Guyana Chronicle E-paper 04-02-2019

TUESDAY 2nd April, 2019

No.105595

SEE INSIDE FOR NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE WORKED EXAMPLES

Two diagnosed

with Leptospirosis …six more medevaced to city, ministry rules out H1N1, Zika …mining company ordered to halt operation SEE PAGE 03

Couple dies

Medical personnel and other staff of the Eugene F Correia International Airport on hand to look at patients who arrived on this aircraft Monday afternoon from Matthews Ridge. (Adrian Narine photo)

in Linden crash

Joey Jagan backs Pres. Granger …says coalition will win next elections

Kuwait writes off US$50.7M of Guyana’s debt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Joey Jagan backs Pres. Granger …says coalition will win next elections

THE son of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Guyana’s former President and founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Joey Jagan (Jr) has publicly endorsed President David Granger and the Coalition administration and predicted that the incumbent government will win the next elections.

He believes that the December 21, 2018 vote should have never happened and President Granger should be allowed to complete his term in office. Dr. Jagan made this declaration during the recording of the 'CONTEXT' programme to be aired on the National Communications Network (NCN Inc.). He stated quite emphatically that, “I like Mr. Granger, and I think Mr. Granger should finish his term, and he’ll win the next election. I like Mr. Granger that underlines everything to tell you the truth.

I have no excuses to make for anyone.”

He expressed the belief that this administration has allowed for more sound for-

eign investment in the country and speaking from the perspective of a legitimate business owner, that the administration has done a lot to promote investment in the country. He also addressed the December 21 vote and opined that it should never have even happened. “This whole crisis we’re in now is all nonsense as far as I am concerned, is all concocted and manipulated in different ways,” Dr Jagan said, adding that the “no-confidence vote is nonsense in this country, it should have never happened, because it’s part of changing our constitution, we don’t need that in our constitution”.

Dr. Jagan also chimed in on another burning social and political issue in the country, the sugar industry and its downsizing. “The writing was on the wall a long time ago, when Bharat Jagdeo was in government, he knew that sugar was collapsing, he was just throwing money at it, to get the votes in the end.”

Only recently in a letter to the editor of this news-

Dr Joey Jagan

paper Dr Jagan jr warned voters to be aware of Bharrat Jagdeo. “Joey” as he is fondly called said the PPP has strayed from the concepts of its party leader, and, in doing so it [the party] damaged the country’s economy. The damage, he said, occurred under the leadership of Jagdeo.

Giving his observations, Jagan said with Guyana rapidly approaching oil production in 2020, political stakes

are high and citizens are anxious about receiving the opportunities they deserve from Guyana’s new-found wealth. However, it is during this period, he deducted, that the Jagdeo-led Opposition seeks to condemn Guyana’s arrangements with oil-giant ExxonMobil through which the country must gain its footing towards a developed economy.

“Some of our ‘experts’ decry the financial and

technological arrangements which we have with ExxonMobil, finding fault and opposing this great investment.

Those malcontents should understand that over the next two years, ExxonMobil will invest over 35 billion US dollars in worldwide oil exploration without a clear prospect of oil recovery and with the price of oil not yet $60 a barrel, the investments are not always profitable,” Jagan said.

He added: “We in Guyana should be proud and excited that the largest company in the world is investing real money into our economy; this will eventually attract other good foreign investments and trade to our republic in areas such as agro-industry, mineral extraction, our water potential, our fishing potential, our forest potential and other new avenues to make up for lost time and lost opportunity.”

Recently Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, announced that Guyana has raked in over US$75 million in 2018 from local content in the oil and gas sector. Dr Bynoe said the figure was directly

derived from the emerging sector and does not include downstream impacts of the industry such as works in mechanics, electrical work, welding and technical warehousing, among others.

The late President’s son stressed that foreign investment and trade, along with the private sector as the engine of growth, is the only way to turn Guyana around from a poor to a rich nation. Added to this, he noted investment in education as the key to ensuring young people are granted the opportunity to study at the best universities to return to take up the mantle of leadership of Guyana. He said: “Any government we have has to facilitate this notion and keep government committed to filling its ranks with younger professionals dedicated to the modern world and new ideas while decentralising power from the central government to our villages, towns and communities.”

Couple killed in Linden crash A young couple is now dead after they were flung from the motor cycle they were riding, in Amelia’s Ward Linden, on Monday evening.

Dead are: Sheshka Etienne, a registered nurse and her fiancé, Oneil De Younge, a driver of the Bauxite Pensioner’s Association. Only Sunday, Etienne’s grandfather Charles Washington, was laid to rest, and De Younge was the hearse driver at the funeral.

According to reports, at around 20:00 hrs Monday the couple was proceeding north along the Amelia’s Ward road on a motorcycle when it collided with a sports Wrangler PSS 8812, which was proceeding

south, allegedly driven by Dane (only name given), an employee of a local Chinese lumber company.

According to eyewitnesses, De Younge was proceeding to south Amelia’s Ward at a fast pace, when he collided with the jeep which was turning into Powis Crescent, Amelia’s Ward at the time. While Etienne was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical doctor, De Younge was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, after a faint pulse was found.

He was however pronounced dead shortly after.

Family members, friends and the Amelia’s Ward community were thrown into a

The Wrangler -PSS 8812 that collided with the couple’s motorcycle

state of shock at the accident scene. The relatives were screaming about just having to bury the patriarch of the family, only one day prior.

Etienne was a former student of the Mackenzie High School and was an aspiring registered nurse. The two were engaged recently. They were described as an outgoing, fun and committed young couple who planned to get married soon. The driver of the vehicle was in police custody at the Mackenzie Police Station. Investigations are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

Two diagnosed with Leptospirosis …six more medevaced to city, ministry rules out H1N1, Zika …mining company ordered to halt operation

By Svetlana Marshall TWO of the Chinese nationals, who became ill at a manganese mining operation at Matthews Ridge recently, have been diagnosed with leptospirosis, as authorities continue to conduct a series of tests on the affected persons, the Ministry of Health confirmed on Monday.

“While the specialists continue to work on the seven patients admitted on Saturday, results have shown that two patients tested positive for Leptospirosis which is known to be spread by direct contact with rat urine or faeces,” the Public Health Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if left untreated, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure,

for treatment on Monday afternoon via a Roraima Airways aircraft. They are being treated in the isolation ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

One of the employees, a Chinese national, died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Matthews Ridge. The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was ailing for days before seeking medical attention at the Matthews Ridge Hospital last Thursday.

He succumbed to his illness on Saturday. His body was also transported to the city on Monday and a post-mortem examination will soon be conducted to determine the cause of death. Neither the deceased nor those currently hospitalised had travelled overseas recently.

However, according to reports, the men were taken from the town of Linden to work as labourers at the Manganese mines at Matthews Ridge by their employer, Guyana Manganese Inc. – a

tests are being conducted locally, and samples will be sent overseas with support from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to get further tests done to rule out other possible infections.

NO H1N1 Based on the tests conducted thus far, the public health officials here have ruled out Swine Flu (H1N1), Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, Influenza A and B as possible causes of the recent spate of illnesses and death in Mathews Ridge.

“Thus far there has been no evidence of person to person transmission of infection.

It is noted that only persons who were directly exposed to one common area became ill,” the Public Health Ministry explained.

According to a source close to the case, all but two of the patients who arrived on Saturday are recovering

The heads of the various agencies in a meeting on Monday. (DPI Photo)

day, explaining that GPHC has the capacity to treat the patients in a safe and highly isolated area.

In its statement, the Public Health Ministry said that, on Sunday, a response team comprising a Senior Environmental Health Officer,

A team of health personnel and some of the affected Guyana Manganese Inc. workers exiting the plane at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport after being air - dashed to the city by Roraima Airways aircraft. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

respiratory distress, and even death.

To date, one Guyanese and 12 Chinese nationals, who are attached to Guyana Manganese Inc.’s Matthews Ridge operations, have been medevaced to the city after experiencing pain, fever, headache and respiratory distress. The first batch of seven was air-dashed to the city on Saturday while a second batch of six was medevaced

subsidiary of BOSAI Minerals. While cleaning bat droppings from one of four tunnels at the mining site called “Rail Ends,” the men were exposed to mosquitoes.

The tunnels have been in existence since the 1970s when manganese was first mined at Matthews Ridge.

The Public Health Ministry said while two of the patients have been diagnosed with leptospirosis further

well. Initially, the Public Health Ministry had indicated that the patients would have been transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Essequibo Islands/West Demerara (Region Three) but it has since taken a decision to keep all the patients at GPHC. “We thought that at this time, the best place for them to be is at GPHC,” a senior health official told the Guyana Chronicle on Mon-

Surveillance personnel, a specialist from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), doctors and nurses were dispatched to Region 1 (Barima/Waini) to support the efforts taken in the region to address the illnesses. “The fortified health response focuses on 1) providing uninterrupted health services to the residents of Mathews Ridge and 2) on conducting health assessments of all persons

working in the mining area,” the Health Ministry detailed.

The ministry said a decision has been taken to transfer all the patients with the acute respiratory illness, rash and fever to the country’s tertiary health institution – the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where critical care can be provided should the need arise. “We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure staff and members of the community at Mathews Ridge are kept safe,” the Public Health Ministry assured the public.

According to a reliable source, the Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Vishal Ramdas called a meeting with the staff of the Pakera District Hospital at Matthews Ridge on Monday and indicated that they will no longer be required to take the Tamiflu, a tablet used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza). According to the source, staffers including doctors, nurses, maids, cooks were asked to take one Tamiflu a day since Saturday.

This newspaper was also reliably informed that the staffers of the Pakera District Hospital are also scheduled to return to the medical facility today Tuesday April 2. They were relocated to a community centre following the outbreak.

The mining company has been instructed to halt further exploration until given clearance by the Ministry of Public Health and the Occupational Health and Safety Department of the Ministry of Social Protection. The Ministry of Public Health said it

will continue to monitor the situation closely along with its partner until there is a resolution.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE Meanwhile, the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), which was activated on Sunday, held its second meeting on Monday to provide updates to the action plan. The Director-General of the Civil Defence (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel, Kester Craig activated NEOC to bring all the key stakeholders together to ensure there is a Common Operating Picture (COP).

The action plan was developed on Sunday at an initial meeting where agencies were designated specific responsibilities. The Public Health Ministry was identified as the lead agency for response. It will be supported by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA), Ministry of Communities (MoC), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), NEOC will continue to monitor the situation and is deploying personnel at the necessary locations. It is also ensuring that all safety measures are being taken especially as they relate to the use of personal protective equipment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

Ex-GWI supervisor on 18 fraud charges DEXTER McKenzie, a former Customer Service Supervisor of the Guyana Water Incorporated, was, on Monday April 1, 2019, arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on 18 counts of fraud.

Mc Kenzie, 48, 0f 146 Sixth Street Albertown, pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to him by the magistrate. Particulars of the first three charges alleged that between May 7, 2018 and August 24, 2018 at GWI, Vlissingen Road, while being solely entrusted with three cheques written for Shane Samuel, which totaled $213, 670, he converted the monies to his own use and benefit.

The next four charges

Dexter Mc Kenzie as he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

read that between May 7, 2018 and October 19, 2018 at GWI, Vlissingen Road,

while being solely entrusted with four cheques written for Collin Clarke, which amounted to a total of $285, 036, he fraudulently converted the monies for his own purposes.

It was also alleged that between May 18, 2018 and

July 27, 2018 at GWI, Vlissingen Road, he fraudulently converted three other cheques worth $148,500 written for Dexter France to his own use and benefits. Another seven charges read that between June 26, 2018 and October 19, 2018 at GWI, Vlissingen Road, while being solely entrusted with eight cheques written for Robert France and Alana James, valuing $440,090 he fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefits.

Prosecutor Aduni Innis did not object to the bail application made for Mc Kenzie’s. The defendant was granted bail at the sum 0f $102,000 in relation to the matters involving cheques written for Shane Samuel, while he was given self-bail for the other 15 charges. Mc Kenzie will make his next appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on April 15, 2019.

Wanted bulletin issued for wife of murdered fuel dealer

FORTY-NINE-year-old Milaimi Alli is wanted by the Guyana Police Force in connection with the 2009 alleged murder of her ex-husband, fuel dealer, Ramzan Alli.

Reports indicate that the woman is in the United States and investigators will be making a request to have her extradited. Ramzan Alli, 45, a Good Hope, East Coast Demerara businessman was discovered dead in the trunk of a car with a plastic bag duct-taped over his head on the Coldingen Railway Embankment Road on July 12, 2009.

A post-mortem examination revealed that he died from asphyxiation. A close relative is alleged to have ordered the killing of Ramzan Alli the same day his family was having a religious service for his brother, Akbar Alli who was gunned down on July 24, 2008. The father of two had reportedly left his home to buy supplies for the aforementioned religious function. A relative eventually spotted the car on the Railway Embankment. The relative reportedly saw blood dripping from the trunk. He

Wanted: Milaimi Alli

then forced the trunk open and found the body.

Detectives had suspected that Ramzan Alli was killed somewhere else and brought in his car to the embankment. While his limbs were not bound, a plastic bag was duct-taped over his head. On March 28, 2019, Zaheed Mitchell, a 38-year-old driver of Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with murder of Ramzan Alli. The indictment stated that Mitchell and others murdered Alli between July 11 and 12, 2009. He was remanded to prison until April 15.

Mechanic charged for wounding man RONALD Sebachann, a resident of West Coast Berbice was, on Monday April 1, 2019 brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of unlawfully wounding a Berbice resident.

The 34-year-old denied the charge which read that on March 29, 2019 at Aranka Junction, Cuyuni River he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Leslie McKenzie.

According to Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, an argument ensued between the two which led to the defendant taking a cutlass, with which he dealt McKenzie several chops about his body. The prosecutor did not object to bail. Bail was granted to the accused at the sum of $70,000 under the condition that he reports to the station every Friday. He will make his next appearance on April 11, 2019 at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

Erdogan on track to lose Turkey’s biggest cities in shock poll upset ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party was on track on Monday to lose control of Turkey’s two biggest cities, Istanbul and Ankara, in a stunning local election setback that could complicate the president’s plans to combat recession.

While official vote tallies and Turkish broadcasters put the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidates ahead in both cities, the Islamist-rooted AKP promised appeals that could delay the final results for days.

Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics since sweeping to power 16 years ago and has ruled with an ever tighter grip, campaigned relentlessly for two months ahead of Sunday’s vote, which he described as a “matter of survival” for Turkey.

But his daily rallies and overwhelmingly supportive media coverage failed to win over many urban voters, as last year’s punishing currency crisis weighed heavily on Turks. “The people have voted in favour of democracy, they have chosen democracy,” said opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, whose secularist CHP also held its Aegean coastal stronghold of Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city.

The AKP and its Islamist predecessor have controlled Istanbul and the capital Ankara for 25 years. The results, which were still being tallied on Monday evening, would likely bring personnel changes at the highest ranks of government, according to sources inside and close to the AKP. In Istanbul, the country’s largest city and economic hub, the CHP mayoral candidate was more than 22,000 votes ahead of his AKP opponent as the last votes were being counted, according to the country’s electoral board.

Yet the AKP also claimed victory, saying it had “plenty of” evidence of voting irregularities. In Ankara, Turkish broadcasters said the CHP candidate had won a clear victory. But the AKP said it would appeal and expected to shift the outcome in its favour.

Erdogan’s ruling alliance, including the nationalist MHP, captured 51.7 per-

Supporters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) gather in front of the party’s headquarters to celebrate the municipal elections results in Ankara, Turkey, March 31, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer

cent of the nationwide vote, according to state-owned Anadolu news agency. Turnout was a very high 84.5 percent.

But the loss of Istanbul if confirmed - would be especially significant as Erdogan served as as the city’s mayor in the 1990s. The Turkish lira, which swung wildly tmsnrt.rs/2CEaO11 in the week ahead of the elections, echoing last year’s currency crisis, initially weakened on Monday as much as 2.5 percent before recovering. An AKP official and a source close to the party each predicted a cabinet shuffle or other changes among those around Erdogan. “There will certainly be changes in some places, such as Erdogan’s close circle in the party and the cabinet,” said the official, who requested anonymity.

“Markets expect that there will be a change in the cabinet. This makes a change necessary.”

Advertisement MARKETS ON EDGE Erdogan, Turkey’s most prominent leader since the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, has built support based on strong economic growth and backing from a core constituency of pious, conservative Muslim Turks.

He has been the coun-

try’s most popular - although divisive - modern politician, tightening his grip in elections last year that ushered in a powerful executive presidency that alarmed Western allies who fear growing authoritarianism in Turkey.

But a currency crisis beginning in August sliced the lira’s value by 30 percent and tipped the economy into recession. With inflation close to 20 percent and unemployment rising, some voters were ready to punish the president.

Erdogan pledged late on Sunday he would now focus on Turkey’s troubled economy ahead of national elections in 2023. “We have a long period ahead where we will carry out economic reforms without compromising from the rules of the free market economy,” he said.

But investors are sceptical that AKP’s long-promised reforms can transform a slumping economy hooked on foreign debt, and also worry about fraying diplomatic ties with the United States that could bring more sanctions.

Last week authorities used a series of stop-gap measures to cushion the selloff of Turkish assets.

Investors fear Erdogan’s electoral losses will lead him “to be more defensive, trying to shore up electoral support via populist measures, which

increases risks for markets”, said Inan Demir, senior emerging market economist at Nomura, in London.

The head of the High Election Board told reporters there was a three-day period for the election results to

be challenged. The CHP’s mayoral candidate in Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, was leading his AKP rival, former prime minister Binali Yildirim, by 22,479 votes, according to state agency Anadolu.

CHP candidate Mansur Yavas won the mayoral race in Ankara, preliminary results showed. In mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey, residents celebrated as the pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) won back municipalities that authorities had taken control of two years ago, accusing the HDP of terrorist links.

The HDP denies links to the outlawed militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

“They robbed us of our will and we overturned this,” said Abdullah Elmas, a resident of Diyarbakir, the region’s biggest city. A European group observing Turkey’s local elections criticised curbs on the free expression of citizens and journalists, saying on Monday it was unsure whether the Turkey electoral environment was free and fair.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Guyana takes the next step in radio

IN the first-ever undertaking of its kind in Guyana, radio broadcasters from some six of Guyana’s regions participated in a training and sensitisation workshop at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre last weekend.

The pioneering Regional Radio Workshop initiative, which will certainly benefit all Guyanese, was coordinated through the Office of the Prime Minister, with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, himself a journalist, taking the lead role in bringing the historic idea to fruition. The ground-breaking workshop adds a new and important dimension to the develop-

ment of radio broadcasting in Guyana. By taking this next logical step, government has launched another phase of advancement in the dissemination of accurate information to citizens. Broadcasters will now be equipped to provide more accurate, relevant, and high-quality content to Guyanese throughout the country.

The training sessions were attended by some forty participants from across Barima-Waini, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Potaro Siparuni, and Upper Demerara-Berbice. Training was provided to the broadcasters — many of them Indigenous, hinterland-based Guyanese

— in a wide range of topics and disciplines including information accuracy, broadcast procedures, radio-station management, as well as constitutional law and other statutes and regulations, such as the Amerindian Act, which may be relevant to their work.

This advanced phase of development of radio broadcasting in Guyana which is intended to raise the bar by improving the quality of the content of broadcasts follows the first step which was the initial establishment of hinterland radio stations, a process which continues.

Prior to 2016, only one hinterland radio station ex-

isted. Fortunately, after being elected to office, the APNU+AFC administration, through the Office of Prime Minister Nagamootoo, moved quickly to ensure that all Guyanese throughout Guyana’s regions had access to information via radio. In May 2016, Radio Lethem went on the air in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo followed by Radio Mabaruma in June in the Barima-Waini Region. Radio Aishalton in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo began broadcasting in February 2017, and Radio Mahdia in Potaro-Siparuni, and Radio Bartica in CuyuniMazaruni started operating in October and November

respectively.

In April 2018, Radio Orealla switched on. Radio Essequibo, the seventh hinterland station, is due to go on air at the end of the year; the transmitter has already been installed at the station building in Cotton-Field. Prior to those developments initiated under the APNU+AFC administration, the more than 113,000 Guyanese residing in Guyana’s interior had neither ready access to news and information, nor any easy way to market their products or share information within and among their communities; many hinterland residents said that they felt as though they were not even a part of

Guyana. Evidently, the country has advanced a long way, even though the coalition has been in office for fewer than four years.

Remarkably, even though development of regional radio began only three short years ago, the programme is now beginning to mature. And, as the administration continues to make good on its promise to ensure that all Guyanese have equitable access to accurate, up-to-date, relevant information, the responsibility remains with citizens throughout the country to make use of that information to improve the quality of their lives.

Dis Boy Seh to Dem Boys Dear Editor, DEM Boys in de Waterfall Paper seh a lot, but they need to member dat every rope gat two ends, and they never called to get Guyana Goldfields end of the rope, when deh seh, “dem shareholders and Guyana Goldfields cussin one anodda.” Dem aught to be careful wid who dey get their information from, because all skin teeth nah laugh. Dis boy is a serious boy, and woulda not put two feet into Guyana Goldfields river without knowing how deep de river is.

We are a serious company tryin to do de rite trings de rite way.

We are declarin all gold, and de government of Guyana is at de mine as de gold is poured. We are not sheddin dem Guyanese workers. We have 729 Guyanese employees, and more dan 300 contractas at de mine site, and hope to hire more. I invite dem boys to come and visit de mine in person, because if yuh eye nah see, yuh mouth nah must talk. I promise you it is not de “Government of Guyana gettin play like a yo-yo.” I think dem boys will find dat nah every crab hole get crab,

and dem boys bein fed rotten crab by someone. We are a pardna in Guyana’s development, and have nuttin to hide from no one, including de Waterfalls paper. We take members of de press and de government to the mine regularly.

For my friends in the diplomatic community and other foreigners, below is a translation of the above paragraph in English, plus one other paragraph with additional information you should read. To the Guyanese, I apologise for my less than perfect Creolese, and encourage them to listen to both sides of the story.

THIS BOY SAYS TO DEM BOYS Dem Boys at Kaieteur News say a lot, but they need to remember that there are two sides to every story, and they never contacted Guyana Goldfields to get our side of the story when they printed, “The Shareholders of Guyana Goldfields Are Cussing One Another”. They should be careful who they get their information from, because not everyone who smiles at you is your friend. I am a serious person, and I would not join Guyana Goldfields

without knowing the full situation.

We are a serious company trying to do the right things the right way.

We are declaring all gold, and the Government of Guyana is on site as the gold is poured. We are not letting employees go. We have 729 Guyanese employees, and more than 300 contractors at the mine site, and we hope to hire more. I invite Dem Boys to come and visit the mine in person, because you should not talk bad without first getting all the facts. I promise you it is not the Government of Guyana that, “is getting played like a yoyo.” I think that Dem Boys will find that not everything turns out to be as you expect it to be, and in this case Dem Boys are being fed misinformation. We are a partner in Guyana’s development, and we have nothing to hide from anyone, including Kaieteur News. In fact, we regularly take members of the press and the government to visit the mine and its operations.

The Kaieteur News also ran an article on Sunday that implies that Guyana Goldfields is somehow taking advantage of the Government and people of Guyana

with tax concessions as part of our investment agreement. We are not taking advantage of anyone.

We are a publiclytraded company in Canada in good standing with all laws and regulations. Yes, we are a for-profit business, and the business of a business is to make money for its owners, which, in our case, are our shareholders. If you look at our publicly released financial information, you will see that for 2018, the government of Guyana received US $14,983,000 in royalties, and the company’s net earnings were US $5,367,000 after expenses. Government getting almost three times more than the company’s profit without investing a cent. Not a bad deal anywhere. Mining in remote areas is not cheap, and the cost of transporting, feeding, and caring for 750 employees and more than 300 contractors, almost 1,000 who are Guyanese, is not cheap, and all of this money is spent with more than 255 local suppliers, contractors and companies. We pay payroll taxes on all these employees. We pay VAT on our local purchases. We have been here for 22 years, and made no money

for the first 19 years, yet we invested well over US $200M of our money to get the mine operational. In fact, in total, we have invested more than US $400M. There is no company in Guyana that could have done this in this remote part of the Essequibo, which is threatened by a foreign power to the west. Concessions like VAT exemptions for Foreign Direct Investment in remote areas are very normal throughout the world; and frankly, without such incentives, the jobs and contributions to the economy these investments bring likely would never materialise. Again, we are a serious publicly traded company that is under attack by a group of dissident shareholders. We look forward to the vote on May 22. Nuff Nuff Sehd.

Regards, Perry Holloway Sr. Vice-President, Guyana Goldfields

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

A pivotal creator and contributor to its own ‘uncertainties’ Dear Editor, PERHAPS the leading bastion of the business and commerce sector and most senior member of the umbrella Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Incorporated (GCCI) has been voicing its concerns over the “uncertainties” that exist because of the political situation.

This organisation, pointedly, in its efforts at implying a very dangerous state, also quoted engagements with international business concerns to support their particular ‘’worry’’.

What is interesting is that this body has not produced any statistical data that supports its “concerns”. It is ironical that for the kind of “crisis” and “slowdown” mentioned that the Minister of Finance has just announced a 4.1% growth in the national economy, which, incidentally, is inclusive of the period when the no-confidence motion vote had been effected in the National Assembly, which would have given rise to some amount of social tension. The announced growth rate even surpasses the 3.4% that had

been forecasted for 2018.

Editor, if indeed there are genuine indicators which suggest investor queries about the current business climate, which are causes for hesitancy in not being able “to plan” for investment, as contended by the newly-elected president of the Chamber, then one can understand such apprehension on its part.

However, given the fact that throughout Guyana, particularly in the capital city where commercial business is bright, evidencing wholesalers and retailers doing brisk trade, because of traditional customers and general shoppers; it would seem that the Private Sector-affiliated chamber and its other members are either frightened by the very imaginary ghosts which they have created, or those hoary- headed hosts which they have conspired to resurrect from their distant yonder place of abode in order to give support to their political daddy and party’s call for the Caribbean Court of Justice to treat their appeal urgently.

And I say this without fear or favour about a business organisation which, under its parent body, the PSC,

has, since 2015, adopted an entirely anti-government stance, as evidence by a past Chairman’s many statements which were unmistakably political, and which drew criticisms from a respected captain of industry. Also, the clear act of the hoarding of foreign currency, with the aim of economic destabilisation, and a naked, patently racist stance against President David Granger’s A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration, and one can discern the declared position of the PSC, of which the GCCI is its oldest member. And this has been part of the wider political plot led by the PPP/C, which culminated in the chronicled Charandass treachery in the form of a no-confidence motion vote against the coalition government.

The PSC’s role, inclusive of its members, amounted to what has been a planned, a grand national movement of disaffection against the government, for reasons which are only too patently obvious.

It was a central part of the creation of a deliberate environment of hysteria, carefully aggregated to project the government in the most

negative of lights, through which this cabal sought to inveigle the intervention of the international community, such as the Carter Center.

One would have believed that this business collective had suddenly overnight become transposed as “constitutional experts’’ as it parroted the “resign now’’, “constitutional crises’’, and “elections now” refrain from its political choir master, the PPP/C. For this business clique, it was necessary and urgent that it coalesce with the PPP/C and other like-minded anti-nationals to ensure the removal of a government which, since its ascension to office, has ensured that the numerous tax dodgers were reined in; that they pay their fair share of taxes; that it brought to an end the questionable system of concessions and waivers, the latter of which had been found to be dishonest in its numerous requests and fraudulent in its use; the introduction of systems, particularly those that are designed to combat under-invoicing.

Obviously compromised by lavish patronage and other grand concessionaries doled out by the former PPP/C administration that cost the

State coffers multi-billions in revenue, which a poor country like ours cannot afford; in addition to being part and parcel of the criminal State, it became urgent for this business and commerce grouping to be part of the conspiracy, which culminated in the fraudulent no-confidence motion that will curtail the life of a government whose leader’s ethnicity had been adjudged as not competent or capable enough of governing this country, especially one that will shortly become an oil economy.

I must agree with President Granger when he emphasised the fact that “…the government has done nothing to engender any disorder or any despair in the business community…” He is absolutely correct for not only has he and his government followed the path as discussed with the opposition leader when the latter had engaged the president in the first bilateral after the no-confidence motion, but he has not diverted or contravened any constitutional rule in his government exercising the right to due process of appeal to a higher tribunal, as any other citizen. Surely, this right was/ is well understood by all and

sundry, inclusive of the PSC. Instead, it chose to mount the Jagdeo bandwagon with its agenda primed to whip up social tension.

In this all too plain conspiracy, the PSC cannot claim ignorance of its formatted existence and dark intent, for its numerous statements daily and equally contributed to such a promotion that has been playing no small role in the creation of the “uncertainties” about which its member, the GCCI has been complaining. The question is: How could the latter organisation now be hollering fears about “uncertainties”, if they do exist, that it would have been a more than willing supporting passenger aboard the conspiratorial vehicle in the hands of a most reckless and irresponsible national political leader as the driver? Indeed, it is the season in which the most dangerous hypocrites and political crooks have been emerging from the woodworks.

Regards Earl Hamilto

Meaningful parental involvement is necessary for a child’s upbringing Dear Editor, RECENTLY, video recordings have gone viral on social media of schoolchildren involved in unfortunate situations, some being violent and disrespectful. It must be noted that such events are not widespread across the education system. However, efforts must still be made to curb such behaviour.

The Ministry of Education will continue to collaborate with parents and other stakeholders to address these issues. Editor, the Education Ministry is currently strengthening its school support unit with the aim of addressing social and other challenges which have no place in the school system.

The Education Ministry is cognisant that more needs to be done by all parties in the education process if tangible outcomes are to be derived.

Editor, this is not the time to point fingers, but it is an opportunity for greater collaboration between the schools and parents.

It is on this note Editor, that the MoE is urging parents to engage their children frequently when they are at home. Editor, the word 'engage' was chosen deliberately because it encompasses a number of areas.

The MoE is asking parents to check frequently on how their children are doing in school. We must talk to our children. As parents, they will tell you things in that

informal setting that you would not have known ordinarily.

Parents, foster relationships with your child's teacher(s) so that you can be swiftly updated on anything noteworthy that is happening at school, or if you need to visit the institution.

Ask for the school's telephone number and call randomly to be updated. When children are aware that you are monitoring them, they are less likely to become problematic.

Most importantly, editor, the evidence has shown overwhelmingly that with the involvement of parents in the education process, the child's academic performance improves significantly.

Parents, you are at liberty to go to their schools and hear from

their teachers as it relates to their academic performance and their general behaviour at school. No one can disallow you from visiting the school to check on your children's welfare.

Parents, know who your children’s friends are so that you are aware of the company they keep.

You need to keep track of the places they normally will go when they are socialising. This is by no means a form of infringement, but rather necessary steps that are integral to raising children of good quality.

Parents and guardians, the Ministry of Education cannot do it alone; your support is vital. Additionally, it is important for parents to continue to impress upon children the importance of good

manners, respect for themselves, their peers and any other person they interface with.

The Ministry of Education is aware of the sacrifices parents continue to make daily in ensuring that their children are in school. The Education Ministry will continue to work with parents, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that our children become productive citizens, contributing to the development of self and country.

Regards, Public Relations Department Ministry of Education

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Legislative change needed before Police Force renamed LEGISLATIVE change to the Guyana Police Force Act would be needed before the Guyana Police Force can be renamed the Guyana Police Service, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan told this publication on Monday.

The name change was proposed within successive police reform recommendations over the years and it was highlighted at the first meeting of the Police Reform Change Board (PRCB) which

was recently convened under the chairmanship of Minister Ramjattan.

Ramjattan said that the laws must be amended and passed before anything is official. The board agreed that the name of the Guyana Police Force should be changed to the ‘Guyana Police Service’.

At the recent meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, and the complete Executive leadership team of the Police were pres-

ent, along with Dr Clement Henry, Project Manager of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).

Also at the meeting was UK Security Adviser to the President, Colonel Russell Combe. The PRCB came about from the reform work conducted under a CSSP consultancy by well-respected international expert consultants with many years of experience working with the Guyana Police Force, who proposed the need for a

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan

ministry forum for managing police reform.

The main agenda item at the PRCB meeting was to agree to the proposed Terms of Reference for the Board. Such included providing strategic direction, monitoring, guidance and support to the police in order to implement the reform programme. The PRCB will also review the progress being made by the Police with the various reform activities under way.

It will also have oversight of all the strands of Police reform activities, which can then be coordinated, measured and evaluated.

A number of reports and consultancies have been delivered to the Guyana Police Force. These all contain important recommendations. It is the prioritising of these reforms and the implementation thereof that are the main functions of the PRCB.

I remain a solid and unshakable supporter of President Granger and the Coalition Government Dear Editor, YEARS ago, there was a popular column in the Newspapers titled, ‘Things that bother me’. The ambiguity gleamed some Statements on the question of ‘Dual Citizenship bothers me.

It is unnecessary for me to state that I may be the only Founder Member of the People’s National Congress alive today. As a teenager, I joined the anti-colonial struggle led by our two political giants, Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, and experienced the trials, tribulations and triumphs that won us Independence in 1966.

There is no one alive, I challenge, who has made a greater personal sacrifice than myself for the ascendancy and viability of the People’s National Congress, and I remain a solid and unshakable supporter of President David Granger and the Coalition Government.

After Independence, thru Republican status, we were led by men and women who were patriots, committed to the welfare of Guyana and to no other State, always ensuring, even as we collaborated with countries around the world, that we never lost sight that Guyana’s interest should always be paramount.

In this context, our Leaders must know that our commitment to Guyana must

neither be compromised nor put in doubt.

The question of Members of Parliament, and in particular ministers holding dual citizenship, became a public issue recently, and the Chief Justice determined that having allegiance to a State other than Guyana is a violation of the Constitution, and I add, inconsistent with the oath of office.

For me, the decision of the Court on this matter is almost otiose. For me, the greater concern is the fundamental question of loyalty and commitment to a cause and country.

The following three declarations tell through yesterday, hold true today and forever. a) If you chase two rabbits you will get neither; b) you cannot serve two masters at the same time; c) if you try to ride two asses at the same time, you will end up on your own ass.

There can be no vacillation, no procrastination, and no sand dancing on this issue.

I have spoken with friends at home and abroad, and in an attempt to attenuate this procrastination, they have referred to the evil deeds and injustice of the other political group should they get into office.

I speak as one who has felt the full brunt of the cruelty of humanity and injustice that the other side is capable

of.

My wife lost a job; some of my children were denied opportunities they were qualified for, but be that as it may, being a Member of Parliament, and in particular a Minister of the Government, it is accepted that you must face the vagaries, fallouts and fortunes of high office.

Today, perception is important as we saddle up for the election derby.

We must be confident that we will overcome all obstacles, and that Guyana beckons great things ahead.

Let me add this caveat. Many of us in Guyana have friends and family who are citizens of the Caribbean, South America, North America and Europe.

Those of us who stayed at home did so on the assumption that by our work, family and friends, they returned to Guyana – the Eldorado to be realised.

I end by reminding us of our world famous Guyanese artiste Eddy Grant’s song, ‘ Living on the Frontline’.

Let our Ministers and Members of Parliament be brave, be confident and do nothing to let the side down. Why wait for April 11?

You are on the Frontline.

Regards, Hamilton Green

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

US$250,000 contract awarded for design of hospitality institute

EFFORTS towards Guyana’s first state-of-the-art Hospitality Institute are well underway as a plot of land, awaiting final confirmation, has been identified for construction while a US$250,000 contract has been awarded for the building’s design.

The progress comes as the Government, in the latter part of 2018, pledged to prioritise the request of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) for the setting up of a local hospitality institute.

The project is being executed through the Ministry of Education and the land is being provided by the Government while the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will be funding the construction of the institute.

For many years, THAG has lobbied for the establishment of an institute which it believes will not only become an asset to Guyana’s tourism industry but will open the door opportunity for vulnerable groups.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, THAG President Mitra Ramkumar, provided an update from a recent National Committee meeting attended by the Association. There, it was announced that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and Go-Invest were written to in relation to the land for the proposed institute.

The institute is expected to be located in Providence, East Bank Demerara at the back of the Massy Supermarket, a location the association has found favour with. “They’re awaiting the formal letter from CH&PA concerning the exact location that it will be but it’s in that same vicinity,” Ramkumar explained.

Meanwhile, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has issued an award for the design of the Hospitality Institute to the joint venture consortium Deen + Partners Architects in association with Consulting Engineers Partnership Ltd (CEP) and Leverage Consulting Inc. for the sum of US$250,953.

Based upon the design of the building and the engineers’ estimate, this cost will be put forward to the CDB for support.

BIG BOOST TO TOURISM In most cases, persons employed within the local tourism industry come with-

but Ramkumar believes that Guyana may have an edge in some regards with its unique focus on eco-tourism. “The hospitality aspect of the training, although the main areas will remain, they will be adjusted for Guyana’s particular product,” he said.

In recent years, there has been a global growth of popularity for eco-tourism destinations. At the same time, as Guyana heads into Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Mitra Ramkumar

out much training but are being trained on the job. While this has been the custom for years, Ramkumar said that it costs the industry to get employees up to the standard where they can deliver quality service.

“What the institute will do is create a pool of people for the industry to pull on and when those people graduate and come out of the institute then they will be equipped with both the theory and the practical which is a huge advantage,” he said.

Apart from those already interested in the field, Ramkumar noted that school drop-outs and single mothers are some of the largest beneficiaries of the tourism industry and can also receive training through the institute.

“This institute will offer a wide range of courses,” he stated. “If someone starts with landscaping they can also do tour guiding or they can start with Front Office and they can decide that they want to switch and do something in food and beverage; control and management going right up to hotel management.”

Even as the groundwork is still being laid; focus is being placed on developing institute’s curriculum; identifying facilitators and accreditation, processes which be assisted by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ministry of Education.

“When someone is a graduate of this institute it will give them a certificate that can give them regional and international employment because it will have a curriculum that people can appreciate and respect,” the THAG President said.

The soon-to-be institute’s competitor will be a similar institute in Barbados

oil production which is expected to drastically change the country, THAG has increased its appeal for greater focus to be placed on the development of local tourism which can be a sustainable means of funneling revenue into the country.

“There is huge amount of synergy between the two industries---oil and gas and tourism--- 1) it brings a high level of standards to

the sector because in order for you to be eligible to host guests at your facility there are a number of criteria and standards that you have to meet in terms of health and safety. What it’s doing, informally, is raising the bar of the sector in that area. And 2) it increases the number of customers in our country.

Although they’re coming to work, there will actually be a boost from in the industry

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and that is why we see the synergy between the two,” he detailed.

As Guyana seeks to meet the needs of the developing sector, it is expected that persons attending the institute will be able to both work and study to implement and practice new skills as they learn them.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

CARICOM to hold member states accountable

…establishes mechanism to monitor implementation of decisions

By Telesha Ramnarine THE CARICOM Results-Based Management (RBM) System, a monitoring and evaluation arrangement that seeks to ensure that member states implement the decisions of heads of governments in a timely fashion, is now being promoted here in Guyana.

Leading a team from the CARICOM Secretariat, on Monday, was Deputy Secretary General, Manorma Soeknandan, who is here to conduct the latest in a regional series of sensitization seminars on the RBM. “We were too much focused on activities. RBM is the change that we are bringing,” Soeknandan told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on South Road.

The idea of the RBM System, although floating around some 18 years now, was finally realised to deal with the implementation deficit about which member states and heads of govern-

ments have been complaining for years.

Soeknandan told this publication that, at the moment, decisions of heads of governments are not being implemented in a timely way, or in some cases, not at all. Furthermore, she said the benefits of regional integration cannot be seen. “The RBM System will indicate to people where things are not being done where they are supposed to be done,” Soeknandan expressed.

She told reporters how an evaluation report will be done by the end of April which the media will have full access to, just after the sensitization seminars wrap up with Trinidad and Tobago.

“There is still an implementation deficit and in member states, [if] you are not doing what you’re supposed to do, it will have a backlash; it will have a negative effect,” Soeknandan said regarding the need for the said performance man-

agement system.

“You’re not performing.

A waste of money, a waste of human resources, a waste of financial resources, you’re not meeting deadlines. You become a headache, and what happens then? You have an informal sanction,” she added.

The first phase of the project was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank to the tune of US$500,000 and the second phase will commence after the evaluation report is done.

Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM Charlene Phoenix, along with Director of Strategic Management at CARICOM Craig Beresford, were also present for the press briefing.

Phoenix observed that once the critical persons in the various agencies partner with the process, then it should be easy to implement.

Meanwhile, the seminars are being conducted for both state and non-state actors, including permanent

Deputy Secretary General Manorma Soeknandan (at right) led the press briefing on Monday. With her are Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM Charlene Phoenix (at left) and Director of Strategic Management Craig Beresford. (Delano Williams photo)

secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, international development partners, the private sector and the media, among others.

The seminars aim to inform and educate stakeholders on the functions of the RBM system, its importance in achieving the outcomes of the Community Strategic Plan, and on their own role in its utility, implementation and sustainability.

The first seminar was held for non-state actors

Monday afternoon at the Police Training Centre, Eve Leary.

A CARICOM RBM Leadership Group has been established, comprising representatives from all regional institutions and member states to serve as champions and coaches in their respective entities, by promoting the adoption and utilisation of RBM and Monitoring and Reporting (M&R).

In addition to improving implementation and

achievement of desired results, the RBM System is expected to improve transparency and accountability at all levels among the three implementation partners:member states, regional institutions and the CARICOM Secretariat. Such will be facilitated by the Performance Measurement Framework which has been developed for each Pillar of the Strategic Plan 20152019.

Farmer charged for possession of ‘ganja’ 30-year old, Rawle Ramascindo on Monday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lenann at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of possession of Marijuana.

It is alleged that, on March 28, 2019, at Hobo Hill, North West District, he had in his possession 170 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on the day in question, the police conducted a search which revealed the cannabis in the defendant’s bedroom. Police reports stated that ranks acted upon information received and conducted a search on Ramascindo’s home.

During the search, they found a transparent plastic bag which contained

Rawle Ramascindo

a quantity of stems, seeds and leaves suspected to be cannabis. After the ‘ganja’ was discovered, further search was carried out in the latrine pit area of the yard, where they found another set of stems, leaves and seeds. Ramascindo was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. The

magistrate granted him bail at the sum of $200,000 and he is expected to report to the Mabaruma Police Station every Friday. He was also told that failure to comply with the terms will lead to his bail being revoked.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

‘Money Smart Kids’ workshop launched

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…to help students avoid paycheck-to- paycheck lifestyle

By Telesha Ramnarine OUTLIERS Zone, a financial wellness institute, on Monday launched its ‘Money Smart Kids’ workshop that will target some 2000 students to provide them with knowledge on how to make financially-smart decisions from a young age.

Chief Executive Officer of Outliers Zone and Financial Wellness Coach, Athalyah Yisrael launched the event at the Herdmanston Lodge on Lamaha Street in Georgetown.

The purpose of the workshop, which is to be held on April 12, 2019, is to equip primary and secondary school children with knowledge of how to budget, save, donate, tithe, invest, and earn a healthy financial future.

It will be held at the Na-

tional Gymnasium in commemoration of ‘International Teach a Child to Save Day’, which is a campaign that highlights the importance of teaching children about saving, and thus help them avoid the adult “paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle.”

Yisrael said she was one of those persons who lived from paycheck-to-paycheck, and that she felt she needed to find a solution. “Since Outliers Zone was launched in 2017, we were able to help almost 1000 employees end this paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle. In 2019, our focus is radical towards children,” she said.

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) is assisting with sponsorship of the programme, and Manager of New Accounts Frances Sahadeo said that the earlier persons begin developing

CEO of Outliers Zone, Athalyah Yisrael (at left) with GBTI’s Manager of New Accounts Frances Sahadeo. (Delano Williams photo)

prudent financial practices, the earlier will they begin to achieve more.

She pointed out how the bank’s ‘Early Savers Plan’

was developed many years ago with the aim of encouraging parents and children to save from birth, and has turned out to be one of their

most successful products.

The benefits of having such an account with the bank include a higher interest rate than the regular savings accounts, the annual rewards programmes and summer camp for children.

“Initiatives such as these should be endorsed and fully supported, and we encourage parents to think of their children’s future. It’s never too late to instill in our children to start practising sound financial patterns at an early age, so that when they grow older, it will be instilled in them,” Sahadeo said.

Meanwhile, the workshop will host the primary school students from 09:30 to 11:00 hrs, and the primary school childrn from 13:00 to 15:00 hrs, with tickets costing $500 and $600 respectively.

“This nominal price cov-

ers the cost of the workshop delivery and materials. Each child will also be entered into a draw to win one of our 4-Chamber (Save, Invest, Spend, & Donate) piggy banks worth $8,995.00,” Yisrael disclosed.

She thanked GBTI for its support, while encouraging parents, companies and schools to participate.

“Companies can purchase tickets for schools of their choice, while parents and schools can purchase tickets for students. Sponsors will receive exhibition space to display and/or sell products at the event.”

She said ‘Outliers Zone’ is dedicated to helping companies provide financial wellness training for their employees to help them end the living from paycheck-topaycheck cycle, and start a sound financial base.

Biker killed on Soesdyke Public Road A motorcyclist was killed Sunday evening on the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) after crashing into a vehicle.

Dead is Collin Bourne, 22, of lot 91 Timehri Prison Area, EBD. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport employee lost his life after colliding with a minibus.

On March, 24, 2019, fiftyyear-old Peter Billison of Lot 17, Soesdyke Public Road, EBD was also killed in a hitand-run accident on the Soesdyke, EBD Public Road.

Police confirmed that they are investigating the fatal accident involving minibuses PHH 3467, BVV 5802 and motorcycle CH 6758 driven

Dead: Collin Bourne

by Bourne. Enquiries disclosed that minibus PHH 3467 was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway, reportedly at a fast rate of speed, whilst minibus BVV 5802 and motorcycle CH 6758 were proceeding in the opposite direction with the motorcyclist in the rear.

The motorcycle then pro-

ceeded to overtake minibus BVV 5802 and, while on the eastern carriageway, collided with minibus PHH 3467. As a result of the impact, the cyclist fell onto the western carriageway in the path of BVV 5802 and was struck down. He was picked up in an unconscious condition and rushed to the East Bank Demerara Regional

Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is presently at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. The drivers are in custody assisting with the investigation. They were breathalysed and the driver of PHH 3467 was found above the legal limit

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Guyana needs more aviators

…GCAA head says demands of industry multiplying

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANA’S aviation sector is rapidly expanding and, as the country heads full speed into first oil, there is a growing demand for youths to be part of the local and international industry.

In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Lieutenant-Colonel (ret'd) Egbert Field said that the demand for aviation personnel in Guyana is multiplying faster than the indication of interest by young people.

Though not yet a massive challenge, Field is confident that given the necessary support and finances, more Guyanese can become involved in the sector in coming years.

“Aviation is taking off at a fast, fast pace in Guyana. A survey shows that we don’t have enough individuals interested, at the moment, in aviation,” Field said.

“In the next 10-15 years, the International Civil Aviation Organisation has reported, air travel will double and we do not have enough aviation schools at the moment to train potential aviators. We don’t have enough people--there will be a need for over

Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Lieutenant-Colonel (ret'd) Egbert Field

500,000 to 600,000 people worldwide for engineering and also for pilots. So there’s going to be a great need and we’ve got to get individuals interested…especially in Guyana where the aviation industry over the past two to two and a half years has taken off like a jet plane,” Field said.

Pointing to the first ever ICAO conference held in Guyana back in November 2018, the Director-General referred to the words of ICAO President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu who identified Guyana as a regional leader in aviation.

The event, attended by some 600 participants from around the world, resulted in the signing of bilateral air service agreements between Guyana and Aruba as well as Ghana for future air transport collaboration.

Regarding the latter, Guyana’s advantageous proximity was highlighted through several discussions as possible gateway for the continent of Africa into the Caribbean and South America.

Several countries in Africa and the Caribbean agreed that linkages between the two Regions are necessary for the

preservation of the African culture and the development of shared economic benefits.

At the same event, there was much talk for similar agreements to be signed with Tanzania and Nigeria; Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson is mulling a Guyana-Texas air link; an air services agreement has been signed with Singapore and American Airlines is now operating in Guyana.

Field highlighted: “[Dr. Aliu] acknowledged [at ICAO] the fact that Guyana was ranking higher than some of the other states in the Caribbean and asked us to help to support some of those states also. So, we are not on a plateau, we’re on a climb.”

Field then placed his focus on Guyana’s future in the oil and gas industry noting that investor interest in the country is also causing the aviation sector to expand.

“We’re experiencing a lot of interest in the offshore area whereby Bristow is bringing in some new helicopters [and] we’re speaking with at least two operators out of Trinidad who want to bring in helicopters. So the offshore industry with helicopters, that is expanding and is going to burst,” Field added.

Touching, too, on pending expansions in Guyana’s domestic industry, he pinpointed the US$4M Lethem

Airport earmarked as a major transport hub for the hinterland region which is to bear similarity to the Eugene Correia International Airport.

Being well aware of the rate at which Guyana is developing even before first oil, has led the Director-General to develop a “Next Generation team” to “hunt” out the next generation of aviators.

The team, though not yet exposed to the media, is being headed by Head of the Aerodromes/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Christine Marcus.

It involves a group of young people who are working to get others like themselves interested in the field by speaking the ‘language of youths’. “ [Marcus’] task is to get youths interested in aviation; to devise ways and means of how youths can come into the profession and how they can access funding,” Field explained.

On the topic of funding he stated that scholarships for aviation continue to be a major factor for parents who want to facilitate their child’s studies but lack the financial means to do so.

As such, as time progresses, the GCAA will be seeking out scholarships for Guyanese interested in the field. “Parents often come to me knowing aviation is an expensive item –to learn to fly is expensive, to become an engineer is expensive. God was good to me.

I received a Government

scholarship in 1970 and that took me out from poverty to where I am now. [So when parents] come to me I can relate to them because that is what my parents were like when I was young: wanting to find out ‘how can I get my son to study and to get him into aviation’.”

“So, we will be looking at scholarships shortly as soon as finance begins to flow.

We will be looking at ways and means of how we can develop scholarships so that the average individual can apply,” Field said.

Leaving words of advice to parents in the particular situation, the Director-General encouraged them to invest in their child’s education which can turn out to be a tremendous benefit both for the child and the family.

He encouraged: “The same way you invest in buying a house---you go and get a mortgage and then you make monthly down payments--- invest in your child’s education in aviation. You may have to borrow and start paying back for the school or flying fees but I guarantee you that that child will be able to stand on his or her own two feet in a few years and you will be happy that you did invest in your child.”

‘Respect Court of Appeal decision’ …GMSA urges business community to maintain atmosphere of peace, harmony

THE Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is urging the business community to maintain an atmosphere of peace and harmony as the country awaits the final determination on the validity of the No-Confidence Motion moved against the Government.

In a statement on Monday, GMSA said that until the final determination is made at the Caribbean Court of Justice, the decision of the Court of Appeal should be respected fully. On Friday March 22, the Appeal Court, by a 2-1 margin, ruled that the No-Confidence Motion was not validly passed on the grounds that the Opposition needed an absolute majority of 34 votes or more and not

33.

GMSA also used its platform to urge all Guyanese to allow for normalcy to prevail.

“Our Association urges all Guyanese, especially those persons in the Business Community, to continue to conduct their daily affairs in an atmosphere of peace, harmony and tranquility which is generally supportive of all business endeavours,” the association said.

It added: “It remains our fervent hope that the final outcome in this particular difficult period of our political history would offer appropriate solutions to our quest for economic and social development of benefit to the Guyanese people.”

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will hear all three cases challenging the Court of Appeal’s decisions on May 10.

Unlike the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Private Sector Commission, the GMSA did not indicate that the current political climate had an effect on business. President David Granger, on commenting on the issue, indicated that “everything that has happened since the 21st of December has been logical, and, on the part of the Government, it has been within the framework of the law.” Business in the country continues as usual.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

55 Linden women honoured, in observance of International Women’s Day

THE National Congress of Women (NCW), under the patronage of Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Yearwood, on Sunday evening, honoured 55 Linden women as part of the body’s activities in observance of International Women’s Day, which was celebrated on March 8th, around the world.

Each woman was awarded with trophies and $10,000, at a gala dinner, held at the Watooka Guest House. The awardees were all deemed grassroots women and were celebrated for their exemplary service over the years in various capacities. Those honoured were janitors, security guards, entrepreneurs, fire women, electricians, drivers, barbers, community workers, seamstress and newspaper vendors.

In attendance were Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, Minister Valarie Yearwood, Chairman of the NCW-Linden branch, Denise Belgrave along with other regional officials. Ally, gave the feature address and congratulated the women for

stage for a more equal society. “We need more women to be trail blazers in order to build more equal societies… as we press for progress, let the challenge for this year

flourish, if women are given equal respect and not taken for granted. She reminded the women that they are special and powerful beyond measure and these qualities

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally presents an award to a Linden woman on Sunday

being a catalyst of community development and inspiration to others. “You are here today because you resisted, you insisted, you were persistent and you pressed for progress, in order to achieve your goals. Your energy and dedication are truly inspiring,” she said. The minister reassured the women, that her government remains committed to ensuring that gender equality is promoted in society, thus ensuring

that women are empowered.

“Today I am here to assure you, that this government remains committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women, in all spheres of life, we will continue to work in collaboration with all partners so as to facilitate progress and empowerment of women.” In this regard, the women were encouraged to get involved in politics and to become the trail blazers, in setting the

Minister Valarie Yearwood being honoured by the women of the NCW

be, to make the women of the past proud, the women of the current inspired and the women of the future envisioned.” The awardees were encouraged to become their sisters’ keepers by supporting and realising their visions, so that more women can play an integral role in transforming our nation into an economic powerhouse. Men too, she said, must play their role in supporting the women, thus contributing vigorously to social cohesion, economic growth, peace and prosperity.

Also addressing the women, was chairman Belgrave, who also congratulated the women for their social, economic, cultural and personal achievements and encouraged them to remove all barriers and stumbling blocks to empowerment and equality since societies will

songs of empowerment and were treated to ball room dancing, before taking the dance floor themselves.

Awardee Keisha Griffith, a community worker of Ituni, said that she feels honoured that her passion and efforts to make her community a better place have been recognised.

“I felt encouraged and proud to be among women who are hard workers, who strive to make our society a great one.”

In addition to the 55 women, Minister Yearwood surprised four other members of the NCW, including Belgrave. Receiving the minister’s award was Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephens. Finally Minister Yearwood was also surprisingly honoured by the NCW women. International Women’s day was celebrated under the theme, “Think equal, build smart,

A section of the award gala that was held at the Watooka Guest House

should be celebrated every day.

The women were treated to a sumptuous dinner in a well decorated hall. They were also serenaded with

innovate for change”. For the month the NCW, held a church service, games night and also distributed florals to deserving women on March 8th, 2019.

Police probe fiery death of WCB pensioner

BHAGWANDAI Deonarine, the 72-year-old woman whose burnt remains were found in her backyard Sunday evening last was the owner of the sprawling coconut estate named Plantation Hope just east of Weldaad, West Coast Berbice.

Relatives said that she had a longlasting relationship with the owner of the estate, who was popularly known as BQ, and took over after he died some time ago.

A source close to the woman recounted that she visited early Sunday evening, and saw that, unlike the normal situation of the

Bhagwandai Deonarine

lights being on and windows being opened, the house was in darkness. The windows were closed and there was no sign of occupancy.

She alerted others, and they contacted the Police, who responded, searched the yard and found the remains.

Other persons who passed by the house during the day saw a fire in the backyard from around 11:00hrs the same day, but thought that it was garbage being burnt.

Chan Sookrah, the dead woman’s sister, said that Deonarine spoke with relatives on Phagwah Day and gave no indication that something was amiss. Relatives who entered the house said that they saw no signs of disturbance to indicate that robbery might have been the motive.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Bosai probe points to bat dung as cause of respiratory illness

GUYANA Manganese Incorporated (GMI), which is a subsidiary of Bosai Mineral Group Guyana (BMGG), has conducted preliminary investigations which point to bat dung being the cause of the respiratory illness resulting in the death of one Chinese national and the hospitalization of several other persons.

This is according to Company Secretary, Norman McLean, who on Monday, said the finding is only an assumption and officials are awaiting the results of the post mortem examination on the employee who died, before publishing an official statement. McLean explained that the issue does not lie directly with manganese mining, but with preparatory works for same.

“This has nothing to do with manganese, what we had is a previous operation, there were four tubes there and we had to clear that area…it was bat dung that was causing the problem…of course we are only assuming,” McLean said.

Bat excrement, is very dangerous he said, and the Chinese nationals ventured into the tunnels and were directly exposed to it. This was a buildup of dung, from 50 years ago, when manganese mining ceased. One Guyanese, who was a driver, also was affected by the sickness.

The area he said has been cleared already and it was days after that the workers started experiencing flu-like symptoms.

After refuting claims that the workers are affected by the H1N1 virus, which was reported in some sections of the media, the Ministry of

An undertaker removes the body of the dead Chinese national shortly after his remains arrived at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport on board a Roraima Airways flight from Matthew’s Ridge.

Public Health (MoPH) has since sent a team to the area and is engaging in discussions to ascertain the cause of the ailment. The team includes a pathologist, a Senior Environmental Health Officer; a mortuary attendant, and an Environmental Protection Agency staff.

The deceased worker was ailing for days before seeking medical attention at the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital last Thursday. He died Saturday and his body was airlifted to the capital on Monday.

GMI commenced preparatory work for manganese mining in 2017 and the operations represent an investment of approximately $500 Million. Exporting of the rare earth metal, is expected to start by the end of 2019.

The mine has a projected lifespan of 15 to 35 years depending on the rate of extraction, using open pit mining methods. Manganese was first mined in Matthew’s Ridge in the 1950’s but later abandoned due to high costs and other factors. The increasing use of the rare earth metal in the produc-

The patients were brought to the city on board a Roraima Airways aircraft.

Several persons who were air dashed to the city on Monday prepare to travel to the Georgetown Public Hospital from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. (Adrian Narine photos)

tion of high-tech equipment has seen the resuscitation of operations. Guyana is believed to have some of the world’s largest deposits of manganese.

Meanwhile, medical personnel at the Pakera Hospital at Matthew’s Ridge are expected to return to the medical facility on Tues-

day, days after it was placed on lockdown following the death of the Chinese national. Reports are that the operations of the hospital were shifted to a community centre after persons seeking treatment for other ailments were not allowed access to the hospital. Residents of the community have been

on edge after the situation regarding the men’s health was publicised. A Heaven Hill resident told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that she was concerned about the situation at the hospital since she has relatives who worked there. She expressed hope that the authorities would have brought some more

clarity to the situation following several tests.

The manganese workers were taken to the area from the town of Linden to work as labourers at the mines by their employer, BOSAI Minerals. They were working at one of four tunnels at the mining site called “Rail Ends.” The tunnels have been in existence since the 1950’s when manganese was first mined at Matthew’s Ridge but they have been untouched for almost five decades.

Reports are that the mineral is usually washed and processed close to the tunnels. The men were exposed to mosquitoes while cleaning bat droppings from the tunnel, persons in the community related. Meanwhile, domestic airlines which operate flights into the North West District community were mulling precautionary measures in light of the death of the patient and uncertainty regarding a diagnosis. Reports are that the airlines are awaiting a definitive word from the authorities before deciding on any measures.

Blairmont workers end strike WORKERS of the Blairmont Sugar Estate, who, last week, took strike action over working conditions, have all returned to duty.

This was confirmed by Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Audreyanna Thomas in an invited comment on Monday.

It was reported that workers had downed tools over a price dispute and “unfair” working conditions. “Both issues have been resolved and the workers returned to work,” said Thomas, adding that the management of the estate had a discussion with the workers who subsequently returned to work.

GuySuCo had also expressed its concern over the report carried by the Little Rock Television Station (LRTVS) Newswatch on the 26 March, 2019 with regards to workers being forced to work in burning cane fields.

The Corporation stated that, at no time, was any instruction given to place workers in danger by asking them to work in a burning canefield. “The video that has been shown by the LRTVS Newswatch feature clearly shows only one worker working in the field while another was presumably videoing,” said GuySuCo. Based on investigations carried out, the Corporation is of the view that it was an act

of mischief by a few workers who are determined to cause discord at Blairmont Estate.

On 26 March, the estate management was aware of the decision to burn canes early that morning as was stated in the interview on Newswatch. However, such was at the request of the majority of the 36 workers who did not have sufficient burnt canes to cut and stack on that day.

The workers had chosen to wait while a field was burnt for them to cut, and they were paid for four (4) hours of waiting time, which was also admitted by the anonymous worker on the Newswatch feature.

The worker did not share with News-

watch that, when the majority of the workers entered the field after four hours, there was no fire in that field. “The Corporation would like to take this opportunity to encourage media agencies to seek clarification from its Communications Department before publication, on information about its business operations, in the interest of balanced reporting and for accuracy,” said the corporation. Blairmont Estate has 154 vacancies for the following: 136 Cane Harvesters, 10 Tractor Operators (Tillage), 4 Excavator Operators, 1 Diesel Mechanic, 2 Front-end Operators and 1 Staff Nurse.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Kuwait writes off US$50.7M of Guyana's debt A BILATERAL Debt Settlement Agreement was signed by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on March 18, 2019, with the State of Kuwait, through the Kuwait Investment Authority, to cancel US$50,739,255.67 of Guyana’s debt to that country.

In a statement the Ministry of Finance said the debt

cancellation will reduce Guyana’s external debt and allow the country to expand its development agenda, as funds saved under this agreement would be allocated to social projects within the context of the National Budget.

The agreement, which came after an ardent negotiation process, paves the way for greater co-operation

and the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.

Commenting on the agreement, Minister Jordan said that it came about as a result of renewed efforts by his ministry to engage Guyana’s non-Paris Club bilateral creditors in negotiating debt relief that is acceptable and sustainable.

Rehabilitation of Victory Valley road commences

THE long-awaited rehabilitation of the Victory Valley community’s access road has commenced and residents have praised the government for finally coming to their rescue by upgrading the infrastructure.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has incorporated this road rehabilitation as a 2019 capital road project since it was neglected for several years.

Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC), Anthony Roberts, said he was pleased with the attention given to the road. The residents, he said, are very upbeat about the development occurring.

“We are feeling grateful, we are already feeling pleased, thanks to the government for answering our call in a short time,” he said. The residents are also pleased with the quality of the work that has been put in thus far on the road. The residents had complained about the state of the road for some time.

Victory Valley access road being refurbished

A few weeks ago the Victory Valley community centre was destroyed by fire and government has already committed to rebuilding it, since it served as a haven for youth and social development within the community. Roberts said that the plan for its reconstruction is completed and will be submitted to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who

visited the site of the burnt building a few weeks back.

In addition to Victory Valley, 20 more roads in Linden will be refurbished.

These include South Amelia’s Ward access road, Blinking Corner Block 22 road, Christianburg Front Road and Fraser Road, Kara Kara.

Businessman shot,

robbed on Regent Street A 25-year-old businessman of Century Palm Gardens, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, was, on Monday, on Regent street, robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash by two bandits.

Reports indicate that the victim was riding motor cycle CB 80, on the northern side of Regent Street, proceeding east, when he saw a pillion rider, on another motorcycle, which was parked on the northern side of the aforementioned

street, dismount.

The pillion rider then proceeded to walk in front of his motorcycle causing him to stop. The bandit then whipped out a handgun and demanded that the businessman hand over the bag which he had across his right shoulder.

When the businessman refused, he was struck to his mouth with the gun. A scuffle subsequently ensued between the men and the bandit discharged a round which hit the victim on his

lower abdomen.

The bandit then escaped on the said motorcycle driven by the other suspect. The businessman then ‘flagged down’ a taxi and proceeded to a private hospital where he was admitted.

Reports indicate that he is in a stable condition.

The robbery was reported to the Brickdam Police Station. An investigation has begun. When contacted, police confirmed the robbery and noted that no one had been arrested.

The remaining amount of US$26,853,585.23 will be settled through a combination of cash payments, to be made over nine years, and a debt swap arrangement, which will be worked out in due course.

Guyana’s debt to Kuwait originated from a Loan Deposit, contracted in 1975, from the Central Bank of

Kuwait for Kuwaiti Dinars 3.0 million (US$10.3 million at that time), for balance of payments support to the Bank of Guyana. The debt accumulated massive arrears over the past four (4) decades, at high market interest rates. As at December 31, 2017, the debt to Kuwait had grown to US$77,592,840.90, comprising principal arrears

of US$9,940,500 and interest arrears of US$67,652,340.90.

Since assuming office in 2015, the Finance Minister has pursued debt relief from other bilateral non-Paris Club creditors with whom Guyana’s debts are in arrears.

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Guyanese join hands in standing for environmental protection

SCORES of Guyanese joined hands Saturday night to strengthen the call for environmental protection as 'Earth Hour' 2019 was observed.

Earth Hour is a worldwide event organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This event culminates the month long array of activities held throughout

March, which sought to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and the impacts of climate change.

On 'Earth Hour', usually held on the last Saturday of March, non-essential lights are turned off for one hour (usually 20:00hours) as part of efforts to stand for environmental conversation and

climate change awareness. In Guyana, this was observed at the National Park where the lights were switched off and scores of persons lit candles as part of the efforts to raise awareness.

"Each year, what Earth Hour intends to do is raise awareness and urge persons to protect planet earth against climate change,"

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

These young children joined with citizens across the world to observe Earth Hour by lighting candles

More supporters of the Earth Hour activities join in by lighting candles at the National Park on Saturday evening

WWF country manager, Ayesha Williams told the Guyana Chronicle.

According to her, the overarching message of the global event is to champion the protection of biodiversity and the environment.

In so doing, it is hoped that government and other bodies would augment efforts to ensure environmental protection. "And biodiversity must be protected because it's not only for having our natural surroundings, it's for human well-being and for the health of the planet," she stressed.

In Guyana, not only is the event focused on raising awareness on mitigating environment issues, but it also functions to promote youth leadership and engagement in environmental action.

"Young people have played a major role in leading this every year-- WWF is just there to support these young people," Williams shared.

At the event held at the National Park, various young people- organised in their groups- were seen championing their environmental protection agendas. "We've made a definitive decision

to have the youths lead this; that's how we see things moving forward in the future- once youth are focused on changing the world, then our future is bright. And in protecting our environment, our future is bright," the WWF country manager explained.

Adding to her statements was President of the Guyana Youth Environment Network (GYEN), Amar Dillawar.

Since the Earth Hour activities began in Guyana a few years ago, the GYEN has taken the leading role in coordinating these.

"Every year we host the event and we try to bring in Guyanese talent to try to raise awareness around all the issues of biodiversity, climate change, etc.," Dillawar shared.

He explained that the group tries to get young people to address other youth people, as a way of connecting to each other.

And the GYEN of itself is a youth empowerment group that bands together environmentally- conscious young people, he related.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Over 100 students get help from mobile psychosocial unit …MoE looking to expand fleet SINCE the launch of the Ministry of Education’s first ever mobile psychosocial unit, over 100 learners have benefitted from counselling which meet their psychological and social needs.

The learners range from the nursery to secondary levels. The $16.3M mobile unit was launched in November, 2018 with the aim of enabling effective coping skills in response to trauma; to enhance resilience; to teach learners to better exercise control and reduce stress levels.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle recently, Chief School’s Welfare Officer, Glenna Vyphius said the response received thus far has been excellent with the ministry now looking to expand its fleet. She stated that while the learners were intimidated at first by the presence of the unit, things changed as soon as the aim of the initiative was explained.

“At first, when the students saw the unit they thought it was something bad so we had to let them know why we’re there with the unit and we told them it’s for the purpose of helping them. Then they started to open up and speak to us,” Vyphius said.

The unit is being managed by the ministry’s School’s Welfare Unit through an initial workforce of some 10 counsellors, with the aid of the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Social Protection for the provision of specialists.

Thus far schools include all those situated on Woolford Avenue such as St Joseph High, North Georgetown Primary, Tutorial High School and Richard Ishmael Secondary. The mobile unit also visited schools in East and South Ruimveldt and as far as East Berbice-Corentyne in Region Six. “The mobile psychosocial unit is getting to the children because we know children are faced with issues in schools and often times they don’t know who to turn to for assistance or where to go. So, we’re taking the services to the children and parents, also,” Vyphius said.

In explaining that not only children have been beneficiaries of the work of the unit, she spoke to some of the most recent incidents which caused the unit to zero in on a particular education

institution.

Following the suicide of a 15-year-old student on January 24, 2019 at the Mae’s School in Georgetown, the psychosocial unit was swiftly deployed to offer suicide prevention services to learners and teachers affected by the occurrence. The same was offered to a school in Corentyne which also experienced a suicide case in the past months.

Two of the main issues the Chief School’s Welfare Officer noted as a concern among the learners visited are suicidal thoughts and bullying.

Even as the designated personnel are there to provide help in this regard, Vyphius also spoke to the advice she gives to the students when she interacts with them: “Most of the time I would say to them: ‘practise resilience’. Sometimes they may be faced with an issue or a situation but I would say to them ‘it’s not the end of the road. You can get up and you can continue with the school’s welfare unit’.”

The support received from partnering government agencies sees collaboration with Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) coordinators; HIV coordinators and the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) officer which ensures that a wide range of issues are covered and discussed among key influencers.

Now, even as the mobile unit operates by notifying the schools about their impending visit and by encouraging students to open up, teachers who know of specific issues that children within their care are facing are helping to direct the focus of the unit.

Moving forward into 2019, Vyphius says the Ministry sees room for improvement and expansion and has already begun to act on this.

“What we’re advocating for right now is to have a special staff to run the unit because we’re working with [our own] staff on the mobile psychosocial unit and with all other activities that are happening in the Ministry sometimes we don’t get to follow up on time,” she explained.

“It will impact more Guyanese if we have more psychosocial units and if we can go out there on a daily basis. Because of staff we are not able to impact as much as we would want to but in this

year’s budget we budgeted for two more psychosocial units and that will be able to help us out a lot.”

While commissioning the unit back in 2018, Education Minister, Dr. Nicolette Henry had expressed that her vision is for the initiative to better enable children to receive age-appropriate psychosocial services and narrow the gap which exists in the education system where psychosocial support is concerned.

Chief School’s Welfare Officer, Glenna Vyphius stands near the Ministry of Education’s mobile psychosocial unit. (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 2, 2019

130,005 tons of rice harvested for first quarter

––36% of crop harvested so far RICE production continues to be favourable with the latest report showing that 130,005 tonnes of rice was harvested for the first quarter of the year.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers across the country are expressing their satisfaction as harvesting figures for the first rice crop continue to be favourable.

While harvesting is only 36 per cent complete, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has reported

that a total of 200,008 tonnes of paddy, which is equivalent to 130,005 tonnes of rice, have been harvested as of March 28, 2019.

GRDB’s General Manager, Nizam Hassan, made this disclosure as he lauded the efforts of farmers and the extension officers in ensuring that the industry prevails amidst ever-growing challenges. “Despite the challenges-- access to water in some areas-- we were able to cultivate 88,147 hectares of farmland, which is 7,112 hectares more than the last or

autumn crop of 2018. Some regions did extremely well and we congratulate our rice farmers for their efforts, hard work and commitment to the sector,” Hassan said.

Farmers in Baiboo/Cane Grove and Golden Grove/ Mahaica, Region Four have completed 69 per cent of their harvesting for this crop with a total of 276,100 bags of paddy harvested so far, equivalent to 17,538 metric tonnes of paddy.

Additionally, harvesting figures illustrate that farmers in Region Two have

completed 61 per cent of harvesting, with those in La Bel Alliance-Windsor Castle harvesting 196,125 bags of paddy and those in Queenstown-Reliance harvesting 151,330 bags of paddy thus far. Overall, a total of 47,049 metric tonnes of paddy have been harvested in this Region.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has lauded the efforts of Guyana’s rice farmers in ensuring continued success of the industry, noting that they continue to express commitment to the sector’s growth and development. He also urged farmers to continue to apply the advice of the

extension officers in executing the six-point practice to ensure maximum production and productivity is achieved.

According to the subject minister, while government has been implementing key policy initiatives to ensure the industry prevails, it is necessary for all players within the industry to play their part. "We have been doing exceptionally well when it comes to production and productivity, but it is the farmers who deserve the applause for always returning to the fields and doing what needs to be done during every stage of the crop cycle,” Minister

Holder said. Other regions like Three, Five and Six have reportedly harvested 8,460.33, 59,710.93 and 67,249.63 metric tonnes of paddy, respectively, as of March 28th. With harvesting ongoing, GRDB hopes to achieve its 2019 first crop production target which is 520,000 tonnes of paddy by the end of the harvesting process. Farmers across the country are currently receiving favourable prices as paddy prices range from $ 2,400 to $3,300 per bag or $36,912 to $50,754 per tonne.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

FROM BACK PAGE

‘We need everyone on board as one team to achieve lasting success’ – Forde QUALIFYING for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the collective achievement of everyone who has contributed to Guyana’s football and it will take a further joint effort to reap the full benefits, according to GFF President Wayne Forde.

The Golden Jaguars, with goals from Neil Danns and Emery Welshman, defeated Belize 2 – 1 in their final CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier at the National Track and Field Centre on March 23.

With the win, Guyana finished 7th on the 34-team table and will make their first appearance at the

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June 15 – July 7 CONCACAF showpiece; something Forde said belongs to the entire nation.

“So many great football servants have gone before us and we stand on the shoulders of those giants.

It is truly a very humbling experience for me to be at the helm of the sport at this time and to share this extraordinary accomplishment with the other dedicated members of the GFF Executive Committee, who contribute in equal measure to the intense work and many sacrifices this qualification campaign demanded of us all. I feel a deep sense of pride for the sport, in particular, which has had its challenges both on and off the field for many decades,” Forde said.

According to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) boss, “the sum of all tourism promotion and advertising cannot surpass the global visibility that the Concacaf Gold Cup will bring to Guyana. When our boys walk out on to the pitch for their first game, the millions of people that will be watching either live or on television around the world will Google ‘Guyana’.”

Forde made a plea to stakeholders-- from politics to business – to appreciate the magnitude of this opportunity and to work with the GFF to embrace its potential.

Meanwhile, despite the success, the GFF president made it clear that it’s not business as usual, since he believes that there are still a tremendous amount of work required in order to lay a robust and lasting foundation for the sustainable development of football in Guyana.

“We are finally moving in the right direction, but we need everyone on board as one team to achieve lasting success.

The GFF cannot overhaul football without the help of corporate Guyana, the Government of Guyana and other key stakeholders.

A well-run sport will produce well rounded men and women,” the GFF president posited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

Curran stars with hat-trick as Capitals lose 8 for 7 in dramatic loss NOT many teams lose their last seven wickets for the addition of just eight runs to lose a game that was already in the bag.

And no, Delhi Capitals didn’t try to fool their fans on April fools day by putting their Daredevils masks on. It was truly a monumental collapse as Kings XI Punjab showed steel to fight back and win by 14 runs in an unlikely manner.

Sam Curran was the star of the show as he contributed a 10-ball 20 before following it up with a hat-trick right at the death to finish with a four-wicket haul.

A pint-sized Gayle or Narine 2.0?

Sam Curran wouldn’t have envisaged himself taking Chris Gayle’s spot in the batting order on Monday in the first place.

The veteran was left out as a result of a niggle and instead of opening with Mayank Agarwal, the home side opted to send Curran alongside KL Rahul.

He did threaten to create a similar impact when he smashed Avesh Khan for three boundaries in the third over of the game. He followed it up with a six off Lamichhane in the following over to really send a message to the visitors before the Nepali spinner got his man leg-before-wicket.

Sam Curran hat-trick helps KXIP snatch victory from Delhi Capitals

Curran walked back making 20 off 10 when his side needed a Gayle instead of a Narine. Kings XI certainly missed the presence of the big man though as the top three were back in the hunt by the eighth over.

The recovery and the big collapse

New Zealand Under-19s tour of Bangladesh called off NEW Zealand Cricket (NZC) have cancelled their Under-19 team’s tour to Bangladesh, slated for this month, in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosques in which at least 40 people had been killed.

NZC chairman Greg Barclay said both the NZC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) agreed that sending an age-group team to one of the countries worst affected would be insensitive and inappropriate.

“We have conveyed our deep sense of regret over the circumstances leading to this mutual decision, and the BCB have been both understanding and generous in response,” Barclay said.

NZC have nothing but respect for the BCB and believe this development has only served to bring our countries closer together, and to strengthen our bond through cricket. In reply, the BCB has expressed ‘solidarity with NZC and the peace-loving people of New Zealand’.”

However, Barclay said both countries remain committed to playing bilateral series across all levels, including “Developmental” and “A” tours, starting with the Bangladesh Under-19 team’s tour to New Zealand in September.

Members of Bangladesh’s senior side were just “about 50 yards from the mosque”, which was the site of one of two terror attacks in Christchurch last month.

They managed to escape through Hagley Park and shortly after the tour was called off.

The aftermath of the attack had also seen Canterbury pull out of the final round of the Plunket Shield.

(ESPN CricinfO)

A fruitful partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and David Miller put the innings back on track. Sarfaraz certainly looks like a man on a mission this IPL, chipping in with crucial knocks.

He was in his elements once again playing some gorgeous strokes off the likes of Chris Morris and Avesh Khan.

At the other end, he had the experienced Miller for company who looked in great touch having fetched a six each off Harshal Patel and Lamichhane. The platform was laid following the 62-run stand as Kings XI posted 120 on the board by the 14th over.

At that stage, 180 was easily on the cards.

But losing both Sarfaraz and Miller within a span of two overs cost Kings XI big time.

The fact that they don’t have a long batting lineup played a crucial role as well with Morris and Rabada doing the damage.

HOW DID DC’S INDIA N QUARTET FARE? Prithvi Shaw, hero of the last match, was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Ashwin.

Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer got off to starts, putting on 61 for the second wicket . But both batsmen failed to kick on and

were back in the pavilion by the halfway mark. Rishabh Pant played a typical Rishabh Pant innings, smashing 39 off 26 balls to put his side right on course for a comfortable win, unlike the other night against Kolkata Knight Riders.

How did it fall apart?

All credit to Curran and Ashwin. The Kings XI skipper was brilliant on the night, making smart moves on the field apart from picking two crucial wickets. He then managed to effect a run out immediately after Shami castled Pant and those two wickets off two balls shifted the pressure right back onto Capitals. From thereon, they just crumbled.

Curran, who had some unfinished business having bowled only one over with the new ball, got rid of the dangerous Colin Ingram and Harshal Patel in the same over before completing his hat-trick in the final over of the game by castling Rabada and Lamichhane.

All DC needed were 23 runs off 21 balls at one stage with seven wickets in hand. Few minutes later, they suffered the worst seven-wicket collapse in the history of the tournament. Smart cricket next time, maybe? (Cricbuzz_

Striking right balance key for selecting World Cup squad - Finch

By Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi AFTER capping off a successful Asian tour with a whitewash over Pakistan, Aaron Finch is anticipating tough conversations in the coming weeks to decide on Australia’s World Cup squad.

Even though the Australian captain noted that the think tank has “an idea about the make-up of the 15-man squad”, the series wins over India and Pakistan, in the absence of some of the main players, will make jotting down of the squad a difficult task.

“There are going to be some tough conversations over the next couple of weeks,” Finch told reporters after the final ODI against Pakistan in Dubai.

“There are going to be some very unlucky guys. Everyone who has had an opportunity in the last of couple of months has put his best foot forward and played good cricket. There’s an idea about the make-up of the 15-man squad.

But, honestly, we have 20-21 guys from whom we can make the squad and it wouldn’t be weaker with any of them in it. It is a good position to be in, but it is going to be a tough selection.”

Since returning to the opening spot, Usman Khawaja, while averaging 65.50, has struck two centuries and five fifties in 10 innings.

With the selectors expected to include Steven Smith and David Warner in the final 15, there’ll be three batsmen - Finch, Khawaja, and Warner - vying

Australia ODI captain Aaron Finch

for the two opening slots.

“There’ll be a lot of conversations with the players, myself and JL [Justin Langer] about the pros and cons in different scenarios, not for the opening slots, but it goes down to all the players in contention. We’ll try to find the right balance for the squad rather than emotional and on-the-spot decisions.”

Prior to the away ODIs against India last month, Australia since January 2018, had won only three out of 13 matches.

The defending champions, however, now boast eight wins on the bounce

ahead of the all-important World Cup. “It is exciting for Australia because if you think back six months - a lot of people were slamming us and writing us off not only in the one-dayers but across all formats,” Finch said.

“The most pleasing thing has been that whenever the game has been in balance, one of our guys has raised his hand and taken on himself to get us over the line. We have been displaying consistency since India. Even the matches that we lost, we played some good cricket in it and lost some crucial moments, especially in the second match.

“When you are building towards something and you have changed your strategy and game plan, it can take a little bit of time to develop. It can take some time for the guys to fully buy into it until they have success and realise that it is the right way to play one-day cricket and go about their strategy.”

It seems that everything is finally falling in place for Australia as they romped home to a 5-0 series win against Pakistan. “We had a real focus ahead of this game as this was our final head-out before the World Cup. “We want to go into the World Cup with the momentum on our side.

International cricket is very hard and you cannot take any opposition lightly. You cannot take your foot of the gas and give the opposition an opportunity to get on top of you.”(Cricbuzz).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

India retain ICC Test Championship mace INDIA have retained the ICC Test Championship Mace and won the purse of $ 1 million for a third year running after finishing at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings on the cut-off date of 1 April, while New Zealand have ensured second place.

A top place finish was never in doubt for India, captained by Virat Kohli, the number one Test batsman in the world while New Zealand’s consistent performances over the past year saw them climb from third position, needing them to only avoid losing the home series against Bangladesh last month to finish at the same position.

The Kane Williamson-led side, who also had the satisfaction of seeing their captain get the ICC Spirit of Cricket award for 2018, earnt $ 500,000 after finishing with 108 points, eight behind India.

South Africa, who had

finished second the previous two times, will now get a prize money of $200,000 for finishing third with 105 points while Australia who edged out Engalnd on decimal points at 104 points bag $100,000.

International Cricket Council chief executive Manu Sawhney congratulated the Indian team while reiterating the importance of Test cricket and looking forward to the start of the ICC World Test Championship later this year.

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney: “I congratulate India on retaining the ICC Test Championship Mace and appreciate the passion Virat Kohli’s team has shown across formats over the past few years. It takes so much dedication and determination to consistently perform at the highest level in Test cricket.

“Test cricket has been enjoying a purple patch over the last couple of years with more positive results

across formats but it gives us extra pleasure to come out on top of the Test rankings. We all know of the importance of Test cricket and of how only the best can prosper in the format.

Virat Kohli with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

than ever and a genuine competitive balance between nations. The World Test Championship gets underway in August and will give fans greater context for all Test cricket providing an undisputed conclusion to some of the most renowned cricket rivalries in the international game.

“Nine Test nations will

Charles to lead Essquibo In Under-17 Inter-County tournament

Sheldon Charles to lead Essequibo In Under-17 Inter-County tournament

NATIONAL Under-15 all-rounder Sheldon Charles will lead Essequibo in the upcoming Under -17 Inter-county tournament scheduled to commence on April 6th in Georgetown.

The versatile Charles has been in prolific form this season with

both bat and ball and will spearhead a strong batting line-up which also includes Wazim Mohamed and Ronaldo Scouten; both recording centuries recently along with Alex Alli, Azizi Christiani and Aryan Persaud.

Exciting fast bowlers, Nazir Mohamed and Dreshaun Phillips, as well as Charles will seek to make early inroads with the new ball. The spin department will be boosted by the spin of Abdool Nazir, Ronaldo Scouten and Ryan Atkinson; all of whom turns the ball prodigiously.

The full squad reads:- Sheldon Charles (Captain), Jason Holder, Nazir Mohamed, Alex Alli, Wazim Mohamed, Sunil Persaud, Addul Nadir, Ryan Atkinson, Azizi Cristiani, Uriah Stoll, Dreshaun Phillips, Oren Gibson, Ronaldo Scouten and Aryan Persaud. The manager is Nazeer Mohamed while Nankishore Andrews will perform the duties of coach. The competition will involve the three counties along with a President’s XI as the players will battle for championship honours while vying for selection on the national team for the Regional tournament.

compete across 27 series and 71 Test matches to reach the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021 where the World Test Champions will be crowned.”

India captain Virat Kohli said: “Retaining the ICC Test Championship Mace once again is something we are all really proud of. Our team has been doing well

“Our team has a lot of depth and I am sure this will stand us in good stead once the ICC World Test Championship commences later this year. That is again something we are really looking forward to as it adds more context to Test match cricket.”

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said: “It’s an awesome achievement for our side to finish second in the ICC Test Team Rankings and as a team we should be very proud. It’s come off the back of a lot of hard work and perseverance; not just by the eleven guys on the field, but the entire squad and support staff.

“It’s been especially pleasing to see the consistency we’ve shown in the

longest form of the game over a decent period of time. We’re now all really looking forward to the ICC World Test Championship getting underway and the added context the competition will bring.”

Details of the presentation ceremony of the ICC Test championship Mace will be announced in due

MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings (as of 1 April 2019): RANK TEAM POINTS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

India

New Zealand South Africa Australia 104 England Sri Lanka 93 Pakistan West Indies Bangladesh Zimbabwe

116 108 105 104 88

77 69 13

course.

Also played: Afghanistan (two matches, one win, one loss, 25 points) and Ireland (two matches, two losses, no points), who will qualify for a full ranking after playing six more matches each.

Pattinson bowls Victoria to Sheffield shield title

Victorian players pose with the Sheffield Shield trophy after their win during day four of the Sheffield Shield Final. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

A fired-up James Pattinson ripped through New South Wales to power Victoria to their fourth Sheffield Shield title in five seasons.

The big quick was at his imposing best in the final at Junction Oval on Sunday and claimed 4-41 as the visitors collapsed to be dismissed for 210, well short of their 388-run target.

Pattinson took three of those scalps after lunch on day four in a big reminder to national selectors of his credentials with the English Dukes ball ahead of this year’s Ashes tour. It backed up his 3-30 in the first innings, where NSW were routed for just 121. The Vics’ win

was set up by Marcus Harris, who compiled 141 on the opening day, his third century in a Shield final.

The Test opener was one of only three players to pass 50 and was named man of the match. The 177-run win provided Victoria’s 32nd Shield title. A 120-run stand between Kurtis Patterson and Daniel Hughes gave NSW an outside chance on Sunday but it all fell away after lunch. Patterson launched a counter-attacking innings after NSW fell to 1-12 but was undone

by Peter Siddle who nabbed him caught-and-bowled for 74.

His departure sparked a collapse, with Pattinson following up with the wicket of Hughes (41),

who edged to a juggling Cameron White at third slip in a session where NSW lost 6-93.

After a brief rain delay, Pattinson removed NSW skipper Moises Henriques (23) and Jack Edwards (six) with a pair of searing deliveries.He also claimed the sole NSW wicket of Nick Larkin (four) in the opening session before NSW regrouped to 1-90 at lunch. Earlier, Victoria resumed the day at 7-207 but were all out for 219 in less than half an hour of play.

NSW seamer Trent Copeland finished with 3-52 to move top of the Shield wicket takers’ list for the season with 52, enhancing his chances as an Ashes bolter.

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

New leadership sees key roles for region’s legends BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Newly-elected Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief, Ricky Skerritt, says he intends to make sure the region’s legends have a key role to play in Caribbean cricket development.

He told CMC Sports that the iconic former players were invaluable resources, who needed to be utilised properly, in order to get the full benefit from their vast knowledge and experience.

His comments came on the heels of recent controversial remarks by losing three-time incumbent Dave Cameron, who said some West Indies legends had not

excelled when asked to perform roles within the administration.

“I don’t even feel competent to value the legends – the legends are invaluable.

Their role and their value have been immeasurable and of course it varies from one to the other,” Skerritt pointed out. “Some are more famous and more powerful and influential globally and some are more powerful and influential regionally or more powerful and influential locally.

The bottom line is: what is their value to cricket at the local and regional level and the international level.

“We’re going to explore

every opportunity that we can find where, in a way that is workable and affordable, they can be involved.”

Skerritt said during the recent CWI election campaign, he had the opportunity to sit with and listen to legendary former players, whose ideas had informed his own planning.

“One of the places I went to during my regional campaign was to Barbados and to the home of the legends,” he said. “I sat with the acting CEO of the Barbados Legends, Desmond Haynes, I sat with him for over two hours, listening to him, learning from him and then

Former West Indies captain Clive LLoyd

sharing with him some of my thoughts.

“I sat for over half an hour with Sir Wesley Hall … and he gave up valuable

commercial time to talk to me.” The region’s legends largely felt ignored under the Cameron administration, and threw their support behind Skerritt and running mate, Dr Kishore Shallow for the top CWI spots.

In endorsing Skerritt, former captain Sir Vivian Richards said last week the legends had invested much into the game and also had valuable input. Skerritt, a former West Indies team manager, said CWI would definitely be seeking out advice and expertise from such individuals.

“I have no problem interacting with folks who have

been there on the frontline, who understand what takes place even though they may not have played T20 cricket, they know cricket,” said the former St Kitts and Nevis government minister.

“Clive Lloyd was actually chairman of selectors when Jason Holder was chosen – a very young and green captain chosen by Clive Lloyd because he saw in Jason Holder the qualities that he knew were necessary for leadership going forward on the field.

“I have no doubt that we can find tremendous resourcefulness in past cricketers.”

Guyana to participate in Beach Arsenal climb to third with Soccer World Cup qualifiers victory over Newcastle

FLASHBACK! Guyana’s Jamal Haynes, who picked up the 2017 Scotiabank Young Player Award at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, scored what was described as the ‘Gold of the Tournament’

GUYANA’s Beach Soccer team will once again participate in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Beach Soccer Championship, which will take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, May 13 – 19.

Having played in the 2017 edition, Guyana will

this time be joined by Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Bonaire, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the United States and the US Virgin Islands at the bi-annual Concacaf event The two best-ranked

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday April 2, 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. 59 matches 2. RR & CSK Today’s Quiz: 1. In which IPL did Sachin Tendulkar cop the Man of the Series award?

2. Who was Man of the Match in the final that season?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

teams in the competition will also ensure qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019.

The 16 participating teams will be sorted into four groups of four teams. After round-robin play, the first and second place finishers of each group will advance to the quarterfinals. Quarterfinals winners will advance to the semi-finals. Semi-final winners will automatically qualify for the tournament’s final, as well as the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019.

Guyana will know their group on April 8 when the official draw takes place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In the last edition of the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship in the Bahamas, Panama overcame Mexico in the final, to win its first Beach Soccer title.

In 2017, Guyana’s Jamal Haynes walked away with the Scotiabank Young Player Award, as the 21-year-old Haynes impressed fans, players and officials with a dazzling array of skills and goals.

Guyana defeated Belize 4-1 in the group stage and Antigua & Barbuda 6-4 in the placement stage to end 12th out of 16 teams.

Playing up front for most of the tournament, Haynes scored a hat-trick in the win against Antigua & Barbuda, including one of the goals of the tournament – a spectacular overhead kick that soared into the top corner.

By Hugh Lawson

LONDON, (Reuters)-Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday and lifted them to third place in the Premier League above rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Ramsey found his way through a packed defence on the half hour to score with a low shot before Frenchman Lacazette put the game to bed in the 83rd minute with a chip over the keeper.

The result put Arsenal on 63 points with seven games left, two above Spurs and Manchester United, with Chelsea a further point behind, as Unai Emery’s side boosted their hopes of a topfour finish and Champions League football next season.

Five of Arsenal’s remaining seven fixtures are away, where they have picked up fewer than half of their points this season, a fact Emery was quick to pick up on after the match.

“Our challenge is away to be as consistent as we are at home,” the Spaniard told reporters. His players, nevertheless, seem confident that they can return to Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in three seasons.

“I can feel the difference in the atmosphere from last season. Now we can maybe go to the Champions League,” Lacazette told Sky Sports after a convincing

Newcastle United’s Welsh defender Paul Dummett (left) blocks a cross from Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette. – (AFP)

win over the Magpies.

SWEEPING MOVE Newcastle had not beaten Arsenal since November 2010 and not won away since December and they appeared to set themselves up for a draw at best in North London, with five men in the back line and another four in front of them for most of the game.

The tactics worked until a sweeping Arsenal move in which Welsh midfielder Ramsey found Lacazette and then raced forward into the area to meet the return pass with a sweetly timed leftfoot shot that went into the net off the far post.

Arsenal pushed forward repeatedly as the opening period came to a close but failed to finish off any of their moves, with Sead Kolasinac particularly guilty of some wayward passing.

Their best chance came

just before halftime when Lacazette latched onto a pass from Mesut Ozil, spun round and lashed the ball goalwards only for Matt Richie to head it off the line.

Lacazette wrapped up the points, however, when Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles failed to clear a header into the area from Arsenal substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Frenchman nipped in behind Lascelles and chipped an inch-perfect ball over Martin Dubravka to seal the win. Newcastle remain in 14th place on 35 points, seven points above the relegation places, and have six games left.

“For us every game is a final. We should focus, concentrate, not be overconfident,” manager Rafael Benitez told reporters ahead of their next match at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 2, 2019

Mayor’s Cup football

Capital FC and Blueberry Hill register 2-0 wins on opening night

By Joe Chapman THE inaugural Linden M a y o r ’s C u p f o o t b a l l championship got off to a solid start with 2-0 wins by Capital FC over Amelia’s Ward Panthers and Blueberry Hill United putting away Hi Stars to open the tournament at the Mackenzie sports Club ground Sunday night.

Both Capital FC and Blueberry Hill United, by virtue of their wins, have advanced to the quarter-finals in what is a straight knockout championship. Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrendell, was there for the kick- off.

The wins followed the opening ceremony of the twelve participating clubs and after the initial exchanges in the first game involving Capital FC and Amelia’s Ward Panthers, things were generally even.

But Capital FC got early chances within the first five minutes before both sides settled down but were unable to hit the back of the net.

However, before the firsthalf whistle Capital FC were rewarded with the first goal of the tournament.

Capital FC got a play which developed from a right side cross and Johnny Waldron relayed to his teammate

who, in trying to chest the ball, saw it being partially touched by the Panthers defender. However, Waldron was there and intercepted to control the ball and get off a surprise right-foot shot from the edge of the right side of the six-yard box which flew past a dazed Amelia’s Ward Panthers goalkeeper for a 1-0 score.

That 1-0 score would remain at the end of the first half.

The second goal would come late for the Capital FC and it was when Andre Mayers received a long pass from Lewis Franklin which he ran on to and eluded the

on-coming Hi Stars goalkeeper to nudge it home to the last post for a 2-0 winning margin.

In the second game, things were even until Blueberry Hill got the breakthrough they were trying for throughout the game, after the scores at half-time read 0-0. However, this would change and in the 61st minute as Mark Andrews slipped the ball for the darting Roydell Archer who, from just inside the 18 yards box, found the back of the net to make it 1-0 for Blueberry Hill.

The second goal would come with the confident Blueberry Hill side now in

Blueberry Hill goalscorers, Roydell Archer at (left) and Wayne Wilson.

full flow and Mark Andrews entered into the opponents half and was fouled.

The free-kick awarded from beyond 25 yards was taken by Wayne Wilson and the ball soared high and landed over the Hi Stars goalkeeper’s head, surprising all, to score in the 77th minute to make it 2-0 in favour of the side from Blueberry Hill.

This score remained un-

changed and ensured the Blueberry Hill boys a safe passage into the quarterfinals where they will face Net Rockers.

Come Friday, two more matches will be played with the first between Silver Shattas and Coomacka Mines at 19.00hrs and the second bringing together Milerock Select and Topp XX from 21.00hrs.

Guinness street GCC into 40 - over GCA/ NBS final phenomenon returns to after thriller against MYO

GCC’s captain Devon Lord finished with 3-45 from his eight overs.

Chien ‘Saheed’ Gittens finished with five wickets for MYO.

A thrilling one-wicket win against the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) at the DCC ground ended with the Georgetown Cricket Club booking a place in the final of the GCA/ NBS Second-Division 40-over cricket competition.

GCC will now meet Everest in the championship clash on a date to be announced.

In the day/night semi-final on Sunday, MYO won the toss and opted to bat.

They had a positive start, with Rudolph Singh and Shafiek Ishmael putting together 57 for the first wicket. Singh struck six fours in a 39-ball 28, while Ishmael, who took eight balls to get off the mark, made a 37ball 25 (4x4s).

Both batsmen, however, fell to Stephen Wilson.

GCC skipper Devon Lord (left arm-spin) then took control of the middle order. He and Gavin Singh accounted for the next five wickets, with only Richard Latif, who hit four boundaries in a 22-ball 20, reaching double figures.

Vinash Rampersaud then contributed an aggressive knock towards the end of the innings. His 47 runs included five fours and two sixes. The number eight batsman looked set to make his half-century, but he misjudged the line of pacer Carlos La Rose and was bowled, which ended the innings at 176 in 36.1 overs.

La Rose took the last three wickets to finish with 3-16 from 3.1 over, while Lord, who bowled his quota of eight overs, ended with 3-45. Singh and Wilson finished with 2-24 and 2-29

respectively.

GCC needed to score just under 4.5 runs for victory, but their time in the middle was no walk in the park as Chien ‘Saheed’ Gittens took control.

The opening pacer bagged the wickets of Winston Forrester and Deonarine Seegobin, which left GCC at 25-2, but a few shots by West Indies U-16 cricketer, Mavindra Dindyal (14) and Timothy McAlmont (21), stablised the innings before Ronaldo Alimohamed took over.

The former West Indies U-19 cricketer struck a four off the first ball of his innings and then began playing shots all over the ground. In total, he finished with seven fours and three sixes in a score of 62, but at the other end, wickets were still tumbling.

Gittens returned and took two other wickets before he had Alimohamed caught behind.

MYO sensed victory when Joshua Wade fell to Ismael for six with the score on 154-9, but Bernard Bailey and Wilson then added an unbeaten 23-run last wicket stand to see their team home in 31.3 overs.

Gittens finished with 5-32 from eight overs, while Timore Mohamed supported with 2-37 from eight.

East Coast April 12

FLASHBACK! Action in the Guinness Greatest of the Streets on the East Coast of Demerara LAST year saw fan attendance exceed previous years and this trend is anticipated to continue when play in this year’s East Coast zone of the highly-exciting Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition’ commences on April 12, at the Haslington Market Tarmac.

Once again, the Organisers have planned a programme that is certain to make the fan experience a memorable one for fans along the East Coast corridor and those hoping to get a glimpse of what has become the most electrifying outdoor event in the sport.

The early word emanating out of the respective communities that will be competing in the three-day competition is that defending champions, Uprising, will not

have it easy this time around since teams have already begun preparations to challenge for the title.

However, the reigning champs who had to qualify last year and subsequently became the only team to do so and win the title outright, have vowed to successfully defend their crown. This time around they will join seven other automatic qualifiers, while eight teams will have to enter the qualification process which will be conducted on Sunday, April 7, at the Haslington Tarmac.

The full list of automatic qualifiers is Uprising, Paradise-A, BV-A, Melanie-B, Buxton Diamond, Mahaica Determinators, Victoria Church Yard and Belfield Warriors.

Gold Cup bound! Golden Jaguars players celebrating their 2 – 1 win against Belize at the National Track and Field Centre on March 23 (Samuel Maughn photo)

‘We need everyone on board as one team to achieve lasting success’ – Forde See Page 23

Simmons not ruling out a return to head coach position

Former Windied head coach Phil Simmons.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) –

Former West Indies head coach Phil Simmons would consider returning to the position, once his current contract with Afghanistan comes to an end following this year’s World Cup in England and Wales.

Simmons, who celebrates his 56th birthday on April 18, was fired from the position three years ago, but came to an amicable settlement with Cricket West Indies, following the election two Sundays ago of Ricky Skerritt to the post of president and Dr. Kishore Shallow to the position of vice president, after a long-running, legal challenge to his dismissal.

“At the mo­ment, I am con­tract­ed to Afghanistan and there can be no talk about West In­dies crick­et,” he said in a radio interview with I95 FM in his native Trinidad.

“I’m fo­cused on Afghanistan and how we get ready for the Crick­et World Cup start­ing in May. But af­ter the Fi­nals on Ju­ly 15, my con­tract is up with Afghanistan, but no­body knows the fu­ture. . .My whole aim now is to win the World Cup, so af­ter Ju­ly 15, let us see what hap­pens.”

Simmons added: “Every­one who knows me un­der­stands how much I love this re­ gion and how hard it has been for me over the last three years deal­ing with that mat­ ter. I am just glad it is over, and my name has been cleared.

“Most importantly, the apology from the new president Ricky Skerritt goes a long way in clear­ing up a lot of the talk under the previous administration. I believe that this shows that this new team is about the interest of cricket and not about themselves.”

Simmons, a former West Indies opener

and parttime fast-medium bowler, claimed he had experienced many ills during his period as West Indies coach, although he enjoyed success with the team, winning the 2016 ICC World T20 in India.

He said he was surprised to hear that Dave Cameron had lost the presidency of CWI to Skerritt, but he was looking forward to a different approach from the new administration.

“I was very happy for all of those that love West In­dies cricket,” he said. “How many persons know who is in charge of the England Cricket Board? And how many cricket board pres­i­dents are on tele­vi­sion or busy tweeting?

West In­dies cricket can look for­ward to Ricky and Dr. Shallow and that is the pos­i­tive going forward.”

Skerritt and Shallow unseated Camer­ on and Emmanuel Nanthan 8-4 for the top posts in West Indies cricket.

‘He’s great to watch, but he’s not God’ - Pope sets fans straight on Messi BARCELONA (Reuters) For Barcelona fans, Lionel Messi is ‘D10S’, a com­ bination of the Spanish word for “God” - “dios” - with the No 10 on his shirt. But Pope Francis begs to differ.

Interviewed by Spanish TV channel La Sexta on Sunday, the pope praised his Argentine compatriot Messi, but said he must not

be called God. “In theory, it is sacrilege,” explained the leader of the Catholic Church.

“You can’t do it.

“People could call him God, just as they might say ‘I adore you’, but only God can be worshipped. “(Saying) ‘He’s a god with the ball on the pitch’ is a popular way to express yourself. He’s great to

watch - but he’s not God.” Pope Francis is known to be a football fan, and he is also a club member of Buenos Aires side San Lorenzo.

Two goals from Mes­ si gave Barcelona victo­ ry in the Catalan derby over Espanyol on Sunday, taking the Liga leaders another step closer to the title.

Pope Francis receives a Barcelona soccer jersey of player Lionel Messi during the weekly audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 17, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019