Guyana chronicle e paper 06 24 2018

24th June, 2018

No.105315

Tackling fuel price hike

– Gov’t mulls options to avoid future negative impacts 02 PAGE

These dancers perform at the annual “Festa Junina” hosted by the Brazilian Embassy, Church Street, Georgetown on Saturday (Delano Williams photo)

Pour oil money Jagdeo wants to ‘Comply with into education remain PPP boss labour laws!’

– even if CCJ nixes – Professor tells UG’s 5th Conversation on Law and Society

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03 his third term bid

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– Minister Broomes tells Oldendorff 07 PAGE

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Tackling fuel price hike – Gov’t mulls options to avoid future negative impacts MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan has said that Cabinet has discussed the increased fuel prices and is carefully considering options to avoid future negative effects on the country’s balance of pay-

ments.

“The issue about price increases for the minibuses is also engaging the attention of the Cabinet. Only last Tuesday at Cabinet this matter was raised and so we will have to find creative solutions to the problem of rising fuel prices. I understand though that in the past week or so, prices have trended downwards.

I believe prices have fallen back to about 60-something dollars per barrel from the

high 70-something,” Minister Jordan said.

In addition, he noted the opposition calls for a previously used tax formula to be employed to ease the burden of increased fuel prices on citizens. However, he said while the previous administration was able to forego taxes to maintain fuel prices in the past, the conditions were different.

“They say they had a formula in place where they used to reduce the excise tax so that people used to buy gas at the same price they used to buy before.

I’m aware that indeed they had such a formula, but this is not only about whether government will still get the

same amount of revenues that they had budgeted. It also has that external side… the side that has to do with finding the foreign currency to buy the same quantity of gas that you were consuming when the prices were low,” Minister Jordan said.

In a previous interview, with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister Jordan had said that the earlier arrangements were made possible because of favourable conditions of purchase obtained from Venezuela through the now-defunct PetroCaribe facility.

“How did the last government do it? Well in large measure because they had access to the PetroCaribe arrangement. That arrangement with Venezuela allowed the government to import expensive fuel from Venezuela, but only pay Venezuela a small part of what is owed to them and the rest rolled over into a longterm concessional financing.

So, at any one time, the last government didn’t have to face the proposition that we have right now, which is we have to find 100 percent of the cost of the fuel and pay for it immediately. When you have an arrangement such as the PetroCaribe it doesn’t affect your balance of payments significantly,” Jordan explained.

In September 2017, world market prices for fuel increased due in part to the hurricane conditions in the southern hemisphere, which resulted in GuyOil adjusting the prices in gasoline, diesel and kerosene to a higher cost.

Again, in February of this year, the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) adjusted its prices upwards.

GuyOil currently sells gasoline for approximately $220 per litre.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

CV Nunes PTA launches feeding programme THE Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of CV Nunes Primary School, Region Two has started a feeding programme catering for less fortunate students.

PTA Chairman, Rasheeda Harnarrine said the move is expected to improve attendance as it would be of much help to some parents.

“It’s a joy to provide for these children, it is something I’ve always wanted to do as the school’s chairperson,”

Harnarrine said.

The programme provides a meal to some 70 students and the chairman is hoping that the business community joins the worthwhile initiative.

The Anna Regina Mandir also runs a feeding programme for children every Thursday. The CV Nunes PTA is hoping to establish a kitchen at the school where persons can donate items which will be prepared by PTA members.

GTT ‘blazing’ at ‘Parfaite Harmonie’ RESIDENTS of Parfaite prep and lauded GTT for its Harmonie, West Bank De- same-day installation. Anmerara, are now having other resident, Debbie Basaccess to high speed Inter- deo, elatedly expressed her net, thanks to the Guyana joy in having Blaze service.

Telephone and Telegraph “I am happy that GTT Company (GTT). has decided to install Blaze Over the last week, more for us, now I can surf the than 25 GTT operators and Internet as much as I want.” logistics personnel installed Lydna Thomas also has a and marketed 125 Blaze ser- great feeling about the Blaze vices in Partfaite Harmonie initiative.

According to Guyana’s With Blaze, residents leading provider in cellu- cannot only look forward lar, landline and Internet to high speed Internet, but services, GTT, its Blaze enjoy the use of this service technology has been the most anticipated service for communities across Guyana.

“Although mobile data would have been readily available in this area, this is the first time the provision of Internet services would have been realised by GTT service p r o v i d e r s , ” A GTT employee and a happy Parfaite GTT said in Harmonie GTT Blaze customer a release on Saturday.

According to the compa- even in a power outage for ny, residents were pleased up to six hours, thanks to its to have access to the high- back-up battery operating system. Residents of Parspeed Internet.

One resident, who is a faite Harmonie are now live teacher, indicated her antic- and blazing with GTT and ipation for the service to bet- pretty soon the whole of GT ter assist with her teaching will be also.

This initiative enabled the sale and installation of same-day services in a large area with the anticipated provision of services reaching 70 per cent by August 2018. GTT’s Blaze was launched in Guyana in 2017.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Pour oil money into education – Professor tells UG’s 5th Conversation on Law and Society

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan takes a photo with panelists

VISITING President of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, Professor Sarim Al-Zubaidy has told the University of Guyana’s 5th Conversation on Law and Society that investing oil revenues into education would help fuel further economic growth.

Guyana must also follow guidance from oil-rich countries so as to avoid their mistakes, Al-Zubaidy told the audience on Thursday evening while stress-

ing that “education fuels economic growth…Build the local capacity and capability and ensure that you introduce your local structures into the final process so that you achieve the success of the successful countries.”

Al-Zubaidy also said Guyana must take full advantage of the contribution of the oil sector and use the revenue to transform the economy. “It is therefore imperative that the revenue

derived from the sector be maximized and used for the transition of Guyana’s economy to one which is internationally diversified.

This would ensure that the life is enjoyed by the future generation.”

The professor, who is an engineer with over 30 years experience in senior academic and administrative positions, also mentioned that developing and maintaining a category of skilled professionals is also very

important. From this, he said that the developed personnel should be in place before and after production begins so that the country is not dependent on what is said by the oil companies.

After the presentation, the conversation with the audience began featuring input from Al-Zubaidy, Trinidad and Tobago Methanol Company Chair in Petroleum Engineering Prof.

Andrew Jupiter, University of the West Indies Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering Clement Imbert, and retired US Department of Energy Engineer Dr. Vincent Adams.

The conversation re-

volved around the investment in education which would, in turn, bring about long-term sustenance. It was also said that the government must get the best deals in any production sharing agreement and ensure that parts of these deals have a substantial contribution to education.

Guyana was encouraged by the professors to learn from their country’s failures. Finally, the country received the advice to not only look at the revenue from energy but look at diversifying the economy and not to forget about our other resources.

A section of the audience at the forum

GuySuCo establishes coordinating committee – to monitor ‘Sustainable and Resilient Communities Programme’, ‘Alternative Livelihoods Initiative’ THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has established a Coordinating Committee to lead, coordinate and monitor its ‘Sustainable and Resilient Communities Programme’ and ‘Alternative Livelihoods Initiative,’ as it continues to restructure the sugar industry.

The committee comprises senior technical experts from a number of key government agencies, including the Ministries of Agriculture; Men’s Health Unit; the Small Business Bureau; the Ministry of Finance; and the Citizens’ Security Strengthening Programme.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, in delivering the keynote address during the launch, said his ministry is keen on supporting the programme, noting that it is an important preventative initiative.

He said the more economically and socially resilient communities are, the greater the reduction in crime will be, as well as other social and economic issues associated

with crime.

“There is a direct link between the Sustainable and Resilient Communities Programme and Alternative Livelihoods Initiative and the Citizen’s Security Programme, which is implemented by the Ministry of Public Security; since the programme is a support mechanism for the communities around the sugar belt which are impacted by the reorganisation of the industry,” the minister said.

The programme has three components: Economic Resilience, Social Resilience and Environmental Resilience.

Sub-committees were set up at the meeting on Saturday to implement the programme.

The Economic Resilience Sub-committee will be chaired by Dr. Lowell Porter, Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau; the Social Resilience Sub-committee will be chaired by Dr. Allister Collins, Executive Officer, President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) and Co-chaired

by Whentworth Tanner, a

Director at the Ministry of Social Protection; the chairperson for the Environmental Resilience Sub-committee is still to be named.

The terms of reference for the Coordinating Committee and Sub-committees are: to lead, coordinate and monitor the transitioning of the targeted sugar-dependent communities towards becoming sustainable and resilient; provide oversight for the Sustainable Communities Fund, which is to enable start-ups of businesses, training, technical support and aligning new business ventures under the programme to national and regional development focus areas such as the Green Economy (the Green State Development Strategy), Ministry of Business – 2016 - 2020 Strategic Plan, Guyana Food Security Strategy, CARICOM Regional Food and Nutritional Security Policy and other economic activities.

Additionally, the committee will oversee the establishment of partnerships with relevant international, regional and national agen-

GuySuCo Corporate Communications Manager Audreyanna Thomas and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, meeting with representatives of government agencies and GuySuCo

cies to support the transitioning of these sugar-dependent communities; and they are expected to meet at least once monthly.

The committee will continue the initiatives which were started by GuySuCo and other agencies. Several of these projects are currently being implemented, while others are awaiting funding to commence. Current projects include the European Union-funded study to transition ex-employees into farmers; the Ministry of Natural

Resources-funded project in partnership with the Board of Industrial Training and GuySuCo Training Centre/ Port Mourant (GTC/PM) in Motor Vehicle Services and Minor Repairs, Welding and Fabrication, Refrigeration and Electrical Installation) and the Small Business Bureau-funded training at the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) in Plumbing, Masonry and Carpentry, among others.

Projects to be funded include training in forest-

ry-management areas and ‘management of Community Forestry Concessions’ and training in carpentry, masonry, garment construction and food preparation at the Upper Corentyne Technical Institute, among others.

Minister Ramjattan accepted the invitation to be Patron of the GuySuCo Sustainable and Resilient Communities Programme and has committed to supporting the successful implementation of the programme.

Jagdeo wants to remain –– even if CCJ nixes his third term bid PPP boss

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By Ariana Gordon

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday said whatever the outcome of the ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the presidential term limit case, he will remain general secretary, and play a formal part in the next PPP government.

“Unlike the 2011-2015 period, where I played no formal part in the PPP ad-

ministration, I intend to be a formal part of the next PPP government as we resume the implementation of plans to build a better country of which all our people can feel proud,” Jagdeo said.

The CCJ will next Tuesday hand down its decision on whether Guyana’s presidential term limit is unconstitutional.

In a statement to the media, Jagdeo said, “Multitudes of supporters of the PPP/C, and even across the political

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

divide, have made contact with me. Many concerns were raised, including the public statements of those in government in respect of a particular outcome.

“As a result, I am moved to publicly assure that whatever the ruling is, I am, and will remain, the general secretary of the PPP.” Jagdeo, a former president who also serves as leader of the opposition, said he will continue to “spearhead the party’s struggle for a better life for all Guyanese.”

He said emphasis will also be placed on the working-class people, the poor and under-privileged, while striving for racial and national unity.

Moreover, Jagdeo said every effort will be made to secure victory at the upcoming Local Government Elections along with Regional and National Elections.

POLICY, NOT PERSONALITY “Ours is a party not built on personalities but on policies, all designed to create a better life for our people, and forge racial, ethnic and class unity.

I remain committed to these policies and causes, and will continue to struggle with the party to achieve them,” the former president said while noting that he is humbled by the “overwhelming confidence” placed in him by citizens.

According to the CCJ’s website, the judgment will be delivered at 10:00hrs at the court’s headquarters

in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tuesday’s judgment will determine whether the Court of Appeal’s decision that an Act passed by the government to amended Article 90 of the Constitution of Guyana by introducing new criteria for eligibility to run for the office of President of the Republic, indirectly breached Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution.

Tuesday’s ruling on the term limit will also determine if Jagdeo, who served two terms as president, will be allowed to run for a third term in office.

The Court of Appeal last year granted leave to Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman to appeal to the CCJ in the term-limit case. Trotman has since pulled out of the appeal.

Just before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, Cedric Richardson, a resident of Georgetown, challenged the amendments made to Article 90 of the Constitution that were enacted in 2000, following a bipartisan Constitutional Reform Process.

Richardson is contending that the term limit infringes Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution, wherein Article 1 states that “Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic, sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism, and shall be known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana,” while Article 9 states that “Sovereignty belongs to

the people, who exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.”

RULE IN FAVOUR Justice Ian Chang had, in July 2015, ruled in Richardson’s favour, a ruling which, in effect, prompted both the Attorney General and Speaker of the National Assembly, the named parties, to appeal against it.

Justice Chang had said Article No.17 of 2001 is without legal effect, because it does not comply with other articles of the Constitution dealing with repugnancy, democratic society and sovereignty belonging to the people, which require a referendum for any alteration.

Chang had reasoned that Articles 1 and 9 underpin the republican commitment to the fundamental concept of popular sovereignty, or imperium populi, thereby safeguarding against elective despotism by the elected representatives of the people.

Chang had determined that the two-term limit of presidents dilutes the rights of citizens to elect the person they wish to govern their country, regardless of the number of times they wish that person to be head of state.

In his affidavit, Richardson had argued that the purported alteration of the Constitution by Act 17 of 2001 would curtail or delimit the electorate’s choice of presidential candidate by

PPP General-Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo rendering ineligible for the candidature any person who has been re-elected once as president eg, Former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Court of Appeal, by a two-one majority, in February 2017, upheld the High Court ruling that the presidential term limit is unconstitutional and void. Now retired Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Carl Singh and Justice BS Roy upheld the High Court ruling handed down by former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, while then Chief Justice (ag) now Chancellor (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards, disagreed.

Back in March 2018, attorneys representing the Attorney-General of Guyana appeared before the full bench of the CCJ to present arguments as to why the Court of Appeal’s ruling in the case of the AG and Raphael Trotman against Cedric Richardson on the presidential term limit should be overturned.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

Zimbabwe’s President ‘inches’ from explosion

ZIMBABWE’S President Emmerson Mnangagwa has survived an apparent bomb attack at a rally in the city of Bulawayo.

Mr Mnangagwa said an object “exploded a few inches away from me - but

blast.

“People started running in all directions and then immediately the president’s motorcade left at a very high speed,” an AFP news agency correspondent at the scene reported.

The elections are the first in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe was forced out after 37 years in power.

“Vice-President Mohadi is nursing some leg injuries but he is in good spirit,” he was quoted as saying.

President Mnangagwa (centre) was campaigning ahead of elections next month it is not my time”.

Video footage from White City Stadium shows an explosion happening close to Mr Mnangagwa as he leaves the stage after addressing supporters.

Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said 15 people were injured, three of them seriously.

The exact number of people hurt by the blast remains unclear - and reports suggest it may be significantly higher.

The president was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city and an opposition stronghold, to campaign for his Zanu-PF party ahead of nationwide elections taking place on 30 July.

He is favourite to win the poll, but analysts say he also has enemies - both for overthrowing his former mentor, Robert Mugabe, and for being a previous enforcer of the Mugabe regime.

A spokesman for Mr Mnangagwa said that while the president was unhurt, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi suffered a leg injury. Another vice-president, Constantino Chiwenga, received bruises to his face.

Other officials, including Zanu-PF party chairwoman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, were also injured, as were some crew members from state broadcaster ZBC and security personnel.

Mr Mnangagwa, 75, said he had visited the injured in hospital. He condemned the violence as senseless and pleaded for unity.

“I am used to these attempts,” he told state media.

Mr Mnangagwa came to power last November after ousting Mr Mugabe.

He was evacuated from the scene soon after the

Marry Chiwenga, the wife of Vice-President Chiwenga, was also injured and pictures on social media showed the president visiting her in hospital.

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa condemned the attack.

“Political violence of any nature from any quarter is totally unacceptable,” he said.

“In the past 38 years political violence has been a permanent feature and an anticipated ritual... which we must expunge.”

The US Embassy in Harare tweeted “thoughts & prayers”.

The election - dominated by economic issues - is the first to be monitored by international observers since 2002. Mr Mnangagwa has said the vote will be free and fair. (BBC News)

Red Cross personnel rush an injured army member away from the rally

Sunday June 24th, - 14:30 - 02:30hrs Monday June 25th, - 14:30 - 03:00hrs Tuesday June 26th, - 14:30 - 03:30hrs

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

The Diamond geyser

LOOKING at pictures or video of the newly created mud geyser in Diamond, there was something reminiscent of old Western movies about oil finds in Texas.

As this local natural gas find continues to push the above mud to the surface in spurts, one could almost see oil shooting forth in telltale black plumes! While it seems currently this is a sign of a natural gas pocket, rather than oil find, this certainly provides food for thought.

This is, first of all, not the only time something similar has happened in the area, as in Grove the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has had to capture a natural gas vent in a resident’s yard, providing that family with a continuous supply of the fuel. This repeat event surely must indicate that the pocket of natural gas below the neighbourhoods is significant and worth thorough exploration for some form of commercial use.

Two avenues immediately come to mind to that end: the first, cooking gas

generation and the second, a natural gas power plant, as has been advocated by Minister Harmon and the administration more broadly. Exxon is at present reviewing the find for the nature and quality of the gas, though some reports indicate that the stream may not be substantial enough for cooking gas generation. One way or another, if these types of finds will continue a very thorough examination must take place.

If we do verify suspicions that there is a sizeable gas field, then it would be very convenient for the generation of electricity.

Rather than having to bring natural gas all the way in from Exxon’s drill sites, this supply is right on the coast. Additionally, Minister Harmon has suggested the potential for an industrial park on the outskirts of any nature gas plant, providing access to cheap electricity for local businesses.

Given Diamond’s sizeable population, there will be no shortage of labour for such an endeavour.

But we should spare a thought for those

who currently live in Diamond and especially close to the site of the vent. They may need to move from the already potentially dangerous site if any significant construction will have to take place and some safe perimeter established (hopefully affecting as few people as possible). Even now, electricity has been cut to the immediate area and residents have been advised to avoid cooking or smoking, lest they ignite any fumes.

What we really do hope is ignited is, the first signs of a locally developed fossil fuel industry. This natural gas find makes the government initiative to start a national oil and gas company all the more urgent and Guyanese must remain vigilant about analogous opportunities onshore, wherever they may arise. Admittedly, there have not been onshore finds on any commercial scale, but as Guyanese expertise in these areas grows, one can only expect that any chance which

Cold, callous, and uncaring

Dear Editor,

THOSE eight miners at Lindo Creek, based on given accounts did indeed suffer a most brutal ending to their hard-working lives. Rightly described as a massacre, because of its multiple nature, a horrific ending, of a cruelty that is only surpassed by the perpetrators’ evil minds that fits the description of cruel, wanton killers.

Thus, one can understand and appreciate the painful emotions for their immediate families, as they suffer daily not only at the socio-economic consequences/loss that each murdered member would have caused his respective family; but in mentally re-living their loved ones’ horrible last moments, as they were brutally bludgeoned to their ghastly endings.

Editor, these family members and relatives have been living, daily pained and saddened lives for all these years, as evident from the most recent comments made, during observances for the 10th anniversary of the deaths of their slain family members.

But it is their comments about the callous and beastly treatment meted

out to them by the then PPP/C government that are interesting to note. Editor, I stand to be corrected when I say that based on accounts given, none of those families ever received a visit, from any member of the then PPP/C government, under whose watch the gruesome deed occurred. Compare the attention given to the surviving families at Lusignan, which was the right thing to do, and the subsequent predictable politicizing for all that it was worth, of that Lusignan Massacre, with its yearly observance. They, as a government, never mentioned about the Agricola Massacre, after its occurrence. Are not these victims also Guyanese?

The account of the funeral home proprietor of the police suddenly releasing the bodies for interment, without the courtesy of informing the families; and also deciding that all of the remains should be placed in one coffin, can only be described as the continuation of a calculated disrespect, and emotional abuse of the families. They were deserving of a decent burial, as any other citizen who had died.

How can persons who had suffered

such trauma, be made to undergo such emotional maltreatment at the hands of the state, and one of its service arms?

Where was the humanity from the government at that trying hour, and even after? It further begs the question, what qualified a Guyanese family collective for compassion from the government in existence, at that material time?

The Lindo Creek Massacre, and the state’s response to the families of the victims, and the refusal to initiate even an inquest into their deaths is instructive of the then government’s treatment of a particular section of this country’s population.

As a party and former administration, the PPP/C never cared. Since they were not then, how can they be now, or ever? We were outside the pale of their national consideration and responsibility, as bona fide citizens.

The cold-blooded treatment of the surviving families of the massacred victims is indeed indicative of the well-known PPP/C record of discrimination.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

presents itself will be made use of.

The natural gas find hearkens back to tales of minor fossil fuel discoveries as far flung as the Pomeroon River and Essequibo Coast. It will be unsurprising, perhaps, if Guyana turns out to have substantial onshore reserves of fossil fuels, given the many offshore finds and our long history of a wide variety of natural resource wealth.

Developing the expertise to fully make use of opportunities is of the greatest importance, so that Guyanese can best benefit from their rightful national inheritance.

Perhaps the Diamond geyser will be the first of many, many commercial onshore finds in the slowly but steadily taking off oil economy.

A veritable death trap Dear Sir, KINDLY allow me to draw attention of the concerned authorities through the columns of your newspaper to the horrendous condition of La Parfaite Harmonie access highway on the West Bank of Demerara.

This three-kilometre road was constructed at a cost of over $600 million in 2014 but started to deteriorate rapidly within a few months of being commissioned.

Thereafter, frequent and inadequate repairs to a seemingly unending plethora of potholes occurred every few weeks with new ones appearing within days of the old ones being remedied. This has continued in a wearisome loop for the last four years.

Regrettably, the situation that obtains now is one where this so-called ‘highway’ has no adequate drainage, no lights, a noticeable bend with no indicating signs, speed bumps, no reflectors and gaping holes, one of which spreads across the entire width of the road.

This combination undoubtedly makes this stretch of road a veritable death trap, especially at night. Are we prepared to wait until innocent lives are lost before something is done?

Is this acceptable value for the expenditure of our precious tax dollars? We deserve and demand better.

To this end, I hope that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will initiate expeditious steps to ensure that there is an immediate structural assessment of the integrity of roads in this area.

Yours sincerely, Edson Grenville Community activist

‘Comply with labour laws!’

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

– Minister Broomes to Oldendorff Carriers (Guyana) Inc.

MINISTER within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, and head of the task force set up by Cabinet to deal with the future of workers attached to subsidiaries of RUSAL in light of U.S.-imposed sanctions, has issued a stern warning to Oldendorff Carriers (Guyana) Inc. to comply with the country’s labour laws.

Broomes on Friday called upon the company to respect the laws of Guyana after General Manager of the company Ulf Henriksson in response to a request for a meeting between the Department of Labour and workers, as well as management of the company, asked Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle to outline where in the law his department has the legal mandate to visit any employer.

Henriksson was responding to a letter dispatched to Marlon Jaundoo, Senior Finance Manager of Oldendorff Carriers dated June 19, 2018, requesting a meeting between the Department of Labour, the workers and Oldendorff’s management. “…Please be informed that the Department of Labour is desirous of meeting with the management and staff of your organisation.

This meeting is with respect to deductions from the employees’ wages and their entitlement under the law,” the letter addressed to Jaundoo stated.

Ogle in his missive outlined that a ministerial task force was established to look into the welfare of workers employed by the company and noted that the taskforce

had agreed to meet with the workers, but was unsuccessful.

“Towards this end, the Ministry of Social Protection (Department of Labour) has the legal mandate to visit any employer who is desirous of meeting with management and the workers to iron out any area of misconception as regards benefits due to the said workers,” said Ogle, who indicated that the date and time for the said meeting were set for June 22, 2018 at 10:30hrs at Oldendorff Carriers.

The following day, General Manager of Oldendorff Carriers, Ulf Henriksson

with the legal mandate to visit any employer who is desirous of meeting with management and the workers to iron out any area of misconception as regards benefits due to the said workers.”

Additionally, the general manager expressed surprise about the deductions being made from employees’ wages and their entitlements under the law.

“As you will be well aware we have, during our entire presence in Guyana, lived up to our obligations and kept an open dialogue with the government. We therefore ask you to elaborate on the allegations. We trust

“Every employer shall grant his workers and their representatives every facility for communicating freely with the designated officer when on a visit of inspection,” Ogle stated, while indicating that failure to so comply can lead to criminal charges being instituted against the company.

As it relates to the deductions being made from workers’ wages, Ogle indicated to Henriksson that concerns were raised by the workers with respect to the Leave with Pay Act and the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. “Such issues can be de-

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, makes a point to Members of Parliament, Audwin Rutherford (second left) and Jermaine Figueira (left.) (Delano Williams photo) responded to the chief labour officer. In his missive, Henriksson acknowledged receipt of Ogle’s letter and noted his company’s continuous interest in dialogue with the ministry.

“Whilst we are always interested in a dialogue with the ministry, we kindly ask you to direct us to the law that provides the ministry

Veteran Trade Unionist, Lincoln Lewis. (Delano Williams photo)

you will understand that we cannot agree to the desired meeting this June 22, 2018, as we need to know the legal basis of your request and the details of the allegation, so that we can investigate thoroughly,” Henriksson stated in his response to Ogle.

It should be noted that on June 22, 2018, Ogle dispatched a letter to Henriksson outlining what section 30 of the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01 provides for. In that missive, Ogle stated that the Labour Department by virtue of the law is allowed to enter, inspect and examine any premises and every part in which there is reasonable cause to believe that labour is employed in the said premises at any hour of the day or night.

The chief labour officer said too that the Department of Labour has the right to carry out any inspection, test or enquiry which it may deem necessary in order to satisfy itself that the provisions of the law related to the employment of persons are being strictly observed.

termined by the production of your wages record and your holidays register at the scheduled meeting,” said the chief labour officer, who explained Oldendorff will be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations made by the employees.

However, on Friday when the taskforce met, Broomes reminded that it was the said company, one Friday earlier, that had sought to prevent the team from entering its premises and meeting with management and workers.

“I am heading this taskforce and I want to put these companies on notice that the rights of the people of this country will not be compromised,” said Broomes, who noted that it is in the best interest of the company to comply with the laws of Guyana, so that all parties emerge winners.

“This is disrespectful!” the minister declared, as her colleagues on the taskforce agreed. “I think the people at Oldendorff are very disrespectful,” Broomes added, while noting that the matter

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes (Delano Williams photo) is too serious for it to be pend on us; maybe if this ‘brushed under a carpet.’ taskforce was not formed, Veteran Trade Unionist we would have been having Lincoln Lewis, who also sits persons crying daily,” said on the taskforce, outlined the Rutherford. company’s behaviour over Both Rutherford and the years. Lewis indicated Figueira said the presentation to the taskforce that Olden- of workers’ records ought dorff has been over the years not to be a challenge in this displaying authority “where digital age. “This is 2018… they believe that they can we have to be able to verify carry out indentureship and the list of workers, their this serfdom that they can say deductions and the like,” what they want and do what Rutherford stated. they want.

At this point, Ogle noted “That has been the be- that he has since written the haviour,” he stated while not- Guyana Revenue Authority ing that the company must at (GRA) and the National Inall times communicate with surance Scheme (NIS) on the the Department of Labour in matter. He was instructed to writing obtain all information related Similarly, Member of to workers of the company.

Parliament Jermaine Figueira “We need all the inforreminded that the laws of mation about the company…

Guyana are paramount and as they cannot refuse to give such, workers’ rights must be you the information…the law respected in every regard by is the law!” said Broomes. employers.

Oldendorff had via telephone “They must respect our earlier this week promised laws,” Figueira declared, as Ogle to provide its workers’ his colleague Member of Par- details. liament, Audwin Rutherford “They said they would reminded that the coalition give me the list within the government had made sev- week, but up to late yestereral promises prior to the day afternoon [Thursday], 2015 general and regional I received nothing,” he told elections. the taskforce. The chief la“We have promised so bour officer was warned much pre-election and we against communicating with have been sluggish to deliver companies via telephone, as and we have got to under- everything must be docustand that the history was bad mented. under the past administration Friday’s taskforce in dealing with these com- meeting follows a visit to panies. This taskforce has Oldendorff’s New Amstercome at the right time and dam, Berbice office the we need to speed up things. previous week. The workLet these people understand ers were not present at that that they can’t tek dem eyes meeting and management pass people. of the company sought for “We have hundreds of the meeting to be postworkers out there who de- poned.

8

MAD DOGS AND FLYING BIRDS IN recent weeks, my attention has been drawn to threats by the leader of the opposition (LOO) about his intention to wage new and different methods of struggles in Guyana. From his pronouncements, it appears that the opposition leader wants to trade his diaper for guerrilla fatigues.

I have been in politics long enough to experience both the waves of revolutionary fervour and the ebbing tides of setbacks; and though those threats were intended to draw attention to him, I feel inclined to point out to the LOO that there are ugly pitfalls, including the social costs in an ethnically divided country, that could follow his wild talk.

BAD HOMBRES With the advent of the 1960s, a new term was used to describe corrupt and autocratic leaders in our Region.

They were referred to as “Gorillas”. Those were really “bad hombres”, as President Trump might have called them. In several countries in Latin America, bands of patriotic fighters had resorted to armed struggles against the Gorillas. Those fighters were heroically labelled, “Guerrillas”.

Most of us in the vanguard of the youth movement were fed on admiration for the guerrillas. We read books on guerrilla warfare, the most outstanding being the title by that name which was written

by Ernesto Che Guevara, just after the Cuban Revolution; and Robert Taber’s “The War of the Flea: A study of Guerrilla Warfare”.

I embraced Che, always, as my hero, and admired Camilo Torres, a Catholic priest who had become a guerrilla fighter in Colombia. I have been fortunate to meet during my travels a number of guerrilla fighters, including Madame Nguyen

Thi Binh of Vietnam, Sam Nujoma of Namibia, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, the now embattled Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Joe Slovo, chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe of South Africa.

I have learned from the latter that armed struggles were not intended to defeat the apartheid regime of South Africa; it was to win a place at the negotiating table.

Slovo was to emerge as the principal strategist and negotiator in talks that eventually brought Nelson Mandela to office.

REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE The idea of revolutionary warfare has been a feature of left-wing political struggles in Guyana. And it invariably coexisted with conventional “Westminster” politics during the post-independence period.

I had lived through the difficult period of rigged elections (1968-85), during which time the PPP had opted to pursue “all forms of struggle” – parliamentary and non-parliamentary, legal and non-legal. The combination of forms of struggle had resulted, at the political level, in non-cooperation and civil disobedience, demonstrations, boycotts, picketing and other kinds of protests. At the industrial level, there were strikes and sabotage.

Those methods of struggle were interspersed with phases of political cooperation (PPP’s critical support), calls for a Government of National Reconstruction and National Unity (WPA); and National Patriotic Front/ Government (PPP). There were also limited engagements that gave way to “talks” about a coalition government, principally between the PPP and the PNC, and then to a new political culture that was based on routine and

structured dialogue, consultation and inclusivity.

PRECIPICE OF CONFRONTATION Guyana had moved away from the precipice of violent confrontation with the holding in 1992 of elections that were free and fair, free from fear, and that were transparent and credible. Since then, seldom were there calls for extra-parliamentary struggle or new forms of struggle, though there were sporadic boycotts, walkouts and disruptions of sittings in the National Assembly. The opposition routinely resorted to the courts, but never advocated extra-judicial or non-parliamentary struggles.

That was the status quo even when the post-Jagan PPP was in government, although there were plenty reasons for a switch to non-conventional politics against entrenchment of corrupt practices and the descent to one-man, authoritarian methods of rule. A death squad had been running amok and politicians were in bed with drug lords under a PPP administration that had assumed the image of a gorilla outfit.

Between 2011 and 2014, that gorilla regime was spending state revenues without the approval of parliament. It was practising blatant nepotism and cronyism. State assets such as the Sanata Textile complex were hived off to friends. So too were state lands, tax con-

cessions, radio and television licences.

The PPP regime had stacked up a thick pile of indictments for criminal conduct, including:● Non-payment of public monies into the Consolidated Fund; ● Lack of transparency over the Marriott hotel project, ● Questions over sale of land to Ed Ahmad and the award of the Amaila road contract to ‘Fip’ Motilall; ● Shady NIS investment in the Berbice Bridge Company Inc., ● Use of Geology and Mines Commission funds on interior roads with little or no accountability; ● improper use of state funds on a posh, private housing development at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, known as Pradoville 2, for the political elite; ● Increase in salary for the then President by 500% with a juicy pension package; ● Lavish travel and medical expenses for the political elite, including air fares and allowances, non-refundable “contingencies”, of which a whopping $140 million was expended on the President.

There have been credible reasons for resort during 2011-2015 to non-conventional methods of struggle against a regime that had lost its legitimacy. But the Alliance For Change (AFC) instead continued its call for transparency in government by demanding the establishment of a public procurement

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

commission. The five-party opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), was calling for local government elections, last held in 1994.

David Granger, a retired army leader, was hoisting not a gun, but a placard on the picket line.

BALLOTS NOT BULLETS The Ramotar-Jagdeo minority regime eventually crumbled under the weight of its own illegitimacy on November 10, 2014, when the PPP prorogued Parliament.

Having stripped itself of its protective parliamentary armour, It exposed itself as a Gorilla Regime – using extra-parliamentary methods of rule – until new elections were called on May 11, 2015.

The PPP fell peacefully, silently. The ballots, not bullets, had triumphed.

So, I find rather interesting the loose talk by the opposition leader of different forms of struggle, based not on what Marxists would insist should be a concrete analysis of the concrete situation, but on the figment of a colourful imagination that the next elections would be rigged.

The LOO, though inexperienced, would know that rigged elections alone would not ipso facto create the objective conditions for the emergence of a revolutionary situation. It would require the incubation of the subjective factors, the so-called insurrectionary core, in a cradle

Teen moms for vocational schools in September IN just the first quarter of 2018, the Ministry of Education’s School Health Nutrition and HIV Unit has assisted some 200 teen mothers with care packages needed to support themselves and their babies.

Of this 200, approximately 95 percent have expressed their interest in being enrolled in a vocational institution to continue their

education.

This is an option being promoted in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health for teen mothers who are out of school, already delivered their babies and have completed six months of breast-feeding.

The initiative is dubbed the Care Packages HIV Reintegration Programme and has been ongoing for some three

years now.

It seeks not only to assist the teens with basic needs, but encourages risk- reduction practices and promotes reintegration options which are advertised during visits to adolescent support groups at various health centres.

Head of the School Health, Nutrition and HIV/ AIDS Unit, Janelle Sweatnam, explained: “It’s not

for persons who are HIV positive, but we try to reduce persons’ risk of contracting HIV because when they’re pregnant and they’re young, they’re susceptible of putting themselves out there and contracting infections,” she said. “When I share out the packages at the health centre, I usually speak to the mothers about our reintegration options, whereby they

can go back to school and if they’re not interested in the mainstream school, they can go to a vocation institute,” she added.

The unit has already compiled a list of young women seeking to re-enter the education system and has plans to fund this venture come September.

Meanwhile, the packages include baby pampers, ma-

of racist incitement to groom them for deployment as an emotional weapon in “other forms” of struggle.

GUYANA PULLED BACK For all our history of conflicts, Guyanese can hold themselves up to the world that they have avoided open, violent confrontation. There were occasions when Guyana had pulled back from the precipice of civil war. We have built our civilisation on a promise that we could survive peacefully as a united people.

I can understand the impatience of the leader of the opposition, who would experience a dramatic mood swing by Tuesday when the Caribbean Court of Justice rules on his third presidential term bid. Despair may turn into desperation, but for other reasons, as the PPP would sooner be locked in a new cycle of internal battle over leadership between the “spent” Jaganite old guards and the opportunistic Jagdeoites.

This would happen at a time when an interesting trend is emerging from recent elections in Amerindian villages, where voters were breaking free and flying away from party alignment and entrapment. Threats about “new forms of struggle” would not stop the desertion from the opposition camp. As old people say: “only mad dogs bark at flying birds”! ternity pads, baby clothing, wipes, towels and more.

It seeks to put an end to the cycle whereby teen mothers develop Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV due to their dependency on several men to support them with basic necessities.

Statistics show that Guyana has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Caribbean and South America of girls between 15 and 19 years old.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Draft Green State Strategy by September – public consultations to be intensified

By Svetlana Marshal THE Department of Environment will be intensifying public consultations on the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) in an effort to meet its revised deadline – September 2018.

Initially, the draft for the national development plan was expected to be completed this month (June 2018), but a new deadline has been set for submission to Cabinet. The strategy is intended to provide a foundation for an inclusive green economy and simultaneously guide Guyana’s socio-cultural development.

At a recent GSDS Media Engagement at the Herdmanston Lodge hosted by the Department of Environment in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Guianas and Conservation International (CI) Guyana, WWF-Guianas Country Manager Aiesha Williams said extensive consultations have been conducted in coastal regions, and as such, during this last leg of consultation – spanning a period of two months – major focus will be placed on the hinterland Regions – One, Two, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10.

The consultations are being complemented by

green conversations on the importance of an inclusive green economy.

Aside from the public consultations and conversations, there are seven expert groups focusing on the seven thematic areas the strategy is expected to cover. These thematic areas are Green and Inclusive Structural Transformation; Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Expansion of Environmental Services; Energy; Resilient Infrastructure and Spatial Development; Human Development and Well-being; Governance and Institutional Pillars; and International Cooperation, Trade and Investment.

Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers, said while Guyana has an abundance of natural resources, it has not been able to maximise those resources in efficient and effective manner to reach its full potential.

“The Green State Development Strategy is a step in the right direction as it represents the vision and the expression of the ambition of the people of this country for a prosperous future in a sustainable environment,” Schwiers said, while warning against continued reliance on the country’s traditional sectors.

THE THREE DIMENSIONS She noted that the strategy, when completed, will offer an approach to development based on the principles of the Green Economy, which focuses on the three dimensions of sustainable development – improving human well-being and social equity; reduction in environmental risks; and economic development.

The framework of the Green State Development Strategy is providing guidance for elaboration of the key sectoral and thematic priorities of the strategy.

Notably, the framework is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, serving as a tripod platform for economic, social and environmental safeguards. These safeguards, during development of the GSDS, are to ensure a sustainable and fair transition to inclusive green growth and a better quality of life for all Guyanese.

“In parallel with the on-going nationwide consultations, three economic modelling assessments are being undertaken in the areas of – green economy policy, just transition and decent work conditions and green industry,” the director of the Department of Envi-

AFC to continue negotiations with APNU on contesting LG polls AT its third quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) on Saturday, the Alliance for Change (AFC) decided that it will continue negotiations with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with respect to contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

“The Party, having already commenced its Local Government Elections campaign, has started with the identification of candidates in each Municipality and Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

“The negotiations with Coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with regard to contesting the LGE on a joint

platform will continue,” the party said in a statement to the media.

Earlier in the year, the AFC agreed to contest the much anticipated elections with its coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The top brass of the parties are expected to meet to discuss matters relating to the elections.

According to the statement, Saturday’s meeting held in the indigenous benab at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Georgetown was described “a successful National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.”

“The meeting mapped out a pre-campaign plan of action and the broad outlines of strategic plans for the campaigns

in each of the nine administrative regions in which the LGE will be contested. The processes for identifying candidates, issues of concerns to citizens, campaign structure, methodologies, organization and funding and other matters were discussed and decisions taken,” the statement noted.

Members of the NEC from the 10 Administrative Regions and across the diaspora participated in the discourse which started around 09:00hrs and ended about 16:30hrs.

The NEC will reconvene on July 28, 2018 to further advance the LGE campaign and take further strategic decisions, the statement added.

Director of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers

Project Manager of the GSDS Coordination Office, Deirdre Shurland

ronment further explained.

Schwiers said the media have a key role to play in the dissemination of information on the strategy and its development.

“We recognise your role as an important stakeholder group to inform, educate, enlighten and facilitate civil discourses that are essential to this process and to Guyanese society as a whole,” she told media operatives present.

Weighing in on the strategy, Project Manager of the GSDS Coordination Office, Deirdre Shurland said it is expected to focus, in addition to other key sectors, on energy and infrastructure.

However, she said Guyana would not be truly transformed and development if major emphasis is not placed on people.

“A big part of the Green State Development Strategy is about human devel-

opment and well-being, and making sure that over the two decades, which is the horizon of the GSDS that we reduced the current disparities that exist between the coastal regions of Guyana and the hinterland regions of Guyana, that we provide equitable benefits accessible to Guyanese populations,” Shurland explained.

Meanwhile, CI Vice-President, Dr. David Singh said CI, which has a strong history of working with Indigenous communities as well as policy-makers, is working along with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to complete the Sustainable Villages Policy.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine is also benefitting from CI’s expertise in the development of a Regional Development Plan in line with the principles of the GSDS.

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By Elson Low

THIS week, an interesting question about national vision came up, and the yearning for a vision like Forbes Burnham’s was central to this. It struck me in the course of the conversation how little we talk about ideology locally, and as a result, how little we appreciate its impact on our lives and certainly on our history. Both Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan were intelligent, studied men with a keen awareness of the struggles of their time. How could they not be, champions of independence that they were? But do we take this awareness seriously?

Communism is often associated with Jagan and socialism Burnham, but I want to clarify a core common

element between these ideologies and thus the thinking of our founding fathers. As a result of not taking the roots of these ideologies seriously, I worry that Guyanese are not able to see how likely it is that if the roles were reversed and Jagan had come to power, we would have followed the same type of policies that led to our current relatively limited level of economic development.

It is common tradition to blame race relations for national failures and indeed this has been a long-standing drag on progress. But what this masks is that it hasn’t really mattered the colour of your skin -- our most senior Guyanese leaders have had a consistent policy approach.

This approach has had very few successes international-

ly, from the Soviet Union’s famines under communism to China’s poor economic performance before allowing private enterprise. Needless to say, the people of these countries are of different races, yet both states performed poorly in the long run.

What, then, is this toxic notion that keeps dragging economies down, subduing bright development prospects such as Guyana, and turning us against each other? That notion is simple: private ownership of the means of production. Karl Marx, the champion of communism, whose ideas also informed socialism, helped birth a worldview hostile to the private ownership of production, the bedrock of capitalism. Those who have read the communist

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Smash Right Through manifesto will easily note the bitter hatred expressed for capitalists. It is true that capitalists can visit grave ills on society, but hatred is a strong word, leading to strong actions.

We almost never acknowledge that fundamentally both Jagan and Burnham had a big philosophical issue with private ownership.

Maybe this was a legacy of their colonial experience, as it was for many newly independent countries, but one way or another this made them hostile to the types of free-market policies that could have moved our country perpetually forward.

It is hard to hear Guyanese criticise capitalism, and then cite Singapore as a model for development, when that nation was long run by a businessman pursuing free-market policies.

This makes me think that those putting forward such criticisms, advocating strongly for state ownership, simply don’t understand in any kind of depth the ideologies they propose. If they really did, then Cuba should

be our model for development and no one should ever mention Singapore. I am not going to say there is nothing worthwhile in the Cuban model of development, as surely there is, but I suspect that Guyanese have always thought that our country would [elson.low1]end up like Singapore, that this is where our founding leaders were taking us. The alternate direction in which we were being taken certainly has its own merits, but the view that we were going to end up like Singapore just wasn’t accurate.

So where does that leave us? What that original discussion showed me is that Guyanese are in the awkward position of not being able to look back for models of development, while not being totally comfortable with the alternative, which is robust capitalism. Perhaps, then, we should pursue the Nordic model, where high taxation and social policies reign.

But can we sustainably pull that off? Not only is our population far more diverse, which provides challenges

to development, our level of education is right at the bottom, with the highest level of brain drain worldwide, whereas they have some of the highest levels of educational attainment. Nordic model? Questionable at best.

No, we must take a hard look at ourselves, shed the ideological goggles of the past and try to find some clarity. Far from producing car batteries, prolonging public ownership of GUYSUCO and other hardly profitable ventures, we need to think strategically. Where Barbados has beaches we have vast lands to mine. Where Trinidad and Tobago had only oil we have oil plus investment opportunities in that same interior region.

We are no T and T, we are no Barbados. Investment in opening up the interior, facilitating private enterprise, will yield long-term growth. Guyana’s ceiling is far, far higher than theirs.

Oil is a hammer, my fellow Guyanese, and we are going to use it to smash right through that ceiling.

IICA: Family farming should be part of the national agriculture development framework THE Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) has reported that the characteristics of Family Farming (FF) in Guyana are sufficiently strong to stimulate interest in pursuing this segment of the agricultural sector as an integral part of the national agricultural development framework.

This position was disclosed as a key finding of a study entitled Characterization of Family Farms in the Caribbean: A Study of Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines done by IICA in 2017.

The occasion of the disclosure was a workshop hosted by the Institute at Regency Suites /Hotel Thursday last in support of the ongoing global effort to raise the profile of and support for family farming.

The workshop also served as a platform and opportunity for personnel involved in the conduct and leadership of Guyana’s agriculture, to validate the IICA study and suggest ways forward in obtaining the kind of data on Family Farming locally which can inform decision makers on policy responses and development interven-

tions.

In its preamble the report stated: “This initiative in family agriculture is one of IICA’s Flagship Projects. It is hoped that the information supplied would bear fruit in new policy perspectives for family farming in the region.”

Participants at the workshop included representatives from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Guyana; Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), National Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Partners of the Americas (Guyana Chapter), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the University of Guyana among others.

In a feature address Min-

ister of Agriculture Hon. Noel Holder told the participants that his Ministry recognizes the significant number of family farmers within the local agriculture sector and has through its agencies been supporting them through technical advice, introduction of appropriate technologies, improving access to water and markets and strengthening their small holder associations and cooperatives.

He said that the workshop was timely since it supported the development policies conducive to sustainable FF, such as increased knowledge and public awareness and permitting stakeholders to better understand family farming needs, potentials and constraints while creating synergies for sustainability.

Some of the participants of the workshop

IICA representative Mr. Wilmot Garnett hands over to Minister Holder a copy of the IICA report. At right and left are IICA’s Mr Arnold Mendonca, and Dr Richard Blair, presenter and chairperson of the workshop respectively

He opined that the bottom line for this segment of the agriculture sector is whether it exhibits sufficiently distinct characteristics which are likely to offer greater positive impact on employment, poverty, malnutrition and other agricultural development objectives.

He said: “I hope this bottom line issue is brought to the forefront and widely discussed with consensus from

all participants.”

IICA’s local representative in Guyana Mr. Wilmot Garnett said that use of a validated IICA document on FF in the Caribbean will promote a new generation of differentiated public policies for family farms, including actions to promote innovation; to strengthen the links between small-scale and family farmers and agricultural chains, as well as the

participation of women and youth in agriculture and succession planning for future generations.

He expressed hope that all stakeholders find the study useful in supporting viable ideas for interventions towards strengthening the capacity of Family Farming to enhance entrepreneurial operations and its contributions to national agricultural development.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

(Minister within the Ministry of Public Health)

Smoking Kills. Quit Smoking Today!

ONE of the most harmful human actions is smoking. Tobacco smoke is extremely dangerous to human beings when inhaled.

Note that smoking tobacco is one of the primary causes of a number of debilitating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) within the world, some of which have fatal consequences.

For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the term non-communicable disease (or NCD as it is often referred to the medical field), NCDs are also known as chronic diseases that are not passed from person to person. They are of long duration and generally slow progression. The four main types of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes. Therefore, it is imperative that the Ministry of Public Health in addressing the prevalence of NCDs in Guyana, implements stringent anti-smoking mechanisms in a sustainable manner that can help save many Guyanese lives.

TOBACCO USE AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES By 2030, NCDs will account for 75 percent of deaths, globally.

NCDs are not predominantly diseases of the affluent world as some are misguidedly led to believe, but rather 80 percent of NCDs occur in low and middle-income countries such as Guyana. Tobacco use is the single greatest preventable cause of NCDs. One of the astonishing things about tobacco is the number and variety of fatal and disabling diseases and conditions it causes. For

example: ● Tobacco causes at least 16 different types of cancer.

It is most closely associated with lung cancer, the world’s leading cause of cancer deaths. Lung cancer accounts for nearly one in five cancer deaths. Tobacco use is known to cause several cancers of the throat and oral cavity, as well as cancer in diverse sites, such as the bladder, kidney, stomach, and uterine cervix. ● Smokeless tobacco causes oral and other cancers, hypertension, and heart disease. ● Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by two to four times. ● Smoking causes chronic lung diseases that can be severely disabling or fatal, increasing the risk of death 12 times. ● Smoking is an independent risk factor for diabetes. Diabetics who smoke have an increased risk of death and of complications associated with diabetes, such as amputations and problems with vision. ● Smoking during pregnancy is associated with a number of conditions that are hazardous to the health of both mother and child, including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, pre-term delivery, low birth rate, and sudden infant death syndrome. ● Women who smoke during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes and increase the risk of their child developing diabetes later in life.

Tobacco use is the number one risk factor common to the main groups of NCDs. Accelerated implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is an essential way to tackle NCDs and save lives. In

Guyana, we have passed our very own Tobacco Control Bill 2017. This Bill is a vital and life-saving piece of legislation that will most certainly preserve and save the lives of many of our Guyanese brothers and sisters. However, persons must play a more direct role in reducing their tobacco use. Essential to the reduction of tobacco use is behavioural change.

QUITTING SMOKING: A PERSONAL DECISION While having tobacco legislation in place works well for tobacco control in an overarching way, persons however must make a conscious decision not to smoke. Here are a few pointers that can help you who may be struggling to quit smoking.

START YOUR QUIT-SMOKING PLAN WITH THIS START GUIDE S = Set a quit date.

Choose a date within the next two weeks when you will begin to commence a smoke-free life, so you can have enough time to prepare without losing your motivation to quit. If you mainly smoke at work, quit on the weekend, so you have a few days to adjust to the change.

Remember quitting must be done incrementally in a consistent manner for it to be effective.

T = Tell family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit.

Let your friends and family in on your plan to quit smoking and tell them you need their support and encouragement to stop.

Look for a quit buddy or sister who wants to stop smoking as well. You can help each other get through the rough times.

A = Anticipate and

plan for the challenges you may face while quitting.

The literature states that most people who begin smoking again do so within the first three months of attempting to quit. You can help yourself make it through by preparing ahead for common challenges, such as nicotine withdrawal and cigarette cravings.

Write down how you plan to deal with the withdrawal symptoms and stick to your plan.

R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work.

Throw away all of your cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, and matches. Wash your clothes and freshen up anything that smells like cigarette smoke. Clean your car (steam-clean the inside), clean your drapes and carpet, and clean your furniture. Try to avoid visiting places where persons are allowed to smoke.

T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.

Your doctor can prescribe medication to help with withdrawal symptoms.

If you cannot see a doctor, you can get many products over the counter at your local pharmacy, including nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum. It is advisable though that you see a doctor to help you.

Smoking tobacco is both a physical addiction as well as a psychological habit.

The nicotine from cigarettes provides a temporary but very addictive high. Eliminating that regular fix of nicotine causes your body to experience physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Because of nicotine’s “feel good” effect on the brain, many persons smoke as a way of coping with stress, depression, anxiety, or even boredom. Quitting means finding different, healthier ways to cope with those feelings.

Smoking is also ingrained as a daily ritual.

It may be an automatic response for you to smoke a cigarette with your morning coffee, while taking a break at work or school, or on your commute home at the end of a hectic day. Or, maybe your friends, family, or colleagues smoke, and it has become part of the way you relate with them. These are some of the ways that smoking becomes embedded in your lives. Removing this habit takes unswerving effort and personal commitment.

To successfully stop smoking, you will need to address both the addiction and the habits and routines that go along with it.

But it can be done. With the right support and quit plan, any smoker can kick the addiction, permanently – even if you have tried and failed multiple times before. Continue trying to quit. Never stop trying to quit smoking, because SMOKING KILLS!

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Understanding Energy...

Sovereign Wealth Funds FIRST oil is coming in 2020, and with it comes a new set of responsibilities, risks, and opportunities for the government and its people. It is more important than ever to think carefully about what to do with the revenues from that oil. In the past, this column has looked at the schools Guyana could build, as well as the roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure. But good examples of revenue management show us that it’s not just about how you spend it—it’s also about how you save it.

Most readers will know the term sovereign wealth fund (SWF) by now. It’s the political topic of the moment and new legislation is being debated on how best

to set one up. The concept is simple: SWFs are a way for countries to save revenues from resource production, invest them for the future, and provide a safety net for government budget and the economy in case oil prices drop or reserves are depleted.

But SWFs are a complex and flexible tool for financial management that must be set up and governed carefully. Thankfully, nearly every prominent international organization from the Commonwealth Secretariat to the International Monetary Fund has guidelines for SWFs, based on what has been done right and wrong by other oil and mineral extracting countries like Norway, the United Arab Emirates, and Kazakhstan.

The basic guidelines are simple and largely universal across all advice: a SWF needs to be transparent, integrated into the budget framework, insulated from politics, and managed with clear and specific goals in mind. We will explore each of those principles in depth.

Transparency is always important and with SWFs, the key is to have clear rules. Rules should govern how funds are invested, what agencies or people can withdraw funds, disclosure requirements to ensure that all actions taken with the fund are publicly known, and that costs, budgets, and investment income are all accurately reported.

Integration into the budget frame work can be more complicated but makes in-

tuitive sense—any spending of investment revenues should be through the normal government budgeting process. SWF directors should not be able to spend SWF money on their own pet projects or through a “parallel” process. Checks and balances in parliamentary budgeting exist for a reason, and they should apply to SWF monies too.

The same goes for spending. Once critical immediate needs are addressed, governments should avoid spending the revenues themselves and spend only the interest earned on investments instead. This practice has helped build Norway’s SWF to more than $1 trillion USD. Insulation from politics is among the most critical issues. SWFs are a way to save vast wealth for future generations and make smart, stable and long-term investments. That decision-making process should not be tainted by politicians using funds to grant favours or solve short term problems.

The IMF and Commonwealth recommend that a SWF be under the supervision of a non-political central bank, like the Bank

of Guyana.

Finally, it is important to establish a SWF with clear and specific goals in mind.

A SWF is always used to save wealth for future generations but it can also have other goals. It can be used to build up other industries outside of oil to diversify the economy, invest in infrastructure, education, or healthcare, cushion the economy and the government budget against price shocks in the oil market, tackle poverty or environmental issues and more.

The IMF recommends following the Norwegian model—splitting an SWF into two funds with different goals. One fund could prioritize safe long-term investments outside the country and make sure future generations of Guyanese will enjoy the benefits of these funds long into the future... Another fund could try to address short term needs like new hospitals, schools, roads and bridges.

Part of the fund could also be invested specifically in supporting promising Guyanese businesses and critical industries, like funds in the United Arab Emirates have done successfully for decades.

The rules for these investments are simple. Is this project a cost-effective way to help future generations without committing future revenues? Think about a new bridge. For decades to come that one-time investment will help the economy and people in that area.

Even if reserves are depleted or oil prices drop, you still have that bridge which requires only minimal ongoing maintenance costs.

Contrast that with a new welfare program that hands out cash or provides pensions. The government commits to pay a certain amount each year, but what if oil prices drop? Then the SWF will start to get depleted and income from investments will spiral down.

Oil is a commodity with an always changing price and a good SWF softens those shocks rather than making promises it will then struggle to keep. These SWF guidelines will have to be adapted to Guyana’s unique needs, but each of them represents a key building block for a fund that safeguards wealth, prevents corruption, and improves the lives of Guyanese in a meaningful way far into the future.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

‘Potluck’ lends a helping hand

By Michel Outridge WHEN Stefan Hutson saw the genuine need of some people for food while he was an intern attached to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) last year, he knew he had to do something, and something he did. He started a non-governmental organisation (NGO) named ‘Potluck’ with a group of volunteers and co-founder Navina Paul, who would do a weekly feeding programme and a monthly medical outreach.

Hutson told the Guyana Chronicle that when he was at GPHC, every Sunday they would prepare a meal of whatever he had and distribute to the needy and within minutes 15-20 boxes of food would be gone.

Now, the 27-year-old is a teacher at the University of Guyana (UG), and has even gained the support of students, who would pitch in from time to time to lend a helping hand in the feeding programme and medical outreach.

Dr. Hutson said all the cooking is usually done out

Potluck Founder and Co-Founder,Drs Stefan Hutson and Navina Paul respectively

of his apartment in Forshaw Street, Queenstown in which 25-30 volunteers assist him in a weekly feeding programme and their monthly medical outreach at the East La Penitence Night Shelter.

He related that he started the feeding programme last June and will continue in this stride however, he can.

Every week, on Sundays, Hutson said he would also distribute clothing, food and condoms to the less fortunate in the city.

He explained that they make do with whatever donations are given to the group

(Potluck) and they also provide the necessary to cook a pot of cook-up rice and hand out to mostly the homeless and those in need of a hot meal.

Dr. Hutson said, “We plan to do this as long as we can and we are trying to embark on a youth empowerment programme since mostly youths are a part of the group.”

Apart from the feeding programme and the medical outreach, he noted that they also provide groceries to several single mothers on a monthly basis whenever

they can.

Hutson is contending that they can be able to do more in the near future but as is they are using what they have to enhance the lives of others in a tangible way.

This enterprising young man is passionate about assisting others and hopes to get more support for his organisation Potluck in an effort to continue to feed the needy. Hutson said Potluck is a non-profit organisation which endeavoured to help vulnerable groups in Guyana, which includes homeless persons, single parent families and young people.

He noted that they had recognised that some of the major problems faced by homeless persons and some of the other vulnerable groups are: access to food, health services - including aid for drug addiction and mental health issues, the need for clothing and basic hygiene products and ultimately the need for

education/skills training and job placement which are crucial for reintegration into functional society.

Dr. Hutson told the Guyana Chronicle that the challenge of homelessness and all of its causes and exacerbating factors is a complex problem that can only be solved with the input of multiple stakeholders, including the homeless population itself.

He said, “We are always eager to engage with others and accept help in whatever forms are available with hopes of being a conduit for help to this marginalised population.”

The literal meaning of potluck is “whatever happens to be available especially when offered to an unexpected guest or when brought by guests and shared by all”.

Potluck’s goal is to bring together highly talented individuals who can collectively brainstorm these issues and come up with effective and

sustainable ideas to tackle them. The group believes that everyone has some skill or talent that he or she can bring to the table to make better, the lives of others.

Potluck seeks to provide meals, clothing, hygiene items, medical services and products to persons who are less fortunate and homeless in Guyana.

The medical services they provide are meant to complement the work of existing health providers in the country, with current and future referral systems in place for complex problems, including drug abuse and mental illness.

Potluck also provides training for the development of skills and empowerment opportunities for vulnerable groups, including youth, in hopes of addressing poverty at one of its primary roots – civic engagement, access to education and skills training.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Man accused of stealing Man charged with damage items worth $450,000 to property and assault

A 39-YEAR-OLD man appeared in the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after being charged with breaking and entering and larceny.

It is alleged that David Crossman of Christianburg, Wismar, Linden broke and entered the dwelling house of Kenesha Samuels and stole one gas cylinder valued $20,000; one microwave oven valued $40000;

one toaster valued $50,000; one IPad valued $30,000; one pair of gold earrings valued $70,000; one computer bag valued $5,000, one pair of sneakers valued $30,000; two bottles of wine valued $10,000 and two bottles of perfume valued $40,000…totaling $450,000.

Crossman pleaded not guilty to the charge.

While giving his state-

ment, Crossman noted that he was at a friend’s house when the police arrived and asked for the owner.

However, Crossman was the one arrested by the police.

Crossman questioned why he was the only one being arrested when there were other persons at that house.

The matter is adjourned for decision on July 10, 2018 by Magistrate Clive Nurse.

A 54-YEAR OLD man of South Road, Georgetown reappeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse on Thursday after he was charged with damage to property and assault.

The man in question, Grenville Gill, also has three other pending matters in the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on May 31, 2018 at Silver Hill, Linden, Gill unlawfully and maliciously damaged one cellular phone valued $20,000, a movable property of private nature, property of Paul D’Oliveira.

It is also alleged that Gill on May 31, 2018 at Silver

Hill, Linden, unlawfully assaulted D’Oliveira.

The businessman pleaded not guilty to both charges and was placed on $20,000 bail for each charge by Magistrate Clive Nurse.

However, Gill pleaded with the Magistrate to reduce bail since he was a businessman and had installments to pay in Georgetown.

The plea was denied and the defendant was further remanded to prison by Magistrate Clive Nurse.

Gill previously appeared in court facing three charges for which he was remanded.

The court heard that Gill on May 31, 2018 at Silver

Hill Linden in the Upper Demerara River, allegedly unlawfully and maliciously wounded Zena Kissoon.

Gill also faced the charge of allegedly using threatening language to Kissoon whereby a breach of peace was occasioned on May 31, 2018 at Silver Hill, Linden.

It is also alleged that on May 31, 2018 at Silver Hill Linden, Gill used threatening language to Grace Prescod.

Gill pleaded not guilty to all three charges and was remanded to prison after he failed to pay the bail of $50,000.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Bear with us, it’ll soon be over – Min Hughes urges in face of unstable Internet, telephone services MINISTER of Telecommunications Cathy Hughes on Friday asked that consumers bear a bit, as her ministry is working around the clock to free up the provision of telephone services here.

“We are currently trying to end the monopoly and get out of the contract the Government of Guyana has with GT&T,” she said.

“Those proceedings are going very well, although they are going very slow; and I have been battling with that since December 2016.

And I am happy to say that

December 2018 is not going to catch us,” she told members of the Berbice private sector during an impromptu meeting with them.

Minister Hughes’ comments came after concerns were raised by the private sector about the abysmal quality of Internet and landline services they’re being provided.

The meeting, which was facilitated by the Office of the Prime Minister representative in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) Gobin Harbhajan, was held at the Nand Persaud International

Communications (NPIC) call centre in Tain, and saw among those in attendance several representatives from the Central and Upper Corentyne Chambers of Commerce as well as representatives from the IT Centre at the University of Guyana.

Acknowledging that 90% of the complaints her ministry receives are about the instability of both the telephone and Internet services, Minister Hughes assured those present at the meeting that they’ve already begun putting measures in place to

A section of the gathering at the meeting

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes fielding questions from the private sector. Seated at left is the PM’s representative in Region 6, Gobin Harbhajan

remedy the situation.

“We recognise we have to change the landscape, and I would like to say and reassure you that we are about 80% complete,” she said, adding: “And by that I mean by that GTT has always had a monopoly; legally, nobody else can come into the market to provide the service.

“Digicel was allowed to provide service in the mobile cell-phone area, and so what we had to do was write new legislation to the parliament and we passed that legislation.”

Conceding that the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company has played an im-

portant role in Guyana’s development, Minister Hughes said there should also be equal opportunities for other partners and companies to come into the telecommunication landscape, as this will allow for more options to choose from.

“I think only when we have competition are we going to be able to ensure that the quality of the service increases,” she said.

In light of the coming telecommunications reforms, she is urging the private sector to try and cash in early on the opportunities that would soon become available.

She is particularly encouraging that they get into

the call-centre business, which has the potential to employ several hundreds persons readily as there would no longer be the issue of bandwidth redundancy, which has been a deterrent for many investors who are sending their businesses to the Philippines.

She is also urging the average person to make ample use of technology in their everyday lives, especially their jobs, so that they can improve themselves and their marketability.

Minister Hughes said the Ministry of Communications has already engaged the Caribbean Communications Union, the representatives of which will be coming to Guyana between the July 9 to 13 to hold several community interventions, where at least one of the days will be in Berbice.

The team is expected to show what the other possibilities are for the various sectors with the use of technology, especially in the field of agriculture.

On that note, the minister encouraged the youths in the region to help the older generation to make use of the technology that is available, and be there to show and guide them along the way.

The discussion is on!

– ministerial team meets with mining sector SEVERAL ministers today met with key players in the mining sector to address some of their concerns, in what is expected to become a twice-yearly consultation.

The consultation, facilitated by the Ministry of Natural Resources, included Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin along with junior Minister of Natural

Resources Simona Broomes.

They met with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), the Guyana Women Miners Association (GWMA), the Small Miners Association(SMA) and mining syndicates among others at the Marriot Hotel, Kingston.

Trotman said the consultation was the highest level of engagement between the government and the sector.

“The discussion is on! Let us have frank and open discussions and work with each other. We are not here to

shut mining down,” Minister Trotman assured the stakeholders.

“You have left me with much to think about. Do we see you just as a business, or do we see you as part of the developmental pillars?

Which is certainly what we think you are,” he asked.

The issues raised ranged from crime and security, trafficking in persons, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and concessions among others.

Minister Trotman said one of the objectives of the consul-

tation was for the stakeholders to “hear from us as well about what we can expect of them and we can hear from them likewise.” He was confident that the parties were satisfied with the meeting.

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes said miners have been suffering for several decades. While the administration has been in office for just three years, many “baggage is being pelt around.”

“Today is not the only

Officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Guyana Gold Board at the forum

time you have seen the government’s efforts and attention. We have said publicly that we acknowledge your contribution and how important a sector it is,” she told the stakeholders.

She said the government has been pushing policies and initiatives to cushion

the industry. The ministers candidly addressed many of the issues, explaining the steps being taken in the respective ministries to tackle them. Minister Trotman said his ministry will be holding a second such consultation in November this year.

The ministerial team

President of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation, Urica Primus makes a point at the forum

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Kitty Market can be partially opened – but Market Committee dragging feet THE Markets and Public Health Committee, which is expected to make important decisions regarding the Kitty Market, including coming up with a new fee structure, is holding up the partial opening of the market.

Guyana Chronicle understands that the delay in opening no longer has to do with funds, but authorities simply have to meet and make certain decisions regarding the way forward.

Assistant City Engineer, Rasheed Kellman told this publication in an interview, a few days ago, that the contractor has completed

all of the external stalls on the ground floor and the two sanitary blocks.

At the moment, at least a partial opening of the market can be facilitated in that it is possible for the vendors who are temporarily plying their trade along Alexander Street to move into the market. The revenue collection and rates and taxes offices have also been completed.

“But the Markets and Public Health Committee has to meet. You cannot put people in a well-refurbished stall and allow them to pay the old fees. That has to be properly decided and the committee has to bring it to

full council,” Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis explained.

She noted that among the hiccups was the fact that the said committee chairman, Councillor Lionel Jaikarran, resigned recently.

A new chairman is still to be picked.

Lewis said a meeting will be held on Monday and that she was sure the issue would come up for discussion.

Just recently, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green requested that Town Clerk Royston King accompany her on a site visit to the Kitty Market, which she had hoped would

have been opened in time for Independence Day. She said she wanted to go on the ground to find out just what is happening there.

The M&CC has received in excess of 300 applications for vending, although the market can accommodate only 90 vendors.

The Ministry of Communities has partnered with the City Council to provide the funds needed for the completion of the market.

The upper flat of the market will house a health centre, a rates-and-taxes office, and office space for rental. The intention is to create a supermarket-like arrangement with new designs and modern facilities, and to make it ‘drive-through’

friendly.

The plan also is for some services at the market to be offered on a 24-hour basis.

The upper flat of the market, located on Alexander and Barr Streets and Shell Road, Kitty also now boasts an auditorium for community events.

The Kitty Market has missed countless deadlines for its re-opening, with City Hall citing a lack of funds as the reason for the delays.

A decentralisation of the Council’s work is expected when the market comes back on stream, as it will take into account the needs of communities between Cummings Lodge and Kitty.

“People from Cummings Lodge to Kitty don’t have

to come all the way to City Hall to pay their rates and taxes. We are aiming to re-introduce the system that was in place many years ago,” Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen had told the Chronicle.

The Kitty Market was established in 1882, two years after the Bourda Market had come into being.

And like Bourda, the Kitty Market was also made of timber.

The 19the Century edifice had suffered massive deterioration over the years prior to its renovation, causing vendors operating in its environs to lodge numerous complaints with the City Council.

Lusignan inmate found with cutlass, contraband seized at New Amsterdam A CUTLASS, believed to be owned by an inmate, was found on the north eastern side of the fence at the Lusignan prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Saturday.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been called in to conduct an investigation, said Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels.

According to Samuels, the item was seen in the possession of a prisoner who was disarmed by a fellow inmate.

Officers suspect that the cutlass was thrown out of the holding bay. Samuels said more details will be provided when available.

Last week it was reported that several illicit items were unearthed after a search of the Lusignan Prison.

According the Guyana Police Force (GPF) officers found; eight cellphones, 10 cellphone batteries, five cellphone chargers, two SIM cards, two memory cards, 31improvised weapons, 11 pieces of metal pipes, nine pieces of wood, seven phone cards, three zip-lock bags with cannabis, one small bottle of cannabis seeds, one packet of cigarettes, one tattoo machine with ink, one small cannabis plant and a quantity of ziplock bags.

In a separate bust on Saturday, prison offers and police officers pursued a civilian who was preparing to throw contraband into the New Amsterdam prison.

Samuels said the individual managed to escape but

dropped packets of seeds, leaves and stems suspected to be marijuana and other items.

“I wish to encourage members of the public to desist from introducing contraband into the prison as it is a criminal offense that can lead to imprisonment and it also affects the security of the prison,” he said.

Improvised weapons and illicit items have proven burdensome to the prison service on many occasions, especially over the past few years when there were consecutive prison fires that were reportedly sparked by inmates of the Camp Street prison.

Subsequent to the most recent prison fire on July 9, $30.7B was budgeted this year for the security sector to cater

The cutlass that was found outside of the Lusignan prison

Items that were recovered after a civilian failed to toss them into the New Amsterdam prison

to the expansion and rehabilitation of the prison infrastructure and the procurement of a fire boat for the Guyana Fire Service, among other things.

During presentation of Budget 2018 in December 2017, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan told the National Assembly that this year’s budget which is approximately $15B more than last year’s ($14.534) will see some $1.5B

going towards the expansion and rehabilitation programme.

Works include the expansion of the Mazaruni Prison to accommodate 400 inmates, or 61 per cent more than its current capacity.

Additionally, work on the construction of a new Georgetown Prison is likely to start soon while some $150M has also been allocated to purchase surveillance equipment, body

scanners, and beds, among other items.

Jordan said provisions have also been made for strengthening of the Prison Service’s capacity for case management, as well as rehabilitation and reintegration.

In budget 2018, $1.8B had been provided to cater for the prison service‘s operational costs, a 4.6 percent increase over Budget 2017.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

‘Guyana will soon rise again’ –– Min Trotman predicts at launch of novel capacity-building programme

MINISTER of Natural Resources Mr Raphael Trotman made an unusual prediction on Friday, to the effect that Guyana will soon rise again, this time from the east, in the County of Berbice.

The occasion was the launch of the Industry-Skills Training Enhancement (INSTEP) programme at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)’s Training Centre at Port Mourant in East Berbice.

As the minister observed

oil will be produced in this country.

“It may seem like a pipe dream; it may seem like something that is impossible. Four hundred years ago, it was sugar; in a few months, it will be petroleum! And this County, as sure as the sun rises in the east, it is not going to be left behind; Guyana will rise from Berbice, and that is why we have decided to prepare you for the first such training programme in the entire country.”

The programme at refer-

market and to land jobs in the oil and gas sector.

The contract to effect it, to the tune of $4.5M, was signed on Friday by Manager of the GuySuCo Training Centre, Mr Jainarine Sookpaul and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Speaking at the signing on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Mr Noel Holder was Corporate Communications Manager, Ms Audreyanna Thomas who said that in response of the changes of the industry, a Sustainable

A section of the gathering at the launch of IN-STEP in his short presentation, “We are here as a government, the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Natural Resources to help you. I can say to you that in a few short months,

ence, IN-STEP, is intended to build capacity by retraining former sugar workers and residents of Berbice with alternative skills, thereby increasing their eligibility to be reintegrated into the job

and Resilience Communities Programme was developed to provide support to former GuySuCo employees, their families, and members of the communities in which the company’s four estates are

located, namely in Wales, Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon.

The objective of the programme, she said, is to essentially develop a framework and implement a well-structured programme to ensure that ex-employees, their families and residents from these communities are able to cope and adjust and even become stronger while the transition is taking place and beyond.

She said that the launching of IN-STEP on Friday is evidence of the successful partnership between the Ministry of Natural Resources and GuySuCo to re-skill ex-employess; to give them skills to prepare them for alternative employment while at the same time upskilling residents in Region 6.

“The involvement of your ministry is a key example of rerouting resources from other industries which are performing better, to support industries which are not doing well,” Thomas said.

The programme, which is being done in collaboration with, and certified by, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) is 120 hours in duration, and is being offered on Fridays and Saturdays for twelve weekends.

According to GTC/PM’s Mr Sookpaul they have had an overwhelming response to the programme thus far, and that of the over 150 applications they’ve received, they

Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Raphael Trotman presenting a copy of the contract to GuySuCo’s Mr Jainarine Sookpaul were able to select 100 to be Amsterdam Technical Instipart of the first batch. tute to further enhance their A m o n g t h o s e , b o t h skills. male and female, that have Sookpaul also noted made the cut, he said, are that the GTC/PM and Guyretrenched workers, school SuCo will reach out to d r o p o u t s , u n - e m p l o y e d the private sector to seek youths. possible employment for The courses being offered those participating in the are: Basic welding and fabri- programme. cation; electrical installation; Also present at the motor vehicle service and launching ceremony were repair; and refrigeration.

BIT Chairman, Mr ClinThe training allows par- ton Williams and Asssitant ticipants to move on to the Chief Education Officer, Upper Corentyne and New Mr Patrick Chinedu.

Suddie Public Hospital gets new generator WHENEVER Region Two is experiencing power outages, the Suddie Public Hospital usually experience difficulties accessing reliable power supply and often times would have a total shut down.

This issue will now be solved as the hospital acquired a new generator on Wednesday.

The new 2000-amp Automatic Transfer Switch and 750 Kva Caterpillar generator was procured at a cost of $25,000,000. It is being installed by Balgobin’s Contracting Service.

Prior to the acquisition, the hospital used to rent a generator from Macrop.

Region Two Information Officer, Mark Mc Lean said the generator will save the hospital money and improve reliability of services offered.

The Suddie Public Hospital, the main hospital in Region Two, offers a wide range of service to residents of Region Two, Moruca and the Islands of Wakenaam and Leguan.

Last week, a delegation from Region One had met with Region Two officials

The newly-acquired generator

The generator set being offloaded at Suddie Public Hospital

and both teams pledged to work together to improve medical support in their respective regions.

Chairman of the Regional Health and Sanitation Committee Arnold Adams was happy the region acquired the generator, pointing out that he had raised the matter at every Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Adams, a People’s Progressive Party

(PPP) Councillor, said the generator will bring relief to Region Two residents and ensures the hospital has reliable power supply.

In the past, he alleged that many of the hospital electrical equipment were damaged due to sporadic low voltages.

The Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital will be getting a similar generator soon.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

Bartica granny busted with cannabis, cocaine

A FIFTY-NINEYEAR-OLD housewife of Old Housing Scheme, Bartica, was busted with a quantity cannabis and cocaine at her home on Saturday.

According to a press statement from the police, the woman was on the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s radar for quite some time.

Acting on intelligence, a group of officers commanded by a Sergeant, around 01:00h swooped down on the suspect’s home and conducted a search.

Several taped parcels, concealed inside a box and a bucket were found in her bedroom, with two thousand five hundred

The illicit items that were found on Saturday

and fifty-five grams of cannabis and one thousand four hundred and fifty-one grams of cocaine.

The suspect, who told the lawmen that she was given the narcotics to keep, is assisting with the investigation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

Jialing gives back to customer

JCA Trading Inc., popularly known as ‘Jialing’, surprised one of its customers, Paula Gittens, with a day-at-the-spa gift certificate on Tuesday.

Public Relations Officer/Marketing Manager of Jialing, Shivanie Sugrim, said the activity was geared at showing appreciation and providing the best sales experience to the company’s customers. The company had several promotions, offering great deals to its customers.

“We are always giving back to our customers. Just recently, we concluded our Father’s Day promotion. We encourage persons to continue purchasing motorcycles from JCA Trading Inc.; you

never know if you too would be a lucky winner”, said Sugrim.

JCA Trading Inc. was formerly known as Automo-

Sales Representative Mahadeo Chateram, handing over the gift certificate to a smiling Ms Paula Gittens

bile Power Products and is the sole distributor of Jialing, Haojue & Eagle motorcycles in Guyana.

The company has been

in the motorcycle industry since 1994 and continues to provide the market with brand new quality motorcycles.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 24, 2018

Enterprise inferno cripples Singh family

HAVING lost all their worldly possessions to an inferno at their house located at Lot 360 Block 12 Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, on June 1, the homeowner and businessman, Hanoman Singh, died without regaining consciousness two days after.

On Friday, the family did a puja according to Hindu rites, since it was the 13th day of the death of their loved ones following the fire.

Fire victim Ashley Singh told the Guyana Chronicle that since the blaze, things haven’t been the same because it was one thing after the other, but their biggest loss was that of their father, who was consumed with grief over the loss of his two-storey house.

She related that her mother and two siblings were

The family was at the same business place on June 1, when they received a telephone call from a neighbour, stating that their house was on fire.

Reshma Singh, a daughter of the Singhs, told the Guyana Chronicle that it was before 09:00hrs and by the time the home-owners arrived on the scene, the building was already engulfed in raging flames. As such, they could do nothing but look on as millions of dollars in belongings was destroyed.

The woman reported that shortly before the blaze, the area had experienced a power outage and it was when the village was re-powered with electricity neighbours saw “fire” running from the electrical wire to the house, which quickly ripped through the entire edifice.

What’s left of the house after the fire really trying to cope with everything that has happened, but it is difficult, since they have nowhere to go and are sleeping in the burnt-out area of their home on the ground.

Singh added that they have placed pallets on the concrete and they were given a mattress by a neighbour.

They are making the best of whatever was donated to them by villagers and relatives.

Ashley Singh said, “It is not easy, things have changed and we are really trying to cope as is.”

Prior to the conflagration, the family of five operated a business place located at Lot 100 Gandhi Street, Enterprise, also on the East Coast of Demerara, a bar which has remained closed indefinitely, given the series of unfortunate events that has taken place.

Singh related that the fire started from the upper flat of the house and noted that nothing electrical was left on inside the building.

The house was renovated about three years ago and the lower flat housed a shop which was fully stocked and was expected to be opened soon, since the family had recently acquired their licence.

The family of five had been residing at the location for the past 23 years and said that they are unsure what they will do next, since they did not get to save anything from the building and are left with the clothes on their backs.

Their losses run into millions of dollars.

Their father, Hanoman Singh, 57, passed away in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)

The burnt-out shop which was housed on the lower flat of the house (Photos by Michel Outridge)

two days after the house was destroyed by fire.

Reshma Singh told the Guyana Chronicle that since the elder Singh arrived on the scene of the fire, he could not speak when he saw his house up in flames and rode off on

his bicycle.

He was found in an unconscious condition in the Botanical Gardens the morning after the fire and was transported by ambulance to the GPHC, where he was hooked up on a life-support

machine until he succumbed to what medical professionals said was cardiac arrest.

Reshma Singh said the businessman did not suffer from heart ailments prior to his death, but had shortness of breath and often com-

plained about knee pains.

She related that he was distressed about losing his worldly possessions and took ill and never regained consciousness; he subsequently died around 16:00hrs at the GPHC.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:30 hrs Shadow Man 09:05 hrs Smart Deal 09:45 hrs Fortune Fella 10:20 hrs Top Shot 10:55 hrs Evolver English Racing Tips Hexham 08:50 hrs Russian Royale 09:20 hrs Caius Marcius 09:50 hrs Elmondo 10:20 hrs Al Co 10:50 hrs Big Time Dancer 11:20 hrs Ever So Much 11:50 hrs Onelaststand Pontefract 09:00 hrs Heavenly Bliss 09:30 hrs Hazarfiya 10:00 hrs Dr Richard Kimble 10:30 hrs Alwaysandforever 11:00 hrs Suegioo 11:30 hrs Excellent Times 12:00 hrs Cross Fire Worcester 09:10 hrs Thoonavolla 09:40 hrs Curious Carlos 10:10 hrs Destiny’s Child 10:40 hrs Litterale 11:10 hrs Stuccodor 11:40 hrs Scotsbrook Night 12:10 hrs Spader 12:40 hrs Inessa Irish Racing Tips Gowan Park 09:05 hrs Smart Flies 09:35 hrs Vocal Relation 10:05 hrs That Is The Spirit 10:35 hrs Texas Radio 11:05 hrs Predawn 11:35 hrs Wishing Star 12:05 hrs Chiara Luna

Archery Guyana to host competitions in various regions today ARCHERY Guyana has organised a series of events to mark Olympic Day 2018 with coaches across Guyana getting ready to host competitions in their communities.

Coaches Ainsworth Pritchard, Trevor Jocintho and Carl Albert from Region One, who recently introduced the sport to Hosororo Primary School, are very enthused with the feedback.

Coach Trevor Jocintho indicated that a simple competition will be hosted in Region One using a recently built target board.

Coaches Shunette Thompson and Manley Polo Thomas from Region 9 are excitedly planning for this weekend and in Region Eight coach Gavin Gounga and Joseph Edwin had planned a session for yesterday with Mahdia Secondary School.

Coach Nicholas Hing reported that for Region Four everything is all set for today’s Indoor Target Archery competition which will be conducted under strict safety rules which are a standard of the World Archery (WA) and its affiliated organisations.

Archery Guyana, as an affiliate of WA, aims to uphold its standards and rules at all times.

Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23, 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris.

The goal was to promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.

President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Thomas Bach had opined: “Every year, Olympic Day allows the whole world to unite behind the Olympic dream.”

GUYANA IS NO DIFFERENT. Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon noted that on June 23 every year, millions of people across the world get active to celebrate Olympic Day. She said that in Guyana, Archery Guyana will continue to commemorate this day, as it has been doing since 2015 but this time it will be extending to the various regions.

Archery made its Olympic debut at the Olympic Games from 1900 to 1920, becoming, in 1904, one of the first Olympic sports to include women.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Late Kroos winner against Belgium outclass Sweden keeps Germany alive Tunisia but defence (REUTERS) - A dramatic stoppage-time goal from Toni Kroos gave holders Germany a 2-1 win over Sweden yesterday to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup last-16.

Kroos curled in a superb strike from an indirect free kick to grab the three points for the four-time world champions who are now level with Sweden in Group F on three points and behind Mexico who have six.

Sweden took the lead in the 32nd minute when

Ola Toivonen finished confidently after Germany’s Toni Kroos gave the ball away in midfield.

Marco Reus equalised in the 48th minute, meeting a low cross from Timo Werner, and despite having Jerome Boateng sent off in the 82nd minute, Germany kept going and Kroos earned them a famous win.

The Swedes played with fire as the Germans racked up the chances in the opening minutes; but having weathered that storm they gradually began to threaten on the

break, and Marcus Berg was denied a good shout for a penalty when he appeared to be bundled over by Boateng.

With Germany getting in behind Sweden’s full backs at will and fizzing passes across the box, it looked like it might be only a matter of time before they scored, but Toivonen’s goal gave Sweden breathing space.

Manuel Neuer saved the Germans from being 2-0 down at halftime, diving acrobatically to deflect Berg’s header from Sebastian Larsson’s stoppage-time free

kick.

Reus got Germany back in the game early in the second half as the Germans launched a massive offensive and when Boateng was sent off for his second yellow card eight minutes from time the Germans continued to push on.

Timo Werner missed from point-blank range and the Swedes looked like hanging on for the draw, but Kroos struck five minutes into stoppage time to give Germany victory.

Rampant Mexico see off South Korea to close on last-16 Javier Hernandez doubles Mexico’s lead against South Korea and scores his 50th international goal. (Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images

(REUTERS) - Mexico built on the momentum from their stunning victory over world champions Germany by overpowering South Korea 2-1 yesterday to take a giant step toward the World Cup last-16.

Carlos Vela put them ahead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute at Rostov Arena, which had been taken over

by Mexico’s sea of fanatical supporters.

All-time top scorer Javier Hernandez sealed victory in the second half, finishing off an unstoppable move from breakout player Hirving Lozano.

It was Hernandez’s 50th goal for his country and his fourth strike at a World Cup, taking him level with Luis Hernandez as Mexico’s leading scorer in soccer’s global showpiece tournament.

Korea’s talismanic forward Son Heung-min struck a scorching consolation goal in stoppage time from outside the area.

Mexico will clinch their place in the next round if Germany fail to beat Sweden in the other Group F game later yesterday.

The hapless Koreans, who have no points after two matches and have only won one of their last 11 World Cup fixtures, will be eliminated if Sweden draw or win against Germany.

“We came to Russia with a lot of criticism but we’re working hard and have a lot of talent. We have humility but we beat Germany and South Korea and now we have to play against Sweden and stay cool and calm,” goalscorer Hernandez said.

“We cannot afford to get caught up in all this, we have to continue our job and stay humble. Of course we should enjoy this but tomorrow we start working again.”

As the game kicked off Mexico fans sang “We are the home team” and with green shirts dotted all over the stadium and rousing chants of “Ole!” bellowing around the arena every time their side passed the ball, it was hard to disagree.

Conditioned by the dry heat that has been a feature of every game at the Rostov Arena, Mexico did not quite have the same thrust and energy as against Germany although they still controlled most of the play and looked far more dangerous.

Korea improved on their opening defeat by Sweden although their main tactic consisted

of searching for Son with long balls behind the defensive line.

The closest they came to scoring in the first half was with a header from a corner which Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa tipped over the bar.

Mexico’s breakthrough came when captain Andres Guardado’s cross was blocked by a stray arm from Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo, and Vela kept his nerve from the spot, sending goalkeeper Cho Hyeon-woo the wrong way and stroking the ball home.

Lozano proved a constant threat to the Koreans whenever he came darting down either wing, blasting over in the first half and later having a goalbound shot blocked by opposing captain, Ki Sung-yueng.

His remarkable pace punished Korea, catching them out on the break, allowing Hernandez to finish them off, beating a defender with a flick of his left foot and tucking the ball into the net with his right.

is a concern

(REUTERS) - Belgium outclassed underdogs Tunisia with an impressive display of speed, power and attacking football but they will quickly need to improve

their goal tally to eight - as many as Russia - from two matches, merely confirmed their status as a genuine outside bet for the title.

Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal. (Photograph: Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

their defence if the country’s golden generation are to live up to expectations and go far in this World Cup. The Belgians completely overran their opponents from the start, feeding Romelu Lukaku up front. The towering all-time leading goalscorer for his country (40) could not be stopped, scoring twice to take his tournament tally to four in two games.

Belgium’s first two goals, including an Eden Hazard penalty, in a span of 10 minutes were reward for exactly that early pressure, along with many more scoring chances.

Roberto Martinez’s side, who emerged as 3-0 winners in their opening Group G game against Panama, were always two steps faster than the North Africans.

With Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne wreaking havoc in midfield and the firepower of Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi up front, Belgian fans have every right to expect big things from the Red Devils in this tournament, especially after their 5-2 victory turned out to be their highest scoring World Cup win ever.

Their attacking prowess was always going to be their strength at the tournament and their impressive display in Moscow’s Spartak Stadium yesterday, which took

But Martinez must urgently take a closer look at his team’s defensive operation which more than once allowed the Tunisians to take a stab at Thibaut Courtois’ goal.

While Tunisia are no international football powerhouse, they nevertheless managed to find their way into the Belgian box often enough in the first half and even briefly cut the deficit to make it 2-1.

It was only after Tunisia ran out of steam in the second half and Martinez introduced Marouane Fellaini that order was restored.

The Belgians would be wise to remind themselves of Euro 2016 when they reached the quarter-finals but surprisingly crashed out to underdogs Wales, with their backline falling apart.

Belgium’s at-times sloppy passing and repeated loss of possession by their holding midfielders against Tunisia may be lost amid the enthusiasm of their big victory which all but assures them a spot in the knockout stage.

But their weakness will not have gone unnoticed by their next Group G opponents, England, and all their potential rivals in the next round.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

No cut, says Cameron (CWI) Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dave Cameron has given the assurance that in spite of the prevailing financial challenges, there will be no cutting back on its development programmes.

He was speaking before an audience that included Cabinet Ministers John King and Marsha Caddle, at the CWI/West Indies Players Association (WIPA) awards ceremony Wednesday night at Hilton Barbados.

“There are challenging times ahead. I must tell you this year we are financially challenged but we have ensured that there will be no cutting back on any of our development programmes, to ensure that we can deliver on our mandate which is to build our brand and to make Senior team batsman Rovman Powell strikes a half-century for Windies-A.

us very proud again of West Indies cricket,” he said.

“Our request to you guys is to play to the best of your ability. We want you to go from strength to strength and I want you to believe that you are unstoppable.

“The sky is the limit and Cricket West Indies will support you all the way.”

Cameron said he was happy to welcome the touring Sri Lankans to Barbados, but said he would be more delighted if the West Indies go on to notch a rare series victory next week in the three-match series.

“I am happy to be standing here on the threshold of our second series triumph in less than a year. Sri Lanka, we welcome you, but we also want to leave here next week with a series win. It is very

important to the West Indies team,” he said.

Cameron said a study conducted by the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA), the global players’ representative body, reflected the rise of the professional game in the Caribbean.

The study showed that the West Indies now had 177 professional cricketers, Australia 183, England just over 500 and India, just under 700.

“No longer can we use the excuse that we do not have a pool of talent in the region to compete in world cricket. Four years ago, we had just over 25 professional cricketers in the West Indies, and today, we have 177.

“What we have to do is to continue to upscale our cricketers, our management,

Powell, Mohammed fail to prevent Windies defeat

DERBY, England (CMC) – Half-centuries from senior players Rovman Powell and Jason Mohammed were not enough to save West Indies from an 87-run defeat to England Lions in their opening match of the Tri-Nations Series here yesterday.

Asked to chase 319 at County Ground, West Indies were dismissed for 231 in the 45th over, with Powell top-scoring with 55 and captain Mohammed getting 52.

Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood stroked 40 while opening partner Chandrapaul Hemraj scored 35 and tail-ender Dominic Drakes, 28.

The Caribbean side were well poised on 142 for three in the 29th over at one stage but lost their last seven wickets for 89 wickets, as the innings fell away badly.

Windies-A were undermined by left-arm spinner Liam Dawson who claimed four for 27 while Barbados-born England seamer Chris Jordan (3-25) and left-arm quick Reece Topley (3-54) picked up three wickets apiece.

Lions had earlier chalked up 318 for five off their 50 overs, on the backs of a superb unbeaten 145 from Sam Hain and half-centuries Tom Kohler-Cadmore (67) and Steven Mullaney (58).

Nick Gubbins, who struck a hundred on Friday against India A, fell to the fifth ball of the contest without scoring, edging seamer Chemar Holder to be caught at the wicket with a single run on the board.

Hain then anchored the innings with two

crucial stands, putting on 148 for the second wicket with Kohler-Cadmore before adding a further 95 for the fifth wicket with Mullaney.

All told, the 22-year-old Hain faced 134 balls and struck 16 boundaries.

West Indies started positively with Blackwood and Hemraj posting 50 off 53 balls for the first wicket.

Blackwood struck five fours in a 33-ball knock while the left-handed Hemraj faced 44 deliveries and counted four fours and a six.

Jordan broke the stand in a double-wicket maiden in his opening over, claiming Blackwood to a catch at the wicket and then bowling Devon Thomas first ball.

Hemraj added 49 with Mohammed but the promising partnership ended in the 19th over when he missed a sweep at Dawson and was lbw.

Mohammed, who faced 74 balls and struck five fours and a six, put on 43 for the fourth wicket with Sunil Ambris (8) but four wickets tumbled for 23 runs to leave the Caribbean side rocking on 165 for seven in the 35th over.

Powell, who belted a pair of fours and sixes in a 50-innings, provided the last real hope for the Windies when he partnered with Drakes in a 55-run, eighth-wicket stand before he was last out.

our coaching staff and the administrative staff in order

your way. “ We a r e g u a r a n t e e d

CWI president Dave Cameron

to produce world-class players. It continues to be a competitive environment for our players and there are times when decisions may not go

enough cricket over the next 18 months to ensure that we are in good shape, so we are providing the platform for all of our players across the

region,” he said.

West Indies have not won the 50-overs World Cup since 1979, but Cameron thinks that 40-year drought could end next year at the 2019 event in England.

“Our big aim is to win the World Cup in England next year. People say that I am crazy and asked how can we beat the best teams in the world in 12 months. Well, Scotland just beat England, the number one ranked team in the world, England is beating Australia, so anything is possible and here we are in the brink of a Test series victory over Sri Lanka.

“I think we are on our way back. The signs are very clear,” Cameron said.

T20 icon Gayle backs Windies to repeat (CMC) – Chris Gayle has thrown his weight behind West Indies Women in their bid to recapture the Twenty20 World Cup set to be staged in the Caribbean in November, and he believes the excitement of the Caribbean culture will also make the tournament a success.

Gayle recently attended the Women’s T20 Blaze here and said he had been very impressed with the level of skill and talent demonstrated by the region’s best players. On that account, Gayle believes the Windies can repeat their success. “(It is) great to be hosting the ICC Women’s World T20 in the West Indies. I know it’s going to be great in Antigua, St Lucia and Guyana,” said the iconic T20 opener.

“This is great news for our girls and even better to be defending the trophy at home. Was great when we both won (men’s and women’s teams) back in India a few years ago, so you know me, I’m backing them to win it again.”

The tournament, which runs from November 9 to 24, will be the first standalone ICC Women’s World T20 tournament. All matches will be broadcast to the global audience for the first time and the Decision Review System will also be implemented.

The venues are Guyana National Stadium, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia, and the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.

West Indies Women are the defending champions, having won their first global title two years ago against Australia on the same day the men’s team beat England in spectacular fashion to make it a day of double celebrations for Caribbean cricket.

“Having been a part of the double championship in India was fantastic,” Gayle said.

“This is a very important tournament for us. I can see from the way they are playing

Twenty20 superstar Chris Gayle poses with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy at Sabina Park.

here in the domestic tournament that everyone is motivated to defend that championship for the West Indies.

“They will have the fans backing them and I urge them to enjoy the moment.”

West Indies Women boast a good track record in the event, winning it in 2016 and reaching the semi-finals 2010 in the Caribbean, 2012 in Sri Lanka, and 2014 in Bangladesh.

Gayle said he expected the Caribbean culture of music and merriment would also be a hit for visiting players and television viewers.

“We all know what the Caribbean culture is like and I want to urge the fans to come out and support women’s cricket and the West Indies team. We know how to win titles, and I urge Stafanie (Taylor) and the girls to give their best,” he stressed.

“Stafanie has represented the West Indies really well in the past and she now has a chance to lift the trophy at home. I know she can handle the pressure. She’s had some great performances when it mattered and she has the backing of Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Merissa Aguilleria and some other really good players.

“Most of all, I want the fans to give our team 100 per cent support in every match.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

Ramdhanis dominate GOA badminton tournament THE Guyana Olympic Association’s (GOA) Olympic Day Open Doubles badminton tournament commenced on Friday at the National Gymnasium.

The opening night saw action in the Men’s Open Doubles, Ladies’ Open round-robin Doubles and the Men’s Open consolation Doubles tournament.

National Ladies’ junior and senior champion Priyanna Ramdhani, who just graduated from Marian Academy, and her partner Greer Jackson won the Ladies’ Open Doubles title when they defeated Christina Kumar and Shivannie Persaud 219, 21-8, Jayde DaSilva and

Stephanie Sagar 21-14, 21-5 and Ayanna Wickham-Watson and Emily Ramdhani 21-8, 21-7.

Occupying second place were Shivannie Persaud and Christina Kumar who defeated Jayde DaSilva and Stephanie Sagar 21-13, 21-15, and Ayanna Wickham-Watson and Emily Ramdhani 21-16, 22-20.

In third place were Ayanna Wickham-Watson and Emily Ramdhani who defeated: Jayde DaSilva and Stephanie Sagar 21-3, 21-7.

In the Open Men’s Doubles, National champion Narayan Ramdhani, who is on vacation from his

Badminton Scholarship Programme in Canada, teamed up with Jonathan Mangra to reach the final after they defeated Dr Nicholas Waldron and Gokarn Ramdhani 21-10, 21-8 in the first round.

At the end of the first match in the semi-finals against Javid Rahaman and Easa Sanichara, they were awarded a walkover after Rahaman twisted his ankle with the score at 1-0.

Other matches played in the Open Men’s Doubles were: Round 1: Javid Rahaman and Easa Sanichara trounced Sekhar Mallampati and Mahendra Sharma 21-7, 21-9.

Ronald Chang Yuen

Priyanna Ramdhani and Greer Jackson

Regal hunting ‘Big Apple double’ THE twelfth edition of the annual New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup is scheduled for June 29 to July 1, and as usual it will once again showcase the best talents on the softball circuit over the three-day period.

When the tournament bowls off, top local sides, Regal All-Stars and Regal Masters will definitely be hunting top honours.

This year marks the fifth consecutive year that the Regal teams will be participating in the Independence Cup and they are brimming with confidence to bring back the coveted 'double' to Guyana.

The All-Stars side will be competing in the Open category, and, according to team owner Mahendra Hardyal, they are focused on winning.

"The guys have been showing good chemistry and

readiness in their practice sessions and can't wait to cut loose on all opponents," Hardyal said.

In 2016 the All-Stars won the title but lost in the final in 2017 due to what Hardyal described as "bad execution".

"This year, we will be sticking to the plan and taking it one game at a time which will not result in a repeat of last year," the successful businessman noted.

Additionally, the team has been strengthened with trio Nandsham Boodhoo, Lennox ‘Assassin’ Mark and Shailendra Ramnauth replacing Safraz Esau, Richard Latif and Navin Singh, who opted to ply their trade elsewhere.

"The three are newcomers to the side but not newcomers to the rigid softball cricket arena and have settled in well and given the side the right balance. They are eager

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday June 24, 2018)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 2259230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Dinesh Chandimal-119 (2) Kemar Roach Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the centurions in England’s record-breaking 481 against AUST in the third ODI of their ongoing series?

(2) How many fours and sixes were struck in the game?

Mahendra Hardyal

to wear the Regal Masters uniform and are hungry for success which is a big plus for us," stated Hardyal, as he welcomed the trio to his side.

The senior side, Regal Masters, are in the Over-45 category, and have been putting in the hours as well, on a daily basis, like the All-Stars team, at the GNIC Sports Club.

Coincidentally, the AllStars team and the Masters were champions in 2016 and runners-up in 2017 and Hardyal said that the team is “more settled than before.

We are playing better as a team. We have professionalism, talent and are fit and ready."

The Regal teams are no strangers to the 'double' as they have won both titles in

the South Florida Softball Cricket League's Florida Cup in 2017.

Both teams will wrap up their preparation on Tuesday before winging out to New York ahead of bowl-off time on Friday in Queens.

In their quest for the double, the teams have been strongly supported

by Ink Plus, Fly Jamaica Airways, Cricket Zone USA, Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), National Sports Commission (NSC), Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Star Party Rentals, Ansa McAl and Elegance Jewelley and Pawn Shop.

and Akili Haynes (who also graduated from Marian Academy) defeated Johann Waldron and Isaac Mallampati 21-10, 21-15.

Marlon Chung and Darrell Carpenay thrashed upcoming junior stars Matthew Beharry and Vikash Mootoo 21-6, 21-4.

In the semi-finals, Marlon Chung and Darrell Carpenay bettered Ronald Chang Yuen and Akili Haynes 21-16, 21-15.

Other results saw Gokarn Ramdhani and Dr Nicholas Wadron crush Johann Waldron and Isaac Mallampati in the final 21-9, 21-10.

The final in the Open Men’s Doubles was scheduled for yesterday.

CWI Women’s Super50 – 2nd round (CMC) – Results of matches played in the second round of the Women’s Super50 Championship on Friday.

At Chedwin Park: Barbados won by six wickets.

GUYANA 162 for seven off 50 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 48, Tremayne Smartt 22, Akaze Thompson 21; Hayley Matthews 2-30, Deandra Dottin 2-31) BARBADOS 164 for four off 23.5 overs (Hayley Matthews 84, Danielle Small 27, Kycia Knight 26 not out; Sheneta Grimmond 2-43) At Kensington Park: Jamaica won by seven wickets.

WINDWARD IS-

LANDS 156, off 41 overs (Stacy-Ann Adams 43, Juliana Nero 29; Chadean Nation 2-19, Vanessa Watts 2-23) JAMAICA 157 for three off 29 overs (Chadean Nation 72 not out, Stafanie Taylor 40, Jodian Morgan 32 not out) At Sabina Park: Trinidad and Tobago won by 188 runs.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 243 off 49.4 overs (Stacy-Ann King 54, Shania Abdool 45, Rachel Vincent 37; Amanda Edwards 6-56) LEEWARD ISLANDS 55 off 22.3 overs (Karishma Ramharack 4-11, Kamara Ragoobar 3-3)

GCB donates brush cutter to WDCA

IN efforts to promote and contribute to cricket development in Guyana, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) continued its growth initiative in upgrading ground facilities.

In this regard, the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) became the latest beneficiary of a Honda brush cutter.

Coach Dhanpaul, who received the brush cutter from TDO Admin Assistant, Kavita Yadram, was high in praise of the GCB, pointing out that the association had for some time now, been in

need of such equipment.

He said that the players and executive members would be elated and will be looking forward to making full use of the cutter.

Dhanpaul thanked the GCB for the donation, which would assist them greatly in grooming the club’s facility.

The improvement of the facility will promote the hosting of more quality matches in the West Demerara area, and as a consequence will be of great benefit to players, as well as those from neighbouring communities.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, June 24, 2018

GCF National Cycling Championships 2018

Jeffrey defends title in record-breaking fashion WHEN the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) National Cycling Championships got underway yesterday, Team Evolution’s Raynauth Jeffrey smashed the National Individual Time Trial (TT), giving his team their first Individual TT. Meanwhile, UK-based Claire Fraser-Green was also successful in her defence with a splendid effort, dominating the Women’s Time Trial for a record seventh title.

Briton John was victorious in the Juniors category, and Jaikaran Sukai made a welcome return to form by winning the Masters title.

Jeffrey, after a stint on the USA Circuit, had no mercy on his competitors crossing the line in 28 minutes 36 seconds, while his nearest challenger (Andrew Hicks of United We Stand CC) was over a minute behind in 29 minutes 24 seconds. Hicks’ teammate Briton

Clair Fraser-Green also retains her title in the Women’s Time Trials.

John was third in 29 minutes 34 seconds.

John was the top juvenile with Ajay Gopilall (34 minutes 32 seconds) second while Movan Fraser (34 minutes 52 seconds) settled for third.

Fraser-Green barely had any competition clocking 40 minutes 12 seconds to cop the top podium spot with Shanieka Teixeira second in 46 minutes 59 seconds.

Continental’s Jaikarran (32 minutes 42 seconds) beat out Stephen Fernandes (32 minutes 57 seconds) and Paul Thomas (33 minutes 45 seconds) to cop the Masters title.

The Time Trials were held on the Soesdyke.Linden Highway with the starting point at the Yarrowkabra Police Outpost. The cyclists proceeded to a 10km mark on the highway before finishing

Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship

Vieira, Truelove untouchable to the host’s and his Renault Megane.

Matt Truelove takes the chequered flag in the first CMRC superstock race. (Stephan Sookram photos)

By Stephan Sookram in Trinidad compliments of Mohamed’s Enterprise, A&R Jiwanram Printery, E-Networks and Buy Me Auto Sales IT was a dream performance for both Mark Vieira and Matt TrueLove who kicked off round two of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) with wins at the Frankie Boodhram International Raceway (FBIR).

Vieira, who upstaged the competition in the day’s qualification with a blistering 40.632 was silky smooth as he guided his Mazda Rx8 to his first podium win of the

Caribbean season.

THE ROTARY RULES Vieira was confident after his win yesterday, and understandably so, considering that when the race was over, he had amassed more than a quarter-mile gap on the second-placed Franklyn Boodhram.

Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport, Vieira said, “To be honest with you, we haven’t changed anything.

The car just seems to like this track, these very fast corners and stuff like that. You don’t change something that is working.”

Apart from Vieira, Andrew King finished third after losing out on the closing laps

TRUELOVE LOVES FBIR WALLERFIELD Meanwhile, Truelove, who makes his maiden entry to the CMRC Superstock class, recovered from a bad start to claim the top spot on the podium.

“Because I’m not used to the start line scenery, I was a bit unsure when to go and when it finally went, I dropped the clutch a bit too quickly and I lost a bit of time,” he said.

He is confident of rivalling his performances today in the second round of races.

Matthew Vieira had a last-lap clash with one of Trinidad competitors which dropped him down to eighth.

Meanwhile, mechanical troubles plagued Sharima Khan in qualifying in race one during the Group 1, while the same occurred with Haniff Mohamed in Group 2.

Rameez Mohamed suffered the same fate after trying qualification but failing just three laps into the 15-minute session.

Racing begins at 09:00hrs today.

Raynauth Jeffrey defends his National Time Trials title in record-breaking fashion.

at the point of origin.

Today, the Masters, Juveniles, Juniors and Ladies will pedal off from the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Homestretch Avenue and proceed to Timehri before returning to the Soesdyke Junction from where the Masters and Juniors will head up to Long Creek then return to the point of origin.

Fast bowlers scythe through Windies top order BRIDGETOWN, (CMC) – West Indies stumbled and stuttered their way through the opening session of the historic day/night third Test here yesterday, as Sri Lanka got the better of the exchanges at lunch on the opening day at Kensington Oval.

At the first break, the Windies were tottering on 46 for four, with wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich unbeaten on 13 and Shai Hope on 11.

Speedster Suranga Lakmal, leading the side in the absence of the suspended Dinesh Chandimal, claimed two for 28.

West Indies made a terrible start to the afternoon when veteran left-hander Devon Smith edged the last ball of the day’s first over from Lakmal, to be caught at third slip by Dhananjaya de Silva for two.

Lakmal then accounted for the other opener Kraigg Brathwaite (2) a few overs later, the right-handed stabbing at a short one to be caught by Danushka Gunathilaka running in from point.

West Indies were in further trouble when left-hander Kieran Powell was taken at second slip by Kusal Mendis for four, edging a length ball

Mark Vieira is all alone in his first CMRC Group 4 race.

from Lahiru Kumara.

Rain arrived with the hosts on 12 for three and kept players off the field for nearly an hour. On resumption, Roston Chase (14) added a further 12 runs to his tally before losing his middle stump on the drive in Kasun Rajitha’s first over.

After lunch Rajitha removed Hope before Dowrich and Jason Holder rebuilt the innings somewhat, but the rains d once again with the hosts 88-5. (Chronicle Sport press time score)

Scoreboard West Indies 1st Innings K Brathwaite c Gunathilaka b Lakmal 2 D Smith c de Silva b Lakmal 2 K Powell c Mendis b Kumara 4 S Hope c Mendis b Rajitha 11 R Chase b Rajitha 14 S Dowrich † not out 36 J Holder (c) not out 18 Extras: (lb 1) 1 TOTAL: (33.3 Overs) 88-5 Yet to bat: D Bishoo, ML Cummins, KAJ Roach, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-8, 3-8, 4-24, 5-53 Bowling: R Lakmal 11-428-2, C Kumara 11-4-23-1, C Rajitha 9-1-32-2, M Perera 2.3-1-4-0

FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 Match Fixtures England vs Panama 08:00hrs - Nizhny Novgorod Japan vs Senegal - 11:00hrs - Ekaterinburg Poland vs Colombia - 14:00hrs - Kazan

Late Kroos winner against Sweden keeps Germany alive

Germany’s Toni Kroos celebrates scoring their dramatic winner against Sweden. (Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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28

Fast bowlers scythe through Windies top order

Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship

Vieira, Truelove untouchable 31 PAGE

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31 Roston Chase looks back in disappointment after being bowled

by Kasun Rajitha in the opening session of the final Test yesterday.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media)

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Mark Vieira is all alone in his first CMRC Group 4 race.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018