Chronicle E-paper 25 October 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

THURSDAY 25th October, 2018

No.105438

King, Chase-Green summoned to CoI

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Drastic decrease in tax exemptions

Teachers pay hike sealed …GTU hails agreement as work in progress

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…GRA skewers KN report as undermining efforts to curtail PAGE revenue loss

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Ex-cop guilty of raping 3-yr-old

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Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Adelle Clarke and President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, exchange the signed agreement in the presence of Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and General-Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald (Adrian Narine photo)

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Not so high

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…GRA knocks AG report on non-compliant, self-employed taxpayers …says TRIPS system flawed, cannot be relied on THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said that the 2017 Auditor General Report neglected to state the number of pensioners, housewives, deceased persons, persons who would have migrated and those who are classified as self-employed, as it sought to clarify a recent newspaper article.

In a statement, the GRA made reference to a recent publication by Stabroek News on the 2017 Auditor General’s report headlined “Over 80% active self-employed didn’t submit income tax returns”. The GRA said it would not sit idly by and allow such a high degree of non-compliance by this segment of the taxpaying population. The 2017 AG report states that there were 105,522 active registered self-employed persons in the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) database of which only 18,351 persons or 17% of the

active registrants filed returns, resulting in a total of 87,171 persons or 83% of the active registrants not filing their tax returns.

Similarly, in 2016, 73,989 or 80% of the active registrants did not file their returns.

However, the GRA said what the report neglected to state was that the said listing included, but was not limited to, pensioners, housewives, deceased persons, persons who would have migrated, persons granted a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to transact business with the central and commercial banks as well as those transacting business with the GRA, “thereby erroneously misleading the general public as regards the percentage of self-employed taxpayers filing income tax returns.”

According to the GRA, this was expounded on at length by the Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, when giving evi-

dence and providing explanations before the last Public Accounts Committee. Statia, the GRA said, had explained that this list included several categories of persons who could not be classified as active taxpayers. The Commissioner General also made it clear that the TRIPS system is flawed and does not provide an accurate representation of the active self-employed taxpayers and, as a consequence, statements based solely on information extracted from it would be erroneous and misleading.

The GRA has also issued several press releases on this issue and explained that preliminary data cleansing activity has uncovered various categories of taxpayers to be removed, and work is currently ongoing in this area. According to the last review, out of the total of 618,105 registered taxpayers on TRIPS, 350,967 were found to be dormant and/or invalid, with these

presently being removed from the database, leaving the remaining active taxpayers at 267,138. This figure includes all taxpayers, not just the self-employed taxpayers, and is currently being subjected to further cleansing to remove duplicate persons, etc.

Despite the shortcomings of the TRIPS System as mentioned above, the GRA is working assiduously to correct these shortcomings while adopting a risk management approach to prioritise the highrisk taxpayers with greater revenue implications. Consequently, the statement that “billions of taxes not being collected” with regards to self-employed persons is not only downright questionable, since the majority of the so called 80% are not in receipt of taxable income, but also misleading.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Woman’s body found in Albion trench

Dead: Samdai Samnarine

AN elderly mother of three who went missing on Tuesday was found floating in a trench in Albion, East Berbice, Corentyne, on Wednesday afternoon.

The body of Samdai Samnarine, 73, called “Aunty Pato”, of Lot 695 Number One Road, was discovered in the Albion Estate Drainage Canal on the northern side of the Albion Public Road.

The discovery was made at approximately 16:30hrs by a passerby who raised an alarm.

According to informa-

tion received, the woman left home at approximately 16:00hrs on Tuesday to visit a doctor. It is unclear whether she made it to the doctor’s office.

Relatives disclosed that Samnarine would usually suffer from seizures; after she did not return home, the family made several checks at various locations on the Corentyne, but to no avail. The family also made a police report and shared a missing-person report on social media. Samnarine’s sudden demise left family members baffled and they are seeking answers. No marks of violence were seen on her body, but at the time of the discovery, blood was oozing from her nose and mouth. A post-mortem is expected to be performed on her remains shortly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Teachers pay hike sealed …GTU hails agreement as work in progress

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Adele Clarke and Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) President Mark Lyte (centre), officially sign the agreement on salaries and non-salary benefits for teachers. The process was witnessed by Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson and GTU General-Secretary Coretta McDonald (Adrian Narine photos)

By Lisa Hamilton THE Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Wednesday signed the agreement granting increases in salaries and other benefits to teachers countrywide.

The agreement will see teachers receiving salary increases for the period of January 2016 to December 2018.

The agreement states that teachers earning below $100,000 will get a 12 per cent increase on their 2015 salaries; and those earning $100,000 and above will get an 8 per cent increase.

The agreement notes that the percentage already paid for 2016 will form a part of the payment to be received.

Meanwhile, for 2017, salaries below $100,000 per month will receive an 8 per cent increase, while salaries $100,000 per month or above will receive 6 per cent increase. The document highlights, too, that the interim eight and six per cent on December 2016 salaries received previously will be final.

For 2018, there will be an eight per cent increase across the board on the December 2017 salary. Additionally, a lump sum of

$350M has been set aside for debunching of teachers for the period of 2011-2018; and steps will be taken to place teachers in the respective scales from 2019 to reflect the various increases.

NON-SALARY BENEFITS The GTU and MoE have also agreed that teachers will continue to receive approved rates for improved qualifications. These include: Certificate in Education -$4,000; Diploma in Education -$6,000; Master’s Degree - $10,000; Doctoral Degree- $30,000; and Special Needs Degree$10,000.

For clothing allowances, teachers will receive $8,000 per annum, while the Whitley Council Allowance will be paid in June of the year of entitlement; and leave will be granted on the teacher’s time of first appointment, except for those appointed in August.

The two parties have also agreed that any increases on clothing, station/ hard lying, risk and travelling allowances will be considered in line with the review of these allowances for the wider public service.

Meanwhile, 100 duty-free concessions per annum for vehicles up to 1800cc will be

provided to eligible teachers; All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and outboard engines up to 75 HP will be granted to eligible teachers in the riverine and hinterland areas.

To be eligible, however, there are certain criteria that must be met. Regarding scholarships, 30 teachers will continue to receive these for the period of four years at the University of Guyana (UG) to pursue the Bachelor of Education programme.

An additional 20 teachers will be granted scholarships to pursue Science and Technical Education at UG. Teachers in the hinterland have not been overlooked: existing policy will be reinforced to ensure that they and their families who serve in the interior are given, once per term, a return fare to the coastland.

This benefit will similarly be provided to teachers who are from one area in the hinterland, but serve in another. Taking into consideration teachers’ complaints regarding the ratio of students to teachers in classrooms, the new ratios are as follows: Nursery15:1; Primary Grades 1 to 2 - 20:1; Primary Grades 3 to 6 - 25:1; Secondary - 25:1 and Practical Instructional Centers – 15:1.

Meanwhile, the two parties shall mutually agree on a mechanism for the implementation of the Housing Revolving Fund. As such, a six-member committee will be established to prepare a position paper on the granting of house lots to teachers and the Revolving Loan Fund.

Added to this, the GTU president and general-secretary shall be released with pay on a full-time basis to serve the membership of the GTU and all general council representatives, with the relevant approval, shall be released to attend to the teachers’ matters. Also, all central executive officers shall be released to perform GTU duties every Wednesday and when necessary; statutory meetings between the parties must be on a monthly basis and schools on the coastland and hinterland shall be granted one session per month and one day per term respectively, for GTU meetings.

NEW BEGINNINGS “I think the signing today is symbolic that we intend to have a working relationship with all our

stakeholders, all our partners and we consider the union to be an integral part of what we do at the Ministry of Education. “I do not believe we can function effectively without the union and their input. So, today, I’m happy that they’ve come so far as a team and I believe the time is opportune now for us to seriously work together for the benefit of our children in this country, and that is moving education forward,” said Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson at the signing ceremony.

He stated further that the agreement marks the beginning of an improved relationship and thanked the GTU and its members for being integral in working towards the final position.

GTU President Mark Lyte said that while their requests were not met precisely, teachers stand to benefit from the adjusted salaries and benefits.

“It has been a long haul. We recognised that as a union there are several things that we would have requested that were not granted; but nonethe-

less, we believe that it’s a work in progress to move forward. We look forward to a new agreement in the new phase in 2019, so that we can have more benefits given to teachers.

“But looking at the present agreement, we believe that our teachers are going to benefit from outstanding clothing allowances; they’re going to benefit from increases that date back to 2016,” Lyte said.

He noted his approval to see the engagements between the MoE and GTU move from a stage of arbitration to amicable settlement and thanked the union and teachers countrywide for their support during the period.

“We want to ensure our members out there that we fought very hard to ensure that all the benefits gained would reflect in a positive way on the lives of our teachers. We believe that what has been gained today will result in our teachers being better able to service their classrooms in a satisfied way; and being able to satisfy their families,” he said.

National Commission on Disability currently conducting survey IN recognition of the importance of giving consideration to the needs of persons with disabilities when planning and implementing policies, the National Commission on Disability has rolled out a countrywide survey.

This survey is intended to locate persons with disabilities, categorise their conditions and identify their respective needs. At the end of this process, all the relevant data gathered will be forwarded to major administrators for consideration in their decision-making process.

According to Communications Officer attached to the Commission, Avonel Corrica, the survey aims to ascertain the needs of persons with disabilities as it relates to health, education, housing and access to public facilities, among other critical inputs that government and other

Avonel Corrica, Communications Officer, National Commission on Disability

policymakers can influence.

“For this survey, we are going to various houses in the ten administrative regions to locate persons with disabilities, find out their needs and whatever is required in terms of education, housing and so on,” Corrica explained.

She added that this survey

has been conducted in Regions Two, Three, Five, Six and Ten. The Commission will start the exercise in Region Four shortly. The compiled reports on the findings of the survey will be officially presented in 2019.

When the government is preparing a budget and planning to construct new facilities, add new programmes, lobby for international funding among other things, the needs of persons with disabilities, for example, the presence of a ramp for disabled persons when constructing buildings, will become a determining major factor.

Also, for the hearing and speech impaired, public institutions and buildings will be expected to have in place, persons specialising in sign language to help with communication. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

‘Explosives’ sent to Democrats and CNN were ‘act of terror’, says NYC mayor

(BBC) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called attempted attacks on CNN and top Democrats, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, “an act of terror”.

Suspected bombs were sent to locations in New York, the Washington DC area and Florida, authorities said on Wednesday.

Mr de Blasio told reporters it was an effort to terrorize and “to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence”.

The FBI says the ongoing investigation is “of the highest priority”.

It has identified five similarly constructed packages and devices to date, including one confirmed to be a pipe bomb found at the home of liberal philanthropist and financier George Soros two days ago.

CNN’s New York office was evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspected live bomb was sent to their mailroom.

Speaking at the White House, President Donald Trump said that these threats “have no place in America”.

“The safety of the American people is my highest and absolute priority,” he said.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

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“In these times we just have to unify. We need to come together and send one very clear unmistakable message that threats or acts of political violence of any kind have no place in America.”

All the apparent targets are regularly criticised by conservatives - especially by President Trump.

Some Democrats have accused the president of inciting violence with his past rhetoric, while some of his supporters have said they believe the packages are part of a Democratic plot to win votes in the mid-term elections.

There is no evidence for this and the police have not released any information about any suspects.

The attempted attacks come just under two weeks before the vote, with US politics highly polarised.

What has the reaction been?

There has been condemna-

tion of the attacks across the political spectrum.

However, Mr Trump’s critics accused him of having incited violence with the language he has used against the media and his opponents.

The president has repeatedly called journalists, and CNN in particular, “fake news” and the “enemy of the people”.

On Wednesday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders condemned the “attempted violent attacks” against the public figures. She then specified in a follow-up tweet that the White House also condemned threats made to CNN. But CNN worldwide president Jeff Zucker criticised President Trump and Mrs Sanders in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media,” he said.

05:00 hrs

“The president, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far they have shown no comprehension of that.”

In a joint statement, top Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer also said the president’s words “ring hollow until he reverses his statements that condone acts of violence”.

New York Mayor Mr de Blasio added during a news conference: “To all public officials, to all partisan affiliations - don’t encourage violence, don’t encourage hatred, don’t encourage attacks on media you can disagree but you have to show respect.”

WHAT HAPPENED? Explosive devices were sent to the following individuals, according to the latest FBI statement: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Former President Barack Obama Former CIA Director John Brennan, care of CNN Former Attorney General Eric Holder George Soros (two days prior) The devices are suspected to be pipe bombs.

New York Police Commissioner James O’Neill also said law enforcement is analysing an “envelope containing white powder”, which was found in the packaging of the device sent to CNN. The US Secret Service said in a statement that they recovered the package addressed to Mrs Clinton late on

23 October.

“Early this morning, October 24, 2018, a second package addressed to the residence of Former President Barack Obama was intercepted by Secret Service personnel in Washington, DC,” the statement said.

“Both packages were intercepted prior to being delivered to their intended location. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”

An additional suspicious package addressed to Democratic Representative Maxine Waters is also being investigated by local law enforcement and the FBI. US media say the package intended for Mr Holder was sent to an incorrect address and returned to the congresswoman’s office in Sunrise, Florida.

Mr Brennan’s package was sent to CNN as he was scheduled to appear on the network on Wednesday, US media report.

What have the apparent targets said?

Speaking at a campaign event in Florida, Mrs Clinton thanked the Secret Service and said she and her family “are fine”.

“It is a troubling time,” she said. “It is a time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together. We also have to elect candidates who will try to do the same.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Obama declined to comment on the incident, and referred reporters to the Secret Service statement.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Deep division in Brazil’s north-east, where ‘life is real’ (BBC) A massive lorry blasts out music from a sound system and cheers on a crowd of people dressed in yellow, green and blue in Boa Viagem.

The colours of the Brazilian flag have become a sort of uniform for those supporting the far-right candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, in Sunday’s presidential election.

The event in this wealthy beachfront neighbourhood in Recife - the capital of Pernambuco state in north-east Brazil - feels like a victory rally.

The second and decisive round of the election is not until Sunday but going by the number of people whistling, singing and dancing here, you would think that their candidate had already won.

“Our flag will never be red again,” they sing, referring to the colours used by Jair Bolsonaro’s main rival, Workers’ Party candidate Fernando Haddad.

Next minute, they are chanting “We came here for free”, another dig at the Workers’ Party which they accuse of paying people to turn up to campaign events.

There is certainly no holding back about their hatred of the Workers’ Party and its most famous politician, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

BRAZIL’S LULA: SAINT OR SINNER? For the people gathered here, the former president, who is serving 12 years in jail for corruption, is the symbol of all that went wrong in Brazil. They argue that he brought the country to its knees.

By contrast, they think that Mr Bolsonaro is a clean politician who will change Brazil for the better. “I’m voting for the future of this country,” says mother Cibely Lopes. “He represents hope.”

“Young people are emotional, they believe in the utopia of being good,” says fellow Bolsonaro supporter Kleber Freire.

Mr Freire explains that

he voted for Lula twice but that he would never vote for a Workers’ Party candidate again.

“Life is real, you have to struggle to get things in capitalism, in any kind of economy. To remain socialist or communist is just immaturity,” he says about his change of heart.

POVERTY AND HOPE Far from the cities in the poorest region of Brazil, lives are certainly very real and people’s attitudes could not be further apart from those of the residents of the beachfront condos of Recife.

Caetes is a rural part of Pernambuco about four hours from the state capital.

Horses and carts are a popular mode of transport on the dusty, unpaved roads that weave in between sparsely growing cactus, sweet potato and manioc plants.

Lula was born in this community and spent his first few years here.

During his two terms as president from January 2003 to December 2010, peoples’ lives were transformed through his government’s generous social programmes. Millions were lifted out of poverty.

The good times did not last and under Lula’s successor, Dilma Rousseff, the economy faltered. But still there is a lot of affection for what the Workers’ Party did, and people here remain loyal.

In Pernambuco, Workers’ Party candidate Fernando Haddad won the first round over Jair Bolsonaro, and that was repeated across the north-east.

LULA’S LEGACY Farmer Jorge Rodrigues de Melo lives down the road from Lula’s old wattle-anddaub family home. He is wearing a battered widebrimmed leather hat and is sitting on a home-made swing made of wood and old tyres.

He is kicking his bare feet in the sand. “Lula was the best president we ever had, for everyone in the

north-east and all the poor Brazilians,” he says.

“The rich only like the rich here in Brazil.”

I ask him if he is going to vote for Fernando Haddad, who stood in as the Workers’ Party candidate after Lula was barred from running because of his corruption conviction.

He looks lost. He does not know who Fernando Haddad is. All he knows is that he will be pressing “13” on Sunday - the number of the Workers’ Party on the ballot.

He may not recognise the Workers’ Party current candidate but Mr Melo is clear in his rejection of Mr Haddad’s rival: “I don’t see what this Bolsonaro has to offer.”

“Not even with a knife held to my neck and a revolver to my head would I vote for him,” he says.

‘AS IF WE WERE ANIMALS’ Not far away we meet Barto Florencio da Silva, a community leader in Quilombo Primavera. Quilombos form a rural settlement of slave descendants and are among the poorest communities in Brazil.

The quilombos were neglected for years but under President Lula, Quilombo Primavera got running water and electricity as part of the government’s “Light for All” programme.

Residents are fearful of what may be in store for them should Mr Bolsonaro, who has a wide lead in opinion polls, win on Sunday.

In a speech, the far-right candidate called quilombo residents “lazy” and said they were “not fit for procreation”.

“He talked about us as if we were animals,” Mr Silva says. “With all that he’s shown so far, his government will be one that violates rights and we’ll have nobody to appeal to.”

One of the biggest concerns of quilombo residents is losing their land as not all such communities have their title deeds. They are threatened by landowners, and Mr

Silva thinks life is about to get even more difficult.

“The Workers’ Party government made mistakes, but at least it was open for dialogue, we could challenge it,” he says. “With a Bolsonaro government, that won’t happen. Brazil is returning to the 19th Century.”

‘STANDING UP FOR OUR DEMOCRACY’ Back in Recife, supporters of Fernando Haddad gather in a main square.

Young and old are wearing badges with the number 13 on them. They are all dressed in the red colour of the Workers’ Party.

Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters like to say that it’s the colour of communism, but Ivan Moraes scoffs at that accusation, which he says is a ruse.

“It’s tension created by the elites when working people started getting access to the same rights,” the Workers’ Party supporter argues.

“Right now it’s not about right or left, progressive or conservative. It’s about standing up for our democracy.”

Whatever the outcome of Sunday’s election, it is clear it is going to be a tough fight as Brazilians head to the polls more divided than ever.

Minaj works with Fay-Ann on flood relief project (Trinidad Guardian) Trinidad and Tobago-born United States-based rapper Nicki Minaj, whose real name is Onika Maraj, has pledged financial assistance to those affected by recent flooding in this country and is working with local soca star FayAnn Lyons-Alvarez to achieve her goal.

Nicki Minaj

“Trinidad, I am working on getting many different resources to you now. FayAnn & I have been communicating non-stop. I will let you know exactly who I’m donating the funds to & hope to be with you very soon.

I Love you. We will get through this,” Minaj tweeted on social media yesterday.

Minaj later posted a photo of herself dressed in bathing suit-inspired outfit in the red, white and black colours of the Trinidad and

Tobago flag.

Minaj, who was born in St James, has been using her social media presence to highlight the flooding situation here.

Earlier this week, she reposted a picture from soca artiste Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez showing the flooding.

“Some parts in Trinidad are ok but a large number of areas look like this and worse and people have lost everything they possess,” she posted then “People are now out in droves giving all the assistance they can to who needs it. In the disaster the blessing of togetherness stands so strong in this moment here in Trinidad and Tobago everyone is lending a hand even those who have nothing left,” she wrote.

Minaj said there are a lot of people willing to assist from overseas.

“There are a lot of people from abroad asking about assisting, but they haven’t seen any info on how to do so, so we will gather what info we can and put it in a next post. Thanks for all the prayers and we journey through this time,” Minaj wrote.

Lyons-Alvarez also took to Instagram to thank Minaj for her assistance.

“Thank you @nickiminaj for the deep concern for your fellow Trinis. We know your love for home is real and you staying in contact daily shows it. We are definitely appreciating your generosity. We had a great walkabout today, and both @bunjigarlin and I are 100 percent with you. #Queen #Trinidad.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Owning your own region

PRESIDENT David Granger, at a community meeting in Lethem last week in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, Region Nine, charged residents to take responsibility for the prosperity and development of their villages, communities and region, and ultimately the country.

This, undoubtedly, was a clarion call to the people signalling a time for action, which should not be ignored. It is a charge likely to resonate with those who feel regional government is being under-served, hamstrung or held hostage to political machinations.

The 1980 Guyana Constitution, which established a regional system to be managed by Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), empowers Parliament to make laws for these local democratic organs to be autonomous and raise their own revenues,

which are being channelled in the President’s view. Three decades after, unlike the towns and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils which are allowed the autonomy to make their own (by) laws, establish their own police/constabulary systems and raise revenues for their daily operations, the RDCs are not so empowered. Management of the regions is, in large part, subject to the national government’s decisions, programmes, allocation of revenues, and the agenda of the political directorate. Woe onto the people of the region if that government considers them not one of theirs, as has happened in the nottoo-distant-past.

Deprivation of involvement and equitable treatment have proven to be polarising, hindering the regions from forging harmonious relations among its peoples and the benefits,

intrinsic and extrinsic, that can be derived from ownership and wanting the best for the community. Given these limitations and discriminatory practices, it would not be unfair to say that the regional system has been stymied and was never given the opportunity to properly utilise its human and physical resources, consistent with its objective.

Regional government is the second tier of government, formed with the intent of devolving power to the people in their quest for self-determination. An advantage of regionalism is that the regional leadership has the opportunity to interact more frequently with the citizenry and obviously will get better understanding of the desires of the people, the problems that exist, and the people working together in resolving them.

This level of interaction also brings with it a greater sense of account-

ability and improvement to local democracy, which are elements of good governance.

Since the regional system was established, the People’s National Congress (PNC) was in office for 10 years, the People’s Progress Party/ Civic (PPP/C) for 23 years and A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), two years. Suffice to say, without getting into finger-pointing, though all governments must be held to account, the operationalising of the system has fallen woefully short.

The initiative by President Granger for flags depicting each of the 10 administrative regions, while it may appear symbolic, signals an intent to make the system work. The demarcation and unique identity that the flags represent for each region should now see collaborative efforts in using

their resources for development of the people. Making ownership possible will require instituting legislative structures that allow for economic, political, security and other autonomous measures.

Such could include granting each region the opportunity to create their own security system and revenue base derived from the resources therein and services provided. This would also facilitate some level of competition among the regions that push and facilitate inter-dependency which are healthy indicators for development. The RDCs and people in the regions should no longer be made to feel that investment in them hinges on political allegiance to central government; neither should any region have to be deprived for not supporting the government in office.

Lusignan Golf Club stands by club President Aleem Hussain Dear Editor AS public relations officer of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), we, the executives of the Lusignan Golf Club, stand in support of club President Aleem Hussain, despite the announcement of his sordid past by one media house; especially since what is now public news was already known over two years ago before he began to be active in the club.

Aleem Hussain was voted into office as President by members who looked beyond his past and have been well satisfied that since his involvement -- beginning October 2017 when he singlehandedly brought off a successful international Guyana Open Tournament in 2017 -- he has made a greater positive contribution to the LGC and golfing in Guyana than any other previous President in the history of the club.

Being cognisant of his past – a past that Aleem Hussain has not shied away from – the executive is satisfied that President Hussain has MOVED FORWARD IN LIFE AND HAS DEDICTATED HIMSELF TO MAKING AN EXCELLENT CONTRIBUTION IN WHATEVER AREA HE FINDS INVOLVEMENT. This visionary, tireless, indefatigable leader has had a few critics, opponents and gainsayers within the club, but then so has every previous president, or executive, and in fact by some of the very same persons who like Judas of old, always seek to undermine and betray the leadership in some unimaginable ways.

Aleem Hussain -- with a winsome, frank and always-looking-for-a-solution personality -- like so many great and visionary leaders, accomplishes much in double-quick time; is impatient with the inevitable delays of sub-committees; has little tolerance for

mediocrity; and succeeds where thousands of others would have failed if faced with the same challenges for accomplishments.

To date, in terms of golfing in Guyana -- to mention only a few things -- Aleem has pioneered a new method of international tournament sponsorship for the Guyana Open; has seen the course maintained in pristine condition throughout the year; for the first time in the club’s history has realised golf-playing throughout the year, because of a significantly improved golf course; has taken golfing to schools and the university (a dream and hope of previous administrations); and has personally involved his finances in ensuring development and operation of the club (a feature several previous presidents and executive members have also done).

With regard to the activity concerning Jack Nicklaus, which was used to bring these disclosures to the fore, it needs to be noted

that nothing great was ever accomplished by those who were content with the status quo.

But significantly, those foreigners involved in the project had done their own background checks and were satisfied that it was worth their time and investment to be involved with Mr Aleem Hussain in this multi-million dollar project, which, once successful, will redound to the benefit of Guyana and Guyanese.

At the end of the day, few of us can boast of morally perfect living, but history records that even He who lived the most morally perfect life was crucified because He was doing only good! The Lusignan Golf Club Executive stands by President Aleem Hussain.

Regards Guy Griffith PRO-LGC

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Rohee must explain why no phantom killer was charged under his stewardship Dear Editor, THE recent escape of three inmates from the Lusignan prison and the subsequent riot that resulted in 10 prisoners being injured by rubber bullets and live rounds used by security officers who were called out to quell the uprising, have once again brought to the fore the challenges facing Guyana in its overcrowded prisons and poorly managed penal system.

The comments by the Minister of Public Security, as quoted in a Demerara Waves article on October 17, 2018, captioned, “ Improved prisons hinge on oil money – Ramjattan”: and a letter that was written by his predecessor, Clement Rohee, that was published in the Stabroek News on October 18.2018, captioned “Coalition gov’t has to be more inclusive in management of the serious prison's problems,” are both instructive.

Mr. Rohee in his letter stated, “On assuming office,

Mr. Ramjattan rejected the sound policies he inherited from the previous PPP/C administration…”. However, not unsurprisingly, he failed to outline what those “sound policies” were. Anyone reading Rohee’s letter in the context of the caption will have tremendous difficulty in attempting to understand what the former minister refers to as inclusive management of the prison's problems.

As I have stated, he made no substantial arguments in support of his position. What was unmistakable was the self-serving nature of the letter, which sought to rewrite history with his ridiculous claim that the prisons and the crime situation in Guyana were well managed under his and the PPP/C’s stewardship.

The facts tell a different story. It cannot be denied as Rohee attempts to do, that the genesis of the nation’s prisons and crime crisis is rooted in the 23 years of PPP/C rule. The mismanagement of the crime and security situation in the country under the

PPP/C and the involvement of high government officials in the facilitation of criminal activity during that period, saw crime and the behaviour of criminals degenerating to levels never seen before in the modern history of Guyana. At the height of that crisis hundreds of citizens, including police officers, were murdered. As a result of the PPP/C regime’s covenant with known drug lords, the nation witnessed for the first time in its history, the emergence of an unprecedented rise in state-sponsored executions that led to the birth of the so-called phantom killers and the criminalisation of the state. Mr. Rohee must explain why none of the known phantom killers was brought to justice under his stewardship.

In fact, it is important to note that when the head of the criminal enterprise in Guyana, Roger Khan, was captured in Suriname and the Surinamese authorities offered to return him to Guyana, the then Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon.

Gail Teixeira, said that Khan was not wanted in Guyana for any criminal act. He was subsequently handed over by Surinamese officials to U.S. law-enforcement officers, taken to the USA, entered a plea bargain arrangement, and was tried, convicted and sentenced to 16 years imprisonment in a U.S. prison.

All of the above had a negative impact on the political, economic and social situation in the country. The end result was overcrowded jails that up to today are populated with young men, most of whom were born and brought up under the PPP/C regime.

It is this reality that was inherited by the APNU+AFC coalition government. It is obvious that in the prisons the “chickens” came home to roost - so to speak –and the phenomenon of the prisoners on the “roof” to “riots and fires” was spawned. The nation is now reaping the seeds that were sowed by the PPP/C administration; this is proving to be a difficult situation for the present gov-

Khusial got it wrong on oil money Dear Editor, IN a recent letter, Darshanand Khusial makes two points: Warren Buffet is a great investor and that our oil contract is flawed. While he is right that Mr. Buffet is a great investor, his claims about our oil contract are inconsistent with the facts.

Mr. Khusial’s demand that we renegotiate the contract makes it seem as if we will receive a paltry sum of the oil revenue, but this is just not true. As it stands, the oil industry will generate more money for Guyana than we have ever seen before. Exxon estimates that we have approximately 4 billion recoverable barrels of oil.

Looking at different oil-price scenarios, analysts estimate that our total government revenue over the next couple decades could range from $51 to $160 billion USD. As you can see, we are not

just letting Exxon develop our oil in exchange for crumbs. This is an enormous amount of money that will be a catalyst for growth and prosperity in Guyana.

Mr. Khusial also claims that we are receiving a much lower percentage than what many other nations have got in their oil contracts, but this statement is misleading if not looked at in context. According to Rystad Energy’s report, the Guyana’s government take will be 59 per cent of total profits. When you look at other countries with no previously known resources or oil and gas infrastructure, our government’s take is right in the middle of the pack internationally. It is also interesting to note that our average government take is higher even than countries like Australia, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In fact, to initially attract an

oil company like Exxon, we had to offer favourable economic terms. However, as the IMF report explains, because it is now established that Guyana is blessed with huge oil reserves, we are in a position to adjust our fiscal terms for future oil contracts. Contrary to what Mr. Khusial says, it would not be more prudent to renegotiate our oil contract with Exxon; doing so would bring uncertainty and could delay development for a decade and even jeopardise the project entirely.

What we should do, though, is start preparations for how we are going to infuse our newfound oil revenues back into Guyana and improve the lives of all Guyanese.

Regards Clement Smith

ernment, given the population’s desire for a significant reduction in crime.

Minister Ramjattan‘s statement that “improved prisons hinged on oil money,” when taken with his revelation that the government had unsuccessfully approached international agencies for finance to build new prisons, seem to suggest that the administration is anticipating a rise, rather than a reduction, in the prison population in the immediate period ahead. This is a frightening thought, even though all that the minister may have been doing is expressing the thinking of the cabinet, and what his security advisers may have told him.

With the pending oil wealth, we as a nation must commit to public policies which are designed to address the fundamental social and economic issues that are negatively impacting the nation, particularly among the youth population, with the intention of reducing the flow of citizens entering the

prisons. When it is realised that the vast majority of these citizens are from the poor and powerless in the society, the need for action becomes more urgent.

The logic of this argument is that we must stop thinking of building new prisons; instead, we ought to be looking at meaningful solutions to reduce the need for jails. Guyana needs a more enlightened policy to address the country’s prison challenges, both in the short and long-term; oil money will give us the opportunity to do so. Cash payouts from oil revenues to Guyanese households will contribute to the limitation of the spread of poverty and crime among the nation’s youths by economically empowering poor households.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

Making a substantial difference at LGEs 2018!

Dear Editor, WE recently had an experience with our Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Better Hope, as it relates to garbage collection. On Tuesday, October 9, 2018, we contacted our NDC for their scheduled disposal days and were elated when we were informed that Wednesday is the weekly scheduled pick-up day for our community. We were advised that since pick-ups are not timed, it would be best to leave the secured garbage bags on the parapet for removal. On Wednesday, no garbage was picked up. After numerous calls and a visit, the garbage was finally collected on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Sadly, and in most communities, it is a norm that if the scheduled garbage-disposal day passes, it is expected that residents would wait for the next scheduled pick-

up day the following week; this is unacceptable. This is a regular garbage-disposal issue with many NDCs. Too often, the excuses are not practical.

With Local Government Elections (LGE) scheduled for November 12, 2018, I plead with our local representatives to address this issue; it is one of many critical subjects and the only acceptable solution lies in electing policy-makers who are responsible, share the view of serving and protecting the public’s interest, making tough public-policy decisions and holding the council responsible for its mandate. This poses a serious health concern and it affects all of us; let’s all act affirmatively and make the necessary choices that will lead to a timely resolution of this problem.

Regards D. Jodhan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Mayor to appear before City Hall CoI tomorrow

GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and Town Clerk Royston King, have been summoned and are scheduled to appear tomorrow and on Monday, respectively, before the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall’s operations, ongoing at the Critchlow Labour College.

Both Chase-Green and King will have numerous questions to answer, the CoI having already heard a number of alarming allegations and accusations about how several matters are being handled at City Hall.

Both King and ChaseGreen have repeatedly declared that they had no comment about the proceedings of the CoI, since it began in September. The CoI, being presided over by Chairman, Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard, is expected to conclude at the end of the month.

The CoI was ordered by the Local Government Commission (LGC), following levelling of multiple complaints against City Hall.

Over the past few weeks, the CoI has dealt with several complaints from vendors,

Town Clerk Royston King

businesses and other organisations and City Hall staff.

One of the biggest revelations of the inquiry was the discovery that City Hall took it upon itself to lease land not belonging to the M&CC. From all indications, this transaction was also wholly conducted by King.

In the transaction handled by the town clerk a company was leased a plot of land for $625,000 a year and paid for three years. However, a representative for the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) later produced documen-

tation showing that NICIL owns the land.

Additionally, based on evidence provided, the inquiry has seen that it is common practice for standard operating procedures to be breached, particularly by King, in the awarding of contracts.

Several businesses testified that they were never given contracts, even though they had at times received payments through arrangements with the town clerk; M&CC Procurement Officer Jacqueline King; and Deputy Town Clerk Sharon

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green

Harry-Munroe, testified that these are clear breaches of procedures.

Harry-Munroe particularly stressed that it was impossible for a business to receive payments from the M&CC without a contract being

issued. Standing by City Hall, she instead questioned whether the businesses are to be believed.

Several of the businesses complained that they were still owed millions by the MCC; despite the absence

of a contract, the businesses had documentation to back their claims.

Some vendors complained of unfair treatment by the MCC, with at least one vendor complaining of having her merchandise being seized and never returned. Another vendor claimed further victimisation by the mayor, after testifying at the CoI. Staff appeared to complain about their pensions, National Insurance Scheme, PAYE, and union dues deductions not being remitted. There were also complaints pertaining to breaches in proper disciplinary procedures and one particular case of King dismissing a city constable, when he did not have the authority to do so.

Convicted fraudster back in jail A 58-year-old man was on Wednesday sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to three

Raymond Harilall

fraud charges.

Raymond Harilall of Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the fraud charges.

The charges allege that between the months of September and October at Dennis Street, Turkeyen, with intent to defraud, Harilall obtained from Richard Harris $1.7 million by falsely pretending that he was in a position to acquire a loan

for the said victim, knowing same to be false.

It was also alleged that between October 3 and October 20, 2018 at Croal Street, Lall incurred a debt of $80,000 by travelling in the motorcar of Travis Fitzpatrick and did not pay. It was further alleged that between 3rd September and October 5, 2018 at Dennis Street, Turkeyen, with intent to defraud, Harilall obtained from Annela Bodram $1.6 million by falsely pretending that he was in a position to acquire a loan for the said victim, knowing same to be false.

The miner pleaded guilty to all three charges that were read out to him in court by the magistrate. He was represented by Attorney Patrice Henry who asked the magistrate to be lenient when passing sentence, since his client did not waste the court’s time and made an early guilty plea.

Harilall was sentence to 18 months imprisonment by the magistrate for the charges. According to reports, Harilall was convicted in 2008 for a similar offence and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for obtaining over $3M in cash from several persons by fraud.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Disciplinary probe of officers for PSC not ministry––Slowe warns

By Leroy Smith CHAIRMAN of the Police Service Commission, (Rtd) Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe said that he has advised the administration of the Guyana Police Force not to send matters of a disciplinary nature which involve inspectors or officers of the force to the Public Security Ministry.

He made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday at his Kingston Office. He said while representing the PSC during a recent engagement with the administration of the force he made the plea. According to Slowe, the Police Service Commission, which is a con-

stitutional body, is the legal body to address matters of a disciplinary nature once it involves Inspectors and Officers of the force.

Slowe pointed out that upon assumption of office, the now constituted commission found that in the past a number of files were first sent to the ministry before making its way to the service commission and that is not the correct procedure. He further stated that such practice adds to the bureaucracy and lengthy delay in a number of matters being dealt with in a timely matter by the Police Service Commission. “Don’t send it to anyone else; don’t send it to the ministry, we have said to them they are not to go to the ministry, they must come straight to

Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Paul Slowe

the commission and we will make the decision as to how the matters, disciplinary especially, the constitution says the commission should deal with it. Cut out the bu-

reaucracy and let it come to the commission and the commission will then advise itself and the relevant other agencies, and then we [will move] on with it and once

Top Cop praises work of Suicide Helpline

COMMISSIONER of Police Leslie James has praised the Inter-agency Suicide Helpline for its professionalism and diligence when responding to clients during a recent interaction with representatives of Youth Challenge Guyana(YCG).

During the meeting, the Commissioner and his team, which included Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams, Deputy Commissioner Lyndon Alves and Sergeant Sharon Price, were introduced to the European Union (EU) -funded project “The Helpline”.

The meeting followed a successful 20-month collaboration between the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Inter-agency Suicide Helpline and Youth Challenge Guyana.

The GPF manages and maintains the 24-hour suicide prevention hotline and Youth Challenge Guyana, through the EU-funded initiative, provides face to face counselling and follow-up for the persons referred by the hotline.

The Commissioner was given details of the upcoming phases of the project, which includes a television serial drama campaign that will be done by Merundoi, a partner in the project, to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of emotional

Commissioner of Police Leslie James (third from left) flanked by his deputies and Youth Challenge Guyana representatives during the meeting

distress and how to access help. The Commissioner was pleased that the project is addressing the awareness of the public and the promotion of the Inter-agency Helpline hotline numbers.

The two organisations committed to working closely together to continue to build public trust for the hotline by jointly maintaining public communication about the courteous and friendly conduct of the hotline, confi-

dentiality, and helpful nature of their work.

The personnel of the hotline will work more closely with YCG to conduct monitoring activities to the various referral locations so that they have a better appreciation and understanding of the services their work is supporting. And the hotline personnel will benefit, where possible, from training and capacity-building initiatives of YCG. James highlighted

his desire to ensure that the educational acumen of the hotline personnel continues to be enhanced.

Upon concluding the meeting, the two agencies expressed appreciation for the other’s support and agreed to work more closely where the opportunities exist for the wellbeing of the public.

The two agencies will maintain a quarterly meeting to discuss successes, challenges and opportunities.

that process is followed, then the unusually lengthy delays will be eliminated” Paul Slowe explained.

Since being reconstituted, Slowe said the first order of business was to address the issue of recommendations for Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police, which has since been cleared out of the way.

That was followed by the commission meeting and addressing issues which have been pending since 2013.

Slowe said it is the intention of the commission to ensure that all pending matters are cleared up and sent back to the police administration so that the business of year- end promotion can be smoothly conducted.

He stressed that there

were mainly two categories of matters which they have been dealing with since taking office and those were matters which the former commission ordered tribunal investigations and the others had to do with matters which came for the commission’s attention while the commission was not constituted. According to Slowe, all the matters which were dealt with by tribunals and sent back to the commission for action have been addressed and the necessary memos sent to the administration of the force where the decision of the commission on the way forward with respect to action has been communicated.

Joint Services salaries available THE Ministry of Finance said salaries for the Joint Services and other agencies under the Ministry of Public Security are payable.

In a statement to the Department of Public Information (DPI) early Wednesday, Minister Jordan explained that the delay in the payment resulted from clerical issues and not the unavailability of finances as was reported in some sections of the media.

The minister said the payroll was imported and the payment cheque prepared for uplifting on Thursday, October 18.

He further explained that a request for 6141 and Virements was received the following day, with insufficient information. A request for additional information was satisfied after 17:00 hrs and a letter for budget approval sent to the Director of Budget on

Monday, October 22.

Approval was granted and the funds released the same day.

Attempts to import the payroll on Tuesday, October 23 highlighted several errors resulting from incorrect postings during the year. According to the minister, staff worked into the night to correct the detected errors. The staff of the Ministry of Public Security was unable to assist in the process with necessary explanations, despite being provided with tables and demonstrations from the technical staff of the Ministry of Finance, for hours. The result, therefore, was the inability to process the Ministry of Public Security’s payroll.

The issue has since been rectified and salaries are available to all agencies. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Drastic decrease in tax exemptions

…GRA skewers KN report as undermining efforts to curtail revenue loss THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says an article by the Kaieteur News on the 2017 Auditor General’s (AG) Report undermines efforts of the entity to curtail revenue losses. Additionally, the GRA asserted that since 2016, it has undertaken several interventions that have significantly reduced the number and value of exemptions granted.

The GRA’s comments made specific reference to an article in the Kaieteur News article on the report under the caption, “Guyana gave away US$321M in tax exemptions, but its foreign debt increased by US$82M in 2017.”

The GRA said the article contained “misleading and erroneous representations and statements aimed at discrediting the formidable efforts of the GRA in curtailing revenue loss regarding tax exemptions; the article also implies, charged the GRA, that the Auditor General’s Report spoke on and contained a link between foreign debt and exemptions.”

The GRA pointed out that it administers the concession regime and does not grant concessions. “Matter of fact, the Commissioner-General, Mr. Godfrey Statia, is on record as stating his preference for the removal of the concession regime and to replace such with the system

of tax credits, as practised in the developed nations, thereby allowing for improved compliance with the tax laws and the conditions of the Investment Development Agreements (IDAs).”

Secondly, the KN article stated that “the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) oversaw tax-exemptions to the tune of $64B in 2017, which is even more than the revenue foregone by the same mean in 2016;” and that “auditors were keen to note that the value of revenue foregone for the year 2017 represents 37.52 percent of the actual revenue collections by the authority.”

In response, the GRA said it should be noted that

Investment Development Agreements (IDAs), and conditional and unconditional exemptions are granted

Commissioner-General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia

under Item 11 of the First Schedule, Part III B (ii) of the Customs Act. Of the $64.3B, $16.3B related to unconditional exemptions, the majority of which were related to trade agreements, “unless the learned auditor general is suggesting that the GRA breaches its unconditional trade agreements with the country’s trading partners, and to government and budget agencies.”

According to the GRA, all IDAs were made available to the auditor general for his review, the summation of which had provided informed analyses as to the reasons for the increase in exemptions in certain categories; and one would have arrived at a different conclusion. ”To make reference to the fact that the total value of tax exemptions granted in respect of Investment Agreements facilitated through Go-Invest and GGMC, could not have been determined is a discreditable excuse when the auditor general could have so determined it by himself, since within the said agreements, were the exemptions granted. Further, the auditor general via his staff requested a breakdown of the Companies/Businesses category by specific categories like manufacturing etc. This request was not consistent with the existing breakdown of categories then prepared.

However, as an auditor, the principles and dogmata involved in “auditing controls” should have guided him to state that the GRA indeed has

a report, but it did not cover specific industries or granular details that the auditors were interested in at the time; but had advised that since he wanted such specifics, they would be made available in the future,” the GRA statement added.

In light of this request, the GRA said its IT Department undertook in 2018 to have an interim solution provided. Notwithstanding this, detailed reports on the exemptions granted to individual companies and businesses were provided to the auditors as was acknowledged in the Auditor-General’s Report.

The GRA said too that the various reports and schedules were provided, but could not have been examined by the auditors in time for the completion of the Auditor General’s Report; the information was not readily available in a summarised format. It was however, agreed that other related documents would be presented for subsequent audit reviews. The GRA said it continues to work along with the auditor general to provide information in the format requested.

DRASTIC DECREASE Meanwhile, the GRA said while the exemptions granted relative to tax-collection figures seem like the perfect fit for a sensational headline, the article takes a myopic view of exemptions by comparing exemptions granted in 2017 with the previous year.

The tax body said a more detailed analysis from 2014 to 2017 would have shown the drastic decrease in both the number and the value of exemptions granted over the years. “The GRA from 2016 onwards, under new strategic directions, has undertaken several interventions that saw a significant reduction in the number and value of exemptions granted. Requests for tax exemptions are scrutinised to ensure that they meet specific criteria, so as to curtail the significant loss of revenue that resulted from the haphazard and fraudulent nature in which concessions were granted in years prior to 2016. Reference can be made to the fiscal year 2015, which recorded total exemptions of $92.4B, an increase of $29.1B or 31.5% over 2014; this diligent approach has resulted in a reduction in exemptions since 2015. In

fact, tax exemptions granted in 2016 were reduced by $36.3B (39.3%) as compared to 2015,” the GRA said.

Further, efforts by the GRA have not been limited to administering the concessions granted, but also extend to its swift and robust control measures to ensure that beneficiaries are in compliance with conditions committed to in their respective agreements, the statement added.

To this end, the GRA said over the years 2016 to present, sterling efforts have led to the recovery of in excess of $418M from post-exemption exercises (including sale of seizures to recover taxes) conducted on beneficiaries, who would have otherwise been declared fit and proper for the exemption by external agencies. This, the GRA said, is testimony to the fact that it is not oblivious to the potential revenue loss from tax exemptions.

SENSATIONALISM Finally, in referring to the headline of the KN report, the GRA said at first glance it juxtaposes tax exemptions with foreign debt/exchange. However, the GRA said other than for sensationalism, it is inexplicable as to how these two issues were conflated and analysed; obviously, there are many more considerations to be contemplated before one can form a sane nexus between the two concepts. “We can only advise the writer to pursue an ECN101 course to familiarise him/herself with the criteria and principles within which to do such an analysis. Our advice is to read the entire auditor’s report, and to judge for yourself. The 2017 report on the Guyana Revenue Authority is the best yet over the past decades that the auditor general has so reported.

Our work is in a continued progression mode, which can only progressively and incrementally improve as we continue to assiduously pursue our mandate to ensure compliance with Guyana’s trade, tax and border laws; it will remain undeterred by assertions and statements, which for the most part, are baseless and unsubstantiated,” GRA said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

‘Cancer warrior’ Volda Lawrence tells her story MINISTER of Public Health Volda Lawrence calls herself a “cancer warrior” because she believes she has fought for her life and for the opportunity to live another day to inspire others.

Minister Lawrence was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in January 2017. This diagnosis came at a time when she was settling into a new appointment as a senior Public Health Minister. Partaking in a routine annual feature, the minister took a pathology test for breast cancer cells, the results of which returned negative for estrogen receptors (ER-), progesterone receptors (PR-), and HER2 (HER2-). Testing negative for all three means the cancer is triple-negative. That is, the growth of the cancer is not supported by the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, nor by the presence of too many HER2 receptors.

Triple-negative results account for about 10-20 per cent of all breast cancers.

Ever since that diagnosis, Minister Lawrence has submitted herself to the many changes that came with her new health status. She shared her story as a ‘cancer warrior’ instead of a survivor with DPI. The public servant has fought to be an inspiration and a pillar of strength to others, often at their low point, after confirming their status of cancer. “Survivor has its own meaning, its own connotations. I believe that anyone who would have been able to beat cancer, would have had to war (fight) for it. You can’t just sit down and believe you are going to survive.” Minister Lawrence said.

FIRST REACTION TO DIAGNOSIS Minister Lawrence’s diagnosis of breast cancer came as a surprise, since there was no history of cancer in her genealogy. She questioned the doctors as to how she could have missed this and then realised that the usual mammography examination wasn’t enough. “In most cases, persons with the type of breasts that I have should do an ultrasound as a backup.”

As she moved forward, preparing to bravely take on the battle against breast

cancer, Minister Lawrence decided to be her own source of encouragement and relied heavily on her faith in God, which kept her positive. “I sought God, and one may say why would you do that?

You are told that you have something that could kill you, how could you do that?

I sought God because I knew He is the author and finisher of my faith, so I thought if this is what He is going to give to me, it has to be for some reason.”

While many would regard telling friends and family as a means of having support, Minister Lawrence did the opposite. “I spoke to many

will not bother with all these things that people will tell you.”

Even as she followed her doctor’s orders, she remembered her commitment to her country, to serve the people of Guyana. After three surgeries, she would still go to the office and work. “In 2017, I had three operations and I would still turn out to work; that had my doctor going crazy; he would call saying ‘tell the minister to go home, she needs to rest…”

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence

BLACK FINGERS “When you are taking chemotherapy, your fingers tend to get black… Medical

11

leave at midday, go and have my chemo at home then I’ll get up in the afternoon and either come back to work or go and do something; once I got a good rest I was good to go again.”

During the radiation treatment phase, the minister made lots of new friends, all who related to her fight against cancer. This gave the non-medical professional who had just been appointed a public health minister, better insight into how she could represent women and health issues. “I met persons from all walks of life, I met persons young, old, in between, I met persons who had family support and persons who had no family support, I met persons who were on their third round, having gone into remission… so I made a lot of friends.”

THANKFUL FOR LIFE From the time of her diagnosis, throughout recovery and to date, Minister Lawrence has received spiritual upliftment from those at her church who pray for her continually. “A lot of strength came from those church elders, my mother…” This is where her confidence to move on grew. She says that, “every morning I wake up is just a privilege.”

The Minister of Public Health, more than one year after cancer, engaging students in Orealla

of my relatives and friends, but not all of them. I carefully selected those who I wanted to speak to at that time, and the persons who I chose also had strong faith. Believers, who I knew would not pity me and wouldn’t treat me like an egg,” she said laughingly.

CANCER WARRIOR: GAME PLAN After diagnosis, Minister Lawrence took some time out and engaged in soul-searching and rediscovering herself, but she also found herself questioning God about her situation. However, being

a woman of strength, she quickly bounced back, recognising that she could touch many lives with her testimony in hand. “I wanted to know what can I do with this situation, how best can I use whether I have three months, four months or four years, or even one hundred years.

What is it that Volda Lawrence can use this experience for? How can I touch other persons lives?”

During treatment, “I talked to a lot of persons, I read a lot of books about persons who shared their stories and I realised that they all had their own stories to tell and I had

one of my own.” She added.

In her quiet moments, Minister Lawrence began to charter her own course and devised a game plan to deal with her diagnosis of breast cancer; something she never imagined would affect her. “I did make some changes, but I didn’t have too much change to make because many years ago I started to take stock of my lifestyle; I started looking at my eating habits, I started exercising and all of that.

Two things I said to myself,” She added, “one, I will do what the doctor says; I will eat and drink whatever the doctor says to and two, I

people would know this and I have been dealing with a lot of medical people, so I would be in a meeting and they would notice my hands. It would always attract someone’s attention and all I would do is smile inside.”

Triple-negative breast cancers respond better to chemotherapy than breast cancers that are hormone-receptor-positive. This meant Minister Lawrence spent adequate amounts of time in the office, even as she was recovering. “I had my chemotherapy and I would come to work in the morning,

MOVING FORWARD Minister Lawrence has taken the firm stance to advocate for women to know their status relating to cancers and seek urgent treatment, once they have tested positive. She said it is better to know than to be unaware of important life-threatening diseases like these. “Once you know, you can have corrective treatment. If you don’t know you’ll continue to go down that hole and your health will deteriorate; it may cost you more and you will be more of a burden to your family because you are sick all of the time.

As the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence desires to see women of all ages have access to screening services for cancer, free of charge, and once they receive a positive diagnosis, move on to government-funded treatment which will give them hope, as this year’s cancer awareness theme suggests. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Farfan and Mendes in new joint venture for oil services

…Min. Gaskin sees bigger role for private sector in O&G development THE local private sector has a much greater role than the government to play in the oil and gas sector in ensuring that Guyanese benefit from opportunities and jobs, according to Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin.

all the jobs that are required to allow Guyanese to benefit from the oil and gas industry; but, it is the private sector that has to take charge. “The government, yes, has a role to play, but I think the role of the private sector is much greater than the government

are taking the initiative; are building capacity; are doing things; are getting up and going and making things happen; and that is the way to do it. Some are sitting moaning and groaning, but others are making tremendous progress in getting their business certi-

Andrew Mendes, managing-director of FML, said a joint venture between his company, Totaltec and ProCom, formed Jaguar Oil Field Services Guyana Inc., which will be a supplier of locally made industrial equipment.

needs; and at the helm of the company is General Manager Jim Stephen, who brings over 40 years of international expertise in the oil and gas sector.

The formation brings to Guyana for the first time an oil company that will

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin

The minister was at the time delivering remarks at the official launch of Jaguar Oilfield Services Guyana Inc. on Wednesday, at the company’s office at Farfan and Mendes Limited (FML), Q1 Public Road, Providence, East Bank of Demerara.

He explained that government is not going to create

when it comes to ensuring that Guyanese people benefit from employment,” he said.

He explained that based on the small size of Guyana’s population, the oil that will be pumped out will inevitably benefit all. “We can moan and groan about what we don’t have and our lack of capacity, but many companies

As part of the launch, Andrew Mendes, managing-director of FML, flanked by officials of Jaguar Oil Field Services, hands over a water-purification system valued over GUY$1M to Ewin Enmore, who manages a convalescent home in D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown.

fied, in getting qualified staff, in partnering with companies that have strengths and expertise that they don’t have,” Minister Gaskin said.

He explained that the formation and collection of experiences between the companies are exactly what the emerging oilfield sector

not only make heavy-duty supplies for lifting and moving of weighty loads with ropes, chains, and mechanical devices; the company

also plans to be a slinging and rigging certifier. It aims to be the leading provider of high-quality industrial equipment and services in Guyana’s oil and gas sector, even as it promotes the development of the sector through the provision of high-quality industrial equipment and value-added services.

The company will have Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association certification for its locally made products, which include wire rope and web slings.

A calibration factory will be established at the company’s Providence facility. The facility, apart from giving comprehensive function-testing and maintenance reports, can undertake pressure-testing using high-accuracy digital gauges and data-logging equipment. Jaguar Oilfield Services boasts that its lift-inspection techniques make use of the latest stateof-the-art technology, using highly trained specialists; and that they are equipped to run tests on general lifting equipment, pedestal and mobile cranes, winches and powered hoists, overhead and travelling and forklift trucks, among many others.

Court to rule on $54M missing diamonds …State argues owner is statute-barred to file action

THE seven-year-long trial involving the diamonds that mysteriously disappeared from police custody in 1994 came to a close on Wednesday before Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln, and the decision will soon be passed as to who is responsible for the missing stones.

The case was brought to the court by the owner of the diamonds, Ronald Khan, who on Wednesday testified before the court.

The elderly man, who narrated his story while seated, said that he had a mining operation in the Ewang River, Potaro/Siparuni.

In 1994, there was an incident that occurred at his site where two persons were killed-- his brother and another miner. He was also robbed of what he said was 430 carats of diamonds, which is worth $54 million. Khan explained that he had several scales which he used to weigh his diamonds to arrive at an accurate measurement.

On the night of the incident, Khan’s eyes were damaged and he received a gunshot to the left side of his neck, both of which caused injuries that he is still affected by.

Recalling the incident, Khan said he ran through “the trail” with blood all over his face “like when you kill a cow”, and was rescued by two of “Compton Davis’s workers”, who used their radio set to call for help, after which police officers from Mahdia Police Station came and collected him from Pamela Landing and took him to the Mahdia Hospital.

The following day, he was taken from the hospital to the Mahdia Police Station to identify the men who robbed him and murdered the two. Khan said the diamonds were retrieved from the criminals, and he witnessed the police officers weighing the diamonds and verified the amount and its worth. Khan said Constable Fraser told him that they would have to lodge the diamonds as evidence in the trial of the two men he had identified. After this was done, he said that the officers then transported the items from Mahdia to the ‘E’ and ‘F’ Division of the GPF.

Khan stated that he would have attended court about three times in relation to the matter, but is unaware of what was the result of the two men and his diamonds. To this day, he has never again seen his diamonds that were retrieved and lodged. He recalled checking about three times with the late Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, who said he would investigate the matter, but nothing ever came out of that promise.

During cross examination, state representatives, Tiffany Castello and Joan Ann Edghill-Stuart suggested that from Khan’s injury to his eyes, he may not have been able to properly identify the diamonds. However, Khan explained that he is not completely blind, his vision is impaired, but he could have made out his diamonds.

He was quite appalled when state attorney Tiffany Castello suggested that the minerals may not have been diamonds, but the man lamented that he was a pork-knocker since 1950 and he outlined how he tested the diamonds and placed them into categories; so he was quite sure of its realness and value.

The items which are now being referred to as “stones” by the state, were confirmed being retrieved and lodged, as testimonies would have also been made on Wednesday by three retired police officers who were involved in the investigation.

Retired Inspector of Police, Terrence Semple, stood in the witness box and stated that he was one of the officers who arrested the two criminals about two days after they received the information.

A search was conducted and a crazy glue container with a quantity of stones was retrieved. Semple recalled seeing the container with “fine dark stones”, but cannot recall it being given back to anyone, but he said it was recorded and lodged.

Weslon Fraser, a retired police corporal also testified, stating that he was the officer who collected the stones from “Mr. Ramsay” at the Mahdia Police Station and handed it over to “Mr. Wilson” at the ‘E’ and ‘F’ Division. He also shared that he cannot recall Khan being brought to the station.

In fact, he said he was unaware that Khan was the victim of a robbery, as he was investigating the murder and attempted murder.

The state also brought Courtney Ramsay, retired Senior Superintendent to testify, who confirmed that he indeed handed over the container to Fraser and was told that it was lodged. He, however, cannot recall it being said that it was handed over to Khan.

The judge then asked the state what really is the contention of the AG Chambers, as she would have “noticed that the submissions are silent”, adding that what is being done is citations of what is said in section 8 of the Limitation Act, but does not address the most critical issue. Justice Corbin-Lincoln pointed out that she is not too sure that the witnesses brought forward have really taken the issue further of whether in fact it was diamonds or not. “The only evidence the court has on whether or not it was diamonds is that of the plaintiff ”, the judge said.

In a previous hearing, the state argued that the action filed by Khan is statute-barred as it contravenes provisions of the Limitation Act. “Every action and suit for any movable property, or upon any contract, bargain, or agreement relating to movable property, or to recover money lent without written acknowledgment or upon any account or book debt, or to recover any salary or the value of any goods sold and delivered, shall be brought within three years next after the cause of action or suit has arisen,” Section 6 of the Act states.

Since the robbery of Khan’s mining camp occurred in 1994, the state advanced that he should have commenced civil proceedings to recover his property anytime within the three years therefrom. Suggesting that that seems to be the only argument that has to be looked into, Justice Corbin-Lincoln said that she will reserve her decision to address the issue of limitations, since there’s not much to say on the other issues, as there was no substantial evidence to support. The court was adjourned and a date for decision will soon be announced.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

AFC to PPP: ‘Votes can’t be forged on elections day’

WHILE it is fielding more than 600 candidates for next month’s Local Government Elections (LGEs), the Alliance For Change (AFC) says its support speaks to the interest in the party; and it has noted too that forgery on the part of the opposition to secure backers will not guarantee that party votes on polling day.

The AFC’s Bartica candidate and Deputy Campaign Director, Juretha Fernandes, noted during a press briefing on Wednesday at the party’s headquarters on Railway Line, Kitty, that the AFC has decided that if one has to forge signatures in order to be credible as a candidate, then votes cannot be forged on elections day. Fernandes was flanked by AFC chair-

man Marlon Williams, Region Four chairman Michael Leonard and Linden candidate Devin Sears.

The party officials were reacting to the High Court’s decision to dismiss a case filed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) challenging the names of nominators in a Corentyne Local Authority Area. On Tuesday, Justice Navindra Singh dismissed the case which sought to have the names of 50 nominators removed from a list submitted by the AFC to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the Bloomfield/Whim Local Authority Area (LAA). The case was brought against GECOM’s Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield and the Returning Officer, Bloomfield /

City Constabulary grossly understaffed

Chief Constable Andrew Foo

AS the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into City Hall’s operations continued on Wednesday at the Critchlow Labour College, it did not sit well with CoI Chairman Justice (ret’d) Cecil Kennard, when informed that the City Constabulary provides 12 officers as security personnel to former Mayor Hamilton Green and current Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, despite being grossly understaffed.

According to Chief Constable Andrew Foo, the former mayor is being provided with four security personnel, while the current mayor has eight; this is while the City Constabulary is understaffed by over 150 officers.

“The former mayor has one lance corporal and three security guards. The current mayor has eight in terms of personnel, in terms of bodyguards, as well as those at the residence,” Foo noted.

“Our authorised strength should be 345; we currently have 191 in terms of staff actual strength. That’s in terms of the sworn officers, the uniformed officers, and we have an auxiliary in terms of security guards. We currently need an authorised strength of 80, and we have 67 security guards,” said Foo. Kennard described the situation a waste of resources.

“What is going on, what does he need four for? And he’s getting a big package as prime minister? This is a lot of surplus wasting of money. This is ridiculous. She has eight? She must be President Granger,” Kennard remarked.

Foo established that he is only following orders handed down by City Council.

“It is part of my responsibility,” he said.

Whim, Orlando Persaud.

In a Fixed Date Application, Shafraz Beekham, a PPP/C candidate, had contended that he and 49 others were misled by AFC rep-

of 49 other electors that appeared on the AFC’s list of nominators.

In handing down his ruling on Tuesday in the Berbice High Court, Justice Singh

ing her comments to the PPP, noted that she was once a victim of that party’s alleged fraudulent actions.

Fernandes recalled that in the lead-up to the 2016 LGEs,

Alliance For Change (AFC) officials at Wednesday’s press briefing.

From right , the party’s Region Four Chairman , Michael Leonard ; General-Secretary Marlon Williams ; Bartica LGE candidate and Deputy Campaign Director, Juretha Fernandes; and Linden LGE candidate Devin Sears.

resentatives into signing as nominators on the AFC’s List of Candidates. As such, his application was intended to quash GECOM’s decision to refuse to withdraw, remove, or delete the applicant’s name and the names

said there was no evidence of fraud, trickery or threats and as such, there was no basis to ask the chief election officer to ‘strike out’ the names of the nominators from the AFC’s Lists of Candidates.

Fernandes, while direct-

she contested with another group and when the lists were submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), electoral officials called and informed her of duplication issues in which her name appeared on the

PPP’s list of nominators; she said the list even included members of her family and added what has happened this year regarding fraudulent lists compiled by the PPP “is nothing new”; she noted that the PPP has perfected the issue of fraud as regards the LGEs lists of nominators.

Leonard told reporters that the party welcomes the recent decision of the court, although he noted that it was not unexpected. He said the legal challenge made by the PPP is one in a string of hostile positions taken by that party towards the judiciary.

He said Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo even recently turned his wrath against the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), bringing the legal body into disrepute.

Leonard maintained that the AFC will continue to conduct a decent and honourable elections campaign; he urged the party’s candidates to maintain a clean campaign, as he noted that the PPP does not have a liking for local democracy and self-government.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Expert commends gov’t Green Paper on SWF

….says strongest elements are multi-layered accountability structures GOVERNMENT’s Green Paper which outlines the proposed plan for managing oil revenues through the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, contains “strong elements,” especially on accountability, transparency and oversight.

This is the assessment of Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) Consultant Andrew Bauer, who on Wednesday delivered a lecture for journalists under the heading: “Oil Revenues and Green Growth – How can Guyana effectively manage oil revenues for green growth?”

The lecture was held at the Moray House on Camp Street in Georgetown. NRGI is a New York-based independent non-profit organisation, dedicated to improving countries' governance over their natural resources to promote sustainable and inclusive development. Bauer is an expert in several areas of management, including public financial management; natural resource regulations and taxation; state-owned enterprises and sovereign wealth fund governance; local government finance and inter-governmental transfers; economic development and industrial policy; accountability mechanisms, as well as lobbying and advocacy.

The forum on Wednesday was hosted by the Guyana

Press Association (GPA) in collaboration with Conservation International (Guyana).

Bauer noted during the lunchtime presentation, that he interacted with the Ministry of Finance here and according to him, the agency is aware of all the challenges in its path. He said that the agency “has been studying this topic for a while; they understand the issues.”

Paper are the “multi-layered” accountability structure.

He outlined the elements of the structure, those being Parliament, which is the ultimate authority over the petroleum sector; the Finance Ministry, which determines where money from the sector should be invested; and the Central Bank, which acts as the operations manager for the oil revenues. He said that

ency and oversight.” These include the annual reports, audits undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General, as well as parliamentary oversight. “The strength of this paper is that they are taking the issues about accountability and transparency seriously,” Bauer noted of government’s approach to management of the sector.

He said that the governAndrew Bauer

Natural Resource Governance Institute consultant Andrew Bauer, during the lecture on Wednesday at Moray House. (Adrian Narine photos)

Bauer said the Green Paper puts in place a sturdy policy foundation; and he noted that it contains a proposal for fiscal rule, which he said will constrain government’s spending. He said the strongest elements of the Green

the model is similar to what exists globally.

Bauer said that there is also a clear list of eligible assets, which the government can or “is allowed to invest in”; and he noted that “there is a fair amount of transpar-

ment in the long-term may wish to prohibit the riskiest types of asset classes and incorporate a stronger risk-management framework.

Additionally, he said that the government may also wish to revisit the fiscal rule to

take into account of risk of overspending and over-borrowing.

Bauer also suggested that there should be open discussions and consensus-building to help ensure that all parties are on board with the plan on how to manage oil revenues.

The Green Paper was created with inputs from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Commonwealth Secretariat; and is line with the Santiago Principles—24 generally accepted practices for good governance of resource revenues created by the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds. The plan will hold petroleum and excess mining revenues in a “Natural Resources Fund”—a U.S. dollar-denominated Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) at the Bank of Guyana.

Holding funds in an international currency such as U.S. dollars is a common practice with SWFs, since it prevents inflation and distortion in the local currency. The plan outlines how petroleum revenues will be incorporated into the budget, how they will be saved and invested and what agencies and ministers have authority over how and when funds are spent.

In August this year, the government presented the Green Paper to the National Assembly under the title, “Managing Future Petroleum Revenues and Establishment of Fiscal Rule and a Sovereign Wealth Fund.”

It is expected to be laid in the National Assembly before the end of 2018.

Statues for Indian Arrival Monument mounted

THE six bronze statues for the Indian Arrival Monument that were gifted by the Indian Government to Guyana were on Wednesday installed at their permanent location in Palmyra, East Berbice, Corentyne.

The US $150,000, 12 feet tall bronze edifices depicting three men, two women and a child in their everyday lives were transported from Georgetown on Tuesday and placed atop a concrete base by the contractors late on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, senior engineer attached to Loch Engineering, Elroy Haynes, who has the supervision services for the project, said works are moving apace and anticipates completion before the scheduled December opening. “Works overall are about 80% completed, with works on the actual monument about 90% completed.

Most of the major works are completed and everything is on schedule. It’s just mostly minor works that are left and we are confident it will be finished on schedule,” he related.

The bronze statues were in the country since 2017, however, the previous base that was constructed to mount the approximately 17 tons statues collapsed while under construction sometime in April last year.

That design was made under the previous administration and after it collapsed, the Indian Government offered to send an engineer, sculptor and the architect to ensure its completion.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, undertook the project and awarded 8 Lots which include the construction of the monument base and podium, the walkway around the monu-

Workers busy mounting the statues

ment, internal drains, access roads into and around the compound, fencing, visitors’ gallery and security hut, as

well as landscaping and supervision services.

Works commenced on August 14, 2018 with an ex-

pected completion date before December 2018. Some works are slated for completion as early as October

31, 2018. Due to ongoing works, the protective wrapping used during shipping will be removed later.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Youth educated on UN, SGDs THE United Nations (UN) on Wednesday observed UN Day by educating youth from secondary schools across Guyana on the work of the UN and on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Students from some 12 secondary schools across Guyana met with UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka, at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office, Brickdam. This was in observance of UN Day, observed on October 24 annually.

According to Tanaka, “This is the day that the United Nations was established in 1945 and we thought it would be good to invite students from secondary schools around the country to have an exchange about the UN, the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) and the work we do.”

ers with the opportunity to share what challenges they face and Tanaka noted that they did request help in some instances.

To this end, she highlighted that the UN agencies have regular programmes with the government ministries and non-governmental bodies because the aim is to build up the systems and institutions while bolstering the capacities of people.

And with this in mind, the local UN body will work along with the relevant stakeholders to mitigate the challenges faced.

Though the engagement was primarily a learning experience for the children, the country representative mentioned that coming out of the engagement was information on how the UN can help the country to function better, so that developmental issues can be resolved.

“This was one outlet to get information directly

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka

During the half-day session, Tanaka related: “The exchange helped us to talk about how the UN agencies here in the country work, the kind of work they do and help to understand what are some of the problems to development in Guyana.”

Importantly, many of the concerns raised by students and their accompanying teachers were centred around education. The representative highlighted that the students were informed that academics are equally as important as social skills, and their holistic health.

Furthermore, the engagement provided teach-

from the students and also teachers,” she contended and highlighted, “I hope that this feedback continues.” The representative also posited that engagement is critical because the work being done will only be successful if everyone is involved and all parties work together. For her, the SDGs are very ambitious goals that cut across all sectors. “Development is something that really has to work together,” she stressed and added that working together will create synergies that will foster productivity and positive change. The United Nations was formed on October 24, 1945, following

the end of World War II. The SDGs are the overarching mandate of the UN and are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The SDGs are part of Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations General Assembly: “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Mikiko Tanaka interacting with students from the Bartica Secondary school as part of the activities for the observance of UN day 2018

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

PAHO urges increase in polio vaccination coverage Countries of the Americas must take immediate action to increase polio vaccination coverage to 95%, advises the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

This call follows reports that coverage in many countries of the Americas is below recommended levels, and comes just before World Polio Day, which is recognized on 24 October each year. The Americas have remained free from cases of wild poliovirus for 27 years, with the last case detected on August 23, 1991, in Peru. The countries of the region were able to eliminate polio by achieving high rates of vaccination coverage of children and through sustained epidemiological surveillance to ensure early detection of any outbreaks.

“The Region of the Americas is polio free but as long as even one case of polio

exists in any part of the world, we are still at risk,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Assistant Director of PAHO. “By achieving and maintaining high vaccination coverage and by strengthening epidemiological surveillance, we can make the dream of a polio free future for the world, a reality,” he added.

Recent reports, however, show that countries are not maintaining the 95% vaccination coverage rate required at all levels to prevent polio transmission. This means that some communities are at risk of being unable to prevent an outbreak should an imported case occur or if there is an emergence of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV).

Polio and the Americas Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system, resulting in paralysis in a matter of hours.

It mostly affects children under the age of 5 and is transmitted by person-to-person. While there is no cure, the virus is preventable by vaccine. Polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life. In 1975, nearly 6,000 cases of polio were reported in the Region of the Americas and in 1991, the last six cases were detected.

Three years later, in 1994, the disease was formally declared eliminated from the Region.

Since then, no child has been paralyzed by wild poliovirus in the Americas.

As the first region of the world to eliminate polio, PAHO and the Americas has led the way toward a world free from the disease.

PAHO is currently working with countries to ensure that every year more than 95% of children under the age of 1 are vaccinated against polio in every municipality in the coun-

tries of the Americas. Efforts also focus on increased monitoring of cases of acute flaccid paralysis and on meeting the requirements of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan, and the Global Polio Eradication Certification Commission.

“There is no place for complacency when it comes to keeping the Americas polio-free,” said Cuauhtémoc Ruiz Matus, Head of the Comprehensive Family Immunization Unit at PAHO. “Vaccination coverage rates must be increased immediately in order to protect the children of our Region from this deadly disease. As long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat to children everywhere.”

GLOBAL ERADICATION While polio cases have

decreased worldwide by over 99% since 1988, from over 350,000 estimated cases to just 20 reported cases as of October this year, as long as one single child remains infected with poliovirus, children in all countries are at risk. The poliovirus can easily be imported into a polio-free country and can spread rapidly amongst unimmunized populations, which is why maintaining a high rate of vaccination coverage is so important. Today, the world is closer than ever to achieving the goal of eradicating polio.

Globally, there are now fewer cases than at any time in history. Four of the six WHO regions have been certified as polio-free, and only one of the three types of wild poliovirus (type 1) continues to circulate in the world.

The hard work that has resulted in these achievements was led by the Global Polio

Eradication Initiative, headed

by WHO, Rotary International, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in addition to the commitment and efforts from the countries themselves.

Global polio eradication will mean a disease-free world for future generations as well as economic savings of between $40-50 billion.

Failing to meet the target of eradication would result in a reemergence of the disease, with an estimated 200,000 cases every year around the world. “With everyone’s commitment, poliomyelitis will be the first disease to be eradicated in the 21st century,” said Dr. Barbosa. “We must all take action now to protect our children.”

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

MARAD engages stakeholders to develop strategy for implementing IMO instruments THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Wednesday convened a meeting along with stakeholders to develop an effective strategy to implement International Maritime Organisation (IMO) instruments.

Director-General of MARAD, Claudette Rogers, joined with consultant from the Global Maritime Consultants Group (GMCG), Gail Stoll; and the CEO of the International Register of Shipping (IRS), Bijimon Punnoose, to engage stakeholders in this regard.

Rogers explained that this meeting was arranged to kick off the Guyana International Member State Audit Scheme (GIMSAS) project; it comes on the heels of an audit which was conducted in February of this year. The audit of the maritime administration in Guyana looked at areas pertaining to IMO instruments and implementation of the triple I code, referring to coastal, flag and port state inspections.

“At the conclusion of the audit, there were four findings and one observation under general responsibilities and obligations of the

state. Nine findings and two observations under flagstate activities; four findings and no observations under coastal state activities and five findings and no observations under port state activities.” Rogers explained.

She also indicated that there was an equal number of good practices which were revealed, as well as areas where improvements could be facilitated.

IMO instruments are conventions and codes/rules, namely SOLAS, LSA code and MARPOL. The GMCG will play a critical role in assisting MARAD in moving towards corrective action for findings and strategic implementation. Gail Stoll, an overseas-based Guyanese, said her involvement in the project provides her with the opportunity to give back to the development of such an important sector in her home country. Stoll says she looks forward to seeing MARAD in Guyana become a model in the Caribbean.

“Indeed, such a mammoth task will not be possible without the valuable feedback and active support of the stakeholders who are here today; that is the reason

Ex-cop guilty of raping 3-yr-old

Child rapist Deon Aaron

A 12-member jury on Wednesday unanimously agreed that an ex-policeman was guilty of raping a child back in 2016.

Fifty-three-year-old Deon Aaron would know his fate next month following a probabtion report. The matter is being heard in the Sexual Offences Court.

Upon reading the indictment before the court, State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs, said that during the period of March 1st 2016 to October 20th 2016, in the county of Demerara, the said accused engaged in sexual penetration with a three-year-old

child.

After the jury foreman announced the unanimous decision, family members of the victim burst into tears as they exited the courtroom.

The defence attorney, Madan Kissoon, requested time for preparation of a probation report and a plea of mitigation for his client. Presiding Judge Jo Ann Barlow adjourned the court until November 8th, for presentation of the probation report, plea of mitigation and the victim’s impact statement; the sentence will then be handed down.

Stakeholders at the meeting

why we are interacting with you, the well experienced and highly knowledgeable professionals who know the nitty-gritty of the maritime sector in and around Guyana.”

Bijimon Punnoose presented the scope of the project, its strategic objectives, flag, coastal and port state obligations, in addition to the IMO findings and observations which

were discussed. Participants included representatives from MARAD, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure,the Transport and Harbours Department, the Guyana Defence Force

Coast Guard, theCivil Defence Commission, the National Frequency Management Unit, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture. (DPI)

AFC candidates state aims for constituencies THE Alliance For Change on Wednesday hosted its weekly press conference when candidates made known their plans for the various constituencies.

One of the candidates speaking at the Alliance For Change (AFC) weekly press conference was Devin Sears, who represents Constituency Three (3) in Central McKenzie, Linden. He stressed the need for more attention to be given to Linden and stated that Linden has a history for being successful in many platforms, such as sports and music. However, despite these many achievements throughout the years accomplished by the town, Mr. Sears feels that the town has been ignored. He stated that Linden currently faces many challenges in waste management, infrastructure and poor lighting. Mr. Sears also added that the AFC recognises the challenges

municipalities face in being indebted to NIS and GRA for over G$200,000,000.

He, however, stated that the AFC is a beacon of hope for the people of Linden and the party hopes to resolve these issues.

Mr. Sears in his statement also addressed the issue of high rates of unemployment in Linden, saying that there are over 6,000 persons who are unemployed there. He suggested that recreational sites be maintained and equipped to occupy the time of young people-- especially those who are still looking for jobs.

Mr. Sears told the media that the AFC has young, experienced candidates who are willing to ensure that the process of local government works effectively. “ [The]AFC may be a young party, but it is a force to be reckoned with and we have the people’s

interest at heart; and we are looking for Guyana’s support and we are looking forward for Linden’s support in ensuring that we rid of all the dirty past that we would have embraced over the years and together we can do it,” he said passionately.

Present also at the press conference was Juretha Fernandes, who is a representative of Constituency Three in Bartica, East Central. Ms. Fernandes stated that her campaign is built around “Transparency, accountability, youth empowerment and involvement and economic enhancement”. Ms. Fernandes explained that Bartica is a relatively new municipality, having its first LGEs in 2016.

She also stated that there have been questions about accountability as it concerns what has been happening from LGEs 2016 to now.

However, Ms. Fernandes reassured the media that the AFC can give an account for everything that has been happening since the 2016 LGEs. “I can confidentially say that as a member of AFC, accountability is something that we pride ourselves for in everything that we do; we believe that the process must be as transparent to every single resident” she said. She however added that if there is anything that is not accurate being said about the AFC, that accusation will be addressed.

Ms. Fernandes urged that candidates of the Alliance For Change be respectful towards other candidates coming from different political parties.

She stated that the AFC aims to create a system where persons are confident voicing their opinions and concerns.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

GTT makes case for tariff increase …consumer body objects

By Lisa Hamilton THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) has applied for an increase in the tariff regime for access and landline-metered charges, which has been met with disapproval by the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) The company addressed its application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on October 1 and, in summary, requests approval to implement bundled packages for its wireline services; increased wireline access charges and increased landline-metered charges for intra calls.

On Wednesday at the Roraima Duke Lodge, the PUC commenced a public hearing into the matter and was represented by its Chairman Dela Britton. Representing the GTT was Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Mark Reynolds; Director of International Regulatory and Governmental Affairs, Delreo Newman; Manager/ Financial Planning Analyst, Tianna Roberts; and Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Controller, Mark Singh.

Meanwhile, the GCA was represented by its President Patrick Dial and Adviser and former GTT head, Yog Mahadeo. Reynolds posited that the changes are necessary to facilitate rebalancing of the prices of GTT’s telecommunications services.

This rebalancing, he stated, is not a novel process and has been done in countries prior to liberalisation.

At the same time, he said that the changes were recommended to the Guyana Government by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in a policy document some 17 years ago.

The company argues that failure to “re-balance” before the advent of full competition [liberalisation] would compromise the company’s financial ability and threaten the existence of the public switch telephone network.

GTT is therefore proposing raising the price of access in GY$50 increments every six months, for at least the next year.

They are also requesting increases in the intra-calling rates for customers with 1-2 lines from $750 to $800, with an increment of $50 to be added six months after implementation. For residents with more than two lines, the old charge of $1,500 has been proposed to be moved to $1600, with $50 increment to be added six months after implementation.

Meanwhile, businesses with 1-4 lines which previously paid $2,250 are proposed to pay $2,500; and those with more than four lines will remain at $4,500, as no rate adjustment is being requested of the PUC. Relaying its mindfulness of customers who are “socio-economically disadvantaged,” GTT proposes a ‘Lifeline’ package and customers who request it will not be subject to the proposed second rate adjustment.

It comes with an offering of 10 minutes free intra-calls and five minutes free inter-calls per month for all customers, along with a voicemail service. All minutes thereafter, on both inter and intra exchange, will be charged twice the new call rate. The new intra-exchange call rate is being proposed to move from peak rates of $0.80 to $1.25, while offpeak rates are suggested to be moved from $0.40 to $0.75.

Newman stated that the lifeline offering is premised on the fact that only approximately 38 per cent of customers make 10 minutes’ worth of intra- calls or less, while 46 per cent make five minutes or less of inter-calls.

GTT is hoping that with these provisions, less than one per cent of customers will fall off the network.

Addressing the PUC, the GCA rejected the company’s application, as it stated that “GTT in its filing is slyly trying to lead the PUC into

the trap of fundamentally negating the functioning of the Free Market. We emphasise that the PUC must never allow itself to go against the government’s free-market and liberalisation policy; and more particularly, to undermine the price-equilibrium mechanism of the free market,” Dial communicated to the PUC in a letter.

He contended on Wednesday that failing to implement the changes would not see the GTT “falling into financial trouble,” as landlines are not their only stream of income.

He also posited that the telecommunications company must first meet certain criteria and standards of provision of service, before it should be entitled to increases. “Until GTT is able to satisfy these things, I cannot see them getting any entitlements. The entitlement is based on your performance,” he stated.

Dial and Mahadeo together argued that the17year-old research conducted by the ITU may not be applicable to Guyana today, coupled with the presence of updated technology which now provides the company with a boost in income.

The two also reminded the commission that although GTT is basing its demand for rebalancing on Sections 32(2), 33, 41(1) and 41(2) of the PUC Act, that Section 32(1) must not be omitted.

The section states: “Every rate made, demanded or received by any public utility from persons making use of the service provided by it, shall be just and reasonable and in conformity with any written law…”

Putting forward that the five minutes per month free inter-calls would only amount to some nine seconds per day, he urged the commission to be mindful of the welfare of consumers, investors and the country’s long-term vision for development. The hearing has been adjourned and will resume at the same location on November 20 at 10:00hrs.

Representatives of GTT from left, are: Director of International Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Delreo Newman; and Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Mark Reynolds. (Adrian Narine photo)

Representing the Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) from left are President Patrick Dial and Adviser and former GTT head, Yog Mahadeo. (Adrian Narine photo)

Members of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) review the application of GTT on Wednesday at the Roraima Duke Lodge (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE,Thursday October 25, 2018

Region could face uphill battle

By Rabindra Rooplall A RECENTLY released Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) study shows that a 1.5-degree rise in temperature could have a disastrous effect on the Caribbean.

This is according to CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Foreign and Community Relations, Ambassador Colin Granderson. Ambassador Granderson was at the time addressing the Caribbean Regional Preparatory Workshop for the 14th Conference of the Parties (CoP) for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Regional Consultation.

The event was held on Wednesday at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara.

The diplomat said such rise in temperature supports the concern of the 38 UNrecognised Small Island Developing States, which includes 14 CARICOM member countries.

“Our very existence will be threatened by a 1.5-degree rise, much less a 2-degree temperature rise,” he said.

The ambassador explained that since 2012, the CARICOM Secretariat has been supporting member

states in preparations for negotiations on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

“This is the third such regional preparation for negotiations of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its protocols. These preparatory sessions are undertaken as an important deliverable of the Project for Capacity-Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (the ACPMEAs project),” the ASG said.

He explained that two other important outputs of the ACP- MEAs Project include the publication of “The State of Biodiversity in the Caribbean – A review of progress towards the Aichi biodiversity targets” and the development of a draft Caribbean Biodiversity Strategy.

Ambassador Granderson said preparation of the State of Biodiversity Report was a unified effort among the CARICOM Secretariat, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), CARICOM member states and regional biodiversity experts.

Two testify in Tourist Villa murder THE Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Jason De Florimonte, allegedly by a Subryanville hotelier continued on Wednesday before Magistrate Judy Latchman; two witnesses testified.

The accused, Erwin Bacchus, 45, owner of the Tourist Villa was initially charged with manslaughter, but on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), he is now charged with murder.

The allegation is that on August 4, 2018, at Subryanville, Bacchus murdered De Florimonte, 30.

Terrence Newsum, the handy man who was employed at the hotel testified in the matter;

Alvin Leitch, who was an employee at the hotel, also testified and was cross- examined by Bacchus’ attorney.

The next hearing will be on October 26, 2018.

According to reports, on the day in question at about 01:30 hrs, De Florimonte had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend in front of the hotel; Bacchus’ handyman, who was standing at the hotel’s gate, intervened.

In the ensuing exchange between the two men, the handyman reportedly ran into the hotel with De Florimonte in hot pursuit, whereupon Bacchus, a licensed firearm holder who was on the premises at the time, shot him (De Florimonte) dead.

Programme Coordinator Dr. Patrick Chesney hands over a copy of “The State of Biodiversity in the Caribbean – A review of progress towards the Aichi biodiversity targets” to CARICOM Assistant-Secretary General, Ambassador Colin Granderson (Rabindra Rooplall photo)

“The draft Caribbean Biodiversity Strategy has been prepared by Regional Consultants CANARI, and we are hoping to have a Draft Final Document by 30 November, 2018. We are going to lean on this gathering of regional experts to examine the strategy within the context of national priorities and obligations to the relevant MEAs,” the CARICOM envoy said.

Adding that the sec-

retariat will submit the Caribbean Biodiversity Strategy to the next meeting of the COTED, the ambassador said COTED shall have the opportunity to advise on the post-2020 biodiversity priorities for the Region.

“It will also afford an opportunity to link the biodiversity strategy to the COTED- mandated Caribbean Community Natural Resources Policy Framework,

Pensioner on $14M property fraud charge A pensioner was on Wednesday released on $10,000 bail when he appeared in court on an alleged $14 million property fraud.

Florence Marshall, 70, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge which state that on May 3, 2017 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, she obtained $14,418,067 under, upon or by virtue of a forged instrument, that is to say a last will and testament purporting to show that it was signed

by Hubert Da Costa Burgess, knowing same to be forged.

The woman’s attorney made a bail applica-

tion. The police prosecution had no objection but asked that substantial bail be granted. According to the police facts, on July 17, 2018, the defendant was granted the property by way of a last will and testament of the late Hubert Burgess which was prohibited and administrated. It was later discovered by Sabrina Burgess, daughter of the deceased, that the signature on the last will and testament was not her father’s, as a result she reported the matter and submitted the documents.

Marshall was released on $10,000 bail by the magistrate and the matter was ad journed to October 26, 2018.

which is in draft, as well as to the SIDS agenda and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,” he noted.

He added that the ACP MEAs Phase II project is scheduled to come to an end in December 2018 and a third phase of the project is under negotiation between the European Commission, the ACP and UNEP. “The CARICOM Secretariat is therefore seeking guidance from member

states based on national and overarching regional priorities and needs to be included in the Phase III project,” he said Further, he said the secretariat is also asking that in developing and proposing interventions, participants must ensure that they build inclusiveness and engage the major groups: women, young children, farmers, fishers, academia and the business community.

“Your role as regional biodiversity experts is critical in this regard.

CARICOM countries are, and have been historically, heavily dependent on their natural resources in their economic constructs,” he told the gathering at the workshop.

“Future economic development will depend on timely adaptation strategies and sound management of natural resources. Building resilience will also require prudent management, since healthy ecosystems improve a country’s ability to bounce back from catastrophic events.”

The meeting will also serve as a brainstorming session for Phase Three of the ACP Multilateral Environmental Agreements Project.

Man jailed for North Road burglary

A 35-year-old man was on Wednesday jailed for one year after pleading guilty to a charge of break and enter and larceny.

Seon Burke, who resides at Quamina Street, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.

Particulars of the charge state that between April 30 and May 1, 2018 at North Road, Burke broke and entered the store of Nigel Pile and stole 24 chairs valued at $600,000, one mattress valued at $85,000 and one air-condition unit valued at $185,000.

According to the po-

lice facts, on the day in question, the victim had secured his business, which is located at Lot 7, North Road, Georgetown with the chairs and other items intact. However, on May 1st, about 18:00 hrs, the victim went to his business and observed same was broken into and the said items were missing. An investigation was launched and with the assistance of the accused, nine chairs were recovered.

Burke was sentenced to one year imprisonment by the magistrate, but since he was on remand for the period of six months, that time was deducted and he will only be serving three months imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Tri-country collaboration to eradicate carambola fruit fly

Guyana, Brazil and Suriname are collaborating to eradicate the carambola fruit fly which plagues agricultural produce and poses economic and environmental challenges in the region.

At a workshop hosted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural and Research Extension Institute (NAREI) Dr. Oudho Homenauth said the exercise is centred on the elimination of the Carambola fruit fly, which poses a serious threat. Dr. Homenauth is of the view that there is a need for collaboration to effectively address the issue.

“It is recognised that no one country in the region can seriously manage the pest problem. We all have to work together.

So, it is imperative that our efforts be combined; and the three countries, that is Guyana, Suriname and Brazil have agreed to work together to have a unified approach to make a difference,” Dr. Homenauth explained.

The NAREI CEO said that as Guyana continues to expand its non-traditional agricultural sector, systems need to be in place to protect crops. This initiative was seconded by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd who noted the effects of the carambola fruit fly on Guyana’s agricultural devel-

opment. She said studies show the fly is responsible for as much as fifty percent yield loss of the carambola crop.

“The increased movement of people and commodities along with the porosity of Guyana’s border increases the likelihood for the introduction and establishment of plant pests and diseases. Therefore, the implementation of concerted pest eradication efforts among Guyana, Brazil and Suriname, will alleviate the challenges faced in the control and eradication of the carambola fruit fly.” Nedd added that the Agriculture Ministry will continue its monitoring and assessment to eradicate the agricultural pest. (DPI)

CAPAM 2018 theme timely given existing weather in Region – delegates

Delegates of the 12th Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management (CAPAM), which concluded on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel said this year’s theme “Transforming the Public Sector for Climate Governance” is relevant and timely given the existing climatic occurrences throughout the region.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Officer in Charge, Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business, University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr. Ann Wallace said, “we don’t have to look too far to see what is going on with some of the neighbouring countries… we are very close to Dominica that is still in recovery mode.”

For Dr. Wallace, the shift from high policy focus to educating and informing the populations of the respective countries about climate issues, is the most interesting and beneficial aspect for her. This new focus, she noted will help individuals to understand the role they can

play towards mitigation of the effects of climate change.

Dr. Wallace, added, “ it also came over to me from this conference that these small islands and vulnerable states are not just sitting back and being reliant on what the developing countries will offer us as assistance, but we are recognising that working together we have a role to play in calling the shots [and] making decisions… and be better prepared for what the effects of the inevitable climate change will be.”

Most importantly, Dr. Wallace said the need for the nations to unite and pool resources to show that countries in the region can better themselves as they work collectively to tackle the global phenomenon. “To do that we need to educate and inform our people, all of this came out from this conference and for that reason, I am happy to have been a delegate here,” she noted.

Meantime, Executive Director, Caribbean Centre For Development Administration (CARICAD), Barbados, Devon Rowe told DPI there was a fair

exchange of country experiences during the plenary sessions, which allows for the opportunity to avoid the recreation of the wheel.

He noted, “we understand

what people elsewhere are doing and we have an opportunity to tap in.” In addition, the conference, Rowe said, pointed to the need for more partnerships and the deepening of existing

ones to ensure countries meet their common agendas. “Also, from the point of view of peerto-peer learning, not only understand what people are doing but avoid the obstacles they had

Participants at the CAPAM Biennial Conference

faced on their journey to where they are now,” Rowe added.

Only recently, amid a flood disaster, which caused massive destruction and loss of property in some parts of the Twin -Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, a 4.2 tremor followed by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the nation, leading to the declaration of a national disaster. These and other weather occurrences have led to the deepening of climate talks, among the Caribbean and other states.

According to CAPAM, with many regions experiencing both shared and unique climate challenges, “it is clear that effective and efficient climate governance must occur across government systems and through a multitude of sectors in order to better tackle complex environmental matters.” The 2018 conference was hosted under a number of sub-themes focusing on structuring the public sector so that it is increasingly aware of, and coordinated in being climate proactive. (DPI)

Fisheries ministers approve climate change protocol for CRFM member states A Protocol on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture was approved for CARICOM States during a recent high-level meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM).

At the 8th Special Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council held in Barbados on Thursday, 11 October, 2018, the ministers approved the protocol to the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP). The CCCFP promotes cooperation and collaboration among Caribbean people, fishers and governments in conserving, managing, and sustainably using fisheries and related ecosystems. It is also geared at improving the welfare and livelihood of fisherfolk in the region.

“This protocol is of paramount importance in the region, given the urgent and ever-increasing threats to fishing communities, fishers and the health of marine ecosystems and associated fish stocks in the region posed not only by warming waters and climate change but also by the acidification of the oceans as a result of increased absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” CRFM Executive Director, Milton Haughton, said.

Haughton said that among the obvious challenges are the bleaching and destruction of corals reefs, frequent massive blooms of Sargassum and other harmful marine algae, and the devastation caused by storms, hurricanes and floods that

States must now contend with. “The damage our countries suffer is not limited to what is seen on land but also extends to the valuable natural resources under the sea which we often do not see,” the Executive Director added. Haughton explained that the protocol provides pragmatic tools and measures to enable States and stakeholders to adapt and build resilience by working together and sharing experiences and best practices. He also emphasized the need for donors and international development partners to recognize the challenges faced by the countries in the coastal and marine environment, and to support their initiatives by providing tangible technical assistance and funding to help with implementation of the protocol.

In May 2018, the CRFM Ministerial Council approved another protocol under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy; that is, the Protocol on Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries for Caribbean Community fisherfolk and societies under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy, aimed at improving livelihood and welfare of small-scale fishers who are involved the harvesting, processing and marketing of fish and seafood. The approved protocols were submitted to the CARICOM’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which met on Friday 12 October, at the culmination of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture.

The development of Protocol on Climate Change Ad-

aptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture was fast-tracked with support from the Climate Change Adaptation in the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector (CC4FISH) Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The initiative was implemented in the context of a technical cooperation agreement signed earlier this year by the CRFM and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

At the Ministerial Council meeting, chaired by David Osborne, Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Lands, Housing and the Environment (MATLHE) of Montserrat, the policymakers also addressed social and welfare issues in the fisheries and aquaculture sector by issuing a policy statement on gender, youth and decent work as follows: “The Council accepted that international and national norms regarding issues pertaining to gender, youth, and decent work be adhered to, and be incorporated into all CRFM policies, protocols, programmes, and plans.”

In addition, the Council approved a concept note for a proposed project to reduce the vulnerability of coastal and marine social-ecological systems across CARICOM to Sargassum influxes. They also called upon the donor community and development partners to provide the technical assistance and funding needed to support implementation of the project, as well as the two Protocols adopted under the Common Fisheries Policy. (Caricom Secretariat)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Hope century, Hetmyer’s blistering 94 earn Windies sensational tie

Box office opens ahead of Women’s World T20 in Guyana

VISAKHAPATNAM, India (CMC) – Stroke-maker Shai Hope smashed the last delivery of the match to the point boundary to earn West Indies a thrilling tie with India, after they appeared on course for a rare win, in a high-scoring second One-Day International here yesterday.

Asked to chase a difficult 322 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, the 24-year-old Hope carved out a superb unbeaten 123 – his second ODI hundred – but was unable to get West Indies over the line, after they needed 20 runs from the last two overs.

West Indies looked to be en route to victory especially after left-hander Shimron Hetmyer struck an exceptional 94 off just 64 deliveries, in an outstanding 143run, fourth-wicket partnership with Hope, who stroked 10 fours and three sixes in a 134-ball innings.

But key strikes saw the Windies lose wickets and ultimately, momentum in the last 10 overs.

Seamer Mohammed Shami sent down an outstanding penultimate over, conceding just six runs, leaving the visitors with an uphill task of getting 14 runs from the final over bowled by speedster Umesh Yadav.

Hope took a sharp single off the first ball and Ashley Nurse (5) then missed a low full toss that ricocheted off his pads to the third man boundary.

Nurse ran two to mid-wicket off the third but then fell to a catch at third man, scooping a low full toss into Ambati Rayudu’s lap.

Hope then scrambled two runs off the fifth delivery and with five needed off the last ball, sliced Umesh to the ropes, with a diving Rayudu just inches away from pulling off the save.

The tie was the second in ODIs between the two teams following the low-scoring thriller in Perth, nearly three decades ago.

India captain Virat Kohli had earlier stroked his 37th ODI hundred and became the fastest bats-

DUE to public demand, the box office in Guyana for tickets to the upcoming International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s World T20 was opened days ahead of the originally announced date.

The organisers had initially stated that tickets would go on sale in Guyana, St Lucia and Antigua on Monday (October 29). However, as early as Tuesday, the box office at the Guyana Cricket Board on Regent Road began selling tickets.

The box office will open daily from 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs while tickets are also available on line at http:// worldtwenty20.com It is the sixth edition of the tournament but the first time that it is being played as a ‘standalone’ which may be a reason for the demand for tickets. In the five previous editions, the men’s and women’s tournaments were played simultaneously.

In all, there are 11 matches scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence across five days on November 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17.

When the tournament begins on Friday November 9, there will be a triple-header with New Zealand taking on India from 11:00hrs, followed by former three-time champions Australia battling Pakistan from 16:00hrs while defending champions Windies will begin their title defence against Bangladesh at 20:00hrs.

In addition to the gripping action on the field, there will be a super concert featuring Shenseea, Patrice Roberts, Tamika Marshall and Big Red among others on the opening day while every playing day will also have similar stage performances.

Tickets are priced at G$500 for the grass mound and G$1 000 for any stand on match days. Additionally, adults may request tickets for children 12 years old and younger with the purchase of their tickets while senior citizens 60 years and older who wish to attend the matches must produce a valid form of identification to receive their free passes. However, the children’s and senior citizens’ passes are in limited quantities.

Other than the 11 official tournament matches, there are also five warm-up matches at Providence on November 4, 6 and 7 where fans may get an early look at their teams. Admission to the warm-up matches is free.

The West Indies are placed in Group A along with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland are in Group B.

… Virat Kohli scores 37th ODI ton man to 10 000 ODI runs, as India recovered from a dodgy start to reach 321 for six off their 50 overs.

Choosing to bat first, India were stuttering at 40 for two in the ninth over before the incomparable Kohli arrived to unfurl a magnificent unbeaten 157 off 129 balls, to clinch another Man-of-the-Match honour.

He was supported by Rayudu who made 73 while opener Shikhar Dhawan chipped in with 29.

West Indies struck early when veteran seamer Kemar Roach had the important wicket of first match century-maker, Rohit Sharma, caught by Hetmyer at point for four at 15 for one in the fourth over.

And Dhawan looked ominous in a near run-a-ball knock which included four fours and a six before falling lbw to Nurse (2-46) in the ninth over.

But for the second straight match, Kohli snatched away any advantage the Windies sniffed, with another imperious display to follow up his equally stunning 140 in the opener in Guwahati four days ago.

The right-hander struck 12 fours and four sixes, reaching his half-century off 56 deliveries at the end of the 25th over before raising three figures off 106 deliveries with a searing cover drive off part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels, off the last ball of the 44th over.

Kohli needed only another 22 balls to reach 150 as India plundered 100 runs off the last 10 overs.

The innings pivoted largely on a 139-run, third-wicket stand between Kohli and Rayudu, who faced 80 deliveries and counted eight fours, with the partnership laying the groundwork for the final late assault.

Debutant 21-year-old leftarm pacer Obed McCoy finished with two for 71.

The Windies took up the challenge admirably, Kieran Powell (18) posting 36 off 37 balls for the first wicket with fellow left-hander Chandrapaul Hemraj (32) before holing out to mid-wicket off Shami.

Hemraj, who sparkled briefly with six fours in a 24-ball knock, put on a further 28 with Hope before going bowled between bat and pad by left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (3-67) in the 10th over.

When veteran Marlon Samuels was upended by one from Kuldeep and bowled for 13 two overs later, West Indies were losing their way but Hetmyer arrived to stun the Indians for the second straight game.

The left-hander belted four fours and seven giant leg-side sixes, racing to his half-century off 41 balls in the 24th over, by lifting leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal over the ropes at mid-wicket for his fifth maximum.

A second consecutive hundred seemed a formality when against the run of play, Hetmyer top-edged a long hop from Chahal and was taken by Kohli close in at cover in the 31st over.

By then, however, the required run rate had dropped to under six an over at 205 for three after 30 overs, and the Windies were in control.

Hope, reprieved by DRS after being adjudged lbw on 44 in the 27th over, completed his half-century off 64 deliveries before reaching his century off 113 balls in the 46th over.

However, Rovman Powell (18) never suggested permanence and fell in the 38th over and captain Jason Holder (12) added a vital 47 for the sixth wicket with Hope but his runout in the 48th over proved the turning point, with the pressure back on the Windies.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA innings R. Sharma c Hetmyer b Roach 4 S. Dhawan lbw b Nurse 29 V. Kohli not out 157 A. Rayudu b Nurse 73 MS Dhoni b McCoy 20 R. Pant lbw b Samuels 17 R. Jadeja c Powell b McCoy 13 Mohammed Shami not out 0 Extras: (lb-3, w-5) 8 Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 321 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-40, 3-179, 4-222, 5-248, 6-307.

Bowling: Holder 6-0-50-0, Roach 10-0-67-1, Nurse 10-0-46-2, Bishoo 10-0-48-0, McCoy 9-0-71-2, Samuels 5-0-36-1.

WEST INDIES innings K. Powell c Pant b Mohammed Shami 18 C. Hemraj b Kuldeep Yadav 32 S. Hope not out 123 M. Samuels b Kuldeep Yadav 13 S. Hetmyer c Kohli b Chahal 94 R. Powell c Rohit b Kuldeep Yadav 18 J. Holder run-out 12 A. Nurse c Rayudu b Umesh Yadav 5 K. Roach not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-4, w-1) 6 Total: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 321 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-64, 3-78, 4-221, 5-253, 6-300, 7-315.

Bowling: Mohammed Shami 10-0-59-1, Umesh Yadav 10-0-78-1, Kuldeep Yadav 10-0-67-3, Jadeja 10-0-49-0, Chahal 10-0-63-1.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Clear Waters, RUBIS embrace Guyana Softball Cup 8 GUYANA Softball Cup 8 is just a matter of days away, but corporate support continues to roll in for the October 26-28 event.

International Pharmaceutical Agency, through its Clear Waters brand, has once again renewed its partnership with the organisers, the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association.

Floodlights member Ricky Deonarain, who received the sponsorship,

said the association is indeed grateful for the support of the company. He said the contribution will go a far way in making the event a success.

Speaking on behalf of Clear Waters, representative Nigel Bissu said the entity’s partnership with the organisers has proved dividends over the years. He wished the organisers and teams well and committed Clear Waters’ support for the tournament in years to come.

GFSCA’s Anil Beharry (left) and another official with the RUBIS representative

Singh’s unbeaten ton leads Eccles to six-wicket win AN unbeaten century by Gavin Singh propelled the Eccles Sports Club to a six-wicket win over Nandy Park when action in the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) Neville Sarjoo Memorial 40over tournament continued last Sunday at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground.

GFSCA’s Ricky Deonarain (right) and Nigel Bissu of Clear Waters are all smiles as they finalise the partnership.

Also on board with the organisers is RUBiS, whose official sealed the partnership with a handshake at the Vlissengen Road fuel station. Deonarain expressed gratitude to the company for once again embracing the leading softball tournament in Guyana.

RUBiS has always had a noticeable presence on the final day of the tournament, as its staffers would usually distribute branded products to patrons.

Teams from Guyana,

New York, Canada and Florida will converge on Guyana on the weekend of October 26-28 to compete for softball supremacy in the Americas.

Once again, the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association is promising an action-packed and competitive tournament.

The category finals would take place on October 28 at the Demerara Cricket Club, starting at 10:00hrs and concluding with the Open final under floodlights.

Gavin Singh smashed 26 fours and a six during his unbeaten innings of 126.

Nandy Park won the toss and scored 227 before they were bowled out in 39.3 overs. Dershan Persaud led the attack with 97 runs (15x4, 2x6), while Rohan Sarjoo (27)

Romain Muniram (26) Trevon France (20) and Keon Franklin (20) all had starts, but the line and length of medium pacer Daniel Barker and fast bowler Kellon Carmichael proved too much.

Barker finished with 4-33 from eight overs, while Carmichael grabbed 3-21 from eight overs.

Singh, who also plays for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) batted through the innings to finish with 126. For the opening wicket partnership, he and Sachin Singh, who plays for the Demerara Cricket Club, carried the score to 100 with the latter hitting 9x4 and 3x6 in his score of 59.

Gavin continued to play shots after the fall of Sachin (a faraway relative). In total, he scored 26 fours and a six to lead his team to 230-4 in 21 overs.

Persaud led Nandy Park’s bowling attack with 2-20.

GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships set for Sunday THE annual GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships kicks off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall this Sunday, following its return to the international-quality venue last year.

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) and GTT have partnered in this event for 18 years and it is the top local indoor competition that determines the annual national champions.

The competition has expanded this year to include a women’s second division competition for the first time in its history which reflects the growth of the female side of the playing population which now matches that of the male side.

Apart from the clubs contesting the competition, a national male junior squad will compete in the men’s first division competition as ‘Supernova’, although it will not be entitled for trophies.

The competition features five divisions being Men’s and Ladies’ First Division, Men’s

and Ladies’ Second Division and Veterans (Over-35) Bounty GCC will face their toughest competition in recent years as a strengthening Old Fort Lamborghinis, boosted by two of the top junior players in the skilful

Omar Hopkinson and prolific goalscorer Warren Williams.

In addition, previous three-time champions PEPSI Hikers will be at full strength with the likes of their fantastic four - Robert France,

Andrew Stewart, Jamarj Assanah and Aroydy Branford.

Old Fort Top Form are holders of the men’s second division trophy and will be up against a powerful GCC Pitbulls side with several ju-

Flashback! GCC Tigers top scorer Sonia Jardine is challenged by National and Hikers striker Nicole Eastman during last year’s tournament.

nior national players including captain Kareem McKenzie and Meshach Sargeant. Hikers Cadets and Hikers Young Guns, SHC Silencers SHC Sensations, along with Old Fort Rogue and Phoenix, round out a busy division.

The GCC Tigers have dominated this competition for the past 11 years and enter as favourites to take gold in the women’s first division.

Leading all-time female goalscorer Sonia Jardine will be on show along with nationals Gabriella Xavier, Aliyah Gordon, Trisha Woodroffe and Marzana Fiedtkou in a star-studded line-up.

Traditional arch-rivals, Woodpecker Hikers, will be gunning for top spot with the likes of nationals Marisha Fernandes, Nicole Eastman and Latacia Chung. Old Fort Team 2.1.2. have been improving steadily and many of their players are fresh off the recent victory in the Noble House junior indoor championships.

Minsodia Culpepper and Bushani Kaladeen will lead their effort. Saints and Bingo Spartans feature the youngest sides in the division and will surely use their superior conditioning and quickness to create havoc among their senior rivals.

The newly introduced women’s second division competition will find GCC Spice as favourites among their junior opponents of Old Fort Goalchasers, Bingo Spartans and Woodpecker Hikers. This division will feature many of the outstanding junior players recently on show in the Noble House junior championships.

G C C Vi n t a g e G C C are the double defending champions in the Over-35 divisions which once again sees challenges from the Old Fort Mustangs and Antonio’s Hickers.

Matches start on Sunday at 14:00hrs and the finals will be contested on Sunday November 4.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

England arrive in Antigua for Twenty-four teams confirmed for Guyana Softball Cup 8 ICC Women’s T20 title bid … All systems are in place

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – England arrived here yesterday to a festive Caribbean welcome, becoming the first international side to touch down for the historic ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup which bowls off next month.

The reigning 50-over World Cup champions coach, Mark Robinson, said England would be keen on adding a second white ball title to their trophy cabinet.

“You don’t go anywhere and try to lose or to come second so you always plan to win,” Robinson said on arrival.

“We are pleased to be here where the weather is fantastic so it’s a big bonus to be here. We have been preparing for three to four weeks at Loughborough, so there is the advantage to come here to this lovely island and get some more time in the nets, and (playing) matches against quality opposition is ideal for us.”

He continued: “We have two official warm-up matches and two other matches so we are looking to use these matches and get the right kind of preparations which will be invaluable. It’s bit by bit as we move on in the tournament.

“We have the preparations and then we go into the group stage and the first

objective will be to get out of the group stage and on to the semis and the final.

This is going to be a keenly-contested tournament. It is really exciting.”

for the side.

England also have former Jamaica and West Indies all-rounder Gareth Breese in their ranks as one of the assistant coaches.

England star Tammy Beaumont tries her hand at the steel pan following her arrival for the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup.

England were the toast of the cricket world last year when they beat India to win the 50-over World Cup before a capacity crowd at Lord’s.

The triumph signalled a giant step forward for the women’s game, a fact acknowledged by Robinson, and success in the T20 World Cup would be another fillip

The 42-year-old played a single Test against India in Chennai in 2002 and Robinson said his addition to the management setup was an asset to the squad.

“He is a wealth of knowledge. He will know the grounds and he will know the pitches, so it’s really good to have him in our team as

one of the coaches. He is an outstanding coach and a great addition to our support staff,” Robinson said.

“It is an explosion of opportunity in women’s cricket at the moment. There’s tremendous interest at the moment and that’s fantastic. It is a career aspiration for young girls at the moment.

“The countries are treating the women’s game with more respect, we are playing on better grounds, we are getting better pitches and that is making for greater moments.

It’s a very skilled game, a highly-skilled game and definitely worth watching.”

In a light moment, Tammy Beaumont took centre stage as she tried her hand at playing the steel pan while her teammates also enjoyed the sounds of calypso music.

The Women’s T20 World Cup runs from November 9 to 24 and will be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia and the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.

England have been drawn in Group A alongside defending champions West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while Group B comprises Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland.

Samaroo Investment confirms timely support for National Championships GUYANA Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) ‘Ignite’ National championship is set for November 10 & 11 at the South Dakota Circuit and it will also serve as the final leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) 2018 which will be hosted in collaboration with the Department of Tourism within the Ministry of Business.

Last week, Samaroo Investment that offers contracting services and also imports MAC Batteries, confirmed their very welcome sponsorship for the packed 27-race, two-day programme.

Samaroo’s representative

Baishan Kaurlall presented the sponsorship cheque to GMRSC’s Surica Singh during a simple but significant ceremony.

Kaurlall expressed pleasure that his company was given the opportunity to contribute to the fast-growing sport in Guyana and noted his anticipation to witness first-hand the usually very much subscribed National Championships next month.

The anticipated event is expected to see the culmination of the 2018 season of CMRC for the Groups 1-5 as well as the Superstocks and SR3 Radicals along with the local classes including the Superstock motorcycles.

The overseas competition

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday October 25, 2018)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Birmingham (ENG), 1979 Clive Lloyd & Srinivas Venkataraghavan

Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the first ODI of the current WI/India series?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match of the first ODI of the

current WI/India series?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Baishan Kaurlall of Samaroo Investment hands over the cheque to GMRSC’S Surica Singh.

will see drivers from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Jamaica and Canada as well as competitors out of Europe.

Tickets for the packed 27race, two-day meet are on sale for $2 500; children $1 000 at the GMR&SC’s Thomas Lands office.

On Saturday there will be the time trials beginning at 10:00hrs in all the classes followed by official races in the Street Cross Motorcycle,

125cc Motorcycle, Street Tuner, Choke Starlet Cup and Sports Tuner which will be 10 laps each, from 13:20hrs.

The feature race on Saturday will see 20 gruelling laps in the first anticipated clash in the SR3 Radicals Cup. Meanwhile, racing fans’ hunger for scorching action will be well satisfied with a packed 19-race programme set for the November 11.

TWENTY-FOUR teams have been confirmed to participate in this weekend’s ‘Guyana Softball Cup 8’ to be run by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA).

Wayne Jones

Organising Secretary Wayne Jones disclosed to Chronicle Sport yesterday, that a number of teams from the USA and Canada are expected to participate in the three-day event.

Jones also claimed that all systems are in place for

another successful tournament. The annual mega event is set for the grounds in and around Georgetown.

For the first time an Over-50 segment will be played. This adds to the regular Open, Female, Masters with all four finals to be played at the famous Demerara Cricket Club ground starting 10:00hrs.

Floodlights Masters and Speed Boat will defend their titles in the Masters and Open categories respectively. Karibee Strikers are the defending champions in the Female category.

Information coming from GSFCA indicated that there are significant cash incentives and trophies up for grabs.

Attractive gate prizes along with beyond the boundary entertainment and a well-stocked food and drinks bar will be available.

Bangladesh ease to series win over Zimbabwe IMRUL Kayes and Liton Das made half-centuries after Mohammad Saifuddin starred with the ball, as Bangladesh eased to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Chittagong to seal the ODI series.

The tourists looked to be on course to post a challenging total after being put in by Mashrafe Mortaza yesterday, but could muster only 246-7.

Brendan Taylor topscored with 75, while Sean Williams (47) and Sikandar Raza (49) offered support before Zimbabwe lost their way in the second half of their innings, Saifuddin taking 3-45.

Kayes followed up his ODI-best 144 in the opening game of the three-match series by making 90. Fellow opener Das struck a rapid 83 from only 77 balls, laying a platform for the Tigers to get home with 35 balls to spare.

Saifuddin claimed an early breakthrough by snaring captain Hamilton Masakadza caught behind and Zimbabwe were 70-2 when Mehidy Hasan removed Cephas Zhuwao.

Wicketkeeper-batsman

Taylor and Williams batted with authority in a third-wicket stand of 77, but Zimbabwe lost momentum after the experienced duo departed.

Taylor struck a six and nine fours as he scored at more than a run-a-ball before Mahmudullah trapped him in front and Zimbabwe were 188-4 when the excellent Saifuddin had Williams caught behind.

The runs dried up for Zimbabwe after Raza also fell just short of a half-century and the Bangladesh openers put their side well on the way to victory with an opening partnership of 148 from 24 overs.

Das slog-swept the expensive Brandon Mavuta for six and found the ropes 12 times before Raza (3-43) sent him on his way and the same bowler had Fazle Mahmud stumped without scoring.

Kayes missed out on back-to-back hundreds after he was dropped on 58 and 70, but Mushfiqur Rahim (40*) and Mohammad Mithun (24*) saw Bangladesh home at a canter.

(Yahoo Sport)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 25, 2018

Coach Dover optimistic of success at CONCACAF U-20 Championship WITH the National U-20 team’s first match of the CONCACAF Championship set for November 2 against Guatemala, head coach Wayne Dover said the team has had a successful training period and he is optimistic that they will represent the country well.

Dover ’s comment was made on the backdrop of the team’s three training matches during the period and he conducted a courtesy visit to the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) on October 22.

Dover said the squad played two matches against two selected Elite league squads and the Police FC respectively and while the results of matches were not the key focus, he was satisfied with the steady progress made by the team, noting that the “results in these games were not the main aim for us. We looked to see the level of implementation of the areas worked on, the execution of the game plan and the consistency with how they have been done.”

“We tried to build on and correct those areas, which

were not as strong so we can be more effective. We saw an organised group of players who were collective in their approach and more disciplined to carry out their function,” Dover said.

ence of current senior national players, was a “good test” as the team seeks to have its shortlisted players.

“The game was a very good test for us, which highlighted many areas that we had

the game, we had to dig deep mentally to stay in the game and that was the highpoint for us as a staff.

The lads showed a tremendous level of fitness and we saw a tactical display

Guyana’s National U-20 team

The head coach pointed out that the final training game last Sunday, against one of the selected elite squads with a heavy pres-

to return to the training ground to fix. The senior players provided exactly what we wanted and they tested the lads to the point that, at one stage in

that clearly borders on improvement from the previous games and even some of the sessions done,” Dover claimed.

According to Dover, the last two weeks were spent focusing on improving the team’s tactics to the level that could bring good performances and results since “we definitely will be going into the tournament very optimistically. We will make ourselves and the country proud. I want to implore the players and staff to continue working as hard as we have done over the past four weeks. I’m sure we’ll get the just reward”.

Meanwhile, during a courtesy visit to NAMILCO by 16 members of the team including technical staff, the company’s Managing Director, Bert Sukhai, congratulated the players for making the team.

Sukhai said football is a journey and he was very proud of NAMILCO’s role in the development of so many players that came through the youth programmes especially the GFF-NAMILCO Flour Power U-17 Intra- Association League. He also stated his company’s continued support for the development of football in Guyana and wished the players well.

In extending best wish-

es, NAMILCO’s Finance Controller, Fitzroy McLeod, echoed Sukhai’s comments and said the players must grab the opportunity with both hands especially as scouts and other technical staff will be on hand to view their performance on the field.

McLeod stated that NAMILCO is interested in the total development of the person and is therefore happy when players have a balance between their academics and education. He urged the players to represent well both on and off the field.

Other persons present at the visit were GFF president Wayne Forde and Ralf Hemsing, NAMILCO’s Operations Manager.

The National U-20 team is scheduled to depart on Sunday, October 28. Their match schedule in the first round is as follows: November 2 vs Guatemala, 10:30hrs November 6 vs Cayman Islands, 10:30hrs November 8 vs Curacao, 12:45hrs November 10 vs El Salvador, 19:45hrs.

Hinds, Haynes hail successful hosting of IBF Antilles 3x3 Championships DESPITE Guyana’s male and female team missing out on a podium finish, Nigel Hinds, president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), believes that the hosting of the International Basketball Foundation (IBF) Antilles 3x3 Championships has solidified his federation’s readiness to take on regional tournaments.

the perception and the reality in the Caribbean that we (Guyana) are capable hosting any tournament,” Hinds said.

Hinds admitted that while Guyana didn’t get the desired outcome which was to keep the trophies at home, he’s comfortable with the end result, since he believes that both teams competed and showed the desire to win.

we won the senior Caribbean Championship.”

Haynes, touching on the tournament, said “Sport has the power to unite our communities – both the IBF and the CBC are dedicated and committed to developing and promoting the game of basketball, bringing people together, uniting our communities, and making basketball the most popular sport

Players interacting during one of the workshops

Barbados won both the male and female categories of the tournament that caters for U-18 players, and according to Hinds, the investment was worthwhile.

“We’ve reached a stage where Guyana is seen as a success story in terms of hosting international basketball and this tournament that just completed, is consistent with

Meanwhile, Hinds was grateful for the work done by Guyanese Patrick Haynes, Caribbean Basketball Confederation’s (CBC) Financial and Marketing vice-president, adding that “he has been the one offering a lot of support to the GABF, encouraging us to participate in every regional tournament possible and today I can say it has paid off because

in our communities.”

The impressive Dunk contest crowned the Saint-Lucian Jean Pierre Frederick while the Skills Contest was dominated by Guadeloupe’s Raymi Coueta.

The Leadership Workshop was held over three days alongside the 3x3 tournament. The workshop, delivered by UK charity, The Change Founda-

tion, helped the players discover their leadership style and develop their leadership skills to empower them to use basketball for good in their communities.

The three days were inclusive of interactive basketball

drills, leadership activities and discussions about using them to create social change.

The players were able to interact with one another as peers and develop new relationships as team mates even though they are opponents on

court.

They practised public speaking skills, the art of negotiation and influencing as well as understanding the importance of strategy, decision-making and inclusion in becoming a true leader.

Team Guyana arrive in Suriname for 2018 Guianas Lawn Tennis Tournament GUYANA’S team arrived in neighbouring Suriname yesterday for the start of the Cup of Guianas Lawn Tennis Championship. They will compete against the hosts (Suriname) and French Guiana in the tournament that runs until Monday, October 29.

The 12-man team and their two coaches will showcase their skills in the U-12, U-14 and U-18 categories as they look to retain their overall title won last year when the tournament was hosted in Guyana.

Hayden Mentore, Rashida Hardy, Ricky Romascindo, and Menikshi Jaikisson will compete in the U-12 category, while in the U-14, Guyana will be represented

by Vadeanand Resaul, Saskia Akilah Jones, Jeremiah Kalekyezi, and Nandanee Ramdyhan.

Heimraj Resaul, Afruica Gentle, Viraj Sharma, and Kalyca Fraser are drawn in the U-18 category and will have Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan and Orande Dainty as their coaches.

Last year, at the tournament

The Guyana team which will compete in this year’s Cup of Guianas Tennis tournament in Suriname which was formerly known as the Inter-Guiana Tennis Championship, Guyana were dominant as they copped an unprecedented five gold medals and one silver in the six categories, with Suriname coming in second (five silver and one bronze) while French Guiana took third (one gold and five bronze).

In the final tally Guyana

placed first with 29 matches, Suriname 16 matches and 9 matches to French Guiana.

Outstanding performances at the tournament last year came from Jeremiah Kalekyezi and Vadeanand Resaul winning all six matches in the U-14 category. Afruica Gentle and Kalyca Fraser also secured all wins in the Girls’ U-18.

See Page 24

Hope century, Hetmyer’s blistering 94 earn Windies sensational tie … Virat Kohli scores 37th ODI ton

Viart Kohli raises his bat after scoring his 37th ODI ton.

(Twitter/BCCI)

Shimron Hetmyer launches an assault smashing seven sixes in his 94 to bring Windies back into the contest.

Batsman Shai Hope celebrates his second ODI hundred in yesterday’s second one-dayer against India.

Box office opens ahead of Women’s World T20 in Guyana See Page 24

Windies Women are the World T20 defending champions.

Kohli eclipses all to hit 10, 000 ODI runs INDIA captain Virat Kohli has become the fastest batsman ever to score 10 000 ODI runs.

Kohli reached the milestone in the second ODI against the West Indies at Visakhapatnam, with MS Dhoni alongside him at the crease, taking 89 balls to knock off the 81 runs he needed to hit 10 000.

It came in his 205th one-day international innings to be an incredible 54 innings faster to the mark than the previous record holder, Sachin Tendulkar.

It nearly didn’t happen, with Kohli dropped on 44 by Jason Holder in the deep, after he was deceived by a slower ball from West Indies debutant Obed McCoy. Kohli became the 13th batsman overall to reach 10 000 runs in the history of one-day cricket, but not only surpassed every other player in terms of innings needed to reach the milestone, but also in career time elapsed with tonight’s match 10 years and 67 days since his debut.

And, he has done it with a better strike-rate than the rest, with a career strike-rate above 92.

Kohli knocked India’s legend Tendulkar off the perch as the previous fastest to 10 000 ODI runs with the Little Master having achieved the mark in 259 knocks.

Tendulkar brought up his 10 000th ODI run during a masterful century against Australia at Indore in March 2001, his 28th ODI ton at the time. ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙

FASTEST TO 10 000 ODI RUNS Virat Kohli (India) 205 innings (10 years 67 days) S. Tendulkar (India) 259 inn (11y 103d) S. Ganguly (India) 272 inn (13y 204d) R. Ponting (Aus) 266 inn (12y 37d) J. Kallis (SAfrica) 272 inn (13y 14d) MS Dhoni (India) 273 inn (13y 203d) B. Lara (WI) 278 inn (16y 37d) R. Dravid (India) 287 inn (10y 317d) T. Dilshan (SL) 293 inn (15y 227d) K. Sangakkara (SL) 296 inn (11y 227d) Inzamam (Pak) 299 inn (12y 302d) S. Jayasuriya (SL) 328 inn (15y 226d) M. Jayawardene (SL) 333 inn (13y 298d)

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018