Guyana Chronicle E-paper 08-08-2018

WEDNESDAY 8th August, 2018

Sound plan needed No.105360

– for cash transfer to work, say Guyanese 03 PAGE

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, on Tuesday opened a two-day Robotics Camp for students of the West Demerara Secondary School. The First Lady challenged the participants to not only grasp the information taught during the camp, but to build on their technological skills, which can help them move seamlessly into the world of work. In this Ministry of the Presidency photo Mrs Granger is seen interacting with some students of the camp

Slowe to chair at CPL games

No smoking

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‌ as gov't steps up enforcement of tobacco control act

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Police Service Commission

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

No ‘dragging’ on the Upper Demerara River

–– Lindeners turn to media for help in resolving the matter

By Vanessa Braithwaite

SEVERAL Lindeners on Tuesday engaged the media to vent their disapproval of the presence of two “water draggers” on the Upper Demerara River.

They also used the occasion to vent their disappointment at the inaction of those in authority to do something about having the vessels removed despite multiple calls by the regional officials on the issue.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian said residents initially held him responsible for the “draggers” being on the river, but now that they’ve realised that the matter is out of his hands, they’ve turned to the media for help.

17 DAYS NOW It is now 17 days since the two “draggers”, while on their way to the Great Falls area to do gold and diamond mining, were intercepted by regional officials and the police.

The “draggers”, a pontoon of sorts used to help flush out the minerals, were docked aback Watooka and some Brazilian miners were taken into custody, but were

later released.

Investigations have revealed that the two vessels belong to Pure Diamond Mining Company, and were issued licence to mine by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) officials are, however, adamant that no mining is to be done in the Demerara River because such an activity poses as a significant environmental threat to the 18,000 residents of Linden since it is their main source of water. They also contended, and rightly so, that the Demerara River is equally important to the residents of the up-river communities, as they depend on the water for drinking and other domestic purposes without passing it through a filtration system.

SLAP IN THE FACE On Tuesday, residents of Linden described the granting of a water mining licence to “Pure Diamond” without the necessary environmental impact assessment being done, as a slap in their faces.

Gomer Wilson, a Linden resident, said he fears that

the “draggers” will contaminate the water they use for drinking purposes, and that it is imperative that the powers-that-be do something to stop it.

“We as the people in Linden, we do not want such an activity in our community,” Wilson said, adding: “I would like the President of this country to look into this; also the Prime Minister because this is a slap in the face of the people of Linden.”

“If you are going to do something, do it in order; the people in Linden will take action. We do not want this thing in our river! We want it removed at the end of this month, if not, there will be consequences!”

Oscar Hector held the same position as Wilson, and also highlighted the fact that the water is sourced for drinking, and therefore foreigners should not be allowed to come and contaminate our waterways. “Things like that should not happen to cause so much of sickness in the community; we need it to stop immediately,” he said.

River-front taxi driver, Robert Green said that there are procedures that all mining companies, whether foreign or local, have to adhere to

The two “water draggers” still docked aback Watooka before setting up a mining operation, but if the Brazilian miners did not go through the procedure, the operation should be ceased.

“Whatever chemical they are using to extract the minerals,” he said, “can be dangerous to our health, and as such the activity should be discontinued. Our lives are at stake, because a lot of people down the river use that same water as it is,” Green reasoned.

President of the Linden Chamber of Industry Commerce and Development Vic-

No smoking at CPL games … as govt steps up enforcement of tobacco control act IN keeping with the new tobacco control bill, no smoking will be permitted at the Caribbean Premier League T20 games which begin here on Thursday at the Providence Stadium.

The Ministry of Public Health made the announcement on Tuesday.

The Ministry said in an advisory that no smoking will be permitted within 50 meters of the entrance to or exit of the stadium. “The Ministry of Public Health wishes to advise the general public that smoking of cigarettes, e- cigars or any narcotic substance will NOT BE ALLOWED during the Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) cricket matches at the Guyana National Stadium (Providence).”

Guyana has, since 2005, subscribed to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), an international health treaty under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Treaty sets out a guiding framework for the global struggle against the tobacco epidemic, and the Guyana Tobacco Control Act follows several of the articles of the Convention and also a series of tobacco control policies.

This input from the FCTC, and the comprehensive stakeholder consultations which included the business community, the consumer association, transportation services, trade unions and the general public have made the Guyana Tobacco Control Act one of the most complete tobacco control laws in the Americas. PAHO’s Director of the Department of Non-communicable Diseases

and Mental Health was high in his praise of the Act: “The adoption of this bill,” he said, “is not only a milestone for public health in Guyana; it is a tremendous advance for CARICOM and the entire Region of the Americas.”

Among the main provisions of the Act is ensuring 100% smoke-free environments in all indoor public spaces, indoor work spaces, public transportation, and specified indoor spaces to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke. Such indoor public spaces would include bars, restaurants, certain parts of public parks, waiting rooms in offices and so on. This provision would cut down secondary smoking and its dangers.

There is a ban on all forms of advertising, sponsorship and promotion of tobacco products.

Tobacco products were often advertised at sports events, and tobacco sponsorships were often given to sports activities in which young people were involved.

tor Fernandes, speaking on behalf of the private sector, reiterated that the Chamber is not against investment and business, since it will create jobs and contribute to development, but this must not be done at the expense of the community.

“We don’t want development at the expense of our community; what we going to gain will be peanuts in comparison with what we will lose,” he posited. As such, he’s calling for the environmental impact assessment to be submitted for review.

When the “draggers” were intercepted on July 24, the Brazilian miners did not have work permits and their passports would have expired on July 25.

Morian has called for the GGMC to get its act together, and for the inclusion of or consultation with the local agencies in matters such as this. He questioned the power of the local organs since the elected representatives cannot make decisions or enforcements to protect the well-being of the electorate.

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Sound plan needed GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

–– for cash transfer to work, say GT residents

By Lisa Hamilton

GUYANESE have begun to weigh in Professor Clive Thomas’ recommendation that the government, when it begins to receive net inflow of revenue from oil production, should make annual cash transfers to every household.

Thomas made the suggestion on Sunday while he was addressing residents of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, and other stakeholders at the Eusi Kwayana Emancipation Symposium held at the Friendship Primary School.

His remarks created a debate on social media with some persons sharing his opinion, while others stated that Guyanese would not spend the money wisely.

Some suggested that the money should be injected into various sectors for the eventual benefit of all.

Taking to the streets of Georgetown, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with several citizens who had heard about the trending topic in the media and many of them had their own take on the matter.

“I stand for free education, free transportation and free hospital and medical attention which we are already getting somewhat [medical care], but I also feel like they can give every household something because it’s a lot of money and it’s our coun-

Park Attendant Abdul Yusef try,” said Abdul Yusef, a park attendant.

Questioned on whether he thought that the cash transfer would be mismanaged by some, he said: “Everybody don’t spend the same way, some may spend it on food, some may party with it but for me, I am not a healthy person, I’m a sick person.

I have to use medication to stay alive. So I would stash it and live off of it for my health.”

A worker at Courts Guyana Inc Saberina Hall believes that whatever is done, a sound plan is required.

“You can’t give [money] right away; you have to ensure that things are in place.

They’re supposed to have a plan because everybody is

Worker at Courts Guyana Saberina Hall going to be excited knowing that they’re getting [money] but what are we doing with it? Smoke it out or go and party? No. If it is that you’re going to put it in my account and I will be able to access it little by little, that’s okay.

But, that’s my suggestion and that may not be for everybody. As a working person I know what I would do,” Hall said.

GUYANESE MUST BE BETTER Making another suggestion, she continued: “Or, find another way, some people don’t have their own homes.

Put something in place that they can use the money

Artist Albert Barnwell to help to build a place to live. We have to do things to make Guyana better and the citizens must enjoy that money and not just the higher ones.”

Thomas, at the Emancipation Symposium in Buxton, had clarified that should such an initiative be taken up, the bulk of the oil revenue would not be utilised, but rather a small portion for a good cause.

“It is not as if I am asking for all the oil wealth to go to cash transfer; I am saying take a percentage, take two per cent, four per cent, five per cent — have a limit – and build into it a recognition that if the price of oil goes down, the percentage remains the same — so the limit of ex-

posure is predetermined so that you don’t run the risk of creating a fiscal crisis,” he advised.

However, artist Albert Barnwell still has a few questions which he posed to the newspaper when asked about his thoughts on the matter.

“With this revenue, I don’t know how they’re going to distribute it [the cash to each household] and is it going to be years to come?

It also depends on how wise is the person. I don’t want to knock our people, but we are a people that think for today and we don’t think that tomorrow is going to come. I’m only judging from things you see on how we live. But I feel that it all depends on your status, your IQ, as different people would do different things,” Barnwell said.

He endorsed the recent advice of President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Mitra Ramkumar, who suggested that the government invest some of the money in tourism.

“I think, of course, that the government is going to increase pensions and salaries but if salaries go up, how will the private businesses benefit? I think it is a good idea to invest in tourism. I feel we truly have the potential for a total transformation,” he said, although he added: “The tourism sector is stressing

interior tourism, I have no problem with that, but you have to do it on both fronts.

You have to develop a city tourism package also.”

Research shows that other oil-producing countries, including Nigeria, have utilised cash transfers as a means to support its citizens.

Egypt utilises a monthly cash-transfer programme, targeting the country’s poorest and most vulnerable families to help them afford to invest in the health and education of their children.

However, Egypt’s programme is supported by the World Bank-funded Strengthening Social Safety Nets Project.

According to a UNICEF report on ‘Child Poverty: A Role for Cash Transfers in West and Central Africa: “In countries that are rich in natural resources, such as oil, cash transfers can play a redistributive role, ensuring that the poorest domiciles of the population benefit from mineral or oil revenues, so helping to reduce inequality and to build social cohesion.”

Meanwhile, Guyana’s discovered oil resources have already surpassed four billion barrels of oil-equivalent (BoE) with the country leading the world in terms of oil and gas discoveries for 2018 in the first half of the year.

Slowe to chair Police Service Commission

RETIRED Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, will this week be sworn in as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), well-placed sources have confirmed.

The other nominees to the Commission are Retired Assistant Commissioners of Police, Clinton Conway, Vesta Adams, and Claire Jarvis. The swearing in of the nominees will pave the way for the appointment of a substantive Commissioner of Police, deputy police commissioners and other senior officers of the Guyana Police Force.

Slowe and the other nominees’ swearing in will take place after the swearing in of the Public Service Commission today. The Chairman of that Commission automatically becomes

a member of the Police Service Commission. The PSC is the constitutional body which is mandated to promote and discipline officers from the rank of inspector to assistant commissioners of police. In the absence of the commission, disciplinary matters would have to be deferred until a commission is constituted.

According to Article 211 (1) of the Constitution, the Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the president acting after meaningful consultation with the leader of the opposition and chairperson of the PSC after the said chairperson has consulted with the other members of the Commission.

In March 2018, former Commissioner of Police

Seelall Persaud bade farewell to the Guyana Police Force after serving for 33 years. Since then, Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine has been performing duties. The PSC is also responsible for the appointment and discipline of other members of the Police Force above the rank of Inspector. The power to make appointments to any offices in the Force and discipline ranks below that of Inspector vests in the Police Commissioner.

The life of the commission came to an end in August 2017. The last PSC was headed by Omesh Satyanand.

Other members included Carvil Duncan (who was subsequently replaced by Patrick Yarde), Lloyd Smith, Keith John and Harold Mar-

tin.

Meanwhile, in April, in the 11th Report of the Committee on Appointments in relation to the appointment of members to the PSC laid in the National Assembly, recommendations were made for Slowe, Conway, Adams and Jarvis to be appointed.

The nominations were put forward by the Committee on Appointments chaired by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton. According to the report, discussions on the subject began on December 15, 2017.

The Police Association, the Association of former members of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers and the National Community Policing Executive were required to submit one nominee each in keeping

with Article 210 (1) (c) of the Constitution which requires “four members appointed by the President upon nomination by the National Assembly after it has consulted such bodies as appear to it to represent the majority of the members of the police Force and any such body it deems fit.”

On March 14, 2018, the Association of Former Members of the GPF submitted Slowe and Adams as its nominees while on March 22, 2018, the Guyana Police Association submitted Slowe, Conway, Adams and Jarvis as its nominees. At its 30th meeting held on March 28, 2018, the Committee on Appointments noted that correspondence was received only from two of the four bodies invited to submit nominees. “After exhausting

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe the process of notification, the Committee agreed to proceed with the appointment of members for the commission”.

Thereafter, the members present unanimously agreed that the four nominated persons would be nominated for appointment to the PSC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

California wildfire will burn for the rest of August

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alifornia’s biggest wildfire on record is expected to burn for the rest of the month, fire officials said on Tuesday.

The Mendocino Complex fire has already engulfed

290,692 acres (117,639 hectares) - almost the size of Los Angeles.

Barely a third of it is under control, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Firefighters are tackling 18 major blazes

fire the

across the state amid strong winds and low humidity. The fire - which comprises two blazes in the state’s north - was declared the biggest in California’s history on Monday.

Officials had set a target to extinguish the fire by mid-August, but they now say they will need until early September.

The fire is raging through a largely rural area, but it has burned 75 buildings and led to thousands of evacuations.

A separate blaze - the Carr fire, further north - has killed at least seven people and destroyed more than 1,500 structures. Burning through almost 160,000 acres, it was 47% contained by late Monday.

Meanwhile, more fires have been breaking out, adding to the mammoth workload of fire crews.

The so-called Holy Fire, in southern California, grew dramatically and rapidly on Monday, with two hikers needing to be airlifted to safety.

At least 14,000 firefighters

are struggling to contain the multiple outbreaks. The crews have been boosted by US army personnel and more than 1,000 prisoners. The inmates - who are considered low-risk offenders - work on a volunteer basis but they also receive $2 (£1.50) a day, plus $1 an hour.

about their gruelling schedule.

One said his crew had slept sitting up - in the seats of their fire engine on some nights.

“It’s been pretty crazy - they’re calling this the new norm,” said Omar Estorga, captain of a crew working on the Carr fire.

“In years past, there were one

The Mendocino Complex fire gained pace and territory over the weekend

Fire crews from Australia and New Zealand have also flown over to share their expertise in battling bush fires.

Firefighters told the LA Times

or two big fires a year. Now they’re doing three to four huge fires in a week.”

Nearly half of the 10 largest California wildfires on re-

cord have occurred in the past decade, according to Reuters news agency.

It is not yet known how the Mendocino blaze started.

However, a flat tyre has been revealed to be the cause of the Carr Fire. Officials said a spark created from the wheel hitting the asphalt on 23 July grew into the deadly fire, which is still raging more than two weeks later.

Over the weekend, dry and hot weather allowed the Mendocino Complex fire to make extraordinary gains, jumping across at least four creeks and one major road.

A protective fire line - where bulldozers had cut through vegetation to create a barrier - also failed to hold it back.

The LA Times said any one of these obstacles could stop a fire, but the bone-dry landscape was being fanned by shifting winds. As the flame moved in different directions, it was hard to predict and, therefore, contain. (BBC)

U.S. finalizes next China tariff list targeting $16 billion in imports The United States will begin collecting tariffs on another $16 billion in Chinese goods on Aug. 23, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said on Tuesday as it published a final tariff list targeting 279 import product lines.

USTR said that only five product lines were deleted from a list initially proposed on June 15, but semiconductors, among the largest categories, remained on the list.

The latest list brings to about $50 billion in goods that now face a 25 percent tariff that U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed on Chinese imports in an escalating trade war over China’s intellectual property practices and industrial subsidy policies. China has vowed to match Washington’s tariff moves with duties on an equivalent worth of U.S. products. (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Argentina’s former Vice-President Amado Boudou jailed for corruption

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rgentina’s former Vice President Amado Boudou has been sentenced to five years and 10 months in jail for corruption.

The charges related to his attempt to buy a money-printing company through a front business.

Boudou was in power during the administration of former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

The ex-president herself has been summoned to give evidence in another wide-ranging corruption investigation next week.

Both say they are victims of political persecution by the current President, Mauricio Macri.

Boudou was accused of lifting a bankruptcy declaration against currency company Ciccone Calcográfica in return for an equity stake when he was economy minister in 2010, before becoming vice-president. The court in Buenos Aires found him guilty of committing passive bribery and conducting business “incompatible with public office”.

He has been banned for life from holding public office, and is expected to ap-

peal against the conviction.

The company’s former owner Nicolas Ciccone was also

newspaper The Guardian dubbed Boudou “Argentina’s first rock’n’roll vice-pres-

Argentina’s former Vice President Amado Boudou

given a four-and-a-half-year sentence. In 2011, the British

ident”, based on his guitar playing, his love of Harley

Davidson motorcycles and his decision to take a rock band on the campaign trail.

Since President Macri came to power in December 2015, numerous members of previous administration have been linked to corruption charges.

Last week, more than a dozen people were arrested after it was revealed that a driver for a former government official had seemingly been noting down bribes as he delivered them. The so-called “notebooks of corruption” were shared with a local newspaper, which then passed them to justice officials. (BBC)

Turn Denbigh samples into widely Young gets to work available commodities, PM urges

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Not even the rain could stop the throng of patrons that came out on the final day of Denbigh in Clarendon on Monday

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RIME Minster Andrew Holness is championing agriculture as the way to grow the country’s economy.

“For too long we have seen agriculture as a pastime.

For too long we have seen it as more of something that Mas Joe do. Now we have to see agriculture as a business; agriculture is big business,” Holness charged.

The prime minister made the plea at the 66th Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Clarendon on Monday. Despite a downpour, hundreds of patrons — young and old — took advantage of the event’s many offerings on the final day of the agricultural showcase, which is known casually as Prime Minister Day. Holness reiterated the strategic merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, which he said was done to create immediate growth to the economy. “Every time I come here at Denbigh I see the nicest sample products being packaged and demonstrated — cassava flour, ackee wine, and all kinds of exotic things — but they are just samples. “What I want is for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to take those samples and turn them into widely available commodities that are on the shelves of not just Jamaica, Cayman, but the entire region and the world, because that is how we add value and growth to our economy,” he continued.

Holness further explained that growth is not achieved, necessarily, by importing raw materials or building infrastructure.

He said, instead, that growth is achieved by using raw materials in such a way that it will create a value chain that will constantly add value.

The prime minister posited yesterday that the strategy for growth is oftentimes confused with investment. “We see a lot of investment coming into the island, but it does not necessarily mean that they will generate growth in all events, and the value that that investment is going to add to the material [or] the resources that already exist in your economy,” he said, adding that the easiest place to add value to the economy is in agriculture. Admitting that climate change poses a challenge, Holness said technology must be used to find innovative ways to combat the problem. “We need smarter agriculture, and adding technology to agriculture may not necessarily overcome the competitive economy scale that larger countries have, but it can bring us to a point where agriculture is economically viable,” he added. In addition to that, he urged the Jamaica Agricultural Society to encourage the youth who are more tech-savvy, to create a smarter form of agriculture that will add more value to the natural resource. The prime minister also toured the Denbigh show ground yesterday, which saw more than 100 booths showcasing products and services ranging from ackee and soursop wines to handmade skincare products, loan financing and appliance and furniture. (Jamaica Observer)

EW National Security Minister Stuart Young “hit the ground running” today, meeting with heads of divisions and units at the ministry’s Temple Court headquarters in Port of Spain. A statement issued by the ministry said Young impressed the importance of engagement, focus and prioritisation as well as the pursuit of solution-oriented strategies to confront issues of crime and criminality.

H e w as s u b s e q u e n tl y briefed on current matters at a security operations meeting with heads of the defence and protective Services. Young also received an update on the strategies currently being pursued by the various national security agencies in the fight against crime. The meeting also served

to clarify the support and resources needed by the agencies from the ministry. Young said he is looking forward to full commitment and support from all heads and staff.

Minister appointed Young as National Security Minister and reassigned former minister Edmund Dillon to the Housing Ministry. Young remains Communications

On the Job. New National Security Minister Stuart Young meets with top officials at the ministry’s office at Temple Court on his first day in office. PHOTO COURTESY THE MINISTRY OFNATIONAL SECURITY

Young said he intends to strongly lead the ministry forward in the fight against crime and in improving the safety and security of citizens of TT. On Sunday, the Prime

Minister and a Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.

His appointment as Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs was revoked. (Newsday)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

President Granger’s BV remarks

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RESIDENT David Granger’s forthright remarks at a pre-Emancipation Day event at Beterverwagting have been the subject of criticisms by some opponents and political commentators.

At the event held in observance of the abolition of slavery, President Granger delivered the keynote address. The head of state, being astute and straightforward in his observations, said, “Some people are proud that they don’t have work; they always want a raise.” The President advised those persons to, “Go out there and use your talent to enrich yourself and your children; that is economic emancipation.” Emphasising the need for hard work and education, His Excel-

lency said, “We must go out there and use our talents.

If we make our living by hanging around the corner and liming at the Guinness Bar, we will be forever poor, but, if we go into our farm, go into our workshop, go into our schools, we will bring prosperity.”

President Granger pointed out that we must have proper priorities. He stated, “Let us put our monies in boats, buses, and bicycles, not in vodka, rum, and gin. Let us put our children first.” Can anyone honestly dispute the truth of those words?

Persons critical of the President’s remarks have attacked the tone of his message, saying it was condescending and too forceful. Political commentator Dr. David Hinds wrote an

The arrow sign itself was not a problem Dear Editor,

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N less than 24 hours of your publication of my letter regarding misleading traffic signs at the junction of Thomas Street and paralleled roads of Stanley Place and Vlissengen Road, the One-Way arrow sign was completely removed.

I am assuming that the arrow sign was removed by those authorised to do so. I do not know whether to fully compliment the expeditious action or become further perplexed.

The arrow sign itself was not a problem; it was the

direction in which the arrow pointed the procession of traffic that was being contended.

I believe it would have been more logical to change the sign’s direction as against removing it completely. With respect to the STOP signs on the bridge connecting Vlissengen Road and Thomas Street, I am advised that they are necessary for traffic exiting Stanley Place unto Vlissengen Road, and not suggestive that Thomas Street is open for westbound traffic.

Regards Orette Cutting

entire column in another newspaper, captioned, ‘I have some difficulty with the president’s rebuke of Black people on Emancipation Eve’ (KN, August 5).

Dr. Hinds characterised the President’s remarks as a rebuke; a loaded word which appears in almost every paragraph of his article; a word which defines his indefensible position and undermines his later attempts to temper his opinion.

Dr. Hinds wrote: “... the rebuke came from the leader of the country and the political leader of Black people in Guyana.”

The fact is, Dr. Hinds’ critique is fundamentally flawed, as are the other criticisms levelled against the Head of State, since they cannot stand up to objective scrutiny.

Brigadier David Granger’s speech was made in his capacity as President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, not as “the political leader of Black people in Guyana.” As such, his remarks could only be construed as being directed to all Guyanese, not just to “Black people” as Dr. Hinds would have us believe. Further, President Granger has repeatedly stated that he is the President, leader, and servant of all Guyanese, including those who did not vote for his government.

Successful Guyanese who say that the President’s remarks were too forceful would be the first to proclaim that they owe their own successes to strong, assertive, and constructively critical mentors.

President Granger is

obviously a successful man; should we not, therefore, heed his advice?

President Granger ’s mention of the Guinness Bar was also deplored, with some interpreting the reference to mean one particular hangout spot, forgetting there are countless Guinness Bars in Guyana. Clearly, the President intended to bring home his point by referring to a relatable example.

While it is understood why some may make the mistake of believing that President Granger was directing his remarks to one segment of the population -- Emancipation Day is the occasion when Guyanese of African descent observe the suffering of their foreparents under the system of slavery – it is important to

analyse the issue honestly, impartially, logically, and contextually.

The President has spent his life in the service of Guyana. He has repeatedly emphasised the need for inclusionary democracy. The head of state has demonstrated his commitment to equality and equity. One can only conclude, then, that his remarks came from a place of love, a conclusion that even Dr. Hinds concedes in his article.

As a people, we may be well advised to think for ourselves and base our opinions on facts. We should listen, acknowledge the truth, however hard it may be, and work to make better lives for our families. And, we may wish to ask why would some of us be offended by the truth?

FITUG condemns attempt on Maduro’s life Dear Editor,

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HE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has received the unsettling news of an assassination attempt on the life of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. At the time, August 4, President Maduro was addressing a celebratory parade of the Bolivarian National Guard. Several State officials were with the President at the event, which was held to mark the 81st Anniversary of the National Guard.

The FITUG is pleased to learn that the attempted assassination on the President’s

life failed, but several military personnel suffered injuries. In an address to the Venezuelan people after the attack, President Maduro fingered the extreme rightists of Venezuela and Columbia as being behind the attempt on his life.

The attempted assassination of President Maduro is obviously a new dimension to the violent destablisation efforts we have noted in recent times in the country. The situation in that country, more particularly the resort to violence by reactionary forces and the economic pressures they and their foreign allies have promoted, are of great concern to us. We cannot ignore the fact that Venezuela and Guyana share a common

border, and developments over there, inevitably will have its effects over here. To some extent, we in Guyana have experienced some of this.

The news from neighbouring Venezuela, importantly, referred to drones carrying explosives which were used in a terrorist attack.

Drones for political assassinations have been employed in recent times in other regions but now, it would seem, this technique has made its debut in our region. Little wonder then that so many leaders and social organisations from Latin America and the Caribbean have rightly expressed their rejection of the terroristic assault on a democratical-

ly-elected President Maduro, and which also endangered the State officials who were with him at the ceremony.

FITUG is concerned over the new, latest development in Venezuela, and join with other progressive and democratic-minded people and organisations to condemn this assassination attempt on President Maduro. Such acts are fraught with negative implications beyond a country’s borders.

FITUG takes the opportunity to express our sympathy to those who were injured in the terrorist assault.

Regards Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Something terribly amiss Dear Editor,

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T IS with great trepidation that I feel obliged to write about an issue that seems to have gotten out of hand, and I would like to have some clarity on this most troubling development.

Just recently I noticed an advertisement in the local media calling for persons desirous of nominating persons to serve on the new Medical Council of Guyana for the period 2018-2020.

What struck me was the timing of the advertisement. The Chief Medical Officer, who was the official who aired the ‘ad’, has given respondents only a week to respond with their suggestions.

Now if we all look at the importance of this ‘ad’ and the purpose of the medical council, we would agree it would be in the public’s best interest if adequate notification be given to all those involved in the selection process of the council.

Here come my questions: How come this advertisement was only put in three of the daily newspapers? How come it was only aired for two days? How come the response time given was only a week?

The Chief Medical Officer and the Ministers of Public Health, under whose auspices this council falls, should ensure that all doctors are given a fair chance to select those who represent them on the future council.

Given the fact that Guyana is all of 83 000 square miles, is there enough coverage in the print media to reach the length and breadth of our beautiful nation? I can guarantee you not.

In addition to the print media, the local television and radio stations should have been solicited to enhance coverage; and since we are living in the 21st Century, the use of all social media platforms should have been taken advantage of for better coverage.

What happened as a result of the advertisement being only aired in the newspapers was that many doctors were left ignorant of the election process.

The current council has come under severe criticism for their inability to perform their tasks efficiently, and in a just manner. Many letter writers have had cause to air their grievances with the council in the media, and the council has been forced to give replies to questions posted by letter writers.

This council has surely been found wanting, and one would hope that they must be relishing the end of the negative publicity which terminates with the shelf life of their reign as council members.

It is therefore with great surprise that I noted in Sunday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle and Stabroek News that five of the current six doctors on the council are up for reelection!

Now this has surely come as a shock, because after all the negativity, who would choose to reelect these underperforming doctors? What surprises me even more is the fact that of the other

nominees, only one person is not associated with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Why should so many doctors on the council come from the same hospital? And even more queer, why does half of the nominees belong to the same department (General Surgery) of GPHC? From the outside looking in, it seems as if we are just keeping things among the boys! Where is the diversity and the representation of each and every doctor?

Were these persons even nominated, or maybe just selected by the CMO? Judging by feedback on social media about the issue, something is amiss. Somewhere along the way, the CMO may have overplayed his hand. I have critical evidence of the names of doctors submitted to the CMO for consideration for nominations; 12 in total who would have met the criteria requested to serve on the council and whose names do not appear on the list of nominees.

I attach a copy of that letter which was sent to the CMO before the deadline. It makes for an interesting read, since right away the doctors were of the opinion that something like this would have happened, and had asked for the CMO to give adequate and just reason if he found any or all of the nominees as not being “fit and proper” according to the criteria requested.

No one was contacted, or any explanation given so far by the CMO ruling out any of the nominees, so it is most surprising that not one has made the cut.

Can the CMO and the Minister shed some light on this nomination process and give answers as to why were some nominees not considered? Can the CMO release the names of all of the nominees and who they were nominated by including current serving members of the council?

If they were not nominated can their selection be justified solely based on them being serving members of the current council? Will adequate and efficient notice be given to all members about the voting process for the election of new council members? Is this election transparent and has the results been audited independently? If there is found any evidence of underhand dealings or skullduggery in terms of the election process; who is answerable to the public the CMO or the Honourable Minister?

Mr. Editor I humbly ask that you give priority to this letter and that your efficient staff follow up on the issue at hand since many times such things are swept under the carpet. I am very sure that with elections so close our Honourable Minister of Public Health would be most cooperative in resolving any doubts on this issue and any other that may be affecting the council and even her ministry. The general public awaits the answers to these questions.

Regards Concerned Citizens

How will Guyana benefit from oil revenue?

Dear Editor,

I

T seems to me that our luck just keeps getting better. Exxon’s increased estimate of Guyana’s oil reserves has raised the total figure by 25 per cent. That puts us at a remarkable reserve amount of more than 4 billion barrels of oil.

Exxon’s explanation of the breakdown of activities is even more promising. Liza Phase 1 is in the process of development, and will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day. Liza Phase 2 will be even larger; up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day, and is expected to start-up in 2022. Exxon also conducted a well test on Liza-5 to explore the northern part of the field.

Then there’s the Payara discovery, just above the Liza field, which has given Exxon a reason to start a third development phase, which could be brought forward sometime next year. Additionally, there have been other discoveries in the Turbot and Longtail areas which could yield a fourth development.

This means that in addition to huge reserves, our assets are diversified. Guyana could potentially have a total of five active developments in the near future, and with that amount of production will come a broad mix of field operators and providers bringing jobs, investment and infrastructure. Which brings us to the real question: What does this announcement mean for Guyana, and how will this benefit Guyanese?

We all know that there are many ways in which Guyana could benefit from revenues and investment. Obviously, the increased reserve estimates mean even higher revenues for Guyana. Energy analysts estimate that the Guyana government’s take could reach US$15B annually by around 2030. This figure could be even higher if more discoveries are made.

A more immediate effect, though, is that Guyana is going to see a massive uptick in foreign direct investment benefitting numerous industries across all of Guyana.

The urgent question is: How will we use this blessing?

We will have enough money to finally start critical infrastructure projects. We could improve healthcare access for

many citizens. We can focus on education, and ensure that Guyanese are getting the skills necessary to turn oil revenues into a lasting foundation for a diverse and sustainable economy. We can also implement the Green-State Development Plan, bringing renewable energy production to all regions of Guyana.

What we need now, with oil and elections looming, is a clear course of action.

We have the potential to make an immediate improvement for Guyanese today, but more than that, we have an opportunity to provide a very bright future for our children. We cannot let that pass by.

Regards Clement Smith

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

PM condemns PPP vulgarity in Parliament

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo says that the existing House of the National Assembly is a “constant cussdown, commotion and crude contempt,” thanks to the contribution of the opposition In his weekly column, My Turn, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo compared the times of late past President Cheddi Jagan and the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, referring to it as exchanges of “sensible teasing as part of the political culture, even at a tense time.

However, Nagamootoo stated that the new version of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has lost its previous harmful banter only to be replaced with

widespread “vulgar” behaviour.

“The current opposition is a pale shade of that period. Debates now quickly descend into hate speeches; the finesse and the humour have evaporated. Heckling is a babble of boisterous noises,” he said.

He told of a recent incident where an opposition Member of Parliament (MP) was called to appear before the Privileges Committee for publicly attacking the office of the Speaker.

After the MP later claimed “bias and partisanship” on the House Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland’s part, Nagamootoo himself had moved the motion to send the matter to the investigating com-

mittee.

Opposition MP Harry Gill had taken to the media to publish a letter, whereby he accused the Speaker of being “unjust” and showing partisanship and discrimination to “prevent bad news from reaching the media” in order to protect the government from losing office.

The prime minister reminded that these attacks were against the “Office of the Speaker, the integrity of Parliament, and the sanctity of the constitution, under whose authority the Office of Speaker is established.

“The opposition claimed that the MP was merely indulging in freedom of expression. My response is that he could

claim that right if he had spoken in the National Assembly, where he could be protected by unqualified privilege. But he went outside the protective walls of parliament into an arena where free speech is not absolute, but is subject to exceptions such as defamation for libel and slander,” Nagamootoo said.

He added that the fellow opposition MPs defended Gill’s action as simply professing “the truth” despite the known fact that according to the Standing Orders, the decisions of the Speaker cannot be questioned or disobeyed except by a motion to this effect.

“Speaker Scotland may appear to be gentle, which is why there has been such

sporadic disorderly conduct in the National Assembly. But he would act whenever attempts are made to impugn and undermine the Office of the Speaker,” Nagamootoo noted.

The prime minister recalled another instance in the House of the Assembly where opposition MPs who staged a sit-in shouted “Rape! Rape!” while alleging that the police had assaulted a female colleague.

He added to the list another instance where the PPP attempted to shut down an address to Parliament by President David Granger with an array of placards in the House to “devide” the nation.

In response, the prime minister stated: “It is time that we condemn this type of cavalier opposition behaviour and instead

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo engage politely in our National Assembly as elected representatives of our people.

When Parliament resumes in October, I expect, as Leader of Government in the House, to see full respect for the Office of the Speaker and Parliament.”

Further remand for trio accused of shooting at cops

THREE men were remanded to prison on Tuesday when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan following a shooting incident on Emancipation Day, where they allegedly shot at two police constables.

It was alleged that on August 01, 2018 at John and Chapel Streets, Georgetown, Jamal Jeriah and Junior John along with Carlton Bourne, discharged a loaded firearm at Police Constables Royston Mendoza and Lester Lewis, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause them grievous bodily harm.

Jeriah, 21, of Albert Street, Queenstown, Georgetown and Junior John, 32, a father of one, of East La Penitence, Georgetown were not required to plead to the indictable charge. They were jointly charged along with former murder accused Carlton Bourne.

However, Bourne who was yesterday remanded to prison after he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman on three counts of robbery under-arms was absent from court for the additional charges.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, told the court that Jeriah was shot to his shoulder by police ranks after it was alleged that he opened fire on them.

According to the prosecutor, Jeriah received medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was admitted as a patient under guard.

Attorneys-at-Law Paul Fung-a-Fat and Kezia Williams represented John and Jeriah respectively. Both of them requested that their clients be released on bail.

Prosecutor Mansfield objected to bail being granted and the Chief Magistrate remanded both defendants to prison until August 27, 2018 when Bourne is expected to appear with them to answer to the charges.

Jeriah was however charged separately for unlawful possession of a firearm and several rounds of ammunition.

Particulars of the charges allege that on August 01, 2018 at John and Chapel Streets, Georgetown, he had a .357 revolver and four rounds of matching ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm license.

Jeriah denied the allegations but was further remanded to prison.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Examination fears and anxiety

WRITING the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations is every child’s first major experience with a towering level of exam anxiety in Guyana. While I was faced with a similar feeling at the Second and Fourth Grade exams, nothing was comparable to that of the NGSA. Entering high school was no different. As a matter of fact, my anxieties increased even more as I grew older.

One may find it difficult to believe that exam anxiety is an actual thing. Yes, those pounding butterflies, sweaty palms, nervousness, being fearful of the content as well as the results you gain afterwards, can all be grouped together to form exam anxiety.

Perhaps, you have just one or two of those symptoms or maybe you’re just like me, who experienced all of them before at once, during and after examinations. Whether you have low or high levels of anxiety, at the end of the day it’s still considered as anxiety. As such, we should be considering the effects it can have on the outcome of our performances.

Anxiety is not always a bad thing. It’s the same feeling you have when danger

approaches. If by chance your house is on fire, your anxiety kicks in and through that feeling of worrying and fear, you will try your best to find a way out of the house, right? However, in instances where your examinations are concerned, high levels of anxiety can have a negative effect on your grades.

High levels of anxiety may result in the student avoiding the examination at all cost, which includes not showing up to write it and acute levels of panicking and fear.

If you have low levels of exam anxiety it means you are just a tiny bit worried about the examinations.

However, you still place emphasis on studying and writing the examinations to the best of your ability.

This topic is crucial, especially at a time like this where the results for the CSEC examinations are soon to be released. I, personally, would like to share my story with you as I was writing Mathematics for CSEC last year: I was not the best student in my Mathematics classes. Yes, that’s right, classes! I attended three different classes for Mathematics. My in-school class as well as two extra lessons. I

generally have anxiety for exams but I also have anxiety when it comes to Mathematics. So it was anxiety 2x on the day I wrote it. I remembered sitting there for about 45 minutes before answering any of the questions. I kept breathing heavily and my pens slid right out of my fingers due to sweat. I was a complete mess.

However, with some breathing exercises and a forced will to change my thoughts, I eventually began to work the questions. Sadly enough, I did not finish the entire paper. However, I still muddled through and passed when I received my results. Even when I was about to receive the results online, I was on the website for an entire hour contemplating if I should log in or not. After that experience and realising that if only I had just believed and trusted in myself and in my ability, I would have done even better at the CSEC level.

At the university level as surprising as it is, I have learned to control and manage my exam anxieties. As a matter of fact, it helps me to do better. I know my anxiety stems from an urge to excel. As such, if I would

like to wear the crown after examinations I must commit myself to studying and making sacrifices. The amount of work we deposit into our studies results in the grades we received afterwards.

I’ve assembled a list of things you can do to help you hurdle your exam anxiety.

Yoga or meditation can help ease your mind off of the overthinking and stress. If yoga is too much or too time consuming, then spending some alone time with yourself to pep talk and evaluate your thinking is also recommended.

Breathing exercises and relaxation training is also on the list. Breathe in, breathe out, take deep breaths. You will feel calm and relaxed.

Relaxation training is where

a person visualises a scene completely relaxed, and a mental image evokes some of the feelings of the real scene.

You can visualise yourself taking the exam while being relaxed. Happy thoughts equal happy outcomes.

Support from your peers and family is important. Find someone to talk to about how you are feeling. Maybe your parents experienced exam anxiety, or your friend who wrote CSEC last year did as well. Start a conversation and share your ways of overcoming exam anxiety.

Change your thoughts.

Change them from ‘I don’t think I can do it’ to ‘I’ve studied to the best of my ability, I can do this.’

Lastly, is there something that cheers you up and it also

helps to clear your mind?

Such as eating ice cream, playing basketball, humming a song?

Then do it! If that’s your way of overcoming high levels of anxiety, why not engage in it? At the same time, you should also remain focused on studying for the exam.

The world that we live in makes everything seem complicated when in fact, life can be very simple as 1, 2, 3.

No amount of anxiety will change the future.

Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it does not get you anywhere.

So next time you come face to face with exam anxiety, don’t you stress, you did your best!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

East Coast road project on schedule ...Four-lane widening 60 per cent completed

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HE multi-billion-dollar East Coast of Demerara road-widening and improvement project remains on schedule for the September 2019 deadline. The extending of the four-lane section from Better Hope to Annandale is now 60 per cent completed.

Technical Services Manager at the Ministry

of Public Infrastructure, Nigel Erskine, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the plan is to complete the fourlane section by the end of the year and proceed with the upgrade of the two lanes from Annandale to Belfield, subsequently.

“Ongoing works include the extension of the bridges, construction of drains which is about 90 per cent complete; the

construction of 400 metres of revetment at Triumph-of which 250 metres have been completed-- as well as the extension of the culverts to accommodate the four-lane road.”

As it relates to roadworks, 65 per cent of works, including placement of the sub-base and other bases, have been completed. Materials such as white sand, loam and aggregates are being

Ongoing road-widening works in the vicinity of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara

Ongoing drainage works in the vicinity of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara

placed and compacted.

The construction of pavements for some sections of the roadway is expected to begin by early September.

When completed, the four-lane section will have a median in the centre equipped with streetlights.

Sidewalks will be built along populated villages, seven bridges and 12 culverts will be widened, and 11 traffic signals will be

installed at busy intersections along the roadway.

The approximately eightinch finished surface will comprise asphaltic concrete and have road-safety features including warning signs, road markings and pedestrian crossings.

Erskine said the contractor is well equipped with a sufficient supply of materials for the works. “There is an ade-

quate supply of aggregate, sand[and] loam. With regard to the facilities, they have already set up the concrete batching plant and the concrete for the project is produced exclusively by that plant.

Also, the asphalt concrete plant has already been assembled, calibrated and is operational,” Erskine explained.

According to the technical manager, residents and business owners are cooperating with the contractors during execution of the works. On the issue of the relocation of vendors at the Mon Repos and Lusignan Markets and the removal of utilities, Erskine said, “We are engaging various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to provide locations to accommodate the vendors. The issue with the relocation of utilities, the progress has improved, but there is still need for improvement.”

In 2016, the government and the People’s Republic of China signed a GYD $9.6Billion (US$45.5Million) concessional loan for completion of the widening of the road between Better Hope and Belfield.

Guyana has contributed $2.7Billion towards the project. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

More persons aware of how to tackle TIP

By Lisa Hamilton

M

ORE persons in Guyana are being made aware of what they can do to prevent and report Trafficking in Persons (TIP) with the help of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s (GGMC) TIP Work programme, 2018.

The initiative was launched in February this year under the guidance of Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes and has since facilitated a number of activities targeting communities in the mining sector.

Collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources are the Ministry of Social Protection, the Ministerial Task Force on TIP and syndicates within the sector.

Meanwhile, the programme stands on the two pillars of prevention and partnership and towards its prevention initiative, the unit has hosted several awareness exercises in interior locations speaking to miners, community members and shop owners about what they can do to protect themselves.

These awareness campaigns were also launched at secondary schools, hotels, trade expos and in-

upcoming Lethem Town Week and in indigenous communities in light of the upcoming Indigenous Heritage Month.

VERY SERIOUS When it comes to the issue of Certificate of Compliance for shop-owners or stallholders, Minister Brooms said the government is very serious about how the disregarding of such can add to TIP and will clamp down on those discounting the law through its mines officers.

“I want to ask all shop-owners throughout the country to take very serious [this matter], because any female that is

Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes shares a photograph with Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Mines Manager Khrishna Ramdass and mines clerks Tiffany Short (first left) and Angelina Forbes (second left) (Delano Williams photo)

On Tuesday at her office, in the company of GGMC acting Mines Manager Khrishna Ramdass and mines clerks Tiffany Short and Angelina Forbes, Minister Broomes provided an update on the progress of the programme.

It is the first time that the GGMC has a TIP unit although, annually, funds have been put aside by the commission to tackle the issue.

Broomes said this is a means for the commission to take responsibility and be held accountable for its role in the fight against TIP or “modern-day slavery”, which is “everybody’s business.”

cluded training for mines officers who may come into contact with persons being exploited.

“The commission under my division has taken a better look at trafficking in persons from what we inherited in the past. We’re more aggressive in our approach in terms of our field work. Trafficking in persons is an element of what goes on in our mining industry and it is key for us to be able to respond in a timely manner to various requests from various agencies,” Ramdass said.

The GGMC’s TIP work programme has planned a number of activities for the rest of the year, which include sensitisation at the

there working and you don’t have your certificate of compliance, then the shop-owner is not compliant and the mines officer will take action in that regard,” Broomes said.

She added: “It is designed to prevent…trafficking because there it states what job you have to do, who you’re working with and the person that you’re going to work with.

They have to sign that also, so it’s not in the case where one can say ‘she is not working with me’ or ‘you’re coming here to do cooking’ and then they have to do something else.

You have to specify that… throughout the interior, regardless if it’s foreigner,

if it’s a Guyanese, you must have that certificate of compliance.”

Broomes stressed it is the duty of mines officers to report on such negligence.

“The mines officers have to carry out their jobs… to enter into a mining district and to be in that district there are certain laws and certain things

that must be provided for that. If you don’t have that you can [be] denied entrance into the mining district and I would want to have the support of all, because these women are very vulnerable,” she said.

As the GGMC works to provide statistics and other data on the number of persons reached through the programme, it hopes to

introduce its phone number soon, which will begin the data-gathering process and give residents a means to report TIP activities.

There are also plans in the pipeline to have sensitisation billboards erected in some of the regions for a constant reminder to locals on how they can help to eradicate TIP.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Public Service Commission to be sworn in today

N

OMINEES of the Public Service Commission (PSC) will be sworn in this morning by President David Granger at State House.

The National Assembly in June adopted the Eighth Report of the Standing Committee on Appointments, paving the way for the nominees – Vincent Bowman and Mortimer Livan – to be recommended to President David Granger. That committee comprises members from both the government and opposition members of Parliament.

The appointment of the nominees comes just about one year after the life of the Public Service Commission came to an end in 2017. Nominations were submitted in February 2018 with the National Union of Public Service Employees nominating Bowman. The Guyana Public Service Union nominated Livan and Patricia Went.

Meanwhile, Article 200 of the constitution of Guyana says the Public Service Commission is to consist of six members, three of whom shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the leader of the opposition.

Two members of the commission are to be appointed by the National Assembly after it has consulted such bodies as appear to it to represent public officers or classes of public officers and “If the President thinks fit, one other member appointed by the President, acting in accordance with his or her own deliberate judgment.” It is unclear who the President’s picks are.

The constitution says too that the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the commission shall be elected by and from the members of the commission, using “such consensual mechanism as the constitution deems fit.”

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Public Service Commission will automatically become a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Police Service Commission. The past membership of the Public Service Commission was appointed in 2014 for a period of three years on recommendation of the National Assembly. Among the membership at that time were three active trade unionists: Carville Duncan, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG); Patrick Yarde, President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); and Patricia Went, an executive member of the GPSU. However, in 2016, the President acting in accordance with Article 225 (6) of the constitution, ordered the suspension of Duncan pending the outcome of proceedings of the Tribunal set up to enquire, investigate and recommend whether he (Duncan) ought to be removed from office for inability to discharge the functions of his constitutional posts. Trade Unionist Patrick Yarde was sworn in by the President subsequently as the Acting Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

Tax amnesty in second phase –GRA says period ends September 30

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HE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is advising the public that the tax amnesty has entered its second and final phase, July 1 2018 to September 30 2018.

Individual and corporate taxpayers who file all outstanding tax returns (true and correct) and pay all principal taxes can qualify for fifty percent (50%) off all interest and penalties in this phase. This recourse to settle tax liability applies to those who are delinquent in filing and payment, those who mistakenly under-reported or understated their incomes and/or those who are subjected to completed audits and a determination was made that the additional taxes owed to the GRA are still outstanding.

In a release, the GRA said the public should be aware however, that the tax amnesty relates only to liabilities up to and including the Year of Assessment 2017, NOT the

current year, 2018. Additionally, only Income, Corporate, Property, Capital Gains and Withholding Tax-related penalties will be waived. Therefore, interest accumulated on trustee taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT), P.A.Y.E remittances, Travel Voucher Tax, Travel Ticket Tax and Premium Tax will not be waived.

The tax amnesty was introduced in the 2018 National Budget in two phases: the first phase January 1 – June 30, offered a full waiver of the interest and penalties, while the second phase July 1 to September 30 is offering a 50 percent waiver. In the process of seeking amnesty, taxpayers are advised to request a tax status check/liability statement from the GRA’s Debt Management Unit before proceeding further. The GRA also wishes to thank those taxpayers who took advantage of the first phase timeline and are now fully tax-compliant.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

The Slavery Abolition Act OF 1833 dehumanised Africans

E

VERY time August 1st is upon us, audiences are regaled by speeches and presentations about the end of chattel slavery in the English-speaking Caribbean. Some of these sermons border on praise for the Emancipation Act as the repository for the high morality of British policy-making on this issue.

This is simply not the case -- the racist principles that undergirded the Slavery Abolition Act should not be hidden from history.

On the night of July 31st, 1834, the slaves gathered across the muddy plantation yards in great fanfare to dance the night away in anticipation of the grand announcement.

It was well whispered and discussed across the slave barracks that chattel slavery in the English-speaking Caribbean would come to an end on August 1st, 1834. Who can blame them, the mere suggestion that you would no longer have to endure what was the most inhumane existence in the history of mankind, ought to spark unbridled joy. However, unbeknownst to them, when the sun came up across the Caribbean on August 1st 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which received Royal Assent on August 28th, 1833 and commenced on August 1st, 1834, was another stark reminder of the low regard and contempt in which they were held by their ‘enlightened masters.’

Firstly, the Emancipation Act of 1833 only activated the freedom of slaves under the age of six, those who were above six were considered apprentices of three distinct categories. They were subjected to four years of free labour, in the same slave-like conditions that existed in the colonies.

The legislation essentially demanded that you no longer call them slaves, but their dastardly existence remained with all the essence of slavery intact. This law was in the true spirit of what Wilberforce stated in his writing in 1807, ‘It would be wrong to emancipate the slaves. To grant freedom to them immediately would be to insure not only their master’s ruin, but their own’. The general mindset was that these beneath human creatures could not take care of themselves and needed humans to shepherd them through civilisation, this recurring theme was glaring in this Act of 1833.

Secondly, added to this and equally egregious was the fact that Section XXIV of this

Act stated: ‘And whereas, towards compensating the Persons at present entitled to the Services of the Slaves to be manumitted and set free by virtue of this Act for the Loss of such Services, His Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal Subjects the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled have resolved to give and grant to His Majesty the Sum of Twenty Million Pounds Sterling;’ (http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1833/act/73/enacted/en/print.html) Translation, the slave owners were compensated for the loss of slaves and the slaves received nothing. The great hoax was the belief that this act of the British Parliament was this saving grace and some gesture of humanity. Far from this. During the debate in the British House of Commons on this legislation, arguments were made that slaves cannot receive any compensation for 400 years of free labour in the most inhumane conditions, because property cannot receive property compensation. The Emancipation Act promoted and upheld the racist ideal that black people were not humans. Further, by forcing 800, 000 enslaved people to work for free over a four-year period, the Apprenticeship System facilitated the payment of 27 million pounds by the slaves to their former slave masters. The Emancipation Act forced the slaves to pay 50 per cent of the compensation for the slave masters’ loss of property.

(Beckles: 2014) Thirdly, this action by the House of Commons was guided by the principle of gradualism. The framers argued that gradual freedom was necessary, so they ensured the law had an eight-year adjustment period to full freedom. Even though England recognised since 1772 that ‘…in a case of so odious a nature as the condition of slaves…’ (Mansfield: 1772), the Emancipation Act still insisted that slaves were not human enough to receive full freedom. Full freedom was legally expected until 1841.

August 1st, 1838, freedom came about due to the fact that the system was not working. I shall continue to argue that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was no legal instrument that is worthy to be hailed as some philanthropic posture -- the devil was in the details.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Guyana closer to digitised Government …e-Government experts from Estonia here to guide Digital Governance Roadmap

Minister, Cathy Hughes, accompanied by Head of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Mr. Floyd Levi in discussion with the experts Dr. Arvo Ott, Chairman of the Management Board of the eGA, and Project Manager, Tonis Mae.

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WO experts from the eGovernance Academy (eGA) of Estonia have returned to Guyana on a second visit as part of the first phase in a project to develop the Action Plan for the creation of a Digital Governance Roadmap.

The experts on Monday paid a courtesy call on Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, accompanied by Head of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Mr. Floyd Levi. Their mission on this second intervention is to meet separately with Cabinet members and Technical Officers in key agencies including the Police and Fire services and the Attorney General’s Chambers, as part of the research and fact finding phase, a release from the ministry stated.

The visiting Estonians are Dr. Arvo Ott, Chairman of the Management Board of the eGA, and Project Manager, Tonis Mae. They spoke briefly about the best ways to harmonise the various ICT projects being implemented in Guyana,

and to retrofit these initiatives into the national ICT Strategy.

Minister Hughes expressed great optimism for Guyana’s economic future and the wellbeing of our citizenry who stand to benefit tremendously from digitised government and public services, commerce, manufacturing and social life.

“There’s a growing awareness and understanding of Guyana’s efforts to ensure that all aspects of life, including Government, are computerised and inter-connected. The biggest challenge for us as a country was sourcing the best international skills to guide us in the crafting of this Roadmap,” she said. “Now we are well on the way,” she stated. Estonia stands tall in the world as one of the leaders in Digitised Government solutions, and their experts are sharing their highly lauded skills with Guyana. EGA trains and advises leaders and stakeholders in using ICT to improve Government’s efficiency, and build open societies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Pomeroon murder update

Girlfriend confesses, three others released FORTY-six-year-old Radha Sukwah, the girlfriend of the 73-year-old farmer, Deonarine aka Russian,

The deceased Deonarine, aka Russia who was brutally murdered last week at his Grant Lower Pomeroon, has reportedly confessed to ranks of the Police Major Crimes Unit that she committed the crime.

She admitted to the police that she shot the deceased and is expected to

take detectives to the scene in an effort to recover the weapon.

Meanwhile, the three other persons who were in custody were released. Sukwah, along with the three other men were taken to CID headquarters at Eve Leary for intense grilling. It was during the questioning that the woman admitted.

In Essequibo, she had given detectives conflicting accounts of the incident.

Relatives of the deceased said that according to information they have received, Deonarine and Sukwah had a heated argument at Charity last Monday.

Neighbours also divulged that the woman recently returned from Venezuela after claiming that her husband had died. She is a mother of three. A post-mortem is expected to be performed on the remains of the elderly man today.

Family members of the deceased are in high praise of the police for their prompt action.

NIS mulls court action over $250M owed by GuySuCo ALTHOUGH the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has cleared its $1.5 billion debt with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the corporation is yet to pay the accumulated interest of $250 million.

NIS has since issued a “demand notice” to GuySuCo because the scheme intends to move to the court to get the money, said General Manager of the NIS, Holly Greaves in response to a question from Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, during a Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services meeting with a team from NIS on Monday.

Minister Broomes questioned if GuySuCo had paid over money that was deducted from workers of the Enmore Sugar Estate, but was never submitted to the NIS. “GuySuCo although they did not pay on time, they made their full payment, but they did not pay the outstanding interest…we are still waiting for a response to the letter that we sent them,” said Greaves.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Majeed accredited Guyana’s Ambassador to El Salvador

HALIM Majeed was recently accredited Guyana’s Ambassador to El Salvador, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

He presented his Letters of Credence to President of the Republic of El Salvador, His Excellency Salvador Sánchez Cerén, and was accredited Non-Resident Ambassador of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to that country.

Ambassador Majeed is

concurrently accredited to the Republic of Cuba and The Dominican Republic.

While in El Salvador, the ambassador also met with Foreign Minister (ag), Carlos Castaneda, and Minister of Economy, Dr. Luz Estrella to discuss the enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries and possible areas of mutual cooperation.

During a meeting with acting Foreign Minister

Castaneda, Ambassador Majeed shared that “Guyana will pursue robustly the various elements of our bilateral relations in a framework of goodwill, friendship and understanding that would redound to our mutual benefit.” The foreign minister (ag) also extended an invitation to Guyana to participate in the El Salvador International Trade Fair on November 14-18, 2018.

Ambassador Majeed

His Excellency Halim Majeed presents his Letters of Credence to President of the Republic of El Salvador, His Excellency Salvador Sánchez Cerén was accompanied by a small Guyana trade delegation which included Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited Mr. Komal Samaroo and Chairman of Nand Persaud Group of Companies, Mr. Ragendra Persaud. Guyana

and El Salvador established diplomatic relations on May 1, 1992.

The two countries are commonly involved in a number of regional bodies, such as the Caribbean Community (CAR-

ICOM)/ Central American Integration System (SICA) mechanism, the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Guyana to host CLE meeting THE Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in collaboration with the Council of Legal Education (CLE) will be hosting meetings of the Executive Committee and Council of Legal Education for the fifth time in Guyana.

These meetings were held here during the years 1975, 1981, 1987 and 1994, respectively, the Ministry of Legal Affairs said in a release. The meetings will be attended by the Chairman of the CLE, a representative of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Attorney Generals, Chief Justices from Caricom Member States, Members of the Bar Association, Principals of the three (3) Law Schools located in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Sixty participants are confirmed to attend the meetings which are scheduled to take place at the Guyana Marriott Hotel from September 6-8, 2018. A series of activities will be conducted during this period.

On September 06, 2018, a special meeting of the Executive Committee will be held at 9:30hrs at the Marriott.

Members of this committee are the CLE Chairman, Attorney Generals and Principals of the Law Schools. During the evening at 19:00hrs, the Honourable Dr.

Lloyd Barnett OJ Lecture Series will be conducted and the Honourable Justice Duke Pollard, former Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), is scheduled to deliver a presentation among other presenters.

On September 07, 2018, the meeting of the Council of Legal Education will be held at 9:30 hours. His Excellency President David Arthur Granger will address the opening of this Meeting. The Honorable Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams, SC., MP, as the host Attorney General will deliver welcome remarks and Mr. Reginald T.A Armour, SC, Chairman of the Council of Legal Education is also expected to deliver remarks.

Additionally, on the evening of September 07, the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs will host a reception and cultural event at the Umana Yana at 19:00hrs in honour of the participants. The Council of Legal Education Meeting will continue on September 08, 2018.

The general objective of these meetings is to place emphasis on the law schools and how they relate to the Caribbean community.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Chinoweing Village gets boat, engine for schoolchildren

THE “Five Bs” initiative began some three years ago, and since then, President David Granger has donated 27 buses and 14 boats to aid the transportation of schoolchildren across Guyana.

These donations were all made possible through contributions from private and business persons, but President Granger said Sunday, that the objective of allowing every child to attend school remains the same. The head of state was handing over a new $1.3Million boat and engine to the Village of Chinoweing in Region Seven, Cuyuni-Mazaruni.

Giving remarks before the presentation to Toshao Roger Ronald, President Granger recalled the road which led to the initiative

back in 2015. “Three years ago, when I entered office after a very long campaign, I went into many rivers and one of the important things I noticed was that many children were not going to school because they didn’t have transportation; and we started in 2015 what we called three “Bs”,” the president told villagers.

He said so far, the programme has acquired 27 buses and 14 boats which he noted, will help children attend school free of charge. He reminded that in communities that have roads, children are given bicycles. Just last week, while celebrating Emancipation with villagers at number 53 village on the Corentyne, the head of state donated another 25 bicycles to children along the Corentyne coast.

“The most important thing about this boat -- and I am reminding Chinoweing -- is that children must go to school. Children must not be kept away from school.

I am proud of this presentation,” the head of state told Chinoweing residents.

The donation was made possible through Beverly Tapp of B& J Civil works, in observance of her company’s 25th anniversary. Tapp said, “I decided that we are going to donate a boat [and engine]. I just want you to use it safely and care it,” she said, noting that the business community is “here to support the people.”

The contribution came at a time when the village is participating in the annual Upper Mazaruni district games in Waramadong. (DPI)

GPSU throws support behind Dr Bynoe THE Executive Council of the Guyana Public Service Union has welcomed and endorsed the appointment of Dr. Mark Bynoe as Head of the Department of Energy (DoE), Ministry of the Presidency.

Dr. Bynoe has brought to this position a tighter focus on the benefits and importance of integrity, GPSU said in a release. “The fact that he possesses relevant qualifications, is recognised as a person of repute, quality of character, staunch commitment to excellence and combined with his brilliant record of being a successful leader makes him a great choice to head the team at the Department of Energy.”

The union also proffered its complete support and commitment to Dr. Bynoe and team. “It is the executives’ desire that all stakeholders work in the national interest for the best performance of the department and the economic development of the country.”

On Monday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon endorsed President David

Mark Bynoe as Head of the Department of Energy Granger’s decision to appoint Dr. Bynoe as the Head of the Department of Energy, describing him as an “excellent choice” for the post.

Minister Harmon said, “he comes with excellent credentials, apart from his stated qualifications, the work he has done on climate change and environment…he has wide experience.” The minister noted that government’s plan is to hire persons with the requisite skills to work along with Dr. Bynoe as he steers the department. “Dr.

Bynoe doesn’t have to be a world-class expert on everything… he is now going to head up a team that will identify the specific skills which you need for the department,” he added.

The minister of state said government is building the capacity of the department to ensure that the best experts from around the world can be hired. Minister Harmon added that government is already in receipt of requisite advice from the World Bank and the Commonwealth Secretariat on the organisational structure of the DoE. He clarified that Heads of Departments, which fall under the purview of the Ministry of the Presidency, are appointed by the head of state, while considerations are explored in some instances, “by and large” the decision rests with the president.

Dr. Bynoe, an Environment and Resource Economist officially took up the appointment on August 1. According to President Granger, Dr Bynoe will be tasked with identifying qualified persons to be part of the department.

President David Granger hands over the key to the Toshao of Chinoweing Village, Roger Ronald

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Youth Parliament adds new dimension

By Vishani Ragobeer

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EGINNING from August 10 to 18, 72 young persons will be given the opportunity to debate on topical matters and share their views on issues concerning youth when the fourth annual Youth Parliament gets underway.

Speaking at the launch of the 2018 Youth Parliament in the second committee room of the Parliament Buildings, Parliamentary Executive Assistant Carlleta Charles said this year the pool of participants has increased tremendously, owing to the inclusion of students from the University of Guyana (UG) for the first time.

There will be 35 participants from UG in addition to the 37 participants from secondary schools and the New Opportunity Corps, which totals 72 youth parliamentarians.

“As a result of our widened participation, instead

of our customary one sitting, we will be having two sitting of the fourth annual Youth Parliament,” Charles told members of the media.

Former youth parliamentarian Travis Bruce

She detailed that the secondary school students will lead the first sitting on Wednesday, August 15 while the second sitting, the following day, will be led by the UG students.

“With regards to our programme, there will be sessions on the function of

Parliament, leadership, parliamentary etiquette and decorum, parliamentary procedures and practices,” Charles said.

The youth will also be introduced to the concept of ‘motions’ in the parliamentary setting and will be taught the art of public speaking.

And emulating the Parliament setting, students will be given a chance to debate motions. The motions to be debated on the first day are centered upon efforts to combat climate change, non-communicable diseases, restructuring the education sector and youth representation in governance. While on the second day, university students will debate climate change, media and the press, alternative sentencing in keeping with the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (control) act and oil and gas.

Charles also remarked that notwithstanding the parliamentarians and professionals that will be training the

72 young people, previous young parliamentarians have been tapped to render their services.

“They [previous young parliamentarians] have continued to be resources that we can use, that we can count on,” acting Clerk of Committees Dillion Paul affirmed.

Former youth Parliamentarian Travis Bruce is one such person that will be returning to engage with the young people. Bruce himself shared that the experience was a rewarding one where he moved from being in “shallow waters” to being a voice to champion causes he

Parliamentary Executive Assistant Carlleta Charles

Paul added: “We have a very active database and from time to time, if when we need any assistance in any area we can call upon our former youth parliamentarians to give us some assistance.”

is passionate about. He has further excelled to being the founder of a youth group focused on promoting the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The objectives of the event are to educate and en-

gage youth on the functions of the National Assembly; to discuss and generate ideas on current legislation and policies and their implementation for youths and to promote national unity.

“The students are usually very enthusiastic and as such the Parliamentary Office doesn’t have to play a major role in keeping them engaged,” Charles said, adding: “They create their own project proposals that they want to do and they come to us.”

In fact, according to Charles, one of the rural regions has created their own Youth Parliament which stemmed from the 2015 Youth Parliament.

She said the national Parliament does not fund these spinoff programmes but they are molded through the Youth Parliament and given moral support.

“Each year we would probably have nine to 10 persons who would go off to create their own programmes,” Charles posited.

Private sector must do more to tackle HIV/AIDS

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U YA N A h a s significantly increased its expenditure in tackling HIV/AIDS from 25 per cent in 2015 to 64 per cent in 2016 under the current government, improvements which the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has labelled as “mind-boggling.”

However, it is being recommended that the private sector play “a bigger role in healthcare” as it contributes a mere 13 per cent of the total health expenditure.

This was revealed at a multipartite National Health Accounts (NHA) Dissemination Meeting held on Friday at the Cara Lodge, where several health experts met to present an overview of the country’s progress in the fight against the HIV/AIDS. These experts included representatives from the Health and HIV/AIDS Office, USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean; Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and heads within the Ministry of

Public Health.

There it was revealed that despite funding cuts from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, disbursements to meet HIV targets and objectives have increased locally by150 per cent.

In a media statement from the Ministry of Public Health, the body provided the breakdown of the state’s spending for HIV/AIDS, which stands at 62 per cent, while funding from the country’s international partners stands at 35 percent and donations from “other sources” are listed at three per cent.

Additional data provided showed that Guyana spends 52 per cent of allocations in the HIV/AIDS fight on preventative care; 21 per cent on curative care, while administrative costs are calculated at 25 per cent and capital and “other” at one per cent.

Meanwhile, the country’s private sector contributes only 13 per cent of the total health expenditures with nine per cent coming from households and four per cent from companies.

At the meeting on Friday, a document was circulated

with several recommendations to combat such challenges and included calls for the private sector to increase its “meagre contribution.”

and strengthen private sector involvement.”

The same document also recommended that the country develop a “credible long-

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings

“The private sector spending is relatively low in comparison with that of other countries with similar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita,” the recommendation noted, adding that the limited contributions present “an opportunity to diversify the source of funds for health

term financing scenario that includes efforts to diversify funding sources and optimise resource utilisation.”

Added to this was the advice that those working on the National Health Accounts (NHA) initiative recommend that the country allocate additional funding to disease pre-

vention, as figures show that only 19 per cent of the total health expenditure focuses on this critical area.

Addressing the forum, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, spoke about the importance of the country’s NHA and its aid in decision-making. She said that the NHA must not become stagnant, but must be “periodically re-examined to determine the extent or scope of public health care and to ensure that the best concepts, data sources, and methods are being captured.

“Guyana’s health accounts will play a pivotal role in national health care policy.

It will also serve as a base from which sub-accounts of expenditures useful to decision-makers can be crafted.

Our health accounts will serve as a base from which projections of health expenditures can be modelled,” Minister Cummings said.

After 17 years of trying, Guyana has now joined Mexico and Nicaragua, pioneering states in the health accounts field, and several Caribbean countries to utilise

this useful strategy.

Cummings has advised that the country “strategically utilise the information to promote better and targeted investments for the improvement of public health outcomes for all Guyanese.”

Also making remarks on the topic was PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, who referred to the NHA as “a useful monitoring and evaluation tool,” adding: “One cannot manage what one cannot measure.”

Altogether Director of the Health and HIV/AIDS Office at USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean Julia Henn, commended the government’s commitment to combating the deadly virus which previously presented great challenges to the country. Similar acclamations were stated within the document previously referenced, which stated that the increased budgetary spending demonstrates the government’s “commitment to implement a ‘Treat All’ approach” among its list of strategies to combat the disease.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

AFC supports Guyanese scholars

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HE Alliance For Change as part of its AFC Cares Initiative, on Monday made meaningful contributions to two of Guyana’s scholars who will be pursuing studies overseas.

Fatima Karim, who is Guyana’s top 2016 CSEC performer gained acceptance into Stanford University, California, United States, was donated a state-of-theart computer to aid in her

endeavours; along with Ricardo Jordan whose accommodation at the University of Technology in Jamaica was supported for the new academic year 2018-2019.

In making the presentations at the party’s Kitty office, Leader of the AFC, Raphael Trotman, in the presence of Party Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan and other members congratulated the students and stressed the importance of quality education to build a country. He

AFC leaders and recipients of the donations

DeSinco helps Venezuelan refugees

reaffirmed the AFC’s commitment to giving support when it can, stating that both students are ambassadors for their peers and for the country, and admonished them to work hard and return to serve Guyana.

The AFC Care Initiative over the years has addressed some of the community’s most pressing needs such as disaster relief, humanitarian work and study aid to name a few components.

Investment in youth is an investment in Guyana -- Miss Bartica Regatta 2018

By Gabriella Chapman

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DeSinco Limited Trading CEO Frank DeAbreu and Sales and Marketing Director Alicia DeAbreu, hand over the 50 hampers of food items to CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig on Tuesday

L

OCAL businesses, organisations and individual persons continue to provide aid to Venezuelans who flocked Guyana to escape hardships in their country.

On Tuesday, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) received a donation of 50 food hampers from DeSinco Trading Limited at DeSinco’s headquarters in Eccles, East Bank Demerara, for some 260 Venezuelan migrants in Region One. CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig thanked DeSinco Trading for the kind gesture and noted that Government has convened a multi-agency coordinating committee to look into the Venezuelans’ welfare.

That committee includes the Guyana Police Force, the Ministries of Communities, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Social Protection, Public Health and Citizenship and the CDC.

However, much humanitarian support is still needed to tackle the migration, particularly along the border locations.

“The current situation in Regions One, Seven and Nine can be considered a complex humanitarian situation which has security implications, foreign policy implications, implications for humanitarian support in terms of providing food and shelter and health implications. The CDC in collaboration with the Ministry of Citizenship and several other agencies have taken a multi-agency approach to provide the necessary supplies to the affected persons in those regions…. A gesture like this is welcomed by the CDC and it shows that agencies like DeSinco Limited are taking corporate social responsibility very seriously,” Lieutenant Colonel Craig said.

On that note, he urged other organisations to support the drive to bring relief to the

migrants.

“I would also like to encourage corporate Guyana to continue to support people in need, not only the Guyanese in need but the Venezuelans in need. Similar activities like these are occurring in Colombia and in Brazil, and people there are coming out and giving support to those in need; so we’re looking forward to the support of the private sector,” he said.

DeSinco’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frank DeAbreu said his organisation strongly supports good corporate citizenship.

“DeSinco will always stand by the needy. We have been doing this for years.

To help those who need is to help but to help who already have is to be famous and we are not looking for fame. We are looking to help…. Now that God has helped me so that I can offer, I am delighted that I can give back to the Venezuelans,” he said.

ISS Bartica Regatta 2018 Arian Dahlia Richmond, has lived up to her pledge to ensure that the youths of Bartica benefit during her reign. On Monday, she commenced her Youth Development Camp for Barticans aged eight to 18.

Dahlia said the camp aims to create a space for youths to use their time to develop their talent into skills during August and onward. It also seeks to enhance individual development, as it provides the youths opportunities to generate effective community change.

She is hoping that the camp will also help the youths to build social skills and learn how to interact in new settings.

The queen told this newspaper that the onus lies on every member of each small community to better their lives through productive actions, noting that these will cause a ripple effect that will create positive change for Guyana as a nation.

“We can cultivate innovative youth with the involvement of parents, local businesses and municipality, and the region can prosper from a healthy mental and physical population.

Socio-economic dysfunctions within hinterland communities contribute to the mass of social ills such as statutory rape, mental and physical illness and drug

Miss Bartica Regatta 2018 Arian Dahlia Richmond

use, among other hindrances to their growth,” Dahlia said.

She related that while doing research, she learnt that in a UNICEF study of local Indigenous women and children in 2017, it was found that 35.5 per cent of the population is under 15 and young people 15-19 represent about 8.9 per cent.

The population of the hinterland regions, comprising

more than two-thirds of the land area, is 10.9 per cent.

Hence, she believes the investment in youth is a direct investment in Guyana’s longevity and it is against this backdrop the Youth Development Camp was launched.

Dahlia is still seeking the support of businesses, organisations and individuals to make her project a success.

A section of the youths on the first day of the Youth Development Camp in Bartica

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Lindeners gearing to find niche in O&G –– take advantage of many local content opportunities on offer

By Vanessa Braithwaite

IN an effort to prepare Linden entrepreneurs to find their niche in the lucrative oil-and- gas sector, the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) has teamed up with an Atlanta, Georgia, company to host a series of four workshops to teach them how to go about it.

The Atlanta firm at reference is the LIBRA Management Group, which is a provider of professional and technical services in the areas of management, entrepreneurial development and Information Technology to the US Federal Government.

Its presence here is to help with the establishment of local content for the oiland-gas sector, and to offer some of the

services it does in the U.S right in Linden.

The first of the two-day sessions on Tuesday saw about 40 participants being engaged in such topics as health and safety; creating sustainable businesses; and the professional management of businesses.

Facilitator, Ms. Stacey Mollison said that as an entrepreneur living in the Diaspora and working with LIBRA, she was tired of hearing of the many negative rhetoric associated with Linden, and decided that she can do something to change that mindset by engaging the entrepreneurs on what skills are needed to keep their businesses striving, and to make it the best among their competitors.

Taking such a decision, she said, couldn’t happen at a better time with the

Participants at Tuesday’s session of the workshop

Ms. Stacey Morrison (third right) and other workshop facilitators fast-approaching production of first oil, and the need to have the relevant local content to drive that sector.

In the area of health and safety, participants were taught about the necessity of keeping themselves in shape both physically and mentally and the business going.

Said Mollison, “A lot of times we focus on everyone else, but we are the main persons; we need to be healthy.” They were also schooled in the art of keeping a safe business environment for customers as well as staff.

Relative to keeping a business sustainable, which has been identified as one of the weaknesses of the Linden entrepreneurs, the participants learnt how to effectively manage their businesses financially and competitively, in order to stay ahead of the game.

They were also lectured on professional management, so as to offer the best customer service, and by so doing keep the customers coming.

Mollison said she is confident the workshop will have a positive impact

on the entrepreneurs, and would like to encourage other established businessmen in the Diaspora to come back home and engage the local small-scale entrepreneurs on the steps needed to develop as they did.

“I am a born Guyanese; I have been gone since I was 10 years old, and I look at the opportunity with oil and gas. There is need to engage the entrepreneurs; people who have existing businesses, and people who want to,” she said, adding: “As an entrepreneur, our goal is to make sure that every single person that comes in contact with us know what we do and know that we do it better.”

She said that ventures such as these will be continuous, and plans on hosting a women’s entrepreneurial programme in the near future.

The two-day workshop concludes today with a pitch competition, which will see the winner carting off a cash prize.

The workshop is free, and all are invited to join in the conversation at the LEN Conference Room.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

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Cops nab Russian accused of torturing Guyanese

POLICE on Tuesday arrested one of two Russian security officers accused of beating local miners at a mining location in the interior recently.

Guyana Chronicle was told that the other man escaped.

Reports are that the miners were executing their normal duties on their employers’ claim in Quart Stone, near the Quart Stone River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), when they were intercepted by two expatriate Russian operatives of West Bank Demerara Gold Inc. Reports are that the Russians attempted to prohibit the Guyanese miners from entering farther on said land when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, officials of the Russian Embassy in Georgetown offered no comment until a decision is made to do otherwise as the authorities continue to investigate the brutal assault on the miners.

On Monday, the Ministry of Natural Resources ordered an immediate investigation into the assault on miners by Russian security guards working in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni at a claim operated by Hopkinson Mining Logistics, a company which is owned by Guyanese large-scale miner Shawn Hopkinson.

On Tuesday, the Guyana Chronicle contacted the embassy for a comment on the issue. An embassy official from Pere Street, Kitty, told this newspaper by email that while it appreciates the collaboration with the local press, the foreign entity could not comment on the issue at this time until a decision is made to do so.

Calls to the landline numbers provided for the company at the centre of the incident, West Bank Demerara Gold Inc, went unan-

swered all day on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Natural Resources said it has noted with deep concern and strong consternation a video circulating on social media which appears to show a confrontation at a mining location between an alleged foreigner and Guyanese miner. “The video clearly shows that the alleged foreigner is armed with a firearm and behaving in an aggressive, hostile and condescending manner towards the man who appears to be a Guyanese national,” the statement read.

The incident occurred in April this year.

The Hopkinson security guard recorded the incident with his cellular phone. The video recording shows a Russian operative who is known in the concession area as ‘Batali,’ demanding documentation and challenging Edwards and Charles’ right to be on their employer’s claim. He subsequently attempted to block their access. ‘Batali’ then punched Edwards in his face. When Edwards attempted to defend himself, Batali punched him a second time, then pulled a gun on the men.

West Bank Demerara Gold Inc. Is a company which acquired and now operates a mining concession known as Chunnylall Babullal & Ricky Ramnarine (CB&R) concession.

Hopkinson Mining Logistics ostensibly has mining claims within the CB&R concession that predates its acquisition by West Bank Demerara Gold Inc. The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) in a statement condemning the incident called on the Guyana government to investigate what it described as alleged torture, harassment of Guyanese miners and workers by the Russians.

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Guyana hoping...

While acknowledging that Curaçao is a different team to that of Trinidad and Tobago, Joseph said that the two-day preparation period before the next match enabled the technical squad to continuously instil the playing philosophy.

Meanwhile, in recapping the first match, Joseph said the result does not reflect the competitive nature of the team even while acknowledging some of the challenges experienced by the National U14 team, including the that of players adjusting to the astro turf and keeping possession of the ball.

“The team collectively showed a good attitude; they fought throughout and continued to play regardless of

FROM PAGE 33

the score. All 17 players were able to play including the goalkeeper. This is all part of what we wanted to achieve – the exposure – and I think going forward, there will be better performances especially in light of the entire group being exposed to the astro turf,” Joseph said.

Nonetheless, the head coach said the team is in “good spirits” and “motivated to play” the rest of the series.

The U14 team was captained by midfielder Zidane Ramdeholl.

Guyana’s next matches will be against Bonaire and Aruba on August 10 and August 12 respectively. All matches will be held at the Ergilio Hato Stadium.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Ben Stokes ‘spiteful and angry to bouncer before nightclub fight’

Bouncer Andrew Cunningham said Mr Stokes became abusive after he was refused entry into a nightclub.

ENGLAND cricketer Ben Stokes was “spiteful and angry” towards a bouncer before he was involved in a fight with two men, a court has heard.

The Durham all-rounder is one of three men accused of fighting in Bristol on September 25.

Bristol Crown Court previously heard Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 27, were knocked unconscious by 27-year-old Mr Stokes.

They also deny affray and are on trial alongside the cricketer.

Giving evidence, bouncer Andrew Cunningham said Mr Stokes became abusive after he was refused entry back into Mbargo nightclub just after 02:00hrs BST. TEETH AND TATTOOS Mr Stokes and his teammate Alex Hales had left the nightclub at 00:46hrs but returned at 02:08hrs.

Mr Cunningham said he explained to them the club was closed and they would not be allowed to enter.

He told the jury Mr Stokes offered him £300 to be let in, but after he refused the all-rounder became “spiteful and angry” and insulted Mr Cunningham’s gold teeth and tattoos.

Det Con Daniel Adams said CCTV footage played in court showed Mr Stokes flicking a V-sign at Mr Cunningham.

However, the cricketer’s barrister Gordon Cole QC said it was not accepted that Mr Stokes had made the gesture.

The CCTV also shows two men, William O’Connor and Kai Barry, leaving the club in the Clifton Triangle area of the city and

the pair engaging in conversation with Mr Stokes and Mr Hales.

Prosecutors say Mr Stokes mocked the two “openly gay” men outside the venue.

However, Mr Cole said Mr Barry and Mr O’Connor, who had both been inside the club, had been “taking the mickey” out of his client’s shoes.

‘CAMP HAND GESTURES’ Referring to the CCTV, Det Con Adams told jurors Mr Stokes had “mimicked the actions” of Mr O’Connor and then “flicked something which we believe was a cigarette butt” at him.

Mr Cunningham described Mr Barry and Mr O’Connor as “effeminate” and “flamboyant” and told the court Mr Stokes had “made noises” and “camp hand gestures” to mock them.

He said he told Mr Stokes: “If you are going to start on someone, start on me.”

Mr Cunningham continued: “When I said this (Mr Hales) looked a bit confused.

“I explained to him what he had done. He turned to his friend and said ‘Stokesy don’t do that’.”

He said that before leaving the club area Mr Stokes shook hands with his door supervisor colleague but he refused to do so.

“He went to shake mine and I had no reason to shake his hand,” he said. “They left and walked up the road.”

Mr Cunningham denied he had been aggressive towards Mr Stokes and Mr Hales when they returned to the club.

During cross-examina-

tion, Mr Cole said: “You were rude in the way you spoke to them. They then stood outside for quite some time laughing and joking.

“They were laughing and joking with Mr O’Connor and Mr Barry.”

Mr Cunningham replied: “Definitely not. I never became aggressive. They were laughing and joking at them, not with them.”

The prosecutor suggested there was an exchange of “mickey taking” and “banter” between Mr Stokes and Mr Hales and the two gay men.

Mr Cunningham replied: “That’s not how I would call it.” Stephen Mooney, representing Mr Ali, asked Mr Cunningham whether Mr Stokes and Mr Hales had treated him with “respect and courtesy”. “No,” the doorman replied.

The court has heard Mr Stokes knocked out both Mr Hale and Mr Ali when he and Mr Hales caught up with them, and Mr O’Connor and Mr Barry, on a nearby street.

Mr Ali is said to have threatened Mr Hales with a bottle, while Mr Hale is alleged to have pulled a metal pole from a street sign and brought it to the scene.

Mr Stokes claims he was acting in self-defence and took action after his co-defendants were homophobic towards Mr O’Connor and Mr Barry.

‘FORCEFUL PUNCH’ The jury was shown video footage recorded by film student Max Wilson, who said he began filming after he heard a commotion and “thought there was a fight about to break out”.

“Someone shoved another person,” he said. The six men sounded like “football hooligans” and were “clearly drunk”, he added.

In the footage Mr Wilson was heard to swear after a punch was thrown.

Asked why he reacted in that way, he replied: “It was such a forceful punch. It just took me by surprise.

“I felt a little bit sorry about the lad that had been punched and it looked like he had his hands up.”

Mr Stokes, of Castle Eden, Durham, was arrested

in the early hours along with Mr Ali, of Bristol, and Mr Hale, of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.

The fight took place several hours after England had played a one-day international against West

Indies at the city’s County Ground.

The trial continues.

(BBC Sport)

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Hutson says the Brij Parasnath National College C/ship was a grand success

AUBREY Hutson, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) declared that the inaugural Brij Parasnath National College Athletics Championship (NCAC) was “a great start and a grand success”.

After a historic Brij Parasnath NCAC was successfully concluded at the Leonora National Track & Field Stadium, West Coast Demerara; there was much joy, happiness pleasant memories etched in the minds among all the par-

ticipating athletes, coaches, officials and supporters who made it a celebrated occasion.

And the person who was most satisfied was the AAG president, who decided to launch the NCAC with a view of ensuring that there is

Aubrey Hutson (president of AAG) is at extreme left while Brij Parasnath is at extreme right.

a forum for Guyana’s budding athletes, to pursue their athletic careers alongside their academic advancement.

Hutson was present at the Ministry of Youth and Sport’s National Sports Commission (NSC) office at Homestretch Avenue in December 2016 when his former Bladen Hall Multilateral school teacher Brij Parasnath outlined programmes that he had pioneered as one of the first five Ministry’s former Regional Sports Organisers (1973-74) and successful First Class Secondary School graduate teacher of the Cyril Potter of Education (1974-77).

Parasnath was the founder and main organiser for the first-ever Guyana Institutions of Higher Education Athletics Championships that featured the University of Guyana (UG), Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Guyana Technical Institute (GTI) and Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) on December 5, 1995 at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary. He outlined the benefits of such an important activity in the lives of students at these tertiary level institutions.

Hutson decided to take up the challenge to rekindle Parasnath’s vision and dream for holistic development for students attending institutions of higher learning.

In his opening remarks before the Championships got underway with many hotly-contested events, Hutson said that “Mr Parasnath was my school teacher, my coach, my mentor and it gives me great pleasure to spearhead the drive to organise the NCAC to keep his dream alive.

“It’s a real honour to stand here today and to know that we are starting something special that gives all of you a chance

to develop your athletic careers while you are attending your respective institutions.”

In light-hearted mood, Hutson added: “And I hope that one day in the future when I get older, that one of my students - among you - will take up the mantle and carry on this legacy and make me proud to sit in the stands and enjoy the competition.” After the successful completion with the University of Guyana (UG) being crowned the triumphant champion team; Hutson declared that “the inaugural Brij Parasnath NCAC was off to a great start and now provides a new platform for Athletics in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Everyone was really happy and excited and expressed great satisfaction how everything went off smoothly. I wish to publicly express my own overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and to state that the inaugural Championship was a grand success.” Hutson was very elated with the response from all the athletes and officials who were involved in the exciting action. He was grateful for the response from 21 educational and training institutions which participated in the heats and trials.

Hutson also expressed sincere thanks to the Minister of Education Nicolette Henry; and Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton; who offered their support and blessings as well as Sport Director Christopher Jones who also supported in a tangible way.

The Organising Committee was headed by Hutson and Championships Commissioner Laverne Fraser-Thomas. They worked in conjunction with other directors and technical personnel and came in for a lot of praise and commendation

for the very successful Brij Parasnath NCAC that now presents a great opportunity for the nation’s academically-inclined youths to also be able to develop their sporting talents.

Hutson stressed that: “This great start of the Brij Parasnath NCAC for Track and Field in Guyana and in the Caribbean.

These events will help our athletes to build their athletic careers around their school studies.” “It will create an attraction for our athletes to stay in Guyana and pursue their academics up to the University level or other tertiary level institutions.”

Apart from the brilliance of newly-crowned champion athletes Osafa Dosantos (male) and Ruth Sanmoogan (female) as well as CARIFTA Games multiple champion Chantoba Bright and Guyana’s latest sprint sensation Emmanuel Archibald; there were many other notable performances.

UG also led the points table with 328 points and secured their first lien on the Brij Parasnath Challenge Trophy.

Leonora TechVoc TC finished second with 100 points while Sophia Training Centre (77) were third with 77 followed

by New Amsterdam Technical Institute and Vryman’s Ervin Training Centre in joint fourth with 43 each; Cyril Potter College of Education 40; Mackenzie High 36; New Amsterdam 23; Georgetown American University 18; St Rose’s High 17 and President’s College 14.

UG’s athletes, Osafa Dos Santos (36 points, with double gold in shot put and discus and double silver in javelin and high jump) and Ruth Sanmoogan (38 points, which comprised three gold in 100, 200 and 400 metres and silver in long jump) copped the top Male and Female awards respectively.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Hughes and Asher-Smith complete 100 metres double for Britain

BERLIN (Reuters) - Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and Dina Asher-Smith were crowned as Europe’s fastest sprinters on Tuesday, winning high-quality editions of the blue riband 100 metres finals at the European Championships .On a hot, still evening in the Olympic Stadium where Usain Bolt set the world record of 9.58 seconds, Hughes, an occasional training partner of the great Jamaican back in Kingston, set a Championship record of 9.95 to pip fast-finishing team mate Reece Prescod by one-hundredth of a second.

The race to find the continent’s fastest woman saw Asher-Smith end the 100m reign of Dutchwoman Daphne Schippers in brilliant style, clocking 10.85, equalling the world’s fastest time this year and setting a British record.

The 22-year-old Asher-Smith, the reigning European 200m champion, surged clear early in the race, with Germany’s Gina Lueckenkemper taking silver in 10.98 and Schippers bronze in a season’s best 10.99.

It is the first time Britain have been able to boast both the men’s and women’s champion at the same edition in the 84-year history of the Championships.

The country’s sprint domination on the opening day of finals was underlined

by Britain boasting three men in the top four, with

Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (left) and Dina Asher-Smith were crowned as Europe’s fastest sprinters on Tuesday.

(Reuters photo)

Chijindu ‘CJ’ Ujah clocking 10.06 behind Turkish bronze medallist Jak Ali Harvey (10.01).

The result, though, may have been different had France’s Jimmy Vicaud, the fastest qualifier with an effortless 9.97 semi, not pulled out before the final with an adductor injury.

“I am happy and the job is done. I felt a bit of cramp so I don’t think I could have gone any faster but I’m just happy,” said Hughes, who was almost overhauled by Prescod as the silver medallist dipped under 10 seconds for the first time.

The 23-year-old Hughes was born and raised in the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla but has competed internationally for Britain for the past three years.

He has made rapid strides under Bolt’s former coach Glen Mills but was left heartbroken in the Com-

monwealth Games when he was celebrating his 200m victory only to be told he had been disqualified for obstructing Trinidad’s Jereem Richards.

As for any comparisons with his illustrious friend, Hughes just shrugged: “Usain Bolt did what he did at this stadium. I did the championships record and I am happy for that.”

A beaming Asher-Smith, who looks set to be one of athletics’ new shining personalities, said after her win: “I’m really really happy, I knew I had it in my legs. I did everything right.

“In the heats, I sat in the blocks like I was a slug and my reaction time was 0.2 (of a second) and I was like, ‘what you doing, Dina, you’re here to run. I was really happy to nail it in the final.”

TACTICAL 10,000 On the first night of fi-

nals, 30-year-old Frenchman Morhad Amdouni won a tactical 10,000m, sprinting away from Bashir Abdi after the Belgian tried to kick for home off the back straight and winning in a modest 28 minutes 11.22.

Earlier, Ukrainian Maryan Zakalnytskyy and Portugal’s Ines Henriques were the first two champions crowned when they delivered exceptional 50-km race walk triumphs around the streets of Berlin on a hot morning.

French world champion Kevin Mayer, hot favourite to win the decathlon title, blew his chances completely in the second of the 10 events when he fouled in all three long jump attempts.

The Olympic silver medallist was leading the competition to find Europe’s top all-round athlete after a 10.64 seconds run in the 100 metres before he made the inexplicable error which ruled him out of contention and prompted him to pull out.

Having fouled his first two jumps in the Olympic Stadium, just a safe third would have sufficed for the 26-year-old but he again edged over the take-off board with an unnecessarily aggressive approach on his final attempt.

Mayer’s absence leaves the title up for grabs, with Britain’s Tim Duckworth taking most advantage to lead by 95 points on 4,380 after the first day.

Guyana hoping for improved performance against Curaçao today GUYANA’S National Boys U14 football team will play their second game in this year’s Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series today, against home side Curaçao at the Ergilio Hata Stadium at 18:00hrs.

This follows their 8-0 defeat against Trinidad and Tobago in their opening match on Saturday at the same venue.

In an invited comment, the team’s head coach Bryan Joseph, said in today’s game, the strategy will not vary much from that of the first match, adding “as part of our development, we must try to instil the playing philosophy in the players.

“We’ll continue to do that so it won’t change much in the second match. These are young players and the information we’re passing on needs to be concise and consistent.”

National U14 Boys team starting line-up against Trinidad and Tobago.

TURN TO PAGE 30

FROM BACK PAGE

Gold medal-winning...

By Michelangelo Jacobus AFTER hauling six gold and two bronze medals as well as individual awards, the core of Guyana’s ‘golden’ powerlifting team arrived in Guyana just after midnight, yesterday, to an excited and anxious Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation (GAPLF) family along with Director of Sport Christopher Jones at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

After receiving a warm welcome, the trio of Carlos Petterson-Griffith (Men’s Raw Open 93kg gold and Men’s Equipped Open 93kg gold), Nadina Taharally (Masters Raw I 72kg gold, Raw Open 72kg bronze) and Franklyn

win medals for his country.

He also pointed out the challenges of breathing properly but noted that he gave it his best.

I n t h e f u t u r e , B r i sport-Luke said, he will be looking to represent the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ on the international scene. “Now that I’ve had a taste of what it’s like, now that I’ve gotten over the butterflies, I want to improve and do better in the future.”

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Director of Sport Christopher Jones revealed that while the National Sports Commission (NSC) wasn’t able to help entirely, the body supported to the best of its ability.

“We had made a com-

Brisport-Luke (Equipped Masters I, 66kg bronze and Equipped Open 66kg bronze) spoke to Chronicle Sport about their experiences.

Petterson-Griffith said that after winning bronze last year it was “determination that propelled me”.

“Despite being 12 890 feet above sea level, having my nose blocked up and having to get accustomed to the climate, I always backed myself to come out on top.

I’m disappointed at not being able to go for the world record in the Dead Lift but I have my sights set on the World Championships and other upcoming competitions where I’ll go one better,” A seasoned and proven athlete on the international scene, Nadina Taharally, revealed that she fought through nosebleeds and gave it her all despite the circumstances. She also pointed out that as long as she is able to go out there and give it her all for Guyana, she will continue to do the country proud.

Meanwhile, Brisport-Luke, who was on his first international outing, said it was a spectacular feeling to

mitment to them, that in 2018 once we’re pursuing same (medals on the international stage), the NSC would come on board. However we came short, we weren’t able to fulfil their entire request but we helped with a part.”

He also noted that the NSC has budgeted for 2019 to ensure that there are no shortcomings in 2019. “We have budgeted specifically for regional and international tournaments in 2019 and as such we’ve requested that the various associations submit their proposals for the New Year. How many of them have already done so; I wouldn’t be able to say, but systems will be in place to ensure that there isn’t a repeat.”

The team which comprised of eight athletes; Nadina Taharally, Carlos Petterson-Griffith, Grace Babb, Paul Adams, Nairanjan Singh, Frank Tucker, Franklyn Brisport-Luke and Erwyn Smith hauled in a total of six gold and two bronze medals at the recently concluded IPF/NAPF Regional Championships in Mexico City, Mexico which ran from August 1 to 4.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Gaming Authority gets on board Guinness Cage WITH the growing need to build cohesion among our communities and to foster better understanding among residents, the Three Peat Promotions/Guinness Cage competition dubbed ‘East Coast Best versus the Rest’ is expected to provide the platform to achieve those goals.

In order to accomplish those objectives, Sport has been earmarked as one of the vehicles to do so and members of the corporate community are leading the way through their support to the initiative.

On Monday, during a simple ceremony that was conducted at the entity’s location on South Road, the Gaming Authority added its name to the list of sponsors in support of the Three Peat Promotions Guinness Cage competition.

C o m p l i a n c e O ff i c e r attached to the Authority, Towana Whinfield, handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Three Peat Promotions’ Rawle Welch as part of the entity’s contribution to the event.

Welch, in his remarks, thanked the Authority for

Organiser Rawle Welch (right), and Gaming Authority’s Compliance Officer Towana Whinfield

its timely support, adding that the contribution’s significance cannot be un-

dervalued, especially at a time when there is an overwhelming cry for unity,

peace and love among communities.

The competition is set to kick off this evening, at the Haslington Market tarmac at 19:00hrs with the remaining playing days being August 11, 18, 25 and September 1, at the same venue.

Welch expressed his gratitude to the company for its significant support at the Promotions’ first call, adding that it signals the seriousness of the organisation in helping to develop sports and cohesion among the various communities of the participating teams.

Among the other en-

tities who have pledged their support are: Banks DIH under its Guinness and Power Wine brands, Clarks footwear giant Chetsons, E-Networks Inc., KSM Investments, Yhip’s Bakery, Brass Aluminum & Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF), Ray’s Auto Sales, Y.K. Investments, Trophy Stall, Express Shipping, Woodpecker Products, National Sports Commission, ‘C’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Jai Signs & Auto Designs, Julius Variety Store and C & C Prestigious Styles.

Abuse, ball-tampering threaten Guyana fall 2-0 to Cayman Islands at CONCACAF Girls’ U-15 Championship cricket’s ‘DNA’ - ICC boss

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Ball-tampering, verbal abuse and on-field confrontations are threatening the spirit of cricket and recent poor behaviour by players has to stop, International Cricket Council (ICC) boss David Richardson has said.

Richardson also took aim at players claiming confusion over ball-tampering rules, saying the laws were clear and their complaints “disingenuous” in a speech at the MCC’s Colin Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s. “The phrase ‘it’s just not cricket’ is not an accident, it’s because cricket’s DNA is based on integrity and people know that cricket represents something more than a game,” Richardson said.

“We have seen too much behaviour of late that puts that in jeopardy and it has to stop.

Sledging that amounts to no more than personal abuse, fielders giving sendoffs to batsmen who have been dismissed, unnecessary physical contact, players threatening not to play in

ICC) Chief Executive David Richardson

protest against an umpire’s decision and ball-tampering.

“This isn’t the version of our sport that we want to project to the world.”

Cricket’s image has taken a battering in recent months, with former Australia captain Steve Smith and two of his players slapped with long bans for the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal in March.

The same Test series against South Africa was also marred by an off-field altercation between Australia’s David Warner and Quinton de Kock, and a string of code of conduct violations by players

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday July 18, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Trinbago Knight Riders & St. Lucia Stars (2) Trinbago Knight Riders Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the current captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors?

(2) Who is the current Warriors head coach?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

on both sides.

Ugly incidents involving players undermining officials have also tarnished the game, with Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan sanctioned after threatening to take his team off the ground over an umpiring decision in a Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in March.

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha were all sanctioned last month after the team refused to take the field for two hours in a June Test match against West Indies in protest after Chandimal was charged with ball-tampering.

The ICC introduced tougher punishments for ball-tampering last month, but South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who has twice fallen foul of the rules, remarked that he needed more “clarity” over what was permitted.

Richardson said the rules were already clear enough.

“Over the last few months I’ve read comments from players requesting guidance on what is allowed in relation to the ball,” he said. “Asking if they can chew gum, wear sunscreen or drink a sugary drink, and to be brutally honest, I find this a little disingenuous. “The laws are simple and straightforward do not change the condition of the ball using an artificial substance.

“If you are wearing sunscreen, sucking a mint or chewing gum with the intent of using the cream or sugary saliva on the ball, you are ball-tampering.”

… to play final Group stage game against Bahamas today

Guyana’s National U-15 Girls team after their 2-0 defeat against Cayman Islands

PLAYING in their second game in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)

Girls’ U-15 Championship, Guyana fell 2-0 to the Cayman Islands.

At the IMG Academy in Florida, USA, it was the sec-

ond successive defeat for the Guyanese girls, having played to an inspiring 3-1 defeat, suffered at the ‘feet’ of St Lucia.

Guyana will play their final Group E game today against Bahamas in the Division 2 classification of the tournament. Guyana’s squad consists of both international and Guyana-based players, including two goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders and five forwards.

The internationally-based players were selected following the hosting of Talent Identification Camps in the United States and Canada.

Motherhood struggles led to Rogers Cup withdrawal - Serena Williams SERENA Williams says she pulled out of this week’s Rogers Cup in Canada after feeling like she was “in a funk” and “not a good mom”.

The American 23-time Grand Slam singles champion initially withdrew from the tournament citing “personal reasons”.

Williams, 36, returned to tennis earlier this year after giving birth in September 2017. She reached the Wimbledon final in July but last week suffered the heaviest defeat of her career.

Williams’ 6-1. 6-0 loss to Britain’s Johanna Konta at the Silicon Valley Classic event was the first time since turning professional in 1995

23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams

that she had failed to win at least two games in a match.

In a post on Instagram, Williams explained that she had been struggling with post-natal emotions - but went on to stress such feelings were “totally normal” and urged other mothers not to suffer in silence.

“Last week was not easy for me,” she said. “Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk. Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom.

“I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to three years if not dealt with. I like communication best. Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal.

“It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby. “Most of you moms deal with the same thing. I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week - it’s OK - I am, too!” (BBC Sport)

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Forde boasts of Guyana’s potential line-up ahead of CONCACAF Nations League … praises new ‘Golden Jaguars’ head coach approach

By Rawle Toney DESPITE the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) being reticent about the composition and shortlisted players for the ‘Golden Jaguars’, Wayne Forde, who sits at the helm of football’s local governing body, believes that Guyana will have one of the strongest teams in the Caribbean.

Forde, at the time, was speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport, regarding Guyana’s participation in the newly-formed Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League, where the GFF’s flagship programme, the senior men’s national team, will open their campaign against Barbados on September 8 at the Leonora Track and Field Facility.

The Nations League is a new centralised men’s national team competition representing a new era of national team football for CONCACAF member associations (MA).

The CONCACAF Nations League begins in September with a one-off qualifying phase, while the group phase, consisting of threetiered leagues, will kick off in 2019.

The top league will end

Regional Under-19 cricket KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) – Jamaica is in a good position to claim first-innings lead over the Windward Islands, while Guyana staged a fightback against Trinidad and Tobago after being skittled out on the opening day of the second round of matches in the Regional Under-19 Championship.

Led by three-wicket hauls from Sanjay Brown and Raewin Senior, Jamaica dismissed the Windwards for just 184. At the close of play, they had made significant inroads into that total, finishing on 133 for two, just 51 runs adrift.

with a final to crown the Nations League champions and the competition will also serve to unify the qualifying path for the region’s national teams to the newly-expanded Gold Cup. Wi t h m a t c h e s b e i n g played on the FIFA dates between September 2018 and March 2019, Guyana, after their clash with Barbados, will then travel to Turks and Caicos for a meeting between the two countries on October 13, followed by an encounter against French Guiana on November 20, before hosting Belize in March, 2019.

Forde hinted that there are “a couple of new faces on the fringes, but of course it’s not my place to make any premature announcement, but once that’s finalised, we will certainly communicate with the nation.”

According to Forde, the Guyana are “determined to qualify for the Gold Cup (and) everything that we’ve been doing, much of it very quietly, is to strategically position ourselves for that (qualify for the Gold Cup).

We have four very important games; it may appear that some of those opponents are minnows, but none are.”

“I think just as we are doing; we are searching the planet to find players that are of the highest quality to come

is the nation’s team, but I think that in time, we hope that situation will turn around.

“We are not daunted by this. We accept our responsibility, we understand the environment right now and we’re doing everything possible to give Guyana the chance to qualify for the Gold Cup,” the GFF boss opined.

GFF president Wayne Forde (right) and new Golden Jaguars head coach Michael Johnson. (Adrian Narine photo)

and contribute to the nation, and I’m sure those other countries are doing the same, so we have to anticipate that every game will be challenging,” said Forde.

SATISFACTORY WORK

BY NEW COACH In June, the GFF announced the appointment of former Jamaica International, Michael Johnson, as the new head coach of the ‘Golden Jaguars’ and Forde said the 44-year-old, who featured for the ‘Reggae Boyz’, Derby County and Birmingham City, has been “doing a tremendous job in terms of

strategy, the people that have been put together for this programme. It’s like nothing close to what we would’ve had before in terms of the people coming together, the sports science component; the difference is night and in terms of what we’ve been doing before.”

“So, if we’re serious about meeting these targets, we have to be able to make the investment. Of course it’s challenging for the Federation, because the regrettable part of this is that we’ve been doing a lot of it on our own and it shouldn’t be because this

NATIONAL TEAM CAMP IN BRAZIL Meanwhile, under the watchful eyes of coach Johnson, the Golden Jaguars will depart on August 12 for a two-week ‘train and play’ camp in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a team of mostly local players.

Forde said with the camp happening outside of the FIFA international window, the GFF will not be able to access to the majority of their overseas-based players.

However, he also explained that “national coach is not overly concerned about (not having the overseas players) because most of those guys are playing football, we now have a new coaching structure, so we’re monitoring, so we know what they’re doing.”

“When we will have access to them, when it’s the

first game, coach Johnson knows what he’s doing, but at this point he’s more eager to see the local players. He wants to make an assessment with regard to their level of fitness and so 90% of the players going there; I think there are about four international players, but 90% of them are our local boys,” Forde noted.

Meanwhile, Forde also explained the rational in not playing any international friendlies as part of preparation, like some of their up-coming opposition, telling Chronicle Sport, “the reality is, that the Federation has to make some practical decisions based on the resources that it has. We will be going to Brazil for 14 days and we’ll be playing four highly competitive games.”

He further added, “If I were to invest in International friendlies outside of Guyana, I would’ve been setting the Federation back almost $8M, between travel and preparation. We’re going to get four highly competitive games, we’re going to get the team for 14 days with the new coach, so the overall return investment is more beneficial and it also furthers the partnership that we’re now developing with our Brazilian counterparts.”

Table-leaders Guyana fight back after routed for 104; Jamaica in control against Windwards Jamaica were given a solid start by openers Kirk McKenzie (33) and Ricardo McIntosh, who scored 64, as they added 65 runs in just 12 overs for the first wicket.

McIntosh’s knock contained seven boundaries and one six and came off 83 balls.

Following their eventual dismissals, Bryan Brown who is unbeaten on 16 and Andre McCarthy (12 not out), ensured there were no further surprises.

Earlier, Brown and Senior, along with McCarthy who took two wickets, ran through the Windwards lower order.

From a comfortable position of 181 for 5, the Windwards lost their last five wickets for the addition of just three runs, after Tahj Tavernier and Micah Joseph had helped rescue them from early trouble.

Tavernier, who top-scored

with 53 and Joseph (34) shared a 65-run partnership for the sixth wicket after the Windwards had stumbled to 116 for five.

But once they were dismissed within a run of each other there was very little resistance.

Table-leaders Guyana were routed for just 104, but fought back to limit T&T to 51 for four at the end of play.

Baskar Yadram was Guyana’s top scorer with 25, with no other batsman getting 20 runs, as Navin Bidaisee’s four for 31 left them tottering at 65-5 at one point.

Kevin Sinclair then accounted for the first three wickets of Bidaisee, Cephas Cooper and Leonardo Julien, to reduce T&T to 29-3, and leave the contest evenly poised heading into today’s second day.

Barbados were led by a superb five-wicket haul from Joshua Bishop, as they ended their contest against the Leeward Islands in the driver’s seat.

Batting first, several Barbadian batsmen got starts but failed to carry on as they were bowled out for a respectable 249.

Matthew Forde (45) and Nyeem Young (44) both fell

short of half-centuries, as Barbados recovered from 137 for seven.

Elroy Francis was the main destroyer, snagging four wickets for 56 runs, while Mikyle Louis and Zawandi White each took two wickets. Bishop then struck thrice in successive overs to restrict the Leewards to 49-3.

Mikyle Louis who is unbeaten on 49, helped to steady the innings and avert catastrophe after his team fell into further trouble at 78-5.

Together with Joshua Grant, they have added 41 for the sixth wicket so far to end on 117-5.

Gold medal-winning powerlifters welcomed home … Director of Sport reaffirms NSC support

See Page 33

From left, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Carlos Petterson-Griffith, Nadina Taharally and Franklyn Brisport Luke.

Brand New

CPL trophy up for grabs

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The winners of this year’s 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will walk away with a brand new trophy.

The sleek and modern design, which integrates the colourful and dynamic Hero CPL logo with a cutting-edge look, was designed by Ryan McClean of Ryan McClean Silver and was officially unveiled on Monday at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of the Hero CPL Damien O’Donohoe said he was especially pleased with the finished product.

“We just want to showcase our new trophy which we’re very proud of. We had a top silversmith working on this for about six months and we think it’s first class,” he said.

Speaking about the vision behind the trophy McClean said: “I designed the trophy after spending time looking at the Hero CPL logo. I wanted to try and tie the two things together. The logo, just like Hero CPL, is dynamic and colourful and I felt the trophy should mirror this. The swirls from the logo holding a cricket ball

Petterson-Griffith’s medal winning exploits earn him a World Championship spot

A new CPL trophy will be up for grabs.

seemed a perfect fit to reflect what Hero CPL represents – the perfect synergy of carnival and cricket.”

Captain of the Trinbago Knight Riders Dwayne Bravo was also present at the unveiling and said he hoped to be the first to lift the new trophy.

“It’s a pleasure for me to be standing here next to this nice trophy. Hopefully, I’ll be the first captain to lift it again this year. CPL is a very good tournament, it’s one of the most successful tournaments in the world, one of the most anticipated tournaments in the world,” Bravo said.

The tournament gets underway today at the Queen’s Park Oval when the Knight Riders take on the St Lucia Stars.

AFTER his heroic efforts in Mexico City, Mexico, Guyana’s Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith, who set three new national records on his way to grabbing two gold medals at the 16th Annual IPF/NAPF Regional Powerlifting Championships, has qualified for the 2019 World Championships.

Petterson established new squat, deadlift and total records when the competition ended last Saturday, and he secured himself a place at the World Championships in the process.

Having already won a gold medal in the Men’s Raw Open 93kg class on Friday, he claimed another gold medal while contesting the Men’s Equipped Open division, setting a new national rotal record of 800kg.

Petterson’s squat of 315kg is also a new national record, as was his deadlift mark of 330kg. His

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Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith bench press was 155kg.

This performance cemented Petterson- Griffith’s place at the World Championships. Guyana

ended the Mexico sojourn with 6 gold and 3 bronze medals. Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018