Guyana chronicle e paper 11 09 2017

Pay hike for UG support staff Page 9

Oil above politics No. 105091

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

…Petroleum adviser says oil-and-gas policies must transcend election cycles “You need legislation that can transcend political cycles, that will protect the industry from coming to a standstill when there is a change of government,” Petroleum Adviser, Dr Jan Mangal said.

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Police must rebuild public trust …AG tells anti-corruption forum

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Four in custody over teacher’s death Page 10

Unity our only hope as a people Page 17

‘Can’t bare all’

…Gov't insists full release of Exxon contract has ■ Page 2 wide-ranging implications

– Minister Bulkan says at Den Amstel Village Day

‘Can’t bare all’ 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

…Gov’t insists full release of Exxon contract has wide-ranging implications

By Ariana Gordon MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said government has been advised by external advisors and lawyers that it should not release the full contract with United States (U.S.) oil giant, Exxon Mobil, noting that a number of extenuating and external issues are being attended to, some of which have foreign affairs, sovereignty and national security implications.

Trotman made the comments even as Petroleum Advisor to the President Dr Jan Mangal said that as an emerging oil and gas country, Guyana needs to place significant emphasis on transparency. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, the expert who has over 18 years’ experience in the sector noted that Guyana is on the verge of an economic transformation and though success cannot be guaranteed, he believes transparency will aid in success. “Oil and gas, or any resource…we cannot assume that it will work for the benefit of the people; it doesn’t just happen by chance,” he said citing the example of West Africa. He believes the key ingredients to Guyana’s success, though there is no guarantee is transparency and capacity. “It has been proven over and over again that in a resource sector, the exploitation of resources, transparency is paramount and it is ultimately the people’s resource so they need

to be confident and to trust their government, trust that their government is acting on their behalf,” Dr Mangal told the media.

BUILDING CAPACITY Guyana he reminded is starting from base and understandably does not have much capacity within the oil and gas sector therefore building capacity rapidly is critical. That capacity however, has to come from further afield. As a result of the overarching need for transparency, Dr Mangal posited that all contracts, not just oil and gas contracts ought to be made public. “I believe all contracts, resource contracts should be made public not only petroleum, diamond, gold and timber…these are all resources of the people.

All of these contracts should be made public; that is my objective,” noting that in the long term, it is the people of Guyana who will be affected.

His statement came in response to the non-disclosure of the government of Guyana’s contract with Exxon Mobil, as well as the reported US$20M signature bonus. In fact, Dr Mangal believes that in the case of the signature bonus, it needs to be made public as it needs to be auditable. “…people need to have confidence in their representatives and the way to do that is via transparency,” he stated.

Government has been called upon to make the contract available by civil soci-

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

ety, Transparency International Guyana, the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), as well as the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), of the parties forming the APNU+AFC coalition government.

NOT AT THIS TIME However, Trotman said that it is not advisable to release the contract with Exxon at this time, stressing that it would not be to the nation’s benefit. On Wednesday, Trotman said that his government has taken a decision at this point in time not to release the full contract. “We have released quite a few details in fact and if persons are wise enough, and many are, you can put pieces together to get a sense of what is the contract but there are a number of extenuating and external issues which are being attended to, some of them have foreign affairs implications, some

of them have sovereignty implications, some have national security implications and Government has been advised by external advisors and lawyers that at this point in time, that we should not bear all. It is perhaps not palatable to everyone to accept that and sometimes advice is not always what you want to hear but it is important that if you have retained experts and others to advise you that you abide by their advice,” said the Minister of Natural Resources. He believes that in due course, Cabinet will lift what he deems to be an injunction so that “everything will be opened.”

“There is nothing in there that could sink anyone or sink a Government. As a matter of fact, I have said that often times, it is really a continuation of a 1999 contract and it was tweaked in just a few places and so there is nothing to hide.” “It is just for different reasons, some of which I have just explained we have been advised that at this part in our juncture, as a country, we ought not to lay our contracts bare and one has to understand as well that there is a contract with ExxonMobil but there are a number of other contracts with other operators that this Government inherited and so it is not a matter of just releasing one contract,” he continued, noting that government will have to release all contracts eventually.

He said government will have to approach all operators and work out with them when and what they would wish to be exposed making

reference to confidentiality clauses. “It is a matter of working with your partners and operators to ensure that we are at one,” said Trotman.

PRESSURE Dr Mangal feels that if pressure is placed on the government the documents will be released. “I believe ultimately it will happen, it may take some time and you look around the world and people are usually reluctant to give out information because they feel they’d be criticised. It will take some time but it will happen. But it will only happen if people keep requesting it. If people believe it is important and they keep requesting it, then it will happen,” he stated. The Petroleum advisor was quick to point out that while government may have an intention to release the documents, the process would probably be faster if civil society demands same. “Ultimately the government will publish it but it might be quicker if put under some pressure,” he declared.

Trotman said he has no doubt that citizens will feel there is nothing to hide. He agreed with Dr Mangal that it is normal for suspicion to linger, not only here but globally, especially where natural resources are concerned. “We have not yet started production and so there is no revenue that is being hidden or siphoned away but we have been working very closely with the IDB, with the World Bank and with the IMF to develop a framework,” said

Trotman.

CHANGES TO BILL The minister pointed to the Commonwealth Secretariat which assisted in the crafting of a regulatory commission for the sector. That legislation, the Petroleum Commission Bill has been publicly criticised as giving the minister too much power; something Trotman said he is not surprised by. “…but when one looks at the manner in which semi-autonomous agencies are established in Guyana… they all are the same. That is, that the Minister directs policy and so forth. However, I believe that because we are dealing with oil and its ability to corrupt, its ability to change and transform societies, there is a push for wider powers and as I said before, we want a nationally accepted Bill.”

Government he said will continue to pay full attention to comments and criticisms on the subject and disclosed that efforts will be made to re-engage the Commonwealth Secretariat later this month to work on the legislation. “So we expect that the Bill as currently put together, will go through several different changes and people can feel confident that they will not see things as they are… it as oil, people want to see a greater civil society engagement and involvement. We are going to allow that. We are going to allow greater participation of the Parliamentary opposition and we are going to see reduced powers of the Ministers.”

Guyana was recently accepted as the 53rd member of the Extractive Industry’s Transparency Initiative.

Construction worker remanded on gun-related charges A 30-year-old construction worker was on Wednesday charged and remanded to prison in relation to the police finding a loaded .32 pistol at a house along Regent Street three days ago.

Marlon Smartt, a father of three, appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore on two firearm-related charges.

Particulars of the charge

allege that on November 5 at Georgetown, Smartt had a .32 pistol in his possession when he was not a licensed firearm holder.

It is further alleged that on the same day and location, Smartt had three live rounds of .32 ammunition in his possession.

Smartt denied both charges while his attorney, Adrian Thompson, told the court that his client was

only the caretaker for the property where the alleged firearm was found.

The attorney stressed that on the day in question, the police raided the property while his client was out partying, and when he reached home intoxicated the police held him.

According to Thompson, his client was too drunk to answer the police questions at that point and

was arrested. He added that Smartt denied knowledge of the firearm and called upon the police to test the firearm for fingerprints to free his client of the allegation.

Police prosecutor Simon Payne objected to bail being granted to Smartt on the ground of the seriousness of the charges. The magistrate remanded Smartt until November 15.

Oil above politics 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

…Petroleum adviser says oil-and-gas policies must transcend election cycles

By Ariana Gordon THERE is need for Guyana to enforce legislation, policies and regulations in the emerging oil-and-gas sector that cannot be easily influenced by politicians, presidential adviser on Petroleum Dr Jan Mangal told reporters on Wednesday.

Dr Mangal, who has a Doctorate in Offshore Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Edinburg, said, “You need legislation that can transcend political cycles, that will protect the industry from coming to a standstill when there is a change of government.”

He pointed to Ghana as an example of a change of government which saw experts in the oil-and-gas sector aligned to the previous government being replaced.

“That is not good for the industry. This industry is a long-term industry, it is a 20, 30, 50- year industry – we

need regulations and management of the industry that transcends [sic] electoral cycles,” the petroleum expert added.

He pointed to the Petroleum Commission Bill 2017, which was sent to the Special Select Committee for bi-partisan deliberations in June. Dr Mangal, an expert in offshore and civil engineering, told reporters that there has been some back and forth on the piece of legislation and noted that efforts are being made to change parts of it. The petroleum expert said it is within his remit to find that which is good for the long term and will prove beneficial to the Guyanese people and not for “short-term, political interests.”

Subject Minister Raphael Trotman had said repeatedly that there were extensive consultations on the legislation which seeks to provide a legal framework for regulating and monitoring of the sector. The legislation was drafted by the Oceanic and Natural Resources Advisory Commission of the Commonwealth Secretariat and then

Dr Jan Mangal, Presidential Adviser on Petroleum (Samuel Maughn photo)

sent to the government for extensive consultations.

The bill, the minister said, provides a legal framework for an efficient, safe, effective and environmentally responsible exploration, development and production of petroleum in Guyana.

However, the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has said that the Bill must be properly scrutinised.

That party’s Member of Par-

liament, Irfaan Ali, had said that the independence of the Petroleum Commission is being challenged in a number of provisions within the legislation. “…this will certainly affect its ability to operate in a fair, open, objective, and non-discriminatory manner as envisioned in Section 6 subsection 1,” he told the National Assembly back in June.

Under Section 8 of the Bill, Ali said the power of the minister to give directions to the commission shows that the commission would be incapable of working without the intervention and control of the minister.

As such, Ali contended that Trotman would be empowered to dictate the number of persons the commission should employ, the terms and conditions of the employment of the staff of the commission, and how the commission should use its funds.

TRANSPARENCY Meanwhile, Dr Mangal said since taking up

his post as adviser, he has stressed the importance of transparency and reminded that without transparency, the oil-and-gas sector can quickly become unsuccessful. He believes that the independence of the commission is to have a consensus-based approach to management as opposed to decision-making being overly concentrated.

The petroleum expert used Mexico as an example of an oil-and-gas nation that has gone through significant transformations recently. He told reporters that Mexico has learnt a lesson and noted that “they know that politicians do not manage the industry well… because they think election to election; they don’t think 20, 30 years [down the line].”

“There is ample evidence out there to support the need for less concentrated political-type decision- making and that there is a need for more consensual, independent-type decision-making,” Dr Man-

gal declared. He believes that the entire legislative framework, which includes the Petroleum Commission Bill, the Sovereign Wealth Fund, and the Petroleum Act, needs to be addressed holistically. The expert stressed the importance of consensual-type decision-making, while stressing that boards need to have a longer life-span.

It is his opinion that boards ought to have a life of four to five years and board members ought to be free to “speak their minds.” “They can speak their minds…and add the value that they bring” and not be fearful of victimisation. Dr Mangal, who has worked in marine and oil-and-gas industries for the past 18 years globally, stressed that boards have to have security so that members “don’t feel if they go against someone they are going to get fired. You need boards that people will be there for four to five years or a long time.”

No decision yet on bailout for M&CC MINISTER of Communities, Ronald Bulkan said the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has formally requested assistance with clearing outstanding arrears, to Puran Brothers and Cevon’s Waste Management for garbage collection made over a period of time.

Bulkan explained that proposal was placed before the central government and is currently being considered. However, he noted that to date a decision has not yet been made. In light of this request being made by other municipalities and local government organs, Minister Bulkan explained that his Ministry has been lending support to those bodies over time.

“I think that one should not be unmindful of the fact that Georgetown is our capital city. It has a special status as the cap-

ital city and therefore the central government has a special obligation and responsibility to render support,” Minister Bulkan said. He added, “I would be surprised if one of our local governments says it feels discriminated against by this administration… because we have been providing considerable support, cooperation, and collaboration to our local government organs.”

In July, the two waste disposal companies withdrew their services from the M&CC after being owed in excess of $300 million for services rendered. City Councillors last Thursday night voted in favour of a motion moved by Mayor Patricia Chase-Green to ask central government for more than $400M to bail the municipality out of its debt to its two major garbage contractors. Town Clerk Royston

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

King subsequently wrote to Minister Bulkan seeking exactly $475,635,245 that will be used to pay outstanding balances to Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management, which date back to 2015. The motion was seconded by Councillor Oscar Clarke and gained the support of some 20 councillors at an extraor-

dinary statutory meeting at City Hall.

The contractors suspended their services since last August because the City Council was not keeping its side of the bargain to pay current amounts.

The companies had agreed to wait for what was owing to them for 2015 and 2016.

Ever since then, the Council hired three small-time contractors to work along with trucks belonging to the M&CC, but head of Solid Waste Management, Walter Narine told this publication on Friday that a number of setbacks were being encountered.

According to him, contractor trucks as well as Council trucks have all broken down, resulting in a further interruption to garbage collection across the city. Collection had already been reduced and the Council started working with an irregular schedule.

There has been no collection in some quarters of the city for this week owing to the disruptions caused by the trucks.

But Narine said work should have been completed on the trucks and hence they would have been back in operation. Residents still had no collection.

Contacted for a comment, Minister Bulkan told the Guyana Chronicle that M&CC’s request will be taken to Cabinet so that it can be examined.

Meanwhile, the motion said the request was in keeping with the municipality’s efforts to honour its responsibility to local communities and to the city as a whole, to prevent the spread of diseases associated with poor municipal waste management and to secure the integrity of the environment and the public health of the city.

The motion said in 2015,

in anticipation of the nation’s Jubilee celebrations, the Council had embarked upon a massive clean-up campaign in all local communities and had exhausted all of its available funds in the that campaign. It continued that the request was also to encourage the contractors to resume their operations to support the Council in the provision of the vital municipal service of garbage collection and disposal.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Councillors Trichria Richards, Winston Harding, Welton Clarke, James Samuels, Malcolm Ferreira, Carolyn Caesar, Gregory Fraser, Alfred Mentore, Sophia Whyte, Yvonne Ferguson, Sherod Duncan, Noelle Chow-Chee, Jameel Rasul, Lyndon Hilliman, Heston Bostwick, Ivelaw Henry and Junior Garrett.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

China’s Xi fetes Trump on first day of Beijing trip With lavish pageantry and an uncharacteristic personal flourish, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday rolled out a red carpet welcome for U.S President Donald Trump at the Forbidden City, the ancient home of China’s emperors.

While North Korea and trade are set to dominate the formal part of the visit, which ends on Friday, China has been keen to show the importance it puts on Trump’s visit, the first by a foreign leader since the end of a key Communist Party congress last month where Xi cemented his power.

Trump and his wife Melania were whisked from Beijing airport - where they were met by China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi, a key player in the outreach to Trump since he won election a year ago - straight to the Forbidden City. Chatting over cups of tea, Trump showed Xi a video of his granddaughter Arabella Kushner singing in Mandarin and reciting

classical Chinese poetry, prompting Xi to compliment her performance as worthy of an “A+”, Chinese state media said.

Xi said he hoped Arabella would visit China soon, noting that she was already a “child star” in China, the official Xinhua news agency said. A video of Arabella reciting a Chinese poem went viral on Chinese social media shortly after Trump’s election last year.

In another break from precedent, Xi himself gave the Trumps a tour of the imperial treasures of the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage site cleared of tourists for the day, before the two first couples watched Chinese opera and an acrobatic display.

“That’s something!”

Trump said after the show, as he and Xi walked away.

“We’re having a great time.”

China had widely been expected to pull out all the stops for Trump, who has pressed it to do more to con-

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U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. first lady Melania visit the Forbidden City with China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, November 8, 2017.

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

trol its neighbor North Korea, and resolve a yawning trade gap with the United States.

The ceremony on Trump’s arrival at Beijing’s airport on Wednesday was also more elaborate than usual, with the Trumps met by a marching band and soldiers standing at attention. Smartly dressed children waving miniature Chinese and American flags jumped up and down as Trump’s motorcade passed.

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Trump’s official ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday will be broadcast live on national television, state broadcaster CCTV said.

While the sprawling palace complex in the center of Beijing is a regular stop for visiting dignitaries, it is rare for a Chinese leader to provide a personal escort, confirmation of the “state visit-plus” treatment that China had promised for Trump. (Reuters)

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Democrats ride grassroots wave to major statehouse gains Democrats claimed historic gains in Virginia’s statehouse and flipped Republican-held seats in other local races across the United States on Tuesday, in the party’s first big wave of victories since Republican Donald Trump’s surprise White House win a year ago.

A ticket filled with candidates making their first bids for elected office propelled the party to a 16-seat gain in the Virginia House of Delegates, the state party said, its largest pickup in at least a century. Democrats also held onto the Virginia governor’s mansion and celebrated coast-to-coast victories in off-year elections that could foreshadow the mood of the national electorate heading into the November 2018 elections, when control of the U.S. Congress will be at stake.

With several races in Virginia still too close to call, the enormity of the down-ballot gains in the only state to hold competitive statewide elections this year shocked even party loyalists. “This is beyond our wildest expectations, to be honest,” Catherine Vaughan, co-founder and chief executive of Flippable, one of a number of new startup progressive groups working at the grassroots level to rebuild the party, said in a telephone interview. “People wanted the opportunity to win again and to fight for their values.”

In the governor’s race, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie. The unsuccessful candidate had employed Trump-style campaign tactics that highlighted divisive issues such as immigration but did not have the president join him on the campaign trail. Victories from Washington state to Georgia provided momentum for national Democrats desperate to turn grassroots resistance to Trump into wins after losing

four special congressional elections earlier this year.

First-time Democratic candidate Manka Dhingra flipped a seat in a Washington state Senate race, giving Democrats full control over state government. Like many of the victorious statehouse candidates, her political awakening began with Trump’s victory over experienced Democratic politician Hillary Clinton.

Voters also replaced a Republican governor in New Jersey with a Democrat and increased the party’s majorities in the state legislature. In Georgia, Democrats picked up three seats in special state legislative elections. Republicans still hold majorities in the legislature. Further down the ballot, Democrats captured the mayor’s office in New Hampshire’s largest city, Manchester, while the Democratic mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, Rick Kriseman, beat a former Republican mayor.

Democrats also notched a win in Maine, where voters approved a referendum to expand Medicaid coverage for the poor and disabled under the Affordable Care Act, rebuking Republican Governor Paul LePage, who had vetoed similar measures.

Election analysts said the gains suggest Democrats have a good chance of retaking the U.S. House of Representatives next year. Republicans currently control both the House and Senate. “You can’t really look at tonight’s results and conclude that Democrats are anything other than the current favorites to pick up the U.S. House in 2018,” Dave Wasserman, who analyzes U.S. House and statehouse races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said on Twitter.

Virginia’s election, he added, was nothing short of a “tidal wave.” (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Unrelenting protests over bad roads in St Thomas

SEVERAL protests which began on Monday in St Thomas continued into yesterday as angry residents again blocked roads in the parish, demanding that their political representatives be removed from office in light of poor infrastructure.

Residents in Lloyds Pen also blasted police officers who cleared debris from the road and maintained a strong presence, telling them to leave because parish-wide protests were warranted.

“We having a problem right through — left, right and centre — in our community. Right across Western St Thomas we have no roads, sometimes lack of water and all these things. Our representative is not concerned,” Ferres Dailey, whom residents described as a community elder, told the Jamaica

Observer yesterday.

Dailey said since James Robertson has been elected as Member of Parliament for St Thomas Western, he has not returned to speak with them. “What we need is either James go or him do what him have to do for the people of Western St Thomas. The people need road; the people need light and water. So we need James to come to the community, sit down with the people and let the people know what he is doing. “The people have reached the stage where enough is enough... It’s not going to stop; it going [to] continue until we get them to come and tell the people what they are for,” Dailey insisted.

Residents, who bore placards demanding ‘better roads’, told the Observer that whenever it rains, they

have to pay men to help them navigate floodwaters.

They also said that this has affected several businesses in the area. Over in St Thomas Eastern, four people were yesterday rushed to hospital after a tree, which was partially cut by residents, later fell on the motor car in which they were travelling along the Arcadia main road shortly after 10:00 am. They were later released from hospital. The crushed vehicle was later seen being transported towards Kingston.

Residents also called for the removal of Dr Fenton Ferguson, citing neglect of the parish for which he has been elected six times as Member of Parliament for one of two constituencies.

Several community members shied away from commenting, but one woman insisted that the planned pro-

tests were not about politics.

Both Robertson and Ferguson told the Observer that they understand the protests.

However, Robertson said he cannot support debris being lit or any sort of violence. He said he is confident that the plans communicated by National Works Agency and Prime Minister Andrew Holness regarding the south coast highway, for which construction is to begin next year, will transform the parish. At the same time, Ferguson said he understands, especially since residents have heard about plans for the rehabilitation of the Junction main road in St Mary, and the main road in Barbican square, St Andrew. Several schools in the parish were closed for a second day. (Jamaica Observer)

Bolivia rally urges Evo Morales’ fourth term

Morales opponents say the referendum’s result must be respected and “No means no”

Thousands of Bolivians have rallied in La Paz, calling for President Evo Morales to be allowed to run for a fourth consecutive term in 2019.

Mr Morales - Bolivia’s first indigenous leader - has been in office since 2006. His supporters say he needs more time in power in order to consolidate his programme of social reforms. A proposal to amend the constitution to allow him to run again was rejected in a referendum last year. The opposition says the result must be respected.

China construction row

Tuesday’s demonstration in Bolivia’s largest city was organised by indigenous groups and the various unions that back Mr Morales’ Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party. If Mr Morales, 58, is allowed to run for re-election and wins the vote, his term will end in 2025.

By then, he will have been in power for 19 years. Mr Morales has been in power since January 2006 “President Evo, the people are with you,” said community leader Jesús Vera, who took part in the demonstration. “For as long as the people continue to

support your government, you will continue to be the president of all Bolivians,” he added. The government says it narrowly lost last year’s referendum because of an illegal defamatory campaign against Mr Morales.

Allegations surfaced shortly before the referendum accusing Mr Morales of using his influence to favour a Chinese construction firm in Bolivia, which he denied. Mr Morales initially said he would respect the outcome of the poll. But he later appealed to the Constitutional Court, which is expected to rule in December on whether

to allow him to stand again.

Anti-Morales protesters rally in La Paz. Photo: 10 October 2017Image copyright EPA Mr Morales’ defence has quoted the American Convention of Human Rights, saying that the Bolivian people have the right to vote for him and that he has the right to be elected. The opposition and other groups, including the powerful trade union federation, Bolivian Union’s Centre (COB), criticised Tuesday’s march. They said the government should to respect the referendum’s result. (BBC)

US tightens sanctions against Cuba The U.S. government announced new restrictions against Cuba on Wednesday, tightening sanctions as part of President Donald Trump’s pledge to roll back his Democratic predecessor’s move toward warmer ties with Havana.

The changes, which take effect on Thursday, are aimed at preventing U.S. trade and travelers from benefiting its military, intelligences and security arms of the Communist-ruled country, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement. They will expand the list of Cuban government officials barred from transactions as well as set policy to deny exports to prohibited Cuban entities, Treasury said.

But the administration said it would still allow commercial transactions and most travel arrangements that have already been made before the

changes to continue. And while U.S. travelers will still be able to make authorized trips to Cuba, they will have to use a U.S.based organization and be accompanied by a U.S. representative of the group, Treasury said. The move comes after Trump in June ordered tighter restrictions against Cuba even as he left in place many of the changes former President Barack Obama made as part of his 2014 diplomatic breakthrough between the two former Cold War foes.

(Reuters)

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 9, 2017

Beating back crime

THAT crime is a challenge for almost every state within the international system is incontestable. What determines the levels of every police service’s success in being able to combat this daily threat to society and its citizens, are their levels of preparedness to respond to criminal activity wherever such is occurring.

For small developing states as Guyana, crime has grown four-fold in recent years and has been a pre-occupation for administrations in the past, and now for the current government. For no longer is criminality in Guyana confined to the capital city; it has now extended its reach into every region, assuming very violent proportions within recent years.

Gone are the days of the common burglary – this has now largely been replaced by armed home invasions; or the once-simple choke and rob, which is now enforced by the gun. Coupled with these with the now organised crime, and its main components of drug trafficking and cartels and arms smuggling, one will

understand that any response from the law enforcement agencies has to be not only proactive, but also emanating from a position of having the requisite, equal resources to such serious opposition.

Without any hint at pretence, the alltoo-common response from the various Guyana Police Force community stations, that they cannot send ranks or they do not have transportation to answer a particular emergency, while being well known, has caused many a criminal to escape, to offend again. And this has not been made any easier by an almost unresponsive 911 system, that has only recently been properly restored, after years of neglect.

Monday’s handing over of US$2.6M of what can be described as much-needed equipment and machinery to the Guyana Police Force from the People’s Republic of China could not have taken place at a more opportune time. The assets received by the Guyana Police Force from the People’s Republic of China -- 56 pickups, 44 motorcycles, 35

ATVs, five motor buses, 550 protective gear items, 70 computers (desktops and laptops), 10 scanners, 10 printers, 10 photocopying machines, 30 decibel meters and five generator sets.

Some of these can be described as strategic, such as the computers which will give more muscle to the Crime Observatory Unit, and the integrated network system; the all-terrain vehicles that will be able to traverse the hilly terrain of the vast hinterland space, where there has been a hive of dangerous criminal activity of a transnational nature, that involves local elements; the motor cycles, that will give further impetus to the traffic department. With this donation it is time for the police to consider creating a Highway Patrol Unit.

In fact, with vehicular accidents, with multiple fatalities now a regular feature on Guyana’s roadways, in regions such as West Bank Demerara and Corentyne/ Berbice, there is an urgent need for increased police traffic patrols as a means of better traffic supervision.

We would perceive that these pick-ups will be distributed to especially police locations, where there are constant calls for assistance from the public, and will be used to effect multiple conveyance of alleged suspects.

Additionally, the buses and pickups can also take back up additional ranks for enforcement and to secure crime scenes where large crowds are wont to contaminate. There can be no more excuses for non-response.

Already, plans are in train for each region to have

its own police division and commander. This, we opine, will be very effective, particularly in the hinterland regions, that have now become an intense area of security observation. Coupled with the on-going training of law enforcement personnel, and the Security Sector Reform Programme, the Guyana Police Force is now being positioned to become a transformed agency with greater professionalism, and modernity, as it seeks to offer a better service to the public.

Foreign Ministry slams misleading ‘Peeping Tom’ column Dear Editor THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it is appalled that the author of “Guyana has been outfoxed by Venezuela”, (Kaieteur News, November 7, 2017), a subject of critical national interest, has taken shelter under the nom de plume “Peeping Tom,” betraying immediately a purpose that is unsavoury.

Since the style and grasp of the matter -- though tenuous in part -- are somewhat familiar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is obliged to conclude that the mistakes and false assertions are essentially calculated misrepresentations. Whatever material gain accrues from such dastardly venture at this time of deliberation can only be ephemeral and unflattering. This statement will address the more serious mistakes and false assertions.

The first assertion is that Guyana is responsible for a “war of words” and failure to engage Venezuela at the diplomatic level to resolve the controversy that has arisen from Venezuela’s rejection of the 1899 Award that established the land boundary with what was then British Guiana. This is an astonishing statement, given that the two nations have engaged in the diplomatic procedures of the Geneva Agreement, including the United Nations Good Offices Process, since Guyana’s independence in 1966. In more than 50 years, there has not been any progress towards resolution. It is not clear why the author would blame this on Guyana’s vigorous defence of its sovereign rights rather than Venezuela’s baseless claim on twothirds of our land territory. Guyana has good bilateral relations with Venezuela, but will never surrender even an inch of its territory. The

trade in rice and energy is solely an economic matter and has nothing to do with the politics of this long-standing controversy. The author is fundamentally misinformed in his understanding of the situation.

The second assertion is that Guyana is somehow isolated in CARICOM and Latin America as a result of “a Venezuelan diplomatic counter offensive.” Not only is this untrue (Guyana enjoys considerable support in the international community), it is also irrelevant to the United Nations Good Offices Process, which is currently the only forum where the controversy is being discussed.

Again, the author seems to have no understanding of the nature of that process and is reckless in his speculation about what transpired at the recent meeting in New York.

The third assertion, that Guy-

ana’s preference for a judicial settlement is unrealistic is also fundamentally misinformed. First, the author confuses the International Court of Justice (ICJ, which settles disputes between States) with the International Criminal Court (ICC, which prosecutes individuals for war crimes). Second, the author maintains that Venezuela’s approval is required for the controversy to be put before the ICJ. The author seems completely unaware that the United Nations Secretary-General decided in December 2016 that if there is no significant progress on resolution of the controversy by the end of 2017, he would refer the matter to the ICJ, based on the powers vested in him under the 1966 Geneva Agreement. The ICJ is the ultimate guarantor of international law and having waited for more than 50 years, it is the best hope for Guyana to once and for all establish

the validity of the 1899 Award that established its land boundary.

To suggest that Guyana should not protect its fundamental rights because it will have to pay legal fees is absurd, not least because the land and sea resources in question are worth billions of dollars. Editorial collusion has denied the editor any claim to objectivity and fairness that a matter of such national interest demands at the present time. For its part, Guyana has confidence in the decision of the United Nations Secretary-General to give the Good Offices process one last chance before going to the ICJ, and will continue its vigorous efforts to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereign rights under international law.

Regards Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 9, 2017

Grave mistake not to scrap Carter formula

Dear Editor,

I WRITE this letter to correct Kaieteur News columnist, “Peeping Tom”, on two matters he raised in his column of November 6th.2017, under the caption, “Discrediting the Carter Formula.”

In the article referred to, the “Peeper” castigated Dr. David Hinds on Hinds’s declared position that the Carter formula was intended as a “stop-gap measure” for the 1992 elections. Hinds’s observation was carried in the Guyana Chronicle on November 5th 2017, in his “Hinds Sight” column that appeared under the caption, “Time to scrap the Carter formula.”

With a revisionist brush, “Peeping Tom,” sought to rewrite history by implying in his column that Hinds’s

position was based on a fallacy. The “Peeper’s” intervention is intended to educate readers on Dr. Hinds’s alleged false and partisan position, in relation to the introduction and purpose of the Carter formula. If truth be told, the “Peeper’s” exhortation on this matter is nothing but an “illusion”.

Hinds is correct in stating that the agreement was not envisaged as a permanent measure. If the “Peeper” had taken the time to check, he would have discovered that all of the parties in the political landscape at that time understood that the matter would be revisited and new arrangements were to be put in place before the next General and Regional Elections.

It was the two main political parties, PPP/C and PNCR that gave the Carter formula permanence.

The second issue raised

by Tom is his erroneous contention that comrade David Hinds, “… was not part of the local political landscape in the run-up to the 1992 general elections in Guyana.” If it is “Peeping Tom’s” contention that Hinds, who was a functioning WPA executive member at that time, as he is now, though out of Guyana but in constant contact with the party and in the process, making valuable contributions on the evolution of the WPA’s election campaign, should not now be considered as being part of the “local political landscape” at the time of the introduction of the Carter formula, then his delusionary state is greater than I had originally thought it is.

Over the years in the WPA’s Executive Commit-

Traditional PPP supporters need to rethink backing that party Dear Editor, JAGDEO and the PPP have been making a lot of public noise recently. Guyanese know well why the PPP was thrown out of office.

The traditional supporters should know and remember that the PPP and Mr. Jagdeo have nothing good in store for them. The following are some of the reasons why they should consider casting the PPP aside.

1. The PPP administration and Jagdeo systematically ran GUYSUCO into the ground during their last 15 years in office, jeopardising the welfare of sugar workers and their families. When the PPP left office in 2015, the corporation was virtually bankrupt and continually required government financing to continue its unprofitable operations. Jadgeo’s personal involvement in the decision to sink US$200 million into the Skeldon operations very probably stands as his greatest folly, and was very probably the final nail in GUYSUCO’s coffin as allegations surfaced that he disregarded advice which would have seen him choosing a more reputable and experienced Indian firm at a lower cost. Although the European Union’s declared intention to permanently reduce prices for sugar placed a dent in the prospects for Guyana’s sugar industry and its thousands of workers who also happened to make up a

significant support base of the PPP, the operations of GUYSUCO were allowed to be run down amid charges of mismanagement across all levels of its operations. Plans to address the corporation’s diversification were dragged out and were fruitless up until the PPP’s exit in 2015, when the corporation consistently demanded billions of dollars annually for financial support. Today, the corporation’s closure seems imminent as many workers’ issues remain unresolved.

2. The PPP’s embrace of corruption and pilfering of state funds reached such proportions that it creeped into the major organisations overseeing the operations of the rice sector. Allegations were made of sweetheart deals which saw payments being made to select supporters, while many other rice farmers were forced into financial difficulties as they were either underpaid for their produce or their payments were delayed to such an extent that they were placed under severe financial stress and their operations placed in jeopardy 3. The PPP administration over its 23 years in office consistently demonstrated disdain and disregard for both public and private sector workers. Even after the first 15 years in office, the PPP administration consistently handed out annual increases of the order of 5 per cent to public servants. Gov-

ernment’s wages policies heavily influenced that of the private sector, so that today, much of Guyana’s workforce get by on depressed wages and in many instances, live below the poverty line.

4. A declared socialist-based party, the PPP from its early years in office frustrated investment prospects which could have done much to reduce unemployment levels, raise incomes and potentially raise Guyana’s status internationally. The fruits of its efforts in this direction were brought to bear as Guyana’s economic growth averaged 0.6 per cent from 1999 when Mr. Jagdeo took office to 2004, the year prior to the flood. A memorable instance was that of Case Timbers, where the company’s machinery was left so long uncleared by the GRA that decay set in and the company threatened to withdraw from the country.

5. Recognising that his policies would generate very little export growth and revenues from the private sector, Jagdeo saw the international impetus to address climate as an opportunity and crafted the LCDS as a means for raising foreign currency.

6. Many of the so-called foreign direct investment schemes during the PPP’s terms were in fact dressing to quell claims by the opposition that the PPP government was not Turn to page 8

tee, brother Rupert Roopnaraine had advocated the need to revisit the Carter formula. Roopnaraine had always reminded the executive that Carter’s formula was never intended to be a permanent arrange-

ment and it had outlived its usefulness. I submit here in conclusion that, in my opinion, it has been a grave political mistake on the part of the two major parties not to honour the agreement to scrap

the Carter formula and replace it with a more acceptable arrangement for appointing the chairperson for the Guyana Elections Commission.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 9, 2017

HPV vaccine is good for Guyana

Dear Editor

THE Ministry of Public Health in Guyana is on safe, strong ground in its programme to ensure that all girls and boys are immunized with the HPV vaccine.

It is a necessary public health response and the ministry will do a disservice to our children and to the overall fight against cancer in our country, particularly cervical cancer. Make no mistake -- HPV vaccines will lead to a lower incidence of cervical and other cancers in the adults of the next generation.

Guyana has a track record with this vaccine. We have safely used it since 2009, when I first introduced its use among young girls, 9 -11 years old.

I have been patient, painfully patient, waiting for the Ministers of Public Health or their Chief Medical Of-

ficer and the Pan American Health Organization to respond to a very reckless letter published in a number of newspapers and carried widely through social media calling for withdrawing of the HPV vaccine. I did not want to be the lead person to respond, because I am aware that some people might have seen my response through political lens. HPV and cervical cancers are public health threats and the HPV vaccine is one of the effective tools to combat cervical cancers.

While the Ministry of Public Health and PAHO have chosen silence, I am encouraged that a number of professionals, including some young doctors, stepped up to respond in a very professional and clear manner, debunking the irresponsible position taken by a number of Guyanese, led by an old opponent of the HPV vac-

cine in Guyana, Ms. Sherleena Nageer. I will not repeat the facts they outlined. I will simply ask that Guyanese support fully the 100% HPV vaccine coverage for our children.

The scientific evidence is impressive, supporting both the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine. It is now more than a decade since the introduction of this vaccine and millions of children in virtually every country have now been immunized against the Human Papilloma Virus, a virus that is the main cause of cervical cancer. This virus is also one of the causative agents for a number of other cancers, such as breast cancer.

When I advocated for and introduced the HPV in Guyana in 2009, I presented evidence that the HPV vaccine is safe and will reduce the future incidence of cervical cancer among

We cannot allow vitriol of any kind to be the standard Dear Editor POLITICS can never be said to be simple. No matter where you go in the world, politics at the level of governments or even in the family has so many nuances and complexities, that to properly analyse the reasons why things happen can never be done in a simplistic manner.

The political environment in Guyana at the level of governance is no different.

In many western societies (at least in times past), politics and the agendas of persons who seek political office have been publicly limited by concepts such as ideology or philosophy.

Ideologies and philosophies that were openly debated, recognised and utilised to further their careers. This statement does not negate the fact that politicians have always had private beliefs, perspectives and agendas, but the public discourse has always maintained a level of decorum as was and is expected of someone striving to be or someone who wished to hold leadership positions at the governmental level. For better or worse, this has changed.

One look at the leader of the

United States of America shows that, but it is almost as though that leader is idolised by the leader of the opposition here in Guyana.

It is my honest view that Guyana’s politics for some time has had no limitations.

The public agendas of persons have had no limitations of ideology and philosophy that can be publicly debated, but rather agendas and beliefs that are vile and are discussed and agreed upon in private or understood to be true, based on a common recognition that agendas of persons may be synonymous. These agendas and beliefs are then whitewashed and unveiled for public consumption, because in most instances it would be difficult for most to publicly state their true agendas and others to agree publicly with the agendas of persons seeking high political office. However, what is also done is a number of individuals who can be seen as dispensable are given the go-ahead to state the views and ideas of those who are deemed indispensable publicly, so as to test the political and social atmosphere.

We are then left with a

public discourse that is so trivial and without substance that seeks to push the entire society into an untenable state. This we must fight against as a society. While we cannot tell anyone what they should or should not say, we as a society must ensure that we do not allow ourselves to follow vacuous persons down a rabbit hole of no return.

We must consciously determine how we frame our arguments, how we in the media report stories, and how we analyse situations publicly. We cannot continue to allow vitriol of any kind to be the standard, we cannot continue to allow negativity to be glamourised and glorified.

It can no longer be about what we have become accustomed to over the years, If our country is to keep moving in the direction of development, cohesion and patriotism, we must first identify the role we are playing in that process and whether we are helping or hurting the tainted and torn fabric that is currently holding us together as a society and a country.

Regards Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

women in Guyana in the years to come. Ms. Nageer was one of the few voices that objected. Unfortunately, at the time, a number of MPs on the opposition side provided some meek support for her position. I will not name those MPs, all of whom now are advocates for the vaccine. Since then I have become an even more ardent advocate for the HPV vaccine because the evidence is now even stronger that the virus is linked to the overwhelming majority of cervical cancers and that the HPV vaccine can be a major barrier against this cancer in the generations to come.

The vast majority of children who receive the vaccine experience no side effects.

There are some side effects in a small percentage of people. None of these side effects are life-threatening.

These side effects include dizziness, fainting, nausea, headache and fever. All of these are side effects that a small percentage of people will experience, even with taking aspirin or eating certain popular foods. A larger

percentage of people suffer from worse side effects by simply being exposed to second hand smoke or by taking an alcohol drink.

As I have said thousands of times, there are no debates about vaccines, and certainly none about the safety and efficacy of HPV vaccine. Real science, by real scientists, published in real medical journals, and reviewed by experts in epidemiology, virology, infectious diseases, cancer, and other biomedical researchers, verify both the safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines.

There will always be naysayers. For sure, there is a small number of people who are “anti-vaxxers,” against HPV vaccines and all vaccines. Many of these same people doubt the evidence that climate change is real.

Every year brings 528,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 266,000 deaths, linked to the human papilloma virus (HPV). We have a highly effective HPV vaccine. Science published in journals such as Nature,

Science, the New England Journal of Medicine, the British Medical Journal and others have published impressive research results testifying to the effectiveness of the HPV vaccines.

Importantly, after just over a decade of use in countries like the U.S., Canada and Europe, evidence is now mounting that HPV prevalence in young women have begun to decline.

It would be a colossal mistake for the Ministry of Public Health to stop this programme. It is a colossal mistake that the Ministry of Public Health has allowed this disinformation to simmer for so long without responding.

By using vaccines, we no longer have smallpox, rubella, whooping cough etc.

Similarly, I expect that in the decades to come we will see a reduction in cervical and other cancers because we had the strength and the will to introduce and use the HPV vaccine.

Regards Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

From page 7

Traditional PPP supporters ...

doing enough to attract investment, stimulate economic growth and address our crucial unemployment issues. The investment in Linden yielded little or nothing for the town and Guyana. The highly touted Bai Shan Lin venture was always riddled with claims of corruption, which included undervaluing of exports and massive duty waivers, which in total amounted to a gross abuse of Guyana’s resources by this company.

7. Petty corruption on a massive scale became part and parcel of government operations as businesses and private individuals were routinely placed over a barrel to have their imports processed and many other government services provided. Bribery and corruption became a norm during the course of transactions with government ministries and agencies 8. The press has docu-

mented instances of allegations of the PPP’s involvement with, and solicitation of the services of individuals linked to narcotics and crime. This practice along with the administration’s record on corruption effectively put a damper on investment in Guyana by reputable firms abroad and helped stymie local investment prospects also.

International organisations had also made claims of the government facilitating money-laundering and narcotics activities, which exacerbated negative perceptions about Guyana internationally.

9. A few of the PPP’s ministers had gone beyond the law, but had never been brought to justice. This disregard and abuse of our laws by the PPP is one of the bigger issues which stands against the PPP ever returning to office.

10. Finally, the PPP’s penchant for misappropriating taxpayers’ money is very probably unsurpassed and unmatched in the Caribbean region, from the misuse of NIS funds to build the Berbice bridge, which now costs so much as to make travel for some prohibitive, to the Marriott fiasco which needs no further disclosure here.

These are the main issues the supporters of the PPP need to consider before throwing their weight behind the PPP again. Because if the PPP were ever allowed back into office again, it is an almost certainty that they will pick up exactly where they left off and continue to mistreat and abuse Guyanese workers with absolute disregard, while pilfering taxpayers’ money through corruption and overpriced contracts Regards, Craig Sylvester.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Police must rebuild public trust …AG tells anti-corruption forum COUNCILLORS of various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) have raised questions about the confidentiality of members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), especially now that they are being urged to be whistleblowers against corrupt practices in public offices.

Those and other concerns were raised at an anti-corruption sensitisation seminar held by the Ministry of Legal Affairs at the Georgetown Club on Wednesday, where officers of the police force and other officials were present.

Some of the Councillors accused the GPF of not being trustworthy when it comes to dealing with certain information they receive. A Councillor of the Grove/Diamond NDC, Kim Tate said they need to be assured that when they give information to the police, it is not passed on to the perpetrators. She and other councillors believe

that more confidence is needed in the police force for ‘whistleblowing’ to be effective.

Although the Attorney General (AG), Basil Williams said the Protected Disclosure’s Bill (Whistleblower) and the Witness Protection Bill will be tabled in Parliament at the next sitting, persons were still concerned about how their information will be

dealt with.

Williams, who took note of those concerns, said it is indeed important for the Police Force to rebuild public trust. “Persons must feel free and safe to disclose corrupt dealings legally and enjoy the protection of the state,” said Williams who indicated that there is already protection for persons under the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA).

Attorney General, Basil Williams

One of the participants voicing his concern at the anticorruption sensitisation seminar at the Georgetown Club

UG support staff gets salary increase

By Navendra Seoraj SUPPORT staffers of the University of Guyana (UG) which include technicians, cleaners and secretaries, will get an eight per cent increase in their salary, retroactive from January 1, 2017.

While the entire employee-population of UG was not granted an increase, Vice Chancellor of the University, Ivelaw Griffith, said the award is a good start.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) was inked

by Chief Labour Officer (ag), Karen Vansluytman-Corbin; Chairman of the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), Bruce Haynes, and the vice chancellor on Wednesday at the Ministry of Social Protection, Brickdam, Georgetown.

Griffith indicated that the negotiations for a salary increase started in July and a final offer was made to the UGWU in August.

“The union did what it thought was in its best interest and the administration had its responsibility to act in the university’s best interest,” he said, adding that UG

UG Vice Chancellor, Ivelaw Griffith, and UGWU Chairman, Bruce Haynes, display the Memorandum of Agreement they signed on to on Wednesday

intends to find a way to “raise the bar” in the coming year.

He believes that there are a few realities other than salaries and wages that need to be addressed and these include various allowances such as duty, housing and uniform allowances that have been depressed for years.

Haynes, though he accepted the realities, said there are still a lot of imbalances that need to be addressed, because they should have

signed off an increase for academic and non-academic employees as well.

The UGWU chairman pointed out that there is a six per cent increase in the pipeline for the remaining employees, but they are still dealing with various issues that were not resolved in time.

He, however, believes that they can iron out those issues before the end of 2017.

SARA, as explained in the Act, is consonance with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption 2003, headed by a Director who shall be a corporation solely to recover, through civil proceedings, State property unlawfully acquired by a public official or any other person, to provide for investigations leading to the granting by the High Court of Restraint and Civil Recovery Orders in respect of unlawfully acquired property, to engage in international cooperation

in the recovery of stolen assets of State within the contemplation of the Act, and for related matters.

The two bills, when enacted, are expected to support and strengthen the State Assets Recovery Act. “Region Four has the largest number of councillors and staff… billions of dollars is spent in the region but millions are being leaked, resulting in the stifling of the good life for the people of the region,” lamented the AG. So far, he said foren-

sic audits have resulted in charges being laid against purloiners of state assets and criminal charges are pending, so those persons must stay off the job, lest they tamper with, destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses relevant to their charge or any future charges.

According to the AG, the Government takes its international commitment under the conventions against corruption seriously, so their intent is to ensure that state assets redound to the benefit of Guyanese.

In order to make this effective, he believes it is important for persons in public offices to come forth and share their information with the relevant authorities. Witnesses and potential whistleblowers were as such reassured that they will be protected by the Government, depending on the state of the case. The AG said the Government also has the support of the CARICOM Witness Protection Programme which allows them to have persons relocated and their identities changed.

10

Cops deadly fight…

Domestic violence, infidelity reportedly spark shooting DOMESTIC violence and allegations of infidelity resulted in the death of Police Constable, Clement Cockfield, and serious injuries to his lover, woman Police Constable, Shanice Fraser, Tuesday night at the La Grange Police Station.

This is according to their colleagues at the West Bank Demerara station.

“He used to beat she up bad and thing; is not now this going on, is a long time and it end up building up to something that no one could have ever envisioned,” one police source said.

Police are investigating the circumstance under which Cockfield, 20, who was armed with a service revolver and on duty, discharged several rounds at Constable Fraser, 21, of the said station and then turned the firearm on himself.

Woman Constable Fraser is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) nursing gunshot wounds to the upper body. Cockfield was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital with a gunshot

Dead: Clement Cockfield

wound to the head.

Police said the two constables allegedly had an on and off relationship and performed duties on different shifts at the station.

Initial investigation further revealed that Constable Fraser had just completed a tour of duty while Constable Cockfield had reported for anti-crime patrol duty. In the process, he uplifted a service revolver with six rounds.

A few minutes after, Fraser and Cockfield were seen on the stairway of the

Critically injured: Shanice Fraser

station and loud explosions were heard. Thereafter, Constable Fraser was seen running down the stairs and into the compound bleeding profusely. She was assisted by ranks on duty but Constable Cockfield pursued her and continued to discharge rounds at her to the point where she collapsed. He reportedly shot at his lover five times before using the last round of the .38 revolver on himself.

Investigation is continuing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Four in custody over teacher’s death FOUR persons, including two police constables, are being questioned in relation to the death of Richard Ishmael Secondary School teacher, Kescia Branche.

Branche died Tuesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital, two days after she was picked up in an unconscious state on a city street.

The two constables who are under close arrest are said to be cooperating.

Branche was severely beaten and dumped Sunday last at the corner of Princes Street and Louisa Row, Georgetown.

The victim’s father, Alfred Branche, relatives and friends said that they will not rest until justice is served. Her twin sister, who was at her bedside when she died, flew in from Barbados

Dead: Kescia Branche

Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, surveillance footage led to the arrest of the police constable on Tuesday. The ranks are attached to the Impact Base at the Brickdam Police Station.

Around 05:00 hrs on Sunday, the First Street, Cummings Lodge resident was found on the roadway, unconscious. Her left leg

was broken and she sustained multiple head injuries. She was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she succumbed.

Reports indicate that between Saturday night to Sunday morning, Branche was seen in the company of two men at two different night spots. The identity of one of the men is known by her friends and his information was shared with the police. The mother of one was last seen in the company of a male at the Blue Martini Bar, located at Lamaha and De Abreu Street, Newtown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Persons also related that she was also seen at Seeta’s Bar, Station Street Kitty.

A post-mortem is expected to be done Friday.

Zeeburg man denies breakand-enter charge A 27-year-old fisherman accused of breaking into a woman’s home and carting off almost $550,000 in items was on Wednesday arraigned before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Vishal Jones, of Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara, denied that between October 25 and

November 1 at George Street, Georgetown, he broke into the dwelling home of Michel Michado and stole a quantity of household and construction items worth $549,000.

With no objection from police prosecutor Simone Payne, Jones was released on $50,000 bail, and had his matter adjourned until November 27.

Vishal Jones

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Canada commits to CARICOM-UN Pledging Conference for hurricane-ravaged countries Canada has confirmed its participation in the upcoming CARICOM-UN Pledging Conference for the CARICOM countries devastated by the two recent Category Five Hurricanes, Irma and Maria, the CARICOM Secretariat said Tuesday.

New Canadian Ambassador to CARICOM Lilian Chatterjee made the commitment while presenting her Credentials to CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Tuesday. CARICOM, with the help of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will hold the High-Level Pledging Conference on 21 November at the U.N. Headquarters in New York. The objective

is to mobilise support and commitment of pledges to help the devastated countries to build back better and fulfil the vision of being the first climate resilient countries in the world, a statement from CARICOM said.

Hurricanes Maria and Irma devastated several CARICOM Member states including Dominica, Barbuda, the south-eastern family islands of The Bahamas, The BVI, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands. Housing, agriculture and critical infrastructure, including electricity and telecommunications, suffered major hits. “The increased intensity and frequency of these mega storms fueled by climate change is our new reality for the foreseeable future” the Secre-

tary-General reminded in his remarks at the accreditation ceremony.

“We are living climate change. It poses an existential threat to our Region. It therefore demands that as the most natural disaster-prone region in the world, we try to ensure that our countries are more resilient to adapt to and to mitigate the effects of climate change,” he added.

The Secretary-General praised Canada for its unwavering commitment to combating climate change, noting Prime Minister Trudeau’s position that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) “shouldn’t be punished for a problem they didn’t create.”

He also praised Canada’s understanding of one of the Caribbean Community’s

‘Sweet talker’ scams elderly woman Nurlene Bess wants the public to be aware of a “sweet talking” woman who goes around scamming unsuspecting people of their money, among other things.

The 67-year-old visited the Guyana Chronicle to report what happened to her and wants the public to know that the wicked woman who is unemployed, goes around telling folks that she works at various places, including the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Banks DIH Limited.

Bess identifies the woman in question as not being more than 50 years old with children and resides at Laing Avenue, Georgetown.

According to Bess, the woman owes her some money for a fund-raising church barbecue which was held two Sundays ago.

Bess, who resides at Guyhoc Gardens, Georgetown, told Guyana Chronicle that the woman took some tickets from her and the night before the event, showed up at her house to say that she was not

paid by the M&CC as yet.

Bess related that the woman told her that Town Clerk , Royston King, was out of the country.

The elderly woman related that the con artist then showed up at the barbecue, collected boxes of chicken and has since disappeared.

Bess said her search for the woman led her to the M&CC and officials there informed her that no one by that name, given by the woman, works there.

She was later informed where the woman allegedly lives and visited the home at about 06:30hrs one morning when it was raining and after several inquiries, was told by a child that her mother was at home at Banks DIH Limited.

Not daunted, Bess, an avid church member, related that she visited Banks DIH Limited but was told that no one by the woman’s name and description is employed by the company.

The elderly woman told this newspaper that she subsequently learnt that the woman has robbed quite a

Distressed: Nurlene Bess

few people of various sums of money.

The woman, she said, is a “sweet talker” and after tricking her victims, she would go underground and after a while would resurface.

In an effort to stop the woman from scamming others, Bess said she has reported the matter to the police but was told that it is not a ‘police’ matter.

Bess is nevertheless urging persons to be on guard for the scammer to avoid being a victim like her.

major rebuilding challenges, that is, denial of access to concessional development financing due to the use of per capita income as a primary criterion. Many CARICOM Member States are categorised as middle-income countries and are therefore ineligible for such financing, he noted. Ambassador Chat-

terjee noted that while Caribbean nations and other SIDS have taken some important steps to develop more climate resilient infrastructure, there is clearly more work to do.

“Canada remains committed to working with partners in the region to build the best possible future for the

Caribbean” she assured. Canada has already made significant contributions to the affected countries and to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) – the CARICOM Institution at the forefront of the relief and recovery effort.

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North Ruimveldt man stabbed to death A MAN was stabbed to death on Tuesday afternoon at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, by another man during a fight.

Dead is Hafeez Douglas, 27, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. His attacker, who was identified as 26-year-old Jermaine Abel, also of North Ruimveldt, is in police custody.

It is alleged that Douglas and his brother were having an argument at a shop when Abel intervened, causing another argument. Abel and Douglas then began to scuffle, during which Douglas was stabbed several times about the body with a sharp metal instrument.

Douglas fell onto the

Grieving relatives of Douglas (RD Production Photo)

roadway in front of a shop and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Residents expressed their outrage at the suspect when he was about to leave the North Ruimveldt outpost escorted by police. His mother, Alter Douglas,

said she had an argument with her son earlier in the day and she warned him of his behaviour, not realising later in the day he would be killed. “Is my son, I said when he come home I would have forgiven he, now look what happened,” she said in tears.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Remanded to prison for armed robbery AN 18-year-old labourer who allegedly robbed a couple with a cutlass at Kingston, Georgetown was on Wednesday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore on two counts of armed robbery.

Junior Lewis, of Pike

Street, Kitty denied that on November 4 at Kingston, Georgetown while being in the company of another and armed with a cutlass, he robbed Devina Persaud of a Samsung cell-phone valued $25,000.

He also denied that on the same day and location, while being in the company of another and armed with a cutlass, he

robbed Vishal Mohan of a cell-phone valued $15,000 along with $2,000 cash.

Police prosecutor Simone Payne strongly opposed to Lewis being granted bail, on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the charge.

As such, the magistrate remanded Lewis to prison until December 6.

Taxi driver remanded for armed robbery A TAXI driver from Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, was on Wednesday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore for armed robbery.

Quincy Abrams, 31, denied that on October 29, at West Ruimveldt, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun,

he robbed Redrick Bowman of a gold chain valued at $170,000.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to the father of three being granted bail due to the seriousness of the charge and the fact that a gun was used in the commission of the crime.

Magistrate Azore ruled in the prosecution’s favour and remanded Abrams until November 27.

Quincy Abrams

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

TVET programme launched to build capacity in education sector

THE Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on Wednesday launched the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project at the Pegasus Hotel.

The project aims to improve capacity to deliver Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes across the secondary education sectors in Guyana. Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, in

his remarks, explained that the TVET programme is considered one of the driving engines of all economies, and as a result, the Ministry of Education is seeking to build capacity in such areas.

“This project is seen as a pilot exercise initially, that will eventually see all the students across the secondary sector accessing skills training for the world of work or continuous lifelong education,” Hutson explained.

He added,” This project will

place Guyana’s Secondary sector on par with its counterparts in the Caribbean.

While training is currently offered at Practical Instruction Departments and Practical Instruction Centres, disparities exist within the institutional arrangements, according to Hutson, who noted that the TVET project seeks to address those gaps.

The CEO highlighted that teachers from the hinterland regions will also be trained Turn to page 14 ►

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TVET programme launched... to impart the necessary skills to students in their respective regions.

“Many times, the hinterland regions they are not the centre of focus and Guyana has moved past that, and we are seeking to ensure that all our people benefit in terms of education, in terms of building capacity and in terms of enjoying prosperity,” Hutson said.

Four secondary schools in the hinterland, as well as three Practical Instruction Centres from Regions

Three, Four and Five have been selected for refurbishment and expansion of their workshops/classrooms/laboratories.

Portfolio Manager, Social Sector Division of CDB, Dr. Idamay Panday expressed appreciation to the Government for allowing partnership in the project.

She commended the government for inclusion of the hinterland regions in the project. “Among many activities, there will be enhancement of the learn-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017 From page 13

ing environment in seven secondary- level facilities, including a number of hinterland communities. The inclusion of hinterland communities speaks to the commitment of the government of Guyana to ensure there is equitable provision of education services across this country.” The main objective of the project is to increase the number of secondary school graduates with the appropriate skills to be marketable for the world of work. (DPI)

Aries You believe you have a wonderful plan today, but you’re not quite sure how all the pieces will fit into place. It’s so easy to share your feelings with someone special that you might not consider all the factors that are converging on the current circumstances. Taking care of your own needs would be simple if there weren’t peoples conflicting needs to be managed, too. Being transparent with your intentions now is more important than having all the answers.

Taurus You can tell that pleasure is yours for the asking today but, ironically, you may not know who to ask. Nevertheless, you’re so motivated by the idea of indulgence that you’re still willing to start your quest. On the surface, your path to fulfilment could seem straightforward yet grows more complex once you begin.

Instead of focusing only on the finish line, find the joy in your journey with every step you take now. If you get lost, just follow your soul; it knows the way.

Gemini In a perfect world, you could harness your colourful creativity and channel it into your job. You might even gain recognition for your self-expression. However, in the real world, you may end up frustrated if you assume you’ll be able to mix work and play without provoking trouble. Nevertheless, you can reduce the pressure to perform by changing the rules of the game. You don’t need to prove that you’re better than anyone else today since you’re the only one keeping score.

Cancer Although your dreams inspire you to strive for success, you might lack the fiery ambition to do something about making them come true. Unfortunately, inaction isn’t a viable option now, because it leads to dissatisfaction later. Thankfully, there is a middle path that enables you to find peace of mind today. Aim high, but with the understanding that your trajectory is a long-term process rather than an immediate goal. This strategy allows you to feel good about your efforts without having to bite off more than you can chew.

Leo You’re eager to step into the spotlight today and put on a show that will delight your audience. You might think that you can play nearly any role you wish, but others won’t be as convinced if your character is too far removed from reality.

The most important factor now is your imagination. If you truly believe in yourself, so will everyone else. Your faith can move mountains.

Virgo You can list the pros and cons of working closely with someone else now, but you can’t decide if collaboration is worth the extra stress. It’s as if your vision is warped simultaneously by your dreams of success and your fears of failure. Unfortunately, rational analysis won’t help you cut through the current clouds of illusion. In fact, clarity may remain elusive today, no matter what you do. Nevertheless, don’t say maybe if you really want to say no. Establishing boundaries is easier right from the start.

Libra Your friends and associates may misinterpret your actions today, leaving you unsure of where you stand. But you’re less concerned about carrying out your plans than you are about maintaining a solid relationship with your support network. If you become aware of a growing gulf between you and others, your self-confidence could suffer. Fortunately, you can rely on honest communication to straighten out any wrinkles in your immediate environment. Essayist Joseph Joubert wrote, “The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.”

Scorpio Connecting with like-minded folks who share your goals is at the top of your agenda today. However, you may be so driven to succeed that others find you too overbearing for their comfort. You can lay on the charm whenever you choose, but your motives will still be obvious enough that people might see through your mask. Granted, you’re not responsible for how everyone reacts to you, but a more subtle approach will surely allow you to progress further with your ideas. A proverb teaches, “Use soft words and hard arguments.”

Sagittarius You’re not necessarily doing anything differently today, but everyone may see you as a natural-born leader. You’re comfortable making choices when others falter, especially if you know that you’re acting on behalf of the group, not just your own interests. Show your true colours instead of suppressing your takecharge instincts now. But monitor your actions for any trace of selfish activity for the sake of integrity. Alexandre Dumas wrote, “All for one and one for all; united we stand, divided we fall.”

Capricorn You are like a four-star general on the battlefield of business today, whether you’re defending hard-earned territory or stepping into a new market. You possess a sharp instinct for outwitting the competition and your strategic decisions are second to none. However, you could lose your sense of perspective since each winning activity adds to your sense of invincibility. Fortunately, you can capitalize on your current achievements as long as you don’t overextend your position. Finding the right mix of confidence and humility is critical to your success.

Aquarius A trivial setback could be enough to catalyze a crisis of confidence today as you recollect a failure from your past. Although retrospection is useful as a tool for self-development, it can also become a hindrance if it becomes obsessive.

Thankfully, it’s your choice: either slip back into familiar sentimental memories or look ahead toward the excitement of the unborn future. Author Tim Ferriss wrote, “Think big and don’t listen to people who tell you it can’t be done. Life’s too short to think small.”

Pisces You prefer to make a big splash in a small pool today, rather than creating insignificant ripples in the universal ocean. Often, you’re able to lose yourself in a crowd or disappear within a school of fish. However, you want to be noticed now, and won’t take no for an answer. Thankfully, you are a shapeshifter and can appear to others nearly any way you choose. Deepak Chopra said, “Find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 9, 2017

Play bigger role in health services delivery – Permanent Secretary McGarrell urges regional, local organs

By Svetlana Marshall PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Communities, Emile McGarrell, made a case for regional and local organs to play a more integral role in the delivery of health services, when he addressed health officials during the opening ceremony of the Biannual Regional Health Officers Meeting at the Lake Mainstay Resort.

McGarrell said the Ministry of Communities is convinced that services are more effectively delivered at the ground level, where the impact is greater felt.

For this reason, he said the role of regional democratic organs in health services ought to be clearly established.

“Minister, I believe that we need to work with our regional health committees to not only make them aware, but build their capacity, so that they could be meaningfully and appropriately involved in the delivery of health services,” McGarrell said in the presence of Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings and senior health officials.

He explained that building capacity at the level of local government in areas such as mental health, vector control and environmen-

tal health can enable them to effectively deliver key services to the people within their municipalities and neighbourhood, allowing for decentralisation.

In such a scenario, the Public Health Ministry would simply provide the necessary resources, oversight and leadership required.

In fulfilling its mandate, he said the Ministry of Communities will continue to enhance the capacity of its regional organs to meet the demands of the people, including in the area of health.

“One element of our mission talks about innovative and collaborative planning for effective service delivery, health is critical and key of the services to be delivered.So we will continue to be a part of any effort to strengthen the capacity of our regional, municipal, neighbourhood and even village councils’ capacity to ensure that our communities remain healthy,” the Communities Ministry Permanent Secretary assured.

That aside, McGarrell said there is an obvious need for clarity on the roles of the Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and Regional Health Officers (RHOs) with respect to the expenditure of resources, noting that there continue to be clashes.

“Let me just make it clear, it is the REO who is

responsible for those resources, the REO who is accountable for those resources. But I don’t expect the REO will be making the decision as to what must be required for medical services and medical equipment,” McGarrell stated.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Colette Adams, in her presentation, called on the Department of Public Service to understand that with infrastructural development comes the need for greater human resources.

“We want them to understand that when we sometimes seek to have positions, and to build capacity, there is many times [sic] a bottleneck because they don’t understand the delivery of services,” Adams said.

According to her, while there has been significant capital expenditure in the area of health, the human resource gap within the system cannot be ignored.

“We are talking about expanding health and there is no HR!” she lamented.

“We are talking about what we want in the future, where we want to take health and with all of that we are taking it by only infrastructure, which is not the right thing,” she added.

In addition to infrastructure, the disease burden, emerging diseases

Tiger Bay man gets off lightly -after admitting to the crime

A 41-year-old labourer who allegedly stole a facing from the Georgetown Public Hospital was on Wednesday charged and ordered to undergo five hours of community service.

Clive Bobb, of Tiger Bay, admitted to City Magistrate Anneth Singh that on November 3 at New Market Street, Georgetown, he stole a facing valued $10,000 from the GPHC building.

On the day in question, Bobb was arrested by the hospital security after he was seen removing the facing from the GPHC building.

Clive Bobb

The magistrate, after considering Bobb's early guilty plea, ordered that he do his

community service at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

Last December, Bobb was caught breaking into the bond of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) at Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, with the intention of vandalising the building.

Bobb was seen by a GNNL employee removing and carrying away wood from the building, which had been damaged by fire in 2014.

He was handed over to the police, but the charges were later dropped.

Ministry of Communities Permanent Secretary Emile McGarrell

and human resource capacity must be taken into consideration.

“How are we going to have healthy people if we don’t have human resources?”

Over 53 Health Directors, Regional Health Officers (RHOs), Senior Health Officers, and Regional Executive Officers (REOs) are meeting at the Lake Mainstay Resort, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, for the 2017 RHO Meeting under the theme, “Collaboratively we build a resilient health care system that is acceptable, accessible, timely and appropriate

to meet the needs of every person in Guyana.” The biannual meeting opened on Tuesday with the Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako, detailing the progress being made under her watch.

The meeting will come to an end on Friday after extensive discussions on key services provided.

The meeting seeks to foster a collaborative approach between the Public Health Ministry and its healthcare partners to effectively and efficiently deliver health care across the 10 administrative regions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Reconsider closure of Rose Hall Estate

– workers urge gov’t

By Nafeeza Yahya SUGAR workers attached to the Rose Hall Estate are calling on Government and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to reconsider the closure of the Estate, contending that “It is not too late”.

The workers made this disclosure at a press conference held at the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Berbice Office, St Ann Street, New Amsterdam on Wednesday.

Addressing reporters, Glenn McCleod, 55, a sugar worker, said the sustainability of the estate is vital for the continued development of Canje and the lives of over 2000 workers.

“We are hopeful that there would have been a relook at the intention recog-

nising the obvious hardship that would result from the estate closure. Moreover, we hoped that our decision-makers recognising the difficulties which now face the people of Wales would have harboured second thoughts.”

He said despite GuySuCo’s recent communication, workers are hopeful that there is still time to re-consider the decision to close.

“We urge the decision-makers to reconsider the closure policy, to think about the people who will be affected. The innocent children whose tomorrow stands threatened. Think about the threats to family life and community well-being, take a step back and look at the bigger picture and not to be consumed only by finance, and recall their promise to us and our families of a

Glenn McCleod, addressing reporters on Wednesday

good life.”

According to McLeod, the closure will usher in uncertain times for thousands of hardworking people and their families.

“For the people of Rose

Hall, the estate represented more than a place of work.

It allowed us to reach many life’s goals, to become better people, and gave us the opportunity to contribute to the development of Guy-

ana,” he said.

The sugar worker also lamented that there are no ready alternatives for the workers who would be sent home.

“There is no other industry or enterprise that can readily take us on. While we do face some difficulties now, this would be multiplied several times over should the closure take place. Our hopes of a better future and our now cohesive communities would be affected. We want to believe this cannot be the life our leaders want us and our families to face.”

The workers are optimistic that the estate can succeed and remain viable; however, proper management is needed.

In the community of East Canje, Berbice, workers contend that money is not circulating and they are concerned about the situation that will arise in the future.

Inderjeet Bhopal, 54, a father of five, said to date no plan or assurance of the way forward has been given by the hierarchy of GuySuCo or government to the workers.

He stated that over the years Canje has seen a transformation in commerce and housing and credited sugar for the economic boom.

“What will we do is the thought on the minds of all sugar workers; look at the ones who are over 50. Who will employ them. Many people own their own home – what will happen to their mortgage?”

Also present at the press conference was president of GAWU, Komal Chand.

“We could take from the experience from Wales; it mirrors what would befall the workers at Rose Hall,” he said and urged decision-makers to not let the same happen to Rose Hall Estate.

Rose Hall workers at the press conference on Wednesday

No new cases of microcephaly recorded over last four months – some 16 cases recorded since 2016

By Svetlana Marshall OVER the past four months, the Public Health Ministry has not recorded any new cases of microcephaly in children, Director of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton reported on Wednesday.

Microcephaly is a birth defect, whereby a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. In recent times, the disease has been linked to the Zika Virus, a mosquito-borne infection that causes fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.

In presenting on Family Health Services in the Regions during the ongoing Regional Health Officers (RHOs) Meeting at the Lake Mainstay Resort, Dr. Hamilton said that in 2016, the Zika virus was a major concern for the Public Health

Ministry, not only because of the discomfort it causes, but also because of its link to microcephaly.

She said that to date, a total of 16 cases of microcephaly among children have been recorded in Guyana since 2016. It was noted that although cases of microcephaly were recorded this year, there has been no new cases of the disease over the past four months.

Dr. Hamilton said while Guyana has been unable to confirm that these 16 cases of microcephaly were linked to the Zika Virus, it is strongly believed that there is a correlation, on the basis that the number of cases of microcephaly peaked in Guyana at a time when the country was experiencing an outbreak of the Zika Virus like other countries such as Brazil.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are many potential

Director of Maternal and Child Health Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton

causes of microcephaly. The common ones include infections during pregnancy toxoplasmosis (caused by a parasite found in undercooked meat), herpes, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, HIV and Zika, exposure to toxic chemicals, maternal exposure to heavy metals like arsenic and mercury, alcohol, radia-

tion, and smoking.

However, an increase in the number or clustering of cases of microcephaly has been linked to outbreaks in Zika Virus infection. “The most likely explanation of available evidence is that Zika Virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of congenital brain abnormalities, including microcephaly,” the WHO explained.

Dr. Hamilton said it was realised that in order to combat the diseases (Zika and Microcephaly), there was need for a very integrated approach. As such, the Maternal and Child Health Department has collaborated with the Pediatric Department to develop a Protocol.

“That Protocol should be in every primary healthcare facility, and should be followed. We have had good reporting, but most of it was coming from the hospital level,” Dr. Hamilton noted. She, however, said that though there has been no new cases, healthcare providers should

still be on the lookout.

She noted, too, that healthcare providers in all ten of Guyana’s administrative regions have been trained to detect microcephaly. Earlier in March, the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) and RADAID International trained Government Medical Officers (GMOs), obstetricians and gynaecologists on how to use an ultrasound to detect microcephaly in expectant mothers.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings had said that the training provided for doctors with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to facilitate more precise evaluation of the growth and development of a foetus.

“High-resolution ultrasound permits imaging of the foetal head, in utero, allowing accurate evaluation of head size, and detection of intracranial anomalies,” Dr Cummings said.

“Ultrasound findings would have been associated with Zika Virus disease, including microcephaly and other severe brain defects.

Studies are underway to learn more about the full spectrum of abnormalities detected pre-natally and post-natally that might be associated with congenital zika infection,” she added.

RAD-AID, a United Nations (UN)-affiliated non-profit organisation, took up the mantle to provide radiology and imaging technology in resource-limited regions and communities of the world.

Radiology is a part of almost all segments of healthcare, including paediatrics, obstetrics, medicine and surgery.

The Zika Virus was first detected in Guyana early in 2016. While there were cases of microcephaly recorded in Guyana in the past, the numbers were very small when compared to 2016 and 2017.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 9, 2017

Unity our only hope as a people

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-Minister Bulkan tells Den Amstel Village Day

By Lisa Hamilton MINISTER of Communities, Mr Ronald Bulkan feels it’s time Guyanese do away with the traditional winner-take-all type of politics and instead work towards achieving national unity.

He said as much on Wednesday at the hosting of the second annual National Day of Villages, which was held at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground at Den Amstel, West Demerara.

The event, which was hosted by the Regional Administration in collaboration with the Minister of Social Cohesion and the Ministry of the Presidency, saw support from residents of several villages within the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara district.

It also saw among government officials in attendance Prime Minister Mr Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton; Minister of Business and Tourism, Mr Dominic Gaskin and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms Annette Ferguson.

And amidst a groundswell of calls for national unity, some persons at the event seized the opportunity to pointedly ask Minister Bulkan whether there was any particular reason why the advancement of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is being accorded priority over the affairs of the other local democratic organs.

And, forever the diplomat he’s known to be, even before he entered politics, Minister Bulkan replied that contrary to popular opinion, it was not a matter of discrimination, but more about obligation.

“We should not be unmindful of the fact that Georgetown is our capital city,” he said, adding: “That’s a special status! And therefore it can be counted as a special obligation and responsibility; not

The schoolchildren brought out their little flags to accord the Prime Minister and his wife and other government officials a hearty welcome to Den Amstel on Wednesday

At the opening Wednesday of the National Day of Villages

to discriminate but to be appreciative of that fact.”

He also pointed out that regional councils and local democratic organs have the lawful authority to raise their own revenue so that they are not entirely dependent on Central Government for finances to discharge their responsibilities. Both Minister Bulkan and the PM expressed their disappointment at

the absence of the Region Three Chairman from the activity, which, in their opinion, is an increasing attempt by regional leaders to boycott events to which the president is invited.

Recalling that both the chairman and vice-chairman of Region One (Barima-Waini) were conveniently unavailable when the president recently

Government officials and other visitors at the function

visited Mabaruma, Minister Bulkan said: “Our regional chairpersons are going in the wrong direction; they seem to be observing a pattern of follow-the-leader. “But I’d like to urge and caution them that they bear responsibility; their responsibilities are to the residents of their regions, and if they choose not to engage and participate in official functions, then they are doing a disservice to the residents of their regions.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo observed that, events such as a National Day of Villages is not for a secluded or specific set of people but for all Guyanese, and called upon those whom he believes are deliberately trying to sow seeds of discord at events intended to unify to desist from doing so. “Nothing is more vulgar than trying to set people apart on the basis of ethnicity; on the basis of their culture; on the basis of geography,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said.

The scores of Guyanese who braved the inclement weather on Wednesday to celebrate with Den Amstel were entertained by an array of cultural music, dance and singing which all happened to coincide with the event’s theme, ‘Working in Harmony: Building Better Relationships for a Brighter Future’.

Following the conclusion of the event, the ministers, on behalf of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, presented a total of 45 hampers to senior citizens of the various communities present at the event. The celebration of National Day of Villages was first proposed back in 2003 by President Granger, who was then opposition leader. The intention at the time was to help foster togetherness among communities and to commemorate the history of Guyana’s first village, Victoria, which celebrated its 178th Anniversary on Tuesday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday November 9, 2017

Postpartum depression

By Akola Thompson POSTPARTUM depression- this term often brings up confusion and fear amongst those who hear it. For some reason, it has gained an almost ominous sound to it. Known as a mood disorder in which mothers who would have recently given birth, begin to have extreme feelings of sadness, anxiety, exhaustion and annoyance. This should not be confused with what is known as the “baby blues.”

This is something that is also common amongst new mothers. It usually begins a few days after delivery and can see such feelings as worry and self-doubt manifesting itself. The baby blues usually go away within one or two weeks. However, if those feelings manifest themselves longer than that time period, one may want to ensure they see a health care provider who would be able to properly diagnose them.

Persons who suffer from PPD experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness and general disinterest. They experience feelings of fatigue and annoyance and persons may feel unhappy without being sure why. These feelings are not just “bad days” or a passing phase. It can see them being unable to complete day-to-day activities and will interfere in their ability to take care of both themselves and their baby. It is very important to get the correct diagnosis so one should not try to diagnose and medicate them.

If you suspect you might be suffering from PPD, it is important to see a health care provider. The symptoms of the mood disorder are fairly broad and vary from woman to woman.

While statistics on it vary, many research into PPD estimates that it is much more common than we think. Approximately 1 out of 7 women will at some point in their lives, suffer from PPD. Despite the commonness of it however, there has over the years, been a persistent silence on the issue.

One of the reasons why it is hardly discussed is that mothers are often just not

aware that what is happening to them also is happening to other mothers. Another aspect contributing to the silence surrounding PPD is that of “shame.” Due to the high levels of fatigue and annoyance common in new mothers, they often have violent intrusive thoughts. Some of these thoughts would see them hurting themselves or their child out of frustration. The idea concerning motherhood is one of gentle caring and that ever present maternal instinct to protect. PPD however, can see mothers begin having negative thoughts towards their child and when this happens, mothers are horrified and ashamed of their thoughts. As a result, they hide their experiences under cloaks of shame. This can be dangerous.

If left untreated, PPD can remain for years. This can see them mother becoming desperate and buying into the negative thoughts that persist within their minds. It is important for mothers to seek out therapy to talk through and address their feelings and frustrations. Some therapists and health care providers would also recommend medication such as anti-depressants.

One misconception people have of PPD is that it is just depression. In a sense yes, however the major difference between the two is timing. PPD only appears after the birth of child while depression can appear at any point in one’s life. Another difference is also that PPD is linked rather to the hormonal changes women go through after childbirth. The sudden change in hormones after having a child can trigger depressive symptoms common with PPD. However, it should be noted that there are no one cause of PPD and it occurring does not have to do with anything the mother might or might not have done. We need to create an atmosphere in which women feel safe to discuss their challenges and frustration as it relates to motherhood.

Those around new mothers who notice signs should encourage them to seek safe and healthy ways of coping with it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Ezone launches Christmas promotion Ecouriers ECOURIERS Guyana Inc/ EZone, an online shopping and shipping company registered in Guyana, on Wednesday launched its Christmas promotion.

The launch was held at its Lot 100 Regent Street office at Regent Plaza, Georgetown.

Sabrina Martindale,

Sales/Marketing Manager, said the Christmas promotion starts from December 1 and ends on December 20 with the grand drawing of one 32’’Flat Screen Television and 10 consolations prizes.

She added that customers who purchase online and collect a package during that

period, automatically qualifies to enter the promotion with a chance to win.

EZone has offices located in 25 countries across the Caribbean and North America with warehouses in Miami, Canada and London. The company does Internet shopping delivery at an affordable price.

EZone staffers pose with Sales/Marketing Manager, Sabrina Martindale (fourth left) at their Regent Street office during the launch of their Christmas promotion on Wednesday

Launching of West Coast Berbice Bee Project THE West Coast Berbice Bee Project was launched on Tuesday, 7th November, 2017, at Number 29 Village, Trafalgar West Coast Berbice. Thirty farmers from the Profit, Trafalgar, Hopetown and Seafield communities were equipped and trained for apiculture.

Each farmer received five hives, a beekeeper suit, a beekeeper veil, a

pair of gloves, a hive tool, a smoker, a hive brush and a five-gallon bucket.

The project has the capability to generate income by producing quality honey for sale and by selling the bee colonies. Additionally, pollen, a natural source of vitamins and beeswax, used in cosmetics and other items will be produced and sold for income.

Mr. Kent Vincent, Chief

Executive Officer, Food For The Poor (Guyana) Incorporated and Mr. Brinaire Jean, Projects Officer, Food for the Poor Incorporated, Florida, USA, made brief remarks at the ceremony.

Representatives of the Profit, Trafalgar, Hopetown and Seafield communities thanked Food For The Poor for their generosity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

$5M pour in to clean-up of Region Eight The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) through the Ministry of Natural Resources is investing $5 million towards major cleanup works in Region Eight.

Senior Environmental Officer of GGMC, Quincy Thom told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the works will commence in Mahdia before moving onto other communities. The

agency, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, over the past few days has been working along with the region to upgrade the Mahdia dumpsite.

He explained that the

aim is to close the entrance of the site and remove all the garbage to the back until the new landfill is opened.

“The site was temporary; it should be closed off. The Region through Ministry

of Communities and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has identified a site, but this site is still being used because until that process is completed, the residents need somewhere to dump their garbage,” Thom explained.

The site is marked with a temporary caution tape to restrict persons from indiscriminately disposing of garbage.

Efforts are in place to have someone monitor the area to ensure there is proper waste disposal. With Mahdia in line for township status, it is most likely the community will see further expansion; hence the garbage situation needs to be under control, Thom said.

In addition to addressing the dumpsite situation, GGMC has also donated 120 garbage bins with covers to further boost refuse disposal in the region. Other communities targeted in the region include Mikobi, Princeville and Campbell town. “We’re hoping to enlighten residents about the Litter Act. We want persons to know they must abide by the laws and dispose of their waste in a

proper manner. This ‘Clean up My Country’ project is ongoing by the Ministry.

The first one was held in Kamarang, then we went to Baramita; now to close off the year we’re at Mahdia,” the Senior Environmental Officer underlined.

The clearing and organising of the dumpsite is being undertaken by a group of companies who collaborated to form the Potaro Contracting Services. Manager of Clarkes Contracting Services, Oswald Clarke, highlighted that before works began, the garbage was overflowing from the site onto the road.

He said that “Back in 2015 after elections, the region approached us for the massive cleanup campaign and we did then and stopped. But when GGMC came in recently, we volunteered to start back the process. Until the area is closed off and garbage goes over to the new site we will be monitoring to ensure the garbage goes into one area.” (DPI)

CAHA to meet in Guyana in May THE Barbados-headquartered Caribbean Aviation Handlers Association (CAHA) will hold its next Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2018 in Guyana.

This was among the decisions taken when the association held a special meeting at the Hyatt House on November 3rd in Florida, a release stated. The meeting was attended by representatives of aviation handling companies from Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grenada, along with representatives of several companies which supply equipment and related services to airport handlers.

Guyana was represented

by Roraima Airways Chief Executive Officer Capt. Gerry Gouveia, who delivered a presentation on his company’s aviation handling and related services and also updated participants on developments in the aviation sector in Guyana. He referred to the need for increased airlift to and from Guyana as the country prepares to become a major oil-producing nation in 2020.

Capt. Gouveia also spoke

of the improvements currently being undertaken at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Guyana and the links being created with neighbouring Brazil through the bridging of the river that separates the two countries and the soon-to-be-upgraded roadway linking northern Brazil with Guyana’s capital, Georgetown.

In welcoming the decision to hold its next AGM in Guyana, Gouveia told participants that they would be visiting a country whose economy is in transition and where “our attractions include the famous Kaieteur Falls among other breathtaking scenery. During your stay in Guyana you must put aside time to explore Guyana and enjoy our great hospitality.” The agenda for next year’s meeting in Guyana will include follow-up discussions on the impact of and preparation for natural disasters; highlights of the association’s emergency response manual; aviation security; and updates on developments taking place within the industry. The association’s 2017 AGM was held in May in Orlando, Florida.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Son of ‘Boof’ has Maxwell looking over his shoulder

By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Ashes auditions for Australia’s vacant number six spot have seen a number of leading candidates fluff their lines in the domestic Sheffield Shield but Jake Lehmann’s strong form could force an awkward decision at the selectors’ table where his father sits.

Lehmann, the son of Australia coach Darren, has been closely watched since emerging with a trio of first class centuries in the 2015/16 season, and has built a respectable first class average of 44.95 from 29 matches with South Australia (SA).

He struck his sixth first-class century with a first-innings 103 against Victoria and backed that

up with a 93 to be awarded Player-of-the-Match as SA fell two wickets short of an outright victory on Tuesday.

Another big score in the third round could force his father ‘Boof ’ out of the room when selectors discuss the squad for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane starting November 23.

Even as the 25-yearold pressed his claims, Victoria batsman Glenn Maxwell, probably the strongest candidate for the middle order position, was fighting his own battle to win favour, scoring 64 after managing 60 in the first innings.

Dismissed cheaply twice in the opening defeat to Queensland, all-rounder Maxwell’s twin half-centuries may go some way to easing doubts about his consistency.

Maxwell struck a fine century when batting number six in Ranchi against India in March but has failed to reach 50 in seven Test innings since.

POSITIVE SIGNS Few others, barring 23Test Shaun Marsh, who hit a 91 for Western Australia (WA) against a Test-quality

New South Wales (NSW) attack, have raised their hand for an Ashes spot.

Marsh’s state team mate and younger brother Mitchell has managed only 46 runs so far in the Shield, the fast-bowling all-rounder failing twice against NSW.

Jake Lehmann

Another WA all-rounder Hilton Cartwright, who played at number six in Australia’s last Test against Bangladesh, crashed out with a pair of ducks and would appear out of the running.

Questions over the wicketkeeper position also remain, with Matthew Wade failing to shore up his spot

with a decent score for Tasmania and his NSW rival Peter Nevill doing little with the bat to dislodge him.

Australia’s attack, by contrast, is settled and has been humming along nicely, with pace spearhead Mitchell Starc firing an ominous Ashes warning with a pair of hat-tricks for NSW in the same match against WA. Starc’s performance moved fellow left-armer Mitchell Johnson, the man who terrorised England’s batsmen during the 5-0 whitewash in the 2013/14 series, to tweet his approval.

“Seriously 2 hat-tricks in the same game ... Now time to rip in to the poms,” wrote Johnson.

Starc’s NSW team mate and Test captain Steve Smith was also impressed, but spread the praise around to fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

“I thought he bowled like an absolute genius, he’s a superstar,” Smith said of Hazlewood’s six-wicket haul.

“Patty Cummins has had a couple of good games as well so they’re up and going and bowling really well. So that is positive signs for us.”

Root, Stoneman & Malan make fifties in warm-up SKIPPER Joe Root scored his maiden fifty of the Ashes tour as England closed the opening day of their fourday warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI on 278-8.

Opener Mark Stoneman (61) and Dawid Malan (63) also made half-centuries but no batsman was able to post England’s first century of the tour.

Young leg-spinner Daniel Fallins, in his maiden firstclass match, removed four of England’s top six in the daynight match, which is being played with a pink ball in Adelaide.

Playing in conditions similar to those they will encounter in the floodlit second Ashes Test also in Adelaide, England fought hard but struggled to time the ball on a ground with a slow outfield.

Root was the most fluent of England’s batsmen, making a busy 58 from 89 balls, but there were failures for opener Alastair Cook (15) and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow (9).

‘WE WERE SLOPPY’ While Surrey left-hander

Stoneman looked impressive in reaching a second half-century in as many matches, he was disappointed to be caught at mid-wicket off a Fallins full toss.

learned from today.”

England lost three wickets for seven runs in the last four overs under the lights to change a day that was looking satisfactory.

57th National Schools Championships officially launched

By Rawle Toney

OVER 1500 student-athletes and officials, drawn from Guyana’s 10 Administrative Regions will come together from November 26 to December 1, for the 57th hosting of the National Schools Swimming, Cycling and Track & Field Championships, which was officially launched yesterday in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Education, 26 Brickdam Boardroom.

While Cycling will be held at the National Park and Swimming at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal from November 27, the usual eye-candy of the event, the Track & Field Championships, will race off from November 28, for the first time at the Leonora Track and Field Facility.

“I think we’re going to see one of the best championships and the GTU will work with other stakeholders to ensure this is done,” said Mark Lyte, president of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), one of the principals of the event.

With the Championships being held for the first time in District 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), Lyte explained that the athletes will be housed at Leonora Secondary, Uitvlugt Secondary and Stewartville Secondary schools which will make commuting to the Track and Field facility hassle-free.

In his remarks, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson said that

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Joe Root scored four boundaries in his 89-ball 58.

Speaking at the close, he said: “Some of the dismissals we had today were a touch on the sloppy side, so it was a little bit frustrating more than anything that we didn’t kick on and probably have a couple of hundreds scored out there today.

“Everyone got a bit of time in the middle, so that was encouraging - but we also need to be scoring hundreds, and big hundreds.

“So there are lessons to be

Dawid Malan was out in the last over of the day but he has probably now done enough to cement his place at number five for the first Test at the Gabba on November 23.

Alastair Cook’s lean start continued and while James Vince played some nice shots in his 33, his disappointing dismissal (bowled

by Fallins) will worry those still to be convinced he can play a major innings at this level. (BBC Sport)

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the Ministry of Education (MOE) is pleased to be associated with the championships and assured that it (Championships) is here to stay.

He said that the Championships, which is a collaborative effort between the MOE and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), fits into the broader agenda of the Ministry of Education and will aid in the efforts to ensure that the education system churns out ‘rounded’ young people.

The CEO noted that sports can play a critical role in ensuring that the nation’s children think critically and be competitive at the same time.

H u t s o n u r g e d p a rents, teachers, friends, and well-wishers to ‘throw their support’ behind the more than 1500 athletes who will be competing from across the country. Looking ahead, Mr Hutson said that “we are going to witness the greatest championships ever”.

It was revealed that Banks DIH will continue to support the event and three non-alcoholic beverages, Rainforest Waters, Power ADE and Malta Supreme will be the official drinks of the competition.

Banks DIH Non-Alcoholic Brand Manager, Clayton McKenzie said that his company was pleased to be associated with the event and that it’s a worthy cause to support. McKenzie said that his company’s support is notable more so because of the population that will benefit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Joshua called out by American Wilder and New Zealand’s Parker Anthony Joshua holds the WBA and IBF versions of the heavyweight crown

LONDON (Reuters) - Anthony Joshua woke up on Wednesday to find himself more of a wanted man than ever in boxing’s entertaining new era of old-fashioned heavyweight hoopla and intrigue.

The Briton is at the heart of a long-overdue heavyweight revival, the money-spinning focus for three other unbeaten champions who, like him, believe they can unify the division and become undisputed owner of the sport’s most pres-

tigious title.

Joshua, who holds the WBA and IBF versions of the crown, was called out by both America’s WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, the WBO holder, on Wednesday as the hype really began to take hold.

The pair both see a fight with Britain’s 2012 Olympic champion as their passport to global superstardom while in the background another Brit-

on, Tyson Fury, the unbeaten former three-belt holder, still keeps trumpeting his claims too.

Between them the quartet have had more than 100 professional fights and not lost one. So something has to give once, as seems inevitable in 2018, boxing sees the first punches thrown in a bid to find the first undisputed champ since the WBO was founded in 1988.

It is all a far cry from the fairly stagnant decade during

which Wladimir Klitschko ruled the division with mechanical efficiency. Once beaten by Fury and Joshua, though, the Ukrainian’s era was consigned to history.

The chiselled Joshua’s perfect 20-fight, 20-knockout record, allied to a personality that has turned him into the poster boy of the division, has given him a profile that puts his camp in the driving seat for big fight negotiations.

Yet his potential challengers, encouraged by how Joshua made hard work in disposing of tough late replacement Carlos Takam in his last defence, are now ramping up the noise as they jostle for position to face the 28-year-old.

POTENTIAL FIGHTS Wilder, whose one-round demolition of Bermane Stiverne in New York on Saturday took his blemish-free record to 38 knock-outs in 39 wins, delivered a taunting message on social media, declaring he

TO

would beat Joshua in his British “safe haven”.

“You know I‘m coming for you... 2018 is what you should be worried about. The people want it. Do you want it?

Or do you have some hidden agendas? Are you hiding anything? We’re on it so you either fight or shut up,” boomed the 32-year-old in classic trashtalking fashion.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had proposed Wilder should face another Briton, Dillian Whyte, a former Joshua victim, before any potential match, leaving the American to growl: “A king doesn’t chase the peasants, a king takes on kings.”

On Wednesday, though, Hearn told Sky Sports that negotiations with Wilder’s representatives over a potential fight with the American would now begin this week.

Meanwhile, New Zealander Parker, widely portrayed as the least threatening option for Joshua despite being unbeaten in 24 contests, appeared to

have believed he had moved into pole position for a bout in March or April of next year.

“Eddie Hearn (Joshua’s promoter) and I have exchanged emails,” David Higgins, Parker’s promoter, told reporters in Auckland.

“My message was Joe would fight Joshua next and Hearn’s message was that Joshua would fight Parker next. It’s now a question of the deal and money.”

Shouting the odds a long way from the current negotiations is Fury, the controversial figure who has not fought since beating Klitschko in November 2015 and had his licence revoked in October last year after allegations of doping.

Adamant that he will resolve the issues and return to the ring next year, he claimed in a tweet that he could still beat Wilder and Joshua “even at 25 stone and after being out almost 2 years!”

That outlandish possibility, at least, will have to wait.

THE

The unending cricket chaos has now infected Berbice Cricket … Veteran Berbice Sports Personality Mortimer George unfairly vilified

AS a former executive and a life member of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) from the late 1970s, I have never witnessed any elections of that Board conducted in such an unlawful manner as the one held on 8th October, 2017.

The deliberate violation of the court order was alarming. And noticeably Mr Anand Sanasie and Mr Anand Kalladeen, directors of Cricket West Indies (CWI), were present at those elections and interfered with the process by conducting the illegal method as self-ap-

pointed officials of Berbice cricket.

Is this the new dispensation of CWI or is it a part of Dave Cameron’s and CWI’s policy to keep them in power. I would agree that once there is a name change there may be amendments in some of the rules of the organisation but not to the extent of hijacking the domestic elections of Territorial Boards.

Mr Drubahadur, sitting at the head table and illegally performing the duties of Returning Officer, should have known better than to embarrassingly impose himself on the proceedings. He seemed to be oblivious to the guidelines for the elections issued by the court. Or maybe Drubahadur was given instructions by those who

used him to violate the court order on how the elections must be conducted. Is this the same Drubahadur who is the owner of a professional accounting business?

I have read a number of damning letters in the press condemning the rigged elections of the Berbice Cricket Board. I know that former executives and supporters of the BCB have condemned the madness that went on at the Berbice elections.

The system was illegal and could only have been adopted by persons who do not have basic fairness in their minds. Never in the 78-year history of the BCB have there been tainted elections.

The Berbice Cricket Board up to this time was

the best-run cricket board in Guyana and the region and has produced talented male and female cricketers for the county, Guyana and the West Indies.

I am heartened that a stalwart of Berbice Cricket, Mr Mortimer George, has recorded his strong exception to the fraudulent BCB elections and has asked for a full investigation into that sordid matter.

Mr George, from the age of 22 years, served the BCB as Asst Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman and Secretary of the Competitions Committee, Secretary, Representative to the Guyana Cricket Board, Selector and Cricket Manager. He has been honoured with the Hero Award and is a Life Member of the

Berbice Cricket Board, the Young Warriors Cricket Club and the Bermine Community Sports Club.

It is therefore extremely unkind and mischievous for letter-writer Persaud, in a clearly personal attack, to mention Mr George’s present ailment as part of his rebuff of Mr George’s critique of the BCB elections. Mr George, even though elderly, has an abiding affection for Berbice cricket on which he has written three books, a magazine and many articles.

He continues to speak out and write on the chaos that has enveloped Guyana’s cricket and which has now reached and infected Berbice cricket.

For Persaud or anyone else to personally vilify Mr Mortimer George because

of the principled position he has taken on the illegal Berbice Board elections is most reprehensible.

I conclude by expressing a hope that the illegality of the Berbice Board is arrested, that fair and legal elections are urgently held and that the people of Berbice be allowed to have their own elections without representatives of the GCB and CWI hijacking the process. The Berbice Board will then once again be a pivotal organisation in Guyana and West Indies cricket.

Malcolm Peters Former President Berbice Cricket Board Former Vice President Guyana Cricket Board

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

ATP WORLD Tour Finals

Nadal to play Goffin; Federer opens against Sock WORLD number one Rafael Nadal will play David Goffin in his opening ATP Finals match on Monday.

Spaniard Nadal has been grouped with Belgium’s Goffin, Dominic Thiem of Austria and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

The first group begins on Sunday, with six-time Swiss winner Roger Federer playing Jack Sock of the USA, and Germany’s Alexander Zverev against Czech Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic.

The best eight qualified singles players and doubles teams from the tour go head-to-head for the prestigious end-ofseason titles.

Each player competes in three group matches, playing for a spot in the semi-finals.

Britain’s defending champion Andy Murray misses out after ending his season early through injury.

Nadal, who has won six titles this year including the French and US Open, has already guaranteed top spot in the world rankings this season.

He pulled out of the Paris Masters earlier this month with a knee injury and said he would “do his best” to return for the Finals.

In the doubles draw, Britain’s Jamie Murray and his partner Bruno Soares will start their quest for the trophy against the American Bryan brothers. (BBC Sport)

Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer

Marian Academy badminton club Mainstay, Mashabo among winners of tournament attracts large field National Village Day of Sports in Region 2 THE Marian Academy Secondary School Badminton Club tournament commenced on Tuesday, with a large field at the school’s court.

In the Boys’ singles first round, Rasheed January defeated Manav Sharma 21-10, Shemroy Holder overran Omar Samad 21-19, Shaquain Sawh beat Varun Challu: 21-19 and John Wang routed Jaden Totaram 21-3.

Gokarn Ramdhani

Vikash Mootoo and Matthew Beharry both got byes into the quarter-finals.

However, Vikash Mootoo crushed Ryan Azeez 21-8 in the first quarter-final.

In the Girls’ quarter-finals, Sacha Permanand overcame Sarah Samad 23-21, Elesa Sangster defeated Racheal Ragnauth 21-10 and Reba Ramlall overpowered Ashley Escanaga 21-13 and Amelia Balram whipped Sasha Singh 21-11

The school’s Primary and Secondary badminton club players practise every Tuesdays under national coach Gokarn Ramdhani, who has voluntarily given his knowledge and skills over the past six years to help produce players to represent Guyana one day.

The club has over 40 players.

The tournament continues next Tuesday November 14, 2017.

JFF cautions schoolboys against flouting rules

SAYING it is concerned about the number of schoolboy players penalised for removing their jerseys during celebrations after a goal is scored, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has urged players not to engage in behaviour that goes against the rules of the game.

“We take note of the growing trend of players removing jerseys in the moment of celebration of goals or victory,” the federation said in a statement released on Monday last.

“This practice is condemned strongly by the FIFA and is one that will be considered as a negative in consideration of players to the national programme.”

In a meeting held on Monday, ISSA and the JFF agreed that this practice of removing one’s jersey was inexcusable and made a special call for coaches to educate players on the laws and to be firm with players who breach.

“We ask that administrators, managers and coaches,

in particular, to be absolutely firm with players to desist from this action and other actions and attitudes that will not only bring the game into disrepute but also limit their growth in the game,” the JFF said.

Meanwhile, the federation commended all players and administrators who are part of the current schoolboy competitions.

“The competitions continue to not only provide entertainment for football fans but also helps to develop

players,” said the statement. “ We p a r t i c u l a r l y commend the schools and players who have made it to the semi-finals and finals of all the competitions.”

T h e J F F ’s c o m ments came after a game between Clarendon College and St Elizabeth Technical High School, after the player scoring the winning goal was sent off for a second bookable offence when he took off his shirt to celebrate the winner.

(Sportsmax.com)

DESPITE the inclement weather, over one hundred participants from various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and Amerindian villages participated in the first-ever Regional Village Day, held at the Queenstown Community Centre ground last Tuesday.

The range of events included cricket, football and dominoes competitions as well as cultural presentations including folksongs, dances and poetry. The colourful display and well-coordinated events got on the way with the cricket competition.

Mashabo Village males got the better of Akawini Village males in the 6-overs affair. Batting first, Akawini Village posted a challenging 71-6 in their 6 overs.

In reply, Mashabo Village comfortably won the match, reaching 72 without loss in the final over to achieve victory by 10 wickets. Meanwhile Mashabo Village were again in winners’ row, this time with the females overpowering Capoey Village females. In the 4-overs encounter, Capoey Village females could muster only 27-5 in their 4 overs.

However, it proved insufficient as Mashabo Village females raced to 29-4 in the third over to win by 6 wickets.

The attention was then turned to football as Mainstay Village males’ outplayed Aberdeen/Zorg-en-Vlygh in the 5-a-side match.

During the 20 minutes run, Mainstay Village males were able to hold on to a slim lead throughout and eventually won by a 2-1 margin.

The day of varied activities also saw the hosting of a King Dominoes competition which was won by Derrick Garraway of Evergreen/Paradise NDC with 18 games after the completion of his allotted sittings.

During the official ceremony, presentations were made by Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Roop Kumar and Administrator Morris Walcott. Also in attendance was Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Yvette Hastings-Tafares as well as several Toshoas of the various Amerindian villages.

The Day of Sports and cultural presentations were sponsored by the Regional Administration, Region 2 in collaboration with the Ministry of Communities and was in recognition of National Village Day under the theme ‘Coming together for Strength, Growth and Development.

Trophies were presented to all the participating teams. (Elroy Stephney)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Guyana Under-20 male volleyball team win Inter-Guiana tourney … Female team earn runner-up position

By Colin Bynoe able UNDER the management of coach/manager Levi Nedd (president of the Berbice Volleyball Association) and assistant women’s coach Errol Chase, the Guyana male Under-20 team gained another title when they defeated French Guiana national Under-20 team in a three-team competition which comprised Guyana, French Guiana national and senior teams.

The tournament, which was played in French Guiana (Cayenne) from November 3 to 5, saw both Guyana teams perform exceptionally well.

After winning both teams in the round-robin phase, the Guyana males went on to play the runner-up French Guiana team who drew first blood and won the first set 25-16.

After that the Guyana males established themselves nicely and restricted

The triumphant male Guyana Under-20 volleyball team

Shimron Hetmyer

bowling, belting 12 fours and eight sixes in an entertaining knock.

Hetmtyer made his Test debut against Pakistan earlier this year, playing three Tests with little success. He subsequently lost his place in the team for the tours of England and Zimbabwe though he remained in the touring party.

He gave tour selectors a reminder of his immense talent on the tour of England when he smashed an unbeaten 128 off 120 balls in a drawn two-day tour match against Leicestershire last September.

When Hetmyer retired yesterday, Holder stroked five fours and a six in a 56-ball

against French Guiana National female team.

In the final they put up a feisty fight but eventually lost 2-0 to the superior and more experienced women of the French Guiana national team with the scores being 25-16, 25-21.

Among the Guyanese girls Cherry-Anne Fraser received the best blocker award while Kelshine Griffith was adjudged the best defender on show.

At the presentation ceremony the males were awarded the winning trophy and gold medals while the females received the second prize trophy and silver medals in their respective categories.

According to Nedd, the GVF would like to say special thanks to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and Spready’s Bakery among others for their support.

Roberts joins CONCACAF to take up high profile post

Hetmyer presses case for Test recall with brilliant 119 BRISBANE, Australia (CMC) – Rookie Shimron Hetmyer continued to press his case for a return to the Test team, with another whirlwind hundred on the opening day of a two-day tour match against Northern Suburb Districts Invitational XI here yesterday.

The 20-year-old lefthander smashed a better than run-a-ball 119, as West Indies piled up 352 for eight at the Ian Healy Oval.

Kieran Powell scored 65, opening partner Kraigg Brathwaite got 43 while captain Jason Holder chipped in with 35.

Seamer Andrew Gode was the best bowler with two for 57.

In the first warm-up match of the camp prior to the New Zealand series later this month, Powell got the innings off to a pleasant start with a knock that included seven fours and two sixes from 87 deliveries.

H e p u t o n 111 w i t h Brathwaite who was patient in contrast, requiring 104 balls for his innings, striking fours and two sixes.

However, it was the arrival of Hetmyer at number three that livened up the game as the former Young West Indies captain got stuck into Northern’s

their opponents 25-19, 1510 for a 2-1 win.

The Guyana players were outstanding and walked away with most of the individual awards. The lanky Ronaldo Bobb was the best blocker on show; Andy Rohoman received the prize for being the best attacker.

Diamyon Al-Ahmad got his award as the best defender and Renaldo Griffith the best setter. The versatile Samuel Fraser walked away with the MVP award. He was also the best receiver on show.

The females were unfortunate not to win in their category. Both Nedd and Chase urged their charges on.

The Guyanese Girls were the surprise package as they rose to the occasion.

According to Nedd, after several years, the females were exceptional as they won a four-team round-robin encounter and advanced to the final

knock and Raymon Reifer, an unbeaten 20 off 73 balls, as West Indies ended strongly.

The Caribbean side arrived here last weekend for a preparation camp ahead of the two-Test tour of New Zealand starting month end.

MIAMI, United States (CMC) – Former Grenada international and English Premier League star, Jason Roberts, has joined continental governing body, CONCACAF, as its new Director of Development.

In his role, the 39-year-old will be in charge of developing CONCACAF’s grassroots programmes as well as streamlining the organisation’s coaching education, and professional football development initiatives.

“I am honoured and excited to have been selected to lead the development department as CONCACAF continues strengthening and enhancing its support for member associations to advance the game,” Roberts said.

“Football is my passion; I see the potential as well as untapped opportunities for

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday November 09, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shai Hope-174 runs (2) Hamilton Masakadza-251 runs Today’s Quiz: (1) Who took most wickets for the WI in the recent WI/ZIM Test series?

(2) Who took most wickets for Zimbabwe?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

growth within our region. I am especially looking forward to our department working on a foundation focused on grassroots, coaching education, and programmes that raise the level of play.”

confederation’s new development manager of the Caribbean.

“As part of our ONE CONCACAF Vision, we have a focused investment in football development to transform the Confederation’s future,” said

Jason Roberts

Roberts made his name as a dynamic forward in the English professional leagues, representing the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic and Portsmouth in an 18-year career.

He ended his career at Reading three years ago and has since become a respected football television pundit.

Roberts is a graduate of the UEFA MIP Executive Course and member of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee.

He is one of two new additions to CONCACAF’s development department as former Curacao head coach, Etienne Siliee, has also signed on as the

CONCACAF president, Victor Montagliani.

“Mr Roberts is the right leader to continue fulfilling our mission, while providing an integral support to our member associations’ efforts.

“Furthermore, Mr Siliee brings significant experience and extensive knowledge of coaching and development, which will greatly contribute to raising the quality of our sport.”

Siliee will report to Roberts who in turn will report to Chief of Football Officer, Manolo Zubiria.

CONCACAF oversees football in North, Central America and the Caribbean.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 9, 2017

Three debutants in Golden Jaguars squad for Soca Warriors friendly … Warren Creavalle, Emery Welshman and Samuel Cox make return

By Rawle Toney DEVONTE Small, Daniel Jodah and Jelani Smith will make their International debut after being named in Guyana National Senior Men’s squad by head coach Wayne Dover for the Golden Jaguars’ November 14 International Friendly against Trinidad and Tobago at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Jodah and Smith play for Canadian professional club Sigma FC while Small, a former stand-out at the University of Oregon, only this year signed his first pro-contract with Reynir FC in Iceland’s professional ranks.

In total, the squad consists of 15 overseas-based players, while forwards Dwain Jacobs and Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, along with Anthony Benfield are the locally based players

called by Dover.

“One of the four additions is a young, talented Central Defender – Smith,” Dover said, adding, “We have been short of Central defenders as

future, we’ll focus on using the new-found talent for the Trinidad game.”

Kadell Daniel, who burst onto the scene as a hot-shot forward for Guyana at the

Devonte Small

of recent and although we have identified talent, the likes of Jeremy Garrett and Cecil Jackman, who will emerge as leading defenders in the

Looking ahead to the clash with Soca Warriors next Tuesday, Dover stated that a tough game is expected, “where Trinidad will bring it to us, especially since they’re coming

Jelani Smith Daniel Jodah

U-23 level, will be making his return to the Golden Jaguars for the first time since 2015.

off a 2-1 victory against the United States. They should be confident but we’re preparing for that. We will try to give a good account of ourselves,

give a good match and get a positive result.”

Meanwhile, a 24-man local-based squad has begun training in preparation for Guyana’s International Friendly against Indonesia, with Dover pointing out that “fitness is currently our number priority. Analysis of our previous match against Grenada revealed a number of areas in the team’s performance that can be improved. Such areas included our crossing ability and our execution of combination play. Nevertheless, we have used this knowledge to develop a new training regimen”.

The overseas-based players, who are all in peak shape from playing in ongoing seasonal matches with their respective clubs, will join the locally based team members in Trinidad.

The Golden Jaguars are

set to depart for Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow for their November 14 date with the Trinidad and Tobago Senior Men’s National Team at the Ato Bolton Stadium.

TEAM: Samuel Cox (captain), Christopher Bourne, Warren Creavalle, Emery Welshman, Anthony Benfield, Kadell Daniel, Jake Newton, Akel Clarke, Andrew Durant, Jelani Smith, Terence Vancooten, Brandon Beresford, Dwain Jacobs, Daniel Jodah, Shaquille Agard, Gregory Richardson, Sheldon Holder and Devonte Small.

TECHNICAL STAFF: Wa y n e D o v e r ( H e a d Coach), Charles Pollard ( A s s t C o a c h ) , Ly n d o n France (Physical Trainer), Eon DeVeira (Goalkeeper Coach), Denzil Hernandez (Physio), Trevor Burnett (Kit Manager) and Rawle Adams (Manager).

Hurricanes boosted by three senior players Final three African World Cup slots to be settled to face rampant Jaguars

By Mark Gleeson

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Leeward Islands Hurricanes have been boosted by the return of three senior players, as they prepare for their key battle against leaders Guyana Jaguars in the third round of the Regional Four-Day Championship which bowls off today.

Off-spinning all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall

Off-spinning all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall, along with wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton and opener Montcin Hodge, all missed the first two rounds of the competition through West Indies-A duty against Sri Lanka-A in Jamaica.

They return in time, however, for the top-of-thetable clash which sees the second-placed Hurricanes host the rampant Jaguars at

Warner Park in St Kitts.

Without the trio, Hurricanes have made a bold start to the new season, drawing their first match with Windward Islands Hurricanes before stunning a weakened Barbados Pride by an innings inside two days at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown last weekend.

Jaguars, meanwhile, welcome back prolific veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul, fresh from a successful season of run-scoring for English county Lancashire.

The 43-year-old will be a welcome addition to the Jaguars side especially with all-rounder Raymon Reifer and batsman Shimron Hetmyer still missing because of senior West Indies commitments.

At Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will fancy their chances of picking up their first win after missing out in their first two matches, when they take on bottom-ofthe-table Volcanoes.

They too will be stronger for the encounter as West Indies batsman Kyle Hope returns to the ranks after missing the first two

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Senegal and Tunisia are on the brink of qualification for next year’s World Cup finals but the tussle between the Ivory Coast and Morocco is set for a dramatic finale in Abidjan at the weekend.

year’s 2-1 win for South Africa at the same venue, which FIFA later found had its outcome manipulated by the Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey, who has since been handed a life ban.

It means Senegal and South Africa play each other twice in the space of four

Veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul

rounds through senior team duties in Zimbabwe.

Jason Mohammed, the Windies one-day batsman and vice-captain, also suits up for the first time.

Volcanoes will also be enhanced as they welcome back West Indies-A all-rounder Kyle Mayers.

At Sabina Park in Kingston, Pride will hope for a better showing when they take on hosts Jamaica Scorpions in a day/night affair starting at 14:00hrs.

The visitors have struggled in their opening games but should be stabilised somewhat as West Indies-A four-day captain Shamarh Brooks returns to the line-up.

Scorpions, unchanged for the fixture, are one from bottom in fifth and searching for their first win.

Dutch-based midfielder Thulani Serero

Egypt and Nigeria have already claimed two of the five African slots for the tournament in Russia and the final set of qualifiers being played over the next week will determine the other three.

Senegal could be the first through on Friday if they win away against South Africa to guarantee top spot in Group D. The match in Polokwane is a replay of last

days with a return encounter next Tuesday in Dakar.

Senegal, who need two points to secure a World Cup berth, have been boosted by Sadio Mane’s recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in their last qualifier in October.

“I‘m happy to be back, because it was not easy to recover. I was hurt, but I worked hard to return. I‘m ready,” the Liverpool player told reporters.

SNATCH TOP PLACE Bottom placed South Africa could yet come from behind and snatch top place if they win both matches.

However, their preparations have been hampered by injury to goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and the decision of Dutch-based midfielder Thulani Serero not to travel because he was not guaranteed a starting berth.

A solitary point at home for Tunisia on Saturday, when they host bottom placed Libya, will see them qualify for the finals for the first time since 2006, finishing ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group A. Group C will also be settled on Saturday where Morocco lead the standings by a single point from the Ivorians, who have been to the last three World Cups but have been struggling in recent times without the influence of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure.

Anything other than a win for the Ivorians will give Morocco their first appearance at a World Cup in 20 years.

“It’s like a cup final we have to win,” said Ivory Coast coach Marc Wilmots at a news conference on Wednesday.

Joshua called out by American Wilder and New See page Zealand’s Parker 28 Swimming, Cycling and Track & Field

57th National Schools Championships officially launched See e pag 27

Stakeholders and officials at yesterday’s launch of the 57th National Schools Swimming, Cycling and Track & Field Championships. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Guyana men pick up second win at CAC Hockey qualifiers … Women play to scoreless draw against Jamaica IT was a day of mixed fortunes for Guyana’s men and women yesterday in Jamaica, where they are featuring in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games Hockey qualifiers, being played at the hockey pitch, University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus.

The men’s side, playing in their second game of the tournament, defeated Guatemala 4-0 for their second win, while the women, facing Jamaica in their third match, played to a scoreless draw.

The result was identical as their previous game, and will see them sit third in the standings on five points (one win, two draws) behind table-leaders Jamaica (seven points) and Bermuda (seven points).

Meanwhile, having opened the tournament with a 4-1 win over Puerto Rico, Guyana went into the game with confidence, especially af-

ter watching Panama hammer Guatemala 6-0 in their contest.

Jamarj Assanah opened the account eight minutes into the game, to give Guyana a 1-0 advantage and they held on until the second half, when Aroydy Brandford scored in the 47th minute to make it 2-0.

Robert France scored a field goal in the 54th minute to make it 3-0, and four minutes later (58th), Orlando Semple put the icing on the cake for the Guyanese men who still sit behind the Jamaica despite sharing six points apiece.

The Guyanese men will play their third game today against Panama from 15:30hrs, while the women will face Bermuda from 11:30hrs in a game that they will want to win in order to remain in the hunt to finish in the top two and qualify for the 2018 CAC Hockey Championships in Colombia.

The victorious Guyana Men’s hockey team

Three debutants in Golden Jaguars squad for Soca Warriors friendly Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See story on page 31 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017