Guyana Chronicle E-paper 11-14-2018

WEDNESDAY 14th November, 2018

Cop shot by Sindicato at border

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Cabinet 21 condemns firemen for aircraft theft Independent group grabs three seats in Kwakwani PAGE

APNU retains city No.105458

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… PPP secures 7 seats, AFC 2 on 30-member council

…run–off to settle P A G E tie between AFC, independent candidates

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PNCR Chairperson and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence answers questions from members of the media on Tuesday following the declaration of results for the Georgetown Municipality following Monday’s Local Government Elections. (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

‘We don’t see it as a loss’ … Lawrence reacts to APNU losing three constituencies in Georgetown

By Svetlana Marshall MONDAY’S low voters’ turnout for the Local Government Elections affected the outcome for the major political

AFC Executive Member Michael Leonard speaking to reporters parties and even the independent candidates, Public Health Minister and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive, Volda Lawrence said on Tuesday as she reacted to her party losing three of its constituencies to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the Municipality of Georgetown.

On Tuesday at the Critchlow Labour College, GECOM disclosed that APNU won 21 of the 30 seats for the Municipality of Georgetown while the PPP/C secured seven (7) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) two (2) in the mixed system of Proportional Representation and First-Past-The-Post.

“We don’t see it as a loss. What we see it as is

taking stock of the fact that we need to do more.

One; to educate people more about Local Government and that this is their thing,” Lawrence said, while noting that many persons have not bought into Local Government.

Fielding questions from reporters, the APNU Executive said it is no secret that the APNU+AFC Coalition did not contest as a single unit in the Local Government Elections after the AFC opted to contest the elections separately.

“It says to us that there is much more to be done on the ground one on one with people and we have to get out there and get the job done,” she said.

The APNU Executive, however, made it clear

that she would not base the outcome of the much anticipated 2020 General and Regional Elections on the results of the just-concluded Local Government Elections.

“I believe that people see 2020, the General Elections, the National Elections as a must, as oppose to Local Government Elections,” she said.

Alluding to the just concluded elections, Lawrence reasoned that some voters may have had expectations that did not materialize, causing them to feel disappointed in the system, and those elected following the 2016 Local Government Elections.

As such, they have opted See page 12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

APNU retains control of city

By Svetlana Marshall

THE A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) retained control of Guyana’s capital - Georgetown collecting 21 of the 30 seats on the 30-member council.

The party achieved this by winning 12 of the 15 constituencies.

Its rival, People’s Progressive Party Civic however, improved its showing by grabbing three constituencies and collecting another four seats through the Proportional Representation mechanism of the Local Government system. The Alliance For Change (AFC) won two PR seats as well.

Approximately 119,374 eligible voters were expected to cast their ballots in the Municipality of Georgetown but by the close of poll, a meagre 28.3 per cent of the voting population had done so, confirming reports of a low voters’ turn out.

In announcing the election results for the Municipality of Georgetown in the mixed system of Proportional Representation (PR) and First-Past-The-Post (FPTP), the city’s Returning Officer Duarte Hetsberger disclosed that APNU won a total of 21 seats from a total of 30 while the PPP/C secured seven (7) seats. The AFC – the party that forms a bloc of the current government but opted to go it alone during this round of elections — managed two seats.

Nine of the APNU’s seats came from the Proportional Representation (PR) system while 12 were garnered from the First Past the Post system. PPP/C received four seats from the PR system and three under the First-PastThe-Post component. AFC won two seats, both under the PR component of the elections.

In offering his breakdown in the presence of

… PPP secures 7 seats, AFC 2

the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward, the returning officer disclosed that a total of 28,436 valid votes were cast and a total of 432 were rejected ballot papers.

He explained that in the PR component of the Local Government Elections, the APNU won the hearts of

brega, PPP/C’s Maxine Padmore, and independent candidate Hubert Maloney. The mayor collected 2,212 of the votes. Nobrega managed to secure only 662 votes while Padmore got 92 votes. The independent candidate had 34 ballots cast in his favour.

When the new council is sworn into office, the Deputy Mayor Akeem Peter will

This time around, Constituency No. 11 will be represented by Yvonne Ferguson, who raked in 1,196 of the voters in her area. AFC’s Quincy Alleyne managed to rake in only 170 while PPP/C’s Mark Persaud secured 760 votes but it wasn’t enough to defeat Ferguson.

URP’s Jason Herbert got 32 votes while former city coun-

126 and 270 votes respectively.

APNU’s Trichria Richards copped 1,830 of the votes in Constituency No. 13 while AFC’s Jewula Ceasar and PPP/C’s Alana Persaud grabbed 403 and 213 votes respectively.

APNU’s Heston Bostwick also won in Constituency No. 10 having secured

Georgetown Municipality Returning Officer Duarte Hetsberger addressing reporters in the presence of GECOM PRO Yolanda Ward (right) and the Clerk to the Returning Officer. (Photo by Delano Williams) voters’ securing the majority of votes – 18,127. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) came in second with 7,050 votes while the Alliance For Change (AFC) raked in 3,059 votes. The GNS Party secured a meagre 94 votes and the United Republican Party (URP), 106 votes.

Meanwhile, in the FirstPast-The-Post component of the elections, the voters’ confidence in Patricia ChaseGreen was clearly expressed, despite being on the firing line for the chaos at City Hall. In her constituency – No. 12, Chase-Green – an APNU member – came up against AFC’s Bryan No-

take his place around the horseshoe table at City Hall having outdone himself in Monday’s elections. Peter, who contested in Constituency Five, secured 1,473 voters while his contenders – AFC’s Vashti Harris, PPP/ C’s Dion Younge and Independent Candidate James Hermanstein, got 171, 419 and 295 votes respectively.

APNU’s Gregory Fraser will also be returning to the council. Fraser, who is no stranger to the local political scene in the city, raked in 1,207 votes thrashing his contenders. AFC’s Patricia Marks received only 210 votes and PPP/C’s Lurlene James 200 votes.

cilor Eon Andrews, who had decided to go it alone as an independent candidate, got only 193 votes.

First time candidate Denroy Tudor, who contested under the APNU umbrella, outshone the others and pulled the majority of the votes. Tudor raked in 1,436 votes in Constituency No. 14 while AFC’s Juliet Julian secured 308 votes and PPP/C’s Sextus Edwards 86.

His colleague over in Constituency 15, Cilesia Hall also collected the majority of the votes. Hall secured 614 to win herself a spot on the council while AFC Ufax Branche and PPP/C’s Michael Moosammy secured

882. AFC’s Brittany Eversley got 237 votes while PPP/C’s Ron Amos pulled only 329 votes.

Over in Constituency Nine, APNU’s Shonelle Smith-Daniels now have the opportunity to represent residents within the area after they threw their support behind her. Smith-Daniels pulled 1,253 votes. AFC’s Martin Gaul and PPP/C’s representative secured 327 and 104 votes respectively. Independent candidate Bonar Robertson got 113 votes.

In Constituency Seven, APNU’s Ivelaw Henry secured 397 votes while AFC’s Le Shante Marks raked in only 88 votes and PPP/C’s Bishram Kuppen 229 votes.

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Henry will now take up a seat on the council.

In Constituency Four, APNU’s Alfred Mentore raked in 654 votes to secure a spot on the council while his contenders received 201 votes in the case of AFC’s Renata Chuck A Sang; 547 votes in the case of PPP/C’s Patrick De Santos and 89 votes went to Independent Candidate Louis Nestor, Independent Candidate Michael Williams 58 and Independent Candidate Phyllis Jordan, 106 votes.

Constituency One was also won by a candidate of the APNU. Ubraj Narine who secured 816 votes defeating AFC’s Natoya Gibson (293), PPP/C’s (559) and two independent candidates who both got below 150 votes each.

While her colleagues managed to pull the majority of the votes in their constituencies, sitting councillor Andrea Marks suffered a major loss after she was defeated by PPP/C’s Param Persaud in Constituency Six. Persaud 1,279 votes while Marks came sharply behind with 1,066 votes, though not enough to return to council. AFC’s Sylvester Shim only got 148 votes.

PPP’s Dimitri Ali won a seat on the council after pulling 849 votes in Constituency Three. APNU’s Astell Collins secured 528 votes but not enough to defeat his PPP/C contender, however, he did receive more votes than AFC’s Patricia Helwig who got 65 votes and the two independent candidates who both received below 90 votes.

PPP/C also won in Constituency Two. Its candidate Nalissa Ferguson secured 877 votes while APNU’s Shondel Hope got 756 votes. AFC’s Arnold Sukhraj got 160 votes while two independent candidates got below 120 votes each.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Spike in US hate crimes third year in a row Hate crimes in the US rose by 17 per cent in 2017, the third straight year that incidents of bias-motivated attacks have grown, according to the FBI. Law enforcement agencies reported 7,175 hate crimes last year compared with 6,121 in 2016.

The rise in hate crimes is attributed to an increase of

about 1,000 police departments that are now choosing to report these incidents, the FBI says.

The report found the surge especially affected black and Jewish Americans.

Of the reported attacks in 2017, 2,013 were aimed at African Americans and 938 were against Jewish Americans.

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker called the report a “call to action” and condemned the offences as “despicable violations of our core values as Americans”.

According to the report, 59.6 per cent of incidents were motivated by bias against race, ethnicity or ancestry.

Crimes motivated by a victim’s religion constituted 20.6 per cent of attacks, and

Last month, 11 worshippers were killed in the deadliest attack against Jews in US history

crimes against a person’s sexual orientation made up 15.8 per cent.

The FBI definition of

a hate crime is a “criminal offence against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s

bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity”.

The 2017 data notes that about 5,000 of the crimes were directed against people through intimidation or assault.

Around 3,000 were targeted at property, which includes vandalism or burglary.

Crimes against Sikhs, Hindus and Arabs were not counted prior to 2015.

Crimes against Jewish Americans saw a notable increase of 37 per cent over 2016.

Jews have long been the highest targeted religion, as the acting attorney general noted in his statement.

The new report comes a month after 11 Jews were killed by a gunman that burst into their synagogue in Pittsburgh as they prayed, marking the deadliest attack against Jews in US history.

The suspect was charged with dozens of federal hate crimes.

Crimes against African Americans constituted 2,013 crimes, marking a 16 per cent increase over the previous year.

Civil rights advocates say the numbers are vastly under-reported because of in-

dividual victims that choose not to come forward, and some police agencies that do not keep accurate statistics or do not contribute them to the study.

Jonathan Greenblatt of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League said the report “provides further evidence that more must be done to address the divisive climate of hate in America. “That begins with leaders from all walks of life and from all sectors of society forcefully condemning anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hate whenever it occurs.”

Civil rights organisation the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) said the findings were “shocking” and “requires Congress’s full attention”.

In his statement, Mr Whitaker said: “The Department of Justice’s top priority is to reduce violent crime in America, and hate crimes are violent crimes.”

“The American people can be assured that this department has already taken significant and aggressive actions against these crimes and that we will vigorously and effectively defend their rights,” he continued. (BBC News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

El Chapo trial begins in New York City The trial of drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán has started in New York under intense security.

Guzmán was arrested in January 2016 after escaping from prison through a tunnel five months earlier.

The Mexican is accused of being behind the all-powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, which prosecutors

say was the biggest supplier of drugs to the States.

Key associates, including one of his former lieutenants, are expected to testify against him. Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán - once one of the world’s richest men - ran the Sinaloa drug cartel in northern Mexico.

He was captured in January 2016, having escaped twice from jails in Mexico.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration said the Sinaloa cartel is behind a huge trade in meth, cocaine and heroin in the US. Guzmán is accused of being behind the manufacture and distribution of cocaine and other drugs - as well as ordering the killing of rivals.

He was finally arrested in January 2016 after a

shoot-out with Mexican marines in Sinaloa. It later emerged he had been interviewed by actor Sean Penn while on the run. The first time, in 2001, he did so by hiding in a laundry basket.

The second time, in July 2015, he fled through a mile-long tunnel dug underneath his prison. Former associates, including a onetime lieutenant to Guzmán

who pleaded guilty to a trafficking conspiracy in Chicago last week, are expected to testify.

El Chapo’s lawyer told the BBC the list of people called to testify for the prosecution was “slop”.

The anonymous jurors, who were all selected last week, will receive armed escorts to and from the court in Brooklyn every

day.

Meanwhile, authorities have put in place a secret plan on how to accommodate Guzmán during the trial that would prevent them having to shut the Brooklyn Bridge every day, as has had to happen during previous hearings -- he has been kept in a high-security prison in Manhattan. (BBC)

Bolsonaro picks army general as Brazil defence minister Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro appointed retired army General Fernando Azevedo e Silva as defense minister on Tuesday, adding another former military officer to his cabinet while saying that a career foreign service officer may get the top diplomat’s job.

Azevedo belongs to a group of retired army generals who backed the presidential bid of Bolsonaro, a farright politician and former army captain, in the name of fighting Brazil’s endemic political corruption and violent crime.

Bolsonaro has vowed to respect the Constitution and democratic rule. But the

backing for him from military brass, and the number of former officers in Bolsonaro’s cabinet, have raised concerns about a potential outsized role for the armed forces in Brazil’s government. It spent more than three decades out of the political limelight since the country’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship.

The group of former top military brass is headed by retired five-star General Augusto Heleno, who Bolsonaro had originally named as defense minister. Last week he decided to make Heleno the head of the presidential office for national security.

Azevedo, a four-star general, was Bolsonaro’s contemporary at the Black

Needles military academy, Brazil’s West Point, where they both trained as paratroopers.

While Bolsonaro was discharged from the army as a low-ranking officer, Azevedo went on to become the commander of Brazil’s paratrooper brigade. He also served as operations chief of the Brazilian-led United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti when it was under Heleno’s command.

Azevedo retired as army chief of staff in August and has since been a special adviser to Chief Justice Dias Toffoli at the Supreme Court.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Bolsonaro also said that diplomat Luis Fer-

nando Serra was one of the candidates to run the foreign ministry. Serra’s most recent posting was as ambassador to South Korea. Bolsonaro, who nearly died from a stab wound received on the campaign trail, added that he would likely to skip the G20 diplomatic summit in Argentina at the end of the month due to his poor health.

Bolsonaro is expected to name another member of the military group backing

him, retired General Oswaldo Ferreira, former head of the army engineers corps, as his transportation minister in charge of improving Brazil’s anemic national infrastructure.

Bolsonaro’s vice president-elect is retired General Hamilton Mourao, who was removed from command in 2015 and given a staff job for criticizing the leftist Workers Party government at the time.

He later offered a public de-

fense of military intervention if the courts failed to punish corrupt politicians.

While former military officers will have a high profile in the next government, it was democratically elected by 57 million voters and will be led by a politician who once was a soldier, said the current administration’s national security adviser, Sergio Etchegoyen, also a retired army general.

(Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Reflections on our condition IN the coming days, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan will present the 2019 budget estimates, which will outline how much we intend to spend on our various sectors. Government would make its case, and the opposition would try to dismantle that case later during the budget debate.

We will hear a lot of numbers and money-talk.

There will be blaming and counter-blaming as the politicians have their say. But what we are not likely to hear much about is the overall condition of our country.

Yet, as we talk about the budget, it is perhaps a good time for us to reflect on the socio-economic condition of our country. Since independence, Guyana -- like most post-colonial societies -- has had to grapple with the realities of a world that

was not created for us. The Washington Consensus or the New World Order, which was crafted by the superpowers at the end of the Second World War, did not cater for the countries which would emerge after its launch.

Emerging from the bowels of colonialism, replete with its sole emphasis on exploitation of labour and natural resources for the expansion of wealth for the coloniser, countries such as Guyana have been consistently fighting to move beyond the crippling legacy of plantationhood. Saddled with monocultural economies that are geared towards producing for others, the challenge has been how to simultaneously survive and develop in a world that has militated against self-determination.

The initial attempts at economic and political in-

AFC still holds the balance Dear Editor, I WAS looking at the trends in voting on the coast, interior and at the NDC and town levels.

Both the major blocks APNU and PPP have failed to pull significant votes as a percentage of voters on the register; they nevertheless maintain their ethnic bases.

While many thought that in a three-way race the smaller Alliance For Change (AFC) would be “dead meat”, a sample from the results gives the AFC an average 12% of votes cast in areas in which it contested.

In a few areas, the AFC got more votes than the PPP, i.e. Linden, and matched those of APNU in places such as Port Kaituma.

These figures show clearly that the AFC remains the deal-breaker, and cannot any longer be wished away. The AFC still holds the balance.

Regards Jonathan Persaud

dependence, which were grounded in a desire to improve the condition of the masses of people, were quickly smashed by a global economic model that disliked such initiatives. So, 50 years after gaining independence, we still contend with many of the ills we faced at the beginning. Poverty among the majority of our citizens is still as prevalent today as it was in May 1966. And this has remained the biggest obstacle to genuine development.

The gains in the area of education obtained in the first decades of independence have been compromised by our failure to rise above the state of dependency we inherited. From the 1980s to this present time, we have been fed a diet of marketisation that has structurally adjusted us backwards. Much effort and resources have been

expended on trying to attract investments, particularly foreign investments. The hope and promise are that such investments would generate the necessary wealth needed to extricate our country out of post-plantationhood into the age of modernisation and development. Yet, here we are in 2018 still dependent on a shrinking economic base that looks the same as it did five decades ago.

S u g a r, f o r e x a m p l e , which enslaved and colonised us, is still sucking the energy out of our economic being, and causing us to go after each other as if we were historical enemies. The promised investments have generally not materialised; and when they did, they came at a price that we could not sustain.

In the final analysis, we have not invested in our

people in any real and meaningful way. Our first question continues to be this: how will this or that initiative benefit capital? We have convinced ourselves that there is some magic in capital and the market. Meanwhile, the condition of the poor and powerless deteriorates at an alarming rate; unemployment robs our people of dignity and livelihoods; poverty spawns a culture of despair and need; the doom varies, but the story of helplessness cuts across communities and ethnicities.

Our own deliberate and not-so-deliberate preoccupation with political domination and revenge has helped to multiply the woes referred to here. From the self-inflicted wounds of the 1950s and 1960s to the journey into political gangsterism of recent de-

cades, we seem incapable of divorcing ourselves from the futility of small-mindedness. So, where do we go?

We have a new set of captains in charge. We must muster the energy to dream again of a new day one last time. Can we change course? The harsh global reality is still in place. Globalisation, or what Professor Rex Nettleford referred to as “a new name for an old obscenity”, is alive and waiting; nothing changes.

Can we resist enough to carve out a little space for our independence? Surely we cannot continue to live forever on the margins.

If we are to conquer the scourge of collective social death in the form of mental illness, crime and violence, and under-education, then we have to find another path.

President’s unswerving commitment to restoring local democracy Dear Editor THERE is no end to the torrent of lies which continue to flow effortlessly from the person of Gail Teixeira, via her programme, Matters of Public Interest; and no end to the daily desperation of seeking to besmirch the person of President David Granger, in his efforts to build a culture of democracy in a country that is gradually emerging from the dark midnight of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rule of 23 years.

It is evident from the two discernible lies, scurrilous in every form, that fear and jealousy of the coalition government’s success in being able to mandate two consecutive rounds of Local Government Elections (LGEs); and the successful dissemination of the message that the process empowers citizens in deciding what is best for their communities, is evident.

And this is not difficult to follow, since it is the trend in the attacks on the government, for doing the constitutionally correct thing of restoring democracy at the grassroots level.

Simply put, it directly threatens the PPP/C

dictatorial local government politics of imposition, and hand-picked candidates.

Thus, for Teixeira to emit such a red herring that the President is ‘’using local government as a tool to gain more power to control the coalition government”, is as laughable, as it is both scandalous and idiotic, for its wild and baseless assumption.

In fact, President Granger is not about micro-managing and control. Instead, he is about working together with his coalition partners for the greater good, despite whatever challenges may arise. And challenges, especially in any coalition there will be, given its nature of a grouping of parties and individuals, from varied backgrounds and ideologies.

It is the same message that the President has repeated for achieving success at the level of local government: central and local governments and the regional administrations working together. No need for the authoritarian, trade mark Jagdeo blueprint of Interim Management Committees (IMCs).

Not too long ago, the nation witnessed a manifestation of this unswerving message when the President addressed the inaugural

National Conference of Local Democratic Organs (NCLDO), at which he reminded representatives of the regions, municipalities, and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) that “Local government organs must be autonomous to allow them to serve their residents’ best interests. They must not be dominated by, or become dependent on central government.”

This was the PPP/C’s local governance culture which stifled the rights of citizens.

Of course, Teixeira was right when she stated that the ‘’NLCDO had been closed for a number of years’’; but this hiatus, and gradual death of a major organ of people’s democracy took place during her party’s tenure as government, thus denying the people the right of choice. It is the NCLDO that President Granger and his coalition government have restored, since the historic 2016 LGE and further advanced, with the November poll, which would have been held by the time this letter is published.

Regards Dillon Goring

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Cop shot by Sindicato at border

Senior police officers visiting the injured rank

A Guyanese policeman was shot and injured by members of the notorious Venezuelan gang—Sindicatos near the Guyana/ Venezuela border on Tuesday afternoon.

Injured is Police Corporal Quincy Alexander, a resident of Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

In a statement, police said a wooden vessel ferrying seven passengers on Tuesday from

Police officials and medical personnel at the ST Joseph Mercy Hospital

Eteringbang to Macapa, in the Cuyuni River, was fired upon by a group of armed men standing on the Venezuelans side of the border.

The incident occurred at about 12:00hrs in the vicinity of Butanuamu Creek Point, police said in a statement. Corporal Alexander, who was one of the passengers, was struck by a bullet in his lower back.

The 38-year-old Policeman of South Amelia’s Ward, Linden, who is stationed at the Eteringbang Police Station and attached to Macapa Base, was medevaced to Georgetown last night around 20:30h. Alexander arrived at the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in a conscious state and is presently receiving medical attention.

Present on the rank’s arrival were

Total respect to this man Dear Editor, I HAPPENED to be in a vehicle and as I was passing, I just couldn’t help but notice this individual conducting his chore; and I believe a great lot can be learnt from this ‘Kodak Moment.’

This was around mid-morning on Regent Street on November 1, 2018. Many will only see a ‘Physically Challenged’ human sweeping the road and perhaps earning a few dollars. However, I see this human in the photo provided as an inspiration and total respect is extended to him.

Regards T. Pemberton

Advertise in Guyana Chronicle For All Your Classified and Space Ads.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams DSM, Deputy Commissioner Maxine Graham DSM, Detective Superintendent Michael Kingston; Welfare Officer, Assistant Superintendent J. Sullivan and Cadet Officer Ike. Grandison of the PR Department. They all wished him a speedy recovery and offered words of comfort.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Ruling party wins new NDC in Sandvoort THE residents of Sandvoort in West Canje Berbice proudly exercised their constitutional right at the 2018 Local Government Elections on Monday.

The village which was previously managed by a “Village Corp” for several decades will now be governed by a newly established Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NCD).

This will be the first NDC to be established in

the community following an initiative recommended by government representatives within the region and is expected to come to fruition at the start of the new year. In the community, two political parties contested for the 2018 LGEs; the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The APNU gained 164 votes while the PPP obtain 3 votes. Of the more than 200 persons expected

to vote, a total of 167 residents cast their ballots at the lone polling station in the village.

Residents told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that they are grateful to have been able to exercise their constitutional right to vote. According to Uneil Victor, he is happy that an NDC will have the responsibility of managing the village. The farmer noted that mainly drainage and irrigation is-

sues are facing the village.

Another resident Thourold Sinclair noted that the move to form an NDC in the village will result in infrastructural development as well as more opportunities for the village youths, since the APNU is focused on youth empowerment.

Lavern Hope, who has resided in Sandvoort for 48 years, opined that with the establishment of an NDC, the village will be entitled to more benefits that will

positively impact the community. “This is a great idea! For so many years we were only voting for general elections, but this year comes with a difference, since we will also have our own NDC.” Yo u r i c k M u n r o e , a 77-year-old farmer, says he felt privileged to have cast his ballot yesterday since he is one of the residents who are eager for great improvements in the village.

Munroe said he expects the NDC to pay attention to the agriculture sector in the village and he is prepared to throw his full support behind them. He noted that having a young candidate

win the election is also a blessing since she will be able to make decisions that benefit both the young and old residents of Sandvoort.

Trachella Victor is the APNU candidate who obtained 164 votes; while highlighting her plans, Victor said she intends to focus on youth emp o w e r m e n t , i m p ro v e d drainage and irrigation and the construction of a recreational park among other things. Victor was overwhelmed to have received the support of the villagers and said, “I will focus on developing our village and enhancing our environment.”

Barticans make early call for better roads

By Gabriella Chapman AS the Local Government Elections concluded and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) earned victory in the Municipality of Bartica, the residents of the town have made early their request for better roads.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few residents of the Potaro Road area, who all expressed that they went out to vote on Monday to vote for leaders who will address the dire need for better roads in their community. One resident explained that Bartica is the gateway to the interior; however, it is the Potaro Road persons have to use to get to the interior.

“That alone should be adequate reason for the leaders of this community to pay more attention to the development of the roads in this area. In addition to that, it is affecting people’s livelihood. I can’t drive out of here without upsetting my whole inside, with how rough and terrible this road is,” the resident said.

Patrick Cummings, a vocal community member, said he has seen development, however, the development started a little too late. He is hoping that the new leaders will start working as soon as they have

taken up their respective offices.

A group of elderly women said they really want the new leaders to look into the road that leads to Mora Camp. Lucy George, who is a resident at Mora Camp, said the road is in such a terrible state that no vehicle wants to drive there, which forces them to walk a long distance to get to school and work.

“I voted because I want my voice to be heard. They said that LGEs is for the people to get their needs and so I’m asking the leaders to please look into our issue. We have children and grandchildren and us, elderly ones, who have to walk all that distance because of the bad condition of the road,” Lucy said.

In addition to the road, she said residents do not have access to water and have been asking for access for years. The people of Mora Camp are hoping that the new leaders will hear their cry.

When these comments were mentioned to the current Mayor Gifford Marshall, he told the Guyana Chronicle that the Potaro Road indeed needs to be fixed. He assured that under the APNU’s leadership in the town, all the needs of the people will be addressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

LGEs 2018…

Victorious ECD candidates pledge to fulfil promises

Statement of Poll for Enmore.

SEVERAL of the winning candidates of Monday’s Local Government Elections on the East Coast of Demerara have promised to honour the commitments they made to the electorate during the campaign.

Ingrid Holder won in Constituency One in the Grove/ Haslington Local Authority Area (LAA); she was however unavailable for a comment on Tuesday. In Haslington/Grove, three parties contested that is, APNU, PPP and AFC. APNU won 11 seats, PPP six seats and AFC 1 seat.

In Constituency Two Mario Sumner won for APNU in the Golden Grove LAA and he told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday that he was not surprised at the win. His plans for the village is to help find jobs for young unemployed youths.

Being a first-time contestant, Sumner has a ‘tall order’ to fulfil and at the NDC level he is willing to work with others for the betterment of the village where he has lived since 1985.

For Victoria, Carlotta De Jesus won for Constituency Five and she told the Guyana Chronicle she was indeed happy and is pleased about the confidence her villagers placed in her. She said he will not fail the people; she will work in collaboration with other organisations to improve the lives of youths in the community and would also work to address unemployment among them. De Jesus stated too, that since the village is not short of talent, she will seek to enhance youth development through education programmes which will be introduced in the community.

Meanwhile, for the Enmore/Hope LAA which consists of nine constituencies, GECOM Returning Officer Ravindra Ramnarayan told this newspaper that there was a 48% voter turnout at the polls for LGE 2018. He related that no independent or groups contested, but the three major parties did and for Constituency #8 – PPP got 129 votes, AFC 73 votes and APNU 91 votes.

Ramnarayan said for the Proportional Representation (PR) the PPP won eight seats and APNU got one. He added that the PPP’s Tiwari Rajnarine won in this LAA and he deemed the voting process as ‘smooth as silk’ with no hiccups.

For Clonbrook/Ann’s Grove, that is Constituency Nine – APNU got 6 out of 9 seats and Kamaladeen Bal Macoon said there is need for better roads in the village and he is aiming to accomplish this to enhance the lives of residents. He also noted that the farming community will clean trenches for farmers and they will be contracted for same.

At Enterprise, Enterprise Gardens and Hymax Scheme Constituency Seven Bhoowal Chaitu won and he plans to focus on not just cleaning drains and repairing roads, but to develop infrastructure and rebuild emphasis on sports and education. He told the Guyana Chronicle that it was the first time he contested and won; and it is also the first time the PPP won the NDC in the LGEs. Chaitu related that three parties contested with one independent candidate and the PPP won by 1275 votes.

According to preliminary results, he said no groups contested and 2861 voters were in the GECOM list eligible to vote; 4563 votes were cast for the PPP, while APNU got 2007 and AFC 425.

Enmore man dies weeks after hit by car A PEDESTRIAN, who was struck down at Strathspey Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara on October 30, succumbed to his injuries on Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Dead is Rishi Bhagwandin, 28, of Lot 286 Enmore Hope West, East Coast Demerara. Police said he never regained consciousness after the accident.

When this newspaper visited the village on Tuesday, residents said the young man is known and they were unaware of the accident as such, his relatives could not be located. Bhagwandin was hit by motor car PVV 9941 at around 19:45hrs on October 30, which was at the time being driven by a 33-year-old Friendship, ECD resident.

It was reported that the car was proceeding west along

the Railway Embankment when Bhagwandin allegedly ran from north to south into the vehicle’s path. He was struck and fell onto the road’s surface suffering neck and severe head injuries, after which he was taken to the GPHC by public spirited residents. However, the driver of the vehicle who was taken into police custody has since been released on bail.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

Inequality exacerbates hunger, obesity in Caribbean- new UN report

Hunger, malnutrition, lack of micronutrients, overweight and obesity have greater impact on people with lower income, women, indigenous people, Afro-descendants and rural families in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a new UN report.

Panorama de la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional en América Latina y el Caribe 2018 The Panorama of Food and Nutrition Security 2018, focuses on the close linkages between economic and social inequality and the higher levels of hunger, obesity and malnutrition of the most vulnerable populations of the region.

According to the report, in Latin America, 8.4 per cent of women live in severe food insecurity, compared to 6.9 per cent of men, while indigenous populations generally suffer greater food insecurity than non-indigenous people. In ten countries, children from the poorest 20 per cent of households suffer three times more stunting than the richest 20 per cent .

The Panorama indicates that one of the main causes of the rise of malnutrition in vulnerable population groups are the changes that the region’s food systems have undergone– the cycle of food from production to consumption.

These changes have af-

fected the entire population, but the most excluded members of society have suffered the worst effects; while many have increased their consumption of healthy foods such as milk and meat, often they must opt for cheap products with high fat, sugar and salt content.

To respond to growing malnutrition, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Program (WFP), call on countries to implement public policies that combat inequality and promote healthy and sustainable food systems.

Each year obesity grows by 3.6 million people Obesity has become the greatest nutritional threat in Latin America and the Caribbean. Nearly one in four adults is obese. Overweight affects 7.3 per cent (3.9 million) of children under 5 years of age, a figure that exceeds the world average of 5.6 per cent , the Panorama report indicates.

“Obesity is growing uncontrollably. Each year we are adding 3.6 million obese people to this region.

250 million people live with overweight, 60 per cent of the regional population. The

situation is appalling,” said FAO’s Regional Representative Julio Berdegué.

“Although undernourishment persists in the region, particularly in vulnerable populations, we must also consider obesity and overweight, which also affect these groups. A multisectoral approach is needed, one that ensures access to balanced and healthy foods while addressing other social factors that also impact on these forms of malnutrition, such as access to education, water and sanitation, and health services”, said Carissa F. Etienne, Director of PAHO/ WHO. “We must advance access to universal healthcare so that all people can receive the care and prevention measures they need due to malnutrition and its long-term consequences”, she added.

For the third consecutive year, undernourishment increased According to the Panorama, hunger affects 39.3 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, 6.1 per cent of the regional population. Between 2015 and 2016, the number of undernourished people grew by 200 thousand people.

Between 2016 and 2017, the increase was 400 thousand; this shows that the speed of deterioration is increasing.

Since 2014, Argentina,

Bolivia and Venezuela saw increases in their number of undernourished people. The largest increase occurred in Venezuela: 600 thousand more people only between 2014-2016 and 2015-2017.

Venezuela has become one of the countries with the highest number of undernourishment in the region (3.7 million, 11.7 per cent of its population), along with Haiti (5 million, 45.7 per cent of its population) and Mexico (4.8 million, 3.8 per cent of its population).

It should be noted, however, that in Haiti and Mexico hunger has fallen in the last three years, as well as in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. They are the only four countries that have achieved this reduction since 2014. Eleven countries maintain their number of undernourished people relatively unchanged: Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Peru.

On the other hand, Brazil, Cuba and Uruguay are the three countries in the region with percentages of hunger below 2.5 per cent of their population.

Economic and social inequality is associated with child stunting According to the Panorama, social and economic

inequalities are also apparent in child stunting. In Honduras, stunting affects 42 per cent of children in lower income families, and only 8 per cent of those living in higher income contexts. In Guatemala, the difference is greater: stunting affects the poorest 66 per cent and only 17 per cent of the children of higher-income families.

Stunting is also greater in the indigenous population. In Ecuador, 42 per cent of indigenous children lived with chronic malnutrition compared to 25 per cent of the national average (2012). In Guatemala, stunting affected 61 per cent of indigenous children in 2014-2015 and only 34 per cent of non-indigenous children. Children in rural areas also have worse indicators than those living in urban areas. In Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Suriname the rates of stunting in rural areas exceed the rates observed in urban areas by more than 50 per cent .

“Stunting is closely correlated with inequality and poverty, but overweight is also increasingly affecting the poorest children.

They face conditions of high social and economic vulnerability and suffer from inequitable access to health services and healthy

diets,” said María Cristina Perceval, regional director for UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean.

WOMEN SUFFER MORE FOOD INSECURITY THAN MEN The Panorama indicates that 19 million women suffer severe food insecurity, compared to 15 million men. In all the countries of the region, the obesity rate of adult women is higher than that of men. In 19 of them, the rate of female obesity is at least 10 percentage points higher than that of men.

But the inequality that affects women is not only seen in terms of gender: anemia in women of childbearing age, for example, affects women with fewer resources to a greater extent than women that belong to a higher income bracket. “Gender equity is a valuable policy instrument to reduce inequalities We need to strengthen it in practice, which involves promoting equality in access and control of household resources, as well as in decisions to empower women in inequality”, said Miguel Barreto, Regional Director of WFP for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Allegations of vote-buying surface at Mabaruma …PPP picks up four of six constituency seats

By Alva Solomon FOLLOWING Monday’s local government polls, the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has scored wins in four of the six constituencies in the town of Mabaruma.

The governing A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) managed to score wins in the remaining two constituencies.

According to the statistics, a total of 1808 votes were cast in the area, and

of that number, the PPP scored 1006, while APNU grabbed 653. The Alliance For Change (AFC) scored 96.

While the APNU dominated the votes in the populated area of Mabaruma Township Constituency, the opposition attained most of its support in the outlying areas such as Hosororo Hill and the Thomas Hill-Smith Creek Constituency.

But the elections were not completed without hiccups and allegations.

There were allegations that residents at Smith Creek, a riverine community along the Aruka River, were paid by a businessman various sums of money in exchange for their support of the opposition.

A family at Kumaka, the town’s business hub, also told the Guyana Chronicle that they were disturbed that a male relative of theirs managed to vote by proxy for two of his nephews, although the two siblings authorised their mother to vote

on their behalf by proxy.

According to a family member, when the woman turned up at Kumaka to vote on her sons’ behalf, she was told that the boys’ uncle had already voted for them. She explained that the boys had sent their identification cards to Mabaruma with their uncle from Georgetown where they work and study.

FALSE DOCUMENT Reports are that the boys’ uncle obtained a letter of recommendation which

was signed by an opposition-aligned regional official, who performs the function of Justice of the Peace. The woman became annoyed when she found out that the letter was drafted without her sons’ consent, and she became worried when she was told that the occupations of her sons were erroneously listed as laymen in the fictitious letter.

The allegations were reported to the returning officer at Mabaruma, but the family told the Guyana

Chronicle that the official was not very helpful.

Elsewhere, voting within the town went smoothly and party supporters noted that the election provides an opportunity for all to work together in the interest of the town.

At the last LGEs in 2016, the two major parties scored similar numbers of seats, a result that led to a prolonged stalemate which hampered the council’s work in the first North-West town.

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All is not lost, says AFC GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

By Gabriella Chapman

A D AY a f t e r t h e a n nouncement of the Local Government Elections in Bartica, with seven out of nine constituencies being won by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the other two by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the Alliance For Change (AFC) has said “all is not lost”.

Deputy Mayor of the town Kamal Persaud, who was a proportional representation candidate for the AFC, said her party was well aware of the heavy

support for the two major parties, but will still push on.

“We were a bit disappointed with the results as well as the turnout of people who voted. Based on our observations, the persons that came out to vote were mostly elderly persons; the young people hardly came out. However, all is not lost, although it may seem like we lost,” she said.

This was the first time the AFC contested independently at the LGEs, Kamal said, noting that most of their constituency representatives were new to LGEs.

She also said that the party is happy to have contested the elections separate from APNU. “Throughout our campaign, our team stuck to

our goal of targeting issues within our various communities. We are saddened by the remarks that are being thrown our way, but it is quite evident that we have

Deputy Mayor of the town Kamal Persaud

run a clean race and we will continue to work,” she expressed.

From the tabulations, the AFC secured one seat on the new council that will soon be formed. This seat, Kamal said, will be used to work to advocate for betterment of Bartica.

Apart from representation on the council, she said the AFC remains committed to the community and the issues they promised will be targeted, will be targeted.

“We have already identified voluntary and charity work that we will execute as a group. Our commitment has only grown stronger and being a part of the system, I

will do my part and put the people first,” she said.

Kamal also said that her team will be bringing help to the less fortunate. The first project started on Tuesday with the distribution of food hampers to families in the Byderabo area.

The team said their objective is to represent the interest of the people and even though they did not win, they will continue with their representation.

The AFC also congratulated the councillors and hope that the town will move towards continued development and the voices of the people will be heard.

APNU wrests Le Destin constituency from PPP

APNU candidate Linden Fowler who won the constituency

HISTORY was created at the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGEs) when the A Partnership for National Unity won five seats in the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Good Hope/Hydronie in Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara.

Good Hope/Hydronie NDC with 14 seats, had always been a stronghold of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Of the five seats won by the APNU, two are constituency representatives with Khadija Mc Lenan winning the Le Destin Constituency and Linden Fowler the Farm Constituency. The Le Destein Constituency had been controlled by the PPP for the last 26 years. The other three seats were won by Proportional Representation (PR).

Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Khadija Mc Lenan expressed her appreciation to the voters of her constituency, who have entrusted her with the responsibility of representing their interest at the local level.

“This is indeed a historic victory because tradition had it for the PPP. This victory is a testimony to the fact that persons voted for the most suitable candidate and I am elated to know that I am viewed that way. Let me thank all my supporters, especially the ones that directly voted for me and I commit to serving them with distinction,” Mc Lenan said.

Linden Fowler is a seasoned politician and councillor within his constituency. He formerly ran under the PPP banner but this year switched sides and ran with the APNU. “People in my constituency voted for the person that has always worked for them and not for no political party. I have a track record in this community and it is a good one. If it wasn’t then I would have lost,” Fowler remarked. Both elected constituency candidates have promised to work in the best interest of their constituents, while still holding the PPP-controlled NDC accountable to the electorate.

APNU candidate Khadija Mc Lenan who won the constituency of Le Destin.

Caribbean countries to benefit from new MoU agreement with IDB THE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group (IDB) Tuesday signed an agreement with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to collaborate on projects and initiatives that will foster innovation in financial services in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and ASEAN regions The IDB said that its innovation laboratory, IDB

Lab, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with MAS with the key co-operation area being to create cross-border collaboration networks between the FinTech ecosystems in Singapore and LAC to enable joint innovation projects on financial inclusion in both LAC and ASEAN regions.

It said that the MOU will also allow for holding policy dialogues on topics of common interest

such as API standards, data governance, cybersecurity and digital identity as well as facilitating knowledge exchange on digital transformation in financial institutions and the benefits of collaborating with FinTechs.

The IDB said that through this collaboration, the IDB Group will create a platform that will allow financial institutions in the LAC region to test solu-

tions, connect and exchange knowledge on innovation strategies and initiatives.

“With this agreement, we take a step forward to consolidate the role of IDB Lab as the hub that connects Latin America and the Caribbean with one of the most innovative financial agents in the world,” said Irene Arias, the IDB Lab’s chief executive officer.

“We believe that the experience of MAS, partic-

ularly through its FinTech & Innovation Group, with new regulatory approaches such as the use of regulatory sandboxes and digital financial solutions are some examples of what our region can learn from Singapore, one of the most advanced countries in the world of Fintech,” she added.

MAS chief FinTech officer, Sopnendu Mohanty said ‘this agreement opens

doors for collaboration between the FinTech ecosystems in Latin America and Caribbean with Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. “We are happy to welcome participants from 15 countries in LAC to the Singapore FinTech Festival this year. We look forward to the synergies and new partnerships that will be forged during and beyond the Festival,” he added.

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‘We don’t see ...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

From page 2

not to exercise their democratic right to vote and elect their local leaders.

Alluding to the fact that Monday was not declared a national holiday, the Minister said that the poor showing for the elections may have been as a result of persons having to work.

Notwithstanding, the APNU executive applauded those candidates who rose to the occasion, and

opted to take a leading role in the management of the city. Based on the cadre of leaders elected, Lawrence said they have done a commendable job in the lead up to polling day, even as she expressed confidence that they will act in the interest of the people.

Lawrence also made a case for the number of the representatives per constituency in the Mu-

nicipality of Georgetown to be expanded in light of a growing population.

BETTER POSITIONED AFC Executive Member Michael Leonard, who was also present at the Critchlow Labour College to witness the announcement, told reporters that this was the first time the AFC opted to test its strength

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo after coalescing with the APNU in May 2015.

AFC suffered a major blow in many of the Local Authority Areas (LAAs) but according to Leonard, the alliance is now better positioned.

“I am not sure that I should say something went wrong. The APNU and AFC contested the last time as a coalition in 2016. They were obviously riding the success of 2015 (General Elections), so there was no true test to see what is the constituency of the AFC versus the APNU,” Leonard told reporters.

According to him, on the basis that the AFC started mobilising and campaigning late for the Local Government Elections, it did relatively well in the elections. “So we know now, if this is what we can attract, this is what we can attract. We know where we are, and I don’t have an issue with that,” he said while noting that the AFC won two seats on the Council of Georgetown.

He, however, expressed the view that the move to contest the Local Government Elections independent of the APNU will have no effect on the Cummingsburg Accord, which brought the parties together.

“I don’t believe so.

It is very clear from the results across the country that the APNU by themselves cannot defeat the PPP. So it seems as though the coalition is necessary, and we have said before that we believe in coalition politics,” the AFC Executive said.

He reminded that in the General Elections, every vote counts, every

seat counts, maintaining that APNU cannot do it alone. That aside, he too bemoaned the low voters’ turn out, contending that the majority of the persons voted were above the age of 40. Though the AFC campaigned among the younger population, Leonard acknowledged that the alliance was not able to pull the votes in their favour.

“There were a lot of party stalwarts voting, so I am not disappointed, thinking that we did badly, I am thinking there is a lot of voter apathy. There is a lot of disinterest in Local Government Elections,” the AFC Executive explained.

MASSIVE VICTORY Over at Freedom House, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters that based on preliminary results received, the PPP/C won the popular votes, pointing out the main opposition party won five of the 10 towns.

He said PPP/C won most of the seats at Mabaruma, Anna Regina, Lethem, and Rose Hall, and all of the seats at Corriverton. Though the PPP/C did not win Georgetown, Jagdeo boasted that the party made significant improvements by securing seven seats on the council.

With more seats on the council, Jagdeo said the PPP is ready to work while making it clear that it will not support any attempt to increase rates and taxes.

“We will keep our promises that we made to all of Guyana. We will not increase their rates and taxes for the next three years, we will ensure that every quarter, those councils make public their financial status…And we will try to involve people as far as possible in the work of the council,” he told reporters.

Dubbing the party’s overall performance as a “massive win,” Jagdeo, a former President, said the PPP secured 46,000 more votes than the APNU and AFC in the Local Government Elections.

During the last elections, Jagdeo said PPP led by approximately 24,000 votes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Emotional intelligence INTELLIGENCE- it is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.

People who hold many certifications and are also successful in portraying their skills learned are classed as intelligent people.

The valedictorian or top performers of the graduating class; the President of a country; scientists and lawyers, are all examples of a few intelligent labels. We would also refer to a person’s level of intelligence as an ‘IQ’, but have you ever heard of ‘EQ’ or ‘EI’?

Better known as, Emotional Intelligence?

In our early years of ‘teenagehood’, there is a lot going on with our emotions. We’re constantly moody and for some reason we tend to ‘feel’ more.

I know I am not the only person who struggled with being an overwhelmingly emotional being, perhaps even a wreck. Especially for women on those early days when your menstrual cycle begins, your emotions seem to be in control of your behaviour.

Someone who is dear to me once said, ‘you need to be in control of your emotions and not allow them to control you; you need to discipline yourself and that it is okay to feel negative emotions once in a while, for they will make you more humble.’ In a nutshell, that is basically what emotional intel-

ligence is. It does not only include handling your own emotions, but also the emotions of others. In my personal experiences, I have put together some ways in which we can strive for better emotional intelligence.

It is learned behaviour-- I personally believe that we were not born emotionally intelligent with guidelines on how to navigate our feelings. We learn it from our environment. As such, a great way to promote emotional intelligence is by targeting people’s social life. Lessons can perhaps be taught in schools, through TV shows and books, etc. It is better to start teaching young children how to cope and deal with emotions; children’s minds are very impressionable.

You can also teach and learn from yourself; learn what your strengths and weaknesses are; how you react to different situations; which emotion you are least successful in controlling; and what are your emotional triggers-- a whole self-evaluation.

Trying to look at the positive side of things can also be of much help. Our thoughts would reflect upon our actions; as such, if we think positively, then we will automatically do positive things. I was leisurely watching an episode of the ‘Red Table Talk’ with Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith. They were discussing their mar-

riage when the topic of fights and anger was brought up. Jada explained that when they are angry at each other, they step away for a while to be alone and calm down.

Extreme outbursts of negative emotions such as anger can do more harm than good.

Calm down, relax and think by yourself for a while. We can save so much, including ourselves, if we just calm those emotions down. To explain better, ‘Emotions are a temporary state of mind only, do not let them permanently destroy you.’

If you have completed a self-evaluation on your emotions, then you will understand what triggers them. If certain conversations, events or even people make you angry, then avoid them. Avoid having your emotions being triggered when you know you aren’t well to handle them. My last tip is to empathise and help others. To have empathy does not necessarily mean to always agree with people; it means to allow yourself to understand and if you do, try to help them if you can or want to. At the end of the day, our social connection is a key role in our well-being. If someone around you is not emotionally stable, help them, spread positivity and your knowledge on how to be emotionally intelligent.

In a progressing world where war still

exists, violence and outrage are prevalent and the number one crime is murder; one can only wonder how much emotional intelligence we lack. It is pointless if we’d like to colonise Mars, end all wars and invent new technology if we aren’t emotionally intelligent as a species. Can you imagine a president with the parallel of power and uncontrolled emotions? Or professionals with outrageous ego issues?

If we are rich but we’re still sad? At every level of society, this topic is important.

The school of life explained that, ‘we are evolved monkeys with nuclear weapons.’

Why is that so? Perhaps the nuclear bomb was built under an angry inventor.

Emotions are primitive and with better learning patterns, we learn to control and manage them. I stress that it should be a continuous process, even in our older years. Emotions can be pictured as an iceberg; there’s much than the eye meets. An emotionally intelligent person will learn that there is much more to just ‘feeling’.

There are reasons for feeling as well as masks for something deeper (abuse, pain, etc.) All in all, ‘Emotional intelligence is not about being emotional, it’s about being smart with your emotions.’ Do not be a slave to your emotions.

Cop’s gun snaps during scuffle with city businessman

...Crime Chief promises to look into matter

BUSINESSMAN Freeman Fordyce was locked up over the weekend after he got into an altercation with a police inspector who led a party of police ranks to his business to execute a search warrant of two of his establishments on George Street, Georgetown.

The businessman was locked up after he resisted arrest, reportedly assaulted a peace officer and on suspicion of trafficking in persons. But in a video that was shown to this newspaper, which was caught on CCTV footage, the police inspector who was also accused of planting a weapon on the businessman some time ago during a similar operation at the business establishment, was attempting to effect a “pat down” on the businessman when he resisted.

The businessman said he resisted on the grounds that the rank could not

be trusted; and that there was the likelihood that he would plant something again on him. The previous matter of the allegation about planting a weapon is engaging the attention of the force.

Its in his attempt to resist the arrest that the police inspector whipped out a pistol and attempted to shoot the businessman but the weapon snapped and failed to fire. At that point other ranks who were on the operation attempted to bring some level of calm between the two and returned the situation to normalcy but in the video, the inspector kept advancing to take control of the operation in which he was the most senior rank.

The Guyana Chronicle was told the inspector was forced to take out his weapon and attempted to shoot, as he felt that the businessman could be in possession of an illegal weapon and that

he might have brought harm to the other members of the operation. Additionally, it was reported that the inspector was the only person on the scene who had a weapon at the time, since the backup patrol had not yet arrived to lend support to the team from headquarters.

The businessman operates the Diamond Hotel and Bar at George Street which provides adult entertainment to patrons. We were advised that the operation on Friday was to check on the documentation for females who have been working at the establishment. Reports are that the women were removed from the facility and their documents were found to be intact, but persons close to the operation of the night club indicated that the women were threatened not to return to the establishment or they would be locked up.

Contacted on Monday, Crime Chief Lyndon Alves indicated that he was

made aware about some sort of development at the business place during the operation when he was given the preliminary report of what this newspaper saw on the cameras. He said that he too saw some of it and would be requesting that his detectives go to the area to retrieve the full recording.

The crime chief explained that the force is not in the habit of keeping police ranks away from an operation where it is perceived that the public might have a confidence issue with a [particular rank who is assigned to the operation.

He said that however, that based on the circumstances of things which took place on Friday last, there will be some review, as it relates to some operation even as he promised that a probe would be launched into the incident.

The Pink Revolution

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A REVOLUTION can be noisy, violent and bloody.

It can also be silent, peaceful and bloodless. Whatever form it takes, one thing is certain: a revolution

brings about conspicuous change in the social, political and economic existence of an average society. The rise of women to positions of authority and power globally seems to be

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

abundant; but is it a revolution? Can we say without fear of successful contradiction that the pink revolution is upon us? Emma Goodson once remarked, ‘If I can’t dance to it, it’s not revolution.’

Hanna Rosin, in her book, ‘The End of Men: And the Rise of Women’, argued that patriarchy is coming to an end. Far from the truth. Women have made substantial gains globally in the consequential field of education.

Women now outperform men academically at all levels of education.

Upon the completion of the United States mid-term elections 2018, statistics revealed 20 women were on the Senate ballot and almost 200 candidates contested the House elections. A record 100 women will now become Congresswomen, including Rashida Tlaib (Michigan) and IIhan Oman (Minnesota) who now enjoy the distinction of being the first Muslim women elected to the U.S. Congress.

Sylvia Garcia and Veronica Escobar have become the first Latino women to represent the great state of Texas in the U.S. Congress. Most importantly, this pink wave was driven by grassroots activism conducted by women.

This is an extraordinary development, especially in light of the fact that we live in a world where women gained the right to vote only in the 1950s. This encouraging appear-

ance in the world’s great exemplar of democracy is quite encouraging.

Added to this, a most notable maternal ascendancy has occurred in East Africa. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the leader of a highly patriarchal society, has made half of his Cabinet female.

Let us not get excited, despite the above-mentioned extraordinary facts, we are decades away from a genuine pink revolution. There are only 10 women heads of government in the world: this represents a mere 6.3% of the total number of world leaders.

Women hold 5.0% CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies, despite making up 58% of the workforce of the United States, which has a population of 300 million. In places such as the UK, government statistics revealed that 74% of firms pay higher rates to their male staff. We can go on and on with the data, which invariably reveals that when we see on television and popular news, as it relates to the ascent of women, might just be a mirage.

Taboos and cultures remain rigidly in full support of male domination.

It is still an uneven man’s world, but it is good to see leaders such as Ethiopia’s prime minister heeding the caution of John F. Kennedy, ‘Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable.’

Lobby against death penalty heats up

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

–– Hughes warns about dubious confession statements

By Lisa Hamilton BETWEEN 80-90 per cent of death penalty convictions in Guyana are based solely on confessions but considering that these can be forcefully solicited, Guyana should move swiftly towards the abolition of capital punishment.

These are the sentiments of Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes who spoke at public lecture at the National Library organised by the European Union and the British High Commission to examine the use of capital punishment and its possible abolition locally.

Facilitating the discussions is a delegation of international experts who are expected to meet with Members of Parliament (MPs) today to further examine the matter. Hughes, in his presentation, recounted a past experience in 1988 as a lawyer on a criminal case and told of the gruesome acts of torture he witnessed being meted out by law officials to a man in custody for his confession in return.

“The Criminal Investigation Department at Eve Leary has consistently earned the reputation for obtaining confessions from people who go there. When you take that into Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes delivers account coupled with the fact that forensic remarks on the case of the death penskills generally in the Guyana Police Force alty in Guyana (Delano Williams photo) are absent…you end up with people who are convicted based on confessions and no sci- cent of the world’s nations have abolished the entific evidence to support it,” he explained. death penalty in law and practice.

He added: “One of the challenges that we Offenses which carry the death penalty face in Guyana is long before we get to the in Guyana include: murder, treason, various debate as to whether or not the actual punish- military offences and terrorism-related ofment is cruel, its can we trust the system to fenses resulting in death. Although no one ensure that the people that are convicted are has been executed in Guyana in over 20 years, definitely the people who are charged with individuals continue to be sentenced to death the crime and have committed the alleged and there are currently 17 people on death offence.” row locally.

Statistics and reports coming out of the While in Guyana, the team of experts inevent show that Guyana is the only country tends to present to MPs examples of the aboliin South America to retain the death penalty tion of the death penalty in other countries and while 142 countries or approximately 75 per to learn of the inhibitors to change in Guyana.

Members of the audience listen on at the National Library (Delano Williams photo)

In his presentation to the gathering, Co-Executive Director of The Death Penalty Project (UK), Saul Lehrfreund, presented a list of reasons as to why the death penalty is a bad criminal justice policy.

He stated that capital punishment is closely related to the era of chattel slavery which was then used as a repressive colonial tool.

His comments were backed by Deputy Director of Equal Justice Initiative (USA), Randy Susskind, who stated that following the abolition of slavery, ex-judicial lynching was then utilised as a public spectacle and to terrorise entire communities.

Susskind said that while some US states still uphold the death penalty, the act was introduced there during a period of “deep seethed racism”.

Deputy Director of Equal Justice Initiative (USA) Randy Susskind (Samuel Maughn photo) The duo discredited another held opinion in stating that there is no evidence which proves that the death penalty reduces crime or deters criminals any more than other punishments.

Furthermore, Lehrfreund stated that political leaders, who are of the notion that the public would never accept abolition, must realise that public opinion cannot lead the debate on human rights commitments.

He added that public opinion on the death penalty is often characterised by a lack of knowledge on the subject.

Other reasons against the death penalty he listed are that it is a cruel, barbaric punishment and there is no one flawless system to determine who gets the death penalty.

Meanwhile, Susskind revealed that there is still much uncharted territory regarding whether persons with mental disorders or illnesses should receive the death penalty.

“I hope that Guyana can take the bold steps, the courageous steps…to lead the people away from death penalty and in doing this, the government needs to explain to people

why there is no stake in the death penalty here in Guyana,” he said.

Speaking further on the sidelines he added: “The question now is for political leadership to try to move Guyana into a place where there is no death penalty. The next logical step, having had two decades of de facto moratorium, is to abolish the death penalty in law and that would make Guyana compatible with its neighbours in South America who have all abolished the death penalty and the majority of the world’s nations.”

Meanwhile, EU Ambassador Jernej Videti? commented: “No matter how advanced and meticulous a justice system is, it will always be subject to human mistake. There have always been and there will always be cases of executions of innocent people. And unlike prisons sentences, the death penalty is irreversible and irreparable... I am aware that some justify the death penalty as the ‘an eye for an eye’ but, today, I call on Guyana, a civilised nation with civilised people, to shift its judicial system to one which punishes, but does not kill, to one which pursues justice and not revenge.”

In wrapping up his presentation, Hughes stated that Guyana’s legal system is still one designed to be against a person sentenced to death.

He said in many cases their lawyers are often given limited time to prepare for their cases; the jury is often uses the present police-citizen relationship to determine whether law enforcement would coerce confessions and inadequate social reports are collected.

On this note, he questioned: “When they are about to rebuild the Georgetown prison…will they rebuild the gallows? Because if we do not improve the investigative capacity of the Guyana Police Force and if there is not a migration from the reliance on confessions towards the reliance on scientific proof…can you take the risk with a preponderance of innocent people being sent to the gallows?”

Co-Executive Director of The Death Penalty Project (UK) Saul Lehrfreund (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

PPP courts gov’t support to develop municipalities

UNCONFIRMED reports from statements of poll have the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) taking two of the three towns in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six).

The PPP has won the municipalities of Rose Hall and Corriverton, while conceding the loss of New Amsterdam. Based on information collected at the various polling stations, the PPP has won 11 of the 16 seats in Rose Hall Town after defeating the APNU and URP in six of the eight constituencies.

Of the 1951 votes cast at Rose Hall Town, the PPP got 1203 votes, APNU,721 and the URP 23, respectively. Gladwyn Allicock, a current councillor at the Rose Hall Town municipality said from the preliminary results in Rose Hall it appears many people are still voting for parties as opposed to policies; but nevertheless he is looking forward to continued development in his municipality.

In New Amsterdam the APNU heads all parties with 10 seats followed by the PPP with three and the AFC one for the 14 seats in the municipality.

Over in Corriverton, after winning in all eight constituencies, the PPP collected 14 of the 16 seats. The APNU received two seats.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the PPP’s Campaign Manager for the Upper Corentyne area Adrian Anamayah said his team is ecstatic about the victory and being able to maintain the 14-2 control of the town as they did in 2016. Anamayah said he is pleased with the hard work of the campaign and is now looking forward to the government’s support

in helping to develop the town further.

“There are a lot that needs to be done, so this council will not rest especially after coming from the elections campaign and being in the fields and learning first-hand about the needs of the residents.

No council is perfect and a lot is still to be done; but we need the government’s help, especially in releasing the subvention for major infrastructural works,” he said.

He noted that despite an average of 42% voters’ turnout at the LGEs for the municipality, he is pleased with the results, but feels a lot more still needs to be done especially in the area of voter education for the 2020 general elections.

Meanwhile, the youngest candidate on the PPP’s slate, 19-year-old Fiyaz Muttoo, who contested in Constituency #5 -Queenstown and won 212 to 109 over APNU’s candidate, said he is inspired by the PPP to do better for his community and country; especially in affording youths an opportunity to be part of such an important bottom-up development process.

The Corriverton municipality had 9729 registered voters of which approximately 4000 voted with 3899 valid ballots counted and was contested by the PPP, 2,918, APNU, 902, AFC, 55 and URP, 24 votes, respectively. Apart from the three major parties to contest in Region Six, the URP and one independent candidate contested as well.

The URP contested in Rose Hall and Corriverton, while Abraham Rajkumar Subnauth contested in the #52/74 NDC under the National Congress of Progressive People’s Alliance.

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Campaign Manager for Corriverton, Adrian Anamayah, along with candidates who contested in the Corriverton municipality

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

APNU sweeps all eight constituencies in Linden

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) political party has tightened their grip on the Linden municipality recording an astounding victory with a clean sweep of all eight constituencies and five of the Proportional Representation (PR) seats.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) grabbed one seat in the municipality while the Alliance For Change picked up two. The margin of victory for APNU was also decisive raking in over 2000 votes more than AFC. APNU collected in total 3606 votes.

The PPP managed little over 400 votes throughout the eight constituencies. The United Republican Party (URP) secured a meagre 49 votes.

Commenting on the party’s victory was outgoing Mayor of Linden, Waneka

Arindell, who said she is happy for the continuous overwhelming support from the electorate of Linden. “I am grateful that the town continued to garner support from the residents of Linden, we would have done exceptionally well, and we are now ready to work. I know that the turnout was poor but next time around we will work more effectively to let persons understand the importance of LGE and voting.”

Relative to her re-election as her constituency representative, she said, “I am happy that I have been re-elected in my community and I will continue to serve selflessly.”

Voter turnout APNU party members noted that the party would have won all 16 seats if there was a larger voter turnout.

There was reported-

… AFC picks up two seats, PPP one

The eight APNU constituency candidates who were elected on Monday ly 2000 less voters turning ight Bethune, outgoing MayIn an invited comment, headway on tackling waste out this year compared to or Waneka Arindell, Lorna Lawrence Simon of Amelia’s management, several com2016. A total of 5132 voters Calvan, Fern McKoy and Ward said that he was not munities continue to suffer in came out in Linden back in Gary King. James, Bethune; surprised by his landslide this regard, still having to pay 2016. The APNU candidates Arindell and McKoy are victory since he and his team a private waste management who will take up seats in the returning councillors. These had put in the groundwork company to collect their garCouncil for Constituencies candidates were elected after through an aggressive door- bage regularly.

One to Eight respectively are: constituency primaries were to-door campaign and he Leroy Barry of Amelia’s Lawrence Simon, Stephen held some months ago. The interacted with a lot of the Ward and his wife voted earMassiah, Leroy James, out- APNU was the only party to residents, hearing their pleas ly as they believe the contingoing Deputy Mayor Wainer- hold primaries in Linden. for development. “I am over- ued process of democracy at whelmed, I am happy that I the municipal level must go would have won my constit- on. “I am here this morning uency, it shows that persons to exercise my franchise and believe in the plans I put to select representatives who forth, they are workable and I I think would represent me look forward to working with in my area effectively, the the councillors and stake- reason I came out and put my holders to develop Linden ‘X’, is because I want to see holistically. I feel, comfort- infrastructural development, able, confident to put forth the roads especially, that is my service now, to execute, why I decided to come out so we can make Constituency and ensure that I see develOne a model constituency opment in my area,” he said and make Linden a model Monday. town for the rest of Guyana He added that youths are to pattern after,” he said. calling for the new councilMcKoy was very con- lors to look into employfident that she would have ment opportunities and to won her constituency, as make representation for recshe had selflessly pushed for reational facilities within development, over the last their constituencies, so that three years in the various they can be meaningfulcommunities. ly employed. At the LinShe described herself den Foundation Secondary as a go-getter and being School in Constituency One, proactive has helped her was 18-year-old Reniah in making representation DaSilva of Amelia’s Ward, on behalf of her residents who said that she felt it was which is not only limited her mission to vote for the at council, but at whatever first time since youths need forum she gets the chance to let their voices be heard to function. through voting. “When we vote, people representing AFC satisfied our community will see to AFC campaign man- the needs of youths and see ager Audwin Rutherford that we need job opportunireportedly told the media ties, recreational facilities that he is satisfied with and other opportunities to the two seats won by his develop ourselves, so I feel party. Efforts to contact a really good coming out and PPP representative proved vote this morning,” she said. futile.

The new council will inRoads, Waste manage- herit a large amount of debt ment major concerns for which the outgoing one also residents inherited but was unable to As the new council pre- clear. pares to be sworn in, resident Arindell said that the of Linden are calling on them council did make strides in to focus on infrastructural putting systems in place to development within the com- effectively repay the debts munities, more importantly as well as successfully imthe construction of roads, prove and strengthen the bridges and drains. While administrative arm of the the council has made some council.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Independent group grabs three seats in Kwakwani … run-off to settle tie between AFC, independent candidates

DUE to a tie between two candidates at Monday’s Local Government Elections, residents are presently awaiting the date for a run-off to be held in the community in the coming month.

The run-off election will allow residents of Kwakwani’s Constituency Four to vote a second time for either Petranalla Pollard of the independent- Kwakwani United for Progress Constituency Four Representative or for Alliance for Change’s Constituency Four Representative, Latoya Mohammed.

Kwakwani’s constituency representatives are: Paris Archer, Representative of People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Omenel Simon, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Maleeka Russell, representative of Kwakwani United for Progress (KUFP), Orville August, representing Alliance for Change (AFC) and Elsie McPherson of APNU. In addition, the last spot left will be occupied by the winner of the runoff election that will be held in the near future.

The overall seats obtained by parties and groups that contested the elections on Monday were twelve of which APNU obtained 4, PPP copped 2, AFC got 2 seats while KUFP won three seats. The final seat will be given to the party that wins the runoff election.

Expressing gratitude was Kwakwani United for Progress (KUFP) representative, Maleeka Russel, who won Constituency Three said: “I

just want to say thank you to all the people who supported me and the Kwakwani United for Progress group. The residents of Waterfront Road area, Chine Lane, and the many other KUFP representatives who worked hard to make our constituency win a success.”

Russel is promising to serve her constituency and community to the best of her ability. “I can’t promise houses and land or money but what I can promise is to serve to the best of my ability for the next three years,” Russel stated.

She added, “Kwakwani is ours, Guyana is ours. It’s our responsibility to create new ways and means for development, there is no way someone who only knows the name “Kwakwani” will love Kwakwani more than us who live here.”

Russel indicated that it is time youths take control of their lives and realise that it is their responsibility to make the environment a better one.

“About half of Kwakwani’s population is made up of young people, of those, many are afraid to follow their dreams but guess what, we are youths, we are young, we have strength, and the power to change the mental barriers that have been set up against us.

It’s time we take control of our lives and realise that 20 years from now we are going to be raising our kids and grand kids hence it’s our responsibility to create a safe environment , one that is youth-friendly,” she expressed.

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Constituency 3 Representative Maleka Russell, of Kwakwani United for Progress

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Faulty pipe network delays upgrades in Port Kaituma

THE completion of the ongoing upgrade works at the Port Kaituma Water Supply System has been delayed due to a number of factors that existed over 15 years ago.

This includes an unstable power supply and an inaccurate pipe network design, which has contributed to numerous leakages, the Guyana Water Inc. says in a release.

Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles and a team of senior technical officials visited the Region One community on Friday last to assess the progress of works undertaken to date. He was informed that the distribution system, which exists in an undulating terrain has a lot of its mains exposed to the surface of the road. It was also noted that flushout valves were none-existent in some

sections of the network.

A technical team from Georgetown is currently in the community to undertake corrective works to the distribution network, which includes making the necessary interconnections and reorganising the entire distribution system. Over 80 leaks were discovered, with 20 of those being major ones. They are in the process of repairing those leaks and installing flush-out and air valves, so as to facilitate an improved quality and level of service to residents.

Additionally, works are underway for the development of a new well that was recently drilled in the compound of the Citrus Grove pump station. It was drilled at the required depth of 210 feet.

The contractor attached to this project is Chowramootoo Construction Service.

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles (centre), Non-revenue water Coordinator, Carlos Rodrigues (left) and Hinterland Engineer, Jumal Duncan (right) assessing the progress of ongoing works in Port Kaituma GWI’s aim is to provide a daily water supply to residents of Port Kaituma and to phase out sectionalising. Currently sections of the community are receiving water two days per week. However, this is dependent on a sufficient power supply from Kaituma Power Inc. and the reconfiguration of the distribution network.

Plans are also underway to reduce the usage of the river water as the main source of supply and utilise additional groundwater sources. The residents of

Port Kaituma have been provided with surface water from the Port Kaituma River for over 15 years, which is at risk of contamination by mining and agricultural activities. Recently, the water from the river was contaminated with high levels of mercury.

Several subsequent tests were conducted and revealed that the level of the mercury decreased significantly to 0.000033 mg/l which is within acceptable levels.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Barbados, Guyana to produce critical thinkers

MINISTER of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry and Barbados Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Sandra Husbands, have initiated talks regarding collaboration in ensuring that

their school systems are producing critical thinkers.

On Tuesday, the Barbados minister, accompanied

by David Comissiong, Ambassador of Barbados to the Caribbean Community and

Minister of Education Dr. Nicolette Henry meets with Barbados Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade Sandra Husbands.

Cabinet condemns firemen for aircraft theft CABINET on Tuesday condemned what it deemed the “reprehensible” alleged acts of theft by firemen who first responded to the Fly Jamaica aircraft that crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport last Friday.

Several firemen have been accused of stealing personal items belonging to crew members and several passengers of the Fly Jamaica airplane which made an emergency landing at the CJIA shortly after it had taken off for Toronto, Canada.

The Ministry of the Presidency said in a statement on Tuesday evening that both Cabinet and the National Security Committee (NSC) were earlier in the day briefed about the incident involving the Fly Jamaica flight OJ256.

During the emergency operations that followed the emergency landing, members of the GFS rushed to the scene.

After the mop-up, some personal items belonging to crew members and some passengers were discovered missing.

The firemen were since detained by the police and some released on bail.

“Cabinet strongly condemned as criminal and morally corrupt, those alleged acts of theft, and urged that the perpetrators be brought to swift justice,” the statement read.

It added: “It must be noted that not only did the accused cast a blemish on the reputation of the disciplined services but they have tarnished Guyana’s image.”

Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into alleged theft and the firemen are expected to be charged soon. Passengers reported that they lost passports, electronic devices and cash.

Reports indicate that almost a dozen persons from the fire department were questioned pertaining to devices and personal items allegedly stolen from the aircraft. The pilot had reportedly told police that he was missing cash and electrical devices which were left in the plane before the firefighters reached the scene. This was confirmed when one of the firemen, upon being questioned, rigorously returned some of the items.

Further inquiry revealed that more items were found at the Timehri Fire Station.

the Associates of Caribbean States, and Kay Sealy, Director of Foreign Trade in Barbados paid a visit to Henry.

According to a release, during the meeting, the ministers discussed possible areas of cooperation that will be mutually beneficial to both parties. Minister Husbands posited that collabo-

ration to ensure that the two countries produce critical thinkers is necessary, if the Caribbean’s youths are to function effectively in the global space that is constantly evolving.

Added to this, Dr. Henry said it is important that greater emphasis is placed on teacher education to ensure

that children are exposed to the best possible teaching.

She also informed the Barbadian delegation that Guyana is now in the process of reforming its curriculum, to cater for modern and futuristic approaches to teaching.

Minister Henry also underscored the importance of the inculcation of “soft and

people skills” for youths in the two countries, and explained that these skills aid in ensuring that children can function effectively in the world of work.

Ministers Henry and Husbands have committed to meeting again as they look ahead to better cooperation and collaboration.

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Mother may have answers to daughter’s death

NAIMAWATTIE Persaud believes that foul play was involved in the death of her 22-year-old daughter, Romeza Sukdeo, whose body was discovered in a clump

of bushes on Sunday in a decomposing state.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday morning, the woman explained that she last saw her

alive on Diwali night when she left home to visit a family member. She never returned. The family received the news on Sunday that her remains were found in a

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

clump of bushes.

Ms. Persaud said that her daughter spent two days with her before she left home on Friday, something she does not really do often as she has

Romeza Sukdeo been living on the seawall no satisfaction. I also went and would be moving from to the welfare in this area and place to place in her hunt for got no satisfaction and it’s marijuana–something that grieving my heart to leave she has been doing since the my child and walk away and age of 16. come home and I come back The woman said that from there and then I went from then to the time of to the station and they said her daughter’s death, she that she is 16 years and she is has been trying to get her old enough to make her own to return home and she has decisions,” the woman said. been very reluctant to do The police said that the so. The mother said too that body of the woman was authorities cautioned her that found clad in a multi-cothe child was 16 and could loured dress and she also had be making her own deci- on a skirt but no footwear. sions. There were also the The dead woman’s mother influences that came from told the Guyana Chronithe persons who have been cle that her daughter, while supplying the young woman she was not living with her, with illegal substances. made a few visits to her The mother spoke of her home and also attempted daughter’s first decision to to get back on track and leave home. “When she abandoned the whole idea meet 16 she left and go on of using marijuana and other the road and we went for illegal substances. her and try to get her home According to her, Sukback and we could not and deo had also mentioned she end up start quarrel and the name of two persons curse and about some friend and said that if at any point that betray her on the beach something should happen to then she went by a friend and her or should she die, that her that friend start giving her mother must go to the police weed and cocaine and she with those names. This is remained on the road ever because the two would ususince,” the distraught mother ally beat her and take away explained. her money and other items.

She explained that she She also reportedly told her went to the police and a mother that one of the men number of other organisa- forced her to sell sex so that tions to assist her in getting she can make money and her young child back into bring same to him. the home, but those were The distraught mother often met with explanations is also alleging that her that the child was of the age neighbour, who is also in to make her own decisions. the habit of using illegal According to Ms. Persaud, substances, might have there was also one instance some answers regarding where she had to cry as she her daughter’s death and walked home without her they have been giving condaughter by her side. “When flicting stories surrounding I tried to get this girl to what they might know of bring her home back I got the young lady's death.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Mahdia councillors to hit the ground running … target teenage pregnancy, sanitation, roads, water security for improvements

By Rabindra Rooplall in Mahdia NEWLY elected A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) councillors in Mahdia are aiming to ensure that their constituencies and supporters benefit from pledges made during the campaign at the just-concluded Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Dennis Boalt, representing Constituency One

APNU councillor Juewayne MendoncaBarrows, representing Constituency Three (Potaro Road to Eagle Mountain) (Uewang to Mahdia Plateau West) told the Guyana Chronicle that a troubling issue that needs to be addressed in the region is the issue of teenage pregnancy.

Boalt explained that teenage pregnancy changes a young lady’s life forever.

Unfortunately, he said, such a change is seldom in a positive direction and that results in economic underdevelopment that may also lead to other social ills.

“Younger mothers and their babies face greater health risks. In the educational sphere we remain concerned about valuable learning time being lost, and the ever present threat

APNU councillor Dennis Boalt, representing Constituency One (Uewang to Mahdia Plateau West)

that the new responsibilities of motherhood may mean someone giving up their own education for their child and that causes a negative cycle,” he noted.

As such, he said, as a representative of a constituency and a councillor, it is his aim to seek the intervention of all stakeholders, including proposals to have discussions in schools to educate teenagers on the dangers of becoming young mothers.

“Teenagers may agree to engage in early sexual encounters because they fear losing the relationship, they may not be able to negotiate the use of contraception and in some instances they are the victims of rape. We know that girls without loving families of their own, are more vulnerable to early sexual encounters,” he noted.

He said there is a need to address the many contributory factors related to the incidence of teenage pregnancy: the fact that in many communities girls are brought up to be submissive to their male counterparts means they are often vulnerable in teenage relationships.

“I am open to all assistance and would be calling

APNU councillor David Samuel Adams representing Constituency Number Two (Mahdia Plateau East) on the minister of education and all stakeholders to also offer assistance in this area, because our human capital needs development before anything can be done properly,” Boalt noted.

Representing Constituency Number Two (Mahdia Plateau East), David Samuel Adams said he is grateful for the opportunity presented by President David Granger to become a local leader, and as such, the APNU group will be mobilising themselves with the citizens of Mahdia to decide on a path to propel and develop the region in a manner to benefit all citizens.

“We live here and we understand the needs, and

we are now in a position of township where those needs will be represented to Central Government, since that support will be needed to pave the way forward to a greater Mahdia,” Adams said.

He said that due to the newness of the town, councillors will be in an infant stage. According to him, there will be meetings in the weeks ahead, where a policy of development for the short and long term development of Mahdia will be prioritised.

He noted that some of the

sore points in the region are garbage disposal, sanitation and water security, and those issues will be addressed as early as possible.

“We will also be looking for locals to be employed and given opportunities, we will be having a victory rally on Thursday, thanking our supporters and indicating to them that the pledges we made during our campaign will be implemented,” he said.

Juewayne MendoncaBarrows, representing Constituency Three (Potaro Road

to Eagle Mountain), said during the campaign she had interacted with the community and got an understanding of the type of development they would like to see become a reality, and now that she is a councillor she will pursue that agenda.

“Most of it was about roads, street lights, the upgrading of the airstrip with lighting, since most times when there is an emergency, residents would have to come out with their vehicle lights to assist, amongst other things,” she said.

She noting that there are youths in her constituency with great potential but that avenues are needed to develop and educate them. The APNU councillor said there are also many women with talent, and she is hoping to form groups to explore and develop programmes to empower girls and women to reach their full potential.

“We need children to complete their schooling and to have their potential unlocked so they can have a better future,” she underscored.

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Singles Day achieves new sales record

C

HINESE consumers shrugged off any concerns over a slowing economy by snapping up goods and services from home and abroad during the Singles Day online shopping gala, which falls on Nov 11 each year.

And the one-day annual buying frenzy broke last year’s record.

The 24-hour shopping flurry, which is celebrating its 10th year, is the latest exemplification of how domestic consumption is increasingly becoming a major economic growth driver and is unlikely to be overshadowed by temporary trade frictions, experts said.

Sales numbers on Alibaba Group’s online shopping platforms rolled fast and furious since the clock struck midnight and Sunday began.

The Tmall site smashed the 10 billion-yuan (USD$1.44 billion) threshold in just two minutes and five seconds, trimming roughly one-third of the time needed to hit that mark set a year ago.

Cao Lei, director of the China E-commerce Research Center, projected earlier in the day that Tmall’s 24-hour sales would top 200 billion yuan this year (compared with 168.2 billion yuan in 2017).

“Spending per customer has seen a several-fold jump

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

in the past few years, and customers are swarming to quality, customization and even luxury goods online,” said Cao. “We definitely see a holistic upgrade across consumption, branding, supply chain and even the manufacturing cycle.”

Imported products are gaining notable traction among buyers who are willing to pay more for quality. It took just over six hours for cross-border online transactions to reach last year’s full-day record on Tmall Global, the dedicated cross-border portal.

For instance, beauty products from Japanese cosmetics specialist Kao and Dyson hairdryers booked 10 million yuan respectively in sales in the first hour of trading on Sunday, according to Alibaba.

The trend echoed research by global consul­tancy Oliver Wyman, which revealed that around 57 percent of surveyed consumers intend to buy overseas goods, with sales expected to make up one-third of total consumer spending.

In addition to Singles Day, global brands will definitely see China as one of its most promising markets year-round and the country is becoming a solid growth engine, said Jason Yu, China general manager of Kantar Worldpanel.

“The vast population base and the unleashed consump-

tion power from smaller cities, townships and rural areas are magnets for international brands,” Yu said.

“Temporary trade frictions are unlikely to undermine such robust momentum,” the manager added.

Nov 11 is not just about selling a lot of products to consumers, but a time where “we test our supply chain system and our new products, or even better, we test new ideas”, Joost Vlaanderen, president of Mondelez China, the company behind the iconic Oreo cookie, told Alibaba’s news portal Alizila.

Echoing China’s grand opening-up policy at a commercial level, this year’s shopping gala is set to become a natural extension of the just-concluded China International Import Expo in the digital space, serving as the bellwether of the latest global business practices, said Chu Yin, a professor at the University of International Relations in Beijing.

Wang Xiaofeng, senior analyst at consultancy Forrester, said gross merchandise volume generated in the 24-hour festival will no longer be a critical focus.

The event evolves from a pure discounting occasion to a test bed for new commerce initiatives and emerging technologies being applied in online shopping scenarios, Wang said. (China Daily)

A screen in Shanghai shows that sales on Alibaba’s online marketplace Tmall during the annual Singles Day shopping spree hit 213.5 billionyuan (USD $30.7 billion) on Sunday, with full-day sales setting a new high.)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

1978-2018: China’s import history through the lens

WHEN put under the lens of history, the China International Import Expo (CIIE) that concluded in Shanghai last Saturday might be a milestone amid China’s transition from an export powerhouse to an import nation.

What the country imported during the past 40 years has changed the lifestyles of many Chinese. What the Chinese consumed, in turn, has reinvented what the world competes

stereo components, record players and electronic games and toys, which were only a dream just a decade ago, can now be found in millions of Chinese homes,” read a Xinhua story in 1987.

1988-1998: WEST MEETS EAST In October 1990, the first outlet of McDonald’s on the Chinese mainland opened for business in Shenzhen, a southern city at

the establishment of a second venture, FAW Volkswagen, in northeastern city of Changchun in 1991, and a third in Hefei, eastern Anhui Province, in 2017.

1998-2008: HERE COMES WTO For many Chinese, the year 2001 was pretty unforgettable. The year marked the start of a new millennium and led to a whole new era as China joined the World

2008-2018: NEW BEGINNING Shanghai, a city of long-time commercial culture, is always a step ahead in China’s foreign trade.

In 2013, China established its first pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area and expanded to a larger area in Pudong in 2015. It was announced on Nov. 5, the day the CIIE opened, that the Shanghai FTZ would expand further.

(Photo taken on Oct. 21, 2018 shows the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (Shanghai), the main venue of the First China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China.) to offer.

A selection of Xinhua photos captures the unique moments in China’s long history of opening to the world.

1978-1988: NEW LOOK A 1978 Japanese documentary, China’s New Look, featured a scene that said everything about what the Chinese craved back then. In front of an old-fashioned television set, dozens Shanghainese gathered around to watch a TV show.

In 1981, only one out of every 170 urban households in China had a color television.

Having a TV set at home was something worth boasting about, especially when a man would propose.

As China started to open its doors to foreign manufacturers, a TV, a refrigerator and a washing machine became a “must-have” home appliances set for a typical middle-class family.

“With more electronics products available, color televisions, cassette recorders,

the forefront of China’s opening-up.

The western fast-food chain quickly became the hottest tourist spot in town. Curious Chinese consumers lined up in front of the 20 cashiers of the three-story building, shouting to the staff “I want 10 big macs,” recalled a trainee with McDonald’s at that time.

A meal at McDonald’s was never so fast.

China’s new rich would line up at the fancy western restaurant for two hours to chat with friends, discuss businesses or even have a date.

While McDonald’s stood for fashion, a Volkswagen’s Santana car was a symbol for status. As many Chinese once said, somewhat jokingly: “As long as you have a Santana, you have nothing to fear driving all around the world.”

The German automaker set up its first joint venture (JV) with SAIC Motor in Shanghai in 1985. By the end of 1991, the JV produced more than 100,000 Santana cars in total.

Following the success, Volkswagen has been expanding its footprint in China, with

Trade Organization (WTO).

From 2001 to 2017, China’s average growth of imports in commodities and services was more than twice the world’s average.

Looking back, joining the WTO was one of the hardest decisions this country had made over the years. Back then, many feared it would destroy China’s domestic market, saying that “the wolf was coming” because other countries might manufacture better.

But China never paused to open its market wider in fear of competition. In the spring of 2007, the 101st session of Canton Fair, China’s oldest trade fair, set up a new section for imports -- a signal that imports are no longer a “side dish” at China’s trade events.

Ten years after China joined the WTO, people began to realize that China is a wolf, said Alibaba chairman Jack Ma. “When you take the challenge and change yourself, that is the opportunity,” Ma said.

Preferential policies in the FTZ, including the negative list for foreign investment and the cross-border renminbi capital pool policy, effectively boosted the development of many multinational companies.

The Shanghai FTZ published the country’s first negative list with items that were off-limits for foreign investment, which has been rolled out across the country.

In 2010, the city hosted the 2010 World Expo, a milestone that showcased China’s sincere wish to open to the world.

The Shanghai World Expo, the first held in a developing country in the event’s 159-year history, set a record in terms of the number of participating countries or regions, the size of the Expo park and the number of visitors.

With the successful hosting of China’s first import expo, the city continued to drive China’s import agenda. As China pledged further opening-up, this gathering will be remembered as a new beginning for China’s import history. (Xinhua)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Diaspora examines Guyanese migration to NYC

Co-organiser of the panel, Karen Wharton

MEMBERS of the Guyanese diaspora in New York City will be joining with the Brooklyn Historical Society and the Guyana Modern to examine Guyanese migration to NYC and raise awareness on the population.

This examination will be done through a panel discussion entitled “Brooklyn’s Guyana”.

According to information from the Brooklyn Society, while Brooklyn is widely-known as home to one of the largest Caribbean diasporas in the world, lesser known is the presence of Guyanese-Americans, the fifth largest immigrant population in New York City.

The society will be joining with the Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni Association, New York (QCAANY) Chapter and the Guyana Modern, an online platform that celebrates the vibrant artistic production and culture springing from Guyana and its diasporic communities.

Immediate past president of the QCAANY and co-organiser of the panel, Karen Wharton, told the Guyana Chronicle that the purpose of the event is to

raise awareness of the social, economic and political impact of Guyanese migration on Brooklyn.

She explained that there are a number of Guyanese and people of Guyanese heritage who are making great strides, but these strides often go unnoticed.

“Ours is an underrated community,” she posited, and shared: “Hopefully, this discussion will help us realise our collective potential and to raise awareness of our influence in Brooklyn and NYC as a whole.”

The discussion will be led by Grace Aneiza Ali, an assistant professor of Art & Public Policy at New York University (NYU), and will feature three of Guyana’s leading female literary voices to explore the politics and role of migration in Brooklyn’s dynamic community.

These women are Ingrid Griffith, playwright for Demerara Gold; Natalie Hopkinson, author of ‘A Mouth is Always Muzzled’; and Rosalind Kilkenny McLymont, author of ‘The Guyana Contract’.

It is expected that they will reflect on the importance of Guyanese women, who since the 1950s, have been a driving force in migration from the Caribbean to New York City.

Speaking on behalf of the alumni association, Wharton mentioned also, that the QCAANY would be happy to host similar programmes in the future.

The event will be held on Thursday, November 20 at 18:30 hours at the Great Hall of Brooklyn Historical Society’s Brooklyn Heights location, at 128 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn, NY. Tickets can be purchased in advance or in person at $5 for the general public and free for members.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Support for parents with Zika-affected children …USAID, Gov’t roll out intensive training for health workers

By Svetlana Marshall MEDICAL personnel operating under the Public Health Ministry are being equipped with the requisite skills and knowledge needed to provide psychosocial support to parents and

caregivers of Zika-affected children.

On Tuesday, a training of trainers’ workshop opened at Cara Lodge under the USAID Zika Maternal and Child Survival Project, where medical personnel from a wide cross-section of areas were

in attendance.

The U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Terry Steers-Gonzalez, said the two-day forum will equip the medical personnel with coping skills and strategies to effectively manage daily challenges and improve

health outcomes.

“As we know, caring for children with disabilities presents unique challenges.

Highlighting the impact that parental stress and depression can have on children’s development, the training will prepare mental health,

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Terry Steers-Gonzalez

physiotherapy and rehabilitation professionals to roll-out national training on clinical and non-clinical aspects of care of affected infants and children,” the U.S Embassy deputy chief of mission explained.

Staff will also be trained on how to teach caregivers to conduct recovery therapies at home and early infant and child stimulation. Guyana recorded its first Zika case back in January 2016, at a time when other countries in the region were being faced with the disease for the very first time as well. By February 1, 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared Zika a public health emergency of international concern. It was not long after that the U.S. Government launched its Zika project, aimed at reducing the number of pregnancies negatively affected by the Zika virus infection.

“Zika continues to pose a serious threat to public health across the Caribbean and in Guyana,” the U.S Embassy deputy chief of mission said, adding “we all saw the recent story about the World Health Organisation (WHO) having ‘downgraded’ the Zika threat for the entire Caribbean, but hopefully all in this room understand how wrong that story was. The truth is that Zika continues to be transmitted in the Caribbean, but at lower levels than during the outbreak two years ago.”

He said the U.S Centre for Disease Control is still registering cases of Zika infection among American tourists returning from the Caribbean, and as a result it maintains its warning that pregnant women should not travel to areas with risk of Zika. The Caribbean, including Guyana, has been listed as an area of risk.

As such, it is important for the issues linked to the disease to remain on the priority list of matters to be con-

tinuously addressed, he said.

“The multi-faceted Zika project, which is implemented throughout the region, supports vector control, maternal and child health, and behaviour change communities. The Zika project is also partnering with dedicated public health specialists to improve the capacity of providers, to counsel pregnant women and their partners on the risks of Zika infection to newborns,” he explained.

The U.S Embassy deputy chief of mission said at this stage, raising awareness is critical to effect the necessary lifestyle changes, and reduce the likelihood of the disease spreading.

It was pointed out that just last week, sensitisation activities were carried out in 165 schools, 150 health centres and across 60 local communities, in collaboration with the Guyana Red Cross Society. “This initiative, which covered select communities in seven regions, included community clean-ups to destroy mosquito breeding grounds. In addition, the project supported the establishment of quality improvement teams at 10 health facilities, and the training of 20 healthcare workers, and 25 occupational therapists in the care of small babies and Zika-affected infants,” he explained.

The U.S Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission noted that most of the activities here focus on prevention and treatment, however, he said, the U.S. and its partner – the Public Health Ministry is cognisant that this is more than just physical health, but that it has significant psychological and social implications, hence the hosting of the training forum.

Director of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Services at the Public Health Ministry, Arianne Mangar, was among the officials present.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Trial in $24M drug bust to resume Nov 21 THE $24M cocaine trafficking trial against five men on Tuesday continued before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court with the testimony of a Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officer.

On trial are Khemraj Lall, 39, and Doodnauth Chattergoon, 36, both of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); Marlon Lawrence, 36, of Felicity, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Rajendra Persaud, 47, of Liliendaal, ECD; and Cleve Thornhill.

The five men are jointly charged with trafficking 35 kilograms of cannabis and 13.8 kilograms of cocaine on June 6, 2018 at Parika. All five men pleaded not guilty to the charge.

A total of eight witnesses

are expected to be called by CANU Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford. Two witnesses had already completed their evidence. The matter is adjourned until November 21.

According to reports, CANU ranks on June 6, 2018 at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, intercepted the five men with the cocaine and cannabis stashed in false bottoms of two 15-gallon gas bottles.

CANU was able to make the bust after receiving information regarding a shipment of drugs arriving at Parika from Charity in a speed boat.

Acting on the information received, CANU officers then went to the Parika location where they intercepted motor vehicles PSS 8019 and PVV 7934. In one motor car were Lawrence and Persaud, while Thornhill

Minibus driver gets two years –for causing death by dangerous driving AFTER a somewhat lengthy trial, a 33-yearold minibus driver was on Monday found guilty of causing the death of 43-year-old Franklyn Dover and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

The sentence was handed down to Jamal Lowe of Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD) by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate McLennan, in making her ruling, stated that the prosecution had made its case; that the defendant had failed to drive his minibus with caution and in a proper manner; and that had he been paying attention to the road, he would have seen the deceased trying to cross it ahead of him.

Dover, of First Street, Bartica, was knocked down

by Lowe on August 8 this year while attempting to cross the East Bank Public Road at Covent Garden.

Lowe’s lawyer, Clevaun Humphrey asked the magistrate to be lenient when passing sentence since his client is the sole breadwinner for his family and the father of two, and had never before found himself in such a predicament.

He said, too, that rather

Jamal Lowe

than run away when the accident occurred, his client had not only taken the victim to the hospital, but also turned himself in to the police and given a statement.

The magistrate duly took into consideration all that Lowe’s attorney said, but she could not overlook the fact that a life was lost, hence the sentence.

and the other co-accused were in the other.

The vehicles were searched and two blue 15-gallon gas bottles were found with the bottoms cut and covered with brown paste. A further examination of the containers revealed several packages with some containing cannabis and others containing the suspected cocaine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Toshaos get land to build secretariat …GLSC hands over lease to NTC chair

THE Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) on Tuesday presented a lease to the National Toshaos Council (NTC) for a plot of land identified at Sophia for it to construct a multi-purpose complex to house its secretariat.

The Indigenous leaders, during the 2016 NTC con-

ference, had requested a plot of land from the government to construct its long-awaited secretariat. During a brief handing- over ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Trevor L. Benn, reminded the toshaos that the GLSC

had expedited the request of the NTC to have the land available. “There has been a lease available since February for the National Toshaos Counil”, he said, while addressing the toshaos and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe at the simple ceremony.

Members of the NTC pose with Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; GLSC Commissioner Trevor Benn and NTC Chairman Nicholas Fredricks

Mr. Benn also called for greater dialogue between the GLSC and the NTC, noting that, that is the only way a number of land-related issues

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commissioner Trevor Benn hands over the lease to Chairman of the National Toshaos Council Mr. Nicholas Fredricks

affecting the indigenous communities could be addressed.

“We at the GLSC have an open-door policy and we are prepared to work with you to have your issues addressed; we may not be able to do so individually, but as a body, I can assure you that we are going to look closely at the land- related issues affecting your various communities,” Benn assured the toshaos.

To this end, Mr. Benn also pledged the support of the legal section of the GLSC to assist the NTC on land-related matters they may encounter. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and the National Toshaos Council, will be working together to identify a larger plot of land for the establishment of a complex.

That complex will include dormitories to accommodate toshaos, conference rooms and other facilities as promised by President David Granger earlier this year.

Minister Garrido-Lowe praised the GL&SC for expediting the process on behalf of the NTC and also called for a better working relationship between the GL&SC and the NTC: “That is the only way the matters we hear about daily about your lands are going to be addressed; you cannot have two and three persons sharing different views on a matter and expect that it will be addressed”, She said. “ Meet with your people, sit as a council and then raise concrete issues with the lands commission, so that those matters could be addressed and be addressed speedily,” the minister advised.

Meanwhile, Chairman

of the NTC Mr. Nicholas Fredricks expressed his willingness to work hand-in-hand with the GL&SC to advance the relationship between the two bodies. Fredricks pointed out that in most indigenous communities, the burning issue is about land and therefore, he said, the GL&SC is a crucial partner in advancing the development of Indigenous communities.

“If we look at most of the Indigenous communities today, one of the most consistent issues is that of land; most persons have issues with their lands and because of this, development is slow in some of those communities, because there is not so much you can do on disputed lands”, he reasoned. “So my fellow colleagues, we see the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission as a very important partner that will aid in our development and we must be prepared to work with them to have those issues affecting us addressed”, he said.

Mr. Fredricks, also thanked the GL&SC for fast-tracking the NTC’s lease, pointing out that it signals the beginning of great things to come for the Indigenous peoples. “So much we can do with our own secretariat, our own land and this is just the beginning of great things to come,” he said. Toshaos from the various Indigenous communities raised a number of land-related issues with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; the commission, through Mr. Benn, has promised that those issues will be looked and be addressed once they fall within the ambit of the GL&SC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum…

CDB champions call for resilient energy sector

Tessa Williams Robertson, former Head of the CDB Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency Unit, received the CREF Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement in Energy Leadership, during the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, held in Miami, Florida, from November 7 to 9, 2018.

IMPROVING the resilience of the Region’s energy sector, especially when it comes to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, must be a priority for all countries in the Caribbean.

The theme of resilience was brought into focus during the presentations of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) at the just concluded 2018 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) in Miami, Florida, from November 7 to 9.

Speaking during the opening of the Island Resiliency Action Challenge event, on November 7, CDB Vice-President (Operations) Monica La Bennett noted that the energy sector is central to every country’s goal of achieving sustainable development; she emphasised the importance of improving the resilience of the electricity grid.

“The Region has identified improving the resilience of electricity systems and by extension, the energy sector, as a key component of its energy matrix transformation.

Any plan for improving the resilience of our electricity systems must be seen as part of the overall strategy for building economic resilience.

In fact, it must now be seen as an imperative linked to

the very sustainability and survival of our Region,” said La Bennett.

The vice-president noted that even as countries continue to pursue renewable-energy solutions, they must seek to ensure that decisions are underpinned by careful analysis of the associated costs and benefits. She therefore encouraged stakeholders to make use of concessionary resources such as those available through the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund. La Bennett observed that determining the level of resilience to be incorporated and the associated investment required, will require that several areas be considered.

“Arriving at the correct answer will involve an iterative process of discovery and learning, informed by national, regional and international experiences. This, in turn, provides opportunities for innovation, collaboration and sharing of information among countries. In order to ensure fair allocation of the costs to be absorbed by consumers, the right regulatory framework must be in place,” said La Bennett.

The Island Resiliency Action Challenge was sponsored by CDB with the support of the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Support to the Energy Sector in the Caribbean Fund. During the workshop, participants discussed how to improve resilience and invest scarce human and capital resources over the next 12 months, in order to create climate-resilient electricity grids.

During CREF, CDB also participated in the panel discussion, “The True Cost of Resilience”, on November 8. On November 9, the bank took part in “The Big Geothermal Debate”, which explored the role of geothermal energy in the Region’s energy matrix. In addition, Tessa Williams Robertson, former Head of CDB’s Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency Unit, received the CREF Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement in Energy Leadership. Conferred

by New Energy Events, organisers of CREF, the award recognises leaders in the Caribbean energy sector who are making a lasting impact on resilient and renewable energy.

While at CREF, ener-

gy specialists at the CDB also held discussions with stakeholders in the sector and hosted participants at their booth, further explaining the role that the bank plays in supporting sustainable energy in the Region. CREF, which

celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, is the largest gathering of the Caribbean’s energy market.

Over 500 representatives from governments, utilities, multilateral institutions, renewable energy firms and academia attended.

(L-R) Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change, Patricia Fuller, and Vice-President (Operations), CDB, Monica La Bennett, pose for a photo at the CDB booth during the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, held in Miami, Florida, from November 7 to 9, 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Universal screening for gestational diabetes A TEAM of medical specialists are working towards ensuring that there is universal screening for gestational diabetes in Guyana, which will protect women and their babies countrywide, from pregnancy complications and even death.

Local Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Judy Hung told the newspaper that between December 2016 and June 2018 a total of 1,224 pregnant women have been screened for diabetes with a total of 297 women being found positive.

The screening is being done under a three-year programme which began in December 2016 and is being conducted in collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); the University of Toronto and the Guyana Diabetes Association.

The screenings were mostly conducted at the GPHC and two other health centers in Georgetown between 24 to 37 weeks of pregnancy, as signs of gestational diabetes usually

show up in the late second or third trimester.

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy and, for about 50 per cent of women, the condition goes away after the baby is born.

Dr. Hung revealed that the consequences of gestational diabetes cannot only endanger the baby, but can also put the life of the pregnant mother at great risk. “When the mommy has diabetes, the risk for the mommy can see her having a miscarriage; she can have congenital malformations in the baby; she can get preterm labour; it increases the risk of you having hypertension in pregnancy; it increases the risk of having intrauterine foetal death which means that the baby would just die without any known cause,” she said, adding: “What we worry about too is that the baby can grow very big [called] macrosomia which can lead to caesarean section; it can lead to the mommy having shoulder dystocia, which is

when the baby’s shoulders become lodged in the mommy and it’s very difficult for the mommy to deliver that baby; and it can cause postpartum haemorrhage.”

The five major complications found among the women screened and their percentages are hypertension - 47 per cent; caesarean section - 41 per cent; postpartum hemorrhage - 5 per cent; shoulder dystocia - 2.4 per cent and still birth 1.3 per cent.

Prior to the screening being provided, Dr. Hung said that there was not much systematic gathering of information regarding the number of women with gestational diabetes or suffering complications as a result.

However, the obstetrician and gynaecologist could now state: “Once you are diabetic you’re delivered a little bit earlier…we would be monitoring the baby more and that’s how came to do a lot of C-sections because most of the C-sections that I noticed in my charts and the information selected were due to the baby having foetal distress, so we are now able to monitor more.”

The act of universal screening for gestational diabetes for pregnant women is not a new introduction as it is being conducted in other countries around the world.

Speaking further on its endorsement, Dr. Hung said: “It is recommended by different international organisations like the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, that all pregnant women should have a universal screening. Before, we never did screening like that, what we did was ask your history and if you had like a bad outcome in your pregnancy they would then send you to do the screening,” Hung said.

With results coming in and more time still left on the programme, the team is hoping to gain the support of the government in expanding the screening to other regions so that more women can have safer pregnancies and deliveries.

“We want to have a sustainable screening programme to be done. So, once we have convincing figures that we can show the Ministry of Health that we should be doing universal screening for all pregnant women in Guyana, we can go to the Ministry of Health and [petition] for this screening to be done countrywide,” Dr. Hung said.

She further explained that the assistance of the ministry would be critical as financial support is needed to sustain the project which is now being funded by other associations.

Needed to do the screening is glucose; scales; personnel; special tubes to place blood samples and a centrifuge machine which spins the samples.

Speaking on the awareness of gestational diabetes, Dr. Hung stated: “Most women don’t know about diabetes in pregnancy. The test is a bit tedious because you have to take three blood samples after fasting the night and then in the morning you have to drink the glucose…but in general you’re diagnosed early for diabetes; you’re monitored early and from our surveys we’re able to see how many women think it has helped them.”

With this in mind, pregnant women who meet the criteria between 24 to 37 weeks of pregnancy are asked to take special interest in ensuring that they protect themselves and their baby from the condition and its effects.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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Stakeholders to take stock of Region’s sustainable energy drive at CSEF in Belize Energy experts in the Caribbean and beyond, policymakers and private sector representatives are among officials heading to Belize next week for the sixth edition of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF), the CARICOM Secretariat has said.

The forum will be held in Placencia on November 18-21, under the theme ‘Clean Energy, Good Governance & Regulations’.

The CSEF VI is being co-hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Government of Belize, in partnership with the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) and the Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR). Key sponsorship and technical support for the staging of the CSEF VI will be provided by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Technical Assistance Programme for Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean (TAPSEC), which is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ); the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE); the Organisation of American States (OAS); the Public Utilities Commission (PUC); Belize Electricity Limited; and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF).

The forum is one of the premier events being held during CARICOM Energy Month. A CARICOM biennial event, CSEF provides the opportunity for key stakeholders to take stock of the current state and realign their outlook on the pursuit of a sustainable energy pathway within the Region.

CSEF-VI will focus on the development of a deeper understanding on the “right” support frameworks and partnerships that are necessary to unlock the finances to deliver affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for citizens and businesses within CARICOM. This year, more than 100 participants are expected at the Forum which formally opens on the evening of November

18 at the Placencia Hotel.

From thereon, keynote lectures, as well plenary, concurrent and special sessions, including a high-level ministerial Panel 19-20 November, will be held. The high-level ministerial panel will focus on key areas of Regional energy security and climate resilience. Ministers and high-level government officials with responsibility for energy in Barbados, Belize, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago, are on the panel.

Climate change and resilience will be the focus of several other panels. Those discussions will be framed in the context of geopolitics and governance; the unprecedented challenges associated with climate, energy and disaster risks; and identifying what needs to be done to achieve regional energy security and climate resilience. Apart from government ministers, the lineup of forum speakers includes heads of CARICOM Institution, high level CARICOM Secretariat officials, international partners in the field of energy, regional regulatory specialists, academia and communications specialists.

The other topics the panels and special sessions will cover include the role of CCREEE in envisioning the acceleration of a clean energy marketing development in CARICOM; reducing the implementation deficit; island-appropriate clean energy development, making the Caribbean climate-smart and the clean energy transition in CARICOM. The two concurrent technical workshops to be held on November 21 will address utility business models and innovation in rate making and Implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the Energy and Transport Sectors.

A field visit is also planned. The forum was previously held in St. Georges, Grenada (July 2008); Montego Bay, Jamaica (June 2010); Frigate Bay, St. Kitts (September 2012); and St. Michael’s, Barbados (November 2014); and Nassau, The Bahamas (January 2017).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Cross-dressing law unconstitutional …CCJ rules for transgender Guyanese women

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled that the criminalisation of cross-dressing in Guyana is “unconstitutional”, leading the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) to hail the decision as a “monumental victory for Guyana”.

The matter, which had come up under the former People’s Progressive Party Civic administration, was outsourced to the chambers of Cameron and Shepherd and was represented by attorneys Selwyn Pieters and Kamal Ramkarran.

SASOD now wants training to commence in Guyana for the country’s law enforcement; judiciary and social society, to guard against discrimination against those who will now be exercising their freedom to cross-dress.

On Tuesday, the CCJ, Guyana’s highest court, made the announcement stating that the law, Section 153(1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act which makes it criminal, is to be “struck from the laws of Guyana.”

The decision comes following the conclusion of the case of Quincy McEwan, Seon Clarke, Joseph Fraser, Seyon Persaud and SASOD versus the Attorney General of Guyana.

The case has its origin in the February 2009 arrest of the four appellants, who identify as transgender persons and were detained, convicted and punished for cross-dressing in public.

At the time of the arrest, McEwan was dressed in a pink shirt and a pair of tights and Clarke was wearing slippers and a skirt, while Fraser and Persaud were dressed in skirts and were wearing wigs.

While in custody, Fraser was denied legal counsel, medical attention, a telephone call and a statement. Also, all four spent the entire weekend in police custody without any explanation. They all pleaded guilty to the cross-dressing charge and McEwan, Clarke and Persaud were fined G$7,500, while Fraser was fined G$19,500.

With the assistance of SASOD, proceedings were brought in the High Court of Guyana challenging the law on several grounds, including that it is discriminatory and inconsistent with the Constitution of Guyana.

Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Guyana had denied the constitutional challenges, after which the appellants took their case to the CCJ. The CCJ panel, comprising of the Honourable President Justice Saunders and Justices Wit, Anderson, Rajnauth-Lee and Barrow, agreed that the law was from a different time and no longer served any legitimate purpose in Guyana.

“Law and society are dynamic, not static. A Constitution must be read as a whole. Courts should be astute to avoid hindrances that would deter them from interpreting the Constitution in a manner faithful to its essence and its underlying spirit.

“If one part of the Constitution appears to run up against an individual fundamental right, then, in interpreting the Constitution as a whole, courts should place a premium on affording the citizen his/her enjoyment of the fundamental right, unless there is some overriding public interest,” Justice Saunders stated.When the Guyana Chronicle contacted Founder and Co-Chairperson of SASOD Joel Simpson, he relayed the general feeling of the body on the ruling. “The community of trans persons, gender non-confirming persons; LGBTQ Guyanese and Caribbean people are elated by this victory. We’re astonished that we won on all grounds that we claimed, every single one,” he said, adding: “There’s a lot of jubilation and plans of having community celebrations as you can imagine. This has been a long battle.

These crackdowns started in February 2009…and we filed the case later in February 2010. So, it’s a court battle over eight years and even longer if you think about the initial violation.

[It makes] people excited; they’re in jubilation.”

Simpson said that those in the community will now be exercising their right to cross-dress as they please and with a new level of comfort, knowing that they cannot be prosecuted by law. Questioned whether SASOD intends to pursue other laws they believe are contradicting to human rights, Simpson said that it is too soon for him to make a pronouncement as focus is now being placed on the implementation of the decision.

Added to this, the body wants to ensure that even as the CCJ ruling takes effect, members of the LGBTQ community do not continue to face discrimination regarding cross dressing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Cocaine-in-lumber four to lead defence A PRIMA facie case against motorcycle racer Stephen Vieira and three other men, including a former customs official, for trafficking $550M worth of cocaine was on Tuesday made out against them.

The ruling was made at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool against a no-case submission made by defence lawyers Latchmie Rahamat, Everton Lammy-Singh, Glen Hanoman and Nigel Hughes.

Magistrate Liverpool explained that after reviewing the submission made by the defence and by Customs Anti-narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Kunyo Sandiford, she found that a prima facie case was made out and called upon the four defendants to lead their defence.

The matter was adjourned until December 11 and December 12, 2018, for the men to lead their defence in court.

Customs Officer Sherwayne De Abreu of Street Eight, Section ‘A’ Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown; Vieira of Middle Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown; businessman Tazim Gafoor and his son, Nazim Gafoor, a motor car racer, both of Menzies Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, are on trial for aiding Hakim Mohamed to traffic 84.986 kilograms of cocaine between March 1 and May 2, 2017.

The four defendants are currently out on $5M bail each, which was granted

by Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire in the High Court. They were first

charged and remanded on May 30, 2017.

According to reports, the bust was made after CANU officials received a tip-off on May 12 last year. When the ranks acted, dressed lumber boards were being packed onto a truck. The truck driver and porters were arrested, but were subsequently released after it was discovered that the vehicle and its workers were hired to transport the timber.

The drug agency, in a release, said that ranks conducted a search on the parapet in front of the premises of Mohamed and searched a truck laden with several pallets of 1×6 dressed lumber boards prepared for export.

Several pieces of boards were drilled randomly by the ranks and a whitish substance was revealed (cocaine). The lumber, which belonged to Narine Lall, was packed at a sawmill located at Lookout, East Bank Essequibo, to be transported to a wharf in Georgetown and then shipped to the United States of America, CANU stated.

According to reports, Vieira is listed on the shipping documents as a representative of the shipper, Lall.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Lall, according to CANU. Tazim was placed before the court, charged for his role in another cocaine matter.

The 43-year-old man was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice last year September, following the discovery of over nine kilograms of cocaine.

FROM PAGE 34

Cross-dressing...

Simpson made reference to the CCJ’s report which stated that the magistrate of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, upon imposing the sentence to the individuals, had told them to “go to church and give their lives to Jesus” as they were confused about their sexuality.

Regarding this, the CCJ remarked: “judicial officers may not use the bench to proselytise, whether before, during or after the conclusion of court proceedings. Secularism is one of the cornerstones upon which the Republic of Guyana rests.”

Simpson added his stance, saying: “[Moving forward] means doing things like training police officers, training judicial officers because there was a very inappropriate remark made by then acting Magistrate…the court said that was very inappropriate. You can’t use the bench to preach your religion.

So, we recognise too, that when people are the victims of hate crime they must be able to go to court and access justice without being ridiculed for who they are.

He stated further: “[There should also be training for] persons involved in the social sectors because where persons suffer the most discrimination is at the hands of family, school, faith group, social institutions, every-day institutions.”

SASOD also hopes that the CCJ ruling will put an end to the “arbitrary rejection” by some magistrates in allowing crossed-dressed persons to enter their courtrooms.

Apart from Section 153(1) (xlvii) that the CCJ ordered to be struck from the country’s laws; the CCJ has stated that costs are also to be awarded to the appellants in the appeal before the CCJ and in the courts below.

–when case resumes in Dec.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 09:30hrs. - 11:00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

Feeling is ...

Jamaica’s 306 points at the end of yesterday was enough to ensure that they outscored second-place finishers Guyana who only made 281 points.

Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, had an outlandish win for the third time in as many years, almost outscoring second-placed Barbados 2-1.

The Twin Island Republic 1 359 points was a long way from Barbados’ 723, and even though Guyana hosted the final leg, they could only finish third on 579, barely eclipsing Jamaica’s 548.

On the brighter side, for a second year running one of the oldest men racing, Andrew King, secured the Group four trophy.

His battle with Mark Vieira for that championship came down to the wire and when it mattered most, the King stamped his authority.

It did not matter that

From back page

Barbados’ Mark Maloney was docked 10 seconds for a false start, Andrew just needed to outscore his countryman and he did.

“Yeah, it’s been a great year. We just got the car working and we are now learning the setups. We have Trinidad and Barbados working and Guyana are at home. We have put Jamaica on the agenda for next year,” King said.

He concluded, “I want to thank the team, the Guys, Bat, Spanner, Justin and the rest of the guys that made this possible.”

King’s 142 points meant that he outscored Vieira by 12 points at the end of the day.

Elsewhere, group 5, which had no rounds in Guyana, was picked up by Barbadian Maloney and the remaining groups 3, 2 and one were snapped up

by Trinidadians Ronald Wortman, Marc Gill and Aqeeb Ali respectively.

American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Magnetron Race 2 Chosen One Elijah Race 3 Demarchelier Race 4 Magician’s Vanity Race 5 Satin Sheets Race 6 Point To Remember Race 7 Colonel Tom Race 8 Wild With Style

English Racing Tips Ayr 08:35 hrs Derriana Spirit 09:10 hrs Sam’s Adventure 09:40 hrs Mumgos Debut 10:15 hrs Hidden Dilemma 10:45 hrs Sophie Olivia 11:20 hrs Swingbridge 11:50 hrs Dona Katharina

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:35 hrs Eden Gardens Glitz 09:10 hrs Queen’s Plain 09:50 hrs Captain Irish 10:25 hrs Laat Lammetjie 11:00 hrs Galaxy Tunes 11:30 hrs Fair Antonia

Bangor 08:45 hrs Just Minded 09:20 hrs Maria’s Benefit 09:50 hrs Barney Dawn 10:25 hrs Phoenix Way 10:55 hrs Whatmore 11:30 hrs Fontley House 12:00 hrs Nelson River

Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 08:20 hrs Monatomic 08:50 hrs Moyhenna 09:25 hrs Well Tom 09:55 hrs Batts Rock 10:30 hrs Stay Humble 11:00 hrs Honeysuckle 11:35 hrs Fintown Boy

Exeter 09:00 hrs Orchard Thieves 09:30 hrs Mogestic 10:05 hrs Cornish Warrior 10:35 hrs Just A Sting 11:10 hrs Black Op 11:40 hrs Nayati 12:15 hrs Evidence De Thaix

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

Taijul helps Bangladesh tighten their grip despite Taylor ton BRENDAN Taylor hit his fifth Test century but Taijul Islam had the last word in Dhaka to boost Bangladesh’s hopes of a series-levelling victory over Zimbabwe.

Replying to Bangladesh’s mammoth first-innings score of 522-7, the tourists ended day three in the second Test 304 all out, meaning they still trail by 218 runs.

the aid of the review system, Zimbabwe’s innings subsided quickly in the final session.

Taylor became the seventh batsman to depart when his knock of 110 came to an end in specular fashion, a diving Taijul clinging on to a stunning catch in the deep.

Zimbabwe lost two more wickets prior to the close of play and with Tendai Chatara

slow left-armer dismissed Regis Chakabva with what turned out to be the final ball of Monday’s play, aided by a sharp catch by Mominul Haque at short leg.

Opener Brian Chari had earlier made 53 before departing to Mehidy Hasan, who backed up fellow spinner Taijul with 3-61 from 20 overs.

GUYOIL Tradewind Tankers Football tournament

Charlestown thrash St Roses 8-0

IT was a goal-scoring frenzy as the GUYOIL Tradewind Tankers schools football league continued Monday afternoon at the Ministry of Education ground.

In the first game, Annandale beat Marian Academy 2-0.

Jamar Harringon and Sean Haywood were the determining factors in that 2-0 victory.

Their goals came in the space of two minutes, Harringon then Haywood, with the final whistle going without any more successful strikes.

In the second game of the day, Charlestown trounced St Roses 8-0.

A pair of hat- tricks from Raymond Bandhu (7th, 9th and th 24 ) and Carlos Agard (13th, 44th and 48th) ensured that the goal fest saw strikes from all sides.

Isaiah Moore (15th) and Tariq Pryce (21st) also assisted in the onslaught.

Taijul Islam draws first blood on a day he dominated. (AFP)

SCOREBOARD

Brendan Taylor’s fifth Test century gives Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope. (AFP)

They had at one stage slipped to 131-5 before Taylor combined with Peter Moor to put on a 139-run stand that held up the home side’s progress either side of the tea interval.

However, once the partnership was broken, Ariful Haque trapping Moor lbw for a career-best 83 despite the batsman attempting to overturn the on-field decision with

unable to bat, due to a leg injury, they face the prospect of being asked to follow-on by home skipper Mahmudullah.

Taijul (5-107) was the pick of the Bangladesh attack, claiming his third successive five-wicket haul in the longest format after taking 11 in a losing cause in the first Test in Sylhet.

Having knocked over four of Zimbabwe’s top six, the

BANGLADESH first innings 522 for seven declared ZIMBABWE 1st innings Hamilton Masakadza c Mehedi Hasan b Taijul Islam 14 Brian Chari c Mominul Haque b Mehedi Hasan

53 Donald Tiripano c Mehedi Hasan b Taijul Islam

8 Brendan Taylor c Taijul Islam b Mehedi Hasan

110 Sean Williams b Taijul Islam

11 Sikandar Raza b Taijul Islam

0 Peter Moor lbw Ariful Haque

83 Regis Chakabva c Mominul Haque b Taijul Islam

10 Brandon Mavuta c Ariful Haque b Mehedi Hasan

0 Kyle Jarvis not out

9 Extras: (b-5, lb-1) 6 Total: (all out, 105.3 overs) 304 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-40, 3-96 i, 4-129, 5-131, 6-270, 7-290, 8-290, 9-304.

Bowling; Mustafizur Rahman 21-8-58-0, Khaled Ahmed 187-48-0, Taijul Islam 40.3-10-107-5, Mehedi Hasan 20-3-61-3, Mahmudullah 2-0-14-0, Ariful Haque 4-2-10-1.

Part of the action in Monday’s GUYOIL’ Tradewind Takers football tourney

High fives at Mercedes as Hamilton sets sights on more

By Alan Baldwin BRIXWORTH, England (Reuters) - Five-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton vowed to raise the bar further next year, as he told Mercedes factory staff yesterday never to stop believing in what they can achieve.

Fresh from Brazil, where he won Sunday’s race and Mercedes completed a record-equalling fifth consecutive constructors’ and drivers’ title double, the Briton thanked the massed men and women driving the team’s success and set his sights on more.

He and Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas also joined in a red cap salute to absent non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, the Austrian three-time world champion who is recovering from a lung transplant done in August.

“I do believe this team can do it again,” Hamilton told Reuters after being surrounded by staff seek-

ing selfies and autographs, with five title-winning cars lined up outside the Brixworth high performance engine facility.

“I do believe that we have the capability and there’s an opportunity there. It just depends how much work we put in from

now until the start of the season.

“You’ve got to imagine the opposition is going to be raising the bar, Red Bull are going to be raising the bar with the change within their team.

So we’ve got to take a step up.”

Hamilton has won 10 of 20 grands prix and taken 10 pole positions this season, with one race remaining in Abu Dhabi next week.

Closest rivals Ferrari won six with Red Bull switching from Renault to Honda engines in 2019 - the rest in the toughest

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates with team members after winning the race.

(REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

title battle Mercedes have fought since the V6 turbo hybrid era started in 2014.

Hamilton has hardly put a wheel wrong, unlike Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel whose title challenge again fell apart, but the 33-year-old Briton still saw room for improvement.

“I’ve not been on top of everything. There are always areas that you can understand and improve on,” he said after a team photograph with everyone raising hands in a high five.

“But ultimately we have a really good foundation so we’ve just got to keep on building. It’s just about being strategic and being really selective and think how you go about the process.

“And as a driver myself individually I’ve just got to try and find where the weak areas are and see if I can improve them,” he added.

AREAS TO IMPROVE Team boss Toto Wolff told Reuters there had already been a discussion

that morning with engineers about 2019.

“We said, ‘How can we get better next year, where are the areas to improve?’,” said the Austrian. “I’d like to take it a step up.”

Hamilton had said in Brazil that returning to the factories would be emotional, telling every member of the team they should look in the mirror and say ‘I’m a legend’.

He added yesterday that meant taking pride in the achievements and celebrating, while avoiding complacency.

“You’ve got to have that self-belief that you’ve got the ability and that you’re great and you can be great if you work towards it,” he said.

“It is what is enabling us to do what we are doing and achieving.

“We have just done something quite legendary, collectively as a team.

It’s not a bad thing to acknowledge how well we’ve done. Acknowledge it, absorb it and want to do better.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

Veteran star Mithali Raj happy with India newcomers ....plans to retire from T20Is after current World T20

By Brij Parasnath MITHALI Raj, India’s One Day Internationals world record holder, produced another sterling batting performance that helped her team maintain their unbeaten streak in the current Women World T20 competition.

The attractive righthander compiled a match-winning 56 that piloted India to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their dramatic Group B second round encounter at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on Sunday.

Following a question from this correspondent as to what motivates her to keep going in this demanding T20 format after their wonderful performance at the ICC Women’s World Cup (50-overs) competition last year when they reached the final but lost to England at Lords, India’s most decorated woman cricketer made her feelings known that the current 2018 edition will probably be her final ICC Women’s World T20 competition.

The 35-year-old, who represented India in a record 194 ODIs and amassed a world record 6,373 runs, expressed

the pride of donning national colours and the need to help the younger players settle into their senior team and be fully ready for the demands of the game at the highest levels.

highest level) wearing the India colours.”

“But yes, when you also think that the team has gone through a lot of transition, and there are a lot of youngsters

India captain Mithali Raj

She remarked that: “I see that representing the country is the biggest motivation and inspiration, no matter how many years you spend there (playing at the

in the side, so at some point, more than myself, whether I would be able to give the best or not.”

“There are times when I think about the team, whether

UDFA GTT 2017/18 Senior League

Noel’s hat-trick hands Topp XX 3-0 blanking of Shattas …Ward Panthers, Winners Connection play to 0-0 draw

By Joe Chapman TOPP XX shut out Silver Shattas 3-0, as both teams ended their campaign on Sunday night, as Amelia’s Ward Panthers and Winners Connection continued their battle for third and fourth positions with a nil-all draw in the Upper Demerara Football Association’s GTT 2017/18 Senior League championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

By virtue of a hat-trick of goals from midfield player Ryan Noel, Topp XX registered their second win after eight matches in the nineteam championship to finish with two wins and one draw along with five defeats - a record which is similar to that of their opponents Shattas.

However, with a goal difference of minus three to Shattas’ minus five, Topp XX would finish ahead of Shattas in the points race.

Noel was the spark that

set the game up for Topp XX’s eventual win. Ten minutes after a goal-less first-half session he was part of an initial buildup.

It was completed as Keon Hall set a through pass for Noel to finish from on top of the 18-yard box sending the ball into the far right hand corner for a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.

Topp XX were having their way coming through the link when the second goal materialised from a oneon-one play, Rudy Halley relayed a good cross from the left flank to a charging Noel in the six-yard box.

Noel then finished that fluid movement and made it 2-0 for Topp XX in the 83rd minute of play.

Now with the game seemingly in their favour, Topp XX maintained their upper hand. Jamal Bentick received a pass, coming from a brave sliding tackle from Hall and the midfield ball movement saw Bentick dart goal-wards

only to be brought down in the box.

From that, the resultant penalty was converted by Noel in the 87th minute as Topp XX gained a moral-eboosting win and came away with a deserved 3-0 victoty.

The second game was competitive but neither team Winners Connection or Amelia’s Ward Panthers could find the back of the net after several near misses by both teams.

The eventual drawn game meant that the battle for third and fourth places were truly on. Winners Connection (13 points) and the Ward Panthers (14) with one game in hand cannot move either Eagles United or Net Rockers, who are up front on 198 points with two games left and an unblemished record at that.

Tonight Net Rockers face Hi Stars in the first game at 19:00 hrs and Botofago face Blueberry Hill from 21:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

it is the right time to move forward, and I believe that now the team is settling, so it could probably be the last World Cup for me, the WT20 format,” added the former national captain who smiled and kept her full intentions a secret communiqué (her innermost thoughts) for another time.

Despite all the drama of the penalty runs deducted from the Pakistan’s team, Raj and her very talented opening partner, Smite Mandan, resumed their partnership at the top of the order after a strategic change in the opening encounter against the powerful New Zealand team that comprised many celebrated world stars in their line-up, including T20Is world aggregate record holder, Suzie Bates and Captain Amy Satherwaite.

Raj did not get to bat after her younger counterparts, especially new captain Harmanpreet Kaur who demolished the Kiwis bowling attack with a majestic 103 set a wonderful tone to the first ever standalone Women WorldT20 competition. India registered a convincing 34-run win that will ensure a semi-final place should they continue their

winning streak.

Back at the top as opener, Raj and Mandhana (26 runs, 3x4s off 28 balls) posted 73 runs for the first wicket after 9.3 overs. She was dismissed with only eight runs needed to maintain their supremacy over Pakistan in global competitions.

Raj revealed the decision behind the tactics employed in the first match. She said “Well, that has always been my role of an opener in the team. It’s just that, maybe, because it was a big team (New Zealand) we were playing in the first game, and we wanted somebody (reliable player) in the middle order. So experience does play a role when you want to push yourself down in the middle order.”

“I think today they felt that because there are spinners in the Pakistan side, and it would be wise (for her) to open. So, I opened the innings for India.”

Having notched her 16th T20Is fifty and second highest individual career total, Raj spoke about being focussed on the ball and playing each on its merit while building a solid platform for victory.

Raj said: “I think as an opener, I don’t think too much how to go about it. But as a

batter, you would want to focus on the ball and play with instinct.”

“Batting is all about instincts. You don’t plan and go there (batting on pitch) because obviously the opponents have a different plan. And if you only want to stick to your plan, there is obviously a downfall. So as a batter, my focus is only on to watch the ball and play instinctively, whether it is an aggressive shot or walking out for a single.”

Raj struck seven delightful fours during her match-winning innings. She was dismissed going for the eighth, brilliantly caught by a diving Nida Dar at the wide mid-wicket region. The spectacular catch ended her excellent display but she was satisfied that she provided her team more energy and confidence for the upcoming matches.

Commenting on the five newcomers in the Indian team, Raj said: “We have some younger players who are settling into the team and it gives me motivation to help them understand and play the game better. I am happy with their progress and that is good for our team in the future.”

Real Madrid appoint Solari as coach until 2021

MADRID (Reuters) - European champions Real Madrid have handed Santiago Solari a contract as firstteam coach through to June 2021, the club announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The 42-year-old Argentine has led the team to four wins in four games since taking over as interim manager in place of sacked former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui two weeks ago.

Solari has enjoyed the best start of any coach in the club’s history and his appointment as permanent manager was approved by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) on Monday.

He played for Real from 2000 to 2005 in the Galacticos era alongside Zinedine Zidane, who became the club’s coach and won three Champions League titles in a row before stepping down.

Real Madrid have handed coach Santiago Solari a contract until 2021.( REUTERS/Eloy Alonso)

Solari led Real’s reserve team from 2016 until he took over from Lopetegui last month after the club’s poor run of form culminated in a painful 5-1 El Clasico defeat

by Barcelona.

He has presided over victories against Melilla in the Copa del Rey, Viktoria Plzen

in the Champions League plus Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo in La Liga.

Lopetegui was sacked after Madrid sank to ninth in the domestic standings.

However, after Sunday’s 4-2 win at Celta, the club are sixth, four points behind leaders Barca.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

OMSCC celebrates 18 in fine style …Baksh, Singh, Seeram and Dass share MVP awards

Warriors Sports Club celebrate their Division One triumph in fine style.

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Several players stole the spotlight when the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club (OMSCC) staged its 18th annual presentation, dinner and dance at the Queen Palace Banquet Hall, Scarborough here on Saturday night.

Among the outstanding performers were Azeez Baksh, Matbar Bryan Singh, Shiv Seeram, Nitram Dass and the evergreen Rovendra Mandolall.

Baksh, who represented Impac in the Division One, was voted the Most Valuable Player as did Singh in Division Two while Seeram shared MVP honours with Dass in the Over-50 category.

Baksh, who was unavoidably

absent from the gala occasion, scored 276 runs from nine matches with an average of 92.00 and also took 14 wickets at 7.64 runs apiece to crown a fine all-round season. Singh, on the other hand, totalled exactly 500 runs, inclusive of two centuries, averaging 100 while claiming eight wickets at 12.25 per wicket.

Seeram, who played for both his native Guyana and his adopted country Canada, took the MVP in the Over-50 class for the second consecutive year while leading Skeldon to championship honours with a brilliant century in the final versus Caribbean Sensation.

Dass (True Legends) who volunteered the cost of his trophy to the league, scored the most runs

(292) including a knock of 123 while averaging 58.40.

Mandolall, a former Guyana Under-19 batsman, who represented Warriors Sports Club in Division One, copped a special award for scoring the most runs (307). He also starred in the final with a man-of-the-match performance.

The Captain-of-the-Year award, introduced last year, and sponsored by Dr Rudy Singh, went to Elite’s Arjune Persaud.

Five players, Ganesh Ramraj (Caribbean Sensation and Miracles), Geenarine Ram (Skeldon and Elite), Monty Dass (True Legends), Rudy Tulsie Ramdial (Friendship Masters and Caribbean Sensation) and Ryan Bhup (Ramblers) collected special

Bowlers set up South Africa’s win over Sri Lanka

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – South Africa thrashed Sri Lanka by seven wickets here late Monday night, to make a winning start to the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup. Asked to chase a modest 100 for victory at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium, the Proteas women safely navigated their way to victory with nine balls remaining in the Group A contest.

Marizanne Kapp top-scored with 38 not out while Dane van Niekerk ended unbeaten on 33, the pair posting 67 for the third wicket to rescue the innings which lay in turmoil at six for two in the second over.

Sri Lanka had earlier been restricted to 99 for eight off their 20 overs after they were sent in with the threat of rainy weather around.

The innings was slumping at 26 for three in the eighth over before Shashikala Siriwardana (21) and Dilani Manodara (20) arrived to bolster the scoring.

Openers Chamari Athapaththu (3) and Yashoda Mendis (1) both fell cheaply with the score on five but Siriwardana kept the runs coming in a knock which came from 27 de-

liveries and included two fours and a six.

Once she fell in the 12th over, Sri Lanka slipped further to 67 for six in the 17th over before Manodara and Eshani Lokusooriyage (9) put on 31 off 18 balls for the seventh wicket to accelerate the innings.

selves in early trouble in their reply when Laura Wolvaardt missed a drive and was bowled by left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodani in the first over for four, and opening partner Lizelle Lee (1) nicked an out-swinger from pacer Sripali Weerakkody and was taken behind.

South Africa celebrate the fall of a Sri Lankan wicket during their opener on Monday at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium. (Photo by ICC Media) Manodara struck four fours in a breezy 12-ball knock while seamer Shabnim Ismail finished with three for 10 to be named Player-of-the-Match.

South Africa found them-

But Kapp faced 44 balls and counted four fours and a six while captain van Niekerk hit two boundaries in a 45-ball knock, to set up the win for South Africa.

Kim Sue (right) hands over the Norman Sue Bakery-sponsored Division Two trophy to sister Natasha Sue in the presence of the victorious Ramblers players.

(Pictures courtesy of Bobby Ramlagan)

awards.

Ramraj had the distinction of scoring two centuries (108 and 104); Ram hit 123; Dass had scores of 96 and 92; Ramdial registered 106 while Bhup had the unique honour of recording the highest score (153) of the season and slamming 93. Another centurion was former Guyana and Essequibo Inter-county player Jaimini Singh, whose 104 was scored against GT Bannas in the Over-50 category.

Ron Etwaroo of Ramblers, and Suresh Ragoonauth of Pegasus registered the best economy rates. Etwaroo (Division Two) had a fantastic 2.71 runs per wicket while Ragoonauth (Division One) ended the season with 3.60.

Prizes for the most catches during the season went to Nick Permaul of Elite (six), Suresh Persaud of True Leagends (six) and Mandolall of Warriors (four).

There were triple feat awards

for Robin Gopaul (Friendship Masters), Royson Naicken (GT Bannas), Suren Persaud (Impac) and Seokumar Ron Singh. Gopaul, Naicken and Persaud registered three half-centuries while Singh took 11 wickets while claiming four for nine.

Warriors player Terry Mathura received a special plaque for being part of three winning teams in 2018, a feat believed to be the first of its kind for organised softball in Ontario. Mathura represented Skeldon in the Over-50 category, Warriors in the Over-40 and Car Tecc in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Conference B playoff championships.

Special recognition awards went to Bato Shewraj, Coreen Persaud, Alvin Budhram, Teddy Hussain, Allan Omrow, Nari Khan, Indira Singh, Chantel Lall, Natasha Sue, Jaydeo Singh, Leila Brittania, Dolly Kanhai, Jayden Barrett, Sabita Dass, Norman Garcia, Martha Dyal and Frencho Rampersaud.

After failing in two attempts to capture the coveted Division One title, Warriors Cricket Club finally broke the jinx by winning the 2018 crown, registering a seven-wicket over Dant Masters while Ramblers defeated Reliance Lions in a nail-biting Division Two final, having already been assured of the divisional title.

Last year’s playoff Division One winner Our Own had to settle for the regular season crown.

Skeldon carted off the Over50 division playoffs title after finishing second behind Caribbean Sensation in the regular season.

A new Inter-county champion was crowned after Berbice defeated OMSCC All Stars in the final, thwarting the efforts of Essequibo who were seeking to retain the title for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year.

The league also introduced an Over-60 game, featuring past stalwarts with Naz Baksh doing the honours of sponsoring the feature.

46

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

Management of resources key to Windies future success, says Brathwaite CHENNAI, India, (CMC) – Captain Carlos Brathwaite believes West Indies have the quality players to challenge in upcoming tournaments but has warned that management of these resources will be critical to any future success.

West Indies suffered a humbling 3-0 whitewash to India in the Twenty20 series which wrapped up here Sunday, but boasted a depleted squad with five debutants and several other players with limited experience.

Despite the inexperience, Brathwaite said there was definitely quality there which could be further developed.

“There are a few [good batsmen in the squad]. We have a lot of young promising talent,” the all-rounder told a media conference.

“I think it is very important for us to manage them very, very well [and] plan how we’re going to get the very best out of each and every one of their attributes going forward.

I’m looking forward to the 2019 50-over World Cup and the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia. Once we do the right things as management staff, selectors and administrators and plan accordingly, we can get the best out of these guys and create a unit that is formidable enough to not only challenge but win, not if the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup in Australia.”

Nicholas Pooran shone with an unbeaten 53 in Sunday finale, in what was only his second T20 International in two years while rookie speedster Oshane Thomas raised eyebrows with his pace, after making his international debut on the tour.

Both Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope entered the series in good nick from the preceding one-day series but was unable to convert that form in the shortest format.

However, Brathwaite said as a unit, the Windies had made strides even though the series result had been unfavourable.

Guyana to clash with USA, Brazil at America’s Curling Challenge … to open against USA on November 17

GUYANA will join USA and Brazil at this year’s America’s Challenge, set to take place at the Chaska Curling Center in Chaska, Minnesota, United States from November 15 to 18, which will also serve as a qualifier for the 2019 World Men’s Curling Championship.

This season, America’s Challenge takes place prior to the Pioneer Hi-Bred World Men’s Curling Championship 2019 to decide the second America’s zone qualifier.

The first qualification place from the America’s zone went to Canada, who finished higher than United States at the previous world championship, but who also secured direct qualification as the hosts.

Nicholas Pooran impressed with an unbeaten 53 in Sunday’s finale.

“I think team morale is up. I think what we’re doing as a group is trying to find the best way to use the resources that we have,” he pointed out.

“I think in the first game we showed our fight, we showed our belief with the ball [but] we didn’t come up to the mark with the bat. [In the] second game we were blown away and then the third game we batted excellently [but] we got the game taken away from us by a massive partnership and we still fought to the end.”

Brathwaite was referring to the 130-run, third wicket stand between Shikhar Dhawan (92) and Rishabh Pant (58) which pulled India

around from 45 for two in the sixth over and put them back on course for their target of 182.

West Indies had an excellent chance to at least force a super-over with scores tied and a single ball remaining, but Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik scrambled a single off left-arm spinner Fabian Allen to get India over the line.

“Three-nil looks bad – it’s embarrassing obviously for me as captain as well but the performances, the fight, the way we came together and tried to use our resources to the best of our ability, was the hallmark of the short series for me,” Brathwaite said.

Susanna Dinnage named new Premier League boss

SUSANNA Dinnage has been named the new chief executive of the Premier League, replacing Richard Scudamore.

Dinnage joins from media organisation Discovery, where she was the global president of the Animal Planet channel.

Scudamore, 59, is stepping down next month after 19 years at the helm.

“I am excited at the prospect of taking on this fantastic role. The Premier League means so much to so many people,” said Dinnage, who will begin her new job early in 2019.

“It represents the pinnacle of professional sport and the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and inspirational organisation is a great privilege.

“With the support of clubs and the team, I look forward to extending the success of the league for many years to come.”

Premier League clubs

asked for £250 000 towards Scudamore’s £5M bonus.

Dinnage will become just the third person to lead the Premier League, after Scudamore and his predecessor Rick Parry.

career at MTV. “We are very pleased to appoint such a capable leader to this important role,” said Bruce Buck, Chelsea’s chairman and chair of the Premier League’s nominations com-

Susanna Dinnage has worked for Discovery for the last 10 years.

Prior to joining Discovery in January 2009, Dinnage worked for 10 years at Channel Five and she started her

mittee.

“We had a very strong field, but Susanna was the outstanding choice given her

track record in managing complex businesses through transformation and digital disruption.

“She is a leading figure in the broadcasting industry, a proven business executive and a great developer of people.

She is ideally suited to the role and we are confident she will be able to take the Premier League on to new heights.

“Richard Scudamore, having provided exceptional stewardship for almost 20 years, will leave us at the end of the year in great shape and with an excellent executive team and board able to fully support Susanna.”

Scudamore was the Premier League’s executive chairman but the top-flight clubs had already agreed to split his role. The search for a non-executive chair will now begin, the league said.

(BBC Sport)

and Moutain Bike categories will be up for grabs.

Eight primes will also be there for the taking throughout the race which will begin at 08:30hrs.

The event is sponsored by DDL and organised by National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.

Last year’s winner in the senior category was Jamual

John who finished in two hours 14 minutes; Curtis Dey (now in the senior category) took the Junior race while Paul Cho Wee Nam was the first veteran across the finish line.

Ozia McAully took away the top prize for the Mountain Bikers; Larry Wills of DDL and staff will be there to present prizes.

The Pioneer Hi-Bred World Men’s Curling Championship 2019 will be played in the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada from March 30 to April 7.

For the first time, more than one team will challenge United States for the second spot in the World Men’s Curling Championship.

The team in first place after the double round-robin event will qualify for the world championship while the second-place finisher will go to the World Qualification Event 2019 – in Naseby, New Zealand from January 18 to 23.

This year both Brazil and Guyana will challenge United States. T he first round-robin match-up will be on Friday November 16 when United States skippered by Greg Persinger will face Brazil’s Marcelo Mello.

Rayad Husain, captain of Guyana, will play United States in their first game on Saturday November 17 at 09:00hrs. The winner will then be decided on Sunday, after Guyana would have played Brazil in the last session at 13:00hrs.

Brazil’s women’s team also registered to compete in America’s Challenge but then requested to concede to the United States – the only other participant – allowing Brazil to receive the sole North American spot in the new World Qualification Event.

Formed in May of 2017, the Guyana Curling Federation (GCF), headed by Husain, paved the way for Guyana, for the first time, to venture out to an ‘ice sport’, with the country competing at the 2018 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Östersund, Sweden with considerable success.

The Guyana Curling Federation was established not only to govern and promote the Winter Olympic Sport of Curling to Guyanese both within Guyana and abroad, but also to raise the profile of Winter Sport within the Caribbean region, by working with other similar bodies and organisations. (Rawle Toney) CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday November 14, 2018)

Diamond Mineral Water road race set for this weekend

ON Sunday (November 18) the 19th Annual Diamond Mineral Water 46-mile road race will pedal off on the West Demerara roadways from the western side of the Harbour Bridge, head up to Parika and finish at the point of origin.

Prizes for the first six seniors, oldest cyclist and top three in the Junior, Veteran

FLASHBACK! Rayad Hussain in action at the 2018 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Östersund, Sweden

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Jamual John

(1) (2)

ANSWERS TO SUNDAY’S QUIZ: India 3, WI 0 Kuldeep Yadav (India)

(1) (2)

TODAY’S QUIZ: Where was the first ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup held?

Who were the winners?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

47

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 14, 2018

Pakistan beat Ireland by 38 runs to register first win

Clean-bowled! Ireland’s Claire Shillington is bowled by a Nashra Sandhu delivery.

MATCH nine of the ICC Women’s World T20 resulted in a 38-run win for Pakistan over Ireland at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday.

Needing 140 for victory, the Irish were set back early by the loss of Gabby Lewis, whose fancy footwork up the track had been outdone by Mary Waldron’s handiwork.

The loss of Eimear Richardson two runs later didn’t help the process and the Irish found themselves wanting a solid duo.

It was at this point that Isobel Joyce and Kim Garth put their hands up and gave Pakistan a scare, putting on a team-high 38-run partnership.

Joyce used the depth of the crease in her 31-ball 30 to slice and drive with surgical precision and there was a sigh of relief when she had been finally trapped by Aiman Anwer.

After that, it was smooth sailing for the sub-continental contenders, wickets falling at regular intervals and a smooth run to the finish line.

Titans TTC’s Sahadeo and Van Lange off on USA tour Krystian Sahadeo T I TA N S Ta b l e Te n n i s Club’s young duo of Jonathan Van Lange and Krystian Sahadeo left Guyana’s shores yesterday for the United States of America where they will be participating in various competitions for the remainder of the year.

The duo’s first assignment will be at the Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor, Maryland where they will compete in the Joola North America Teams competition from November 23 to 25.

Titans president Dwain

Dick explained that they have left at least a week early to facilitate acclimatising as they will be competing in several other tournaments.

As Van Lange and Sahadeo compete, win or lose they will be placed in categories and earn USA ranking points. They’ll not be placed in any age category. Teams will be placed with other teams with similar rankings.

Both youngsters will be returning early January and are being accompanied by their parents.

Nashra Sandu’s 2 for 8 lead the line with an economy rate of 2. Elsewhere, there were wickets for Anwer (2 for 25), Sana Mir (2 for 20), Aliya Riaz (2 for 16 off 2) and Bismah Maroof (1 for 10 off 2).

Earlier, it was Javeria Khan who stole the show with a swashbuckling 74 off 52 balls to hand Pakistan the total they needed to bowl at. 11 fours adorned that innings that thwarted the Irish bowling plan of an early night.

Apart from Khan, 21 from

Jonathan Van Lange The last time a Guyanese team participated in the Joola Championships they copped gold and bronze medals in the 2016 at the same venue.

Kristian Sahadeo, Colin Wong, Denesh Persaud, Thuraia Thomas and Rolex John’s team led Guyana to the gold medal in the 11B Division back then. In Division 10, the bronze was achieved courtesy of another star-studded team which comprised Khalil Ninvalle, Terrence Raucsh, Anika Phillips, Abigail Martin and Selena Jackman.

Pakistan’s Javeira Khan gets ready to smash one through the offside as Ireland’s Mary Waldron watches. (Adrian Narine photos) Ayesha Zafar (4x2) before her run-out and Umaima Sohail’s 18 from 19, the batting really hadn’t much work to do.

Lucy O’Riley was the go-to player for the Irish with her four overs yielding 3 wickets for 19 runs, an econ-

Johnson names ‘strong, balanced and talented’ squad for French Guiana encounter MICHAEL Johnson, head coach of Guyana’s senior Men’s National team, the Golden Jaguars, believes that he has selected a strong, balanced and talented squad to face French Guiana on November 20, in the capital Cayenne of the French-speaking South American country.

Dagenham & Redbridge’s Elliot Bonds has received his first call-up to the Golden Jaguars, as Walter Moore, Colin Nelson and Marcel Barrington will make a return for the CONCACAF Nations League.

Johnson has named a 21-man squad, bringing together players based at clubs in Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, England, the United States, Finland and Portugal. The squad will commence encampment for the fixture today in Suriname.

“This is a crucial match for the Golden Jaguars in our bid to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for

omy tace of 4.75. Outside of her, Ciara Metcalfe and Celeste Raack were the only other wicket-takers.

Golden Jaguars captain Samuel Cox in action in the CONCACAF Nations League.

(Samuel Maughn photo)

the first time in Guyana’s footballing history. We are taking a strong, balanced and talented squad with a great blend of local players and those plying their trade overseas,” said head coach Johnson. “We are all 110% focused on making Guyanese fans proud in Cayenne next week.”

The 18-year-old midfielder Bonds plays in England’s National League – the fifth tier of English football. The squad includes US-based striker Emery Welshman, whose FC Cincinnati team will play Major League Soccer in 2019.

Neil Danns, Marcel Barrington and Colin Nelson return after missing out on the CONCACAF Nations League contest against Barbados in September.

Guyana currently lie 11th in the CONCACAF Nations League qualification table, with four points from two games. French Guiana are in 16th place.

The top 10 will qualify for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the top six will qualify for CONCACAF Nations League A alongside the United States, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras.

Teams placed 7th to 22nd will compete in Concacaf Nations League B. Guyana’s final qualification match will be played against Belize at Leonora Stadium on March 23, 2019.

Goalkeepers: Kai McKenzie-Lyle and Akel Clarke.

Defenders: Terence Vancooten, Sam Cox, Kevin Layne, Kevin Dundas, Jake Newton, Walter Moore, Colin Nelson and Ronayne MarshBrown.

Midfielders: Neil Danns, Elliot Bonds, Brandon Beresford, Anthony Benfield, Daniel Wilson and Stephen Duke-McKenna.

Forwards: Emery Welshman, Marcel Barrington, Trayon Bobb, Kadell Daniel and Sheldon Holder.

CMRC FINAL LEG

Feeling is indescribable – Truelove

The CMRC 2018 country champions Trinidad and Tobago. (Mikey Spice Photos)

The king of kings!

Andrew King is all smiles as he collects his 2018 CMRC group 4 championship trophy from GMR&SC vice-president Hansraj Singh.

By Stephan Sookram TEAM Mohamed’s Enterprise secured its second Superstock title last weekend at the Caribbean Motor Racing Champion-

Team Mohamed’s Enterprise 2018. Richard Cooper, CMRC 2018 champion Matt Truelove and his brother Harry. ship’s (CMRC) final leg in Guyana with rider Matt Truelove now beginning to feel the effects.

Truelove, speaking to Chronicle Sport, confirmed that the championship was

something he really enjoyed throughout the year.

“Feels great to pick up another title for Team Mohamed’s Enterprise. It was a great ride this year and I hope to be back next year,”

Matt, the older of the two Trueloves confirmed.

Despite their turn one incident with team mate Richard Cooper, the ride was an overall successful one for the side who remain unbeat-

en thus far in the CMRC championship.

Matt amassed 218 points to Guyana’s Matthew Vieira who stacked up 136 and Harry’s 98.

Meanwhile, Jamaica

snagged the country championship for bikes due to neither Matt nor Harry’s points being tallied into the total.

Turn to page 42

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2018