abolish corporal punishment from schools in Guyana or not. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, power-driven machines replaced hand labour for making mainly manufactured items. Factories began to spring up all over the place, first in England and then in the United States. The factory owners established a new source of labour to run their machines, and that was children. Operating the power-driven machines did not require adult strength, and children could be hired a lot cheaper than adults, and posed no threat of forming or being a part of unions. Children had always worked, particularly in farming, but, factory work was extremely laborious. In those days, a child with a factory post might work 12 to 18 hours a day, six days a week, to earn a dollar. Many children began working before the age of seven, tending
machines in spinning mills or hauling heavy loads. The factories were often clammy, gloomy, and dirty. A quantity of children worked in the dark claustrophobic underground coal mines. The working children had no time to play or to go to school, and practically no time to rest. These harsh conditions often caused them to become sick, and with little or no medical attention, a lot of them died. By the year 1810, over 2 million school-aged children were labouring away at 50- to 70-hour weeks. The majority came from very underprivileged families, and when the parents then could not support their children any longer, they every so often turned them over to a mill or factory owner. A prominent glass factory in Massachusetts was fenced with barbed wire to contain the boys and prevent them from trying to escape, and might I add that these were boys under 12, who carried loads of hot glass all night for a wage of 40 cents to $1.10 per night. After decades of advocacy from church groups, and spirited activism from conscientious people who somehow innately understood that what was happening to these children was wrong, managed to force Great Britain to pass laws regulating child labour. Now, would we as a people advocate in favour of our government to allow corporations to use child labour once again, because it can help to boost our economy? I believe we as Guyanese should examine the realities of the consequences that come from not properly
caring for our children in a manner that is conducive to free thinking and the type of environment that would enable unhindered learning. The debate on corporal punishment in Guyana is generally blurred around whether corporal punishment is discipline and/or abuse. Hitting a child with an open hand on the buttocks or extremities with intent to discipline without leaving a bruise or causing physical harm can be considered spanking. Physical abuse usually is defined to encompass corporal punishment that is harsh and excessive, involves the use of objects (e.g., belts, wooden whips, and paddles), is directed to parts of the body other than the extremities, and causes or has the potential to cause physical harm. According to the child abuse statistics, it should be difficult for anyone who would like the best for any child to support corporal punishment as a means of teaching discipline to schoolchildren. Eighty percent of prisoners in the United States were abused as children or raised in abusive homes. The more children are beaten in any form, the more anger they report as adults, the more they are to use beating on their own children, the more likely they are to approve of beating or hitting a spouse or partner, and the more marital conflict they experience as adults. Children who are beaten frequently at age three are more likely to be aggressive when they’re five, even when you account for probable perplexing fac-
tors. Signs of aggression include behaviours such as arguing or screaming; cruelty, bullying or meanness to others; destroying things; fighting and frequently with classmates or friends; threatening people. The evidence would show that even minor forms of corporal punishment increase the risk for a child aggressive behaviour. Actions causing pain such as beating a child can acquire a positive value rather than the intended aversive value. Children who are expecting pain may actually search for it through escalating misbehaviours. Corporal punishment is no more effective as a long-term strategy than other approaches, and the reliance on corporal punishment as a disciplinary approach makes other disciplinary strategies less effective to use over time. I am positive that if there were more research done or available in Guyana on corporal punishment and its long-term effects on children, the findings might be unsettling for most to digest. His Excellency President David Granger stated, “Look for the causes to meaningfully address domestic violence.” Those were the words of President Granger as he addressed the people attending a workshop held at the Marriott Hotel to tackle domestic violence in Guyana. An overwhelming body of research now shows that even mild and moderate corporal punishment has harmful side effects. Documented negative effects of corporal punishment that reach into adulthood include
mental health issues, criminal behaviours and aggression. Given that children learn relationship skills and social behaviours in the home and mostly at school, it is not surprising that those who witness or experience corporal punishment are more likely to perpetuate those patterns in adulthood. In fact, some research has found a direct correlation between the level of abuse experienced by mothers and the beliefs of primary school children about the intrinsic dominance of men in society. Research also suggests that, by adolescence, children who have experienced corporal punishment or witnessed often acts of aggravated physical outburst from figures of authority often have trouble trusting others and forming healthy, intimate relationships. This leads young people to question whether they would be able to have control over their aggression and become non-aggressive spouses, friends, or peers. Violent forms of physical domestic abuse of all kinds happen daily in Guyana, and thousands of people have died and even more are suffering from the psychological scars which live on for generations. Yet we are still debating if the use of force and aggression in our schools should be maintained and upheld. A growing public concern and strong research evidence supporting the negative impacts of corporal punishment to children has led 35 countries to ban corporal punishment in the past 30 years. People are not saying
that teaching is uncomplicated, yet as teachers, parents and caregivers, it is incumbent on you to guide our children’s behaviour towards being the best human beings they can be. This brings me to highlighting some important characteristics of a positive environment, where an alternative approach towards discipline can be developed. Teachers could start inculcating strategies to: * as an interim measure, identify and use non-violent disciplinary measures such as detention * collaborate with all stakeholders to find longterm solutions that develop our children’s own self-discipline; * build mutually respectful relationships between teacher and child; * frequently promote non-violence and respect for children as learners; * involve at all times clear communication of teachers expectations, rules and boundaries; * work on increasing children’s competence and confidence to handle challenging situations; * impress on children the importance of courtesy, non-violence, empathy, self-respect, human rights and respect for others. ABDEL FUDADIN
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
50 bicycles donated to Timehri North and Diamond/Grove students -as Three Bs + Breakfast and Books programme continues to gather momentum
ANOTHER 50 students are now the proud owners of bicycles, presented to them today, under President David Granger’s “Boats, Buses and Bicycles” programme, in keeping with his policy to ensure that every Guyanese child has access to education. Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, presented the bicycles to the latest batch of beneficiaries, who were drawn from the Timehri North area and Diamond/Grove, East Bank Demerara. Twenty–five bicycles were distributed at each of the two locations. The bicycles distributed today were donated to the programme by Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited. At the first presentation ceremony, held at the Timehri Prisons’ Sports Club, a large group of persons, including the recipients and their parents, warmly greeted Minister Ally and the First Lady upon their arrival. The minister, who spoke at both ceremonies, recalled the genesis of the Three Bs programme and the President’s mission to see every child in school. “Our President has a passion for education. He wants every child in school. He wants an educated nation. He wants everyone to have a good life and we are doing our utmost to ensure that the children of this nation get access to education,” Minister Ally said. Speaking of the additions of breakfast and books to the programme, which will be done in the coming weeks, she said this course of action is being taken to lessen the factors that keep children out of school. ERADICATING INEQUITIES Minister Ally also informed the gathering that bridging inequalities is a priority issue on the Government’s agenda, and that the President intends, through this programme, to ultimately give every school-age child an opportunity to obtain a sound nursery, primary and secondary education. “In many instances, it is not a case where our children don’t want to go to school, but because of poverty, and in many cases … [other] inequalities, [parents are hardpressed to send them]. The tide has changed… we will ensure that… we will reduce
poverty and inequalities and take Guyana to another level. We established the Ministry of Social Cohesion, and we have on our agenda, to bridge the gaps between the rich and the poor and [provide] a good life [for all],” she said. The minister then urged the recipients to make the best use of the bicycles, even as she cautioned them to obey the rules of the road at all times. “I want you to care them (the bicycles); I want you to be safe on them. Have you ever seen a bicycle in the hospital, or a car? I am asking you to ride carefully at all times. Do not ride across the road to stop traffic,” she said. The minister further announced that today’s exercise is the beginning of more to come and entreated the gathering to be patient. “This is just a start…take your time, it is coming gradually. I am sure that you are begging to reach a stage where you will be proud of this new Government,” she said.
Minister Ally made a similar commitment at Diamond, even as she acknowledged that the area is rapidly expanding and the population is growing. After being serenaded by a medley of National Songs by the Diamond Secondary School’s Choir, Minister Ally commended the students and informed them that the Government is committed to supporting these types of activities within the education system. Reference was made to the recent allocation in the 2016 national budget for the enhancement of music on the school curriculum. Against this backdrop, a general call was made for teachers to work with students to keep the symbols of nationhood alive in the school system. “In many of our schools, and along our commutes, we are not hearing our national songs. We were not seeing the respect given for our national symbols, but we must recognise our country’s inde-
pendence. We must recognise our national symbols and sing our songs; our Government has made provisions for music education and appreciation, among other things, in the education sector,” Minister Ally said. Meanwhile, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, said she was pleased to support the Ministry of Social Cohesion in executing the Three Bs programme. She noted that the response to the initiative, both locally and from within the diaspora, is even more commendable. Mrs. Granger asserted that the public support so far is a result of people being pleased to see the Government in action, particularly through this venture. “When we get the bicycles, the buses and the boats, they don’t sit in somebody’s yard. As soon as we get them we make sure they go to the people they’re intended for,” Mrs. Granger said. The First Lady then ap-
pealed to the students to practise caution on the roadways. “I hope you will ride… safely and carefully…and use the bicycles as one of the means of securing a better education,” she said. Mrs. Granger then encouraged the students to see the bicycles as a tool that will help them to garner an education and secure upward mobility for themselves and families. “We all know that an educated nation is a nation that develops. An educated nation is a nation that is tolerant of everyone. An educated nation is a nation that will always be moving forward and that will be developing for the good of every citizen of Guyana,” she said. The Boats, Buses and Bicycles programme was launched when President Granger, during his 70th birthday celebrations in July 2015, made a call for assistance in getting children to school safely. Since then, there has been a tremendous
national response with donations of boats, two 30-seater buses and numerous bicycles, which have all been distributed to Guyana’s most vulnerable students. Mr Ernie Ross, Guyana’s Consul-General to Trinidad and Tobago, has thrown his weight behind the programme and, through the “Rethink Initiative-Kind Soles” project, administered by the Office of the First Lady, donated several pairs of shoes, which have been distributed to children in need in the hinterland areas. The project aims to provide 30,000 children with school shoes. In addition, last weekend, during the commissioning ceremony for a school boat donated to the children of Region 10, via the Three Bs programme, President Granger announced that breakfast and books will be added to the programme, all aimed at lessening the challenges that keep children out of school. (Ministry of the Presidency)
First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger (centre) and Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally (second from right) pose for a photograph with some of the recipients and their parents at the Timehri Prisons Sports Club.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
‘Coalition politics ...
From page 2
in 2005, he was asked whether he would be joining the movement. He then described his interaction with Holder, and said that in 2006 he was pressed further to determine his political standing. At the time, he noted, he publicly welcomed the AFC, and he pointed to that party being a possible body he would later move to. He said that being a person of loyal commitments, he felt that to stay within the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) could be in the interest of the people. He described the AFC as the new force he moved on to, noting that now being part of the Government, he believes the party will play an important role in the future of Guyana’s politics. “And that is why the word alliance means something special in the AF – that (means) it is prepared to join forces with all patriotic, all progressive sections of society; all individuals who want to come on board only in the interest of the country,” Nagamootoo asserted. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the AFC, in a spirited address, spoke to the coalition following
“We have made mistakes that we must be held accountable for, but it has been wonderful; since we have formed this movement, we have said we want national unity, we want justice, we want equality, we want to make Guyana number one in the Caribbean, and we will make it through this coalition politics, through the partnership that we have with the APNU.” – Khemraj Ramjattan, AFC Leader
general elections. “We have made mistakes that we must be held accountable for, but it has been wonderful; since we have formed this movement, we have said we want national unity, we want justice, we want equality, we want to make Guyana number one in the Caribbean, and we will make it through this Coalition politics, through the partnership that we have with the APNU,” he said. Ramjattan noted that the AFC’s formation came after “finding our parent parties not being up to the standard that we felt they ought to (be)”. He said the same was felt by Holder, and now Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman. He said that being brash and daring, he found that it was time to call into question and inquire especially the leadership of his then party, the PPP. “It had to do with demanding an
inquiry into allegations of misconduct by certain ministers,” he noted. He said that, as young leaders of the AFC, the trio managed to capture an audience, and he singled out the press as being delighted “with what we were doing”. He said the press gave the party lots of publicity and the party then rose in appeal, including to persons overseas. “But around us started this team,” he said, as he singled out many others who joined in supporting the party. He noted that it is circumstances which generally create the product such as a political party. “Hard work, honest work,” he said. “We also managed to see more and more people come on board,” he noted as he recounted the party’s advance in numbers and seats in parliament. “It’s a nice story that will have to be written about when it came to the 2015 elections and all of that,” Ramjattan said. “I feel blessed as being part of three co-founders to walk this walk and to see Guyana where it is today,” he noted, as he thanked his wife Seeta for standing by his side throughout his political life. Those seated gave him a solid round of applause. Ramjattan called for national unity and justice to prevail in the years ahead, as he cited the headquarters of the AFC as being a “symbol of strength and solidity”. Trotman, in brief remarks, noted that in 2004 he read that Ramjattan had been expelled from the PPP. He added that the two had been meeting on the corridors of the law courts and discussing what has been happening nationally in the field of politics. He said that when Ramjattan was expelled from the PPP, “I thought that it was a grand event,” adding that he subsequently wrote an article which included the line: “new vistas will open from this day”. Trotman said that in October 2005, when the AFC was launched, it was then a movement, and it was a movement which entered the 2015 elections as a full-fledged party. He then outlined steps which would transform a movement into a political party, and he described the hard work which he and others undertook to build the party’s image. Minister of Tourism and Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, spoke to the legacy of the late Holder. She described the event as a celebration of the AFC, and she noted that the event was one in which a message was sent to all Guyana that the party is continuing its commitment to change Guyana’s landscape. While reflecting on Mrs Holder, she said that the former Member of Parliament founded and nurtured her baby, the AFC, with her two good friends in Ramjattan and Trotman. Hughes said that in many of her conversations with Holder in the early days of the AFC, she recalled how Holder struggled with being a politician in Guyana and dealing with the Government of the day. “Sheila was a fierce fighter for equality, justice and the promotion of what is right”, Hughes said. She added that Holder worked tirelessly while spreading the message of change and the dream of a new day in Guyana.
President David Granger addresses the gathering as Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other members of Cabinet look on
BUDGET AFTERMATH
THE Budget is still on everyone’s minds, and this is reflected in many a conversation on social media. Among the most popular topics were all things vehicle-related, including the restriction on importation of vehicles more than 8 years old; the reduction of fuel; and the restriction on importation of used tyres. If you ask me, this seems like good news, but not all are happy about it, with some actually going so far as to say these changes will “only benefit the rich”. But think about it folks, it all balances out: with these restrictions also come the reduction of taxes on these things, so as to allow the “common man” access to what they believe only the “rich man” can have. It sounds more like they’re actually trying to place the “good life” within reach, as promised. Now, on pen and paper, it seems feasible, and of course we’ll have to wait until after the May 1 cut off to see how these things will translate; but for now, I suggest we actually trust that these good intentions will indeed give us the good life. #teambencshop Soars Could it be that #teambenschop actually has a fighting chance at the upcoming Local Government Elections? More and more, supporters have been flocking to Mark’s side as he prepares for the big day. In fact, what’s trending is one of his videos -- it has racked up more than 12,000 views -- featuring his team, with Mark pledging his readiness to “take over City Hall and manage the city”. I’m not surprised he’s getting all this attention; few can miss that orange, after all. But in all fairness, his PR team is on point, because he seems to be overshadowing the other contenders, who have little or no social media presence in comparison. That’s their first mistake, as we saw what social media did for the General Elections. LGE parties should be a bit sharper as the big day draws near, but they still have some time. Let’s see how this unfolds.
Three held in staged Harlem robbery
THE police are investigating an on-going case where a porter and a driver for a confectionery company at Harlem, West Coast Demerara, tried to rob their employer of $1.2M by staging a robbery last Thursday. According to a police report, at about 18:40hrs on the day in question, ranks responded to a report of an alleged armed robbery that was committed on the driver and porter of the said company . The two suspects had told officers that they were travelling in their canter truck, when they were forced off the road by a motor car. The men alleged that two armed men exited the car held them up and at gunpoint took away $1.2M, a laptop computer and their two cellphones but before the bandits went away, they locked the driver and his porter inside the rear of the canter truck. The two men were later rescued by passersby who heard them knocking on the walls of the vehicle. However, upon questioning by the police, the two “victims” admitted that they had staged the robbery with the involvement of three other men who were given the money and cellphones after pretending to be carrying out the robbery. One of the alleged “bandits” was subsequently arrested, and a part of the stolen cash and the two cell- phones were recovered. The laptop computer was also recovered in the vicinity of the staged robbery,” the police said. Meanwhile, three men are in police custody assisting with the investigation.
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HINDS’SIGHT
Dr David Hinds
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
Shivnarine Chanderpaul - When others faltered, he never surrendered
HIVNARINE Chanderpaul has finally called it linkage to the great West Indian tradition. Having wrested a day; he has retired from international cricket. the initiative from the former masters, the West Indian could At age 41 going on 42, he is well past the normal not afford to meekly capitulate the next day—the gain must retirement age for contemporary cricketers. That he is be defended at all cost. For Chanderpaul, therefore, that now retiring has a lot to do with his durability and his hunger to play cricket. Some have characterised this as selfishness on his part and have been calling for his exit for quite a while. The truth is that the older Chanderpaul got the better he performed and the worse the team around him played. So what is Chanderpaul’s legacy to the game he played with much distinction? How will he be remembered? At a broader level, his career coincided with the decline of West Indies fortunes. That cannot be overlooked for cricket is ultimately a team sport. But he is not alone in this regard; he is a contemporary of the great Brian Lara. Should the inability of the team to benefit from the great contributions of these players as far as victories go, be held against SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL them? Maybe there is something to be teased out there, but ultimately a player’s performance cannot be denied. In many regards, Chanderpaul does not fit easily into the style-sheet of the great West Indian player. As hard-fought independence must be protected at all cost. a batsman he was not charismatic; he was not the most flam- That is the great significance of his long stays at the crease, boyant at the crease, not brutal in his strokeplay or pleasing grinding it out, never surrendering without a long fight down to the purists’ eye. Instead, he was the patient accumulator to the very end. of runs who challenged the opposition to work overtime to Coming from the very poor section of the society, he get his wicket. His resistance was not in his booming drives brought to cricket the value of the convergence of strugand intimidating hook shots, but in his precise placement of gle and survival—that’s what the poor do every day. the ball into the gaps, all the time frustrating the opposition Chanderpaul was the master of that on the cricket field; to the point of surrender. His was a war of attrition. that’s why he thrived in the midst of disaster. Unlike Chanderpaul valued his wicket in an era when most West many around him, he was aware of the place of cricket Indian batsmen could not defend theirs, because they did not in his social relevance. Keep your eye on the ball—never understand its larger social and political value. This is his lose sight of the ultimate objective of overcoming the
trap they have set for you. Defend your wicket, Shiv, because if you do they can never again question the humanity of the social space from which you come. In defending that wicket, Chanderpaul was defending Unity, Guyana, West Indies and the Downpressed. That’s why we all cherished him—the Tiger, our gentle authentic Tiger. Chanderpaul was the ultimate nationalist. While others left their posts in search of cricket’s Eldorado, he remained loyal to his nation; his Eldorado was to be found in defence of his nation. He represented the West Indies even when the going was tough, when the ship was sinking. That is the true meaning of a committed nationalist. Even when the bosses felt it was time for him to go, he still pleaded for one more day at the office. That legacy will one day be properly appreciated, hopefully not a long way away, Shivnarine Chanderpaul is Guyana’s special gift to the West Indies and the world. Many know of Guyana because of his persistent presence in the service of our collective search for the recovery of dignity, equality and nationhood. Walk off into the pavilion with your bat and your head held high, for when others faltered and surrendered, you, the son of a fisherman and the formerly indentured, never ever surrendered. In the end you survived, so that your people and your country can smile for themselves and you.
More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
GO-Invest gets new CEO MR Owen Verwey has been identified as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest). He was recruited for the position from among 35 persons, following a public-application process which began in August 2015. The recruitment process was outsourced to a private firm and Mr. Verwey was among the top four candidates recommended by the firm to be interviewed by the Board of Directors of GO-Invest. A sub-committee of the board conducted the interviews and made the
final recommendation. He is expected to soon sign his employment contract. Mr. Verwey will be working along with the recently appointed Board of Directors, to provide critical leadership to the agency to realise its full potential. He will assist in the development of a 2020 Strategic Plan for Go-Invest and spearhead its execution under the supervision of the Board of Directors. GO-Invest is expected to play a significant role in expanding Guyana’s economy in the coming years.?
Mr. Verwey has served the public sector for nearly 20 years, both locally and internationally. He has held senior positions in several public sector organisations, where he has been involved in project implementation, policy development, budget planning, project and programme management and financing. He holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Exeter in the UK and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Guyana. (GINA)
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
Chinese investors want level playing field By Alva Solomon GOVERNMENT has assured Chinese companies operating in Guyana of its commitment to enabling a fair playground for all in the country’s business sector, but urged them to keep abreast with the foreign investment polices here. At the Annual Dinner organized by the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Guyana (ACEG) at the Marriot Hotel
on Friday evening, when that organization also launched its 2016 business magazine, President David Granger, who gave the feature address at the event, assured the Chinese entrepreneurs of Guyana’s commitment to ensuring a fair playing field for the foreign businesses to operate here. Before the President spoke, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin, while addressing members of the Government, the Chinese business community here, and other officials, called on the companies to ensure their awareness of
President David Granger, left, and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin, applaud after unveiling the 2016 Business Magazine of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Guyana (ACEG)
Children from a local orphanage were recipients of school supplies at Friday evening’s event
the policies of the Government. While declaring his excitement at staging of the event, the ambassador said that Chinese companies in Guyana are not only promoters of China and Guyana’s economic corporation and trade, but they have also made committed efforts in the development of the country over the years. “They have made important contributions to the economic and social development of Guyana,” he said. To this end, Ambassador Limin called on the companies doing business here to keep abreast with the policies of the Government. “I would like to take this opportunity to suggest to the Chinese companies in Guyana that, in the future, please follow closely and keep aware of the policy changes on investments in attracting foreign investments in Guyana,” he expounded. Ambassador Limin alluded to the presence of a number of Government officials at the event as he spoke of China’s economy, which he noted has developed quickly over the past decade. He said China has been providing assistance to Guyana for many years, and he singled out assistance given to the Guyana Police Force, the City of Georgetown, and provision of medical equipment to the Georgetown Public Hospital. “China will continue to support Guyana’s development,” Ambassador Limin said through a translator. President Granger told those in attendance that the two countries have been united by the unbreakable bond of their history and friendship for decades. “We must celebrate that history, we must strengthen that bond, we must deepen that friendship for the mutual benefit of our people and to the benefit of our country”, he said. The president noted that while the Chinese population in Guyana has always been small when compared to the other ethnic groups in the country, the contributions of the Chinese to Guyana’s development has been important. He alluded to the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Monkey, which will be celebrated in another 8 days. The Head of State said Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to function; and according to him, the country is committed to safeguarding these investments provided the rights of the people and the country’s laws are respected. “We are all committed to working closely with our Chinese brothers and sisters in the commercial sector”, the President said, as he thanked Government officials who attended the event for their interest shown. Those present included the Ministers of Public Infrastructure and the Minister of Telecommunications. President Granger said Guyana would love to see a thriving commercial sector, but also a thriving productive sector. Speaking on the $230B Budget which was presented earlier in the day in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, the Head of State said the budget lays the foundation for growth, increased economic activity, and greater competitiveness. “It is a pro-business, pro-growth Budget. It also addresses important challenges within our social sector and the need to bridge the disparities between the hinterland and coastland and between rural and urban (communities),” the Head of State said. Meanwhile, the business magazine which was launched on Friday evening gives an insight into the Chinese companies which are operating in Guyana. Information is provided on their future plans, and their contributions to the economy are highlighted. The annual publication was produced by the Corbin Media Group, Inc.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
Gov’t, private sector to promote wedding tourism By Navendra Seoraj
THE Roraima Group of Companies has reiterated its commitment to, and increasing interest in, the development of Guyana’s tourism industry with its launch of the annual Wedding Expo for the 8th time on Thursday. Starting with the interviews and the tests which all lead up to the famous “race to the altar”, the expo will not only give exhibitors a chance to showcase their talent and services, but will afford yet another couple the opportunity to have the wedding of a lifetime. In remarks made at the Roraima Duke Lodge on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roraima Group of Companies, Captain Gerald “Gerry” Gouveia, announced that this year’s expo is being held under the theme ‘Magnificent Beginnings’, and “promises to return the same flare and explosion of colours, culture, music and religion.” Roraima staffers, decked out in the various wedding attire and religious wear, then gave the audience a taste of what to expect come April 1-3 at the Duke Lodge. NEED FOR MODERN LEGISLATION
Roraima staff in African wedding attire
Roraima staff in Muslim wedding garb
Captain Gouveia recounted, however, that the expo’s ability to expand has been hampered greatly over the years by the absence of modern legislation. However, commitments flowed from the Government for swift legislative amendments to outdated laws that continue to hinder this innovative revenue earner. Gouveia criticised the local legislation which requires that couples travel to Guyana two weeks in advance of their wedding in order for their marriage to satisfy all legal requirements. “Change the legislation! You cannot have a legislation that says people must come here two weeks before they get married…We need to change the legislation,” Gouveia asserted. He is, however, happy to know that the Coalition Government had committed to amending those laws this year. SMALL BUSINESSES “Wedding Expo has been growing from strength to strength, and continues to offer great support to small businesses to grow and maintain their presence on the local market,” he contended. And he said further that amending the legislation would provide a better landscape in which local stakeholders can operate. “Wedding expo is about small businesses, but it’s also about big businesses…We have seen peoples’ businesses grow from small businesses to busy businesses,” he said. In the meantime, congratulations and well wishes came from the Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana. WEDDING DESTINATION
Roraima staff in Christian wedding wear
Roraima staff in Hindu wedding attire
Minister of Tourism and Telecommunications, Mrs Cathy Hughes, noted the energy of the Wedding Expo and said it was something the Ministry will support, as it also embraces wedding tourism in Guyana and seeks to market the country as a wedding destination. Minister Hughes said her commitment would be to seek amendments to the laws by the second quarter of 2016. "Wedding tourism holds huge potential, and we are definitely happy to lend our support,” the Minister said. The process to amend the legislation has started, and stakeholders can look forward to this in the near future, the Minister assured. She also urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities offered to them via the Wedding Expo and similar events.
SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
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Miss Global International Guyana
SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016 Hashim Alli and Melicia Partab
- showcasing Guyana’s tourism to the rest of the world
THE Miss Global International franchise celebrates its 13th year of uniting the world through beauty and tourism. Founder of the international pageant is Mr. Lachu Ramchandani ,who is based in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The pageant started in his home country, but eventually moved to other parts of the globe. This year the pageant goes to Mauritius in September and is expected to attract participation from approximately 40 countries. The pageant features a variety of segments which include National Costumes, Swimsuits that must reflect the colours of the country’s national flag, Talent, Evening Gown, Question & Answer, and the segment with the highest score - the Interview. Three (3) years ago, Guyana took a bold step under the leadership of National Directors Hashim Alli and Melicia Partab to participate in the prestigious pageant. With limited experience, but with hard work and perseverance, Miss Onesha Hutson was the lucky ambassador to represent Guyana at the 2014 Miss Global International pageant, which was held at picturesque Montego Bay, Jamaica. Although she did not secure us the crown, she indeed brought international exposure for our country as each day she was well represented and was always a front-runner in all media. She secured us a spot in the Top 5 for Best Talent; another spot in top 10 and also brought back the special prize for “Miss Best Smile.” This was the start of Guyana’s experience. In 2015, after experiencing the culture and traditions of the pageant and gaining valuable experience of the dos and don’ts of pageantry in general, the national directors were prepared to represent Guyana to the highest standards. “This for us was an ultimate success as history was created by our reigning queen Miss Alicia Nichola Bess –as she not only showcased our country to the highest capacity, but also secured us a spot in the Top three of the pageant earning us second runner- up position at the pageant, which was held in the twin- island republic of Trinidad & Tobago,” the directors said. This now makes way for the 2016 ambassador. Come February 20th, 2016 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel ballroom, the new representative will be revealed at a grand public coronation ceremony and cocktail reception. Commencing at 7:30pm, the coronation ceremony will include fashion shows by local designers including House of Pearson, by Quinton Pearson; Rockerz Design, by Jason Shurland; Nachle Designs, by Melicia Partab & Hashim Alli; dances by Roshini Boodhoo's Jewan Ka Nritya group ; first-ever Make Up fashion show by Saks Makeup Artistry, and many others. This will be followed by a cocktail reception for the newly crowned queen. Tickets for the event are on sale and cost only $3,500 inclusive of refreshment and cocktail canapés. For more information, be sure to contact Melicia on telephone number 688-0036, or visit the Facebook page Miss Global International, Guyana.
Alicia Bess
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
An investment in Critchlow is an investment in the Green Economy, workers/citizens THE Critchlow Labour College (CLC) was established with the prime objective of providing workers’ (past, present and potential) education and trade union training. From its inception, it received support from the Government of Guyana, which came in the form of technical and financial resources. Notably, a technical study by the International Labour Organisation on the establishment of the college came at the initiative of the then Minister of Labour, Claude Merriman. From the inception, CLC received grants/subventions from the government. Later, as the nation moved toward the model of self-sufficiency, where citizens and workers were seen as pivotal, the college attracted a yearly grant/ subvention through the national budget to help prepare and equip workers for the new economy. The CLC usually prepares its budget which is submitted and represented to the Ministry of Education, who in turn will incorporate same into their Education Programme and submit to the Ministry of Finance. The last sum given to the college by the PPP government in 2007 was $32M. In 2016, a budget for approximately $65M was submitted by the college. It should be said it is not unusual for the government to give grants to trade union colleges, which is a form of community college, since they play a role in educating and training of workers and citizens for the economy. We see in the USA government giving grants to universities and community colleges and the American Federation for Labour and Congress of Industrial
Organisation (AFL-CIO) George Meany Centre for Labour Studies. In Trinidad, the Cipriani Labour College is funded by the government. In Barbados, both the Barbados Workers College and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Academy were funded by the government. In Jamaica, the Trade Union Institute, which is part of the University of the West Indies is funded by the government. Suriname’s Labour College is funded by the government. Under the Granger/Nagamootoo government, the nation is advised that the administration’s economic model will be that of a Green Economy. A Green Economy, contrary to the held notion, is not only about planting trees and removing garbage. While these are elements of environmental sustainability and health protection, such economy is hinged on indigenous use of a nation’s resources in a sustainable manner for the people’s development, which is built on adherence to ILO Core Labour Standards and respect for laws, conventions and charters. Additionally, a Green Economy will create new types of jobs which are required to confirm with ILO standards. Outside of this column and the Guyana Trades Union Congress, this nation has not had the benefit of understanding what the Green Economy entails and the corresponding responsibility of government and the people to make it possible. New jobs in the Green Economy in Guyana’s reality are expected to see agrarian reform, reformation in mining practices, use of natural energy
and sustainable harvesting of the forest. All these sectors will see intensification of new practices, which require new education and training for citizens and those in the workforce. During the period Guyana was pursuing a Self-sufficiency Programme, every student at CLC was required to participate in agricultural activities as a pre-requisite for graduation. In preparation for the Green Economy, the CLC has commenced work in 2015 in adjusting its programmes to include at least the basic fundamentals of Core Labour Standards, its purpose, and how these ought to be used as tools in the workplace for development. To meet the existing challenges of an inevitable new labour market, starting from this year new programmes such as Marketing, Occupational Safety and Health, Labour Policies and Green Economy, and Industrial Relations are being rolled out at the levels of Associate Degrees. There is also collaboration with the Texila American University for the execution of a Master’s programme in Food Security certified by this university. Making these programmes cost-effective for the average worker who does not enjoy a real wage, the unemployed, underemployed, self-employed and employer requires government aiding in offsetting some overhead costs that will ensure the CLC provides quality services below market rates. This column awaits the complete examination of the budget to ascertain the seriousness placed on the Green Economy and the government’s preparedness to invest in the workforce.
Methodist Church hosts health fair THE Bedford Methodist Church, in a Saturday collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, hosted a health fair on the premises of the church, located at Camp and Robb Streets, Georgetown. Representatives from the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) also graced the
Please turn to page 16
A visitor to the health fair has her blood sugar checked
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
Guyana-born Charmaine Hooper leaves indelible mark on Canadian soccer By Frederick Halley AFTER an illustrious career spanning just over two decades on the soccer field, Guyana-born Charmaine Elizabeth Hooper has left an indelible mark on Canadian soccer with her scintillating performances both on and off the field, and is still considered the greatest female player Canada has ever produced. Hooper is considered a legend in Canada and the world of women’s football, and her Hall of Fame recognitions in 2012 are ample testimony to her remarkable achievements. Having last played for the Canadian National Team in 2006, she will always be remembered as one of Canada's best ever soccer players, and that takes into account male players of the game. Hooper was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in June 2012. She was, in October of that year, inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary. And as if that weren’t enough, Hooper acknowledges that being chosen as a 2014 inductee to the North Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame is even more special. Significantly, Hooper was inducted into the United Soccer League’s Hall of Fame in 2002 after being named Atlanta Beat’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), and became the only Canadian player in Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) history to score in the Founders Cup III.
Strong, powerful and determined, the Guyana-born powerhouse played 131 times for the Canadian national team, scoring no fewer than 71 goals, and went on to become one of the biggest names in the women’s game. Her international debut came on July 7, 1986 at the age of 18 and against the United States, and she
CHARMAINE ELIZABETH HOOPER represented Canada at three FIFA Women's World Cups (Sweden 1995, USA 1999, and USA 2003). In 2003, Hooper scored the winning goal against China to propel her adopted country to its first trip to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, earning tournament all-star honours. Now enjoying her retirement in the southern part of the USA, the well-travelled striker and three-time FIFA Women’s World Cup veteran comes from a sports-oriented family. She is the sister of
Lyndon Hooper, also a former Canadian footballer; and Ian Hooper, the Director of Business Operations for the Ottawa Champions Baseball Club. Her husband, Chuck Codd, is also a university soccer coach. A former star at North Carolina State University, Hooper played for the Fort Worth Football Club of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) in 2008. In 2006, she represented the New Jersey Wildcats in the American Women’s League. Her previous clubs include the WUSA's Atlanta Beat, the Chicago Cobras, and the Rockford Dactyls. Hooper also played for FK Donn of the Norwegian Toppserien, where she scored 17 goals in 13 league appearances. After a short period with Lazio of Serie A, she signed a professional contract with Japanese L. League club Prima Ham FC and was a highly valued player in Japan before returning to North America after four seasons. After leaving Guyana at the tender age of eight, Hooper lived with her parents in Zambia, where her father served as a diplomat and she attended an American school where soccer was predominantly played by boys, including her brother Lyndon. It wasn’t until she came to Ontario, Canada that she saw an entire team of girls playing. It was an instant turning point in the then 12-year-old girl’s life, and it represented the beginning of a spectacular career that saw Hooper
lead North Carolina State to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including the 1988 NCAA title game. She led Canada to its best ever finish in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Hooper’s other accolades include being honoured on the All-Time Canada X1 in
2012 as part of the Canadian Soccer Association’s Centennial Celebration, and being noted by the FIFA Women’s World Cup Technical Study Group as one of Canada’s outstanding players. Hooper served as an Honorary Ambassador for the FIFA Under-20 Wom-
en’s World Cup Canada 2002, was a member on the Organising Committee for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008, and also served on the Technical Study Group at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010.
Methodist Church ... From page 15
initiative, to promote better lifestyles and healthier bodies. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dr Shanique Greaves of the GRPA said the fair was the church’s effort to create in the general public an awareness of common health issues, and this effort was facilitated by the Ministry’s staffers, who were available to offer free blood sugar and hypertension testing, as well as vaccinations for measles, yellow fever, tetanus, rubella and mumps. Dr. Greaves said the Ministry of Public Health supplied the fair with the required machines, equipment and resources to make the event possible. She urged that, because of our busy lifestyles, we need to get ourselves checked to ensure healthy minds and bodies. Many persons from in and around the community assembled at the church to take advantage of the initiative. Free eye testing and dental care were also given; and there was a special section which facilitated persons speaking with doctors about health problems they were experiencing.
A woman is advised on personal health care
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
Citizens react to drop in fuel prices, review of taxes for import of vehicles CITIZENS have begun to welcome the budget measures related to a review of taxes for importation of vehicles, the banning of old/used tyres, the restriction on importation of vehicles over eight years old, and the reduction of the price for fuel. As announced in the budget: 1. With effect from February 1, 2016, the prices of fuel sold by Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) will be reduced. As of Monday, the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) will reduce the price on gasoline from $190 per litre to $170. Dieseline will be reduced from $161 to $150, and kerosene from $120 to $90. 2. The Finance Minister has given notice of intent to ban the importation of used tyres, and to reduce taxes on new tyres to encourage their use. This ban will be put into effect as soon as some procedural hurdles are cleared.
3. There will be a restriction on the importation of used and/or re-conditioned vehicles. Only those under 8 years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation will be allowed. This restriction shall be enforced from May 1, 2016. 4. There will be a reduction of the excise tax from 50% to 10% on motor vehicles under four years old and between 1500cc and under 2000cc. As a result, the effective tax rate of 152.3% will be reduced to 85%. 5. There will be the removal of excise tax on motor vehicles under four years old and under 1500cc. These vehicles currently attract excise tax at the rate of 30% and an effective tax rate of 118.7%. With this removal, the effective tax rate will be reduced to 68.2%.
HOW THE PEOPLE REACTED GLENDON LASHLEY: “A reduction in the price for fuel is good. It is also good that people would be able to afford to bring in their own vehicles now, because of the drop in tax. Also, most mechanics will feel an ease, since the parts for the vehicles will be easy to get, rather than for the older ones.”
DHARAMPAUL SOMAROO: “We will get the cheaper cars, but the duty still needs to be dropped; because, if you buying a brand new car, you still have to pay duty. Yes, the fuel drop, but it could have dropped earlier. “Nevertheless, the spare parts man, who overdoing it with the prices, will have to lower it because the parts for the newer vehicles will be easy to get.”
NORRIS WILLIS: “The fuel should have reduced more, but it is good, and I support the decision on the tyres and the drop in tax on the vehicles coming in, as it would not only be better for the average man but also for the auto dealers.”
GEORGE NEDD: “The removal of second-hand tyres is good, and we are thankful that the tax is coming off of tyres and some vehicles, because the car dealers will drop prices, since the tyres are so expensive. The decision to ban people from bringing in cars more than 8 years old will be better for buying parts.”
MICHAEL: “I would say (the decision) is right because the second-hand tyres are being bought for high prices, so new tyres are good. The review of the taxes on the importation of some vehicles is good, because it will be affordable to the poor people; and the eight years limit on cars coming in will be good because it will promote a modern society.” OWEN GREENE: “I think it will be a relief. Old tyres contribute to a lot of accidents, and it is an environmental hazard when it comes to getting rid of them. As it relates to review of taxes, once there could be a balance and let the poor men acquire a vehicle, it is great. The reduction in fuel price is a good thing, and the ban on the importation of cars above eight years (old) is good because you will get parts and so forth.”
SHERWIN ARRON: “The Government must let Guyanese live nice and comfortable. The ban on the importation of cars more than eight years (old) will be good because it will be about modernization and it will be better to get parts.”
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
New mines workers meet Minister Scott
THE Executive members of the newly formed National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana, headed by President Sherwyn Downer, met with Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott; Chief Labour Officer Mr Charles Ogle, and other Labour officials at the Ministry’s 82 Brickdam, Georgetown Office. The union said its delegation was warmly welcomed by the Labour officials, and it was thankful that the Ministry recognises the importance and benefit of trade Unionism to the labour force in Guyana. “Even as The National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana seeks to bring salvation and a voice to the voiceless mining workers in all categories of mining in Guyana, we recognize the role the union has to play to make employers and employees have a level playing field for both the employer and the employee, as mining is being redefined,” the union said in a statement. The union said that as it seeks to champion the cause of the mining workers and labouring masses, it looks forward to further cooperation from Government and to establish a working relationship with stakeholders. “We look forward to working together in the best interest of (everyone) and (to) afford the mining workers and laboring masses the highest level of effective representation,” the union has said.
Minister Keith Scott (third from right), labour officials and representatives of the Union.
Mahaicony man was run over by large vehicle multiple times – autopsy report THE post-mortem performed on the body of Curt Burke, of Drill Road, Mahaicony,East Coast Demerara, whose dismembered body was found in a cluster of bushes in his village,has proved that the man died from multiple injuries to his body.
The autopsy was conducted Saturday morning by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who found that the man’s body was run over by a large or heavy vehicle multiple times. Dr. Singh found that Burke died from multiple broken bones and severely damaged organs. All major arteries were punctured, his brain was crushed, and severed limbs were also crushed. The police are of the opinion that the man met his demise after being involved in a “hit and run accident” and was not murdered. However, according to the man’s cousin Rickford Burke, President of Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), the findings of Dr. Singh render the police’s speculation inexplicable. Burke stated that no photographs or report from the scene showed bloodstains or brain matter on the ground, which suggested that the body was brought to the scene where it was discovered to support the police case. “I’m particularity frustrated that the Commanding Officer of the ‘C’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police Marlon Chapman, who has jurisdiction for this investigation, continues to speculate in the press about this crime being an accident. “Their assumption is not consistent with the prima
facie evidence, which points to premeditated murder and the deliberate running over a human being with a vehicle, which was used as a weapon to inflict serious bodily injury or cause death, is not an accident. It is murder!”
Curt Burke Burke urged that the police conduct a professional investigation with dispatch, instead of speculating about a cause of death and should also provide a justification for why officers at the Mahaicony Station declined to detain and/ or interrogate two potential suspects, who had showed up at the station to retrieve cellphones that were found at the crime scene. “We believe that the investigation by the ‘C’ Division has been sloppy and unprofessional and therefore [we] repose no confidence in their investigation. “Consequently, we call
on the Commissioner of Police to direct investigators from the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Division to take over the investigation of this crime,” Burke said. The body of the father of four was found in a clump of bushes in Mahaicony last Wednesday, with the lower right leg severed and several chops about his slim figure. Curt Burke’s mutilated body was partially wrapped in tree vines when it was discovered. Police said they suspected the man might have been a victim of a hit and run accident. Earlier reports suggested that a car had struck Burke’s bicycle on the Drill Public Road and the driver upon checking to see what had happened, was told by a man nearby to return to his vehicle and leave, since staying and looking around may put him in problems. Burke’s bicycle was found with only a minor bend to the wheel. According to one relative of the deceased, “They found him with his arm in the air like if he was blocking chops and lashes. His leg was found a far distance away from the body.” Other reports reveal that Burke was drinking Tuesday night and never returned home as usual to assist his relative with work around the yard.
SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
United Nations World Inter Faith Harmony Week, February 1-7, 2016 - Message from Amna Ally, Hon. Minister of Social Cohesion AGREEMENT for the observance of World Inter-Faith Harmony Week was unanimously adopted by the United Nations in 2010; and ever since, February 1-7 annually has been designated World Inter-faith Harmony Week. The initiative has its genesis in what is referred to as “The Common word initiative” which, in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialogue based on two fundamental religious principles and, by extension, commandments - Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour. It was agreed on with the understanding that neither would compromise any of their own religious tenets. The theme “Love of God and Love of the Neighbour” is commonly used. It embraces fundamental theological principles, and therefore all mankind of goodwill can be included in the observances -- those with faiths and those without faiths. The week provides the opportunity annually for interfaith and other groups of goodwill throughout the world to demonstrate what formidable groups and movements they are. Many of them are not only religious groups, but also powerful agents of social change. Let me commend those local organisations that have organised initiatives in observance of UN World Inter-Faith Harmony Week, 2016. Our country has always been one with a deep reverence for God. As Guyana grows as a nation, we are seeing an increasing role for religion and goodwill in fostering social cohesion. We know once social cohesion as an approach to development is advanced, there would be greater opportunities for citizens to be included in processes. Their participation would enable them to have a sense of belonging to their communities, and by extension to Guyana. The faith-based and interfaith partners in Guyana therefore have significant roles in advocating for, and taking action to advance, socially cohesive communities. As Minister of Social Cohesion, I urge you to be active as agents of change at the local and national levels, for the benefit of your respective gathering/congregations/members/ constituents. I am aware that the discourse on prayer in schools is topical and is being deepened. This administration believes all persons are free to worship God; it is a Constitutional right. Our dynamics are particularly peculiar in Guyana, because of the myriad of cultures, religious persuasions, ethnicities, and all those variables which cause us to be diverse. There would be a conclusion to this discussion, and I am sure that, here again, you have roles to play as Guyana’s Inter-Faith Community. Whatever is said and done, let us commit to being a part of the decision-making process; and doing so respectfully, irrespective of our differences on the ground of religion. Let us do all we can to hold fast to the religious and goodwill landmarks on which our beloved country is built.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
From mason to lone Thoracic Surgeon -Dr. Cheetanand Mahadeo shares his journey
Dr. Cheetanand Mahadeo
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By Navendra Seoraj
ORN and raised in an Upper Corentyne village, Cheetanand Mahadeo faced a fair share of hardship as a youth, but he overcame those challenges to the point where he now holds the celebrated title of lone thoracic surgeon in the country. His road to success was not easy. Like every other young boy from the village, Mahadeo grew up in a small house - on an unnamed back street - at Crabwood Creek. His mother and father,who were both teachers, tried their best to raise Cheetanand and his younger sister. The young Cheetanand enjoyed his youthful days playing sports, attending school and progressing through the ranks. Starting from the Crabwood Creek Nursery School to the similarly named village primary school, he succeeded in his studies and earned a place at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, which was considered unrealis-
tic at that time for a variety of socio-economic factors, leading to his parents’ request to have him transferred to the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, Corriverton, Berbice. “High school was a most interesting experience for me. I was streamed into the science class and groomed to be the best I could be in Home Economics, Industrial Science, Business Science, Agriculture and Pure sciences, along with the usual curriculum of Mathematics, English A and B “Athletics was also a major part of the curriculum and we were fortunate to have certified physical education teachers,” said Dr. Mahadeo. In the first years of his school life, Mahadeo dreamt of becoming a pilot, but unfortunately, due to his parents’ financial status at that time, he was forced to discard that dream. He went on to complete high school, but was hit by another hurdle - he completed school at age 15, one year short of the legal age to acquire a meaningful job. But instead of sitting about and wasting time, Mahadeo took to the streets and became a mason, a job which he did for over a year until proceeding to another job as a junior book-keeper at the Guyana Sugar Corporation
Dr. Mahadeo along with his team attends to a patient
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016 (GuySuCo). “Guysuco was a very important turning point. I went to work as a junior book-keeper and learned work ethics and the true nature of competition of the “dog-eat-dog” mentality and the notorious “news carrying” nature of the corporation, along with strange, unmentionable practices of workers appeasing the managers so they may gain personal favours. “Sometimes, I felt that merit was not the nature of advancement in the world. However, working for a little over a year with Guysuco prepared me for the world outside of Corriverton/Crabwood Creek. ” When he was financially ready for the University of Guyana, he was not yet 18 years old, which was one of the requirements to read for his degree in Pharmacy. This posed further delays, notwithstanding letters pleading the case that he will be 18 in the academic year, and not the calendar year. Finally, in September, 1995, he commenced studies at the university in the Faculty of Health Sciences. IT BEGINS Progressing, Mahadeo then commenced medical training in September 1999 at the University of Guyana School of Medicine. “This was a new level of tertiary grooming and was particularly challenging for me. I was by then the owner of a pharmacy and working my way through medical school inclusive of entire weekends of work in order to get enough financial support.” Medical school was challenging, as is anywhere in the world, and in a developing country even more so. The resources at the University of Guyana were extremely limited, both in technology and basic resources and a lot of learning was in abstract form. “I can say this without any doubt, as I have travelled and attended two different medical schools later at the Masters and post-doctoral fellowship level.” After completing Medical School, he was placed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to train, and at that time the University of Guyana was at loggerheads with some of the doctors at the hospital; as
such, they were occasionally chased off the wards and insulted by a few surgeons. LIFE AT GPHC Fighting his battles, Mahadeo began the post-grad phase, and this proved to be another learning curve as it was in medicine; he had to continue to learn and evolve. In 2005, he became a medical intern and did his rotations in “terrible” social conditions at the GPHC, where, along with his colleagues, he was housed in a very unsafe building with half the windows, no sheets for the beds, mattresses with holes and toilets that won’t flush. “GPHC had multiple challenges and it is challenging to work in an environment where we had so little resources, but were expected to deliver first-world health care.” But there were memorable and satisfying moments, such as when he delivered a baby in the back of a minibus in the driveway of the maternity ward. It was a task which was scary, because of the fact that it was during the night and there was no assistance, except the panicking bus driver. Thankfully, both mother and child lived. Following the internship, he was placed in the orthopaedic surgery department for nine months and then transferred to the emergency department for a few months. By 2006, residency was available and the opportunity to become a surgeon was available. He enrolled in the Post-Graduate Diploma programme in General Surgery in 2007. Following this training, which was validated by the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Mahadeo was sent to Linden to work as a surgeon. “Linden was a special place for me. I approached my new job with some degree of reservation because [it] was a new environment and it was low on resources. “However, it quickly became my favourite place of work. The nurses were awesome, the administration listened to what I had to say, the Regional Democratic Council was supportive and the thing I am most proud of, is the move to the new hospital in 2010. “I was the Medical Director acting and was a major part of the move. This may sound trivial to most, but moving a hospital from one locale to another is not easy.
Nevertheless, I was part of a very good team and I am still proud of the dedication and effort demonstrated by them.” GENERAL AND THORACIC SURGERY That then led to his current portfolio, that is, lone thoracic surgeon in the country. This goal was achieved in a “circuitous manner.” General-surgery training was initially the Post- Graduate Diploma from the University of Guyana. This was followed by a two-year training in General Surgery at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Subsequently, there was a Clinical Fellowship in Thoracic Surgery at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. This dual qualification then made him a “General and Thoracic Surgeon,” licensing him to practise in both the private and public sectors. The practice of Thoracic Surgery is extremely wide and because he is also a general surgeon, even wider. The complexity of this surgery and transformative ability for patient care/longevity is the greatest catch. This he said, makes him a surgeon with diverse skills in cancer care, heart, lung, chest wall, esophagus, stomach, transplant surgery, reflux disease, hiatal hernias and some vascular therapies, just to name a few. Being the lone thoracic surgeon in the country, he emphasised that Guyana has a long way to go to achieve the best norms of health care. The GPHC and a few private hospitals are beginning to cultivate such ideals and practise them. Currently, his intentions are to create a thoracic service for Guyana and advance the treatment of thoracic illnesses with a keen emphasis on cancer care. “We have an increased ability to screen, monitor and detect cancers and it is only fair that the treatment keeps up with this detection.” Dr. Mahadeo has visiting and operating privileges at all major private hospitals in Georgetown and Berbice. However, his main private practice area is at Woodlands Hospital, where they have the equipment needed to treat most of the conditions, but is available for consultation at all hospitals.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
Rose Hall Town Council assured of support of OPM
Mr. Winston Hope, (sitting) is the Mayor of RHT; to his left is the Deputy Mayor, Mr. R. King. Mr Harbhajan, third from right, is seen with some of the councillors and community stakeholders at the meeting
MEMBERS of the Rose Hall Town Council of Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) were last Friday assured of being given assistance from the Office of the Prime Minister to address some of the many issues impacting negatively on their aspirations for the town. They got this assurance from Special Assistant to the Prime Minister in Region 6, Mr Gobin Harbhajan, whom they had invited in lieu of Prime Minister Nagamootoo to hear them ventilate issues of concern. Chronic residential drainage problems, poor solid waste management and disposal experienced by the Council due to inadequate resources were the main and “most worrisome” matters discussed during the two-hour-long meeting. Harbhajan thanked the Council for inviting him to the forum, and took the opportunity to raise complaints by some vendors about the management of stalls in the Rose Hall Town Market. The Council promised to investigate the complaints and to resolve any that were outstanding. Harbhajan also praised the councillors for their resolute efforts to beautify RHT despite difficulties caused by inadequate material and financial resources they have in the past had to endure. He assured the Council that he would use his office to give them 100% support in their efforts. He also assured them that, where necessary, he would be forwarding their issues and concerns to all the relevant Ministries and Agencies of Government for their consideration and supportive action.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 31, 2016
Mahaica farmers get help with irrigation
THE Ministry of Agriculture has said that it remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure that the livelihoods of farmers are not lost and hence it continues to give assistance to farmers countrywide. Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. George Jervis, and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Freddy Flatts, held a meeting with farmers on Thursday. During the meeting at Fairfield and No.10 Village, Biaboo, concerns were raised by farmers with respect to the El Nino situation. They feel that greater collaboration is needed by farmers if government’s interventions are to be a success. Deonarine Persaud, a rice farmer of Biaboo, expressed concern that there is little water left in the irrigation network along the rice- producing areas; however, they are thankful that additional pumps have been deployed to assist with the situation. It was pointed out that most of the irrigation issues arose due to farmers who are situated inland selfishly pumping water to their fields and blocking off access from other farms. As a result, the water is not allowed to build up and to be pumped to farmers on the coast. The farmers are however, committed to working with the MMA/ADA to enforce rules against unauthorised pumping which usually occurs at night.
pump stations were fully utilised and supplying water to farmers in the height of the severe weather condition. Rice farmers are the ones heavily hit, as their production was not only affected by the drought-like condition, but also by the intrusion of salt water. Statistics from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) (as of Monday) have shown that of the 177,734 acres sown thus far, 39,601 acres have been affected by
the El Nino situation, while an additional 27,800 acres have been affected by salt water intrusion. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in conjunction with the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural-Development Authority (MMA-ADA) continues to work round the clock to assist farmers with their drainage and irrigation needs.
Mahaica cash-crop farmer Ramkarran stands with a squash in his hand while awaiting a mobile buyer. Mahaica farmers have been hit hard by the dry spell. (Alva Solomon photo) While addressing the farmers, Minister Holder, announced that additional machinery will be sent in shortly to bring much-needed support. However, he urged residents to remain proactive regarding the management of water in light of El Nino, while the Ministry of Agriculture continues to implement measures to ensure proper management and equitable distribution of water across the rice belt. For the sustainability of irrigation of rice lands, the Agriculture Minister has asked farmers to be more proactive and responsible as it relates to the management of water. “Interventions have been made to provide assistance in the form of pipes, machinery and rehabilitation of
structures to various affected areas, however it is necessary that you conserve on water usage and not tamper with
drainage and irrigation structures,” he said. The aim of the visit was to ensure that all irrigation
Sunday January 31st, 2016 - 10:00 hrs Monday February 1st, 2016 - 11:00 hrs Tuesday February 2nd, 2016 - 12:00 hrs
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Phillips, George and ... From Backpage one year last year, when he first lowered the record to 45.57s in June, before outdoing himself later in August last year at the World Championships where he set the current record of 45.25s. The Olympian currently has his sights set on the 2016 Olympics set for Rio, Brazil, in August. For the senior female athlete, Jossiah-Tanner came in ahead of Natrena Hooper, while Cindy Fraser was also nominated. Matthew McKenzie finished as runner- up behind Compton in the Best Youth Male Athlete. Samuels won the Youth Female Athlete award ahead of Natricia Hooper and Cassey George. Aniqua Powley was runner- up for the Best Junior Female Athlete behind Foster.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 31, 2016
Kerber stuns Serena to protect idol Graf’s record By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE, (Reuters)-On a night when Steffi Graf loomed large over Rod Laver Arena, an inspired Angelique Kerber stunned Serena Williams in a three-set classic to win the Australian Open yesterday and become Germany’s first grand slam champion in 17 years. In the ultimate tribute to her childhood hero, Kerber foiled Williams’s bid to match the German great’s tally of grand slam titles, closing out a magnificent 6-4 3-6 6-4 win in her first major final. The seventh seed’s triumph secured her nation’s first grand slam win since Graf raised her 22nd and final trophy at the 1999 French Open. “Yeah, I think I helped Steffi right now,” a beaming Kerber told reporters. “This is the first big tournament of the year, and I won it, the first grand slam. It sounds crazy, but I can say I’m a grand slam champion now.” Kerber sought inspiration from Graf during a trip to the 46-year-old’s Las Vegas home last year and put in a performance worthy of her mentor. She defended brilliantly throughout the two-hour and eight-minute cliff-hanger, showing nerves of steel to fend off Williams who had roared back from 5-2 down in the deciding set. In a final game riven with tension, Williams succumbed on the first match point with a volley that floated well past the baseline. Kerber was already flopping to the ground before the ball had landed, and she flung her racquet away as a packed crowd of 15,000 roared in elation and disbelief. The 24-year-old Williams has no liking for runner-up finishes at grand slams, and her defeat was
Germany’s Angelique Kerber celebrates with the trophy after winning her final match against Serena Williams of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, yesterday. Reuters/Thomas Peter
the first in a final since her shock loss to Sam Stosur at the 2011 U.S. Open. Her hopes of pulling off a rare calendar grand slam were left in tatters once again, only four months after they were crushed in the U.S. Open semi-finals by Italian Roberta Vinci. GRACIOUS IN DEFEAT Williams was nonetheless gracious in defeat, walking directly to Kerber’s side of the court to embrace her warmly as the champion wept with joy. “She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from: just to always stay positive and to never give up,” Williams told reporters. “I was really inspired by that. So, honestly, she’s a really good girl. If I couldn’t win, I’m happy she did. “I mean, every time I walk in this room, everyone expects meto win every single match, every single day of my life. As much as I would like to be a robot, I’m not. I try to.” It was instead an all-toohuman display by Williams in an opening set laden with
23 unforced errors -- 20 more than her opponent. Kerber broke her twice to wrap up the set before Williams regrouped to send the match into a decider, accompanied by screams of “C’mon!” The German played majestically in the decider’s marathon sixth game, taking Williams’s serve on her fifth break point to move to a 5-2 lead. The American, summoning the belief forged from 25 grand slam finals, stormed back to break Kerber as she served for the match. But the German responded brilliantly, felling Williams in a furious baseline rally to raise her one and only match point. The first left-hander to w i n i n M e l bo ur ne s i n c e M o n i c a S e l e s ’s 1999 championship, Kerber proved the world number one can be beaten, even when fit and firing. Other challengers will draw hope that they, too, might share in the grand slam spoils as the 34-yearold icon edges closer to retirement. For Kerber, however, it was a triumph long in the
making. It arrived in her 33rd main draw appearance and at a tournament that could have ended for her in the first round. She had to save a match point in a three-set duel with Japan’s Misaki Doi and later remarked that she had “one leg in the plane”. A former world number five in 2012, Kerber will soar to second when the rankings are updated. “I think my phone is exploding right now,” said Kerber, who received personal congratulations from Graf and German chancellor Angela Merkel. “I have so many emotions it’s like crazy.” In the late match at Rod Laver Arena, Jamie Murray, men’s single finalist Andy’s elder brother, won his first men’s doubles title with Bruno Soares after they beat Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek 2-6 6-4 7-5. The younger Murray will seek his first Australian Open title at Melbourne Park after four fruitless trips to the final when he takes on defending champion and his Melbourne Park nemesis Novak Djokovic.
WICB to honour Shiv at appropriate time VETERAN regional cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be honoured by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). This is according to President Dave Cameron, who has shot down claims that the regional body has no plans to honour the former captain who recently announced his retirement from international cricket. “There is a plan to honour Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the best way possible. Unfortunately, we could not have done this before now because Shiv had indicated he had not retired. When we wanted to do something for him he had indicated this to us,” he said. “We will now consult with him and figure out the best time to do so, and do so appropriately,” he added. Chanderpaul, who scored 11, 867 runs in 164 Test and 8,778 ODI runs, announced his retirement from international cricket on January 23. Cameron, who was criticised over a tweet about West Indies bating star Chris Gayle in February of last year, refused to comment on the player’s “inappropriate” comments to a female reporters during the Australia Big Bash this year. He revealed however, that the WICB has invested in making sure players are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to conduct interviews. “This whole professional system that we have embarked on sees our players being caught by the franchises at an early age and the plan is that once they get into that professional set-up, we are trying to educate them about all that we require them to be as a professional player,” the President said. “We also have a young lady on staff by the name of Iana Cooper who deals with those particular matters. She is a personal development manager for the players and so she is in touch with the players all the time trying to help them along that path,” he added. (First Published In The Antigua Observer.)
Shabazz names ... From Backpage
Dellon Lanferman, Anthony Benfield, Kester Jacobs, Domini Garnett, Mark Mclean, Alwyn Mc Donald, Kevin Cottoy, Linden Pickett, Delwyn Fraser, Dwain Lindie and Eon Alleyne are the other players called. Wayne Dover will once again be the team’s assistant coach; Rawle Adams,Team Manager; Faizal Khan,Player/Press Liaison Officer; Andrew Hazel, Goalkeepe r- C o a c h ; A n s o n A m brose,Trainer; Beverly Nelson,Physiotherapist; Trevor Burnett, Equipment Manager; and Earl Paul,Equipment Officer. Notably missing from the squad announced were the overseas-based players including captain Christopher Nurse, Morvant Caledonia duo Pernell Shultz and Sheldon Holder and the UK-based trio Matthew Briggs, Samuel Cox and
Neil Danns. However, Chronicle Sport understands that the provisional squad was named ahead of a proposed International Friendly game against Suriname on February 21 at the Guyana National Stadium. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is yet to issue an official release in that regard, but a source close to the team and federation said: “We will be using local players for the Suriname game and then, depending on if the overseas guys are available, they will be included in the team.” For the want of ensuring that all participating teams are at ‘full strength’, the CFU has decided to play the tournament on FIFA International dates only, giving some clubs little or no excuses for not releasing their players.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 31, 2016
Edwin Seeraj Inside Edge
The Hat-Tricksters Edwin Seeraj
O
NE of the more sensational feats to be accomplished on the cricket field is undoubtedly the hat-trick when a bowler claims three wickets with consecutive deliveries. The “trick” has been performed on 40 occasions by 36 players in Tests, four of whom have each done it twice. The term “hat-trick” originated in the early days of the game, when a bowler was presented with a hat in recognition of his outstanding performance in out-witting the three batsmen. It should be noted that a hattrick could be achieved in the same innings or over two innings of the same game but cannot be accomplished over two matches. In the 139 years of Test cricket, only three men have distinguished themselves by taking a hattrick on their very first Test appearance. The first to do so was Maurice Allom, a tall, strongly built English rightarm medium-fast bowler, who debuted against New Zealand at Christchurch in January, 1930. It was New Zealand’s inaugural Test match and the players were understandably nervous. However, they were coming up against an under-strength England team, since a number of their regular players were engaging the West Indies in the Caribbean in a simultaneous Test series. New Zealand, winning the toss and batting first, were struggling at 20 runs for three wickets when in Allom’s eighth over he sunk them to 21 for seven,creating history in the process. His first ball cannoned into the pads of the eventual top-scorer, Roger Blunt, and a leg-bye was taken. The opener, Stewart Demp-
Wasim Akram
ster, was comprehensively bowled next ball while the Kiwi skipper, Tom Lowry, played and missed at the third. The very next delivery he was dismissed leg before wicket to send the host team reeling at 21 for five. Allom again struck with his fifth delivery when he had Ken James caught at the wicket. With the innings in tatters, the 23 year old set out with the hat-trick ball to the number eight batsman, Ted Badcock. He hardly had time, energy or courage to raise the bat and subsequently the ball went crashing onto his stumps, sending a wave of exultation on the field of play and a fearful silence in the stands. Allom had not only become the first man to claim a hat-trick on Test debut, but also the first player to take four wickets in five balls-- a rare occurrence achieved some 48 years later by England’s Chris Old against Pakistan and in 1990-91 by Pakistani Wasim Akram against the West Indies. New Zealand recovered to be all out for 112, but in the end lost the match by eight wickets in two days, as the debutant grabbed
five for 38 and three for 17 to register match figures of eight for 55. Unfortunately, due to business commitments, his Test career was over in a year, having played a further four matches and snapping up an additional six wickets. After Allom’s heroics, the world waited for 46 years before another debutant performed the feat. Peter James Petherick was one of four players making their debut in the New Zealand-Pakistan Test of the 1976-77 series in Lahore. The wicketkeeper Warren Lees and the leg-spinning all-rounder, Robert Anderson, joined him as newcomers on the New Zealand team, while Javed Miandad was playing his maiden match for the Pakistanis. Pakistan took first strike on winning the toss and were in trouble at 55 for the loss of four wickets as Richard Hadlee rocked the much vaunted top-order of the Mohammed brothers Sadiq and Mustaq, the stylish Majid Khan and the technically correct Zaheer Abbas by disposing of three of them. Miandad then joined forces with another
Chris Old
stroke-maker, Asif Iqbal, and after carefully repairing the damage proceeded to dominate the attack adding a huge 281 for the fifth wicket as the bowlers wilted under the pressure. Suddenly, the 34-yearold off-spinner Petherick, who had played his first first-class match only a year earlier for Otago, had Miandad caught by Hadlee for a truly remarkable career-launching 163. His next delivery had the hard-hitting Wasim Raja caught and bowled. The hat-trick ball, ironically, was to a man who had taken a wicket with his first delivery in Test cricket and was a more than useful lower-order batsman-Intikhab Alam. He did not survive as he was out caught close-in to send Petherick and his teammates into deserving joyous celebration. Petherick ended the innings with three for 103 which incidentally is the most expensive analysis by someone doing the hattrick. He had two other victims in the second innings, but his efforts could not have stopped Pakistan winning the match by six wickets. It was always going to
be difficult for the “hattrickster” to maintain those lofty standards, even more so with him being on the wrong side of 30. Subsequently, his career came to a swift end, totalling just six Tests and 16 wickets at 42.56 runs apiece. In October, 1994, a youthful right-arm fast-medium bowler played his first Test for Australia against Pakistan at Rawalpindi, which was the venue for the second match of the series. Damien Fleming had to wait almost two days into the match for his first bowl as Pakistan inserted the Australians who responded with a mammoth 521, built mainly on a typically aggressive 110 by the opener Michael Slater. In reply, Pakistan fell way below the follow-on target, falling for 260 with Craig Mc Dermott and Fleming each snarling four wickets. Asked to bat again, the Pakistanis put up a far better showing and were cruising at 469 for three wickets when Fleming wrote his name in the record books in the space of three deliveries. First he had the solid Aamer Malik caught
by Michael Bevan for a fighting 65, which ended a 133-run partnership for the fourth wicket and then had the young and inexperienced Inzamam-ul-Haq leg before wicket for a golden duck with the last ball of the over to relegate the home team to 469 for five wickets. In the next over nine runs were added, then Fleming was at the start of his run to bowl the first ball of his new over--the hattrick delivery. He looked up to see a silky, top-quality right-handed batsman named Salim Malik, who had 237 gloriously compiled runs to his name. Undaunted, Fleming kept his cool and an excellent line and length that was good enough to cause a tentative bat to be presented resulting in an edge to the wicketkeeper, Ian Healey, which he accepted gleefully. In the end, Pakistan were able to save the match after trailing for most of the contest. Although Fleming would have relished a victory for his team, he was justly satisfied that he had entered a very exclusive “three-man club.”
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 31, 2016
Under-19 World Cup 2016...
India, Nepal through to quarters after easy wins GROUP D
LEGSPINNER Sandeep Lamichhane’s 5 for 27, which included a hat-trick, set up Nepal Under-19s’ eight-wicket win over Ireland Under-19s, taking the side into the quarter-finals. Ireland opted to bat first and found their openers back in the pavilion by the 18th over with the score at 42 for 2. Lamichhane then stepped up to carve out the middle order. He dismissed Gary McClintock in his first spell before returning to take a hat-trick in the 32nd over. Lorcan Tucker was caught out at midwicket off the fourth ball of the over; Lamichhane then had Adam Dennison caught behind and bowled Fiachra Tucker for a duck to complete his hattrick. He took the wicket of
Sandeep Lamichhane collected 5 for 27 which included a hat-trick.
William McClintock in his next over to complete his five-for reducing Ireland to a hapless 83 for 7. Harry Tector’s unbeaten 30 pushed the Ireland score past 100 to a total of 131 for 9. Lamichhane’s feat was the 12th instance of a hat-trick in Under-19 ODIs and fifth in the Under-19 World Cup. Nepal needed 25.3 overs to wrap up the chase. They lost opener Sandeep Sunar off the first ball of the innings. Yogendra Singh Karki’s unbeaten 61 and his unbroken, 77-run partnership for the third wicket with Aarif Sheikh sealed the win. India Under-19s joined Nepal in the quarter-finals after a comprehensive 120run win over New Zealand Under-19s in Mirpur. Fast bowler Avesh Khan made the key strikes for India, picking up the first four wickets to leave New Zealand 16 for 4 chasing 259. There was no way back for New Zealand, and they were eventually bowled out as early as the 32nd over, with left-arm spinner Mahipal Lomror grabbing a five-wicket haul. Lomror also contributed a handy 45 with the bat. Sent in to bat, India slipped to 19 for 2 before Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan put them back on track with an 89-run stand for the third wicket. Pant made 57 off 83 balls, and Sarfaraz was beginning to look dangerous with a series of boundaries all around the ground when he fell for 74 (80b, 9x4) in the
34th over, leaving India 156 for 4. It was 165 for 5 soon after, but sensible batting from Armaan Jaffer (46) and Lomror steered India to a total of 258 for 8. GROUP B Captain Charith Asalanka’s fine all-round display led Sri Lanka Under-19s to a closely-fought 33-run win against Afghanistan Under-19s in Sylhet to book their place in the quarter-finals. After opting to bat, Sri Lanka were given a solid 48run opening stand by their openers before wickets fell in clumps, and were soon reduced to 96 for 5. Asalanka then combined with Wanidu Hasaranga to form a crucial 62-run partnership. However, another bunch of wickets fell soon after and they were bowled out for 184 in the 49th over. Offspinner Shamsurrahman was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 10-3-19-3. Afghanistan lost Naveed Obaid early in the chase but Karim Janat (40) and captain Ihsanullah (23) brought the innings back on course. At 66 for 2, Afghanistan were firmly in the contest. Thereafter, Sri Lanka regularly chipped away at the wickets, and suddenly Afghanistan were tottering at 91 for 6, only to be ultimately bowled out for 151 in the 45th over. Waheedullah Shafaq top-scored with a run-a-ball 47. All bowlers picked up at least one wicket, with Kamindu Mendis claiming three. Three wickets from Hasan Khan and an unbeat-
en 89 from Zeeshan Malik helped Pakistan Under-19s to a seven-wicket win over Canada Under-19s and a place in the quarter-finals. Zeeshan opened the batting and saw Pakistan home as they chased down a target of 179 with 9.1 overs remaining. Zeeshan faced 122 balls, hit nine fours and a six, and shared partnerships of 51 with Gauhar Hafeez (20) for the first wicket and 108 with Saif Badar (44) for the third. Choosing to bat first, Canada had a couple of promising top-order stands, with Bhavindu Adhihetty (51 off 82) adding 60 for the second wicket with Amish Taploo (28) and 49 with captain Abraash Khan for the fourth wicket. But the wickets fell steadily thereafter, even as Abraash hung on at one end, and he was ninth out for a 65-ball 44 as Canada were bowled out for 178, with left-arm spinner Hasan finishing with figures of 3 for 36. (ESPN Cricinfo) Choosing to bat first, Canada had a couple of promising top-order stands, with Bhavindu Adhihetty (51 off 82) adding 60 for the second wicket with Amish Taploo (28) and 49 with captain Abraash Khan for the fourth wicket. But the wickets fell steadily thereafter, even as Abraash hung on at one end, and he was ninth out for a 65-ball 44 as Canada were bowled out for 178, with left-arm spinner Hasan finishing with figures of 3 for 36.(ESPN Cricinfo).
Young Liverpool thwarted by West Ham in second Wembley quest
(REUTERS)-Liverpool’s pursuit of a second Wembley Cup final appearance stalled at Anfield yesterday as Juergen Klopp’s second-string side had to settle for an undistinguished goalless draw with West Ham United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Four days after reaching the League Cup final with
their penalty shootout win over Stoke City, Klopp, no fan of English football’s congested fixture lists, opted to trust his youngsters as he made 10 changes to the team that played 120 minutes on Tuesday.His faith was only partially rewarded with his young side creating enough chances to earn victory after a dour first
half but lacking the cutting edge up front to avoid yet another fixture, an unwanted and difficult replay at Upton Park. We s t H a m w e r e , though, indebted to their goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who made fine stops from Cameron Brannagan, Joao Teixeira and Christian Benteke.
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McCullum to play Gracious Williams earns plaudits after shock defeat final one-day series pending fitness By Greg Stutchbury
MELBOURNE, (Reuters)-Serena Williams’ relaxed outlook on life spilled over even in defeat yesterday when she appeared to be almost as happy that Angelique Kerber had won her first grand slam final as the German herself. The 34-year-old Williams lost the Australian Open final to the seventh-ranked Kerber 6-4 3-6 6-4 in just over two hours of scintillating tennis on Rod Laver Arena in which the German negated the American’s power and capitalised on unforced errors. “I was actually really happy for her. She played so well today. She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from, just to always stay positive and to never give up,” Williams told reporters. “If I couldn’t win, I’m happy she did.” Williams had been bidding for her seventh Australian Open title and 22nd overall, which would have moved her into a tie with Kerber’s childhood idol Steffi Graf for the record in the Open era. Even though that record disappeared into the Melbourne evening, Wil-
Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts during a news conference after losing her final match against Germany’s Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, yesterday. Reuters/John French liams beaming smile and graciousness in defeat drew warm applause from the crowd and praise from the sporting world. “Fantastic gesture after match point and such kind words -- a great champion, @ serenawilliams!,” Manchester United and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said on Twitter. The response after defeat
Notable Dates
MICHAEL Benjamin was 21 years old when he made Mohammed Dawes his seventh Knock Out victim. Benjamin stopped Dawes in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-rounder on January 31, 1988 at the National Sports Hall. The fight was promoted by the People’s Syndicate Promotion and earned the orthodox Benjamin his 11th victory from 12 fights. The tenacious lightweight was coming off a sublimed performance against Jeff Roberts which allowed him to secure the national lightweight title. Following the victory over Dawes, the stocky boxer would reel off three more stoppages before being crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas lightweight champion. The title was
Michael Benjamin lifted after Benjamin was adjudged winner, via Unanimous Decision over former World Boxing Association (WBA) Ernesto Espana of Venezuela. Espana would hang up his gloves after the defeat but Benjamin stayed on and moved up to the welterweight division. He would take the national welterweight title after stopping Barrington Cambridge in the eighth round in May 1990.`
was a far cry from the player who was once booed by fans at the 2009 U.S. Open after a heated exchange with a line umpire for which she given a suspended ban and ordered to pay half of a $175,000 fine. Williams has previously said that a cut foot and blood clot on her lung that almost cost her career, and life, five years ago had helped her reassess, while in the last 12 months she has also recognised she is in the twilight of her career. She was under immense pressure last year when she had the opportunity to become the first player since Graf in 1988 to claim a calendar grand slam, only to have the dream ended by
Roberta Vinci in the U.S. Open semi-finals. Williams took the rest of the season off to rest niggling injuries and deal with the disappointment of missing the grand slam achievement. That loss, however, also appears to have helped her deal with expectations and she no longer puts that pressure upon herself. “Every time I walk in this room, everyone expects me to win every single match, every single day of my life. As much as I would like to be a robot, I’m not,” she said. “I do the best that I can. I try to win every single time I step out there, every single point, but realistically I can’t do it.”
WELLINGTON, (Reuters)-New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has been named to lead his country in his final one-day series against Australia next month, providing he can prove his fitness. The 34-year-old is expected to play New Zealand’s third and final one-day international against Pakistan in Auckland on Sunday, as he makes his way back from a back injury he sustained last month against Sri Lanka. “I’ve had a good couple of hits (in the nets),” McCullum told reporters in Auckland on Saturday. “It’s probably not 100 per cent but there’s a bit of stiffness so hopefully I’ll be fine for tomorrow.” To m L a t h a m w a s named as cover for McCullum, who will retire after the second Ttest against Australia in Christchurch next month. Top order batsman Ross Taylor (side) and bowlers Tim Southee (foot) and Mitchell McClenaghan (eye) were not considered for the three-match one day series against Australia that starts next Wednesday due to injury. “This is a pinnacle event for us and we will look to get our best side out on the park each time we play,” New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said yesterday.. “ We ’ v e b e e n l u c k y enough to use a big squad over the summer and although were missing a few key players, we have guys who can step in and we know
Brendon McCullum are up to the task.” Australia, who flew to New Zealand yesterday, would be without coach Darren Lehmann for the one-day series as he recovers from deep vein thrombosis that has restricted his travel. “We are still awaiting medical advice on when Darren is able to return to work,” Cricket Australia high performance manager Pat Howard said. “As he is not available for the ODI component of the New Zealand tour we have decided to remain with the current management team that will see Michael Di Venuto serve as acting head coach.” New Zealand squad for Australia one-day series: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham*, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson.
Roy Fredericks T20 Cup on today
FOUR teams from the West Berbice area will battle for supremacy today when the Blairmont Cricket Club hosts the Roy Fredericks Memorial T20 Cup competition. Cotton Tree Die Hards will go head to head against D’Edward Warriors from 08:30hrs, while the following match will see Bath Underdogs taking on home team Blairmont Blazers from 11:00hrs. The final is expected to bowl off from 14:30hrs.
After naming the main pavilion in honour of the left-handed West Indies batsman three week ago, the executives thought it right to do more for the legend because of his contribution to cricket. The respective teams are: D’Edward Warriors: Jaipaul Heeralall, Heeralall Brigelall, Ritesh Bridgelall, Altaf Khan, Eon Abel, Devindra Lalsa, Hoolsaram Lalsa, Christian France, Marcus France, Lakeraj
Sookra, Navin Rampersaud, Zulificar Bux, Pooran Persaud, H.Harilall, M.Persaud. Cotton Tree Die Hards: Nashad Gafoor, Roshan Gafoor, Romesh Boodram, Abdool Subhan, Pooran Persaud, Tage Singh, Ishwar Singh, Afzal Haroon, Adim shoetahal, P. Singh, Sohail Saffie, J Persaud, Totaram Hera. Bath Underdogs: Vishal Bijai, Richard Gangaram, Ravi Gossai, Kevin Ramnauth, Shaun Kadim, Andrew Dutchin, Navin Singh,
Sadaheo Latchman , Adrian Budhoo, Isaac Ajodha, Surujpaul Mohan, Hankumar Singh, Asif Hassan, Raju Gossai . Blairmont Blazers: Shabeer Baksh, Nick Ramsaroop, Zameer Inshan, Permanand Ramdhan, Philburge Wilburge, Kevon Jawahir, Mahendra Singh, Javid Karim, Derick Cadogon,Waqar Hassan, Brendon Bess, Nigel Trotz, Rameshwar Somwaru, Shimar Flats, Chandradat Veersammy.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 31, 2016
WICB president lauds NAGICO Super50 WEST Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron is pleased with the way the NAGICO Super50 tournament unfolded recently. The Super50 is one of the tools the WICB has been using to bring out talent in the West Indies with a view to raising the regional side’s stocks on the international scene. According to Cameron, while still in the early stages, the process is working. “I am actually convinced that we are getting better. Despite the conversation about pitches, which is something that we continue to work on, I think we had some reasonable (scores). We had new players coming forward and so from where we sit
TT Red Force lifted the NAGICO Super50 Trophy last Saturday night at the Queen’s Park Oval
we are reasonably happy,” said Cameron. The WICB president was speaking about players like Alzarri Joseph who is now playing with the West Indies Under19s in the Under-19 World T20s. “Obviously we have to look at the format for next year and we are happy that we are able to host so many games this year, which was a major achievement for us, and we hope to at least have those minimum games next year,” said Cameron. Cameron is also aware, however, that there are still issues that need to be fixed for the tournament and others like it, before real success is achieved. One of those issues has to do with the quality of the pitches. “It’s always going to be
challenging to play so many games in a short space of time using four grounds [Jamaica, Trinidad, St Kitts and Barbados]. Clearly the pitches deteriorate as the tournament goes on, so going forward we need to look at that (issue), but pitches in general continues to be a challenge for us,” said Cameron. The WICB chief says there are measures the WICB has tried to put in place, with Ken Grafton visiting the different islands to ensure quality pitches, but there needs to be more done by the individual territories. “… it comes back down to the curators that are on the spot and some of our government partners to ensure that we have quality wickets,” said Cameron. (Sportsmax.com).
Four schools secure Petra/Milo football wins THE 4th Annual Petra Organisation Milo School’s football tournament continued yesterday at the Ministry of Education Ground, with wins for Richard Ishmael, School of the Nations, Christ Church and Bishops’ High School. In the day’s first match, Richard Ishmael easily disposed of Carmel Second 3 – 1 with goals from Tamiel Hutson (5th minute), Isaiah Jacks (30th) and Closson McLaren (36th). Shevin Seepaul scored Carmel Secondary lone goal in the 31st minute. Sir Leon Lessons a noshow for their clash with Christ Church Secondary, while School of the Nations recorded a 2 – 2 win over Central High School, thanks to a double from Lyndon Dorway, who netted in the 13th and 47th minutes.
Bishops’ High School recorded their first win in the tournament, edging South Ruimveldt Secondary 2 – 1. Lloyd Anderson placed his school in the lead with his 37th minute strike, but in the 69th minute, Adrian Aaron equalised for South Ruimveldt Secondary, until Tyrese Souvenir snatched the win for Bishops’ High in the 73rd minute. Meanwhile, four more matches will be played today at the same venue: St John’s College and St George’s Secondary will play from 11:00hrs, followed by a game between Freeburg Secondary and Mae’s from 12:30hrs. Queenstown Secondary will play Tutorial Secondary at 14:00hrs and the day’s final game brings together Charlestown and St Rose’s Secondary at 15:30hrs. (Rawle Toney).
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday January 31, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) WI vs ENG, Kensington Oval, Barbados, 1930 (2) WI vs PAK, Albion, Guyana, 1977 Today’s Quiz: (1) Where did Gordon Greenidge play his first Test? (2) How many ODI centuries Desmond Haynes scored? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Part of the action between Richard Ishmael and Carmel Secondary at the Ministry of Education Ground yesterday.
Feroz Shah Kotla at risk of losing World T20 matches MUMBAI, (Reuters)-New Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla ground is in danger of losing its World Twenty20 fixtures after the Indian cricket board (BCCI) moved a match against Sri Lanka away from the venue due to administrative lapses. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) failed to get the requisite clearances from various civic authorities in order to host the Feb. 12 T20 match between India and Sri Lanka, forcing the BCCI to transfer the contest to Ranchi. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said the DDCA needed to procure all the necessary clearances by Sunday if they were to continue as the hosts of the March 8-April 3 tournament. “As far as the World Cup is concerned, the World Cup management committee has met today and has also discussed the issue of DDCA,” Thakur said. “They have given a dead-
Spectators wait in the stands in New Delhi December 27, 2009. Reuters/Punit Paranjpe/Files will shift those matches to the line of January 31, five o’ clock, to come out with the required NOCs (no-objection certificates) so that they can continue
as a host of the World Cup matches. “If they are unable to do so by 31st evening, then the BCCI
seven other remaining venues.” Delhi is scheduled to host four matches in the tournament, including a semi-final on March 30.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 31, 2016
GMRSC Endurance set for February 7
MOTOR-racing fans will be in for a treat next weekend when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) opens its season on February 7 with its first Endurance race of 2016 at the South Dakota Circuit. The event is expected to dust the cobwebs off drivers in what is seen as a very active year for racing, both locally and on the regional front. In keeping with tradition, cars will be classed into groups based on engine capacity and will compete for three hours along the largest version of the South Dakota Circuit. Registration is ongoing at the Club’s Thomas Lands office during busi-
Flashback! A lap of action at the South Dakota Circuit (Sean Charles
ness hours and participants are urged to register early with Vice- president of the club Shairaz Ro-
shandin saying that “So far we have about 20 competitors registered already.” Roshandin also revealed
‘Coolie Bully’ Returns!
-Dharry to headline GBBC International Slug Fest ELTON “The Real Coolie Bully”’ Dharry will headline the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) International Slug Fest, set for Saturday, February 27, at the Giftland Mall. The “Coolie Bully” was last in competition on May 12, 2015, when he faced San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Miguel Robles Rico’s, knocking him out at 2:46 in round three of four scheduled rounds. The Guyanese, who trains out of Brooklyn, New York, will return home to face Panama’s Israel Hidrogo in a 10-round bantamweight contest as the headline bout for the local board’s season- opening bout. The fight will be a warmup for the “Coolie Bully” who will be in competition again on the 21st of May in a British Commonwealth title fight. That fight will also happen in Guyana. Dharry’s encounter is one of five action-packed fights that are on the cards for the event, with the evening’s slug fest to be opened by a female bout. Mandessa Moses will take on Ansilla Norville in a four- round bantamweight
Elton “The Coolie Bully” Dharry
contest, while in the second fight, Imran “Magic” Khan takes on Quincy Gomes in a six- round lightweight affair. The action will continue when Revlon Lake meets Barbadian Miguel Antione in the squared circle over eight rounds for
their welterweight battle, while Dexter Marques and Freddie Beleno of Venezuela will hype the crowd with a 10-round flyweight battle. Tickets start at $3000 dollars for outer ringside and $5000 for ringside. (Stephan Sookram)
that this time around, the club is offering short races around the small track with cars being grouped accord-
that have been approved by an external scrutineer doing five laps around the small circuit as a lead-up to the three- hour endurance. “Over the years endurance has been growing,” said Roshandin, adding that “It started out as entertainment for the drivers, but it has grown into a spectator sport.” He expects over 30 cars on the grid for the event come Sunday. The club has also announced that spectator admission is free and the event begins at 10:00hrs. The GMR&SC will Photo) hold its Annual General ing to their engine capacity Meeting and election of office bearers on February as well. The five- lap races he 11 at its Thomas Lands noted, will see street cars office.. (Stephan Sookram)
Three females in GABA squad THE Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) has named three females in a shortlist of 40 boxers set to go into training for possible selection to a team to represent Guyana at a planned International Schoolboys, Junior and Youth tournament later this year. The three females, Akea Lamazone, Rianna Rogers and Rondessa Bagot hail from the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym in Linden. Eleven members of the shortlisted squad are from the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym in Albouystown, while 10 fighters will represent the Essequibo Gym, run by Clifton Moore. Essequibo was crowned Champion Gym at the last DDL Under-16 competition and leading its charge would be the talented Shaquancy Wright, a member of Team Guyana at last year’s Caribbean Development Tournament. The International Schoolboys and Juniors competition is scheduled to be held in Guyana on April 29 and 30, and it is being said that it will be the first of its kind in the Region. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia
Forgotten Youth Foundation boxer Seon Griffith are expected to participate. The shortlisted boxers are: Forgotten Youth Foundation: Seon Griffith, Stephon Smith, Orin Bancroft, Jamie Kellman, Dwayne Baptiste, Sean Graham, Travis Inverary, Shakiem Jones, Brian Harris, Orin Harris and Shamar Bumbury. Essequibo: Shaquincy Wright, Delroy Elcock, Deron Williams, Quancy Wright, Junior Hyman, Deshon Elcock, Shaquille
Wright, Christopher Moore, Shaka Moore and Akiel Mounter. Harpy Eagles: Akeem Ali, Deandre Linton, Joseph Semple, Kevon Mulling, Kevin Allicock and Travis Hubbard. Pocket Rocket: Akea Lamazone, Rianna Rogers and Rondessa Bagot, Herman White, Joel Allicock and Duel Augustine. Guyana Defence Force: Quincy Boyce and Kevin Walton. Carryl Boxing Gym: Joshua Corbin and Mohammad Bacchus Rose Hall Jammers: Jamal Eastman. New Opportunity Corps: Kevin Griffith and Nicko Jodha
Essequibo’s Shaquincy Wright
WICB to honour Shiv at appropriate time
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
See Story on page 34
Phillips, George and Caesar cop 2015 best athletes awards at AAG ceremony
A
SPECIAL award for the Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year was presented to young sprint sensation Kenisha Phillips, while Winston George fittingly copped Best Senior Male Athlete of 2015, and Compton Caesar and Avon Samuels, respectively, lifted the Best Youth Male and Female Athlete titles of 2015, when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held its annual awards ceremony last Friday at the Duke Lodge, Kingston. Other winners included Andrea Foster for Best Junior Female Athlete of the Year 2015, Linton Mentis for Best Junior Male Athlete of the Year and Euleen Josiah-Tanner for Best Senior Female Athlete of 2015. Coach of the Running Braves Athletics Club, Julian Edmonds, was
conferred the Coach of the Year Award. The ceremony saw athletes being awarded on the basis of their athletics performances in 2015; each category had three nominations from which the winner was selected. In the best senior male category, men’s 400m record holder, George, who is currently in the US on a training stint, topped a list of nominees that included South American 10K winner Cleveland Forde, and men’s javelin record holder Leslain Baird. For his part, Baird finished behind George for the runner-up position. George, who recently set Guyana’s first 300m record, was unquestionably deserving of the award. The Olympian broke the men’s 400m twice in
Some of the a w a r d e e s pose with their trophies at the AAG Annual Awards Ceremony
See page 33
Shabazz names provisional squad for CFU Caribbean Cup By Rawle Toney
Gregory Richardson
JAMAAL Shabazz yesterday announced his 26-member provisional squad ahead of the CFU Caribbean Cup, which kicks off on March 21 across the Region. The Golden Jaguars were drawn alongside Puerto Rico and Anguilla, in the 26-team Caribbean Football Union (CFU) tournament
which is being sponsored by Scotiabank. Round two of the championship is scheduled for May and Round three in October. The fifth-place playoff will take place in November and the finals in May 2017. The top four teams will qualify for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Since their 2018 World Cup qualifier against the
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‘Vincy Heat’ (St Vincent and the Grenadines), the Golden Jaguars were dormant and now, Shabazz will re-assemble his troops to better their 2007 showing in the tournament, where Guyana narrowly missed out on a spot in the semi-final and ultimately the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson, who, since the 2010 World Cup Qualifier
has not represented Guyana, was called by Shabazz, along with Pele teammates Konata Mannings, Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant and defender Jumaine Somerset. Vurlon Mills, Devon Millington, Solomon Austin, Joshua Brown, Colin Nelson, Sherwin Skeete, William Europe, Andrew Murray, Dwain Jacobs,
See page 34
Jamaal Shabazz
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016