Guyana Chronicle E-paper 01-07-2019

MONDAY 7th January, 2019

No.105510

Embrace fact-checking, self-regulation – President urges journalists at annual media brunch 02 PAGE

President David Granger and members of his Cabinet with media operatives at the annual media brunch at State House on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Cops capture wash bay robber

PAGE

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Discipline needed 03 PAGE

–– minibus drivers welcome Code of Conduct

Guyanese baffled 12 by strange overseas calls PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Embrace fact-checking, self-regulation –– President urges journalists at annual media brunch

By Lisa Hamilton

PRESIDENT David Granger has urged media practitioners to embrace fact-checking, self-regulation and respect for social cohesion during his address at the annual media brunch on Sunday.

The President made the call even as he reminded reporters that his administration respects the profession and will continue to do all in its power to assist in its development.

Attending the mid-morning ceremony were numerous practitioners of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), government ministers and other invited guests, who all congregated at the Baridi Benab at State House.

Present too was First Lady Sandra Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Addressing the gathering, President Granger first thanked the local media for their sensitive reporting on his recent medical diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, for which he has since been receiving treatment.

reckless statements are made, which could be harmful to individuals and the public at large,” he said.

He also addressed the principle of self-regulation, for which he noted the GPA has special responsibility as this remains the best way to ensure journalists conform to internationally recognised standards.

“The association is a guild and persons who don’t conform to the values and standards of the guild are sanctioned. Not by government, not by the courts or the police, but by their peers. The association is meant to regulate the behaviour of journalists and to prevent them from excesses; and that is why I have so much faith in the press association,” he reminded.

He also called for those tasked with the responsibility of disseminating information to ensure that this is done in ways that do not threaten the values of social cohesion in Guyana’s multi-ethnic society.

During his remarks, the President encouraged the GPA to make full use of the

A section of the gathering at State House on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo) At the function where he customarily takes the opportunity to bestow advice, the President zeroed in on the need for media operatives to pay greater attention to facts.

“Fact-checking is an important element in your social responsibility. Accuracy is an important element in your social responsibility and I’ll ask that, especially this year, editors employ persons to check facts before

funds that have been set aside for training of journalists.

In 2016, the President had pledged to annually provide funds to support the GPA to support the training of media practitioners.

COMMITMENT “I am committed to providing assis-

tance to help you publish your history of the press association.

I am also committed to assisting in strengthening one of the four pillars of journalism and the first is schooling.

“I think we all know very well that we wouldn’t go into a plane if the pilot hasn’t been trained. Or, we wouldn’t submit to surgery if the doctor hasn’t been trained and people that are handling public information have to be trained. I have always insisted that journalists must receive education in journalism and the money is available,” he said.

Meanwhile, GPA President Nazima Raghubir while addressing the gathering stated that the association looks forward to mutually beneficial relations with all stakeholders interested in the improvement and advancement of the local media.

Looking back on 2018, Raghubir noted that the press has faced its fair share of challenges -- both regionally and internationally-- with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reporting that 53 journalists were killed during the year.

One of the most appalling cases she mentioned, was that of columnist for The Washington Post Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi who was killed while visiting a Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2.

“The challenges we face in the Caribbean and particularly Guyana are no different from what our colleagues around the world face. However, our freedom to express ourselves and the right to work and practice our craft is guaranteed and ought to be respected by everyone,” Raghubir said.

“With that freedom comes great responsibility and the GPA remains committed to ensuring that its members and media workers are equipped with the necessary tools to practise professional, ethical and responsible journalism,” she reminded.

REMAIN FACTUAL, INDEPENDENT She too urged members of the association to remain independent, factual and ensure that their works foster social cohesion rather than division.

“More than ever, our work is being relied upon. Guyana continues to navigate through uncharted waters, finding herself, repositioning her economic powers and we have a major role in any introspection she is doing

President David Granger addresses the gathering at the Baridi Benab, State House, on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo) now or she does in the future,” she said.

Remarks also came from National Communication Network (NCN) Board Chair and Managing-Director Enrico Woolford, who briefly examined the history of the GPA which will this year celebrate its 74th anniversary.

Pointing out that the GPA is one of the oldest press associations in the Caribbean, Woolford counselled those in attendance that in a world of opinions, media practitioners must develop a knack for being able to focus only on the facts.

Ministers who attended the brunch included Minster of State Joseph Harmon; Minster of Finance Winston Jordan; Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams; Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin; Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson; Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan.

At the event, media practitioners received special GPA commemorative coins and pins from the President and took the opportunity to mingle on a lighter note with the ministers present

President David Granger, First Lady Sandra Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo along with several ministers of government with members of the media (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

‘We got to be disciplined’ –– minibus drivers welcome code of conduct –– say regulations necessary for standards, order

LAST Friday the Ministry of Business released an advertisement on their Facebook page promoting the proposed “Code of Conduct” for minibus operators, which seeks to address how they treat and deal with commuters on several issues.

Some drivers on the bus parks around the Stabroek Market area said, that the “Code of Conduct” will be a welcomed initiative to help rein in errant drivers and add standard to the public transportation system.

“It’s a good idea, with these minibuses we need some sort of discipline. I don’t see a problem with it just that we have to get discipline,” shared Edward Hooper, a Route 44 (Georgetown to Mahaica) driver.

The “Code of Conduct” was an initiative proposed by the United Minibus Union (UMU) and the Ministry of Business, to address consumer concerns with minibuses after the Ministry granted an across the board fare raise for minibuses last August.

The “Code of Conduct” is expected to address several concerns about minbuses including loud music, overloading, how passengers are handled, the way minibus operators are at-

tired and colour coding of minibuses for the varying routes.

President of the UMU, Eon Andrews, is calling for training of minibus operators to be made mandatory.

Hooper, who has been a driver for the past 15 years, learnt about the “Code of Conduct” after seeing the issue being talked about on Facebook over the weekend.

One Route 47 (West/ East) drive was not at all pleased that he was never informed of the coming policy. The driver, however, noted that he was not a

part of the UMU and has no intention of joining.

Donald, (only name given) is a bus conductor on the 47 route, who also heard about the “Code of Conduct” and believes it a good thing that commuters concerns are being addressed.

“I heard that you’re supposed to treat the passengers nicely and speak to them politely and so on, and [I] also heard that passengers could lodge complaints and so on. Passengers have a right to be treated fairly, and properly and mannerly,” he said.

Two major issues which

are always a sore point for commuters are the loud music in the buses and the overloading of the buses, many of which are only supposed to carry a maximum 15 persons, but in at least one case carried over 40 persons.

In June, a Route 42 minibus driver, Leon Jaggernaught, and his conductor Joshua Khan were charged after a video surfaced on Facebook showing that over 40 school children were crammed into the vehicle.

The overloading of a minibus is a serious issue

An overloaded minibus at the Stabroek Market bus park on Friday (Delano Williams photo)

as the vehicle’s insurance is voided if an accident occurs while overloaded. Several commuters are also calling for the law against the playing of music in minibuses to be properly enforced.

“The police have to their job,” said Trevor Bailey, a driver on the 48 route.

“The drivers and the conductors [are] going to overload their bus to make their money you know how the hustle is. Get yuh extra money so you could done wuk early, drivers would do that. If the police [are] there it would avoid them from doing it, but the police have to do their work. You know it have police owning buses out here, so they won’t pull in their own bus and obstruct them from making their target, so that’s a thing, and they have friends too.”

After working as a conductor for a few years, since 2004, Bailey started working as a driver for the past nine months when he re-migrated to Guyana.

He is not too pleased with how drivers and conductors carry themselves, and is happy that the “Code of Conduct addresses how the minibus operators should be dressed.

“The dress code could be in effect, I don’t have a problem with that because

some of them drivers real untidy,” he noted. Like Donald, he thinks commuters need to be treated with more respect. “Is they bringing the money, they paying you, you should listen,” he says.

On the issue of music, Hooper thinks drivers need to be more considerate of the passengers. “I am against the music, you have different class of people travelling in the buses,” he said.

The playing of any music on public transportation, including minibus and hire cars, has been against the law since 2008, with the passage of a Bill which inserted Section 174B in the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act. At the Route 44, Mahaica bus park, Asser Ali complained bitterly about the tout system, and noted his enthusiasm to see it gone. He’s also concerned about the amount of parking available for buses given the line system in place.

“They gah get rid of the touts them, that’s all I want.

The touts them causing a lot of problems. That’s it.

And they gah make parking space for the bus, is a lot of bus,” Ali said.

He thinks the colour coding of separate colours for the differing route buses is a good idea

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Cops capture wash bay robber COPS have arrested one of two suspects who robbed a wash bay operator of his jewellery and a sum of cash at gunpoint at Lot 1 Conciliation Drive, Georgetown on Sunday.

Police in a statement said the motorcycle used in the commission of the crime has been impounded.

The suspect, who allegedly discharged several rounds at the victim’s motor

Monday, January 07,2019

car which struck the windshield, after he pursued them, was found in possession of an unlicensed pistol with a spent ammunition.

Efforts are currently being made to apprehend the other victim who fled the scene.

The detained suspect, who resides at Golden Grove, EBD and goes by the alias “Sharky”, is also wanted for questioning in connection with several offences, including murder.

The damaged windscreen of the victim’s car

06:30hrs. - 06:30hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Maduro defends rule as legitimate C A R A C A S , Ve n e z u e la (AFP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro defended his government’s legitimacy Sunday as his bid for a second six-year term has come under growing fire internationally and by the country’s opposition-controlled National Assembly.

In another sign of turmoil around Maduro, who is to be sworn in Thursday, the Venezuelan Supreme Court confirmed that a justice who sat on a panel that deals with electoral issues has fled the country.

News of the defection of Christian Zerpa came a day after the opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Maduro’s presidency to be illegitimate and called for a transitional government to organise democratic elections.

Responding on Twitter,

Maduro declared: “Legitimacy has been given us by the people with their vote.

To those who hope to break our will, make no mistake.

Venezuela will be respected!”

Maduro was re-elected May 20 in presidential elections called by a regime-backed Constituent Assembly and boycotted by the opposition, many of whose best-known leaders were under house arrest or barred from running.

The United States, the European Union (EU) and a grouping of countries from the Western Hemisphere called the Lima Group have refused to recognise the election.

On Friday, Canada and 12 other Lima Group countries joined in calling for Maduro to step down and open the way for a transitional government formed by leaders of the National Assembly.

President Nicolas Maduro delivering a message in Caracas, Venezuela, recently. (Photo: AFP)

The US State Department issued a statement on Saturday saying the United States stands with the National Assembly as “the only legitimate and last remaining democratically elected institution that truly represents the will of the Venezuelan people.”

On Sunday, the Venezue-

lan foreign ministry accused Washington of attempting “to consummate a coup d’etat ... in promoting the repudiation of legitimate and democratic institutions.”

HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS The Supreme Court, meanwhile, said it has opened

an investigation into Zerpa, over allegations he sexually harassed women who worked in his office.

The Supreme Court said the investigation dates back to November 2018, but it was only made public after the reports that the judge had fled to Florida.

Venezuelan journalists based in the United States linked the defection to Maduro’s controversial attempt to remain in office for another six years.

Journalist Carla Angola, who said she interviewed Zerpa, reported he was in Florida and was prepared to cooperate with US prosecutors investigating Venezuelan corruption and human rights violations.

Supreme Court president Maikel Moreno charged that Zerpa was the subject of numerous allegations of “indecorous and immoral conduct

to the detriment of a group of women.”

The Supreme Court statement said he was being investigated for “sexual harassment, lascivious acts and psychological violence” against women in his office.

Moreno denied that the case exposes divisions within the court, which has acted consistently in line with the government.

“Far from separating us, it unites us,” he said.

Zerpa was a member of the ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) and was appointed to the high court in 2015 just days before the opposition assumed the majority in the National Assembly.

He was among a group of Venezuelan officials hit with financial sanctions by Canada, as it moved to put pressure on the Maduro government.

Foreign diplomats urge Venezuela’s Maduro to hand over power

LIMA, Peru (AP) — A dozen Latin American governments and Canada delivered a blistering rebuke to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday, questioning the legitimacy of his soon-to-begin second term and urging him to hand over power as the only path to restoring democracy in his crisis-wracked South American country.

The sharp criticism came at a meeting in Peru’s capital of foreign ministers from countries including Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, all of which have been weighing how to confront the increasingly authoritarian Maduro while absorbing a growing exodus of Venezuelans fleeing economic chaos.

In a statement, the Lima Group urged Maduro to refrain from taking the presidential oath next Thursday and instead cede power to the opposition-controlled congress until new, fairer elections can be held.

“Only through the full restoration, as soon as possible, of democracy and a respect for human rights is it possible to resolve the country’s political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis,” the diplomats said.

Even before announcing the resolution, the group’s

meeting with the participation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo drew a sharp response from Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. He accused the coalition of taking orders directly from President Donald Trump, who Caracas frequently accuses of spearheading an economic war against the country.

“What a display of humiliating subordination!”

Arreaza said on Twitter.

A once-wealthy oil nation, Venezuela is in the throes of crisis after two decades of socialist rule, marked by hyperinflation that makes it difficult for people to afford scarce food and medicine. An estimated 2.3 million Venezuelans have migrated from the country since 2015, according to the United Nations.

The Lima Group was formed more than a year ago by mostly conservative-run regional governments seeking to defuse a crisis in Venezuela that is increasingly threatening regional stability. The group had joined the US and others in condemning Maduro’s re-election in May as a sham after popular opponents were banned from running and the largest anti-government parties boycotted the race.

While the group previously denounced Maduro as a

Foreign Ministers of the Lima Group gather for a meeting concerning Venezuela, in Lima, Peru, on Friday, January 4, 2019 (Photo: AP)

“dictator” and urged dialogue, its hard-edged resolution Friday, calling on Maduro to step down suggests its members are losing patience and likely to join the US in trying to ostracize and further punish the embattled leader.

Among other steps, the group vowed to block top Venezuelan officials from entering their countries and freeze assets they hold abroad. The resolution also expressed support for an effort to prosecute Maduro at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

But beyond the heated rhetoric, the anti-Maduro coalition showed signs of fraying

along ideological lines.

Regional powerbroker Mexico was one of the early and biggest promoters of the Lima Group. But it sent a lower-level representative to Friday’s meeting who refused to sign the resolution, reflecting the policy of non-intervention favoured by that nation’s new leftist president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Maduro travelled to Lopez Obrador’s inauguration, meeting privately with the Mexican leader.

Maximiliano Reyes, Mexico’s Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, said he didn’t back the resolution because it runs contrary

to promoting dialogue, the spirit in which the international coalition was formed.

“Mexico is convinced that this type of action, far from resolving the situation in the country, would further deteriorate living conditions of Venezuelans,” he said.

The United States is not formally a member of the Lima Group but has been a vocal supporter and Pompeo participated in the meeting via video conference.

Pompeo this month made a visit to Latin America during which he attended the inauguration of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and then stopped in Colombia to meet with President Ivan

Duque. Both Bolsonaro and Duque have declared a united stance against Maduro’s government aligned with the United States.

The Trump administration considers Maduro’s government a “dictatorship.” It has sanctioned roughly 70 top officials and blocked US banks from doing business with Venezuela, putting a financial stranglehold on the cash-strapped country.

Geoff Ramsey, a Venezuela researcher at the Washington Office on Latin America, questioned Pompeo’s participation in Friday’s meeting.

He said the Lima Group was created to showcase concerns of Latin American nations about Venezuela’s crisis and Pompeo’s involvement furthers a perception that the US has been quietly directing its moves.

The coalition should push for neutral actors to open dialogue between Maduro’s government and opposition leaders, finding ways to reduce mounting tensions and reach a peaceful resolution in Venezuela, Ramsey said.

“I’m worried that this paints the region into a corner, with no clear path forward,” Ramsey said of the resolution. “The truth is that Maduro isn’t just going to hand over the keys.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

President’s address ushers in greater Guyana IN their Christmas and New Year messages, all the political parties and their leaders expressed the spirit of goodwill, of hope, of optimism and concern for the welfare of the nation.

They were all on the same page and if they walked forth hand-in-hand, Guyana would be a land of fraternity, economic progress, national cohesion and political and social concord.

Yet, for many years, political and social commentators-- the majority of them foreigners or Guyanese based abroad-- have told the nation that we are a very disunited people; that racial tensions and divisions are our national characteristics; that our economy is always in the doldrums and that we are destined to plod along with heavy social, political and economic burdens on our shoulders. And such commentators do have a small number of vocal local disciples, several of whom from their access to the print

and electronic media, become opinion-formers.

In contrast, the ordinary Guyanese citizens, in their day-to -day life, in the struggle to make two ends meet and in bringing up children and keeping a family together, have little time for concern with the “intellectual” image of themselves as Guyanese people. Every day, people of various racial and class backgrounds extend numerous kindnesses and help towards each other.

People of every racial and class group have friends and even relatives in other groups. In the schools and in the university, children and young people of every racial, social and religious background work and study together and have close friendships. And in businesses, owners and managers recruit workers who are more efficient and productive since they wish their businesses to be successful; recruitment on the basis of race or nepotism and other non-merit

criteria are completely rejected. Ordinary citizens do not write or broadcast and so are unable to tell the world who they really are and not the unfortunate image of themselves which the “intellectuals” project to the world. Ordinary Guyanese folk do not rebel or even take cognisance of the negative image projected of themselves to the world as racists and a fissiparous people, because in the Guyanese tradition, there is great respect for learned people and intellectuals and as such would not openly reject or humiliate them.

During the Christmas and New Year season, political parties and leaders tend to be their real selves which they express in their holiday messages. In these messages, they reflect the deep social and historical tradition of cohesion, humour, good fellowship, respect for all opinions and an abiding faith that Guyana would move forward to a better life. This

undercurrent of optimism has always existed from the time of Sir Walter Raleigh and his dream of the golden city of El Dorado.

At this season of the year, politicians and political parties quietly escape their cages of adversarial words and attitudes and have established a mute symbiotic relationship with political compere-s and the Guyanese folk; but this will not last too long before the old attitudes re-emerge. Despite the accustomed re-emergence of the old adversarial attitudes, we do detect the very gradual and almost imperceptible dissipation of them and President David Granger’s New Year message has captured this re-emerging Guyanese reality: His first declaration was: “All citizens could expect improvements in their personal well-being and quality of life.” He then went through the gamut of ways of achieving this and we will highlight a few of the

prescriptions he has held out for us: “Local government elections consolidated democracy at the grassroots level, empowered citizens and facilitated their free and unfettered involvement in decision-making in their municipalities and communities. . . . “The Green State Development Strategy will realise Guyana’s undeniable potential as a land of promise and prosperity. Everyone will be able to enjoy a good life, while protecting the environment for future generations. . . . . . “Children at school will benefit from expanded opportunities to develop their skills and talents that will be unlocked by the allocation of $52.2 billion for the education sector”. . . . . . “We will consolidate improvements in maternal health and in the reduction of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Public health institutions will be better equipped and provided

with adequate medicines and medical personnel”. . . . . . “The UN Secretary-General’s decision in January 2018 to refer Venezuela’s territorial claim to the International Court of Justice is most welcome and Guyana anticipates a favourable outcome to this controversy . . . Citizens and foreign investors are reassured of the safety and security of our country”. . .

The President summed up his address: “Guyanese could expect by the end of the new year, to live in a state with more secure borders; communities that are safer; an economy that is more resilient; a society that is more cohesive; and public services that are more easily accessible.”

Though President Granger maintained the format of such addresses, the more esoteric concept of national unity and the diminution of adversarial politics was a thread running through his address.

The Caribbean must not be used as a proxy for conflicts existing elsewhere Dear Editor, WHILE Guyanese are focused on our domestic political situation, events on our western border should be cause for much concern.

The recent visit to Venezuela by two Russian nuclear-capable supersonic bombers and the announcement of plans to build a Russian military base on a Venezuelan island, does not bode well for peace in the Caribbean Region.

In addition, the recent announcement that Iran will be sending two warships to Venezuela further aggravates an already volatile situation.

There must be increased diplomatic efforts by all leaders of the Caribbean, including Guyana to ease the tensions especially in light of the declining political situation in Venezuela where the Maduro regime may seek to increase opportunistic military actions into disputed territory including Guyana.

With Guyana’s current uneasy political climate and

oil production expected to commence later this year, it is vitally important that we solicit the assistance of the international community and friendly countries to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The Caribbean region must not be used as a proxy for conflicts existing elsewhere or to extend the influence of other countries through military means.

Thank you, Bishram Kuppen

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Gender equality and FAO

FAO recognises that rural women and men, together, hold the keys to ending hunger and extreme poverty. Rural women and girls, in particular, are recognised as major agents of change. Across the developing world, women make up 48 per cent of the agricultural labour force. As farmers and farm workers, horticulturists and market sellers, businesswomen, entrepreneurs and community leaders, they fulfil important roles throughout agrifood value chains, as well as in the management of natural resources such as land and water.

Yet the gender gap in food and agriculture is extensive. As consumers, women are more likely to be food-insecure than men in every region of the world. And as producers, rural women face even greater constraints than their male counterparts in accessing essential productive resources and services, technology, market information and financial assets. They are under-represented in local institutions and governance mechanisms, and tend to have less decision-making power. In addition to these

constraints, prevailing gender norms and discrimination often mean that women face an excessive work burden, and that much of their labour remains unpaid and unrecognised.

While a focus on these constraints is crucial, it can sometimes reinforce common perceptions of rural women and girls as vulnerable victims of their circumstances, and obscure the nature and magnitude of their potential.

As noted in The State of Food and Agriculture 2010–11, women are as good at farming as men: evidence shows that if women farmers used the same level of resources as men on the land they farm, they would achieve the same yield levels. As illustrated in the many examples featured on this site, rural women are resilient, resourceful, industrious and innovative.

Across FAO’s work in fisheries, forestry, crops, livestock and more, the Organisation has seen rural women like Betty demonstrate, time and again, their determination, ingenuity and success in turning the challenges of poverty, hunger and hardship into opportunities for both the economic and social

well-being of their families and communities.

Experience shows that enhancing gender equality in rural areas is indeed a key instrument to fight poverty and hunger. One of the first comparative studies of developing countries found that between 1970 and 1995, 43 percent of the reduction in hunger that occurred was attributable to progress in women’s education. This was almost as much as the combined effect on hunger reduction of increased food availability (26 per cent) and improvements to the health environment (19 per cent) during that period.

An additional 12 per cent of the reduction in hunger was attributable to increased life expectancy for women.

Thus, fully 55 per cent of the gains in food security in the countries studied was due to improvements in women’s societal status. In the years

since, research has continued to show the strong correlation between gender inequalities and hunger, and various studies have confirmed the positive association between the education of women and children’s health outcomes such as height, weight and immunisation.1 Focusing on women does not mean leaving men behind: all of FAO’s work on gender equality recognises that empowering women also empowers and benefits men, and that the key to improved agriculture, food security and nutrition lies in the involvement of men, women, boys and girls. For example, an FAO project to rehabilitate Philippine fishing communities in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan provided different and targeted support to men and women beneficiaries, with a focus on the different roles each played in areas such as post-harvest process-

ing, boat-building, and more.

SDGs Empowering and enabling men and women to participate more effectively in agriculture also translates into improved well-being for their children, thereby building human capital for future generations. As such, achieving gender equality and empowering rural women, men, girls and boys will not only improve nutrition, health and education outcomes, it will also bring both immediate and long-term economic and social benefits for families, communities and nations at large. FAO contributes to reducing gender inequalities through its work on norms and standards, data and information, policy dialogue, capacity development, knowledge and technologies, partnerships, and advocacy and communication.

At the global and regional level, FAO advocates

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for sharpening the focus of high-level dialogue and decision-making regarding food security and nutrition to ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment issues are adequately addressed.

For instance, the Organisation successfully supported the inclusion of gender equality considerations in the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) and its related outcomes, such as the Rome Declaration on Nutrition, which called for empowering women and girls in order to end all forms of malnutrition.

And through its work with the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), FAO engages with governments, development agencies, academia, civil society and the private sector to jointly develop key international instruments such as the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security, which provide a paramount opportunity for reversing gender inequalities around the world. (FAO)

Legal grandmasters at work Dear Editor, I AM in the UK but I’m following every minute of this political and legal extravaganza in Guyana. Let me be honest, I am finding the theatre of this cliffhanger so orgasmic that I am struggling to withdraw.

Every second of my awake time, I’ve been following this case in the High Court brought by the government. I’ll admit, when I read that one of the arguments that the government would use is that Mr. Charrandass Persaud’s vote should be null and void, in view of the fact that he has dual citizenship, I was a bit perplexed as to why they would take that route, when it is evident that in so doing it will raise questions about other votes he had cast.

I was so wrong. The price for being a Google lawyer.

Then for the entire week

the government was talking about 33 and 34. I said yes, that’s the best argument.

Strongest possible case. Then I read in the news, not sure how reliable it is, that one Mr. Compton Herbert Reid is bringing the case as a private citizen. I went straight into analytical mode.

In my opinion, if a private citizen brings the case because he has concerns about Mr. Charrandass Persaud’s vote in the no-confidence motion, then that’s his right. No judge, no lawyer, absolutely no one can tell someone what to be concerned about.

Someone can ask: why isn’t Mr. Compton Herbert Reid concerned about Mr. Charrandass Persaud’s other votes? To ask that question wound be frankly overstepping the mark in Mr. Reid’s freedom of choice. Freedom to choose. So the question

the judge needs to answer is whether Mr. Reid has a genuine legal concern that needs legal redress. Brilliant.

In my humble opinion, if the government had taken the case to the High Court, it is likely the court would have dismissed it on the grounds that they were aware of Mr. Charrandass Persaud’s dual nationality status before the vote and that they had allowed him to vote on other parliamentary matters. In the case, in the capacity of a private citizen, the judge cannot hold Mr. Reid responsible for what government did or did not do. Clever.

Now I realise that this talk of 33 and 34 was smokescreen to distract the opposition. Then holding back critical information on the dual citizenship argument was another smokescreen.

Blinded they were.

Editor as a kid growing

up in Princess Street, Lodge, we did not have TV, radio, electricity or water. As a matter of fact, we did not even have food. One of our neighbours had a hand-held black and white TV. We all would surround it to look at the Flintstones on Rex Mc Kay TV station (I think called WRHM or Channel Seven). Because we were poor we could not afford to pay for a TV licence to view the TV station. As a result, in the middle of our show, our TV screen would just get scrambled. Mr. Rex McKay hasn’t changed a bit. The man scrambled the brains of those in Robbers Street. You know that place directly opposite the former Metropole cinema? No paying of bills can unscramble their brains.

Many legal opinions were offered about dual citizenship and 33 vs 34. None of them with the legal acu-

men of Mr. Mc Kay and his team to work out what the senior counsel was doing.

Mr. Christopher Ram got it wrong. He can be excused since he is the jack of all trades but master of none.

Anil Nandlall got it wrong too. Inexperience, lack of an analytical brain and cockiness his excuse. Mr. Charles Ramson not unexpectedly got it wrong too. Him, a good advert to rich parents of the dangers of sending their kids to polytechnics (very poor quality universities) to study law. Mr. Ralph Ramkarran SC and former speaker of the house also got it wrong, completing a quadruplet of fatal legal blunders. First blunder was 34 to 33. Followed by misinterpretation of articles 106(6) and 106(7) with fallacious legal arguments that the government should resign forthwith. Third was his legal opinion that the speaker

cannot legally reverse the no-confidence vote. Fourth, not recognising that a private citizen can bring this case to the court. Two weeks. Four serious legal blunders Finally, shall we review the maths we have learnt over the past two weeks. We did 33’s and 34’s. We learnt that 33 is not necessarily a majority. We learnt of the concept of 50% + 1. We learnt that 32.5 is 33. We also learnt of 90. Editor, but most importantly, we learnt that CHAT4 is greater than CHAT3. You should know who is CHAT3. Brilliant.

Now try figuring out who is CHAT4. Ha Ha. Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP (UK) FRCP(Edin) Consultant Acute Medicine Nottingham University Hospital UK

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Register early – CMO urges health facilities, medical practitioners

By Lisa Hamilton CHIEF Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud is encouraging health facilities and medical practitioners to finalise their applications to continue in their respective professions.

Dr. Persaud is hoping that by March, all facilities would have submitted their applications while reminding doctors that they must be licensed by January 31 in order to practise.

In a recent interview, he told the Guyana Chronicle that there are 42 hospitals in the country, seven of which are privately owned.

In total, there are 389 health facilities, several of which operate as stand-alone facilities such as medical laboratories and dialysis

centres.

“We can approve them for licence, but the process is not completed until all the payments [are made],” he clarified. “That’s ongoing, but we’ve started already to evaluate the existing facilities for the renewal of their licences for 2019.”

These facilities have a string of requirements they must meet, while medical practitioners must submit a list of documents for record and verification.

“I want to encourage them [health facilities] to submit their applications with the complete, detailed attachment. We would like, for example, that they have all their contract arrangements for garbage disposal; for water supply; for maintenance services; for their equipment and medi-

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

cal devices and so on,” Dr. Persaud said.

He added: “We also are

asking that they submit the staffing profiles where doctors must be registered with

the Medical Council; nurses must be registered with the Nursing Council and if there are dentists operating within the facilities, those persons must be registered with the Dental Council.

The Pharmacy Council also requires that all pharmacies and pharmacy assistants working at the institution must be registered.”

Apart for these, those in the allied health profession such as laboratories technicians, radiographers and medical technologists must also gear up for registration.

“All those persons have to come in to the Ministry at the Allied Health Profession Council Secretariat—which is based here in my office -- and obtain their annual licence to operate,” he said.

Addressing stand-alone facilities, Dr. Persaud said

these also have to put in their applications to operate here. “We also register the nursing homes too, so it’s quite a bundle of facilities,” he said.

He stated that four completed applications were received for consideration for licensing thus far in 2019.

“We would like to see them licensed before -- as most of the other licensing requirements – the end of March of every year,” he said.

“It’s important that they do seek and obtain their licence so that they can proceed with their business, both in terms of their commitment to their funders, donor agencies and boards, but also to satisfy the public in that their quality of service is acceptable,” the CMO said

Chronicle GM suffers minor injuries in accident

The damaged vehicles after the collision

GENERAL Manager (ag) of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), Donna Todd, escaped with minor injuries following an accident involving the car in which she was travelling and an alleged delinquent driver.

According to Todd, she and the driver of the Toyota Premio were travelling along Brickdam early Sunday morning when the driver of motor vehicle PVV 4579 disregarded traf-

fic rules and failed to slow down at Pollard’s Place.

Consequently, he slammed into the vehicle Todd was in.

Todd said her driver took evasive action, but the other vehicle was travelling too fast to be dodged.

The victims were left with minor injuries while both vehicles were damaged. The matter was reported to the Brickdam Police Station. Investigations are ongoing.

General Manager (ag) of GNNL, Donna Todd

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Young people agitate for better political systems

By Vishani Ragobeer

YOUNG people who gathered at the Theatre Guild Playhouse on Saturday for a youth forum facilitated by Policy Desk, agitated for better political systems locally.

The forum focused on the role young people themselves need to play in fostering their involvement in the civic and political spheres. The general consensus, among the more than one hundred young persons present, was that youth are dissatisfied with the current systems of governance.

Facilitator Vishal Joseph Some youths floated the idea of forming their own political parties, while others advised that young people should focus on getting into the current political parties and influence change within. Others opined that young people should focus on pressuring leaders to effect the positive change they desire.

“The best thing to do sometimes is, to take those same broken systems we have and build them back,” one facilitator of the forum, Eden Corbin said.

According to him, the existing political partiesthe People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR/R) and the Alliance for Change (AFC)- are entrenched in the political sphere and have all worked to position Guyana where it is today.

He, however, acknowledged that there are ways that these parties can gov-

ern better, and as such he advocated for young people to ‘get in’ those organisations and effect change from within.

Countering this, however, was President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), Devta Ramroop. She succinctly articulated that joining established political parties would allow party persons to “poison” the minds of the young people.

She further argued that these parties have organised power structures in place already, and youth entering these parties would likely be sidelined.

“If we want it done, let’s get it done,” she said pointedly, and called for young people to band together and challenge the current political systems.

Ramroop’s contentions were met with fervent support from within the house and she was later supported by UG colleague, Joshua Sargent. The young man posited that instead of pondering over all of the reasons why it may be unwise for young people to form their own political party, young people should boldly pursue all avenues to effect change.

Lack of experience in political management and lack of resources, especially monetary resources, were however cited by other young people as major factors dissuading the formation of new parties.

One young man, Cleon Halley, advanced instead that youth can become an expansive pressure group.

This group, according to him, would not only function to hold politicians accountable by ensuring they make good on their promises but could even stymie support to the government from the business sector.

“Think about 65 per cent of the electorate (the youth demographic) who also have spending power, deciding that they are not going to spend willy-nilly if they want a certain change to occur; they are going to withhold spending on certain things and put pressure on the businessmen who are in turn going to put pressure on

the government,” Halley explained.

Other participants agreed with this idea, and noted that just as the private sector has the capacity to make public statements when they favour or do not favour the government’s work- so too can a youth pressure group.

Vishal Joseph, another facilitator, cautioned the youth that forming a political party might seem like an appealing idea to effect change, but persons must be wary that there are certain fundamental prerequisites necessary for the formation of a party.

A section of the gathering of youth at the Theatre Guild on Saturday

Facilitator Eden Corbin These, according to him, would include the party’s philosophy- whether it is marxist, socialist, democratic or otherwise.

On the idea of forming a pressure group, Vishal stressed too that if there are things youths advocate forthen they must also hold themselves accountable, by following-up with the promises made by the political leaders.

As Policy Desk aims to host similar forums across Guyana, it is expected that more young people will voice their opinions on changing the political climate in the country.

Nevertheless, youth leader Ryan Hoppie highlighted: “We need to ensure that whether we are inside a party or outside a party, that we keep rapping on the doors and institutions of our country to ensure that they provide access, quality access, and a quality livelihood for all Guyanese.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Our quest continues A HAPPY New Year to you, from all the child protection officers and staff at the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), wherever you are in Guyana.

Here’s hoping that this new year will afford some of the children in Guyana a brighter perspective and outlook on their lives and that (through this column) some parents will learn and even cultivate new strategies that will enable them to better parent their children.

Remember that children depend on adults to speak up for them and to speak out on their behalf, so If you suspect or know of any child who is being physically or sexually abused; or you think that a child is being neglected or malnourished, please do not hesitate to contact the CPA to let us know. The information you give us will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and you do not have to give

your name. (See below for further details) Most child-abuse cases are brought to the CPA’s attention by adults who are attentive to the needs of children.

Some are vigilant neighbours or family members, while others might be teachers or childcare workers. But really, anyone can be an advocate and/or child protector: all that is needed are watchful eyes and attentive ears. Because, if something doesn’t look right and/or doesn’t feel right where a child is concerned, then there is a possibility that there is something wrong and only when a situation is reported, can the CPA intervene on behalf of the child.

The CPA will investigate any allegation made, or circumstances reported, where a child may be at risk. This is mandated in the Protection of Children’s Act (2009) and must be carried out by law. Children are mostly unaware of

the laws that were formulated to protect them. They are also unaware that they have rights. The laws and the ‘rights of the child’ were devised to ensure that each child has (regardless of how slim) the possibility of a reasonable childhood.

Children are, for the best part, as naïve as they are resilient; they usually endure different types of abuse without question, because they are innocently reliant on the adults around them for guidance. But there are some unfortunate incidents where those very same adults do not provide the love, care and protection that children need. Instead, they destroy a child’s outlook on life and mar their childhood.

Every adult remembers aspects of their childhood -- the positive and the negative. It is an integral part of who they are today.

We at the CPA work in the best interests of children who have been abused, to protect them and give them the best possible childhood against all odds. We appeal to you, the general public, to join us in our endeavour to safeguard children and prevent child abuse by being attentive, vigilant and dependable and by reporting any suspicions or knowledge you may have about child abuse, to the CPA. You can speak to a child protection officer on 225 1117 or 227 4082. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the Childcare and Protection Agency’s Hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

PPP/C mourns Dr Ishmael’s passing THE Peoples’ Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has expressed deep condolences to the family and friends of Dr Mohammed Ali Odeen Ishmael, who passed away at his home on Saturday.

The party in a statement said Dr Ishmael was a central committee member of the Progressive Youth Organisation from 1972 to 1982 and a central committee member of the People’s Progressive Party from 1980 to 1988.

The late diplomat was also a wellknown educator and his qualifications included a bachelor’s of arts degree in geography, a post-graduate diploma in education and a PhD in education.

Dr Ishmael started his career as a primary school teacher in 1964, becoming a secondary school teacher in 1971. He remained in the education field in Guyana until 1985, when he migrated to The Bahamas where he taught from 1986 to 1993.

When the PPP/C won the 1992 elections, President Cheddi Jagan appointed him Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. and concurrently Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (1993 to2003).

Dr Ishmael also served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to Venezuela (2003 to 2011). From 2011 to 2014, he became Guyana’s first ambassador to the State of Kuwait and Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to the State of Qatar from April 2013 to June 2014.

He served Guyana with distinction and was highly respected by his peers in the diplomatic field, the PPP/C statement said.

“In 2003, the United States Congress,

The late Dr Odeen Ishmael in a joint resolution, also paid a special tribute to him. He had a passion for history and writing. His scholarly works covered a diverse range of topics, including Amerindian stories, diplomacy, politics and history. He has made an immense intellectual contribution to our country. Comrade Odeen was held in high esteem throughout his career; he received the Gandhi Centenary Gold Medal (1974), the Cacique Crown of Honour (1997) and the Martin Luther King Legacy Award. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic will like to extend our deepest condolences to his wife Evangeline Ishmael, his son Safraz Waseem Ishmael and his daughter Nadeeza Ishmael. At this time of sadness and mourning, be consoled by the fact that Dr Odeen touched the lives of many Guyanese.

May his soul rest in peace,” the statement concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Blood bank in dire need of blood

THE National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has called on persons to donate blood because the demand is high at this time of year.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Public Health, the blood bank is in dire need of blood because it is short on all blood groups.

The goal of the NBTS is for all the blood supplied in Guyana to be collected from voluntary, healthy donors.

“The unit of blood you donate is screened and delivered through a network of blood banks countrywide and used as needed. Every day, pregnant women, children, adults and the elderly need blood in both our public and private hospitals,” said the ministry.

Persons 17 years or older, in generally good health, free from any blood-borne disease and weighing at least 110 pounds, can become a voluntary blood donor.

The donation process is very simple and requires the following steps: registration of donor; mini health checks comprising: one’s body weight, pulse, blood pressure, temperature and HB (iron) level-- the donor’s blood type will also be identified at this stage; a brief interview to determine if your sexual lifestyle and medical history permit you to donate blood--this session is very private and confidential; the actual blood- donation stage where a unit (less than a pint) of blood will be

taken, and refreshments.

The entire blood donation process takes 20 minutes. A person who fits the criteria can donate blood every two months.

Blood donation allows the body to produce new red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body. Once these new cells are replicated, it allows the individual to feel more rejuvenated and healthier.

Blood cannot be stored for long periods.

One unit can be processed into three component parts, each of which has the potential of saving a life when used to treat separate medical conditions.

“We appeal to all our voluntary donors and new donors to visit the NBTS, our blooddonation facilities at New Amsterdam, West Demerara, Suddie and Linden hospitals, or one of our mobile units and give a pint!”

Dr. Pedro Lewis, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service, is calling on all Guyana to support the NBTS as it works towards 100 per cent voluntary donations in 2019.

The NBTS is located at East and Lamaha streets (Georgetown Public Hospital Compound).

The opening hours are 08:00hrs to 18:00hrs from Monday to Friday and on Saturdays, 09:00hrs-15:00hrs. For further enquiries, please call: 223 7182, 225 4972, 669 8776 OR 644 9590.

Please fix

11

This road in the Cummings Lodge/ Sophia area has been in an almost impassable state for quite some time. Residents, including motorists, are therefore calling on the relevant authorities to effect urgent repairs before further deterioration occurs (Anthony Layne photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Dharmic Sabha celebrates 45 years of existence –– commits to further development for women and children

By Vishani Ragobeer THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) celebrated its 45th anniversary with a grand cultural programme held at the Pandit

President of the Sabha Dr. Vindhya Persaud said despite the challenges, her father and founder of the Sabha, the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud faced in creating the body, it has

dedicated ourselves and our lives to the betterment of everyone in Guyana.”

In so doing, she explained that the GHDS has maintained a track record of being able to harness the

lished a home for children and a centre for women, particularly those who have been affected by domestic violence.

The body also organises several countrywide events, such as the Diwali motorcade, which has become part and parcel of national celebrations.

In continuing efforts to bolster development in Guyana, Dr Persaud highlighted that a Dharmic Rama Krishna Secondary School will soon be constructed to complement the existing primary school.

“We all have a mission, but that mission extends

beyond 45 years. GHDS is here, will remain and will always be here in Guyana and with all of you,” Dr Persaud said.

She also acknowledged that though the body focuses on the propagation and sustenance of the Hindu culture, it has done so while remaining cognisant that Guyana is a plural society.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam commended the Sabha for its work in promoting Hinduism and supporting national efforts for social development.

Institutionally, he acknowledged that the Sabha

has been doing a great lot to weave many Hindu and Indian customs into Guyana, particularly through events such as the Diwali motorcade.

The high commissioner advanced that while he and the body have maintained good relations, there are avenues to explore that can increase cooperation.

“I would like to say that Guyana is a blessed nation when it comes to religion.

Nowhere in the world I have seen religion coexist so peacefully,” the diplomat said.

The Sabha’s motto is “Action thy Duty, Reward not thy Concern.”

Young dancers from the Sabha mesmerised the crowd (Samuel Maughn photo) Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar on Sunday.

Early on Sunday morning, all the Sabha’s ‘praants’ (regional groups) countrywide assembled at the Campbellville Mandir and marched to the sounds of tassa drums to the Dharmic Kendra. At the Kendra, cultural presentations featuring Indian prayers, songs and dances ensued.

withstood the test of time and has become a beacon within the local Hindu community.

According to her, the Sabha which is arguably the largest body of Hindus in Guyana and the Caribbean is not a mere organisation, but one large family.

“We not only love our dharma… equally so we love Guyana and equally so we want what is best for our country,” she said. Later, Dr. Persaud added: “We have

passion, strengths and talents of young people and women in leadership.

“There is a place for all of you; you must not see yourself limited by your gender or your age,” she affirmed and highlighted that as the Sabha moves forward, it will seek to continue empowering women and youth.

In addition to fostering Hinduism in the country, the Sabha has also been working in other areas. It has estab-

A section of the crown at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Guyanese baffled by strange overseas calls

GUYANESE across the country were alarmed on Saturday and Sunday night when multiple persons received strange phone calls from numbers, since rumoured as belonging to the Russian and Switzerland area code.

Although the calls came from different numbers, most Guyanese received a similar variation such as: +7 956 005-66-31; +7 956 005-66-32; +7 956 005-66-71; +7 956 005-6673 or +41 74 277 36 02 and likewise.

Scores took to social media posting proof of these calls which many say either rang just once or not long enough for someone to take the call.

Minister of Telecommunications Cathy Hughes said she has requested information from both the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Co Ltd (GTT) and Digicel on the matter.

“I’ve asked for some information from both of the phone companies and I haven’t received any response as yet,” she said, add-

ing, that as soon as this becomes available, the public will be informed.

Although some Guyanese have begun to seriously speculate about the calls and what they could mean, others made fun of the situation.

As the media await additional information, international news agencies responding to similar occurrences in their countries in the past, have concluded that it was the massive, international scam called “Wangiri”.

In this case, the trick of the scammer/s is to ring the phone once with the aim of prompting someone to call back, in which case the call will be charged at a very high rate and a percentage of that cost will be transferred to the individual/s.

Adhering to the advice of the authorities, citizens in these regions were asked not to return the calls unless they are expecting such from the same number of the location in question.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

No court hearing eight months after deadly seawall shooting

EIGHT months after the director of public prosecutions (DPP) recommended that an inquest be held into the fatal shooting of three men along the Kingston seawall, whom the police said were robbery suspects, the inquest is yet to begin.

An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, held to determine the cause of a person’s death. In Guyana, a sitting magistrate, who acts as coroner, then empanels a jury after which an inquiry is conducted.

The selected magistrate will determine whether anyone is criminally responsible for deaths of Dextroy Cordis, 46, called “Dottie,” of Lot 4 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara; Kwame Assanah, a former soldier of Buxton, East Coast Demerara; and Errol Adams, 57, called ‘Dynamite,’ of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast and also Buxton. The men were all fatally shot north of the GNS sports ground after the police said they opened fire on ranks on March 15, 2018.

The men, the police said, were about to execute a robbery on a customer who had withdrawn $9.2 million from a bank.

In a statement on the day of the shooting, the police said both Cordis and Assanah were identified as two suspicious-looking characters who were spotted in a car in the vicinity of Scotiabank on Robb Street. They were said to have later trailed the bank customer to the seawall, while the police followed in an unmarked vehicle.

It is alleged that the men drove up to the customer’s vehicle and exited, one brandishing a small firearm at the customer; however, at this time, an anti-crime patrol which was in proximity called out to the men and the one who was armed fired several rounds at the police, who returned fire.

As a result, Cordis and Assanah were fa-

tally shot, while Cordis appeared to have been the only one armed. Thus, questions were raised about why Assanah was not subdued by non-lethal force.

The police in a statement noted that seconds after the exchange of gunfire, two men were spotted on a CG motorbike near the dead men’s vehicle and one of them opened fire on the police, who again returned fire. As a result, police said Adams was fatally shot, while his accomplice sped away on the bike.

However, on March 26th, when Devon Lyte, a proclaimed witness to the incident came forward with his attorney Nigel Hughes and gave a different account of what had occurred from the statement issued by the police.

Lyte said that he was working on the roof of the Guyana Softball Association building on Carifesta Avenue at the time of the shooting. He also claimed that the three men who were in a car were being pursued by the unmarked police vehicle. He noted that the car eventually stopped and the driver, Assanah, exited.

“I then saw about one person come out of the silver car. He walked towards the black car. I then saw the person from the silver car [the police] start to beat the person who had come out from the driver’s side [Assanah] and was lying on the ground,” he said.

Lyte said that 20 minutes later there was rapid gunfire and there was one person standing over the same person who was lying on the ground.

He said he did not witness any exchange of gunfire and was unable to say if the police were fired upon. There were two bullet holes in the police vehicle and a gun was reportedly recovered from one of the dead men.

However, subsequently during the in-

Magistrates reassigned

THE new year began with a ‘shake-up’ across the different magisterial districts as the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court welcomes three new sitting magistrates.

The city court bade farewell to Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who will now be sitting at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court and Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, who has now been assigned to the Providence Court.

Meanwhile, Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus, Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse and Magistrate Rhondell Weaver have now been reassigned to the Georgetown magistrate courts.

The three magistrates had been previously assigned to the Providence, Linden and Fort Wellington Magistrate Courts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Magistrates Peter Hugh, Wanda Fortune and Rushell Liverpool

are among others who have been transferred to different magistrate courts across Guyana.

The ongoing construction of a magistrate’s court at Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, is among undertakings budgeted for $123M in 2019.

The new court will reduce the workload which is “continuously increasing and voluminous” at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

The new Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court also takes into consideration the expanding population in the new housing areas on the lower East Bank of Demerara.

Meanwhile in 2018, the Children’s Court was commissioned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in accordance with the rules and laws of the Juvenile Justice Act, with sitting magistrates being Dylon Bess and Annette Singh.

vestigation, then Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine noted that several statements had been obtained, including from the contractor, sub-contractor and security supervisor of Lyte’s worksite, which indicated that Lyte was not present at the location on the day of the incident.

Ramnarine had publicly declared the use

of force in this instance by the Guyana Police Force as justifiable and that the officers acted in keeping with the law.

“They were fired upon and as law-enforcement officers, who are authorised to use deadly force, as long as deadly force is justified, as long as the deadly force is legitimate, to defend themselves,” he said.

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Forest operators welcome implementation of environmental authorisation SMALL forest operators in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region were recently enlightened about the need to have environmental authorisations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held an interactive workshop to educate them on this critical requirement for operating in the country’s forests. The first such workshop was held in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) last December.

Forest operators from villages across the region, including Indigenous com-

munities, were all part of the workshop. During the workshop, they were given an in-depth presentation which explained the environmental authorisation, why it is important to have one, where to apply for one and how to complete the requisite forms.

Aside from the theoretical aspect of the session, they were also taken to a nearby sawmill for a first-hand view on how to protect themselves and the environment. The operators were very vocal throughout the workshop, asking questions to ensure that they were clear on the

way forward.

Participants were high in praise for the initiative taken to bring them up to date with the requirement for protecting the environment.

Judy Marslow of Bethany, said, “For me it is realising that everything around you has its positive and negative which is either being used or abused and we really need to take it seriously, the things we do every day and take for granted… There must be some sort of system and control of how things are being done and if we do not, maybe somewhere down the

Forest operators after completion of the workshop (DPI photo)

road, we might regret it.”

Toshao of Akawini, David Wilson, said that the Indigenous peoples have for centuries taken care of the environment how they know best. However, he said that “learning today more about the way to go, is a plus for us so that we can take back to our communities and enlighten our villagers on what they need to do.”

Toshao David also called for similar workshops to be held more frequently.

Leo Gomes of Lake Mainstay noted that he was pleased by the efforts of the EPA to educate the people on how to care for the environment. “I am thankful for the education they have given concessionaires, small and big, where you can obtain licences… I see that it is fit and very much acceptable” Gomes stated.

The workshop is aimed at ensuring that all forest operators become authorised in keeping with Section 14 of the Environmental Act. The act states that: “Before harvesting and utilising forest resources, an operator must first seek permission from the Environmental

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Leo Gomes Protection Agency.”

That permission is the environmental authorisation which not only seeks to protect the environment, but also the health of the those involved.

Senior Environmental Officer,Colis Primo said that with completion of the workshop, he hopes that persons will make an effort to acquire the environmental authorisations.

Primo underscored that “this is a continuous process and we will continue to work with them. They would have highlighted some challenges that they foresee in the authorisation process and we intend to work with them in terms of resolving those challenges, because we would be happy if by tomorrow they could submit their applications.”

The EPA, throughout 2019, will be conducting

similar workshops countrywide to encourage more forest operators to be authorised. The environmental authorisation application process costs $10,000 (US$50) and once approved $20,000 (US$100) per year.

Alternatively, operators may apply for a maximum environmental authorisation at $100,000 (US$500) for five years.

The outreaches also focus on sensitising forest operators about the European Union/ Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (EU/ FLEGT) agreement with Guyana, to protect the environment.

Hence, the move by the EPA to get all forest operators on board with best environmental practices in order to mitigate any negative impact, which may result from their actions, on the environment. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

REO Gordon raises concern over lengthy delay in bus procurement

IN an effort to effectively address the transportation woes of several students from far- flung communities within Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) purchased a 30-seater

Beharry has been handling this matter as we sought to purchase a new bus after the one that was donated to the Region by S. Jagmohan under the David G initiative, quickly encountered mechanical difficulties and securing parts for that bus

REDO Rabindra Singh addressing the January RDC meeting on systems being put in place to address the transportation challenges faced by students travelling from Coomacka to Linden Coaster bus from Beharry Automotive Limited, which, according to Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon was expected to have been in operation in 2018.

According to the region, four months later despite agreement to the deal which is almost $14.4 million, they are yet to collect the vehicle which has evoked several concerns from councillors of the RDC and the REO. Gordon, while addressing a RDC meeting on Thursday, vented his disappointment with what he has dubbed as ‘undue’ delay by Beharry, noting that it has resulted in increased challenges for not only the students, but the education department also, as they have been forced to seek alternative arrangements to ensure that students can be transported to and from their respective destinations. The new bus was intended to transport students along the Coomacka to Linden route “I am saying this that frankly I am disappointed with the manner in how

proved to be a major challenge. The Ministry of Social Protection had informed that the donor was willing to help with securing the spares, but Mr Jagmohan informed us that he was unable to assist us in securing the spare parts,” said Gordon.

The 2018 budget catered for the new bus which was tendered for at the national level and Beharry Automotive was awarded the contract to supply the vehicle since August 2018.

The bus was expected early in September 2018 and the REO made verbal commitments to several mothers from Coomacka that their pockets will be eased in September 2018.

“We were told by the supplier that the bus had arrived, but diesel was placed in the gasoline engine. We rejected that vehicle and demanded a replacement.

During the National Schools Athletics Championships, we asked the supplier again for the bus and indicated that one should be provided to transport some of our ath-

letes to and from Leonora,” lamented Gordon.

According to the REO, school is about to reopen and the region is still encountering delays with their duty-free concession.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian did not hesitate to express his frustration over the matter. He queried as to what arrangements were put in place to ensure that the students are not affected by the delay.

The REO said he had been hoping that by Friday, January 4, the matter would have been addressed as they are also seeking to have the duty-free concession from the GRA for the vehicle.

Some councillors however questioned why the duty-free concession was taking this lengthy time.

Regional Chairman Morian said that he is aware that the duty-free concession can take a while, disclosing that he has benefited from two duty-free concessions and had it not been for the excellent relationship that he shares with some of the GRA officials, his wait would have been much longer.

“I know the process and I can tell you that it can take as much as two months to get your duty- free letter, but I was fortunate to not wait this long because I knew persons within GRA who could have assisted me in speeding things up,” the regional chairman said. He promised to intervene personally if by Monday the matter was not resolved.

“We have school opening on Monday, January 7 and we still can’t get the bus that was paid for since September last year; that is really unacceptable and I am being open and saying that I am not pleased because the welfare and interest of our region’s children should always be our number one priority,” the regional chairman declared.

When quizzed as to what systems are being put in place for the new school term, Regional Education Officer (REDO) for Region 10, Rabindra Singh, pointed out that the department has a “pit-bull” bus that they use to effect work by the department and would use this to temporally transport the children.

Singh said that he has already put the relevant systems in place and

would be reaching out to both parents and students during the course of the coming days to inform them how the arrangements would work regarding the “pit-bull” bus doing the pick-ups.

15

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon expressing his views over the “undue” delay in procuring the 30-seater bus

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

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South Africa close out Pakistan in four days

(REUTERS) - SOUTH Africa reeled off their modest victory target of 41 runs early on the fourth day of the second test against Pakistan to clinch the series with a comprehensive nine-wicket triumph at Newlands on Sunday.

Opener Dean Elgar scored an unbeaten 24 as the home side added to their victory in Pretoria last month and will be looking to sweep the series in the third match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, starting on Friday.

The Proteas will have concerns over their top-order batting, however, with opener Aiden Markram not taking to the crease in the second innings with a severely bruised right thigh and Hashim Amla retiring hurt after he was struck on the bicep.

Added to that, middle-order batsman Theunis de Bruyn, deputising for Markram at the top of the order, continued his poor run when he was the only wicket to fall, caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed off seamer

Mohammed Abbas for four.

“We played very well,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who was also named man of the match for a first-innings century,

said at the post-match presentation.

“There is always something in the wicket here at Newlands and you need to be on form with the bat. We

Dean Elgar punches the air after hitting the winning runs, South Africa v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Cape Town, 4th day, January 6, 2018©AFP

du Plessis

suspended for slow over rate

du Plessis lifts his bat 2018©AFP

(REUTERS) - SOUTH Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been suspended for one test and fined 20 per cent of his match fee after his side were charged with a slow over rate in the nine-wicket second test victory over Pakistan at Newlands.

Du Plessis will sit out the final match of the series starting in Johannesburg on Friday after match referee David Boon imposed the suspension having found South Africa to be one over short of their required number in the test.

It is the second time in 12 months that Du Plessis and his side have been found guilty of a

know if we get runs on the board, our bowlers will do the rest.”

Du Plessis felt the key to victory was restricting Pakistan to 177 in their first

slow over rate after a test against India in Johannesburg that ended on Jan. 17. The rest of the side have also been fined 10 per cent of their match fee.

“In accordance with Article 2.22.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel... players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement on Sunday.

Cricket South Africa accepted the decision but said “there could be

a bit of flexibility given the four-pronged seam attack, taking 20 wickets within three days and playing a general positive brand of cricket, rather than trying to delay/slow down the match”.

South Africa have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three matches series, but could field a muchchanged batting line-up in the third test with the absence of Du Plessis, and injury concerns over opener Aiden Markram and number three Hashim Amla.

A new captain will be named by the selectors in the next days, officials added.

innings in what was the most difficult time to bat in the test on day one.

“I think day one was moving day in terms of the pitch, but it got easier to bat on and yesterday Pakistan were in a good position to bat on and get a 150 lead and then who knows what happens.

“I still feel there was enough in it for batters and bowlers. At times it was difficult but that’s test cricket.”

POOR START CRITICAL Pakistan will take positives from a test in which they avoided an innings defeat with a stout batting performance on Saturday to force the contest into a fourth day.

Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam all scored half-centuries as Pakistan produced their best day of batting on tour and scored more than 200 runs in an innings for the first time in the series.

They were eventually dismissed for 294, setting their

hosts a modest target, which South Africa had hoped to knock off on Saturday but ran out of time and were forced to come back on Sunday.

Pakistan scored 177 in their first innings and were critical of the uneven bounce and cracks on the wicket at the iconic Cape Town venue but South Africa, with Du Plessis scoring 103, replied with 431.

Touring captain Sarfraz admitted a bad start, in which they lost five wickets in the first session, proved their undoing.

“It’s hard to recover if you’re losing five wickets in the first session, but the way our batsmen are batting, that’s how you learn in test cricket,” he said, adding the team would have benefited from more warm-up matches ahead of the first test.

“For me, playing two or three practice matches (is best) but we only played one match here. Our batsmen showed their courage, hopefully we’ll have confidence (into the third test).”

Rain saves the day for Australia (REUTERS) - AUSTRALIA were forced to follow-on on home soil for the first time in 30 years after being dismissed for 300 as India went for the jugular in search of a maiden series triumph Down Under on the fourth day of the final test on Sunday.

Openers Usman Khawaja (4) and Marcus Harris (2) safely negotiated four overs until bad light and light drizzle forced an early end to an already heavily rain-disrupted day just before the re-scheduled tea break.

Australia will resume on six without loss on Monday, still without a century in the series and 316 runs adrift of India’s mammoth first innings effort of 622-7 declared.

The tourists, leading 2-1 in the four-test series, only need a draw to secure a breakthrough triumph in Australia but skipper Virat Kohli did not hesitate to send the hosts back in when they fell well short of the 423 runs needed to avoid the follow-on.

“Yesterday, when they were about 150 for five, we looked at the weather forecast and decided would definitely enforce the follow-on if we could get them out,” India bowling coach Bharat Arun TURN TO PG. 21

»

SCOREBOARD

India 1st innings Mayank Agarwal c Mitchell Starc b Nathan Lyon 77 Lokesh Rahu c Shaun Marsh b Josh Hazlewood 9 Cheteshwar Pujara c&b Nathan Lyon 193 Virat Kohli c Tim Paine b Josh Hazlewood 23 Ajinkya Rahane c Tim Paine b Mitchell Starc 18 Hanuma Vihari c Marnus Labuschagne b Nathan Lyon 42 Rishabh Pant Not Out 159 Ravindra Jadeja b Nathan Lyon 81 Extras: 2b 13lb 0nb 0pen 5w 20 Total (167.2 overs) 622 decl Fall of Wickets : 1-10 Rahul, 2-126 Agarwal, 3-180 Kohli, 4-228 Rahane, 5-329 Vihari, 6-418 Pujara, 7-622 Jadeja Did Not Bat : Yadav, Shami, Bumrah Bowling: Mitchell Starc 26-0-123-1-4.73, Josh Hazlewood 3511-105-2-3.00, Pat Cummins 28-5-101-0-3.61-1w, Nathan Lyon 57.2-8-178-4-3.10, Marnus Labuschagne 16-0-76-0-4.75, Travis Head 4-0-20-0-5.00, Usman Khawaja 1-0-4-0-4.00 ....................................................................

Australia 1st innings Marcus Harris b Ravindra Jadeja 79 Usman Khawaja c Cheteshwar Pujara b Kuldeep Yadav 27 Marnus Labuschagne c Ajinkya Rahane b Mohammed Shami 38 Shaun Marsh c Ajinkya Rahane b Ravindra Jadeja 8 Travis Head c&b Kuldeep Yadav 20 Peter Handscomb b Jasprit Bumrah

37 Tim Paine b Kuldeep Yadav

5 Pat Cummins b Mohammed Shami

25 Mitchell Starc Not Out

29 Nathan Lyon lbw Kuldeep Yadav

0 Josh Hazlewood lbw Kuldeep Yadav

21 Extras: 4b 2lb 0nb 0pen 5w

11 Total: (104.5 overs)

300 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-72 Khawaja, 2-128 Harris, 3-144 Marsh, 4-152 Labuschagne, 5-192 Head, 6-198 Paine, 7-236 Cummins, 8-257 Handscomb, 9-258 Lyon, 10-300 Hazlewood Bowling: Mohammed Shami 19-2-58-2-3.05, Jasprit Bumrah 21-5 -62-1-2.95-1w, Ravindra Jadeja 32-11-73-2-2.28, Kuldeep Yadav 31.5-6-99-5-3.11, Hanuma Vihari 1-0-2-0-2.00 ......................................

Australia 2nd innings Usman Khawaja Not Out

4 Marcus Harris Not Out

2 Extras: 0b 0lb 0nb 0pen 0w 0 Total: (4.0 overs)

6-0 Bowling: Mohammed Shami 2-1-4-0-2.00, Jasprit Bumrah 2-1-2 -0-1.00

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

The six-hitting team

Big-hitting comes with big risks, but the payoffs are bigger too, as West Indies have shown

By Tim Wigmore

This is the first of a six-part series on styles and strategies used by T20 teams around the world T20 is meant to be a simple game. To win, a team must simply outhit their opponents. But a funny thing happened in the 2018 IPL. The side that scored quickest were Delhi Daredevils; they finished dead last. And the team that scored slowest - Sunrisers Hyderabad, 0.9 runs per over slower than Delhi - topped the group stages and were losing finalists. There was no discernible correlation between a team’s batting strike rate and their final position.

Earlier this year Jonathan Wilson, an acclaimed writer on football tactics, published a book about the stylistic contrasts between teams managed by Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. It was a reminder that, even after 15 years of T20, with the format established as the most popular version of cricket, teams are not conceptualised or thought of in such a way.

Rather than viewing them in light of different paradigms and analysing their style of play-- in the way that is commonplace in football, basketball and other sports-- analysis of T20 teams often veers towards the reductive. Good teams win because they are good; bad teams lose because they are bad.

This obscures the stylistic and philosophical differences in how T20 teams are assembled. Through a combination of deliberate planning and happenstance, profound contrasts exist between how T20 sides line up and how they try to win: between those who prioritise six-hitting and those who favour scoring off every ball; those whose batting is top-heavy and those who emphasise depth; those whose strategy is rooted in their batting prowess versus those who focus more on bowling.

While every team seeks perfection, the nature of franchise cricket especially - with its salary caps and limits on recruiting overseas talent, means that trade-offs are wired into team-building. Teams are designed to win in a very specific way.

Even when they go to other leagues and continents, “often there’s a particular style of play associated with a captain or coach”, observes

AR Srikkanth, the analyst for Kolkata Knight Riders since 2009.

What follows is an attempt to identify the contours of the dominant styles in T20 cricket, categorising teams according to their most significant traits, and so illuminate the contrasting styles in T20 cricket today.

THE SIX-HITTING TEAM A phenomenon like AB de Villiers can score off virtually every ball as well as hit sixes with impunity. But most batsmen’s style can be thought of as existing somewhere on a continuum, between aiming to hit as many sixes as possible and aiming to score off every ball.

Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli embody the two contrasting approaches. Gayle has hit 892 in his career - over 2.5 per game. But he allows a large number of dot balls over half of all deliveries he has faced since 2017 - and is slow at the start of his innings, scoring at under a run a ball off his first ten balls.

Kohli can hit sixes, but generally favours the ground: three quarters of his boundaries are fours, while almost half of Gayle’s are sixes. If Gayle’s signature shot in T20 is the six thumped straight, Kohli’s is perhaps the drive placed through wide long-off for two, which embodies the efficiency of his scoring and intensity of his running between the wickets.

Most T20 batting lineups are a mix of these two approaches. But no team has plumped so decisively for the Gayle approach as the West Indies team from 2012-16, who, with Gayle opening, won two out of three World T20 titles in that time and reached the semi-finals in the third. They did so in full knowledge that the strategy would lead to an alarming number of dot balls, in defiance of received wisdom about trying to score as efficiently as possible.

The trade-off, as they saw it, was worth it, because no side could score sixes with such reliability.

“We knew that we had boundary hitters down to

No. 8,” Phil Simmons, the West Indies coach in 2016, later explained. “We didn’t worry about dot balls too much because we knew we could make them up.

If Gayle had 20 dots in 60 balls, he’d still have a hundred.”

Winning the 2016 World T20 with Carlos Brathwaite’s four thunderous sixes showed how West Indies were not just a better T20 team than their opponents, but a radically different one. In the semi-final victory over India in Mumbai, West Indies played out almost twice as many dot balls as their opponents - 50 to 29 but it was an incidental detail because they scored 11 sixes to India’s four.

Conventional cricketing wisdom has long dictated that a prudent batsman rotates the strike the ball after hitting a boundary.

West Indies double down. A boundary is a cue to try and hit more boundaries - even if some swings and misses are unavoidable.

There are hints that, inspired by West Indies, some franchises are adopting a similar approach. In 2018, both Knight Riders franchises, Kolkata and Trinbago, opened with Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine, players renowned for quick starts and boundary-hitting. The teams had players in the same mould lower down the order: Brendon McCullum, Colin Munro and Colin Ingram for Trinbago; Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell for Kolkata.

“If you look at the way we play in the CPL, as well as at KKR, it’s pretty similar,” says Srikkanth, the analyst for both franchises. “We go hard at the top and it doesn’t matter if we lose wickets in a cluster because we’ve got the batting in the team to take responsibility and get the team to a decent score. If you have Sunil and Lynny opening, they know only one way to go.

So if they get out, they get out.”

The Knight Riders approach is characterised by valuing wickets less, in defiance of one of the most quoted stats in T20’s forma-

tive years: that teams lose three-quarters of the matches in which they lose three wickets in the Powerplay.

In the IPL last year, KKR lost wickets in the Powerplay more frequently than any other side bar one. Yet they had the highest Powerplay run rate, showing a team unperturbed about losing early wickets.

The growth of the six in T20 mirrors the ascent of the three-pointer (shots from farther away) in the NBA. Three-pointers in basketball (shots from farther away) are like sixes in cricket, riskier

and more likely to fail, but their number has doubled since 2000. Threes are deemed the most efficient shot because, despite their lower success rate, they have a higher average return than twos. A similar logic informs the emphasis on six-hitting.

Even if many T20 analysts endorse such an approach -- a recognition that wickets have generally been overvalued, and that sides have misused their batting resources-- it still brings risks. Players who emphasise six-hitting are more likely to rack up dot balls

at the start of their innings.

And a team of six-hitters may be less effective on difficult batting wickets on which it is trickier to time the ball crisply. West Indies’ sole defeat in the 2016 World T20, albeit in a dead game, was in a low-scoring match against Afghanistan.

In franchise cricket, the greatest barrier to such an approach is that there remain few elite players who play in the style of the 2012-2016 West Indies team. And so franchise sides must resort to alternative ways of team-building.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

21

Scorpions hold upper hand on day two CMC – FIFTEEN wickets tumbled on day two of the Regional Four-Day Championship contest here Saturday, but Jamaica Scorpions held the upper hand over Windward Islands Volcanoes heading into Sunday’s third day of the topsy-turvy day/ night affair at Sabina Park.

Resuming the day on 34 for one in reply to Scorpions’ first innings of 210, Volcanoes were bundled out for a paltry 113, to concede a lead of 97 runs.

They were undermined

by West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell who used his medium pace to good effect to snatch five for 23 while international teammate, Oshane Thomas, picked up two for 37.

Captain Kirk Edwards topscored with 29 and Roland Cato got 23 but no other batsman passed 15.

In their second turn at the

crease, Scorpions also struggled despite a top score of 35 from Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood and an unbeaten 31 from Assad Fudadin.

Scorpions Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood.

Rain saves the day ... told reporters.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to make it 3-1 and that’s a big motivation for us.”

Play at the Sydney Cricket Ground finally got underway after a rain delay of almost four hours with the hosts resuming on 236-6, and India needed just 80 minutes to take the remaining Australian wickets at a cost of 64 runs.

Mohammed Shami set India on their way when he took the second new ball immediately and removed Pat Cummins’s off stump with the sixth delivery of the day to dismiss his fellow paceman for 25.

KULDEEP CLAIMS FIVE Peter Handscomb, recalled for his ability to play spin, followed for 37 after adding nine runs to his overnight tally, dragging the ball onto his stumps to give quick Jasprit Bumrah his first wicket of the match.

Nathan Lyon faced just five balls before he was adjudged lbw to fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav for a duck, a decision Australia opted against reviewing despite a question mark over whether the ball would have hit the stumps.

Josh Hazlewood was dropped by Hanuma Vihari

off Kuldeep’s bowling when he had yet to score and he and fellow tail-ender Mitchell Starc (29 not out) fought a dogged rearguard to put on 42 for the final wicket.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (5-99) finally got his man to secure a second five-wicket haul in his sixth test, though, trapping Hazlewood leg before wicket for 21, in a decision confirmed after a review.

England were the last team to force Australia to follow-on at home in the drawn 1988 Sydney test, a result the hosts are unlikely to repeat unless the weather intervenes

The hosts were in early trouble when they lost lefthander John Campbell without scoring to the third ball of the innings. And when Chadwick Walton perished for 12 soon afterwards, Scorpions were 32 for two.

However, Blackwood and Fudadin combined in a 36-run, third wicket stand to steady the innings.

Left-arm spinner Larry Edwards (2-21) eventually bowled Blackwood, leading to a slump where Scorpions lost five wickets for 58 runs, as the innings declined.

The new-ball pair of Sherman Lewis (2-19) and Josh Thomas (2-32) also helped hurt the innings with two wickets apiece.

From PG. 19

«

decisively.

“It hurts mate, you never want to follow-on in any cricket match,” Handscomb said.

“Huge for us to push for the draw tomorrow, we’ve obviously got a really good chance to shift some momentum back into our camp — not just for the one-dayers coming up but for the World Cup and the Ashes (against England).

“This movement can really start tomorrow... if we can last this day and show the country, show the world, that we’re not far from being a really good team.”

Caesar, other executive members up for re-election at GAPLF AGM

Ed Caesar will look to return as the GAPLF president for the fourth consecutive time.

ED Caesar will look to return to the fore when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation holds its Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers next Saturday, January 19.

According to information from public relation officer Runita White, who also functions as the organisational secretary, all the executive members will be up for re-election.

Caesar took over from Peter Green, who declined re-election in 2016 after eight consecutive years at the helm.

The rest of the current executive include Nadina Taharally (vice-president), Andrea Smith (general secretary), Colin Austin (treasurer) Martin Webster (championship secretary), David Gomes and Erwyn Smith who are committee members.

The AGM will run from 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs at the Racquet Centre in Woolford Avenue.

The agenda includes the renewal of affiliation, the president’s report for 2018, the general secretary’s report for 2018, the treasurer’s report for 2018 and the elections.

According to White, the elections are done via nominations.

“The elections are usually done by process of nomination.

A person is nominated and seconded; if there are no other nominations, that person automatically assumes their role.

However, if there are multiple persons nominated for one role, there will be a vote and the majority rules.”

Persons desirous of voting can do so after paying their annual federation dues of $5000.

Permaul devastates Pride as Jaguars take first innings points CMC – TEST wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich and veteran Jonathan Carter defied Guyana Jaguars with gutsy half-centuries but Barbados Pride still conceded a significant first-innings lead, setting up an intriguing final day of their third round match in the Regional FourDay Championship.

Pride, resuming Sunday’s penultimate day on 33 for one, batted the entire day before being dismissed on the stroke of close of play for 360 – behind by 188 runs.

Dowrich stroked a classy 81 and Carter made 68, while Test skipper Jason Holder struck 44 and Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite, 43.

Captain Shamarh Brooks chipped in with 34, but Pride never got the big hundred

they needed as Jaguars made key strikes at critical periods throughout the day.

Veteran left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul spearheaded the Jaguars attack with four for 124, including the key wickets of Carter and Test star Roston Chase (1), while left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer (2-36) and pacer Clinton Pestano (2-53) supported well.

Having lost Shayne Moseley to the final ball of the previous day, Pride consolidated early through a 73-run, second wicket stand between Brathwaite and Brooks.

Brathwaite, short of runs with the England Test series approaching, struck seven fours off 103 deliveries while Brooks faced 52 balls and also counted seven fours.

However, Permaul got

the breakthrough when he removed Brooks to a catch at slip by Captain Leon Johnson and Pride slumped, losing three wickets for 17 runs.

Chase fell in identical fashion, cutting at Permaul and when Brathwaite, unbeaten on 11 at the start, was lbw to one from Pestano that kept low, the hosts were struggling on 123 for four.

Dowrich and Carter then combined in an excellent 141run, fifth wicket stand which carried Pride to lunch on 164 for four, and gave them the upper hand in the second session.

The right-handed Dowrich, in his first match since his return from international duty, struck 11 fours and two sixes off only 113 balls in just over 2¼ hours while Carter faced 127 balls in 3¼ hours and counted nine fours, to

notch his third half-century in as many matches.

However, Pride suffered a massive setback when both fell inside the last 20 minutes before tea. Dowrich pulled medium pacer Sherfane Rutherford to Permaul at midwicket and two overs later, Carter was bowled by one from Permaul which crept.

On 278 for six at tea, Pride were kept afloat by Holder, who put on 42 for the seventh wicket with Windies teammate, Ashley Nurse, who made 19.

Once Nurse missed a sweep at Permaul and was lbw, Pride lost their last four wickets for 45 runs, with Holder ninth out – caught at slip by Johnson off Reifer after facing 87 deliveries and striking six fours.

SCOREBOARD

JAGUARS 1st Innings 548 PRIDE 1st Innings (overnight 33 for one) K Brathwaite lbw b Pestano 43 S Moseley c Hemraj b Reifer 15 *S Brooks c Johnson b Permaul 34 J Carter b Permaul 68 R Chase c Johnson b Permaul 1 +S Dowrich c Permaul b Rutherford 81 J Holder c Johnson b Reifer 44 A Nurse lbw b Permaul 19 K Roach c Barnwell b Pestano 2 J Warrican not out 23 M Cummins c wkp Bramble b Shepherd 3 Extras: (b14, lb6, w2, nb5) 27 TOTAL: (all out, 105.2 overs) 360 Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-106, 3-118, 4-123, 5-264, 6-273, 7-315, 8-328, 9-355, 10-360.

Bowling: Pestano 19-5-53-2, Shepherd 18.2-3-51-1, Reifer 13-3-36-2, Permaul 35-8-124-4, Barnwell 3-0-19-0, Rutherford 6-1-13-1, Johnson 7-0-33-0, Hemraj 4-0-11-0.

Position: Jaguars lead by 188 runs.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

Titans Table Tennis Club to host ‘Mental Toughness’ Seminar on Jan 13 ALREADY a breeding ground for some of Guyana’s most talented young table tennis players, the Titans Table Tennis Club will kick things off in 2019 with a ‘Mental Toughness’ seminar on January 13 and 20 as they seek to strengthen their player, not just physically, but mentally as well.

The seminar will be facilitated by sports psychologist, Noelle Smith, a former national athlete. It will target athletes at the U-18 and U-15 stages respectively and the sessions are expected to equip players with mental toughness skills to cope with stressors, to boost confidence and focus before and during games.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Titans president and coach, Dwain Dick noted; “It’s a timely seminar, with Junior Nationals tentatively set for early February, this could be an integral forum for athletes who will be competing at

that tournament.”

The first of its kind, Dick pointed out “It’s something that’s lacking in sports in Guyana, the lack of mental training. It’s a barrier we at Titans are trying to overcome. Hopefully, it’s something that we’ll implement in our all-round programme; we have developing athletes, athletes we’re trying to push to the highest possible level, and the onus is on us to start here.”

The seminar is not limited to table tennis players. Dick revealed that athletes from other sporting disciplines are welcome. Registration for the seminar is just $1000 and refreshments will be provided for all who attend.

The seminar will be held at the Titans Club, located in the Red Cross building in Kingston on January 13 and 20, from 13:00hrs to 16:00hrs on both days. Interested persons can contact Dick on 642-7176 or Daniel Thomas 624-7742 before or by January 11. (Michelangelo Jacobus)

Ivan Madray 100-ball cricket tournament…

Hetmyer’s unbeaten knock leads Young Warriors to title

Supernova moves into Ventures Indoor Semi-Final GUYANA’S indoor developmental hockey team, Supernova, moved into the Ventures International Indoor semi-final with impressive wins over Queen’s Park II (QPCCII) and Fatima senior sides on Saturday.

Yesterday, they were scheduled to oppose the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force for the chance of making the final.

Young Warriors with the championship trophy.

WEST Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer scored 30 unbeaten runs to lead the Young Warriors Cricket Club to the Berbice Cricket Board-organised Ivan Madray 100-ball cricket tournament title.

In the final that was held under lights at the Albion

Community Centre ground on Saturday evening, the Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets batted first and reached 93 for six from their allotted balls.

Shawn Pereira finished with an unbeaten 21, while Eon Hooper scored 24. Eventual Man-of-the-Match, Trev-

on Stanislaus, who stemmed the runs flow, finished with 2-20.

In reply, Hetmyer led the attack with the bat to ensure victory in the 12th over. Ishwar Singh added 20, while Shimron’s older brother, Seon Hetmyer, chipped in with 15 unbeaten runs.

RHT Metro crowned BCB female cricket champions

A SCINTILLATING batting performance from the Rose Hall Town Metro propelled them to the title via a 110run win over West Berbice in their championship clash of the Nand Persaud/ Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) female cricket tournament yesterday in the Ancient County.

Metro won the toss and batted first. They were led by Shabika Gajnabi and Marian Samaroo. Gajnabi struck 68 runs, while Samaroo added 44 to push the eventual winners

to 170-7 from their allotted 20 overs.

West Berbice, in reply, were restricted to 60-7 before their innings ended.

Erva Giddings and eventual player-of-the-match, Samaroo, were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets each.

Both teams and outstanding players were rewarded after the game.

Meanwhile, the BCB has named 17 players who will begin preparations from today at the Area H Ground for

the GCB Senior Inter-county tournament.

The players are: Meliane Henry, Plaffina Millington, Sherica Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Dian Prahalad, Marian Samaroo, Lafona Gilegous, Uma Devi Matadin, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Abigail Kishun, Aleema Arokium, Roshana Lynch, Kimmone Thomas, Kassie Munroe, Sabrina Munroe and Ashley Ramnauth. Slyvina Autar will serve as team manager and Winston Smith as coach.

Titans Table Tennis Club President, Dwain Dick.

Warren Williams

Their first match against QPCCII was a tight affair throughout the first half until Omar Hopkinson put his side ahead with a clinical penalty corner conversion in the 11th minute. As the second half began, the high pressing,

aggressive approach by the Guyanese started to pay dividends as the experienced QPCCII side struggled against the sustained pressure. A Warren Williams double in the 16th and 25th minutes put his team up 3-0 before Shane Samuels converted a penalty corner for the opposition in the 29th minute to make the game interesting. However, any hopes of a QPCCII comeback were quickly extinguished by Shakeem Fausette and Nandalall Persaud in the 29th and 30th minutes respectively; full-time score 5-1.

In their final group stage match of the day, the Guyanese faced a team that could match their pace and intensity for the first time in the tournament.

The young Fatima side was given an early wakeup call when Shakeem Fausette received the ball on the left side boar, went around the defender before wrapping the ball around the legs of the advancing goalkeeper.

Jamarj Assanah doubled the lead in the 4th minute when he spun around the opposing left back and slipped the ball past the goalkeeper from the nar-

Rose Hall Town Metro after their victory on Sunday afternoon.

rowest of angles. Fatima made it 1-2 through the stick of Joshua Olton in the 9th minute, but a penalty corner conversion by Kareem McKenzie and another Assanah moment of brilliance in the 13th minute gave the Guyanese a comfortable 4-1 halftime lead. Fatima dominated the second half and would have made it a lot closer

Paul D’Andrade

if it wasn’t for the heroics of Goalkeeper Paul D’Andrade. Olton scored a second for his team in the 21st minute before Assanah completed his hat-trick with a carbon copy of his first goal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 7, 2019

23

Nathan Rahaman - A dynasty continued

By Stephan Sookram

“I know it’s a big competition and for those sorts of things you need to be prepared, so I’m not eating as I usually would because I have to keep fit and exercise more often because it’s a longer race on a longer track, so half way through the race you’ll start getting tired, so you need to be fit to keep going” Says Nathan Rahaman.

Nathan is the next step in a four-generation long racing heritage and is one of the six Guyanese preparing for participation this week at the Junior Caribbean Karting Academy Trophy in Barbados.

Chronicle sport caught up with him during a training session earlier this week and sat down to find out how preparations are going.

“I feel pretty good going into it. I think I’ll get results,” he opined, adding that from initial views of the track “It looks nice, it has a lot of turns; high-speed corners and I’m looking forward to driving on the track with 19 more people.”

He feels that he is on par with most of the other competitors, excluding the Barbadians, who he says he has not seen thus far.

Nathan got into the sport at the tender age of five, recounting where it all started.

“It’s from going to South Dakota and watching my dad race; I found love for the sport and when I started when I was five, I wasn’t that good because I didn’t know any racing lines,

but it was the second kart which I had that started more driving for me because I kept begging dad to come down to the track and drive.”

He noted that when GT motorsport opened its doors two years ago, there was even more push to get into the kart to get going.

And what does a lap in his seat give you? “I feel adrenaline.”

is on the track and everyone is far away, but in the race, its very different and I don’t know, my heart is usually in my throat.”

In spite of that, however, she says she would never stop him.

“It’s what he loves, it’s his passion and I see how happy it makes him. He can talk motorsport and racing for hours with his dad [Ryan] and grandfather [Jad] like he is very [much] into

it to go beyond.”

Nathan was quick to acknowledge his parental support by saying, “My dad comes down, he helps with the kart then I go out, drive and tell him what’s feeling weird and then we try to fix it.

He’s pushing me to get faster.

Mom is scared of me going too fast and crashing and injuring myself, but she also plays a major role.”

Police FC crowned champions

Nathan Rahman (71) in action chasing down Jeremy Ten-pow (GTRidez photo)

“It’s like the people expect to see good results from you and it’s a lot of pressure because in my family, there are four generations of racers, so it’s a lot of pressure.

The people expect you to bring home results.”

For his mother Cindy Rahaman though, it’s an entirely different feeling.

“He’s my baby, he’s my first child!”

“I can look at him when he

it. I would never hold him back from it.”

His father Ryan, no stranger to racing, says that is always how it has been.

“He has shown that [passion] throughout his life. Since he was a baby he’s always been into anything on wheels-- bicycles, skates-- and he adapts very quickly, so naturally, you look at those things and tend to think ahead that maybe he might have

He noted that balancing schoolwork and sports is something that he finds easy because he compartmentalises them properly and focuses only on what the task at hand is.

He sports the number 71 Valvoline-sponsored kart.

The first round of the CJKAT is set for next Saturday and Sunday (January 12 and 13) with classroom sessions set for Thursday and Friday.

Hodge, Cornwall help Hurricanes on day three CMC – First innings century-maker Montcin Hodge fashioned an unbeaten halfcentury to follow up offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall’s four-wicket haul, as Leeward Islands Hurricanes left Trinidad and Tobago Red Force with a tall order on Monday’s final day, to win their third round fixture in the Regional Four-Day Championship.

Set 342 for victory at the Brian Lara Stadium, Red Force finished Sunday’s penultimate day on 26 without loss, still requiring a further 316 runs.

They had earlier conceded a first innings lead of 173 after folding for 252 in their first innings. Resuming on 146 for four, they lost opener Jeremy Solozano in the morning’s seventh over, caught at the wicket off Cornwall, after adding just two to his overnight 78.

Two balls later, Cornwall trapped Yannic Cariah lbw without scoring to put Hurricanes firmly in charge at 154 for six.

Cornwall continued to impress with the England series approaching, claiming

GT Beer/Candy Boss, Antics Promotion 8-a-side Football Tournament

four for 73 while West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph also pressed his claim with three for 80.

et and when Joseph removed both in successive deliveries, Bryan Charles (39) added 30 for the ninth wicket with Imran

their second turn at the crease, courtesy of Hodge who stroked an unbeaten 77.

He struck 10 fours off

Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall grabbed four wickets.

Three small partnerships then helped push Red Force past the 250 mark. First, Joshua Da Silva (19) and nightwatchman Daniel St Clair (9) put on 29 for the seventh wick-

Khan (12) and a further 39 for the last wicket with Shannon Gabriel (11).

Armed with a healthy lead, Hurricanes put Red Force under even more pressure in

131 balls in nearly 3¼ hours, putting on 43 for the third wicket with Devon Thomas (19) and 39 for the sixth wicket with Cornwall who made 22.

Deon Rodney scored two crucial goals in the opening stages of the game

By Colin Bynoe Jr AS if to prove a point that their win last year was no fluke, the Police FC showed grit and confidence to win the finals of the second edition of the GT Beer/Candy Boss, Antics Promotion 8-a-side Football Tournament.

The lawmen made it two in a row, defeating a challenging Paradise Football Club by four goals to three (4-3).

The much-touted finals attracted a large gathering of well-schooled football lovers who were treated to a ding-dong battle between the finalists at the All Saints School ground on Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam.

The game started at a breezy pace with both teams showing their eagerness to score. Defending champions Police made plays that created opportunities early on and by the 20-minute, Striker Deon Rodney, in a matter of two minutes netted back-to-back goals in the 21st and 22nd minutes.

After the respite, Paradise found some life in their game, courtesy of a Peter Wilson’s goal in the 34th; evidently, this goal brought the supporters of Paradise to a frenzy. Four minutes later, the lawmen placed their hands up with a third goal coming off the boot of Mark Roach in the 38th minute.

The second half saw five goals being scored, three from Paradise and two netted by the lawmen.

At the sound of the final whistle, the score read 4-3 in favour of Police FC. The victory signals the dominance of the law enforcement officers defending their championship from the inaugural tournament in the process.

Police FC pocketed $600,000 and a large trophy for the win.

It was mention by the promoters that presentation of prizes will be done in the month of February for the winning teams and individual awardees.

32 teams from the Berbice, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and West Demerara areas started the tournament.

The organizers thanked their supporters, Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand; Fly Jamaica, Regional Health Services, Foot-Soul, Bobb and Sons, National Sports Commission and Integrated Security.

Permaul devastates Pride as Jaguars take first innings points Page

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Jonathan Carter is bowled by Veerasammy Permaul on Day 3 of the third round match between Barbados Pride and Guyana Jaguars in the CWI Professional Cricket League Four Day match on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Kensington Oval Š CWI Media/ Kerrie Eversley of Brooks LaTouche Photography

Veerasammy Permaul appeals on Day 3 of the third round match between Barbados Pride and Guyana Jaguars in the CWI Professional Cricket League Four Day match on Sunday, January 6, 2019, at Kensington Oval Š CWI Media/ Kerrie Eversley of Brooks LaTouche Photography

Nathan Rahaman Police FC crowned champions - A GT Beer/Candy Boss, Antics Promotion 8-a-side Football Tournament

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Police FC receiving the trophy from a Banks DIH representative after winning the second edition of the GT Beer/Candy Boss, Antics Promotion 8-a-side football tournament

dynasty continued

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Nathan Rahaman during a recent prize-giving ceremony

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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2018