Guyana Chronicle E-paper 01-28-2019

MONDAY 28 th January, 2019

No.105531

Nations 03 principal Hundreds shot turn out to

Thorough 14 investigation into children’s death, says GPHC PAGE

IDPADA 02 conference PAGE

PAGE

–– hours after school held emergency meeting over threats

–– security beefed up around institution

Nations Director, Dr Brian O’Toole

PAGE

GWI 12 reaches out to Rupununi villages

Diversify 11 for regional advancement PAGE

–– Cathy Hughes tells CANTO delegates

Dancers perform at the opening of CANTO 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Mini Expo in Guyana at the Marriott Hotel on Sunday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Hundreds turn out to IDPADA conference

THE International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly -Guyana (IDPADA-G), on Sunday held its “One Stop Business and Family Welfare Conference” at Dolphin Secondary School, Broad Street, Charlestown, to which hundreds turned out to be empowered.

The event started at 1:00pm targeting hundreds of residents of Georgetown, particularly those within the southern section of the city.

Various government

agencies were on hand to provide information, free services such as health care and housing assistance.

The Small Business Bureau, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Ministry of Citizenship (passport and birth certificates), Ministries of Public Health, Education, Social Protection, and New Guyana Marketing Corporation among other agencies, all had a presence at the event on Sunday.

Chief Executive Officer of IDPADA-G, Olive

Sampson, told the Guyana Chronicle that the event was made possible through the collaboration of all African agencies, at the request of President David Granger, in response to the United Nations (UN) mandate to confront the serious problems facing people of African descent everywhere in the world, where they are oppressed and marginalised.

She added that the conference aims to bring government services directly to the people, and to also

CH&PA employees interact with visitors

find out from them through a health survey, what they are facing with respect to access to health care by providers.

Sampson pointed out that they have partnered with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

She pointed out that last year 35 conferences were held all across Guyana and that they will replicate that number and even double it this year.

Conference Coordinator of IDPADA-G Shequanda David, told the Guyana Chronicle that the event is a spin-off of conferences held before last year, and from those they added the family welfare feature to provide free health care to people.

Many of the visitors told this newspaper that they are very pleased with the reception they got, and more so happy they benefitted from much-needed free health services and information without any hassle.

The International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-2024, was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in a Resolution (68/237) adopted on December 23, 2013. The theme of the International Decade is “People of African descent: Recognition, Justice and Development”.

The stated objectives of the International Decade for People of African Descent are to promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for people of African descent, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contributions of people of African descent to the development of societies; adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks according to the Durban Decla-

Olive Sampson CEO of IDPADA-G ration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective implementation.

Citizens Bank objects to GRA’s assessment amounting to $500M owed CITIZENS Bank has objected to the Notices of Assessment (NoA) issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) claiming additional corporation taxes of $534, 416,000.

The issuance was made on December 20, 2018, by the revenue authority on the basis of a disallowance of the company’s claim for deduction for impairment losses on financial assets in relation to the years of income ended 30 September 2010 to 2012.

However, Director of BANKS DIH Limited, Clifford Reis, at the company’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday, said that the bank, which is a 51 per cent owned subsidiary of BANKS DIH, is currently ironing out the issue with the GRA. “The first step in any programme is not fireworks,” he said. “We wrote them back and said we don’t agree and that was called an objection. So far we’re still having dialogue to see where we go; where we don’t go and see if we can solve the problem between us,” Reis said.

Citizens Bank maintains that it had adhered to its obligations contained in the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the Supervision Guidelines issued by the Bank of Guyana.

“For purposes of its corporation tax computations, the company’s impairment losses on financial assets as determined under IFRS, were claimed as deductions in accordance with Sections 16 (1) (e) of the Income Tax Act, which provides for the deduction of provisions for bad and doubtful debts incurred in a trade or business,” the statement said, adding:

“As [a] consequence, the company is not in agreement with the assessment raised by the Guyana Revenue Authority and intends to file objections, as provided for under the Income Tax Act.” Reis told reporters that Citizens Bank is not alone when it comes to the matter as other banks are also in the same position.

“It’s not Citizens Bank alone, it’s all the banks. All the commercial banks in Guyana received an assessment,” he said. “And I’m surprised that some of the other banks that have not notified their shareholders.”

However, he did note that some of the other banks had completed their annual general meetings prior to receiving the notice.

As such, Reis added: “Those who are coming up now with their Annual General Meetings, I hope that they will make such representations.”

For 2018, the Bank recorded $602.3M in after-tax profit for the performance period ended September 30, 2018.

As to why he placed importance on disclosing the current challenge, the Director said that it was done out of consideration for the bank’s stakeholders.

“Being a material number of $500M, it is my right, as the Chairman, to tell the shareholders about it because we don’t want them to be surprised one morning when they wake up to see a liability of $500M,” he explained, continuing: “But I think we [along with the GRA] will solve the problem. I don’t think it will go beyond this dialogue.”

Nations beefs up security

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

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–– following threats of destruction to the school

SCHOOL of the Nations on Sunday said it will be tightening security on campus amid threats of destruction from students over the past few days.

Addressing parents on Sunday, Nations Director, Dr Brian O’Toole said every threat has been taken seriously and countermeasures will be put in place.

“With the misery it caused in many people’s lives, it is too easy an excuse to say ‘I’m joking’, so we are not going to take situations like these lightly,” Dr. O’ Toole said.

On Monday (today), the school will roll-out a number of security measures.

Dr. O’ Toole said Delta security guards will be parading the compound and random bag searches will be conducted to ensure the school is weapons-free.

The gates of the school will no longer be open for vehicular traffic and police will be patrolling the school’s surroundings.

A meeting will also be held with Sixth Formers to ascertain who made a terrorist threat on Sunday. Information in this regard, Dr O’ Toole said, will be treated with strict confidence.

The directors of the top private school have also sought help from US cyber security at the highest level and the State Department, to track the origin of the

threatening facebook post.

Only last week, a student of Nations was expelled after he threatened in a Whatsapp post to ‘shoot’ up the school.

This matter has since been placed in the hands of the police.

Following the student’s expulsion on Friday, another person on Sunday took to facebook and made a threatening post to Sixth Formers of the school. The identity of the person who made the post is unknown.

At the meeting on Sunday, directors of the private school assured parents that all measures will be in place to ensure safety and security of their children.

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, who was also present at the meeting, said the ministry is taking the reports of threats made by students seriously.

He disclosed that the ministry has put together a mobile unit comprising of counsellors and welfare officers, and their responsibility is to go into the schools

Dr O’ Toole shot

SCHOOL of the Nations Direc-

He was on his doorstep when the

suspects that the shooting appears

tor, Dr Brian O’ Toole was shot

shooter, who was in Dr O’Toole’s

to be linked to an attempted rob-

in the arm as he was about to

yard, came out from his hiding

bery.

enter his home Sunday night after

place and shot him in the arm be-

Earlier in the day, Dr O’Toole met

dinner with a scholar from the

fore making good his escape, Dr

with parents of ‘Nations’ after a face-

University of Bedfordshire, UK.

Phillips related.

book post surfaced Sunday morning

‘Nations’ Chief Executive Of-

Up to press time, Dr O’Toole

ficer, Dr Dexter Phillips told the

was warded at a city hospital and his

Guyana Chronicle that the shooting

condition has been listed as stable.

of a person threatening to open fire on students of the school.

Last Friday, a student was ex-

occurred around 22:00 hrs just as

“Dr O’Toole has lost a lot of

pelled after posting a Whatsapp

Dr O’Toole closed his gate and

blood but he is in good spirit and

message, threatening to ‘shoot-up’

was about to enter his Bel Air Prom

has been chatting with doctors at

the school. The student had said he

enade home.

the hospital,” said Dr Phillips, who

was just joking in the post.

and meet with students and teachers, and address their concerns. “… that is how we intend to approach some of the particular ills and social problems we have in society. We cannot turn a blind eye on what is happening. At the end of the day, whether it is a public school or private school, they are children of this nation and we have a responsibility to ensure that our children fulfill their potential and that our children are accommodated and they are happy with their education process,” he said.

He also urged parents to monitor their children’s behaviour.

“Parents have a fundamental role to play in terms of discipline and order because that begins at home. It is not an issue for the school to teach discipline.

We just can’t release them and forget that things are happening, especially when they are not behaving the way they are expected to behave. But at the same time, teachers ought to express some degree of flexibility because you sometimes have to be mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and so on. So we all have to do everything necessary to ensure that our children fulfill [their] potential in this land,” Hutson told the gathering.

The school will hold another meeting with parents today at 17:30 hrs.

Nations Director, Dr Brian O’Toole

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Amelia’s Ward launches ‘Think Green’ committee

By Vanessa Braithwaite

RESIDENTS representing various neighbourhoods in the community of Amelia’s Ward, in Linden, have formed a steering committee called ‘Think Green’, and are on a mission to pool their energies, resources and ideas together to transform the constituency into a model one.

The brain child of the committee, who was also appointed as its chairman, is Constituency One Councillor Lawrence Simon who noted that with so much plans in store for the development of

Amelia’s Ward, he realised he cannot do it on his own and the strategies highlighted in his manifesto, can only be realised through a joint venture.

The committee was then established, with eight representatives from the various neighbourhoods such as Bamia, South Amelia’s Ward, Central Amelia’s Ward, and Block 42 etc. The green agenda will be the overall objective of all projects and the maintaining of a clean and green environment will be prioritised. While each member will make representation for their neighbourhoods,

Chairman Lawrence Simon

they are also tasked with different agendas. Young Councillor Yanick Graham has been tasked with youth development, while Michael Hercules has been tasked with community develop-

Youth Coordinator Yanick Graham

ment.

Graham, who is the youngest municipal councillor, said that he is currently pushing the momentum for a youth group to be established

Monday, January 28, 2019 11:30hrs. - 13:00hrs.

with membership from all over Amelia’s Ward. First on the agenda, will be to create a data base through house to house data collection, so as to ascertain the correct status of the youths in the community, whether they are employed, meaningfully engaged, pursuing education, in need of scholarship etc.

This data base will be used as they engage public-private stakeholders to provide them with jobs, training, funding of business initiatives etc.

He said the executives of the youth group will also forge ties with the police and welfare department, to sift out youths who are repeated offenders so as to work closely with them, thus helping them to get their lives together. “We know unemployment is a soaring issue and so our main goal is to tap into programmes that will provide funding for training, internships, scholarship, youth programmes, ITC, STEM Robotics, etc so our youths can become meaningfully involved,” he said. The youths will also be involved in community development in keeping with the “think green” initiative.

Councillor Simon said that he is very upbeat about following the promises made in his manifesto and found it necessary to get residents involved. The steering committee will be resuscitating groups in Amelia’s Ward, whether it be, coops, youth groups or NGO’s, so that residents can all play a role in transforming their community.

While financial assistance directly from the council might be limited, due to its own financial constraints, Lawrence said the group will be tapping into opportunities of funding through grants from various ministries that were made available in the 2019 budget. The steering

committee aims at empowering youths and women in the community through economic ventures, and in this regard, a women’s group will soon be formed. “We will be making proposals for both long term and short term projects, the idea is to create employment whether it be through training or another venture, but we will be engaging single parents, youths and everyone,” he said.

In addition to applying for grants, the committee will be embarking on fundraising activities that will enable the group to be more economically viable. First on the agenda is a light drive, which will enable the group to purchase street lights for the streets that are currently unlit.

The community of Bamia which is located on the outskirts of Amelia’s Ward, on the Linden Soesdyke Highway is also integrally involved in the group. Lawrence said that the residents are currently working on a communal agriculture project, and he will be making the necessary representation for some form of concession to be granted to the residents, so that they can increase their production, which will also create employment.

Amelia’s Ward is the largest communities in Region 10, one of the largest in Guyana, and the Caribbean.

It consists of smaller communities and housing schemes such as Brazina, South Amelia’s Ward, Central Amelia’s Ward, Self Help Housing Scheme, Lovers’ Lane, First, Second and Third Phases and the ‘New Schemes’.

The community has three nurseries, two primaries and one secondary school, a police outpost, a clinic several churches, a pool, a mall and a radio station.

Saturday 26, January, 2019

06 10 13 22 24 28 23

25, January, 2019

K

03 04 07 12 21

05, 06, 09, 20, 21

3, 5, 7

5, 8, 7

01, 02, 04, 12, 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

As nations turn against Maduro, Venezuela leader parades with military

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro oversaw a display of the army’s Russian hardware on Sunday, with anti-aircraft flak and tank rounds pounding a hillside to show military force and loyalty in the face of an international ultimatum to call fresh elections.

Maduro, 56, is confronting an unprecedented challenge to his authority after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim presiden, citing a fraudulent election. Guaido has won wide international support and offers amnesty to soldiers who join him. On Sunday, Israel joined the countries backing the 35-year-old leader.

Early on Sunday, flanked

by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, Maduro watched a platoon of soldiers release volleys of rocket-propelled grenades, machine gun anti-aircraft fire and tank rounds at hillside targets, the Russian ordnance kicking up clouds of dust at the Fort of Paramacay, an armoured vehicle base.

Maduro said the display showed the world he has the backing of the military, and that Venezuela’s armed forces are ready to defend the country. Maduro says Guaido

is taking part in an attempted coup directed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s hardline policy advisers.

“Nobody respects the weak, cowards, and traitors.

In this world what’s respected is the brave, the courageous, power,” Maduro said as the dust settled on the base.

The show of force was accompanied by a government publicity campaign online based on the slogan “Always Loyal, Never a Traitor,” and followed a high-profile defection by the country’s top military diplomat in the United States on Saturday.

The Fort of Paramacay, about two hours west of the Capital Caracas, was itself the site of an uprising in 2017, when a group of about 20 soldiers and armed civilians attacked the base. The leader of the attack, which was quickly subdued, said he was calling for a transition government.

At the United Nation’s Security Council debate on Saturday, Russia and China strongly backed Maduro and rejected calls by the United States, Canada, Latin American nations and European powers for early elections.

Both Russia and China are major creditors to Venezuela. Since the government of Maduro’s late mentor

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro takes part in a military exercise in Valencia, Venezuela on January 27, 2019. (Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS)

Hugo Chavez, the OPEC nation has invested heavily in Russian weaponry, including Sukhoi fighter jets and heavy armoury.

The strategic alliance was in evidence last year, when two Russian nuclear-capable bombers landed in Venezuela. Reuters reported on Friday that private military contractors who do secret missions for Russia flew into Venezuela to beef up security for Maduro.

NO ELECTIONS In a CNN Turk interview that ran on Sunday, Maduro rejected an international ultimatum to call elections within eight days and said Guaido violated the constitution by declaring himself

interim leader.

Maduro also said he was open to dialogue and that meeting Trump was improbable but not impossible. The broadcaster dubbed the interview from Spanish into Turkish.

Washington on Saturday

urged the world to “pick a side” on Venezuela and financially disconnect from Maduro’s government.

Venezuela has sunk into turmoil under Maduro with food shortages and protests amid an economic and political crisis that has sparked mass emigration and inflation that is seen rising to 10 million percent this year.

Britain, Germany, France and Spain all said they would recognize Guaido if Maduro failed to call fresh elections within eight days, an ultimatum Russia said was “absurd” and the Venezuelan foreign minister called “childlike.”

Washington, Canada, most Latin American nations and many European states say Maduro stole his second-term election win last May. The former bus driver and union leader cruised to victory after blocking the main opposition candidates from running. Turnout was low.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had voiced his support for Maduro in a phone call on Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Importance of restoration of (local) democracy THE coalition’s restoration of local democratic governance is one of the first and most significant kept promises of the APNU+AFC administration. Government’s respect for constitutional provisions pertaining to local government and its commitment to the ideal of placing decision-making power into the hands of citizens – as is expected of all true democracies – began long before the holding of local government elections (LGEs) on March 18, 2016 and November 12, 2018.

Democracy is defined as, “A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections (Merriam-Webster).” Hence, in a republic of Guyana’s geographic size, cultural diversity, and population, democracy, by definition, does not and cannot exist in the absence of a robust system of local government.

The PPP regime, therefore, that held power for 23 years prior to May 2015, has no claim to democratic

credentials. In fact, considering that the PPP regime actively refused to adhere to constitutional mandates, going so far as to prorogue parliament to deny citizens their right to choose local representatives, arguably, places that regime squarely within the category of an anti-democratic, autocratic dictatorship.

Guyana’s current system of local government is based on a study of local realities and needs by the Constituent Assembly established by the National Assembly through Resolution NO. CXXIII of July 21, 1978. The findings were tabled in the National Assembly on August 5, 1980, by the then Minister of Economic Development and Cooperatives Mr. Desmond Hoyte.

The impossibility of having democracy in the absence of local government is unquestioned. Dr. Aurora Ndreu of the European University of Tirana, Faculty of Law, iterated the following findings in his paper, ‘The Definition and Importance of Local Government:’ “Local governance needs to happen when people live in a community and have sufficiently close

interaction (Crawford, 1999), and we should not forget that the local institutions are there not only to provide various public services to citizens, but also to represent in the best way possible the will of the people” (Tindal, 1977).

Guyana’s constitution satisfies those requirements.

Article 9 states that “Sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under the constitution.”

And, Article 12 underscores that, “Local government by freely elected representatives of the people is an integral part of the democratic organisation of the State.”

Professor Ndreau wrote, “In order for this kind of government to function, the literature suggests that several conditions must be met: there should be a clear division of responsibilities between local and central government, and there should be a clear and easily identifiable division in borders. Each citizen should know to which local unit he/ she belongs and to exercise his/her right of choice in this unit.”

Of course, those conditions are met in Guyana;

the constitution provides as follows: Article 71 (1) states that local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.

Article 71 (2) makes clear that for this purpose, Parliament shall provide for a countrywide system of local government through the establishment of organs of local democratic power, as an integral part of the political organisation of the State.

Article 72 (1) says that Parliament may provide for the division of Guyana into 10 regions and into such sub-regions and sub-divisions as it may deem fit for the purpose of organising local democratic organs.

Given the foregoing, it follows that prior to the APNU+AFC assumption of office, Guyana was not a democracy. In other words, the current era of substantive democratic governance began with the renewal of local governance by the LGEs of March 18, 2016.

The commitment to res-

toration of democracy in Guyana was concretely expressed when the then Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger, wrote to former President Donald Ramotar on September 9, 2014.

Brigadier Granger urged the former President to hold local government elections, he wrote, “Local government elections, last held in 1994, are a constitutional obligation and a democratic entitlement of the Guyanese people. It is not an option of the executive branch of government.”

Guyanese will recall that President Ramotar ignored the letter. The opposition leader then addressed the nation on September 18, 2014, and announced that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) would conduct weekly picketing exercises outside the Office of the President. All of these efforts were ignored by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime. And the rest is history.

Citizens will recall that the Ramotar presidency was noteworthy for a few important reasons: there was no vision, innovation nor transformation; instead, President Ramotar travelled overseas,

attended photo-ops, cut a lot of ribbons, and attended many breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners. Meanwhile, rumours of corruption abounded, and it was widely accepted that Bharrat Jagdeo pulled the strings of vicariously exercised presidential power.

On December 21, with the passage of a legally questioned no-confidence motion against the coalition administration, and the subsequent selection of Irfaan Ali – an arguably unqualified person – as the PPP’s presidential candidate, the possibility of a return to a Jagdeo-led puppet-presidency, and the backward step of the dismantling of our democracy became real. The prospect of a return to anti-democratic, autocratic, dictatorial governance, and the corruption, lawlessness, cronyism, nepotism, and division that accompany such a state of affairs should concern all Guyanese. That being the case, citizens have a patriotic duty to ensure that action is taken at all levels, to guarantee that Guyana remains a democratic country.

Davis accuses Mangal of being disingenuous Dear Editor, I AM writing in response to Jan Mangal’s recent letter in the newspapers criticising the views of Mr. Timothy Jonas. Mr. Mangal makes some confusing and disingenuous claims about economic development, business-sector stability and the terms of our current oil contracts.

First of all, the notion that international companies thrive on instability is a falsehood, proven untrue by the

many unstable countries that have lost investment opportunities and, as a result, failed to develop adequately. Tanzania, for example, passed laws on renegotiation of mining and natural gas contracts in 2017, and almost immediately, investors were put-off by the unstable business climate.

This cost the country over US$200 million in foreign investment in 2018 alone.

With everything else that’s going on here in Guyana, we must be clear-eyed about how detrimental tearing up our

contract could be by scaring away investors.

On the other hand, Singapore has managed to foster economic success by creating a stable investment environment. Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, built Singapore’s business reputation on consistent, fair policies that attracted foreign investment. When Mr. Mangal criticises ‘blind adherence to the contract,’ he is casting this consistency in a poor light. Singapore succeeded because the rule of law didn’t

fluctuate with the political winds; Lee Kuan Yew made sure that investment terms were honoured, and contracts were upheld. This ensured transparency, stability and integrity.

And we need not look elsewhere to see the benefits of stability and contract certainty -- we already see foreign investments entering Guyana. Recent headlines announced a new project at Craig on the East Bank. The investment is a joint venture between an overseas Guya-

nese and a United Kingdom offshore energy supply company that is expected to create 200 local jobs in the energy industry. Certainty and stability allow businesses to plan for the future and make new investments in Guyana.

Last year was also a banner year for investment in Guyana. Trinidadian Process Components Ltd partnered with locally owned Mines Services Ltd to form a new oilfield services company in Guyana, called Jaguar Oilfield Services Guyana

Inc. This company provides products and services to activities in the energy industry.

General stability of the business sector has also encouraged local business expansion and further community investment. Local businesses such as food manufacturer Sterling Products Ltd and storage facility company, Falcon Logistics Inc., are expanding operations to take advantage of improving economic conditions.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

David Granger best choice to lead Guyana Dear Editor, THE recent press conference by the leader of the opposition is like our very own local reality TV. His continued attempts to give his audience a picture that the atrocities that occurred under his diabolical reign as president never occurred and that the information in the public domain and the historical scars and imprints of criminality, extra-judicial killings, gross corruption, drugs and discriminatory policies are false and did not exist, really leaves much to be desired.

But then again, it’s the man who has been known to be economical with the truth we are talking about.

“We must set our face sternly against corruption and extravagance. We cannot have Cadillac-style living with donkey cart economies. Our leaders must set the example of democratic, accountable, clean and lean government and efficient governance.”

Those were the immortal words of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the former leader of the “real” PPP and what it stood for.

His son and grand-daughter would agree with me that this PPP is not the party of uncle Cheddi.

I said that, for it is important that our young people and especially those who support the present day PPP, to recognise the distinct difference of this party and its leaders.

In doing so, one should pay close attention to the Pradoville Two Housing Scheme saga and more so, the person at the centre of the controversy who is now the PPP/C’s elected/selected presidential candidate.

On November 29, 2018, Irfaan Ali, the 38- year-old

former Minister of Housing was arrested and charged with fraudulent disposal of government-owned lands, by ranks attached to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Charges are being brought against Ali, whom it is alleged, between the period 2011 and 2015, defrauded government of over $174M, by selling several plots of state lands, way below the market value, to former president, ministers and friends of the then PPP/C government. It is also alleged that he sold 19 plots of state Lands at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, the community that Jagdeo renamed Pradoville Two. SOCU claims the lands which were sold for a mere $39.8M, are valued at G$212.4M. While Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo ensured that they and friends, who were already home owners were top priority, there were approximately 25,000 housing applicants, many of them young people, who were impatiently waiting for house lots.

According to reports, the Pradoville Two project was shrouded in secrecy. No files were maintained by the Central Housing and Planning Authority for any of the plots allocated and SOCU also claims procedures as they relate to land allotment were flouted.

The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) spent G$258 M to complete the land’s infrastructure. Some $8 M was spent by GPL to complete underground cables, while $100M was spent by the National Communications Network to remove the GBC tower from the land to relocate it to Parfaite Harmonie.

Pradoville Two was valued at G$212.4M. Let’s do the math, G$212.4M + G$8 M + G$258M+G$100M = GY$578.4 M was spent on that special plot of land that catered for only 28 plots of land at Pradoville Two. Most of those lots are 18,853 square feet and were sold for $1,515,000.00 each, even though the lots were worth over 20 million, based on their value and the amount of money spent to develop them.

In a disturbing comparison, lots given to regular persons -- the average Guyanese in other housing schemes at that time -- which had no infrastructural development, (proper road, electricity and water) 3200 square feet were mostly sold for $2M, while 18,853 square feet was sold to Jagdeo and Ali’s friends for $1,515,000.00.

When a regular person paid $2M for a plot of 3200 square feet of swamp land, out of necessity they spent another $1M building up the land. Many of these new homeowners waited years for electricity, water and proper roads. But this was not the case for the “Colossus” and “privilege” at Pradoville Two; it was only the case for “petty grassroots men” at regular housing schemes. It is alleged that no valuation was completed before he decided on the asking price for the lands.

It is even alleged that Jagdeo handpicked the occupants. Firstly, himself, Dr. Roger Luncheon; Luncheon’s girlfriend, Floreen Ramnaught; Priya Manickchand and Clement Rohee; Rear Admiral (ret’d) Gary Best; daughter of former President Donald Ramotar Lisaveta Ramotar; Ramesh Dookhoo; Dr. Nanda Gopaul; Dr Ghan-

Davis accuses...

Mr. Mangal also misleadingly brands the contract as ‘unfair.’ While the streak of recent discoveries has brought international attention to Guyana, there is little to suggest that the contract we signed in 2016 is ‘unfair.’

The government’s take of approximately 60 per cent is by all accounts on par with other frontier countries that were untested territory prior to discovery. Estimates from the International Monetary Fund put our take from Liza Phase 1 in the first few years of cost recovery at approximately US$300M annually, with a modest oil price of US$50 per barrel. After the costs of development are recovered, estimates for our take jump to over US$1B per year. We will receive this money even as the companies

FROM PAGE 6

pay all up-front costs and take all the financial risk. As future project phases come online – like Liza Phase 2 – our revenue could double or even triple. On balance, Guyana makes out fairly well for a ‘frontier’ country.

So, the suggestion that Guyana is losing money with our current contract is disingenuous. We aren’t losing money – in fact, we’re expecting a hefty influx of it. In expectation of receiving these funds, we should proceed with planning for how this money will be managed and spent to benefit all Guyanese.

Regards, Patrick Davis

sham Singh; Rajendra Singh; Dr. Compton Bourne; Safraaz Khan; Sheik Baksh; George Halla; Dave Narine and a company called Future Developers of Guyana Inc and several others. Please take note of the ethnic imbalance.

It is important to recognise that remigrants paid 10 times the price that former President Bharrat Jagdeo paid for his house lots. Remigrants paid $1,111 per square foot to Jagdeo’s $114 per square foot. Jagdeo himself received two acres of land where he built a very impressive and luxurious mansion that runs on three electrical transformers, and a swimming pool.

The proximity to the ocean causes him to have sleepless nights hearing the oil a little distance, bubbling up. In effect, Mr. Editor, Jagdeo paid three times less than what ordinary citizens in the Diamond and Grove Housing Schemes, East Bank Demerara, would have been required to fork out.

Please note, that the ordinary house lots for remigrants and citizens are not oceanfront, but are located on the

East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, in what were abandoned canefields. But it is important to recognise also that the PPP gave ordinary residents of Region Four house lots in Region Three, with the implicit aim of electoral gains in Region Four, due to the calculated imposed migration.

The fact is GuySuCo always had lands available that the government could have used for housing in Region Four, given that sugar was being produced above world market prices locally.

In total contrast, the coalition government has created housing schemes, it subsidised the cost for infrastructure (road, lights and water) and erected homes through private contractors. Many of these homes were sold for between $5-8 M and the cost of the land was $300,000.00 and $600,000.00 respectively.

My fellow citizens, I submit to you that we must never allow the PPP to have any part in governance of our beloved nation ever again.

Former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali and his idol Bharrat Jagdeo’s actions only created

gross inequality, thus making themselves, friends and cronies rich, while ensuring that poor, struggling Guyanese remained poorer.

In conclusion Mr. Editor, in a recent Stabroek News article dated December 16, 2018, “Several of the persons who were controversially sold land at below market prices in the ‘Pradoville Two Housing Scheme’ have reached settlements with the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) by paying the difference for their respective plots”. I wonder if this is an admission of guilt?

President David Granger is the only presidential candidate whose foresight, academic credentials, decency, integrity, honesty, character, patriotism and statesman-like qualities are unmatched. He remains the best choice at this time to continue to lead this land and country for all of its people. Forward ever, backward never.

Jermaine Figueira Member of Parliament Region 10

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Suddie Housing Scheme home burglarised

The window the thieves used to gain entry into Singh’s house

A 36-year-old resident of Lot 55 Suddie Housing Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was disheartened when she returned home on Saturday evening only to discover thieves had broken into her two-storey house.

Nirmala Singh reportedly left her home early Saturday morning with the ferry to visit Georgetown and returned in the evening.

Around 18:00hrs on Saturday evening when she returned, she went to the upper-flat of her home and noticed sand in the washroom and other areas of the building.

In the washroom, the louvre window panes were missing.

Singh, on doing some checks, found that her money and jewellery were missing and made a report to the Suddie Police Station.

A total of G$360 000 in cash, along with G$900,000 worth in jewellery, was missing. According to Singh, her jewellery included diamond and gold chains, earrings and rings.

Three suspects were held but two were later released. Police visited the scene and fingerprints were taken. Singh is calling on the commander of ‘G’ Division, Khalid Pareshram, to launch a full investigation into the robbery.

Lincoln Lewis pushes inclusionary democracy

Dear Editor,

THE political campaign for election has evidently started. The parties, with the exception of the partners in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), have begun holding fora, rolling out messages and promises.

The citizens/workers are taking note and not without guarded skepticism that having been down this road before where promises were made and not delivered, that this time around it would be no different. It cannot be ignored that there exists the feeling in society that the welfare of workers/the masses get little or no attention and voting has become meaningless. The fight for the right to vote (universal adult suffrage) began with the trade union; and as with any other right, trade unionists want it be protected and utilised.

The AFC coming out of its National Executive Committee meeting on Saturday, having stated its political positions, has notably agreed that the revenue from oil and gas be used for free education from nursery to university, as well as for housing for citizens. The re-examination of the deprivation of these rights are noted.

In 1926, when the Caribbean labour leaders met

in Guyana and developed a Labour Agenda, on this was placed universal public education and healthcare, and workers having the opportunity to own their own homes, among other prescriptions considered integral to improving their standard of living and working conditions. These remain abiding principles of the trade union community.

In the Guyana Constitution, Article 27 ‘Right to education,’ clause (1) expressly states, “Every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university, as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.” Where this service is deemed a “right”, students are being expected to pay for their university education which constitutes a transgressing of their right and violating of the extant article.

The University of Guyana is a state-owned entity and students can access loans to pay for their tuition through the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry had previously threatened to prevent those with outstanding loans from leaving the country.

Article 26, ‘Right to housing’ states, “That every citizen has the right to proper housing accommodation.”

This ranges from rental to ownership, accompanied by the attendant services such

as efficient waste management (sewage), drainage, access (roadways), utilities (water, electricity) and infrastructure befitting modernity.

Both the AFC and PPP/C have expressed interest in housing. While the AFC has not made public any specifics, the PPP presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali, at its rally two Sundays ago reportedly said it will deliver 50,000 house lots. Where this convergence of interest exists, it would help if the parties could agree to expanding the communities project presently underway through mechanisms that will ensure equity across the needed demographic and in the 10 administrative regions.

Society is ever reminded by the politicians of the heavy reliance being paid on expected revenue from oil and gas to propel the economy. In fact, this has become a major campaign rallying cry. When this revenue will directly impact citizens’ lives is still being debated. Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, is on record as saying, “that it could take as much as five years before Guyana starts to see major earnings when oil production starts in 2020” (Kaieteur News 17th August 2018). Going by his projection, it means until 2025.

The coalition government

has reportedly projected that from day one, approximately US$300 million will be garnered per year, as others have expressed different estimates. What society needs is clarity as to how much and when revenue will flow, and if we are to wait for same until 2025, it suggests projects being proposed to be realised from the revenue stream will not come on board until six years from now.

Even as there exists heavy reliance on oil to fund development projects and restore a right (which shouldn’t be), Guyanese are being forewarned by regional and internal persons of repute to rethink such a position. An instructive preemptive commitment to avert abuse of this resource is Ali’s promise that “laws would be passed to jail persons who do not declare earnings from the oil sector.”

It would be good for the PPP to collaborate with the APNU+AFC and the legal draftspersons in examining the present tax laws and where necessary, amend same or create legislation, for there is unanimity in society that this revenue must be properly accounted for.

Labour has an abiding interest in full employment.

Note is taken of Ali’s promise to create 50,000 new jobs in the first five years, should he win the presidency, from

oil and gas revenue. He went on to say a PPP government will re-open the estates closed by the coalition government, but was silent on what will happen to those estates closed by the PPP government. Society needs to know how these new jobs and re-opening of estates will be made possible, or such promises will be seen as campaign gimmicks.

The sugar workers from all the closed estates, along with their families and communities, remain affected.

As the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) stated receipt of expressions of interest for the recently closed estates, Jagdeo last week said a PPP government will not honour same. What isn’t known is where will the money come from to fund the re-opening of estates and sustaining the livelihoods of the affected workers, in the absence of a clear plan to return them (estates) to economic viability.

This country doesn’t provide unemployment benefits and laid-off workers cannot expect any financial relief, promises notwithstanding.

It does not mean unemployment benefits cannot be looked at, but it requires a guaranteed source of funding and strong regulations to prevent abuse and safeguard the fund. A percentage of oil revenue could be channelled to the National Insurance

Scheme (NIS), that already has within its remit provision for unemployment, to pay those who have been laid off from their jobs.

The intent of what are being proposed is good for the society. Conversations of such nature need to be had, including with non-political stakeholders as required by the constitution (Articles 13, 23, 38, 149C), as we seek to navigate the proper exploitation and management of the nation’s resources in moving forward. Where all the political parties have expressed interest in pursuing a politics of inclusion, now is the time to start.

As I have said elsewhere, there is no need to be elected to government to honour or demand what the constitution mandates of inclusionary democracy.

There is no need to make a constitutional requirement a promise or await election to make the promise a reality. Procrastinating on this fundamental tenet of our system of governance is not only a violation, but most importantly, depriving the people of what is rightly theirs, i.e.- a seat at the table to determine how our resources could best be exploited, with our interest as primary.

Regards, Lincoln Lewis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

‘We will no longer be fooled’ – Region Nine villagers happy with establishment of Radio Aishalton

GOVERNMENT has been commended for bridging the communication divide in the hinterland with the establishment of six regional radio stations over the past three and a half years, quenching the thirst for information of the indigenous population.

This is much to the satisfaction of hinterland residents, particularly those in Region Nine, since they will

reach to Shea, Awerawarau, Maruranau, Karadanau, Sawariwau, Achiwib and Katoonarib, which was led by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe in the region last week, residents spoke candidly about the government keeping its promise of improving communication throughout the hinterland.

One Katoonarib resident

keep telling the people here, don’t let nobody come and fool you, because we get our news everyday so we have to see for your own self and think. We were denied this for so long as though they had something to hide. So I am happy for radio communication where we get our news every day. I even listened to the debate.”

Norman Albert, a resident from Sawariwau Village,

Radio Aishalton was recently established in Region Nine

Residents at one of the meetings during the ministerial outreach to Region Nine

be able to enjoy communication services similar to residents on the coastland.

During a ministerial out-

passionately stated that “I get all my news from the radio and nobody can come here and fool me; and I also

said: “I am happy about the radio where we could advertise our products, open markets in our region and I

thank the minister [for] what they are doing for indigenous people.”

A resident of Shea said, “It is good to listen to the things that are happening in our country, but internationally as well.”

Meanwhile, Minister Garrido-Lowe encouraged residents that while they depend on the radio station for vital information on national development, it must be used for promoting their craft, food and beverages, sporting and other activities, since it is a powerful marketing tool.

“Here is your opportunity to market what you produce,

use the radio station to tell other villages out there what you have to sell, whether it’s farine, craft, when you have village games. You can share your information with other villages and also Georgetown. The people there will surely want to buy what you have to sell, especially the craft, casareep and hand-spun cotton hammocks. Think about it and start marketing your produce,” Minister Garrido-Lowe encouraged.

Radio stations were established in Aishalton Village and Lethem in Region Nine to complement Radio Paiwomak which together,

serves all 57 villages and satellites in the region, which has the largest indigenous population.

Radio Mabaruma, Region One; Radio Orealla, Region Six; Radio Bartica and Radio Mahdia in Region Seven, were the other stations to be commissioned during the period.

These well-established, state-of-the art facilities are ensuring all Guyanese enjoy free access to information, a fundamental facility that was denied the indigenous population for decades by the previous administration.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Opening up to the cycle of life AS long as the world keeps turning and night becomes day and day, night, girls all over the world will continue to be born, develop and grow into adolescents.

Once they become adolescents (age 11-18) or sometimes even before, their bodies will undergo a series of changes to prepare them for motherhood.

One of these changes is ‘menstruation,’ commonly known as ‘periods.’ In Guyana, people usually refer to this change in a girl’s body as ‘becoming or turning a young lady;’ and more often than not, grown-ups welcome the occasion with a few mythical stories: giving the girl-child a customary drink of ‘stout,’ or an equally

potent concoction and then rounding off the event with some cautionary tales about boys. All this, having waited for the event to occur.

Very rarely do adults let the child know beforehand, what to expect. It was also a tradition in Guyana, up to quite recently, to hand a pre-adolescent girl-child a book entitled ‘…on becoming a woman’ which, from all accounts seems to have been a 1950s guide to what to expect during puberty.

Menstruation is a natural part of the cycle of life.

Most of the world’s population (99.9%) came from the womb of a healthy woman during her menstruating years. The cycle of life cannot be hidden or swept aside

as if it doesn’t exist. It cannot be changed (though scientists are forever tinkling with it in attempts at modification) oppressed or denied. It is what it is and as adults, we must embrace the elements of life as they are and teach our children the same in an age-appropriate manner.

It is always best for parents to be open with children about their bodily functions and to answer any questions children may ask, honestly, so they will know the facts.

It is beneficial for children to be in touch with what goes on, on the inside as well as the outside of their bodies and the reasons why. This doesn’t mean that adults should be lecturing fiveyear-olds about their anato-

my, but at least by that age, a child should know that girls have a vagina, boys have a penis and everyone has a bottom: and that these are called private parts and no one should touch them for any reason. If anyone does, they must tell.

As children grow older, parents can explain to them how the body grows and develops, preparing them not only for adulthood, but motherhood and fatherhood too. Children change their teeth between 4 – 8 years old and no one has a problem with explaining to a child why this happens. But as children begin to grow taller (9 – 11) and they become more sexually aware of their bodies, many parents find it difficult to relate to their pre-adolescent children.

When this is the very time that parents should have a serious conversation with them about what they’re likely to experience as their bodies change during the coming years.

Boys will start to produce sperm, girls will begin to

have periods; if you explain these to your children before it happens, they will be ‘clued in’ and know what to expect. Here are some tips on talking to children about reproduction: 1) Remember that sharing relevant information with children empowers them. Education is knowledge. 2) Be well-informed about the facts that you wish to share and share them in an age-appropriate way. 3) Choose the right time and place, when there are no distractions. E.g. television and mobile phones must be switched off. 4) Be prepared to answer questions: in fact, invite questions, so that you can be sure that the child understands what he/she is learning. 5) Draw diagrams to explain how our bodies look and work on the inside if you wish, or use teaching aids such as books or videos.

6) Remember that educating and informing children in a timely manner is part of your parental duty.

To maintain good health and a sense of well-being,

children need their parents to teach them the facts of life. It doesn’t have to be done all in one go. Parents can introduce salient points intermittently or tactfully as children grow.

(For example, when watching a film together, there may be a situation or area in the movie that can be used as a platform for conversation at a later date).

You can devise your own strategy or plan on how you will impart the information; one that works for you. But don’t leave it too late or leave the responsibility solely on schools to teach your child ‘sex education’. Give children information in your own words, at the right time, in your own way to enhance bonding, understanding and respect.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or email childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

Costumes for Independence Carnival launch

By Vanessa Braithwaite LINDENERS on Saturday were treated to a cultural display of colourful, creative and exotic costumes which perfectly accessorised the curvaceous bodies of models, which did not disappoint the large crowd.

They danced seductively and revelled to soca music, all in an effort to assure Lindeners that Independence Carnival 2019 will be one of the biggest events of the years.

About seven costumes depicting the towns of Guyana were displayed; while Lindeners poured their support behind the beautiful Linden costume which sported lime green, pink and turquoise, all the costumes, including those from Anna Regina and Lethem, were equally eye-catching. Each designer was also introduced as his/her costumes were

modelled, some from Trinidad and Tobago. The costumes were made available by both the Genesis and Pulse Bands.

The evening was nothing short of impressive, even as Lindeners and the entire Guyana is getting ready for Mashramani 2019. A carnival costume launch was held in Berbice on Friday and simultaneously, launches were held in the United Kingdom and New York. Following the launches, persons can now purchase the costume of their liking, either online, or at the office in Georgetown.

They can also register for the bands and other carnival packages.

Coordinator of the event, Kerwin Bollers, is also the brainchild behind the Independence Guyana Carnival, which was held for the first time last year; Bollers said the aim of the costume launch is to showcase the

costumes that will be worn for this year ’s carnival, which will be held under the theme ‘Lost World’.

Bollers said carnival is the celebration of Guyana’s independence and should not be a Georgetown event, but a national event; hence, the reason launches are being held regionally. Carnival is a tourism event aimed at bringing persons from across the diaspora back home in May. Bollers noted that the launches are not a means of distraction from the upcoming Mashramani event. There will be a series of events leading up to May 26, Carnival Day. Bollers is also expecting greater support, compared to last year, since many persons now have their misconceptions cleared up and now fully understand what the Guyana Carnival is all about.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Diversify for regional advancement –– Cathy Hughes tells CANTO delegates

LEADING trade association of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Caribbean, CANTO launched the opening of its 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Mini Expo in Guyana at the Marriott Hotel on Sunday.

The AGM, which will run from January 27-30 , saw some 187 high-ranking members and stakeholders registering from some 30 countries, marking what was dubbed the best attended AGM. The meeting is aimed at deliberating along the chosen theme: ‘Transitioning to a Digital Region: Opportunities and Challenges’ to contribute towards improving the state of the Region.

Delivering the feature address was Minister of Public

Telecommunication Cathy Hughes who, while highlighting the strides of Guyana in the telecoms sector in the last few years, pointed out the need for the region to

work together.

She noted that the chosen theme is both critical and timely, as it will enable stakeholders to take a closer look at the current state of

she noted, that the current administration, realising that the country was lagging in ICT in the Region, moved to make much-needed improvements in the last few years.

Delegates at the Marriott Hotel on Sunday gather for the opening of CANTO’s 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Mini Expo (Adrian Narine photo)

'E' Division cops dent narco cultivation SINCE the break of 2019, the ‘E’ Division (Upper Demerara, Upper Berbice) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded an overwhelming amount of raids and destruction of marijuana fields, and ranks will continue on their mission to eradicate the production of illegal substances in the division.

Commander of the ‘E’ Division, Linden Lord said that the recent successes were through a proactive attitude on the part of the ranks, who kept their ears to the ground to receive intelligence-led information, as well as remaining active and vigilant in not only Linden, but in outlying areas where the fields are normally discovered.

He said that just as traffic and criminal investigations are given daily attention, narcotics eradication is part of the division’s daily muster, more so, after realising the intensity of the situation in Region 10.

Lord said that ranks will continue to carry out patrols in outlying areas such as Mellie’s Hide Out, Wisroc Back Lands and uninhabited areas along the Linden to Kwakwani Trail, Rock Stone trail and Mabura Road, among other areas. “So we are not only concentrating in Linden, we will continue to get ranks in outlying areas, we are concentrating on the entire division,” he explained.

Lord noted that it is not about just burning fields and arresting perpetrators but the bigger picture is saving lives. “We are saving lives, saving people from consuming the drug and preventing them from suffering from all sorts of illnesses,” he posited, while commending the ranks who have been proactive in this regard.

Noting that prevention is better than cure, the ‘ E’ Division ranks have embarked on a Drug Awareness Reduction Education (DARE) campaign, where they are visiting schools and holding talks with students on the harmful effects of drug abuse.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, health effects from marijuana usage range from impaired short-term memory, making it difficult to learn and to retain information; impaired motor coordination, altered judgement, altered brain development, cognitive impairment, chronic bronchitis and chronic psychosis disorders.

The division is also continuing its several youth programmes in an effort to keep the youths meaningfully occupied. Only last week, a 22-year-old youth, Garbon Williams of Kuru Kuru, was charged and remanded to prison, after being found on one of six cannabis fields measuring some 11-acres at Seven Miles, Millie’s Hideout, Linden.

The approximately 11-acres of cultivation had an estimated 18,100 plants, measuring from a foot to eight feet in height, and with an average weight of 3690 kilogrammes,” the police explained. Several nurseries with about 3, 000 seedlings, five makeshift camps, hammocks, groceries, kitchen utensils, and about 900 kilogrammes of dried cannabis were also found and destroyed. Additionally, the ranks found in one of the camps: five live cartridges, three empty 12 gauge casings and a .45 spent shell.

This was the only raid since 2019, that resulted in an arrest.

development and growth of the ICT sector.

“I do not need to convince this gathering that the industries that we so far have depended on as a Region for so many years no longer have the scope or the functional capacity that we require to support our national and economic development requirements,” she said.

“It is not lost on us that we must diversify. Diversify quickly and most importantly, diversify into those sectors and industries that will make the most use of our intellectual capacities.”

This is the main reason

These include the creation of 173 community ICT hubs countrywide; the connection of all government ministries, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions; the funding of ICT projects and programmes for targeting youths, as well as the hosting conferences for international collaborations.

Meanwhile, she told the delegates that in 2019 Guyana will continue work on its draft National ICT plan; advance its National Broadband Project and will be working towards having 200 government services online by 2020.

Minister of Telecommunications Cathy Hughes (Adrian Narine photo) “In a few short years, as to the creation of a single has been mentioned, Guyana ICT space which the CARwill also become a signifi- ICOM Secretariat is expected cant player in a regional oil to provide update on. and gas industry. There is Meanwhile, Wilkins, who a clear nexus here between is preparing to step down as oil and gas and ICT. We chairman having served two have a duty to ensure that we terms, thanked the members prepare to take advantage of of CANTO for the honour the potential opportunities, and wished the new chairman but also create the landscape the best for the future. and foundation on which this He noted that CANTO’s new sector can be built,” the mission has evolved over the minister said. years to one of inclusiveness, She also encouraged the whereby all stakeholders country representatives to within the ICT environment work together to meet the are invited to play a role corgoals of governments, reg- recting key issues of the day. ulators, the telecoms sector Brief remarks came too and other service providers from Minister of Public giving priority to happiness Works, Transportation and and prosperity of their cit- Communication in Suriname izens.

Patrick Pengel; GTT Chief Also addressing the gath- Executive Officer (CEO), ering was Secretary-General Justin Nedd and CANTO of CANTO Teresa Wankin Director Charles Carter. and CANTO Chairman JuThe event will also see lian Wilkins. the Emerging TechnoloWankin announced that gies – Mini Expo which will in 2018, 13 new companies showcase emerging, cutting were added to CANTO and edge technologies of global noted that she looks forward suppliers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

GWI reaches out to 13 Central Rupununi villages –– Fly Hill well dug since early 2000s but worked for one day

GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) conducted an assessment of the availability of potable water in 13 villages within Central Rupununi with a commitment to solving many of the water-related challenges residents there are facing.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles recently led a team of officials to Central Rupununi, Region Nine, where they interacted with a number of toshaos, councillors and residents. Russian Dorrick, Toshao of Yupukari, Fly Hill and Quatata; Ovid Brown, Senior Councillor of Kicumbay; Dorrick (only name given) senior councillor of Marakanata; Guy Fredericks, Toshao of Parishara, Nappi and Hiowa; Den-

nis Benedict, Toshao of St. Ignatius; Cyril Anthony, Toshao of Parikwarunau; James George, Toshao of Moco Moco; and Odelia Francis, senior councillor of Kumu, were among the local leaders engaged.

The discovery, in some cases, was shocking. In Fly Hill for instance, a well which was dug in the early 2000s, only functioned for one day. GWI has since committed to inspecting and testing the hand-pump wells in the village, for productivity. Additionally, GWI has committed to conducting a survey of the village to produce a map showing where the wells are, and provide distribution mains design.

In other cases, additional water sources

and storage tanks were needed, solar panels required repairs, leaks to be fixed and trestles to be constructed. In the case of Kaicumbay, the company has undertaken to carry out pump testing and inspections of the hand-dug well as well as water-quality analyses.

GWI will be revisiting villages such as Moco Moco and St. Ignatius, since the toshaos are expected to gather and provide additional data on the villages.

The residents, who voiced their concerns

and recommendations, expressed gratitude to the team for their visit and commitment to enhance their livelihoods, through better access to quality water.

Below is a list of the 13 villages visited and the works to be undertaken by GWI to improve water quality and access, in keeping with President David Granger’s vision to provide equal access to potable water to all Guyanese regardless, of their geographical location.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Minister Cummings reaches out to Victorians

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Health Dr Karen Cummings on Saturday reached out to several persons in the community of Victo-

ria, East Coast Demerara, donating hampers and other supplies to them.

Minister Cummings told the Guyana Chronicle that it was her simple

way of assisting those in difficult circumstances.

She said the donations were well received and she endeavoured to

reach out to even more people not just in Victoria, but in other communities as well. Minister Cummings is a resident of Victoria.

Some of the persons who received hampers and other supplies from Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings

Maranatha Ministries launches Sukhraji Learning Centre MARANATHA Ministries International Inc. on Sunday launched the “The Sukhraji Learning Centre” at Moray House, under the mission statement “Making a difference, in a world that is different”.

Pastor and founder of Maranatha Ministries International Inc., Vanrick Beresford, launched the centre in honour of his mother Sukhraji “Sookjean” Gopauli, the first generation daughter of Indian indentured labourers from Calcutta, India.

The centre is also a part of Beresford’s celebration of 40 years as an author. Beresford is further marking the occasion by publishing a biography on his mother.

The book, Beresford noted, is to highlight the life of his mother, whom he said worked hard to raise him and his two brothers under very poor circumstances. She also worked as a child labourer, working at the Skeldon Sugar Estate at just 10-years-old.

“The centre’s main objective is to direct

the souls to the good news of the gospel of St John in these last days, by using unorthodox teaching methods taken from the acronym B.I.B.L.E. Biblical psychology will form the nucleus of imparting outside the box thinking to all. Basic human relations technique will be employed and embraced on the course,” Beresford notes.

Classes at the centre will begin from March 9, and be held at Moray House. There will be a total of four sessions to be held on March 9, 16, 23 and 30, with each session beginning at 9am and lasting for two hours.

At the end of the fourth session, the best attendant will be awarded US$500, dependent on their performance in a two minute “impromptu speech” on a specified topic covered in the course.

The course will provide a manual with auxiliary notes to be used.

Participants will be awarded a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Vanrick Beresford making a presentation during the launch (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

GPHC conducting ‘thorough’ investigation into children’s deaths – sources say deaths possibly caused by misadministration of treatment drug

By Vishani Ragobeer THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has assured all

concerned that it is conducting a “thorough” investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three children who were

receiving treatment for leukaemia at the hospital.

“The Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)

Roshnie Seegobin and Sharezer Mendonca

expresses sincere condolences to the parents, family members and relatives of Curwayne Edwards, Roshani Seegobin and Sharezer Mendonca, the three children diagnosed with leukaemia [and] who died subsequent to receiving chemotherapy at GPHC,” a release from the hospital stated.

Seven-year-old Edwards succumbed on January 14; Seegobin, three, died on January 18 and Mendonca, six, passed away on January 24.

The trio succumbed after an alleged adverse reaction to medication, which was administered to them as part of the treatment for leukaemia.

After the first two deaths, the GPHC confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the deaths.

The release further stated that Chairperson of the GPHC board, Kesaundra Alves, met with the mother and relatives of Sharezer on Friday and assured them that a “thorough and transparent investigation” would be conducted.

The release from the GPHC also gave the assurance that equally thorough and transparent investigations will be launched into the deaths of Curwayne and Roshani.

“The board and the hospital administration are adamant that the facts and truth must be established without any hindrance,” the release said.

On Friday however, there was much confusion at the hospital after Mendonca’s body was delivered to the wrong family, resulting in an unauthorised autopsy.

The family had requested

that the autopsy be postponed until the family’s private pathologist is available to oversee the undertaking.

Due to the mix-up however, that autopsy was performed beforehand. Nevertheless, a second examination will be done on Monday, when the private pathologist will be present.

The release did not address what happened on Friday, however. Instead, it stated further: “GHPC understands the extreme distress and pain the families are facing at this difficult time and their anxieties for answers.

The GPHC is making every effort to ensure that these investigations are completed in the shortest possible time, but we are duty- bound to ensure that due process is observed to allow for thoroughness and completeness of the investigations. Both the GPHC board and administration commit to full and total transparency and will continue to provide support for the families.”

Added to that, the correspondence from the hospital indicated that the GPHC is seeking to provide support to the healthcare professionals who are involved in the matter, as they too are experiencing a considerable amount of trauma and anxiety.

“We are assured that none of the parties involved acted with any wilful intent to harm these precious patients. This situation is one of unspeakable distress and trauma for all involved,” the hospital said.

MISADMINISTRATION As investigations into the deaths continue, another local

newspaper has reported that it has received information which indicates that there was nothing wrong with the drugs administered to the children, but it may not have been administered as it had been done.

The Kaieteur News reported that the medication used is known as Vincristine, a chemotherapy medication used to treat various cancers and Methotrexate, a medication that is administered orally.

Vincristine is an intravenous medication, which means that it is meant to be injected into a vein. The news report however alleged that the GPHC administered the medication through the patients’ spines, and that purportedly caused the complications that eventually led to their deaths.

Aunt of Mendonca, Azeena Bakraj, told the Guyana Chronicle that the family has been in contact with the hospital and was informed that the report would have been be completed by the end of last week.

That was not the case, but the family had been receiving incremental reports from the hospital, according to her.

“As of Friday, based upon the reports that [a medical professional] has been getting thus far, he said that there was nothing wrong with the medication or the dosage but the way in which it was administered,” Bakraj told this newspaper.

Bakraj related too that the family is currently seeking legal advice and stressed that there seems to be a lack of professionalism and due diligence at the GPHC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Cattle farmers to be formally warned after hearing the farmers’ plight, he made contact with the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Rice Producers Association and other agencies.

They agreed to draft a legal notice which will be issued to the cattle farmers to keep their animals away from rice fields.

“If they fail to adhere to the warning, then we will

A rice farmer laments the destruction to his field caused by cattle

RICE farmers in Number 65-69 villages, East Berbice, Corentyne, who were at their wits end after suffering millions in losses due to cattle invading their fields, may soon breathe a sigh of relief with the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office in Region Six. Rice farmers have been facing an ongoing battle with cattle owners whom they claim are deliberately leaving their animals to roam freely, resulting in destruction to their rice fields.

Cattle farmers have also not been compensating rice farmers for damage done by their cattle.

However, this may soon end as the Prime Minister’s Regional representative Gobin Harbhajan sought the advice of the Ministry of Agriculture on the matter.

The ministry will soon begin issuing notices to cattle owners to monitor their animals or face legal action.

The rice farmers have in the past confronted the cattle owners directly, but they keep denying that the animals are theirs. Even attempts by the police have failed to curtail the actions of the cattle owners, some of whom are rice farmers.

“Whenever we try talking to the cattle owners, they always denying is their cows and telling us that cow nah get pot, which is unfair. We try to get the cow out of the field quickly because if they bite a head, it can’t grow back and it done so we nah get time to stop and take

picture and them nonsense,” Bijai Latchminarine, a rice farmer told the Guyana Chronicle.

This battle between rice farmers and cattle owners has been an age-long one that sometimes ends in violence. In a bid to help rice farmers, the regional administration would normally supply them with Wallaba posts and barbed wires to fence their fields. However, these wires were deliberately vandalised, allowing cows to gain entry into the rice fields.

“Them a cut the wire with pliers or pull down the post. Once them cow taste the rice them always a try to go in and get it. We nah able with this no more. I lose 35 acres rice. I took loans to plant my 100 acres now more than 30 per cent damage. We gotta wuk in the day and watchman in the nights now. This crop totally destroy for us. When we tell the cattle owners they don’t listen to us. Them always ready to fight and cuss and we suffer the loss. I totally give up. This is stressing me; them cattle owners know to themselves is them one and them nah ah take ownership,” another frustrated farmer, Anand Tulsi of Number 68 Village, said.

BIG LOSS Another farmer, Lindie Ramado, 48, estimated his losses for this crop to be over $3M. She was forced to discontinue her previous crop after 90 per cent of her field was damaged.

Harbhajan explained that

move to implement legal proceedings against them and they will have to compensate the farmers for the damage,” Harbajan explained.

He noted that some 16,000 acres of land in the 52/74 savannah has been allocated for cattle rearing and contended that cattle must not be in cultivation areas.

Cash crop farmers have also expressed their frustration at the

situation and are hoping that the new measures being implemented will work.

“We are the farmers facing all the losses. It is very unfair and I think it’s time someone from the government start putting their foot down and enforce tough penalties, so we could get a way to get back what we lost.

We need the help if we are to continue, we have to continue, it is our livelihood,” said Mahendranauth Doolchand

called “Lallie,” who lost 750 banana suckers to cattle invasion.

In 2018, he was forced to stop planting his cash crop garden after cattle destroyed some $500,000 worth in bora, ochro and pepper, among other plants.

There are approximately 50 rice farmers in the area who cultivate some 3000 acres of rice in the backlands of the six villages.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Ronaldo penalty sends Juve 11 points clear

19

Alonso wins Rolex 24 in Daytona

Ronaldo had one shot against Lazio - the winning goal two minutes from time (Getty Images)

(BBC) - CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored an 88th-minute penalty as champions Juventus came from behind to beat Lazio and go 11 points clear at the top of Serie A. Ronaldo, signed for £99.2m in the summer, netted his 17th goal of the season with a thumping spot-kick.

Juve looked to be heading for their first defeat since last April when Emre Can miscued into his own goal.

But substitute Joao Cancelo struck from close range to

level the contest before Ronaldo kept his cool for victory.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side capitalised on Napoli’s goalless draw against AC Milan on Saturday and are now firm favourites to claim the title for the eighth straight season.

Juventus will be aiming to progress into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia when they face Atalanta in their next game on Wednesday.

Palace KO Spurs from FA cup fourth round

Connor Wickham had made six league and cup substitute appearances this season prior to this tie (Getty Images)

(BBC) - TOTTENHAM went out of their second knockout competition in four days after defeat by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fourth round at Selhurst Park.

Having lost a Carabao Cup semi-final to Chelsea on penalties on Thursday, Spurs were 2-0 down inside 35 minutes.

Connor Wickham marked his first start since November 2016 with a goal before a penalty by ex-Spurs midfielder Andros Townsend doubled the lead.

Spurs missed a penalty before half-time when Kieran Trippier blazed wide.

It was their third miss from the spot in two games after Lucas Moura and Eric Dier failed in Thursday’s shootout at Stamford Bridge as Spurs went out of the EFL Cup. A much-changed Tottenham side were lacklustre against Palace.

On the few occasions they did create serious chances, they could not find a way past Julian Speroni, with the

39-year-old Argentine keeper making crucial saves to keep out Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Fernando Llorente.

Palace fans celebrated wildly at the final whistle after a first win over Tottenham since 2016 saw them advance to the fifth round for the first time since the 2015-16 season, when they went on to reach the final.

WHAT NEXT FOR TOTTENHAM? The FA Cup was seen as Tottenham’s most realistic chance of winning a trophy, as they failed to reach the EFL Cup final, sit nine points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League and face an awkward last-16 Champions League tie with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Yet with Harry Kane and Dele Alli injured and Son Heung-min absent after international duty with South Korea, Spurs failed to score for only the third time in 36 league and cup games this season.

Fernando Alonso, driver of the #10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R. Cadillac DPi, takes a selfie following the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 27, 2019 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(BBC) - FORMER Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso added another motorsport trophy to his cabinet with victory in the Rolex 24 in Daytona.

Alonso, 37, retired from F1 at the end of the season but won a rain-affected race alongside Renger van der Zande, Kamui Kobayashi and Jordan Taylor in the Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac.

The 24-hour race at the Florida circuit was red flagged twice because of rain.

“Just an amazing experience - perfect execution for the race,” Alonso said.

“We were competitive in everything - dry, wet, night, day.”

Alonso is the third F1 champion to win after Phil Hill and Mario Andretti.

The Spaniard - who has also won at Le Mans - made his debut in the Daytona race last year, finishing in 38th position.

He will try to join Britain’s Graham Hill as the only racers to win the triple crown of the Monaco Grand Prix, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Indianapolis 500 when he competes in the latter for the second time in May. Most of the final eight hours of the 24-hour event was run under a yellow flag and racing was halted under red-flag conditions for the final two hours of the event.

A result was finally declared after 23 hours and 10 minutes, with the Cadillac of Felipe Nasr in second and the Penske of Ricky Taylor in third.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, January 28, 2019)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) WI won by 381 runs (2) Jason Holder (WI) (1)

(2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: How many players have now captained the WI in Tests against England?

Viv Richards once made 291 in a Test innings against England? Where and when?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

Outright dominance helps Pakistan level series

Ahmed banned for four matches after racist remark

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed will also have to take part in an education programme

Imran Tahir brought back the shoe telephone, South Africa v Pakistan, 4th ODI, Johannesburg, January 27, 2019 © AFP

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Pakistan drew level in their series with South Africa at the Wanderers, inflicting the hosts’ first ever PinkDay defeat as they dominated with bat and ball. Usman Shinwari inflicted most of the damage this morning, starring with 4 for 35 to bowl South Africa out for 164. Imam-ulHaq then continued his good form with 71 to go with his century in the last match, adding 94 with Babar Azam to guide Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory with more than 18 overs to spare.

On a surprisingly helpful pitch, Imam didn’t have it all his way and had to endure probing spells from Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada, with Steyn beating his outside edge several times. But the vital breakthrough never came, and eventually the misses turned into hits for both Imam and Fakhar Zaman, who cracked seven boundaries in a run-a-ball 44 - his highest score of the tour so far.

Imam contributed just three boundaries to an opening stand that ran to 70 before Fakhar slogged Imran Tahir to Rassie van der Dussen at deep midwicket, Tahir lightening the occasion by dialling Tabraiz Shamsi - on the bench for this game - with Shamsi’s own shoe-phone celebration. Shamsi removed his own shoe in the dugout to receive the call at the

other end.

The celebration was soaked up by a capacity pink-clad crowd, but that was as good as it got for South Africa, as thereafter Imam settled in and struck three more boundaries to raise his fifth fifty - and second against South Africa - in the 24th over. By then, Pakistan’s target was under fifty and Imam and Babar steadily chipped away it it.

Babar pulled Reeza Hendricks’ offspin through square leg for four to raise the fifty stand, and after raising his fifty, Imam stepped down the track to shovel Tahir over long-off for the first six of the innings. A dab to third man brought the teams level, but with the job all but done Imam swiped at Phehlukwayo to be caught behind for 71. Mohammad Rizwan needed just one ball to secure the win, tapping the first he faced through the covers for four to complete the chase.

South Africa had a collapse of 8 for 45 to blame for their paltry total. They had looked like getting a lot more when Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis added 101 for the third wicket, but the lower middle order crumbled to spin and pace alike as stand-in captain Shoaib Malik marshalled his troops efficiently.

(BBC) - PAKISTAN captain Sarfraz Ahmed has been banned for four matches after admitting making a racist remark to South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.

The International Cricket Council said Sarfraz breached its anti-racism code in a oneday international in Durban.

Sarfraz, 31, later apologised and claimed his words were “not directed towards anyone in particular”.

The wicketkeeper will miss two one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches, all against South Africa.

“Sarfraz has promptly admitted the offence, was regretful of his actions and has issued a public apology, so these factors were taken into account when determining an appropriate sanction,” said the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) chief executive David Richardson.

The world governing body opened an investigation after Sarfraz was caught on a stump microphone using the Urdu word “kaale”, meaning “black”.

Sarfraz will also have to go on an ICC education programme.

He was charged under a part of the section of the code

relating to “conduct (whether through the use of language, gestures or otherwise) which is likely to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify any reasonable person... on the basis of their race, religion, culture, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin”.

In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement that it had “a zero-tolerance approach to racist comments and behaviour”, but expressed its “utmost disappointment” with the decision to ban Sarfraz.

The PCB said it believed the matter had been settled amicably following the player’s apology and said it would seek to reform the anti-racism code at future ICC forums.

Sarfraz’s suspension started with Sunday’s fourth ODI in Johannesburg and the player will return to Pakistan, with all-rounder Shoaib Malik stepping in as captain for the rest of the South Africa tour - even though Sarfraz would have been available for the final T20 match on 6 February.

Back-up keeper Mohammad Rizwan, who has taken the gloves in Johannesburg, will remain with the squad for the T20 leg of the tour.

Djokovic claims seventh Australian Open crown (REUTERS) - NOVAK Djokovic claimed a record seventh Australian Open crown in devastating style on Sunday as he condemned Rafael Nadal to the most stinging defeat in their long Grand Slam rivalry.

Three years after thrashing Andy Murray for the 2016 trophy, the Serbian regained his Melbourne Park throne with a 6-3 6-2 6-3 procession, clinching his 15th Grand Slam title and third in succession.

Moving past Pete Sampras into outright third on the all-time list of Grand Slam winners, Djokovic will head to Roland Garros looking for a second “Nole Slam”, having already swept all four majors in 201516.

Only Federer’s 20 and Nadal’s 17 outstrip Djokovic’s tally of Grand Slam trophies, but on the strength of the champion’s virtuoso performance at Rod Laver Arena, they will be looking nervously over their shoulders.

It was a win that left even Djokovic marvelling, seven years after needing a record five hours and 53 minutes to fell the Spaniard in the 2012 classic at Melbourne Park.

“It ranks right at the top. Under the circumstances, playing against Nadal, such an important match, it’s amazing,” the 31-year-old told reporters after needing barely two hours to extend his perfect record in seven Australian

Open finals.

The peerless Serb broke Nadal five times while conceding only a single break point, and coughed up only four unforced errors in the first two sets.

Sealing the win when a desperate Nadal fired a backhand long, Djokovic kneeled on the blue hardcourt and shook his fists at the sky.

He moved past Federer and Australian great Roy Emerson’s six Melbourne titles, after two barren years Down Under with elbow problems.

After raising the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup aloft, Djokovic said American Sampras had inspired him to pick up a racket.

“It was definitely a sign of destiny to start playing tennis, to aspire to be as good as Pete. To surpass him with Grand Slam titles, I’m speechless,” he said.

Blitzed from the start, Nadal could only congratulate an opponent that condemned him to his worst Grand Slam defeat in their long rivalry.

“It has been very emotional two weeks. Even if tonight was not my best, I had somebody that played much better,” said the 32-year-old.

“I am going to keep fighting hard, going to keep working hard to be a better player every time, for the good things in life.”

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning championship point in his Men’s Singles Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

21

Holder preaches consistency after thumping England CMC – AFTER leading his troops to a historic victory over England in the first Test, West Indies skipper Jason Holder believes once the regional team remains consistent in its efforts, success will follow.

The Windies defeated England by a mammoth 381 runs, their third largest ever margin of victory, at Kensington Oval on Saturday, to take a 1-0 lead in the threematch series.

Holder led from the front with a fighting double-century in the second innings, while Shane Dowrich scored an unbeaten century.

Roston Chase then starred with the ball in England’s second innings, snagging eight wickets to help the home side to victory inside four days.

“Yeah, it was definitely special and I have to give credit to the boys. We asked for a really big effort today,

we knew how important today was and the context of the game and the context of the series and it was very,

Shane Dowrich brings up his half-century © AFP

Chase is a ‘Champion’- says Holder

Roston Chase gets a pat from his captain © Associated Press

CMC – FOLLOWING his memorable bowling performance which helped to lead the West Indies to a commanding victory over England, Roston Chase’s magnificent effort has been hailed by his captain Jason Holder.

Chase took eight wickets for 60 runs to help dismiss England for 246 on the fourth day of their opening Test at Kensington Oval on Saturday, as the home side breezed to a 381-run victory.

It was the sixth-best bowling performance by a West Indian and second best at Kensington Oval.

“Roston was a champion for us out there today, he put his hand up and counted when it mattered the most.

He was excellent. We asked

very good to see that we could follow up the first few days of play with a day such as today,” Holder said in his

him to do a job and he stood up. Hats off to him and the entire team for a job well done… we planned really well and this was a great result to a truly wonderful and memorable performance,” Holder said.

An ecstatic Chase said he knew from beforehand he would be required to bowl a large number of overs in the second innings.

As a result, he said he held several discussions and planned his bowling with the team’s spin bowling consultant, Mushtaq Ahmed.

“Looking at the wicket, I always thought I would come into play in the second innings. The quicker bowlers set it up for us in the first innings and

‘Mushy’ told me I’m going to have to bowl 25 overs in the second innings, to get my mind ready for it, so I was always prepared to do some work, to give the pacers a rest. I started to pick up some wickets and it went from there,” Chase said.

“I just tried to be consistent and land it [in] my areas, despite what the batsmen were doing; put some revs on the ball and vary my pace a bit. It gives us big confidence for the series because England are a higher-ranked team than ourselves. It’s for us to carry on from here and continue to do what we do well, the basics and focus on our processes, we should be all right.”

post-match interview.

“Consistency is something that we always speak of in the dressing room and I just want the guys to be consistent. I still think that we could still strive to be a little bit better in the first innings and solidify ourselves when we get starts and try to carry on as deep as possible.”

“I expected a better showing than the first innings for sure, but with the nature of the pitch, I always backed our bowlers to bowl them out for a reasonable total. We knew it was the sort of pitch that if you got one wicket you could get two or three quickly and that happened for us today.

It’s just a matter for us to continue being consistent, especially when we bowl, so we can hit the areas that we really want to hit to cause

trouble,” he added.

Despite his team’s resounding victory, Holder said there were still areas which they needed to improve on.

However, he admitted the win would boost the side’s confidence ahead of the second Test which begins next month.

“We had quite a few starts in the first innings and a few guys got half-centuries but no one got a century, so I think if we can translate what happened in the second innings to the first innings, I think it’d be a lot better for us,” the captain said.

“It [the win] should definitely boost us, but I really don’t want to focus too much on England. They’ve got their stuff to work out and we just have to focus on what we need to do to close this series out.”

Holder is Number one Test All-rounder CMC – CAPTAIN Jason Holder on Sunday became the first West Indies all-rounder, since the iconic Sir Garry Sobers nearly half a century ago, to top the ICC all-rounders rankings.

The 27-year-old, third on the charts behind Bangladesh’s Shakib-al-Hasan and India’s Ravindra Jadeja at the start of the game, stormed to the top position following his monumental unbeaten double-hundred against England in the opening Test at Kensington Oval on Friday.

Sir Garry, considered the finest all-rounder ever, was the last West Indies player to top the all-rounders rankings in 1974.

West Indies crushed England by 381 runs in the final session on Saturday’s fourth day, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Holder struck a magnificent unbeaten 202 from 229 balls in a record seventh-wicket stand of

295 with Shane Dowrich, who hit 116 not out.

That effort saw Holder jump 25 spots in the batting rankings to a career-best 33rd while remaining 10th in the bowlers’ rankings.

The double-hundred was Holder’s third triple-figure score in Tests following landmarks against England four years ago in Antigua and against Zimbabwe two years ago.

Holder’s performance was even more remarkable considering he missed the tour of Bangladesh last December with a shoulder injury, and only returned to action last month with a single four day game for his native Barbados Pride.

“It was a really good match for me personally.

To come back the way I’ve come back, I’m really pleased,” Holder said following Saturday’s win.

“I have put in a lot of hard work over the last couple of months trying to get myself back to full fitness. I’ve had a lot of

emotion bottled up for a long time.”

Several other Windies players also enjoyed upward movement in the latest rankings. Dowrich climbed 14 places to 47th in the batting rankings while 22-year-old Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 81 and 31 in the Barbados Test, jumped 11 places to 40th.

Shai Hope, with a halfcentury in the first innings, inched up two places to 52nd.

In the bowling rankings, part-time off-spinner Roston Chase shot up 14 spots to 41st following his superb record eightwicket haul in the second innings which sent England tumbling for 246.

Seamer Kemar Roach, meanwhile, who snared five wickets in the first innings to bundle England out for 77, moved five places to 20th.

West Indies face England in the second Test in Antigua starting Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 28, 2019

All systems in place for February 2

Guyana Lotto Company ventures into betting

Jafar Gibbons

THE Guyana Lottery Company yesterday announced the launch of their sports betting product called ‘Let’s Bet Sports’, which will officially be available on Friday, February 1.

According to a release from the company, over 200 of their authorized agents countrywide will sell pre-match tickets for a number of games: Basketball, Football, Baseball, Cricket and Tennis, to name a few, and in addition, 50 agents will sell virtual gaming.

“The Guyana Lottery Company has been in operation for over 22-years and is the official lottery company of Guyana. Our gaming product portfolio of Lottery & Instant ticket games has been extended to Video Lottery Terminals (VLT’s) under the brand known as BLAST and our Sports Betting product, Let’s Bet Sports, completes the needs of our players,” the Guyana Lotto Company said.

The release further added, “We’ve paid millions of dollars in prizes, contributed millions in sponsorships and donations, continued to extend our reach to outlying areas and have launched one of a kind promotions. Our integrity and commitment to Guyana speak for itself and we are proud to stand by our motto of “Every Ticket You Buy Benefits Our Country”; to date this has totalled over $7B towards social projects as well as youths, sports & culture.

The media launch is set for Wednesday, February 6, when more details will be given.

Kings of Studies’ small-goal tournament…

THE University of Guyana, Turkeyen campus, will come alive on February 2 as the “Kings of Studies 2019” small-goal football tournament kicks off.

International Relations student, Jafar Gibbons, who is the brain behind the event, has revealed that it will be held for one day only, on February 2, and will feature 10 teams.

Usually, sport events at the University are competed on an inter-faculty basis, however, Gibbons has added a twist as students will be allowed to compete on teams comprising members from the various faculties.

Teams will be gunning for top honours which includes trophies and medals, and individual prizes such as sneakers and an MVP gold ring.

Gibbons also noted that if there are more than 16 teams registered, the games will go for two weeks.

The matches will be played on a round-robin format, followed by the knockout stage, which will consist of three games – two semi-finals and the final. The games will be played in two five-minute halves.

The tournament has received strong support and Gibbons expressed gratitude to C&L Construction Inc, the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, the Guyana Football Federation Inc, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Signature Moov, Robbie Rambarran, Asim Shakur, ASP Antonio Fredericks, Sharma Solomon, and Lavern Fraser.

Everest and GCC battle to a draw in U19 opener THE Everest Cricket Club rebounded from a below-par U17 performance in the Georgetown Cricket Association 100-over competition to challenge the winners of that tournament the Georgetown Cricket Club in the opener of the GCA Noble House Seafoods Generation Next U19 100-over cricket competition.

In Saturday’s encounter, half centuries from Ushardeva Balgobin and S. Premchand propelled the home team to 269 in 53.3 overs, while GCC in reply reached 213-6 before their overs (46.3) expired, which resulted in a draw.

Most of the teams in

the competition have stuck with their core group of young cricketers and as the previous competition, if a team bats out their allotted

Ushardeva Balgobin led the home team’s attack with 81 runs.

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overs with wickets in hand, despite the score, the game ends in a draw.

Although the Everest pair batted themselves in, several of their teammates had starts.

In fact, the solid batting started from the opening pair of Premchand and Ariel Tilku (13) which propelled the side to 46 for the first wicket.

When Tilku fell, Premchand and Raynaldo Mohamed (11) pushed the score to 94, with the former dominating. In total, the opener hit six fours and two sixes in a score of 51.

Balgobin, who batted in the middle, was also aggressive. He scored 81 runs from 67 balls after hitting seven fours and five sixes. He

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added 63 runs for the sixth wicket with A. Beharry (29).

Zachary Jodah, Darrius Andrews and Mavendra Dindyal took two wickets each for the visitors.

R.Phillips led GCC with an aggressive 48 (3X4s, 3X6s), while young skipper Jodah, who was patient batting through the latter stages of the game, added 31. L. Seeram and Dindyal, who tallied 42 for the second wicket, also had starts.

Seeram scored 23, while the West Indies U16 batsman Dindyal added 29.

Seechand finished with two wickets, while Tilku, Mohamed, Balgobin and Beharry finished with a wicket each.

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- ‘Let’s Bet Sports’ to go live from February 1

GFF president makes ... « lize is a moment of national importance. I want to urge all of Guyana to come together as a nation to celebrate football and to support the team.”

After Barbados were penalised six points by Concacaf for fielding ineligible players in earlier qualification rounds, a win over Belize should guarantee the Golden Jaguars make history as the first Guyana senior men’s national team to reach the highest level of regional football competition.

The Concacaf Gold Cup brings together the top national teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and is broadcast live across the region. As such, the tournament would provide a significant platform for Guyanese football talent to showcase their skills on the international stage.

“This is no time for complacency – we really need the fans to be there as that twelfth man for the team. Belize has everything to play for, and we have seen a lot of surprise results in these qualification rounds. We won’t be taking anything for granted,” Forde said.

“But we know we have the talent, and I have every confidence in our players and the backroom staff.

Coach Michael Johnson is

from page 23

working hard with his team – here and overseas - to get the preparations right.

We will be ready to deliver a “night to remember” in March and give the nation something to really cheer about.”

Guyana’s route to the Gold Cup has been far from straight forward and, like all the best journeys in football, not without its fair share of drama.

Their first match – at Leonora against Barbados in round one – ended in a 2-2 draw after two late goals from talented UKbased Bajan striker Hallam Hope.

The Golden Jaguars then thrashed the Turks & Caicos 8-0 away from home in round two, before a disappointing 2-1 loss to French Guiana in Cayenne apparently all but wiped out Guyana’s chances of reaching the Gold Cup. Disappointment turned to national relief on December 6 when Concacaf ruled that Barbados had fielded two ineligible players against Guyana – including two-goal hero Hope – and awarded the Golden Jaguars a 3-0 win.

That ruling put Guyana on 6 points in 8th place in the qualification league table – which also doubles as the qualification competition for the Concacaf Nations League.

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GTTA secures Equipment, Kit sponsorship from Stag International THE Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has secured a historic equipment and teamkit sponsorship deal with India-based table tennis and sports equipment manufacturer, Stag International.

Stag is a growing and expanding global company and is anchored i n

over 203 countries worldwide.

The agreement was signed between GTTA president, Godfrey Munroe and Stag International’s Co-chairman, Vivek Kohli.

The agreement is the fruit of a proposal submitted by the GTTA as well as the improving participation of Guyana’s national teams in internationa l

GTTA president Godfrey Munroe signing the agreement between STAG International and the GTTA.

competitions as well as many of the GTTA’s proposed programs and the synchronization with ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) programmes.

statement to the media, noted, “As a Global manufacturer and leader of table tennis and sports equipment, STAG International has truly demonstrated its com-

The brothers behind the STAG brand, Rakesh and Vivek Kohli.

Guyana has in the past mitment to the development of benefitted from Stag equipment the sport of table tennis globally through the ITTF development and will truly help Guyana to grants which has significantly complement many of its develophelped in the development of the ment programmes and strategies”. sport in Guyana. However, this He maintained “The exechas been the first independently utive committee of the GTTA is negotiated sponsorship deal be- truly elated by this development; tween the GTTA and Stag which these are the pillars we believe will last for four (4) years and will that are needed to be established see the association receiving an in order to establish the frameequipment grant every two years. work for the growth of the sport.

Guyana has now become the We, therefore, will endeavour 41st country to be independently to explore ways of maximizing sponsored by Stag International. the potential of our relationships Meanwhile, Munroe in a and this sponsorship arrange-

ment in view of adding value”.

Munroe also explained that the deal will help to provide the environment, infrastructure and accessibility for more players to play the sport as well as help the development thrust for table tennis, in addition to improving the national team brand.

The first batch of equipment will be used for Guyana’s hosting of the 61st Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships and the Pan American Games and Cup Qualification events, scheduled for March 23-31 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Guyana.

Established in 1922, Stag International is one of the most reputable Indian sports brands globally in table tennis.The game has the second largest number of federations worldwide, after volleyball. As the biggest domestic producer, Stag is already the number one table tennis brand in India; it is also the country’s second-largest sports equipment manufacturer and exporter, after Inca Hammocks. The company is also one of the five premium partners of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Known for producing high-quality and durable equipment, their table tennis equipment is used in the Junior Olympics, Continental Championships, World Cup ITTF circuit events and

key championships worldwide.

THE SPONSORSHIP INCLUDES THE PROVISION OF THE FOLLOWING FOR THE GTTA: ■ National team kits ■ Tracksuits ■ Playing shirts ■ Shorts and skirts ■ Kit bags ■ Towels ■ Socks EQUIPMENT SPONSORSHIP S U P P O R T : Provision of equipment support to our national federation, competition tables, surrounds; score counters balls, which include the following equipment: » 60 Dozens 3 Star Balls » 60 Dozen Training Balls »12 Umpire tables » 1 2 S c o r e b o a r d s » 11 Regular I.T.T.F Approved competition tables (Americas 16 Model) 1 Show Court complete set » 60 Surrounds (Barriers) Extension of competitive discounted prices on future purchases of equipment Sponsorship and provision of equipment support for the hosting of International events.

GFF president makes early call IPA beat Clear Water by five for ‘Golden Jaguars’ support wickets in tapeball encounter

The locally-based shortlisted players during training at the GFF’s National Training Centre

GUYANA’S senior men’s National team will play Belize on March 23 in what is the country’s biggest game in the sport of football to date.

At stake is a trip to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament that Guyana has only featured at thanks to the Lady Jags in 2010.

A venue has not yet been announced by the GFF. A preliminary squad of 35 Guyana-based Golden Jaguars commenced preparations for

the Belize tie with fitness tests on Saturday last at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre at Providence.

The home-based squad, selected by an in-depth GFF selection process involving top local coaches and the Federation’s technical experts, will train three times a week in the run-up to March 23.

“This is a huge moment

for our football. March 23 is the biggest match in Guyana’s footballing history,” Forde said in an interview. “We are on the cusp of making history by qualifying for the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time – it’s an incredible opportunity for our players, our football destiny, and our nation,” GFF president Wayne Forde said.

“The match against Be-

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IPA emerged victorious in the encounter.

THE International Pharmaceutical Agency romped to a five-wicket win when they tackled Clear Water in a 20over tapeball encounter at the Gandhi Youth Organisation ground in Woolford Avenue on Saturday afternoon.

IPA won the toss and

opted to bowl first. It proved a positive decision as three of their bowlers picked up three wickets each to restrict their opponents to 82 in 18.1 overs.

In reply, an aggressive innings from GYO’s Richard Zahoor propelled IPA to supremacy.

Zahoor spanked four

sixes and two fours in a score of 37. He was ultra-aggressive on the onside, which resulted in several balls sailing into the canal. Although Zahoor eventually fell, bowled by Nigel Bissu, the damage was already done and victory was easily attained.

Best thing since sliced bread!

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Jason Holder on Sunday became the first West Indies all-rounder since the iconic Sir Garry Sobers nearly half a century ago, to top the ICC all-rounders rankings © Getty Images

Guyana Lotto Company ventures into betting

... Holder is Number one Test All-rounder

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–– ‘Let’s Bet Sports’ to go live from February 1

(L-R) The Guyana Lotto Company Let’s Bet Sports team, Rawle Toney(Brand Ambassador), Tracey Lewis (GLC General Manager) and Ian De Barros (Let’s Bet Brand Manager).

Djokovic claims seventh Australian Open crown Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019