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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2017 00

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'tto release Exxon contract this month

... Harmon says move in response to calls by citizens

m END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS Quotes and factoids on violence Violence against women is still treated as a lesser crime. Armed groups turn it into a weapon of choice because of near total impunity. -Angelina Jolie

A staffer of Caricom Secretariat, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown receiving a painting of the HIV/AIDS ribbon by a representative of Bravo Arts ahead of World Aids Day today as others look on (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

$40M soil testing lab for Tain Campus

FARMERS will soon be able to make a better judgment of the soil, now that local rice company, Nand Persaud and Company Limited has invested $40M in the University of Guyana (UG) to have a soil testing facility built at Tain Campus, Berbice. The Companyâ€™s Managing Director, Ragindra Persaud, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Guyana (UG) at the 10th session of Turkeyen and Tain talks at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday evening. Studies have proven that the practice and use of soil testing has become widely accepted in agribusiness, both by farmers and industry internationally, and Guyana will not be left out, said Persaud during his

Managing Director of Nand Persaud and Company Limited, Ragindra Persaud and Vice Chancellor of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith shake hands as they display the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they signed on Thursday address to the Pegasus gathering. The facility is expected to give farmers from across the country the

opportunity to understand what the soil needs in order to know what fertilisers to use and increase their yield.

Persaud believes the cost of production will also be reduced because farmers will know exactly what to apply and to

what amount. According to research, soil test reports generally provide farmers with appropriate fertiliser such as application recommendations for nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and limestone. Soil testing also allows for determining the micronutrient requirements of crop. It is a farm management tool with a potential benefit to the farmer, mainly increased yields, reduced operating costs and superior environmental risk management. â€œWe are in rice and we decided to take on this project because we think that farmers are doing things and they are not doing it scientifically,â€? said the managing director of Nand Persaud and Company Limited. He said farmers should be looking in the

direction of reducing costs, especially in the rice industry, because the demand for rice has increased and will continue to rise in the future. Persaud made reference to the recent Cuban and Mexican rice deals with Guyana and pointed out that those two countries import some one million tonnes of rice annually. Guyana, however, lacks the ability to fully supply those markets because it exports only an average of 500,000 tonnes of rice annually. UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, was in full support of the businessman but called on more corporate and international organisations to partner with the university to initiate similar programmes.

Exxon contract disclosure this month

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

… Harmon says gov’t heeded cry of the people

By Svetlana Marshall THE contract between US oil-giant, ExxonMobil and the Guyana Government will be made available this month, State Minister Joseph Harmon announced on Thursday. The Production Sharing Agreement between the Government of Guyana and the U.S Oil and Gas Exploration Company, ExxonMobil has been the subject of discussion for months, with various sections of society demanding its release. On Thursday, Minis-

Minister Harmon said. Questioned on what influenced Government’s decision, given its earlier stance not to release the agreement, the State Minister said the administration took into consideration the need expressed by citizens for greater inclusiveness and the need for information-sharing in the interest of transparency. “We listen to the people and we are not deaf to the concerns that are being expressed by various sections of our communities. We believe that it is important that we take the

earlier this year, Government had taken a decision that the non-release of the details was in the best interest of Guyanese. The agreement sees Guyana receiving 50 per cent of the profits and two per cent Royalties when oil production commences in 2020. The Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA), one of the parties in the coalition government, and Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) are among organisations that have called for public disclosure of the contract between ExxonMobil and the Govern-

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. However, Trotman said that it was not advisable to release the contract with Exxon at this time, stressing that it would not be to the nation’s benefit. Trot-

ExxonMobil’s oil rig ter of State Joseph Harmon said the Government has heeded the cries of the people. Cabinet, he said, had a “fulsome discussion” on the matter last Tuesday, and it was agreed that the ExxonMobil contract will be made public in December. “That is the contract and all of its terms and conditions,”

public into our confidence with respect to not only this contract, but other contracts which might affect our dealings with other companies in relation to the national resources and the national patrimony of Guyana,” Minister Harmon explained. Subsequent to the signing of the oil contract

ment. WPA had said that the decision to withhold the contract was “unwise.” Early November, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman had said that government had been advised by external advisors and lawyers that it should not release the full contract, noting that

man 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 bare 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.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon “It is a matter of working with your partners and operators to ensure that we are at one,” said Trotman. It was in 2008 that ExxonMobil initiated oil and gas exploration activities here in Guyana, collecting and evaluating substantial 3-D seismic data which has led to the company safely drilling its first exploration well in 2015. Two years after – June 2017 – the Guyanese Government issued the US oil-giant with production licence after receiving among other things, the assurance that oil production would kick in no later than 2020. For ExxonMobil, drilling continues to yield positive results. Turbot 1, is the latest and fifth new oil discovery in the 6.6million acre Stabroek Block since Liza 1 in May 2015, when the oil giant announced its first significant discovery. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres) and located approximately 120 miles (193 kilometres) offshore Guyana. The Liza, Payara, Liza deep, Snoek and Turbot discoveries are also located in the Stabroek Block.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Senate tax bill stalls on deficit-focused ‘trigger’

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday delayed voting on a Republican tax overhaul as the bill was tripped up by problems with an amendment sought by fiscal hawks to address a large expansion of the federal budget deficit projected to result from the measure. Demonstrators gather outside the U.S. Capitol to protest the Republican tax plan as it works through the Senate in Washington November 30, 2017. The Senate debated the legislation late into Thursday and adjourned, putting off any votes until Friday morning. It was unclear if a decisive vote on the bill would occur then. The delay underscored nagging concerns among Republican fiscal conservatives about the deficit impact of the bill. That set up the possibility that its deep tax cuts might have to be moderated, that future tax increases might be built in, and that some conservatives might seek to attach spending cuts, all approaches that could throw up new political problems. White House legislative affairs director Marc Short told reporters in the Capitol: “I don’t think tax cuts are going to be scaled back. I think it would still be historic tax relief for corporations and for middle-income families.” The tax bill is seen by Republicans as crucial to

their prospects in the November 2018 elections, when they will fight to keep control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump and Republicans now in control of Congress have yet to pass major legislation, a fact they hope to change with their proposed tax- code overhaul, which would be the biggest since the 1980s. Democrats, expected to unanimously oppose the tax bill, have dismissed it as a giveaway to the wealthy and corporations. Republican Senator Bob Corker and others had tried to add a provision to the bill to trigger automatic future tax increases if the tax cuts in the bill did not boost the economy and generate revenues sufficient to offset the deficit expansion. But the Senate parliamentarian barred Corker’s “trigger” proposal on procedural grounds. The trigger amendment was needed to win Corker’s vote and those of others worried about the deficit - worries that intensified when congressional analysts said the bill would not boost the economy enough to offset the estimated deficit expansion, as the Trump administration had said it would. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch told reporters in the Capitol that it had not been easy to accommodate Corker, Senator Jeff Flake and other fiscal hawks. “It’s been pretty hard to make them happy so far. We’re going to keep working on it ... and we’re going to do it,” Hatch said.

DATE: Wednesday, November 29, 2017

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CORPORATE TAX MAY CHANGE Senate Republicans were considering making a proposed corporate income tax rate cut temporary, instead of permanent, so the rate would rise back to an unknown level after six or seven years, said one Republican senator and an aide. By that time, Trump might no longer be in office and a future Congress might change the law.

closing high and the Dow Jones industrial average topped the 24,000 mark for the first time. But the Joint Committee on Taxation, or JCT, a nonpartisan fiscal analysis unit of Congress, said the bill as passed earlier by the Senate Finance Committee, would generate only $407 billion in new tax revenue from increased economic growth. JCT had earlier estimated the tax bill would

JCT estimate showed “no amount of dynamic scoring fairy dust will fix the catastrophic deficits of the GOP tax scam.” McCain, a key player in July’s collapse of a Republican effort to gut Obamacare, backed the tax bill. While “far from perfect,” the party’s 2008 presidential nominee said it would boost the economy and help all Americans. Republican Senator Susan Collins, who also

porate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent after a one-year delay and reduce the tax burden on businesses and individuals, while ending many tax breaks, but would still expand the deficit, Republican tax bill stumbles on deficit 'trigger,' new options weighed Economic growth to partially offset deficit impact of U.S. tax plan: JCT Trump wants to enact tax cuts before January. The House approved its own tax bill on Nov. 16. It would have to be merged with the Senate bill, if it is approved, before any final measure could go to Trump for his signature. Republicans have 52 votes in the 100-member Senate, giving them enough to win if they hold together. With Democrats opposed, Republicans could lose no more than two of their own votes, with Vice President Mike Pence able to break a 50-50 tie. Trump has attacked Corker and Flake on Twitter. Both senators are not seeking re-election. In early October, the president called Corker, “Liddle’ Bob Corker” in a tweet. Corker tweeted that the Trump White House was an “adult daycare center.” Days later, he called Trump a liar who had damaged U.S. standing in the world. Trump tweeted back saying Corker “couldn’t get elected dog catcher.” Trump earlier this month tweeted that Flake’s political career was ‘toast’“ In a dramatic Senate speech, Flake said U.S. politics had become inured to ”reckless, outrageous and undignified” behavior from the White House.

Demonstrators gather outside the U.S. Capitol to protest the Republican tax plan as it works through the Senate in Washington November 30, 2017. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

When asked if the tax bill was in trouble, Republican Senator Mike Rounds told reporters: “No, I don’t think so. It’s just a matter of once again trying to make the bill work.” Optimism had reigned earlier in the day, when the bill won the backing of Republican Senator John McCain. Stocks surged on hopes that a key tax overhaul vote was imminent. The S&P 500 hit a record

Thursday, November 30, 2017

balloon the $20 trillion national debt by $1.4 trillion over 10 years. The new estimate, counting “dynamic” economic effects, put the deficit expansion at $1 trillion, far short of assertions by some Republicans that the tax cuts would pay for themselves. ‘FAIRY DUST’ House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said the new

played a role in the failure of the Obamacare rollback, told reporters she was still not committed to the bill. Several Republicans were withholding support while pushing for including a federal deduction for up to $10,000 in state and local property taxes and bigger tax breaks for “pass-through” companies, including small businesses. As drafted, the Senate bill would cut the U.S. cor-

Thursday, November 30, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 1, 2017

Argentina ends missing submarine rescue mission The Argentine navy says it has abandoned attempts to rescue 44 crew members on board a submarine that disappeared two weeks ago. "Despite the magnitude of the efforts made, it has not been possible to locate the submarine," navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said on Thursday. The sub, the ARA San Juan, last made contact on Wednesday 15 November. Hopes of finding survivors faded after a suspected explosion was reported near its last-known location. Capt Balbi said the search for the submarine had been "extended to more than double the number of days that determine the possibilities of rescuing the crew". His comment refers to the estimated period that it is thought the crew could have survived in the submerged vessel. Capt Balbi said that despite not being able to confirm the fate of the crew, "no evidence of a shipwreck was found in the areas explored". He said that the "phase had changed" and that the operation, involving numerous vessels and other submarines, was now a hunt for a wreck on the seabed

Enrique Balbi said that the "phase has changed" in the search for the missing sub

in the area where the ARA San Juan is believed to have vanished. The ARA San Juan was returning from a routine mission to Ushuaia, near the southernmost tip of South America, when it reported an "electrical breakdown". According to naval commander Gabriel Galeazzi, the submarine surfaced and reported what was described as a "short circuit" in the vessel's batteries. The sub was ordered to cut its mission short and return to the naval base in Mar del Plata immediately. The Argentine navy's last contact with the vessel was at approximately 07:30 (10:30 GMT) on 15

November, at which point its captain had reportedly confirmed that the crew were well. Eight days after the sub vanished, the Vienna-based Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organisation said that it had detected a noise a few hours after the sub's last contact. The body, which operates a network of listening posts to monitor nuclear explosions, said that there had been a "hydro-acoustic anomaly" about 30 nautical miles (60km) north of the sub's last-known position at 10:31 (13:31 GMT). The Argentine navy said it could have been the sound of the submarine imploding. On Tuesday, Capt Balbi told reporters that water had entered the submarine's snorkel, which can be used to take in air from above the surface when the submarine is submerged. The saltwater dripped onto a battery tray in the prow, causing the battery to short circuit and to smoulder, he said. News of the suspected explosion on board the ARA San Juan was last week broken to relatives of the missing crew gathered

The crew of the ARA San Juan comprises 43 men and one woman

Members of the Argentine navy and relatives of the missing crew react to news of a possible explosion (Reuters photo)

at the Mar del Plata navy base, who responded with anger and tears. Some family members accused the navy of lying to them and of raising false hopes. Others pointed the finger at the government, saying a lack of investment coupled with corruption in the armed forces had made the submarine unsafe. The submarine, with its 44 crew, set off under the command of Pedro Martín Fernández. Forty-three of the crew were men but there was also one woman, Eliana María

Krawczyk. The 35-year-old was the first female officer in Argentina to serve on a submarine. The rest of the crew were submariners of varying ages and experience. The sub's engineer, Hernán Rodríguez, had been working with the ARA San Juan for 11 years. An international search mission has seen the deployment of 4,000 personnel from more than a dozen countries. Argentine President Mauricio Macri has ordered a probe into the sub's disappearance.

Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 1, 2017

Youth development WITH approximately two-thirds of its population being 40 years and under, Guyana has a wealth of human capital to tap into and propel the nation’s growth and development. The continuous high levels of unemployment and under-employment hinder this progression, and therefore require deliberative thinking and actions. Harnessing our human capital for production and productivity requires having policies and programmes that can be accessed by all across the country. Failure of previous governments to implement a National Development Policy that includes programmes for the youth, continues to adversely impact the people and country’s development. Those who have not left are hoping to leave, depend on the benevolence of loved ones overseas to supplement their incomes, live with their parents, struggle to make ends meet, or turn to a life of crime. Our nation’s growth and development require working to avoid the aforementioned. Present programmes such as the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and a promised National Youth Policy are laudable and deserving to be expanded through learning and benefiting from the past, looking at the opportunities presented in the world today, thinking big, and acting outside the box. Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh offered interesting perspective on a new form of national service, which can contribute to alleviating the unemployment crisis. Guyana has vast forest. It should not only be seen as offering eco-tourism and economic opportunities for foreign businesses, but to be policed, peopled, and developed for the benefit of the people. The young can be tapped in to meet these goals.

The forest creates work opportunities for those who are willing and able to work. The presence of a legitimate workforce protects our land from drug trafficking, destruction of the forest, and illegal entry. The threat to our borders can be managed by creating opportunities for the young to solidify our boundaries, such as effective border patrol. In order for Guyana to be competitive and relevant in the 21st century, we need to prepare our youth to get caught up, starting now; or we can fall way behind in comparison to other countries. The best way of doing this is investing in our people, which means that we need to invest in the current and upcoming generations. The youth remain our best and greatest resource. Their potential is limitless because they are more informed and more educated, but need guidance and a sense of purpose. It is at this stage in human growth that people are very optimistic, progressive, and have limitless energy. Also, with the inherent less emotional attachment to a specific means -- job or career -- they tend to take greater risks and are also more entrepreneurially-minded. There are, in the world, more millionaires and billionaires under 30 years old than ever in human history. We are in the technological age, which allows the individual to flourish; unlike the industrial era, which allowed for industries and companies to flourish. In the information age, we have an exponential increase of access to wealth and information; there are no boundaries, borders or time limits to making money. The young generation is brought up and built for this age. Guyana has the resources and land space to be a rich country, which requires focus with the aim of living up to our potential of being the

breadbasket of the Caribbean. We have everything that we need, but what we need to do is invest in the raw talent that is being left idle or underutilized, and exported to countries to aid the development of other lands. People are never too young to learn. The more persons are deprived of mentorship and leadership opportunities, the more errors we will have, given that that generation will be ill-equipped to govern. If this generation of leadership does not allow the next generation to develop in the ranks of leadership, our country will have a void of leadership in the next generation. The consequences borne from not being given opportunities to develop in the leadership rank will mean that, with the lack, the young will suffer in terms of preparation for what the future holds for them: when the time comes, persons would be incapable of performing. Mentorship to take over leadership means preparation to lead, and this reduces the chances of leadership being placed in bad hands. The father, whose son was shot to death while entering another man’s premises, called for attention to be paid to the young to assist them in leading a productive life away from crime. This father’s call brings attention to the cliché that ‘The devil finds work for idle hands’. When the young have nothing to do, they will make only bad choices; thus keeping them preoccupied allows them to use their efforts and energies productively.

City Hall will have a hard time convincing property owners to pay rates

Dear Editor,

NOTWITHSTANDING all the offers of amnesty by the Georgetown City Council, that will wipe off all interest owed on outstanding property rates by delinquent property owners, and aside from all the long winded nonsensical and meaningless missives appearing in the letter columns of the dailies, authored by the Town Clerk in a feeble attempt to justify their bloated expenditure, I believe the Georgetown City Council will have a herculean task convincing property owners why they should pay property rates to the municipality.

With the central government having just picked up the tab of over 400 million that was owed to the two major garbage contractors in the city, for tasks given to them by the Council, but for which the municipality failed to pay them, and with central government’s decision to underwrite the costs that will be incurred by retaining these two contractors going forward, then it is crystal clear that it is our VAT and other taxes paid to the government that is being used for refuse collection and disposal in the city and not property rates as it should be. With the Georgetown Municipality having failed for years now to build new roads and or maintain existing roads in the Garden City,

an unquestionable municipal responsibility which has become a responsibility of central government, shows evidently once again that it is our state taxes and not municipal rates that is being used to foot the bill. Another pellucid example concerns security in the city. There is a security department staffed with a large retinue of officers and ranks, yet it is the national police that has to secure the city with foot, bicycle, motorcycle and car patrols. All the City Constabulary seems to do is chase vendors, bodyguard the Mayor and Town Clerk and uncover inappropriate conduct by senior officers late at night in the boardroom of the Engineer’s Department

of City Hall. Again, state taxes are used for a service that ought to be provided by the Council. And there are countless other examples: like the Council shutting down a number of Day Care Centers, failing to process meat in a hygienic and humane way, creating a jungle in the cemetery, having no landfill or incinerator of its own, leaving the defogging of the city to the Ministry of Public Health etc. Are citizens expected to pay property rates just to allow the ‘Fantastic Four’ to fly around the world? Regards James Mc Onnell

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 1, 2017

‘We can’t ignore the warnings’ …President says directive to halt police promotions was necessary ...reassures of govt’s respect for the courts

By Ariana Gordon PRESIDENT David Granger said his administration’s action to halt the promotion of police officers earlier this year was necessary as they were deeply concerned about the state’s security, while noting that it would have been failing in its duty if “we ignored the warnings which came to us in a very direct manner. The Guyanese leader, however, assured that his government respects the ruling of the court, which declared that the directive was unconstitutional and that they will await the full written ruling before making further comments. Last week, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George SC ruled that the directive given by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, to the Police Service Commission to halt the consideration of promotions for 2017, was unlawful and a deliberate disregard for the Constitution. Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall had filed a court action which challenged a letter dispatched by Harmon to the PSC’s secretary on the matter. He had called on the court to declare that the PSC is established by the Constitution of Guyana, and in the exercise of its function shall

not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. Nandlall had also called on the court to declare that the letter dated July 26, by Harmon advising that the

distrust the press, but sometimes you know people may get things wrong. When we get the written ruling, there will be a formal response but so far, we are respectful of that ruling.”

President david granger

President directed that there be no consideration of promotions for members of the Guyana Police Force by the Police Service Commission, until further notice, violates Article 226 of the Constitution, is unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect. When asked to comment on the ruling Wednesday, President Granger said, “The Government of Guyana is very respectful of the rulings of the High Court and of the Honourable Chief Justice. We always wait for the written ruling, not that we

President Granger made it clear that his administration is “Deeply concerned about the state’s security” while noting that it would be failing in its duty if “We ignored the warnings which came to us in a very direct manner that state security was being imperiled, was being jeopardised by certain actions.” He assured reporters that the act to halt the police promotions was not a wanton one, but done out of necessity on the part of his government. “I’d like to

M&CC: settle your accounts Dear Editor THE Mayor an d C ity Council wishes to thank all those property owners who have made full use of the ongoing amnesty of interest accrued on general rates. This has greatly assisted the Municipality to recover outstanding sums which is being used by the Council to honour its financial obligation to workers and contractors. However, the Council is concerned that certain corporations with huge outstanding amounts have not visited or called the office to settle their accounts with the

Council. This is an extremely worrying situation because it leaves the Council with the impression that some individuals have no intention of honouring their civic obligation to the city. This we view as unfair and unhelpful to not only the City Council, but also all those property owners who have been making efforts to ensure the integrity of their accounts with the Council. The Council is in urgent need of money to sustain vital municipal services including: roads, street lights, drainage, law enforcement, community security, maternal and child welfare, public health and

environmental services and a host of others. As a result, the Council is urging all property owners to settle their accounts and assist the Council in its effort to sustainably develop the nation’s capital. Also, the council wishes to remind property owners that the current amnesty will come to an end on December 15, 2017 after which, all property owners will be obligated to pay all interest and penalties related to general rates. Regards Royston King Town Clerk

iterate that we are respectful of the honourable chief justice’s rulings and that we will examine carefully the written ruling when it comes to us,” he said. Back in August, the government launched an investigation into accusations of abuse and malpractice within the PSC as well as the Guyana Police Force, following mounting complaints by police ranks. At that time, President Granger said there were many legitimate complaints by members of the PSC and aggrieved police officers of abuse and malpractice in the Police Force, and it is for that reason he asked for the promotion of police officers to be delayed. “We are investigating the complaints which have been made to us and we have asked the Police Service Commission to simply delay so that we can answer those queries, and once those queries are satisfactorily answered, we will proceed. It’s no intention on my part to impede the work of the Commission,” the President said. He had told reporters too that his primary focus is the prevention of any further

damage to the security sector, while stressing that his Government cannot and will not ignore the complaints and evidence of injustices, which may have taken place. “We are not trying to trample on the constitutional rights of the Commission, but damage can be done if persons, who are not fit and proper, make decisions which are injurious to public security. We want the constitutional Commission to function efficiently, but at the same time, we want to make sure that the public can depend on the decisions that come out of that Commission being in the best interest of the nation,” the President reiterated. There was widespread dissatisfaction over the list of officers submitted to the PSC for promotion, which had sparked quiet protest within the force. The Guyana Chronicle understands that an internal police committee that would normally make recommendations to the PSC for promotions, did not meet on the matter and it is unclear how the names for promotion were arrived at. This newspaper was reliably informed that a number

of aggrieved officers raised their concerns to the government about the list which they deemed as ‘defective’. “This list that was submitted has officers who are not fit for promotion. This is a very bad list,” a senior officer had told this newspaper. However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in a statement back in August, noted the President’s decision and pointed to the illegal nature of the decision by referencing the constitution. Jagdeo made mention of the nature of Article 226 (1) and had called on the PSC “Not to succumb to these unconstitutional and unlawful directives, but to continue to discharge its mandate in the manner provided for by the Constitution.” But in support of the President’s decision, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan described the move to halt police promotions by President Granger as “perfect and correct”. He noted, however, that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate the President was not what prompted the hold on the promotions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 1, 2017

Prime Minister goes back to his roots --as he celebrates his 70th Birthday

IN celebration of his 70th birthday, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday went back to his roots for a time of reflection and sharing. The venue at which he chose to celebrate this significant milestone was none other than the Auchlyne Primary School in East Berbice, where not only he and his wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo spent their formative years, but President David Granger as well. Taking a trip back down memory lane with well-wishers gathered at the school, the Prime Minister reminisced on his boyhood days at the school, and how he fell head over heels in love with Sita Mary from the moment he saw her. Accompanied by Mrs. Nagamootoo, the PM was accorded a resounding welcome by both pupils and teachers of Auchlyne Primary, as they were entertained by a packed cultural programme which included folk songs, dances and poems. In return, the PM handed over to the school body a quantity of items he’d brought with him, among them books he would have written, hampers for parents and teachers, notebooks for the kids, and diaries for the teachers. Mrs. Nagamootoo also walked with a little something to give back, with among those items being a water dispenser, a photocopying machine, books for the school’s library, learning aids for the kids, and exercise books and notepads. And, in an effort to promote ICT in that community, the Prime Minister, through Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms Cathy Hughes has promised to make Auchlyne Primary the first primary school in the region to be connected to the World Wide Web. He even walked with a few laptops, five to be exact, to show good faith, and handed them all to the school, so that when the requisite systems for an IT Lab are put in place, they can hit the

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Sita Nagamootoo, are surrounded by staff of the Auchlyne Primary School as he celebrated his birthday

Excited students join in the fun at the prime minister's birthday celebrations

ground running. In brief remarks, the PM said he felt it was important to return home to pay tribute to the school and community that helped shape his life. “Today, as I observe 70 years, I thought it was fitting I pay tribute to my parents, humble fisherfolk from Whim, to whom I give credit for my

long life and good health so far, and for having come this way,” he said, adding: “Born November 30, 1947, I grew up in that environment, nurtured by the good spirits and the people of that village to become the first Prime Minister, Journalist, MP, Minister, and Author from a small fishing village.”

Using his life as a fitting example, he urged the eager young faces before him to work towards their goals, since they, too, can trod the same path that he did and make their small villages and their school proud. “Each and every one of you can become the Prime Minster of your country,” he said. “Each one of you

can become the President of the country; each of you can become the most important person. You are all important, irrespective of where you came from.” On his way to his home village of Whim, the PM made an impromptu stop at the Whim Bus Shed, where he met with several residents. And they wasted no time in lobbying for the resuscitation of the Whim Market, and the rehabilitation of the Whim Wire Dam Street, which has fallen on hard times, and for street lights to be placed on it. Addressing their concerns, Mr. Nagamootoo committed to looking into the possibility of building a modern two-storey market, replete with toilet facilities. He also instructed his assistant to make a note of those concerns having to do with the deplorable state of the roads and the need for street lights, and to take them up with the subject minister to see what can be done.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 1, 2017

Lindeners protest PPP budget discussion

WHAT was supposed to be a 2018 Budget discussion between members of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and the residents of Linden, ended in chaos when the event was invaded by protesters. The protesters were residents of Linden. On Thursday afternoon the protest started about 20 minutes into the programme when residents stood at the back of the building holding up placards one reading: “Jagdeo leave Linden alone. Let us shine. You failed us.” Another said, “Be mindful of the monster Jagdeo.” Residents then turned up the protest chanting “No PPP, No PPP.” Police were summoned to the scene and ranks tried desperately to control the

crowd, demanding that the protest be taken out of the building. However, the warning was ignored by the determined protesters. Not to be outdone attendees of the event made placards of their own saying “PPP Forever.” Present at the event was Members of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, Bishop Juan Edghill, Gillian Persaud, Alister Charlie, Bheri Ramsaran, Roger Luncheon and Vickram Bharrat among others. Bharrat highlighted that out of $267.1 Billion only 1.4 Billion has been allocated to the youths of Guyana, according to the budget planned for 2018, stating that, “it is an embarrassment to the young people of this country.”

Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira tries to calm the crowd

Workshop zeroes in on gender disparities in TVET To address the disparities that exist with the access to Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) by both genders,

Education and C-EFE along with Principals of TVET institutions and TVET educators. Chairman of the Council of TVET, Clinton Williams,

to education so that they can become employed to support themselves and their families. She said that access is

TVET Educators and other stakeholders during today’s workshop

the Council for TVET has partnered with stakeholders to mainstream gender in workforce training and development. This was done on Wednesday at the National Racquet Centre, where the Guyana TVET and Gender Policy National workshop was held. According to a Ministry of Education release, the workshop was a collaboration between the Caribbean Education For Employment (C-EFE) programme and the Ministry of Education, led by the Guyana Council for TVET. It was geared at examining gender data and trends in TVET and work towards an explicit inclusion of gender in the TVET policy, supported by methods to achieve gender parity. Attending the workshop were members of the Guyana Council for TVET, representatives of the Ministry of

welcomed the participants to the event saying that the workshop is geared towards addressing the stigma that is associated with certain TVET programmes. He explained that there are programmes that boys feel is specifically for girls even though they may have an interest and vice versa. According to Mr. Williams, skills and programmes need to be developed to attract and accommodate both genders so that students can leave their institutions equipped and ready to contribute to the development of Guyana. The representative of the CARICOM Education for Employment Program (C-EFE), Dr. Linda Cooke explained that the program is being sponsored by the government of Canada. She said that the purpose of the workshop is to discuss how TVET institutions can ensure that all persons have access

bigger than just having programmes available and saying they are open to both genders. According to Dr. Cooke, the programmes and policies need to be designed in such a way that both genders feel comfortable to enrol in any area of TVET training that they desire. Further, Dr. Cooke said that since the National TVET Policy will be reviewed today at the workshop, it is timely to discuss how best Guyana can integrate gender in the National Policy. Meanwhile, Charge’d Affairs of the High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Ms. Jan Sheltinga, the Council for TVET has been a very supported partner to help in the transformation of TVET. She said that the workshop should produce measures that offer more choices to both genders so that they do not feel limited by their gender. Chief Education

Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson posited that gender equality is now at the core of the employment sector whereby employment can be provided to both men and women. He said that the Ministry of Education is happy to partner with colleges and institutes in Canada in this effort to eliminate any disparities along gender lines that limit the access to good education. Hutson added that while efforts are being made to eliminate the disparities, the importance of research cannot be overemphasized. He said that results from research conducted on this issue are important to inform the path that must be taken to best address the issue. Such research he said, should be disseminated at the policy level to fuel discussions so

that the necessary tools and programmes can be designed to achieve the needed results. The workshop was part of the C-EFE Program which is designed to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training in 12 Caribbean countries. The C-EFE programme supports institutions, including National Training Agencies and training providers. Further, through partnerships with the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA) and the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI), the C-EFE works at the institutional, employer, national and regional levels. The C-EFE has supported the development of the CARICOM Regional TVET Strategy for Workforce De-

velopment and Economic Competitiveness. In Guyana, it has worked with the TVET Council on a number of CANTA initiatives and supported capacity building for technical staff, preparation for the CANTA audit to award the Caribbean Vocational Qualification and the costs for the CANTA audit. Moreover, the C-EFE has supported two institutional partnerships in Guyana, one between the Linden Technical Institute and the College of the North Atlantic to develop a Heavy Equipment Maintenance program and one between the Government Technical Institute and Durham College to develop an Automotive Electronics Programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Access to health not a privilege, but a right –– says CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General By Vishani Ragobeer

DEPUTY Secretary- General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Manorma Soeknandan has declared that even persons living with HIV/AIDS have a fundamental right to health and health services. “Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, without discrimination or stigma, and only by placing human rights at the centre of global health can we ensure that healthcare in accessible, acceptable, available and of good quality for everyone, leaving no one behind,” the Surinamese-born diplomat said Thursday. The occasion was an event organised by staff of the CARICOM Secretariat at Liliendaal to mark World Aids Day, the theme of which

this year is: “The Right to Health”. Speaking to the pertinence of the theme, Dr Soeknandan made no bones about it that the right to health is not a precious commodity; that rather it is the undeniable and fundamental right of everyone. She also feels just as strongly that the issue of HIV/AIDS, and by extension overall health, must not be addressed in isolation, but rather through a human rights framework. “I would like to encourage each of you to work towards achieving and maintaining health, and for us to work together to address the barriers such as stigma and discrimination that hinder vulnerable individuals access to health,” she said, adding: “We need to ensure that People Living with HIV, as

well as persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people have the right to health.” Speaking specifically on the subject of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, Dr Soeknandan acknowledged the efforts and progress being made by Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP). “While we have been dealing with this devastating disease, in this case limited to HIV/AIDS, for over three decades, it has taught us many lessons,” she said. Also weighing in on the subject was Senior Project Officer, Local Capacity Initiative project for the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, Mr Vivian Rookhum. He related that since its establishment in 2001, PANCAP has seen many successes, of which the most noteworthy is the regional decline in the incidence of HIV and AIDS-related deaths. He also highlighted that for World AIDS Day this year, observed annually since 1988 on December 1, a total of seven countries will be certified as having achieved the dual elimination of Mother to Child transmission of HIV and Syphilis. These countries are Cuba, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis. In observance of this day, for the past five years, the staff of the CARICOM Secretariat has been donating food hampers of non-perishable goods to the Food Bank of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat under the Ministry of Public Health. Reflecting on the past five years, Deputy Programme Manager of the Communications Unit, Ms Volderine Hackett said that the PANCAP coordinating team has always understood the critical link between HIV treatment and nutrition. And despite the challenges they would have faced throughout the years, the initiative has been sustained. In the Caribbean, there were 310, 000 People Living With HIV in 2016, 18, 000 of whom were infected that same year. Also in 2016, a total of 9,400 people were reported to have died of AIDS-related illnesses in the Caribbean region. In December 2016, NAPS had disclosed that there were some 7000 here living with HIV, but that the majority of them were being treated.

CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Manorma Soeknandan and PANCAP’s Mr Vivian Rookhum pose for a quick photo-op in observance of World AIDS Day 2017

Dr. Manorma Soeknandan presenting a food hamper to Mr Somdatt Ramessar of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Greater emphasis on combatting child abuse in 2018

-Min Jordan

THE Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Protection, will continue to engage in public awareness and community outreaches to combat child abuse and violations of

children’s rights in the new year. During the 2018 budget presentation, on Monday, at the National Assembly, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan said the programmes will be geared to strengthening the family unit, whilst ensuring the rights of chil-

Youth killed in Vergenoegen accident TWENTY-five-year-old Kevin Harris of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), has died after he was struck down on the Vergenoegen Public Road, EBE, by an alleged intoxicated driver of a motorcar around 18:30hrs on Thursday evening. According to a report from the Guyana Police Force, Harris reportedly ran into the vehicle’s path. Harris was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Coast Demerara (WCD) in an unconscious state and was pronounced dead on arrival. So far, investigations revealed that the motorcar # PSS 2168, driven by a 35-year-old resident of Uitvlugt ,West Coast Demerara, was proceeding east along the northern carriageway when the pedestrian allegedly ran across the road from south to north into the path of the vehicle and sustained severe injuries as a result of the impact. The driver was found to be above the legal alcohol limit. The body of Harris is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. The driver is in custody assisting with the investigation.

dren are upheld and respected. This is in keeping with the government’s agenda to uphold family values and mold the nation’s future leaders. The Finance Minister in his report stated that the CPA will host a Structured Family Conferencing session,

targeting 65 families that aims to develop amicable solutions for childcare problems. According to Minister Jordan, over 30 communities and religious groups across the country are expected to participate in the community-based child-focused initiatives and parenting

programmes. It was highlighted that the launch of the National Multimedia Child Abuse Awareness Campaign, earlier this year, focused on strengthening vulnerable families through capacity building measures to undertake the role of parenting.

This initiative saw 342 families in Region 1,3,4,5,6 and 10 benefitting and led to the continued increase of capability building of child protection workers. Approximately 80 daycare facilities were licensed according to national standards.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Guyana will stand all costs –– if Guyana-Venezuela border matter is taken to the ICJ THE Government of Guyana will stand the cost of the legal fees, if the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy is referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said. “In the event that the matter goes to the ICJ, the legal fees will be paid by the Government of Guyana. The Government of Guyana is responsible for that. It is a national sovereignty matter and it is something that we will have to pay for,” Minister Harmon told reporters during a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday. Local analysts have linked an alleged US$20M signing bonus between the Coalition Government and US oil-giant ExxonMobil to the payment of legal fees in the event the border controversy goes to the ICJ, but Minister Harmon on Monday put the speculations to rest. He said oil companies

operating here will have no hand in the matter while reinforcing that it is a “Government responsibility”. The Governments of Guyana and Venezuela, following a high-level meeting in New York late October, have reaffirmed their commitment to the Good Offices process. In 2015, the Government of Guyana lobbied the then United Nations Secretary-Genera, Ban ki-Moon to take steps towards a resolution of the controversy, using an option from the menu as stated in the 1966 Geneva Agreement. Article IV of the 1966 Geneva Agreement says if the controversy is not resolved following the selection of one of the means of peaceful settlement, then “the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations and so on, until the controversy

has been resolved, or until all the means of peaceful settlement there contemplated have been exhausted.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted that in 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon agreed with his successor, António Guterres, to continue to use the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement. If, by the end of 2017, no significant progress has been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, the UN Secretary General has committed to choose the ICJ as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so. The present Good Offices Process has been conducted since 1990. Venezuela is contending that the

Minister of State Joseph Harmon Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899 demarcating the border between Guyana (British Guiana at the time) and Venezuela is null and void. Consequently, it continues to lay claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

12 months for dangerous driving

AFTER almost a year on trial, a 28-year-old man was on Thursday sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for causing the death of Paulette Josiah during a motorcycle accident along the Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara, in 2016. Melroy Barnwell of Laing Avenue, Georgetown, was convicted of riding motorcycle CG 8485 in a dangerous manner, on June 20, 2016 at the Houston Public Road, East Bank Demerara, thereby causing the death of Josiah, 21. The sentence was handed down by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore after considering that the accused had been forgiven by the deceased’s mother who wished in court for him to not be sentenced to Melroy Barnwell jail. Magistrate Azore in her ruling explained to Barnwell that imposing a fine on him would be insufficient and imposed on him a minimum of 12 months in jail. Barnwell’s Attorney Nigel Hughes made an application for bail, pending an appeal, which was granted in the sum of $500,000 by Magistrate Azore. During Barnwell’s first court arraignment, he was also charged for driving without a licence, Paulette Josiah driving an unregistered motorcycle, driving an uninsured motorcycle, and driving a motorcycle which did not have a certificate of fitness in force. He had pleaded guilty to those offences and was fined $60,000. According to reports, Josiah was the pillion rider on a motorcycle being driven by Barnwell, since he had offered to take her home. While speeding along the eastern carriageway at Houston, Barnwell overtook several vehicles and collided with a car. Barnwell allegedly tried to swerve from the vehicle, but lost control of his bike, which resulted in Josiah falling off. She died while being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Neither of them was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. A post-mortem conducted on Josiah’s body by Dr. Nehaul Singh found that the young woman died from a fractured spine, hip and ribs and had ruptured her liver and spleen.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Natural disasters costing Caribbean a pretty penny –– as much as an estimated US$352M per episode

By Rabindra Rooplall JUST as one was beginning to suspect, scientists now rate the Caribbean as being among the most disaster-prone regions in the world. “Hydro-meteorological and hydro-climatic hazards occur frequently and have

resulted in economic and social dislocation, loss of life, property and livelihoods,” says Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)’s Dr. Yves Robert Personna. “For the period of 1950-2014, the total damage resulting from tropical storms and hurricanes was estimated at US$52B for

148 disasters. That means US$352M on average per disaster,” he told participants gathered on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel, here, for the opening of a two-day climate-oriented workshop being hosted by the Caribbean Regional Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF).

What’s more, Dr. Personna says that with climate variability and change predicted to increase the intensity of those events, this means that more significant negative impacts will be inflicted on the Caribbean, particularly on climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism, agriculture and water. He sees as the only way out of this predicament is for the relevant authorities to take urgent action. “Equipping policy planners,practitioners in climate-sensitive sectors and the most vulnerable communities with early climate and weather information and advisories to anticipate climate-related shocks and changes is an urgent priority,” Dr Personna said. Noting that strengthening the climate resilience of Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) is a priority of its work programme, Dr Personna said the CDB has long developed partnerships with the development community to mobilise and facilitate access to climate finance resources to help member countries imple-

ment climate mitigation and adaption initiatives. He said that between 2012 and 2016, the CDB’s climate finance resources totalled about US$304M, of which amount US$130M is in concessional loans,

CDB official, Dr. Yves Robert Personna US$89M in grants, and US$85M in regular loans. Dr. Personna said that since the approval of the CDB’s Climate Resilience Strategy 2012-2017, 58 per cent of its projects

have included either Climate Change adaptation or mitigation elements in climate-sensitive sectors such as water, education, agriculture and physical infrastructure. In 2015, for instance, climate financing represented 13 per cent of the total CDB project financing, while in 2016, the CDB approved some US$50M for projects, with explicit climate resilience and sustainable energy actions. For 2017, the CDB has provided some US$10M in technical assistance to build technical capacity and support climate-resilience initiatives at the national and regional levels. And in an effort to enhance the Caribbean’s resilience to hydro-meteorological and climatic events, Dr. Personna said the CDB has also been working with national and regional organisations such as the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), through various programmes, to improve weather and climate forecasting, and develop climate products and services tailored to meet the needs of end-users in all climate-sensitive sectors. A case in point, he said, is the current workshop, the objective of which is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and information on the development and delivery of climate services to the water and agriculture sectors. This support to the CariCOF initiative is part of the CDB-funded project, “Enhancing Weather and Climate Early Warning Systems and Impacts-Based Forecasting Platforms in the Caribbean”. The financing, he said, is provided under the African Caribbean Pacific-European Union-Caribbean Development Bank Natural Disaster Risk Management in CARIFORUM Countries Programme, the objective of which is to reduce the vulnerability of the CDB’s participating BMCs to long-term impacts of natural hazards, including the potential impacts of climate change, thereby achieving national and regional sustainable development and poverty reduction goals.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

MoU signed to bolster ICT in hinterland

THE issue of cyber security and supporting legislation for the ICT sector will be explored with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministries of Public Telecommunications and Finance and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The agreement was signed Thursday at the Ministry of Finance Boardroom and it follows a project proposal requesting US$17M to boost connectivity in the hinterland regions. Public Telecommunications Minister, Catherine Hughes, said consultation with stakeholders resulted in the MoU being signed for ICT access and e-services for the hinterland, poor and remote communities project. She expressed excitement that the new project will offer Guyanese in these vulnerable communities access to the benefits of ICT in the areas of health, education, public security, telecommunications and related possibilities. “For far too long the digital divide in these areas has been real, the project we are about to start will change and start a transformation,” she said. The minister added: “This project will be looking at policy developmental issues, including cyber security, new supporting legislation for the sector, improved access to

Government services through the use of ICT, and the use of renewable and green technology in realising our mandate.” She said there will be establishment of more ICT hubs, the connection of more schools, support services and the ability to provide more Government facilities and services online. Minister Hughes noted that the event is a milestone in the development of a new and digital Guyana. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka, said the partnership with the Ministry of Public Telecommunication, the e-Governance Unit and the Finance Ministry will deliver positively on the Guyana REDD+plus Investment Fund (GRIF) Programme. She said the programme will deal with the issue of access and communication with the aforementioned communities, which will enable developmental objectives. Knowledge is power and information is liberating, she said. Under the Rural Poor and Hinterland Communities Project, the Public Telecommunications Ministry applied for funds through the Guyana REDD+plus Investment Fund (GRIF) and has been able to connect communities in Masakenari, Bartica, Linden and Mabaruma.

Finance Minister Winston Jordon hold the signed document as Minister Catherine Hughes exchanges a handshake with UNDP Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Chinese gov’t helps train police

–– to maintain new fleet of vehicles THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday began a two-day course to train ranks on how to operate and maintain the close to US$2M worth of vehicles donated to it by the People’s Republic of China, to help boost its capacity. The course, which is in keeping with a decision to decentralise logistics in the Force, is being conducted by Mr Hou Jian, a Chinese national, and is being held at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Square at Eve Leary. Of the vehicles which were donated to the GPF, 56 are pickups, 40 motorcycles, 35 ATVs and five buses. The Force has also been in receipt, courtesy of the Chinese government, of 550 items of protective gear, 40 desktop

and 30 laptop computers, 10 each of scanners, printers and photocopy machines, 30-decibel meters, and five generator sets. Together with the vehicles, the overall value of the donation is pegged at US$2.6M. Head of Police Operations, Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken has said that due to the formation of a strategic planning unit, Police Commanders and ranks now have to adhere to strict Terms of Agreement where the maintenance of the new vehicles are concerned. “What we are doing now is that we have decentralised logistics officers spanning the seven administrative divisions and their departments,” Hicken said, adding:“We will have standardisation in terms

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Clifton Hicken and Mr Hou Jian (seventh and eighth right, respectively) with logistics officers from “A” to “G” Divisions, during the commencement of training on some of the vehicles in the background (Photo by Rabindra Rooplall) of maintaining the vehicles at the required standard as expected, so we can have the shelf life of the vehicles.” He said that coming out of the decentralisation, there will be databases on all subdivisions, which will promote accountability of vehicles in their respective divisions. He further noted that there will be a warning system in place to ensure that vehicles are properly serviced, and that all data will be centralised in Georgetown to ensure compliance with new policies being imple-

mented in the Force. He said vehicles will be dispatched adequately to various divisions, housing and shopping areas and hot spots during the Christmas season. Underscoring that the 911 system covers 52 Police Stations, Hicken said vehicles will be strategically placed in close proximity to those stations so as to reduce the response time and help the Force regain the trust it once had with communities and members of the public.

President to attend UN Environment Assembly in Kenya PRESIDENT David Granger will journey to Nairobi, Kenya within days to attend the United Nations’ third Environment Assembly (UNEA-3) set for December 4-6, State Minister Joseph Harmon announced on Thursday. The Assembly is the highest decision-making body on the environment. During the high-level forum, President Granger will deliver the feature address. He will also deliver the keynote address at a high-level side event on reducing pollution in the extractive sector. Minister Harmon said that Cabinet on Tuesday took note of Guyana’s growing recognition on the international stage. “(It) reflects Guyana’s growing international profile as a leading advocate for the protection of the environment and the recognition which is being accorded to its green trajectory of development,” Minister Harmon noted. He said the Assembly offers Guyana the opportunity to showcase its green development agenda and to press for further international action to arrest global pollution. This UNEA-3 side event on Forests and Life on Land creates an opportunity to highlight the importance of forests, from their contributions to economies and industry to diversity and energy. It is expected that global leaders will discuss the importance of forests in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda, and recent policy developments, including the landmark adoption of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030 by the UN General Assembly.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Norway approves US$17M e-Services project STATING that the Guyana-Norway Agreement is “alive and well”, Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Thursday disclosed that the Kingdom of Norway has approved the ICT Access and e-Services for the Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities Project in the sum of US $17M. In presenting the 2018 National Budget on Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had made reference to the multimillion-dollar

project, stating that it would ensure that vulnerable groups and far-flung hinterland communities are provided with the necessary infrastructure, hardware and software, that will enable access to high quality ICT training and e-services. Expected to commence in 2018, the project when completed, will see over 89,000 residents, in approximately 170 communities, having access to over 200 eGovernment ICT hubs.

In responding to a question posed by Guyana Chronicle during a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister Harmon said the Guyana REDD+plus Investment Fund (GRIF) Steering Committee, which is co-chaired by Norway, approved the US$17M for the project. “The ICT project will focus on three main pillars: (1) policy development, and (2) access to both ICT and public services in the areas of edu-

Octogenarian killed in ATV crash AN octogenarian succumbed to injuries after the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) CG 8510, on which he was travelling toppled on Tuesday at Paramakatoi, Region Eight Dead is Robert Aaron, 80. According to reports, he was travelling to Monkey Mountain at the time of the accident. The ATV is owned by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and at the time it was being driven by a 21-year-old of Paramakatoi Village. Enquiries disclosed that the ATV was proceeding south along the Paramakatoi trail, descending a hill, when it is alleged

by the driver that the four-wheeler developed mechanical problems which caused him to lose control. The ATV then turned-turtle and the driver along with the pillion rider, Robert Aaron, was thrown onto the trail surface where Aaron received injuries about the body. Aaron was then picked up by the driver and other public-spirited citizens and taken to the Paramakatoi Health Centre where he was seen and examined by the medic and was subsequently pronounced dead. The driver is currently in police custody as investigations continue.

cation, health, business and security…. It will also deal with capacity development,” the state minister explained. It was noted that the ICT Project was informed and developed on strong evidence provided in a recent needs assessment conducted.

Minister Harmon also used the opportunity to commend the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its efforts in making the disbursement possible. In addition to the US$17M, Minister Harmon said the country is expected to receive funding for the improvement of Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. Other projects that are aligned with the country’s Green State Develop-

ment Strategy are expected to come on stream soon. US$1.5M has been approved for projects aligned with the strategy. “Our strategy advocates for low emissions, articulated in the Guyana Green State Strategy,” Harmon posited. The state minister has committed to giving the nation a detailed report on the agreement between Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway and recent developments in the area.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Social cohesion achievable

THE Ministry of Social Cohesion, along with the Muslim community, on Thursday hosted a cultural programme at the Umana Yana as part of the Youman Nabi celebrations. The programme themed: ‘Beauty in Diversity: Celebrating Inclusivity through Religion’ featured a demonstration of the life of the Prophet Muhammad, a Quranic Recitation, a Qaseeda and other presentations. Delivering the feature address, Minister of Social Cohesion, George Norton, said that he was proud

of Guyana’s practice of religious freedom and encouraged religions within the country to continue to live in harmony. “I urge you all, let the word of Prophet Muhammad inspire you…guiding to break every fictitious barrier that separates us as a people,” the minister urged. “When we leave here today, let us promise to look at our differences as something that means nothing to us…If we should do this, it will certainly point to us achieving the noble ideal of being socially cohesive.” Also delivering presen-

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton

Director of CIOG, Shaykh Moen-ul-Hack

The crowd watches on attentively (photos by Samuel Maughn) tations was Director of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Shaykh Moen Hack, who informed the audience that social cohesion was a feasible goal. “When we examine the scriptures, the Quran, the Bible, the Bhagavad-Gita and the other scriptures followed by the Rastafarians, the Bahá’í, what do we find?” the Shaykh began, “We find that we have more in common; we have more similarities than differences.” Youman Nabi celebrates the birth of the founding prophet of Islam, Muhammad, and promotes a message of love for all, kindness, forgiveness, justice and peace.

Musical presentations during the show

Major road upgrades for Region Six SEVERAL contracts have been awarded for major road upgrades in Region Six, East Berbice, Corentyne. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency, announced that the contracts were awarded for the construction of asphaltic surface roads and supply of white sand, crushed gravel and asphaltic concrete maintenance. Minister Harmon disclosed that a sum of $263.6 million in contracts was provided for asphaltic sur-

face roads in New Amsterdam to enhance the quality and efficiency of the transportation system, while at the same time reducing the cost of maintenance. Roads slated for maintenance include Lot One – Republic Road at a cost of $59.4 million; Lot Two – Main Street for the sum of $140 million; and Lot Three – Waterside road for $64.2 million. Further, a contract in the sum of $118.9 million was awarded for the supply of 35,000 cubic meters of white sand for Lot One of the East Bank Berbice road project, while a $134.7 mil-

lion contract was awarded for 7,000 cubic meters of crushed gravel aggregate for Lot Three. Earlier in the year, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, announced that work will be conducted in phases on the East Bank Berbice main access road. Works are expected to commence shortly on the thoroughfare which will feature the upgrade of nearly 5km of the roadway and will include improved lighting and road surface markings, traffic signs and the reconstruction of two bridges and two culverts.

Additionally, contracts have been awarded for thermoplastic road markings on roads in Region Six as well as No. 35 Macedonia, East Bank Demerara, areas in West Bank Demerara and other locations. The thermoplastic road marking is a process that utilises a heated solution instead of paint and lasts for over a year, as opposed to three months when done with paint. Contracts were also awarded for traffic signals and accessories and construction of rip-rap sea defences, which is the armouring of shoreline structures against erosion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

PNCR: We need to recommit GAWU: Take example from ourselves to cultural diversity the life of the Holy Prophet

THE People’s National Congress Reform extends Youman Nabi Greetings not only to our Muslim brothers and sisters, but to all Guyanese. Youman Nabi or Mawlid al-Nabi or Eide-Milad, fixed at the 12th day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the Muslim calendar, is a celebration of the Birth Anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The day is marked by sermons, recitation of the Holy Quraan, honouring of religious dignitaries, gift-giving, and feasting. The occasion also serves as a reminder that whatever trials and tribulations we face, the prophet of God faced even greater and yet he never allowed

anger and hatred to determine his actions. We, in Guyana, can benefit from the legacy by using it as an instrument, not only for promoting understanding among our various ethnic, religious and social groups, but also, and more importantly, for bringing a healing towel to dilemmas and challenges which affect our nation. As we all celebrate Youman Nabi 2017, we need to recommit ourselves to the achievement of the ideals of a truly multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society where there is unity in diversity. Happy Youman Nabi to all Guyanese!

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to extend to all Guyana, but especially to all Muslim Brothers and Sisters, joyous greetings on the occasion of Youman Nabi. On this special day, Muslims commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (On Whom Be Peace). The Holy Prophet (On Whom Be Peace) holds a revered and esteemed place in the lives of Muslims and on the faith of Islam. The Prophet’s teachings and his example continue to inspire and direct the lives of all his committed followers, world-wide. The steady growth of Islam in recent times attest to the continued relevance of

the teachings of this great religion and the tremendous impact the Holy Prophet Mohammed has had in distilling its truths and virtues to humanity. As Muslims throughout Guyana observe Youman Nabi – The day of the Prophet –we wish to encourage them to reflect deeply and profoundly on his teachings and be inspired by his humanitarian example, the quintessence of which is engraved with courage, humility, kindness, charity and devotion to Allah. May we all take example from the life of the Holy Prophet! May we all aspire to live our own lives with the same wholesome practices and devotion as did the Prophet Muhammad.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Forest body lauds measures in budget

THE Board of Directors of the Guyana Forestry Commission has welcomed the budget measures proposed by the Ministry of Finance for the sector, the body said in a statement on Thursday. The Guyana Forestry Commission Board of Directors, which includes representatives of the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA) and the Forest Products Association (FPA) said that the propos-

als for 2018 are measures for which they lobbied and which the sector has long called for. “We are confident that they will further support the development of Guyana’s forest sector, especially in terms of competitiveness, growth, and boosting the sector’s ability to manufacture quality added-value products and enhance its profitability.” Among the measures unveiled by Finance Minis-

ter, Winston Jordan, is the restriction of the importation of pine wood and pine wood products. Following strong representation by Guyana at the recent meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), an organ of CARICOM, Guyana’s request for a suspension to increase the Common External Tariff (CET) on pine wood and pine wood products from 5 percent to 40 percent, was approved. The new tariff

will be in effect from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019. Additionally, Jordan announced the exemption of logs and rough sawn lumber from VAT with effect from January 1, 2018. This will improve the cash flow of forest sector operators, including smaller producers, by at least $80 million. The forestry board also made note of the setting aside of $120 million to commence a national forest inventory. “This

will enable better marketing of Guyana’s timber and non-timber forest products, including environmental services, among other benefits,” the body said, adding that the allocation of $50 million as a tangible indication of Government’s preparedness to enter into a Public-Private Partnership, to establish a dimension stockyard is also a laudable intervention. The stockyard is expected to bring direct benefits to both large and small produc-

ers, especially those at the community level, including Indigenous communities. “While the forest sector experienced challenges in 2016, resulting in lower production, export and overall growth, there has been a recovery in 2017. The GFC Board of Directors will continue to work with all stakeholders to accelerate the development of the forest industry in Guyana,” the release from the board stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

GuySuCo’s budgetary allocation targets self-sufficiency, keeping estates alive – Dr Thomas

THE $6.3 billion budgetary allocation to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for 2018 will go towards the restructuring process and keeping three identified sugar estates alive, Chairman of the Board, Dr. Clive Thomas has said. As GuySuCo continues on the path towards diversification and self-sufficiency, the multi-billion allocation will be used to continue the work of the three estates government has identified to keep the industry afloat. Speaking to the Department of Public Information on Thursday, Dr. Thomas said GuySuCo was required to prepare its three-year plan towards self-sufficiency. The funds allocated will aid in this process, he said. “We have had to prepare a

three-year plan going to 2020, and that’s the year we expect to be roughly self-sufficient… Over the transitioning period, we are hoping to get some financing from government and the commitment we asked for this year is $6.3 billion,” he told DPI at his office. Dr. Thomas reminded that the corporation has extracted over $30 billion from the government over the last two years, funds which he stressed, were excessive. He spoke to the diversification plans within the estate, including proposals to produce white sugar, for which investment funds are needed. The development of some primary energy projects with the use of bagasse is also being explored, Professor Thomas told DPI. This plan has fostered some investment discus-

GuySuCo Chairman, Dr. Clive Thomas sion with a French company that is interested in producing briquets, he informed. According to Dr. Thomas, by the end of 2017, GuySuCo hopes to be able to take on more responsibilities for its earnings from the sale of sugar and other products to finance the operation of the sugar industry.

Last Monday, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan announced the provision to the industry, noting that government’s intensified focus on diversification and value-added production in the non-sugar agriculture sector has become absolutely critical at this point as the sugar industry continues to undergo restructuring. He said it is key to ensuring that the sector remains productive and growth-stimulating. According to Minister Jordan, the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) in 2018, will be tasked with examining and articulating the way forward with respect to the divestment of the Skeldon, Rose Hall, and East Demerara estates. With respect to the remaining estates, he said, the SPU will also work to reconfigure operations to guarantee economic viability. “Our taxpayers must no longer be burdened to carry

Guyana, Trinidad renew framework agreement CABINET has agreed to the renewal of the framework agreement for the deepening of bilateral cooperation between the governments of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. The framework agreement was signed between the two parties in August 1999 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and was valid for 10 years initial-

ly and then renewed for five successive periods, but was never enacted. State Minister Joseph Harmon, on Thursday disclosed that during the meetings on the margins of the 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held in Feb-

ruary 2017, President David Granger and Trinidad’s Prime Minister, Keith Rowley agreed to give effect to the agreement. The renewal will now be for a further 10 years and provides for bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, agro-processing, petroleum extraction, fisheries and the environment.

Youth charged for robbing journalist, cameraman A 21-YEAR-OLD Leopold Street, Georgetown, resident was charged with three counts of simple larceny and released on $20,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday. Albert DeFreitas Jr was charged for the recent robbery of three media operative during a photo shoot at the Kingston Seawalls. Particulars of the first charge alleged that on November 25 at Battery Road, Kingston, Georgetown, he stole a quantity of electronics valued $478,000, property of News Room’s cameraman, Akeem Thomas. Additionally, at the same time, he stole a handbag val-

Albert DeFreitas Jr ued $4,000, a makeup bag worth $10,000 and $7,000 cash, property of INEWS Reporter, Ramona Luthi. According to reports,

Thomas was doing a pre-wedding photo shoot for Luthi and her fiancé, Thameshwar Ramcharran, at the seawall when their properties disappeared. Upon their return, the back passenger window of their car was smashed and items were missing. The police was able to arrest DeFreitas after he attempted to sell Thomas’ laptop. The 21-year-old was also charged for stealing a quantity of cologne valued $110,000 and a handbag valued $1,500 from Dexter Cummings on October 19 at Burnham Street, Georgetown. He also denied this charge. The magistrate released DeFreitas on $20,000 bail and adjourned the matter until December 11.

Minister Harmon said a high-level commission comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Trade of either countries or their identified alternatives will oversee the implementation of the agreement. The renewal, the minister said, will strengthen relationship between the two countries.

the weight of an unprofitable, inefficient, and antiquated public corporation. The government has allocated $6.3 billion, in 2018, to support the reduced operations of GuySuCo,” the minister said.

Minister Jordan added that government intends to uphold its duty to the communities and families in the areas affected by divestment, as part of the GuySuCo restructuring.

Woman on bail for illegally importing horse A 37-YEAR-OLD woman, who was charged for illegally importing a horse from Trinidad and Tobago without proper documentation, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Collet Parks of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the charge which alleged that on June 13 at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) Wharf, Lombard Street, she imported a horse without complying with the rules of the Animal Health and Wildlife Act. The magistrate released the woman on $75,000 bail and adjourned the matter until December 6. According to reports, the discovery of the animal was made by Customs officers while clearing a ship at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) Wharf,

Collet Parks Port Georgetown. The shipper allegedly imported the horse illegally. Agents from the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA) had found that the condition in which the animal was kept was not good.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Canadian in Lethem crash died of multiple injuries â€“ autopsy THE 87-year-old Canadian who succumbed on Sunday morning after the motor pickup he was travelling in, crashed into a creek in Lethem while crossing a bridge, has died of multiple injuries, a post-mortem has indicated. Dead is Brandis Kennedy. The post-mortem was performed by pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, after the body was identified by a close friend. The body was handed over to relatives for burial. The driver of the vehicle, Anthony Pillew, 32, of Bachelorâ€™s Adventure, East Coast Demerara, suffered injuries and has been admitted to the Lethem Regional Hospital. Investigation revealed that the vehicle was proceeding east along the trail and was crossing the Manari Bridge when the driver lost control and ended up about 30 feet below. Both men were removed from the vehicle by passersby and taken to the Lethem Hospital where Kennedy was pronounced dead on arrival.

The vehicle that crashed into the creek while attempting to cross the Manari Bridge

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

City committee members not showing up for meetings

–– top city officials lament By Telesha Ramnarine A NUMBER of city committees are not meeting as often as they should and councillors have been complaining that only certain matters engage the committees’ attention while

others are being dealt with unilaterally. The Markets and Public Health Committee has not met for months now, Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran offered, even as he has been documenting this to Mayor Patricia Chase-Green via

Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikarran chaired last Monday’s statutory meeting as Mayor Patricia Chase-Green was out of the jurisdiction emails for the past six weeks. At last Monday’s statutory meeting, Jaikarran was responding to Councillor Oscar Clarke who enquired why the committee was not meeting. Councillor Clarke said he was “very annoyed” over some of the “disturbing” things he sees taking place that have not managed to gain the attention of this committee. Clarke concluded that the Markets Committee is not as focused as it ought to be. Councillor Sherod Duncan offered that the situation is similar with the Legal Affairs and Security Committee and the Information Technology Committee. He said chosen issues are referred to the committees, while selected ones are dealt with unilaterally by Town Clerk Royston King. According to Duncan, this behaviour by the city’s administration results in councillors being unable to give an account to residents in their constituencies when certain works are being done. The mayor had chided city councillors in the past for what she described as their lackadaisical attitude towards attending scheduled meetings of the various committees. In fact, she had called for all those who treat such meetings in a sloppy fashion to make it known to the administration if they can no longer

serve on the committees in view of the weighty responsibilities that have been entrusted to them. The mayor pointed out that certain matters cannot be dealt with only at the statutory meetings of the Council. “You ought to be committed to those meetings. I expect that this Markets and Public Health Committee will be very serious in the way forward. Another committee that has not been meeting if the chairman is not present is the City Works Committee. “If there is no chairman, the vice-chairman, if there is no vice-chairman, among yourselves as long as you have a quorum, you can choose someone to sit in the chair and conduct those meetings. The City Council cannot be at a standstill for the want of a chairman not attending the meeting. Please let us be serious as we sit around this table and take up responsibility as chairmen and vice-chairpersons.” The mayor had also lamented the attitude with which those on the Markets Committee were approaching the relocation of Stabroek Market vendors to facilitate repairs to the wharf. “I am not hearing from the [committee] and I hope that we can start consultations with those persons, so that they will be able to give us ideas of where they can be relocated while the wharf is being constructed,” she said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday December 1, 2017

End violence against women and girls -- Guyana Chronicle takes a stand !

VIOLENCE against women, particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence, is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says. As Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (November 25-December 10), the women of Guyana Chronicle are joining the fight for gender equality, empowerment and the elimination of violence against women and girls.

Erica JosephMckenzie, Distribution/ Sales Officer- You know there is no excuse. So do I. Stop violence against women now!

Shivanie Sukhna, Accounts Clerk/ Store KeeperTogether we can end domestic violence now!

Sarah Boyce, Advertising Clerk A- Break the silence when you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back, act.

Lisa Hamilton, Journalist Violence against women and girls affects us all. Do something!

Assuria gives back in spirit of Christmas -with launch of novel discount card

At Thursday’s launch of the multi-discount card are, from left: NexGen’s Vice-President, Aleem Hussain; Assuria’s General Manager, Yogindra Arjune; Erwin Daniels also of Assuria; Steve Narine of Steve’s Jewellery; and National Hardware’s Damion Singh

By Michel Outridge ASSURIA General Guyana Inc. and Assuria Life Guyana Inc. on Thursday launched their multi-discount reward programme that allows policyholders to save five per cent on every purchase or service from more than 40 local companies. The launch took place at the insurance company’s head office on Church Street,

Georgetown, and, according to General Manager, Mr Yogindra Arjune, he came up with the initiative, since he felt it was important to provide customers with more than just great products, services and prices, but to also reward them for their loyalty. “For a long time,” he said, “insurance companies have been operating traditionally without much innovations. We wanted to change this approach, and

offer such a programme that would allow our current and future policy holders to save thousands of dollars annually.” Among those companies already on board with him on this novel initiative, Arjune said, are spare parts stores, restaurants, hardware stores, variety shops, resorts, opticians, and jewellers. And he’s still in negotiations with other companies to join the programme.

Assuria’s Church Street head office where the launching took place on Thursday

The multi-discount card, he posited, will help customers save on their purchases throughout the year and not just for one time. All customers need to do, he said, is visit any of the company’s six branches across the country and request their multi-discount card to start saving. And with the Yuletide Season already upon us, he said, there’s no better way of giving back to Assuria’s

7000-odd customers to facilitate growth on both sides of the business. NexGen Global Marketing Services Vice-President, Aleem Hussain said Assuria came to Guyana five years ago, and they are here to stay. He said plans are in train to open two other branches shortly, one at Linden and the other at Essequibo to complement their other branches at the Giftland

Mall, Vreed-en-Hoop, Diamond, Parika, and at Williamsburg, on the Corentyne. Meanwhile, Steve Narine of Steve’s Jewellery Store said he welcomes the initiative, as the multi-discount card helps add value to his customer-base. Damion Singh of National Hardware said he, too, is pleased to be a part of the initiative, as it will be of benefit to all companies involved.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Toxic Shade of Beauty launched at Tower Suites

‘Where clients become friends and friends become family’ By Abigail Brower

Last Saturday, the beauty industry received a boost with the launch of Toxic Shade of Beauty at Tower Suites. The launch of the business also served as an introduction to the partnership companies Rhoda Doxa African Fashion and Makeup by XN. Speaking at the launch, founder and technician of Toxic Shade of Beauty, Askalee Wray noted that the launch of the business was long overdue and now that it is opened, the business will seek to enhance customer services and change the customer experience in a meaningful way. She thanked those who helped in the successful completion of the partnership, including her customers. “The partnership of businesses serves as an avenue for teaching customers to cherish their beauty both on their skin and hair as well as a fabric piece of clothing to wear,” she said. The Beauty Technician offered an overview of the business team and introduced the owners of the professional team: Rhoda Doxa African Fashion by Deborah Khinde and Makeup by XN -Nacassi Adams. The collaboration

Owner of Toxic Shade of Beauty Askalee Wray with two customers at the opening

among the three is chock full of original African Print designs from countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’ Ivoire and Tanzania. Maybelline and Sasha Makeup also make up part of what the business will offer as well as a general salon

that will make all its customers’ beauty needs a reality and forms part of its mission statement: “To supply services and products to enhance our customers’ physical appearance and mental relaxation.’’ According to Wray, the

Business partners Askalee Wray (left), Deborah Khinde(centre) and Nacassi Adams (right) (Photos by Adrian Narine)

timing was right for starting this new venture and after searching four months ago for the perfect location, one was finally found. The demand from customers as well as highly professional and qualified beauticians to support

the partnership business, has made the business one of great potential. The launch attracted new and existing customers who are keen and excited about the new business initiative. Customers were also treated

to gifts as the three business partners walked around the Tower Suites and distributed gift certificates to their oldest clients as part of the recognition plan. Deborah Khinde, owner of Rhoda Doxa African Fashion and Nacassi Adams, owner of Makeup by XN, have worked in boutiques and malls in Georgetown for the past two years. Khinde has created a large client following through hard work and dedication getting the best and original African Print designs at affordable prices. Nacassi believes that the team has what it takes to make this venture an extremely successful one. “As a team, we expect our growing reputation to lead to new clients to support our anticipated growth,” she said. Talking about the trio’s business plans for the future, the three ladies said the opening of a partnership business marks a new chapter in their lives and they are finding more energy now and it’s great that they can make most of it. The opening of a collaborative business marks a new chapter in the lives of the beauticians. The conglomerate business has opened at Tower Suites on August 1, 2017.

Makeup Artist Nacassi Adams with a client

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

ADD AN INSIGHT OF THE LAW AS A LIVING SKILL AWARENESS TO THE CURRICULUM THE new Minister of Education has raised the concept of rehabilitating the education systems. Without a doubt, we can no longer assume that the damage of ignorance can be allowed to persist, and there is hardly any greater damage than what lies in the area of not

of the law: The Power of Attorney, differences between the full and limited document; Rental of real estate and performance contracts from tradesmen and contractors; What is Copyright? How do you License copyright material, and what is ‘work for hire’ against a

his journey through life, should he/she be without resources and no awareness of any legal procedures concerning whatever legal challenge faces that individual, then that soul will require angelic interception to survive in a state of peace of mind. I have been a Power Of At-

obsolete because the owners had passed on some 12 years before and the same old lady con artist who knew the past owners and had presented herself as a relative and was taking rent from that same citizen during that time, up to when overseas kin of the citizen discovered that the

legal ignorance and the prevailing sub-culture of a criminalised state, however, had the system been prudent enough to request the relative documentation notarised from abroad to justify the POA none of that would have happened. Equally important is the second-hand knowledge

ownership in business schemes and real estate ownership. In some cases citizens were misguided upon seeking guidance from legal clerks out to make a dollar and some lawyers notorious for questionable behaviour. Not so long ago a matter was published where a

knowing the basic laws of day to day living while basing one’s actions on speculation and corner gaff. Knowledge of the laws of any land by its people will determine in the process of time how its populace evolve, prosper and its culture trod upon new soil, fertilising potential landscapes that seem obscure before the principles of law inspire and permit. If one-tenth of the legal misconduct in the transactions of real estate ownership in this land is true, then we have been enveloped in a crisis for far too long. There must be a subject on ‘Functional Law’ that teaches those areas of the law in a primary perspective within a learning vocabulary that can explore and inform on the following areas

requested project with a limited license. What is a ‘Letter of Administration’ and when does a Power Of Attorney (POA)cease to exist?; Can the exploitation of illiteracy redeem the rights of someone after they have been swindled? In the case of the latter are legal practitioners culpable?; What constitutes the possibility of ‘Prescriptive Rights’ and the legal way in the case of the illegal occupation of transported land by an accused with criminally acquired documents?; How are leases allowed and do they permit preferences to purchase by law?; Last but not least are cases of inheritance valid without a Will. The above are in many cases the type of legal obstacles that the ordinary man could encounter in

torney and have frequented Judge Rishi Persaud’s Court 8, which I think was one of the busiest courts back then in 2013/14. There’s a case study [not related to that court] I wish to share without names mentioned. A 74-year-old female confidence trickster with a new and stamped, but long expired full Power of Attorney approached a real estate agent to sell a downtown property. The agent then sold it to a businessman. She got paid and vanished. Soon enough both parties- agent and businessman - felt that something was wrong, the house was occupied by a citizen who had a legal document permitting that person to stay in the house. Unknown to them this citizen had some time before discovered that the said Power of Attorney was

owners had long passed. So the citizen had filled an advised legal request based on the document she was given many years before when the legitimate owners first left the country. Not understanding the procedure, the businessman concluded that this citizen was all that physically stood in the way of acquiring the premises, so he proceeded to recruit a group of broke and desperate ‘ready fuh sell deh soul as hit men’ group, acquired weapons from a criminal nouveau riche bodyguard and proceeded to murder the citizen in the premises, and they did. They were caught, the intellectual authors were never charged because the government of that day accommodated the evils of ‘Friends’. All this occurred because of chronic

of the legal system that many of our citizens rely on. But if, awareness was cultivated from the school classrooms would there not have been some possible restraint, from the inception? Most of our murders and acts of arson are rooted today in domestic disputes. Many of the problems were hinted to by Elton McRae in his letter Monday, November 20 2017, about the historical purpose of our education system, inherited from colonial times that did not embrace career diversity, resulting in the frustrations of inadequate employment capacity. But many of those incidents are also related to the lack of clarification of the importance of legal procedures in joint

character with the help of a female lawyer was about to sell a house in South, Georgetown belonging to another person. This happens frequently. The upfront thief was charged but not the lawyer. This has to change. The problem rests with national ignorance that makes people vulnerable to learn through trial and error about the important legal things in their lives. In many cases, they learn through losses and retaliate or retrogress into fatal grief. In discussing the concept of this article with a younger professional, he suggested that such a programme can be integrated into the current Office Procedure category, becoming instead Office and Legal Procedures.

Teen model on the rise

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Reesa Sooklall is a 17-year-old model from Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Currently a student at the prestigious Queenâ€™s College, this young beauty first developed an interest in modeling at the age of 14, when local makeup artist, Kerry Woolford encouraged her to enter the Miss Guyana Talented Teen pageant. With the guidance of former Miss Guyana Universe 2013 and Miss India Guyana 2012, Katherina Roshana and the Simpli Royal Foundation, Reesa was able to cop the title as Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2014. She then got the chance to

compete regionally in St. Kitts & Nevis for the Miss Caribbean Talented Teen pageant. Just after her win as Miss Guyana Talented Teen, Reesa was recognised by Traits Model Management, which, at the time, was scouting fresh faces to join their company. It was then that her fashion model career began. Since then Reesa has taken to the international runway in New York for New York Fashion Week 2015 and 2016. Though she enjoys modeling, however, Reesa believes that it is important that she finds a bal-

ance between this budding career and her life as a teenager. It is here, which Reesa says, her parents play an important role. She also credits her close relationship with her mother as motivation for her becoming a strong woman who fights for what she believes in. Apart from her modeling dreams, Reesa hopes to further her studies and to someday become an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist (OBGYN) but knows that she can always rely on her talent for modeling as well.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Today ¤ Island Style Café & Juice Bar presents “Karaoke Friday” this and every Friday. Its karaoke right? You can take the mic and do your own thing! With popular DJ Don Mar Q. at 50 brickdam stabroek, from 7:30pm. Hosted by sleepin poolside and bar. ¤ GT&T’s Christmas millionaire drawing is happening today in the Cinderella County who will be the next winner? This is going to be exciting!

This weekend will have many exciting and entertaining events that would have you buzzing! Hit’s and Jams Entertainment presents a huge Guyana Carnival 2018 band launch at the Marriot Hotel parking lot. There will be magnificent costumes, the best designers, the hottest DJs. Since it’s about mash they will have a soca fete and free Guyana carnival merchandise costume give away.

¤ For a cool and pleasurable night, head down to the Vintage Wine Bar and Restaurant for their event called the “Rhythm & Blues.”

Tomorrow It’s another RCGC Party! Get comfortable and head down to the “Pajama Party” at the south view tavern! ¤

¤ A tasteful fundraiser to support the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central’s Community Service Project. Tickets $800 wearing costume & $1,000 without costume. You don’t want to miss this! ¤ Hit’s and Jams Entertainment brings to you the most epic band launch to end the year “Guyana Carnival Band Launch” at the Marriot hotel parking lot. Magnificent costumes will be on display along with the best designers, hottest DJs and a Soca fete. It will be fun exciting and entertainment at its best. There will also be free Guyana Carnival merchandise costume giveaways. Tickets $2,000. ¤ Music unlimited presents ‘’ A Christmas concert’’ at the Umana Yana. It’s going to be fun and will also put you in the Christmas spirit. Show starts at 16:30hrs, tickets $1,000. ¤ Join CYEN Guyana for a night of absolute elegance, beautiful décor and fine dining as they experience the third annual Paying it Forward to ‘’Gala’’. This event promises to be a night of remarkable performances, networking and discussion on youth and environment stewardship in an oil and gas economy. Venue 208-209 Camp St, Georgetown, Contribution $7,000. ¤ For a nostalgic environment you can head down to the Vintage Wine Bar and Restaurant for their event called ‘Dinner & Retro Night’ with hits from the 70s & 80s while indulging in some of the best cuisine!

Sunday ¤ The Guyana motor racing & sports club brings you the biggest endurance racing. 2hours endurance race 2-5 laps sprint on the small track fun day, starting from 13:00hr at the south darota circuit cash prizes for 1st place winners. ¤ After the seawall hang out on Sunday you can head down to one of the most popular nightclub, Blue Iguana where entertainment is at its best, great vibes and drinks specials this and every Sunday music by stereo sonic popular DJ magnum. Everyone free before 23:00hrs.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 1 2017

FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017

FRIDAY DECEMBER 1 2017

FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

England need to get back on level terms in Adelaide day-nighter By Nick Mulvenney

SYDNEY (Reuters) - England must sweep aside the distraction of the Ben Stokes saga and get the ball swinging if they are to move back on level terms with Australia when day-night cricket makes its Ashes debut in Adelaide this weekend.

able to call on his considerable talents at Adelaide Oval. They will have James Anderson and Stuart Broad on board, however, and it is the prospect of the experienced pace duo getting the ball to move that has had the second of the five Tests long marked out as the most likely for an England win.

Broad shared 10 wickets when England won their m a i d e n d a y - n i g h t Te s t against West Indies earlier this year, Australia’s pacemen have used the Kookaburra pink ball to win all three of theirs -- two of them at Adelaide Oval. “It is a unique ball,” said England’s Chris Woakes.

Jimmy Anderson

Speculation over the reasons behind Stokes’s trip to New Zealand have reached fever pitch in Australia but would no doubt be less intense had the tourists not crumbled to a 10-wicket defeat in the series opener in Brisbane on Monday. Whether or not it was a ruse to get Stokes ready to play in a part in the series while a decision is awaited over a potential assault charge, it is certain that England will not be

were introduced in 2013. The grass will be left a little longer than usual to avoid wear and tear on the pink ball and Australia coach Darren Lehmann is of the view the wicket gets even more pace-friendly under lights. “There’s a lot of talk about it’ll seam and it’ll swing,” Lehmann said this week.

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Sri Lanka appear to have neither the gameplan nor the resources to halt India’s seemingly inexorable march towards a record-equalling ninth consecutive series victory when the neighbours clash in the third and final Test tomorrow. Sri Lanka’s long-suffering fans saw a sliver of hope when Dinesh Chandimal and his men blanked Pakistan 2-0 in the United Arab Emirates in October before embarking on their bid to win a maiden Test on Indian soil. They managed to bowl out Virat Kohli’s men for 172 in the first Test in Kolkata but after letting a dominant position slip on the final day, needed poor light to intervene to escape with a draw in that weather-hit contest at the Eden Gardens. At a dry Nagpur, a marauding India cruelly exposed Sri Lanka’s limitations and went on to register their joint biggest victory with more than a day to spare. India’s ruthless batsmen four of them helped themselves to centuries - made hay while

By Tamica Garnett

AFTER rerouting the boys’ U-18 100M record, Daniel Williams continued his record-breaking legacy by putting the boys’ U-18 200M record down to 21.78 seconds, and moments later, Deshanna Skeete reproduced a similar accomplishment in the Girls’ U-16 200M, as action peaked on day five of the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships yesterday.

Mitchell Starc

Two statistics would suggest that a victory in Adelaide is all but essential if the tourists are to retain the Ashes they won with a 3-2 series triumph on home soil in 2015. None of the six previous day-night Tests played anywhere in the world had finished in a draw, and only once has a team come from 2-0 down to win an Ashes series when Don Bradman’s Australia achieved the feat in 1936-7. While Anderson and

“We have not bowled a huge amount with it. We had the warm-up game here so we can draw on that experience of winning that game and hopefully that can stand us in good stead.” FASTEST WICKET Still the most picturesque of Australia’s Test venues after a sympathetic modernisation, the Adelaide Oval has shed its reputation as a batsman’s paradise since drop-in wickets

“The ball stays pretty good, but you can make runs if you play well. And it does quicken up at night - probably the fastest wicket around Australia at night - so that’s going to be interesting.” Australia are likely to stick with the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, ably aided by Nathan Lyon with his off-spin, after bouncing England out in the second innings to win at the Gabba.

Milestone beckons dominant India against Sri Lanka By Amlan Chakraborty

Williams, Bright and Skeete set new records to highlight penultimate day of ‘Nationals’

the sun shone as they toyed with a toothless Sri Lankan attack in a complete mismatch. The hosts declared their first innings ‘batathon’ at 610 for six and did not need a second go in the middle after the home bowlers duly ran through Sri Lanka twice in the innings and 239 runs triumph. “Before we came here, we had a gameplan,” Chandimal said after Sri Lanka’s worst defeat in Test cricket in which they scored less than 19 runs per wicket. “We said to the guys, ‘If

you get a start, you have to bat long’. But they scored only 50-60 runs and got out. It’s unfortunate but I‘m sure they will learn.” India, who subjected Sri Lanka to a 9-0 home whitewash across all formats earlier this year, are unlikely to take their foot off the accelerator in the final home Test before they leave for South Africa. As was the case in Kolkata and Nagpur, the track at Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla is likely to sport a green tinge as captain Kohli wants the series

Virat Kohli

to double up as preparations for a tougher assignment away to the Proteas. “We want to prepare for South Africa. That’s why we asked for pitches with help for the fast bowlers,” Kohli said after the Nagpur romp. “There’s not enough time in-between to prepare, so we have to use the time we have now for a big tour coming up.” Kohli has killed two birds with one stone with his choice of surface, which has also diluted Sri Lanka’s most potent spin threat Rangana Herath, who will miss the Delhi Test with a back injury. Kohli’s counterpart Chandimal, however, will be more alarmed by the lack of application among his batsmen, as was evident on day four of the Nagpur Test when seven of them got out in the morning session, most of them through poor shot selections. India are heavy favourites to win again but only need a draw to tie England and Australia for the record for most consecutive Test series wins and Chandimal’s men would have to conjure up something extraordinary to deny the hosts.

Chantoba Bright

There was no doubt as to who was in control of the race from the blast of the gun, as Williams shot out of the blocks. Running out of lane three, Williams established his lead on the turn, and it was just a matter of maintaining the lead on the home straight. West Coast Berbice’s Lionel Marks pushed hard to keep up with Williams, but the World Youth 400m silver medallist was more than he could handle. Marks clocked 22 seconds, equalling the record that Williams smashed. That four-year-old record was set by former great, Jason Yaw. Williams, the 2017 IAAF World U-18 Championships sil-

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ver medallist, is next set to take to the track today in the 400M, where another record-breaking performance is anticipated. Spectators got a chance to see a preview when Williams gave his team a massive start in the 4x400m finals. However, several lapses along the way saw the team finishing third in the end, as the District 5 team took the win. Over in the Girls’ U-16 200M, Skeete toppled her own record with her time of 24.97 seconds, erasing the 25.3 seconds record she had set last year. Williams’ and Skeete’s record followed the new Girls’ U-18 high jump record set by their teammate Chantoba Bright, who cleared 1.57 metres, surpassing the 1.55 metres record that Tatyanna Blair set in 2013. Murphy Nash was another outstanding Lindener who was among the record breakers of the day. The middle distance runner took the Boys’ U-16 1500m record down to 4:26.5s. And those were only a few of the exceptional performances from District 10 athletes that ensured the District continued in the lead. District 10 moved up to 577 points after 103 finals, to continue their unshakable lead. West Demerara (District 3) is some way behind with 410 points, followed by South Georgetown (District 13) with 356.5 points. Meanwhile, wins like the 50.38 metres record-breaking boys U-16 javelin throw from Randy Hamilton, has helped North Georgetown (District 11) to gain some headway, moving up to fourth with 334 points. East Coast follows on the list with 314 points. 09:40 hrs Pearl Nation 10:10 hrs Tellovoi 10:45 hrs First Excel 11:20 hrs Belgravian Newbury 08:20 hrs Lostintranslation 08:50 hrs Cyrname 09:20 hrs Chef Des Obeaux 09:50 hrs Willoughby Court 10:25 hrs Oldgrangewood 11:00 hrs Thistlecrack 11:35 hrs Actinpieces Doncaster 08:30 hrs No Ceiling 09:00 hrs Jassas 09:30 hrs Powerful Symbol 10:00 hrs Master Burbidge 10:35 hrs Chapel Stile 11:10 hrs Imperial Elixir Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 13:30 hrs It’s All A Joke 14:00 hrs Aggression 14:30 hrs Catamaran 15:00 hrs Zamroudpour 15:30 hrs Koybig 16:00 hrs Clear Skies 16:30 hrs Masalai 17:00 hrs Tropic Thunder

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

GFF ELITE LEAGUE ON TODAY AND SUNDAY The senior league of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) – GFF Elite League III commenced on the 19 th November, 2017 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

TEN TEAMS: Western Tigers FC Cougars FC New Amsterdam United FC Ann’s Grove FC Den Amstel FC Milerock FC FrutaConqueors FC Buxton United FC Victoria Kings FC Guyana Defence Force FC

PRIZES:

1st prize – $5M 2nd Prize – $2M 3rd prize – $1M 4th prize – $500,000

ADMISSION: $500

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Miller wins battle with Smith to give Scorpions the edge on day one KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC)- Jamaica Scorpions captain Nikita Miller gave his side the early edge when he triggered another inexplicable Windward Islands Volcanoes batting collapse to overshadow Devon Smith’s third hundred of the season in the Regional 4-Day Championship on Thursday. Miller, the most successful bowler in the history of the West Indies first-class championship, captured 5-60 from 29 overs with his steady left-arm spin, as the Volcanoes were bowled out for 200 in their first innings on the first day of their fifth-round match at Sabina Park. Left-hander Smith, the most prolific batsman in Windies first-class history, slammed an undefeated 116 and was the only Volcanoes batsman that offered stiff resistance to the Scorpions’ bowling. Taryck Gabriel made 23 and was the only other Volcanoes batsman to pass 20, as the visitors made four changes to their line-up from the previous match. John Campbell, bowling his

uncomplicated off-spin, supported Miller in the demolition of the Volcanoes batting with 3-38 from 14 overs. Campbell was not out on 37 and Trevon Griffith was not out on five, as the Scorpions reached 43 without loss in reply when stumps were drawn.

Devon Smith hit an unbeaten 116

Miller, playing only his second match of the season, due to a medical procedure during the off-season, has quickly proved his worth to the Scorpions. He collected 10 wickets in the previous match against

Twelve matches carded for Smalta Girls Under-11 football opening round today

Leeward Islands Hurricanes and worked his way through the feeble Volcanoes batting after he belatedly brought himself into the attack on a pitch that was offering assistance to the spin bowlers from early. Smith, whose 344 runs prior to the start of the match was the second highest aggregate for the season, also proved how invaluable he has been to the Volcanoes. He became the first batsman this season to pass 400 runs and batted just under five hours for his 26th Regional 4-Day and 31st firstclass career hundred that came from 254 balls and included seven fours and four sixes. Campbell gave Scorpions early success, when he had Tyrone Theophile, the Volcanoes captain and Smith’s long-standing opening partner, caught at leg-slip for 16 in the first hour. The part-time off-spinner struck again following the drinks break, when Roland Cato fell in the same manner for six. Smith and Gabriel carried the Volcanoes to lunch on

Georgetown takes on St Angleas while Redeemer take on School of the Nations before lunch. At Noon, the second round of action begins and will pit F.E. Pollard against South Ruimveldt while Stella Maris battles West Ruimveldt. After that, Enterprise will take on Sophia while St. Pius opposes Tucville with the final set of matches for the afternoon pitting North Georgetown Primary against Redeemer andSchool of the Nations against St Angelas.

caught close to the wicket for a duck before the visitors reached 150. After they passed that milestone, Miller removed Shane Shillingford for one before Audy Alexander was run out for a duck, as Smith coasted to tea on 85. After the break, Smith reached 90 before Campbell removed debutant Kenneth Dember for five and it was touch-and-go to see if the discarded West Indies opener would reach his landmark. He duly brought up the hundred with his final four before Sherman Lewis gave

a return catch to Miller to bring the innings to a close. Volcanoes brought Hector, Dennis Smith, Dember and Alexander in to replace Kirk Edwards, Kavem Hodge, Gian Benjamin and Ray Jordan, while Scorpions replaced Garth Garvey, Dennis Bulli and Oshane Thomas with Griffith, Fabian Allen and Reynard Leveridge. Scorpions – fifth in the standings on 36.6 points – gained two bowling points, but no pace bowling points and Volcanoes – last on 18.4 points – has so far added one batting point.

SCOREBOARD

Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller grabbed five for 60 from 29 overs.

After leg-spinner Damion Jacobs had Donwell Hector caught in the deep for seven to leave Volcanoes 126 for four, Miller trapped Kyle Mayers lbw for 15 and Dennis Smith

VOLCANOES 1st Innings DS Smith not out 116 *T Theophile c Palmer b Campbell 16 R Cato c Palmer b Campbell 6 T Gabriel b Miller 23 D Hector c Green b Jacobs 7 K Mayers lbw b Miller 15 +DDH Smith c Palmer b Miller 0 S Shillingford c King b Miller 1 A Alexander run out 0 K Dember c Leveridge b Campbell 5 S Lewis c and b Miller 0 Extras: (b5, w6) 11 TOTAL: (all out, 83 overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-61, 3-115, 4-126, 5-149, 6-149, 7-151, 8-152, 9-174 Bowling: Green 5-1-17-0 (w5);

Leveridge 9-3-20-0 (w1); Campbell 14-1-38-3; Jacobs 26-5-60-1; Miller 29-9-60-5 SCORPIONS 1st Innings J Campbell not out 37 T Griffith not out 5 Extras: (lb1) 1 TOTAL: (without loss, 14 overs) 43 A Fudadin, B King, F Allen, P Palmer, +S Taylor, D Green, D Jacobs, *N Miller, R Leveridge yet to bat Bowling: Lewis 3-0-10-0; Mayers 4-2-2-0; Shillingford 5-0-9-0; Dember 2-1-12-0 Position: Scorpions trail by 157 with all first innings wickets standing

Heyliger, Montfort in Canadian squad for Barbados tour By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — Guyanese Dilon Heyliger and Mark Montfort have been included in the Canada senior men’s squad, set to tour Barbados from December 8 to 17 as part of preparations for the upcoming World Cricket League Division Two tournament.

Smalta Girls U-11 football action returns today

TWELVE matches are carded in today’s opening round of the Smalta Girls Under-11 football tournament at the former Guyana National Service ground. Two pitches will be set up for games to be played simultaneously. The first two games of the day which begin at 10:00 will feature F.E Pollard playing West Ruimveldt while South Ruimveldt plays Stella Maris. Enterprise tangle with Tucville in the second batch of matches while Sophia play St Pius Primary and North

84 for two, but things started to unravel for the visitors once Miller introduced himself following the interval. Smith reached his 50 before Miller bowled Gabriel to end a third-wicket partnership of 54 and the floodgates opened as the Volcanoes plunged from 115 for three to 162 for eight at tea.

Mark Montfort

The team will depart here next Saturday and after two days of practice will play four matches against a University of West Indies Select XI on December 11, 12, 14 and 15. Heyliger, a former Guyana T20 player who also represented his homeland at both the Under-15 and 19 levels, turned out for Brampton Masters in last season’s Toronto District Cricket Association (TDCA) Super 9 tournament, while all-rounder Montfort, the son of former long-standing umpire Peter

Montfort, plays for the same club. The former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) first division all-rounder, who was also selected in the Guyana T20 squad in 2011 despite not being part of the playing 11, said the experience was quite electrifying and satisfying. “I decided to build on the success of Guyana’s cricket and move on to gain some international experience.” Before migrating to Canada, Montfort also played first division cricket for the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) under the guidance of former Guyana and West Indies off-spinner and later chairman of selectors, Clyde Butts. The touring party is: Nitish Kumar (captain), Bhavindu Adhihetty, Navneet Dhaliwal, Arslan Khan, Rizwan Cheema, Varun Sehdev, Mark Montfort, Nikhil Dutta, Dilon Heyliger, Ammar Khalid, Cecil Pervez, Satsimranjit Dhindsa, Junaid Siddiqui, Saad Zafar, Umair Ghani, Hamza Tariq, Head coach Ingleton Liburd, Assistant coach Henry Osinde, Asst coach/analyst Daulat Khan Meanwhile, according to a release from Cricket Canada, the body has pledged to commit to the Coaching Association of Canada’s Responsible Coaching Movement. The release pointed out that Cricket Canada pledges “to align our practices with Phase 1 of the Responsible Coaching Movement and we are committed to ensuring that our athletes and

coaches are protected.” The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a multiphase system-wide movement, coordinated by the Coaching Association of Canada and the

extensive ongoing consultation with the Canadian Sport Community. These consultations will guide the different phases of the RCM that will address the role coaches play with issues

Dilon Heyliger

Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport that has the potential to affect all sport organisations and coaches. The RCM is a call to action for organisations to implement realistic change based on their individual state of readiness. The release further disclosed that “the RCM is the result of

relating to the health and safety of athletes, both on and off the field of play. “Cricket Canada is planning to adopt a safe sport policy, following the principles of the Responsible Coaching Movement and encourages all members to do the same.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Road to Mecca Basketball Championship bounces off today THE Fourth Edition of the Road to Mecca Basketball championship, organised by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), will bounce off today with three matches at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The tournament is being sponsored by Banks DIH Limited under the Coca-Cola Brand. The sponsorship cheque and trophies were presented during a simple ceremony at Thirst Park yesterday where president of GABF, Nigel Hinds, received the cheque from Shenisa Fredericks, Brand Trainee of Banks DIH Limited. Hinds thanked Banks DIH Limited and Coca-Cola for partnering with the GABF for the y e a re n d t o u r n a m e n t which will climax on December 24 (Christmas Eve) with the grand final. Banks DIH Limited Communications Man-

Shenisa Fredericks (Banks DIH official) presents the sponsorship cheque to Nigel Hinds (GABF president) while Mortimer Stewart (Outdoor Events Manager), Troy Peters (Communications Manager), Junior Hercules and Shevon Henry (GABF coordinators) and two cheerleaders share the photo opportunity.

ager Troy Peters said his company was delighted to be working closely with GABF to promote the development of basketball in Guyana. The participation

clubs will be representing Upper Demerara, Berbice, East Coast Demerara, East Banks Demerara and Georgetown. Ten of Guyana’s top

GFF Elite matches shifted to MSC Ground AS the Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League continues this weekend, the organisation has had an unavoidable change of today’s venue, match times and order of matches, due to the inclement weather. Today’s double-header which would see Fruta Conquerors taking on Ann’s Grove from 18:00 hrs and Milerock FC clashing with Western Tigers from 20:00 hrs, being changed to the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), Linden. According to the fixture, the games were originally scheduled for Tucville Community Centre ground, but the GFF’s Competitions Director Ian Alves , reasoned that the “Tucville ground is currently undergoing maintenance work and therefore not useable for the scheduled matches. There was an inadvertent delay to complete the identified works at the venue in question due to the inclement weather, thus causing the ground to be unusable.” Meanwhile, for newcomers Western Tigers FC, the team is sticking to their attacking philosophy and building on their weaknesses. Head Coach Calvin Alleyne explained that even though their gameplay improved after conceding their

fitness was still an issue, adding “Our game was not where it should be, that’s not an excuse but a fact. Even though we’re a passing team, we couldn’t always get into position effectively. However, we’ve corrected our fitness and finishing. We also have an understanding of Milerock’s gameplay from past games.”

GFF Competitions Director, Ian Alves

Milerock FC’s introduction to the league has not been strong but they have worked on their initial weakness, according to Head Coach, Keron Munroe. “The butterflies are out, we know where we went wrong and our approach will be different. We have reviewed our last performance and we have a remedy for this upcoming match,” said Munroe. For Ann’s Grove FC, fit-

ness is the focus for tonight’s match, with the team’s Head Coach Lloydwin Semple, in an invited comment, related “I have no doubt our players have skill, but reviews of our first game have revealed our fitness and our finishing to be weaknesses. Efforts have been made to correct this.” Experience at the Elite League level rests with veterans Fruta Conquerors FC, as the club look forward to the competition. Head Coach Sampson Gilbert said, “Every team in my view has an aspiration to win the league, so we take every team seriously. When we encounter any team on the field of play we bring our “A” game to come out on top.” Admission to the games is $500.

basketball clubs - Bounty Colts, Dyna’s Raven, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Half Mile Bulls, Rose Hall Jammers, Victory Valley Royals, Retrieve Raiders,

Pacesetters, Plaisance Guardians and Kobras will be vying for top honours. Dyna’s Ravens will square off with Rose Hall

Jammers in the opening encounter starting at 17:00hrs to be followed by Bounty Colts against Half Mile Bulls. The final game will bring together Victory Valley Royals versus Plaisance Guardians. Prior to the tip-off, at 15:00hrs there will be the official march past of the 10 competing teams as well as entertainment provided by singer Tiffani Bonner and cheerleaders who will be cheering the teams on, Hinds said. The tournament coordinators are Junior Hercules and Shevon Henry who were also present at the handing-over ceremony. The preliminary matches will be played on December 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 22. The semi-finals will be played off on December 23 and the final on December 24 with all matches at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Jangoo, Hope hit half-centuries as Red Force make strong reply to Hurricanes 207 BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Roookie lefthander Amir Jangoo was eyeing a maiden first class hundred as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force made a dominant reply against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, on the opening day of their fifth round match here Friday. At the close at Warner Park, Red Force were well placed on 148 without loss, with the 20-year-old Jangoo unbeaten on 81 and partner Kyle Hope on 61 not out. Red Force only trail by 59 runs heading into the second day after dismissing the hosts in their first innings for 207. Jangoo, in his seventh first class match, has faced 112 balls and smashed seven

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday December 01, 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) Chris Gayle-1258 runs (12 Tests) (2) Ross Taylor-873 runs (10 Tests) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has claimed most wickets for the WI against NZ in Tests to date? (2) Who has taken most wickets for NZ against the WI in Tests to date? ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

fours and half-dozen sixes while Test batsman Hope faced 113 deliveries and counted eight fours. Earlier, wicketkeeper Devon Thomas top-scored with 46 while captain Rahkeem Cornwall chipped in with 43 as Hurricanes collapsed from a position of 60 for one at one stage, after opting to bat first. Shane Burton got 29 and Chesney Hughes, 29, but the remainder of the batting failed to show enterprise. Fast bowler Roshon Primus was the best bowler with four for 57 while leg-spinner Imran Khan claimed three for 26 and off-spinner Bryan Charles supported with two for 53. Opener Montcin Hodge fell cheaply for 10 with the score on 18 but Hughes and Akeem Saunders (17) added 42 for the second to stabilise the innings. Hughes struck five fours in a 35-ball knock before becoming one of two wickets to fall in the space of five balls with the score on 60, as Saunders also followed. Hurricanes then slumped to 93 for five before Thomas and Cornwall propped up the innings with a stand of 66. While Thomas struck

two fours and sixes in an 80-ball innings, Cornwall was his typical aggressive self, striking four fours and three sixes in a brisk 42-ball knock.

SCOREBOARD

HURRICANES 1st Innings M Hodge c wkp Jangoo b Primus 10 C Hughes b Charles 29 A Saunders c Hope b Webster 17 D Thomas c Pierre b Primus 46 T Warde c Cariah b Charles 2 +J Hamilton lbw b Imran Khan 9 *R Cornwall c wkp Jangoo b Primus 43 S Burton not out 29 J Louis c Hope b Primus 4 E Berridge c and b Imran Khan 7 S Berridge lbw b Imran Khan 2 Extras: (lb1, w2, nb6) 9 TOTAL (all out, 53 overs) 207 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-60, 3-60, 4-76, 5-93, 6-159, 7-166, 8-171, 9-205, 10-207. Bowling: Cottrell 9-1-40-0, Primus 12-0-57-4, Webster 6-219-1, Charles 13-2-53-2, Imran Khan 6-0-26-3, Pierre 7-3-11-0. RED FORCE 1st Innings K Hope not out 61 +A Jangoo not out 81 Extras: (lb1, w2, nb3) 6 TOTAL (without loss, 37 overs) 148 To bat: Y Cariah, J Mohammed, *D Ramdin, T Webster, R Primus, Imran Khan, B Charles, K Pierre, S Cottrell. Bowling: Louis 9-4-17-0, S Berridge 6-1-36-0, Thomas 4-0-12-0, Cornwall 10-2-41-0, E Berridge 5-0-28-0, Warde 3-0-13-0. Position: Red Force trail by 59 runs with all 10 first innings wickets intact.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, December 1, 2017

Williams, Greaves engineer Barbados Pride revival By Rajiv Bisnauth HALF-centuries by Kenroy Williams and Justin Greaves engineered a Barbados Pride revival in reaching 282-7 at stumps against hosts Guyana Jaguars on the opening day of the fifth round Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day game at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday. The pair repelled the hosts with a century stand, as they dragged a stumbling Pride from 123-5 to firm respectability at stumps. Williams made 68 while Greaves, who has so far batted for 152 balls, 185 minutes, inclusive of ten boundaries, is 72 not out. Their sixth-wicket partnership worth 121 runs. Mario Rampersaud is the other not-out batsmen on four. Earlier, the Pride were in early trouble when they lost three quick wickets with just 32 runs on the board, as pacer Keon Joseph (3-63) capitalised on the new ball and slightly overcast conditions. After deciding to bat first,

the visitors’ openers Anthony Alleyne and Shayne Moseley added 28 for the first wicket, but Joseph, the West Indies A team pacer, struck twice in the fifth over to jolt the visitors’ progress.

later. Joseph also got rid of Jonathon Carter (4), who paid the price for his lethargic feet movement as wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble effected the stumping chance that was

to the interval on 90-3. The right-handed Stoute was on 31 when lunch was taken. The pair remained unperturbed, half-an-hour into the middle session before both were dismissed

the hosts sensed a change in momentum, but Williams and Greaves then formed a sound resistance to frustrate the home side. The pair added 55 during the remainder of the session,

reached his landmark off 125 balls. The pair took their stand within the final half an hour of play before Keemo Paul had Williams caught at the wicket to end his 144-ball innings which spanned 162 minutes at the crease, counting ten boundaries. Paul then had the wicket of Ashley Nurse (13), just before the close. Play resumes today at 09:30hrs and admission to the venue is free.

SCOREBOARD

Justin Greaves Kevin Stoute drives down the ground during his knock. (Adrian Narine photos)

Joseph moved the new ball very well and used the bounce available to good effect. He gave the three-time defending champions their first breakthrough when he had Alleyne (11), edging to third slip before trapping Shamarh Brooks leg-before without scoring, three balls

made available. H o w e v e r , M o s e l e y, who was unbeaten on 33 at lunch, braved a tough morning session, and in company with Kevin Stoute then stabilised the innings, putting together a fighting unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 58 runs, as the tourists went

in the space of 13 runs. The left-handed Moseley was run-out after being called through for a non-existent single. He made 43 off 109 balls while Stoute edged Motie behind for 47 off 104 balls. Both batsmen managed to hit eight boundaries apiece. The Pride were 1235 with those dismissals, as

Keon Joseph

and went into the tea break on 36 and 20 respectively. However, the afternoon session began differently, with captain Leon Johnson setting inventive fields to try to make something happen. But that was not the case, as Williams coasted past his half-century off 110 balls with nine fours, while Greaves

BARBADOS PRIDE 1st innings A. Alleyne c Paul b Joseph 11 S. Moseley run-out (Permaul) 43 S. Brooks lbw b Joseph 0 J. Carter stp. wkp. Bramble b Joseph 4 K. Stoute c wkp. Bramble b Motie 47 K. Williams c wkp. Bramble b Paul 68 J. Greaves not out 72 A. Nurse c Johnson b Paul 13 M. Rampersaud not out 4 Extras: (nb-4, b-5, lb-1) 10 Total: (for seven wicket, 91 overs) 282 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-28, 3-32, 4-110, 5-123, 6-244, 7-274. Bowling: Joseph 17-2-63-3, Paul 13-2-54-2, Permaul 27-7-67-0, Motie 18-6-43-1, Rutherford 13-2-34-0, Hemraj 3-1-5-0

Seven stoppages as GBA/Terrence Ali Championships heat up on second night By Michael DaSilva

AFTER a dim start on the opening night, the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA)/Terrence Ali National Open Championships heated up on the second night as seven of the 10 fights finished within the distance, with boxers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Gym accounting for three of those stoppages. Two went the full three rounds while the other was a walkover victory. Defending champion gym, GDF, won five of their nine bouts with two of those fights being all-GDF affairs. The second-night action began with an all-GDF contest that saw Delon Garraway win by a unanimous points-decision over Clinton Clarke. Then came competition in the Youth category where Christopher Moore of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) caused the referee to halt his lightweight contest against Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym’s (PRBG) at one minute 26 seconds of round

three. The contest, which was one to cherish, saw Moore use his left jabs to good effect, staving off the challenge of Pollard, who found his rhythm and landed a combination of punches causing the referee to issue an eight-count.

It looked like Pollard’s round, but in the second stanza, Moore stepped up the attack and landed several combinations to the body and head of Pollard. He kept up the onslaught for the remainder of the round, and into the third round.’ The referee then stopped the

contest. Then came the `bigger boys’ of the Elite Class. Julius Kesney of the Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) Boxing Gym came up against GDF’s Aluko Venture in a flyweight contest but the latter was no match for Kesney and the referee stopped the contest

Vergenoegen Boxing Gym’s Christopher Moore (right) connects with a left hand to Omar Pollard in their Youth Lightweight contest of the GBA Terrence Ali National Open championships on Wednesday evening. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

at 14 seconds of the second round. Kelvin Moore (VBG) then faced GDF’s Clairmont Gibson (GDF in a bantamweight contest and this was a real bruising affair and can be considered the fight of the night. From round one, both fighters went after each other with Moore looking more purposeful of the duo in the first round and Moore, a south paw, landed several times with combinations to the head and body of Gibson, but the National Open defending bantamweight champion stormed the weather and retaliated. He picked his punches and landed several heavy combinations that forced the referee to stop the contest at two minutes 28 seconds of the third round. In the lightweight division, Joel Williamson of RHJ forced the referee to stop his lightweight contest against GDF’s Jamal Brisport at two minutes 40 seconds of the second round. The junior welterweight contest between GDF’s

Colin Lewis and Forgotten Youth Foundation’s (FYF) Aquincy Harvey resulted in Lewis securing a two-minute 33-second stoppage win in the first round. In the welterweight division, GDF’s Dwayne July secured a walkover win from his gym mate Romano Clarke. In the other welterweight contest on Wednesday evening, FYF’s Marlon Darrell secured a unanimous points-decision win over Tony Gillis of the GDF. In the middleweight division, GDF’s Caribbean middleweight champion Desmond Amsterdam secured a two-minute 34-second stoppage victory against Pocket Rocket’s Akeem Crandon and in the final fight on the night’s card. Dennis Thomas of Guyana Police Force who won the middleweight title last year is competing as a light heavyweight this year. He proved too much for GDF’s Aluko Bess and the referee stopped the contest at one minute 39 seconds of the second round.

Williams, Greaves engineer Barbados Pride revival See page 43

Williams, Bright and Skeete set new records to highlight penultimate day of ‘Nationals’ ... Skeete, Williams on show today in 400M finals

Deshanna Skeete of District 10 bursting out the blocks at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, where she set a new Girls’ U-16 200M record when she ran 24.97 seconds.

MR RECORDS! Daniel Williams (second from right) of District 10 crossing the finish line after obliterating the Boys’ U-18 200M record, running 21.78 seconds, as compared to Compton Caesar’s 22.1 seconds.

Wagner’s seven for 39 topples Windies for 134 WELLINGTON, New Zealand, (CMC) – West Indies failed in their bid for a breakthrough in the short period before tea, as they continued to struggle after being dismissed cheaply on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve here today. At tea, New Zealand were nine without loss, with opener Tom Latham (six not out) and Jeet Raval (three not out) encountering few jitters in the six overs available to them. Left-arm seamer Neil Wagner had earlier claimed a career-best seven-wicket haul as

West Indies lost their last seven wickets for 55 runs after lunch to be dismissed for 134 in their first innings. Opener Kieran Powell top-scored with 42 and partner Kraigg Brathwaite got 24, but it went downhill quickly for the visitors, after the pair put on 59 for the first wicket. Resuming after lunch on 79 for three, the Caribbean side lost wickets steadily to be bowled out, 40 minutes before tea, with the outstanding Wagner claiming seven for 39. N e w b a l l b o w l e r, left-armer Trent Boult, picked up two for 36.

The performance by Wagner was the second best by a New Zealand

bowler against West Indies. Shai Hope, yet to

Black Caps seamer Neil Wagner.

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score at lunch, perished to the second ball after the resumption without adding when he pulled at Wagner and brushed a leg-side catch behind, with a single run added to the score. Seven balls later, debutant Sunil Ambris trod on his stumps off Wagner to depart without scoring, leaving West Indies 80 for five. Roston Chase turned Wagner around the corner

to be caught at leg slip by Raval on 97 for six and captain Jason Holder was yorked first ball, to extend the Windies’ misery. Dowrich was run out in a mix up with Roach and Miguel Cummins was bowled for one playing down the wrong line, before Roach and Shannon Gabriel (10) put on 29 for the last wicket – the second-best stand of the innings – to frustrate the Black Caps.

Road to Mecca Basketball See Championship page 42 bounces off today FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017