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Woman dies No. 104367

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015

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Dead: Gangadai Persaud

...as truck topples off DHB P.2

Army veterans must enjoy ‘the good life’ 3 P.

…Granger gives 4.8M to Guyana Veterans Legion

The hydraulic crane retrieving the canter truck without its tray. The vehicle was placed on the Harbour Bridge and was towed to the Providence Police Station. (Delano Williams Photo)

GAWU aborts planned strike

Woman dies 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

– as truck topples off DHB By Rabindra Rooplall THE body of a 22-year-old market vendor was fished out of the Demerara River after the canter truck she was travelling in yesterday on the Demerara Harbour Bridge toppled overboard from the retractor span. Dead is Gangadai Persaud of Tuschen, New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, who has a nine-monthold baby. Her reputed husband, Dhanram Ramdeo Ramall, called ‘Rico,’ was the driver of the canter truck with licence plate GEE 4540. The 26-year-old Ramlall swam to safety as Persaud who was pinned in the passenger seat succumbed after the vehicle sunk in the Demerara River. The driver was taken into police custody at the Providence Police Station. According to an eyewitness, the driver of the canter was trying to pick up a bag

“The man look like he was trying to turn back, and is reverse he was reversing before the wheel jump over the edge, then the whole vehicle gone overboard,” the eyewitness explained. Reports reveal that the accident occurred between 04:00 -04:30 hrs Sunday morning when the cash- crop vendors were heading to Plaisance Market on the East Coast of Demerara.

Dead: Gangadai Persaud

of boulanger (egg plant) that dropped off the canter while he was heading east on the Harbour Bridge. The driver, in order to retrieve the bag decided to reverse on the ramp and his wheel jumped over the ridge of the retractor span on the bridge, causing the entire vehicle to topple overboard.

BRIDGE STAFF ASSISTED Several Harbour Bridge staff also assisted, using a hydraulic crane to aid with the retrieval of the canter truck. The woman was pulled out of the vehicle through the front windscreen and was taken by speedboat to another section of the bridge where she was placed in a hearse that took the body to the Lyken Funeral Parlour. Relatives of the dead

Relatives flocked around the hearse after the body was retrieved and subsequently taken to the funeral parlour. (Delano Williams photo)

The hydraulic crane retrieving the canter truck without its tray. The vehicle was placed on the Harbour Bridge and was towed to the Providence Police Station. (Delano Williams Photo)

woman rushed onto the Harbour Bridge after word spread of the accident. The dead woman’s mother, Anjali Persaud, said that after receiving a call she rushed to the scene and saw her sonin-law on a pontoon. “Meh ask am where meh daughter deh, he say mommy I try to get her out but meh na get to get she out, all he was doing was sitting down and crying on the pontoon, both of them can swim I don’t know what really happen,” the mother lamented. Reports revealed that the driver of the canter gave police various stories pertaining to what caused the accident. One being that his steering mechanism had cut, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and another saying that he fell asleep be-

hind the wheel, causing the vehicle to topple overboard. However, eyewitnesses have dismissed such events. Meanwhile, General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation Rawlston Adams said at 04:30hrs Sunday morning a supervisor received a call that a canter truck had gone off the bridge at span 11. CONFLICTING REPORTS “The canter driver had said that the rain was falling and he fell asleep and the truck went over the bridge… we were getting conflicting reports, one eyewitness reported that the truck was seen trying to turn around on the bridge and reverse off the bridge,” he explained. Underscoring that a diver confirmed that the truck went off the bridge tail first, Adams said the tide caused a delay with retrieving the vehicle since the current needed to change before the vehicle was extracted.

Noting that many vehicles have ended up overboard at span 11 of the Harbour Bridge, the general manager said many redesigns were suggested for the retraction section, but none to date would enable the bridge to properly operate. “Anything that we put up there will be in the way of the proper operation of the bridge, with these trucks and cars one has to understand they will still break through the barrier, since the mechanism put there has to be strong enough to restrict a vehicle from going over, that is a challenging task for that spot.” Adding that the average speed for that section of the bridge should not be more than 5 km per hour, he said with that speed no vehicle should lose control; as such, if a vehicle topples over, the driver was doing something that should not be done. He confirmed that there are no cameras at that section of the Harbour Bridge.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

Army veterans must enjoy ‘the good life’ …Granger gives 4.8M to Guyana Veterans Legion

By Svetlana Marshall Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of Guyana David Granger said military service men and women must be guaranteed a comfortable and dignified retirement as he pumped $4.8 Million into the Guyana Veterans Legion. At the time he was delivering the feature presentation at a ceremony held at Guyana Veterans’ Legion headquarters, Coghlan House, in observance of Remembrance Day. Of the grand total, the President being a member of the Guyana Veterans’ Legion contributed $1 million, while Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (in absentia) contributed an additional $1.8 million, some of which was due via a state subvention. For repairs and maintenance to Coghlan House another $1 million was donated, while the sum of $1 million was set aside to offset expenses incurred by the National Veterans’ Resting House in Lamaha Springs. As a long-term commitment on the part of the government, President Granger announced that the Guyana Veterans’ Legion would benefit from an annual state subvention with effect from 2016. “We do not see this as a reward for past services.

President David Granger handing over cheques to the tune of $4.8 million to President of the Legion George Gomes (Cullen Best Nelson photo)

We see it as an investment in the future, so that young entrants in the Defence Force must know that they can look forward to a comfortable and dignified retirement,” the President said. NATIONAL VETERANS’ COMMISSION In addition to the financial assistance offered, the government in keeping with

its mandate to provide better lives for veterans, will be rolling out a number of initiatives, starting with the convening of a National Veterans’ Commission. He recalled that as the Leader of the Opposition, he moved a motion in the National Assembly on November 21, 2013 calling for the establishment of a National Veterans’ Commission, adding that though it became

Resolution No. 60, it was never assented to by then President Donald Ramotar. “That Commission will be convening on the 21st November, 2015, exactly two years after the resolution was passed in the National Assembly and never assented to and now it has been.” The National Veterans’ Commission will examine the conditions under which veterans live and work, and

will subsequently make the requisite recommendations aimed at improving their lives. Additionally, President Granger disclosed that a Veteran Trust will be established to raise and maintain funds for continued education, training and settlement of veterans in society. The trust will also seek to procure land for housing and agricultural purposes on behalf of veterans. He said that already the Veterans’ Administrative Department has taken shape at Base Camp Ayanganna, noting that his government will support a “well-staffed, well equipped” unit which will ensure that veterans and their families receive their entitlements. It was pointed out that the passage of the Veterans’ Act will ensure that such entitlements are guaranteed and secured under the law. “The State acknowledges and accepts its obligation to assist our veterans to ensure that they, too, can enjoy a good life. The State will help to open opportunities for veterans when they leave active military service,” he said. OTHER DONATIONS In addition to the government, the Guyana De-

fence Force (GDF) donated $1million, the Guyana Fire Service – $25,000, the Guyana Prison Service – $100,000, City Constabulary $100,000 and former Chiefof-Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best –$50, 000, in recognition of the selfless service offered by veterans in protecting Guyana’s territorial integrity. Other financial pledges were also made by those present. Members of the Diplomatic Corps including British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Mark Phillips, President of the Legion George Gomes and the Legion’s General Secretary Kingsley Nelson were among those present at Coghlan House, paying homage to those men and women who died during World Wars I and II. Remembrance Day also known as Poppy Day is a Memorial Day observed by members of the Commonwealth in recognition of the noble men and women who would have lost their lives in the line of duty during World Wars I and II.

Some of the persons who were present at the Guyana Veterans’ Legion Headquarters, Coghlan House, to mark Remembrance Day (Cullen Best Nelson photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

Bangladesh boy killers to be executed

SIX men have been sentenced to death in Bangladesh for torturing and killing two 13-year-old boys in separate incidents earlier this year. Four were found guilty of beating Samiul Alam Rajon to death after they said he tried to steal a rickshaw. Six other men were jailed. The murder, filmed by one attacker on his phone, caused widespread outrage. In the second case, two car mechanics were condemned for the death of a former employee. Rakib Hawlader died in August after air was pumped into his body in retaliation for leaving his job. Rajon was attacked in July after a group of men accused him of stealing a bicycle rickshaw van in the north-western city of Sylhet. One of the attackers filmed the assault on his mobile phone. The footage showed the boy being tied to a pole and hit repeatedly

Rajon’s father reacts to the verdict

with a rod. the BBC’s Mahfuz Sadique. the 13-year-old had 64 sepa- by mobs in Bangladesh, the The video, which was rate injuries. While suspect- brutality of this particular Thousands of people posted on the Internet, ed thieves are often attacked attack sparked protests, says demonstrated in Sylhet and showed the boy pleading for his life and crying for water, and screaming: “Please don’t beat me like this, I will die.” An autopsy found that INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted defeat for his governing BJP in a key regional election in the eastern state of Bihar. An alliance of regional parties took 178 seats out of 243. The BJP won 58. Mr Modi won a convincing victory in last year’s national elections, but this poll was seen as a The defeat is seen as a setback for referendum on his economNarendra Modi ic programme. The Prime Minister had the poorest. Defeat is a major setback been hoping a victory in BiThe BJP’s defeat in Bihar for the Prime Minister, says the BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder, har would boost his party’s is the second consecutive strength in India’s Upper setback for Narendra Modi’s in Delhi. H o w e v e r, a s p o k e s - House of Parliament, which Hindu nationalist party since m a n f o r t h e H i n d u - l e d is made up of representa- it swept to power in Delhi nationalist BJP rejected tives of state legislatures last year. Earlier this year, the BJP suggestions the result was and where he lacks a majority. suffered a drubbing at the a personal blow for Mr With a population of 100 hands of an upstart anti-corModi, saying the party “ m a n a g e d a c r e d i t a b l e million, Bihar is one of In- ruption party in Delhi. Now a dia’s largest states and one of “grand alliance” of powerful performance”.

other parts of the Bangladesh over the killing. Thirteen men were originally charged in the case, but three were acquitted. Six received sentences of between a year and life. Kamrul Islam, described as the prime suspect, was one of those who received the death penalty. He had fled to Saudi Arabia after the murder but was arrested less than a week later after officials were reportedly tipped off by members of the country’s large expatriate Bangladeshi community. He was extradited in October. One of the other four men condemned to death is on the run, and so was sentenced in absentia. (BBC News)

Modi suffers Bihar election setback

DATE: 17/06/2015 B 01 06 24 26 18 25 09 DATE: 13/06/2015 K 03 09 16 26 12 24 01

06/11/2015

regional parties has handed out a defeat in what is one of India’s most politically crucial states. Despite what his defenders say, Sunday’s defeat is another blow to the charismatic Mr Modi, who is arguably the party’s biggest vote-getter and who attended 26 campaign rallies in Bihar ahead of the vote. The results make it clear that Mr Modi’s vote-catching abilities are on the wane and voters are already holding him to the promises he made to them last year. For India’s bedraggled opposition, the Bihar victory is a major shot in the arm. They will now be emboldened to challenge Mr Modi by forging alliances and change the narrative of Indian politics. (BBC News)

18 21

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

Trinidadians Chile and Peru in outraged by IS video new border spat

MANY residents were reacting on Friday with outrage and fear over the contents of a disturbing recruitment video produced by the Ar-Raqqah Province of the Islamic State (IS) featuring what appear to be four fighters from Trinidad and Tobago. One of the men, surrounded by his three children, called on the Muslims in Trinidad and Tobago to join in the fight. Reports of Trinidadians making the trip to Syria to fight, first surfaced last year, when former National Security Minister Gary Griffith estimated that at least 30 citizens were now terrorist fighters. A United Nations report also named Trinidad and Tobago as a country where fighters were being recruited. In the video, a man identified as Abu Zayd al-Muhajir said that in Trinidad and Tobago the practice of Islam was limited. He said there were no problems in wearing hijab or other Islamic wear; however, Muslims were only allowed to practice what they were told. He said, “The only practice that you can practice is what they tell you is halal [permissible] to practice. The other aspects of Islam are haram [forbidden] for you. You cannot practice your deen 100 per cent. It was yearning for me that I knew I had to leave; I had to leave this land. I cannot sit and watch my children grow up in this land in which they cannot practice their Islam 100 per cent.” Zayd al-Muhajir said his three young sons were attending school learning mathematics, English and Islam. The 11 minute, 20 second video, entitled, “Those who Believe and Made the Hijra,” was posted on social media. Each person interviewed in the video, spoke

Zayd al-Muhajir’s three young sons

in English. Another fighter, Abu Khalid, said although he lived comfortably in Trinidad he felt he did not belong there. He said Muslims in Trinidad were restricted. Khalid said he was raised as a Christian, but guided to Islam. “I always looked at the way the Muslims care about themselves; how they care about themselves, their family structure. After I started to recite certain verses from the Qur’an in Surat al-Baqarah, Surat al-Imran, Surat al-Taubah, I started to understand that fighting is something that has been prescribed upon Muslims,” he said. Trinidadian Abu Abdullah sent a message to his “brothers” in Trinidad and Tobago.

“What will we tell Allah the Great and Almighty? This is a question on our conscience. It constantly runs through my mind and ran through my mind before I made hijra is what will I tell Allah the Great and Almighty if I die in this state? Allah the Great and Almighty says in the Qur’an that the earth is vast. He means [unclear] what will we tell Allah the Great and Almighty if I don’t make hijra to the land of the Muslims, if I don’t make hijra to do my part and to give my little contribution towards the deen of Allah the Great and Almighty,” he said. Abdullah said the Islamic State was created by Allah and would continue to expand.

CHILE has protested against the Peruvian government’s decision to create a new district in a tiny disputed border area. Chile says the move has no legal basis but damages bilateral relations. Peru says residents in the new La Yarada-Los Palos district will be able to elect their representatives and take part in decisions about their future The current row began in 2014, after the International Court of Justice gave Peru an additional area of sea. The United Nations court gave Peru around 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 square miles) and control over a further 28,000 square kilometres (10,800 square miles) of ocean currently in international waters. The Hague court ruling was meant to put an end to a decades-old border dispute. The two countries disagree, however, as to where the new boundary starts. Chile says it starts from the same point on the coastline as it does now. Peru disagrees and says it begins 270 metres inland. The creation of the new administrative district was passed

President Humala says residents of the new district will enjoy better living standards by Congress last month and signed into law by President Ollanta Humala on Saturday morning. The Chilean government has issued a note strongly rejecting the move. “Chile has made consistent efforts to generate a favourable climate for constructive bilateral relations. “This move causes significant damage,” read the note. Mr Humala said the creation of the new district was part of reforms to promote decentralisation and democracy in Peru. “It is necessary to give

priority to the development of border zones and other areas of the country that have been historically neglected,” he said. The Chilean government has also accused Peru of deploying troops in the area, something Lima denies. The La Yarada-Los Palos area has a population of about 15,000 people. The district is in the area where where the 1879-1883 War of the Pacific took place. The war ended in humiliating defeat for Peru and Bolivia, which lost mineral-rich land to Chile.

Guyana

UG failing to fulfil its obligations Dear Editor,

EDITORIAL

They were neither good nor bad DISCUSSIONS of past presidents and prominent political leaders, primarily Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, and Walter Rodney are usually done within the binary of good and bad. Looking at these men through such simplistic lens denies society knowledge of what shaped their actions and informed their policies. Further, such examination robs the nation the desire for national unity and social cohesion. For the truth is, none was good nor bad, there were variations to their leadership, informed by the environment they operated in, ideological leanings, and positions held in the society. Jagan and Burnham entered politics during the colonial era and embraced the struggles for universal adult suffrage, internal self-government and independence. Their ideological positions, while varied, did not prevent them from sharing and achieving these common goals. Etched in this nation’s memory is the two men embracing on the night the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted declaring Guyana an independent State. This embrace occurred inasmuch as Burnham was Premier, Jagan Opposition Leader and the PPP’s pronouncement on their removal from office. During this period the Cold War divided the world along ideological lines and there were reservations by the West regarding the spread of communism in what it considered to be its backyard. Jagan being further left leaning (communist) comparatively to Burnham (socialist) did not enjoy the West’s confidence, whose role it was to grant Guyana its independence. What the man in street may consider internal interference, in international politics/diplomacy such is seen as advancing and protecting national interest. This practice still exists today where world powers seek to influence governance and relations around the globe, including determining who is elected to government, or making known which group enjoys their confidence. Notwithstanding the geopolitical reality and leadership rivalry between the two men, they shared a cordial and respectful relationship, substantiated by none other than Jagan’s son, “Joey.” Enter Rodney, a renowned academic, into the political fray. This entry came after Universal Adult Suffrage, internal self-government, independence and republican status were achieved. In this environment, though the Cold War existed, an internal framework for indigenous governance was shaped and was being implemented, at times with disagreement and support from Jagan and the masses. Rodney’s politics, which was electrifying and thought-provoking, was marked by actions that challenged the status quo, internally and externally. It was also personal and demeaning to political rivals. Simultaneously, the world’s economy was reeling from skyrocketing oil prices with the establishment of OPEC. Small countries such as Guyana, who heavily depended on imported oil,

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

EARLIER this year, the University of Guyana was subjected to considerable criticism for its failure to improve the facilities, services and working conditions of the university community. Like many Guyanese, I was angered by the apathetic response of the university administration and the previous government to address the mounting concerns expressed by the students and staff of the university. Sadly, despite the widely publicised protest for the transformation of the university, very little has been accomplished in this regard. I am currently a final-year student enrolled at the Berbice Campus. Some of my colleagues and I have found ourselves in the most dis-

tressing situation that could result in us not being able to graduate next year. Would you believe that the first semester is about to come to an end, and there are several courses that have not started? Currently, 16 of us who are required to complete a research study have not yet met with our recommended supervisor because he has not been given a contract. Some of our other colleagues, who were fortunate to have been assigned to a full-time lecturer at the Berbice Campus, have almost completed their research proposals and would soon commence the second part of their respective studies. I feel tremendously frustrated that I and my other colleagues have been placed at an immense disadvantage at the hands of the university administration that has remained ineffective in dealing

with this issue. What is most baffling is the fact that lecturers are available and willing to conduct the courses that have not been delivered, but it is the university administration that has not granted approval for contracts to be given to these lecturers. Irrespective of the reason for this decision, why did the university take our money to deliver a course within a specified semester, and then decide not to do so? Does the university administration have no ethical conviction to provide the services for which substantial finance has already been invested? Considering the severe flak directed at the university in the past couple of months, one would have expected that the university administration would do everything in its

power to avoid further damage to the university’s already unfavourable image; instead, however, the administration is callously inciting the ire of a large number of the student body. Is the administration waiting to be sued before it is prompted to act in the best interest of the students? In my desperate plea for some form of intervention, I humbly call on the Minister of Education, Dr Roopnarine, who back in May, expressed that if UG is not transformed in five years, he would consider himself a failure. Dr Roopnaraine, please do not wait until the next election to tout your plans for reforming UG; transformation can happen incrementally. Please act now. Regards, MELISSA A SINGH

Challenges to SME growth in Guyana

‘

Dear Editor,

THE National Debt Burden will not fall on the on the back of the sugar industry but on the fragile shoulders SMEs. Therefore it is necessary that we put this sector in gear and get this vehicle on the road. Innovation must be encouraged at all levels to create unique value added products that will generate demand and earn foreign exchange from traditional and non-traditional sectors; for our prosperity is relative only to our creativity and productivity. A diagnostic evaluation has surmised the following challenges as critical huddles to overcome before progress can be recognised in the sector, I have opted to suggest partial recommendations: Access to affordable financing has been recognised as a barrier to many entrepreneurs, the cost of finance in Guyana is significantly higher than that of its regional counterparts. This has held back entrepreneurs significantly and dragged economic growth. Strategic intervention by government is necessary, to explore funding for SMEs through the non-traditional financial sector, and this will create additional employment opportunities. Tax Administration system has no incentives for innovation, wealth creation and discourages entrepreneurship. Government

were badly affected and in instances of absence of social safety nets the masses reacted to the pains of austerity. It was a period that increased the disaffection in society with the national development thrust of self-sufficiency pursued by the Burnham administration. Seething just beneath the surface were the racial upheavals and fragile industrial relations climate that marked the 1960s. This was the environment Rodney entered and plied his political trade on a message that racial and working-class unity would deliver Guyana from its economic woes, societal conflicts and Burnham’s leadership. Rodney’s message was simple and resonated, and those dissatisfied with Burnham’s leadership, in part or whole, or wanted to remove the PNC from office found an active leader and ally. In juxtaposing these men one was Prime Minister, the other Leader of the Opposition, and another a political force, of which the former two held constitutional offices and concomitant responsibility to nation and constituents. Though Jagan was Leader of the Opposition and continuously vied to become Prime Minister, it had not been without giving support to Burnham’s national agenda, including nationalisation and border issues. Applying universal measurement in assessing Jagan, Burnham and Rodney which this nation must strive for at all times, there would

should explore an innovation/investor credit scheme which will provide tax credits for innovative companies or credits to company/individuals that provide venture capital to entrepreneurs. Additionally, there can be a start-up tax exemption scheme to provide, defined exemptions for qualifying entrepreneurs. ICT infrastructure is feeble; technology has revolutionised the way business is done and provides a competitive advantage in production of goods and services to SMEs in emerging markets. However, due to our feeble ICT infrastructure, SMEs are struggling to keep abreast with a rapidly changing global community. Telecoms liberalisation must be expedited on the legislative agenda. Stronger private sector organisations such as Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Inc (GCCI) and Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA) are self-serving, providing little or no support to the smaller chambers of commerce. These established chambers of commerce lobby in a self-restricting manner, seeking only the interest of its members and not that of our wider business community. This lack of representation is also evident on the Board of the Small Business Council (SBC). This can no longer be “Business As

See page 7 be difficulty arriving at an honest position that any was good or bad. The actions of these men impacted the society and affected our lives, positively or negatively, whether they had our support or not. For though they operated from their respective political parties, they belong to all of us since their contributions carried universal consequences. And this brings attention to the current spat about the acquisition and use of Red House for the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre. The argument that this building must only hold Jagan’s work because his ideological leaning and contributions should not co-mingle with other presidents since such will tarnish his good reputation is made of thinking this society must purge. Jagan did not operate in isolation of other leaders and the masses or live on a deserted island. The evidence shows that he operated in disagreement and in concert with others on the nation’s business and was paid by the state coffers in the discharge of constitutional duties. This is a man who took pride influencing people to his side of thinking. Thus the venomous position advanced by those claiming to be keepers of his legacy does grave disservice to his legacy and this society.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

Guyanese pedestrians most troublesome

AS Guyana observes Road Safety Month 2015, it has been pointed out that much more needs to be done to enhance road safety in the country. The theme for the month of activities is “Be wise, stay alive. Stop speeding, don’t drink and drive.” In giving his assessment of the usage of the road by Guyanese after living in Guyana for approximately two years, Assistant Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Douglas Slater said “Guyanese pedestrians are the most troublesome I have come across.” He said while motorists are often blamed for reckless driving, pedestrians ought to act responsibly when using the road. “Most people blame the motorists, and yes motorists have a lot of blame to take. But it seems to me that Guyanese pedestrians do not walk on the sidewalks that are available to them.” In addition to the need for pedestrians to act responsibly, Dr Slater said peddle cyclists also appear to be problematic, noting that they have developed a practice of riding in the nights without light or reflectors that pose serious threat to themselves. Another area of concern, he said is the need to control stray animals on the roads. Nevertheless, the CARICOM Assistant Secretary General committed the Secretariat’s support to helping Guyana in the promotion of road safety, thereby reducing the number of persons who die each year as a result to road accidents. “There are social and economic impacts of road accidents,” he said, adding “we are talking about the disabilities, the cost to the health care system, the cost to all of us as road users and motorists because our insurance premium goes up.” Meanwhile, PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow said the use of cellular phones while driving must be added to the list of contributing factors that lead to road accidents in Guyana. Alluding to the issue of driving under the influence of alcohol,

--says CARICOM Assistant SG Dr Slater

CARICOM Assistant Secretary General Dr Douglas Slater

Dr. Adu-Krow said this is a major concern but said this problem is not limited to Guyana. ““The consumption of alcohol even in relatedly small amount increases the risk of being involved in a crash for motorists and pedestrians.” According the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 1.25 million people die each year as a result to road traffic crashes while road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people between the ages 15-29. Notably, 90 per cent of the world’s road fatalities occur in low and middle income countries like Guyana, even though these countries have approximately half of the world’s vehicles. Half of those dying on the world’s roads are “vulnerable road users”: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Adverse weather pushes food prices up in October MAJOR food commodity prices rose in October, spurred by weather-driven concerns about sugar and palm oil supplies. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food Price Index averaged nearly 162 points in October, up 3.9 per cent from September, while still down 16 per cent from a year earlier. FAO’s latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief slightly trimmed its October 2015 forecast for global cereal production and now projects production at 2.53 billion tonnes, 1.1 per cent below last year’s record output. Half of the forecast cut reflected dimmer expectations about maize crops in India and Ukraine, mostly due to adverse weather. Drought in Thailand prompted a reduction in the seasonal rice harvest projection. At the same time, the forecast for global wheat production has been raised, largely reflecting a bigger harvest in the European Union (EU) than earlier anticipated. World cereal stocks are expected to remain at a comfortable level, with global wheat inventories rising further, reaching their highest level in 15 years. FAO’s Sugar Price Index led the overall rise, surging 17.2 per cent from September, amid fears that excessive

rains in the main growing regions in Brazil would impact the sugarcane harvest and also reports of drought in India and Thailand. The sharp jump reversed the sub-index’s decline since February. Intensifying concerns that El Niño may hamper next year’s palm oil supply in Indonesia, coupled with slow progress in soybean plantings in Brazil, due also to unfavourable weather, spurred a 6.2 increase in the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index. The Dairy Price Index rose 9.4 per cent from September on concerns that milk output in New Zealand would decline. The Meat Price Index was stable. The Cereal Price Index also rose, albeit by a modest 1.7 per cent, pushed up in part by growing concerns over dry weather conditions affecting wheat crops in Ukraine and southern parts of the Russian Federation. The FAO Food Price Index is a trade-weighted index that tracks prices on international markets of five major food commodity groups: cereals, meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar.

PAHO/WHO Country Representative Dr William Adu-Krow

According to the WHO, without action, road traffic crashes are predicted to rise to become the 7th leading cause of death by 2030. As such, the newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s has set an ambitious road safety target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2020. President David Granger, during the launch of Road Safety Month last week, said Guyana’s remains committed to the UN resolution. He has since proposed a three-point plan to reduce road accidents but more importantly road fatalities on Guyana’s roadways. In the plan, emphasis will be place on Enforcement, Education and Engineering. (Svetlana Marshall)

Challenges to SME ...

From Page 6 Usual”, lobbying for SMEs must be collective, consultative, holistic and representative. Technical support and training must be provided to those chambers that lack the capacity or human resource in critical areas such as financial management, market research and negotiation. Oftentimes entrepreneurs are good at innovation but poor at managing cost, increasing competitiveness or market communication among other things relevant for successful enterprise management. This highlights the need for incubators to nurture these infant industries and the opportunities for tertiary institutions to development/offer academic programmes which allow seamless integration of graduates into the workplaces. Policy support from government to entrepreneurs must also be in the context of learning to earn programmes and not social welfare programmes. I am not aware of any published plan by the present government or any civil society organisation to address the challenges faced by SMEs, but as we approach November 16 – 22, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2015, I would hope to see concrete actions from the government’s bench towards addressing the issues of SMEs. According to a GEW bulletin, Guyana Youth Business Trust (GYBT) was the only organisation that contributed towards GEW 2014 activities in Guyana; it is expected given the gusto on the campaign trail, that Ministry of Business has planned something tangible. Regards, DENNIS MAYERS

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

World Bank report pushes – says can keep more than 100 million out of poverty climate-smart development Climate change is already preventing people from escaping poverty, and without rapid, inclusive and climate-smart development, together with emissions-reductions efforts that protect the poor, there could be more than 100 million additional people in extreme poverty by 2030, according to a new World Bank Group report released before the international climate conference in Paris. The report, “Shock Waves: Managing the Impacts of Climate Change on Poverty”, finds that poor people are already at high risk from climate-related shocks, including crop failures from reduced rainfall, spikes in food prices after extreme weather events, and increased incidence of diseases after heat waves and floods. It says such shocks could wipe out hard-won gains, leading to irreversible losses, driving people back into poverty, particularly in Africa and South Asia. “This report sends a clear message that ending poverty will not be possible unless we take strong action to reduce the threat of climate change on poor people and dramatically reduce harmful emissions,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Climate change hits the poorest the hardest, and our

challenge now is to protect tens of millions of people from falling into extreme poverty because of a changing climate.” Without climate-informed development in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2.6 million more people could fall into extreme poverty by 2030, largely as a result of the health impacts of climate change and effects of warmer temperatures on worker productivity. Natural disasters are also likely to disproportionately affect the poor in the region. When hurricane Mitch hit Honduras in 1998, poor people lost proportionally three

times more assets and income than better-off groups. The report finds that the poorest people are more exposed than the average population to climate-related shocks such as floods, droughts, and heat waves; and they lose much more of their wealth when they are hit. In the 52 countries where data was available, 85 per cent of the population live in countries where poor people are more exposed to drought than the average. Poor people are also more exposed to higher temperatures and live in countries where food production is expected to decrease because of climate

change. The report, released a month before negotiators gather in Paris for international climate talks, shows how ending poverty and fighting climate change can be more effectively achieved if addressed together. MAIN DRIVER Agriculture will be the main driver of any increase in poverty, the report finds. Modelling studies suggest that climate change could result in global crop yield losses as large as five per cent by 2030 and 30 per cent by 2080. Health effects—higher incidence of malaria, diar-

rhea and stunting—and the labour productivity effects of high temperatures are the next-strongest drivers. The impact of climate change on food prices in Africa could be as high as 12 per cent in 2030 and 70 per cent by 2080 – a crippling blow to those nations where food consumption of the poorest households amounts to over 60 per cent of total spending. In focusing on impacts through agriculture, natural disasters and health, the report calls for development efforts that improve the resilience of poor people, such as strengthening social safety nets and universal health coverage, along with climate-specific measures to help cope with a changing climate, such as upgraded flood defenses, early warning systems and climate-resistant crops. ALL OUT PUSH NEEDED At the same time, the report says an all-out push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is needed to remove the long-term threat that climate change poses for poverty reduction. Such mitigation efforts should be designed to ensure that they do not burden the poor. For example, the savings from eliminating fossil fuel subsidies could

be reinvested in assistance schemes to help poor families cope with higher fuel costs. In poor countries, support from the international community will be essential to accomplish many of these measures, according to the report. This is particularly true for investments with high upfront costs-- such as urban transport or resilient energy infrastructure -- that are critical to prevent lockins into carbon-intensive patterns. “The future is not set in stone,” said Stephane Hallegatte, a senior economist at the World Bank who led the team that prepared the report. “We have a window of opportunity to achieve our poverty objectives in the face of climate change, provided we make wise policy choices now.” The report also reviews successful policy solutions to show that good development can protect the poor from shocks. For example, in Mexico, beneficiaries of Prospera, the national cash transfer programme, are less likely to withdraw their children from school when hit by shocks. In Peru, the issuance of property titles to over 1.2 million urban dwellers encouraged households to invest more in their homes, reducing vulnerability to natural hazards.

West Berbice women find common ground in entrepreneurship – with full backing of NCDS

Local organiser, Ms Latchmin Azeez speaks to representative of the West Berbice women development groups Sunday last

By Clifford Stanley THE representatives of four recently formed women’s development groups in West Berbice have been assured of full support for their entrepreneurial activities by senior staffers of the National Community Development Secretariat (NCDS). The assurances were given during a meeting between

NCDS officials and the women at the Bush Lot Primary School, at Bush Lot Village West Coast Berbice on Sunday last. The women who participated were representatives of the groups formed in Bush Lot/ Armadale, Trafalgar/Tempie, Catherina’s Lust/Fort Wellington and Number 22 Bel Air, all West Coast Berbice villages, a few weeks ago.

The NCDS team comprised Director, Mr Eugene Gilbert; Assistant Director, Mr Donald Ainsworth; and Public Relations Officer, Ms Nicole Telford. Others present at the NCDS outreach included Ms Rafia McWilfred of Luminous Women, headed by First Lady Sandra Granger; Ms Patsy Russell, Guyanese Financial Sector Specialist based in Canada; Mr Lindsworth

Costello of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT); Regional Community Development Officer (RDO) for Region 5, Ms Carol Nurse; Member of Parliament for Region 5, Ms Jennifer Wade; and prominent West Coast Berbice residents Mr Carl Sutton and Ms Latchmin Azeez, who were instrumental in getting the women to form the groups. Director Gilbert told the

women that it is the job of the NCDS to develop a relationship with them so that they can access all the financial and capacity building benefits that the government and international donor community has to offer. He said that the NCDS will help them access financing for their agro-processing and other projects, and also build their capacity for management and leadership. Financial Sector Specialist Ms Patsy Russell promised to help the women develop their capacity for record keeping for marketing and other small business skills. Mr Costello of the BIT told them that all they needed to do was write to the Board requesting training in which the Board can assist and they will receive such help. MP Jennifer Wade said that there was a clamour from

other women throughout West Berbice for the formation of such women community groups. She stressed that these groups were not for a “select few” as in the past, but for all the women of West Berbice who yearn to improve the quality of life of their families and the communities in which they live. Mr Ainsworth, who is responsible for Community Development in both East and West Berbice, told the women to develop the confidence that they can establish themselves and make their businesses grow. He told them that the new Government is making capital more easily accessible to small business people. He said: “Our visit here to you women is not a oneoff exercise. Once you have the confidence that you can establish your business and make it grow, we will be here to help you do it.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

Poverty and abuse

The tragic story of a teenaged mother By Rabindra Rooplall

INSTEAD of enjoying her teenage years, a broken home threw a 13 year old prematurely into experiencing some rather unfortunate aspects of adult life. You’ve probably seen news stories and made-forTV movies about date rape, domestic violence, teenage abuse stories and other abuse of women. Women and teens often dismiss these stories, thinking they don’t affect them. Guess what? Chances are you know someone who is a victim. The now 20-year-old mother, Jane (not her real name) dropped out of secondary school, because her parents could not afford to continue sending her. The then teen, who formerly lived in Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, decided to become engaged to a man who was 10 years older. “My home was broken – my mom and dad got separated due to their issues – so I decided that I needed someone I could depend on and help my Mommy and myself,” she explained. She said that she lived with this older man for eight months, whom she referred to as her “husband.” However, the relationship was an abusive one; her reputed husband constantly abused her. She was also very disliked by the relatives of her “husband,” so much so that the constant negativity drove the man to take his own life later. She said the man’s relatives always spoke ill of her, saying that they did not approve of the relationship, as she was too young, lacked education and was from a poor family. “I had to endure beating

at the hands of someone older than me, but I stayed with him because I wanted a life,” she lamented.

FROM BAD TO WORSE Nevertheless, things went from bad to worse after she decided that she would follow-up on her education and return to school. She recalls excitedly heading to Georgetown to purchase school items. Unbeknown to her, her partner was slowly drinking himself into a drunken fit, spurred on by his family’s claims that she had not gone to purchase school items, but to meet another man instead. “During that day, I silenced my cell phone and went about my search for my school clothes. When I get back into a bus after getting everything, I decided to look at my phone and saw 17 missed calls. “I then saw him calling again and I decided to answer to explain that I was sorry I didn’t get to answer the phone,” she explained. Knowing this would infuriate the man, relatives continued until she returned home. Upon opening the door she was greeted with a slap that sent her sprawling into a room. It was the beginning of something she would never forget. After being brutalised by her reputed husband, she decided to remain in the room where she stared aimlessly at the walls. Drinking himself further into a rage with his relatives fuelling his distrust, the man then went into the room, locked the door behind him and placed the key firmly in his pockets. Her husband who threatened to take his life several times before when they would argue,

committed suicide that day. He reached for the kerosene stove and poured the fuel into his mouth after which he asked for matches. Not taking him seriously, she ignored his tantrums and continued staring at the walls. He subsequently found a box of matches and lit himself afire. “Before he lit himself alight, he said let me see how long this will light for, then the only thing I could have done when he lit himself was to grab a sheet and wrap him. “That’s all I could have done; the door was locked and I could not have gotten any help, all I could have done was wrap him in a sheet to try and save him.”

The life she had with her reputed husband for eight months finally ended with him committing suicide. Relatives hurled accusations and theories wildly as she was taken into police custody and released after it was confirmed the man had committed suicide. After being released from custody and despite wanting to attend the funeral, relatives did not allow this and her abuser was cremated, a process which she vividly remembers began in a locked room before her eyes. A few months later, the then teen learnt that she was pregnant. She visited the Grove Health Centre, unsure of what to do. She looked around and took in every-

thing around her but, before anyone could question her, the fear of not knowing what to say or what to do forced her to turn away. The following day, she returned and sat quietly in a corner trying to muster some confidence. She was then approached by the centre’s personnel, who gently asked her why she was there. The then fragile young lady broke down into tears and was led into a room where she eventually related her woes. At the health centre, she was assisted by Dr Oneka Scott. The doctor recalls: “By the fourth question – which was still general information – she breaks down, this very fragile female – yet a child in many ways – was abused and raped. Her mother had not the slightest notion about what was going on. But worst of all, this little fragile human being was ostracised by her older siblings who knew what was happening in the home. Her story broke our hearts, even more so when we realised she was pregnant.” SUPPORT GROUPS NEEDED According to Dr Scott, stories such as these are far too common and therefore support groups for teen mothers are needed in every health care centre in Guyana; and this might actually be a reality in the near future. According to Shevon Lewis, Focal Point for Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Public Health, the ministry is looking towards organising a teenage pregnancy clinic and teenage pregnancy support group in each health centre. “We know that many

times when the teenagers go to the centres they are not treated with the most respect. Many of them are actually chastised and it’s not just by the persons who are at the centre, but also by other patients attending the clinic.” She said that it was therefore thought best to separate the teen mothers from the general population. In these private areas, the expectant young mothers would be provided with counselling and advice on family planning. She disclosed that a pilot programme was initiated in the Grove Health Centre last year and has been highly successful. She said that at this centre, not only was the teenage pregnancy clinic set up, but a support group was also created. A United Nations report has spotlighted what it describes as the high rates of teenage pregnancies in the Caribbean and other developing countries. The report has called on governments to help girls achieve their full potential through education and adequate health services. “The State of World Population 2013,” produced by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), notes that out of the 7.3 million births, 2 million are to girls who are 14 or younger, many of whom suffer “grave longterm health and social consequences from pregnancy”. The report says that an estimated 70,000 adolescents in developing countries die each year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. “Too often, society blames only the girl for getting pregnant,” said UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin.

Walterine Inniss: ‘The Black-Cake Lady’ By Michel Outridge WHAT’S Christmas without a proper home-made black cake to celebrate the festive season? But with so much to do, and so little time in which to do it at this time of year, who better to turn to for help than someone who, to coin a phrase, knows her way around ‘black-cake’. Meet the spritely, upbeat Walterine Inniss, who has been in the business

The best black cake maker: Walterine Inniss

since she was a teenager, working alongside her mom, who’s now deceased. Together, they baked up a storm, making the most delightful black cakes, pastries, mauby and ginger beer specially for ‘Steamer Day’, as Tuesdays were called back in the 1970s in good old Hosororo Hill, one of the many communities of Region 1 (Barima-Waini). Back then, Walterine’s mom, a single-mother of seven was well known in

the community as ‘The Black-Cake Lady’, a nickname she earned because the quality of her product was second to none. It’s a tradition young Walterine has vowed to carry on in her honour. She makes one of the best black cakes you will have ever eaten: It is moist and rich, with all selected local ingredients of mixed peel, cherries, nuts among other ingredients based on the customers’ choice,

where even rum is added. Walterine has been into black-cake making for about 11 years now on her own, having moved to the city in 1979; she does it as a “side” business, especially during the Christmas season. The mother of one makes the ideal black cake from scratch, which, she swears, takes about a day to prepare. “It’s a meticulous process,” she says. But just don’t take my

word for it; you must try a sample of Inniss’s black cake. And once you do, I am sure you will be addicted, just as I’ve been for the past two years. During the Christmas season, the 52-year-old who is also a professional caterer, facilitates orders for black cakes and can be contacted on cell phone number 644-6093. Prices range from $3,000 for a half-pounder to $6,000 and up.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

WWII vets pledge City Hall rakes in to Guyana over $500M in taxes allegiance – at Rememberance Day reception – extends amnesty until end of November By Telesha Vidya Ramnarine THE Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has raked in more than $500 million at the end of last October in rates and taxes that citizens and businesses paid over during the amnesty period that began in September. A c c o r d i n g t o D e p uty Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen, $500 million was the target of the M&CC at the end of October. Because of the tremendous response that the council has been receiving, she said the amnesty has been extended until November 30. This, however, represents the final extension. For this month, the municipality is hoping to collect another $100 million. According to her, some persons explained to the M&CC that their bank loans were in the process of coming through and hence they needed more time to be able to benefit from the amnesty. Furthermore, many queries had to be done which required more time. Some businesses still delinquent Although the M&CC has been so considerate and flexible, Chase-Green said some businesses just did not

Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green

budge. These will of course be taken to court, she said. However, those who went into the council and made an effort to pay, even if they could not complete their outstanding amounts, will be shown consideration. This extension now gives commercial and residential property owners a third chance to settle their accounts without having to pay interest, given that the initiative, which initially started on September 1, 2015, was slated to run only for that month. Town Clerk Royston King had told this newspaper recently: “We have received a very good response from property owners, as

even though we are waiving the interest, some property owners could not have managed the demand within the time frame.” Moreover, he said because the M&CC understands what is going on in the economy, the decision was taken to give property owners another opportunity to come in and settle their accounts as soon as possible. When it was announced earlier that an amnesty for defaulting taxpayers was being granted to afford them an opportunity to pay their rates and taxes interest-free, residential property owners were offered a 100% amnesty on interest accrued, while commercial property owners were required to apply for a review by an amnesty panel, before securing between 5075% amnesty on the interest accrued. All property owners are being encouraged to take advantage of this deal and settle their accounts, so that the City Council could obtain financing to pursue a number of plans currently in the pipeline. Over the years, persons have been withholding payment of their rates and taxes, causing the M&CC to halt projects, while finding difficulty in executing routine works.

MEMBERS of the Guyana Legion said yesterday that they will not sit idly by as Venezuela and Suriname threaten the territorial integrity of the country. In addressing the issue of aggression, President of the Legion George Gomes said the organisation has taken note of the attempts by Venezuela and Suriname to “destabilise the country and its development.” “Mr. President, please be assured that we the veterans of Guyana Veterans Legion are ready and prepared to play our part… in full support of your Government’s effort to resolve these issues and have them successfully concluded,” Gomes said as he spoke directly to President David Granger. At the time, Gomes was delivering remarks at the Guyana Veterans Legion Headquarters, at Coghlan House, where a reception was being held to mark Remembrance Day. President David Granger, who in his address, spoke briefly on the threats issued by both Venezuela and Suriname, said, “We can’t afford to blink or close our eyes to the threat at our borders; we

cannot cede our territory or sea space.” In his last address in the National Assembly, President Granger said Guyana is more than willing to settle the territorial controversies with Suriname and Venezuela through the judicial process, noting that a judicial settlement will be consistent with the spirit of the Geneva Agreement, particularly with regard to the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. Following ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil in the Liza-1 well in the Stabroek Block, approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, Venezuela has expanded its claim to include Guyana’s Atlantic front. This new area claimed by Venezuela includes Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and also intrudes on the EEZ of Suriname, French Guiana, Barbados and a chain of other Caribbean islands. ExxonMobil is a U.S.based oil and gas company. Venezuela’s latest claim came in the form of decrees by that country’s President, Nicolas Maduro. The first decree claimed the waters

President of the Legion George Gomes

that include the area where Exxon is drilling, in addition to the earlier claim of the Essequibo, which is two-thirds of Guyana’s land mass. The second decree, which replaced the first, does not specify any coordinates in relation to boundaries, but makes clear that Venezuela is ready to use military force to defend its new maritime boundary. Guyana has condemned both decrees, contending that the claim by Venezuela to this country’s EEZ has no basis in international law, pointing out that the 1899 Tribunal Award had put to rest that country’s claim to the Essequibo.

Faith-based organisations, others failing young people – says GRPA Executive Director By Telesha Vidya Ramnarine THE school system, along with faith-based and other organisations, has been failing young people in Guyana, who are in need of help, Executive Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth has observed. For instance, some young people who stay away from school after being raped, impregnated, or ran away from home are often shunned and rejected when they are ready to return to school.

GRPA Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth

“Many institutions fail these young people,” she said, adding that unlike those, the entire operation of the GRPA is user- friendly.

“They need access to facilities where they can get help and access to services. Many who are having sex at a young age are not using contraceptives and one of the reasons is that such contraceptives are not available to them. We still talk about abstinence, but let’s be realistic,” Bisnauth urged. She believes that a comprehensive approach is needed for help to be administered to these young ones. Bisnauth spoke to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, especially in the context of GRPA’s recently concluded 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Its theme was: “Reducing Teenage Pregnancy in Guyana” under the tagline: “Be Proud! Be Responsible! Be Protective!” “BODYBOSS CAMPAIGN” The GRPA Youth Advocacy Movement took the opportunity to present their “BodyBoss Campaign,” which aims to empower adolescents and youths to make wise choices and to reduce risky sexual behaviours. The keynote address was delivered by Marianne Flach, UNICEF Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname. A teen moth-

er, Vidyamatie Persaud, shared her story and the Youth Advocacy Movement rendered messages in drama and other artistic forms. Meanwhile, the GRPA is one of the oldest Non-Governmental Organisations in Guyana and is a leading provider in sexual and reproductive health and an advocate for sexual and reproductive rights. “The Association has a rights-based and holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health care and also offers education, emotional and psycho-social support, and counselling to ensure the total well-being of the client is considered.

The organisation has been growing in strength and currently has a major focus on adolescents and youth with whom it works, providing comprehensive sexuality education, including gender, sense of self, values, parenting, genderbased violence, HIV/AIDS, STIs and other lifeskills and related areas. The GRPA also has a Youth Friendly Space, which is welcoming and comfortable and where confidentiality is assured,” GRPA had said. In the last 12 months, GRPA said it has provided more than 50,000 services, including medical care, counselling and education.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

Mahaicony fatal crash driver on the run By Leroy Smith

ALTAB Bacchus, the driver in Saturday evening’s fatal accident on the Mahaicony Public Road was up to late last evening still on the run while the children of one of his victims are mourning their loss and the relatives of three other injured victims, two of whom remain hospitalised, are hoping for a full and speedy recovery. According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle late last evening, the driver of the car who actually caused the accident is still to present himself to the police, although the police on Saturday evening had initially thought that he was seeking medical attention when he failed to show up at the station on Saturday night. On Saturday Irene Ramsey, 45, a mother of seven daughters who resided at Lot

2 Perth Village, Mahaicony was killed while standing on the roadway awaiting transportation to get home. Three other persons, Winelli Usher, 25, of Lot 6 Perth Village Mahaicony; Alanca Cummings, 32, of 45 Zeskendren Central Mahaicony; and Ruth Percival, 26, of Perth Village, Mahaicony were also injured in the accident. They too were standing on the roadside. According to the information that the police received, the accident took place at approximately 19:40 hrs on Saturday along the Harmony Hall Public Road, East Coast Demerara, as motorcar PRR 9383 which was being driven by Kwame Springer of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, and motorcar PMM 3093 being driven by Altab Bacchus of Lot 29 Block 3 Craig Mill, Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, collided.

The car driven by Springer was heading east along the public road while the car driven by Bacchus was proceeding west at the time of the crash. However, Springer told the police that the car driven by the other driver came into his lane and slammed into the side of his vehicle causing it to spin. It was while the car was spinning that it ended up on the other side of the road and knocked the pedestrians down who were awaiting transportation to head back to Central Mahaicony. Ramsey, the mother of three, was reportedly killed on the spot while the other persons were rushed to the hospital where with the exception of one, were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. ONE IN CUSTODY Police Traffic Chief Dion Moore when contacted yesterday by the Guyana Chron-

Dead: Irene Ramsey

icle confirmed that one driver was in custody while the other is at large. He also confirmed that the driver, who has been in police custody since Saturday evening, was tested for alcohol consumption and it was found that he had no alcohol in his system. Last evening eyewit-

nesses told this publication that they were seated on the shoulder of the road when they observed the two cars coming from different directions. One man stated that due to a bridge in the area that is uneven, the drivers heading west would usually cut into the northern lane to avoid the bump on the western end of the bridge then cut back into the southern lane. It was during one of those manoeuvres that the accident took place. The driver of motorcar PMM 3093 who is presently on the run cut into the lane of the other car that was heading east and before he could have returned to his lane, the other vehicle slammed into his side causing the vehicle to spin and ending up on the northern side knocking the persons down. Yesterday when this publication revisited the community of Mahaicony, the

relatives of Ruth Percival explained that the young lady who teaches at the Mahaicony Secondary School had just attended a birthday party for a “sister” from the church when the accident took place. All the persons involved in the accident are from the same church, and work at the Mahaicony Secondary School. Yesterday afternoon the daughter of the dead woman said that they were very disturbed at the level of road carnage and stated that something needs to be done with respect to errant drivers, especially those who drive under the influence of alcohol. One of the eldest daughters told this publication that the family is open to speaking with the errant driver and his relatives with respect to the funeral expenses for their mother and the arrangement of compensation.

Teenage pregnancies contribute to high maternal mortality rates – Dr Norton – 16 maternal deaths so far for 2015 By Rabindra Rooplall

GUYANA has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality and teenage pregnancies contribute to that risk factor as the country has recorded 16 maternal deaths so far this year, according to Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton. Guyana has exceeded the maximum Millennium Development Goal (MDG) limit of 11 maternal deaths this year, as it continues to struggle with the issue. A shortage of skilled obstetricians has been listed as one of the biggest challenges Guyana has had in its efforts to reduce its maternal mortality rate. Government has allocated in the 2015 budget over $133.1 million for the expansion of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) maternity unit, increasing its capacity by 50 beds. Minister Norton said the maternal mortality rate is getting worse and government will be recruiting additional expertise in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in an effort to reduce maternal mortality. A report, Norton said, subtitled “Motherhood in childhood - facing the challenges of adolescent pregnancy,” stated that the Latin American and Caribbean Region has an adolescent birth rate of 73 per 1,000 girls and a maternal mortality ratio of 81 per 100,000 live births.

Teenage pregnancy crisis He said teenage pregnancies have escalated into a global crisis with more than seven million teenaged girls in poor countries giving birth before the age of 18 years. Girls under the age of 15 have accounted for over two million of the 7.3 million girls who are impregnated each year and the current trends remain. “It is estimated that there will be an upsurge of adolescent birth among girls under 15, swelling to 3 million a year in the year 2030. According to the world population report in 2013, Guyana has had the second highest rate of adolescent pregnancies in both the Caribbean and South America, with 97 out of every 1000 girls between the ages of 15-19 giving birth,” he said Mentioned in the same report, he said motherhood in childhood is an oversight that is plaguing the developing world and stripping young girls of their human rights and physical and psychological health. The vast majority of teenage pregnancies, at least 82 per cent, unintended, unplanned and unwanted pregnancies lead to several problems in society. With this in mind, Dr Norton said the Ministry of Public Health through its Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Promotion Unit, along with the Education Ministry has recognised the challenges faced by young people in general

and as such will undertake several approaches to implement strategies which focus primarily on teenage pregnancy in Guyana. Dr Norton said it distresses him whenever he reads the newspapers and sees there is another maternal death, as he made reference to a news article on a 17 year old who had her third pregnancy and third C-section. It meant that she would have had her first pregnancy at 13 years of age which boils down to lack of education. Although CARICOM has committed to family life health education programmes, little progress has been made in its implementation through the school system. Minister Norton noted that progress has been slow although the policy has been accepted since 2001. “We signed a paper to support some convention but we are not seeing the action, every little advice to our children counts, the taboo about sexual education must be done away with.” He said girls in Guyana are experiencing puberty at the tender age of eight. Most of the females entering secondary school are all becoming young ladies. “The Ministry of Public Health will work tirelessly with other ministries as well as other non-governmental organisations. Education with a strong prevention message seeks to identify and address factors that contribute to teenage

Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton

pregnancies.” MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH He said a multi-sectoral approach is being taken for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy in Guyana. The Public Health Ministry will implement creative and supportive policies to strengthen strategies for the reduction of adolescent pregnancy. “We need to increase access to quality sexual and reproductive health services and commodities for adolescence to strengthen surveillance and monitor systems for adolescent pregnancies between the age group of 10-15 and 16-19; we definitely have to have this,” he declared. “Many times doctors don’t have

a choice because they reach the GPHC either underage or overage; we have to recognise its high risk and we have to take the necessary precautions as any kind of accident can happen.” In addressing the issue, the Public Health Minister plans to disseminate knowledge via many mediums, including the media. “Through the schools health clubs and peer educators, comprehensive sexual education, contraceptive access and youth development programmes will be taken to help young people make choices that can protect them from unintended pregnancies.” In the period 2007-2011, Guyana had a reported maternal mortality ratio of 86 deaths per 100,000 live births (this figure was estimated at 280 deaths per 100,000 by United Nations agencies and the World Bank in 2010). However, in 2013, the Health Ministry, based on the estimated number of births, recorded a maternal death rate of 79.7 per every 100,000 live births. In 2014, a UN report ranked Guyana as second on the list for highest maternal deaths in the Caribbean after Haiti, which recorded 380 deaths between 1990 and 2013. Guyana had 250. The main direct causes recorded last year were haemorrhagic conditions, hypertension in pregnancy, eclampsia and adverse effects relating to bleeding.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

Jilted man flees after stabbing young lover By Leroy Smith

TWENTY-TWO-YEAROLD Shondell Hernandez of 121 Courbane Park Annandale, East Coast Demerara, was on Friday morning rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital with three stab wounds: two to her neck and one to her wrist. The stab wounds were reportedly inflicted by the 40-year-old father of her son, whom she dumped some five months ago. According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the 40-year-old Latchman Avendra Coonjah entered the home of the young lady through a bedroom window while she was at home along with two senior citizens who are not very able-bodied. The man then ransacked the woman’s bag, stole her

money then made his way out of the bedroom and stabbed her to the neck while she was sitting at her breakfast table, all along being unaware that he was inside the house. After inflicting the almost deadly wound to the woman, the man who lives just around the corner fled the scene and has not been seen since. Last evening when this publication visited the home of the man with whom the young lady has a three-yearold son, his mother refused to comment on the issue. The aunt of the hospitalised young lady as well as her mother Margaret Hernandez did not hold back in detailing what the young lady has been going through over the past five years that she shared a relationship with the man who was once married. The Chronicle was told that the man constantly abused the young woman,

took a decision to end their relationship and ever since then she has been living an uneasy life. On Friday, Hernandez was speaking with her sister on the phone and while talking, the sister heard her making an unusual sound and the telephone fell. That was the time that the man exited the room and stabbed her to the neck.

Shondell Hernandez

the same reason that caused his legal marriage to another woman to fall apart. They said that he would constantly beat the 22-yearold woman and would from time to time insult her in public, even physically fighting with her on the road. The woman in July of this year

NO RESPONSE After calling out for Hernandez over the phone and not getting a response, the sister decided to catch a taxi and head up to home knowing fully well that the young lady’s life was always in danger because of the angry man whom she dumped several months earlier. It was while travelling from Meadow Bank that the elder sister received a call that she should head to the

hospital as the young lady was being rushed there. The aunt that the 22-yearold lives with related that earlier in the morning, she saw the man at the corner of the road but did not say anything to him and opted to walk on the other side of the road to avoid him. She said that she did not see anything suspicious, since she is aware that the man lives a street away, hence, his presence in the area could not be considered unusual. She related that when she got in to work she called her niece and asked her if she saw the man and the woman responded in the positive, relating that she saw him while taking their young son to school. It was after returning from that errand that the man invaded the home. The couple had in the past broke up and got back together, but it was after the

young woman told the man that she was fed up of the fights and the abuse she was made to endure, he became even more enraged and was always “gunning” for her. Shondell’s aunt told this publication that one of the man’s daughters called her to ask about the young lady’s condition and how the couple’s son was doing. The aunt however related that she informed the man’s daughter that she could not give out any information on her niece’s medical condition, but informed the man’s daughter that the couple’s son was doing ok. The family is looking to have the police investigate the matter thoroughly and bring the man, who has since gone into hiding, to justice. Meanwhile, the young lady remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Hindu body lights first national diya

A section of the gathering at Rahaman’s Park, Huston, East Bank Demerara at the lighting of the national diya last evening (Samuel Maughn photo)

Some of the leaders in the Hindu and Indian community behind the ‘big diya’

THE Hindu Swayamsevkar Sangh (HSS) Guyana yesterday lit the first ever national diya at Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara, to signify the beginning of the festival of lights. A section of Guyana’s Hindu population, however, is geared for the celebration of the festival on November 10th and some on the 11th. Nevertheless, in a colourful and religious event at Rahaman’s Park, Houston, the Hindu organisa-

tion brought on stream the first ever national diya, one which was recognised and lauded by Pandit Ravi Maharaj of Trinidad, former Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali, former judge, Justice Nandram Kissoon, along with several other distinguished guests and Hindus from all walks of life. The Guyana Hindu Sabha has been advocating for the festival to be celebrated on November 11. A Representative from the Dharmic Sabha said last

evening that regardless of which day Hindus choose to celebrate the festival of lights, they should do so with a clean heart and with an open mind. Basically in their remarks, the speakers last evening explained the true meaning of Diwali, noting that it is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new begin-

nings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The festival usually falls between the middle of October and the middle of

November, although this is decided upon by the Hindu lunar calendar. While each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival, one of the most popular stories

told is the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna.

Woman found dead, husband arrested

A WOMAN of Herstelling Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara, was yesterday afternoon found dead with suspected marks of violence about her body. The husband of 54-year-old Pamela Mootee has since been arrested by the police and is assisting them in their investigations. Police sources have indicated that the woman and the man were both alcoholics and the man was said to

be in the habit of abusing her. According to reports, the man told the police that earlier in the day he saw the woman lying in the area where she was found dead but did not take it for anything and went about his business as usual. The police are awaiting a post-mortem to determine the cause of the woman’s death.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

Guyana expected to join Islamic Bank soon

PRESIDENT David Granger will lead his country’s delegation to the Arab-South American Summit (ASPA) which begins on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge will also be part of the presidential delegation to Riyadh. A press release from the government of Guyana made clear that this summit is of great importance to Guyana, which recently made a major offshore oil discovery. The oil was discovered in a maritime area that Venezuela claims as its territory. The border between Guyana and Venezuela was settled by arbitration in 1899; however, Venezuela declared the 1899 arbitral tribunal ruling null and void decades after. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro will also be attending the summit. “It is of national importance that Guyana, as an emerging oil-producing state, participates in this strategic summit,” the statement read. According to Bloomberg Business, an Exxon Mobil discovery in Guyana “may hold oil and President David Granger and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge natural gas riches 12 times more valuable than the nation’s entire economic output. The Liza-1 well probably holds the equivalent of more than 700 million barrels of oil.” ASPA bring together 22 member states of the Arab League and the 12 countries of South America (UNASUR). Many Arab heads of states are expected to attend the Riyadh Summit. Guyana and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic ties in 2012. Guyana is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) whose headquarter is in Saudi Arabia. Soon, Guyana is expected to join the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), which is also based in Jeddah. ASPA, which was created in 2003, is the brainchild of former Brazilian President Lula Da Silva in order to foster strong South-South cooperation. Its main objective is bringing political leaders and civil societies of South American countries (UNASUR) and member countries of the Arab League closer together by promoting diplomatic coordination on issues of common interest and trade. The upcoming ASPA summit will address the issue of refugees fleeing conflicts in Syria and other countries in the Region, as well as the conflicts in themselves in the Region and international affairs. Other important topics, according to the Arab News Agency of Brazil (ANBA), will be energy, food security, the environment, desertification, water resource management, South-South cooperation in healthcare, and trade agreements. Suriname’s President Desire Bouterse will not attend the summit. He will be represented by his foreign minister, Neirmala Badrising. (Caribbean News Now)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

GAWU aborts planned strike – seeks more constructive means to get GuySuCo to bargaining table A STIRRING appeal by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Friday calling on sugar workers not to go on strike has resonated with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). The union headed by PPP/C Parliamentarian Komal Chand recently threatened to embark on another strike but has since aborted plans and is now seeking other constructive measures to get the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to return to the bargaining table. On Friday, the government urged all sugar workers and their unions to help rescue the industry and not engage in politically motivated strikes as being planned for next week. Sugar workers were expected to commence a three-

day strike from yesterday, following one that was held just weeks ago. GAWU and GuySuCo have been at odds over the delay in wages talks for workers. The corporation has argued that government needs time to study the findings of the recently concluded inquiry into the industry before it can negotiate salaries, but the unions have been pressing the case for talks to commence earliest. On Friday, in a statement issued by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, government alluded to the fact that for the first time in years GuySuCo has been able to reach and surpass weekly targets. “The government encourages sugar workers to remain committed to their jobs and, with the holiday season ap-

GAWU President Komal Chand

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

proaching, to earn as much as they can before the current crop comes to an end,” Nagamootoo said. He added that the government finds as most disturbing the agitation, mainly by GAWU, for workers to engage in strike action. “Such action could cripple

operations and close down the sugar industry. This is especially alarming and regrettable now that efforts are being made to breathe life into the industry.” The Prime Minister said government has been looking at all options to revive the industry, which was placed in

a state of bankruptcy and almost total ruin by the former PPP/C administration. Highlighting the issues of GuySuCo over the years, the Prime Minister said production slumped from 327,000 metric tonnes in the 1960s to an average of below 250,000 tonnes between 2008 and 2014. Additionally, under the former administration, the sugar industry never came close to realising the promised 500,000 tonnes target. Between 2009 and 2015 GuySuCo not only failed to make a profit, but suffered estimated total losses of $67.8 billion, the Prime Minister said. Moreover, he noted that “when the last administration left office, GuySuCo’s debt burden stood at $82 billion.” He said it is “therefore irrefutable that under that admin-

istration, GuySuCo had lost its way. It is for this reason that the coalition government supported a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry. “The interim report has confirmed the poor and declining state of GuySuCo as a result of political interference, poor management and squandermania,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo asserted. Noting that GuySuCo is on its way to success, Nagamotoo said that after a mere five months in office, the coalition government is seeking to put a 10-Year Road Map and Action Plan in place, aimed at returning the industry to viability. The Prime Minister has also noted that no sugar estate will be closed, and hinted at a greater role for private investors in the industry.

Jumo set to release series of new singles LOCAL sensation Jumo Primo has joined forces with another local heavyweight, Drew Thoven to produce a new single, titled “Drop It”. Thoven, 21, is a music producer and multi-instrumentalist who takes elements from his surroundings to create sounds that are unique.

According to the pair, “Drop it” is set to be aired on five major radio stations in Trinidad and Tobago, and will be released there in early February, 2016. In order to facilitate this venture, they have since held a fundraising Bar-B-Que, the proceeds of which will be used to help with travel and

other ancillary expenses. He told this newspaper that they have also produced two songs ‘Like Talk” which is Trinidadian and a re-mix with Rikki Jai. For next year, Primo said he is hoping to have a 10-album CD for Carnival and our local Mashramani. He has visited New York and

Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to promote his music farther afield. The local artiste pointed out that he is doing some recordings to get ready for 2016 to be able to release new music because in T&T they release new songs as early as November and get into second gear in December. Primo explained that in T&T new songs are aired on the radio stations then go into full rotation for Carnival. Being the three-time Soca Monarch, one-time Groovy Soca Monarch and one-time Road March King is quite an achievement, but his aim is to have his music played in T&T and eventually compete

Jump Primo and Drew Thoven

on the international market. Primo linked up with Thoven four months ago, and operating out of Kross

Colors Studios, they produced “Drop It” which has since been released in New York.

Watchman jailed for one year – raided employer’s boat because he was hungry APPEARING on Friday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of selling items from his employer Toney Persaud’s boat to purchase food, watchman Battaram Naithram of Mocha, East Bank Demerara told the court, “I was hungry, and I didn’t had nothing to eat.” The 39 year old’s confession was greeted with a 12-month sentence. The prosecution related that Naithram would normally be left to watch over his employer’s boat; and

between November 3 and 4, at the Guyana Fisheries Wharf at Houston, he stole from the motor vessel its $56,000 battery, a 50-pound gas cylinder valued $11,000, and a quantity of groceries totalling $63,000. As he stood in the prisoner’s dock, Naithram confessed his guilt and begged for leniency, but Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the watchman is no stranger to criminal activities, since he had been previously convicted for a similar offence.

Jones further told the court that after Persaud had left Naithram on his boat as a watchman during the night, the boat-owner later received a call from someone, informing him that a man was seen removing articles from his boat. Upon arrival, Persaud discovered the items missing along with the suspect. A report was made to the police and Naithram was subsequently arrested. He confessed to the theft of the items and was charged. (Clestine Juan)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

Scenes from the wreath-laying ceremony in observance of Remembrance Day

(Photos by Samuel Maughn) President David Granger lays his wreath at the War Memorial Site (Cenotaph)

Members of the Joint Services en route to the War Memorial Site (Cenotaph), Central Georgetown

President David Granger Members of the Diplomatic Corps awaiting their opportunity to pay homage to the noble men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty during World Wars I and II

Physically Challenged members of the Guyana Veterans Legion being assisted by their colleagues during the Remembrance Day celebration

Patriotic Guyanese observe the wreath-laying ceremony

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo along with Heads of the Disciplined Services observe the procession along Main Street, Georgetown

Enough not being

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

--says victim, Dr Norton pledges gov’t support

Suzanne-Abigail Claxton modelling during the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts’ Fashion Show back in 2014 in observance of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

A diagram showing the difference between a normal blood cell and a sickle cell

“IMAGINE falling and hitting a sensitive spot on your body, pulling out a tooth without anaesthesia and stumping your little toe on the corner of a table. It’s worse than that put together,” Suzanne-Abigail Claxton said as she painted a vivid picture of the excruciating pain she experiences as a sickler. “When those things happen, the pain is just for a short while. With a crisis, it goes from zero to 100 real quick and stays there. The pain doesn’t ease; the pulsating pain just stays. There is no comfortable position; every move you make is torture. Sometimes you can manage with the pain. Other times, you just want the pain to end NOW before you lose your sanity,” she said as she tried to contain tears welled up in her eyes. At the tender age of two, Claxton who hails from the mining town of Linden, Region 10, was diagnosed with the full-blown Sickle Cell disease. It was only until she started crying out for pain in her joints that her parents realised that something was terribly wrong, but local doctors at the time could not ascertain her illness. It was a Cuban doctor who had recommended that she be tested for the Sickle Cell disease, and the result was shocking – it was positive. According to the Guyana Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Association, the sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder, characterised mainly by chronic anaemia and periodic episodes of pain called “painful crises.” In the case of Claxton, she would have inherited an unusual gene (s) from both of her parents, and the two defective genes (SS) resulted in her developing Sickle Cell Anaemia. Prior to her diagnosis, her parents had no idea that they had the Sickle Cell trait. “I am the eldest of four. The sister after me has Sickle Cell trait, the next sister has full-blown Sickle Cell like me and my brother has nothing. Both of my parents have Sickle Cell traits but they didn’t know until they found out that I have Sickle Cell,” she explained. Today, Claxton is 26 years old. According to her, reaching adulthood was not an easy journey as it was filled with many stumbling blocks and countless days hospitalised at the Linden Hospital Complex. “As a child and teenager, I had a lot of restrictions. I couldn’t do all the things that I wanted to, so that I could prevent going into a crisis. I couldn’t go swimming in the creek like others, I couldn’t get involved in the water wars that came with Phagwah, and I couldn’t do things that were too physically demanding,” she recalled. There were many nights when she longed to attend basketball matches with her friends, but could not do so because the coldness of the atmosphere could have plunged her into a crisis. “I felt left out sometimes but I understood that it was for my own good.” With adulthood, comes greater understanding, Claxton said, noting that she is now better able to manage her illness. “I’ve had to develop stress management or coping techniques, I try to keep warm in places that have AC or keep drinking lots of water when it’s really hot. Remembering to take all of my medication every

day is also a part of my daily routine.” She added: “All of these little elements are part of my lifestyle now. So I try as much as possible to avoid getting sick. When I do get sick I use medication I would have at home, drink extra water or use a hot-water bag on the areas that are hurting to ease the pain. If that doesn’t work, I go to the hospital for treatment.” But also in adulthood come greater challenges, especially in the area of employment. Despite being the holder of nine CSEC subjects, five subjects at CAPE and a Bachelor’s in English with a minor in Communication from the University of Guyana (UG), she was forced to change several jobs, not because she is a poor worker, but because of her illness. “When you’re sick you can’t get work done, so you’re seen as a liability sometimes. Some employers are more understanding than others. But finding the balance between earning a living and being healthy can be extremely difficult at times. It’s a matter of working within your means,” she noted. But she warned that one’s health must be given priority at all times. “Always put your health first and do what’s best for your health. If you’re not healthy, you can’t earn.” SUPPORT Thousands of sicklers die before reaching adulthood, and for this, Claxton said she is grateful to be alive, noting that her family and friends continue to give tremendous support. “They have gone above and beyond for me in my good times and bad. My parents sacrifice sleep to take me to the hospital at 3 am or look after me while I’m hospitalised… I keep an amazing support system around me and they have made living with sickle cell easy.” Meanwhile, in giving her own assessment of the ability of the public health care system to treat sicklers, Claxton opined that many of the public hospitals lack medication and simple apparatus needed to treat sicklers – a situation she says can be very frustrating, especially when you are in great pain. “All hospitals should be able to give proper treatment to sicklers at all times. I know of a hospital that would be out of pain medication for months at a time.” But this is just the tip of the iceberg; she said some medical staff fail miserably in showing their compassionate side. “Sicklers ought to be given top priority at the Emergency Room because a crisis means that there is a blockage in the blood vessels. Blockages mean organs will be deprived of oxygen, which is dangerous. The longer sicklers have to wait for treatment, the more damage is being inflicted. If sicklers could get ahead in the long lines at hospitals for treatment that would be great,” she told the Guyana Chronicle. But Claxton is not the only one who believes that the local health care system can do more to help sicklers. Dr John Dickinson, who has been the medical officer for the Sickle Cell Association for approximately 15 years, said unfortunately many sicklers die before reaching adulthood, pointing out that just recently a toddler had succumbed to the disease. “I know that Guyana is a Third World country, and so we are limited but even within the limitations of what we can do, very little is being done, especially in the area of activism.” According to him, the disease has to be dealt with on two levels, in the areas of treatment and prevention.

NEWBORN TESTING In the area of prevention, Dr Dickenson is of the strong belief that the Public Health Ministry should move to introduce newborn testing in the public health care system. It was explained that newborn screening is the process of testing newborn babies for some Members of the Guyana Sickle Cell and serious but treatable conditions such as the Sickle Cell disorder. This Thalassemia Association gearing up for the screening, which can be done by doing the “heel prick” test, would reveal whether a baby has normal red blood cells or sickled cells march back in June 2014

done for ‘sicklers’ GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday November 9, 2015

due to defective haemoglobin which causes the red blood cells to become stiff, thereby assuming the sickle shape. “Once that child is found to be a carrier, that child grows up knowing that I am a carrier, the parents are now sensitised to the fact that they have produced a child that is a carrier or has the full-blown disease, and they would have to determine whether they will make more children, but the point is both parties will be empowered,” Dr Dickenson explained. In alluding to developed nations such as England, he pointed out that it is mandatory for sicklers to be given 6-8 units of blood every two months. This allows them to maintain high levels of haemoglobin. Additionally, they conduct blood transfusion and bone marrow transplants which all come with price tags. These prices are not within the reach of many ordinary Guyanese; hence, Dr Dickenson said it will be prudent to do newborn testing so that affected babies can benefit from early available treatment.

LACK OF CLINICS Another sore area of concern, he said, is the lack of Sickle Cell clinics in Guyana. In fact in the entire country, there is one Sickle Cell clinic, which is located at the Linden Hospital Complex. “We have tried for years to get one established at the Georgetown Hospital, but nothing has been done there,” he complained. These clinics, he emphasized, will help sicklers from going into crises. The most common of the crises is the painful crisis. “We have a clinic in Linden and it works, we have fewer patients going into crisis, because of the preventative measures we take,” he noted. But with the establishment of clinics, Dr Dickenson said there is a need for haematologists or health personnel with training in Sickle Cell management, contending that there is no haematologist in Guyana. “I am not a haematologist… I just had specific training in Sickle Cell management in England, a very short programme in 2008.” Meanwhile, Vice-President of the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Association Nurse Grace Bond said the association has been trying its utmost to assist persons with Sickle Cell in Guyana by conducting outreaches, but complained that the Public Health Ministry needs to do more in the area of awareness. At its Charlotte and Alexander Streets, Georgetown location, the association facilitates a support-group meeting every second Saturday in every month starting at 14:00 hrs, but Nurse Bond said more awareness needs to be done. The United Nations General Assembly in 2009 adopted a resolution for the recognition of Sickle Cell Anaemia as a public health problem. Sickle Cell Anaemia has been identified as one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases which has severe physical, psychological and social consequences for sicklers and by extension their families. As such, June 19 has been designated by the UN as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. “Since 2009, our country has not been highlighting this disease, and so I am asking this government to recognise that Sickle Cell is one of the worst genetic conditions.” In addition to acknowledging World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, the association would like the Public Health Ministry to establish a National Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Register, implement guidelines and protocols of care, newborn screening, introduce a daily penicillin prophylaxis along with folic acid and introduce pneumovax from age two years for people with the Sickle Cell disease. In playing its part, Nurse Bond pointed out that in 2014, the association held a road march in observance of World Sickle Awareness Day. Additionally, with the assistance of Guyanese designer Sonia Noel through her organisation Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts, a fashion show was held in aid of the organisation. Though the Sickle Cell Association has only 30 members, Nurse Bond said based on statistics garnered from the Georgetown Public Hospital and the Linden Hospital Complex, there are close to 500 persons with the Sickle Cell disease, noting that persons from across the country journey to these facilities to seek treatment. GOV’T PLEDGES SUPPORT Health Minister Dr George Norton, in acknowledging that there might have been some oversight in giving due recognition to World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, pledged his ministry’s commitment to strengthen its relationship with organisations such as the Guyana Sickle Cell and Thalasasemia Association. “Certainly they will get our support,” he said. In addressing the issue surrounding the Sickle Cell Disorder, Dr Norton said the Public Health Ministry has recently secured Argentina’s commitment to assist in the area of haematology. “Haematology is Argentina’s area of strength, and so we have requested post-graduate programmes in the area of haematology, blood transfusion and the production of blood products,” he disclosed. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately five per cent of the world’s population carry traits of hae-

moglobin disorders, mainly sickle-cell disease and thalassaemia. An estimated 300,000 babies with severe haemoglobin disorders are born each year globally, and according to WHO, “the health burden of haemoglobin disorders can be effectively reduced through management and prevention programmes.” In an effort to bring assistance to sicklers and persons living with haemoglobin disorders, the WHO has adopted two resolutions. The resolution on Sickle Cell disease was adopted during the 59th World Health Assembly in May, 2006, while the second resolution on Thalassaemia was adopted during the 118th meeting of the WHO Executive Board. These resolutions have called upon affected countries and the Secretariat of WHO to strengthen their response to these conditions. Additionally, a resolution on the prevention and management of birth defects, including Sickle Cell disease and Thalassaemia was adopted by the 63rd World Health Assembly in May 2010.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

Senior citizen appeals for Smith Memorial to celebrate relief from ‘overbearing’ 172nd anniversary this month noise nuisance

AN elderly Lusignan woman is suffering tremendously from noise nuisance in her neighbourhood where there is a scrap metal business in addition to frequent loud music parties. Jasoda Salikram who resides at Lot 82 Lusignan Pasture, East Coast Demer-

ara, reported to this newspaper that the noise nuisance in her neighbourhood is overbearing. She said that a neighbour operates a scrap metal business which has filled that property to capacity and has over-spilled to an empty lot and onto the roadside.

Moreover, she related, after normal working hours the situation gets worse because a raging party fuelled by loud music is the order of the night, causing her to get little or no sleep. The woman said that she lives with her ailing husband who suffered a stroke and spinal injuries while she is a security guard at a private firm in the city and the noise is affecting them a lot. She said that the fabrication workshop which exports scrap metal opened about four months ago and there is a generator plus loud noises all day. She is asking the authorities to intervene to bring some form of relief to her, since she has already explored several avenues, including reasoning with the neighbour in question. She noted that her husband is sick and with her being on a 16-hour shift, the situation is taking a toll on her health as well.

SMITH Memorial Congregational Church, Brickdam, will be celebrating its 172nd anniversary with an anniversary service on November 15, 2015 at 09:00hrs for public worship. The church building stands resplendent on the lush green lawns of the parish on the southeastern shoulder of Brickdam. It was erected to the memory of Reverend John Smith, a London Missionary Society Minister, who was sentenced to die by hanging for the role he allegedly played in the historic East Coast Demerara slave insurrection of 1823. He died as a prisoner on death row on February 6, 1824, and subsequently came to be referred to as the “Demerara Martyr”, as a result of the circumstances surrounding his death. Smith arrived in Demerara in February 1817, to suc-

ceed the Reverend John Wray at Bethel Chapel, Le Resouvenir, also on the East Coast Demerara. Smith, like his predecessor Wray, gave religious instructions to the slaves. He taught them to read the Bible and Catechism. He along with Reverend Wray and the early missionaries laid the foundation for organized schooling and elementary pri-

mary education for the congregations. On November 24, 1843, exactly 20 years after the date on which Reverend Smith was sentenced to death, Smith Memorial Congregational Church was opened as a tribute to the work and suffering he had to endure on behalf of his deacons, members and other followers.

Lichfield resident admitted to Bar DARREN Wade, 25, of Lichfield, West Coast Berbice was last Friday admitted to the Bar by Chief Justice Ian Chang after his petition was put forward by Senior Counsel Robin Stoby. The proceedings took place in the Chambers of the Chief Justice and were witnessed by relatives and close friends of Wade, who always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Together with three other siblings, Wade was brought up by his great grandmother and did odd jobs to support his school needs. According to Wade, he was also assisted by many generous persons throughout his school life and at one time he even washed a minibus daily before school so he could have pocket money. “It was because of the faith and prayers of many that I made it thus far. I remember when I was at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, just prior to pursuing my studies at the University of Guyana, knowing very well that I was impecunious and had no other source of income, I looked up to the heavens and I said ‘God please don’t let me regret leaving this job. “The day when I arrived onto the University of Guyana Campus I looked up to the heavens and I said ‘God take charge’. I did the same when I arrived at the Hugh Wooding Law School cam-

Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade being admitted to the Bar

pus.” There were many who congratulated him and made it clear that “the real work has now begun.” He expressed gratitude to many for assisting him along the way including those within the legal fraternity. He described the many persons as the ‘giants’ in his life on whose shoulders he stood in order to be prepared for the road ahead. Those included his great grandmother, grandfather, siblings, girlfriend, aunts, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Justice Claudette Singh, the late Bishop Jerome Cornell Moss, whose wife travelled all the

way from the Bahamas to celebrate the moment with the young man, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, who cried almost throughout proceedings, Mr. Vincent Alexander, and the late Mr. Sheldon Mc Donald, former Head of the Department of Law at the University of Guyana, who passed on just a couple of days ago following a traffic accident, as well as the Region 6 Chairman, his wife and and son. “I have so much to be thankful for, my ‘giants’ have been so many, and it would take me forever to thank them all. But I have a lifetime to express my gratitude and I will surely do so.

Friends and relatives of the young attorney in the Chambers of the Chief Justice last Friday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 9, 2015

33 graduate from self-reliance workshop TWENTY-eight women and five men, who successfully completed the “Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop” on Friday received certificates at a graduation ceremony hosted by President David Granger and First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger at their official place of residence, State House. The workshop, which is aimed at building business entrepreneurship and empowering individuals to become self-reliant, was initiated under the auspices of the First Lady’s Office. Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; and Mrs Seeta Nagamootoo, wife of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, were present at the ceremony. The first workshop was launched at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara with a batch of 12 women and was later

First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger addressing participants at the graduation ceremony

taken to Blue Berry Hill, Linden where a total of 21 persons benefited. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the First Lady said that the response to these workshops has been overwhelmingly positive and that many persons and organisations have indicated their willingness to collaborate with her office to extend the programme to communities in the hinterland, Berbice and Essequibo. Meanwhile, Minister

First couple attends Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund dinner

A section of the gathering at the Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund (RNCF) annual dinner held at the Pegasus Hotel last evening

PRESIDENT David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger were the guests of honour last evening at the Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund (RNCF) annual dinner at the Pegasus Hotel. Showing their support and recognising the work done by the organisation, the First Couple participated in the dinner, which is held to raise funds for the organisation’s annual Christmas activities to bring cheer to the less fortunate. Reflecting on the work of the organisation, RNCF Chairman Molly Hassan said the organisation has evolved over the years, moving from merely hosting a single Christmas party for children, to hosting parties in each administrative region. It also conducts a feeding programme, a scholarship programme, distributes monthly care packages and based on request, assistance for medical expenses, education, health, social and welfare services. This year, the organisation will be, for the first time, providing Christmas cheer to children in Regions 9 and 2. A release from the Ministry of the Presidency said December will make it 61 years since the RNCF has been in operation and has been offering humanitarian service to Guyana.

Gaskin, who delivered the feature address, said that programmes such as this one, contribute significantly to the national effort in the fight against poverty and the hopelessness and misery that result from the inequality of opportunity that has plagued Guyana for many years. He explained that the government inherited an economy that simply could not provide jobs for every able-bodied citizen. He said that in order for Guyana to develop, those who cannot find jobs should not shy away from learning new skills and venturing into businesses of their own. The minister told the participants that while entrepreneurship is encouraged, they must not be oblivious to the risks that come with owning a business. He said that many people lost their life savings because not every business guarantees a profit and this is why focus must be placed on careful planning, a skill that was taught during the workshop. “This programme aligns

itself well with one of the five main goals of the Ministry of Business, which is to increase the economic opportunities and capabilities of vulnerable groups and individuals,” Minister Gaskin said. This is achieved through the work of the Small Business Bureau, a semi-autonomous body, which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Business. The minister urged the participants to seize the opportunities that are available to qualifying businesses. These opportunities include: a collateral guarantee facility, which guarantees 40

per cent of the loan amount that allows for a reduction in the amount of collateral that businesses have to put up; an interest-subsidy scheme, which would reduce the amount of interest; and a grant scheme to assist vulnerable persons to access financing for existing business ventures. The Ministry of the Presidency in a release said the facilitator of the workshop, Wayne Barrow from Interweave Solutions, told the participants that they would be a great influence to members of their communities. He said that businesses, communities and the home are all

interwoven and once individuals become self-reliant, all are positively affected. Interweave Solutions is a non-governmental organisation that helps local organisations and congregations in developing countries to create self-reliance by providing them with the necessary training to implement and promote their own business plans. A few of the participants outlined their business strategies in accordance with the six ‘Ps’ that they have been taught. These are: Planning, paperwork, products, promotion, price and process.

Participants who successfully completed the “Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 9, 2015

Allie banking on experience; home advantage G U YA N E S E D r i v e r Afraz Allie is alert to the dangers in his group 3 class of the upcoming Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) set for this weekend at the South Dakota Circuit. Allie, who will pilot his Toyota Glanza at this November meet, spoke exclusively to Chronicle Sport saying, “We will

be working with the usual Starlet crew to put on the hot thrilling show that we always do, show that we

matters hard but just like other countries have took leadership after having the CMRC in their land, so will Guyana. “With this being the final leg we expect to come out as the defending cham-

Afraz Allie at the Trinidad Leg earlier this year. are always a force to be reckoned with. We will be banking on experience and home turf advantage” “In Trinidad we’ve shown that we had to power to take the fight to the much more developed cars, Paul Vieira for example,” he adumbrated. “With that we’ve made changes be a bit faster, reliable, so there is a chance that we can propel out and leave the pack and I’m a good starter so I’m also banking on those points,” continued Allie. The group three competitor added that, “I’m hoping to give it my all to defend home turf. We are working on country points so as to maximize our chances to maintain county championship as we’ve done in recent years.” He noted that the foreign invasion will make

pions.” On the personal end of things, Allie said, “My plan is to do my best in qualifying so as to be among the front runners. From the looks of things it looks like the grid will be over 20 cars. Qualifying up front will be the key focus to take the fight forward.” He noted the obvious developments in the competition and how they have been able to embrace changes but alluded to that bringing out the best in him and his team. From his last outing in Trinidad, the driver explained that they had found the problem and he has replaced all the faulty parts, noting that he had his mechanics doing some testing over the past weekend. He says that he is looking forward to the November 14-15 meeting.

Red Force make winning ... From page 27 184 runs in their second innings, with Kantasingh again the central figure in their demise. He took two wickets for 48 runs and four catches as the Leeward Islands were unable to handle the Red Force bowling attack. The experienced Narsingh Deonarine took three for 32, Shannon Gabriel claimed two for 24 and Imran Khan two for 48, to ensure the Red Force completed an outright victory in three days. Gavin Tonge top scored with 41 runs as several of the Hurricanes batsmen got starts but were unable to convert into bigger scores. The Red Force will now travel to Barbados for the secound round of the competition. It will mark the final matches for captain Rayad Emrit and Evin Lewis who will leave for the Bangladesh Premier League. Talented all-rounder Yannick Ottley is expected to take over the captaincy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 9, 2015

Brisbane weather stalls Australia’s progress (REUTERS)-Australia took a big step towards victory when they removed dangerman Kane Williamson justbefore tea on the fourth day of the first test against New Zealand yestertday but the Brisbane weather prevented any further progress. Williamson’s departure for 59 helped to reduce New Zealand to 142 for three at the break -- 361 runs in arrears -- but a rain storm wiped out the final session and ensured the match would go into a fifth day. Ross Taylor, who has made 20 not out, and New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum (4) will resume today looking to bat out the final day and save the Test. Australia declared their second innings closed on 264-4 before the start of play on Sunday but home hopes of a quick win to take a 1-0 lead in the threematch series fell foul of a combination of the weather and obdurate Black Caps

batting. New Zealand’s victory target of 504 was always a highly improbable goal but anything looked possible while first-innings centurion Williamson remained at

second wicket to make what could be a crucial breakthough. Williamson attempted a pull shot but the spinner’s delivery turned to hit his thigh and the third umpire

edge which skipper Steve Smith caught in the slips. “I thought we bowled really well after lunch today, give New Zealand credit they made us work

bit more cricket but you can’t control the weather.” Guptill’s 23 came from 133 balls in 186 minutes and he had missed catches from Joe Burns and Lyon before lunch to thank for lasting that long. The other opener, Tom Latham, was the first batsman to fall, making 29 from 71 balls before being trapped lbw by a Mitchell Starc yorker with 44 runs on the board. The breakthrough came minutes before drizzle and

bad light brought up an early and extended lunch break. Mitchell Johnson’s first five overs were maidens and it was not until the final ball of his sixth that he finally conceded runs when Guptill clipped three off his pads through midwicket. The hosts made 556 for four declared in their first innings before dismissing New Zealand for 317 on day three at the Gabba.

SCOREBOARD Nathan Lyon dismissed Kane Williamson at the stroke of tea and just before the rains came. the crease. The 25-year-old, who scored 140 in the first innings, looked to be heading comfortably for the break when Nathan Lyon took his

Red Force make winning start THE Trinidad and Tobago Red Force made a winning start to the 2015/16 West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League Regional Four-Day tournament. They defeated the Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 23 runs at Warner Park, St. Kitts, yesterday. Left-arm spinner, Kavesh Kantasingh was named Man-of-the-Match after finishing with match figures of six for 77 and taking six integral catches. The Red Force collected 17 points for the win while the Hurricanes received two points. The hosts resuming the third day’s play on 55 for four, never recovered from their disasterous start. Kantasingh ripped through the Hurricane’s middle order with a mes- Kavesh Kantasingh had merizing spell of match figures of 6 for 77. spin bowling. He accounted for Orlando Peters (7), Steve Liburd (2), Jaison Peters (0) and Gavin Tonge (7) to finish with figures of four wickets for 29 runs in the first innings. Kantasingh combined well with leg-spinner Imran Khan who took four for 46 as the Leeward Islands were dismissed for 118, giving the visitors a first innings lead of 207. Asked to follow on, the hosts were dismissed for See page 27

confirmed the lbw decision on review. Lyon earlier broke a 54run partnership between Williamson and Martin Guptill when the opener got a thick

hard,” Australia coach Darren Lehmann told Channel Nine. “Couple of key wickets for Nathan Lyon there so not a bad day. We’d like to have a

AUSTRALIA 1st innings 556 for 4 decl (U. Khawaja 174, D. Warner 163, A. Voges 83no, J. Burns 71) New Zealand 1st innings 317 (K. Williamson 140; M. Starc 4-57) Australia 2nd innings 264-4)declared: Joe Burns 129, Warner 116 NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 504 runs) T. Latham lbw b Starc 29 M. Guptill c Smith b Lyon 23 K. Williamson lbw b Lyon 59 R. Taylor not out 20 B. McCullum not out 4 Extras (b-3 lb-3 w-1) 7 Total (for 3 wickets, 53 overs) 142 Fall of wickets: 1-44 T. Latham,2-98 M. Guptill,3-136 K. Williamson To bat: J. Neesham, B. Watling, M. Craig, D. Bracewell, T. Southee, T. Boult Bowling: M. Starc 13 - 4 - 24 – 1, M. Johnson 13 - 5 - 42 - 0(w-1), J. Hazlewood 10 - 3 - 24 – 0, M. Marsh 6 - 3 - 13 – 0, N. Lyon 11 - 0 - 33 - 2

Kohli irked by ‘unnecessary hype’ over Mohali pitch MOHALI, India, (Reuters)- India captain Virat Kohli resented the “unnecessary hype” around the Mohali pitch after his team beat South Africa inside three days in a spin-dominated first Test on Saturday. Eighteen wickets tumbled on an eventful third day of a low-scoring match with spinners from both sides wreaking havoc on a spiteful wicket. Chasing 218 for win, South Africa were shot out for 109, with the Indian spinners claiming nine of the 10 second-innings wickets. Kohli insisted, however, that the track was anything but unplayable. “There is no need to unnecessarily hype up the wicket,” the 27-year-old, in his first home series as test captain, told reporters. “As (off-spinner RavIndia captain Virat Kohli ichandran) Ashwin said yesterday, we’ve never seen any hype around the wicket whenever we tour abroad. It should not be here as well.” Kohli admitted bowlers dominated the contest but said not a single dismissal was caused by any delivery which reared up awkwardly from a track sporting several cracks and offering big turn from day one. “Throughout the game, not just the last innings, there were a lot of soft dismissals,” the India captain said. “I don’t think there was any demons in the wicket. The ball didn’t turn square at any stage. It was the batsman who had to apply more.” His counterpart Hashim Amla felt 218 was a stiff target for his team but blamed the Proteas batsmen for throwing away their wickets. “150-160 would have been a pretty fair challenge on a deteriorating wicket like this. But at the same time, there were some soft dismissals during the chase,” Amla said. The match brought only three half-centuries and only one India managed to pass 200.

Stiaan van Zyl top-scored in South Africa’s second innings with a gritty 36, while Amla’s dismissal was bizarre as he offered no shot to a Ravindra Jadeja delivery and watched in dismay as it crashed on to his middle stump. “I surprised myself (with the dismissal), it was a bit of brain-freeze really. I felt very unfortunate. “I think we were into the game until we lost 4-5 wickets and put pressure on the lower guys. Stiaan particularly showed particularly that you can get runs if you can hang in there.”

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Sub Shaawes 08:55 hrs Lady Casey 09:25 hrs Coral Key 09:55 hrs One Cool Cat 10:30 hrs Zilnox ENGLISH RACING TIPS Southwell 08:30 hrs Typical Oscar 09:00 hrs Still Believing 09:30 hrs Roberto Pegasus 10:00 hrs Lamps 10:35 hrs Aqua Dude 11:10 hrs Braavos 11:45 hrs Green And White CARLISLE 09:15 hrs Pixiepot 09:45 hrs Silsol 10:15 hrs Grey Storm

10:50 hrs Masters Hill 11:25 hrs Retrieve The Stick 12:00 hrs Three Ways KEMPTON 10:25 hrs Karmadal 11:00 hrs Afjaan 11:35 hrs Made With Love 12:10 hrs Cachao 12:40 hrs Dutiful Son 13:10 hrs Justice Belle 13:40 hrs Moon Eyes AMERICAN RACING TIPS Aqueduct Race 1 Vancouver Race 2 Arana Race 3 Finn’s Quest Race 4 Miroc Race 5 Iromea Race 6 Majestic Jessica Race 7 Jax Heritage Race 8 Regulus Race 9 Cyber Security

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 9, 2015

SUN BURST / EBFA U-17 League

Herstelling maul Diamond; Agricola flay KK Warriors

THE second edition of the Continental Agencies Limited (CAL) sponsored SUN BURST / East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-17 league kicked off Saturday following a colorful march past of the seven participating clubs at the Grove Playfield. The traditional kickoff was done by CAL’s Marketing and Sales Manager Mr. Avalon Jagnandan following official opening remarks. This was followed by two matches which saw a total of 14 goals being scored. Herstelling Raiders hammered Diamond United 8-0 in the feature match with Agricola Red Triangle taking care of Kuru Kururu Warriors 6-1 in the opening clash. Group B action set the tone for the competition which would be played on a roundrob in and knock-out format. Agricola Red Triangle, just off winning the Lens Craft /

EBFA Under-13 league, wasted little time in asserting control of proceedings. Captain Brian Price netted the opening goal and the first of his double, a well-directed curling shot that beat goalkeeper Sherven Henry in the V at the far post in the 4th minute. The Linden Soesdyke based Kuru Kururu Warriors bounced back by keeping the Agricola boys at bay for the remainder of the opening 35 minutes. It was not until the second half, in the 50th minute to be exact that Agricola was able to break down the Warriors again. Andre Henry it was who found the back of the nets for Agricola and that sparked a flurry of goals. Reuben Stanford then took over to hammer in two goals of his own in the 52nd and 54th minute before Price completed his double in the 60th minute.

CAL ‘s Marketing &Sales Manager Avalon Jagnandan kicks off the ball to officially start the League.

IAAF president says athletics faces ‘long road to redemption’ …WADA to report findings today

ATHLETICS faces a “long road to redemption” over allegations of bribery to cover up doping violations, says IAAF president Lord Coe. An independent commission set up by the World Anti-Doping Agency(WADA) will report its findings today. The report into claims of cover-ups and money-laundering will show “a different scale of corruption” even compared to Fifa, says co-author Richard McLaren. “These are dark days for our sport,” Coe told BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek. “The day after I got elected, I started a massive review. Understandably, in the light of the allegations that have been made, that review has been accelerated. “I’m more determined than ever to rebuild the trust in our sport. However, this is a long road to redemption.” What did Coe know? Lamine Diack, 82, the

ex-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, is under investigation on suspicion of corruption and money

IAAF president Lord Coe laundering. Coe was vice-president of the IAAF for eight of the 16 years that Diack was in charge However, he said he was not aware of any of the allegations made against the Senegalese, who stepped down in August, until they

“first surfaced at the start of the week”. He added: “That was the first that I had heard of them and that is almost certainly the case for everyone in the sport.” At the time of his election, double Olympic 1500m champion Coe had described Diack as the IAAF’s “spiritual” leader but accepted on Sunday that he is “going to come in for criticism for those remarks”. However, he said: “It does presume I had a list of allegations in front of me at that moment, and I didn’t. A change of culture When asked if countries who persistently produce athletes who dope should be thrown out of the sport, Coe said: “I have never said never but my instinct is engagement rather than isolation. “We need a generation of coaches and athletes to believe that it is possible to reach the pinnacle of sport with integrity and as clean athletes.

Herstelling Raiders Seon Alfred heads into the back of the net in the 22nd minute The Warriors who did enjoy a few good moments of their own was finally able to pull one back in the 63rd minute thanks to Ishmael James. Shamar Hinds sealed the deal for Agricola by converting the final goal in the 67th minute to formalize their 6-1 triumph which ensured full points and a a jump ahead in group B which also include Grove and Soesdyke Falcons, the top two advancing to the semis .Group A play got underway with Herstelling Raiders romping to a comprehensive 8-0 win over Diamond United. Daniel Nedd led the winners with the first hat-trick of the league he hit the network in the 7th, 33rd and 67th minute in a match that was dominated by the winners. SeonAlfred who was a prominent feature for Herstelling last year at the U-17 and

senior levels along with National Under-17 goalkeeper QuazimYussuf, blasted the nets twice in the 28th and 30th minute while James Walcott was on target in the 46th minute. The final goal was an own goal by Diamond. The other team in Group A is Mocha Champs. Jagnandan in official opening remarks before declaring the league open expressed his company’s delight in supporting the development of youths reminding that they have also been sponsoring others sports including motor-racing, badminton and karate among others. He wished the teams every success in the opening and ensuing matches challenging them to be disciplined on and off the field of play. Matches will continue this Saturday.

ICC working on security plan for U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh ICC Chief Executive Officer David Richardson has said that the governing body has gathered enough information about the security situation in Bangladesh to put together a plan ahead of the Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the country early next year. Richardson met Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, who assured him of providing world-class security. Richardson arrived in Dhaka on November 4 with three others as part of the ICC’s security assessment of Bangladesh ahead of the U-19 World Cup. They met the high commissioners of the UK and Australia apart from getting a security presentation from the BCB, visiting the Cox’s Bazar stadium, meeting intelligence agencies and the country’s home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

“Bangladesh has a history of staging events, so we have every confidence that they have the ability, but this was all about try-

ICC chief executive Officer Dave Richardson ing to assess what the real threat is,” Richardson said on Saturday. “There are a lot of perceptions out there. We have to get to the bottom of things and understand what the threat is. From a global perspec-

tive, it has become a lot more challenging from a security point of view to put on global events. This is no different. “Now we understand the threat and the kind of plan we would need to implement and put in place. It is now putting that plan together that we need to work on.” In October, the ICC had ratified Bangladesh as the host of the Under-19 World Cup, which is set to be held from 22 January to 14 February 2016. The assessment comes in the wake of Australia’s postponement of their tour to Bangladesh last month, following a security advisory from their government and the killing of an Italian national in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone. Since then, Cricket South Africa have twice put off a visit by its women’s team too. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 9, 2015

GTT Round Robin / Knockout Football League

Bittersweet results for Linden and Berbice teams on opening night THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) sponsored Petra Organisation round-robin/knock-out Football League got off to an exciting start on Saturday last at the #5 Ground West Coast Berbice. It was a bittersweet evening for teams from the Ancient County and the Mining Town of Linden, with New Amsterdam United and Winners Connection coming out victorious in the night’s header. Watched by a fair-sized crowd, Winners Connection defeated Rosignol United 6 – 1, while Milerock went down 2 – 1 to New Amsterdam United. Playing in the opening game, New Amsterdam was by far the more aggressive of the two sides and put together more promising attack than their Linden counterparts. The club from New Amsterdam was led by a double from Adrian Adams (26th and 85th minute) while Jermaine Grandison scored the Lindeners lone goal in the 70th minute. Meanwhile, in the second game, Winners

Connection showed why they are regarded as the best club in Linden, when they destroyed Rosignol United. Marmalaque Davidson was in fine form, scoring a hat-trick (43rd, 55th and 62nd minutes) while Fitzroy Chin (17th), Rawle Gittens (68th) and Derrol Danity (89th) scored a goal each to lead Winners Connection to the lopsided win. Oswin Carmichael had given the home side an early lead scoring what is the tournament’s fastest goal, 17 seconds into the game, but that was as close Rosignol would come to scoring for the rest of the night. The tournament will see teams from Linden, Berbice and the East Coast of Demerara competing to see who will pocket the $500,000 first place prize while second place will go home with $250,000, 3rd place $125,000 and 4th place $75,000. Matches will be played at No.5 ground in West Berbice, Mackenzie Sports Club and Victoria. (Rawle Toney)

This New Amsterdam United player stretches to gain control of the ball during his side’s 2 – 1 over Milerock at the #5 Ground on Saturday.

Banks Beer/Inter-Ministries/Corporations Futsal Tournament

Quarter-final action starts tonight!

THE tactical and defensive abilities of the16 teams remaining in the Banks Beer/ Inter-Ministries/Corporations Futsal Tournament will be seriously tested as the games enter the quarter-final knock out round set to commence tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Judging from the round robin stage of the tournament, the action promises to be intense, giving fans some exciting brand of football to look forward to over the two nights of action. Oasis Water and John

Fernandez will kick start the evening, followed by

the conning Republic Bank

squad who would be looking to spring some more surprises when they challenge Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also lined up is the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) who would be looking to out the fire of the Banks DIH. In the other matches set for tonight, Customs tackle the Ministry of Agriculture, Transport and Harbour play the Ministry of Infrastructure while the Barbers Association goes head-to-head against New GPC. The tournament’s winner will pocket $200,000; second place $150.000, third place

GTT 10’s Rugby Tournament

$100,000 and fourth place $50,000 along with trophies donated by Ramesh trophy stall. The tournament was made possible by sponsorship from of the Ministry of Tourism, Department of Education, Culture and Sports ,Midtown Café, Mohamed’s Enterprise, New GPC, Insurance brokers, Oasis water, GFF, Banks DIH, PETRA SLEEPIN HOTEL, Hopkinson Mining. Admission to the games is $500 with a donation going towards the Guyana Cancer institute to help in the fight against cancer.

Pepsi Hornets school UG Wolves in 13 – 0 win ON Saturday, November 7, the lovely game of Rugby made a grand return to the National Park with the GTT /GRFU 10’s Tournament. The day’s activities saw a resurging Pepsi Hornets team, (made up of several national players) having the better of a young University of Guyana (UG) Wolves squad. The composed Hornets defeated UG Wolves 13 -0. The game started with both teams looking very defensive but it was the Hornets’ Leon Greaves, who started the points rolling with three points from a field goal, followed by Basie Bailey with a conversion to finish off the first half of the game. Rickforde Cummins added another five points in the second half taking the score to 13 to close off the day’s play. UG wolves’ defeat resulted from their many blunders and drop catches at crucial times in the game which gave the Hornets the upper hand in the match. The second game between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Yamaha Caribs was rescheduled for another day due to little time for that game to be played. Action in the GTT/GRFU 10’s Tournament would continue next Saturday, November 14, with two more games; Ladies A vs B match up followed by the battle of the arm forces – GDF versus Police. The competing teams are GDF, Pepsi Hornets, UG Wolves, Yamaha Caribs and the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The two female teams will comprise a mixed national A & B teams.

Notable Dates GAIRY St Clair had only two drawn fights in a professional career that lasted 19 years. The first was a 10-rounder against Benard Harris in April 1998. The second occurred on November 9, 2002 in Perth Australia. Known as `Superman’ the Guyanese junior lightweight battled to a draw with Australian James Swan in another 10-rounder. It was the second time that year that the two boxers met. In April St. Clair won the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Pan Pacific junior lightweight title following a 12th round TKO of Swan. The quick-fisted St Clair was undefeated in 16 fights when he collided with Diego `Chico’ Corrales on December 18, 1998. `Superman’ put up a game performance but lost on points to his more experienced opponent. While Corrales would win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight title three fights later St Clair had to endure a nine year wait to finally earn the

GAIRY ST CLAIR coveted crown. On July 29, 2006 St. Clair joined Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis, Wayne `Big Truck’ Braithwaite and `Vicious’ Vivian Harris as male Guyanese boxers to win world titles. He defeated South African Cassius Baloyi to earn both the IBF and International Boxing Organisation super featherweight titles. St Clair won his last four fights and has built a record of 46 victories, 12 defeats and two draws. He has been residing in Australia since 2001.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday November 09, 2015) 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: Kusal Perera-163 runs Marlon Samuels-175 runs

Today’s Quiz: Part of the action between the Pepsi Hornets and the UG Wolves in the GTT 10’s Rugby Tournament.

Which SL player had the highest individual score in the recent WI/SL ODI series? Which WI player had the highest individual score in the recent WI/SL ODI series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 9, 2015

The calm before the storm … five days to ‘D’ Day By Ras Wadada

THE much anticipated elections of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), slated for this coming Saturday November 14th at the Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, continues to attract debates of varying tangents among the stakeholders of the ‘Beautiful Game’ here in Guyana. The common call among all the variables being reasoned is the need for Integrity and Unity in the new dispensation of governance of a sport which is crying out loud for change after decades of abuse. It is indeed ironic that the two slates contesting what many consider the most important elections of the GFF have chosen to name their slates – Team Integrity and Team Unity. All three of the top positions of the Wayne Forde led Team Integrity, according to a member of Unity were on the slate of Team Unity originally. If this information is true then Unity did well

to rebound from such a hard blow to even come up with a slate to contest the elections. Further to this the in-

side informer confidently stated that Team Unity would prevail by a landslide margin on ‘D’ Day. In conversation with the members of Team Integrity it was revealed that there was never any commitment to Team Unity while admitting

that there was some dialogue with the principal architects behind Team Unity but not to the extent of giving support to Team Unity in any way, shape or form. One can only imagine the bitter taste when it was learnt that the confirmed composition of Team Integrity is inclusive of the much touted trio. Attorneys-at Law Nigel Hughes and Mark Waldron were sought and they agreed to be a part of the Unity slate to set up the showdown with Integrity. Neither of these goodly gentlemen have any vested interest in football but surely their track record would show they have been investing time and money with underprivileged people, hence one would assume it was not a hard decision for either to make. They both have good corporate connections which will positively serve the sport definitely. The big question for both men is – Do you honestly have the time needed to devote

his 47th first-class fifty while only Tyrone Theophile (46), Keddy Lesporis (38) and Dalton Polius (31) were effective with the bat.

the helmet and halted play. With a lead of 134, Guyana began their second innings well in command but three quick wickets

NIGEL HUGHES

to football? The one assurance both men must be cognizant of is that the landscape of the Sport is not an easy one. On the opposite side, Presidential Candidate Forde is very much acclimatised to the environment having been involved at the Administration level for 18 years. The charismatic and well respected Forde has a proven successful record in football administration loaded with Integrity and for that reason, among all reasons he has carefully chosen men of the same ilk to form part of his executive. Forde’s vision and passion for the empowerment of the sport is undeniable and judging from his campaign approach he is confidently pursuing his dream to make a much needed change in the way the ‘Beautiful Game’ is governed in Guyana. The ascendency to the throne of governance of the world’s richest sport here in Guyana is expected to be accompanied by effective changes which have already began under the FIFA installed Normalisation Com-

mittee (NC). The adoption of a new Constitution for the GFF and members was the first real impacting change of the sport under the Clinton Urling led NC. The two contesting slates have

WAYNE FORDE vowed to keep their campaigns clean ‘for the good of the game’ and so far they have been true to their word as they continue to meet with members of the 22 eligible voters. All members, with the exception of Pele FC, have completed their respective

elections in order to be able to cast their votes on ‘D’ Day. It has been reported that Pele FC is set to hold elections this coming Wednesday. For some strange reason the past week was very noticeably calm in the daily Print Media on the run up to this important day. Will it continue this last week of campaigning or will the two teams come out firing on all four cylinders? I rather suspect both sides are preoccupied with outreach meetings with voting members across the diverse landscape of Guyana’s football. Team Integrity appears to be well organised in their campaign approach and strategy while Team Unity is seemingly putting the final touches together and with their leader due back in the country one can expect the campaign trails to be lit up this last week. From the standpoint of John Public, based on interaction, Team Integrity holds the edge going into this final home stretch so one can expect a close finish at the line though Team Unity will differ.

Volcanoes set 230 for victory after 17 wickets tumble on Day three

By Kizan Brumell W I N D WA R D I s l a n d s Volcanoes had an eruption of success in the afternoon sessions against Guyana Jaguars as the home team stumbled to 95 all out at stumps on the penultimate day of their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-day match at the Guyana National Stadium. Guyana now have a lead of 229 runs after they restricted the Volcanoes to 228 - 9 just after the lunch interval. Volcanoes resumed from their overnight score of 127 – 2 but only scored 101 runs before the other eight wickets fell. Steven Jacobs led the Guyanese attack with 4-56 while being assisted by the debutant Gudakesh Motie (2-66), Ronsford Beaton (2-56) and Chris Barnwell (1-32) as they restricted the Volcanoes in 89.4 overs. Devon Smith pushed on from 45 but fell on 52,

Windwards Volcanoes off-spinner Shane Shillingford completed a amatch haul of 11 for 143. Volcanoes’ captain Liam Sebastian was retired on 14 by a lifting delivery from Beaton which hit him on

put the visitors right back in the match. Kyle Mayers removed Assad Fudadin for a duck

then Dalton Polius held onto a good catch at mid-on as Mervin Matthew again got rid of first innings centurion Rajendra Chandrika for five. Things continued to go haywire for the Jags when e captain Leon Johnson nicked one from Mayers into the gloves of wicketkeeper Sunil Ambris for two, Guyana were then 7 for 3 in the eighth over. Left-handers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Vishaul Singh once again tried to keep the boat steady and took Guyana to tea at 31 – 3. After the break, Shillingford got into the act again removing Chanderpaul for 34 and Raymond Reifer without scoring, in the space of three deliveries. Barnwell (02) added to Guyana’s misery when he drove a Kenroy Peters-delivery to Matthew who took a low catch at mid-off, with over an hour left in the day. Peters claimed his second victim when Anthony Bramble (01) edged one to Ambris. Four runs later Singh was caught behind off Shillingford for 24 then

his next victim was Beaton who decided to go aerial after facing 16 balls and not scoring. A bit of tough luck for Jacobs (16) who was given out lbw by a poor decision from umpire Shiv Sankar, on the first ball of the day’s final over. Meanwhile, Shillingford celebrated anoth-

er five wicket haul as he finished with 5 – 36 from 14.1 overs to complete a match haul 11 for 143. Peters chipped in with 2 for13, Mayers 2 for 20 and Matthew 1 for 11. The final day bowls off at 9:30 hrs as the defending champions try to keep the Windward Islands away from the 230-run target.

SCOREBOARD Windwards Volcanoes 1st innings T Theophile lbw b Barnwell 46 M Bascombe b Jacobs 11 D Smith c wkp Bramble b Jacobs 52 K Lesporis c Singh b Motie 38 S Ambris c Johnson b Motie 09 D Polius c&b Beaton 31 L Sebastein retired hurt 14 K Mayers b Jacobs 00 S Shillingford not out 10 M Matthew c wkp Bramble b Beaton 06 K Peters c wkp Bramble b Jacobs 00 Extras: (nb-2, w-3, lb-4, b-6) 15 Total: (nine wickets 89.4 overs) 228 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-78,3158,4-158,5-172,6-211,7-212,8227,9-228 Bowling: Beaton 17-3-56-2, Reifer 6-1-11-0, Jacobs 29.4-956-4, Barnwell 15-3-32-1, Motie 22-166-2 Guyana Jaguars 2nd innings A Fudadin c Peters B Mayers 00

R Chandrika lbw b Matthew 05 L Johnson c wkp Ambris b Mayers 01 V Singh c wkp Ambris b Shillingford 24 S Chanderpaul lbw b Shillingford 34 R Reifer c Smith b Shillingford 00 C Barnwell c Matthew b Peters 02 A Bramble c wkp Ambris b Peters 01 S Jacobs c wkp Ambris b Shillingford 16 R Beaton c Polius B Shillingford 00 G Motie not out 6 Extras: (1-nb) Total: (for 10 wickets, 48.1 overs) 95 FOW:1-3, 2-7, 3-7, 4-64,5-64,668,7-70,7-74,9-86,10-95 Bowling: Matthew 9-4-11-1, Mayers 9-3-20-2, Peters 13-713-2, Shillingford 14.1-2-36-5, Polius 3-0-10-0

Sport CHRONICLE

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The calm before the storm

See story on page 31

… five days to ‘D’ Day

Peruvians, T&T’s Nero dominate South American 10K By Michael DaSilva

Peru’s Yerson Orellana crosses the finish line just ahead of his countryman Luis Ostos.

Volcanoes set 230 for victory after 17 wickets story 31 tumble onSeepage on Day three

THE Peruvian duo of Yerson Orellana and Luis Ostas placed first and second respectively in the men’s open category of the second leg of the 13th Annual South American 10km Classic Road Race which was staged yesterday, while Trinidadian Tonya Nero finished ahead of Guyana’s premier female road runner Euleen Josiah Tanner. In a race that started at a very fast rate, the two Peruvians were part of a seven-man bunch that surged to the head of affairs. The bunch included Guyana’s Cleveland Forde, Cleveland Thomas and Matthew McKenzie along with Jamaica’s Rupert Greene and Kenyan Kenneth Rotich. As the leaders reached the Russian Embassy on the upward journey Thomas and Green started to fade, so furious was the pace of the leaders that there was no sight of the females just after turning at the road leading to the University of Guyana Campus. Forde started to fade away and Rotich, Orellana and Ostas stepped up the pace of the race with 13 minutes, 14 seconds on the clock. At the time, Nero was enjoying a more than 400-metre lead on Josiah Tanner. After the Russian Embassy turn and heading on to Kitty Public Road, Kenyan Rotich came under severe pressure as the two Peruvians changed gear and quickly opened about an 800-metre lead on him with Forde a further 200 metres adrift. As the two leaders reached the Kitty Pump Station turning onto Vlissengen Road, the clock read 24 minutes, 15 seconds and Rotich was approximately 300 metres in arrears. The Peruvians turned into the National Park where a huge crowd had gathered to witness the finish, all hoping to see Forde as one of the two leaders but were left disappointed as Orellana crossed the finish line just one stride ahead of his fellow Peruvian, clocking 31 minutes,08 seconds in the process. Ostos’ time for the race was 31minutes, 09 seconds On the distaff side, Nero returned a winning time of 37 minutes, 51 seconds, way ahead of Josiah-Tanner who clocked 341 minutes, 03 seconds. Kenya’s Rotich returned 32 minutes, 18 seconds in placing third in the men’s open category, while Forde clocked 33 minutes, .05 seconds for fourth place. Andre Foster (42.08) of Guyana was third among the women, but was the first junior female to cross the finish line.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Tonya Nero is all alone as she crosses the finish line in the National Park yesterday. Kenisha Pascal (44.15) of Grenada placed fourth in the women’s category. Shantal Hinds and Beverley Ignacio, both of Guyana, placed second and third respectively in the junior female category. Matthew McKenzie, Kevin Norah and Emanuel Martin Kevin occupied the top three places respectively in the junior boys’ category, while Ian Arcxhibald, Llewlyn Gardner and Clinton Scotlande were first, second and third respectively in the masters 55 years and over. In the women’s masters category, Josiah Tanner, by virtue of placing second overall, was crowned champion of the female masters 40 years and over category, while Cyrleen Phillips was second.

SHANE SHILLINGFORD

Prize winners of the various categories of the South American 10K Road Race strike a pose with their winning trophies (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015