Guyana Chronicle E-paper 11-06-2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Happy

Diwali

No.105450

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TUESDAY 6th November, 2018

The festival of lights

Gov’t takes novel approach to psycho-social counselling –– to help traumatised kids adopt coping mechanisms

Gov’t to supervise Berbice Bridge PAGE

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Paradise man meets gruesome end

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–– gives word there’ll be no changes to operational structure, BBCI Board

…as ‘junkie’ brother-in-law runs amok

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Berbicians breathe sigh of relief 17 PAGE

–commend gov’t takeover of BBCI

The Grand Diwali Motorcade, replete with present-day Lord Krishna and Radha (Photo by Delano Williams)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

State House lights the way

–– in the triumph of good over evil

By Gabriella Chapman STATE House, which was last year declared a cultural mecca by President David Granger, last evening opened its gates to a large number of people who came out in all their finery to usher in the annual Fes-

tival of Lights.

And doing the honours as host this year was none other than Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in his capacity as Acting President in President Granger’s absence.

He used the opportunity to remind his audience of the story behind the venue where

the event proper was being held, this being the Baridi Benab on the residence’s well-manicured grounds, saying that it was the President’s idea to create a meeting place of sorts for the populace on specific

Acting Prime Minister, Vice President Carl Greenidge; Acting President, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Mrs Sita Nagamootoo placing diyas on the Rangoli at the State House

Lighting of the diyas at State House

occasions in keeping with one of the many traditions of our First Peoples.

That bit of history lesson out of the way, the Prime Minister proceeded to thank the Turn to page 3 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Gov’t to supervise Berbice Bridge

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–– gives word there’ll be no changes to operational structure, BBCI Board

By Lisa Hamilton AMIDST ongoing dispute over proposed increases of the Berbice Bridge toll, the government has moved to take over operation and maintenance of the Bridge until an amicable resolution can be met.

In a press statement on Monday, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson stated that the decision takes immediate effect and is in accordance with the powers conferred upon the Minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act. A portion of Section 4 (11) states: “A function exercisable by the Concessionaire may, be exercised by the Government -- (a) in the event of a national emergency declared by the President; or (b) if the Minister determines that - (i) its exercise is necessary or expedient in the interests of public safety; or the Concessionaire has defaulted in the performance of its obligations under the Concession Agreement…”

An Order regarding such, cited as the Berbice River

Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018, was gazetted on November 1, 2018 and signed by the Minister.

Meanwhile, Patterson’s address to the public took into consideration that the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Limited (BBCI) had demanded a 360 per cent increase on the toll for all users set to take effect from November 12, 2018. Patterson referred to the move as “draconian”, “unreasonable” and “unwarranted”, which will only become burdensome to Berbicians and the public at large.

He further stated that the demand for an increase in toll is based on a “flawed formula and computation” and, as such, the government will do everything in its powers to alleviate disruption and ensure smooth function.

“On the basis of correspondence between both sides as recently as over the past few days, we do not envision a swift resolution to this crisis. Therefore, in accordance with the powers conferred upon the minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River

Bridge Act, in the interests of public safety, the minister issued (today) an Order declaring that the functions of the Concessionaire to maintain and operate the Bridge shall be exercised by the Government of Guyana as of 5th November 2018 until the date the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety,” Patterson stated.

NO FALLOUT He added that no staffing complement, contractors or suppliers would be affected during the temporary arrangement and that the government will be continuing its dialogue with BBCI in expectation of an amicable resolution.

“The truth is, too many of our citizens are dependent on the continuous operations and use of the Berbice Bridge and we should not allow anyone to unreasonably and capriciously endanger their livelihood and public order in one of our vital regions.

“The Ministry of Public Infrastructure would like to assure the citizens of Berbice

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson

and the public in general, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, that there will be no change to the present toll structure and all exemptions presently in place will remain in effect,” Patterson said.

On Monday Patterson also confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that thus far no changes have been made to the operational structure of the BBCI’s Board. “The Ministry has met with the BBCI personnel on the ground and arrived at a solution, the

BBCI staff will continue the day-to-day running of the bridge. No changes to the operational structure should be changed. No changes to the board will be made, the sole instruction is that they should operate as normal [and that] no toll increases should be made,” he said.

Just last Friday the BBCI, in a letter to Patterson, had offered that in turn for the withdrawal the proposed toll increases the government could view increasing

the company’s concession period from 21to 40 years as an option. According to the Board of Directors, this would avoid the implementation of the toll increases announced on October 16, 2018 and the implementation of increases in the immediate future.

Providing further insight on this yesterday, BBCI’s Public Relations Consultant Kit Nascimento told this newspaper: “The Bridge Company thought that it would reach out to the government to see if it can find a solution and if the government would sit down with the bridge company and look for that solution and we proposed a solution.”

However, Patterson had since stated that although their proposal would be discussed at Cabinet on Wednesday, the government has no intention of abandoning its pursuit of legal advice.

Meanwhile, when the Guyana Chronicle put forward several questions to Nascimento regarding the recent unfolding, he stated: “The Company is consulting its lawyers.”

From page 2 ►

State House lights ...

President for making the venue a people’s place, saying: “Being here for the first time, representing and doing this in the name of His Excellency, I think that we can bring back some of the values; the spiritual values; the knowledge that would come from those values, for good life, for honest living, for clean leadership.

We have to go back to that original light.”

He also thanked the people for coming out in their numbers and choosing to spend the evening in his company on such an auspicious occasion.

Said he: “We all should see Diwali as the lighting of the light within us; the light that tells us that we have a conscience; that we don’t have to behave like those who enslaved us and kept our people in bondage…

“A light that tells us that there is a vision that can take us forward.”

And looking on the bright side, the Prime Minister said: “This year must be a year where the lights of Deepavali give us a reason to be better, to do better, to create better in our society, so that all of us can be in a better place.”

The next item on the evening’s grand agenda was the placing of the

traditional diya’s and rangolis and around State House, and engaging in photo ‘ops’ with attendees.

The event featured a wealth of poems and Satsangs, generously spice with large helpings of a variety of traditional Hindu foods, including sweetmeats.

There were also performances by the members of the Lodge Hare Krishna Temple, Windsor Forest Arya Samaj Youths, Brahma Kumaris, Raj Yoga Centre and Leguan Mandir.

During the event, condolences were extended to the family of the former owner of Liberty Cinema, businessman Pradeep Samtani, who passed away yesterday. His contribution and efforts to preserve East Indian culture was lauded by the Prime Minister.

One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated.

Acting Prime Minister, Vice President Carl Greenidge; Acting President, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Mrs Sita Nagamootoo with a group of children

Acting President, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo placing his diya on the lawns of State House

Acting Prime Minister, Vice President Carl Greenidge lighting his diya to place around State House

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Women rally ‘round each other –to help find solutions to challenges in world of business

By Svetlana Marshall THE Empowered Leadership Conference (We-

Lead2018) opened on Monday with women being urged to break down the barriers preventing them

Community Health Care CEO, Abbigale Loncke (centre) with supporters and sponsors of WeLead2018

Participants of WeLead2018

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Saturday 3, November, 2018

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from establishing their own businesses.

In her address to scores of women and men at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Community Health Care, Abbigale Loncke said that in normal circumstances, a great idea and a market opportunity are critical ingredients for a successful startup, but for women there are more hurdles. Many of them, she said, are artificial, while others are cultural and attitudinal. “Access of capital is one of them. And the other one is that even when we get going, the ability to break down the barrier of the boys’ network is not an easy or straightforward task,” Loncke said.

Loncke, a Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Alumnus, said the two-day conference being

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held under the theme, “When Women Prosper, We All Prosper”, creates a platform for discussion on how women could overcome the challenges they face in the world of business. “We will use this meeting to share notes and experiences; to dish ideas and encouragement; and to indeed learn from each other,” she posited.

Loncke noted that with the help of her team of friends and volunteers, and sponsors such as ExxonMobil, Eco Atlantic International Investments and Metro Office and Computer Supplies, the conference was made a reality, creating a platform for women in small business to move beyond the starting line.

“Empowering women through education, and encouraging them to start their own small business is the way

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to alleviate poverty and make the world a better place,” Loncke said.

“If we have to build better and safer communities, and if we are to break the cycle of poverty, it is important that women are at the forefront in both education and investment,” she added.

US Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer Amanda Cauldwell said that it was out of their cognisance of the challenges facing young entrepreneurs in the Caribbean and Latin America that the United States launched YLAI, which organisation creates a window of opportunities for entrepreneurs to flourish.

Every year since 2016, Cauldwell said, young entrepreneurs, under the programme, are given the opportunity to develop their businesses and social entrepreneurship initiatives.

Cauldwell said that the US Government is assisting in addressing the challenges faced by women in what is still being considered “a man’s world”, noting that when women entrepreneurs are supported, economies grow.

ExxonMobil Guyana Area Procurement Manager, Tara Clinton said that of the over 130 women supporting ExxonMobil’s activities in Guyana, 114 are Guyanese.

These women, she said, range

from lawyers to procurement associates, to caterers.

The Centre for Local Business, she said, was set up by ExxonMobil to upgrade the skills of small and medium-size businesses to increase their readiness to join the supply chain ahead of First Oil in 2020.

“At ExxonMobil, we recognise the importance of improving women’s economic potential,” she said, adding that the oil giant fullly endorses the change in culture “where women are full participants in the social and economic spheres of society.”

Clinton said, too, that across the world, women are increasing their opportunities and utilising their skill sets.

To those sitting in the conference centre, Clinton urged them not to be afraid to form partnerships. “As you grow your business, identify with other companies that have synergies with your own; consider partnering with them and together, you can combine to deliver solutions,” she said, while urging the women there to learn from and support each other.

The conference covers a wide range of areas including entrepreneurship, innovation and technology and sustainable growth. An exhibition that shows women in business also formed part of the conference

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Trinidad AG begs Opposition to back tax bill (Trinidad Newsday) ATTORNEY General (AG) Faris Al-Rawi backed Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s plea to the Opposition to support a bill being debated in the House of Representatives for TT to trade tax details with other nations and, in doing so, cut crime and lift TT’s energy earnings.

The bill needs a threefifths special majority in the House, said Al-Rawi.

He said if the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2018 fails, TT will be blacklisted in the country groupings, the Global Forum and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), and the local banking system would shut down.

Like a year-long delay to support the FATCA bill, the AG said for six months the Opposition had said nothing against the tax bill in a joint select committee (JSC), but last Friday had suddenly objected. He said nine out of the ten clauses in the bill were either very innocuous or a rehash from the FATCA Bill.

Al-Rawi said if the bill returns to a JSC, it will be tied up with two related bills and languish. “Our financial system would collapse. All the adverse consequences would follow.”

He said Global Forum won’t let TT sign up to a multilateral tax disclosure treaty until the bill is passed.

Minister in the AG’s of-

fice Fitzgerald Hinds said last Friday, Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie and Chaguanas East MP Fazal Karim had been “scratching around like chickens” to find reasons not to back the bill. He said Opposition MPs may have “personal reasons” for not supporting the bill.

Asked if anyone might have cocoa in the sun, Al-Rawi replied, “That is one of the possibilities.” He said the bill has reciprocity whereby foreign nations could send the TT authorities the tax details of TT nationals abroad, although not relevant to 99.9 per cent of wage-earners.

The AG said the Opposition had shown “extreme difficulty and discomfort.”

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi

Optimistically, Al-Rawi said the Opposition had bucked to public pressure to support bills on child marriage, FATCA, terrorism and gangs.

He tied the tax bill to other pending legislation regarding civil asset forfeiture and the explain-your-wealth principle. He said if drug shipments can’t be unearthed or if witnesses are afraid to talk, this bill lets the authorities find the proceeds of crime, which the owner can lose if he cannot explain his wealth.

Asked about any witchhunts, the AG asked rhetorically if TT’s law courts are political witch hunters.

He said tax details would be received by the Board

of Inland Revenue, not politicians, while Imbert said the police will have judicial oversight.

He said the bill would also help TT get proper revenues from the gas and oil sector, such as by getting disclosures of a practice known as transfer pricing.

The AG said the explain-your-wealth and civil asset forfeiture legislation was scheduled to be discussed yesterday at a Cabinet committee. “The legislation is perfected, all consultation is over and we are anxious to take it to Parliament with immediacy.” Of campaign finance reform legislation, he vowed, “We’ll come to Parliament very soon.”

Antigua: Referendum Day is nigh, ABEC says it is ready (Antigua Observer) The electorate can expect a smooth process tomorrow as the country conducts a referendum to determine whether to stick with the Privy Council or move to the Caribbean Court of Justice in its appellate jurisdiction.

This is according to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), Elisa Graham, who also told OBSERVER media, “Everything is in place for referendum day; our first referendum will take place on Tuesday 6th November, so everything is in place on our end. We had our final meeting with our returning officers on Saturday just to brief them again as to what is going to be required of their presiding officers and information clerks.”

In addition to that, a meeting was held with the referendum monitors on Friday afternoon and they were sworn in. Graham said some people who signed up to be monitors, and who were supposed to have been sworn in,

counting will take place in the respective polling stations, so we anticipate that the results will come in a bit earlier than that of a general election which is done in a central location.”

In order for the referendum vote to pass, it needs to

Lorna Simon, Supervisor of Elections, and Elisa Graham, Public Relations Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission. (Photo courtesy ABEC)

did not show up. So today, she would be able to indicate the total number of monitors expected on referendum day, since a few more should be sworn in today.

The monitors are required for the process in accordance with the Constitutional Referendum Regulations.

Speaking of the process tomorrow, she detailed, “Polling stations will open at 6 a.m. similarly to that in a general election, and they will close at 6 p.m.”

People who are still in line at 6 p.m. will be allowed

to vote, using the over 100 polling stations that were set up to ensure the process is not time-consuming.

“There are 171 polling stations in all. The referendum monitors will be present to monitor the activities throughout the day as well as the count. The presiding officers will call the returning

officers who will be stationed at ABEC’s headquarters and then the tabulation will take place from that and after everything would have come in, the Supervisor of Elections, Lorna Simon, will issue the official results,” the PRO said.

Elaborating on the counting process she said, “The

get two-thirds support of the voter turnout.

Graham is encouraging the electorate to go out and “be part of history because it is the first time Antigua and Barbuda is having a referendum, and it is an important issue.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Happy Diwali, Guyana DIWALI is now part of the national holiday calendar, it is one of the most colourful holidays in Guyana. It is a time when fairylights brighten homes all over the country, diyas are lit in thousands of yards, passageways and on bridges and, on Diwali eve, scores of colourfully lit and imaginatively decorated floats participate in motorcades in each county.

The television and radio carry special Diwali programmes and Diwali music is heard everywhere. Diwali celebrants deliver boxes of exotic Indian sweetmeats to

their friends and associates and the colourfully decorated temples are always full with worshippers.

Citizens of all religions now participate in Diwali celebrations. For example, the overwhelming majority of the thousands who line the streets to enjoy the spectacle of the Diwali motorcades are non-Hindus and non-Hindus would even attend Diwali services at the mandirs with their Hindu friends. All, irrespective of religious affiliation, participate with gusto in the Diwali curries and sweetmeats at the homes of their friends and neighbours.

Guyanese tend to equate the messages of all religious

holidays as being similar.

They all teach that good will triumph over evil, that charity should be given to the poor and distressed, that mankind must cultivate a moral, ethical and spiritual life, and love one’s neighbour as one’s self.

But despite the essence of all religions being the same, they do differ in their theology and metaphysics.

Hinduism’s metaphor and icons have survived from primeaeval times and, as such, differ from those of more modern religions. Its icons, analogous to all religions, are intended to convey ethical and spiritual messages. The icons associated with Diwali are Mother Lakshmi

and Lord Rama.

Very ancient festivals and holy days often have a confluence of many myths and legends meeting in them.

In Diwali, there is the story of Lord Rama who was banished to the forests for fourteen years and on his final return to his kingdom of Ayodhya, the citizens were so overjoyed at the return of their perfect king that they lit up the streets, their yards and their homes with millions of diyas. The tradition of lighting diyas at Diwali dates from the time of Lord Rama’s return from exile.

Diwali is also associated with Lakshmi, which Hinduism teaches is that aspect

Copyright not about politics, but livelihood Dear Editor I READ the letter by Kumar Kowlessar, October 30, in Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News, whether this person is a pseudonym or real, the letter seeks to justify the position taken by the PPP against empowering the Arts community of Guyana over the years.

That Mr Bharrat Jagdeo expressed it with passion does not separate him from what Sam Hinds said to me some years ago, ”That we cannot introduce Copyright , because too many of ‘our constituency benefit from piracy’. The PPP government authorised the illegal printing of text books, their lawyers fought a trademark case against ‘Demerara Gold’ and lost, because Copyright is an alien concept that will empower the people they view as politically alien, had they explore the elements within how the trademark was applied, tax payers’ millions would not have been wasted on that case. Their president appealed to the UN to suspend Copyright in Guyana, or, in the PPP’s interest, and he was lectured that ‘Copyright is a human right’; he didn’t know this? Mr Kowlessar’s letter intends to introduce some kind of blame

focus, but the letter is overwhelmed by usual political recitations and reveals a void of the basic understanding or relevance to why Copyright is necessary.

“There is very little respect for copyright in Guyana and that makes it difficult for any person desirous of establishing a local recording studio” Eddy Grant 2004. International covenants on copyright protection were relaxed since 1971 to enable developing countries to reproduce educational material, but under certain conditions”. Brynmor T.I. Pollard C.C.H, S.C. 2012. “In the World Intellectual Property Organisation [WIPO] report for 2011 titled ‘The changing face of innovation’ that focussed on the growing trend of creation and exchange of Intellectual property rights[IPR’S] among both developed and developing countries, it was disclosed that there was a growing demand for [IPR’S]” Abiola Inniss 2012. Though I have posted these references, I am aware that the priority of the opposition stance is not related to the logic of any national interest, the evidence of the PPP is always driven by self serving motives, and innate motivations that

rests with no rational impulses; this is a party in government that paid an American artist $250.000US$ but never placed a cent towards the development of Cultural Industries locally, though its own ambassador to Venezuela, Odeen Ishmael in 2009, reported and penned an article in the Kaieteur News that ‘Cultural Industries were growing in significance in Latin America and the Caribbean.’ The concern with Copyright in Guyana and all that it involves to the PPP cabal is the financial award in the courts for Copyright violations that will have to be seriously upgraded. The fact that a percentage of local content will have to be aired and royalties paid to all music owners by both radio and TV Stations is where the fears of the PPP lie. The arts community is not owned by the PPP as the sugar workers are assumed to be their political property, thus our interests were never a consideration for development. These are the truths that are the foundation of the PPP’s resistance to the copyright bill.

Regards Barry Braithwaite

of God which represents enlightenment and economic success and wealth. Hinduism teaches that God is infinite and that Man and his mind are finite. Accordingly, man with his finite mind cannot realise the infinity of God. The only way in which Man could realise God is through the various aspects with which the finite mind could connect. The lights of Diwali represent the light of enlightenment eliminating the darkness of ignorance.

Lakshmi also represents wealth and economic success and this is indicated in her icon by the steady stream of gold coins flowing from her open palm. The religion

teaches that those who desire wealth and economic success will invoke and worship Mother Lakshmi at Diwali.

In addition to its spiritual and material messages, Diwali also teaches the cultivation of charity, friendliness to all and regarding one’s fellow man as one’s brother.

Since Independence, Guyana has been regarding itself and indeed evolving into a plural society wherein all its various cultural strands would make their contributions towards enriching Guyanese culture.

Over the last several years, Diwali has been making such contribution. Shubh Diwali! Happy Diwali !

As a people, we can do better Dear Editor, I AM concerned after hearing of an incident at the Christ Church Secondary School last week, where a young student was allegedly beaten with a cane after the principal was told that he climbed over the school’s fence.

While I do not condone students disobeying school rules and agree that a consequence is justified in this case, I was very surprised and saddened to learn that corporal punishment is still administered in Guyana’s schools.

Are senior teachers still allowed to beat students in schools?

If this is so, no good can come from this. In making the beating of students an acceptable way to solve problems and express displeasure, we are sending the wrong message to our young people. They are learning from those in authority that physical violence is acceptable if the perpetrator can justify their actions toward the victim. Our teachers must be retrained and given more strategies to address discipline in our schools. Our young people deserve more. My heart goes out to this young man, and to others who have to endure beatings at school. There are many more effective ways to deal with such situations.

If corporal punishment is still legal in our schools, I appeal to the minister and other leaders in education to work towards abolishing this archaic and barbaric practice. If it is not, this school principal should be reprimanded. As a people, we can do better.

Regards J.P. Richmond

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

OP-ED

By Iris Monnereau THE Caribbean fisheries sector has been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change, resulting in the recent development of a regional Protocol on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture, building onto the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP). It is hoped that this protocol can provide pragmatic tools and measures to assist countries and stakeholders to adapt to climate change impacts and improve resilience of the fisheries sector by fostering collaboration and sharing of good practices.

Direct and indirect climate change impacts such as sea level rise, sea surface temperature increases, ocean acidification, and increased severity of storms and hurricanes pose an extreme threat to the fisheries sector in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

These impacts exacerbate pre-existing stresses on ma-

rine and coastal ecosystems such as overexploitation, pollution and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices; consequences are felt at the level of the fisheries harvest and post-harvest sectors as well as at the national level.

In recent years, incidents related to the impacts of climate change have become more pronounced throughout the region. The increased severity of storms and hurricanes is having catastrophic effects on fisheries through the disruption of fishing activity and damage to fishing vessels, gear, and coastal infrastructure. It has also reduced the safety of fishers at sea, and jeopardised the wellbeing of fishers and fishing communities. This was exemplified when the most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history, Hurricane Irma, made landfall on the islands of the northeast Caribbean in September 2017.

In Antigua and Barbuda, damages of Hurricane Irma were most profound in Barbuda. It destroyed nearly 70% of the fishing vessels

Protocol endorsed on climate change, disaster risk management in fisheries in Barbuda, 44% of the fishing pots were lost and fisheries facilities severely damaged. The passage of Hurricane Maria through Dominica, also in September 2017, caused US$2.5M in damages to the country’s fisheries sector.

Climate change is affecting the health of critical elements of coastal and marine habitats such as coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves, and will significantly impact the distribution, abundance, seasonality, sustainability and production of fisheries in the Caribbean. Mass coral reef bleaching events have become five times more common worldwide over the past 40 years, with the Caribbean suffering from severe bleaching episodes in 2005 and 2010, leading to disease and death among various coral species. In recent years, the massive influxes of sargassum in the Caribbean have disrupted fisheries production and livelihoods throughout the region.

The fisheries harvest sector faces climate-related

challenges such as reduced yields and increased risk to fishing boats, gear and techniques. Post-harvest activities may be impacted anywhere along the value chain after the catch is landed, such as handling and transportation, processing, preserving, storing and distribution of fish and fishery products. At the national level, climate change can impact the level of revenues, exports, per capita fish supply, and contributions of the fisheries sector to employment and Gross Domestic Product. It may also require changes to current management and legislation of fisheries.

The majority of populations in Caribbean SIDS live in coastal zones where there is a very high dependence on marine resources for livelihoods from fishing and tourism. It is therefore not surprising that the fisheries sector supports the socio-economic viability of coastal communities by providing direct employment, livelihood and benefits to thousands of people in the region. As a result

of climate change, one can therefore expect less fish to be available for consumption and livelihoods and employment of the population to be compromised while export revenues of countries are expected to decrease. These urgent and ever-increasing threats to the Caribbean fisheries sector have been recognised at the regional and national policy level, resulting in the timely development of a regional Protocol on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The Protocol is a result of technical cooperation between the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Climate Change Adaptation in the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector (CC4FISH) Project of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). It was approved by CARICOM States during the 8th Special Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council which was held in Barbados on

the 11th of October, 2018, during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, whereby ministers approved the Protocol to the CCCFP, promoting cooperation and collaboration among Caribbean people, fishers and governments in conserving, managing and sustainably using fisheries and related ecosystems, as well as improving the welfare and livelihood of fisherfolk in the region.

The region needs to recognise the role that donors and international development partners can play in supporting initiatives that strengthen climate resilience among fisheries, by providing tangible technical assistance and funding. External support is a critical element in overcoming development-related challenges to regional climate adaptation efforts and will be extremely beneficial in the successful implementation of the Protocol on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Miss Teixeira’s views are misguided

Dear Editor

IN a letter to the editor of the Kaieteur News captioned “PAY BACK TIME?”, Miss Gail Teixeira, former government minister and Member of Parliament for the opposition, accused the RDC of Region # 7 of being in collusion with contractor, BK International, to use its infrastructure rehabilitation programme as a deception to garner votes for the APNU in the upcoming Local Government Elections. In her rambling, she suggested that recent

works being carried out on the Bartica-Potaro Road is a hurried venture towards this end.

How mistaken is Miss Teixeira Miss Gail Teixeira’s equating the work of the RDC of Region # 7 and the vision, plans and management of the newly-appointed REO (ag), Holbert Knights, with Local Government Elections is obviously a reflection of her political beguilement and not of her wider intelligence. What seems to be lacking from her writing is a sense of the scope

with which Mr. Knights is approaching his work. In a recent meeting with the regional contractors, he outlined the government’s programme to foster a work environment that will boost the local economy and bring long term comfort to the residents of the region.

To even suggest that road rehabilitation, which is just a part of the regional programme, is an LGE stunt is preposterous at best, and is reflective of a narrow focal dept-of-field on behalf of the letter writer.

Why does the Regional Administration of Region #

7 find this writing of Miss Teixeira to be mischievous at this time? She certainly never attacked us on any prior occasion for doing our work. One could imagine she is being spurred by her local political comrades whose combined vision, also, cannot penetrate beyond November 12 of this year. Why was no letter written to criticize the excellent resurfacing of roads along the Byderabo Front and the access to Agatash?

Why was no letter written against the initial contracts that started the rehabilitation of the Bartica-Potaro

road, by another contractor, prior to the one signed with BK International. I guess Miss Teixeira received a text, but not a context. She wrote without the benefit of the big picture.

We imagine no letter will be written against the works that must continue on behalf of the people of the region, after the LGE season is passed.

No administration, the world over, is perfect. But we, the REO and staff of the RDC of Region # 7, stand by our mandate to serve the people of our region, and the country

by extension. We are not politicians. We are public servants. And if, by chance, we disrupt the agenda of the politician in the execution of our duties, sorry to say, but we’ll be hard pressed to apologise for doing our work.

No one is indebted to us.

Instead, we owe a debt of service to our residents, even the critics among us.

AND YES, THIS IS PAY BACK! Regards Alden Marslowe, Regional Information Officer, Region # 7.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Gov’t takes novel approach to psycho-social counselling –– to help traumatised kids adopt coping mechanisms to exercise control and reduce their stress levels; to enhance learners’ resilience; to enable them to use the most effective coping skills to offer a quick response to trauma; and to maximise support available from family and friends.

In her address, Minister Henry explained that the main purpose of the unit is to enable children to receive age-appropriate psychosocial services, and to narrow the gap that exists in the education system where psychosocial support

is concerned.

“This unit, Minister Henry said, “is an important part of what we’re required to do in the education sector, particularly given that in the public education system is where most of our vulnerable and disadvantaged children are attending school.

“So it is important that we provide them with the type of support that is needed in order to understand their vulnerability, and to provide the services in collaboration with other

stakeholders.”

JUST THE BEGINNING Although beginning with just one unit, which will initially address the concerns of Region Four, the ministry hopes to eventually acquire additional ones to cater for the needs of the wider population.

Turn to page 10

Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry handing over the keys of the mobile unit to Chief Schools Welfare Officer, Ms Glenna Vyphius

By Lisa Hamilton BY the end of November, a number of children will begin benefitting from the country’s first ever mobile psychosocial unit to be launched by the Ministry of Education.

The project, which costs some $16.3M and is designed to cater for children’s psychological and social coun-

selling needs, will be targetting from nursery to secondary-school-age children in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

It will be managed by the ministry’s Schools Welfare Unit through an initial workforce of 10 counsellors, with the aid of such other ministries as the Ministry of Public

Health and Ministry of Social Protection for the provision of specialists.

The Unit was commissioned on Monday at the Department of Education by Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry, with the assistance of Chief Schools Welfare Officer, Ms Glenna Vyphius.

Its main focus will be to increase the learners’ ability

Minister Henry and Permanent Secretary, Ms Adele Clarke examine the internal features of the mobile unit (Delano Williams photos)

Illuminating the dark times Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights and in Guyana, the grandest way it is ushered in is through the massive motorcade held annually on the eve of the festival.

It begins at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbelville and takes the traditional route along Sandy Babb Street onto Vlissengen Road, and then along the Seawall. This year, the ending point changed from the La Bonne Intention Community Centre ground to the to the Chateau Margot Ground, East Coast Demerara. But that did not dull the celebration in any way.

The motorcade is an elaborate profusion of colour, complementing the grandeur of significances behind the Festival of Lights.

In the Ramyana (A Hindu scripture), it was said that Lord Rama, an incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu, returned to his Kingdom of Ayodhya. He returned after defeating a Demon King, Ravana, on Amavasya- the darkest night of the year, and his people lit small earthen pots (Diyas) to brighten his path as he returned home that night. One significance of Diwali draws from this account.

With Diwali being observed on the darkest night of the year,

–– in age-old tradition

it is quite understandable why the Hindu Goddess Maa Lakshmi is revered. She is the Goddess of Light, and also the giver of wealth. Like most Hindu festivals, the overarching message is the triumph of good over evil and essentially, Mother Lakshmi is the embodiment of light illuminating any darkness.

Perhaps this is why the most popular depiction during the motorcade is Mother Lakshmi. Young girls were adorned in their bright red saris and elaborate jewellery.

Each girl was amidst a water lily, where Mother Lakshmi is often depicted.

Diwali is also a harvest festival. With the overarching significance being the triumph of good over evil, a plentiful harvest could be seen as a means of eradicating poverty. Seeking to emphasise this was the Golden Fleece Mandir that had their Lakshmis perched atop a tractor.

All-in-all however, though the same tenets are emphasised and illustrated each year, Guyanese are unrelenting in their support of the motorcade that Youth from the Golden Om youth organisation, in illuminates the dark times.

Berbice depict Lord Rama, with his wife Sita (both Turn to page 10

seated) and faithful servant and friend Hanuman (seated at left) and his brothers

One of the motorcades from last night’s celebrations

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

PM: ‘This is a time for togetherness’ On this special occasion of the celebration of Diwali or Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo has sent greetings to all Hindu brothers and sisters.

In a message the Prime Minister who is currently performing the functions of President said this is a time when, traditionally, devotees lit Diyas in their yards and surroundings to symbolise the return of Lord Rama and his wife, Sita, to Ayodhya after the defeat of the dreaded demons.

He said the diyas also depict knowledge that radiates from the Hindu Goddess,

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and staff of the Office of the Prime Minister

Mother Lakshmi.

“In Guyana, this auspicious event is observed as a National Holiday, where the spiritual significance of Diwali co-exists with its moral content. Guyanese embrace Diwali as light extinguishing darkness; as good triumphing over evil.”

Guyanese from all social strata invite the symbolic radiance into their lives, to shut out negativity and gloom, arrogance and anger; and to invigorate their soul with bright hopes for peace, unity and the good life.

“I commend the staff of the Office of the Prime Min-

ister for observing Diwali in customary clothes, and by sharing prasad or home-made sweets. As they have done at all other national events, our staff did so notwithstanding their cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. This is a time for togetherness, for social cohesion and the grace of tolerance amongst all of our people.”

“On behalf of the Government of Guyana, my wife Sita and my family, I send you best wishes on this special day, and our sincere hope that your life will be blessed with peace and happiness,” the Prime Minister said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018 From page 8

From page 8

Illuminating the dark ... Gov’t takes ...

A beautiful depiction of Mother Lakshmi and her husband, Lord Vishnu

A little Mother Lakshmi on a float

As the counsellors prepare to meet with children where they are, Minister Henry is urging the designated personnel to demonstrate the highest of professionalism in conducting their responsibilities.

“Our schoolchildren, our learners have a right to be heard in matters that affect their life experience in terms of education.

“Many times we have our students with a lot of needs that are unmet; a lot of issues that are not addressed because we do not have either the capacity or the resources to undertake those,” Minister Henry said, adding: “It is my expectation that my staff will exercise the level of professionalism that is required to ensure that the mandate is met, and that our children, even though we’re starting out very small, will begin to have access to these services.”

The minister stated, too, that where there is need for continued services, children will be referred to the specialists, even though teachers will be working along with the Welfare Unit to identify special cases in the classrooms.

Ms Vyphius said that working along with welfare officers stationed in the various regions, areas most in need would be identified.

She thanked the minister for her vision for the nation’s children, even as she, too, encouraged those involved to give of their best to ensure that the initiative is a success.

MORE ACCESSIBLE “This mobile unit will no doubt make counselling more accessible to many schools and communities to bring about positive behavioural changes, and ultimately a better home, a better school, a better community and, by extension, a better life,” she said.

Remarks came, too, from Deputy Chief Education Officer, Ms Ingrid Trotman, who stressed that the much-needed services of the Mobile Unit will help to positively influence school attendance and achievement.

“Learners are exposed to violence, separation, loss, disaster and trauma, and oftentimes they need support to be able to manage and cope with their feelings,” she said, adding: “The Mobile Psychosocial Welfare Unit will ensure adequate access to psychosocial services and provide the needed for support for learners to overcome such difficult and challenging experiences.

“I believe that if the well-being of learners is taken care of this will improve the level of attendance in our schools and, as you may be aware, the attendance and punctuality of learners is of major concern to us.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Man found guilty of raping girl DHANRAJ Persaud met a unanimous guilty verdict from a 12-member-jury on Monday afternoon, and was remanded to prison awaiting his sentence for the charge of rape.

The 38-year-old man was charged with rape of a child under the age of 16. The particulars of the matter read to the court states that Persaud, called Rakesh, engaged in sexual penetration of a child aged 15 years old on October 23rd 2013.

Upon the announcement of the guilty verdict, the man took a deep gasp and stood calmly as his attorney, Maxwell McKay requested time

for probation report and plea of mitigation. The presiding judge, Justice JoAnn Barlow, granted the time for same and delayed the victim’s impact statement for the adjournment date.

The court returns on November 27th for the hearing of his probation report, plea of mitigation, the victim’s impact statement, and the sentencing of Persaud. The state was represented by their prosecutors, Seeta Bishundial and Tiffini Lyken.

Dhanraj Persaud, child rapist

Court orders retrial for man sentenced to 56 years Renwick Alexander, called ‘Bumpy’ was on Monday given a second chance for a fair trial as the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings, set aside his previous conviction and sentence, and ordered that he be granted a retrial.

The now 65 year old man was sentenced to 56 years imprisonment in 2014, for the murder of his childhood friend, 55-year-old Carl Thomas called ‘Dog’, in 2010.

His counsel, Attorney Nigel Hughes, argued on his behalf before Chancellor, Justice of Appeal, Dawn Gregory, High Court Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds, and a courtroom filled with relatives of the appellant.

Hughes argued on several grounds in his written submissions, but he particularly addressed and expounded on two of those grounds which he deemed most substantive; 1) the trial judge failed to put defence to the jury and 2) the trial judge only spent two paragraphs addressing the appellant’s defence.

In putting over his oral arguments to the court, Hughes highlighted instances in the high court trial, which suggest that the trial judge did not pay much emphasis to the issue of self-defence, which was the principal defence of the accused during his trial. It also

suggests that the judge did not adequately guide the jury on the attention that should have been paid to the testimony of Alexander.

In the State’s defence, Attorney Toshana Lake said to the court that on the issue of self-defence, while examining the defence case, there was no mention of him acting out of self-defence.

But referring to particulars in his statement, the chancellor highlighted that self-defence was inferred.

After presenting arguments, the court went to a 10 minute recess and Chancellor Cummings returned with the ruling.

She stated that they considered the grounds of the appeal that the defence of the appellant was not adequately put and they have found much substance on that ground. She further noted that they are of the view that the trial judge erred in not putting the defence of self-defence to the jury, which was a live issue for their determination.

However, Chancellor Cummings also noted that the Court of Appeal cannot of itself determine what the verdict of the jury would have been in the circumstances; therefore, the appeal was allowed.

A retrial will occur for the next sitting at the Demarara assizes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

‘Elect leaders who will work for you’ – Min. Allicock tells Matarkai residents

LOCAL Government Elections (LGE) is scheduled for November 12 and the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock has challenged the residents in the Matarkai Sub-District to elect leaders who will work for them.

Minister Allicock was in the Barima-Waini Region (Region One) sub-district over the weekend engaging residents of Eclipse Falls, Four Miles, Oronoque and Canal Bank. He sought to enlighten them on the importance of voting at LGE and the need for them to go out and vote on November 12.

At the community engagement at Eclipse Falls (Falls Top), Minister Allicock emphasised that “proper representation is critical to moving the community development forward. So, it is important that you go out and vote, there is where your voices will be heard. And you have persons, who will come and tell you all sorts of things, but you must be able to sit and think about who is best suited to represent you.”

The residents had the opportunity to raise their concerns about issues affecting

ties across the country. “You are not the only community, we have a number of other

minister assured.

One Resident, Alga Marks, explained that it costs

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

Residents of Eclipse Falls at the community meeting

them, a major one being land.

Minister Allicock explained the issue of land titling and demarcation is one that the government has been working to address in communi-

communities that we have noted and we will take the necessary steps to ensure the issue is addressed so that the development of this community can move forward,” the

almost $25,000 to travel to and from Port Kaituma to uplift her pension, which is another challenge for the people of Eclipse Falls. In this regard, Minister Allicock

said he will discuss the issue at his ministry to see what assistance can be given to the village to aid with transportation.

He also noted that representation will be made to ensure that a police outpost is established in the area.

During the walkabout in Oronoque, Port Kaituma, the residents complained about the lack of proactive leaders. One resident said the village was given funds by the government to embark on a number of community projects, but there is also the lack of proper management

and accountability.

“This is why it is important for you to go out and vote, because if you had a body who is serious about your welfare, some of these things would have been addressed… This is the issue we have been having, persons not being able to account for community assets, this is taxpayer’s money. It is time we put an end to this,” Minister Allicock reiterated. The minister and his team also visited comminutes in Matthews Ridge and Mabaruma. (DPI)

Man drowns while Moderate El Niño conditions predicted swimming at ‘Blacka’ in next three months THE Hydrometeorological Service of Guyana is predicting moderate El Nino conditions from this month until around February next year.

In a release, the department said northern Guyana usually transitions into the short-wet season during the last week of November which lasts until the end of January.

The southern part of Guyana remains dry until April in the coming year. Surface analysis shows that the Inter - Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is currently oscillating north of the equator between 5N and 13N. The consensus among the dynamic and statistical El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) models is for moderate El Niño conditions to persist from November through the first quarter of 2019. During El Niño conditions, the average sea surface temperature across the Equatorial Pacific Ocean is above the climatological average which typically leads

to lower rainfall amounts and drier conditions in Guyana.

Recent observations show above average sea surface temperature across the Equatorial Pacific and the Equatorial Atlantic Oceans.

The output from the Seasonal Climate Outlook model for November 2018 to January 2019 suggests the total rainfall amount throughout the short-wet season will be less than the climatological average. That is, during November to January northern Guyana would usually experience 26 – 47 rain days, of these up to four events are very wet (with potential for flooding) and two events can lead to extreme flooding.

However, the Seasonal Climate Outlook model suggests these numbers will be less in the upcoming wet season; however, there are still chances of flooding along the coast and other areas in northern Guyana. As a result, relevant stakeholders along the coast should take necessary pre-

cautionary measures, since water levels will rise, and soil saturation levels are expected to be high. In addition, sluice and pump operators should pay attention to daily weather forecasts issued by the National Weather Watch Centre. Temperatures forecast suggests warmer than usual day-time and night-time temperatures during the season. A gradual build-up of heat can also be expected towards the end of the season.

The Hydrometeorological Service will provide updates on its seasonal forecast as new information becomes available. For short term forecasts and weather analyses, stakeholders are advised to follow the Daily Weather Brief, Outlooks and Advisories produced by the National Weather Watch Centre or visit www. hydromet.gov.gy. The forecast desk can be reached at 261-2284/261-2216.

A 21-year-old man reportedly drowned while swimming at the Lamaha Canal aback ‘B’ Field Sophia, an area popularly known “Blacka” on Sunday.

Dead is Devon Wallace. Reports are that the

young man went to the area in the company of friends when he went under. Police are investigating the incident.

Over the years several persons have lost their lives while swimming at the location.

Devon Wallace

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Paradise man meets gruesome end …as ‘junkie’ brother-in-law runs amok Story and photos by Rabindra Rooplall A 25-year-old porknocker, who was said to be high on drugs, is in police custody after almost severing the head of his brother-in-law on Monday at Section ‘C’ Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is Justin Peterkin, 39, an electrician and father of one who resides at Paradise Village, East Coast Demerara. Police said investigations revealed that Peterkin, and the porknocker, visited the Golden Grove property on Monday and soon after the occupants; David King, a 51-year-old contractor, and his daughter Cassandra King, (father and sister of the suspect) left for work, an eye witness saw the perpetrator chopping his in-law, in the yard.

An alarm was raised and the suspect left the scene but was promptly arrested by the police who were summoned.

At the scene of the crime, a trail of blood at the entrance to the home greeted investigators. One neighbour told the Guyana Chronicle that the perpetrator, Anthony King, visited his father’s home on

Peterkin chopping away on his neck with the aid of a hammer. “He had the chopper on the man neck and was hitting it with the hammer,” Boutrin said.

After being confronted with such a scene, Boutrin,

A tearful Cassandra King speaking to the media in the aftermath of her reputed husband’s death.

Justin Peterkin’s body being removed from the premises where he was killed on Monday morning.

Peterkin lived with his aunt at Paradise Village, ECD and is originally from Berbice.

The body which bore multiple wounds to the neck, head and shoulder, was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

tering the bedrooms peering under the beds.

However, his father monitored him as he slept over.

The following morning, Justin Peterkin, who is the father of Cassandra’s child, visited the home and commenced

Sunday night. While at the home, it was observed that Anthony bore a strong marijuana odour and was acting strange, since he began en-

electrical work at a neighbour’s residence. The neighbour further explained that Cassandra, her two children and her father had left for work leaving Peterkin and Anthony King at the home.

Daniel Boutrin, a 20-yearold mason of Guyhoc Park, said he visited the mother of his child and was cooking while his reputed wife was hanging clothes in the front yard, when he heard a sound coming from the neighbour’s house.

Upon investigation he looked into the neighbour’s yard and saw Anthony King inside the yard groaning loudly with a hammer in his hand. Minutes after, he saw Anthony King standing over

in order to render assistance to Peterkin, decided to challenge Anthony King and he walked out of the yard and raised an alarm.

Shortly after a police patrol was spotted and summoned by neighbours and Anthony King was arrested and taken into police custody. According to Cassandra King, she had left her brother and Justin at home when she headed out for work.

She explained that her reputed husband was in the area to transact business with her neighbour. She left both her brother and the reputed husband at home.

Shortly after, she received a call from someone who told her to rush home.

“I left to go to a next wuk and all I hear is come home,” a tearful Cassandra said.

She explained that she lives with her mother, father and two children, ages nine and 13 and that the suspect visits the house from time to time. She does not know of any previous issue between her brother and the father of her children. “I am so sorry, please tell his mother I am so sorry,” she told media operatives.

A 2016 Household Drug Survey in Guyana had revealed that 66.5 per cent of the respondents believe that drug use has increased in Guyana over the past few years, while 40.9 per cent believe that it is easy to access marijuana.

These findings were published in the survey which was sponsored by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Inter American Drug Abuse Commission.

In the report, 56.4 per

cent expressed the view that the drug issue in Guyana is among the core concern of the government.

And according to Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan the links between drugs and violence both act as a catalyst for each other.

He said that study shows that drug consumption is linked to drug abuse, delinquency, and anti-social behaviour in adulthood, as well as educational failure.

Additionally, Minister Ramjattan noted that victims and children who experience and are subjected to drug related violence, strongly develop emotional and behavioural problems and are often known to seek the use of drugs as a coping mechanism. As such, he said the domino effect of drug abuse now becomes an economic burden to the State, since both the health and criminal justice sectors are directly affected.

Rural constable freed of schoolboy’s murder –– DPP rules he was ‘wrongfully charged’ A 28-year-old man who was last month remanded to prison for the murder of Diamond, East Bank Demerara teen, Ricardo Singh, was freed of the charge on Monday.

Tony George, who is attached to a community policing group at Soesdyke as a Rural Constable, ap-

peared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court last month to answer to the murder charge, which stated that on July 9, 2018 he murdered the 15-year-old. He was remanded to prison until October 23, 2018.

After the murder charge was laid on the latter date,

the prosecutor requested more time for additional statements to be placed on file, but the man’s attorney, Dexter Todd objected to any further delay in relation to the commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry on the grounds that the charges were bad in law, and that there was abso-

lutely no evidence upon which a charge against the accused could have been based. He also contended that the continued detention of the accused was illegal.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would subsequently agree with the defence that the accused,

George, was wrongfully charged with murder and discontinued the charge and restored his liberty. George is now a free man.

On the day of the wedding, Singh, a student of the Diamond Secondary School was reportedly in the company of his friends when an altercation occurred.

George arrested the young man and placed him at the back of a pick-up and told

the driver to drive to the police station. However, along the way, he told the driver to stop and exited the vehicle along with the young man.

He then told the driver to go for the police and when the man returned, he met the teen injured with a stab wound to his abdomen. Singh was rushed to the Diamond Hospital but succumbed while being treated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Republic Bank enlists new batch of apprentices

REPUBLIC Bank last week Friday welcomed its eleventh batch of apprentices under its Youth Link Apprenticeship programme.

The ceremony was held at the Republic Bank Head Office, New Market Street, Georgetown.

The fifteen young men and women were chosen from schools across the country and will be placed across the Bank’s network of Branches where they will experience classroom and on-the-job training. During the seven-month period, the apprentices will be trained in banking operations and have the opportunity to learn and understand the needs

of the less fortunate via the community initiative styled ‘Care-A-Van’ aspect of the apprenticeship programme.

A day of fun and relaxation will also be part of the Youth Link experience.

Upon completion of the programme, successful apprentices will receive the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) from the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA) through the Council for Technical & Vocational Training (CTVET).

With this qualification, the apprentices will be eligible for jobs within the Caricom Region.

In a release the Bank

said the programme was introduced in Guyana in 2008 after being part of the Republic Bank Limited, Trinidad and Tobago Power to Make a Difference initiative for over twenty years. The programme was developed to bridge the gap between the end of the participants’ school life and the start of their career.

The programme is geared to guide the apprentices through a process of personal and professional growth and will teach the youths valuable skills for professional and social development, thus making them more marketable in their career pursuits.

‘Short Boss’ back in hospital –– in wake of Palm Court assault

Abdul Imran Khan

Romario Baljeet, popularly known as Short Boss, who was allegedly attacked by businessman Abdul Imran Khan outside of Palm Court was readmitted to the Woodlands Hospital on Monday for internal bleeding resulting from the injuries he received the night he was beaten.

The suspect, Khan, has since been arrested and charged with attempted murder, and has been remanded to prison until November 19.

Following the altercation on October 28, 21 year old Baljeet was hospitalized at the Woodlands Hospital with stitches to the face, several fractured facial bones and bruises about his body.

Baljeet, a person with a disability, suffers from a congenital disorder which renders him short in stature, with one of his legs shorter than the other.

He was treated over the past week and released last Friday, however while at home over the weekend, his parents observed that the wound on his face was bleeding continuously and so rushed him to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre on Sunday night.

Baljeet’s father, Ken Baljeet, said that the doctors at Diamond facility treated his son as best they could but

Romario Baljeet at the Woodlands Hospital.

could not find the source of the bleeding, so he was advised to take his son back to the doctor who first treated him.

The Baljeets returned to Woodlands on Monday morning, where they were told that the younger’s Baljeet’s condition was “critical”.

Romario was then scheduled for surgery yesterday at 12pm to locate the source of the bleeding and decide on the way forward for treatment.

“When they take him in theatre they will know how extensive the damage is, and what they have will to do. So I have to wait until he gets back out of theatre then we can know what needs to be done further,” the older Baljeet explained.

“He said he must stop where the bleeding is coming from, that is what he explained to me, because the child is losing blood all the time.”

Ken also noted that ever since the battering his son has been having frequent seizures. He noted that while his son has suffered from seizures in the past, it was not so frequently.

The family is incurring much expenses in Romario’s treatment, the father

explained.

“We are going through a lot financially because of the situation, every time we come here it’s a lot of money has to be spent, but as a father I have to perform my responsibility and do what I have to do best for my child also,” Baljeet said.

He is worried as to what the overall extent of his son’s injuries would be and how it would affect his ability to continue his way of life.

“All I want is justice,” was Romario’s appeal from his hospital bed yesterday morning before his surgery.

“I got pain all over, I can’t breathe properly, I can’t even eat properly, my whole face is in a mess, I have to do surgery, I don’t know if I’ll be the same when I get back on my feet.”

Both Baljeets are pleased with how the matter is currently being handled, and commended the police.

“We are going all out for justice for my son. I think the police are doing a good job at this moment, we don’t have any complaint towards them. We are getting justice so far, he [the alleged assailant] has been remanded and I hope things go all well and we get justice in the end,” Ken said.

The fifteen apprentices

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Large quantity of illegal pesticides seized …as PTCCB smashes smuggling ring

Some of the illegal pesticides confiscated

Inspection and Enforcement Officers of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, on Sunday thwarted a major smuggling operation and confiscated approximately 300 kilograms of illegal or unregistered pesticides, the Ministry of Agriculture has said.

The operation which took place at approximately 23:00hrs, saw inspectors of the authority along with officers of the Guyana Police Force, descending on the home of Mr. Veerasammy Armogan of Crabwood Creek Backland, Grant 1779 Corentyne, Berbice where the illegal pesticides were found among other contraband items, the ministry’s release added.

According to officials from PTCCB, the confiscated products are regarded as highly hazardous pesticides and pose significant risks to human health, agricultural production, economic trade and the environment.

Registrar of the PTCCB, Mrs. Trecia Garnath said that the Board strongly condemns acts of this nature given the major health and environmental impacts these chemicals pose.

“The global trade in counterfeit and illegal pesticides is growing. With increasing quantities of fake and illegal pesticides being produced, marketed and sold by organized criminal groups around the world, there are greater risks to the safety of handlers, farmers, consumers and the environment,” Mrs. Garnath said.

Legal proceedings have commenced against Mr. Ar-

Inspectors confiscating the illegal pesticides at Mr. Armogan’s residence

mogan for the possession of illegal/unregistered pesticides with intent to distribute, sell or use. The PTCCB is also currently investigating further intelligence gathered to curb the illegal trade of counterfeit pesticides into Guyana.

Counterfeit and illegal products are neither tested nor evaluated and are not subjected to the legislative regulatory process for pesticides. These products often contain chemicals which are either banned or restricted due to the risk they pose to human health and/or the environment.

Undeclared active ingredients in counterfeit and illegal products can leave unacceptable residues on

produce, rendering goods unfit for market. As the content of counterfeit and illegal products is unknown, their use can pose a high risk to farmers, their crops, the environment and consumers.

In an effort to ensure sound chemicals management in Guyana and keeping with the PTCCB’s mandate to eliminate the importation, sale and use of illegal pesticides while reducing the availability of these unwanted products, PTCCB will continue to collaborate with law enforcement personnel to carry out its operations to confiscate and safely dispose of counterfeit or illegal pesticides countrywide.

Wismar man jailed for escaping lawful custody A WISMAR man was on Monday sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to escaping lawful custody.

The particulars of the charge state that on August 21, 2018 at Half Mile Wismar, Kester Johnson, 20, broke and entered the house of Tia Nieuekura and stole one ‘cell-phone’ valued $45,000.

It was further alleged that on August 24, 2018 while in lawful custody at the Wismar Police Station pending an

investigation into the matter, Johnson escaped.

The unrepresented man denied the first charge and pleaded guilty to the second, explaining to the court: “I don’t know anything ‘bout the girl phone; my ‘child-mother’ got baby on August 31, and I didn’t want to leave my son unprotected.”

Police prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail, based on the fact that the defendant was charged before for a

similar offence, and given a two-year suspended sentence on April 30, 2018. He is also said to have, while being on the suspended sentence, committed two other offences.

As such, he was sentenced for escaping lawful custody, while hearing into the other matter has been adjourned to November 28 and transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Berbicians breathe sigh of relief –– commend gov’t takeover of BBCI

Businessman Sundat Sukhan

By Nafeeza Yahya MINIBUS operators, business owners and residents of Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) have applauded the government’s decision to temporarily take over the maintenance and operations of the Berbice River Bridge.

The reaction comes in the wake of Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson announcing on Monday that the takeover is guided

by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act, and would commence immediately in the interest of public safety.

Minister Patterson said that the government will do everything in its powers to alleviate disruption to the public and to ensure that the assumption of these functions transfers as smoothly as possible.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the Palmyra Taxi Park, where drivers ply the Georgetown to Berbice route, operators were in a celebratory mood as they read the news on their mobile phones.

“This is the best news to start my week,” said Urlando Durant, a taxi driver. “All the time this thing on my head, ‘What’s gonna happen if we gotta pay that $8000?’

“I say I gotta start looking for a next work, ‘cause I get bills and children, and I couldn’t sit and wait around to see what’s gonna happen.

“At least now I know I can work this same job a little longer until things can fall into place. The decision the government made was the right one.”

Operators at the Route 56 Minibus Park, located at Stelling Road, New Amsterdam were also elated at the news.

A POSITIVE DECISION

Route 56 Minibus Association’s Bertie Warde

Vice-President of the Route 56 Minibus Association, Bertie Warde sees the decision as a “positive one” on the part of the government, as it’s in the best interest of the citizens, more specifically Berbicians.

“I want to tell the government thanks for the decision that has been made to suit us,” Warde said, adding: “It’s a positive move from them, because it’s for all the citizens. If the bridge company went ahead, it would have been too expensive. It’s the highest paid bridge toll, and it would have been very hard; it’s pressure!

“If the toll increase had happened, it means we would have had to increase our fare, too, and the people cannot afford that. So I am happy that the government stepped in.”

Sundat Sukhan, who has been operating a small business at the minibus park for the past ten years, said that the decision will bring great relief to vendors such as himself.

Like many others, Sukhan was worried about the outcome of the proposed toll increase, which was set to take effect on November 12, the very day of the Local Government Elections (LGEs).

“We all depend on this service for our livelihood,” Sukhan said. “I got a headache thinking if all of these people out of work, what’s gonna happen to my business.”

NO POLITICS INVOLVED Another bus driver, Pooran Balmakan, is also thankful for the temporary decision, and does not see it as political, but rather in the people’s interest.

Said he: “Everyone traverses this bridge daily for different reasons, and each

Bus driver Pooran Balmakan

one of us will benefit. I am happy that the government had a say.” He is also hoping to see the toll further reduced in the future.

Like Balmakan, Bisram Singh a businessman of Palmyra Village is also in agreement with the decision taken by the government.

“This is a dream come true for business people,” said Singh, who operates a vulcanising shop and is also

into poultry rearing.

Speaking to the recent announcement, too, was President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Poonai Bhigroog who, in an invited comment, said the decision taken by the government is a bold one; that Minister Patterson is within his rights to do what he did; and that if this is the way it has to go, he is in total agreement.

“The price fare struc-

ture currently put out by the bridge is unrealistic,” he said.

“It may sound like a big-stick policy they are approaching, but at least something is being done.”

Bhigroog said in closing that he would ideally like to see all stakeholders return to the table and work on a decision that is agreeable to all parties.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

GEA commences Energy Month activities at Region Two schools Under activities for CARICOM Energy Month (CEM) 2018, six primary schools were selected by the Regional Educational Office to attend the Guyana Energy Agency’s (GEA) ‘Express Your Energy’ activity which was held in the auditorium of Cotton Field Secondary School Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam).

The event, which was held on Friday, jump-started GEA’s energy conservation

cused on energy, demonstrated extensive curriculum integration as the tasks the students had to complete exposed them to Social Studies, Grammar, Science, Art and would even aid them in composition writing…”.

He too expressed sentiments of thanks to the GEA and HECI for remembering Region 2 and choosing to have their students benefit from the exercise.

The activity was a

A group photo of students, teachers and GEA representatives that participated in the ‘Express Your Energy’ activities.

One of the pupils completing a word search.

activities and attracted sixty students of grades five and six. The students hailed from: 8th of May Primary School, Sparta Primary, CV Nunes Primary, Taymouth Manor Primary, Queenstown Primary and Suddie Primary.

The high energy and exuberance with which the students and their teachers, who joined in to support their pupils, conveyed their interpretation and knowledge of energy sources, sustainability, energy conservation and energy efficiency through artwork/pictorial illustrations, word search and conservation tips caused a few spectators to flock the windows of the venue.

According to Public Communications Officer Taiwo Williams, from its conception in 2012, the activity has targeted Primary School Students and was hosted this year by the GEA, in collaboration with the Hinterland Electrification Company (HECI) through the IDB funded Public Awareness Project -” Promoting the Benefits of Renewable Energy Technologies and the Rational Use of Energy”.

Shondelle Hercules, District Education Officer Primary, who gave remarks on behalf the Regional Education Officer Ag Miss Nicola Matthews, expressed thanks to GEA and for hosting the activity in Region 2. She said that, “our office appreciate this timely initiative which was educational and presented in a fun format which both students and teachers enjoyed…The activities that were done can be integrated into our school’s curriculum….”.

Primary Officer Netram Doobay said that “…the activity, even though it fo-

non-competitive one, therefore students were not judged or ranked based on their illustrations.

Rather, each student (and teacher) was awarded tokens of appreciation as an honorary ‘Energy Champion’.

The energy themed tasks pupils completed were word searches, listing of energy conservation measures and using art to depict renewable energy sources.

One of the activities planned by GEA to commemorate CARICOM Energy Month (CEM) 2018, the main aim of ‘Express your Energy’ is to tap into the creativity of future energy champions, children, by allowing them to express their view and perspectives on energy related matters in a non-competitive environment.

In keeping with the promotion of sustainable energy development, CARICOM Energy Month 2018 (November 1-30) is being celebrated under the theme “Clean Energy, Good Governance and Regulation: Generating Growth and Resilience”.

The GEA in the exercise of its mandate, continues to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and the development and utilisation of alternative sources of energy consistent with Guyana’s energy thrust and Green State Development Strategy, serves as an annual feature in fulfilling part of the mandate of the GEA by disseminating information essential to improving public awareness on sustainable energy, conservation and overall energy efficiency.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Gov’t successfully managing influx of Venezuelans -Minister Felix MINISTER of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, on Monday commended the efforts of the National Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Committee in managing the influx of Venezuelan migrants; successfully averting potential crises that are symptomatic of migratory activities.

This Committee comprises various government agencies and international bodies such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Taking into account that the influx of migrants was a relatively novel challenge that the government was faced with, the committee’s work has significantly stabilised the situation by ensuring that assistance is directed to where it is most needed.

Coordination with the international agencies has also paved the way for the acquisition of food and other relief items and the introduction of helpful tools such as the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), which hitherto, was not available to the government.

“Support from the international community assisted us in brining focus to a number of areas…

These sessions [fortnightly Committee meetings] bring together a number of issues which can enable us to plan and move forward with our administration of migrants. When we started, all we knew was that people were assembling here and there, but since then we have been able to provide some sort of temporary shelter for some, while others

Minister Of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix

have been finding shelters for themselves… The coordination has been extremely useful in creating an understanding of what the migrant issues are, what the government is doing and what the international community is doing,” Minister Felix explained.

However, he also said that there is no room for complacency at this stage; noting that there are still areas that require much more work, particularly as it relates to the settling of migrants in the Barima-Waini (Region One). “This is a work in progress. My assessment is that both the international agencies and us have been sharing information and we understand the challenges out there,” the Minister pointed out.

Meanwhile at Monday’s Committee meeting, it was disclosed that the current number of documented migrants stands at 2,943.

These persons have also been screened and vaccinated by personnel from the Ministry of Public Health. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

ERC joins in Diwali celebrations

Female staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) decked in their Indian wear in celebration of the Hindu festival of Lights, Diwali

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) joined in the Diwali celebrations by spreading the message of harmony in a plural society through a cultural ceremony held at its Queenstown office on Monday.

At the ceremony, Commissioner of the ERC, Rajkumarie Singh said: “Today at the ERC we join with all Guyanese to celebrate one of the more important festivals in the Hindu calendar- that is Diwali, sometimes called Deepavali.”

Singh who is also the Principal of the Cove and John Secondary School, shared that it is very important for all to understand why the festival is so revered among the Hindu community and in the Guyanese society.

She explained that the Festival of Lights celebrates wealth and happiness, wisdom and light and, “It is a time for reflection, a time for changes in one’s behaviour and it is a time to bring one closer to the divine.”

More importantly, she highlighted: “Diwali is a festival that serves to improve the social fabric of society.”

This ties into the very mandate of the ERC as the body’s functions include providing equality of opportunity between persons of different ethnic groups and promoting harmony and good relations between and among groups.

The institution also has the responsibility of fostering and creating respect for religious, cultural and other forms of diversity in our plural society.

To this end, Rajkumarie contended: “This is a distinct reminder to cultivate and

maintain respect for each other and to preserve a harmonious relationship… It is a time for eradication of evil; a time for good over evil not only in the homes but in the society.”

She also posited: “It is a time for hope- hope for changes from evil to good, a new beginning as persons become closer to the divine and yes this festival serves to guide society to a more harmonious manner.”

Traditionally, the festival is celebrated by lighting earthen pots called diyas and sharing delicacies prepared among family, friends and neighbours. The sharing of the foods in the festival, according to the Commissioner, signifies love, tolerance, togetherness and happiness.

“In a plural society such as ours in Guyana, Deepavali is embraced by almost everyone- some for the cultural aspect and others for the deep religious significances,” she advanced and highlighted that no matter the reason for celebrating, what is important is that all Guyanese strive towards effecting positive changes.

At the ceremony, children from few schools embraced the festival by singing religious Bhajans and sharing their knowledge on the significance of the ceremony.

In Hinduism, Diwali is celebrated for five nights.

The festival reveres the Hindu goddess Mother Lakshmi- who is the giver of health, wealth and prosperity. Diwali also signifies the return of Lord Rama to his home in Ayodhya after being exiled for 14 years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

‘We will work with you’ - CHPA tells Sophia residents

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, yesterday met with some 31 residents from “C” Field Sophia, assuring them that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has several upgrade plans in the works for the area, but it would require working together.

Yesterday’s meeting was organized by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes resulting from complaints emanating from the residents.

This meeting comes just days after the Ministry of Communities rolled out its US$27M “Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme”, and Patterson-Yearwood reminded the residents that several of the benefits under the project will be accessible to them.

The programme includes an Affordable and Sustainable Housing component whereby US$5M has been earmarked for a Home Im-

provement Subsidy Programme which will see 2,000 persons accessing as much as $500,000 to rehabilitate their homes, while another US$5M has been budgeted for the construction of 250 core homes within the outlined areas. Applications will be opened on November 1, 2018 up until February 1, 2019.

Also present at the meeting were the CH&PA CEO Lelon Saul, Director of Projects Omar Narine, and Deputy Director of Community Development Donnel Bess-Bascom.

“CH&PA has always had Sophia in focus,” the Minister reassured the concerned residents. “We will work with you, so you have to work with us. If we do this together development will come to you, development will come to Sophia, development will come to Guyana.

But you have to help us help you.”

The meeting saw the discussions on squatting in the area, and the state of the roads, and drains, and

how the CHPA can help.

Many of the residents at yesterday’s meeting were squatters concerned about their next move. Of the 31, 18 had already applied to the CHPA for house lots.

Two had already received house lots but were not in a position to embark on building. Eight had never applied for a house lot, which saw Minister Patterson-Yearwood furnishing those residents with applications and volunteering to pay for the applications.

As it pertains to the squatting, wherever it is possible the CHPA will be going in to the area to regularize the residents, however she reminded that there are areas where residents cannot be regularized and will need to be removed.

“Once you are on a piece of land and you’re squatting there we are in the process of regularizing you. But if you’re squatting on conservancy dam we cannot regularize you, you are in a dangerous location, but what we will do is give you

Two arrested after stabbing, robbing man at Berbice car park

MOMENTS after an East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was wounded and robbed of his cell phone at the Berbice car park, the two bandits were pursued and apprehended by public-spirited citizens and promptly handed over to the police on Sunday.

Police said that the 32-year-old victim of Enmore, ECD, who had to receive medical attention for a stab wound to his face, inflicted with an icepick, was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and sent away. His property was not recovered.

The suspects of Middle Road, La Penitence and Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust, are also being questioned in relation to several recent robberies.

Meanwhile, a male suspect who was being sought in connection with an armed robbery committed

The illegal firearm that was found on the Hadfield Street resident.

on a Sophia resident at David Street, Kitty on October 22, 2018, was early on Monday morning apprehended at Kitty and a search of his person revealed that

the 30-year-old resident of Hadfield Street, Lodge, had concealed in his crotch, an unlicensed 9MM pistol with two (2) live rounds. He is being processed for court.

priority,” Minister told the residents.

At least one of the resident present admitted that she was squatting on a dam but was looking forward to moving.

According to the Minister the CHPA is currently in the process of developing another housing scheme in Cummings Lodge and residents of Sophia, who have applications in the system will be given priority. However she warned against the practice of persons who go squatting on purpose as a means of getting priority housing.

“Every time we announce some sort of help coming to squatters next day the num-

ber of squatters double. After this [meeting today] tonight you hearing nails knocking,” she said.

She charged the residents that they will now have to be militant in dissuading other residents from erecting structures and squatting.

“Any new structure you see speak to them or ensure the report reaches to us, if we know early we can stop it and nip this in the bud,” she declared.

She also condemned the practice whereby persons after moving to a regularized home would leave their shack standing and pass it on to other persons.

Director of Projects in the CH&PA Omar Narine told

the residents of the expected upgrades to Sophia which will see some 17km of asphalt roads being laid down, which along with several bridges will form an integrated road network, there will also be the upgrade of two playgrounds, , solar street lights, and concrete drains.

“Over the coming months there will be a massive road upgrading exercise, in addition we’re planning to upgrade two playgrounds. We’re not just doing roads we are building cohesive communities, and that is only the first phase… we have much more planned,” Narine said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

DIWALI MESSAGES

PNCR says committed to ensuring unity in diversity THE People’s National Congress Reform takes this opportunity to extend greetings to the Hindu Community in Guyana and indeed, to all Guyanese, on the occasion of Deepavali or Diwali.

Diwali occurs on the night of Amavasya (New Moon) in the month of Kartik, which is considered to be the darkest night on the Hindu calendar and marks the return of Lord Rama after 14 years in exile. To welcome his return and to light his path, diyas were lit.

Diwali is a joyous celebration of inner light over spiritual darkness; knowledge over ignorance and right over wrong. It is a festive restatement of the Hindu belief that good

ultimately triumphs over evil. The PNCR has always been and will always remain respectful of Guyana’s cultural and religious diversity and believes that our diversity has worked and will continue to work to the country’s advantage. Guyana is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country. We see our diversity as an asset not a liability.

Our Party is proud to belong to a society of many faiths.

As we celebrate Diwali, the PNCR remains committed to ensuring unity in diversity so that our beloved country can experience real development and progress.

Shubh Diwali to all Guyanese!

PPP: Be inspired for the interest of our people AS our nation celebrates the festival of Deepavali, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially the Hindu community.

This festival which has gone beyond religious borders is one of the most anticipated events here in our country and has become a major component of the Guyanese cultural mosaic.

The significance of Deepavali, known as the “Festival of Lights”, is pertinent for the upliftment of all mankind through its universal message of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. The light of the Diyas, which will shine throughout our country, symbolises a sense of renewal as light is allowed to dominate and darkness and hatred are banished.

Our Party urges that this message be heeded so that darkness from the prevailing

despondency, ignorance and hatred can be repelled in the interest of all humanity knowing that knowledge will defeat ignorance and compassion will triumph over despair. Deepavali offers an opportune reminder for all to do their part to achieve that victory.

The influence of Deepavali over the years to forge better relationships and to bring our people together has grown tremendously. This is continually evident as Guyanese from all spheres of society participate in the various events including the grand spectacle of the motorcades and the beauty of the flickering Diyas. The PPP therefore hopes that the message of Deepavali will inspire all to work in the best interest of all Guyanese so that the light of prosperity will manifest itself in their lives.

ERC: Deepavali provides guidance to work towards the national goal ON this auspicious occasion of the festival of Deepavali, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) would like to extend greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese, especially our Hindu brothers and sisters.

Deepavali signifies, among other things, that light will eventually triumph over darkness which is a profound source of inspiration so that all mankind can remain hopeful. It also emboldens humanity with hope giving surety that even in the face of insurmountable challenges; strength will be imbued for them to be overcome.

These, and the other important lessons of Deepavali, provide guidance for us all as we continue to work assiduously towards the national goal of strengthening the

bonds of friendship among our Guyanese brothers and sisters. It is through this that national harmony can be achieved so that we can confront challenges together and remove the dark veil of division.

This therefore becomes essential for the furtherance of peace and goodwill and let us be comforted knowing that our combined efforts can realise that seemingly elusive light which can allow national harmony to shine through and for which we all yearn.

Deepavali, like our other national festivals, is a much anticipated event. It has not only transcended religious boundaries, but has become a pillar of our cultural landscape. The traditional motorcades and its inherent beauty along with that of the thou-

sands of flickering Diyas, are important conduits through splendour which bring our people from across the country together.

The ERC therefore urges that we endeavour so that particular influence can be built upon for the promotion of harmony, unity and good relations among us all in this multifaceted society. As we gravitate towards that light of enlightenment, let us be reminded that Deepavali, through its significance, is replete with messages for togetherness. These, if heeded and inculcated, bode well for the advancement of our nation, its people, and humanity at large.

GAWU: Let the lights at this time light up our pathway to harmony The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is once again pleased to join with all Guyanese and especially our Hindu community, to celebrate Diwali, widely regarded as the Festival of Lights.

The Diwali observances give us an appropriate occasion to urge that the light

of peace, tolerance, understanding and compromise, in today’s conditions, lighten our pathways and guide us in our daily lives. Like the thousands of Diwali diyas in many regions which will light up the darkness of the night, let our existence be unobstructed by the darkness that prevent our development and wellbeing.

The Diwali celebration is one that today transcends one community and is supported nationally. The symbol of the lighted diyas is not only lovely to behold in the evening, but it imparts the message of the value of spiritual enlightenment in our collective efforts to bring about conditions Turn to page 23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

IAC urges respect for sanctity of Diwali The Indian Action Committee (IAC) extends Diwali greetings to all Guyanese, especially persons who are adherents of Sanatana Dharma on the occasion of the now globally-recognised festival of Deepavali or Diwali, which is derived from the Sanskrit language and means “a row of lights�. Diwali falls on the new moon night of the month of Kartika and is celebrated over a period of five days in India.

The IAC is pleased to observe that the major Hindu Sabhas of Guyana have agreed upon one date for the celebration of the festival of Diwali in 2018. Diwali is associated with several mythological stories, one of them dealing with the belief of Hindus that, on the day of Diwali, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, King of Lanka, and that the people of Ayodhya celebrated his return by lighting thousands of diyas.

The IAC recognises that in Guyana, the Goddess Lakshmi Maataa or Maha Lakshmi is venerated on the day of Diwali, her devotees ardently believing that their veneration of her will result in wealth and prosperity being bestowed upon them in the future. The bright lights of Diwali are believed, by Hindus, to guide and welcome Lakshmi Maataa into their homes where she can bestow her blessings on them and their families, and also to guide and welcome Lord Rama back to Ayodhya.

The bright lights of Diwali are also considered to signify the illuminatory power of knowledge which destroys the darkness of ignorance and also to represent

the triumph of good over evil. The IAC recognises that at this time in Guyana, when persons should be happily celebrating the festival of Diwali, they are tens of thousands of Guyanese citizens living in desperate and punishing conditions since the collapse of the economy, especially the virtual destruction of the sugar industry which has seen over seven thousand former Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. dislocated sugar workers and their families living precariously.

Members of the IAC visited rural areas on the night of Diwali 2017 and noticed that many residences that were brightly lit in previous years were reduced to having only one diya at their front gate signifying severe economic stress; and many residences which were lit, had significantly reduced amounts of diyas which also reflected the downturn on the economy.

The IAC has noted that growing economic stress is affecting the vast majority of Guyanese, especially those who are living in rural areas. The IAC is fully cognisant of the plight of all of these distressed Guyanese and is calling for the government and the opposition to work together to restore economic growth in Guyana and thus mitigate the troubles affecting these citizens regardless of class, religious persuasion, ethnicity and political allegiance. The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to respect the sanctity of Diwali and engage in appropriate and fitting observances and activities.

Shubh Diwali.

From page 22

GAWU: Let the lights ... for our peace of mind and a satisfying life.

With such sentiments in mind, GAWU is always pleased to be associated with the usually wide interest shown in the expectedly dazzling celebrations that are traditionally associated with Diwali.

We wish all the practitioners of the Hindu faith, and indeed all Guyanese, a happy and enjoyable Diwali, the festival of lights. Let the lights, at this time, light up our pathway to harmony, economic wellbeing and our general upliftment.

Happy Diwali!

Happy

Diwali

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 6, 2018

Diwali: Seeking the inner light within

By Rabindra Rooplall While the story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration vary from region to region, for Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year.

Families celebrate by performing traditional activities together in their homes.

However, this event takes on its own life with persons from all walks of life play a part as either a spectator or partaker in the festival of lights being celebrated today.

The celebrations feature festive fireworks, worship, sharing of sweets and lighting of diyas. Traditionally, Diwali marks the end of the harvest season. Farmers give

thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come.

While Diwali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant spiritual meaning behind it is “the awareness of the inner light”.

The celebration of Diwali as the “victory of good over

evil” is a holiday of joy; it is the time when devotees gather with loved ones, celebrating family, friends and the prosperity God has bestowed upon us. Diwali also marks the New Year.

For some, the day of Diwali itself is the first day of the New Year, and for others the New Year’s Day is the day following Diwali. But, for all this season is one of heralding in the New Year.

On this day devotees clean every room of the house; they dust every corner of the garage, sweep behind bookshelves, vacuum under beds and empty out cabinets.

But, what about our hearts?

When was the last time we swept out our hearts? When did we last empty them of all the dirt and garbage that accumulated throughout our lives?

This is the true focus of the festival, the inward light

of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality.

With this awakening comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings joy or peace.

According to the Hindu calendar, Amavasya or ‘no moon day’ is considered as the perfect day to celebrate Diwali. This dark night comes after every fortnight and in the month of Kartik, it marks this festival of lights and diyas. According to the English calendar, the festival generally comes in the month of November or December.

Diwali is celebrated for many reasons; but the most commonly known reason is to celebrate the day Sri

Rama, Sitaji, and Lakshman returned from their exile of 14 years in the forest – symbolizing a win of goodness over evil. By Hindu calendar, it also marks the start of the New Year calendar.

In fact, Diwali is considered so auspicious that it is celebrated with families and friends over five days. For many Hindus this five-day festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

Many Hindus would have already cleaned their place of abode which according to tradition welcomes the goddess of wealth who is also associated with the festival.

If a partaker is away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses, concentrate on this supreme light and illuminate the soul.

Pradeep Samtani passes away BUSINESSMAN and philanthropist, Pradeep Samtani has died.

Owner of several haberdashery stores on Water Street, Mr. Samtani only recently helped promote two pre-Diwali shows here.

Mr. Samtani was last year conferred with the Golden Arrow of Achievement.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that Mr. Samtani was ill for a while and passed away on Monday morning.

Pradeep Samtani

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Taijul finishes with 11-170, Bangladesh need 321 to win

By Mohammad Isam in Sylhet

HAVING been set 321 to win, Bangladesh were unscathed in the last 10.1 overs of the third day against Zimbabwe in Sylhet.

Liton Das and Imrul Kayes took out 26 from that target before bad light caused

play to be called off 35 minutes before the scheduled end at 5:00 pm local time.

Imrul and Liton were largely safe at the crease, with only the odd play and miss. They remained unbeaten on 12 and 14 respectively.

The off-spinner Sikandar Raza produced a close call when he struck Liton’s front

SCOREBOARD ZIMBABWE first innings 282, Bangladesh first innings 143 Zimbabwe 2nd innings Hamilton Masakadza lbw Mehedi Hasan 48 Brian Chari b Mehedi Hasan 4 Brendan Taylor c Imrul Kayes b Taijul Islam 24 Sean Williams b Taijul Islam 20 Sikandar Raza b Taijul Islam 25 Peter Moor c Liton Das b Taijul Islam 0 Regis Chakabva c Mahmudullah b Nazmul Islam 20 Wellington Masakadza lbw Mehedi Hasan 17 Brandon Mavuta c Ariful Haque b Nazmul Islam 6 Kyle Jarvis Not Out 1 Tendai Chatara lbw Taijul Islam 8 Extras: 4b 4lb 0nb 0pen 0w 8 Total: (65.4 overs) 181 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-19 Chari, 2-47 Taylor, 3-101 Masakadza, 4-121 Williams, 5-121 Moor, 6-130 Butt, 7-165 Masakadza, 8-172 Chakabva, 9-173 Mavuta, 10-181 Chatara Bowling Taijul Islam 28.4-8– 62-5,Nazmul Islam 6-1-27-2, Abu Jayed 7-1-25-0, Mehedi Hasan 19 -7-48-3, Mahmudullah 4-1-7 -0, Mominul Haque 1-0- 4-0. .....................................

BANGLADESH 2nd innings Liton Das Not Out 14 Imrul Kayes Not Out 12 Extras: 0b 0lb 0nb 0pen 0w 0 Total: (10.1 overs) 26-0 Bowling: Kyle Jarvis 5 -2 -11-0, Tendai Chatara 5 1 15 0 3.00 Sikandar Raza 0.1 0 0 0 0.00

pad in what turned out to be the last ball of the day. But a review showed it would have spun too much to miss the right-hander’s leg-stump.

Bangladesh were brought back into the game by their spinners, chiefly, Taijul Islam, who took 5 for 62, to finish 11 for 170 in the match, his first 10-for. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 181 in the second innings with Mehidy Hasan and Nazmul Islam also providing support with three and two wickets each.

Taijul first removed Brendon Taylor, whose four boundaries added energy to Zimbabwe’s innings in the morning, after Mehidy broke Brian Chari’s off stump in the first session.

In the second session, Mehidy trapped Hamilton Masakadza lbw trying a reverse sweep, and soon afterwards, Taijul got three wickets in the space of 11 balls.

Sean Williams, Peter Moor and Sikandar Raza fell in quick succession, after which Wellington Masakadza and Regis Chakabva stretched out their seventh-wicket stand by 19.1 overs.

Masakadza fell in the first over after tea before Nazmul Islam got the wickets of Chakabva and Brandon Mavuta in the same over. Taijul rounded off the Zimbabwe innings with his fifth, taking the wicket of Tendai Chatara. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Nadal to miss ATP Finals and have ankle surgery RAFAEL Nadal will miss November’s season-ending ATP Finals in London and have surgery on an ankle injury.

Nadal withdrew from last month’s Paris Masters with an abdominal muscle injury, meaning Novak Djokovic replaced him as world number one.

The Spaniard, 32, said that since he was still suffering with that injury, he would “take advantage of the moment” and have an operation on his ankle.

American John Isner takes Nadal’s place at the eight-player event in London.

In a post on social media,

17-time Grand Slam champion Nadal wrote: “It has been a complicated year, very good at the tennis level when I was able to play, and at the same time very bad as far as injuries are concerned.

“Unfortunately, I had the abdominal problem in Paris last week and, in addition, I have a free body in the ankle joint that has to be removed in the operating room today.

“It is true that we had detected it for a long time and from time to time it bothered me. However, since the problem in the abdominal muscle also prevents me from playing in London, we take advantage of the moment to remove

the free body and avoid future problems.

“This way I hope to be in full condition for the next season.”

Nadal has retired from two of the three hard-court events he has competed at this season - the Australian Open and the US Open - but won the other, the Rogers Cup. The Spaniard’s absence from London means 14time Grand Slam champion Djokovic will end the year as the world number one for the fifth time in his career: level with Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors, and one behind Pete Sampras.(BBC Sport).

Hikers claim...

The women’s final saw much fewer opportunities as the underdogs, Woodpecker Hikers, clogged the middle of the floor with a rock-solid defence and held the game even for the entire first half despite GBTI GCC Tigers enjoying the majority of possession. Marzana Fiedtkou would eventually break the tie and put the GBTI ladies up by one with a nifty reverse stick shot in the 37th minute.

With the clock winding down and the game entering its final two minutes, the Hikers earned a penalty corner that was converted by a high flick from MVP Nicole Eastman. With the scores tied at 1-1, Eastman found herself free in the scoring circle after receiving a pinpoint accurate pass from right back, Marisha Fernandes.

Goalkeeper of the tournament, GCC’s Briawna Gordon advanced to cover the angles but Eastman let loose a cracker of a shot into the roof of the GCC net that sent the crowd into a renzy.

The come-from-behind victory ended a ten-year dominance by the GCC ladies and crowned the new champions--Woodpecker Hikers.

Earlier in the evening, the GCC Pitbulls and Old Fort Top Form drew their men’s second division match 2-2, but GCC dominated the shoot-out to win 2-0. The Bingo GCC Spartans duplicated the effort in the women’s second division when they defeated Saints by 3-2 after regulation time ended with the scores tied on 1-1. The GCC Vintage completed the club’s hat-trick by crushing the Old Fort Mustangs by 6-3 in the 0ver-35 division.

FROM BACK PAGE

The individual awards were as follows: MEN’s Division 1 Most goals: Aroydy Branford (Pepsi Hikers) Best Goalkeeper: David Williams (Old Fort Lamborghini) MVP: Aderemi Simon (Old Fort Lamborghini) Final result: PEPSI Hikers beat Old Fort Lamborghini by 7-6 WOMEN’s Division 1 Most goals: Nicole Eastman (Woodpecker Hikers) Best Goalkeeper: Briawna Gordon (GBTI GCC Tigers) MVP: Nicole Eastman (Woodpecker Hikers) Final result: Woodpecker Hikers defeated GBTI GCC Tigers by 2-1 MEN’s Division 2 Most goals: Warren Williams (Old Fort Top Form) Best Goalkeeper: Michael Hing (GCC Pitbulls) MVP: Omar Hopkinson (Old Fort Top Form) Final result: GCC Pitbulls defeated Old Fort Top Form by 4-2 WOMEN’s Division 2 Most goals: Tekeisha Deleon (Saints) Best Goalkeeper: Donyelle Marshall (Saints) MVP: Makeda Harding (Bingo GCC Spartans) Final result: Bingo GCC Spartans beat Saints by 4-3 Over-35 Division Most goals: Kevin Spencer (Vintage GCC) MVP: Dwayne Scott (Vintage GCC) Final result: Vintage GCC defeated Old Fort Mustangs 6-3

GFF eyes...

The GFF president was confident that the players “can recognise that they could do be better than they did. I would admit that the game was a bit painful for me to watch because I know that team could play much better than they did, but I have faith that the technical staff will review the game and they will make the necessary tactical adjustments that will allow the boys to play the kind of football that we

FROM BACK PAGE

know they all capable of playing, so this is all developmental. Wherever we come out, the experience itself will be invaluable as we continue to build on this team.”

Guyana will play their second game today at 12.30hrs against the Cayman Islands, after which, they then face Curacao on November 8 before closing their group stage against El Salvador on November 10.

Mark Taylor...

The resignation continues the litany of changes at the top of Australian cricket, with Kevin Roberts having replaced long-serving CEO James Sutherland last month, new captains appointed to the nationals teams and a new head coach in Justin Langer.

The men’s national teams have yet to recover from the ball-tampering scandal, with the test side losing two of their last three matches and the one-day side 17 of

FROM PAGE 32

their last 19 following their defeat to South Africa in Perth on Sunday. “I think it’s a great opportunity for a reset in Australian cricket, to make that change that everybody talks about,” Taylor added.

“It’s a good opportunity, obviously with our men’s team struggling, for all of us to change for the good and start working out how we can actually work together for the good of Australian cricket.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Mark Taylor resigns from CA board …Ex-Test captain and longest-serving CA Board member quits as Director after 13 years MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former Australia captain Mark Taylor resigned from

Cricket Australia’s (CA) board of directors on Monday, as the fallout from a scathing

review into the governing body’s culture claimed another victim.

Taylor’s resignation comes four days after board chairman David Peever stepped down,

his position having become untenable in the wake of the Longstaff review, which was commissioned following the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

T h e 5 4 - y e a r- o l d Taylor, the board’s longest-serving director, said he had been struggling to sleep soundly since the findings of the review were released a week ago.

He was also fatigued after a tumultuous 18 months in Australian cricket, featuring an acrimonious pay dispute with players last year and the ball-tampering crisis in South Africa in March.

“Over the last 13 years, but particularly the last 18 months, there’s been a lot in this role as a director of Cricket Australia.

And it’s taken its toll on me,” Taylor told a news conference.

“Over the last two weeks, even more so.

And I’ve got to the stage where I don’t think I can give any more. I’ve lost the energy and I think it’s time for someone to fill my shoes.”

Taylor had been touted as a possible successor for Peever

by Australian cricket doyens but ruled himself out of the role last week, citing media commitments with local broadcaster Nine Network.

He said he had struggled to repair relations between the players union and CA, poisoned during negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement and further strained by the Cape Town scandal,

Mark Taylor was Cricket Australia’s longest-serving director.

which led to suspensions for former captain Steve Smith and two other players.

“I sit in sometimes an interesting position as a former player, board director and also a broadcaster,” Taylor said.

“It can be a very tricky position and often very hard in trying to get the balance right in saying too much or saying not enough. Balancing those positions is tough and it takes it out of you.”

ITANY OF CHANGES Taylor is the third member of the CA board to quit in the last six months, following Peever and former director Bob Every, who resigned in May over disagreements with Peever’s leadership.

The board is currently chaired on an interim basis

by Earl Eddings until CA decides on a permanent replacement.

Taylor hoped he could be replaced by a former player and suggested there was a good opportunity for a woman to take his role on the male-dominated board.

SEE PAGE 31

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Women’s T20 World Cup...

Bangladesh beat Ireland in warm-up match

BANGLADESH got the better of Ireland by six wickets on Sunday in their opening warm-up match ahead of the Women’s World T20.

Bangladesh reached their 84-run target with 32 balls in hand at the Guyana National Stadium. Pacer Jahanara Alam gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough after winning the toss and choosing

to field. Salma Khatun could do little with the ball, but spinners Rumana Ahmed and Khadija Tul Kubra kept up the pressure. By the ninth over, Ireland were 26/5.

But Kim Garth’s performance with the bat and ball helped her team to play the full 20 overs. She scored 35 runs before she was bowled by Bangladeshi pacer, Jahanara.

Jahanara ended with two wickets but the Irish were most susceptible to Rumana’s leg spin. She picked up three wickets for 10 runs. Off-spinner Kubra took one wicket for 13 runs.

Bangladesh’s openers got them off to a great start, scoring 37 runs from the first six overs with Ayasha Rahman scoring most of the runs.

Her partner, Shamima

Bangladesh players celebrate a wicket after winning the toss at Providence on Sunday (John Ramsingh photo)

Sultana scored nine before she was dismissed. But Garth’s superb bowling saw Ireland claim four wickets in just seven balls to reduce

Bangladesh to 38-4.

But the partnership of Sanjida Islam and Farzana Hoque, each of whom scored in the twenties,

brought the game home for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will play another warm-up match against Pakistan today.

Matthews, Dottin unable MYO beat Transport to prevent Windies despite Blair’s six wickets Women warm-up defeat

THE Muslim Youth from Shemar Yearwood. per hand in MYO’s time Organisation (MYO) The opener who struck in the middle, after Blair defeated the Transport five fours and four sixes grabbed the first six Sports Club by two led the way with 57 runs, wickets, but an unbeaten wickets at home, despite while middle order bats- ninth wicket partnership six wickets from medi- man Trevon Charles who between Marlon Boele um pacer Jeffery Blair started his innings with and Singh led the home Jeffery Blair finished with figures of 6-33 from five in the GCA/Friends of a six, added 26 (2X4s, team to victory.

Cricket Hundred Overs’ 2X6s).

Boele smashed two overs.

Ricardo Ramdehol 12 for U17 Tournament on SatThe home team’s sixes and two fours in a urday last. o f f - s p i n n e r s A b d u l score of 29, while Singh the home team.

Blair finished with MYO won the toss Ramsammy and Krsna added nine runs (1X6) and asked Transport to Singh finished with three to help push MYO to 6-33 from five overs, while off-spinner Alvin take first strike, but the wickets each, while me- 111-8 in 16.3 overs. visitors were only able to dium pacer Avinash RaEarlier Tomani Caesar Mohabir supported with scored 15, Ziynul Ram- 2-15 from three overs Openers Hayley Matthews (left) and Deandra Dottin gave the Windies reach 110 runs in 27 over jkumar grabbed 2-21. a brisk start before the innings fell apart. despite a half century Transport had the up- sammy 13 and opener for the visitors.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Title-holders West Indies suffered a hiccup in preparation for their Twenty20 World Cup title defence when they went down by five wickets to India, in their opening official ICC warm-up for the upcoming tournament here Sunday night.

Choosing to bat first at Coolidge Cricket Ground, West Indies were limited to 115 for eight off their 20 overs, with stand-in captain Hayley Matthews top-scoring with 41 from 37 deliveries.

In-form Shemaine Campbelle got 22 from 28 balls but was the only 6-0 rout of St. Rose’s. batsman to pass 20 and just one of three in double figures, as the home His goals came in the fifth, side’s batting faltered.

42nd and 44th minutes. In the Matthews gave her side a brisk start, lashing five fours and a six in putbig win, Troy Skeete netted a ting on 27 off 18 balls for the first wicket with Deandra Dottin (9). brace in the 33rd and 49th minWhen Dottin perished at the end of the third over, Campbelle joined utes while Brentnol Bobb added Matthews to add a further 46 for the second wicket off 51 deliveries, as the sixth goal with his solitary West Indies found themselves well placed on 73 for one in the 12th over. successful strike.

Campbelle struck two fours in her stay at the crease but her dismissal Meanwhile, Queen’s Coltriggered a slide where seven wickets tumbled for 42 runs. lege was outdone by Lodge Teenaged left-arm spinner Radha Yadav (2-13), leg-spinner Poonam who was led by one goal each Yadav (2-17) and seamer Arundhati Reddy (2-36) all combined to hurt the from Rickie Stuart in the 41st Windies women innings. minute and Dorwin George in Set a revised target of 75 off 12 overs, India eased to victory with the 47th minute. Lodge Secondthree balls to spare, with opener Smriti Mandhana top-scoring with 32 ary are now top of the league off just 20 balls, striking two fours and two sixes. points’ standing after winning Speedster Shamilia Connell gave the hosts a great start when she reall four of their games, accumoved batting star Mithali Raj without scoring to the second ball of the run mulating 12 points, surpassing chase, and medium pacer Dottin then knocked over Jemimah Rodrigues (1) CWSS (10 points) that were Vergenoegen goal-scorers from left: and Taniya Bhatia (5) cheaply, to leave India struggling on 24 for three in held by Bishops’ yesterday.

Brenton Bobb, Troy Skeete and Ronaldo Macey. the fourth over.

There was a walk-over However, the left-handed Mandhana held the innings together before VERGENOEGEN Secondary football league. victory for Uitvlugt against School was a big winner in the Ronaldo Macey netted a hat- Charlestown and Bishops’ High skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with a crucial 18 towards the end.

At the same venue, New Zealand easily disposed of Sri Lanka by latest round of action in the GUY- trick for the West Coast Demer- held Christianburg/Wismar Secsix wickets, after chasing down a mediocre 98 with two over remaining. OIL/Tradewind Tankers schools ara-based Vergenoegen during their ondary to a goalless stalemate.

GUYOIL/Tradewind Tankers schools football league….

Vergenoegen wins big in latest fixtures

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

704 joins the Ignite team

GMR&SC’s Saurica Singh (right) collects sponsorship from Club 704

POPULAR Sports Bar 704, located at Albert and Lahama streets in Georgetown, is the latest company to sign on with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Ignite race meet.

The company handed over sponsorship recently to the GMR&SC’s Saurica Singh and in statement, the GMR&SC confirmed their pleasure at the new signing.

“The 704 sports bar is

happy to be associated with the GMR&SC Ignite race meet and we feel that it is a partnership that can grow from strength to strength.”

G M R & S C ’s i g n i t e , which forms the basis for the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing championships, is billed for November 10 and 11 Meanwhile, overseas competition will see drivers from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Jamaica

and Canada as well as competitors from Europe.

Tickets for the packed 27-race programme are on sale: adults $2500 and children $1000, available at B.M. Soat Auto Sales, Croal Street office.

On Saturday, November 10th, there will be the time trials, beginning at 10:00hrs in all the classes, followed by official races in the Street Cross Motorcyle 125cc Motorcycle, Street

Tuner, Choke Starlet Cup and Sports Tuner, which will be 10 laps each from 13:20hrs. The feature race on Saturday will see 20 grueling laps in the first anticipated clash in the SR3 Radicals Cup. Meanwhile, on Sunday racing fans’ hunger for scorching action will be well satisfied with a p a c k e d 1 9 - r a c e p ro gramme set for November 11th.

Guyana shooting for first win against Cayman Islands today Jeremy Garrett to boost Guyana’s chances

By Rawle Toney FOLLOWING their humiliating 4 – 0 defeat to Guatemala in their opening match of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, Guyana will look to overcome the Cayman Islands today when they meet at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA. The Cayman Islands opened their campaign with a 3 –1 loss to El Salvador, and as such, like Guyana, they too will be hunting three

points.

Coach Wayne Dover’s team will be boosted with the inclusion of central defender and captain, Jeremy Garrett, who missed the first game due to commitment with his National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) School, Louisiana State University (LSU)-- Eunice.

The 18-year-old Garrett, a former student of Chase Academy, will certainly add balance to Dover’s defence which looked lost at times

against a feisty Guatemala attack.

Guyana is also expected to make the necessary adjustments ‘upfront’ after only having one attempt on goal in their first game, despite having the likes of Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett and Kelsey Benjamin, who are all standout players in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League, with their respective clubs.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Vaughn, who was probably one of Guyana’s best player

in the Guatemala encounter, should return between the uprights.

In Group F, only El Salvador and Guatemala are so far undefeated, with Curacao, like Guyana and the Cayman Islands, are yet to pick up a point.

Following today’s game with the Cayman Islands, which starts at 12.30hrs, Guyana will face Curacao on November 8, before closing their group stage against El Salvador on November 10.

LSU Eunice’s Jeremy Garrett will boost Guyana’s line-up for today’s encounter against the Cayman Islands in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships.

Marian Academy Inter-House Badminton competition concludes THE Marian Academy Inter-House Badminton Te a m C h a m p i o n s h i p s which began on October 23 concluded last Tuesday (October 30) at the school’s Badminton courts.

The Championship went to Our Lady of Coromoto

who defeated Our Lady of Fatima in the finals 5-0.

Third place went to Our lady of Guadeloupe who defeated Our lady of Lourdes 3-2 T h e r e s u l t s are as follows Finals: Coromoto House defeated Fatima House 5-0

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday November 6, 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) 9 times (2) WI 5, India 3, NR 1 Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the first T20 Int'l of the current WI/India series?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match at the end of the first T20 Int'l?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

Part of the action in the Marian Academy Inter-House Badminton tournament.

Boys Singles: Matthew Beharry defeated Jaden Totaram 21-5 Girls Singles: Lesha Singh defeated Sasha Wang 21-11 Boys Doubles: Matthew Beharry & Vikash Mootoo defeated Jaden Totaram & Grame Carpenter 21-6

Girls Doubles: Ashley Escarraga & Jada Mohan defeated Sasha Wang & Kelliann Sauers 21-19 Mixed Doubles: Vikash Mootoo & Reba Ramlall defeated Grame Carpenter & Kelliann Sauers 21-13.

Third & Fourth Place: Guadeloupe House defeated

Lourdes House 3-2 Boys Singles: Alexander Ally lost to Zachary Persaud 21-8 Girls Singles: Jayde DaSilva defeated Isabella Ramjohn 21-8 Boys Doubles: Ricardo Percival & Alexander Ally lost to Ronald Hamilton &

Zachary Persaud 21-8 Girls Doubles: Gabryel Fiedtkou & Akila defeated Isabella Ramjohn & Ella Sahai 21-14 Mixed Doubles: Jayde DaSilva & Alexander Ally defeated Roland Hamilton & Ella Sahai 21-19

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Golf has the potential to increase tourism and –game on the rise after revenue, says Hussain weekend’s tournament

By Rajiv Bisnauth

PRESIDENT of the Lusignan Golf Club Aleem Hussain has made it clear that golf has the potential to increase the country’s tourism and revenue in the coming years.

Hussain made the disclosure in an invited comment at the conclusion of the Guyana Open Golf tournament over the weekend.

“We had close to 60 foreigners here for the twoday tournament, and I am sure they will spend close to $US10, 000 each... next year we expect close to 120 foreigners here, and it is estimated that golf tourists spend more than double what leisure tourists spend; so definitely

the country’s tourism and revenues will benefit tremendously in the coming years,” the LGC President said.

Guyana’s potential to be a world class golfing destination was recently highlighted when a US$100M agreement was inked between the club and the Jack Nicklaus Group.

Meanwhile, Hussain described last weekend’s tournament as a huge success, adding that it was the biggest tournament on the local calendar.

“Golf’s popularity over the weekend appears to be on the rise locally. The tournament over the weekend really brought out an amazing number of people.

It’s almost like there’s a re-

Avinash Persaud collects his championship trophy from President of the Lusignan Golf Club, Aleem Hussain.

newed interest in golf here,” Hussain pointed out.

Meanwhile, over 100 golfers, both local and overseas, took part and in the end, Avinash Persaud and Chris-

tine Sukhram defended their titles with ease.

Persaud captured his ninth title to finish with an amazing 144 gross, while Richard Haniff with a gross

147 came in second. Kevin Dinanauth finished in third place after shooting a gross 148.

Sukhram, who started day two with a gross 88, showcased her true talent and character on Sunday to retain her title. She ended with a gross 171 and a net 149, while Shanella Webster claimed second position with a gross 171 and a net 139.

Sukhram told Chronicle Sport that the win was based on her will to win and the experience around the greens.

The soft-spoken golfer shows that she is no pushover on the course, overcoming her first day predicaments to win the prestigious tournament for the ninth time.

Sukhram was first introduced to the sport at age six by her now deceased father, Basil Sukhram, himself an avid golfer, coach and her mentor.

Sukhram’s growing love for the sport, coupled with the convenience of the course’s location, proved very valuable for her, as she was able to practise regularly and improve on her skills.

“The primary reason for my win was to refocus on my game after the first day of the tournament. As a matter of fact, after the first three holes of the second day I was nine shots down with 14 holes to go, so I regroup and was able to accomplish the impossible,” Sukhram said.

Hikers claim the double in GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships PEPSI Hikers jubilantly celebrated a double victory in the men’s and women’s first division competitions when the curtain came down on the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

GCC managed to secure the three other divisions-- the male and female second division competitions and the over-35 division.

The final event of the evening was a fitting highlight of an exciting tournament when Old Fort Lamborghini squared off against the PEPSI Hikers in a final that would see a new winner crowned, as both teams had dispatched defending champs Bounty GCC in the pool round.

The Hikers, packed with Guyanese national players, started the match in their usual dominant fashion, but it was Old Fort who broke the deadlock in the sixth minute through an Aderemi Simon penalty corner, high in the right corner of the

Division 1 Men and Women’s winners PEPSI Hikers

made a brilliant individual run up the right to finish with the equalizer and taking the game into halftime at 1-1.

Skilful striker Aroydy

Hikers net.

As the high paced game whizzed back and forth, the Hikers managed to even the score when top midfielder, Jamarj Assanah,

Branford put the Hikers ahead four minutes into the second half by finishing off an attacking play with a lethal shot past David Williams in goal for Old Fort.

Old Fort then went on a goal-scoring spree with three unanswered goals from Warren Williams, Askofu Simon and Aderemi Simon, whose goal was his second

of the match. With five minutes left in the match, Old Fort struggled to hang on to their lead as the Hikers scrambled desperately to make up the deficit. Hikers and national captain, Robert France, led from the front by pulling his team within one goal, through a 35th minute field goal and the very next minute the Hikers would earn a penalty strike through a desperation tackle by Old Fort’s Jason Clarke.

With nerves of steel, Aroydy Branford scored the penalty to draw the scores even at 4-4.

The game drawn at full time would go into a penalty shootout and then into sudden death after the first series of penalties. Ironically, it was MVP of the tournament, Aderemi ‘Dove’ Simon, who had put in a sterling performance to get his team to this position who would fail by missing the goal on his final shootout, giving Hikers the victory by the narrowest of margins.

Turn to page 31

GFF eyes ‘development’ at CONCACAF U-20 championship

By Rawle Toney DESPITE the CONCACAF U-20 championship this year being a gateway to the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Pan American Championships, Wayne Forde, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), said his federation views Guyana’s participation at the November 1 – 21 tournament as part of their developmental programme.

Not since competing at the 1984 and 1994 tournaments has Guyana featured at the CONCACAF U-20 showpiece, and as such, Forde believes that this alone should speak volume of his Federation’s developmental plans to allow their best talents available at this level to match their skills with some of the region’s best.

Guyana got off to a rocky start at the tournament which is being played

at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA, losing 4-0 to Guatemala.

“The entire executive committee and all of Guyana’s football is behind you,” the GFF boss lamented, “We need to speak to the objective to the CONCACAF U-20 Championship; it’s a developmental tournament where the format has been tweaked a bit to allow some of the Caribbean countries to match their skills with some of the stronger Central American opponents. It’s a work in progress and I have every confidence that we will progress (because) it’s only game one and we’re going to do much better.”

After the team’s opening game performance, Guyanese didn’t hold back their frustration of the team’s lacklustre approach against the Guatemalans, with many taking to social media to chastise some players in-

Guatemala’s Carlos Alvarado easily gets by Guyana’s Ryan Dowding during his side’s 4-0 win at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. (Photo compliments: CONCACAF)

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

dividually and even Coach Dover.

However, Forde called some of the comments “completely inappropriate,” while adding “it’s sad and it troubles me deeply because, while we might insinuate that they are men, many of them transitioning from 16 to 17, and 17 to 18 and while legally they’re adults, psychologically they are not there and we can’t afford to break them.”

“It’s the first time at that level, many of them are travelling for the first time and they’re doing their best and we really have to support them. All of Guyana is proud they’re out there, this is the third time that we’re making an appearance at that competition and it’s really a big step and a huge investment on the part of the GFF to be able to afford those guys the opportunity,” said Forde.

TURN TO PAGE 31 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018