Guyana Chronicle E-paper 08-26-2018

26th August, 2018

No.105378

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Mother

Progress kills son seen in … says had security a dream she would die 12 reform 13 PAGE

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British High Commissioner Greg Quinn

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dies after car slams into truck

Dead: Carlotta James

Lowest public debt in Caribbean

–– Guyana gets good rating from ECLAC 03 PAGE

A family make their way home from Kumaka at Moruca on Saturday (Alva Solomon photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Schools ready for September 3 re-opening

By Svetlana Marshall

REHABILITATION works at nursery, primary and secondary schools across the country are moving apace and are on schedule to be completed before commencement of the 2018/2019 Academic Year, Education Minister Nicolette Henry has said.

The education minister gave that assurance on Saturday shortly after assessing ongoing works at three secondary schools – Tucville Secondary, Cummings Lodge Secondary, and the St Joseph High Schools – in Region Four. Additionally, Minister

Henry also visited the Special Education Needs Diagnostic and Assimilation Centre located in the compound of the Cyril Potter College of Education. That institution is also scheduled to open in September with the walkway and driveway almost completed. She was accompanied by the Education Ministry’s Special Projects Officer, Ron Eastman, an engineer by profession.

At the St Joseph High School, on Woolford Avenue, Minister Henry expressed satisfaction with the remedial works done so far at the schools visited.

“I am pleased with what I

have seen so far, as it relates to both the progress and the quality of work that is being done to ensure that the school environment is ready for our students when they return to school on September 3, 2018,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Minister Henry, in alluding to the Cummings Lodge Secondary School, noted that an old building located in the compound of the school is currently being rehabilitated to accommodate Fifth Form students.

“Prior to this new school year, those students would have been housed in the other part of the building, so that’s really an expansion through rehabilitation work,” she explained.

Minister Henry said the Education Ministry is continuously assessing the readiness of schools for the new school year, noting that senior education officers and regional education officers are on the ground visiting schools throughout the country.

“I know for sure in Region Five and Region Six, I have gotten reports that sug-

Education Minister Nicolette Henry speaking to media operatives at the conclusion of her visit to the three secondary schools (Delano Williams photo) gest that their work is also on stream and in keeping with the time lines,” she told this newspaper.

Eastman explained that in the education sector, annual repairs and mainte-

nance to schools and educational facilities are executed throughout the year. Citing the Tucville Secondary School as an example, he said rehabilitation works are approximately 80-90

per cent completed.

SMALL PROJECTS COMPLETED The rehabilitation See page 5

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Lowest public debt in Caribbean

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–– Guyana gets good rating from ECLAC

THE United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has reported that Guyana has the lowest level of public debt in the Caribbean.

According to ECLAC’s economic survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2018, Guyana’s public debt is 46.9 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In the Caribbean, central government public debt remained stable at 68.6 per cent of GDP. Despite having the highest level of liabilities in the region, Jamaica continues to reduce its public debt.

The country had a debt of 103.0 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, followed by Barbados with 89.3 per cent.

Even as Guyana has made progress in the management of its debt, government will continue to work hard to ensure that debt levels remain sustainable, said Minister of Finance Winston Jordan last

year.

Jordan had noted that under the Public Debt Management Capacity Building Programme (PDP) Strategic Country Plan for Guyana, the country has made notable progress in the area of debt management.

He said the programme concludes this year.

The finance minis-

Debt Strategy, a comprehensive Public Debt Management Procedures Manual which has improved and ensured consistent debt management operations while reducing operational risk; and the first National Workshop on Debt Management Self-Evaluation and Improvement (DMSAI) in 2016, using the

best practices.

“These achievements are tangible indications of our Government’s redoubled efforts to ‘raise the bar’ in the management of public finances,” he said, adding that such efforts include the management of the public debt.

He said such efforts ensure heightened

ter singled out several areas which have progressed here and these include the formulation of a National Sustainable Funding Strategy in 2015, inclusive of a Debt Sustainability Analysis and Public

World Bank Debt Management Performance Assessment (DeMPA) methodology to assess Guyana’s debt management operations, and chart a course for improvement and achievement of international

transparency and accountability, value for money and efficient and effective allocation of the country’s resources.

According to Jordan, Guyana is well acquainted with the harsh consequences of

an onerous debt burden as well as the painful process of structural adjustment, and the harsh outcomes of weak and impudent management of the public purse by previous administrations.

Despite the challenges over the years, the mid-year report of 2018 had positive statistics. Among the statistics was a 4.5 per cent growth of the economy at mid-year.

ECLAC has projected that the economy will further grow by 3.0 per cent this year.

The mid-year report, however, projected a 3.7 per cent growth for this year.

According to the mid-year report, non-sugar growth rate is estimated to have climbed to 5.1 per cent from a revised 2.8 per cent, while preliminary data indicates that this growth, for the first half of 2018, was more broad-based than the previous year with robust performances in agriculture, fishing and forestry.

The significant increase in the construction sector was evidenced by higher building imports by 24.7 per cent, supported by the increased pace of execution of the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) which rose by 3.9 per cent above the previous half year.

Minister Jordan highlighted in the report that Government has made gains on putting its macroeconomic and development agenda on a strong foundation.

He said the initiatives taken during the first half – and which will be accelerated during the second half of 2018 – brought greater clarity to the Government priorities, with emphasis on spending on growth-enhancing opportunities such as construction.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

US Senator John McCain dies aged 81 (BBC) Senator John McCain, the Vietnam war hero turned senator and presidential candidate, has died aged 81.

Mr McCain died on Saturday surrounded by his family, according to a short statement released by his office.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in July 2017 and had been undergoing medical treatment.

His family announced Mr McCain, who left Washington in December, had decided to stop treatment on Friday.

Mr McCain’s daughter Meghan said the task of her lifetime would now be “to live up to his example, his expectations, and his love”.

“The days and years to come will not be the same without my dad - but they will be good days, filled with life and love, because of the example he lived for us,” she wrote in a statement shared on Twitter.

The six-term senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee was diagnosed after doctors discovered his

tumour during surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye last July.

The son and grandson of Navy admirals, Mr McCain was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. When his plane was shot down, he spent more than five years as a prisoner of war.

While in the custody of his captors, he suffered torture that left him with lasting disabilities.

Tributes began to pour in for Mr McCain as soon as the news of his death was

announced.

Donald Trump, whom Mr McCain has strongly criticised, tweeted: “My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!”

Fellow Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also tweeted, saying: “America and Freedom have lost one of her greatest champions …. and I’ve lost one of my dearest friends and mentor.”

John McCain

Rowley, Maduro sign Dragon deal

(Trinidad Newsday) The Dragon deal is official.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shook hands today to seal the deal that will see TT for the first time processing Venezuelan natural gas.

“TT is an exporter and processor of natural gas and natural gas products. Venezuelan natural gas has never been an input in that business but after today, what we anticipate will happen is in the very near future, Venezuelan natural gas will come to market in the international market place and me monetized for the benefit of the people of TT and Venezuela,” Rowley said after the signing ceremony. The sky is the limit, he added, in terms of future cooperation between the two nations.

TT news reporters were not allowed to witness the signing nor ask questions about the event. Photographers and cameramen were, but could not ask questions.

Rowley thanked Maduro for allowing the deal, saying that whole it arrived a little

later than anticipated, it’s “not too late to embark on this exciting journey.”

Rowley and a government delegation arrived in Caracas earlier today to sign the agreement with the Maduro administration that allows TT to process gas from the Dragon field.

The Rowley-led team, including a local press corps, left Trinidad at about 8 am before arriving in Caracas shortly after 10 am. The Prime Minister was greeted by representatives of the Venezuelan government.

Apart from the Prime Minister, TT is represented by Energy Minister Franklin Khan, Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Alyson West and Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe, as well as National Gas Company (NGC) executives. Representatives from Shell— which has the rights to drill in the field— and officials from Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA are also expected to attend today’s signing. The signing was moved to Caracas because of concerns of

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and a delegation arrive at the Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela to finalise and sign the Dragon gas deal between both countries (PHOTO BY CARLA BRIDGLAL)

of Tuesday’s 6.9 earthquake.

In December 2016, Rowley had visited Venezuela, and along with the country’s president, Maduro, signed an agreement that put the Dragon agreement in motion.

A special purpose vehicle between multinational energy giant Shell and the NGC has been created to lay down the infrastructure; Shell’s pipe-

lines, including those in the North Coast Marine Acreage will be used to transport Dragon’s gas to the Hibiscus platform off the north-west coast of Trinidad and only 18 kilometres away from the gas field. Hibiscus is jointly owned by the TT government and Shell.

The first tranche of Dragon’s production will yield about 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd), or 26,505 barrel of oil equivalent per day (boed).

For comparison, Petrotrin produces 43,000 barrels of oil per day and 130 mmscfd; bpTT’s Juniper well, which came on stream in the latter half of 2017, produces about 590 mmscfd.

The Dragon field is part of the Mariscal Sucre natural gas complex off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, north west of Trinidad— and near the epicenter of Tuesday’s quake. Dragon is just one of the fields in a total acreage reserve of 14.7 trillion cubic feet of gas. Dragon alone contains 2.4 tcf.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Schools ready for September ...

From page 2

works on school buildings, dormitories and other facilities are also moving apace, and many of the small capital projects have already been completed, according to Eastman.

“Based on my site visits, for the capital side, we are more than 85 per cent completed; there are some enormous projects that are to commence, which took up most of our budget for this year, so those projects are now coming on stream but the other smaller projects, like IT labs, science labs, extension of buildings, those are all completed and ready for September,” the engineer explained.

The reconstruction of St Roses High School, the construction of a Mathematics and Science building at the University of Guyana, the building of a dormitory at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and major repairs to the Wismar/Christianburg Secondary School are some of the major projects that will continue to the end of 2018, and more than

likely roll over to 2019.

In 2018, the Education Ministry received a budgetary allocation of $19.9B from which approximately $1.4B is being used to facilitate these infrastructural projects, according to Eastman.

Meanwhile, on the issue of teachers’ impending strike action, Minister Henry said the government will ensure that as far as possible, schools would be in session.

On Tuesday, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is expected to attend a meeting at the Department of Labour to begin the conciliation stage in the collective bargaining process, after negotiations with the Education Ministry reached a deadlock. If there is no breakthrough before the start of school, Minister Henry assured that alternative systems will be put in place.

“So they are many things that may have to kick in at the level of the ministry, but of course, it is

Education Ministry Special Projects Officer Ron Eastman briefing Education Minister Nicolette Henry on the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Cummings Lodge Secondary School (Delano Williams photo) all based on numbers and it might be premature at this point in time to articulate exactly what would be done in each school, because we

have to wait and see the numbers.

“But I want to say that given the numbers, if they are not adequate, then cer-

This building has been located in the compound of the Cummings Lodge Secondary School for some time. Based on a proposal by the school’s head mistress, the Education Ministry is now rehabilitating it to accommodate Fifth Form students (Delano Williams photo)

Heaps of sand at the Tucville Secondary School, which will be used to carry out rehabilitation works (Delano Williams photo)

tainly we would have to enforce those numbers with perhaps teachers who are in training in the first instance. Certainly, the PTAs are also a part and a key stakeholder and also administrators at the Ministry of Education, we also have the coordinators and the monitors,” Minister Henry explained, while emphasising that there are several avenues that can be explored to cushion the impact if the teachers down tools.

However, she said this may not be necessary.

“From my discussions here this morning and from my discussions prior to this morning, it is my understanding that at this point in time all of the heads and the deputies that I have spoken to would have indicated that at this point in time there is no need for reinforcement.”

The ministry is monitoring the situation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

Community action needed RECENTLY, the Ministry of Public Security announced that it was seeking consultancy services for domestic violence training for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded Citizen Security Strengthening Programme.

This initiative will centre on the development of a module, which will focus on “skills and knowledge,” allowing the police to be more professional, with better levels of “empathy”, and “integrity” when engaging with issues of domestic violence.

This comes as no surprise, especially following the recent brutal death of a young Corentyne woman at the hands of her companion, who took his own life in the process.

The harsh public criticisms of the reported unprofessional conduct of the police officers may be recalled in the extant case; that although ordered by the court to provide protection to the

butchered woman while she retrieved her personal effects from her former home, instead abandoned her to a cruel fate.

We can only say, that such an input, another in the many numerous professional conversations with members of the GPF on a social ill that continues to take the lives of our women folk, is timely, as it is intended to address critical areas of law- enforcement engagement when dealing with such a challenge, particularly when a woman’s life is at imminent risk. In fact, all cases of domestic violence should be understood in such a light, given its bloody historical data.

It has always been emphasised in this column, even in our very last one, as to the promptness that must be invoked when such reports are made to any police precinct.

The mere fact that a victim approaches a law-enforcement facility, signals that urgent assistance is being sought, despite the fact that she may be frequent in her

complaints, a latter fact that has led to most deaths, because of the failure of the police to act decisively at the outset.

A few days ago, another death stemming from domestic violence occurred in the city. This latest incident should underline the level of national concern which domestic violence must entail.

Given its nature, especially its interpersonal characteristic, it is an act that must now have a wider and all-inclusive approach in terms of reducing its high incidence and murderous brutality.

First, there is only so much that the police can do, and this has to be in their ability to assess the threat levels of a reported incident; but ensuring the removal of the aggressor from the home/place of abode, while preparing a course of action for deterrence, which must be decisive and condign. Time has illustrated that slap-onthe- wrist measures such as a verbal warning has not

been effective, with many victims becoming a statistic of domestic violence death.

Also too, is the fact that the policeman/woman cannot be in one’s home, as a deterrent.

Secondly, given the fact that citizens in our communities, especially in the rural areas, share mostly traditionally close relationships, and the fact that most, if not all, are affiliated to one of the three cultural/religious groups that exist in this country; as well as that in virtually community locales, that there are representative places of worship of these three bodies, then we contend that much can be done by these groups to combat and impact the brutal thrust of domestic violence, in addition to other known social ills.

Thirdly, already, there are religious bodies that have made domestic violence a regular topic in their sermons. This is in addition to frequent sessions in their community’s religious outreach pro-

grammes. But, there is need for all the other faiths, none exempted, to employ this stratagem, since domestic violence per se, is not confined to any particular ethnic/social segment of our society, as used to be erroneously, but hypocritically bandied about.

Fourthly, it is a common problem which continues to confront the nation and the sooner that every Guyanese understands this sad truth of Guyana’s social landscape, the quicker there will be a common front to confront this scourge.

Fifthly, it explains that since religio-cultural groups have the largest social catchment, with many of them boasting of a mixed ethno-presence, combinations of these can be formed for intervening in their respective communities, in assisting couples who are experiencing inter-personal challenges.

Concomitantly, these can also make for learning experiences of one another’s cultural mores in a more

personally in-depth manner.

It is also suggested that since inter-personal problems within communities are quickly known, that without being invited, couples who grapple with domestic violence, should be approached by their community groups, rather than waiting to be approached for assistance.

It makes no sense that mention is made in the media of “shock waves” being felt in a community whenever one of its members is hacked/shot to death, by a husband/companion/paramour. Domestic violence is a national problem; it must therefore become a national concern, beginning at the community level. So, let those community groups start being formed. We are not presenting the argument that they hold the key to a permanent solution to a many-headed personal beast; but they may offer some solutions in terms of saving lives and in the process saving homes and families.

LGE education can engender change

–– one community at a time Dear Editor WITH reference to your editorial of August 22, 2018, titled, “LGEs are no less important than general elections”, I’d like to dwell on the second paragraph, which states, “Unfortunately, this has deprived ordinary Guyanese of much-needed and desperately desired informed

analysis of what LGEs mean for them, for their families, and their communities.

“Regrettably, some commentators have totally overlooked the importance of issues that will be impacted by local government elections.”

This view, you reasoned in the preceding paragraph, was due to the attention paid to the recent announcement by the

Alliance For Change (AFC) political party, an important component of the current coalition government that it had decided to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs) on its own, rather than as part of the coalition.

Editor, what has been quite clear is that your editorial column has been taking the media

lead to highlight the very points raised in the above-quoted section of your editorial. In fact, the following pieces have been noted, on their respective publishing dates: “Working with citizens and their communities” of March 22, 2018; “Pooling human resources for improvement of communities,” which was carried in the Berbice Bulletin, a production of the Department of Public Information of July 07, 2018; “Modernising

the local government system” and “Deepening the process of local government” of August 08, 2018.

These opinions, I recall, have sought to explain what local democracy is in terms of allowing citizens at the grassroots level real opportunities for participation in the decision-making process for their communities, and that it must be able to transcend race and political affiliation, because it is about every community

dweller’s welfare.

I do agree that the historical return of local government elections and its repeat, in November, ought to have been a pivotal presentation and discussion point for commentators.

But that is expecting, and asking, too much of a collective that has shown a clear dislike and fear as to what such a change means for real people’s democracy in Guyana.

Turn to page 7►

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

By Carl Greenidge Minister of Foreign Affairs OVERVIEW ON February 18, Kaieteur News published an article titled: “After 100 years with ExxonMobil…20 African countries no better off today.” The impression derived from reading the article is that oil revenues were not beneficial to the 20 African countries identified, with their low human development index serving as proof of this claim. The underlying conclusion drawn from the headline is that the presence of Exxon Mobil in Guyana’s oil industry would not necessarily be beneficial to the country’s human development, unless other things were to happen. While this might be true, the way in

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OP-ED Oil in Africa: An Exaggeration which KN juxtaposed Exxon’s presence in Africa with the low HDI of the countries cited in the article is misleading. Central to the argument of the article is the way in which oil resources are used once obtained. The truth of the matter is, while Exxon might have been on the African continent for 100 years, its impact is far more recent. With the exception of Egypt, whose oil production could be traced back to 1920, Exxon has been producing oil in most African oil-producing countries for just about 60 years.

The purpose of this article is not to justify Exxon’s actions or the behaviour of the 20 African countries named in the article. It is merely to offer a perspective on oil production and development that is not easily gleaned from the article. It is important to note that of the 20 African countries cited in the article, only 11 of them actually produce oil as can be seen from Table 1 below. Of that 11, nine of them started producing oil from 1975 or after. All the other countries are still in various stages of exploration. So, it is hardly likely that Exxon’s presence could be a reason for the poor showing in human development in the 20 African countries.

Source: Data put together by writer from various sources The insinuation about oil and poverty is subtle, but damning and questions the value of Exxon’s operations on host countries as the impression given is that the oil giant was a major obstacle to progress. Indeed, Kaieteur News had little time for the real contributing circumstances to the unimpressive human condition lamented in the article. The situation of the four countries below might be indicative of some of the problems that could lead to misperceptions about oil and its impact on development in developing countries across the world, those in several African countries. For example, the article did not point out that the scale of oil production for several of the countries was rather small. The Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) was producing only 62,000 barrels per day at its peak in 2006, with output falling nearly 50 percent in less than 10 years thereafter. South Africa at its peak was producing only 56,000 barrels of oil per day. Latest statistics show that production was down to 2,000 barrels of oil per day. In the case of Ghana, of 20 years of oil production data (1996-2015) that was examined, average daily production was 6,000 barrels for 15 of those years. It was only in 2014 that Ghana’s oil production surpassed 100,000 barrels per day. Morocco from 1996 to 2013 was producing an average of 400 barrels of oil per day-- hardly a bonanza.

In addition, the article did not take into consideration that the contribution of oil to GDP was not as impactful in all cases as the article implied, since oil revenues from such low production could hardly be enough to meet the needs of large populations. For most of these countries, the income change was insignificant and per capita GDP did not always grow. The average change in per capita GDP for the four countries was seven percent three years after oil production began. In the case of Cote D’Ivoire, per capita income actually contracted 20 per cent in the first three years after the start of oil production. Ghana’s per capita GDP fell 17 per cent in a similar time period following the start of oil production. In contrast to Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana, Morocco’s per capita GDP grew two per cent on its negligible oil production in the three-year period after commencement. South Africa saw a mere four percent increase in per capita GDP over a similar time period following oil production. So, to create the impression that all 11 oil producers in Africa were enjoying a revenue bonanza from oil for nearly 100 years is more than an exaggeration.

The strenuous efforts being made by these countries to improve human development over

time is also ignored by the Kaieteur News article. Keeping children alive and in school are critical factors in human development. All four countries have reduced their Under-five Mortality (U-five Mortality) rates during the period of oil production. Cote D’Ivoire reduced its U-five Mortality rate from 150 in 1990 to 91 in 2016.

Ghana reduced its own from 125 in 1990 to 59 in 2016, while the U-five Mortality rate went from 75 to 41 in South Africa and from 75 to 27 in Morocco. Life expectancy thereafter is a matter of lifestyles as much as it is a function of good personal hygiene. Unprotected sex could lead to HIV/AIDS and that is not necessarily government’s fault. Moreover, people in many countries do not have access to clean water and sanitary facilities. It takes time to accomplish these things. One could see therefore that these countries were making an effort to address major human development issues, even though their oil revenues were not significant.

Education is also important and the four oil producers have reasonable numbers in this area as well. Cote D’Ivoire has a 69 per cent net attendance ratio (NAR), Ghana has a 70 per cent ratio, while Morocco has an 89 per cent NAR and South Africa has a 97 per cent ratio. The quality of teachers in the classroom and personal attitudes to studying are just as important to literacy, as are factors of nutrition and a healthy home environment.

CONTRASTING GUYANA With a relatively small population and large oil reserves, (nearly four billion barrels), an estimated production of 120,000 barrels per day to start with in 2020 and a population of roughly 800,000 people, Guyana might be in a more fortunate position than the African countries. Guyana will be producing twice as much more oil than the highest African producer mentioned in the article -- Cote D’Ivoire. In addition, the impact of oil on the GDP per capita would be significant with GDP estimated to increase over 30 percent the year immediately following oil production, according to the IMF. Guyana has the structure that fits that of countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Norway who have relatively high oil revenues and small populations. The model of these countries might be more consistent with the situation in Guyana.

LGE education can ...

The truth is that President Granger’s administration has not only delivered on its campaign promise of restoring local democracy, but has ensured its continuation, come November, 2018. He has pulled the political rug from beneath their feet.

Also, his articulated vision of a modern local government structure, has begun to see less central government involvement, with the intention of an autonomous structure of real decision-making at the community level for: the raising of tax initiatives; the delivery of important public services at the local level (which has already begun in some regions); better roads; and cleaner waterways

and socio-economic plans for the improvement of communities and the lives of their citizens.

Clearly, these signal the dismantling of the old decrepit order that has for too long stifled community initiative under political domination, as experienced under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C) government with the numerous Interim Management Committees (IMCs).

Editor, without fear of contradiction or favour to any, it is quite obvious that local government is on a trajectory path that is irreversible, and threatens the hegemonistic mechanism of the PPP/C. It is gradually dismantling the

latter system that has failed miserably, evidence of which is best seen in the abysmal physical environment of many communities.

However, one has to be also realistic; and this pertains to the psyche of communities and their leaders in accepting change from dependency, in terms of having central government dictate for them, as in the former instance of governance, to a new dispensation where they now have the power to make real decisions for the socio- economic growth and development of their communities.

This can only be reinforced by public education, such as the forum like the one that was

recently hosted by the National Council of Local Democratic Organs (NCLDO), and continuous public awareness programmes which must be taken to the communities.

This is in addition to Public Service Announcements, whereby citizens must become aware of the importance of the system of local governance, and their participation in same.

This is not about propaganda, as some detractors and enemies of change would be quick to bleat. Instead, it is about bringing to the attention of communities that the mechanism for change is now in their hands, and that it is their right to exercise their power for the betterment of their

communities. Above all, they must be made to understand that local government is not about central government, but about their respective regions, municipalities, and neighbourhood democratic councils, of which they as citizens have become the important players in guiding the decision-making process for betterment. This is the message that must be carried to all the regions and the respective local government organs.

So, to wait for those mentioned “commentators” is to wait for an expected diet of negativism, since for many of them and their known political agendas and allegiance, such change of dismantling the old

From page 6 system of micro-management, means the end of political domination and control.

A clear warning, is that these “commentators” and the reactionary forces they represent, will do everything in their power to stymie change, thereby disrupting progress. Our communities and citizens must realise that such elements do not have their best interests at heart, and must guard against their presence. They must not be allowed to thwart the new, progressive system of local governance.

Sincerely yours Dillon Goring

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THE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES

SECTIONS of the local press have reported under similar captions: “Venezuelan exodus approaching crisis moment”.

A United Nations migration agency was quoted as urging Latin American countries to ease entry for Venezuelans, “more than 1.6 million of whom have left since 2015”. (Kaieteur News, August 25) Not surprisingly, with apparently nothing better to say or do, the opposition leader was a few days earlier fuming about acceptance of Venezuelan refugees by the Guyana Government. It was a vintage piece of pure undiluted hypocrisy for him to oppose temporary settlement in our sovereign and secure border areas of Venezuelans, who are coming to Guyana as refugees. Their admission is being done on humanitarian grounds. If he had his way, he once stated, he would cede to Venezuela Guyana’s territory, which he ignorantly (?) reduced to a mere “Channel”, to appease the aggressor.

While he was rattling away against Venezuelan refugees, his surrogate newspaper was pumping speculation that under the coalition government things could go bad, and we could send “another wave of Guyanese refugees into America”. (Guyana Times, August 24).

PEJORATIVE LABEL The pejorative label, “Guyanese refugees”, is something that we seemed to have forgotten over time. I was, however, reminded of it by my close friend, Ralph, when we met recently in Iowa.

He recounted to me, with apparent disgust, comments on social media by a Florida-based Guyanese that the American authorities should deport all illegal immigrants.

I asked him to explain and this is what he said in a nutshell: many Guyanese, who were once affiliated to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in applying for non-immigrant visas had declared that they were NOT members of a communist organisation. The PPP, he reminded me, has been a member of the International Communist Movement since 1969. Members of the party had subscribed to its ideology of Marxism-Leninism (Communism). Though it seemed far-fetched, he opined that should files be dug up, many Guyanese could find themselves in trouble for uttering false declarations, which is a federal offence.

There is a flip side to that scenario. While I was in private practice as a lawyer, I was approached by relatives of many Guyanese who had settled in Canada and were seeking asylum, for affidavits to say that the asylum-seekers had been PPP members. I had advised the party then not to issue any such statements.

The affidavits were needed by Guyana-born lawyers, who were making a “killing” from the Guyanese refugee cases, that the asylum-seekers would face political persecution should they be deported to Guyana.

I had seen cases where false and exaggerated claims were made about the army digging up temples for arms and ammunition, and about persecution of persons who had been found in possession of prohibited essential food items, such as potatoes and split peas, even for personal consumption or for religious rituals.

PLIGHT OF REFUGEES So, Guyanese cannot be unaware of the plight of refugees which is why I am proud to be a member of an administration that responded with genuine humanitarian concerns when the trickle from Venezuela started.

I recall when Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix visited Guyana’s border areas where stranded Venezuelans were reportedly eating from garbage cans and sleeping virtually in inhabitable hovels. Ministers in the Health and Indigenous Peoples’ sectors went to locations where there were cases of measles and polio - diseases that have been eradicated in Guyana. They rendered prompt assistance. Our government provided safe sanctuaries.

Guyana has tried to regularise the inflow by admitting Venezuelans who had passports, and tracking cases of suspected trafficking in persons. We were accused of allowing entry to those with only ID cards, which was not the case; but it is significant to note that a close ally of the Maduro outfit, Equador, is accepting Venezuelans with ID cards only. Peru, Colombia and Bolivia have all eased restrictions.

I had said in these columns and elsewhere that Guyanese fraternally embrace the Venezuelan people and while we do not interfere in the internal affairs of their country, we remain kind and hospitable as a friendly neighbour.

DESPERATE SITUATIONS It is not easy to explain how it feels to be in need, in desperate situations.

I still vividly remember being approached many years ago by a Guyanese woman at the Barbados airport. She politely asked me to buy her some snacks. I gave her a few dollars instead, and left to board the flight. Whilst seated in the plane, I saw her in the aisle walking towards me. She had a broad smile on her face. Around her neck, hanging like a pair of boots, were two hefty loaves of bread. That has been for me a tear-jerking but unforgettable face of need.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Guyanese who did not settle as economic refugees, were doing “suitcase trading”. In Trinidad, even while I was a government minister, women would approach me with a humble request: “minista, book in a piece fu me, nah”. They would have a heap of jute bags full with trinkets and confectionery that would be sold in Guyana, if only they could get them on a flight.

During the hard times, Guyanese scattered almost every-

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

where. I couldn’t believe meeting during the 1980s a Guyanese in remote Yemen. He was working in a posh hotel. But at the risk of losing his hands or head, he sold whiskey on the sly, and delivered to rooms cheaper than the duty-free prices, which he received from diplomats from an unnamed Asian country to that liquor-free state.

On one occasion at the Paris airport, I saw two Guyanese women as they juggled with boxes at the check-in counter. It seemed that they could not carry the boxes as extra cabin baggage. One of them suddenly opened a box, took out a pair of light-green shoes with heels the length of an upturned bottle, and hurriedly put them on. She stuck her slippers in her handbag, and took off with her companion, also in high heels, to catch their flight. They literally held on to each other as walking on those new spiked heels were like balancing on an overhead tightrope. Those shoes would be placed on the market somewhere, as high-priced exotic footwear at a time when Guyanese scoured the world for a good deal.

We knew hard times and though we didn’t pride ourselves in being called refugees, many huddled in cramped basement overseas, thankful for the kindness of relatives and the generosity who offered jobs to those without proper documentation.

GUYANESE SUCCESS STORY Wherever they went, and whatever they became, Guyanese made a success story of themselves. They became achievers from hard work, whatever the nature of that work.

Once while I was in Toronto, as the train screeched to a halt, I heard a sweet voice above the murmur: “Ayou walk good gal!” I looked ahead and saw a woman I recognised as Guyanese. I approached her and learned that she came from Belvedere, and that her mother had sold fish with Ma, whom she endearingly called “aunty Chunoo”.

Though her story was no different from many asylum-seekers, she did not lose her Guyaneseness, her distinct sense of humour, her feeling of gratitude. Guyanese have been helped by strangers, and being kind in turn to others in economic hardship, be they Venezuelans, Cubans or Haitians, is a small token indeed for the kindness of others towards us.

We cannot curse the bridge that we ourselves had crossed, either to Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil and beyond our Atlantic shores. © August 26, 2018

GTT wants early liberalisation

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) said it remains committed to the earliest conclusion of negotiations with Government and discussions with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector.

This assurance was communicated to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo by a two-member GTT delegation during a courtesy call on the prime minister at his official residence, Main Street, Georgetown on Saturday.

Meeting with the Prime Minister were GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd and International Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Director Delreo Newman, both of whom iterated the company’s intention to boost all-round cooperation with the Guyana Government.

The prime minister was accompanied

by Deeann Ali, Personal Assistant with responsibility for information technology.

GTT also briefed Prime Minister Nagamootoo on its investment profile and willingness to reach out to more interior and hinterland communities to provide reliable telephone and mobile data services.

During the hour-long discussion, Prime Minister Nagamootoo thanked the executives for partnering in the Regional Radio Project in Bartica and Orealla which utilise GTT towers to access signals. The CEO assured support for the other projects at Mabaruma, Lethem, Aishalton and Mahdia.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the commitment by GTT to an open and competitive telecommunication sector and assured the company of the government’s favourable view of it being a national corporate player.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo flanked by GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd and International Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Director, Delreo Newman

9

More is Less Less is More

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

LET me make an unconventional statement about the current impasse between the Guyana Teachers Union and the government. From the 1980s to the moment that Guyana discovered oil, the more that was spent on public education, the less educated the Guyanese population became.

On the surface, this flies in the face of all logic, but I believe it is the real reason for the possible strike, and can help us appreciate the true challenge our education system now faces.

Don’t blame the government. Don’t blame the teachers. Blame migration.

Where are all the proud products of our hard-working teachers? Where are our scholars, our highly skilled members of the workforce and the innovators and great minds of our time?

We all know that they are in New York, Toronto and London. We know this because of personal experience, but also because multiple reports put the migration rate of Guyanese with bachelor’s degrees at over 80%, a statistic corroborated by the Bureau of Statistics, which notes that only 2.3% of Guyanese have bachelor’s degrees.

As 80% of Guyanese have not migrated

since the 1980s (that would put the total Guyanese population at 4 million, which doesn’t seem reasonable), what this means is that the higher the level of education obtained locally, the higher the likelihood that Guyanese will migrate.

Since much of education locally is either fully taxpayer-funded or partially subsidised, this means that the more spent on a student, the more likely that student will not stay to directly contribute to the local economy.

This has put considerable tension, implicitly, on the relationship between successive governments and teachers, because teachers have been unable to concretely point to the positive results of their work locally, and governments have been unable to reap the full rewards. As a consequence, our perception of the value of teachers is much lower than it otherwise would be, matched by an economy that has had to rely on a sizeable underground economy, rather than one that can innovate freely.

Since we can’t tax the underground economy, by definition, this means less money in the coffers and therefore lower wages for teachers.

It is important to acknowledge the contributions, especially financial ones, of

those living abroad, and many would argue repatriations are a primary pillar of local life. Indeed they are, but that argument misunderstands the real problem, which is that the lack of qualified people undermines the broader economy. It has created a strange equilibrium, in which Guyana’s population and growth rate have remained stable, but not spectacular, with technological change and innovation (which bring truly high rates of development) nothing more than an abstract aspiration.

This is not to single out those who have moved abroad, as we can all understand the many reasons people choose to leave, or migrated as children. Rather, it is to highlight the structural nature of our economy, and in particular our education system.

On the other hand, however, finding oil completely reversed this situation, and I believe we are only just now coming to terms with this. It has meant, to any savvy young Guyanese, that the returns to remaining are likely to far outstrip the returns to leaving. This also reverses the relationship between the government and teachers, so that investing in education will now produce higher, not lower returns.

I find the current strike and its sharp, proposed salary increases very strange,

almost like the few twilight minutes between day and night. It seems to me that teachers are asking for pay increases at precisely the wrong moment. Rather, they should restructure their demands for the years during which we produce oil, settling for smaller demands now and accelerating those as production increases.

Given that the value of education to the government will also increase because students are likely to remain in the country, the government will also likely be friendlier to increases.

I’ll frame it simply: doesn’t every teenager know the best time to ask for money is just after mom and dad have been paid?

Near the end of the month, when their pockets are empty, there’s just not much to give, even if they do want to help.

And so, my suspicion is that the GTU has not yet figured out that a salary increase now may actually mean teachers are paid less in the long-run.

This type of restructured thinking is becoming more and more pressing in the run-up to first-oil, and so I’ll leave you with this question: if Guyanese are now going to remain rather than leave, how does this change the way we think about our entire education system?

UK-Guyana Chamber of Commerce in the making

By Svetlana Marshall

BRITISH High Commissioner Greg Quinn said there are increasing discussions on the establishment of a UK-Guyana Chamber of Commerce. The discussions are taking place at a time when Guyana is well positioned to become an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean in light of its massive oil discoveries.

More than four billion oil-equivalent barrels have been discovered in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana as the country puts the gears up to kick start oil production in 2020.

During a press conference at his Bel Air Gardens residence on Friday, the British High Commissioner said that over the last three years there has been a significant increase in the number of UK businesses operating in Guyana as he alluded to Stena

Drilling – a UK-based-company that conducts drilling operations offshore Guyana for US oil giant – ExxonMobil; and Noble Corp., which has its drillship ‘Noble Bob Douglas’ operating offshore Guyana for ExxonMobil as well.

He said there is a major interest in Guyana’s budding oil and gas industry, given the UK’s experience in the petroleum industry at Aberdeen.

Known as the oil capital of Europe, Aberdeen over the last 40 years has re-invented itself from a provincial regional centre dependent on agriculture and tourism to become the centre of the UK’s national oil and gas exploration and production activities.

In 2015, the UK oil and gas industry produced an average of 0.9 million barrels of oil equivalent every day. Over the last 40 years,

the UK has produced nearly 43 billion barrels of oil and gas and still has substantial potential.

But while there is growing interest in Guyana’s oil and gas industry, the British High Commissioner said other areas are also of considerable interest.

“I think that our services industry is the single biggest contributor to the UK economy.

We are no longer the manufacturing economy we once were, we are a services economy,” High Commissioner Quinn said while noting that there can be an exchange in knowledge and experience in this regard.

TRADE MISSION Ahead of the proposed establishment of the UK-Guyana Chamber, which is in its embryonic stage, a trade mission will be in Guyana come January

as British companies seek to build and strengthen ties here.

“We are looking at the possibility of increasing links between here and the UK,” the British High Commissioner said.

It was noted that while the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) have all been creating linkages in the UK with support from Guyana’s High Commission in London, greater effort should be made to have Guyanese companies and businesses operate in the UK. “There are British companies coming here, (and it) would be good to see some of the companies here going the other direction, and the private sector here understands that,” he

posited.

The disclosure of the possible establishment of a UK-Guyana Chamber of Commerce comes approximately one year after President David Granger told the British that Guyana, for long-term development, has the most exciting investment prospects in the Caribbean.

At the time, he was delivering remarks during an investment seminar organised by the Caribbean Council in London.

It also comes days after American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM Guyana)--a voluntary association aimed at promoting trade and business between the United States of America (USA) and Guyana-- was launched here.

AMCHAM, while offering businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to network, make new contacts and transfer knowledge, will

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn provide a platform for business, resource and advocacy support as well as a medium for community involvement and social corporate responsibility.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has established three trade councils to facilitate business among Cuba, India and Canada.

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Understanding Energy...

New Opportunities for Guyana THE newly announced American Airlines route from Miami to Guyana, the opening of the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgetown, and the commencement of a US$50M investment by a Canadian mining company all demonstrate what many Guyanese had long suspected: Guyana is open for business.

This perception is confirmed by record levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. Some US$212M in FDI flowed into Guyana last year, led by investments in the bauxite and oil industries.

This figure is more than quadruple Guyana’s 2016 level of US$58M, bucking a wider downward trend in Latin America and the Caribbean, which saw overall investment flows decline by 3.6 per cent in 2017.

The energy sector accounted for nearly half of that investment, according to a report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). That investment was driven by the rapid development of the Liza field, which is headed for production by 2020 and slated to bring in more than $4.4B in FDI during the development phase.

The signs of growing international interest, like the opening of the American Chamber and the new American Airlines route, are everywhere in Guyana, and are helping to create a cycle in which new investment leads to the development of new opportunities and access, driving even more investment.

American Airlines cited Guyana’s history, culture, and climate as part of its reasoning for the new route. No doubt, increased demand for flights from Guyana’s growing energy industry likely played a significant role in convincing the global airline that Guyana was a place it needed to have in its network.

Meanwhile, Anne McKinney, Vice-President for the Americas for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told Kaieteur News earlier this month that the American Chamber of Commerce in Guyana (AmCham) was formed to “catalyse and strengthen cooperation between Guyanese businesses and American business and facilitate two-way trade.”

Recent investment announcements also include a $50M commitment from the First Bauxite Corporation of Canada to begin construction on facilities to mine bauxite this year, according to the

ECLAC report.

Guyana is also hoping to play a role in China’s widely touted “Belt and Road Initiative”, and the government is said to be assembling a list of priority projects, though it remains to be seen whether Guyana will truly need Chinese investment, considering the magnitude of future oil revenues.

More broadly, this kind of FDI can be transformational. Costa Rica has been widely acknowledged as an investment success story, a place where strong investor and contract protections have been paired with smart government policies to produce meaningful economic growth benefiting the entire society.

The Costa Rican government has long tried to aggressively seek out new sources of foreign investment, especially in high-tech manufacturing, services, and sustainable resource extraction.

As a result, FDI into Costa Rica increased from US$409M in 2000 to more than US$3.1B in 2016. The small nation now receives more than a quarter of all foreign investment into Central America, and enjoys low unemployment and internationally recognised healthcare and education systems.

FDI and oil revenues could lead to a similar outcome in Guyana. Already, foreign investment is increasing, thanks to stable economic policies, strong rule of law, respect for contracts, and the discovery of new resource opportunities.

Leveraging the revenues from those resources, by funding infrastructure and education projects, for example, could attract even more interest and investment from international businesses and, over time, can create better opportunities for all Guyanese to earn their livelihoods.

Man suffers head injuries –– after reportedly running into path of presidential convoy

A VEHICLE belonging to the presidential convoy on Friday was involved in an accident on the East Bank Public Road at Friendship, resulting in the injury of a pedestrian.

The vehicle, PPP 3 owned by the state, was part of a convoy headed to Georgetown. At the time of the accident, President David Granger was not in any of the vehicles.

The pedestrian that was involved in the accident was identified as 29-year-old Herman John of Manaus Gardens, New Hope, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where after some treatment he was released.

On Saturday, President David Granger visited the injured man at his home and

Injured: Herman John later that day, he was taken to a private city hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, arrangements have been made

for the injured man to receive further medical treatment.

The circumstances surrounding this accident are being investigated by the Guyana Police Force.

However, according to reports reaching this publication, a presidential guard was driving motor jeep PPP 3 and in the vicinity of Friendship, EBD, the pedestrian allegedly ran out of a rum shop and onto the road. The driver tried to swerve away from the pedestrian but still ended up hitting him.

As a result of the collision, the pedestrian suffered injuries about his body.

One of John’s relatives at the hospital said he received head injuries. He had alcohol in his blood and needed to be sedated pending medical attention, the relative said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

We must all work together to achieve greater suicide prevention in Guyana

By Karen Cummings (Minister within the Ministry of Public Health) SADLY, we continue to live with the scourge of suicide within our society, even as the Ministry of Public Health, along with concerned stakeholders, intensifies efforts at suicide prevention. While work is ongoing in addressing myriad issues of mental health in Guyana, suicide, which is one feature of mental illness, continues to shake the social foundation of our country.

Though Guyana is no longer ignobly known as the suicide capital of the world, there is still much work to be done to further reduce the number of suicides that occurs.

We must continue to combine our collective efforts and do all that we can to ensure that we significantly reduce the number of suicides which occur in Guyana annually.

On September 10, 2018, it is World Suicide Prevention Day. We must all recommit and redouble our efforts to doing more to engage in more suicide-prevention action that can help save lives.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUICIDE PREVENTION Many persons suffer from depression and other mental illnesses and struggle through life, oftentimes in silence.

People with mental illnesses live with the fear of stigmatisation that is frequently attached to such mental illnesses as depression and addiction. Many people who are thinking about suicide are not necessarily seeking help, even though they desperately need it. Unfortunately, the prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due in part to a lack of awareness of this issue, despite it being an important public health problem. Therefore, much more must be done by way of health promotion to significantly raise the profile of suicide prevention, nationwide. When someone commits suicide, the person is either misguidedly referred to as crazy and/or selfish.

There is often a lack of perspective on what could lead people to feel so utterly hopeless and alone that they would go to the ultimate extreme of taking their own lives.

There is a devastating ripple effect of suicide that remains with the family of a person who commits suicide.

In addition, there is a significant societal cost. For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. Or put differently, for every suicide there are several attempts. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the population.

There is even a higher financial burden of suicide caused by indirect costs, such as lost wages and productivity. Reducing and ultimately eliminating the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health problems is one critical way to ensure that suicide prevention can be achieved.

Through education and enhanced public awareness, persons can be more aware of the peculiar signs

to look for in persons who may be contemplating suicide, or may be experiencing mental health problems.

THE ROLE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN SUICIDE PREVENTION The family can play an important role in the prevention of suicide. Further, the family is capable of aiding mental health care services in the early detection and management of family members at risk of mental health issues and suicide. In order to attain this goal, the entire family should be informed of the effective ways to prevent suicide. It is important to note that suicide is an avoidable cause of death, and in order to be able to prevent suicide among its members, the family should rid itself of those myths associated with suicidal behaviour and learn the facts of mental illness and suicide.

Intrinsic to being able to engage in successful suicide prevention, family and close friends must be able to identify changes in behaviour, non-verbal cues and indirect verbal expressions that could indicate suicidal thoughts in an individual with whom they may be close.

Demonstrated care and love will give that suffering person the confidence to talk to a family member, friend or colleague about his or her perceived suicidal thoughts and most importantly, immediately connect that person with professional care.

Often, family and friends are the first to recognise the warning signs of suicide and can be the first step towards helping an at-risk individual find treatment with someone who specialises in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.

Some of the signs to look for in a person who may be having suicidal thoughts A person, rarely if ever, impulsively takes his or her own life. The decision for a person to commit suicide is one that is premeditated and viewed by that individual as the most viable way to stop the hurt he or she may be experiencing.

There are some vital signs, however, which signal that a person may be battling a bout of depression or some other form of mental illness.

A person experiencing mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders presents certain signs, some of which are listed below: • Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself • Looking for a way to kill oneself • Talking about feel-

ing hopeless or having no reason to live • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain • Talking about being a burden to others • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly • Sleeping too little or too much • Withdrawing or feeling isolated • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge • Displaying extreme mood swings Talking honestly, responsibly and safely about suicide can help you determine if someone needs help. If you want to help someone in crisis, try doing some or all of the following: • Listening and showing concern – showing concern can be an immediate way to help someone; attentive listening would not increase the risk of suicide. In fact, it may save a life.

• Speaking with persons who may be suffering from depression and reassuring them that they are not alone in their problems, letting them know you care.

• Placing someone displaying signs of mental illness in professional care.

Suicide is a multi-factor problem, where diverse social, cultural, psychological, educational and economic dynamics converge. Being such a complex phenomenon, addressing suicide requires an interdisciplinary perspective that allows for a broad understanding of self-destructive behaviour at the personal and group levels. Studying and researching suicide requires multisector actions that have profound interactions with the environment.

Preventing someone from taking his or her own life is extremely vital in our efforts to reduce the incidence of suicide in Guyana.

If you know of anyone who may be suffering from mental illness or may be contemplating suicide, please call the 24-hour suicide-prevention helpline at 2230001, 223-0009, 623-4444 or 600-7896.

12

Mother kills son

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

... says had a dream she would die Rabindra Rooplall

A MOTHER of two was arrested on Saturday after stabbing her threeyear-old son to death, and lovingly placing his bleeding body on a bed in the shack where they live at Foulis, East Coast

Demerara.

Dead is Ramdeo Ferreira, who would have celebrated his fourth birthday in December.

The 26-year-old housewife, who was reportedly armed with a knife, was seen chasing her son around the yard before stabbing

him about the body.

Neighbours later told the Guyana Chronicle that the woman was heard saying, before being taken away by the police, that she had a dream she was going to die and wanted her favourite child with her in the afterlife.

The house into which the toddler was taken after being stabbed in the yard Her older son, who is six and who witnessed the stabbing, reportedly started screaming and ran out of the yard to inform his father’s sister who lives nearby.

The father was reportedly at work at a lumber yard when news of his son’s demise reached him.

Minutes after being contacted by neighbours, police from the Enmore Outpost found the child lying unconscious on the bed where his mother placed him, with stab wounds to his chest and back.

He was immediately taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but died whilst receiving treatment.

Police said that the mother is cooperating with investigators.

In an interview with this publication, many neighbours described the assailant as someone who was uncaring, inhumane and neglectful, and showed very little interest in her children.

“This is a woman who goes missing for days and lock her children up in a house and got the father in a taxi looking around for her. This woman is careless; her children could be on the streets and in danger, and she would be inside the house without a care,” one resident said.

One mother in the area said the couple has been living in the neighbourhood several years now, and the mother was never a good example to her children.

“The father is a good man,” the woman said.

“He is respected because he tries. He lost his job at GuySuCo and it was hard for them, but he later got a work at the lumber yard.

“But it’s the woman who making it bad for this man; it’s a very sad situation.

“The Child Care and Protection Agency had visited them before and I don’t know what was done, but the agency knows something was very wrong.

Those children should have been taken away from such a monster.”

Another neighbour said that the police were called in Friday night when the woman was seen beating up on the house and fence and even the children with pots and pans.

“The husband was outside trying to make things better, but it wasn’t until three o’clock Saturday morning that the noise and racket stop. The woman was behaving really crazy,” the man said.

Residents in the area are now calling on the authorities to make her an example, since such a woman should not be a mother. Neighbours all agreed that she was violent and abusive to her husband and children.

“It would have been better if she had taken her own life and instead allow the child to grow up and be someone better than she is,” one man said.

Progress seen in security reform 13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

... UK envoy highlights finance, aviation, and maritime training

ACKNOWLEDGING that the project is not an easy one, British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn says though it may appear that the Security Reform Project is being rolled out at a slow pace, progress is being made in the areas of training, finance, aviation, and maritime.

Quinn made the comments while speaking to reporters at a news conference on Friday. “It has not been an easy project, and we all know it wasn’t going to be easy and if you go back to the original plans in 2007, there was a very clear examination of what the problems were.

I think we are moving things forward, maybe a bit slowly than some people would want, but in a way that is deliberate, because we need to make sure that what’s being done, is being done properly,” Quinn said.

Effective implementation of the project is critical to ensuring that the bar of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is raised, and police officers and ranks are adequately accommodated, trained and equipped.

“We are looking at training now, because fundamentally, how you train your ranks from the beginning, gives you the whole basis of their time in the police force, and I think there is work that can be done there which could have very obvious effects on the ranks,” he noted.

The diplomat also underscored the need for improvements in the area of infrastructure.

“I think there is an understanding that the police infrastructure is not always as good as it should be, and some of the conditions that ranks are living in are really not what they should be and you know you have to treat the ranks and officers properly; and I think that can be done very quickly and very easily,” he add-

ed. High Commissioner Quinn also made a case for more females to join the force.

Nonetheless, he maintained that progress is being made under the project.

“I accept that there hasn’t been sort of a big bang, and type approach, a big bang here is the change, but it is a slow and deliberate process, and it is always going to be a slow and deliberate process. But progress is being made, and based on what I am seeing, benefits are starting to come through,” the British High Commissioner assured.

Meanwhile, report which was presented to President David Granger in January by the United Kingdom’s Security Reform Programme Senior Adviser, Colonel Russell Combe is still being deliberated at Cabinet.

Quinn said as soon as Cabinet is through with the report it should be made public in the interest of transparency. “We would like to hope that it will be released as soon as possible after Cabinet has discussed it. Transparency in this process is key for us and for everyone, and the more information we can get to the general public to see what the issues are and what needs to be done, I think is good,” the British High Commissioner said. Under the SSRP, a number of activities are being funded by the UK government with guidance from Colonel Combe, the most recent being a review of Guyana Police Force (GPF) training.

The earliest attempts at initiating reforms started back in 1999, when British Regional Adviser, Paul Matthias, visited Guyana to discuss security assistance from Britain.

This was followed by the Symonds Report, and the establishment of the National Security Strategy Organising Committee in 2000.

In 2002, the Border and National Security

Committee, the National Consultation on Crime, and the National Steering Committee on Crime were established. It will be recalled that in subsequent years, legislation was passed, more crime-fighting bodies were established, and the initial version of the SSRP was signed, but was later scrapped by the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government.

Since taking office in May 2015, President Granger has indicated that it is his administration’s intention to have the SSRP re-introduced.

The programme, which was begun in 2007 and cost US$4.7m, was scrapped in 2009 after the British Government requested to have oversight of the programme to ensure that there was ‘value for money’.

The former PPP administration disagreed with the manner in which the British Government wanted the programme to be run, and stated that the British had sought to intrude upon Guyana’s sovereignty.

But in its defence, the British Government said the Government of Guyana had submitted a different proposal which had focused on police modernisation rather than a holistic approach to reform, as was originally requested. The British’s intention was to build a workable basis for improving national security, while reducing crime in Guyana by 2011.

With the implementation of the SSRP, the President believes that Guyana’s security sector will be significantly strengthened.

He said that Guyana’s vast and porous borders have allowed a number of illicit activities to take place, but that once the SSRP is implemented, the country’s security will be significantly strengthened, thereby allowing for enhanced crime-fighting capabilities and a safe and secure country.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Cabinet approves appointments of seven diplomats

CABINET has approved the appointments of several senior diplomats from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ghana, Turkey, Romania, Slovenia and Zambia, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has disclosed.

In a very detailed press release, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said Cabinet approved the appointment of Sandra Lang Linkensederova as Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Czech Republic to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. She will replace Jiri Havlik, whose term of

service has ended and will reside in Brazil.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and the Czech Republic were established on January 1, 1993.

“Collaboration between the two countries often occurs at the multilateral level through international bodies such as the United Nations and the European Union. In an effort to enhance relations between the two countries, Guyana and the Czech Republic signed cooperation agreements on cultural, scientific [sic] and trade,” the ministry noted.

Nicolai Prytz, Non-Resi-

dent Ambassador Designate of the Kingdom of Demark to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, will replace Kim Højlund Christensen, whose term of service has concluded, the ministry said.

Prytz currently serves as Director-General at the Danish Consulate General in Shanghai, China, and previously served at Danish Missions in Brazil and Argentina.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and Denmark were established on November 16, 1979, and since then Guyana has benefited from bilateral assistance in the

areas of agriculture, civil aviation and education.

The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which five manatees were given to the Odense Zoo of Denmark.

Prytz will reside in Brazil.

Cabinet also approved the appointment of Abena Poku Adompim Busia, High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Ghana.

Currently, Busia is chair of the Women and Gender Studies Department and an associate professor at Rutgers University in New Jer-

sey. She is also Board Chair of the African Women’s Development Fund-USA. Since establishing diplomatic relations on May 14, 1979, Guyana and Ghana have worked closely under the African Liberation Movement during the 1970s.

Today, Guyana continues to celebrate Ghana Day, a practice established since the late 1950s.

Cabinet approved as well the appointment of Hayriye Nurdan Erpulat Altuntas as Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Turkey to Guyana.

In the case of Turkey, diplomatic relations were established on May 2, 1973 and cooperation between the two countries often occurs at the multilateral level through the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“In 2017, Guyana and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment for political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The MoU was signed on the margins of the Turkey- CELAC Quartet meeting, held in Istanbul, Turkey.

“Additionally, during the first Turkey-CARICOM Cooperation Consultation Mechanism held in 2014, Guyana and Turkey signed the Abolition of Visa Requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports, along with an Air Services Agreement,” the ministry detailed.

Ambassador Designate Erpulat Altuntas will reside in Caracas, Venezuela.

Stefan Mera, Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of Romania to Guyana, will succeed Marinel Loana. He joined the Romanian Foreign Service in 1992 after serving as a translator and literature teacher.

Mera is currently accredited Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Brazil, and had previously served as Minister/ Counsellor to the EU Working Group for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and Romania were established on June 20, 1973.

Since then, Guyana has benefited from technical assistance stemming from a 1975 Agreement on Cultural and Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Additionally, many Guyanese have benefited from medical and mechanical engineering scholarships extended by the Government of Romania.

More recently, a Romanian delegation led by Ambassador-At-Large for the United Nations Security Council, Daniela Gitman, met with Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, during which they discussed mutual areas of interest, including the possibility of establishing a Romanian Honorary Consul in Guyana.

It was disclosed too that Cabinet has approved the appointment of Stanislav Vidovi? as Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Slovenia to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and Slovenia were established on April 20, 2007.

Lastly, during this round of approval, Cabinet approved the appointment of Her Excellency Alfreda Chielkwa Kansembe Mwamba as High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Zambia to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

In 2017, Mwamba was appointed Ambassador to Brazil. She previously held a number of positions in the Zambian Government, such as Deputy Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister within the Ministry of Home Affairs, among others. Guyana and Zambia established diplomatic relations on February 11, 1971.

The two countries were engaged in the NonAligned Movement (NAM).

While both countries also are both active within the African, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the Commonwealth, they are currently seeking to further develop relations.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Greenidge challenges private sector to step up

VICE-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge has urged the private sector to exploit fully, the commercial opportunities which have resulted from the deepened bilateral and multilateral political relations with several key countries.

At a dinner hosted by Roraima Airways in honour of Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, Minister Greenidge said that much work still

needs to be done by both the government and private sector to spur production and expand exports.

“The private sector, on its part, needs to better prepare itself to meet phytosanitary and other quality requirements of international markets and to aggressively pursue niche markets for value-added products. So the forestry sector should not be looking only at exporting raw lumber, but also be looking for markets for high-end

Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge (centre) Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba Halim Majeed (second left) and Roraima Airways Chief Executive Officer Capt. Gerry Gouveia

The dinner hosted by Roraima Airways in honour of Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba Halim Majeed

wooden furniture where the emphasis would be more on quality than on quantity. Here is where we need to have our engineers and designers come up with creative products for which there are niche markets that carry good prices,” said Greenidge, who was at the time performing the functions of prime minister.

Citing Cuba as a prime example, the Foreign Minister pointed out that there is a market with significant demand for a wide range of products which Guyana could take advantage of due to the deep political relationship that exists between the two coun-

tries. He said Ambassador Majeed’s efforts, which have resulted in the export of increasing volumes of Guyana’s rice to Cuba and brought about ongoing negotiations with Central American nations about importing products from Guyana, represent his ministry’s programme to pursue vigorously, economic diplomacy.

But he made it clear that his ministry’s economic diplomacy efforts have to be complemented by the efforts of the private sector to be reliable, quality oriented and innovative. He also stressed the importance See page 17

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Massy funds refurbishment works at David Rose School

Massy’s Chairman, Deo Persaud (at left) along with staff assisting in repainting the basketball court and benches during their 50th anniversary celebrations MASSY, a Trinidad and Tobago-owned company, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its operations in Guyana and as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the

David Rose School for special children, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, benefitted from refurbishment works.

On Saturday, Massy’s Chairman, Deo Persaud and staff of the company volunteered their services in cleaning the compound and repainting the area where the children benefit from physical education and other outdoor activities.

Persaud said the company’s CSR policy is aimed at impacting projects and lend-

ing support where the need is seen. He also added that there will be a book drive where reading materials will be shared with the children.

The chairman also explained that the David Rose Special School, which was opened on May 8, 1968, is also celebrating its 50 years of existence.

The Neal and Massy Group is the single largest conglomerate in the Caribbean with interests in most of the English-speaking countries in the region.

Cuffy250 forum to focus on green economy THE CUFFY250 Committee will be hosting its sixth annual ‘State of the African Guyanese’ Forum, under the theme: ‘Positioning African Guyanese Villages and Communities for the Green State Economy.’

The event, which will be held at the Critchlow Labour College today (Sunday), focuses on village and community sustainability.

Participants will be engaged in a number of workshop sessions aimed at encouraging self-activity and increased productivity in areas that will bring benefit to African Guyanese communities.

Topics that will be discussed include food science/ agro-processing, information communication technology, steel fabrication for the oil and gas industry, cattle, small ruminants and swine and village improvement planning.

“African Guyanese villages and communities have a right and a responsibility to be integrally involved in the process of their development,” the release from the organisation noted.

President David Granger will be giving the keynote address. Other presenters include: Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, Dr. Grayson Halley, Dr. Patsy Ann Francis, George Union, Selwyn Anthony, Ingrid Sarabo, Dr. Patrick Williams and Dr. Norman NgA-Qui. Registration starts at 08:00 hrs

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Greenidge challenges ... from page 15

of the need for strengthening the relationship between government and the private sector adding that his ministry remains committed to this objective.

Earlier, newly elected Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Desmond Sears, who was among the speakers, pointed out his organisation’s renewed efforts to increase collaboration and strengthen the relationship with government.

Sears praised the active approach of Ambassador Majeed in seeking markets for Guyana’s products in Cuba and the other countries to which he is accredited and encouraged the foreign ministry to have all its diplomatic missions intensify their efforts to promote trade and investment.

In welcoming guests, Roraima Airways Chief Executive Officer Capt. Gerry Gouveia pointed to the rapidly expanding Cuban shopping tourism in Guyana which he said “brings more than 1000 Cubans here each week who each spend an average of $3,000 (US) during each visit. “This is a significant contribution to the Guyana economy and I urge the government to do all it could to encourage Cubans to continue to see Guyana as a prime shopping destination,” Gouveia said. He also spoke of the need for non-stop air service between the two countries.

Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Lt. Col. (rt’d) Egbert Field, pointed to the need for bilateral air service agreements between Guyana and other countries whose airlines are interested in serving the Guyana market. In this regard, he suggested that Guyana’s diplomatic missions abroad play a role in initiating discussions with governments in pursuit of this objective.

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo, referred to his recent visit to El Salvador along with Ambassador Majeed which he said provided a great opportunity for him to better understand the markets there and in other Central American countries.

“We have got to focus not only on product diversification, but market diversification as well. There seems to be a good network of Latin American diplomats in Cuba which Ambassador Majeed is using as a sort of hub to open up possibilities for Guyana’s exports. South and Central American countries are good markets for some of the products we currently produce and others that we can produce. We have got to diversify our manufacturing to take advantage of these new markets to which we are being afforded access,” Samaroo said.

Ambassador Majeed told the gathering that he is actively engaged in seeking markets for Guyana's products in the countries to which he is accredited and even farther afield through the network of ambassadors in Cuba. He stressed the need for suppliers to be reliable so as to avoid creating a negative image of Guyana in terms of its ability to be a reliable supplier.

He invited the local private sector to participate in this year’s Havana International Trade Fair to be held in late October and to join a delegation which is being put together to visit the free zone in Panama early next year.

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HM dies after car slams into truck THE Head Mistress, Dorcas Nursery School, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) lost her life in the wee hours of Saturday morning after crashing into the rear of a truck at Good Hope, ECD. Dead is Carlotta James, 44, of Middle Walk, Buxton, ECD. The 31-year-old truck driver was tested for alcohol but none was in his system.

Reports indicate that while travelling home in her motorcar PHH 67, she was proceeding east along

the northern side of the road behind motor lorry GPP 143, when the driver allegedly slowed down and indicated he wanted to turn when the teacher crashed into the rear of the vehicle.

Police responded to the scene and the mother of one was taken by the police vehicle to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Relatives described her as a loving person who took great pride in her work.

Dead: Carlotta James

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

Chris Jones to push for youth leadership DIRECTOR of Sport, Christopher Jones, has shared that he has a strong commitment to promoting youth leadership through the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) as a young leader himself.

Thirty-eight-yearold Jones scored the most votes-382 to be exact- during the PNCR’s Central Executive Committee voting held recently at the party’s 20th Biennial Delegates Congress.

But not only is Jones leading the 15-member committee, he has also garnered more support from the party’s base over many of the elders of the PNCR. “Essentially when I got the news about the results, and essentially that my name was there at the very top of the list, I was very excited,” the Director of Sport related.

More than that however, his excitement was compounded by the fact that he had been working under the party’s elders for a number of years.

For him, he said, “Here it is that the party- the grassroot members across the country- recognised something within you as a young person.” And though he has been given a great responsibility, he is truly humbled to receive this support.

Now with this support behind him, and as a young leader in the party, he intends on making the playing field more open for younger persons. As a Central Executive member also, he is able to speak to the party elders like President Granger, who is the Leader of the party and newly elected Chairperson, Volda Lawrence.

“I have that opportunity now again to speak directly to them for and on behalf of young people, not only in the party, but young people in general,” Jones affirmed but reminded that he has always been advocating on behalf of youth.

Moving forward, it is Jones’ goal to see young people take up leadership positions and get involved in local affairs. He particularly stressed that young people ought to participate in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) slated for November 12.

“There is this thing that people don’t wanna get involved in politics because politics is a dirty game and so forth,” he noted. He affirmed that it is more than politics because local government deals with more communi-

Director of Sport and member of PNC/R’s Central Executive Committee, Christopher Jones

ty-based issues like ensuring streets and other infrastructure are up-to-date.

His message to young people was: “If you are a young person who essentially resides in such a community and you want to see betterment, don’t just be speaking in the background but step forward and speak and represent your community.”

Jones has also shared that he will be more proactive in supporting young people contesting the LGEs in their local constituencies.

Firm in his opinion that the young demographic must see a reflection of themselves within the ambit of government, Jones asserted, “I am strongly pushing on that front; it may not necessarily be me but I just want to see that reflection there. It is time.”

Aside from his focus on promoting youth, he will use his position to interface with those at the very helm of the party and remind each and every member of the pronouncements they made while campaigning as candidates.

“So, I’m gonna keep those notes and, of course, when I meet back with them I will start the conversation off with: ‘In keeping with what you said that you intend to do, I am here to lend support to that initiative’.”

Outside of that however, Jones commented that the leadership of the PNC/R has always been supportive of young people and he does not foresee any challenges in getting the other executive members to work alongside him as he continues to push youth leadership and development.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

St. Stanislaus College attains 96% passes at CSEC, CAPE

ST. STANISLAUS College students continue to maintain the school’s traditional high standards with outstanding results at the 2018 CSEC and CAPE Examinations, the school said in a release on Friday.

The students of the 152-year-old institution attained 96.23 per cent overall passes in CSEC, and, likewise, 96.03 per cent in CAPE, at the May/June examinations. Sherlock Langevine was the top CSEC

were Rashma Surjnarine (8 G1s, 3 G2s), Reya Persaud (6 G1s, 3 G2s, 2 G3s), Aleah Marks (4 G1s, 5 G2s), Leshonda Kellman (4 G1s, 3 G2s, 2 G3s), Shaniah Reece (4 G1s, 3 G2s, 2 G3s), Tamara Cummings (4 G1s, 6 G3s) and Chelsea James (3 G1s, 6 G2s).

The Saints students achieved perfection with 100 percent passes in the following 18 CSEC subjects: Caribbean history, economics, electronic doc-

Rashma Surjnarine (8 G1s, 3 G2s) CAPE

Reya Persaud (6 G1s, 3 G2s, 2 G3s) CAPE

Aleah Marks (4 G1s, 5 G2s) CAPE

Sherlock Langevine (15 G1s) CSEC

Amarnauth Narain (12 G1s, 3 G2s) CSEC

Tassia Bacchus (11 G1s, 1 G2) CSEC

performer with 15 Grade 1s passes, closely followed by Amarnauth Narain (12 G1s, 3 G2s), Tassia Bacchus (11 G1s, 1 G2), Nathan Hackett (10 G1s), Nectar Prince (10 G1s, 2 G2s), Eleesha Sanasie (10 G1s, 1 G3), Ryan Khan (9 G1s, 4 G2s, 1 G3), Nia Williams (9 G1s, 4 G2s), Lennox Hopkinson (9 G1s, 1 G2), Skekeria Taitt (9 G1s, 1G2) and Julia Williams (9 G1s, 1G2).

According to the release, the top CAPE performers

ument preparation and management, English A, English B, food and nutrition, geography, industrial technology electrical, information technology, integrated science, mathematics, office administration, physical education and sport, Portuguese, principles of business, agricultural science, social studies and technical drawing.

The English Department secured the following excellent results: English A:

Grade 1 (83.67%), Grade 2 (16.33%); English B: Grade 1(34.88%), Grade 2 (56.98%), Grade 3(8.14%).

While the Mathematics Department accomplished the following outstanding results: Grade 1 (65.17%),

Grade 2 (30.34%), Grade 3 (4.49%). In the Foreign Languages Department, the students were very successful with the Portuguese Language exam, (which was taken for the first time in 2017), achieving the fol-

lowing exceptional results: Grade 1(7.41%), Grade 2 (59.26%), and Grade 3 (33.33%).

The College’s overall results at the CSEC/ CAPE examinations continue to show steady

progress, a reflection of the joint pursuit by the dedicated staff and the receptive learners of the school’s motto of ‘Aeterna Non Caduca’ (L) – Not for this life only but for Eternity.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

Curtain comes down on Moruca Expo

By Alva Solomon

RESIDENTS of Santa Rosa and nearby villages turned out in their numbers to witness events as the annual Moruca Expo culminated on Saturday.

Moruca was buzzing on Saturday as events on the agenda of the exposition got underway at the Santa Rosa Community Centre Ground. The events included tocuma worm eating, crab catching, sev-

eral races between male and female competitors as well as a fire-lighting competition.

On Friday evening, the exposition started with several football matches which were keenly contested between villages in the sub-region. The small goal competition also saw two female teams competing for prizes.

On Friday night also, residents received a surprise when for the first

time in the history of the expo, the sport of boxing was on show.

The event was organised through the Ministry of Social Cohesion and according to coordinator Orlan ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers, there is talent in the region which he note bodes well for the sport.

Around the Santa Rosa ground on Saturday, many visitors milled around the booths which were set-up to attract not only sales but

Vendors were out in their numbers on Saturday at Santa Rosa in the Moruca sub-region as events of the annual exposition continued also to put the sub-region on show.

Delores Rodriques known fondly as ‘Aunty Dolly,’ told the Guyana Chronicle that the craft booth had on display various craft made from the tibisiri leaf.

She noted however, that not many persons were buying the craft during the morning but she expressed hope that persons would make purchases as the day progressed.

On Saturday night, the annual Miss Moruca pageant was expected to be held with six delegates including Miss Santa Rosa, Miss Waramuri, Miss Santa Cruz, Miss Kamwatta and Miss Warapoka.

Reigning queen, Andrea Marslowe, in the hours counting down to the event, told the Guyana

Chronicle that she expects the delegates to perform well.

She said she has been assisting with the coordination of the pageant and according to her; the delegates were well-prepared to showcase their talent in various segments of the event on Saturday night.

This year, several persons told this newspaper that the turnout was large but could have been bigger. It was noted that the shifting of the date to August may have impacted the turnout this year.

Nevertheless, persons noted that they enjoyed the activities The annual Moruca expo is usually hosted during the last weekend in June; however, the event was shifted to August this year.

Former murder accused shot trying to disarm police

FORMER murder accused, Leon Duncan called “Whistle” was shot in his right thigh Saturday after he reportedly tried to disarm an off-duty policeman of his service pistol.

Prompt response by the off-duty police constable also resulted in the apprehension of Duncan’s accomplice who allegedly gun-butted and robbed a female vendor of a sum of cash around 05:50hrs Saturday morning, outside of the Stabroek Market, Georgetown.

The policeman in question was seated in a route 42 zone minibus on Water Street in the vicinity of the Central Fire Station when he heard screams of “thief!” and immediately saw the suspects, one of whom he knew as “Whistle” fleeing the area and entering a waiting motorcar.

The policeman followed the vehicle which stopped in Leopold Street, Charlestown, where the men exited and proceeded inside a house. The policeman went to the Brickdam Police Station, reported his observation and along with other ranks, returned to the house.

They found “Whistle” and in the process of arresting him, he grabbed the policeman’s weapon and tried to disarm him. In the melee, a round was discharged which struck the former murder accused in the upper right thigh.

The bandit was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and is currently under guard in a stable condition.

The other suspect was nabbed at the said hospital where he went to check on his partner in crime.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

New Amsterdam establishes relations with Stonecrest

STONECREST, another US city, has twinned with New Amsterdam with the aim of promoting political, economic and cultural relationships.

Mayor of Stonecrest, Georgia-- Jason Larry-- a former insurance executive and concert promoter, handed over the traditional ‘Key to the City’ and novel pin to his counterpart, New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Haywood during his visit here.

“It (key) will change your future forever, for great things are planned” Major Larry said on handing over the traditional key.

Stonecrest, a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, was birthed in March, 2017, while the town of

New Amsterdam is 126 years old.

Though different in age, Major Larry said both Stonecrest and New Amsterdam share similarities and are experiencing rebirth.

Mayor Haywood, the second female mayor of the small town, promised to maintain the good relations enjoyed by the entities.

In July 1998, the Mayor of Midland, Texas-- Robert Burn-- paid a visit to Guyana amid the strengthening of twinning relations between the town of New Amsterdam and the US city under the mayorship of businessman, Errol Alphonso.

Burns was subsequently conferred with honorary citizenship As a result of that

Murder charge comes seven years after killing SEVEN years after 37-year-old gold miner, Cleveland Smithet was killed during an armed robbery along a trail at Five Star Backdam, North West District (NWD), a man was on Friday charged for his murder.

Carlton Blake made his appearance before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, and Carlton Blake was not required to plead to the capital offence which alleged that on December 13, 2011 at Five Star Backdam, he murdered Smithet during the course of a robbery.

He was remanded to prison until November 6.

The matter was transferred to the Mathews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

On the day in question, the deceased and his brother, Trevor Smithet, 39, were on their way out of the hinterland location, in the company of the owner of a mining operation, when they were held at gunpoint by two gunmen.

The men robbed the men of their valuables and shot Cleveland during the process.

twinning, the Esplanade playfield was rehabilitated, a pavilion was built and named the Midland Ball Field and Pavilion and a bus terminal at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling access road is also being built.

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Stonecrest Mayor Jason Larry hands over the traditional ‘Key to the City’ to New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Haywood at the New Amsterdam Town Hall

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 26, 2018

No quick fix to accident victim’s condition –– says SHEA foundation

THERE is “no quick fix” to accident victim, Matthew Zaman’s condition, said the Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) Foundation, adding that continuous therapy would, however, assist him in regaining some mobility.

Little Matthew Zaman was left paralysed after being hit by a bus in Guyana on December 18, 2017.

Over the past two months, SHEA has actively advocated for medical treatment on Matthew’s behalf.

“We have consulted with several hospitals and

Young Matthew Zaman being assisted to sit up (SHEA foundation) specialists in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and a few countries in the Caribbean, including Cuba; however, they have all concluded that Matthew suffered irreversible brain damage and will require life-long care.

“It is difficult to watch Matthew in his current state, he is unable to move his body except for his tongue and eyes; he senses his mother’s touch, but he is unable to return any affection to her. He now breathes through a hole in his neck and is fed through a tube in his nose,” said the foundation in post on its Facebook page.

According to the foundation, since the incident, his mother has been by his side, taking care of him every day. Her only wish is for her son to regain his mobility and be the playful little boy he once was.

In order to ensure that her dream comes through, all funds received by SHEA Charity for Matthew will be turned over to his mother so that she can care for him with some ease.

Matthew’s entire family would like to extend sincere gratitude to everyone who helped in one way or another.

“They remain humble and thankful. Please feel free to reach out to the family directly to offer your assistance whether monetary or supplies for Matthew,” said the foundation.

Monetary donations can be made in-person to his mother, Bibi Shanaz Khan, or via her bank account at Demerara Bank Limited - Account# 1022755. Bibi can be reached at 592-659-6766.

The foundation has informed persons that all funds should be sent directly to Zaman’s mother, as SHEA will no longer accept donations on his behalf.

Young Zaman will however continue to receive therapy through the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:15 hrs Sharpe’s Eagle 08:50 hrs Final Judgement 09:25 hrs Anneline 10:00 hrs Q The Music 10:35 hrs Riverboat Queen 11:10 hrs Samsonite Irish Racing Tips Curragh 08:35 hrs Fresno 09:05 hrs Lost Treasure 09:35 hrs Zagitova 10:05 hrs Anthony Van Dyck 10:40 hrs Ming 11:15 hrs Dawn Hoofer 11:50 hrs Universal Focus 12:25 hrs Shore Step English Racing Tips Goodwood 09:00 hrs Gold Bere 09:30 hrs Demurrer 10:00 hrs Hamlul 10:35 hrs Balmoral Castle 11:10 hrs Dream Of Dreams 11:45 hrs Giving Chances 12:20 hrs Dr Doro 12:50 hrs Geetanjali Beverley 09:10 hrs Withernsea 09:40 hrs Smart Illusion 10:15 hrs Princess Power 10:50 hrs Zihaam 11:25 hrs Kannapolis 12:00 hrs Allnite 12:30 hrs Poppy Jag 13:00 hrs Life For Rent Yarmouth 09:20 hrs Tyrsal 09:50 hrs Commander Cole 10:25 hrs Mubtasimah 11:00 hrs Mendoza 11:35 hrs Daira Prince 12:10 hrs Spanish City 12:40 hrs Nick Vedder

Guyana to open Americas Challenge Series against Colombia today THE ‘Green Machine’, Guyana’s national rugby team, will play their first game of the Americas Challenge Series today against the host country, Colombia.

Guyana is the only Caribbean nation at the tournament in Colombia, which also features Paraguay (38) and Mexico (53) and marks the first time the Green Machine will be facing teams outside of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) region in the 15s format.

Trans-regional matches will also be played in the second round with Guyana meeting Paraguay and Colombia playing against México on Wednesday 29th.

The final round, on Sunday, September 1, will see Mexico clash with Guyana, and Colombia versus Paraguay in the closing match. The winners will be the team accruing the most tournament points.

The team will be captained by Ryan Gonsalves and will also feature Jason Tyrell, Allain Crawford, Rondel McArthur, Kevon David, Grantley Williams, Richardson Staglon, Jamal Angust, Cloyd Prowell, Lancelot Adonis, Avery Corbin, Claudius Butts and Godfrey Broomes.

Also making the squad selected by the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) are David Garnett, Joseph Rahaman, Cyon Kitt, Ahmad Isaacs, Vallon Adams, Walter George, Sean Phillips, James Osborne, Daniel DeAbreu, Toby David, Selwin Henry and O’Neil Charles.

Prior to departure, Gonsalves said some the younger players in Guyana “are now making their debut into the 15s side, so it’s going to be challenging, but we’re going to have to make it work. Those teams that we are playing against will be very good technical teams and if we don’t play our ‘A-game’,

Guyana’s Ryan Gonsalves poses with the Americas Challenge Series winners’ trophy

we’re going to punish on the day. So we are going to go out there and get clicking from the first whistle.”

Guyana are currently the highest-ranked Caribbean country in World Rugby, with the latest Ranking released by the sport’s world governing body showing the ‘Green Machine’ at 46, while Trinidad and Tobago sit at 49 and Jamaica 65. (Rawle Toney)

Hamilton takes pole position in Belgium qualifying (BBC) - Lewis Hamilton beat title rival Sebastian Vettel to a sensational pole position in a thrillingly chaotic Belgian Grand Prix qualifying in the rain.

A rain shower, as the cars began to prepare the first flying laps in the top-10 shoot-out, caused havoc but Hamilton came out on top by 0.726 seconds with his final lap.

The Force Indias of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez locked out the second row after timing the conditions right - just days after the team were rescued from going out

Lewis Hamilton

of business.

Red Bull and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen lost out in

the pits at the key moment.

Ferrari had looked narrow favourites for pole in the dry

period but the late rain threw form up in the air and, as so often, Hamilton fared best in the treacherous conditions.

The world champion created anxiety in his Mercedes team with an error, running wide at Fagnes with less than three minutes to go when on a fast lap.

But he put it all together on his crucial final lap to take pole by a very impressive margin.

Emery denies training ground bust up with Ozil (BBC) Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has denied Mesut Ozil missed yesterday’s victory over West Ham because of a row in training.

The Spaniard said Ozil, 29, was not in the squad for the 3-1 Premier League win at Emirates Stadium, due to illness.

ESPN Brazil reported the midfielder had an argument with Emery on Friday

and refused to be in the squad after finding out he was on the bench.

“Why is this information out there? It isn’t true,” said Emery.

“He left training because he was going to his home because he is sick.”

Emery told Match of the Day that he sat down with German Ozil and the team doctor on Friday and decided he would not play.

He said he told Ozil to attend the match if he was feeling better and that the German was “with the team” before the game but later left due to his illness.

“He is bad with sickness. There is no problem with the player, speak with the doctor he can explain better,” Emery added.

Issa Diop’s own goal and Danny Welbeck’s late strike helped an unconvinc-

ing Arsenal secure their first victory under Emery since the former Sevilla and Paris St-Germain boss replaced Arsene Wenger in May. Ozil, who started the defeats by Manchester City and Chelsea, quit international football after Germany exited the World Cup in the group stages, citing “racism and disrespect”.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

Pollard keeps stars in the running (CMC) – CAPTAIN Kieron Pollard blasted an unbeaten 41 from just 18 balls to lead the St Lucia Stars to a much-needed victory over table-leaders Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) here Friday.

Chasing the Warriors’ modest total of 140 for nine in their 20 overs, the Stars eased to only their second win of the competition in seven outings, finishing on 141 for four with 11 balls to spare.

The win kept the slim playoff hopes of the bottom-of-the-table Stars alive, while the defeat dropped the Warriors to second position behind the Trinbago Knight Riders, who have a similar record but a better net run rate.

The contest had looked set for a gripping finish, with

the Stars requiring 31 runs off the last three overs.

But Pollard put any doubts of a surprise Warriors victory to bed when he smashed leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo for 30 runs in the 18th over.

The powerful Trinidadian dispatched the West Indies spinner over the boundary ropes for three huge sixes and three boundaries in what proved to be the second most expensive over in this year’s CPL. His heroics left Fletcher the simplest of tasks, and he collected a single of Rayad Emrit’s first ball of the next over to secure the victory.

Fletcher finished unbeaten on 45 from 46 balls with two fours and one six.

Earlier, the Amazon Warriors had looked set for a big total after openers Chadwick Walton and Luke Ronchi

belted Stars’ opening bowlers Mitchell McClenaghan and Odean Smith for 33 runs inside three overs.

But once McClenaghan got rid of Ronchi for 24 off just nine balls, the Warriors lost wickets at regular intervals, causing the run rate to soar drastically.

When captain Shoaib Malik walked past a delivery from leg-spinner Qais Ahmad to be stumped for just nine, the Warriors slipped to 62 for four in the ninth over.

There was some resistance from the lower order, with top scorer Cameron Delport (25), Sohail Tanvir (19) and Emrit who scored 17, getting them up to their eventual total.

Lendl Simmons, who was promoted to open the innings with Fletcher, continued his wretched form with the bat as

Kieron Pollard scored an unbeaten 41 to guide the St Lucia Stars to victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

he took 20 balls before eventually being dismissed for 15.

Rahkeem Cornwall quickly followed for a twoball duck, as rain stopped

play with the Stars 71-2 in the 11th over, two runs ahead of the Duckwork Lewis System.

On resumption, David

Warner and Ahmad departed quickly, but Pollard and Fletcher stood until the end to ensure no further wickets were lost.

Record-breaking Irfan’s heroics not enough to stop Patriots A RECORD-BREAKING bowling spell from Mohammad Irfan proved in vain as St Kitts & Nevis Patriots chased down Barbados Tridents’ 147-6 to complete a six-wicket Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory despite the big Pakistan fast bowler conceding just a single run from his four overs.

That solitary run was scampered by Brandon King from the final delivery of Irfan’s mesmerising fourover spell with the new ball.

Despite narrowly missing out on a shutout, Irfan does now possess the most economical figures for a full four-over allocation in the history of all T20 cricket, beating the previous record of two runs conceded held

by Chanaka Welegedara and Chris Morris.

For good measure, Irfan also removed both Patriots openers caught behind, with Chris Gayle falling to the very first ball of the innings and Evin Lewis following in his next over. Irfan finished his night’s work with the

scarcely believable figures of 4-3-1-2.

Yet it wasn’t enough.

King and Devon Thomas, having struggled just to lay a bat on Irfan, found things much more to their liking after his spell came to an end.

They suddenly roared into life. After the first 42 balls of the innings brought only 18 runs, the next 30 brought an equally unbelievable 75 as the game was turned completely on its head. Steve Smith’s second over, the 10th of the innings, was bludgeoned for 27 runs including four huge sixes. After the Carib drinks break, Raymon Reifer was promptly taken for 22 more.

A required rate that had started below 7.5 then rapidly ballooned above 10 during Irfan’s miraculous spell was now below seven an over. King completed a 42-ball 50 having made just 14 from his first 27 deliveries.

Wahab Riaz – whose own figures of 1-17 from 3.5 overs would have been eye-catchingly economical

Ben Cutting of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots bats during the Hero CPL match between Barbados Tridents and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at Kensington Oval yesterday in Bridgetown, Barbados.

(Photo by Ashley Allen - CPL T20/Getty Images)

on a normal night – did send Thomas’ middle stump flying but by now the Patriots

were cruising.

By the time King fell for 60 from 49 balls the

required rate was below a run a ball, with Ben Cutting adding to his two

earlier wickets with an unbeaten 29 to see his side home in the 19th over.

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

Remembering Courtney Gonsalves – Essequibo’s elder statesman

By Elroy Stephney IT has been five years since the passing of Essequibo’s elder statesman of cricket, Courtney Gonsalves, who formerly resided in Richmond on the Essequibo Coast and thereafter migrated to Canada where he passed away in 2013 at the age of 63 years.

He was not only a fitting role model but he also stood as an institution of communicable knowledge and profound compassion.

Cherished memories will remain that I was privileged to share with the revered coach, since our bonded relationship began and was formulated from being a rookie/youngster excited to learn my trade like so many others to a mature player who was always eager to utilise his expert advice.

Ever since then our partnership remained unbroken until he was chosen for higher service and at a venue where he will love the quicker pitches and angels who will not spill his catches.

Instead a prophetic welcome seems inevitable for a dis-

tinguished champion of the game.

In retrospection, Gonsalves has made a lasting impression on my life; not unexpectedly though, I know that he would have been disappointed with my cricketing returns given his dedication and energy, inspiration and courage that he would have impartially and skilfully imparted upon me during my apprenticeship.

In fact as I emotionally reflect now, I believe that at some point he had become impatient after I was repaying him with consistently poor results. Yet he never deserted or relinquished the herculean challenge to keep motivating us until the essence of a sweet victory.

It was never a smooth riding for him; from being ruthlessly denied a fairer share as a national fast bowler when he was on top of his game to coaching an Essequibo team that lacked the resources and impetus, which inevitably would have caused much pain, embarrassment and disappointment generally.

Then there was the advancement at the time by the powers that be to attempt to debar Essequibo from playing again at the inter-county level because of the depressing performances.

It would have broken his heart had this happen and it only propelled him instead to work even harder and for longer hours, convinced that he could have undone the shackles of the Cinderella syndrome that had poisoned the morale of players and even the faithful fans of Essequibo.

And so he began instilling within us the pride, will and passion to charter a new course. Equipped with his vast experience, technical prowess and compelling authoritative instincts, Essequibo began not to participate anymore but to fiercely compete with the giants from Demerara and Berbice.

He was proudly and deservedly voted as the Coachof-the-Year by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in 1998 not in recognition of his already outstanding coaching ability but the transformation and tremendous impact that

Former Essequibo and Guyana fast bowler Courtney Gonsalves

he had made towards the revival of Essequibo’s cricket and its fortunes.

North Essequibo were to become the Team-of-theYear also in 1998, winning every national competition against teams from the other counties. Essequibo were also to gain a historic and memorable victory against Berbice in a four-day inter-county match during that same period.

He would have been proud of those achievements and the gains made to lift Essequibo’s cricket from the doldrums. He was fond of also holding

his charges in high esteem and adored us; the likes of such players as Rovendra Mandolall who was his favourite batsman, Lawrence Farnum, Latchmikhant Narine, yours truly, Dinesh Joseph whom he believed should have played Test cricket, Beesham Seepersaud, David Wallace and Clain Williams among others.

I must acknowledge most emphatically too that he significantly contributed in shaping the careers of some of our more celebrated cricketers in Guyana including the great Shivnarine Chander-

paul who is to be conferred with a Honorary Doctor of Law, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lennox Cush, Travis Dowlin, Mahendra Nagamootoo and Reon King; all of whom he shared a very special relationship.

Such fatherly affection never waned since he will be remembered as Essequibo’s pride and joy during an era of fast bowling supremacy, an idealist who conquered mediocrity and a strategist of immense competence.

He also had a colossal impact on his son Ian Gonsalves who had the distinction of representing Guyana at the youth level, while his elder sons Roy and the late Gary Gonsalves were also competitive players. His youngest son Nicholas Gonsalves can attest to having his father’s rich cricketing blood if not his skills while his daughter Sabrina Gonsalves’ knowledge of the game cannot be understated.

Coach Gonsalves is still sorely missed but his ideals will live on as a guiding principle of someone who would have achieved success over adversity while defying the odds to place Essequibo on the cricketing map.

Ramdhani secures CAREBACO Senior Badminton silver THE Badminton World Federation (BWF) CAREBACO International Senior Championships concluded on Friday at the Ring Sports Center in Paramaribo, Suriname, with Priyanna Ramdhani securing a silver medal in the Ladies’ Singles category.

After a very successful run in the championships the 16-year-old Ramdhani came close to a gold medal. However, she lost in the Singles final in a thrilling three-setter to senior player Tamisha Williams of Barbados.

Williams won the first game at 21-17 but Priyanna came back strongly to win the second game at 17-21 before surrendering the final game and match at 18-21.

In the Ladies’ Doubles final, Ramdhani teamed up with Chequeda De Boulet of Trinidad and Tobago but they lost to No.1 seeded

From left, Guyana’s medal-winning Senior team - Narayan Ramdhani, Priyanna Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra.

senior players Tamisha Williams and Monyata Riviera in straight sets of 21-15, 21-14.

In a release to the media,

Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) president, Gokarn Ramdhani pointed out that “this has been a very good and productive cham-

pionships for the Guyanese players as they will all get world ranking points that will help them to qualify for the 2020 Olympics”.

Medal winners: Priyanna Ramdhani silver - Ladies Singles Priyanna Ramdhani & Narayan Ramdhani bronze - Mixed Doubles Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra - bronze - Men’s Doubles The overall medals received for the CAREBACO U-19 International & Seniors Open International are: Priyanna Ramdhani: 2 gold (U-19) 2 silvers & 1 bronze (Seniors) Narayan Ramdhani: 2 bronze (Seniors) Jonathan Mangra: 1 bronze (Seniors) The CAREBACO REGIONAL U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17 Championships will open today and the

players representing Guyana are: Priyanna Ramdhani (U-17), Isaac Mallampati

(U-17), Vikash Mootoo (U-15), Matthew Beharry (U-15) and Mishka Beharry (U-11).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday August 26, 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) Colin Munro (2) Shimron Hetmyer Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first bowler to send down a maiden over in Hero CPL 2018?

(2) Which two teams were the first to contest a CPL game in Florida?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

Guyana remain Osmond Cummings Memorial U20 Football Final… unbeaten with Botofago to face Panthers after UDFA intervention 3-wicket win over Barbados

By Joe Chapman

… Three-wicket hauls from Jones, Sinclair GUYANA’S bid for a fifth straight Regional One-day title is well on target after a six-wicket haul between pacer Joshua Jones and off-spinner Kevin Sinclair propelled the defending champions to a comfortable three-wicket win over Barbados yesterday in St Vincent.

Jones claimed 3-20, while Sinclair had 3-21, as the Barbadians, who decided to bat first, were bundled out for 80 at the end of the 25th over.

Left-arm spinner Kelvin Umroa supported with 2-10. Nico Reifer and Kilano Braithwaite, were the principal scorers, with 18 runs each.

The Guyanese made their run-chase a little bit harder than it needed to be, but ended up winning comfortably by three wickets.

They kept losing wickets during the chase before

Kevin Sinclair

holding their nerve to get over the line with 20 overs to spare, at 81-7. Sachin Singh top-scored with 21.

Shemar Persaud destroyed the Guyanese with 5-19.

The Guyanese will now face Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow in the next round.

Full gates predicted in today’s horse race meeting MOST of Guyana’s leading racehorses will take the track again today when the Budhan’s Memorial Turf Club stages its one-day horserace meet at its Number 66 Village, Corentyne race track starting at 13:00hrs.

Information from the turf club late yesterday afternoon confirmed that over 40 of the country’s best thoroughbreds will be on show in the seven-race card meet.

The main event is the race for L Open horses and the winner will take

away a $150 000 first prize.

Other races will feature L Maiden, the twoyears-old Guyana-bred horses, the Unclassified Division 1 Unclassified Division 2, and Unclassified Division 3.

The final race according to club officials will be a Non-winner Unclassified event for horses who have failed to place in the day’s event.

The racetrack is in good shape and an entertaining day at the races is promised.

ORGANISERS have confirmed that Botofago will face Amelia’s Ward Panthers in tonight’s final of the Osmond Cummings Memorial Under-20 football tournament at the MSC ground in Linden.

There was controversy surrounding the tournament, after second semi-final winners Milerock FC were found in breach of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) constitution during the said match against the Panthers.

The Panthers, on August 19, brought the breach to the attention of the UDFA via an appeal, claiming that two ineligible players appeared for Milerock who had won the game 4-2 on penalties, after regulation play ended goalless.

However, there remains some disquiet among football fans, based on reports, following a meeting of the UDFA Executive Committee on Monday.

In a release to the clubs,

Organising Secretary of the UDFA, James Trotman, said the matter was referred to the Disciplinary Committee.

According to Trotman, Milerock FC violated “Article 5.5 of UDFA Constitution and for the breach, the Amelia’s Ward Panthers were declared winners of the second semi-final match.

Trotman said that the advice given by the Competitions Committee Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation, Mr Ian Alves, in accordance with FIFA says, “Under all circumstances, due consideration must be given to the sporting integrity of the competition. In particular, a player may not play official matches for more than two clubs competing in the same national championship or cup during the same season, subject to stricter individual competition regulations of member associations”.

He concluded that “the UDFA in the end decides how the competition is run”.

But, to this, Claude Wil-

One year ago, former national striker US-based Nigel ‘Mice’ Cummings (centre) displayed the Osmond Cummings Memorial football trophy which is at stake in this evening’s Under-20 championship final. liams of the Milerock FC, who is a vice-president of the UDFA noted that Alves, when contacted by the UDFA “made a ruling that Milerock won the game” and that they would be playing the final.

Milerock claimed that the transfer of the two players oc-

curred during the 2018 GFF transfer window and as such were eligible to play.

Organisers, meanwhile, say they cannot afford to await the result of that impasse and Milerock will instead play the third place against Eagles United.

Boxing action draws crowds in Moruca RESIDENTS of Moruca in the North West District witnessed several exhibition match-ups as the sport of boxing is being introduced to hinterland areas.

The event formed part of the annual Moruca Expo, which took place from August 24 to 25 and the sport brought excitement among residents who came out in their numbers at the Santa Rosa community centre ground.

Coordinator of the programme, Orland ‘Pocket Pocket’ Rogers told Chronicle Sport that the sport was introduced there and a gym was established.

The Moruca Power Right gym was established five months ago, the hinterland coach said, and it is the second in the area. He said he visited during the initial stages and the launching of the programme.

Other gyms, including Wakapau Warriors, Baritca Blazers and Hands in Gloves gym at Mahdia were opened across the country.

Rogers said a hinterland competition will take place later this year where all the gyms will match gloves.

“Our main problem is gear,

Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers matches gloves with Joslin Abraham during an exhibition match on Friday night at the Santa Rosa ground.

sourcing gear,” he said.

“The main aim is seeking novices, and they would move on to represent the region when the Guyana Boxing Association has its tournaments,” he said.

The pocket rocket coach noted that there are several Under-16 championships as well as Caribbean boxing tournaments which locals can forge their way to, providing they are victorious in the various tournaments.

Rogers said Moruca has a

lot of potential in the sport as he noted the efforts of young gold medallist Ravin Rodrigues, who also copped a schoolboy Best Boxer award in Georgetown in an Under-16 championship.

Assistant coach Joslin Abraham, who hails from Moruca, runs the gym in Rogers’ absence.

He said the sport is new to the area but it is also bringing a lot of excitement to the community, adding, “It is exciting, if you look at the

turnout you can tell by that,” he said of the crowd who converged on the stage area where a gym was set up.

Another region was expected to take part in the exhibition match-ups but Rogers noted that several hiccups altered the plans.

Nevertheless, the programme will go ahead with the aim of taking the best talent in the sport to represent Guyana in future, he said.

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, August 26, 2018

Albion defend 167 to win BCB/Mike’s Pharmacy U-15 title

By Rajiv Bisnauth ALBION Cricket Club Under-15 team managed to defend a target of 168, to win the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) inter-club-sponsored Mike’s Pharmacy title after Rose Hall Town conceded the match by six runs yesterday at the Albion Community Centre ground.

Apart from Johnathan Rampersaud, with a polished 93, the remaining Rose Hall Town batsmen failed to apply themselves. They were eventually bowled out for 161 inside 35 overs.

The visitors’ line-up caved in against a rampant Albion bowling attack, with their top order collapsing

spectacularly. They lost their first five wickets for just 43 runs with three key batsmen making ducks.

Pacer Leon Cecil spearheaded the batting collapse with 4-24. Earlier opener Hemendra Gurdyal made a composed 40 off 70 balls to lift his side while Damien Cecil and Naresh Veersammy made useful contributions at the back end of the innings with 26 and 19 not out respectively, but the visiting bowlers’ collective show restricted Albion to 167-7.

After winning the toss, Albion openers Gurdyal and Tameshwar Mangal were off to a steady start, adding 37 for the first wicket before Mangal was run-out for 13.

However, Leon Cecil came to the crease and hit three fours in his 13, but his innings was shortlived after he was removed by off-spinner Johnathan Rampersaud, at 50-2.

Tameshwah Mahadeo (17) joined forces with Gurdyal and together the duo added 50 runs for the third-wicket before Albion’s startstop innings continued, as Rampersaud struck for the second time to remove the right-handed Gurdyal.

Thereafter, the visitors found enough means to halt the home team’s momentum, despite knocks from Cecil and Veersammy towards the end of the innings.

Rampersaud finished

with figures of 3-30, while Jeremy Sandi and Mahendra Gopilall had figures of 1-24 and 1-33 respectively.

In the run chase only Jonatha De Veira (26), supported Rampersaud. The remaining batsmen all failed to reach double figures.

At the presentation ceremony, president of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, hailed the tournament as a huge accomplishment, adding that the goals set out by the BCB are definitely on track.

Foster also thanked Mike’s Pharmacy for their contribution towards the development of cricket in Berbice.

Captain Pavendra Ganesh receives the winners’ trophy from Mike’s Pharmacy CEO, Lakhram Singh.

Sparks to fly as GMR&SC hosts KoTS 3 Georgetown M&CC 175th Anniversary THE best of the best in drag racing are going to be out today for the third instalment of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) King of the Strip (KoTS 3).

According to reports from the South Dakota Circuit yesterday, things were in tip-top shape ahead of today’s meet which begins at 09:00hrs.

The club has confirmed that all preparatory work has been completed in anticipation of today’s event which is expected to feature one of the largest participant bases thus far.

Meanwhile, the former record-holder Randel Daby and the Unicom Supra are expected to make a return today as well, the team confirming a successful test earlier in the week.

cycling programme hailed a success

Shawn Persaud’s Toyota Caldina is expected to be a top contender.

It is unclear so far in which class they will be competing but from all indications, it seems as though they are aiming for the track record.

That is currently held by the reigning king of the strip, Goliath, owned and operated by the Mohamed’s Enterprise team.

The car, undefeated at the South Dakota Circuit is expected to be front and centre to defend its title today.

The event is sponsored

by Mohamed’s Enterprise, Ansa McAl, B.M. Soat, ExxonMobil, Tropical Shipping, Del Ice Company, Japarts, Palm Court and Trans Pacific Auto Sales and Spares.

FACC’s Emancipation 40-mile road race rescheduled to today … Homeline Furnishing Establishment joins sponsorship team THE Flying Ace Cycle Club’s (FACC) Emancipation 40-mile cycle road race, which was scheduled for last Sunday, will now be staged today beginning at 13:00hrs.

It will take place in New Amsterdam and Homeline Furnishing Establishment has joined the list of sponsors for the event which is open to FACC members only.

The event pedals off from outside the Rainbow Bar on Republic Road, New Amsterdam and from there the participants will proceed north, then turn left into Vryheid Road, left into Main Road and proceed through Stanleytown then turn left into Tacama Turn and back into Republic Road and that process will continue for another nine laps before finishing at the place of origin.

Ten prime prizes will be on offer and the top five finishers will be rewarded, while the first three 12-14 age group finishers will also receive prizes.

Among the other sponsors on board are: the Regional Democratic Council Region Six, Fix It Electronics, Ferdinand Contracting Services and businessman Alfred Petti of New Amsterdam.

Action in the M&CC cycling meet

THE six-race cycling programme, which was held as part of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) 175th Anniversary celebrations on Friday, was hailed a success by National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.

Organised by Mohamed, the programme was held at the inner circuit of the National Park and featured participants of the National Sports Commission’s ‘Teach Them Young’ cycling course.

In the Veteran’s Open 10-lap race, Junior Niles took first place and top honours while Segun Hubbard and Ian Jackson had to settle for second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, in the Juveniles 10-Lap event, Donovan Fraser was the winner. He clocked 24 minutes 26.34 seconds. Roy Wilson took second place while Steve Bhimsen settled for third.

Jamal Cappell was the top Mountain biker, taking that 10-lap race while Steve

Bhimsen was the winner of the BMX Boys and Girls (12-14) race. Jaheme Henry and Brian DeNobrega were second and third in that order.

In the BMX Boys and Girls 6-9 event, Jose Rodrigues was the winner, while Javin Henry and Dwayne DeNobrega placed second and third respectively.

Officials from the M&CC were present at the meet and assisted with the distribution of trophies and prizes.

Guyana to open Americas Challenge Series against Colombia today

See story on page 27

Ready to Rumble! Ryan Gonsalves (R) and Colombia captain face-off before their clash today in the Americas Challenge Series.

Guyana’s Green machine gets ready for action with a training session.

Albion defend 167 to win

Randel Daby’s Unicom Toyota Supra (GTRidez photos)

BCB/Mike’s Pharmacy U-15 title

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The winning Albion cricket team along with BCB officials, supporters and Mike’s Pharmacy CEO Lakhram Singh

Sparks to fly as GMR&SC hosts KoTS 3 See story on page 31

Pollard keeps stars in the running Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018